[Ramshock]

Great performance but would trade it for 3 points from the last game.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Just said on newbie site, we should keep that team, maybe swap Pogba for Herrera or Carrick, as he wont drop him. We have 3 speedy men on the wing, and Rooneys finding some semblance of form. Just need a fast LB as I think he doesnt rate Shaw that much, and Blinds too slow.

Pogba will come in for Rooney on Sunday I think. Herrera does a lot of hard work for Carrick, not sure Pogba would help him the same. They are better in a three. Just keep Lingard and Fellaini away.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

The starting 11(minus Rojo) plus Pogba, Mata, Blind and Schweini is the most talented 14 we have at the club atm. If we somehow stop screwing around and play them consistently somehow, we will win almost every game. This means only one thing - no more Lingard, Fellaini, Young, Rashford in the starting 11 - please!

Rojo was really good tonight and has been recently.

 

[MUFAN79]

Sack Jose, announce Rui Faria. Good team performance. Well done

 

[Hugh Jass]

Mkhis vision is very good. Well able to see the right pass.

On another note if you watch our second goal, keep an eye on Payet, he just watches the ball and casually strolls back. Terrible defending.

 

[Handré1990]

Now that was fun!

So many silver linings:
- Rooney actually looked class today! Best form in 4 years?
- Martial's two goals will have done him a world of good!
- Valencia in amazing form, and shape (like always)
- Jones does exist!
- Mkhitaryan looks like a fecking great player
- Zlatan keeps scoring and creating after ending the goal drought
- Carrick (does it even need explaining?)
- Does Herrera ever tire?
- Schweinsteiger's comeback

All this with arguably our best player this season on the bench, and our record signing suspended. Bring on Everton!

I think I'm allowed to be cocky after this performance! Knee-jerk or whatever

 

[Janson]

The starting 11(minus Rojo) plus Pogba, Mata, Blind and Schweini is the most talented 14 we have at the club atm. If we somehow stop screwing around and play them consistently somehow, we will win almost every game. This means only one thing - no more Lingard, Fellaini, Young, Rashford in the starting 11 - please!

Rojo is our best CB right now, BFS starting is 0%, Mata and Blind, it doesn't look like they will be either.

 

[AndyMUFC]

Once again dominated but took our chances this time like we needed too. Thought the front four were great all night. No way should Lingard and Rashford be playing instead of Mkitarayan and Martial on a regular basis. Awesome to see Schweinsteiger get on too.

Hopefully we can follow the Mourinho tradition of winning the League Cup before anything else.

 

[bucky]

Really happy with that.

 

[Raoul]

This is our best formation/lineup. Fortunately we have the depth to swap out attackers, midfielders etc, but this should really be the backbone of our league lineup.

 

[mancan92]

No different to the last few games except we finished our chances. We have to start Martial and Micky from now on. They are our first 11 players. Rooney has played well but I'd still prefer to see mata in behind.

 

[LouisDanGaal]

Remember in Klopp's first 20 games everyone acted like he had been found out and that his Liverpool team would never work, he was seriously doubted before he returned to his status as messiah of football. Mourinho is in that phase and there are signs of light.

 

[Irish_Red]

Exciting to think that for once we have a few players in form and competition for places is hotting up. If Rooney wasn't suspended for this weekend you would have a hard time dropping one of Miki, Martial, Mata or Rooney for the weekend and that's leaving out our supposed starters Rashford and Lingard!

Similarly in midfield Carrick, Herrera and Pogba haven't put a foot wrong the past while. Good luck picking two out of three with them, although I suspect Carrick might be used sparingly over the next few weeks to keep him fresh.

Has been depressing coming on here after games that were hugely encouraging for the past while but without the end result. I'm glad that we seem to have put the two together tonight. We badly need 3 points at the weekend though to steady the ship and build a bit of confidence.

 

[SirAnderson]

Just as well Bastian came on in the last 5 minutes, i'm afraid if he came on when the sub rating was enabled, everyone would give him a 10 rating!

 

[Oneunited26]

What did we learn, less of the likes of lingard and rashford on the wings, better distribution from our wingers, that helped our frontline, and what happens? we put this struggling team to the sword, it also shows how Jose must look to get a new anchor man week in week out long term, every time carrick plays we play better, lingard much like fellaini should not touch a united starting 11 birth, and rashford needs to be used has an impact sub

 

[royboy16]

Shame we couldnt thump them 4-1 last weekend.

 

[shabadu84]

The usual disclaimers apply (just the EFL Cup, not full strength opposition, etc) but pretty much exactly save Shaw. Martial and Mkhi should hopefully have the confidence boost they needed. Rooney looks like the rotation is helping him.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

Loved every minute of it. The introduction of Basti was the icing on the cake.

 

[The Brown Bull]

Good performance especially from Mkhitaryan.
Good to see Martial and Ibra scoring.
Good attitude all round.
Onwards and upwards now boys!

