[Keeps It tidy]

That never ceases to amaze me. How can you follow football for so many years yet still fail to grasp the simple concept of away goals rule?

Chelsea/Atletico 2014 is a great example of the away goal rule.

 

[Deanho]

LVG levels of boredom.

Truly depressing that a squad which is theoretically twice as good as LVG's still plays at the same level of boredom. The only real difference between Mo and LVG is that this year it looks like we'll make top four. Not giving up on Mourinho quite yet, but we have to get back to what we were doing in the first 3 or 4 games of the season, before things go beyond boredom and start resulting in bad losses.

 

[Sarni]

Chelsea/Atletico 2014 is a great example of the away goal rule.

So Chelsea would have actually progressed if they lost 2-1 instead of drawing in Madrid. Cool.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

So Chelsea would have actually progressed if they lost 2-1 instead of drawing in Madrid. Cool.

They definitely would have had a better shot.

 

[Sarni]

They definitely would have had a better shot.

Are you actually serious?

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Are you actually serious?

Yes

 

[Sarni]

Yes

There is no scenario in which losing is better than drawing. None whatsoever.

And no, 2-1 is not equal to 2-2. The game doesn't go into extra time if it's 0-0 in return leg.

What sort of advantage would they have gained by losing instead of drawing?

 

[OneFootball]

if we nick it at home, of the then 8 teams remaining, we'll be the ones everyone else wants to get.

And if you nick it at home, no one will give two continentals’ what the result was in the 1st leg. Media crap will always want to scaremonger or overhype as there is rarely moderation in thought. Just as the ‘no one will want to face Liverpool in the next round’ is total bullsh1t, I dont see anyone ‘warming the balls’ in order to draw out United.
The reality is that you now have a home draw in a once off game which you should get through. Of course it would be better had an away goal being scored but they need to score too and you have the best keeper, bar none, playing in goal and a very good defensive record in OT.
Not sure why I’m trying to console you guys and I’m hoping that Seville will sneak it but with De Gea, the player that I love and hate, you will get there!

 

[OneUnited24]

Why are they tired? There was a training camp in Dubai. Our last game was on Saturday and the one before was another week before that. The team have had plenty of rest with full weeks in between games. I'm not buying this not rested issue. None of the other big teams are tired. Why is this team tired?

The cumulative affect of games starts to tell around March. Typically you need 2 weeks of proper rest to allow your muscles a chance to recover. Even if they have a game once a week they're still training every day.

Have a look at Jose teams, all start on fire then usually crawl to the finishing line. Take the time 3 years ago when he won the title with Chelsea, blew teams away in the first half and had a sizeable lead which got cut into massively in the second half of the season.

TBH its not just a Jose thing, i think other teams feel it as well. We can argue about it being the best in the world but i believe the pace of games in the EPL makes it the fastest in the world. Which is having a effect on English teams in Europe. Makes what City are doing atm all the more impressive

 

[Ekeke]

Not sure what the colossal overreaction in here is for. 0-0 away from home is ok, good chance of going through now.

Most of this forum want Mourinho... we get Mourinho doing what Mourinho does and we all start complaining. Isn’t this literally what we knew we were going to get?

Pretty much. Only not everyone wanted him and it was because of things like this. Usually you'd expect a Mourinho team to be a bit more convincing in getting the draw though, Sevilla should have scored at least 1 of their chances.

Our midfield was completely dominated and they created chances at will - usually a creative player has had a good game if he makes 3 or so key passes, Ever Banega made 10 key passes, had 134 touches, 105 passes, 5 crosses that found a teammate and 5 tackles which means he also won the ball most of anyone on his team.

This is both our fault and Banega's talent and ability which he hasnt been able to show consistantly other than 1 season at Valencia. But wouldnt you expect a Mourinho team of old to clamp down on a player having it all his own way like that and not allow him to find players in dangerous areas?

And its not all Matic's fault either, he still worked hard recovering the ball at times although he lost it more often than he should. But usually in the past Mourinho would find the anti-football balance between midfield and defence to stop the dangerous players from doing everything they wanted to. Really we were just lucky that Sevilla werent clinical with their chances and gave De Gea a chance to keep the score level and of course, being such a great keeper he did just that.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

There is no scenario in which losing is better than drawing. None whatsoever.

And no, 2-1 is not equal to 2-2. The game doesn't go into extra time if it'i 0-0 in return leg.

Agreed but that was a disjointed and uninspiring performance.

Even if that was supposed to be a tactical masterstroke by Jose, the players looked bereft of ideas. Matic? God knows what's happened to him-a shadow of the player we saw at the start of the season. The forward players couldn't pass to each other. Only McTominay and Pogba( in bursts) emerged with any credit.

