[Rightnr]

As per the matchday thread, we run out of luck. Even still, had we been half of our clinical self, we'd have won.

I cannot wait for Herrera and Lingard to be back, so we can properly go at teams and hassle them out of the ball. Our reserves have got us so far but we need to now push on and really secure that top 4.

The ref was also awful and he crowned his awful performance with a never-ever pen which completely killed the game off for us.

 

[Red_Aaron]

Slow start aside (where we still created the best chance) it was a pretty even game.

Arsenal had the luck today and we huffed and puffed.

Still better than any performance under mou this season. The players looked bothered at least but it was lethargic overall, bit of a hangover from Paris for me

 

[Gandalf Greyhame]

Of course you can't keep extending an away run of 9 wins which included PSG, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea with an injured squad. A loss was coming, just gutted we gave away three points to Arsenal, I fear they are going to get that fourth place spot now. Let's hope Chelsea drop more points, and that Spurs do, too.

Unfortunately, if viewed as an individual game, their manager outclassed ours. They set up in a way that compressed the space for our attack, which meant we had to be spot on when we had chances or started counters - we failed at both. Ole never adjusted to that, neither did he take our worst player in Rashford off, who was missing chances, misplacing through balls, fecking up counters and making poor decisions over and over again. Ultimately, that cost us the game. Lukaku, despite missing his chances had a better game for me.

And then there was the case of Fred. So many people on match day being overly impressed by his workrate, energy and occasional tackle. He screwed up every single counter attacking opportunity that we had, he was constantly out of position, losing possession with an ambitious ball while all we needed was some composure while our forwards got into position and he was stupid with the penalty (soft, but should never have given the ref a chance). He is far from being ready for a Man United midfield. We sorely missed Herrera's in game intelligence and leadership today, or even McTominay's quiet ball retention ability. Add that to a keeper who can't distribute to save his life and a defence (bar Shaw) who resorted to aimless hoofball, and we lost any hope of control in the field.

Ole should have taken at least one of them off at half-time or even the 60th minute. He didn't and in my opinion that cost us the game.

Frustrating that after all the positivity we end up in 6th place, again. This and the Chelsea game were the only two games we couldn't afford to lose, and Ole was naive today. We got PSGed by Arsenal. Like I said in the matchday thread, I'd rather take a thumping win today than a chance at CL QF this season. We're in the middle of a rebuild under a new manager, and we needed the promise of CL for next season far more than we needed the magic of one more European night next month.

On the other hand, I'm now sure we'll beat Wolves in the FA cup, next.

 

[Class of 63]

Just one of those days, my sympathies in advance to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

Well done to Arsenal. Like us against PSG they got a couple of fortunate chances but they took them well.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Hopefully one of those days and we kick on.

Poor start/30 minutes, rare De Gea mistake, Pogba didn't return/take control of game (as I thought he would), Matic not the instant upgrade on McTominay that most (including me) thought we'd see, awful Lukaku finishing, Rashford average.

Bad day at the office in lots of areas ... hopefully Ole gives them a kick and we move on. Just a shame that the off day was against Arsenal, especially given other weekend results.

 

[Cockney Phil]

I think the game was lost in Midfield. Poor games for Pogba and Matic, but Fred was decent.
Really fine margins in a close game. Let's look forward now. Shit happens.

Yeah, midfield was not working in harmony. They were 3 individuals rather than the smooth working system of earlier games. Our energy levels looked low and Ole tried hard to raise them. Rom’s lack of finishing let us down badly today.

 

[minoo-utd]

Put the game to bed. Really it felt like we were robbed, Lukaku missed 2 100% chances real bad luck. And Rashford has been poor really poor. Onto the next game directly.

 

[Jazz]

The wind did us no favours.

 

[Nickthepip]

A win doesn't automatically equal a great performance and a loss doesn't automatically equal a bad one. We've played worse under Ole and won games. Arsenal were very poor, were gifted two goals and got lucky at the other end as we didn't convert our chances, we hit the woodwork twice.

