[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Solid defensive performances, could get away with putting me in net. Romero hardly tested.

 

[WyoManU]

Mixed feelings. Obviously, delighted with the win, but plenty of problems. To be honest I watch this sport for entertainment and we are anything but entertaining. Love to win but I want to see us winning by going after teams. We created far too little yet again.

Our shape and defense is looking much better. Can only think of a single shot on target by Villa with the Agbonlahor header, which went straight to Romero. Other than that they didn't create anything of note. So that is always a solid positive. Back 4 were solid. Darmian was less imperial but still hardly put a foot wrong. Looking a solid Italian defender. Shaw looks fit and ready though still not getting forward enough. Smalling was good again and I almost forgot Blind was tucked in next to him which is really what you want out of your team defense.

However, our attack is woeful. I have been saying Rooney is past it for a few years now, and although he has had runs of form in that time to make me second guess, he has been nothing short of abysmal again to start this season. He shouldn't be our captain let alone our starting forward. Hard to see him getting to 10 goals this season and that is a stretch. Memphis has confidence but he is used to a much lesser league and looks nothing more than a prospect at this point. Mata is STILL not a winger but it is hard to blame LVG for continuing to play him as it was his pass that created our only goal. He also gave the only other cutting pass to Memphis for a glorious chance which was scuffed.

I am gutted that Pereira has not been given a chance. LVG has proclaimed over and over that he champions youth. Yes, he started Januzaj, but Pereira was fantastic in our tour and I truly believe that he deserves to show his qualities on the big stage. Maybe he will prove LVG correct, but he has earned the chance.

Carrick has been great for us, but he looked out of sorts today, and mostly our last match as well. I thought when Bastian and Herrera were in there we looked much better. Although, to be fair, by that point Villa had run themselves into the ground. Must be so difficult to be a Villa fan. This is seemingly a team built entirely around power, pace and desire with not a pinch of skill sprinkled among the lot of them. I can applaud their effort but they just looked like a headless chicken without a clue what to do with the ball once they had won it.

 

[Tincanalley]

Thank you! Thing is it wasn't pretty, I wasn't happy with the attacking performance but it needs to be put in perspective. We won, it was solid and we move on. Next up?! Let's just get another 3 points and another slight improvement in the attacking performance.

I agree, @Rich_H_1989. Is it me or are the moaners getting louder and more hysterical? Makes following the matchday thread predictable and wearisome. Yes, there were some wasted moments and feck-ups. But ... Amazing seeing this midfield. At some times I really enjoyed the first touches, etc, some lovely passing movements, at times they passed Villa to the point of dizzyness. United should have had more scoring opportunities, and made better use of the few they had; pity Memphis did not take his. And overall, yes, this is the kind of gradual, careful progress that can lead to great things.

 

[sunama]

The theatre of dreams will be an apt name. There'll be 70,000 snoring every home game if we keep this up.

BRILLIANT!!!

 

[Mali_Zeus]

BBC: "Not that the table counts for anything at this stage of the season, but Manchester United are top for the first time since David Moyes took them there in his first game in charge back at the start of the 2013-14 season."

 

[Escobar]

If we don't start to play with more urgency and are able to create chances, we will run into trouble soon. Thank god we're bloody efficient in front of goal

 

[Smores]

I really struggle to stomach LvG saying he's not concerned about our lack chances as we got the six points. At least qualify the statement saying we need to do better for crying out loud, give us poor fans some hope.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Where are all the people who were telling me pre-season that we didn't need a striker, or only needed back-up to Rooney? Show yourselves!!

 

[Robbie Boy]

Some positives for sure but that was so sluggish at times. We had some good spells but some truly awful spells when we constantly gave the ball away when trying to play out from the back. Again, our lack of a link player from midfield to the forwards was prevalent.

