Our setpieces are a joke. Mata, a player on £100k + a week, can't even manage to get a freekick into the box. Absolute joke.
EL D Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg
Manchester United 1:1 Liverpool
Post-match discussion
Thu, 17 March 2016
Our setpieces are a joke. Mata, a player on £100k + a week, can't even manage to get a freekick into the box. Absolute joke.
Our short corners piss me off even more. Yesterday, and quite possibly once every game without fail, we end up passing it back to the CB/Deepest CM. Success.
What is weird is about the "coaching" point we were earlier, is that I've seen LVG comment many times after games that we need to "pass it faster", which worries me a little about what is going to happen under the new manager. Because if LVG sees that has an issue he's obviously trying to fix it.
Yeah, I didn't even wanna mention the quality of delivery
You would think a team struggling to score goals would try to use set pieces a little better.
You'd definitely take Coutinho. Mata used to be a more decisive player but no longer the case.
Firmino would definitely get in our present team as well, though he blows hot and cold.
Wouldn't take any others though.
A proper coach would have us a good distance ahead on the pitch.
Short corners are ridiculous in general (unless you have a short team or you need to waste some time) and we must be doing the dumbest version of them.
I think LVG is a big bullshitter and it is the main reason I have stopped watching interviews altogether. What he says in relation to what actually happens is so different that I have a hard time believing he's trying to change things.
Worse teams than us in terms of squads can play this kinda fast football. There is no way we cannot do better.
I supose short corners are fine when you have a team like Barcelona who are great when the ball is on the floor and have players that can destroy with the ball at feet and a team that can cut you open from any angle. We are turd on the ball and our short corners are easily nullified by getting a few bodies closing down the space leading to us passing it back like kittens.
The latter is probably true. Bournemouth play lovely possession football, yet we cannot. That probably says it all.
The first half wasn't very good either. Yes there was a lot more attacking intent but most of it was at the cost of the defense. We could have scored 2-3 more but so could have Liverpool.
I have been banging about it since last year: Van Gaal doesn't know how to balance defense and attack. Either we are ultra-defensive and depend on one or two attackers to produce moments of magic for us or we are so focused on attack that we badly expose our defense. He doesn't know how to build a cohesive football unit. For all the hullabaloo about us being a possession team, we can't hold possession when we up the tempo. It's either slow and meaningless possession, brainless hoofs or the hara-kiri we see in desperate situations like in games against Wolfsburg or Liverpool.
We're not great like, but that's a bit mad.
I really wouldn't, coutinho is a good player but I wouldn't put him in the top tier which is where we should be aiming. He blows hot and cold just as much as firminho too
Getting into the current United side is no big deal (fellaini plays every week!) I really feel like we're lowering our standards due to the shite we're being served
Couldn't agree more re a coach hopefully we'll have one soon eh
Last night could've been an historic night. For 30 minutes it was game on, they inexplicably, right on 36 mins we switched off. They smelt blood and that cruel goal on the bell killed the game. Cuda Wuda Shuda been soooooo different to the deflate feeling this morning 
Won't count Sturridge as he's always injured, but I'd take Clyne and Coutinho. Firminho is quite good, but not the kind of player I'd want at United. Looks a false 9/SS to me, and I'd rather we go get a proper CF instead. Can is a confusing one, sometimes looks woeful, other times look very good.
Am I the only one getting sick of players, more or less every week, is saying how we "need to pick our self up and go on a run" ?
I'm not really sure what else they are going to say, but seeing how Smalling, Carrick and the likes keep saying "We need to go on a run", "We need to get a win to get back on track" etc etc every week is just so... I dont really know. Tedious? Boring? Nah, not that.. but it's just so much..talk. Bah.
I'm not really sure what else they are going to say, but seeing how Smalling, Carrick and the likes keep saying "We need to go on a run", "We need to get a win to get back on track" etc etc every week is just so... I dont really know. Tedious? Boring? Nah, not that.. but it's just so much..talk. Bah.
I miss becksYeah, I didn't even wanna mention the quality of delivery
You would think a team struggling to score goals would try to use set pieces a little better.
