[ScarleyUtd]

Disappointed but we dominated for long spells and were unlucky not to get a penalty again. The two goals could have been easily avoided also. For the first, Shaw was caught out of position and Sessignon wasn't closed down quick enough by Rojo. The less said about the second the better. fecking atrocious defending.

Have to take some satisfaction from snatching a point away from home with a few mins left, but the defensive performance doesn't bode well when our next fixtures are against the top two teams in the league.

Don't forget though that West Brom could have had a pen too – Jones on one of theirs. If he'd gone down the ref may well have given it.

 

[Red Hand Devil]

if he was saying waste of money.

Had to be Mata (for his whole game) or Shaw (for his part in West Broms 1st goal)..

 

[Cristiano Jonaldo]

It was very disappointing, no two ways about that. Shaw and Jones were very poor, Mata was invisible and RvP just looks shot. On the plus side I thought Rojo had a good game, won his one on ones, decent in the air and brought the ball out really well. Di Maria must have felt he was wasting his time putting some great balls in as no one was attacking them.

Blind had an odd game in terms of how far forward he was getting, but took the goal really well. Fellaini had easily his best game in a United shirt and scored a great goal, but our lack of someone that can dictate from deep is evident and despite all our strikers we showed a lack of punch up top when we got up against their back 4.

I guess some will look at it as a point gained in the end but it feels like 2 lost to me when you consider the amount of good possession we had.

Foot note: Januzaj was so under par it was sad to see, hopefully he picks up from here.

Very good post and summarises my thoughts exactly.

Shaw was awful though. Played like Cleverley. Run forward with the ball and then as soon as you see an opposition player play a nice safe backpass.

RVP I feel sorry for. He's clearly not the player he was when he first came to us. He doesn't look fully fit or at all sharp enough to be leading our front line.

Januzaj could do with a loan move to somewhere like Everton for a season or so. He needs games and experience at the highest level, but he's not good enough for our first team at the moment.

Jones just played like Jones. I'm convinced he's not going to get any better or any more consistent that he is currently. Uninspiring shakey performance that belongs somewhere like West Ham, Sunderland, Stoke etc... not our first team.

 

[ScarleyUtd]

Very good post and summarises my thoughts exactly.

Shaw was awful though. Played like Cleverley. Run forward with the ball and then as soon as you see an opposition player play a nice safe backpass.

RVP I feel sorry for. He's clearly not the player he was when he first came to us. He doesn't look fully fit or at all sharp enough to be leading our front line.

Januzaj could do with a loan move to somewhere like Everton for a season or so. He needs games and experience at the highest level, but he's not good enough for our first team at the moment.

Jones just played like Jones. I'm convinced he's not going to get any better or any more consistent that he is currently. Uninspiring shakey performance that belongs somewhere like West Ham, Sunderland, Stoke etc... not our first team.

My thoughts too.

 

[fergosaurus]

Don't forget though that West Brom could have had a pen too – Jones on one of theirs. If he'd gone down the ref may well have given it.

Fair enough. I only saw that in real time and didn't know if there was enough for that to be a pen, whereas the handball by a West Brom player was a stonewall. Not trying to make excuses though, the way we defended it's difficult to say we deserved more than a point.

 

[ScarleyUtd]

Fair enough. I only saw that in real time and didn't know if there was enough for that to be a pen, whereas the handball by a West Brom player was a stonewall. Not trying to make excuses though, the way we defended it's difficult to say we deserved more than a point.

Yes, think we only really merited a draw. I saw the replay with the Jones challenge and he definitely tripped him. Lucky to get away with it.

 

[MUFCpiffgawd]

what do you guys think of Berahino?

 

[Glanville95]

In the context of our impending fixtures and previous results against bottom-half opposition it is a particularly poor result. I don't expect us to get many, if any, points from Chelsea and City, so we could quite conceivably be a place or two above the relegation zone within two matches. Not the start we all expected.

Disappointed with the amount of poor performers in our team. Prior to West Brom's second, I thought Rafael, Fellaini and di Maria were the only players who were playing reasonably well and then the former proceeded to make an inexplicable and inexcusable error that shouldn't really be associated with a player of his standing and in his current form.

