Sarr was hindered by the early booking , which on a reply deserved to get the utd skipper a nomination for an Oscar
I thought Lucas had a solid game lastnight, wasn't sure about him in his earlier games but then had to remind myself of his age
He looked a step up from where he has been, albeit in a fairly brief cameo. I think he needed the Southampton game in his system. Until now he's either been part of a cobbled together makeshift team in cup ties that have been harder than expected, or thrown on in vain as we desperately try to salvage a game. He needed a nice comfortable victory to boost his confidence and it showed last night imo. Should probably still go out on loan in Jan, but a lot will depend on how seriously the board intend to back Ange.
Having a RW who covers the gap would help Aaron Lennon and Erik Lamela were both very good at covering the space left by Walker pushing up, but since then we've always found a way to leave gaps there either by Aurier forgetting he's supposed to be in our half of the pitch occasionally, or either Lucas or Johnson not filling the gap when Aurier/Doherty/Porro push up
Hes a quality prospect, no doubt, and is really starting to make his mark. As DH would put it, he's got that 'dawg' in him and also the gift of seeming to have (or make) more time for himself, which could make the difference between him being a good or a special player. Too soon to say which way it will go, but things are certainly going in the right direction
You also don't see how many goals are saved by not giving the opposition the ball through aimless long clearances. You only see the ones given away by mistakes in possession near goal. I expect the stats show it's fewer from the latter which is why everyone plays out from the back these days.
Talking of quality prospects... Djed Spence was outstanding last night. Great energy, amazing turn of pace and creative. His pass to set Solanke away for the 3rd was a beauty.
Find me the stats As far as I am aware, the move to playing out from the back is to unbalance the opposition and find space to move into. An attacking plan, nothing to do with reducing goal concessions. My comment stands - if we keep the ball in the opposition half for the last 30 mins then the game is done and dusted.
I think some of the criticism Ange has got today is harsh. We were more than comfortable at 3-0 and managing the game well. You account for two horrendous individual errors. That was the only way United were ever going to score.
Whatever the reason for playing out from the back, it is bound to lead to occasionally mess ups like last night's. That's fine if it has greater benefits.
I think the club has access to much better statistics than we do and the fact they persist with the strategy is good enough for me.
So in summary, you : 1. don't actually know 2. are attempting to use the club as "appeal to authority"
