[The red panther]

Champions League footy is overrated. Both Spurs and Liverpool are doing well in the league this season without consistently qualifying for CL.

Fans are obsessed with Top 4 now. We can still finish 5th every season and attract far better players than nearly every other club in the league.

Once Carrick is replaced and we have Bailly playing every week, we will look even better.

You just can't claim to be a topclub if you aren't in the CL. Imo United should never have fallen out of the top 4. The fact we are struggling so much to get back in there is just fecking painfull. The only reason to go to United is because we have alot of money and hand out big wages like they are nothing, not because we have football vision or passion you would want to be part of or because we are a solid trophy winning team. We have become utter mediocracy.

 

[Yakuza_devils]

Pogba is taking too many touches especially when we need him to release the ball faster during counter attack.

Our attack still lacks creativity and understanding to click in the final third.

Mata missed open goal from 5 yards. Zlatan had 2 golden opportunities but somehow choose to chest and pass when he should have gone for the goal.

It's not all about luck,we are simply still not good enough for top 4 and we need to improve fast in order not to miss out of top 4 again like last season.

 

[J-Stander]

Finishing cost us again and it'll probably cost us top 4. We're where we are now because of that awful run of draws which was down to finishing and we still haven't really improved in that aspect. Dominating games but it's absolutely pointless if you don't put them chances away.

 

[2 man midfield]

If Arsenal win we are six points off 4th. That is far too much of a gap and we need a big run to get ahead.

Well, 4 points. They'd go above 'Pool.

 

[The Brown Bull]

Frustration followed by relief followed by more frustration.
Waiting for the day our lads bring their shooting boots.

 

[Ixion]

Just remember we won 3 out of 11 games earlier in the season, that is nearly a third of the season. That is how bad a handicap we gave ourselves which is why draws like this are so hard to take but they happen to all teams. We were not going to win every game to the end of the season, we just have to hope a couple of the teams above us collapse to be honest.

 

[donkeyfish]

Finishing again the culprit I think. We didn't play fantastic, but more than well enough to win this game.

Stoke scored a fluke goal, which happens, and created nothing after that.

Only problem this team has is finishing. Alas, that is a fairly big one this season.

 

[wolvored]

Two points dropped. Knew it as soon as Mata missed the open goal. It was inevitable.

Get rid of these players from the Moyes/LVG era. Bit by bit we are beginning to shed them and their horrible mentality. The likes of Mata and Fellaini are never going to be good enough. They might chip in the odd goal here or there but never consistent enough and never turn up when you need them the most.

Im glad we are linked to the likes of Griezmann and we can easily fund that by selling off Mata/Fellaini/Darmian etc.

Delighted that Rooney bailed us out. Great to see him break the record.

If only more of our players showed that kind of quality in front of goal. I honestly think in training all they should do is simulate game scoring opportunities. Thats ALL they need to do. We might actually squeak into the top four with better conversion rate.

Mourinho slightly to blame for picking snail paced Mata and Fellaini. Both completely exposed for the goal we conceded. Both contributed next to nothing. Martial and Rashford should play because its important to their development. Not only that but they just offer more.

I think thats what Mourinhos doing slowly. He will bring in another 3 or 4 in the summer and another 3-4 will leave.

 

[NYAS]

Decent result when you're losing after 94 minutes. We (and Mourinho) have a crap record at Stoke as well.

Our terrible run earlier in the season simply makes any dropped points a disaster really but you can't win every game, we're going to drop points. Top four is probably not happening, put everything into the Cups.

Good goal from Rooney, a fitting one to break the record.

Been saying that for awhile now and got battered on here for it. Half this forum is in denial when faced with the most obvious trends and patterns that are defining our season. Apparently beating the likes of Saint Etienne and Gent is more difficult than taking points off Spurs, Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Chelsea.

 

[Oscie]

Surprised Rooney (currently) winning the MOTM poll. Herrera was superb. The Niall Quinn "Who scored? Yeah give it to him" methodology?

 

[KN5]

A draw would be better

I'm torn between the two at the minute, I just think Spurs look better than us and will finish higher when alls said and done, going for max points against the weak links like Arsenal, city and Liverpool is what I wasn't looking at is all.

 

[Adnan]

It was a point gained considering we scored deep into injury time.

I'd be worried if weren't creating chances but I'm still very confident we'll break into the top 4.

 

[Dr. Funkenstein]

If he had a peak Van Nistlerooy or a 28 year old C.Ronaldo we would be fighting for the league.

