[Alemar]

I'm not sure how long ten Hag will want to carry De Gea in the build up transition.

It’s not like ETH has many options now, take this into account.

 

[AFC NimbleThumb]

Bruno intentionally hitting De Jong with the ball at full force was every United fan who is pissed at Frankie for thinking he's better than us. Was worth the yellow card

Rewatch it. The referee hadn’t blown the whistle, so I’m not sure what the card was actually for. He’s fair game on the floor at that point.

 

[Memento28]

Can't believe we went toe to toe with a top European team over 2 matches and came out on top, United under LVG, Moyes, Ole, and Rangnick would have capitulated after the first goal but this team under ETH is a different beast altogether. Top performance from Casemiro, saved us multiple times and was everywhere on the pitch. Fred is an enigma, shows up when you are least expecting him to and turns the game around. Bruno was good too, and Antony did well too. Varane's, Licha's, Shaw's, and AWB's performance was on point. Can't believe this Barca team has conceded only 7 goals in La Liga, this team would be mid-table if they played in the Premier League.

 

[Shakesy]

Can't believe we went toe to toe with a top European team over 2 matches and came out on top, United under LVG, Moyes, Ole, and Rangnick would have capitulated after the first goal but this team under ETH is a different beast altogether. Top performance from Casemiro, saved us multiple times and was everywhere on the pitch. Fred is an enigma, shows up when you are least expecting him to and turns the game around. Bruno was good too, and Antony did well too. Varane's, Licha's, Shaw's, and AWB's performance was on point. Can't believe this Barca team has conceded only 7 goals in La Liga, this team would be mid-table if they played in the Premier League.

Err... Maybe not...

 

[Zlaatan]

Just watched the game. I love this team!

A comeback win against Barca with OT bouncing in the background, I couldn't help but get a bit emotional towards the end even if it's still only the EL and not even a proper playoff game at that. It was so long ago that we really felt like a team with everyone pulling in the same direction and not that I had any doubts before but these two games have truly confirmed that we've definitely taken some massive steps in the right direction and it feels so fecking good!

Now bring on Newcastle"!

 

[Memento28]

Err... Maybe not...

Or at least concede a lot more than 7 goals, they conceded 4 in 2 matches against a Premier League opponent (United ).

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

I had to relive the game through the highlights this morning. The togetherness we seem to have in our squad now is fantastic to see, when just a year ago the dressing room looked absolutely putrid under Ralf. We have a fair amount of quality these days, we are starting to develop an identity as a team, but for me the most pleasing thing is we are out there fighting for each other, which every good team has to do.

 

[UpWithRivers]

Somebody please explain to me how Brunos got a yellow? The game was live. Is it a foul to boot the ball these days? I dont care there is a man on the floor. You can boot the ball all you want unless the game is stopped. Or am I wrong? Weirdest most illegal yellow I have ever seen.

 

[Compton22]

 

[Mockney]

Somebody please explain to me how Brunos got a yellow? The game was live. Is it a foul to boot the ball these days? I dont care there is a man on the floor. You can boot the ball all you want unless the game is stopped. Or am I wrong? Weirdest most illegal yellow I have ever seen.

could’ve killed him

 

[Ananke]

I had to relive the game through the highlights this morning. The togetherness we seem to have in our squad now is fantastic to see, when just a year ago the dressing room looked absolutely putrid under Ralf. We have a fair amount of quality these days, we are starting to develop an identity as a team, but for me the most pleasing thing is we are out there fighting for each other, which every good team has to do.

Same here, still bouncing. Watched that second goal too many times.

 

[Lee565]

There was a time this season where if we went behind we looked screwed because of a lack of goal threat but concern has now gone with this side under ten hag

 

[Freak]

Somebody please explain to me how Brunos got a yellow? The game was live. Is it a foul to boot the ball these days? I dont care there is a man on the floor. You can boot the ball all you want unless the game is stopped. Or am I wrong? Weirdest most illegal yellow I have ever seen.

It's a simple explanation - the ref is shit.

 

[calodo2003]

 

[Jeffthered]

Super night for the club... super night for European Football too, because both clubs contributed to a great tie. First half, tactically, we were outdone, their three in midfield outplayed our two... but we reverted to type, brought Bruno back central, Fred could then play alongside Casimero, and a wide player on the right stretched the game, so Rash, Garnacho, Bruno, could influence the game from an attacking perspective. David De Gea's save was brilliant and crucial, crucial... but everyone played well second half, and the tactical changes were the key.. It will be interesting to see how we line up on Sunday. Some decisions to be made.

