[Isotope]

Have to say, Rice is twice the player Ugarte is. He's also much fitter, creative and mobile.

If Ugarte worth 50m, Rice is worth that 100m tag.

 

[Utd heap]

Have to say, Rice is twice the player Ugarte is. He's also much fitter, creative and mobile.

If Ugarte worth 50m, Rice is worth that 100m tag.

Evening Declan

 

[Red Star One]

I know it’s sounds embarrassing but as much as I’d love to win I don’t give a feck about result that much - it’s not like it changes anything for us or for Arsenal. We were the better team, created good chances, they got bailed out by Raya at least twice. Usually I felt hollow after our games, this time not so much - good effort from the lads.

 

[Red Star One]

Have to say, Rice is twice the player Ugarte is. He's also much fitter, creative and mobile.

If Ugarte worth 50m, Rice is worth that 100m tag.

I actually think both Rice and Caicedo were great midfielders to buy. Overpaid obviously but the price tag doesn’t change their class

 

[Isotope]

Evening Declan

It was a fun game.

 

[BorisManUtd]

Hojlund's chance was 0.00 as he didn't manage to take a shot.

 

[Red Star One]

Hojlund's chance was 0.00 as he didn't manage to take a shot.

He did hit the ball…

 

[Isotope]

I actually think both Rice and Caicedo were great midfielders to buy. Overpaid obviously but the price tag doesn’t change their class

They're only overpaid a bit, as both definitely at least a 70+m player. Especially Rice, when Arsenal got him.

 

[RoyH1]

It’s funny because every time we play Arsenal, I keep wondering how these lot are 2nd in the table

My thoughts exactly. They were there for the taking

 

[Devil81]

Can someone tell me why VAR or the ref didn't review or consider a penalty when the defender went right through Maz when he had that chance at the far post?

It's still a blatant foul.

 

[Denis79]

Have to say, Rice is twice the player Ugarte is. He's also much fitter, creative and mobile.

If Ugarte worth 50m, Rice is worth that 100m tag.

Rice is quality

 

[George The Best]

We all know it, but just how much do we need a striker. Can’t rely on Bruno every week. Would have won that game with a proper No 9

 

[AndyMUFC]

Would definitely have taken that before the game. Probably had the better chances in the match to be fair. It's not sustainable to play like that long term and Amorim even said that afterwards, but hopefully can show that same spirit on Thursday.

 

[André Dominguez]

It was a very solid performance from us tbh. Probably the first time against a top team where we were on the same level as our opponents for a long time.

 

[eiknaldo]

Better second half, can't understand why he brought on Hojlund instead of Chido when he's ineligible on Thursday. Just found that decision very baffling.

It would have been great to bring on Chido, but I can totally understand that Amorim wants to give some game time and show his trust to the striker he has available for the big game on Thursday.

 

[Bogart-er]

Arsenal lucky to get a draw - United by far had the better chances. Considering how the season is going, did not expect this sort of performance from United.

Seems like a positive day for United (bar Amorim's questionable sartorial choices)

 

[laughtersassassin]

Sat in the Stretford end today. Overall had a great time but man how epic would it have been to win.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

It was a very solid performance from us tbh. Probably the first time against a top team where we were on the same level as our opponents for a long time.

Liverpool game, and City game too.

 

[jderbyshire]

Sat in the Stretford end today. Overall had a great time but man how epic would it have been to win.

If only he'd brought on Obi to seal the deal.

 

[Dominos]

It was a very solid performance from us tbh. Probably the first time against a top team where we were on the same level as our opponents for a long time.

Not really, we matched City away and Liverpool away this season.

 

[Hugh Jass]

It was a very solid performance from us tbh. Probably the first time against a top team where we were on the same level as our opponents for a long time.

Recency bias. We beat city and drew with liverpool.

 

[Dominos]

Pleasantly surprised by that performance given the injuries we have.

It does make you think, Arsenal are better than any side left in the Europa and we probably should have won today, that gives you slight hope for our European chances.

If we had Martinez, Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo and Dorgu available we might still be in the FA cup and in with a much better chance of Europa. Our squad is way too weak to be missing 5 first team players.

Make that 7 first team players if you count Mount and Shaw.

 

[Red00012]

They're only overpaid a bit, as both definitely at least a 70+m player. Especially Rice, when Arsenal got him.

I think if now was then I think we sign for Caicedo for £3.5 million and get over the whole co owned rubbish we pulled away from.

 

[Maluco]

I think there is enough there to see where we are going. He has nothing to work with and was the better team today with only kids with no experience to bring on.