This one was probably coming as the XG disciples will no doubt thrill in telling us. I'd much rather have our squad than Arsenal or Chelsea's when it comes to the top 4 run-in.

 

[Drawfull]

Good job i don't post for the benefit of you then. If you don't agree, then tell me what it is you don't agree with please?

I literally don't agree with all of your post. Hence my post that said I don't agree with all of the train wreck of your post.

But for clarity, here are the sentences I don't agree with:

Absolute bunch of pretenders. Waste-men thinking they're the bees knees after PSG.

Arsenal weren't even that good today. We gave this result to them with our complacency. How many dangerous opportunities broken down due to a lazy final pass today? So annoying.

Rashford needs to be benched. Attitude was shocking today and has been for weeks now. (Why he thinks he's Ronaldo i don't know. So arrogant.)

Matic? What's the point, just stood there doing nothing. Might as well have still been injured.

Pogba? All over the place today, never got into the game. Wasn't helped by the confusing tactical shape.

Lukaku? Okay you scored vs PSG but today is why you're not a top striker. How many chances did he squander today?

All in all, joke of a performance.

 

[Wiltord02]

First goal was always crucial. De Gea making a howler gave us something to hang onto.

Also helps when you missed an absolute shed load of pretty standard chances in the first half. The Lukaku one off the bar and him rounding Leno stand out.

The ref was abysmal for both teams. The inconsistency of the decisions is what is most infuriating.

The penalty gave us the breathing space and allowed us to close the game out. It was soft as hell but sometimes you get them at home.

 

[morbidsaint]

One thing that frustrates me about Rashford is his lack of anticipating passes. Dalot gave him a perfect pass but since he simply just stood there waiting for the ball to get to him, Arsenal could easily clear it out. This is not the first time he has been poor at this. Wonder what Ole thought when he saw it, because he would have run AT that ball and most likely scored.

 

[2 man midfield]

If Lukaku puts that chance under the bar, we win. It’s as simple as that. Just one of those days.

 

[Canagel]

Thought we made a few stupid possession errors but agree broadly. Game was very evenly matched, and had we scored then who knows?

Matic and Pogba were a little sluggish at times and while they stood out I think I look to those two to be more composed. Fred had a couple of errors too. Already said my feelings on Rashford who I honestly thought was OK. Certainly not the worst by the margin he's being rated.

I think we will see a rebound against Wolves, but today was a bad loss in that the top spots are out of out hands again.

Lukaku puts one of his several chances away and it's a different game totally. I'm really not concerned about top 4. If we play like we did today we'll get it. Nothing went right but some of the football we played was the best all season.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Really don't think Ole did much wrong. We had our chances, they had a soft penalty; these results happen.

Bingo. The 442 to start the game was a mistake, but he corrected that after 20 minutes and from then on I thought were the better team. Matic was a bit shit, and Rashford was horrific but everyone else ranged from decent to good for me. We were unlucky a bit on the two goals, and we missed our chances. It happens

On to the next game. Anyone making grand overreactions to this need to get a grip.

 

[Rob67]

Fred played well.

Yeah, agree. Strange picking Fred out. Thought our worst 3 players today were Matic, Pogba and Rashford.

 

[Drawfull]

Lukaku puts one of his several chances away and it's a different game totally. I'm really not concerned about top 4. If we play like we did today we'll get it.

Aye, especially early on. I have no concerns over us achieving a CL place for next season at all.

 

[Snafu17]

We started with a 442, were losing the midfield battle so we changed to a 433 and from then on we were playing alright, created enough chances, until we conceded a penalty which just killed us. Anyone who thinks we didn't change anything throughout the whole game is blind.

 

[Majima]

you must find joy hard to come by!

Both teams played badly after a European game. Pretty normal. On another day we'd have scored 2 and got a deserved draw, and if we were just a teeny bit lucky, De Gea would've saved the first or they wouldn't have gotten soft penalty.

For a team that's clear in bad shape personnel wise your expectations are deeply misguided and set up to leave you miserable over and over again

Maybe it's misguided. We are battling for 4th after all.

I just think that they should have seen this coming.

