[Jaytay]

I thought we played well, just a shame we couldn't keep them out at the end.

 

[Spoony]

ok. you have convinced me

If we're honest we can force ourselves to be positive.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We played well, as we did Stoke, and Derby, but if I was a journalist would I not be justified in ask LvG why the heck it has taken him so long to get their arses into gear?

If it was LvG's first season I'd be swooning over what was to come next season, but we've had all that, and here we are sitting 5th with a very limited chance of getting top 4, it is abject failure which ever way I look at it.

Smalling has come out and said that the players now understand how he wants them to play. I would say not entirely. Also why has it taken all this time, time that has been wasted. Why not just look at your players and play to their strengths instead of bashing them over the head for nearly two seasons and still see them fail.

 

[AKDevil]

I've been seeing alot of people on here being fairly positive about todays result.

Personally I don't understand it at all. I was bored most of the game, didn't think we played well, not many chances created and at the end of the game we gave the points away after some terrible defending.

I was expecting/hoping us to run over Chelsea and take them by the throat for 90 minutes. Scoring a couple of goals and taking the much needed 3 points.

Not saying we were bad for the entire game, we started well and also had a good period in the start of the second half, goal from Lingard was class and all that but the rest of the game was not up to the standard I want to see United play. We were to scarred of Chelsea, showing them too much respect, win was up for the grabs and we lacked the quality once again to do it.

The games are better than in december, lets say instead of relegation fodder we are playing midtable form right now. Still not good enough in my opnion. Take a look at the table and see how Leicester, Spurs etc play and then you realize how fecking poor we are and that top 4 is out of reach.

Ok forgive me, only read last page and seemed most negative, which is every posters' right. Chelsea maybe 13th but it's still Chelsea, still top, top players who know how to perform in big games. Plus a ground we've traditionally struggled at. Personally think it's asking a bit much to go to Chelsea and steamroller them despite their season. They're no mugs. To perform like we did for most of game I felt was reason to be positive. Even way we defended last 20 was understandable. That close to a result it's natural to sit back and defend lead. Agree with LVG, mistake we made was when we got chances to clear/keep ball we just hoofed it anywhere rather than for space touch to get a breather and in case of Memphis we all know what happened.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Smalling has come out and said that the players now understand how he wants them to play. I would say not entirely. Also why has it taken all this time, time that has been wasted. Why not just look at your players and play to their strengths instead of bashing them over the head for nearly two seasons and still see them fail.

Smalling talks crap though, LvG came in and said it'd take 3 or 6 months (can't remember which) to get his style and Philosophy across, not 18 months! If Smalling says they are only just getting it then that reflects even worse on LvG.

Like I say we've had all this loitering around 5-6 th for ages now, last year we went on a sudden surge where everyone said things had clicked, and that surge eventually got us over the line in 4 th, I just don't see a similar scenario this season, and even if we did go on some sort of great run now which scrapped us into the 4 th spot, so what, no doubt LvG would have us believe he has just done something that warrants a knighthood, but in reality we just haven't progressed at all, but it could well save him his job.

 

[Silverman]

Smalling talks crap though, LvG came in and said it'd take 3 or 6 months (can't remember which) to get his style and Philosophy across, not 18 months! If Smalling says they are only just getting it then that reflects even worse on LvG.

Like I say we've had all this loitering around 5-6 th for ages now, last year we went on a sudden surge where everyone said things had clicked, and that surge eventually got us over the line in 4 th, I just don't see a similar scenario this season, and even if we did go on some sort of great run now which scrapped us into the 4 th spot, so what, no doubt LvG would have us believe he has just done something that warrants a knighthood, but in reality we just haven't progressed at all, but it could well save him his job.

This was the season we were to win the title in LVG's 3 year plan.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Smalling talks crap though, LvG came in and said it'd take 3 or 6 months (can't remember which) to get his style and Philosophy across, not 18 months! If Smalling says they are only just getting it then that reflects even worse on LvG.

