Nothing to apologize for, though I’ll be awaiting yours if he’s missing the start of the campaign. Suspended or not, I’m just hoping to see a different midfield to start the season than the same failed, Mourinho-era, partnership. That, combined with the MUTV commentary, is what my initial post was about.
Manchester United 0:1 Atletico Madrid (Sat 30th July, 12:45 UK time)
- Thread starter Samid
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Nothing to apologize for, though I’ll be awaiting yours if he’s missing the start of the campaign. Suspended or not, I’m just hoping to see a different midfield to start the season than the same failed, Mourinho-era, partnership. That, combined with the MUTV commentary, is what my initial post was about.
Literally the only ones overreacting in this thread are the posters getting angry when it's pointed out that our squad is woefully short a week before the season starts, especially in midfield and attack.
Had Sancho and Shaw been available I think we would have won that game, if pre-season has shown me anything, it's t that drop-off from the first team established regulars to the "fringe player" is steep.
Not one to get too carried away with pre season games, but if any Utd fan think this team is going to get us close to top 4 or cup run to final needs their head examining. At least 3 (quality) players short, and I don't think we are getting them before Sept 1st!
And how does anyone here know that it's for sure the case that ETH preferred a dozen other players that we didn't even go after, let alone succeed?
The burden of proof lies on the original source of this debate where it was said we attained 99% of ETH's targets.
Sancho for sure, Shaw not as big a miss - Malacia was really, really good.
We had good structure to our play. Haven’t seen that with previous managers. I think we’ll surprise a lot of people this season. Our squad needs better players but that will come with time. We have to be patient, it’s going to take a few years.
Sorry I did miss the bolded part. I'm not a fan of either to be fair but the amount of times Maguire puts the ball out of play and then blames his full backs positioning is really frustrating - he is the captain take some responsibility man ffs.. that miss from 6 yards out we see far too often.
Pellistri, rather than Elanga, is the better back-up on the right.
I was looking for, my deduction and rating for this game:
1. How we play from the back?
I found: yes! I saw huge gradual improvement. I am hopeful in three months we can be really good. (7/10)
2. how is fred doing if we don't get FdJ?
I found: very good ball retention and distribution by fred. I am still not ready to accept him as DM but he was very good today till his red. (8/10)
3. How is our defense orgnized? Are we leaving any gap teams can exploit?
I found: we were tidy. Mainly because McT and Fred sweeping the floor. Malacia is fantastic. But I still don't like our CB pair. (6.5/10)
4. Can our midfield hold up in pressing battle?
I found: we did very well there today. Bruno was awful but still as a team we did well. Eriksen gave the confidence. (7/10)
5. Can we serve our forwards?
I found: we did create good chances. We brought the ball near the box very well. Elanga has lot to do but Martial and Rashford have improved leaps and bounds. (7/10)
Overall 7/10 performance. It was a very good practice game.
1. How we play from the back?
I found: yes! I saw huge gradual improvement. I am hopeful in three months we can be really good. (7/10)
2. how is fred doing if we don't get FdJ?
I found: very good ball retention and distribution by fred. I am still not ready to accept him as DM but he was very good today till his red. (8/10)
3. How is our defense orgnized? Are we leaving any gap teams can exploit?
I found: we were tidy. Mainly because McT and Fred sweeping the floor. Malacia is fantastic. But I still don't like our CB pair. (6.5/10)
4. Can our midfield hold up in pressing battle?
I found: we did very well there today. Bruno was awful but still as a team we did well. Eriksen gave the confidence. (7/10)
5. Can we serve our forwards?
I found: we did create good chances. We brought the ball near the box very well. Elanga has lot to do but Martial and Rashford have improved leaps and bounds. (7/10)
Overall 7/10 performance. It was a very good practice game.
The squad is light yes but how can anyone not be positive about what Ten Hag is doing with the squad?!
Ideally we need another 2 in this window but anyone who really thought we’d bring in a whole new team this summer was deluded in the first place. We need to work with some of what we have and add quality as we go. Eriksen and Malacia look great and hopefully Martinez follows suit.