Mata was anonymous again and is far too lightweight to warrant a start; Januzaj was simply diabolical which is a shame to see, as he might not get a game for a few weeks now bearing in mind our fixture list; Rojo I felt was incredibly dodgy dealing with high balls and into Berahino's feet, but his mistakes went largely unpunished; Shaw was arguably the most disappointing for me, as he looked so exposed and exploited in the first half in particular with his positioning and used the ball quite poorly throughout; RvP. What can I say? Clearly undroppable, although I felt his movement was sharper than in previous games, but his hold-up play, link-up play, strength and finishing is severely lacking.

Not really many positives to take from that, in regards to player performances. LvG has to shoulder a lot of the blame, although his substitutions were good for a change, minus bringing on Falcao too late. I can't believe his continuation with aborting our defensive shape for more attacking enterprise though.

 

[littlepeasoup]

what do you guys think of Berahino?

He won't be at West Brom this time next year. He's good, decent movement, cocky (but the right type of cocky). All the Baggies fans I know rave about him.

 

[bosnian_red]

Very good post and summarises my thoughts exactly.

Shaw was awful though. Played like Cleverley. Run forward with the ball and then as soon as you see an opposition player play a nice safe backpass.

RVP I feel sorry for. He's clearly not the player he was when he first came to us. He doesn't look fully fit or at all sharp enough to be leading our front line.

Januzaj could do with a loan move to somewhere like Everton for a season or so. He needs games and experience at the highest level, but he's not good enough for our first team at the moment.

Jones just played like Jones. I'm convinced he's not going to get any better or any more consistent that he is currently. Uninspiring shakey performance that belongs somewhere like West Ham, Sunderland, Stoke etc... not our first team.

He's 22 years old and has had plenty of very good games, in fact did really well this season before his injury. He's still got another 5 years to go until he's at the age center backs are normally at their prime. Way too soon to write him off.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Our defence will continue to hurt us unfortunately. Rojo isn't all that, and the other three are too injury prone to be relied on. Rafael is still capable of his usual brain fart, and Shaw is still learning. Top four will once again prove difficult. Lets hope Arsenal and Liverpool remain as poor as us.

 

[Red Dreams]

He's 22 years old and has had plenty of very good games, in fact did really well this season before his injury. He's still got another 5 years to go until he's at the age center backs are normally at their prime. Way too soon to write him off.

Jones is a wonderful footballer...and he is versatile. I still think his best position is a holding midfielder. He can tackle of course and can keep any player quiet on his day.

But because of his bravery he over commits himself and gets hurt.

A future England captain for sure.

 

[sizzling sausages]

Januzaj needs to be loaned out, playing u21s and one first team match every month or so is no good for him. I'm sure there will be a few Premier League clubs where he would be a starter.

Van Persie and Mata are both looking really poor. Makes Rooney's red card even more annoying.

Defence still isn't great, not sure Jones and Rojo can make a good partnership, TBH.

 

[Red Dreams]

dont agree with the loan idea at all. He had a bad game...first time he has played for ages.

coming from the bench will be good and we need flair players like him to create...though today was no good indication of that.

 

[surf]

Unlucky. We had most of the play and they had only 2 realistic goal attempts, admittedly both brilliant and both went in. The back 4 is still full of holes and we'd better get used to it.

 

[WR10]

Herrara and Mata should not have started this game. Away to a side that is very much physically superior. Mata got bullied and Herrara has a broken rib ffs. Falcao and Fellaini/Carrick should have started to give us more of a fight. Having said that, very good spirit and determination by the boys to come back from behind twice. On another day, with the attitude and heart we played today, it would have been an easy 3 points.

 

[Verminator]

if he was saying waste of money.

"I'm fecking always praying!"

 

[NoPace]

Considering RVP's finishing today, how little Januzaj contributed to the attack (just the nice ball to slip in Rafael and winning some corners) and Mata's inability to get open/the team's refusal to pass him the ball, it's kind of amazing we scored 2 goals.

 

[Pronewbie]

Jones is a wonderful footballer...and he is versatile. I still think his best position is a holding midfielder. He can tackle of course and can keep any player quiet on his day.

But because of his bravery he over commits himself and gets hurt.

A future England captain for sure.

No composure on the ball, positionally naive, poor distribution and decision making, and yet you think his best position is DM?

It would only work as a pocket strat when we're up against fearsome CMs/AMs and he's on a man-marking job.