Our finishing has let us down too many times this season

Nonsense. Zlatan scores as much as Van Nistelrooij, but on top he provides a lot of service instead of needing it, and he scores the important goals. He wasn't his brilliant self today, but the problem is that this team can't create hardly anything without him heavily involved. The problem is Pogba and Mourinho's plan of attack, which isn't there. Just pass the ball until someone comes up with an idea, usually Zlatan, or an extremely predictable one.

Then you get a lot of pressure and lots of half chances, and it's a matter of luck to get the 3 points. That has been the case for 6 matches in a row, but now it has run out. 1 point against a very poor Liverpool, and 1 point against a Stoke that had trouble passing the ball to a teammate. Let's face it, how many PL-sides wouldn't have made into to top 6 with Zlatan playing for them?

 

[Adisa]

We couldn't score in a brothel. Decking sick of it to be honest.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

We'll win this.

No way

We didn't win, so sorry first … I stand corrected! I bow to your superior football knowledge.

Being such a crazy league I just feel that an experienced United fan such as yourself saying that with so much of the match still to play is … how can I say this? Not really helping

 

[R'hllor]

We didnt lose, thats good but should have won really. Had more than enough chances. Cant believe people are shitting on Mata, a guy who actually score more often than not.

Really!? You cant believe?! Dory from "Finding Nemo" has better memory then most here on CAF

 

[Ban]

Really!? You cant believe?! Dory from "Finding Nemo" has better memory then most here on CAF

Calm down mate.
I'm always shocked by some of the posts but really shouldn't be.

 

[wc18]

Result had nothing to do with the team selection just continued poor finishing and poor execution in the final third. It really is getting old. As others have said Ibra was really poor, sometimes he just needs to put his foot through the ball and shoot. Too many attempts at cut back passes that didn't come off.

Mata will be disappointed...conceded an own goal and missed a sitter. Really thought he should have been the first one off instead of Fellaini when Rashford came on. Thought Herrera and Pogba were lacking today. Just not decisive enough with the ball. Pogba is getting into a bad habit holding the ball too long...so much more effective when he passes and moves.

Thought Mkhitaryan and Fellaini were good. Mkhitaryan got into some good spaces and Fellaini did well winning the ball. Was surprised Jose took them off when he did. Really thought Martial should have come on instead of Lingard as well. Really frustrating another two points down the drain

 

[jackofalltrades]

Started slowly and got behind, but then grew into the match. Our lack of composure in front of goal is costing us a lot of points this season.

Other comments:
-Pogba slows down our counter attacks too much by not releasing the ball
-still lacking some movement once we get to the opposition 18
-disappointing to not have got all 3 points

I've been thinking the same for a while. He's often very heavily marked, 3 players in some cases, and the team should be encouraged to exploit gaps left by that, which can be done if he releases it quicker. Against Liverpool there was a situation like that, 3 players on him and he almost did something brilliant which didn't come off. The problem is, as in that case, you lose the ball on the halfway line and there are 3 players in a counter attack automatically, without mentioning anyone else coming into play ! 'Pool squandered the chance, luckily.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Today was a bad result all in all but we avoided disaster with that goal.

I can understand being frustrated with that but how can people be saying our season is over?

We're still in touch with the top 5 and we're in 3 cup competitions. There is still loads to play for this season.

 

[christinaa]

1) We lost 2 points today which could have placed us in the fight for the Champions League spots;

2) a number of our players under-performed in this match, that was our downfall;

3) am happy for Wayne Rooney but would have preferred the whole 3 points.

 

[Tincanalley]

We couldn't score in a brothel. Decking sick of it to be honest.

In fairness you can rely on the garden furniture as football pundits. And they know all the best dodgy nightspots.

 

[zeekey]

One of the most one sided one all draws you'll see. Stoke offered nothing in attack which was surprising. With their physicality I assumed they would get at us but after the goal they didn't do much. I think that's why Fellaini went off because he wasn't needed against their expected bombardments. Second half, despite our possession we didn't create enough clear cut moments. Pogba had a much better game than the Liverpool effort. Some of his turns in tight situations are class. Shame we need 20 chances per game to take one. I'm sure/certain this will improve next season. If we could do it now we would score 4-5 per game no problem. Ah well.

 

[svn]

I can understand being frustrated with that but how can people be saying our season is over?

Because a large proportion of this forum is made out of spoiled, knee jerking teenagers.

 

[poleglass red]

Surprised Rooney (currently) winning the MOTM poll. Herrera was superb. The Niall Quinn "Who scored? Yeah give it to him" methodology?

Herrera was at fault along with mata for the goal

 

[doomy20]

What a joke. The worst thing is, Stoke did not even had one those big, strong home performances, they were awful the whole game. Unfortunately we were awful too and all the mimimis on the pitch could not manage to shake off the own goal and beat them 4-1 or something. One of the worst overall (effort, finishing, tempo, ideas) performance of the season. Glad for Roo though, fantastic effort

 

[Viral United]

We are too soft for every thing,
- Can't hit target
- if we hit target it will be strait to keeper or too week to go in.

