Manchester United vs Liverpool (Sun 4th August, 00:30 UK time)

It might not be a starting back 4, but there’s been little to no protection from the midfield from about the 25th minute.
It’s not as if we have stronger CM players yet to come back into the squad.
A deal for Ugarte, and/or someone else needs to be concluded ASAP.
The new season is about to start and a weak CM is going to be our Achilles heel again.
 
I like what I saw again. This game is actually an expansion on the Betis game as it shows we can press high with the 442 out of possession. We played well. Unfortunately some of our attacking moves didn't come off. The system looks solid, narrow 442 out of possession, that can quickly drop down to a midblock or deep without needing to change shape.

I've also been impressed with both Amass and Collyer. Who have both proven they can feature in our squads over the coming season. Casemiro has also been good. I think the partnership in the middle will help him this season.

The one potential gap showed itself in the final part of the half. With good energy, the shape is solid and very hard to break down, especially in a mid block. It's a simple yet extremely effective defensive system that doesn't require the fluidity we tried to use last season. However when energy starts to wane, the narrow structure can be broken with lapses of concentration borne from tiredness, which is what we saw to close the half. I think its important to make sure we have good legs in midfield, which is why I think the industry of Ugarte can be so important to this team. I don't think we are selling Casemiro either; he is decent on the ball when not being dragged around and still is a good player. Between Mainoo, Ugarte and Casemiro, I think we can cover the bulk of midfield needs; with Collyer and Eriksen supporting for reprieve and in cup games.
 
bstb3 said:
A back line of Evans and Lindelof is really going to hurt in that regard as we are seeing tonight.
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Yeah, irritating to see Evans & Lindelof still starting. Really bad luck with the Yoro injury. We need Martinez back & add an aggressive defender. Lindelof, 'Arry & Evans are not good enough.
 
V.O. said:
Played quite well I thought. The press is effective, and we're creating plenty. Their keeper is MOTM so far.

Obviously not taking the chances we're making, but the general play isn't bad at all considering Liverpool probably have more of their actual first team out there, and our entire defence is either getting sold or is third choice for their position.
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BaguetteBoy said:
Once people realise this is preseason and 80% of the first team back home they might enjoy our play a little more
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Globule said:
I know, right.

We've looked good with the ball in this match, and we're doing okay pressing and winning the ball at the top of the pitch (even with Sancho who has been invisible). But once it goes past that initial press we're setting the same things as last season. One pass bypassing our entire midfield and leaving us exposed with just our two centre backs, and with our fullbacks and Casemiro desperately trying to get back into position.

Ugarte won't solve all our problems, because I think the main problem is tactical, but at least having a player with mobility gives us half a chance of making Ten Hag's Hari Kari-ball work.
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the hea said:
Pretty good performance despite the result, we've been the better team and created our fair share of chances and the pressing has looked much better. Mount, Rashford and Collyer have been our best players. Defense has looked shakey but that was to be expected considering we are lacking all our starting defenders.
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Someone said:
Not bothered by the result. We'll be starting the season with a different backline and better midfield.

We do need to work on having depth in some areas though. We have no backup to Cas or Hojlund. Cas is worrying me, and I don't really know if Zirkzee can replace Hojlund, but even with him, we're so short.
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Some common sense on this thread at last.
 
Going for all the 11 changes ?

Edit : Nvm, only 3 it seems.
 
Not sure if anyone caught it, but before the second goal, we initiated a good high press; everyone else triggered their timing perfect except Rashford, who was half-asleep not paying attention. By the time he realised there was even a co-ordinated press happening he couldn't get to the loose ball first, and then it went down the other end which led to Collyers mistake leading to the 2nd goal.

I need to see more effort to stay switched on in the press by Rashford. I like his energy on the ball, but he has to do better there.
 
Skills said:
Erm... What about last pre-season?
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What about it? We beat City to win the FA Cup and ruined Klopp's farewell tour :angel:

Its obviously copium on my part, but I think there's a wider point to draw here, and thats pre-season usually means feck all in the grand scheme of things (except when it ends up injuring your main CF and exciting young signing :mad:)
 
sepulturite said:
Well it's only because Martinez isn't present and Yoro isn't fit in fairness. That would be our starting backline unless de ligt is signed.
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My point is this shouldn’t even be an option as backups. We aren’t Everton, a minimum requirement of every CB we have should be the necessary athleticism for what we ask for tactically.
 
Valencia Shin Crosses said:
My point is this shouldn’t even be an option as backups. We aren’t Everton, a minimum requirement of every CB we have should be the necessary athleticism for what we ask for tactically.
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Oh I agree, but unfortunately with our finances it's going to take a while to get better back ups.
 
NewGlory said:
He was not SOLELY responsible for it, but he didn't do well against Mo Salah - yes. Not to mention that he is a youth player and even senior players make a mistake sometimes. Collyer has been very impressive most of the first half
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This isn’t me saying Collyer is crap or anything but I’m also going to judge players in the eyes of first team contributions. I’ve liked some of what Collyers shown but to say this is his best game so far is just wrong when he played a crap ball straight back to Liverpool and then promptly got his challenge on Salah all wrong after.

It’s all good,
 
Valencia Shin Crosses said:
McTominay makes me want to hurl when watching him try to actually be a midfielder. Guy needs 6 touches to play a forward pass
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I honestly can’t believe how many people in his thread want to keep him, instead of getting funds for an actual midfielder.
 
Good job by Amass again before Casemiro carelessly gives the ball away.
 
Plant0x84 said:
Marcus going off when he looked so bright is a concern?
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Nah I'd say his foot is probably just a bit sore after that challenge in the Betis game, so they're just being careful. It was probably always the plan for him to only play a half.
 
Oh my god.. Casemiro has been a liability this half. Constantly giving the ball away.
 
Valencia Shin Crosses said:
This isn’t me saying Collyer is crap or anything but I’m also going to judge players in the eyes of first team contributions. I’ve liked some of what Collyers shown but to say this is his best game so far is just wrong when he played a crap ball straight back to Liverpool and then promptly got his challenge on Salah all wrong after.

It’s all good,
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I think we agree he is not ready to play senior team against the likes of Mo Salah. I also think he's played well enough to preserve the status of a very good prospect
 
Casemiro two extremely sloppy passes in the space of two minutes. He is shocking for such an experienced player. He needs to be replaced ASAP!
 
Awful 10 minutes from Casemiro. I think Will Fish has had a good cameo so far. He's looked good on the ball, carried the ball through the Liverpool press on a few occasions to help launch attacks.
 
Amass has been brilliant this game. Have to say, he's getting better every game.
 
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