[K2K]

Nice shift, you said he didn't imply any of that, but actually Mourinho explicitly said it.

I have read that supposed statement multiple statements many times and still yet to see any issue.

The certainly is a problem here, but it's certainly not Mourinho's or Martial's relationship but some choosing to use statements for their own silly confirmation biases.

Believe what you want to believe, as long as it helps you sleep better at night I guess.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Look, you're entitled to think simply that, no problem. But reports now are saying the player's fine, so I'm also entitled to think Mourinho was slightly upset because Martial forced him to took him out when he didn't want to. We'll just see, and then if Martial starts the next game, I guessed you'll be right. But for a moment you reminded me of fans last season hiding the head in the sand when someone suggested Mourinho had a problem with Martial.

I hope he is fine. But he was definitely limping when he was subbed. I saw it. The commentators mentioned it. Surely you noticed?

 

[sunama]

We will never win in a game where the opponent put 4 past us. This team needs to wake up and wake up fast.

You are right. We need to score at least 5 goals a game, from here on in, otherwise we could be looking for a new manager this January.

 

[sunama]

But you also have to mention CSKA. That was one of the most abject performances I can recall seeing in the CL. Their lack of effort and organisation in the first half was truly remarkable.

...or could it possibly be that we made them look/play that way?
In the 2nd half at least, they definitely worked hard and put together a few attacks, ultimately scoring a goal.
I just feel that CSKA are not as bad as the scoreline suggested. Their problem is that they came up against an attack, which was in form.

 

[Bastian]

Masterclass performance. Missing Pogba but ticking along nicely, in the most machinelike fashion I've seen from a United team (until around the 75min mark when we sort of dropped in concentration levels). Jose is making this team confident and ruthless.

Even if Martial and Rom had good games, I think those saves Dave pulled off were absolutely world class. MOTM for me. Best keeper around.

 

[Acole9]

Pleased with the convincing win, was only expecting either a draw or narrow win. Couldn't believe how bad CSKA were. First time also I've seen a ref behind the goal give any kind of decision.

 

[AdnanRED]

Anyone else think with the formation yesterday Martial seemed like he had a bit more freedom in his play? I'm still a fan of our 4231 but I don't mind this formation occasionally, we will probably be using it vs the better teams.

 

[mitchmouse]

Have to say, that was way easier than I ever hoped it could be. They were truly awful at times, although some of that was down to how good we were: pressing high, right in their faces, making amazing runs and finding space. People are saying DDG made great saves, which he did but it could have been seven or eight if not for Akinfeev. What a difference from last year when we would have been one up and conceded late on...

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

This guy had obviously been reading the 'Flattering to deceive' thread and it lulled him into a false sense of security...

 

[mitchmouse]

Pleased with the convincing win, was only expecting either a draw or narrow win. Couldn't believe how bad CSKA were. First time also I've seen a ref behind the goal give any kind of decision.

yeh I thought that about the ninth assistant! no idea when the ref didn't see it himself!

 

[Bastian]

I don't think saying CSKA were terrible does our play justice. Our passing game was crisp, we had every player playing well, which is rare. This is what Mourinho did at Chelsea, turned them into a machine. We've always complained that we lack ruthlessness, yesterday was very much a case of being ruthless. Let's not take anything away from such a great performance away from home in Europe.

 

[broccoli]

If you think CSKA were bad, wait for Benfica. But of course José will rest players since he's always so nice to that bunch.

 

[Bestietom]

Another 4 goals scored when will we score more than 4. Ref didn't help much with their late tackling.

 

[marlowe78]

That was way, way too easy for a European away match. CSKA were incredibly poor. Of course, we helped to make them look poor with Martial, Mkhitaryan, and Lukaku all firing. The CSKA centrebacks looked like they didn't want any part of Lukaku and let him have his way with them. Herrera and Matic were also given space to work in and ran the game from midfield. It could've easily been 6 or 7 if not for the goalkeeper. Even Blind and Darmian had a shout from in close.

What's really irritating about the goal we allowed is that it didn't come from a world-class strike or some brilliant turn of play. It was avoidable if Bailly was more committed to stopping the run and we didn't keep letting passes get in behind during the last 10 minutes or so. Like in the Burton match, it didn't really matter but one day it might. The way we were defensively alert against Southampton last week should be how we always go about it.

This was still a very good win for us and puts us in great position for moving through to the knockouts. I thought Benfica had a spot locked up in our group but...apparently not . If we can get another 3 points there, that should allow us to play a weaker team for the last couple of games (so long as Jose chooses to do that...).

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

What's really irritating about the goal we allowed is that it didn't come from a world-class strike or some brilliant turn of play. It was avoidable if Bailly was more committed to stopping the run and we didn't keep letting passes get in behind during the last 10 minutes or so. Like in the Burton match, it didn't really matter but one day it might.

for goodness sake!

 

[Charlie Foley]

I hope he is fine. But he was definitely limping when he was subbed. I saw it. The commentators mentioned it. Surely you noticed?

Heaven forbid our manager take a precautionary measure with one of our players, right?

But what would we know, compared to such an accomplished body language expert.

 

[misterredmist]

Fine performance, Martial fantastic....did a 5th official really give a decision ? I wonder if Golovin is on our radar ?

 

[Shimo]

I can only assume you're a CSKA fan.

