[carlosp]

And mata to the left.

'Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.'

 

[Riz]

Excellent. I love how honest he is when analysing the game, discussing solutions, managing players morale. He just talks so much sense as well.

Forget Zlatan and Pogba, Mourinho's the best signing we've made.

Bring on the derby.

 

[RedFish]

Excellent. I love how honest he is when analysing the game, discussing solutions, managing players morale. He just talks so much sense as well.

Forget Zlatan and Pogba, Mourinho's the best signing we've made.

Bring on the derby.

Don't disagree with that.

 

[carlosp]

Apparently he has 'domestic' issues. Not surprised to hear that,as he looks distracted to say the least. A period on the bench is not disastrous for such a young and exciting player. His time will come again, and needn't worry about his future....

I know about his domestic issues but he still played badly against Southampton.

 

[JinnerJamie]

I was at the game today, I've seen the match stats and I find it bizarre that United had 29 attempts at goal. Hull defended really well they were so compact it easy to see how United struggled to break them down. Mkhitaryan was the game changer for me when he came on United went up a level, Martial was non existent to the point I'd forgotten he was playing until he came off. Tony 'the shin killer' Valencia was back today, Mata was poor, Rooney was shite but fair play to him for the assist, Ibra was boxed in and he couldn't get into the game at all.

Daley Blind his intelligence was something else, to see it live and not on TV you notice so much more. I was sat with my uncle and I was raving about him all game. For the rough and ready Bailly, Blind seems the perfect partner for him and Smalling his spot will be guaranteed this season.

The away fans were epic but breaking the advertising boards will probably land United in trouble. They created the atmosphere at the KC that I'd not heard there and it was so hard not to sing along with them.

I jumped out my seat at the winner...

 

[RedFish]

I know about his domestic issues but he still played badly against Southampton.

I'm agreeing with you mate.

 

[carlosp]

Excellent. I love how honest he is when analysing the game, discussing solutions, managing players morale. He just talks so much sense as well.

Forget Zlatan and Pogba, Mourinho's the best signing we've made.

Bring on the derby.

Love that his voice was hoarse as well. You just know he was shouting the whole second half.

 

[Lentwood]

That for me was out most pleasing performance of the season. Full package. Totally dominant, De Gea did nothing, 30 attempts, some top performances throughout the XI

Have to say, Blind was amazing again. He is such a classy footballer, for me it would be a big mistake to drop him

 

[horsechoker]

 

[TheReligion]

Dreadful but got a win. We'll get wrecked by City if we don't get our shit together by then

Eh? I'm not sure what game you watched but I thought we looked superb, especially second half, against a team that had 10 men behind the ball in terrible conditions.

Shaw, Valencia, Bailly and Blind very impressive.

 

[Organic Potatoes]

Rooney - great passes against Soton and Hull for the goals, deserves a lot of the stick but the man is some truer, has to be admired..…

He is still capable of the odd great moment. In fact, the last time I remember a late win like this was v. Fulham when he took an early throw-in, bulldozed his way down the right flank, and created a chance for Ashley Young. Maybe that was Newcastle instead...? They all look the same...it was LVG's first year.

Hopefully he won't keep playing 90 minutes every league match though. Nor Ibra, for that matter.

 

[Adisa]

The black guy in the middle of the picture trying to take a picture. 2016 for you.

 

[sunama]

I've enjoyed all our matches under Mourinho.

Same here.

 

[carlosp]

Daley Blind his intelligence was something else, to see it live and not on TV you notice so much more. I was sat with my uncle and I was raving about him all game. For the rough and ready Bailly, Blind seems the perfect partner for him and Smalling his spot will be guaranteed this season.

He really was outstanding. He intercepted so many balls before Hull became a threat, his intelligence is remarkable.

I still can't believe there are supporters here that praise Bailly and Shaw but don't mention Blind at all. Bunch of plonkers.

 

[PieCrust]

Just got to watch the game, Valencia was my motm prior to Rashford's goal. He was a constant outlet on the right and played several nice balls in. I was disappointed with our lack of ability to attack Hull in the middle of the park. Everything was created out wide, with hopeful crosses into Ibra. While that is not necessarily bad, it was glaring that Rooney just cannot make anything happen through the middle and Mata was marginalized today playing his inside forward role.

Thought Pogba was a bit dissapointing in his constant off target bombardments from range; certainly had some nice additions to the team, but just got tired of the awful long range efforts. Fellaini was solid again. Can't see Scheirderlin nor Carrick upsetting his spot any time soon.

