[EyeInTheSky]

Drunk and can't read last 6 pages but felt like #businessasual and Pogs is silky as feck. Feels like the good auld days lads!

BAU is back!! This could be the start of something beautiful. Just imagine when they gel and are up to speed. The thought of Pogba dominating even on his first game back should send shockwaves out to the rest.

 

[The United]

I think it was acceptable performance for us considering this was a home game with the players we have.

I still think we need to find solutions to counter when team dominate us like that in certain period. I think it will come because we have players like pogba etc to break out all the pressings. Hoping martial will hit some form soon and it will really help us with counter attacks.

 

[AR87]

He really isnt as bad as is made out, wont be the best CM ever at United but isnt the turd people say he is.

I think the big thing with Fellaini is that he follows instructions well and executes the game plan. LVG liked him for this reason and it's likely this is what Mourinho sees in him as well albeit in a much different position than he was used under LVG.

 

[thejtrain]

Everyone in the studio trolling Henry.

 

[sunama]

Only one shot on target from Southampton all game. Feels good that he's not saving our arses 90% of the time

I commented on this earlier.
Southampton basically played today, like we played under LVG. Lots of possession. But when they arrive in the final third, they do nothing much with the ball. Few shots on goal.

It's scary to think that had LVG stayed, we'd be seeing the same, drab football and with a higher standard expected this year (compared to last season), we'd probably finish around 8th.

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

I only watched the first 50, but SOuthampton looked pretty good. Better chances in general...

Pogba looked ok, not his level, but it's reasonable since he just game to the squad. Think Mourinho should drop Rooney/Fellaini and either start Morgan with herrara or get a new DM.

Saints are a good team... They lose managers and key players, but always still play good football.

What better chances? They had more chances which were not too threatening. They did move the ball around well and moved it around a lot, but like Jose pointed out in his post match interview, United allowed them to do that. United were happy to sit back and defend. There was never a sustained period of pressure on United.

Pogba was beating opponents for fun. He shielded the ball numerous times with his strength. If that is just OK, cant wait for him to "get to his level".

Drop Fellaini and start Herrera/Morgan? Only a true Fellaini hater would suggest something like that ATM. Yeah maybe we can drop Rooney and put Mkhi in number 10 role. Maybe Fellaini will turn into a bad player again and start costing us games. Then we can bin him. But I cannot understand why anyone would suggest that after the first two games of the season.

P.S. Did you mean you only watched the first '15' minutes?!

 

[goldenballs]

I foresee, exciting times ahead.

 

[Dion]

slight concern for me is valenica at rb not going forward, but his space he leaves at the back is worrying

Doubt Mourinho will tolerate repeated failures at the back so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[goldenballs]

Feck yeah we played with purpose and will. Hasn't seen that since SAF left. Gosh it's good to feel positive again. We're gonna win the league!

When did we sign this "Will" fella??

 

[#07]

Difficult to be displeased agree that.

Again, we need to remember how garbage we were against Southampton last season. Another result moved from the loss column.

Zlatan is Thor. Need I say more?

Pogba played well. He vacated the space in front of our defence a lot, which at times threatened to expose Fellaini's lack of mobility. Sure once he's fit that'll be less of an issue though.

Let's just keep winning.

 

[OldTrevil]

Enjoyed the game, we could have easily scored 3 or 4 today. There's room for improvement understandably in these early days. I didn't like how we allowed them in on a number of occasions though. Valencia is a phenomenal athlete but he doesn't have the instincts of a fullback, he didn't seem to understand that his wing partner's limitations required him to be more proactive in closing down space. The vast majority of all dangerous attacks we faced came from his end. They also got through our midfield a lot more than you want especially in the first half, but this is likely to do with the fact Pogba and his teammates are still adjusting to one another. Overall happy for the win and looking forward to a entertaining season.

 

[Reynoldo]

BAU is back!! This could be the start of something beautiful. Just imagine when they gel and are up to speed. The thought of Pogba dominating even on his first game back should send shockwaves out to the rest.

Fact man, can't ask for much more first game back at OT with new spine and manager, happy days. Pogs is sexy!

 

[William Hill]

Great game!! The title is ours this season, I can feel it!

 

[MZX7]

You have to give credit where it's due, Van Gaal has laid some great foundations yet again.

True

 

[kouroux]

He's not the only Galactico in the team, now.



I think with Valencia, he now has someone with height to aim for.
So Jose has probably told him to aim for someone's head in the penalty box, at around 7' in the air.

It's strange seeing Ryan doing punditry.
I feel like asking him, "Ryan, if you knew that a tall/strong striker (classic English type centre forward) was needed in a EPL team, why the devil did you not push to buy one?"

Maybe we should have bought Andy Carroll then.

 

[Android1974]

Good to hear Jose is planning rotation come September.

Feck, he says that in every interview! Must be afraid some of the (good) players start jumping board till the end of the month because they're getting clue they won't play much.

Mourinho: "Paul Pogba was so good. He's learning how to play with us. I'm very happy. [In some games] he can play even more offensively than he did today. He needs the freedom he had. I couldn't be happier with him. In my opinion Marouane Fellaini was superb." Who would've thought?

 

[beergod]

I thought we missed Herrera's defensive cover and short passing when in possession. Pogba and Fellaini left some gaps defensively that a better team could've exploited. If Jose goes to a 4-3-3 and dumps Mata for a faster RW, we are going to be extremely difficult to beat.

