[Daniel Moore]

Gameplan non existent.
People blaming the players but the "tactics"(what tactics?!) were beyond s***.

If Jose's gameplan was "play with your genitals for 90 mins". I'm afraid it's the desire of the players that was the problem.

Pogba - gives the ball away and trots off, doesn't even look at the ball for 20 seconds after he's fluffed it. He tries to win a free kick fails and sits on the floor moaning about it and the ball breaks back into his space he's sat there like a c*#t.

Fellaini's pathetic pace and distribution literally worse than most division 3 Sunday league midfielders. He jogs around when he's lost the ball.

You blame Jose but unfortunately he only showed why Martial and Rashford are still a bit one dimensional as starters.

Players have to take some sort of blame here it was next level sh*t.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We have become game raisers. There for the big games, can't be bothered with the small games.

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

Watch the first 40 minutes and then turned it off to watch star wars with the Mrs...I have never done that before

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I'm numb.

I just went to bed and actually slept well, but now I have got up and I feel numb like you. I am absolutely drained. Yet again another manager is taking the excitement out of watching most of United's games. The big games are the only ones that seem to matter and there are only 12 of them in a league season. The rest it is a chore.

 

[mu4c_20le]

You blame Jose but unfortunately he only showed why Martial and Rashford are still a bit one dimensional as starters.

He showed that neither of them are at a world class level just yet where they already know what to do without much instructions or given this creative freedom that the mourinho fans keep on harping about. They need to be coached and be part of a system that actually utilizes their best qualities.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Gotta say it , we were lack luster and shit . One foot on the beach .

Some have one foot in the dole queue.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Same with LvG never understood how people have questioned him, he won titles in every country he has been to, since that’s how it works, right?

He picked the wrong team, but yes I agree the attitude of the players in these games is atrocious. As has been said they just stroll about thinking they will win as they are Manchester United. That is not how it is at all Manchester United have always had that aura about them, but they have always been hard workers to achieve what they have.

 

[WR10]

I knew we had lost the game from the moment I watched the team handshakes. Did any one watch Smalling’s body language? It said it all

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I knew we had lost the game from the moment I watched the team handshakes. Did any one watch Smalling’s body language? It said it all

Didn't notice. What do you mean?

 

[Tribec]

After the game finished I fired off a couple of tweets and then went quiet, I had to stop and think about what went on. First thing first after a performance like that, the players should be ashamed of themselves. I feel like I want to take away blame from DDG, after all he did his job as normal, but football is a team game and so he included. They need to come out and say they are sorry for that, in fact I'd go as far as to say they should put hands in pockets and refund the United fans who traveled to the game, you could have grabbed 10 fans out last night put them in the shirt and they'd have put in a more heartfelt performance than that lot.

They all were slipping all over the place to begin with, how they choose the incorrect footwear after being on the pitch to warm up I don't know. The passing, I don't know if you can call what they were doing as passing more kicking the ball and hoping it would reach someone in red. At first I was feeling sorry for both Martial and Rashford, they were starved of the ball as our highly assembled and paid midfield capitulated under the pressure from them and hardly got the ball to either of them. I could forgive early instances where both Martial and Rashford were trying to make things happen when they got the ball to try and impress Jose, but then you play for the team, and while Rashford did start to do that, it was by then to late, the team was was doing it's own thing. Mata was doing what Mata does wander around the pitch giving us no width what so ever and only providing the occasional decent pass, on the back of that showing I dare say Jose might be thinking that if someone offers any money for him he'll let him go again.

As for the defence when Darmian is the one making the least mistakes and looking the most composed you know you are in trouble. Nothing against Darmian, he hasn't set the world on fire with us, but he isn't the full back we need playing this type of football. The back four was clearly lacking a leader and has been all year, but no one has taken the mantle, out those that started last night only Rojo should be with us next season.

As with others I've read I honestly felt like turning over half way through the game as I'm guessing we could see what was going to happen. However bad we've played previously though, you had a glimmer of hope we'd switch on and chase the game. We had a 5 minutes spell after the subs came on and then it went back to what had been since kick off. This languid attitude and style of play has stuck with us now through 3 managers and 5 or so years since Fergie left, successive managers have failed to motivate the players or/and play a style of football that gives us the fans encouragement that they can play through games like this and that games like this are few and far between. Instead, we turn up and watch and rarely get excited anymore, and yes we were spoiled under Fergie, but this isn't football Manchester United fans have been brought up to expect be they those that saw the babes, through the Doc and Big Ron and then with Fergie. Things have to improve.

 

[Class of 63]

I just went to bed and actually slept well, but now I have got up and I feel numb like you. I am absolutely drained. Yet again another manager is taking the excitement out of watching most of United's games. The big games are the only ones that seem to matter and there are only 12 of them in a league season. The rest it is a chore.

