I was wondering that too while watching the game. The late substitutions in midfield till now have tended to bring an extra defensive-midfielder to play or drift ahead of the other defensive two. The way I saw it yesterday, Herrera, who stayed central, came to the 4-2-3-1 #10 position and Rooney drifted to the left, which was the same that happened against Bournemouth (only there Herrera went up and Schneiderlin covered is #6 position). In both Rooney got substituted a few minutes after. Yesterday, Pogba stayed much back later in the game too.
PL W FA Premier League
Manchester United 2:0 Southampton
Post-match discussion
Fri, 19 August 2016
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Did Blind move to CDM when Smalling came on btw? I was so drunk I can't remember anything from 70 minutes on.
Yeah, this is how it worked. Martial off, Rooney went left(ish) and Herrera went into the middle. Mourinho just killing the game off.
Did anything get mentioned in the TV analysis about how neither Southampton full back were marked during their attacking phase? With their midfielders all playing very centrally, their only width was offered by overlapping fullbacks, and they were left totally unmarked - especially the left back who had masses of space because Tony V. was marking the midfielders more centrally. It must have been a tactical choice, because nothing was changed in the second half, but I was wondering whether the approach got explained in the half time or post match analysis on Sky?
There was a real buzz around the place last night. It's been a long time since I walked away from the game with so many things to feel happy and optimistic about.
Feels like we're back.
Feels like we're back.
So envious. Would've loved being there last night.
I have you down as a hard man so that made me lol.
New signings are superb. Good enough to mask the fact that were setting up with way too many slow players in attacking areas. Replace Rooney and Mata with some pace and we'd destroy teams.
Actually seemed like Smalling was playing as the CDM.
Rashford is getting screwed over also. Jose really doesn't want to play teenagers
Looked more like Bailly moved to RB to me.
Looked more like Bailly moved to RB to me.
The atmosphere in the ground was great. The place was alive and full of optimism. Lots of clapping, lots of cheering, lots of singing. I only got to a handful of games there last year, but the change in mood is like night and day.
On the pitch. Yes, lots to improve, but the great thing was that it looked we could improve and that we were trying to do something all the time. Some lovely moves, that didn't quite come off but will, and some passages of play where it genuinely looked like we're capable of becoming a special team.
Pogba looked so happy to be there. No one played badly. Above all you got the sense that the team wanted to win, that that was the objective of the game. I always had this idea watching last year's team, that the objective was to do what LvG told them to do.
Positive but nothing special. The potential is there, but improvements need to be done on both offence and defence. If Southampton capitalise one or two of the more clear chances it would be different story.
The team is moving in the right direction, Pogba offering what he does best, Mkhitaryan showing glimpses of what could do especially if the team is setup for counter attacking game.
Overall, a good 3 point game for United. Full points and getting the points they lost last season. Progress is made.
The team is moving in the right direction, Pogba offering what he does best, Mkhitaryan showing glimpses of what could do especially if the team is setup for counter attacking game.
Overall, a good 3 point game for United. Full points and getting the points they lost last season. Progress is made.
Ran out of beer and moved onto wine for the second half. Forgot Smalling came on at all
Looked like Smalling at CDM to me. I'm pretty sure either Mourinho or one of the Sky pundits pointed this out as well.
The answer is much simpler and worse: three center-backs!
If we can tighten up defensively and stop allowing teams space in and around our area, we're not far off seeing us blow a team away 5-0/6-0. But for now just keep winning and building the confidence in time for City on 10th, that atmosphere is going to be booming.
First time in ages I've come out of Old Trafford happy out, usually bitching about a shit result or questioning how we got the win from a drab affair. Solid all over the pitch, good movement and tempo. Didn't need to up a gear as Southampton didn't offer much. More minutes under the belt, And Pogba 
I think it makes sense that this fairly deep or defensive setup as some call it is used at the moment. Ideally we'll focus on improving this area before our big games arrive. We can start a more offensive, dominating approach once our new defensive setup has settled and is stable.
Our attacking area is more than capable of scoring even if we do focus on defensive work atm. I'm very happy with what has been shown so far.
I really don't get people who complain we don't have enough possession. It's the quality, speed and effectiveness of possession that counts, not the duration. I find it hard to believe that people who've survived the LvG years don't agree.
Our attacking area is more than capable of scoring even if we do focus on defensive work atm. I'm very happy with what has been shown so far.
I really don't get people who complain we don't have enough possession. It's the quality, speed and effectiveness of possession that counts, not the duration. I find it hard to believe that people who've survived the LvG years don't agree.
The atmosphere was clearly better. But you could sense it falling flat when United took the decision to drop deep and concede possession. You don't go to Old Trafford to see the away team play football. You go to watch United put their opponent to the sword.
No doubt it'll take time for Old Trafford to be the place is was under Ferguson - the Moyes/Van Gaal tenures sucked the life out of match goers.
The atmosphere against City will obviously be fantastic, so I hope that'll kickstart things and reignite the kind of fervent support we became accustomed to during Ferguson's time at the club. Because that's the kind of support Mourinho witnessed when he visited with Chelsea, Inter and Real.
I got the feeling that against City, it will be sit deep, ultra defensive and only counter attack.
