Rival watch

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D.G.C. said:
By all accounts it was regression by Utd to Mourinho days tonight. We cant judge Utd too much yet as there's new coach euphoria like back in the days of Frank O'Farrell who took over and steamrollered everyone until the first defeat came and they fell back. OGS is still untested, yes he's been winning but is he a man for a crisis? I don't think so.
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So far he's set up the team to play to its strengths. If the opposition allow those strengths to be used (Pogba's power, passing and strength in an advanced midfield role and the pace and movement of the front three), Utd will create and take enough chances to beat most teams.
But against a top class opponent who can manage the game because of their own skills and experience, it's more difficult.
These players can't play like City; they can't break down teams who are behind the ball by moving the ball quickly, dragging players out of position and finding pockets of space through quick, nimble players.
So far, he's done the best he can do with these players. A defeat v one of the best four or five teams in Europe doesn't alter that.
He showed away at Arsenal a tactical awareness which allowed us to beat them quite convincingly.
Against Liverpool, I expect an open game where there will be chances to attack them pace (hopefully Martial will be fit). That's a more winnable game.
 
The RDBD said:
The games against Spurs / PSG / Poool were always
going to be the acid tests. They got from PSG over 90 mins
what they escaped in 45 mins against Spurs.

If PL top 4 is now their route to the CL, then the Poool game
may now be must win.
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You reckon your 3rd place is pretty safe now then?
 
I still think United overachieved since the new manager took over. He started with a run of easy ones and his boys did take advantage!
 
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PleaseNotPoll said:
PSG do have form for blowing good 1st leg leads in the Champions League, though.
Their 4-0 v Barca can't all be down to having some pillock managing them... <whistle>
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Still won more than Poch could ever fantasise of winning <cheers>

United will be without Pogba, who is their main driving force from midfield into attack. They have no-one else who provides the power and acceleration he does from the middle of the park. Injuries to Lingard or Martial won't have helped their cause, especially if they are out of action for a while.

On top of that, they obviously don't have anywhere near the quality that Barca team had (even if the ref made some dubious decisions in that comeback). Neymar or Rashford? Suarez or Lukaku? Messi or Sanchez? Rakitic or Herrera? And so forth...

Let's also not forget Cavani will be back for the second-leg, who has scored more goals than Martial and Rashford combined this season.
 
BrunelGooner said:
Still won more than Poch could ever fantasise of winning <cheers>

United will be without Pogba, who is their main driving force from midfield into attack. They have no-one else who provides the power and acceleration he does from the middle of the park. Injuries to Lingard or Martial won't have helped their cause, especially if they are out of action for a while.

On top of that, they obviously don't have anywhere near the quality that Barca team had (even if the ref made some dubious decisions in that comeback). Neymar or Rashford? Suarez or Lukaku? Messi or Sanchez? Rakitic or Herrera? And so forth...

Let's also not forget Cavani will be back for the second-leg, who has scored more goals than Martial and Rashford combined this season.
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PSG might find it a bit harder if they were in thePL.Apart from them there's nothing.They can win pots without a great effort...….now Liverpool,City,Spurs,Chelsea,Arsenal,United….that's different.
 
bigsmithy9 said:
PSG might find it a bit harder if they were in thePL.Apart from them there's nothing.They can win pots without a great effort...….now Liverpool,City,Spurs,Chelsea,Arsenal,United….that's different.
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True.

PSG probably have 4-5 tough league games a season. The top teams in England have 15-20. It puts us at a massive disadvantage in the CL and Europa.
 
First half was generally poor, but losing Lingard who was playing well was key for Utd, but OGS choice of subs at HT was his downfall in my opinion.
Should have put Lukaku through the middle and moved Rashford wider to replace Martial. Sanchez and Mata made no impact at all which in Sanchez case is no surprise really given his limited game time and poor form generally this season.

PSG played with a confidence in the 2nd half knowing that the changes had weakened Utd and in the end were easy winners.
 
So Pogba can't get away with what he's been getting away with in the PL? The ref clearly didn't got the memo "we've got our United back (so midfielders who kick people can't be sent off)".
 
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Apparently Verratti is a bit of a party boy, likes to be out until 6am and smokes and drinks, the whole lot. That, plus the fact he was barely fit, makes his performance last night seriously impressive. He and his partner in midfield completely shut down Pogba and dealt with the United press like it was a mildly annoying breeze. If he had the mindset of someone like Ronaldo, he would surely be considered one of the best midfielders in the world right now. Not to mention be paying huge fines for tax evasion
 
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