Either Rooney or Mata need to be dropped for Mhkitaryan. I still think Mourinho is feeling out the Rooney situation (aka buying time) and is showing Mata some confidence in continuing to start him. That all said, Martial is off-form and could very well be the casualty, and deservedly so.

In the end, Mhki and Rashford changed the game. I'd love to see Rashford start for Mata and Mhki for Rooney. Maybe in Europa.

 

[Antisocial]

I was at the game, and can't overstate just how miserable the conditions were throughout - the rain just kept getting progressively worse. I thought just before half-time when Valencia slipped that someone would get injured if the rain didn't let-up during the break. Instead the damn rain just got worse

My point is that getting through a match in those conditions, against such stubborn opposition, with all three points already feels like a huge result

 

[2 man midfield]

The black guy in the middle of the picture trying to take a picture. 2016 for you.

What's Pogba doing with a phone on him? No wonder he had a quiet game.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Proper teasing a Rooney drop at 4:50.

 

[RedFish]

That for me was out most pleasing performance of the season. Full package. Totally dominant, De Gea did nothing, 30 attempts, some top performances throughout the XI

Have to say, Blind was amazing again. He is such a classy footballer, for me it would be a big mistake to drop him

If he had the physique and speed of Bailly I'd play him in a midfield three with Fellaini/Herrera and Pogba.


-------------De Gea---------------------
Valencia- Smalling- Bailly- Shaw

------Hererra/Fellaini - Blind-------
--------------Pogba----------------------

---Mkhitaryan-----Martial/Rashford-----

----------------Zlatan-----------------------

 

[sunama]

If he had the physique and speed of Bailly I'd play him in a midfield three with Fellaini/Herrera and Pogba.


-------------De Gea---------------------
Valencia- Smalling- Bailly- Shaw

------Hererra/Fellaini - Blind-------
--------------Pogba----------------------

---Mkhitaryan-----Martial/Rashford-----

----------------Zlatan-----------------------

So, Blind/Baily/DDG have the best defensive record in the EPL and you want to break it up?
DDG - our best player in the last 2-3 years - is getting lower ratings simply because he has nothing to do, as our defence is providing such good cover.
Unless, Baily and Blind mess up, I wouldn't change that defensive partnership.
I guess Mourinho also shares this idea.

 

[utdalltheway]

Funny how a win in shitty conditions can make you forget about the rain
Important 3 points I think as it showed the never give up attitude of the SAF years.

 

[Tincanalley]

No MOTD thread? Will be interesting to see what Ruud, Alan and Gary make of today. Must say Mou's old team look pretty decent. Weather v different in Watford than at Hull today!

 

[RedFish]

So, Blind/Baily/DDG have the best defensive record in the EPL and you want to break it up?
DDG - our best player in the last 2-3 years - is getting lower ratings simply because he has nothing to do, as our defence is providing such good cover.
Unless, Baily and Blind mess up, I wouldn't change that defensive partnership.
I guess Mourinho also shares this idea.

Maybe not, I just feel against CL opposition, Smalling's physical attributes would be more suited to the centre back role. I'm surprised how the opinion of Smalling has lessened. I had him as an automatic pick at the beginning of the season and still believe he'll end up as part of a first choice CB pairing with Bailly. That's no criticism of Blind who has been outstanding, and could play a number of roles in the team.

 

[JinnerJamie]

He really was outstanding. He intercepted so many balls before Hull became a threat, his intelligence is remarkable.

I still can't believe there are supporters here that praise Bailly and Shaw but don't mention Blind at all. Bunch of plonkers.

I think it's when watching games on the TV you only see what the camera allows, To see them in person you can get a wider scope on the game and you notice things you'd miss watching on TV. His reading of the game is just extraordinary, he knows where to put himself to give him the best chance at breaking an attack. He was my MOTM.

 

[carlosp]

It's funny now that Fellaini is injured, would Mike be a better call in the DCM with Pogba? His is tall and just needs to clear the lines while letting Pogba do the trekking. Won't want him replacing Blind. I know people will say they prefer Carrick but Smalling has speed and his short passing game fits Fellaini's mold. I wouldn't be against the idea of Mourinho using him in that position instead of Blind.