I could go on but I really have no idea where we're going with JM.

I hope I'm wrong but this team has no chance of winning a trophy playing like this. We could throw shed loads of money here and there but Jose will only break their will.

 

[Kant-ona]

I would say it was 7 "Van Gaal" on the upwardly open Boring-scale.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Why I keep getting frustrated thinking about this match is we did not even execute it correctly. While it did not work and it was at home Chelsea did a much better version of our tactics against a much better side. They forced Barca into a ton of sterile possession, Messi/Suarez rarely got touches in the box and they created plenty of good chances on the counter. Sevilla had the ball in our box about every minute and we created nearly nothing on the counter.

 

[Sarni]

Agreed but that was a disjointed and uninspiring performance.

Even if that was supposed to be a tactical masterstroke by Jose, the players looked bereft of ideas. Matic? God knows what's happened to him-a shadow of the player we saw at the start of the season. The forward players couldn't pass to each other. Only McTominay and Pogba( in bursts) emerged with any credit.

I could go on but I really have no idea where we're going with JM.

I hope I'm wrong but this team has no chance of winning a trophy playing like this. We could throw shed loads of money here and there but Jose will only break their will.

Nah, it was a bad performance and an all right result. We could have as well lost 2-0 last night with this sort of performance and wouldn't have been able to complain it was unfair. We were lucky to come home with what is a fairly decent result all things considered.

 

[Sarni]

Why I keep getting frustrated thinking about this match is we did not even execute it correctly. While it did not work and it was at home Chelsea did a much better version of our tactics against a much better side. They forced Barca into a ton of sterile possession, Messi/Suarez rarely got touches in the box and they created plenty of good chances on the counter. Sevilla had the ball in our box about every minute and we created nearly nothing on the counter.

Chelsea were at home.

Also they almost won that game 2-1. Imagine how down they would be right now if that happened.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Chelsea were at home.

Also they almost won that game 2-1. Imagine how down they would be right now if that happened.

I mentioned that Chelsea were at home and that it did not work.

 

[londonredmaniac]

Not a bad result. What a terrible game to watch though.

Something isn't right. Even our defense isn't solid anymore.

You're kidding yourself if you thought it was mate

 

[londonredmaniac]

We are a very expensive average side. No direction, no composure, no clue

 

[Craig Ward]

If anyone expected free flowing attacking football from Jose away in Europe, then your expectation is all wrong.

I expected Jose to set up that way, and expected us to offer little to nothing going forward.

Jose is a tactical manager, always has been always will be. There is no link up from our midfield to attack and our attacking players are so limited they cannot influence a game.

Our defence is changed every week and we let Sevilla dominate. We cannot rely on world class saves from De Gea every game, yet this is how we get by.

I would rate that performance as abysmal.

We have flair players, we have experience and we have the ability to play free flowing attacking football. But we don't. We limit our flair players, rely on defensive organisation and for the most part, rely on luck. How Sevilla didn't score 1 or 2 is a god send.

Sanchez has made little influence so far (I know its early days) but we don't play to the advantages of our forwards of late. 4-3-3 will work, but only if Jose lets the reigns off a little

 

[Keeps It tidy]

And another thing that annoys me that from the post game interviews and their Twitter feeds it seems like Mourinho and the players are satisfied/content with our performance. "Winning mentality".

 

[KM]

Sevilla at home are a very decent side to be fair. I just checked their home and away stats.
http://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=spain

Have only lost game there so far. Their away record is pretty wretched, so hopefully we can capitalise on it.

I think if we see the result then it's not a bad result per se, but the performance especially in the 20-80th minute horrifying.

 

[ZAGREB RED]

On the face of it, a good result in the away leg which puts United in the driving seat to win the tie, but once again, it's all about the grind. Could have been worse though, had it not been for DDG, United could have lost 2 or 3 nil to a very average side.
The sooner that Bailly and Rojo come back in at CB, the better. Lindelof and Smalling don't inspire confidence at the best of times.

 

[AidanMUFC]

Very disappointed, David de Gea and Scott McTominay were the only players which I was happy with their performances.

Why go and defend? We have world class players that could easily defeat that Sevilla team if we went for it!

Going back home with a 0-0 isn't the worse result but I believe it's always much harder to qualify without that away goal.

 

[KM]

Wait, are some people really arguing that drawing 0-0 is a worse result than losing the fecking match?

 

[Cee90]

Woke up this morning not feeling fine, got Man United in my mind.

Still annoyed at our performance last night.