He is making all the right moves and we are becoming tough for big sides to beat, even with all those restrictions.

A good summer and four players in and I can see us improving very, very quickly.

There will be no 7-0s with this guy. He knows how to organize a team.

 

[gerdm07]

Like many are saying here, we should have won.

Why did Hojlund show so much of the ball and take forever to get his shot off? Any good striker puts that away easily.

Odergard is just a classy player and is fun to watch. If he and Saka had been healthy most of the season, I think it would be a tight title race.

I want to see more of Collyer in the remaining matches.

Onana was good. I know he is not the best GK, but he is pretty good most of the time and it just doesn't make sense to pursue a new keeper when we need to spend money on other positions. I would keep him for at least another 2 years and have a good backup if he starts faltering.

Kudos to all of the defenders, they each played well and as a team.

 

[Gordon S]

Arsenal are cute with the ball as always but we defended well and did enough on the breaks to win it. Not a bad performance overall and i hope it buys Ruben some much needed stress relief.

 

[Catalandevil]

A very entertaining second half. We played quite well, and it confirms once again that this squad is more suited to defending in a low block and counter-attacking with quick transitions. This style of football suited Bruno, Casemiro, and Garnacho very well today. However, this is not the kind of football that wins you leagues.


Onana and our defense had a good game. All of them played quite well, with a special mention to Heaven, who was immense during the last 30 minutes.

Our midfield didn’t control the ball at all and released it too early on most occasions. Casemiro did well defensively, and Bruno launched multiple counter-attacks. My unpopular opinion is that we need a midfielder who can dictate the game more than a striker.

Our attack was better today. We created the best chances, and it's incredible that we only scored once. This kind of football suits Garnacho very well, and it showed. Mazz had one of his best offensive performances for us. Dalot needs to be more aggressive, or he won’t feature as much next year. ZZ is improving game after game, and Højlund had two great chances—it's a pity he didn’t convert either of them.

Overall, I enjoyed the game. We are quite good at playing like this, but of course, this is not how we want to play. It’s clear that the players and the system don’t match, and we will need to back Ruben in the summer—otherwise, next year won’t be pretty.

 

[Isotope]

I think if now was then I think we sign for Caicedo for £3.5 million and get over the whole co owned rubbish we pulled away from.

Well yes definitely. INEOS might be able to pull it off, if they were in charge at that time.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

Say what you want but Amorims's track record against the top6 is actually quite decent, with all the injuries and clear-out of established first team players. Need to perform better against the bottom half yes, but at least we seem to be fearless against the top sides.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

Like many are saying here, we should have won.

Why did Hojlund show so much of the ball and take forever to get his shot off? Any good striker puts that away easily.

Odergard is just a classy player and is fun to watch. If he and Saka had been healthy most of the season, I think it would be a tight title race.

I want to see more of Collyer in the remaining matches.

Onana was good. I know he is not the best GK, but he is pretty good most of the time and it just doesn't make sense to pursue a new keeper when we need to spend money on other positions. I would keep him for at least another 2 years and have a good backup if he starts faltering.

Kudos to all of the defenders, they each played well and as a team.

He's so good that he parried the ball away to have another wonderful assist for Arsneal second. Offside saved us this time. He has a howler almost every game, just because he saves some shots doesnt make him competent goalkeeper, its like to say that some midfielder is really creative after playing a couple of through ball per game, it's their fkin job to do what they do. On top of that Onana makes those very often. He should have definitely a competition. If Amorim wants to take it seriously we need to get some smart 20-25m no.2 youngish goalkeeper from somewhere.

 

[Jonesno.8]

Did we get any sort of an update on players coming back from injury? Missed the interviews. Point was needed but that first half was a tough watch. Heaven looks decent though.

 

[oz insomniac]

Having played as a striker it’s easy to hammer Hojlund, he is lacking confidence and gets so few chances that today he seemed to want to make sure of scoring rather than just reacting and getting the shot in. Confidence is huge for a 9, maybe once he gets the goal and starts believing we will see the player of his first season and why he was chased by a number of clubs.

 

[justsomebloke]

I think there is enough there to see where we are going. He has nothing to work with and was the better team today with only kids with no experience to bring on.

He is making all the right moves and we are becoming tough for big sides to beat, even with all those restrictions.

A good summer and four players in and I can see us improving very, very quickly.

There will be no 7-0s with this guy. He knows how to organize a team.

Now if only we could become tough for the middling sides to beat.

 

[Maluco]

Now if only we could become tough for the middling sides to beat.

I think that will come if he has better attacking options and more athletic players in the team. We have one player who can score/assist and he is the same player.