Like I say we've had all this loitering around 5-6 th for ages now, last year we went on a sudden surge where everyone said things had clicked, and that surge eventually got us over the line in 4 th, I just don't see a similar scenario this season, and even if we did go on some sort of great run now which scrapped us into the 4 th spot, so what, no doubt LvG would have us believe he has just done something that warrants a knighthood, but in reality we just haven't progressed at all, but it could well save him his job.

I think the results won't be bad, but I don't think the teams above us are going to collapse. Last season we were never this cut adrift.

 

[Gasolin]

Smalling has come out and said that the players now understand how he wants them to play. I would say not entirely. Also why has it taken all this time, time that has been wasted. Why not just look at your players and play to their strengths instead of bashing them over the head for nearly two seasons and still see them fail.

No, LVG is right to do something else than just playing on the strength of players because if those players are limited, they are just limited. If Smalling and the team understand now better, good. Football is first and foremost a matter of brain and hard work to be able to deliver technical touches in the most instinctive way.

 

[goin4glory]

Rooney was awful, Lingard scored a good goal but looks out of his depth.

 

[Gerald G]

For 70 minutes we played a really good game. I literally had to take a nap to try and get over the disappointment.

But most of our players played well but our game management from the 70th minute to the end was atrocious. We didn't attempt to keep the ball, just kept smashing it up the field and sat back so deep.

We invited the pressure and only have ourselves to blame for that. This team seems to be incapable of holding on to a 1 goal lead. Teams will usually have a couple chances to score if we're winning by a goal only usually to get saved by De Gea. For example, Mourinho's teams usually with that 1 goal lead going into the last 10 minutes, you would find it hard to create chances but not with us.

It's a constant problem which occurred last year too. We have a bunch of bottlers. In 3 of our the last 5 games we have conceded late goals to Southampton(0-1), Newcastle (3-3) and today vs Chelsea. It really isn't good enough and that has cost us 5 points in our last 5 games.

Darmian's best performance & great to see him back to his best. So impressed with CBJ too.

The goal we conceded, there was about a couple mistakes. Firstly, Memphis gifting away the ball so easily when we had a great chance to finish the game off. Then most of the blame for the goal goes to Blind for me - even though he had a good game. Coming stepping out to track Terry was nonsensical given that it meant Costa would be unmarked. Also there was a little inexperience and naivety from CBJ.

However, on the whole I still think it is promising - in terms of the performance. But we really need to learn how to see games out. Top four looks really slim and highly unlikely so maybe we need to take the Europa league seriously.

 

[ravi2]

Fellani gets a lot of shit here but he has been very good for us.

its van Gaal that needs to be subbed.

Fellaini played well today as did CBJ.
Memphis should go after this season, I just fail to see what he offers us....both he and LVG should be sent packing.

Lingard scored a good goal but did little else, he is looking like Kieran Richardson v 2.0

 

[Gasolin]

Fellaini played well today as did CBJ.
Memphis should go after this season, I just fail to see what he offers us....both he and LVG should be sent packing.

Lingard scored a good goal but did little else, he is looking like Kieran Richardson v 2.0

Memphis will show something else next season but this season, he needs to be grounded so that he learns what football is about: winning with class.

 

[ravi2]

Memphis will show something else next season but this season, he needs to be grounded so that he learns what football is about: winning with class.

What makes you think that?

 

[The red panther]

So what I'm gathering is that you believe United should have just stuck with Moyes? United could have had Baines instead of Shaw and Steven Naismith instead of Martial? The league this year is more competitive and United don't have enough quality. If Moyes was current manager from November through today, United would really be midtable, like 9th and instead of a shout of CL, United might well be struggling for top-half of the table.

LVG and staff have righted the ship since the New Year and the players are fighting and have a belief of winning, this was not the case with Moyes. December 2015 was so diabolical, just too much went against United. As we've always believed, you can't win the league before December, but you sure as hell can lose it or give yourself a bitch of a time.

