[Dan_F]

They are professional footballers surrounded with a lot of recovery specialists and they are probably begging to play every game. As long as they feel fine and are not risking an injury they will be fine.
Bruno is a machine anyway. Never injured, always playing 90 minutes and running like a madman all game. How many games did he miss since he signed ? Very little I guess.

 

[Redlyn]

Hoofoot.

Thanks

 

[justsomebloke]

Key Takeaways for me:

1) Rashford will end up being our no.9. I don't think we will sign a starting striker, maybe a backup. He works well in the 4141. Bruno and Sancho benefit from his runs.

2) Sabitzer and Fred together are terrible. We survived the three games in spite of it. Sabitzer is not as good at DM as I thought he could be, Fred's positioning is terrible. Mctominay coming on brought more structure just from being slightly more defensive.

3) We've unlocked Sancho. Opening up his game to a more of a free role where he can float is really opening up his game. His passing accuracy in dangerous areas and his use of space is great through the middle. It could make us even better on the counter. His style right now has a touch of Odegaard about it. I'm excited about this because I can see him joining Rashford and Bruno into the world class realm, potentially being better than both if we can get him to consistency.

4) Maguire needs to be sold. As bad as Fred and Sabitzer were, what today exposed is that moving the ball through the back doesn't have to be a laborious as it was against Leeds last week. Fred and Sabitzer may have exposed our backline to threats, but it was Maguire who made our game when we had the ball tepid and indecisive.

Well, Sancho doesn't seem entirely unlocked yet. He's been great coming on, but he was dreadful the two games he started.

 

[bosskeano]

Key Takeaways for me:

1) Rashford will end up being our no.9. I don't think we will sign a starting striker, maybe a backup. He works well in the 4141. Bruno and Sancho benefit from his runs.

2) Sabitzer and Fred together are terrible. We survived the three games in spite of it. Sabitzer is not as good at DM as I thought he could be, Fred's positioning is terrible. Mctominay coming on brought more structure just from being slightly more defensive.

3) We've unlocked Sancho. Opening up his game to a more of a free role where he can float is really opening up his game. His passing accuracy in dangerous areas and his use of space is great through the middle. It could make us even better on the counter. His style right now has a touch of Odegaard about it. I'm excited about this because I can see him joining Rashford and Bruno into the world class realm, potentially being better than both if we can get him to consistency.

4) Maguire needs to be sold. As bad as Fred and Sabitzer were, what today exposed is that moving the ball through the back doesn't have to be a laborious as it was against Leeds last week. Fred and Sabitzer may have exposed our backline to threats, but it was Maguire who made our game when we had the ball tepid and indecisive.

i tend to agree with no 1 IF and it's a MASSIVE IF we can find a Winger of Quality that offers what Rashy does on the wing.

I completely disagree with 2....i thought Sabitzer played his role perfectly today. he moved the ball well, he stepped and counter pressed when needed and defensively was good. Fred was shit.

Curious honestly to see what Erik keeps doing wtih Sancho. Seems like he prefers Sancho as a 10 and not on the wing. Could bring some different strategies to the team.

Maguire absolutely needs to be sold

 

[Red Dreams]

With problems Juventus are supposed to be having, I would go for Cheisa.
Rashford and Cheisa would tear the Premiership to shreds.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Poor first half but second half was one of the most enthralling displays I’ve seen us put up for awhile. Absolutely tore them a new one and what I loved is that we came coming back for more - not settling for 2/3 nil. Reminded me of the SAF days especially when the team had its tail up and there would be wave after wave of United attacks.

 

[Jeffthered]

With problems Juventus are supposed to be having, I would go for Cheisa.
Rashford and Cheisa would tear the Premiership to shreds.

If Chiesa was available and wanted to join us, then this would be a terrific possibility.

But the Juve situation has some way to go. But I will say one thing, a manager could build a damn good team with players who may be (potentially) sold by Juventus and Chelsea.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

i tend to agree with no 1 IF and it's a MASSIVE IF we can find a Winger of Quality that offers what Rashy does on the wing.

I completely disagree with 2....i thought Sabitzer played his role perfectly today. he moved the ball well, he stepped and counter pressed when needed and defensively was good. Fred was shit.

Curious honestly to see what Erik keeps doing wtih Sancho. Seems like he prefers Sancho as a 10 and not on the wing. Could bring some different strategies to the team.

Maguire absolutely needs to be sold

1. Rashford seems to prefer playing on the wing. I don’t see him as a 9.
2. Agree, thought Sabitzer was good.
3. Agree, Maguire should be sold at the first opportunity.