 

[Feed Me]

They had two shots on goal and scored. Jones is an idiot for what he did. We win the game if he keeps his head. We had a lot of threatening delivery we really should have made more of. We will score at least two a game with this team. If Falcao comes on earlier we score another IMO. I think we are short defensively obviously, but it was one great strike and a moment of madness from Jones that took the points from us. The teams around us will go away from home to teams like WBA and look worse.

We have a problem, because RvP plays come rain or shine.

 

[Dante]

2 individual errors. Decent performance otherwise.

 

[ivaldo]

If we stand back and look at the game, WB were incredibly lucky to get anything out of it, they had 2 shots on target, one a worldy and one brought on from a defensive error. We dominated possession, had 22 shots on goal and 12 corners to their 0, on another day we would have destroyed them. We have the majority of our players coming back from injury now, things are looking much more positive.

 

[Lawman]

We have a problem, because RvP plays come rain or shine.

The difference when Mara went of was there for all to see. RVP also needs a wake up call. I would have preferred a front three of Rooney Welbeck and Falcao as they have strength and work rate as well as talent and willingness in abundance. Compared to half assed work rate from Mata and RVP. Gutted we sold Welbeck.

 

[Getsme]

We have a problem, because RvP plays come rain or shine.

I think he will be dropped for the Chelsea game.

 

[Chaky_Best]

Our defensive bloc was awful yesterday. Blind was the only player to protect the back four.

Di Maria isn't effective on the left, Januzaj had a very poor game, such as Herrera and Mata. We have poor defenders to be honest. Luke Shaw is a pitty as a left back, his positionning is wrong on so many times and he gave anything going forward.

Rojo is also sh** in CB. He's been beaten to many times by Berahino yesterday, no mind Aguero. Happy with Jones also.

Rafa had a good game but he made a HUGE mistake on the goal, proving that we can't count on him. But I'm more concerned about what is in front of them. The lack of players retaining the ball and protecting them.

We can have an answer with Carrick and Wazza coming back with more presence in the midfield.

But it's two points lost

I love him but Adnan was off the game, he didn't played well, Mata was awful. I really hope he won't play against Chelsea

 

[Sarni]

It was a weird game, we were all over them after the first equalizer yet for the whole time I felt we were going to be the next ones to concede. We just cannot defend right now and it is going to take a longer while for our defence to come into any sort of shape that's decent enough at this level. The way we are playing right now we can win games 4-2 then lose 7-4.

I think if we had replaced van Persie and Januzaj in the first team we would have won.

 

[Getsme]

Our defensive bloc was awful yesterday. Blind was the only player to protect the back four.

Di Maria isn't effective on the left, Januzaj had a very poor game, such as Herrera and Mata. We have poor defenders to be honest. Luke Shaw is a pitty as a left back, his positionning is wrong on so many times and he gave anything going forward.

Rojo is also sh** in CB. He's been beaten to many times by Berahino yesterday, no mind Aguero. Happy with Jones also.

Rafa had a good game but he made a HUGE mistake on the goal, proving that we can't count on him. But I'm more concerned about what is in front of them. The lack of players retaining the ball and protecting them.

We can have an answer with Carrick and Wazza coming back with more presence in the midfield.

But it's two points lost

I love him but Adnan was off the game, he didn't played well, Mata was awful. I really hope he won't play against Chelsea

A bit OTT don't you think.

 

[Chaky_Best]

A bit OTT don't you think.

No i don't think so. Defensively (not only the four defenders) we were very bad. Shaw is lost on the field without the ball, Rojo is not a good center back, and Rafael did a huge mistake. Mata and Herrera didn't played well, Adnan had a poor game and Angel is far better in a central position when he can attack in the heart of the field. So I think that this organisation lacked defensive mind

 

[Bobcat]

Dissapointing result, but i don't get all the doom and gloom here.

1. We conceded two goals, one brilliant counter attack, and the other a collective brainfart from our defenders. Other than that WBA created nothing.

2. Mata, RVP and Januzaj all had a mare today.

3. We created plenty of chances and had corners in the double digits, they had none

4. Hit the post and got denied yet another pen.

5. Managed to fight back and get a late goal instead of folding like we have used to

 

[Sunny Jim]

I don't see the philosophy everyone on here was fecking harping about 2 months ago.

Same here. If you excluded shit loads of side passes.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Dissapointing result, but i don't get all the doom and gloom here.

1. We conceded two goals, one brilliant counter attack, and the other a collective brainfart from our defenders. Other than that WBA created nothing. Not the first time this season.