Seriously beckham got so good because he did hours of practice. It's clear we don't do enough work on dead ball delivery
From Liverpool - assuming we had everyone fit - straight into our first XI I'd take Clyne, Sakho, Coutinho, Can, Sturridge (if he wasn't been a sulky twat... or injured),
Maybe Firminho over Mata behind Sturridge... though not completely sold on him just yet.
If you look back to our 3-1 victory over the Scousers there were only 3 players missing last night - Depay, Young and Shaw. From the 0-1 game at Slumfield we had CbJ and Rooney on the field. Overall the main spine of the squad has remained the same and so we can't blame injuries for our sudden drop in performances. The problem has to fall fair and square on LVG. His selections, his substitutions, and the game plans are all over the place. He is selecting not to lose and minimising the loss. Last night bringing on defenders when we needed to score goals was crazy, especially when the front players were looking increasingly exhausted. This highlights why the experiment with LVG has ended so badly - he simply doesn't understand who we are.
Fergie drove from the front but had a solid defensive base. LVG is defensive, cautious and plodding. The contrast between the two goes beyond simple attacking differences, we make no statements in games and we never know which team is going to turn from one game to the next. It's not just inconsistency, it's almost an entirely different team ethos with every game, which suggests LVG is playing to the opponents strengths rather than our own. Across both the Europa ties we never looked comfortable in our own space and for most of the 180 minutes lacked quality. The young players looked lost for ideas and none of the veterans stepped up with a major game play. Indeed the epitome of our vets performance was the Schweinsteiger foul on the edge of the box - he brought nothing to the game except his Bayern cynicism at losing.
It's been a torrid season of wasted and lost promises, another failed transition, and a manager who really is bereft of ideas for the modern game. With a squad of galacticos he did barely enough last season and now with a squad of youth he has not only been unable to inspire them to greater heights but is on the verge of doing worse than Moyes. Over four games against the Scousers we have declined and the one difference is clearly the change of manager. Klopp has tweaked Scouse culture with positive results, LVG has trashed ours and even told us we're at the end of history. For these reasons alone he should be removed.
Fergie drove from the front but had a solid defensive base. LVG is defensive, cautious and plodding. The contrast between the two goes beyond simple attacking differences, we make no statements in games and we never know which team is going to turn from one game to the next. It's not just inconsistency, it's almost an entirely different team ethos with every game, which suggests LVG is playing to the opponents strengths rather than our own. Across both the Europa ties we never looked comfortable in our own space and for most of the 180 minutes lacked quality. The young players looked lost for ideas and none of the veterans stepped up with a major game play. Indeed the epitome of our vets performance was the Schweinsteiger foul on the edge of the box - he brought nothing to the game except his Bayern cynicism at losing.
It's been a torrid season of wasted and lost promises, another failed transition, and a manager who really is bereft of ideas for the modern game. With a squad of galacticos he did barely enough last season and now with a squad of youth he has not only been unable to inspire them to greater heights but is on the verge of doing worse than Moyes. Over four games against the Scousers we have declined and the one difference is clearly the change of manager. Klopp has tweaked Scouse culture with positive results, LVG has trashed ours and even told us we're at the end of history. For these reasons alone he should be removed.
Difficult to describe.
I'm amazed at the commentators and pundits saying we played very well, as I really don't think we did. As far as what the teams needed to do, Liverpool were at least equal if not better and probably deserved two goals on the night again.
One thing with van Gaal is that when he picks what the majority of us think is the wrong team and things inevitably go wrong, he doesn't come out and say he got it wrong. It was evident to everyone that Carrick + Fellaini was not the duo to pick in this game, yet he does it anyway. He is so adamant and wants his decisions to pay off, but when he gets it right about one in every five games, surely he had to do something else? Maybe listen to another member of staff or his senior players? Who knows...
Anyway, the game was over after the first leg and we didn't score from open play in over 180 minutes. Come to think of it, the way LVG is playing at the moment we're in a goal drought. This will be overlooked, but we only managed an arugably dodgy goal against West Ham from open play in our last five outings...
