Yes it was a defensive set up but I don’t think we didn’t attempt to score. Nor did we play for a 0-0. Anyway, if we don’t want to be at risk at 2-1 we have to keep a 2 goal margin at all times. Simples. (If they are as bad as you say, shouldn’t be that difficult!)
Shouldn't have been difficult at their place either, but Mourinho's natural negativity took over and made it so...
Well the problem with moving Pogba further forward, is who do you leave out? We have so many options in those 3 positions behind the striker. Martial, Mata, Lingard, Sanchez, Rashford. So if you add Pogba into the mix for those positions, you've got 6 quality players for 3 positions. I honestly do believe now though that having seen Mctominay and Matic as a pairing in midfield together, that those 2 will start together in any big games, as the Chelsea and Liverpool games have shown how effective they are as a defensive shield for the back 4. After the Spurs game I just can't see Mourinho risking Pogba alongside one of them in any big games again. So it's a case of do you drop Pogba, or does he play in one of the 3 positions behind the striker? I would be tempted to drop him for Sanchez personally, and atleast see if Pogba can be effective as a number 10. As we've not seen him play there often enough to know if he can.
Nah, he more wants not to lose imo. Tbh that's a strategy which does work well in Europe - as Chief said on the Sevilla thread there have been times in the CL when we could have done better and gone farther with a more conservative approach at times. Against Real in 00, Porto in 04 and Milan in 07 spring to mind. But it can leave you vulnerable to a sucker punch and riding your luck at times, and Mourinho's luck seems to have run out recently.
Comfortable win really. Big fuss made over Liverpools attack but really, it wasnt threatening at all.
That's not the point though. You're supposed to have the best front three on the planet, they did absolutely jack ****ing ****. Not for the first time either I have to say. Your centre midfield is non existent and your centre halves and goal keeper are still bang average. We won by one goal because our manager decided that is what would happen. We didn't do anything but shut up shop second half and you lot still couldn't get near scoring, bar an own goal.
A one goal margin is plenty when your opponents don't score and your keeper doesn't have to make a single proper save. It was arguably as bad an overall performance as you put in away to City and Spurs, we just weren't as ambitious and you did defend quite a bit better.
I blame the ****ing despicable RS for our disgraceful performance last night. Having deservedly beaten them, the United players and JM thought they’ve climbed their ****ing mountain and that CL match felt like after the Lord Mayors show.