[C'est Moi Cantona]

Not the end of the world, we played well, if Carrick was there and Rooney had been in his proper position we'd have got at least a draw.

Just goes to show we don't have the depth in the squad yet.

 

[bosnian_red]

So who deserves more credit?

Us for beating you 1-0.


Or City for losing 4-2 playing open attractive football.

When the freshness of the result dies down you all know you would take this over second best regardless of how its played.

There's a difference in being home and away. If the same happened and you were away and got the result then it's brilliant. I guess it's just a matter of pride, but being at home I'd never want to see that. I always liked Mourinho but I don't think I'd like him to be our manager because of that. Yes we would win trophies, but you can win trophies playing attacking football and taking the initiative and being entertaining, it doesn't have to be parking the bus against any big team even at home.

 

[ManUnitedCanuck]

Valencia has been solid in the RB position, but he really does hurt our attack down that side. Seems to stand on the ball too much and not take on his man, as he used to in his glory days on the wing. We aren't very effective down that wing and it makes us a bit too predictable, attacking down the left.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

75% possession given away on your own pitch, its not as if we're Madrid or Barca now is it,
Dont know why we didnt go for it more in the last 20mins, throw a few more runners into the box.
Annoying game.

We might have done if Shaw hadn't have been substituted. That was astounding.

 

[kps88]

When the freshness of the result dies down you all know you would take this over second best regardless of how its played.

I sort of agree at this stage of the season, when you're so close to winning the league, all that matters is the final result. But if we were to constantly play like that in big games, I'd stop looking forward to them. It's no fun.

 

[Pyroblazer]

So who deserves more credit?

Us for beating you 1-0.


Or City for losing 4-2 playing open attractive football.

When the freshness of the result dies down you all know you would take this over second best regardless of how its played.

It's ok because your team won in the end. But it wasn't a nailed on 1-0 win. You had few chances and scored one, we had few chances and didn't score. This could have ended 0-0 or 1-1 or even 0-1 too and then it wouldn't be a great performance and result for Mourinho. Against PSG it was the wrong decision and you said goodbye in the round of 16. It works often enough for Mourinho, but especially in the CL there are also some examples where I think he could have done better if he just play proper football with his quality team. Sometimes its safer to score another than defending a one-goal-lead.

 

[stevoc]

Of course and I doubt United 08/09 celebrated any less because of how they played at times that season.

To be fair though some of you answer your own questions. When this style of football clearly winds you up, what you get is teams coming into games vs us bullish and overconfident.

Instead of the way we play its the result because it winds the ' but we played so much better' people up.

Besides we played strongly today, it wasnt terrible.

Strange comparison that was a truly great side built on defensive solidity, but it would have never resorted to parking the bus at home or away against any team let alone one lower than them in the league. This Chelsea side have a long way to go before they can be compared to that United side in my opinion.

You can have your opinion on Chelsea's performance today and that's fine, if Chelsea fans are happy to win like this fair play to you enjoy it.

What did you want us to do what City and Liverpool did, play openly and get smashed.. I told you we werent that stupid.

That would have been great yeah, very rude of you lot not to

 

[DomesticTadpole]

There's a difference in being home and away. If the same happened and you were away and got the result then it's brilliant. I guess it's just a matter of pride, but being at home I'd never want to see that. I always liked Mourinho but I don't think I'd like him to be our manager because of that. Yes we would win trophies, but you can win trophies playing attacking football and taking the initiative and being entertaining, it doesn't have to be parking the bus against any big team even at home.

I don't know how Chelsea fans can watch that dross.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

People who's slating Shaw

I haven't seen one person slating shaw

 

[MDFC Manager]

I reckon if Rooney scores that early chance, we go on and destroy their whole game plan. If and buts though.

 

[ivaldo]

So who deserves more credit?

Us for beating you 1-0.


Or City for losing 4-2 playing open attractive football.

When the freshness of the result dies down you all know you would take this over second best regardless of how its played.

A goal that shouldn't have counted, you deserved that goal no more than we would've deserved scoring a goal from Herrera's dive. Personally I think its between us and you for the title next season.

 

[togg]

Good for you @antihenry ... you are a Chelsea fan. The title for 2015 is won already, and congratulations. But Mourhino? There was a time when I would have loved to see him at United. There was a time, too, when I used to visit The Shed, some witty contributors there. For me, it's about winning, but it's about entertainment too. I love Barcelona, they are my second favourite team. I can tell you hand on heart that if Manchester United played Chelsea at Old Trafford like one of the non league sides we met in various cups, with every hand to the pumps and everyone behind the ball and 30% possession, and won by a single (admittedly classy) goal, well then, I would worry for the direction of the club and management. These days I am heartily pleased that you lot have Mourhino and we have Louis Van Gaal.

Ah...I'm not so sure. I always wanted Mourhino...always thought he was the perfect ego for Old Trafford and to be honest I still think that. I wish he was our manager because I always believed he was the right guy. Even more so now I know that LVG is seeing this as his last swangsong. But and a big but, I've always supported LVG too, his ego is the same....and if we can't have Jose, then I believe that LVG is the next best thing. Give him this transfer window and I'm so convinced that we will be rocking. We did so well today...two months ago I reckon we would have been beaten 3 - 0......

