[SteveW]

We need to play him and Rashford and stop this off the bench nonsense. You can stop one but you cant stop both

Exactly. Keeping one of your best players on the bench isn't good tactics.

If it was there would be plenty of examples of managers doing it. I'd imagine most teams are delighted not to have to face both of them at once.

 

[Scorpy]

His dribbling can be absolutely sensational.

 

[El Zoido]

We need to play him and Rashford and stop this off the bench nonsense. You can stop one but you cant stop both

It’s hard to deny that both of them have been better utilised off the bench.

 

[Jazz]

For once at least we should put Rash/Martial/Lukaku on the pitch at the same time. Miki can stay on the bench for a game or two. Think that front 3 would be a handful for most teams in my opinion.

 

[Duafc]

Sums him up for me. All the quality in the world and just inches away from unplayable.

Would love him to play with the head up and try and create a bit more for others. Beat a man or two and then make a meaningful contribution. Aside from the pen most of his runs whilst visually exciting resulted in nothing. Also think in a more cohesive attack/with a better fullback he’d benefit.

 

[Roboc7]

We need to play him and Rashford and stop this off the bench nonsense. You can stop one but you cant stop both

It's frustarting that our three best attacking players never play together but mata, mikh and lingard all keep getting chances despite offering very little. How all three can be accommodated is tricky though but with the dross being served up by the others it's worth a try.

 

[Garethw]

He’s a very talented lad, but he was very wasteful tonight.

 

[Irrational.]

He's electrifying at times, but his inconsistency reminds me a bit of Nani.

He's still young so plenty of time to iron out the flaws in his game.

 

[RedStarUnited]

PL teams just don't give him that kind of space because they know what he is capable of when he gets up to speed.

BS. He was simply on his game today and we got the ball to him a bit more than usual.

Zaha rips defenders in the PL, or you think they havent worked him out yet too?

 

[N2402]

he can run past anyone but his end product is a waste and that pen sums up his style ..lacking the final quality

 

[Brightonian]

BS. He was simply on his game today and we got the ball to him a bit more than usual.

Zaha rips defenders in the PL, or you think they havent worked him out yet too?

Yeah, occasionally.

 

[Raoul]

he can run past anyone but his end product is a waste and that pen sums up his style ..lacking the final quality

Agreed. The final product seems to blow hot and cold. Something to work on in training.

 

[mancan92]

It’s hard to deny that both of them have been better utilised off the bench.

Well no because we also havent seen enough of them together, For all we know we could have killed games off earlier with them both.

 

[RedStarUnited]

He's electrifying at times, but his inconsistency reminds me a bit of Nani.

He's still young so plenty of time to iron out the flaws in his game.

Its not a flaw for me, its the price you pay for a player who will dribble. You have to accept there will be games where it might not all click.

I hope Jose tells him he was amazing today and to do the same on the weekend.

 

[Offside]

End product was terrible tonight. A lot of the play before was majestic.

 

[yfoFC]

I liked the fact that he smiled after he scoffed that shot into the stands, showed he was enjoying his game at that moment

First time I've seen his decision making on his final balls lacking this season to this degree (at huddersfield he didn't even get a chance at creating a final ball).

Just hope it's a blip that doesn't repeat itself again but I was quite glad he kept trying even when it wasn't coming off for him in the 2nd half, it's gonna come off more times than not in the future hopefully

 

[Red_toad]

Most exciting player on the pitch, yet so much flack for lack of end product. Shame no one wants to watch a game for flashes of brilliance and appreciate it for what it is, rather just focus on what it achieved.

 

[Dobbs]

Some genuinely brilliant stuff tonight. For a young player who is in and out of the team you'e got to be happy.

I'll never be a fan of a right footed player on the left. More often than not that final pass/shot will be on their weak side. So will always be hit and miss.

 

[limerickcitykid]

BS. He was simply on his game today and we got the ball to him a bit more than usual.

Zaha rips defenders in the PL, or you think they havent worked him out yet too?

What teams play defensively compact against Crystal Palace the way they do against us? None. Put Zaha up against what we play against half the time in the PL and he'd be beyond useless.

He was decent today but at the end of the day he didn't produce anything substantial. He won a penalty and then missed it. He can dribble all he wants but its a waste of time unless he is producing something from it.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

Was the most exciting player on the pitch. But did nothing (granted he earned the pen that he missed). Perspective and that. But he’ll improve no doubt.

Still the marti-Rashford switcheroo on the left is working so maybe people need to drop all the ‘why doesn’t mou start them both for waa waa waa’ shizzle.

 

[Backrow Singer]

When that end product comes, and it will I'm sure, he's going to be one of the best. He's powerful, strong, has a massive presence and aura about him. Physically he's beyond his years and every time he got the ball tonight I thought he looked dangerous.

Just want to see a bit more on the end of it but that can be developed with hard work and with time.

 

[Dobbs]

Was the most exciting player on the pitch. But did nothing (granted he earned the pen that he missed). Perspective and that. But he’ll improve no doubt.

Still the marti-Rashford switcheroo on the left is working so maybe people need to drop all the ‘why doesn’t mou start them both for waa waa waa’ shizzle.

Were you happy with the right hand side of our attack tonight?

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

End product definitely blows hot and cold.

Needs to be more consistent in that regard.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

Were you happy with the right hand side of our attack tonight?

It’s just come to a point I subconsciously block the potency of our right side tbh. I’ve always maintained that should we have had a byline hugging winger, marti-rash would have a lot more space to play with as wide second strikers.