Better attackers and a more athletic side will mean we can take the game to sides like that, especially at home.

 

[Oranges038]

Can anyone tell me why Maz didn't get a penalty after his shot? He got fouled with a really late tackle straight after the shot

Can someone tell me why VAR or the ref didn't review or consider a penalty when the defender went right through Maz when he had that chance at the far post?

It's still a blatant foul.

I think the Hojlund one is a better shout.

Defender is all over him before the cross, then goes right through the back of him as he's taking about to shoot.

 

[laughtersassassin]

If only he'd brought on Obi to seal the deal.

TBF he coached a win imo. We had the chances just some good saves and poor finishing cost us.

 

[Hammondo]

How has Declan Rice got man of the match? Other than the goal, i thought he was quiet

I would argue their midfield was ineffective in general. We have one of the weakest midfields and they didn't do much against it.

 

[tjb]

A very entertaining second half. We played quite well, and it confirms once again that this squad is more suited to defending in a low block and counter-attacking with quick transitions. This style of football suited Bruno, Casemiro, and Garnacho very well today. However, this is not the kind of football that wins you leagues.


Onana and our defense had a good game. All of them played quite well, with a special mention to Heaven, who was immense during the last 30 minutes.

Our midfield didn’t control the ball at all and released it too early on most occasions. Casemiro did well defensively, and Bruno launched multiple counter-attacks. My unpopular opinion is that we need a midfielder who can dictate the game more than a striker.

Our attack was better today. We created the best chances, and it's incredible that we only scored once. This kind of football suits Garnacho very well, and it showed. Mazz had one of his best offensive performances for us. Dalot needs to be more aggressive, or he won’t feature as much next year. ZZ is improving game after game, and Højlund had two great chances—it's a pity he didn’t convert either of them.

Overall, I enjoyed the game. We are quite good at playing like this, but of course, this is not how we want to play. It’s clear that the players and the system don’t match, and we will need to back Ruben in the summer—otherwise, next year won’t be pretty.

I'm with you on the midfielder. I think athleticism matters alot in this midfield, particularly as we have a 2 man midfield. I would sign a midfielder who can take the ball from the defence whilst having the physicality to compete. My preference would be for this player to be able to play both the 6 and the 8, giving us many combinations in midfield. In addition to this, I think Bruno actually fits us as an 8 more than a 10. I also think Collyer is a good option. However, this midfielder would allow us to use Bruno as a 10 in some games, and an 8 in others. I think Amad, Mainoo and Mount (when fit) are good enough to play the 10 role. However, i would be willing to sell both Garnacho and Mainoo for an athletic no.10 that can drive with the ball.


I think we still need a no.9, but I think the midfield would see the biggest change in overall performance.

For me, I would get:

a. New Centre Midfielder
b. New Striker
c. New Goalkeeper
d. New right wing back ( focus mostly on athleticism)
e. New Centre Back ( pacy cb with composure that can play middle cb)


I would then sell:

Onana - Feels like an unstable presence in the backline
Lindelof
Licha - Might get funds for him, plus I think Yoro and Shaw can cover LCB, whilst De Ligt covers the right.
Dalot- Consistently poor decision making
Rashford
Antony
Garnacho - No natural place in team. Simply not as good as a player occupying a starting 11 spot should be
Mainoo- Doesn't fit the midfield 2, if he's demanding a new expensive contract, better to sell and generate money.
Zirkzee - Doesn't have the athleticism for the system or the team

 

[Longshanks]

Did ok against an arsenal side clearly missing there best attacking players.

Did nothing first half in all honesty and but for a very dodgy wall position and questionable goal keeping, we probably loose the game. But great strike from Bruno and than we had something to hold onto and could sit in a soak and try to catch arsenal on the break, Arsenal left us gaps and we exploited it well, perhaps should of won the game.

The big games where we get pushed back seem to suit Amorins system, or do they suit the players? Maybe a bit of both.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

A huge amount riding on Thursday. A victory there and this last couple of weeks may start to look like the moment that things started to come together. Enjoyed that second half and really hope it gives the team confidence for Thursday's game.

While I'm here I'd like to ask the mods why you can repeatedly call the United manager a fraud or a clown, call for him to be sacked after 3 months in the job, and generally whine like overentitled children without so much as a warning, but get a permanent thread ban for describing posts like that as 'shitty'? Am I really still not going to be able to contribute to the Amorim thread if he's still here in 10 years time, just for calling someone's posts 'shitty' during the first 3 weeks of his tenure?? Apologies for asking that question in this thread but couldn't see where I should direct it to.