I think today is big draw back to our change of 4th place.
Some player should have good hard look on them self.

 

[ManRant]

Surprised Rooney (currently) winning the MOTM poll. Herrera was superb. The Niall Quinn "Who scored? Yeah give it to him" methodology?

Herrera superb? He was all over the place without really influencing the game. Maybe you are using "who ran the most" methodology.

 

[Tincanalley]

Pogba is taking too many touches especially when we need him to release the ball faster during counter attack.

Our attack still lacks creativity and understanding to click in the final third.

Mata missed open goal from 5 yards. Zlatan had 2 golden opportunities but somehow choose to chest and pass when he should have gone for the goal.

It's not all about luck,we are simply still not good enough for top 4 and we need to improve fast in order not to miss out of top 4 again like last season.

I have to agree that PP's decision making is a bit odd sometimes, to say the least.

 

[The red panther]

It's not even that bad, we sit in 6th but are a few points away from 2nd. The top 6 really are so far away from the rest this season and there's still lots of football to play.

We could be 7 points away from second place if Tottenham win versus City

And if Arsenal win their game tommrow versus Burnely we will be 4 points of 4th place.

Stop sugar coatting it, our point total is the same quality as our finishing in front of goal, terrible !

 

[Tincanalley]

Because a large proportion of this forum is made out of spoiled, knee jerking teenagers.

Thank you @svn, for this injection of sanity.

 

[Northstand]

Loads of moany gits as usual. People seem to ignore the fact that Stoke on their own ground are a handful.

Once Stoke scored from their first attack (can't even call it an attempt), it was always going to be an uphill struggle as Stoke had something to hold on to and scarcely offered a threat at all. The finishing was certainly poor but this was a game we'd have definitely lost last season, in similar circumstances. Progress under Mourinho is obvious, and another late goal, albeit only for an equaliser, is a great morale boost for the lads.

 

[mazhar13]

This is why Mata was bombed out of Chelsea as he thought he had better no.10s and he can't track back when playing on wing as he's insanely slow.

I don't want to put it all on Mata, myself. Mourinho also has a part to play here with his tactical setup. He set up Fellaini to play higher up than normal because he's poor on the ball in deeper areas. That resulted in Herrera and Pogba both focusing on the midfielders rather than Herrera supporting Mata on the right like when Carrick plays there. Mourinho thought that Stoke would set up like they did against Liverpool, but this is Mark Hughes we're talking about, so of course things will be different against Manchester United.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

2 points dropped after Liverpool dropping 3 and Spurs v City, is so depressing!

 

[JustAFan]

Frustration followed by relief followed by more frustration.
Waiting for the day our lads bring their shooting boots.

We will probably give up 6 that day.

 

[Feed Me]

Loads of moany gits as usual. People seem to ignore the fact that Stoke on their own ground are a handful.

Once Stoke scored from their first attack (can't even call it an attempt), it was always going to be an uphill struggle as Stoke had something to hold on to and scarcely offered a threat at all. The finishing was certainly poor but this was a game we'd have definitely lost last season, in similar circumstances. Progress under Mourinho is obvious, and another late goal, albeit only for an equaliser, is a great morale boost for the lads.

This is actually a bit of a myth. I believe that they're something like 4-5-4 at home this season. Of all our rivals, I think we are the only ones not to have beaten them. Others have gone there and hammered them.

 

[PieCrust]

I was really disappointed with the lineup today. Fellaini should never be starting. Not starting Martial and moving Mhki over to the left took him out of his groove. Mata had a shocker, even without the poor tracking back that led to the own goal. The only bright spot for me was Valencia and Rooney's goal. Pogba also didn't do anything to really affect the match.

Just an overall disappointing performance and I don't why Jose made so many changes to the lineup. Too many changes and seemed to really backfire today. There was no rhtym to the game, just Stoke sitting back letting waves of attacks come in, but there was never any teeth to it from Untied.

 

[Catt]

We look much better but are shockingly bad in front of goal and that makes it difficult.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Right. All you miserable feckers, sod off. Season finished my arse.
We have a cup semi this week, and we are just a few points behind 4th. Stoke is never an easy place for anyone to go to, and we drew. The last three games there have been a draw and two defeats.

Maybe Jose wants a trophy and unlike Wenger doesn't see 4th place as one. Sure he would like both though.

 

[PieCrust]

I'll also say that Pogba was unlucky not to score on the volley off the corner that went right at keeper.