Really pleased with today's performance, I never worry about the big games, as LVG to his credit has a good record against the top sides, it's the small teams that we have a problem with. Atleast it keeps our slim hopes of 4th alive, and wrecks Arsenals title hopes. Once again Arsenal are proving what bottlers they are when in contention for the title. It's just ashame I'm banned from their board, or id go over and wind them all up.
Rooney takes a.while to get anywhere near sharp after a lay off so is unlikely to waltz straight back in. Rashford is just a breath of fresh air though, looks a really good finisher. If we reached a final I would pick Rooney in an instant though. As someone else mentioned, hopefully Rashford not a Macheda. Needs someone to keep his feet on the ground. Given the youngsters that are currently playing do we really think Mourinho is the right man to takeover? They might never be seen again
Do u think rashford would have played if Rooney was fit? Do u think fosu-mensah would have played if rojo didn't get injured, neither would he have made the bench if shaw was fit. Do u think varela would have made the bench if Damian and young were fit? Do u think Pereira would have made the bench if fellaini and shweinstergger were fit? I'm not saying lvg doesn't give youths a chance but let's be sincere, having so much youth play against arsenal is mainly due to injury than the manager giving youth a chance.
When looking at Mourinho to United I'd always compare it to Real Madrid. He gave plenty of the Youth team chances to play. Most notably putting Adan in ahead of Cassillas in goal for a while, and bringing through Morata. Another was Nacho Fernandez, and iirc even Jese got his first games under Mourinho. The Chelsea comparisons are off the mark imo. Mourinho adapts to the club he's managing tbf.
If they played like that every game we wouldn't be talking about a change of manager. Quite why we've left it so late in the season to play our best football is really frustrating, particularly as things are so tight for the 4th spot and just a few more performances like that would have given us the extra 6 - 9 points to be really in with a chance. I doubt Rashford will go the same way as Macheda, the lad seems well grounded and, unlike Macheda, is used to the place having been through the academy
It's a bit early to be getting too excited by them all anyway, they definitely aren't ready to be first team full time. Borthwick Jackson looks good to back up Shaw when he comes back and you'd have Rashford as fourth choice striker behind Rooney, Martial and someone bought in. Beyond that only Lingard is a senior squad choice right now. We need to buy a centre half, right winger and right back to go with that striker to be competitive enough next season.
Most notable was Varane, he fell out with Pepe and Ramos got injured so he had little choice but at least he gave him the chance.
Anyone else pleased to see Memphis showing a bit of form in the last two games, he is starting to look a bit more confident now. My worry is he looked ok before we signed Martial then fell away, now Martial is injured he is doing well again. Is there a bit of sulkiness/jealousy there?
It's nice to know they at least have the potential to play for the first team. I know the result means **** all in the grand scheme of things but today was really enjoyable as for a brief moment it felt like the old United again. It's been a long time since I last enjoyed watching my team play.
Stoke and Arsenal today have been our two stand out performances. And unsurprisingly both had less than 60% possession BUT it was possession with a purpose
We really should have a look at getting in Ashley Williams. Great defender but also looks a proper leader at the back.
The last two games have been great. Very enjoyable, not just because we won both well but because young, local talent has come in and shone. It's sudden and very, very promising so I'm not drying to chuck a wet towel on it, I'm just cautious that we get too exciting in thinking these lads are the answer to our problems. We still need three or four finished articles to do anything next season. I disagree with Treble too, I just don't think Jose would use them. If he came in next year we'd hardly see those players again, unless it was out on loan with some other club. This might (does) sound mental but should we win a cup and get fourth I'd be half tempted to let van Gaal stay on and see how much further he can go. Probably backwards though! After that season it would be Giggs and Gary Nev in tandem.
I completely share your frustrations. I also wouldn't call three games a trend just yet. After all, two of those were against far inferior opponents that we were expected to win by a landslide anyway. This Arsenal game is more like it but we need to win 5 of the next 6 league games to even have a shot at 4th place. I think we would be fighting for 5th place come May.
This. For some reason, That result yesterday didn't come entirely as a surprise. Over the years it seems that wenger has retained that psychological block when playing United. The next game against Watford is as important if not more and certainly more informative where we would finally end up. If Rashford retains that striking fearlessness against the more physical teams like Watford we can be optimistic about the future. The better form of Depay is encouraging too. We have been waiting for Mata and Herrera to play together and they are now. The one thing that we have to give lvg credit for is his inclination to give young players their chance. He was willing to risk a Rashford, a Riley a Borthwick Jackson a Fosu-Mensah a Wilson and others rather than buy other clubs players. Not many top managers have the balls to do that