 

[bosskeano]

1. Rashford seems to prefer playing on the wing. I don’t see him as a 9.
2. Agree, thought Sabitzer was good.
3. Agree, Maguire should be sold at the first opportunity.

agreed...i think Rashy prefers to play on the wing but his work load is much less as a 9. i think it'll come down to WHO they can bring in and at which position that suits the best for the club

 

[caid]

I'll like that a bunch of our forwards can play multiple positions on the pitch. Seeing Sancho drift wide from 10 or Bruno come inside from wide right and the comfort and familiarity they play the new position is kind of cool and impressive. Just makes us look really difficult to defend against. Or just manage games if we want to sit in and absorb some pressure for a bit then Rashford can go up front and Weghorst can drop into midfield and be a nuisance.
I was a bit skeptical of Bruno out wide but hes kind of taking to the role bit by bit and I think even if he winds up back in midfield he'll benefit from the experience. Be a bit more dangerous and have a couple more tricks when he does wind up out on the wing.

 

[croadyman]

If Chiesa was available and wanted to join us, then this would be a terrific possibility.

But the Juve situation has some way to go. But I will say one thing, a manager could build a damn good team with players who may be (potentially) sold by Juventus and Chelsea.

Yeah Locatelli/Vlahovic also talented

 

[Redfrog]

i tend to agree with no 1 IF and it's a MASSIVE IF we can find a Winger of Quality that offers what Rashy does on the wing.

I completely disagree with 2....i thought Sabitzer played his role perfectly today. he moved the ball well, he stepped and counter pressed when needed and defensively was good. Fred was shit.

Curious honestly to see what Erik keeps doing wtih Sancho. Seems like he prefers Sancho as a 10 and not on the wing. Could bring some different strategies to the team.

Maguire absolutely needs to be sold

Don’t worry, Mbappé is coming.

 

[Zed 101]

I'll never understand the DDG hate honestly.

For me it is that he isn't Schmeichel .... nobody ever measures up.... but seriously I think the issue is that De Gea has obvious weaknesses in his game namely distribution and command of his area, so when he doesn't have the best game, and yeah he has had poor games/incidents those get harped on just like any other player in the squad, we still have a thread asking if Rashford should be given a new contract or sold, if he has a bad couple of games people will be back on there saying he is done cash in!

 

[mark clatternburg]

1. Rashford seems to prefer playing on the wing. I don’t see him as a 9.
2. Agree, thought Sabitzer was good.
3. Agree, Maguire should be sold at the first opportunity.

How did Sabitzer stay on???? We were shilo for the whole second half, folded like a cheap suit. But, how Barnes was offside against Spuds, but your man wasnt, Ill never know.

 

[El Zoido]

Was up in the North stand and was right in line for Rashford’s second, we only mildly celebrated when he stuck it away because everyone was totally convinced he was offside. Couldn’t believe it when it was given. Football’s weird at times with VAR.

 

[tomaldinho1]

How did Sabitzer stay on???? We were shilo for the whole second half, folded like a cheap suit. But, how Barnes was offside against Spuds, but your man wasnt, Ill never know.

It clearly was onside with VAR - just a bad defensive line from your CB.

Re the Sabitzer tackle this season the refs are all over the shop and have been letting ankle/leg breakers go (see that Son challenge) so I don’t really know what they’re looking for at the moment. I do think Sabitzer was lucky though, as soon as your leg is high and studs are up you’re usually getting booked minimum.

 

[sjw2511]

How did Sabitzer stay on???? We were shilo for the whole second half, folded like a cheap suit. But, how Barnes was offside against Spuds, but your man wasnt, Ill never know.

He wasn't called offside... because he wasn't offside. Strange that this is even causing doubts after seeing the VAR lines

 

[lex talionis]

I was in the north stand right on line and Rashy looked inside, but when VAR takes control it’s anyone’s guess as to what will deemed onside or offside.

Sensational occasion. Would it be Vardy’s last visit to OT or is he returning next season?

 

[Withnail]

Bet they'll do a post match review and Sabitzer gets a red card.

Totally expected a loss, thought we'd be knackered and Leicester are flying high ATM. So happy with this result. To be fair, did think Leicester did not get a lot of calls they deserved.

Thursday subs write themselves. Casemeiro in for Fred, Varane returns for Lindelof. Dalot in for Wan Bissaka just to give them a different look and more attacking style for the return leg. Pedri/Gavi combo is a big loss for them IMO.