Did I say that ?

No I was happy Moyes got firred. What United should have done is they should have firred LVG after the Bournemouth game and signed Mourinho and they should have opened the chequebook and gone on the transfermarket to strenghten the team in whatever they could. That is what they should have done.

They haven't righted the ship at all. They are just a bit less shit but far from good enough to attain the goals they should be attaining. The only thing that went against United in december was LVG. The way he set ups to play, his stupid substiutions (remeber Powell coming in versus Wolfsburg). Imo he hasn't turned the corner, we are still playing bad, not getting the desired results and his substiutions are still all wrong (Taking off Fellaini, brining on Memphis etc..). The man is so out of touch with the game it is painfull to see.

Claims about anysort of upturn are ridiculous, we are a bit less shit but still pretty shit is a far better description of our current situation than turning a corner, righting the ship or having a good performance. I'll say it one more time, if people find this a good performance, they standards for what is a good performance have massively dropped and I don't want to be a part of that. United is a massive club, there has been massive investment in the squad no for two years, the team should be doing alot better, at the very least they should be in the top 4 or within touching distance.

 

[Alex Styles]

We need to resurrect the "Bye bye top 4" thread!

 

[edcunited1878]

Did I say that ?

No I was happy Moyes got firred. What United should have done is they should have firred LVG after the Bournemouth game and signed Mourinho and they should have opened the chequebook and gone on the transfermarket to strenghten the team in whatever they could. That is what they should have done.

They haven't righted the ship at all. They are just a bit less shit but far from good enough to attain the goals they should be attaining. The only thing that went against United in december was LVG. The way he set ups to play, his stupid substiutions (remeber Powell coming in versus Wolfsburg). Imo he hasn't turned the corner, we are still playing bad, not getting the desired results and his substiutions are still all wrong (Taking off Fellaini, brining on Memphis etc..). The man is so out of touch with the game it is painfull to see.

Claims about anysort of upturn are ridiculous, we are a bit less shit but still pretty shit is a far better description of our current situation than turning a corner, righting the ship or having a good performance. I'll say it one more time, if people find this a good performance, they standards for what is a good performance have massively dropped and I don't want to be a part of that. United is a massive club, there has been massive investment in the squad no for two years, the team should be doing alot better, at the very least they should be in the top 4 or within touching distance.

United have to earn their position, CL position or not. And they aren't good enough. It's disappointing sure, but they aren't good enough at the moment.

The winter transfer window was more active for the Chinese League than it was for the Premier League. No good player who was going to make United better was going to move and it proved that way. Today's performance, for the most part, has been par for the course or better compared to previous years away to Chelsea. United have lost once since the New Year, twice have dropped points from winning positions late in the match. Southampton have won five in a row, with 3 in the back and are getting the results, yet aren't playing anyone off the park.

Until United are mathematically out of a CL spot, then we'll all be able to say that the season has been a failure and continue to reflect on the rights and wrongs of the season.

 

[ManUArfa]

What are we doing bringing on an attacking player who is low on confidence and wants to prove himself when we're in the 92nd minute and hanging on to a 1:0 lead?

 

[PieCrust]

unforgivable?!

get some perspective man

kid had a super game and you can't crucify him over that

He cost the team 2 points today with his mental error. It's not like his positioning was debatable; he lost focus terribly.

It's not like I have some sort of personal hate for the kid, he just f'd up and it cost the team.

 

[buckooo1978]

He cost the team 2 points today with his mental error. It's not like his positioning was debatable; he lost focus terribly.

It's not like I have some sort of personal hate for the kid, he just f'd up and it cost the team.

It's a poor choice of words to say it was 'unforgivable'.

