Pleased with the win, we've managed to avoid a replay which is always good and through to the quarter finals with a decent home draw.
First half I was concerned by how exposed Shaw was from a lack of cover from Sanchez in front of him, looks as though that was rectified over half time because I don't really remember much down that side in the second half but Huddersfield did tire a fair amount. Defensively as a team I thought we was sound, there's still far too many clearances where we're pretty much hoofing the ball away only for the opposition to pick it up and attack us again, we need to be calmer in those situations and attempt to play out from the back with a bit more finesse. Down the years of watching United I get frustrated by how often we pass back to the keeper, this should only happen as a last resort when all other scenarios are out of the question, there was one from Young today which resulted in a corner and it was just so sloppy.
I thought the midfield three did ok, I think they was almost bypassed for a lot of the match. The chances of it happening are low but I would be concerned if we had that midfield against better opposition, I think they would get eaten alive.
It was nice to Gomes on the bench again and also Hamilton. The chances of him playing were always going to be slim anyway but it's a nice moment for the lad and great Mourinho putting some faith in the youth. No following the Guardiola (Inventor of football) trait of having six substitutes.
My first place position at the top of the score predictions would be all the more greater if my 3-0 prediction was correct. Although the Mata goal was correctly ruled out for offside, the whole situation surrounding VAR is just farcical and is making a mockery of the sport. I'm not a fan of it and I never wanted it, if I'm not mistaken it is supposed to be used if a clear error has been made, I think it's clear to see that it wasn't a clear error, there was such fine margins in it. The decision took far too long to be made, even after it was made there was an awful lot of doubt, it took about 45 minutes from the coverage on BT and multiple replays to conclude that yes it was offside. If it is going to work it needs to be far more efficient, like the goal line technology is, some sensors in the goals and a referees watch to decide whether or not it has gone over the line or not.
VAR works well in cricket because it's a slow sport, which is fairly stop start anyway because of overs etc. I'm not a follower of rugby league but I've heard it's not been good and has made the sport the worse for it. I just hope we don't see this come into football, I don't want to see us score a goal have that raw emotion of us fans and players celebrating to be taken away because the referee turns around and goes "Oh hang on, I need to check this".