FA Premier League

Manchester United 2:1 West Ham United

Old Trafford

Kick-off
Sat, 27 September 2014 @ 3:00pm BST
Status

Closed

Discussion Live Updates 88 Your Lineup Prediction

  • Status
    Not open for further replies.
    Team should be:

    De Gea

    Rafael -- Smalling -- Rojo -- Shaw

    -----------Blind------------------

    ------Herrera----ADM---------------

    -----------Mata ------------------

    ------RVP-------Rooney----------

    RVP or Falcao should come off the bench. Mata has to play for me, we looked so balanced last week
     
    Will we have any defenders on the bench?
    Since one of our defenders is doomed to be injured during the match its a little worrying that we dont have any to replace them with.
    If its Rafael i guess Valencia can jump in, but do we have any more CB fit than Rojo and Smalling?
     

    Paper Review​

    First of all, if you've not seen yesterday's match yet and don't want to be spoiled with the result - why are you looking at this thread?! It's been discussed many times. Anyway, don't look below if you haven't. If you want to view the game against Leicester City either for the first time or again, view Chris H's fantastic Manchester United videos thread here.

    Below is a brief look at what the papers have said today after the result.
    1) Five reasons why Louis van Gaal is a worse Manchester United manager than David Moyes (The Independent) - click bait
    2) Neville: Soft-centred Manchester United were bullied by Leicester (Sky Sports) - Former United captain Gary Neville has his say on the result.
    3) Police Investigating Mario Balotelli Racist Abuse (Sky News) - After the result, Mario Balotelli reacted on twitter and as a result received a tirade of racist abuse by a number of users.
    4) Meulensteen: van Gaal does not rate Shaw (talkSPORT)
    5) Mata: We have to stand up and keep going (One Hour Behind) - A very short blog this week. Next few weeks or so could be interesting if Mata gets a continual bench role.
    Start Mata, start Shaw win the game and regain the false hope we lost yesterday.
     

    Reds React​

    Reactions from former Manchester United players to yesterday's result:


    Phil Neville said:
    @fizzer18: The penalty decision changed the game shocking decision!
    Click to expand...


    Phil Neville said:
    @fizzer18: Leicester the fittest team I've seen in a long time - so much energy!
    Click to expand...


    Bryan Robson said:
    @bryanrobson: A real defence of weakness that has to be addressed! No problem with the attacking but need a good look at our defence!
    Click to expand...


    Mickey Thomas said:
    @therealMickeyT: Yes the defence was all over the place but when the opposition have the ball everyone should contribute to defend its about p
    Click to expand...


    Alan Brazil said:
    @alanbrazil: How about that Man Utd defeat? Unbelievable!
    Click to expand...

    Reds React Continued​

    More reactions from former Manchester United players to yesterday's result:


    Lou Macari said:
    @LouMacari10: Always feared Welbeck & Hernandez might come back to haunt us. Hope I'm wrong
    Click to expand...


    Lou Macari said:
    @LouMacari10: Worst result ever in the Premier League, Leicester's best. I was never fooled by that win over an awful QPR
    Click to expand...


    Lou Macari said:
    @LouMacari10: Alan Hansen once said you never win anything with kids... I say you never win anything without defenders!!
    Click to expand...
    I'm one of the biggest pessimists I know, but fecking damn you guys are downers. False hope? Come on, get off it.

    We've been playing out of our skin every time since the window closed. The pen changed our game, look at it however you want. Had Clattenburg not been absolutely shite, Leicester wouldn't have even gotten a second goal, let alone a fifth. That is NO excuse for our defenders. One bad ref was enough to undo our team and it shouldn't be. We should be better than that. But under objective, or at least not blatantly horrible refereeing, that match was more likely 1-4 than 2-3.

    Still, though. We folded due to shockingly awful officiating. So let's assume for the sake of argument that we completely dismantle every time the referee is THAT bad, that we will NEVER learn. Just assume. How many more times can you see that happening in the remaining 33 league games? Twice? Maybe three times?