 

[bosnian_red]

We might have done if Shaw hadn't have been substituted. That was astounding.

Think Van Gaal thought it's best to not risk him. Blind might be injured a bit more then just one week, and given Shaw's record this season, he figured it's best to not risk shaw even if we don't get a point.

 

[SoCross]

We got the moral victory

Chelsea had a game plan and stuck to it. We played well enough though to deserve a point at least but that's football. Looking forward to the rest of the season and next season, LVG is leading us towards the light!

 

[Tincanalley]

It's ok because your team won in the end. But it wasn't a nailed on 1-0 win. You had few chances and scored one, we had few chances and didn't score. This could have ended 0-0 or 1-1 or even 0-1 too and then it wouldn't be a great performance and result for Mourinho. Against PSG it was the wrong decision and you said goodbye in the round of 16. It works often enough for Mourinho, but especially in the CL there are also some examples where I think he could have done better if he just play proper football with his quality team. Sometimes its safer to score another than defending a one-goal-lead.

Good post and I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Organic Potatoes]

I haven't seen one person slating shaw

Maybe not here as I haven't had a chance to study it, but in the match thread there certainly were.

Probably just one or two who were overly vocal, I suspect...

 

[Siorac]

This wasn't bad at all. We would have deserved a draw at least, only we didn't take our chances.

Biggest negatives are Di Maria, Falcao and Januzaj but I thought Shaw did really well, McNair too. Shame we couldn't score but it was an OK performance.

 

[VP]

You're acting like you dominated possession because you're this unbelievably brilliant side.

You dominated possession because WE LET YOU HAVE THE BALL! Those were the tactics and they worked.

Well, we're not brilliant but we were the better side and the tactics probably reflected that.

Anyway, who the feck plays football to let the other team have the ball? It worked but it's pretty joyless -would you enjoy a kick about where you spent the whole game in your half not touching the ball? And the stakes weren't even high: it wasn't a knock out and the league's wrapped up. It was the perfect opportunity to showcase why you're the champions elect; instead you played Zouma to man-mark fecking Fellaini.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Chelsea played as expected, park the bus and hope for Hazard to do something.
Good team performance from us and dominated possession.
Bit too cautious going forward and the players who played well against City, didn't play as well today, particularly Young who didn't risk anything and Mata and Fellaini were quiet.

Strangely the worry before the match of missing Carrick Blind and Jones/Rojo did not really affect the match
McNair and Shaw had good games and Shaw was the only one trying to get past Chelsea's back 4 until Di Maria came on but then Shaw went off probably due to lack of match fitness.
Herrera did well but gave a few dangerous balls away.

Pity di Maria wasn't on at the start combining with Shaw. Not saying Young didn't deserve to be in the team after last week's performance but he was nowhere near that level today

Very optimistic to blow Chelsea away next season

That was likely someone forgetting he was playing as a DM.

 

[Revan]

Correct me if i'm wrong but were they not at the time reigning champions of europe? and a CL fixture where away goals count double,
if you're going to trot out the sit in front of your goalkeeper and win 1-0 a better comparission would surely be the David Moyes 1-0 Arsenal game at OT last year.
Chelsea are shit to watch though it must be said.

And, were you emberrased last season after tha victory?

I wasn't mentioning the competition, just the performance. We were ultra-defensive against barac despite having the better team and the better manager. They kept us prisoned in our own half for the majority of two matches. I enjoyed that victory far more than our moral victory on 2011.

And if I was a Chelsea fan, I would have enjoyed far more this victory today rather than playing great by losing in the end.

 

[clarkydaz]

more elated with the performance than down about the result. We've outplayed the top teams bar arsenal recently, this year is jose's title, he's welcome to it. even if we got near it would have felt we were imposters being a work in progress all season. looking good for the future

give over with the mourinho masterclass though, first half their midfield didn't know their arse from their elbow

 

[Moonred]

Hard to come back with nothing, but Chelsea had a plan however much negative or whatever it was, and they did it. Grinding out results is as important as winning playing well. Well done to them, we need a few right people at the right places and we will be good, it will come.

 

[stevoc]

Well, the last time we won UCL, on semi final we played exactly like this. On 2009 on many matches we played like this. Against Barca on 2009 we tried (and failed to play lik this). Interestingly, against Mourinho's Madrid we played like this (especially on the first half).

There is nothing wrong with defensive football.

No we didn't your memory of that game must be clouded. We played them on the counter that night we didn't park the bus from the get go. We were hanging on for the last 15 minutes granted but that's about it.

 

[Moriarty]

The defenders on both sides had an easy evening due to Rooney playing in the middle and Costa missing. Herrera is not a holding midfielder. Shaw likely had his best game for United. Looks to have been watching and learning from Blind. Impressed with McNair with his composure and passing.

The absence of Carrick was a blow but, for my money, losing Blind hurt us as much. They wouldn't have had the space they did with him playing.