 

[::sonny::]

Fellaini is fundamental

Ratings:

De gea 6
Valencia 7
Bailly 7
Blind 6.5
Shaw 7
Fellaini 8
Pogba 7
Rooney 7
Martial 6
Mata 7
Ibrahimovic 8.5
Mhky 7

Forster 6
Cedric 6
Fonte 6
Van Dyke 7
Targett 6.5
Clasie 4.5
Davies 5.5
Hojgberg 6
Tadic 4.5
Long 5
Redmond 4.5

 

[carlosp]

hahahaha

 

[VeevaVee]

I only watched the first 50, but SOuthampton looked pretty good. Better chances in general...

Pogba looked ok, not his level, but it's reasonable since he just game to the squad. Think Mourinho should drop Rooney/Fellaini and either start Morgan with herrara or get a new DM.

Saints are a good team... They lose managers and key players, but always still play good football.

I've slated Rooney and Fellaini as much as the next man, but they didn't have a bad game at all, specially Rooney. Fellaini seems to be doing a job for Jose at the moment and it's a much better one than LVG's hoofball that he used him for. I can deal with that for a season, personally.

I'd be happy to see Morgan and Herrera get some games too but they're not very powerful players.

 

[Rams]

Solid with some spectacular pieces of play at times. Although Southampton did cause us problems as well. Very promising start from Pogba, such ability and athleticism. If he improves his decision making he has the potential to be the best footballer in the World. Oh, Zlatan is a beast!

 

[AR87]

Fellaini had Redmond in his pocket the entire game and I rate Redmond as somebody who will make a name for himself this season. Was really impressed with Fellaini today.

 

[carlosp]

 

[Gerald G]

Pogba was wonderful. Fellaini had another great game. Ibrahimovic was Ibrahimovic - great. Rooney was meh. Mkhitaryan was wonderfully silky when he came on (he needs to start the next match). Bailly and Blind were good again. Shaw was brilliant and vital for the counter. Valencia was excellent again and De Gea was a passenger.

 

[The red panther]

You have to give credit where it's due, Van Gaal has laid some great foundations yet again.

What foundations are you talking about ?

The players that make the difference are the ones Mourinho brought in.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

So many positives from last season already!

 

[Organic Potatoes]

There are only 3 men I've ever seen that can pull off a man-bun, and 2 of them play for us.

Bailly needs jerseys tailored just for him so that his shoulders can fit inside.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

Southampton played like us under LvG. A lot of possession and patient buildup play, but little conviction.

We look very compact and resilient in terms of shape and organisation. The full-backs tucked in and only closed down the wide man at the last second. An interesting tactic, which leaves few gaps to exploit.

Fellaini and Pogba worked well in tandem; both understood their roles.

Rooney didn't do enough to create or dictate proceedings with Pogba. He needs to become the third man in midfield when we're attacking. I cringed when he lost the ball inside our half because he couldn't sort his feet. Luckily for him, Pogba was able to dispossess the Southampton player quickly.

 

[Bobcat]

That feeling of looking forward to the next match whole week is back

We look completely transformed, not only in attack, but defense as well.

 

[pacifictheme]

Zlatan, Pogba, Mikhi.

Baiily, Shaw,Valencia and Blind.

huge stand outs

Harsh on felllaini.

 

[AltiUn]

Best bit was when Shaw ran Clasie over right near the end.

 

[goldenballs]

Think a few of you are going a little overboard.

Yes, we always looked like we'd win, but we should've shown more impetuous as the home team. Didn't give the crowd anything to get enthused about - or indeed anyone watching at home.

Measured, controlled performance that is probably indicative of a post-tournament, early-season game.

Pogba looked a class above, as expected. Ibrahimovic is going to score goals.

I'd question the place of Rooney and Mata in the team. If you're going to concede possession and soak up pressure, then it'd help to have the pace in which to counter attack. Only showed moments of fluidity.

All in all, so so.

It'll take time, but so long as we're getting the three points in the meantime, I can live with that.

Behave. We have just gained 6 points from games that we conceded 6 last season and we have only played 2 games. WE look better, stronger and more exciting than we have done for the last 3 yrs. So forgive people for being excited.

 

[carlosp]

 

[bosnian_red]

Just realized that we are 6 points up from these 2 fixtures compared to last season . What a start to Mourinho's United career.

 

[SirScholes]

A lot of posts saying we had full control and were comfortable, that's only because Southampton have zero strikers, we let them in plenty times to create chances.
That's my only negative from an exciting match, seeing a midfielder break through two tackles and run 40 yards was fantastic, that's the United style that we have pleaded for.
Gutted martial didn't score because the confidence is just there and needs that goal to put him back into turbo mode.
I'm sad Rooney didn't kick on from scoring nice cross but needs to offer more.
Mata as the no10 and miki wide right next time please

 

[carlosp]

Zlatan - 'Yeah, but this one should have passed.'

 

[spwd]

link?

 

[Devil may care]

I was entertained and feel enthusiastic coming onto here after the match, that's a huge plus.

Pogba had an excellent debut, proper box to box performance, Fellaini did well as the water carrier behind him, Ibra bagged a couple and both fullbacks were driving at Southampton all game.

Defensively we barely gave them a sniff. The thing that needs tweaking is more pace in the attack, as Giggs said in the post game we had a few counters break down as we lack a bit of extra pace in attack, but it's on the bench and will hopefully be integrated over the next few games.

 

[EricaNo7]

Its like the last 3 years didnt exist suddenly

 

[friend]

Wonderful result and in general, a convincing performance. Feels so good to finally be able to watch us attack and dominate when we go up a goal rather than completely forget to how to play football like we often did last season. We were exposed a little bit defensively in the first 15-20 minutes but after that, we controlled them quite easily.

Also, Pogba really is a beast physically and when you combine his technique, you can see why he's rated so highly. Fantastic performance from him and it seemed like his understanding with both Ibra and Martial was very good for their first game together so it should get even better very soon.