 

[caid]

Somebody please explain to me how Brunos got a yellow? The game was live. Is it a foul to boot the ball these days? I dont care there is a man on the floor. You can boot the ball all you want unless the game is stopped. Or am I wrong? Weirdest most illegal yellow I have ever seen.

When the referee was carding him it looked like Bruno was saying 'i didn't hear the whistle'. So he booked him for kicking the ball after the whistle went. He gave him an excuse so he took it. Was worth it to be honest. With the incessant diving being an unsporting, prick felt justified.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

I missed the match. Anyone got a good summary? Or extended highlights?

 

[buchansleftleg]

That second goal, where we had three shots on goal in about a 5 second period reminded me of the days of Fergie - we are back!

 

[Real Name]

That second goal, where we had three shots on goal in about a 5 second period reminded me of the days of Fergie - we are back!

Attack attack attack - that's what drew me to United all those years ago. Good to have it back.

 

[Simbo]

Somebody please explain to me how Brunos got a yellow? The game was live. Is it a foul to boot the ball these days? I dont care there is a man on the floor. You can boot the ball all you want unless the game is stopped. Or am I wrong? Weirdest most illegal yellow I have ever seen.

There seems to be a tendency of late after a scuffle, to just book 1 player from either side. Regardless of what started it.

 

[Quagmire Maguire]

I was absolutely buzzing when we drew Barcelona and I am hoping we get another European giant in the next round, Juventus please!

 

[BEST No7]

Fred the pastor

 

[Tony247]

In second half we were completely in control. Amazing game.

 

[crossy1686]

I was absolutely buzzing when we drew Barcelona and I am hoping we get another European giant in the next round, Juventus please!

I don’t think we can draw them until the quarters

 

[crossy1686]

I missed the match. Anyone got a good summary? Or extended highlights?

More of the same from the first leg

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

I don't believe De Gea is one of the best shot stoppers in the world and I'm sure the statistics will back me up on that.

Of course we need a good shot stopper and I'm sure there will be good shot stoppers that the scouts will know about. But for me it's about taking positive steps towards creating a team that fits the methods of ten Hag. A keeper who is commanding against the high ball and technically secure in possesion will aid the collective where less defending will have to be done by the outfield players.

The below is what I saw from De Gea tonight and the statistics confirm that. That's no where near good enough in comparison to the competition, when Ter Stegen
had a 90% completion rate.

De Gea had a pass completion of 54% compared to 90% for Ter Stegen. De Gea made 15 long passes completing only 4. Ter Stegen made 18 long passes completing 14, and only misplaced 4 passes from a total of 37 passes made. Casemiro saved us today, by making some fantastic blocks but I'm not sure how long ten Hag will want to carry De Gea in the build up transition.

https://www.sofascore.com/manchester-united-barcelona/Ksrgb

De Gea drives me insane with his distribution.

He kills so many potential attacks and causes danger so much by gifting the ball back to the opposition inviting pressure.

He is completely incapable of being a GK in a positional play system.

With better GK distribution, you're putting less pressure on the team itself to combat 50-50 balls or loss of possession.

 

[OleTheGreat]

I was really disappointed the way we played the first half after all the hype but I never felt we would lose even after the penalty. That's the kind of confidence that EtH has brought about in all of us. I knew full well that after the half time talk, we will switch on and kick butts. We did exactly that. I still think Barcelona weren't on their A game because we made a lot of mistakes during the counter press, nevertheless we took it to them and won. It was a great night and we are through to the next round. Up next, it is time to lift the silverware. Whoooooooo's next?!

 

[OleTheGreat]

De Gea drives me insane with his distribution.

He kills so many potential attacks and causes danger so much by gifting the ball back to the opposition inviting pressure.

He is completely incapable of being a GK in a positional play system.

With better GK distribution, you're putting less pressure on the team itself to combat 50-50 balls or loss of possession.

True! He saves some worldies but more often than not, he creates so much ruckus which is unnecessary. We need a better goal keeper in the summer. I love De Gea but we need to move on.

 

[owlo]

The atmosphere was fire. I can't recall that kind of ruckus at OT in my lifetime. My first game there was versus Barcelona as a wee pup in 1994 and it was noisy but nothing like this.

 

[Mihai]

Whenever the ball comes to Fred, the gods flip a coin.

