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Match Day Thread Manchester United v Everton

Discussion in 'Manchester United' started by Chief, Apr 3, 2017.

  1. Tobes

    Tobes Warden
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    That makes it worse <doh>
     
    #61
  2. Sharpe*

    Sharpe* Senior Member

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    Is there honestly a difference between Moyes or Van Gaal United and this one?

    The results aren't much better and you play a lot of long ball football.

    If the others had Jose's home record this year they would probably been fired or certainly under a lot more scrutiny than what Jose is.
     
    #62
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  3. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    If you look at the team as individuals there are very few who have upped their game this season under JM. Valencia has improved and De Gea has maintained his fine form between the sticks and Bailly has come in and shows signs of being a great defender - but the rest ? Rashford has slipped back, Lingard is rubbish and Mikki, Herrera and Pogba show glimpses of what they are capable of - but they don't do it consistently. Of the rest, Martial has faded fast and Shaw and Smalling may as well pack their cases now. Ibra and Carrick are holding the thing together, without those two we would be mid-table, and deservedly so.

    For all of the money that has been spent we still need some serious reinforcements and, in this modern era, I doubt that youth will be given a chance.
     
    #63
  4. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Everything is a sight better than it was under van Gaal or Moyes. Admittedly, not yet good enough but we've improved massively, even if the results themselves don't show that.
    Depends really, if just looking at the results and a league table is your thing then we haven't improved but the tangible reality is we have, you'll just have to take my word for it. We don't pass back to our own goalkeeper from corners anymore so that's an improvement!

    The amount of draws isn't good enough though. I wasn't expecting a league title challenge, what van Gaal left behind wasn't good enough and it will take more than one season to put that right, but I fully expected us to be top three, maybe second.

    I can't see changing the manager again will make any difference, Mourinho needs to be given another window of recruitment and another season. We definitely need another striker for a start. We've got one goal scorer, that's it. Mata scores a few and he's now injured, nobody else scores any goals whatsoever. Our other forwards are either not good enough or maddeningly inconsistent. Lingard isn't really up to the required standard, Mhkytarian goes missing half the time and Martial is prone to hiding in games as well. Rashford is just raw, needs to work on finishing and is miles from the finished article.

    We also need a very top drawer centre half, preferably two. If we trusted the defence maybe we'd be a bit more free with our attacking and not have to stick Fellaini in to 'break up play'. He doesn't even do that well so he's really a liability when he's in the side, we more or less play with ten functioning players when he's on the pitch, I can't see what he brings to the side at all.
     
    #64
  5. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    Just think back a few years when we had goals coming in from all sides - Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, CR - all of them were goal contributors to add to the tally that our strike force netted. That is what we miss - goals from midfield. Our present crop in midfield seem intent on over-complicating things or (in Pogba's case) going for the spectacular.
     
    #65
  6. luvgonzo

    luvgonzo Pisshead

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    Is it all down to trying to fit players into unfamiliar positions? Jose usually plays a 4-3-3

    GK
    LB CB CB RB
    DM
    CM CM
    LW SKR RW
    He's been playing Herrera deep and he's not really that kind of player, but the options there are old man Carrick or Fellani so he's already sticking someone in there who isn't a DM. Previous players in that spot for him are Alonso, Matic, Makelele, Cambiasso and Costinha it would make sense to sort that position out but that opportunity was missed or the player he wants wasn't available.

    Further forward then the CM's are usually one box to box and one creative I think you have them in Herrera box to box and Pogba, let him do his thing further forward like Lampard, Ozil, Sneijder and Deco.

    Yes quality is needed in other positions but I think it all stems from your DM position.

    So add Kante or whoever you want in the DM and it all has more balance, yes you may have other areas to improve on as Jose usually has direct players with pace out wide so Mata doesn't really fit but is a great option for Pogba if he's out.

    De Gea
    Valencia Bailly Rojo Shaw
    Kante
    Herrera......................
    ....................Pogba
    Mikki.............................Martial
    Ibra
    Thoughts?
     
    #66
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2017
  7. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    I'd agree that this is the best formation and set up.

    With the players we have, assuming Carrick doesn't play, I'd have Blind in the DM role. He's never been given a crack at that position though so I could be barking up the wrong tree. Best bet would be to buy one probably.