He made a mistake in the game but was outstanding otherwise - tell me one United player who hasn't cost us points in the past

It's a very immature view to have but that's just my opinion - think about how many errors De Gea made early on learning through trade - we're talking about a kid who has about 5/6 starts

Like I said a bit of perspective would be useful - he didn't kill someone

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Infuriating game to watch. Played well until we scored, and then just crumbled after that.

Couldn't keep possession when we needed to. Had a chance to seal the game, but Memphis being Memphis means that's not happening.

No idea what Blind was doing for the goal either. So disappointing. LVG's subs again not good.

 

[PieCrust]

It's a poor choice of words to say it was 'unforgivable'.

He made a mistake in the game but was outstanding otherwise - tell me one United player who hasn't cost us points in the past

It's a very immature view to have but that's just my opinion - think about how many errors De Gea made early on learning through trade - we're talking about a kid who has about 5/6 starts

Like I said a bit of perspective would be useful - he didn't kill someone

It's an error that I pointed out. It happened to be at the end of the match and cost the win. These are facts. In my view, you cannot be 2 or 3yards behind the CB's playing an attacker onside. Nothing more than that.

 

[snk123]

Positives: Darmian and CBJ have really worked on their crosses, CBJ has a great perfection in that cross with pace in front of the keeper and behind the defence. Need Martial and Rooney to make more of an effort to get there.

 

[2 man midfield]

With the top 4 sides playing eachother next week, closing the gap is assured if we can beat Sunderland. That's why closing this game out was so important. Now we're 6 points off the champions league places, and it does not look good for next season. We need to make sure Van Gaal is waved off this summer and we get Jose to stop the rot, because another year under LVG, or the wrong choice for his replacement could be disastrous.

 

[noodlehair]

We were decent until the goal and I don't think what happened after had much to do with LVG...I didn't like the changes at all but what happened was that nearly all our players revealed themselves to have no composure/bottle when it came to killing the game or seeing it out...something which happens literally every time we're a single goal up late in a game. When we get away with it it's usually because De Gea bails us out after we gift a late chance away.

That's why I think blaming only Depay is a bit weird considering no one else was doing anything other than punting the ball straight back to a Chelsea player anyway.

Also, we, and people in general, need to get around this idea Chellsea are this really good team who people keep out playing with soome super human effort and getting miracle results against. Every time they get out payed or don't win it's treated like the opposition came up with their best performance of the season, when the reallity is Chelsea are just a poor side this season. They could barely keep the ball more than two passes when we were pressing them...they have a high number of players in their team who's average performance level is, well, average. They just aren't that good at the moment, even with their supposed improvement. We should have seen the game out against a team we were a little bit better than, rather than act like we were a goal up against Barceona and about to face an onslaught.

LVG was actually dead right in his post match interview. when it got late in the game we weren't even trying to play. The room was there if we had wanted to.

 

[Fitchett]

I just pointed that out. We cannot keep possession when the opposition wants the ball. We only keep it as a result of the opposition allowing us to in order to pick us off on the counter.

This. It really is so annoying after watching all the pointless possession play this season when the score is 0-0, that we can't do it when we need to. Saw a caption after about 85 mins, that Chelsea had 93% possession in the previous 10 minutes. We must learn to keep possession when we are in front and kill the game off. This cost us at Wolfsburg, Newcastle and again today.

 

[Jacob]

There's 13 games still to play, I am confident given how we're playing lately. All teams are capable of beating each other this year.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We were decent until the goal and I don't think what happened after had much to do with LVG...I didn't like the changes at all but what happened was that nearly all our players revealed themselves to have no composure/bottle when it came to killing the game or seeing it out...something which happens literally every time we're a single goal up late in a game. When we get away with it it's usually because De Gea bails us out after we gift a late chance away.

That's why I think blaming only Depay is a bit weird considering no one else was doing anything other than punting the ball straight back to a Chelsea player anyway.