------------------------DDG--------------------------
Dalot------Varane----Martinez-----Shaw
-----------Sabitzer----Casemeiro------------
---Sancho------Bruno-----Rashford-------
------------------Weghourst----------------------

How did Sabitzer stay on???? We were shilo for the whole second half, folded like a cheap suit. But, how Barnes was offside against Spuds, but your man wasnt, Ill never know.

The ref didn't give a yellow and VAR reviewed it and it wasn't worthy of a red but VAR can't give yellows so he probably got away with it on that front. There was no force in it and he seemed to try to pull his leg back a bit. It certainly wasn't excessive force. I don't think they do retrospective punishments since VAR which I do find odd as they could still make mistakes.

As for the Rashford goal. He was played on by the guy in the middle. I'm not sure why anyone has an issue here. For those ones where there's distance between the players, it's impossible to tell from the camera angle due to perspective distortion. It's why the need to technology and the lines.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Good grief.

 

[red woppit]

It clearly was onside with VAR - just a bad defensive line from your CB.

Re the Sabitzer tackle this season the refs are all over the shop and have been letting ankle/leg breakers go (see that Son challenge) so I don’t really know what they’re looking for at the moment. I do think Sabitzer was lucky though, as soon as your leg is high and studs are up you’re usually getting booked minimum.

Looking at the Sabitizer tackle, he was high, and reckless, albeit it wasn't with excessive force, but we seen similar types of tackle getting red cards, and I think he was extremely lucky not to see red. If that was an opposing player on a United player most of you would want to see a red card.

 

[mark clatternburg]

I was in the north stand right on line and Rashy looked inside, but when VAR takes control it’s anyone’s guess as to what will deemed onside or offside.

Sensational occasion. Would it be Vardy’s last visit to OT or is he returning next season?

Naah, Vardy’s done.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Looking at the Sabitizer tackle, he was high, and reckless, albeit it wasn't with excessive force, but we seen similar types of tackle getting red cards, and I think he was extremely lucky not to see red. If that was an opposing player on a United player most of you would want to see a red card.

We’ve had Eriksen and VdB put out by bad tackles, I think refs are idiots but at least here, by not sending of Sabitzer, there’s some consistency

 

[red woppit]

We’ve had Eriksen and VdB put out by bad tackles, I think refs are idiots but at least here, by not sending of Sabitzer, there’s some consistency

I see your point, and what frustrates most fans is the inconsistency of refereeing and VAR decisions. I suppose Casemiro's sending off, and Sabitizer's non sending off could be said to balance out, but really every fan should not be influenced by the shirt that a player is wearing but by the actual event that happened. It's amazing how biased people can become when an incident happens to one of their own, and the red/blue/white/ mist envelopes them to find any tiny little reason that their own player is not guilty, or has been sinned against.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I see your point, and what frustrates most fans is the inconsistency of refereeing and VAR decisions. I suppose Casemiro's sending off, and Sabitizer's non sending off could be said to balance out, but really every fan should not be influenced by the shirt that a player is wearing but by the actual event that happened. It's amazing how biased people can become when an incident happens to one of their own, and the red/blue/white/ mist envelopes them to find any tiny little reason that their own player is not guilty, or has been sinned against.

Agreed that’s what makes this forum so difficult sometimes - as said I think Sabitzer was lucky but it seems to be something refs aren’t cracking down on this season.

 

[red woppit]

Agreed that’s what makes this forum so difficult sometimes - as said I think Sabitzer was lucky but it seems to be something refs aren’t cracking down on this season.

At the end of the day referees are only human I suppose, and will see things slightly differently, and VAR is there to ASSIST the referee, but I believe that referees are now not giving decisions on the pitch that pre VAR they would have done, but are waiting for the word from the VAR operator to 'look' at an incident, and consequently the VAR operator dictates the decision by only showing one angle of an incident, as with the Casemiro sending off. I'm sure that if the referee had seen the incident from another angle it would only have been a yellow card.

 

[Berbasbullet]

How did Sabitzer stay on???? We were shilo for the whole second half, folded like a cheap suit. But, how Barnes was offside against Spuds, but your man wasnt, Ill never know.

It's a camera trick! Camera angle is so misleading

 

[crossy1686]

I was in the north stand right on line and Rashy looked inside, but when VAR takes control it’s anyone’s guess as to what will deemed onside or offside.

Sensational occasion. Would it be Vardy’s last visit to OT or is he returning next season?

Back next season as player manager.

 

[IRN-BRUno]

Outstanding 2nd half, not been very often in recent years that you're hoping for a longer period of injury-time because it's that comfortable and enjoyable.