Where we fell short was down to our application, we had many opportunities today that we just wasted over and over again. Where if we were prepared correctly, i think we would wipe the floor with Arsenal today.

Players letting recent success get to their heads.

That's what is most annoying.

 

[Paxi]

DDG - 2 Howler, never saves penalties

Young - 7 Good, still has lightning pace
Lindelof - 4 Shocking, looked like the Lindelof of last season
Smalling - 7 Good
Shaw - 7 One great cross, good runs forward most of the game


Dalot - 5.5 Quiet, didn't do much but still looks quality when he has it.
Matic - 4.5 Very poor, didn't offer anything
Pogba - 4 Worst game of the season, ruined alot of attacks, glimpes of quality
Fred - 6.5 Good game, unlucky with the penalty but shouldn't have dived in

Rashford - 3 Mostly awful with some glimpes of quality. Tries too hard at times.
Lukaku - 4 Should have scored at least one of his chances, but he does look much better at times.

Greenwood - 7 Looked quite good
Martial - 5 Ineffective, stands too far wide.

Btw, I didn't read past that... because I knew how fecking daft the rest of your opinion must be.

De Gea makes a mistake that's like any other mistake anyone would make and then he doesn't save a penalty which you blame him for?

You are the worst poster I've ever come across -- hands down.

 

[Majima]

I literally don't agree with all of your post. Hence my post that said I don't agree with all of the train wreck of your post.

But for clarity, here are the sentences I don't agree with:

Absolute bunch of pretenders. Waste-men thinking they're the bees knees after PSG.

Arsenal weren't even that good today. We gave this result to them with our complacency. How many dangerous opportunities broken down due to a lazy final pass today? So annoying.

Rashford needs to be benched. Attitude was shocking today and has been for weeks now. (Why he thinks he's Ronaldo i don't know. So arrogant.)

Matic? What's the point, just stood there doing nothing. Might as well have still been injured.

Pogba? All over the place today, never got into the game. Wasn't helped by the confusing tactical shape.

Lukaku? Okay you scored vs PSG but today is why you're not a top striker. How many chances did he squander today?

All in all, joke of a performance.

Okay, thanks for your input.

 

[Drawfull]

Btw, I didn't read past that... because I knew how fecking daft the rest of your opinion must be.

De Gea makes a mistake that's like any other mistake anyone would make and then he doesn't save a penalty which you blame him for?

You are the worst poster I've ever come across -- hands down.

You need to check out @Majima.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Bingo. The 442 to start the game was a mistake, but he corrected that after 20 minutes and from then on I thought were the better team. Matic was a bit shit, and Rashford was horrific but everyone else ranged from decent to good for me. We were unlucky a bit on the two goals, and we missed our chances. It happens

On to the next game. Anyone making grand overreactions to this need to get a grip.

Agreed.

I'd forgive Rashford the odd bad game but Matic has been a liability for ages now. Still has the abilty to read the game well but is slow against a pacy midfield and attack.

 

[Brwned]

Maybe it's misguided. We are battling for 4th after all.

I just think that they should have seen this coming.

Where we fell short was down to our application, we had many opportunities today that we just wasted over and over again. Where if we were prepared correctly, i think we would wipe the floor with Arsenal today.

Players letting recent success get to their heads.

That's what is most annoying.

That's just something you've imagined though. If you listen to the players you'll be able to see it's not reality. It's just how you rationalise an unfortunate loss

 

[The_Bloods]

Lots of criticism of De Gea today. My unpopular opinion has always been that De Gea perhaps isn't our best all-round keeper.

Yes, he can make miracle saves - but, Spurs aside, since Ole has been at the club, how often have we really needed him to bail us out?

I've always been very 'meh' about him leaving, especially as we have Romero as backup. Right now, I suspect Romeo may actually be the best 'keeper at the club - he's much more assured with high balls and I'd back him in a penalty shoot-out. Plus, I think he can actually organise and scare the defence, something De Gea just cannot do.

 

[JSArsenal]

Abysmal performance in the first half. Arsenal absolutely dominated United. Fair play to Unai Emery, he got his tactics right.