Also, we, and people in general, need to get around this idea Chellsea are this really good team who people keep out playing with soome super human effort and getting miracle results against. Every time they get out payed or don't win it's treated like the opposition came up with their best performance of the season, when the reallity is Chelsea are just a poor side this season. They could barely keep the ball more than two passes when we were pressing them...they have a high number of players in their team who's average performance level is, well, average. They just aren't that good at the moment, even with their supposed improvement. We should have seen the game out against a team we were a little bit better than, rather than act like we were a goal up against Barceona and about to face an onslaught.

LVG was actually dead right in his post match interview. when it got late in the game we weren't even trying to play. The room was there if we had wanted to.

They do seem to drop back when they take a lead. Against some teams it might work and you get a chance to attack again after their good spell. Chelsea for all they are having a bad season have some really good players and it was a recipe for disaster. If he was not happy though, why not get up and tell them. Saying after the event is not much use.

 

[VeevaVee]

I'm now 90% sure Martial is an android.

Walks like one
Looks like one
No expression ever other than stern generic

 

[antsmithmk]

Ref seemed to want to be the star of the show, not the football today.

 

[RRCE]

This was an extremely frustrating match, and losing points stings. On the one hand, we played well for most of the match. Given the way we completely laid down after taking the lead, however, I certainly can't say we deserved three points. But for De Gea, we would have lost, and we'd be having a different (albeit familiar) discussion.

In normal circumstances, a draw at Stamford Bridge isn't a result to get too upset about. Today, however, the game was there for the taking. Really, though, it's all of the thrown away points throughout the season that will have done the damage. We've left ourselves with virtually no room for error from here on in. I wish we had the squad to go on a long winning run, but I just don't see it. Top four will be a very big task now.

 

[The red panther]

United have to earn their position, CL position or not. And they aren't good enough. It's disappointing sure, but they aren't good enough at the moment.

The winter transfer window was more active for the Chinese League than it was for the Premier League. No good player who was going to make United better was going to move and it proved that way. Today's performance, for the most part, has been par for the course or better compared to previous years away to Chelsea. United have lost once since the New Year, twice have dropped points from winning positions late in the match. Southampton have won five in a row, with 3 in the back and are getting the results, yet aren't playing anyone off the park.

Until United are mathematically out of a CL spot, then we'll all be able to say that the season has been a failure and continue to reflect on the rights and wrongs of the season.

Exactly so stop calling this a good performance, they aren't good enough at the moment so stop applauding every little thing they do right and looking over everything they do wrong. United isn't good enough, todays performance also wasn't good enough. It may be the best result in SB compared to previous years, it is also the worst Chelsea team in years so that don't make it a good performance from us.

The same issues were on display yet again. Can't get through a well organised defensive team because we lack tempo and creativity Can't handle getting seriously pressured by a team. We won't win shit like that and until the team starts doing something about these issues, they should receive absolutley zero credits from the supporters.

Call it like it is, it is bad, we are shit. Don't go saying this was a good game, it wasn't. If we play like this in the next coming games we won't be getting in that top 4, simple as that.

 

[edcunited1878]

Exactly so stop calling this a good performance, they aren't good enough at the moment so stop applauding every little thing they do right and looking over everything they do wrong. United isn't good enough, todays performance also wasn't good enough. It may be the best result in SB compared to previous years, it is also the worst Chelsea team in years so that don't make it a good performance from us.

The same issues were on display yet again. Can't get through a well organised defensive team because we lack tempo and creativity Can't handle getting seriously pressured by a team. We won't win shit like that and until the team starts doing something about these issues, they should receive absolutley zero credits from the supporters.

Call it like it is, it is bad, we are shit. Don't go saying this was a good game, it wasn't. If we play like this in the next coming games we won't be getting in that top 4, simple as that.

Nobody cares if the performances aren't up to a particular standard, as long as they get the necessary results. Today they needed a win and had it and lost the points. Chelsea aren't as bad as they were once Hiddink has taken over, same can be said of Southampton in January. United play other teams too and they want to win also. Just because United are who they are and have the history that they do doesn't mean shit.