I felt numb after the West Brom game as well, but this is even worse, maybe it's because it's so soon after......

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I felt numb after the West Brom game as well, but this is even worse, maybe it's because it's so soon after......

It wasn't even just one of those days was it. This is becoming too much of a regular event. The players were woeful and cowardly, yes cowardly. The manager is not much better. We need a risk taker as a manager. Jose is far too pragmatic and every decision he makes seems to be about proving himself right. I am sure he picked that team, in fact he has admitted it, to prove why Rashford and Martial aren't picked. Well you do not pay Russian Roulette with a football club just to make yourself look clever.

Lukaku being injured and it seems Sanchez was as well, so maybe he had no choice. So just say we had injury problems, don't turn it into a patting yourself on the back session.

 

[McGrathsipan]

That last night was on the players.
Combination of attitude and lack of quality.
Most of them not good enough.

 

[Drainy]

Weren't not good enough to beat teams without outworking them, and our players only start to put a shift in once there is a crisis.

The mentality is all wrong for what we are wanting to do.

Too many losers in the team. No intensity.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Thats exactly what he wants. You are fully convinced by one meaningless match?

My sacarasm clearly wasn't obvious enough!

No I'm not convinced, Jose is a nightmare for some of our players, how are they supposed to deliver when the manager puts you out expecting you to play badly, and then tells everyone he thought that after you've done so, it's just demoralising ego driven crap once again from him.

Lukaku has been awful in some games, yet he is untouchable because Jose says so, I like Lukaku so don't get me wrong, but this sort rubbish Jose comes out with really makes me dislike him.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

My sacarasm clearly wasn't obvious enough!

No I'm not convinced, Jose is a nightmare for some of our players, how are they supposed to deliver when the manager puts you out expecting you to play badly, and then tells everyone he thought that after you've done so, it's just demoralising ego driven crap once again from him.

Lukaku has been awful in some games, yet he is untouchable because Jose says so, I like Lukaku so don't get me wrong, but this sort rubbish Jose comes out with really makes me dislike him.

The manager sets the tone of the game, the mentality. I agree that sending out a team basically wanting it to fail, to prove a point is terrible management. He has been saying he wants 2nd place, well this game might lose it for him. He has to now hope Liverpool don't beat Chelsea and we now have to win at West Ham. If we lose the Cup Final this place will explode. Last night from all parties was inexcusable.

 

[Jeffthered]

I think this fan sums it up very well. Jose blaming Martial and Rashford is a load of bullshit and deflecting from the bigger picture. We've had plenty of games where we look absolutely clueless with Sanchez and Lukaku - the most recent being the WBA game.

This guy nails it for me.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

This guy nails it for me.

Problem with me as well is he picks on certain players, now is that down to him not rating them at all or thinking they are actually better than they are showing, only Jose knows. Then he gives loads of credit to certain players constantly. Then others might have a great game and he ignores it by praising someone who was not anywhere near as influential. I cannot see how that is good for team harmony on the pitch.

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

We have become game raisers. There for the big games, can't be bothered with the small games.

end of season going through the motions, living for the final.

Didn't care too much myself. Second string side, Jose will have the team ready for remaining fixtures.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

When I saw the team (no Lukaku obviously and no Sanchez) I wasn't optimistic. I voted 0-0 but that was too optimistic as it turned out. Martial is so overrated on here. I always said the same re Januzaj and I turned out to be right on him as well.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

The manager sets the tone of the game, the mentality. I agree that sending out a team basically wanting it to fail, to prove a point is terrible management. He has been saying he wants 2nd place, well this game might lose it for him. He has to now hope Liverpool don't beat Chelsea and we now have to win at West Ham. If we lose the Cup Final this place will explode. Last night from all parties was inexcusable.

Did he really send them out to prove a point though? I doubt it, as the performance was just so bad he plumped for the 'I told you so' line, and some fall for it.

What if we'd won well last night, would he have come out and said I was expecting them to fail, but fair play they proved me wrong, I doubt it, he just has a horrible way of making everything about him, and it grates.

 

[oz insomniac]

Coming into this thread and reading all the blame is on JM seems utterly ludicrous.
The players selected had a great opportunity to excel, and so they should against teams like BHA, this was what plenty have asked for " give Martial/Rashford / Rojo " and others the chance to play and show how stupid the manager has been in not playing them.
Hello, we have seen what they actually offer. Unfortunately it's impossible to just release them and fill the spots with better players, this is real life not some FIFA PC game.
So those that have wondered why JM has continually suggested the club needs better players and renewal of the squad, the answer was last night.
We are paying for a decaying roster and not taking action prior to JM and in some sense we are playing behind the 8 ball after the oil money that has inflated prices in the EPL and the lure of the big 2 Spanish clubs.
The inherited roster looks nothing like the ones that were at Citeh, Loserpool and even Tottenham, we really need to understand what JM has indicated, the club needs probably 6 to 7 new top shelf players to be where it should be.