Think the implication is that we haven't scored 5 yet with all the 4 goal games we've had - so bit of tongue-in-cheek.

 

[Shimo]

What's really irritating about the goal we allowed is that it didn't come from a world-class strike or some brilliant turn of play. It was avoidable if Bailly was more committed to stopping the run and we didn't keep letting passes get in behind during the last 10 minutes or so. Like in the Burton match, it didn't really matter but one day it might. The way we were defensively alert against Southampton last week should be how we always go about it.

I'd not be irritated but, happy. We travelled a long way, changed time zones and the players were able to take it easy for most of the second half. With the injuries we have, the travel back and another game on Saturday - we should be ecstatic that the player did not have to be fighting desperately till the end, exhausting themselves physically and mentally. I'd be the opposite if we the team went full throttle and then either injuries or not enough in the tank for a long trip back and the game on Saturday.

 

[Denis79]

Another 4 goals scored when will we score more than 4. Ref didn't help much with their late tackling.

Yeah terrible offensive display from our part, CSKA were terrible. Don't understand how we can miss so many chances.. Ha! =)

 

[Sterling Archer]

I sense a lot of hesitation in praise of our performance, attributing it to a poor CSKA. Indeed, had they converted their early chance the game may have played out less comfortably but we have the best keeper in the world for a reason..to make saves when there is a lapse. Aside from that, a couple 'lapses', it was imo a terrific performance. Easily one of the most dominant displays away from home in the CL I've witnessed from any United team.

 

[Foxbatt]

Bailly has a habit of switching off. It his switching off that created the first goal against Everton too.

 

[caid]

CSKA weren't terrible but they did gift us 2 pretty cheap goals.
You'd be pretty furious if a united player gave away that penalty or the air kick for the third.

I thought it was one of our better performances this season though and normally I'd say CSKA are at least as good as Stoke or Southampton.

 

[Pavl3n]

Great performance. Martial, Romelu, Matic, Ross and Dave all exceptional but I can't really fault anyone to be honest.

Who is Ross?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Who is Ross?

The guy in Friends?

 

[RU Devil]

Anyone else think with the formation yesterday Martial seemed like he had a bit more freedom in his play? I'm still a fan of our 4231 but I don't mind this formation occasionally, we will probably be using it vs the better teams.

The 3 in the back definitely unleashed Blind & Martial. Those 2 were rampant in the top 1/3 of the pitch. Not so sure it would work vs good teams, but I'd like to see it tried. Seemed CSKA weren't ready for that formation and allowed way too much space for our attackers. I do like Jose's tactical flexibility, and the team seems well drilled in the execution of his game plans.

 

[Twisted Nerve]

We just handed CSKA biggest defeat at home in their entire history

In Europe though right? Not in all competitions?

 

[sunama]

The guy in Friends?

Ross played for us yesterday?
What was he like?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Ross played for us yesterday?
What was he like?

Pretty invisible to be fair.

 

[Nikelesh Reddy]

Excellent performance.Solid at the back,disciplined in the middle and world class quality up top.We are looking scary right now....

 

[ghagua]

Very good performance and result. Need to get both Rashford and Martial starting games alongside Lukaku and Mkhitaryan. Let other teams worry how to contain them.

 

[JMack1234]

I thought it was a very good tactical approach by Jose putting Mhki, Martial and Lukaku 1v1 against their ancient back line the poor little lambs didn't stand a chance.

 

[AdnanRED]

The 3 in the back definitely unleashed Blind & Martial. Those 2 were rampant in the top 1/3 of the pitch. Not so sure it would work vs good teams, but I'd like to see it tried. Seemed CSKA weren't ready for that formation and allowed way too much space for our attackers. I do like Jose's tactical flexibility, and the team seems well drilled in the execution of his game plans.

Yeah I do think he should give it another go the formation vs lesser teams in cup games, I also think it wasnt too bad of a choice either as we have had CM injury issues so might aswell utilize the cbs in different formations, he knows how to keep players happy for now woth the game time too.

 

[wolvored]

Say what? In other games we've scored multiple goals in the last few mins! We were away in Moscow and had absolutely dominated the game so no wonder that we slowed up a bit towards the end.

Long term it could be a problem. It happened albeit to a lesser degree against Burton

 

[oldhand]

I noticed that Bailly lets the attacker gets goal side of him a lot. It happened against Southampton too. He does this even when he has the start on the attacker too.

Think i was more impressed by Bailly last season, making errors too frequently, we did keep a high line and they had a couple of decent attacking players last night. Martial was immense, so great we sung his song continuously through whole of half time, we scored more last night than in all our previous moscow games added together. Based on what I saw at old Trafford don't expect Basel to win in moscow

 

[oldhand]

Those grey kits aren't too bad from a distance.

From half way back in upper tier they looked more white than grey

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

Long term it could be a problem. It happened albeit to a lesser degree against Burton

Slowing down when you're 4-0 up isn't a problem!!

 

[Coops73]

The guy in Friends?

AKA Henrikh Mkhitaryan

 

[DomesticTadpole]

AKA Henrikh Mkhitaryan

 

[wolvored]

Slowing down when you're 4-0 up isn't a problem!!

Lets hope your right, but do you think Mourinho would have been happy when both 4-0s ended up 4-1 due to tiredness/carelessness?