    If we play the remaining 30 like we played for the first 60 minutes, I don't think there's anything to worry about.

    we showed some weak mentality, but world class football nonetheless. And we've been lacking the latter for a year and a half now.
     
    What's Macari on about when he says he's "always" feared that Welbeck and Hernandez would haunt us? They've been gone for less than a month ffs, and has he seen our attacking options? He doesn't half chat some shite.
     
    Looks like our back four picks itself this week. Only smalling and Rojo available, Rafa and Shaw flanking them. pray for no more injuries.
     
    The most important name in the lineups (especially after the debacle last weekend) has been announced: Lee Mason.
     
    3-1 to us

    imagine the back 4 will be rafael, smalling (sadly) rojos and shaw

    with blind, di maria, herrera and mata, and rooney n rvp up front
     
    People here a terrible lot. We have all the makings even of defense of a great team.

    We need two things:
    • A real leader to step up
    • If things get tough, to not fall apart.
    FergieYouBeauty said:
    3-1 to us

    imagine the back 4 will be rafael, smalling (sadly) rojos and shaw

    with blind, di maria, herrera and mata, and rooney n rvp up front
    Click to expand...

    Why sadly for Smalling? He is usually good for us, and was in no fault over the goals on Sunday.
     
    J-Stander said:
    What's Macari on about when he says he's "always" feared that Welbeck and Hernandez would haunt us? They've been gone for less than a month ffs, and has he seen our attacking options? He doesn't half chat some shite.
    Click to expand...

    Exactly this. Welbeck has scored 1 goal, after missing easy chances in his first two goals. And Hernandez has come on as sub and scored a couple of tapins for a team 6-2 up in a largely uncompetitive league for a world class team!
     
    revel911 said:
    People here a terrible lot. We have all the makings even of defense of a great team.

    We need two things:
    • A real leader to step up
    • If things get tough, to not fall apart.


    Why sadly for Smalling? He is usually good for us, and was in no fault over the goals on Sunday.
    Click to expand...

    I used to play centre back, and I used to say "I wasn't anywhere near the goals we conceded".
    The fact Smalling wasn't anywhere near the action is probably not a good sign.
     

    RedCafe Reacts​

    And finally to close the looking back on the previous game, here are a number of popular threads in both the mains and newbies since the defeat.

    Mains
    1) Our Defense/Defenders - Annihilate Now! has made a thread to discuss our defenders as a collective and what our members think the main problem is.
    2) Managers on the touchline - some discussion on why Louis van Gaal isn't seen on the touchline and whether that is affecting our performances.
    3) 5 points from 5 games... - some discussion on one of our worst starts to a season to date.
    4) Captain Wayne Rooney - criticism of the captain.
    5) All of this knee jerking... - one user tries to put a bit of perspective.

    Newbies
    1) Time to give Anders Lindegaard another shot? - starting with "I've been saying it for 2 years now, and today was the final straw for me, De Gea has to be dropped.", it's safe to say that the threadstarter isn't a fan of our Spaniard in goal and says that based on Lindegaard's last performance in a 4-0 victory over Newcastle, that he's "everything De Gea is not at the minute".
    2) Embarrassing Manchester United defeats - discussion of previous heavy defeats and our reaction to them on the pitch.
    3) We Are Not Tough Enough - one user compares our defenders to Manchester City's, saying that ours don't get stuck in enough.
    4) We are the new Real Madrid - "like them, we are a football version of the harlem globetrotters. fantastic individual class up front but NO defense at all." reads an excerpt.
    5) Would you take fifth right now? - enough said.
    Still can't believe we managed to lose against Leicester. I know theres a meltdown here, but imo we played well enough and looked fckn dangerous on the attack, the problem is that for 2 years straight that goes for our opponents as well. If SAF still was in charge i imagine we`d string together twelve god awful looking 1-0 wins.

    DDG

    Rafael - Smoling - Rojo - Shaw

    Herrera - Blind - di Maria

    Falcao - Rooney - RvP

    4-1, Falcao with two, can't wait.
     