 

[pocco]

I think I see this team in the exact same way as Jose. Must be frustrating for the guy to be blamed constantly because the shortcomings of these players.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

end of season going through the motions, living for the final.

Didn't care too much myself. Second string side, Jose will have the team ready for remaining fixtures.

So Huddersfield was end of season, WBA was end of season, Newcastle was end of season? The constant draws over Christmas against teams they should go out and thrash if they worked hard from the start. No it is a serious mentality problem.

 

[Coxy]

I think I see this team in the exact same way as Jose. Must be frustrating for the guy to be blamed constantly because the shortcomings of these players.

So he shouldn’t be blamed at all for not getting the best out of said players? We have a squad with some talented players but he’s not getting the best out of them...

 

[pocco]

I just went to bed and actually slept well, but now I have got up and I feel numb like you. I am absolutely drained. Yet again another manager is taking the excitement out of watching most of United's games. The big games are the only ones that seem to matter and there are only 12 of them in a league season. The rest it is a chore.

It's the players. People are using this tired cliche of defensive football, but if you actually watch what is happening on the pitch, that's not the case. I don't see any players that look restricted by tactics. Our attackers go wherever they want, the wingbacks bomb forward. But they still can't perform. It's the players, and I think it's pretty damn obvious at this stage.

 

[Jeffthered]

Problem with me as well is he picks on certain players, now is that down to him not rating them at all or thinking they are actually better than they are showing, only Jose knows. Then he gives loads of credit to certain players constantly. Then others might have a great game and he ignores it by praising someone who was not anywhere near as influential. I cannot see how that is good for team harmony on the pitch.

You're absolutely right. His man-management is based on personal comments. Public praise and criticism.... it's unhealthy, creates fragility within the minds of players and must be dreadful in terms of player unity and loyalty.

But haven't we seen all of this before with Jose?

He is an insecure, horrible , spoilt man. A brilliant mind, but stubborn and dominated by ego.

It is said that 'Pride comes before a fall...'

Watch this space over next six months.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Did he really send them out to prove a point though? I doubt it, as the performance was just so bad he plumped for the 'I told you so' line, and some fall for it.

What if we'd won well last night, would he have come out and said I was expecting them to fail, but fair play they proved me wrong, I doubt it, he just has a horrible way of making everything about him, and it grates.

You could be right, he never, ever takes the blame. As soon as Fellaini and Darmian were in the side we should have know what was coming. He will not rest Matic, Herrera could have done as good a job in there last night. Why not put Lindelof at RB instead of someone who is being sold, no matter what Jose said. They were all to blame. The manager for being a coward all season, he has been and the players for being his image on the pitch.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

You're absolutely right. His man-management is based on personal comments. Public praise and criticism.... it's unhealthy, creates fragility within the minds of players and must be dreadful in terms of player unity and loyalty.

But haven't we seen all of this before with Jose?

He is an insecure, horrible , spoilt man. A brilliant mind, but stubborn and dominated by ego.

It is said that 'Pride comes before a fall...'

Watch this space over next six months.

Think if we are out of touch by Christmas he will be gone, but then what, who will be available? We will be stuck with some out of work manager instead on someone who is in demand and currently doing well at their clubs. So either we hang fire until the following summer and get the right manager for our style and that is another season gone.

 

[Schmiznurf]

Having had 12 hours to calm down and reflect I am still absolutely disgusted by the level of performance those fecking cnuts put in last night.

 

[pocco]

So he shouldn’t be blamed at all for not getting the best out of said players? We have a squad with some talented players but he’s not getting the best out of them...

.....

It's the players. People are using this tired cliche of defensive football, but if you actually watch what is happening on the pitch, that's not the case. I don't see any players that look restricted by tactics. Our attackers go wherever they want, the wingbacks bomb forward. But they still can't perform. It's the players, and I think it's pretty damn obvious at this stage.

Honestly, I don't know what more he can do for them. The attackers have complete freedom to do what they want. It's the dream of any attacking player, yet under these circumstances they still can't perform. Martial, for example, is allowed to drift to the centre of the pitch which is apparently where he wants to play. Still nothing.

It's not FIFA. Jose can't control the players once they're out there on the pitch. You tell me what he should be telling each of these players to do, particularly in attack, and I'll say they can do that if they want. Jose isn't restricting any of these players. Our attack had been completely fluid in positioning, what more do they want? "Martial isn't a winger"... We'll he plays through the middle a lot but still doesn't produce. "Mata isn't a winger"... Mata barely ever reaches the touchline, he drifts inside constantly and still doesn't affect the game.

 

[Greck]

Last night wasn't really different to what we've seen all season. Had Lukaku started he would have made that pass and we go 1-0 up, the rest of the game plays similar but we win.