 

[Sigma]

No MOTD thread? Will be interesting to see what Ruud, Alan and Gary make of today. Must say Mou's old team look pretty decent. Weather v different in Watford than at Hull today!

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/motd-2016-17.420752/

 

[carlosp]

I think it's when watching games on the TV you only see what the camera allows, To see them in person you can get a wider scope on the game and you notice things you'd miss watching on TV. His reading of the game is just extraordinary, he knows where to put himself to give him the best chance at breaking an attack. He was my MOTM.

To be honest, on the TV I noticed all his interceptions too. He clearly reads the game so much better than Bailly(and last year Smalling). There was like three or four times during the game where he charged out, intercepted the ball and killed any possible threat. Then i saw him twice allow Shaw to to take care of the ball while he retreated in case Shaw lost possession getting ready to intercept if that happened. Then he has quite a few passes forward to the midfield or forwards, one intercepted by Hull out of like six or seven. Both he and Bailly completely shut out Hull. Beautiful performance from both.

 

[Reddevildans]

It's funny now that Fellaini is injured, would Mike be a better call in the DCM with Pogba? His is tall and just needs to clear the lines while letting Pogba do the trekking. Won't want him replacing Blind. I know people will say they prefer Carrick but Smalling has speed and his short passing game fits Fellaini's mold. I wouldn't be against the idea of Mourinho using him in that position instead of Blind.

Mike smalling in central midfield? Have you been drinking?

 

[Raw Cantona]

Yeah, he is a big donkey but he is our donkey ffs and we should love a fella that doesnt give up.

Love his attitude, hard to love some of his performances over his seasons.

The stick he's got has been well over the top but criticism is warranted, i've wanted to never see him in a United shirt ever again on a few occasions only for him to do well for a few games.

It still remains to be seen if he can keep it up over the course of a season, if he does then huge credit to both Fellaini and Jose.

 

[Rams]

Great 3 points, superb mentality shown by the team.
Can't believe people were suggesting that Blind could be sold, he's been our best player so far this season. Such an intlliegent footballer.

 

[RedPed]

1 goal conceded.

I was including the Charity Shield as it was technically the first game of the season.

 

[carlosp]

Mike smalling in central midfield? Have you been drinking?

Naa, just wondering if Smalling could do a Fellaini. Not 100% sure Carrick can, although Carrick offers something else. Schneiderlin maybe can too but haven't seen him training so wouldn't know.

Chris though could be as aggresive in the role as Fellaini I am sure.

 

[carlosp]

I was including the Charity Shield as it was technically the first game of the season.

Not really.

 

[RedPed]

Not really.

C'mon now. Keep it real.

 

[carlosp]

C'mon now. Keep it real.

Yeah you must.

 

[RedFish]

Great 3 points, superb mentality shown by the team.
Can't believe people were suggesting that Blind could be sold, he's been our best player so far this season. Such an intlliegent footballer.

Classically trained! There's no way I see him being sold. The challenge is finding his best role. I'm not convinced his LT future lies at centre back but he's been brilliant there admittedly...

 

[Ramshock]

Love his attitude, hard to love some of his performances over his seasons.

The stick he's got has been well over the top but criticism is warranted, i've wanted to never see him in a United shirt ever again on a few occasions only for him to do well for a few games.

It still remains to be seen if he can keep it up over the course of a season, if he does then huge credit to both Fellaini and Jose.

Aye thats fair enough.

 

[red_devil83]

Match of the Day made that look like it was an end to end game

 

[Android1974]

What formation did we play at the end?

According to Mourinho's statement in the interview at the end, it was something like this:

De Gea
Bailly–Fellaini–Blind
Pogba
Valencia–Mkhitaryan–Rooney–Shaw
Rashford–Ibrahimović
​

Regarding Rashford getting into the first team, Mourinho was quite honest: ‘with a bit of work’ he might play from the wing (Martial's place, I suppose, since we need more balance on the other wing); he insisted specially Rashford, as the striker he is, can play along and in front of Ibrahimović, but in games where we are ‘very dominant’. And who's to be dropped then? Rooney, the überundroppable? I'm not seeing that happening.

 

[carlosp]

The way he talks about Rashford in front of Ibra suggests that eitjer we have two strikers with Ibra just behind Rashford so a possible 442 or in the current format, Ibra playing in Rooney's number 10 role and Rooney then being moved out to Martial's position effectively playing in the role he played late in the second half.

 

[Adisa]

Whoever did the rating is a weapon.