Southampton vs. Manchester United

9 sideways or back passes there, no penetration.
 
Anderson and Nani should replace Carrick and Welbeck, need a lot more urgency. This...is...all...so...static.
 
Kagawa really reminds me of a mid 20s Paul Scholes. Has so much time on the ball, great first touch and always looking to pass forwards. Really glad we got him and not Hazard.
 
Anderson and Nani should replace Carrick and Welbeck, need a lot more urgency. This...is...all...so...static.

Yes. Carrick isn't mobile enough to pair with Clev.
 
What a pass from Carrick.

Edit: err.. not that one.
 
It really looks like our best chance is to lump it up to RVP and hope he scores
 
Half time assessment:

Kagawa very tightly marked.
No threat down the left wing.
Carrick has been appalling.

Real bad effort and passing. Good goal and assist by Valencia and RvP.
 
This thread is a joke ... some of the negativity is frankly embarrassing
 
I just don't think he should be out wide. He's a striker through and through, and is only out there because we have a much better striker ahead of him. If we want an actual winger playing then I don't know why we have him on.

No question about it, I agree totally.

But my point is that if he is going to be played as a winger, then he needs to try and actually play like one. About 5 minutes ago he was just stood centrally for ages, making it so narrow and easy to defend against. We need to stretch their defence and we'll start to see gaps, which the likes of Kagawa can exploit.

Too narrow at times.
 
Could we just convert Rafael into a right winger and be done with it? We could always play Butthead at RB.
 
He wants to play right wing when he should be more worried about not leaving any gaps.

Yeah that's a great idea all fullbacks please stay back even if the opponents defend with 11 man.

Of course Rafa and Evra have to go forward as much as possible against such a defensive team.

If Rio and Vidic can't deal with a single man that doesn't even always remain up front it's time to get two new CBs.
 
Carrick's not been at his best, Kagawa's not been as influential this game. Great goal RVP, Valencia's been our best attacking threat, would like Nani brought on to offer some attacks down the left.

Southampton have been impressive but we'e been too sloppy. Need to up the tempo.
 
Given the ball away so much today so fustrating
 
Kagawa really reminds me of a mid 20s Paul Scholes. Has so much time on the ball, great first touch and always looking to pass forwards. Really glad we got him and not Hazard.

To be honest I'd argue that Hazard will probably be the better player long term, however I'm pleased to have Kagawa because I think he'll make a better job at adapting into a natural centre mid, becoming quite a similar player to Scholes.
 
I want to see more from Kagawa, Welbeck and Cleverley. Not much happening from them. Any good runs that Welbeck and Cleverley make are wasted because of poor first touch or first touch passing.
 
The Carrick to RVP combo will lead to a fair few goals this season I'm sure.

Not a great 45 but at least we're level. Would like to see Nani on the left in this second half
 
Kagawa's been playing it safe. Also getting shoved off the ball a bit too easily.
 
That was a poor first half really. No urgency, too static, not able to press or defend properly
 
Shit First Half, just not kept the ball well enough, defence still not 100%. Carrick, Rio and Kagawa haven't played very well at all.