Back in the day a draw at Old Trafford would be a decent result... but this is a poor United side. Overall we were pretty mediocre
Xhaka for me. I think he slows the game down, lets players pass him because he cant tackle. When he does make a challenge its usually a foul. I just don't see the point in a deep lying midfielder who cant defend.
**** game, but decent point for us in the end. Pepe was awful, he really needs to start finding some confidence. Plus points were that Guendouzi was brilliant again and so was Saka. I want to see Holding, Tierney, Willock and Saka start the next game.
I said basically the same thing in the last match thread but what really pisses me off is that we are playing MORE conservatively under Emery yet conceeding even MORE goals. How does that even make any sense?!
Both teams are shadows of their former selves. Apart from a five-minute spell after Auba's goal, we didn't play well at all. Emery's set up was completely wrong. Why he wanted to give away territory and possession, and have us defend deep, against THIS United side, is mystifying. If he'd been a bit more braver with his tactics and team selection, United were there for the taking. The two positives were Saka and Guendouzi. Both of them were completely fearless. Saka is so strong on the ball and is so hard to dispossess. He showed real impetus on the attacking front. Nice assist for the goal too. What a player he could end up being. Guendouzi was by far and away our best midfielder. Carrying the ball well, riding some challenges but also winning fouls, getting stuck in, intercepting, distributing the ball well. Shoutout to Luiz and Sokratis who defended very well tonight. I know United's attack was blunt, but we've made players like Rashford and Lingard look like world beaters in the past, so I'm glad that they did their jobs. A point against the United team of 6 and a half years ago would be a very good point. Not now it isn't. Poor game and a not-so-great result.
Pretty sure Ozil must have been getting it on with Emery’s missus. It’s ridiculous that he isn’t even on the bench for a game like this. He’s looked sharp when he’s had his limited game time this season. I know emery wants all his players to press etc but the reality is we often don’t do that well anyway even without Ozil in the team so we may as well have Ozils creativity.
I thought Saka and Guendouzi were really good. Auba seemed really up for it as well. Pepe just isn’t managing to click. His final ball has been woeful. He needs to step up. Defence were a bit better today. Chambers is looking good. Xhaka should have put his face in front of the ball for the Utd goal. Highly frustrating to concede just before the half but we did well to get back level. Auba was so composed. Nelson was a bit of a pointless sub. He seems not quite ready for first team football to me. Reckon we should give him a loan from Jan onwards. Ceballos and Willock on the bench seemed an odd tactical choice. Emery obviously wanted to stifle the Utd midfield but it just meant we didn’t have enough creativity. Utd were there for the taking but we didn’t set up to go at them. Overall I’ll take a point at Old Trafford. But we should have been expecting more.
After watching Xhaka's countless mishaps, and nothing coming off for Pepe yet, I'm struggling to think of a reason as to why Ozil would do any worse than the aforementioned two. Give him a chance ffs. He could have definitely created some decent opportunities today.
-guendouzi and sake really impressed me -Our Cb's done well showed experience - I'm giving pepe time but my expectations for him have dropped -reiss nelson won't make it at arsenal or any other top 6 club -Emery needs to tell the fans what's his problem with ozil is -And Auba is Auba
I remember slating Henry when he first started as he was appalling - couldn’t hit a barn door etc hopefully Pepe just needs to settle