You have a lot of ordinary players after an extraordinary spend. We've been ordinary since January too tbf. I think we'll invest wisely and be stronger next season, hoping for 90+ points and more goal power, Don't know why Herrera has not played for you all season despite dreadful dive. Hard to judge on one game live but looked good today. Shaw looked good too
Herrera was not at his best today and played some loose passes, he has been very good on the right of midfield. Van Gaal didn`t play him so much earlier in the season because he roamed about too much and abandoned his post in an attempt to back up other players, this is sorted now. Shaw is pretty good when fit and i have hopes for him in the future.
I think what was lacking today was the link up between Herrera and Mata we've seen being so successful in recent games. Carrick out meant Herrera went a little deeper and Mata was more isolated except when Valencia linked up with him. Overall I think the lack of link up play between the two Spaniards is why we struggled.
Anyway I was more than pleased with the performance and have to say that's the first time I've seen Rooney play so well in that midfield role. His passing was spot on and he never lost possession. Will be happy to get 9 points from the remaining 5 games. And if 3 are against Arsenal I'll be even happier.
The position just didn`t suit him, he lost Hazard for the goal and i think with Carrick there the goal wouldn`t have happened. I thought he might be the one to sit there before the game and in general he did very well but as you say, the link with Mata is vital to the way we stretch teams and make space so he was a big miss there.
I was fearing the worst when the team was announced, but thought we played pretty well. I was surprised they didn't try to target McNair who I thought played well. I thought Chelsea might have been a bit more adventurous given they were at home and that we had a half a defence missing and Carrick, but can't deny that they were effective. Although it's disappointing that we didn't really test Courtois, in the context of the injuries this fixture was always going to be a tough ask. I really hope Carrick is back for the Everton game.
Agree with this. I think at this stage of the season points are the only thing that counts. If we can clinch it with a couple of games left then you will see the type of football we played earlier in the season.
Not Chelsea 's fault but this is the classical season with the champions getting the title by default. It reminds me of 2012/13 when an ordinary United side won the title several weeks ahead of City. That side tbh was held together by ageing midfielders and defenders at the end of their careers. Chelsea were dominated which would not bother Maureen to the slightest but would please LVG whose moto it seems is possession is all. In a way this kind of lack of a real challenge with champions coasting to the title cannot be good for Chelsea themselves in the CL. In a knock out tournament they need to be performing at a higher level and to a much better standard.30% possession at home! fewer shots off and on target? Just fingers crossed that United get to the CL and give them a proper title challenge next season.
The reason you had so much possession was the way we set up. Jose knew you would have thr lion's share of possession. That word default again.
Next season, will be better for UTD, cant argue with UTDs performance, better team lost, but credit to Hazzard, he got the goal. GGMU
Fatboy was VG. We should have brought Ramires on earlier to stop atacks down the left, or started with Willian on the right and Oscar as no 10 to stop Herrera passing. I liked the look of Herrera. I know a lot of United fans don't and Vg did not like picking him earlier in the season. He got frustrated yesterday and started diving but that's the idea of our antifootball to make the oppo make mistakes, misplace passes and make mistakes. better players than Herrera and better managers than VG have suffered and been defeated by Joseball