But our main concern is definitely Rooney, we might as well have played without a striker tonight. Mata wasn't involved enough and can't dictate a game but it was his 2 passes that set up our goal and best chance. Depay was awful but it's his second game for us so judgement will most definitely be reserved.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

"Hugs and happiness" wtf was the MUTV presenter expecting when he asked Juan what his thoughts were?

 

[Raw]

One thing I'm concerned about is how bad we are on the counter. We make some stupid decisions when we start off a good counter attack.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Some positives for sure but that was so sluggish at times. We had some good spells but some truly awful spells when we constantly gave the ball away when trying to play out from the back. Again, our lack of a link player from midfield to the forwards was prevalent.

But our main concern is definitely Rooney, we might as well have played without a striker tonight. Mata wasn't involved enough and can't dictate a game but it was his 2 passes that set up our goal and best chance. Depay was awful but it's his second game for us so judgement will most definitely be reserved.

Memphis wasn't really awful imo. He was meh but generally he looks promising.

 

[Geordopolous]

For me, people who say the game is boring just don't give a shit about whether we win or lose. How can you be bored? Aren't you nervous about the game? And conceding late?

Anyway I'm very happy and happy enough with the performance too. Our back 5 and midfield base were fantastic again and our attack can only improve. Fantastic start, something we didn't have last season. Get in!

 

[Spoony]

So... Is this his style or will we be seeing a more attacking brand of football at United?

If it's the former... I'll probably drink a few cans of Red Bull during each game.

 

[Kevin]

Where are all the people who were telling me pre-season that we didn't need a striker, or only needed back-up to Rooney? Show yourselves!!

You also said that our defence would be utter shit and needed Owtamenday NOW. Told you we don'[t need that shit with actual top midfielders shielding our defence and two top class full backs cutting everything off from the wing.

 

[Berbaclass]

All aboard the Genk bus!

 

[Kopral Jono]

you mean solid and good at it?

Indeed. Solid and very good at it.

 

[Shimo]

Any comments by LVG?

He seemed quite happy. Talked about our control in the first 20 min and good goal. And we did well to get back control after the subs made.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

I really struggle to stomach LvG saying he's not concerned about our lack chances as we got the six points. At least qualify the statement saying we need to do better for crying out loud, give us poor fans some hope.

He did say that. Or he said too many unnecessary ball losses are hindering us from creating chances. He did also namedrop Memphis and Adnan as guilty of that but no mention of Rooney's sub-par performances. Weird.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Memphis wasn't really awful imo. He was meh but generally he looks promising.

Really? I thought he was shocking. He constantly gave the ball away, looked ponderous in possession and missed our best opening of the game to kill the match off. There's far more to come from him I'm sure but that was a poor performance. I didn't see anything promising.

 

[Wumminator]

Where are all the people who were telling me pre-season that we didn't need a striker, or only needed back-up to Rooney? Show yourselves!!

I'm here. I'm sure we will be fine.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

All aboard the Genk bus!

H-hmmm Gent! Or more accurately Ghent!

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Richards said they chased shadows at times.

 

[Borys]

Some credit for LVG, please!
Slightly under the cosh at the start of the second half and the double substitution changed the game (Basti and Ander coming on) and we bossed it from then and dominated.

Why should he get any praise for something most of the Café has been talking about since July? It took us 4 pre-season games, one league game and 60 minutes to try it out. Don’t think he deserves special credits for something I’ve already known in July!

As well as half of the Caf.

 

[Attila]

Good performance and great result. Felt like we were playing with ten men with Rooney in the team.

Hope we go and sign Berahino or someone

 

[MDFC Manager]

This feeling of sitting on top of the league table... I've really really missed it

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Why should he get any praise for something most of the Café has been talking about since July? It took us 4 pre-season games, one league game and 60 minutes to try it out. Don’t think he deserves special credits for something I’ve already known in July!

As well as half of the Caf.

Fancy a career as a manager?