 

[Handré1990]

Just as well Bastian came on in the last 5 minutes, i'm afraid if he came on when the sub rating was enabled, everyone would give him a 10 rating!

He did have 7% of the MOTM votes when I voted for Mkhitaryan

 

[Raw]

Just watched Martials 2nd again, I love how Valencia kept screaming MICKEY in the build up

 

[IRELANDUNITED]

What are the chances of Basti starting a Premier League game for us now this season? For you betting folks out there would you say he is odds on now to start a game in the league this season?

 

[FreakyJim]

We're playing better than last year, that much is obvious. Results are bad but at least we look like a football team again.

 

[Morpheus 7]

It will feel like Groundhog day if we draw at the weekend.

 

[Frank Grimes]

What are the chances of Basti starting a Premier League game for us now this season? For you betting folks out there would you say he is odds on now to start a game in the league this season?

Definitely not odds on. I would say anywhere between 12/1 and 16/1 as I expect him to be gone in January.

 

[Catt]

Thought we cranked it up a notch tonight, even though we've been good.

Second half on Sunday wasn't as good but this is more or less how we've played for a while.

 

[IRELANDUNITED]

Definitely not odds on. I would say anywhere between 12/1 and 16/1 as I expect him to be gone in January.

Really, I find it unusual that Mourinho would bring him back at all if he wasn't planning on using him at some point. And if he's gonna be flogged of in January why didn't he just go last summer

 

[Oneunited26]

Great performance but would trade it for 3 points from the last game.

Probably because we played with better players tonight, or a better saying a more balanced team, miki and an inform martial is miles better than rashford and lingard

 

[Janson]

What are the chances of Basti starting a Premier League game for us now this season? For you betting folks out there would you say he is odds on now to start a game in the league this season?

I would say non existent.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

It would be extra special to beat Liverpool in a final though, now wouldn't it?

But loosing to them is bad. Twats at sky just put that 2003 final on... we completely dominated them and they got a deflected goal and a counter attack.

Revenge would be good

 

[Hugh Jass]

What are the chances of Basti starting a Premier League game for us now this season? For you betting folks out there would you say he is odds on now to start a game in the league this season?

Unless we get injuries, low i think.

 

[The White Pele]

It's amazing how just a few weeks ago it was really difficult to name an XI because most of our options in attack were playing poorly, and now it's difficult to name an XI because you would feel sorry for any of Martial, Mkhi, Rooney and Mata if they didn't make the team. And if only one of those four missed out it would mean one of Pogba, Carrick and Herrera also misses out - and they are all playing well too.

It does really feel like it's coming together and that there is going to be good competition for places rather than player x getting a game because player y has been shite for a month.

So all in all, comparing this current squad to last season:

Defence: Bailly is a fantastic addition. Valencia has nailed down the right back role. Jones is back and playing well. Rojo is probably in his best run at the club. Smalling and Shaw will be upside if they can rediscover form and fitness.

Midfield: For the first time in years we have clear first choice selections depending on formation. Pogba, Herrera, Carrick is the strongest three we have had in a long time and any of combination of those can work in a two against many teams.

Attack: Zlatan, Rooney, Martial, Mkhi, Mata all appear to be either in form or approaching it. Rashford and Lingard are also dependable options.

Oh and we haven't seen prime DDG yet this season.

The potential of this team if they can all hit form at the same time is scary.

 

[Pscholes18]

 

[Pscholes18]

 

[sunama]

Second half on Sunday wasn't as good but this is more or less how we've played for a while.

Agreed.
The difference is that the GK did not have a MOTM performance and we managed to finish our chances, made the difference.

 

[VeevaVee]

Lots of quick, positive play, not dilly dallying, accurate passing. Just what we've needed.

Great to see Martial get some goals and hopefully a confidence boost.
Great to Rooney looking sharper.
Zlatan needs to be sharper.
Mhki was excellent.
DDG obviously at fault for their goal, but our defence needs to stop giving the opposition the opportunity to score with minimal attacks.

All in all, a very enjoyable game.

 

[Ramshock]

Can Adrian get any retroactive punishment for that tackle on Zlatan?

 

[wolvored]

Pogba will come in for Rooney on Sunday I think. Herrera does a lot of hard work for Carrick, not sure Pogba would help him the same. They are better in a three. Just keep Lingard and Fellaini away.

I'd have Lingard on for last 15 20 mins as he does have a goal in him. Fellaini can be sold for me. Nowhere near skillful enough.

 

[Rolandofgilead]

Can Adrian get any retroactive punishment for that tackle on Zlatan?

Tackle? You're feeling generous.

 

[wolvored]

Can Adrian get any retroactive punishment for that tackle on Zlatan?

Depends whether the ref said he saw it or not. If he saw it, then no.