Currently our RW is just pitch meat. No point sticking it on Mata cos we know his attributes don’t suit it. Yet he’s constantly played there. Just sell the guy imhfo. For him and us.

 

[Dobbs]

It’s just come to a point I subconsciously block the potency of our right side tbh. I’ve always maintained that should we have had a byline hugging winger, marti-rash would have a lot more space to play with as wide second strikers.

Currently our RW is just pitch meat. No point sticking it on Mata cos we know his attributes don’t suit it. Yet he’s constantly played there. Just sell the guy imhfo. For him and us.

So if you agree the right hand side is a mess I don't get why you think only starting one of them is working. Wanting to fix the right wing is exactly why people want both to start.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

So if you agree the right hand side is a mess I don't get why you think only starting one of them is working. Wanting to fix the right wing is exactly why people want both to start.

Because I also understand the value and mou’s tactic of having an alternative for the left side. You can’t argue against the fact that it’s produced important break throughs for us this season. Whereas you’ve no evidence to the contrary, for good reason or not.

 

[Dobbs]

Because I also understand the value and mou’s tactic of having an alternative for the left side. You can’t argue against the fact that it’s produced important break throughs for us this season. Whereas you’ve no evidence to the contrary, for good reason or not.

So you value having an alternative on the left more than having a balanced attack from both wings.

Fair enough if that's your preference.

 

[RedStarUnited]

What teams play defensively compact against Crystal Palace the way they do against us? None. Put Zaha up against what we play against half the time in the PL and he'd be beyond useless.

He was decent today but at the end of the day he didn't produce anything substantial. He won a penalty and then missed it. He can dribble all he wants but its a waste of time unless he is producing something from it.

Contradicting paragraph. He produced something from his dribbling - the penalty. Its like you are dismissing the penalty because he took it and missed himself.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

So you value having an alternative on the left more than having a balanced attack from both wings.

Fair enough if that's your preference.

I think your statement underplays the value of this alternative. Are you willing to dispute that the Marti-rash (excuse the horrible reference lol) combo has bared many fruits this season? Look, not gonna lie I totally get the sentiment and vision behind the suggestion. But you play our 3 best attackers from the off, no one on the bench. Is that sustainable??

 

[kr0nix]

The Fox Sports commentator seemed to think there was something said to Martial regarding the use of his left foot in this game... Anyone think there was something in that?

 

[Deleted member 101472]

The Fox Sports commentator seemed to think there was something said to Martial regarding the use of his left foot in this game... Anyone think there was something in that?

Aye it’s because tony uses the caf and saw my post saying he should work on his left peg

 

[Devil may care]

The only player in the team providing any excitment tonight for the bulk of the match, but end product needs to be better.

 

[don't sign old players]

Aye it’s because tony uses the caf and saw my post saying he should work on his left peg

Well he was certainly working on it today.

 

[Mr Smith]

Its not a flaw for me, its the price you pay for a player who will dribble. You have to accept there will be games where it might not all click.

I hope Jose tells him he was amazing today and to do the same on the weekend.

This really needs to be emphasised. In the age of social media and highlight videos, a lot of fans seem to expect Messi-levels of consistency, and forget that most players who dribble at defenders lose the ball as often as they get a key pass or shot away. These are young players, still developing at the highest level, and they deserve the benefit of the doubt. Inconsistency at that age is completely natural.

 

[P-Nut]

This really needs to be emphasised. In the age of social media and highlight videos, a lot of fans seem to expect Messi-levels of consistency, and forget that most players who dribble at defenders lose the ball as often as they get a key pass or shot away. These are young players, still developing at the highest level, and they deserve the benefit of the doubt. Inconsistency at that age is completely natural.

Imagine if they didn’t! Robben at his peak would have scored or created 10 goals a game!

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Wasteful last night but the general play was very good. Little things like those first time flicks really open up the game. Should have had a goal or assist though. Missing the pen probably made him a tad desperate and snatchy.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

On the other hand he looks our most inventive and technically accomplished player. Beat his defender easily, some lovely first time passes, won a penalty and created a good chance for Lukaku. Normally his final third decision making is good.

 

[haram]

His dribbling is unbelievable at times. So many occasions it looks like he is about to get tackled and he squirms free.

 

[KM]

More than his dribbling which we all know is excellent, I enjoyed his little flicks more. Opened up Benfica on a couple of occasions. Was unlucky that one of the time it was to Darmian who completely ruined that chance.

 

[bosnian_red]

I think your statement underplays the value of this alternative. Are you willing to dispute that the Marti-rash (excuse the horrible reference lol) combo has bared many fruits this season? Look, not gonna lie I totally get the sentiment and vision behind the suggestion. But you play our 3 best attackers from the off, no one on the bench. Is that sustainable??

Of course it is. Everyone plays their best attackers. Mbappe starts on the right for psg to get him up there with neymar and cavani for a reason, because he is quality. Of course he could be an impact sub, but he could also start. Same case here. Mourinho is a more conservative manager and I get why he likes it like this, but I do think its unecessary and more adventurous managers wouldnt hesitate at starting them both. Saying one is on the bench because he can be an impact sub is just an excuse to get away without disagreeing with Mourinho. I think its because they are basically forwards, or very attacking players and will have more risks of losing the ball if both of them started. Everyone else is usually safer players, playmakers or those who pass rather then run in behind and run with the ball. If we get both martial and rashford, we'd have more a threat from both sides but then also be pretty attacking on both flanks instead of one being more controlled. Thats what I think Mou's thought process is. Nobody is going to leave superior player on the bench then another purely because they can do damage as a sub. Thats just dumb.