As pointed out if your transfer window success rate gets better over a few windows you suddenly look a much better proposition.
Ideally we need another 2 in this window but anyone who really thought we’d bring in a whole new team this summer was deluded in the first place. We need to work with some of what we have and add quality as we go. Eriksen and Malacia look great and hopefully Martinez follows suit.
As pointed out if your transfer window success rate gets better over a few windows you suddenly look a much better proposition.
Martial back to his usual form against a decent team, if ronny goes we have rasford and martial to rely on
Yes, we really need a new striker. I am suprised it has not been our number 1 priority.
You can apologise for being wrong and condescending next Sunday then, deal?
Only got to see the last ten minutes, so cannot comment on match overall.
However, I was very disappointed by the continuing schoolboy errors from some of our players; the number of 'turn arounds' gifted to the opposition from interceptions, caused by our players seeing a pass coming towards them, but waiting for a ball to come to feet instead of moving towards it; also playing a ball off on their blindside, not knowing if any of their team mates are in position to receive or how far away they are.
I hope the earlier stuff was better, but of what I saw we are still miles away from becoming (anything remotely like) a 'pass and move' side and ETH has his work cut out.
However, I was very disappointed by the continuing schoolboy errors from some of our players; the number of 'turn arounds' gifted to the opposition from interceptions, caused by our players seeing a pass coming towards them, but waiting for a ball to come to feet instead of moving towards it; also playing a ball off on their blindside, not knowing if any of their team mates are in position to receive or how far away they are.
I hope the earlier stuff was better, but of what I saw we are still miles away from becoming (anything remotely like) a 'pass and move' side and ETH has his work cut out.
We all appreciate that this was a pre-season match, but I’d be worried if during the season we keep seeing performances where we “should have won” but couldn’t quite get the win due to poor finishing. Chances need to be converted if we’re to have any hope of a top four finish.
We were good for the first 25 minutes or so and then tapered off a bit.
That’s kind of what Atletico do, absorb pressure and then score from a counter.
As most are saying, at least 2 more signings needed. Unfortunately, looking like we won’t have them in for the first game.
That’s kind of what Atletico do, absorb pressure and then score from a counter.
As most are saying, at least 2 more signings needed. Unfortunately, looking like we won’t have them in for the first game.
We were "close" to top four last season despite it being one of our worst seasons in living memory. Obviously we have no chance at top 2 or likely even third, but there are always surprises each season. For all we know, Chelsea could have their once every 4 year meltdown this season, or someone suffers a massive injury crisis like Liverpool did a season ago. I agree we need more players, but if we can get in one solid attacker and/or midfielder, we certainly can compete for top 4.
It’s dependant on the referees report and whether he reports it to FA apparently. So could still be suspended.
If we're going to rely on this squad for the whole season - we're fecked!
You didn't watch the game did you?Just compare two years ago' starting lineup and today'.
It's the same 10 + Malacia and you expected different result?
We played well,dominated,had chances even should have scored.we didn't, they did.It happens its called football.
If you didn't watch that and think that was night and day from last season you better go watch something else.
Style of play, I have no doubt about ETH would have us in the right direction.
The issue is that the result may be ugly, and we didn't have that many outgoing so likely that some bad character remaining in this dressing room that would cause the issue when honeymoon period is over. Keeping the lid on things until the next window, and the next window is a tough task. It's still result oriented business.
Martial back to his usual form against a decent team, if ronny goes we have rasford and martial to rely on
His usual form ? Martial didn’t score but was very good when he was on the ball it’s not easy to play with players that isn’t looking for link ups and a midfield that don’t progress the ball between the lines. Elanga doing to much on the ball and Bruno missplacing a lot of passes come on Martial missed a chance very early in the game that he should of scored but except of that he showed good play with the back against the goal, showed some nice technical ability and is always passing the ball without missplacing passes.
Fred the red (card)
We looked good until AM brought on most of what will be their starting 11 next season. I even gave Maguire pass marks even though he’s still a liability.
ETH is going to be a great manager for us.