2. Mata, RVP and Januzaj all had a mare today. Not the first time.

3. We created plenty of chances and had corners in the double digits, they had none. Not so many clear chances though

4. Hit the post and got denied yet another pen.

5. Managed to fight back and get a late goal instead of folding like we have used to These last 5 mins were superb

fixed for accouarcy

 

[Tom Van Persie]

Disappointing performance last night but I do think we deserved the three points. West Brom defended well and took their chances but we were definitely the better team. Blind was brilliant again and Fellaini did well when he came on. Really pleased to see Fellaini score after all the stick he got last season. I honestly don't think the centre back pairing of Jones and Rojo is going to work, both look like headless chickens at times. We desperately need an experienced centre back.

 

[Escobar]

Jones is a wonderful footballer...and he is versatile. I still think his best position is a holding midfielder. He can tackle of course and can keep any player quiet on his day.

But because of his bravery he over commits himself and gets hurt.

A future England captain for sure.

That's a nice way to put it. Unfortunately, it's rather naivity

 

[Escobar]

Dissapointing result, but i don't get all the doom and gloom here.

1. We conceded two goals, one brilliant counter attack, and the other a collective brainfart from our defenders. Other than that WBA created nothing.

But that's exactly the problem. Teams dont even need to create much yet we are so shaky every other chance seems to be a goal (except for the Everton game where it was only down to DDG)

 

[Bilbo]

Typical United performance this season. We are putting together 30 minute spells of seriously good football. With a solid defensive line those spells win matches consistently. Unfortunately we don't have one of those, and so we are always chasing the game or hanging on to leads.

I find it difficult to understand how we started the game so timidly last night. Have to blame Van Gaal for that, its only fair. I see a bright future for this team, but we look like we need another 3 signings of real quality. However, £150m spent and we win only 3 out of 8 very winnable fixtures. Moyes would have been (and was) crucified for a similar set of results with last seasons squad - just saying.

 

[Sweet Square]

Typical United performance this season. We are putting together 30 minute spells of seriously good football. With a solid defensive line those spells win matches consistently. Unfortunately we don't have one of those, and so we are always chasing the game or hanging on to leads.

I find it difficult to understand how we started the game so timidly last night. Have to blame Van Gaal for that, its only fair. I see a bright future for this team, but we look like we need another 3 signings of real quality. However, £150m spent and we win only 3 out of 8 very winnable fixtures. Moyes would have been (and was) crucified for a similar set of results with last seasons squad - just saying.

And rightfully. The reason Van Gaal is not getting crusaded is because of his track record, it would be foolish to write him off. With Moyes there was no track record so there was no evidence it could get better, with Van Gaal there is.

 

[Parma Dewol]

So annoyed last night. West Brom were very average in my opinion, offered very little going forward, Lescott looked panicked in defence, and yet we still couldn't put them away.

22 shots, 7 on target, 11 corners, 63% possession. Games like that should be a walk in the park but switching off defensively from time to time is costing us massively.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Our most consistent so far. 4 great goals and half of them scored by West Brom(they only shots on target). Need Wayne back.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

what do you guys think of Berahino?

I really like him and I hope that we take a chance on him next summer, sounds crazy but I think we need another striker. Taking yesterdays game for example we lacked pace upfront, RvP (though never the quickest) has definitely lost a yard, Falcao isn't quick quick and then are options are fairly limited... Rooney is a no10, I think I am faster than Mata, Adnan is an option but his confidence has taken a hit and I have not seen enough of Wilson to judge. Although I wasn't against selling Welbeck, we probably should have kept hold of him for 1 year and got more of a direct rapid replacement.

Obviously we need another CB more than anything, but as good as we are coming forward, we just don't have that striker that runs in behind the defense who shits them up with pace.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

And rightfully. The reason Van Gaal is not getting crusaded is because of his track record, it would be foolish to write him off. With Moyes there was no track record so there was no evidence it could get better, with Van Gaal there is.

That's a little harsh.

Look, I like really LvG and thankful that we are playing some nice stuff, but his track record, reputation means feck all.

We have spent a fortune, played WBA, Leicester, Burnley, Sunderland away from home (2 of those teams will be favorites to go down) and got 3 points, failed to win any of them.

LvG has far better players at his disposal and although the performances have been good (I thought yesterday was decent) the results have been just as underwhelming as last year, if not more as we spent a shit load, got a better manager who has a philosophy