What I find unfair on the youngsters is judging them on the basis of a game with a dysfunctional lineup. Yesterday we killed our already unbalanced right side with Darmian and our centre with Fellaini. Darmian never once took up positions Valencia does and Fellaini is Fellaini. Foggy memory but the only game I remember him playing with Lukaku/Sanchez was Sevilla. Why write anyone off on the basis of a game even the first teamers would project to struggle in?

Yesterday was a Carling cup lineup with no continuity or balance. Mourinho shouldn't be blamed for the result on the basis of yesterday alone but he shouldn't be throwing it around either

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

You could be right, he never, ever takes the blame. As soon as Fellaini and Darmian were in the side we should have know what was coming. He will not rest Matic, Herrera could have done as good a job in there last night. Why not put Lindelof at RB instead of someone who is being sold, no matter what Jose said. They were all to blame. The manager for being a coward all season, he has been and the players for being his image on the pitch.

The Herrera omission was very strange for sure, he just seemed intent on setting us up to fail last night, for whatever reason.

I do struggle to blame the players overall, the manager is everything to a team, LvG wanted them to play a certain way and they did, they had no choice, same with Jose, so it all comes back to him.

Personally I just want see someone come in with some energy, enthusiasm, and attacking style, some times you'd swear Jose was there as some sort punishment for him.

 

[GeorgieBoy]

Sometimes it feels as thought the players don't understand they're playing for Manchester United. We are the majority of clubs' biggest game of the year, and when we turn up at their ground they always give that extra 10% against us no matter where we are in the league. Feels as though often the players don't quite appreciate that and too often stroll through the game.

 

[Class of 63]

It wasn't even just one of those days was it. This is becoming too much of a regular event. The players were woeful and cowardly, yes cowardly. The manager is not much better. We need a risk taker as a manager. Jose is far too pragmatic and every decision he makes seems to be about proving himself right. I am sure he picked that team, in fact he has admitted it, to prove why Rashford and Martial aren't picked. Well you do not pay Russian Roulette with a football club just to make yourself look clever.

Lukaku being injured and it seems Sanchez was as well, so maybe he had no choice. So just say we had injury problems, don't turn it into a patting yourself on the back session.

Nail on the head, I was hoping one of, preferable both, Rashford and Martial would take their opportunity with Lukaku and Alexis missing to almost guarantee a place in the Cup Final 18(if everybody is fit one of them will probably miss out), but once I saw the midfield selected last night devoid of any real pace and with Pogba likely to stroll around I feared for them.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

The Herrera omission was very strange for sure, he just seemed intent on setting us up to fail last night, for whatever reason.

I do struggle to blame the players overall, the manager is everything to a team, LvG wanted them to play a certain way and they did, they had no choice, same with Jose, so it all comes back to him.

Personally I just want see someone come in with some energy, enthusiasm, and attacking style, some times you'd swear Jose was there as some sort punishment for him.

Think he wants Herrera for the West Ham game on Thursday. He seems to thrive when he is given responsibility, that is why his best games are when he has to do a marking job on the other teams best player. Which unfortunately for him seems to be the so-called big games. If he is saving Ander then at least give Scott a run out in midfield rather than Fellaini, at least he would have given us some energy. He bigged the lad up and now is rarely using him.

 

[Speedicut75]

We've now lost, away from home, to all of the newly promoted clubs. Not overly inspiring, but last night was an utter shitfest of a performance, so lets hope it shocks us into some kind of reaction, especially with the cup final on the horizon.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Nail on the head, I was hoping one of, preferable both, Rashford and Martial would take their opportunity with Lukaku and Alexis missing to almost guarantee a place in the Cup Final 18(if everybody is fit one of them will probably miss out), but once I saw the midfield selected last night devoid of any real pace and with Pogba likely to stroll around I feared for them.

Just said to @ C'est Moi Cantona that I was surprised he started with Matic, as he has been running on empty for a while now, why not have Herrera in there as he can do that job. If not that at least start with Scott instead of Fellaini. Either of them work hard and add some energy.

 

[Josh 76]

Losing to Brighton and Hove Albion will never be unlucky. It will always be crap.

Because we weren't unlucky today. Their keeper barely had a save to make

That's exactly my point!

 

[freddie the red]

Losses away to the 3 promoted sides and at home to the worst team in the division shows there is a real attitude problem in the squad to go with a dearth of top level skill and quality throughout it.
Match that with slow, narrow play, Chuckle Brothers passing and an over reliance on DDG and it's no wonder fans are questioning what's going on.
Big, big changes are desperately needed all round in the summer if we are to even get a sniff of City's coat tails next season and this finishing second lark is covering up huge cracks........Chelsea must be quaking in their boots for the final with this sort of form although we'll probably win it, get 2nd in the Premier League and the top brass will probably call it a great season with excellent progress.