United got into the game more second half, without really threatening the Arsenal goal. But I felt the penalty really killed any prospect of United getting a result.

Arsenal deserved the three points today.

I don't think we dominated. I can't even remember us creating many chances. It was a bit of a nothing game to be honest. Neither side really dominated anywhere on the pitch

Happy we won of course.

 

[RMD83]

A pretty even game decided by a harsh pen and a DDG mistake. One of those days. A loss had to come at some point. No need for a meltdown.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Okay, thanks for your input.

Thanks for yours. Knee jerk as it is

 

[Drawfull]

Okay, thanks for your input.

Why are we a bunch of pretenders? Why were we complacent? Why - apart from your completely unjustified, inane, knee-jerk bullshit, does Rashford need to be benched? Matic did little wrong, and was coming back from an injury. Should he never come back in case he's sluggish?

Should I go on?

 

[haram]

Yeah, agree. Strange picking Fred out. Thought our worst 3 players today were Matic, Pogba and Rashford.

Yeah, Matic looked rusty, Pogba didnt do enough or get on the ball, Rashford just not on it today.

 

[Carolina Red]

Strange picking Fred out

Fred has become one of the new scapegoats, it seems.

 

[Zoo]

Had to score in the first half. Arsenal were not very good which makes it doubly frustrating.

 

[bosnian_red]

Maybe it's misguided. We are battling for 4th after all.

I just think that they should have seen this coming.

Where we fell short was down to our application, we had many opportunities today that we just wasted over and over again. Where if we were prepared correctly, i think we would wipe the floor with Arsenal today.

Players letting recent success get to their heads.

That's what is most annoying.

What do you mean if we were prepared? Of course we were prepared, claiming otherwise is idiotic. We created loads, Arsenal didn't create much but had the important goal because of De Gea's mistake. That's nothing to do with preparation... That's just a mistake and one of those results that always happens after a long run.
We already beat Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea all away from home in the last 2 months. Shit happens. You can't win every single big game away from home, you're going to lose them occasionally. Just like under Fergie, we supposedly had their number at the Emirates but in reality never won 2 consecutive away games there.

 

[bondsname]

When was the last time De Gea saved a penalty?

 

[MuranoLover]

Expected , too much emotions in midweek , not a problem , still 4 clubs in 3 points , so we are there for it :-)

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I don't think we dominated. I can't even remember us creating many chances. It was a bit of a nothing game to be honest. Neither side really dominated anywhere on the pitch

Happy we won of course.

It did have draw written all over it until the DDG mistake,but yes you're spot on.

Two sides who dramatically need some top quality to mount a serious challenge or it will be City/Liverpool again

 

[DeGea]

Seems like you're way too involved in football.

It's not the last time Arsenal will smash us. We got hammered at Highbury circa 2004-05.

I am. Watching United gives me so much joy. That is why it is so frustrating when we play badly.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Just one of those days where we should have at least drawed and could have won.

We move on. I would rest Rashford for the Wolves game. Just looks like he lacks a bit of sharpness.

 

[ThatsGreat]

There have have too many games where arsenal lost the match even after dominating, glad to be at the favoifavou end of that stick for once. Utd deserved at least a point out of this

 

[Niall]

Lots of criticism of De Gea today. My unpopular opinion has always been that De Gea perhaps isn't our best all-round keeper.

Yes, he can make miracle saves - but, Spurs aside, since Ole has been at the club, how often have we really needed him to bail us out?

I've always been very 'meh' about him leaving, especially as we have Romero as backup. Right now, I suspect Romeo may actually be the best 'keeper at the club - he's much more assured with high balls and I'd back him in a penalty shoot-out. Plus, I think he can actually organise and scare the defence, something De Gea just cannot do.

Incredibly harsh. Heaven forbid our best player of the last 4-5 seasons has a dip in form. No way is Romero a comparable replacement if De Gea were to leave.

I think you need to look back at the saves De Gea has made ever since Fergie retired. We probably would have won nothing and not had any Champions League football without him.