Manchester United 2:2 Steven Gerrard's Villa (Sat 23rd July, 10:45 UK time)

whats the difference between 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1? not much.

Defending we have a flat 2, attacking VDB pushes higher. Call it what you want.
 
Rashford still isn't doing enough to be guaranteed starter in the front three unfortunately. If a new forward is brought in he is most at risk.

He need to be far more dynamic in his general play and less his usual stop and fail to cut in routine.
 
Wow DVB really is a Tom Cleverley clone offers nothing...
 
Worried about Van De Beek, he hardly touched the ball.

Yeah he's got a lot of work to do this season, if not he will probably find himself out the door in January. Be better off with Savage or Iqbal tbh.
 
The whole defence has been poor in their use of the ball other than Shaw. The first time Dalot gets the entry pass right we score. Maguire and Lindelof taking too many touches for us to progress quick enough.

Its easy to see why EtH wanted Martinez and FdJ so bad because our transition from defence to attack needs a lot more quality. Fred has actually been useful at that but its hard because his midfield partner is doing his best Cleverley impression.

Love the front three though, they look like they're really on their game.
 
Ten Hag mentioned he wanted us to use the left more so possibly an instruction?
Oh interesting, thanks, hadn't heard that. Maybe it's to get Shaw doing a few more wind-sprints...he's looking a bit, erm, hefty compared to everyone else! I only wish he would because he's been fantastic, and remains the most naturally gifted footballer in our squad I think.
 
VdB just cannot play in CM. He genuinely offers nothing. I'd put him in a deal for Antony.

Ramsey on the other hand is a real talent. Impressed every time I see him.
 
Fredrick outstanding in midfield too. Will be furious, although not surprised, if Scott gets the nod over him.
 
Oh interesting, thanks, hadn't heard that. Maybe it's to get Shaw doing a few more wind-sprints...he's looking a bit, erm, hefty compared to everyone else! I only wish he would because he's been fantastic, and remains the most naturally gifted footballer in our squad I think.
No he doesnt :lol: why do people think Shaw is gonna look like Rashford?
 
The whole defence has been poor in their use of the ball other than Shaw. The first time Dalot gets the entry pass right we score. Maguire and Lindelof taking too many touches for us to progress quick enough.

Its easy to see why EtH wanted Martinez and FdJ so bad because our transition from defence to attack needs a lot more quality. Fred has actually been useful at that but its hard because his midfield partner is doing his best Cleverley impression.

Love the front three though, they look like they're really on their game.
Yeah pretty much this. The defense plays really slowly.
 
Another good display. We are playing, pressing and scoring like a team. Sancho, Shaw, Rashford, Martial, Bruno and Fred have done well. Defensive transition is still a bit slow, but Martinez and Eriksen should help with that. While I'd love to see this team continue, I'd take them all off as the conditions are terrible.
 
Can we win the league?

Unlikely. But definitely should be competing for top 4/top 3 imo.

If we can bring in maybe two more players this window (midfielder and attacker) then it gives us a good platform to work and improve upon for next season.
 
You’re disproving your own point mate. RR was hamstrung by the board and given a poxy role.no one took him seriously cause they knew he was gone either way. It’s a damning indictment of the players attitude last season. Not Ralf. These players have seen Pogba binned, Jesse binned, Cavani binned, AWB benched, new decent signings on the cheap in Malacia, Eriksen, they are now playing and training for their Utd careers. ETH will outlast them and they know it. Ralf was right about what he said, just wasn’t the right man in the right place.

Absolute bollocks.

No players enjoy getting thrashed and losing.

It's nothing to do with player's attitude, it's the patterns play, the system, the structure, the positioning.

Ten Hag is absolutely light years ahead of Ralf in terms of coaching and that is the difference.
 
Oh interesting, thanks, hadn't heard that. Maybe it's to get Shaw doing a few more wind-sprints...he's looking a bit, erm, hefty compared to everyone else! I only wish he would because he's been fantastic, and remains the most naturally gifted footballer in our squad I think.

Yeah he made a comment that whilst he as happy with the right he wanted to see us bring more balanced going forward and creating chances both sides (and through the middle).

Could be wrong be possibly that’s why.

Yeah Shaw is great when on it. I think he’ll have a good season as fitness is key with Ten Hag and if Luke doesn’t keep his levels up Malacia will take his spot.
 
Honestly wish people would stfu about VDB. Can’t we please be happy for the first time in like forever that our team looks well organised and with patterns of play. We can have some optimism coming up to the start of the season.
 
In Australia, winter is summer, Villa players score goals for Manchester United, and VdB's reputation gets worse the more he plays.
 
Another really good performance. Who needs De Jong when we have Fred? Sancho great again. Rashford also very involved on other wing. Very impressed by Shaw at lb. Dalot a bit quiet compared to his other performances in pre-season, hopefully we see more of him in 2nd half. Bruno has pressed very effectively. Defence has been solid. Dominant against a good team (in terms of individual quality at least). VDB hardly involved at all. Garner on for VDB at half time to see how he does please. Pretty clear to me that VDB should not be an option for us at cm this season.
Agree with most of this. Plenty of reason for optimism. I do like Fred but I can’t say he’s a reason not to buy an elite midfielder.
 
Can’t wait for vdb forever. If his form doesn’t change throughout this season, we should find another alternative.
 
Its really promising the change in the confidence and ambition under ETH, yet everyone on here wanted to sack the whole team. A few of us kept saying wait and see what a new manager might do with this ream before sending them to Guantanamo. The curse of modern times is short termism and the expectations of instantaneous results. Some of you guys just cannot wait to rubbish YOUR team
 
He's been very poor. I'm not sure he'd been any better higher up the pitch but he's just not a CM.
Positionally, he has a small case but really small. Maguires a CH and he’s gone 30-40 yards with the ball.

But it’s more about his attitude, commitment, whatever the word is. He doesn’t show for the ball, he doesn’t race to close down opponents, he doesn’t tackle/he marks space. He can say his position isn’t his favourite but these things are basics.. and especially basics of what ETH wants in his players.

Can’t see how he keeps a place or even a bench place. Hope I’m wrong (was with Martial)