There was a moment in the second half when we had that 10-15 minute period of complete domination that I found myself laughing in delight of some great bit of play. I quickly got over it and got back to watching the game, but then about 10 seconds later it hit me just how much fun I was having watching us play again and I couldn't help but start laughing again. It feels like it's been a long time.
Font size automatically adapts to the size of ones penisThat was one heck of a performance, still buzzing after a good night's sleep.
Southampton were dangerous at times and with a bit more class they could have scored, but overall our performance was quite dominant and had that flair we've been missing last three seasons.
All new signings had good games as did everybody else. Maybe Mata went a bit missing after a bright start but still an ok game.
Edit: what up with the font size change
Drop Rooney, play Mkhitaryan or even Rashford & we'll be even better.
He started out very strong last season, too, and then became quite the liability.
We've played a couple of soft teams, you know...Blind doesn't have the body to be a CB. He's not big enough, strong enough, fast enough. I think Smalling and Bailly would make a beastly central defense.
To be honest, I'd almost like to see Blind used as a defensive midfielder to protect that back line, but with Fellaini actually being useful for a change I can't see that happening.
I'm not sure how Mourinho has done it, Pogba and Mourinho were fergusons two biggest mistakes.
Exciting as feck on your feet type match! I can safety say I haven't felt like this since Fergie.
Great team performance, not one player played bad.
MOTM: Split between Shaw & Fellaini.. Pogba too maybe.
Great team performance, not one player played bad.
MOTM: Split between Shaw & Fellaini.. Pogba too maybe.
Don't think United fans should get ahead of themselves. 44:56% possession in a home game, 12:13 shots, it may look better than under van Gaal but it's still a very long way off a top performance.
I thought the build up especially looked pretty toothless and quite reliant on something individual.
I thought the build up especially looked pretty toothless and quite reliant on something individual.
Possession doesn't mean anything. We had the most posession in almost every game last season and did nothing and Leicester were the opposite and won the league.
Posession alone isn't everything, true. But that doesn't mean it's worthless. Counter attacks alone won't get you to the very top of European football.
I can see the negativity in your post.
But you need to understand that the Southampton are not chumps. They are a 6th place team who are fully capable of beating MUFC at OT.
Bjut don't forget that this is only our 2nd EPL game. If we perform like this after half a season, then I'd be luke warm. But to perform the way we did after only 2 league games new players in key positions, I thought it was a 9/10 performance.
I will also counter your negative post with the following:
For the last 2 seasons, lower ranked teams would play to beat us.
Now, a lower ranked team would definitely be thinking, "we need to hope we don't lose by too many goals". In other words, like when Fergie was in charge, lower ranked teams will be beaten even before the game starts.
There is a middle ground to be had and I hope we can find it. Just because 70% possession / 1 chance football was incredibly drab doesn't mean we cant dominate and be effective, especially at home. I'd be more content if the opponent spent less time around our box and created fewer chances. A bit more work to be done, but its all very promising.
What changed in the second half that got Martial on the ball going forward with space behind his man?
Another positive result. Pogba is a delight to watch. This season is going to be very exciting!
Can anyone PM me with location for the full game + interviews? I was a bit drunk at OT yesterday so didn't really take it in... pretty sure we won though.
Some fans will always find the negatives and then exaggerate them, while ignoring any positives.
3 games into LVG's tenure: LDL, 2 goals scored, 7 goals conceded.
3 games into Jose's tenure: WWW, 7 goals scored, 2 goals conceded.
The difference is night and day.
Anybody who wants to see high possession stats and a toothless attack: watch our games last season and enjoy the borefest which was on display. And I want you to remember the booing, the losses, the drawing, never scoring a goal in the first half and the pathetic excuses from LVG.
After Moyes/LVG, I am thankful for the displays we are putting up under Jose.
What is this post?
Delighted with Zlatan, Pogbas a beast and we are on the right track.
Man of the Match
Runners-up
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32%
Paul Pogba
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6%
Marouane Fellaini
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3%
Luke Shaw
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2%
Antonio Valencia
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2%
Eric Bailly
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1%
Juan Mata
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1%
Daley Blind
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 988 ratings.
Score Predictions
1101,20,53
- Man Utd win
- Southampton win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 36% Man Utd 2:0 Southampton
- 21% Man Utd 3:0 Southampton
- 14% Man Utd 2:1 Southampton
- 9% Man Utd 3:1 Southampton
- 5% Man Utd 1:0 Southampton
- 4% Man Utd 4:0 Southampton
- 2% Man Utd 4:1 Southampton
- 2% Man Utd 0:0 Southampton
- 2% Man Utd 1:1 Southampton
- 1% Man Utd 5:0 Southampton
- 1% Man Utd 3:2 Southampton
- 1% Man Utd 0:2 Southampton
- 1% Man Utd 0:5 Southampton
- 1% Man Utd 2:2 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 4:2 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 5:1 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 1:2 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 1:3 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 0:1 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 5:5 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 2:4 Southampton
- 0% Man Utd 4:5 Southampton
Match Stats
- Man Utd
- Southampton
- Possession
- 43% 57%
- Shots
- 12 13
- Shots on Target
- 5 1
- Corners
- 4 0
- Fouls
- 11 8
Referee
Anthony Taylor
Man Utd Lineup
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replaced by Henrikh Mkhitaryan
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replaced by Ander Herrera
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replaced by Chris Smalling
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