    Sandikan said:
    Exactly this. Welbeck has scored 1 goal, after missing easy chances in his first two goals. And Hernandez has come on as sub and scored a couple of tapins for a team 6-2 up in a largely uncompetitive league for a world class team!
    Click to expand...

    Wasnt one of his goals a screamer from outside the box?
     

    Referee Appointed
    ELyWNpr.png

    Revealed by the Premier League website, the referee for our game against West Ham United has been announced: Lee Mason.

    In Manchester United league games that Lee Mason has refereed, we have never lost, with us having a record of nine victories and one draw. Two of those ten matches have been against West Ham (including the last Manchester United game Lee Mason refereed) and we have won both.

    In the league cup, things are a different story. One win and two defeats - one of the defeats being against Chelsea in 2012 after extra time, and the other being against Sunderland last season during our awful penalty shootout.
    J-Stander said:
    What's Macari on about when he says he's "always" feared that Welbeck and Hernandez would haunt us? They've been gone for less than a month ffs, and has he seen our attacking options? He doesn't half chat some shite.
    Click to expand...

    He spews some absolute garbage at times.
     
    West Ham are interesting. They're not the most potent offensively, nor are they amazing at the back, but their midfield has pace and power. Song, Kouyate, Valencia and Sakho are very physically dominant and our midfield could see themselves bullied at times - much like Liverpool were. I'd probably stick with the diamond but ensure Blind isn't overrun, and that as a unit we defend far tighter. Shaw coming in at LB and Smalling at CB - our strongest physically - will be good for shoring up the defence somewhat, and we'll need to drop RvP, with Rooney up-top and Mata through the middle to play with stronger ball circulation.

    De Gea
    Rafael - Smalling - Rojo - Shaw
    Blind
    Herrera - di Maria
    Mata
    Rooney - Falcao​
     
    I'd replace Rooney and RvP with Mata and Januzaj, and switch to a 2 banks of 4 system to offer some protection to the fullbacks.

    West Ham dealt very well with Liverpool's diamond, and I think we'll be playing into their hands if we leave the flanks exposed and Blind on his own in front of the defence (undoubtedly Downing would be tasked with tracking him and disrupting his passing from deep, just as he did with Gerrard at the weekend). Therefore, 4-2-3-1:


    De Gea
    Rafael - Smalling - Rojo - Shaw
    Herrera - Blind
    Januzaj - Mata - Di Maria
    Falcao

    ​
    It's more likely of course that Shaw and Smalling will simply replace Evans and Blackett in yesterday's XI, with Mata and Januzaj on the bench. Fancy a 2-2 draw.
     
    Sandikan said:
    Exactly this. Welbeck has scored 1 goal, after missing easy chances in his first two goals. And Hernandez has come on as sub and scored a couple of tapins for a team 6-2 up in a largely uncompetitive league for a world class team!
    Click to expand...

    But Hernandez coming on the bench and having an impact we do miss he was always great at that and also Welbecks hard work defensively we miss. If we had still had them here and gone full power for some defensive top players instead we would be better off and sold one of Persie, Rooney, Mata for better balance in the team.
     
    I'm the only one that went 4-3 United? It's the obvious result.
     
    I fear West Ham will be smelling blood and will go for the jugular pumping long balls in from the get go and harrassing us on the ball. Could get ugly, for us or for them if we keep our cool and actually fight because we have the tools to pick them apart. But yesterday we did tear Liecester apart, relatively, but proceeded to give it away.
     
    One thing for certain this season will be entertaining, the thought of West Ham going at us all out attack at Old Trafford is mad, but it's the only way they can play against us atm.
     
    We have to control the game better this time around, we can't afford to let the opposition dictate the tempo like we did against Leicester. We need to take a step back and protect our back four, there were waay too many one on ones against us last game, but at the same time we can't fall back too far and let West Ham keep the ball in our half and pump crosses in.
     