United should receive absolutely zero credits from the supporters when things don't go their absolute best way? Fickle much?

 

[Spock]

A simple mistake by our makeshift CB is what cost us the three points.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I'm very surprised with the reaction on here, best performance we have out in at the bridge in years! I guess it's a sign of the times that Utd fans just are just plastic glory supporters who only care for the result. We played well, ended the game poorly but you expect Chelsea to push late on at their own ground. It's hard to take I agree but the reaction here is a joke.

 

[noodlehair]

I'm very surprised with the reaction on here, best performance we have out in at the bridge in years! I guess it's a sign of the times that Utd fans just are just plastic glory supporters who only care for the result. We played well, ended the game poorly but you expect Chelsea to push late on at their own ground. It's hard to take I agree but the reaction here is a joke.

It's the poorest Chelsea side I can remember us playing in a very long time, and that includes pre-Abramovic. I don't think many people have an issue with the performance anyway. It was the reaction after we scored and panicking instead of seeing the game out. When you do everything to win a game then throw it away yourselves it is frustrating and people will naturally pick at reasons why it might have happened.

Actually I'm not sure why I'm responding to this as the plastic glory supporters bit is such complete condescending drivel.

 

[Zoo]

On MOTD they highlighted Carrick screaming at Memphis and Schneiderlin to get back in the lead up to their equaliser. It's very frustrating considering our poor record at Stamford Bridge over the years and that we need to close the gap on the top 4.

 

[Green_Red]

Ummmm... weve picked up 14 from the last 39.

You dont think form is going to matter?

 

[Michael T]

This was an extremely frustrating match, and losing points stings. On the one hand, we played well for most of the match. Given the way we completely laid down after taking the lead, however, I certainly can't say we deserved three points. But for De Gea, we would have lost, and we'd be having a different (albeit familiar) discussion.

In normal circumstances, a draw at Stamford Bridge isn't a result to get too upset about. Today, however, the game was there for the taking. Really, though, it's all of the thrown away points throughout the season that will have done the damage. We've left ourselves with virtually no room for error from here on in. I wish we had the squad to go on a long winning run, but I just don't see it. Top four will be a very big task now.

I agree with almost all of your post, it sums up my feelings too. However, I disagree about us not having the squad to go on a long winning run.

I think the emergence of Borthwick-Jackson, the massive improvement in Lingard playing on the right and the return to earlier form of Darmian, has helped massively in the positions we were weakest in. That, along with Rooney hitting form, Carrick back and the likes of Schweinsteiger and Jones returning soon means we do have the squad to go on a winning run, providing we continue to play in the same vein as in the last few games.

Plus, *he said hopefully* we're a team that traditionally push-on from about this point in the season aren't we...

 

[jem]

Agree with many of those points, but a few disagreements.

• Fellaini should have stayed on. If anyone should have been subbed, should have been Carrick. Fellaini and Schneiderlin together could have dealt with the physical presence Chelsea posted. Schneiderlin with his pace could have alse helped his defenders. Everyone knows that they'll by umpteen crosses coming in when chelsea are going for the equalizer.
• I think the Herrera-Mata sub came after the goal was conceded if I am not mistaken. So can't be a run down of the clock. I noticed many people say on the match thread he was looking tired, so maybe he should have come sooner. He's also quite tall, could have helped out in defence more than Mata.

LvG certainly doesn't get any blame for this. Brainless Memphis and inexperience cost us that goal. I felt CBJ should have gone to the goal line in case Costa tried to get around DDG. It seemed the tackle put DDG off. But apart from that, agree with most of what you say.

Agree with you on the first bolded point (mainly because I was worried about Carrick's possibly being injured,) and suspect you might be right on the second. Still, I can't really point to either substitution as being a head-scratcher (unlike so many previous LVG subs.)

 

[ManUSarge]

knew it was coming. pissed me off.