 

[Mali_Zeus]

This feeling of sitting on top of the league table... I've really really missed it

First time we're on top since the beginning of Moyes season and first time we had 2 clean sheets in our first 2 games since 05/06 season.

 

[Sad Chris]

The theatre of dreams will be an apt name. There'll be 70,000 snoring every home game if we keep this up.

I'm pleased with the win, but it's painful to watch. Villa looked dead just after we scored, then we proceeded to pass the ball around in front of them. Not good enough!

It's a pity people like you don't appreciate all areas of the game. If it's not fast attacking footy it's boring in your eyes!?!

To not give opponents a sniff in our weakest areas of the past seasons is not just great, it's fundamental to our success. I can excite myself to bits over defensive skills almost as much as over a goal.

I'm sure once we gain momentum and rebuild confidence, we'll be ready to take more risks and open up our forward play more. It'll get more entertaining week by week.

 

[Flying_Heckfish]

Mata looked the only one capable of playing the dangerous pass. If Pedro does arrive hopefully we try him in the #10 more often... the lineup at the moment stifles the attack, for me.

Memphis overall was a bit disappointing.. though he nearly redeemed himself with the chance. We've not seen enough of him running at defences yet, must be an instruction from LvG to keep possession rather than take chances.. we don't create that space behind because our build up is too deliberate.

Rooney. Not running behind, not got the touch to play with back to goal. Abysmal.

Positives.. Midfield has good balance and the defence looks good.. Darmian was excellent again and Shaw was good on the other side as well. We're solid and can keep the ball, which is a big change in just over a season. But the natural expression is not there yet, we're too mechanical. Is it just a lack of understanding or a lack of movement? It can't be a lack of technical ability. Hopefully that will come in time.

 

[Wumminator]

Why should he get any praise for something most of the Café has been talking about since July? It took us 4 pre-season games, one league game and 60 minutes to try it out. Don’t think he deserves special credits for something I’ve already known in July!

As well as half of the Caf.

Mate I know this sounds stupid... But you should manage us. You know so much. I bow down to you.

 

[Judas]

For me, people who say the game is boring just don't give a shit about whether we win or lose. How can you be bored? Aren't you nervous about the game? And conceding late?

What a daft and stupid thing to say. People are well in their right to call a spade a spade. At the end of the day, football is entertainment, and we're used to seeing this team entertain us.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

You also said that our defence would be utter shit and needed Owtamenday NOW. Told you we don'[t need that shit with actual top midfielders shielding our defence and two top class full backs cutting everything off from the wing.

Err, no I didn't but I did say we needed a CB and still do

 

[Kevin]

LVG said he doesn't care about 3 shots on goal in the last 2 games. Result counts.

 

[Sandikan]

This feeling of sitting on top of the league table... I've really really missed it

it's quite something when we've been top of the league more this season than we were the whole of last year!

 

[Raw]

Remember when Gestede was going to annihilate us?

 

[Tincanalley]

Its all going to click. I can feel it in my piss. This team is going to hammer teams by big scores shortly.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Remember when Gestede was going to annihilate us?

Or Agbonlahor.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Remember when Gestede was going to annihilate us?

No?

 

[Rich_H_1989]

BBC: "Not that the table counts for anything at this stage of the season, but Manchester United are top for the first time since David Moyes took them there in his first game in charge back at the start of the 2013-14 season."

They've gotten that horribly wrong! We were top briefly after beating Spurs last week !

Honestly 2 played, 6 points, 2 clean sheets, 3 shots on target with 2 goals. Efficient LVG. And we've surely got to get better as time goes on? I'm not happy in terms of enjoyment but you know what for now I'll take it!

I'm hoping as the season goes on that Schweinsteiger and Herrera get more time though as they looked good especially Schweinsteiger.

We saw as well a brief second of what link up Memphis and Mata can produce. The threw ball was perfect and Memphis was so close to scoring.

Something does need to be done about our Wayne though. He looked terrible tonight and was a huge reason why at times we struggled to get out of our half.