 

[Sarni]

Wait, are some people really arguing that drawing 0-0 is a worse result than losing the fecking match?

Yes.

 

[KM]

Yes.

Time to close the internet.

 

[Nate Dogg]

We desperately need to invest in our full backs, having Valencia and Young is not good enough and is almost embarassing

There was one occassion when Valencia had a clear opportunity to put in a cross but his technique or lack of ability in crossing was exposed. In this modern era we need attacking fullback who can deliver in the final third.

I think everyone knows my thoughts on Smalling, Jones and Mata so all i will say at this point is that Mourinho will have to do better not only on the pitch but also in this summer transfer market.

 

[minoo-utd]

Wait, are some people really arguing that drawing 0-0 is a worse result than losing the fecking match?

No. But we were like chicken defended whole game and saved by DDG. Hadn't any clue how to attack or control the game. No hunger nor desire showed by the team. No one seemed like they are proud to play for the badge.

 

[KM]

No. But we were like chicken defended whole game and saved by DDG. Hadn't any clue how to attack or control the game. No hunger nor desire showed by the team. No one seemed like they are proud to play for the badge.

That doesn't have anything to do with what I've posted. What are you even arguing?

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Yes.

I was only arguing it half-heartedly. I just think playing for an away draw is not optimal strategy consider how much an away goal can help.

 

[Moonred]

Drawing 0-0 is the second worse type of result in an away CL game even losing 2-1 or 3-2 puts us in a better position. So the result is not ok.

There is not a rule in the world that prefers losing over drawing.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

If DDG doesn't get 100% of the MOTM votes, he's been robbed.

90%

I don’t understand why we can’t just pick our best 11 players each week in a formation that suits their strengths.

Forms and injuries, but mainly form.

CB is obvious, we can't.
LB, blame Mourinho.
Midfield, Matic, an off-form-recent-games Pogba, and the only other option McTominay.
Attackers, horribly inconsistent this season; Mata, Lingard, Martial, Rashford.
ST, no other pure striker or Martial/Rashford to challenge Lukaku.

 

[Siorac]

I was only arguing it half-heartedly. I just think playing for an away draw is not optimal strategy consider how much an away goal can help.

That's very different to claiming that a 2-1 away defeat is better than 0-0.

 

[shield]

This is Sevilla, not Barca/Madrid/Bayern. I don't understand how anyone can consider this as a decent result. I mean discussing the merits of an away draw should be done only if we were playing a top team, where being pragmatic is great, not against Sevilla.

 

[Siorac]

This is Sevilla, not Barca/Madrid/Bayern. I don't understand how anyone can consider this as a decent result. I mean discussing the merits of an away draw should be done only if we were playing a top team, where being pragmatic is great, not against Sevilla.

It IS a decent result.

What it cannot be considered is a decent performance. It was a dreadful performance but thankfully a decent result.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Why go and defend? We have world class players that could easily defeat that Sevilla team if we went for it!

Do we? Player selection is rational, and other than playing McTominay ahead of Pogba in a CL match, we set-up like always.

Previous game against Huddersfield, Sanchez-Lukaku-Mata combo works, so they play again. Same one with playing 3 in midfield. Pogba is off form.

Lukaku should score early on, but no.. funny after scoring two and literally being sharp and clinical previous game.

Need Herrera and McTominay to help our fullbacks, against Sevilla's wing play. I prefer if Carrick plays but nvm.

McTominay again give another solid performance and better, sign of improvement and finding his feet?

Matic looks knackered.

Simply, Our world class players failed to perform except David de God.

Towards the end, Pogba start to perform better, and both Martial-Rashford provides width and gives balance to the force, so encouraging signs.

 

[gica_7]

This is Sevilla, not Barca/Madrid/Bayern. I don't understand how anyone can consider this as a decent result. I mean discussing the merits of an away draw should be done only if we were playing a top team, where being pragmatic is great, not against Sevilla.

It's not just a matter of result. It is just Sevilla for God's sake. I can understand playing defensive but yesterday was not that either. Just a pointless, planless match. When you play defensive, every now and then you have to organize counter attacks. We didn't have that either. I wonder what is our attackers working on training as it seems they have no chemistry between each other.

I remember being frustrated after some United matches. I remember very specifically being frustrated after Barcelona draw in 2008. I remember being frustrated under LvG, Moyes and Jose. But yesterday was something else. Maybe Pogba news made it worse but my frustrations are still not over. Play some fecking football.

 

[shield]

It IS a decent result.

What it cannot be considered is a decent performance. It was a dreadful performance but thankfully a decent result.

Ok yeah.. Fair.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Overall, acceptable result, yet we should have won!