Could probably do with starting games a little better but overall it's great to see another home win, feels like the first time in years that teams will be starting to fear coming to OT again.

 

[Raw]

feels like the first time in years that teams will be starting to fear coming to OT again.

We actually have the second best home record in the league (2 pts behind City) which is impressive. Arsenal are 3 points behind with a game in hand, though their GD is worse. It's their away form that's got them in first place.

 

[Maticmaker]

I recognise that Marcus's two delightfully taken goals gave him MOTM, but for me it was D DeGea, his two fantastic saves and some poor finishing from Leicester prevented us from going in 1-4 down at half time.
However we survived it and the players no doubt survived ETH's wrath, to come out in the second half and win convincingly.

 

[justsomebloke]

Looking at the Sabitizer tackle, he was high, and reckless, albeit it wasn't with excessive force, but we seen similar types of tackle getting red cards, and I think he was extremely lucky not to see red. If that was an opposing player on a United player most of you would want to see a red card.

Could have been a red, definitely should have been a yellow. I guess he was saved by it being apparent that it wasn't intentional. The ref was standing close by and with a clear view, so can't imagine what else it could be. Good job that Faes escaped without injury, it looked really awful.

 

[owlo]

Could have been a red, definitely should have been a yellow. I guess he was saved by it being apparent that it wasn't intentional. The ref was standing close by and with a clear view, so can't imagine what else it could be. Good job that Faes escaped without injury, it looked really awful.

Yea, were that a red nobody could have complained at the ref. Good call I think albeit a marginal one. He did also pull back at the last moment though, but the main thing is the lad wasn't injured. All's well that ends well.

 

[Blood Mage]

I do worry that Bruno running himself into the ground as often as he does will result in a shorter career, that's basically what happened with Rooney. High chance he'll be spent by 31/32.

 

[BorisManUtd]

I do worry that Bruno running himself into the ground as often as he does will result in a shorter career, that's basically what happened with Rooney. High chance he'll be spent by 31/32.

My worry as well. He'll be 29 in September already.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Looking at the Sabitizer tackle, he was high, and reckless, albeit it wasn't with excessive force, but we seen similar types of tackle getting red cards, and I think he was extremely lucky not to see red. If that was an opposing player on a United player most of you would want to see a red card.

We would be wanting to see a red card, but if you look a lot of these types of tackles have not necessarily resulted in a red cards this season. The referees have allowed a lot of tackles to happen with only a yellow card as punishment. So I am not too surprised we got away with it. There are players doing this most weeks.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

How did Sabitzer stay on???? We were shilo for the whole second half, folded like a cheap suit. But, how Barnes was offside against Spuds, but your man wasnt, Ill never know.

Sabitzer should have received a yellow.
Didn't watch the Spurs game, but Rashford was onside. In my view, I think VAR should not be used for offside calls. I think the laws should be changed back to the "daylight" standard between attacker and defender. If they are close enough, as in you can't see daylight, then feck it, it's onside. I absolutely loathe that we have to do these VAR lines and shit. The offside law is to keep a player from gaining an unfair advantage, or goal hanging. I don't think VAR and lines drawn on the screen are needed.

Also, can we get our money back on the Maguire deal?

 

[Okey]

We would be wanting to see a red card, but if you look a lot of these types of tackles have not necessarily resulted in a red cards this season. The referees have allowed a lot of tackles to happen with only a yellow card as punishment. So I am not too surprised we got away with it. There are players doing this most weeks.

It was a red card type tackle, but didn't appear forceful. He certainly didn't go through on him. Garth Crooks hilariously called it the worst tackle he had seen in years. I wonder how he makes his teams of the week cos he clearly can't be watching football regularly.

 

[Okey]

Sabitzer should have received a yellow.
Didn't watch the Spurs game, but Rashford was onside. In my view, I think VAR should not be used for offside calls. I think the laws should be changed back to the "daylight" standard between attacker and defender. If they are close enough, as in you can't see daylight, then feck it, it's onside. I absolutely loathe that we have to do these VAR lines and shit. The offside law is to keep a player from gaining an unfair advantage, or goal hanging. I don't think VAR and lines drawn on the screen are needed.

Also, can we get our money back on the Maguire deal?

I agree. Every word.

 

[Red Royal]

I do worry that Bruno running himself into the ground as often as he does will result in a shorter career, that's basically what happened with Rooney. High chance he'll be spent by 31/32.

He has a very different body type and probably lifestyle to Rooney. Hopefully can keep going to his mid 30s