[adamwest]

If you say so, it wasn't anything to do with Leicester being an absolute shambles.

You're a barrel of fun. Enjoy your pessimistic, anxious outlook mate. After the shambles we've been dished up recently and in the last few years, today was an absolute tonic. We bossed them after the first goal, gave them no room to breathe, passed it around for fun and tired them out. It was a dominant performance.

 

[Florida Man]

Is 9:35am ET too early to start?

Espresso martinis so you can wake up while you're at it

 

[Fergus' son]

Agree with Souness just then. We can do much more from open play but we were wasteful with the last pass and finishing

I agree too, but we had two other great opportunities with Rashford and Ibra.

 

[kouroux]

Thought he achieved a good balance today. There were a few runs in behind, and whenever he dropped deep, Rashford was making the diagonal in behind, something which Martial in comparison is really poor at doing.

Exactly. This is exactly how to get the best out of him from an individual POV and how he'll most help the team too.

 

[VanGaalEra]

Is there a wanking smiley?

 

[adexkola]

At Rooney getting the lowest rating.

 

[11101]

DDG 6 - couple of dodgy kicks in otherwise quiet game, little he could have done about the goal
Valencia 7 - standard Valencia performance
Smalling 7 - very good
Bailly 8 - even better, was getting stuck in everywhere
Blind 8 - brilliant. Whether at LB or somewhere else, he has to play
Herrera 9 - brilliant in the holding position
Pogba 9 - his best game yet, showing what he can do when given the freedom
Mata 9 - probably MOTM. He was linking everything together in the 10 position
Lingard 6 - probably our quietest player. Maybe a little out of his depth and let Gray get the shot away for their goal
Rashford 8 - as usual constantly stretched Leicester's defence
Zlatan 8 - didn't score but otherwise played the lone 9 role perfectly


Hard to say our best 11 now.

DDG
Valencia - Bailly - Blind - Shaw
Herrera - Pogba
??? - Mata - Rashford??
Zlatan

 

[Nik70]

Souness talking absolute bollocks here.

What did he say?

 

[mitchmouse]

Not going to get carried away - Lester were very poor, especially in defence. There were long periods when Mata and Lingard were anonymous - 20 minutes in I thought I'd misheard Mata's name in teh line-up because he was even mentioned. Of course, hte Rooney haters will say aha, se but the better balance came from Herrera next to Pogba instead of Fellaini (and I'd still pick Carrick ahead of Anders). Also it hard to believe that for three years now we haven't ahd a recognised right back. Valencia just doesn't do it for me. ON a plus note, Pogba's best game (well, best half) and Zlatan was huge; he is so strong plus another good performance from Bailly

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Souness talking absolute bollocks here.

Neville not doing any better.

 

[devips]

Two pointers for future:

1. Luke Shaw may not find it easy to come back now. Blind was terrific. And his corners made all the difference today.

2. If Rashford becomes a starter from now on, then only the Lingard spot is up for grabs in the attack, with both Mkhi and Martial competing.

 

[spwd]

Why were they chanting "Fat Granit Xhaka" when Rooney came on?

Feck sake it took me a while

Rashford, Pogba, Lingard, Herrera and Mata

Bailly, Ibra, Blind?

 

[prath92]

Haven't enjoyed a dominating half this much since our 3-0 win vs Spurs in April 2015

 

[pauldyson1uk]

one decent game against a poor team , does not mean out problems are over.
Leicester are poor PL Champions.
We need to do this against Chelsea , Liverpool Arsenal and City, not score 4 goals every game that wont happen but look like a team that wants to win games.

 

[Manny]

Jose - "Rooney is my man"

And Neville air quoted "United are better without Rooney", suggesting the press will be jumping the gun...

 

[BennyBlanco]

If you say so, it wasn't anything to do with United being brilliant.

See what I fecking did there? Take your killjoy attitude elsewhere.

Calm down,
Summary of the game. We started so-so for the first... 15mins or so, got the first goal from a corner and Leicester completely collapsed with poor mental mistakes, we played well up until the end of the half with 3 of the 4 goals coming from corners and poor defending, 2nd half Leicester took off their 2 star players and we became sloppy on the ball for 20mins, our subs came on and we killed off the game.
It was a nice win, next game please.

 

[Yorkeontop]

I'm not getting carried away, we were awful a week ago, Leicester helped us out.

 

[Nik70]

Not going to get carried away - Lester were very poor, especially in defence. There were long periods when Mata and Lingard were anonymous - 20 minutes in I thought I'd misheard Mata's name in teh line-up because he was even mentioned. Of course, hte Rooney haters will say aha, se but the better balance came from Herrera next to Pogba instead of Fellaini (and I'd still pick Carrick ahead of Anders). Also it hard to believe that for three years now we haven't ahd a recognised right back. Valencia just doesn't do it for me. ON a plus note, Pogba's best game (well, best half) and Zlatan was huge; he is so strong plus another good performance from Bailly

Are you serious? Mata kept us ticking. Short little passes that kept the ball moving - unlike Rooney who would often times turn the ball over or slow play down. Valencia has been briliant this season IMO. Herrera did play well. I agree there.

Leicester may have been poor but you have to remember that last year we could barely get 4 shots on goal let alone score 4 goals.

 

[markhrad]

Very enjoyable first half. Was worried that Zlatan may be getting discouraged by his lack of service, however, today he could not complain, I like how pogba and him seem to be forming an understanding.
Really liked all the passing in and around of the box during the first half, one-twos, through passes and the like, finally.
If martial can recover his form/ confidence we will be extremely dangerous going forward, Rashford and Lingard are exciting but are not as effective dribblers. Traditionally, we have always had a great dribbler in our championship teams.

 

[Catt]

He supports Liverpool.