    DDG
    Rafael Smalling Rojo Shaw
    Blind
    Herrera Di Maria
    Mata
    Rooney Falcao
     
    I don't think there is a more physical team than West Ham right now bar maybe Man City.

    Song, Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate, Reid, Tomkins etc all physical beasts.

    I've watched West Ham against Palace, Tottenham and Liverpool this season and there's no way you'll batter them like you did QPR. There's a distinct change in their playing style and they have quality all over the pitch.
     
    -------------DDG
    Rafael-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw
    -------------Blind-------------
    ---Herrera-----------Di Maria--
    -------------Mata-------------
    -------Rvp----------Rooney
    Or Falcao for RvP, doeasn't matter. We'll do em! 3-1 for us.
     
    3-1 United win for me.

    Falcao, Rooney and Di Maria goals.

    Same team but with rojo slotting in alongside smalling and shaw making his debut. Won't be a problem and everybody will go over board again with the corner turning claims.
     
    If any positives to look from past weekend - All so called big teams except Arsenal dropped points (Mancity-Chelsea Draw, Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool lost).
    We need to get our shit together and need an organization in defense. Almost every defender is out of position.

    We need to win our next two home games.
     
    I would like to play (if guys <esp. CBs> are fit ofc):

    ------------De Gea
    Rafael - Jones - Evans - Shaw
    -------------Blind
    -------Herrera---Fellaini
    ---------Mata---Di Maria
    ------------Falcao​


    It gives a little bit more defensive approach whilst still having some offensive (and different) threat from Fellaini. Also Fellaini is here mainly for bullying purposes. His main job would be try to not get red card.
     
    BlueCelery said:
    I don't think there is a more physical team than West Ham right now bar maybe Man City.

    Song, Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate, Reid, Tomkins etc all physical beasts.

    I've watched West Ham against Palace, Tottenham and Liverpool this season and there's no way you'll batter them like you did QPR. There's a distinct change in their playing style and they have quality all over the pitch.
    Click to expand...

    Less hoof it up that's for sure. They impressed me vs West Ham so definitely don't expect it to be an easy match. I don't think there is a single fixture in the PL that makes me comfortable enough to say "yeah it's easy 3 pts". Even before QPR I was worried. This is why the 4-0 win felt therapeutic.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.
Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Rafael image Rafael 45% of 826 votes

Runners-up

Show more results

Player Ratings

6.2 Total Average Rating

Highest Rated Player

Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 499 ratings.
Submit your ratings
View full results

Score Predictions

650,120,80
  • Man Utd win
  • West Ham win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 18% Man Utd 3:1 West Ham
  • 11% Man Utd 3:2 West Ham
  • 8% Man Utd 4:2 West Ham
  • 7% Man Utd 3:0 West Ham
  • 6% Man Utd 2:0 West Ham
  • 5% Man Utd 2:1 West Ham
  • 5% Man Utd 4:1 West Ham
  • 4% Man Utd 5:0 West Ham
  • 4% Man Utd 2:2 West Ham
  • 4% Man Utd 4:0 West Ham
  • 4% Man Utd 0:5 West Ham
  • 3% Man Utd 1:2 West Ham
  • 2% Man Utd 0:0 West Ham
  • 2% Man Utd 2:3 West Ham
  • 2% Man Utd 5:1 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 3:3 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 1:0 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 1:3 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 1:1 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 4:3 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 5:4 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 5:3 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 5:5 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 5:2 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 2:4 West Ham
  • 1% Man Utd 4:5 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 1:4 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 3:5 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 2:5 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 1:5 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 0:2 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 3:4 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 0:4 West Ham
  • 0% Man Utd 4:4 West Ham
Compiled from 850 predictions.
Show more results Score Predictions League Table

Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. West Ham
Possession
57% 43%
Shots
8 13
Shots on Target
3 4
Corners
7 10
Fouls
10 12

Referee

Lee Mason

Man Utd Lineup

Substitutes

Lineup Predictions League Table View your Lineup Prediction