Match Day Thread Manchester United (H) 31/08 12:30

Like your thinking, players usually score when they go back to an old club

 

Just got in....good result and getting the last goal always feels better. And we were missing some important players. Well done, Saints.

 

I've been a bit critical of JV lately - but he was absolutely outstanding today. Easily the best I've evber seen him play for us.

 

Always said we’ll draw with Utd and thrash Pompey.

 

Kind of a strange game. Defense was good. Attack generally ineffective, although tbf we were picking it up before the red and might have won or at least finished on a good note, so they should probably get a bit of a pass.

Man U looked flat and somewhat lazy. We were making them have to work a little, and they didn’t feel like doing it.

All in all, a good point. If you knew nothing about club reputation or expectations, you’d say it was a fairly non-descript match between two average sides. And I’ve been saying all season that I’ll be happy with average from us. Man U looks like they are in trouble, though.

 

Romeu and Hojbjerg looked like they had a better understanding today, especially the second half. Everyone had a good second half, probably except Ings. So midfield is cementing, Danso moving to the middle will be positive. Just for Che and/or Ings to find some form. Great to see Boufal contributing.

 

Bringing on Yoshida was a perfect sub too at the perfect time.

 

That tackle for the Red card. Am I wrong, but didn’t he pick up a yellow for a near identical scythe in a previous game? What was he thinking? (I know, I know...)
There were moments of excitement today and the fans were excellent. I was sure Vesty’s goal was going to get chalked off for a push, very happy when VAR no called. Great point in the circumstances.
Oh, and a heads up; JWP will score a wonder free kick, convert a penalty and provide two assists next match. Because I am taking him out of my fantasy team

 

Romeu is MOTM on BBC; Vestergaard MOTM on BT.

 

It's an ok result, but honestly didn't rate the performance. Thought we got slightly lucky and Manchester United looked distinctly average. 1 point is 1 point, usually we find a way to lose matches like this - I'll take it. Still, I'm realistic. We need to improve.

 

Pretty poor quality game tbh.

Romeu was our best player and as someone mentioned above JV had his best game. Bednarek is looking less convincing with each game so really hoping we can play Danso centrally before long.

As I said after Brighton, still no hint of an understanding between Adams and Ings but early days yet, I suppose.

Gunn played well too.

 

Give him a break FFS.

 

I thought we did well for 10 minutes with the press, then conceded a very poor goal which knocked us of out stride. I didn’t think we were in a good shape defensively in the first half, but defended bravely once down to 10 men.

Harsh the stick Danso got, silly challenge but he’ll learn as Ralph said.

Good start to the second half and we earned the equaliser at that point. I was a little surprised that Boufal came off as even though he wasn’t electrifying and the RB had his measure, when he moved centrally, his directness disrupted United’s fairly solid defence. The corner for the goal came from when he ran at the FB and got the corner. I hope we keep giving him games.

I think Redders would have had a field day today.

Happy with the point. I think United look a team with a lot to do. I think we have plenty of learning to do too, but there’s something to build on.

 

Before the sending off I thought we were the team most likely to win the game after a better start to the second half (yet again).
A fair point apiece I think and our defending deserved to hold out with Vester having his best game in a Saints shirt by far.
Not going to crucify a 20 year old for a committed attempt to win the ball for the team it's not as if he was petulant or stupid IMO and I think he had a good game on the left before that.

Still waiting for JWP to get up to speed but Pierre and Oriel were much better today in the midfield and I think Che will be a threat once he knocks that first goal in.

 

Sorry, didnt realise we weren't allowed to criticise.

He was an idiot for getting sent off, as he had played very well before hand and I feel with 11 men wed have pushed on for a winner.

 

He’s 20 and made a mistake. Coaching will help him. As would a bit of support and patience.

I criticised him by saying he made a mistake. I don’t think he’s an idiot though. **** happens.

 

What formation were we playing today, 4 3 3 or 4 2 2 2?
I was thinking during the game it was a 4 3 3, but i think that might have just been because of how Boufal seemed to be hugging the touchline and Prowse playing really centrally. With Ralph as manager i can only think it must have been 4 2 2 2.

Definitely seemed to be a massive gap on the right side of the pitch.

 

This is a good result and 4 points from 4 games is where I think most of us thought we would be. The fact it is not a great result is all about how far United have fallen in recent years.

It is quite hard to be sure who will go down this year. Are Watford really that bad?

 

It's a regular thing these days, not nice whoever does it.
Maguire did provide a comedic moment, and an idea of his mindset, when he slipped and lost the ball midway through the 2nd half. He started to appeal towards the (supposed) ref before realising that even that numpty wouldn't give a free kick for what was basically a tackle on himself.

Also glad the 2 plastic mancs 'giving it large' it the itchen (y'know full of old fogeys and kids) when utd scored were ejected by the stewards, at the crowd's insistance.

Oh, and I like Danso, I trust Ralph to sort out some of the rash stuff. There's a decent player in there.
I also think Boufal is really trying hard now to his credit. I know his judgement is lacking at times, and he struggles to complete 90mins but lets face it if he had the football brain to match his undoubted skill he'd be on his way to 'pool by now.

 

We were very sluggish in possession first half, especially at the back, where the players were too keen to hold the ball and give time for United to press them and put them under pressure.
Second half they started playing one touch and getting it switched from left to right at greater speed. It’s a shame that these relatively simple amendments need a half time team talk to get implemented.