Fred is the perfect example of the Heinsenberg uncertainty principle.

 

[Infra-red]

In second half we were completely in control. Amazing game.

The first half we had Weghorst and Bruno running in behind and Barca's defenders looked very comfortable. As soon as they had Rashford and Antony running at them, you could see the panic come over them. Barca simply couldn't deal with the tempo change. Another great mid-game switch from Ten Hag, who is showing himself to be tactically one of the best in the business.

Everyone is probably well-aware of the stats at this point, but United's subs have scored more goals than the subs of any side in Europe's top 5 leagues this season. Feels like it has been a long time since we had a manager with the ability to outsmart opponents as often as Ten Hag does. He reads the game so well.

 

[NewGlory]

Rewatch it. The referee hadn’t blown the whistle, so I’m not sure what the card was actually for. He’s fair game on the floor at that point.

I am not saying Bruno deserved the yellow. Just saying - it was still worth it, even if he did

 

[Maticmaker]

This result and performance (over two legs) makes me feel we are now back challenging... for real

It feels great

Come on you Reds!!!

 

[Suedesi]

Whenever the ball comes to Fred, the gods flip a coin.

He does that at the beginning of each half, most likely

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Shaw deserves massive credit for overall play, and the backheel especially was delightful. I know I’m repeating myself, but... Another thought: BT sport have all the discussion on pitchside. No studio vibe, or analysis. To get away with that you need great skill and presence of mind. What’s-her-name seemed a bit out of her depth. I like her as a presenter usually, but. Fans were singing RVP song, she seemed to miss it. Missed jokes, too, and seemed tense and uncomfortable generally. With Scholes (who is improving, but still awkward, very naturally shy), Owen H, who is kind of polite and academic, it felt curiously stilted at the end, with the stadium still full and the stands going mad. You’d miss Ferdinand or even Neville to catch the mood. Not Scholesy … ‘no… it’s great, yeah’.

She is probably sick of football fans leering after her to be fair.

You're right though Rio would've captured the mood!

 

[Deleted 112447]

Just superb, the second half in particular. This is a very good Barcelona side we have to keep in mind. Our players were huge and so was the manager.

 

[The Firestarter]

Dracula

 

[The Irish Connection]

Lovely fecking stuff!

 

[justsomebloke]

Or at least concede a lot more than 7 goals, they conceded 4 in 2 matches against a Premier League opponent (United ).

Actually they conceded 16 in 8 european games, so we didn't do any different than non-PL opposition.

 

[Adnan]

De Gea drives me insane with his distribution.

He kills so many potential attacks and causes danger so much by gifting the ball back to the opposition inviting pressure.

He is completely incapable of being a GK in a positional play system.

With better GK distribution, you're putting less pressure on the team itself to combat 50-50 balls or loss of possession.

Absolutely agree.

When Mourinho won cups and finished second in the league with us, the consensus was that he was getting results and hence we were on a upward trajectory. But the doubts lingered due to the play-style not being conducive to the present day reality, which was becoming evident at Liverpool and Man City, hence it was easy to predict a Klopp inspired Liverpool who finished below Mourinho's United, would likely go onto win the league before us, due to the foundations Klopp was putting in place. Which centred around a progressive high intensity play style, and recruitment at Liverpool reflected that.

Sokskjaer said one thing but ended up creating a team that thrived off absorbing attacks by defending in numbers whilst waiting to attack on the transition. We finished 3rd and 2nd in the league and were said to be getting results. But the reality was that we again failed to create a strong foundation which had the potential to impose our game on the opposition the way Klopp and Guardiola did. But hey, we were getting results, before the inevitable happened and things came crashing down.

Now we have a head coach whose idea correlates to the present day reality as far as wanting to impose a high intensity, attacking play style within a set of principles. And he's implementing that play style superbly well but he's also having to compromise on the build up play in possession due to the keeper. And it'll be interesting to see what happens in the summer because you need your keeper to provide the first superiority in the build up phase if the aim is to exert zonal and positional control. But that doesn't mean a new keeper won't be able to make spectacular saves along with being good on the ball.

A keeper who is weak at dominating his box and distribution, only lasts as long as the managers that are appointed by the club. It's about backing a idea to come to fruition, and ten Hag shouldn't compromise on his idea when it comes to playing the game. And I hope we bring in a keeper who aids the development of the team and helps create a strong foundation for ten Hag to impose his idea on the opponent.