    I would then have Bailly and Rojo as centre halves. Again, we should be bringing some one in though.

    Mhkytarian would be off the right if you want more pace, instead of Mata. Which would be a shame as Mata has been consistently good, which can't be said of Mhky, and I'd like to see him in the team.
     
    #67
  8. luvgonzo

    luvgonzo Pisshead

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    I edited, with one player in that team has more balance. Yes you can improve all over but it really screams out for a specialist DM to protect the back four and win the ball in the middle.
     
    #68
  9. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    We need someone like Casimiro
     
    #69
  10. Christiansmith

    Christiansmith Well-Known Member

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    The current situation is this: still a chance of Europa trophy and still (just) a chance of top 4.

    We are currently in 6th in the EPL and potentially bunched up (if we win the games in hand) with 3 others for 3rd and 4th. I see no point now in draws at all. Mourinho surely has to throw caution to the wind in the remaining games and go for a full attacking formation and hope that one or two of the chances will be converted. United are not much under pressure for 6th (Europa (!) already sorted for next season).

    Forget about clean sheets and defensive ****. We may end up losing some matches but ffs we need wins at all costs. With 9 matches, remaining we have to win at least 2/3 of those , including some against our rivals. Tough but it will be up to the team to attack and penetrate more and not to **** up chances created.

    Dump the ****ing cautious play. Even JM must now realise that we have nothing to lose by going 100% for it.
     
    #70
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2017

  11. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    At least we gained a point on City!

    #win
     
    #71
  12. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    I agree, there's nothing to lose now.

    We play Chelsea, City, Arsenal and Spurs in our last few games, if we can't beat Bournemouth, West Brom and Everton it doesn't really bode well does it?

    That said, if a front four of Martial, Lingard, Mkhitaryan and Rashford isn't attacking, as against West Brom, not sure what is.

    Best bet is Europa league.
     
    #72
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  13. Sharpe*

    Sharpe* Senior Member

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    Fellaini does give you a plan B - something we're missing.

    When the result isn't going well you bring it on and lump it up to him which does seem to get some results. Unsettles defenders and bring Zlatan into play.

    I think the whole world is searching for good cb's. Crazy shortage atm.

    Can see more teams going 3 at the back.

    Its a shame Rashford isn't given more game time to develop.

    Would you let Rooney go?
     
    #73
  14. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Fellaini may well provide a plan B but he has played the full 90 of the last two games, that's where he is an issue. He shouldn't be anywhere near the team at kick off, he should be parked on the bench.

    I think three at the back is a good policy myself and in Valencia and Shaw we have two decent attacking wing backs. We'll see.

    The problem with Rashford is that when Zlatan was suspended he didn't score so hasn't taken his chance. He's back down the pecking order now. Rooney will definitely go and hopefully he'll be replaced by someone who actually scores. Griezmann would be ideal in that respect.
     
    #74
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  15. Sharpe*

    Sharpe* Senior Member

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    Griezmann is ****ing good i must say!
     
    #75
  16. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    Griezmann is the ideal candidate for me. He not only offers a constant return in goals but his assists are excellent and his running off the ball is phenomenal. Since the rumours started gathering pace I have made a point of watching AM on TV and he is really impressive. Hopefully the transfer (if it is going to happen) won't just hinge on us being in the CL.
     
    #76
  17. Red Hadron Collider

    Red Hadron Collider The Hammerhead

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    Tough ask, the Cherries <whistle>
     
    #77
  18. Christiansmith

    Christiansmith Well-Known Member

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    We must play all these games like cup finals. If we are drawing then throw the kitchen sink at them especially the top 6 ones. It may prove to be over ambitious but there is absolutely nothing to lose: the loss may be 1 point but the reward could be much needed 2.

    But I have to admit that I am not holding my breath :(
     
    #78
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2017
  19. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    So wait a minute....... points do mean something then <doh>
     
    #79
  20. Christiansmith

    Christiansmith Well-Known Member

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    I am not sure I get your point.

    I have not criticised JM for his actions or selections. He has always been cautious. What I am saying is that NOW in our current position draws will keep us where we are. ONLY wins can improve United s position and give us a slim chance of top 4. So why not be bold? Especially against the likes of City, Spurs Chelsea and arsenal.
     
    #80

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