Ahh, I see.

 

[Carolina Red]

Not today buddy.

Good enough for me then!

Espresso martinis so you can wake up while you're at it

I like your style sir!

 

[bleedred]

The pundits were right all along..

This is the result we get when we play Rooney in his best position!!!

 

[.Rossi]

State

 

[ExoduS]

Above average performance and amazing result. Would love that link ups between players were more dynamic and faster. Again, amazing result! Need to keep working on creating more chances from open play and need to get Pogba more involved into attack! Thought Matta, Ibra, Rashford and Blind were great. I expect more from Lingard and Pogba.

 

[Raw]

Really loved this quote from Neville about today: "That's the first time in years I've seen Man United drill a team into the ground and say 'you're not coming back up again'".

 

[Shiva87]

Great game. We blew Leicester off in a 20-25 min spell and cruised through the remaining game. It was great to watch. Has been a while.

1. Blind was exceptional at left back. If there is a player we should find a way to keep in the team its him. His intelligence really shows.
2. Pogba dominated the game and played in a more box-to-box role today than any of the other games. His influence in the last third was immense.
3. Everytime Mata touched the ball, I couldn't help thinking, that's a good no. 10. Very good with his passing and movement.
4. Rooney would have to look at that and take a hard look at himself. If he can't fit into a new role for the team, he won't be here for too long.
5. Hererra played like an upgrade on Fellaini (and was very impressive), but I don't think he is the long term solution to the holding role.

 

[horsechoker]

State

This is what a PhD from dabversity looks like

 

[peridigm]

Jose - "Rooney is my man"

And Neville air quoted "United are better without Rooney", suggesting the press will be jumping the gun...

Well many had him starting after Jose comments yesterday. I think he could start next game but not surprised if he doesn't.

I bet we start next match with same lineup.

 

[prath92]

Actually thought DDG was a little sloppy with his distribution today (just 2 instances but still not God mode like the last 3). The only complaint for me today

 

[Shiva87]

Really loved this quote from Neville about today: "That's the first time in years I've seen Man United drill a team into the ground and say 'you're not coming back up again'".

Couldn't agree more!

 

[DomesticTadpole]

This is what a PhD from dabversity looks like

A Double Dab.

 

[DocRockter]

Even Liverpool scored four against Leicester.. The Soton game is still our best one this season..

 

[Earthquake]

This is what a PhD from dabversity looks like

Dabception.

 

[OohAahMartial]

We've been struggling with trying to work out our best back four, but think we may have found it. Blind and Bailly were terrific, and we need Blind in the team for his corners and intelligent football, he was a clear improvement on Shaw (who I think is still rusty after such a long lay off).

Before the game the midfield was a concern for many. Turned out to press very well in the first half, and have the creativity and technique to play one touch and one twos. Obviously Mata and Pogba had their best games this season and moreeee than enough to keep Rooney on the bench. Second half they tired and Ranieri's substitution made it harder but Carrick coming on regained control, and was the right time to play possesion football (after 4-1 up not at 0-0).

Zlatan could have had a few and was linking up well, Rashford was always a threat and together created good counter attacks and opportunities. Lingard did better, got an important game under his belt and got an assist. He tends to create more linked up and cohesive play when he's on the pitch, especially last season, rather than a winger though.

Overall this was the reaction we've been waiting for from the team and manager and full credit to Mourinho for dropping Rooney and overloading the wings to exploit Leicester's tactic of forcing wide.

We smashed the Champs for 4 in the first half and can't ask for more than that!

 

[An Irish Red]

Today just highlighted how much of a hindrance Rooney actually is. There's no way we should start him again in any match of importance. Let him play the europa league matches and the cup games.

Herrera should be first choice also.

 

[Nighteyes]

Brilliant stuff.

Next thing we need to work at keeping up the good football for a lot longer.

 

[Nik70]

Great game. We blew Leicester off in a 20-25 min spell and cruised through the remaining game. It was great to watch. Has been a while.

1. Blind was exceptional at left back. If there is a player we should find a way to keep in the team its him. His intelligence really shows.
2. Pogba dominated the game and played in a more box-to-box role today than any of the other games. His influence in the last third was immense.
3. Everytime Mata touched the ball, I couldn't help thinking, that's a good no. 10. Very good with his passing and movement.
4. Rooney would have to look at that and take a hard look at himself. If he can't fit into a new role for the team, he won't be here for too long.
5. Hererra played like an upgrade on Fellaini (and was very impressive), but I don't think he is the long term solution to the holding role.

Agreed. Blind could play in that number 6 role although I think Carrick is good there too. Herrera did a great job today though.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

You're shit ahhhhhhhhhhh.

More like "we're...... good... ahhh".

 

[jem]

one decent game against a poor team , does not mean out problems are over.
Leicester are poor PL Champions.
We need to do this against Chelsea , Liverpool Arsenal and City, not score 4 goals every game that wont happen but look like a team that wants to win games.

Thank god we have posters like you to keep us grounded.

 

[Reddevildans]

one decent game against a poor team , does not mean out problems are over.
Leicester are poor PL Champions.
We need to do this against Chelsea , Liverpool Arsenal and City, not score 4 goals every game that wont happen but look like a team that wants to win games.

Didn't see the game. Will watch it tonight. Any scoreline above 2 has to be welcomed considering we hardly break it. A cluster of 4 goals in quick time is always a good sign. Confidence will improve. Rooney being out isn't the only factor why we scored 4 goals today but it was significant considering the awful performance's served by him in such an influencial position. Whether you like it or not Leicester are champions and are a good team. They'll beat good teams this season so it's a good performance against a good team. We play on Thursday and stoke next Sunday do let's hope we put in dominant performance's in those games too.