 

[ThanksBoss26]

Real positives though, we seem to have a style of football and a way of doing things now, something we have lacked for the best part of 2 years. Playing away at Chelsea and having 70% possession and looking the better of the 2 sides says a lot especially after our recent results. Good times ahead.

Definitely. We look like we're getting some identity back in the way we play.

 

[The Man Himself]

There is no point blaming Mourinho or Chelsea or their style. If the club (owner, fans, players, staff etc etc) is fine with it, that is their choice. We all knew that in spite of being so much clear at top, he was going to fill team with defensive players and rest on Hazard or other talented forwards to produce something to win. An early goal would have helped us to change their plan but didn't happen. If we maintain same intensity in next game and rest of the games, we would secure CL football, have a working system in place and it can get better with time next season.

 

[Revan]

Because that Barcelona was probably the greatest team of all time?

The Brca which finished in their own league below Villareal?

 

[MDFC Manager]

Think Van Gaal thought it's best to not risk him. Blind might be injured a bit more then just one week, and given Shaw's record this season, he figured it's best to not risk shaw even if we don't get a point.

Yes, that's what i thought too. As well as give Blackett some match fitness.

 

[An Irish Red]

If you look at how Shaw played and the prospect that McNair is: How exciting do we look for next year?

McNair did alright but I still hope we don't see too much of him next year all the same.

 

[Sied]

This will sound bitter due to its timing, but I honestly wouldn't want Mourinho to manage United. At the end of the day I watch football for enjoyment, and the anti-football he plays in the big games is the most boring brand of football I've ever seen. On top of that the time wasting, falling over under minimal contact, 11 men behind the ball, faking injuries and dragging out minor ones, is pathetic and embarrassing. It's everything that rugby fans take the piss out of football fans for, wrapped into one 90 minute display. Everything that's bad about modern football.

Lastly I need to give this it's own paragraph. Subs going to the opposite end of the pitch in preparation for being subbed is one of the most pathetic things I've seen in football - they should bring in a new rule that you have to go to the nearest touchline when you're subbed. We don't need to watch them walking slower than my nan to high five their mate. There's millions of people watching this shit. If I wanted to watch people walk slowly I'd go to my local M&S at lunch time midweek and watch the old folks potter about.

 

[zlatan_ish]

Cowards parked the bus in their own home. We just couldn't break that bus. I can't think of any other top european team that does this at home with that kind of financial power. We were the better team, they were more clinical. So at the end of the day they deserved to win because its ultimately the goal that counts.

This post needs more cliche lines.

 

[soap]

Also should mention the ref was fantastic today. Was certain that Herrera incident was a pen until I saw the replay!

 

[Unlikely lad]

GIF of the penalty incident?

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Anyway, who the feck plays football to let the other team have the ball?

I don't think it looks like the tactics wehn Fabregas was kicking out at players who were skipping past him for the whole first half, nor when oscar was sprinting from player to player desperately trying to get the ball back.

Kurt Zouma did look fairly happy not to have the ball though

 

[Revan]

and then he left

That's like Liverpool fans who still hope that we'll go bankrupt cause of debt. Neither him, not City's owners aren't leaving.

And regardless of that, Chelsea now can mantain itself without Roman's help.

 

[OneUnited24]

Also should mention the ref was fantastic today. Was certain that Herrera incident was a pen until I saw the replay!

Yeah the challenge by Terry on Falcao was well timed and the ref was spot on

 

[stu_1992]

Typical Mourinho in big games. You just knew it was coming. I mean we played OK largely, but it's just so hard to break that down. We've seen it so many times. I thought Shaw was our best player today. Disappointed to see him get substituted. I thought RVP definitely should have come one in the last 15 mins for Falcao. I wouldn't have made the Mata/Januzaj substitution.

Disappointing, but not too surprising of a result. Shame to end that great run we were on, but with the injuries we had for this game, it was always going to be difficult. Hopefully we get a few back for next week. At least one of Carrick/Blind.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

That's like Liverpool fans who still hope that we'll go bankrupt cause of debt. Neither him, not City's owners aren't leaving.

And regardless of that, Chelsea now can mantain itself without Roman's help.

I meant mourinho. The lad is saying we won the lot with mourinho so who cares how we play. Ignoring the fact that he left the club and came back after promising he'd try to play better football

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Think Van Gaal thought it's best to not risk him. Blind might be injured a bit more then just one week, and given Shaw's record this season, he figured it's best to not risk shaw even if we don't get a point.

I hope Blind is back next week, so Shaw can play LB and Herrera can go back to what he does best.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

And, were you emberrased last season after tha victory?

I wasn't mentioning the competition, just the performance. We were ultra-defensive against barac despite having the better team and the better manager. They kept us prisoned in our own half for the majority of two matches. I enjoyed that victory far more than our moral victory on 2011.

And if I was a Chelsea fan, I would have enjoyed far more this victory today rather than playing great by losing in the end.

You are forgetting that no one thought United played well that first leg. United having no goals in that first leg was viewed as a disappointment. It only looked like a great result in retrospect.