Our last home game before the world cup (think I heard somewhere earlier). Team News: main injuries remain Varane and Martial. Maguire and Martinez at the back. I'd start Shaw ahead of Malacia tbh, he's been on form. Midfield picks itself. Wide players Antony and Sancho. Rashford starts up front. West Ham won't be easy, although their away form all season in the league hasn't been good. This is our chance to go above Chelsea after their shocker today. In the past 2/3 years we've tended to falter when the door's been opened by other teams dropping points. In the past I'd half expect us to fck it up. Not so now, the way we're playing currently. I really am expecting us to be up for this. Two things I'm hoping for - our defence remains solid and we really do start finishing our chances.
I'd agree in the main, Maguire on for Varane the only change. Definitely ahead of Lindelof. Possibly Rashford on left for Sancho with Ronaldo up front, but I think Ronaldo should be a last half hour sub most of the time.
I only caught the last fifteen minutes and we were stuck defending. I hope the first half was better. But glad that you we got the win and the clean sheet.
We could not hold possession at all. Even with 30 seconds to go Bruno has the ball, united players in space. Just see out the game ffs! He gives the ball away, Rice has a shot on goal, De Gea saves they get a corner. Fcking shambles. The whole of that 2nd half was embarrassing. Except for the defence who were brilliant throughout.
And that's another fcking thing. They're forced into changing the goalie at HT and we don't test him at all in that 2nd half.
Got to look at the positives. Last season under Solskjaer, we probably lose that game, let alone draw. There's a far more positive attitude to the whole place at the minute. No one gave up, we saw it out.
No one can be happy with the second half performance especially the last 20 minutes. The team shouldn’t concede completely the possession and the attack to the opposition. We were always at risk of conceding either through a moment of brilliance or a deflection or an error. But the fight of the back line and GK was a plus and winning ugly through our own moment of brilliance from Rashford was good for morale. Having said that, we always carried a goal threat and unless they had scored very late we were ready to get the lead back.
I've just watched the last 15 mins of Real Sociedad match vs Betis. They were 1-0 down, they played well in that last 15 but went on to lose 2-0 lol
Did they rest many of their key players? That could be a reason for their defeat. on the match itself, Utd have nothing to lose. All out attack to get that early first goal. They will get nervous if that happens.
I'm not sure tbh. Both clubs have European games midweek I think. It's a good point, we really have nothing to lose.
I have to say I missed the moments after the match and the team spirit. Just seen it on MOTD. Shaw and Martinez all smiles and joking together, De Gea, Rashford, Dalot all hugging. It seems like they're genuinely building positive relationships and a good team spirit - really good to see.
Just another thing. Next weekend Chelsea vs Arsenal Liverpool vs Spurs It's a great set of fixtures. Points will be dropped. We play Villa and have to take advantage.
Martinez and Dalot are a massive part of that and de Gea is now joining in. You can see the delight when they repel an attack or put the ball out to re-group, real warriors for the team and a pride in themselves. Martinez and Dalot were my joint MOTM today, de Gea a close runner up with Shaw (shout out to Maguire after so long out and playing the wrong side). I think the unity in the team is being built by the passion of the defenders and if it keeps up we will be formidable opponents for any team.
It was a good win. The finish was more exciting than it needed to be. The front and midfield players need to be calmer in possession at the end and not lose the ball unnecessarily especially in the last couple of minutes. Play keep ball and find a team mate instead of hoofing the ball to the area where there are no Utd players. They had two or three chances in injury time and a more savvy team wouldn’t have gifted them these. But the team spirit and attitude is there in abundance (as I was worried about the negative effects of the CR saga). It looks like a solid foundation is being built. Dalot is much improved and Shaw looks like his old self again. I do think the attitude, tenacity and never give in aggression of Martinez are rubbing off on his fellow team mates. Rashford has rediscovered his speed and confidence. And hopefully we are steadily developing that strong central “spine” that most successful teams have.
All good, eh? I can't find a negative, I really can't. Ronaldo was also clearly buying into it, the brain fart the other week was clearly a blip. Evan Martial smiles when he's actually fit. The big thing is teams no longer come to us and expect anything, it's getting back to being a fortress of sorts and the crowd is fully on side, the groans and moaning seem to be eradicated. Guess who's missing? Yep, that French ****.