We looked good until AM brought on most of what will be their starting 11 next season. I even gave Maguire pass marks even though he’s still a liability.
ETH is going to be a great manager for us.
Multiple reputable journalists were linking us at the time, such as a very reliable Ajax source Mike Verweij who stated that Ten Hag wants Timber to join him at Old Trafford.
“I think we’ll surprise a lot of people this season”. That’s what newly promoted teams say!
We had ALOT of outgoings from the squad!
I don't think it's a coincidence that both England and United are pronouncedly poorer without him, I know Shaw has a lot of detractors but the guy is a difference maker.
I know it's only pre season and things have looked positive. Impressed with the style being implemented, it'll take a while but it will get there. For me midfield is the area that will dictate this the most.
If it's Fred and McT in midfield this season, it will be a stuggle. They might have 80% passing accuracy or whatever, but they are just too limited on the ball, especially in terms of passing range and vision, if it's not a blatantly obvious pass, it's just not on. Off it they are clueless at defending and just let people run by them or through them.
For me, it's crucial that these two are replaced, even if it's one this window and one the next. They both need replacing and the sooner the better.
If it's Fred and McT in midfield this season, it will be a stuggle. They might have 80% passing accuracy or whatever, but they are just too limited on the ball, especially in terms of passing range and vision, if it's not a blatantly obvious pass, it's just not on. Off it they are clueless at defending and just let people run by them or through them.
For me, it's crucial that these two are replaced, even if it's one this window and one the next. They both need replacing and the sooner the better.
You first, but I should’ve known better going round for round with a McFred apologist. You boys are tiresome.
Nah mate, I'm talking about the result.
This is Atletico madrid, they don't care how do you play. Sithousering, score a half chance, pack up and go home. It's exact the same as last season at Old Trafford.
I know the differences are there. But as long as Rashford, Martial, Sancho can't bury half-chances, as long as our midfield keep losing their focus as the game goes on, as long as defenders keep making mistakes. The result will be always the same.
This is not a criticism toward ETH, I'm just done with giving some of these players clean plate. The only reason they're still here is because of United' incompetence.
With more clinical forwards we win this game easily. That is encouraging, but also a tad but worrying at the same time. I would very much like to see us add a striker and clinical winger sooner rather than later.
i think if we play both of them we have to have Garner behind them, and Bruno out wide, depressing as that is,
Replaced for garner when Fred get the red
You count out of contract, free transfer. Mata, Matic, Lingard, Pogba is much delayed inevitability. They should have left ages ago with better management. Bar Pogba, even Matic is not that important in the squad.
Henderson loan is not too different. He was not trusted to dispute DDG starting position, and should have spent at least last season away to further his development. He didn't contribute that much other being on the bench. Bailly potential sale is the same. Pereira was not in the plan for couple seasons now. Add Tuanzebe, same. Then Jones. Beside the attacking position, our issue is quality, not number. If anything the midfield can easily turn bloated with younger players such as Hannibal, Zidane, Gardner break through and being on same bar to VDB, McTominay.
Don't get me wrong, I like Shaw a lot, and his understanding with Rashford is top level. I have no concern with either Malacia or Shaw starting for our club based on what I've seen of either of them. Both excellent players. Just saying that we're lucky now that if we play one instead of the other, it's not going to be a huge difference maker - both of them are solid choices in my opinion. I have no preference between them. Safest part of our defence, probably.
Let's remind ourselves that this was a friendly game against a team that came 3rd,1st,3rd,2nd in LaLiga the last 4 years
Not only that, they are a wicked team to play against. A 1.0 loss in this kind of scenario really shouldn't be a big deal.
Not only that, they are a wicked team to play against. A 1.0 loss in this kind of scenario really shouldn't be a big deal.
Must be tough being perfect
It’s a friendly. We once beat Madrid, Barca and all in the same summer and followed up with a loss to Swansea. These games are about fitness.
Watched the highlights, and it looked like in the first half we had our chances, but for poor finishing never took advantage. Silly red for Fred near the end, no excuses.
Good game for us. We could and probably should have scored at least two goals. But we are a much better team under Erik. Very excited for the season.