I know the game was over at half time - the blame can be put on Varela and even De Gea to some extent (for once), but it was a combination of errors that stem from the team selection. Mata on the wing? He's not going to catch anyone tracking back. Slow midfield of Carrick and Fellaini, not going to be able to help the full backs as much. Another catalogue of errors that start with an odd LVG decision.
As for his substitutions, they left a hell of a lot to be desired. If he wanted to try and win the game, then Memphis had to be one of the changes. All three substitutions could be classed as like for like or even more defensive. I hope Varela's confidence isn't shot, and I suppose it's possible that Rojo had a Knock from Sakho's challenge. The only other thing I can think of is that the changes were to rest those players for Sunday...
Speaking of Sunday, I can't see us doing City in, even if Schneiderlin plays instead of Fellaini, despite them missing Kompany and possibly Otamendi. We just can't score at the moment.
I'm amazed at the commentators and pundits saying we played very well, as I really don't think we did. As far as what the teams needed to do, Liverpool were at least equal if not better and probably deserved two goals on the night again.
One thing with van Gaal is that when he picks what the majority of us think is the wrong team and things inevitably go wrong, he doesn't come out and say he got it wrong. It was evident to everyone that Carrick + Fellaini was not the duo to pick in this game, yet he does it anyway. He is so adamant and wants his decisions to pay off, but when he gets it right about one in every five games, surely he had to do something else? Maybe listen to another member of staff or his senior players? Who knows...
Anyway, the game was over after the first leg and we didn't score from open play in over 180 minutes. Come to think of it, the way LVG is playing at the moment we're in a goal drought. This will be overlooked, but we only managed an arugably dodgy goal against West Ham from open play in our last five outings...
I know the game was over at half time - the blame can be put on Varela and even De Gea to some extent (for once), but it was a combination of errors that stem from the team selection. Mata on the wing? He's not going to catch anyone tracking back. Slow midfield of Carrick and Fellaini, not going to be able to help the full backs as much. Another catalogue of errors that start with an odd LVG decision.
As for his substitutions, they left a hell of a lot to be desired. If he wanted to try and win the game, then Memphis had to be one of the changes. All three substitutions could be classed as like for like or even more defensive. I hope Varela's confidence isn't shot, and I suppose it's possible that Rojo had a Knock from Sakho's challenge. The only other thing I can think of is that the changes were to rest those players for Sunday...
Speaking of Sunday, I can't see us doing City in, even if Schneiderlin plays instead of Fellaini, despite them missing Kompany and possibly Otamendi. We just can't score at the moment.
This is seriously worrying. Looking at the faces of our players when they entered the pitch there is not really one where I thought "alright he will do it".
Maybe Martial to a certain extent but beside him?
Say what you want about Rooney but at least he always has a Goal in him.
We need technical leaders who make everyone better: 2 confirmed players at least are required next summer
I was surprised by the poor quality of our defence yesterday.
Our supposed good defence is a myth.
I was surprised by the poor quality of our defence yesterday.
Our supposed good defence is a myth.
Whilst watching that game last night, I couldn't help but think how much I can't wait for the season to end.
I was almost indifferent once Liverpool scored and just watched as we did our usual second half disappearing act. Did he not fire them up at half time? Well I think we know that answer?
Just not very interested in a competition to decide who is the 'best of the rest' in Europe.
Can't say I really know what the CWC was like, format wise, but I imagine it was better without half-arsed drop outs from the Champions League.
Yes, that goal was a real sucker-punch.
I don't think LVG is much of a motivator at all, although I don't really have any evidence to back up my claim, it's just a gut feeling based on his approach.
We need Jose.
It was just each leagues cup winners. Very straightforward knockout competition.
Does sound much more fun.
He's not reactive, he sets his game plan up in the week and if it works it works and if it doesn't it doesn't.
We do have a poor squad. This is why our GK is MotM every week and without him we might be halfway down the League. It's why the team is full of (promising) youngsters who aren't ready. Daley Blind is playing at CB, Fellain & a 'done' Carrick are our MC pair. The big hitters out injured are a barely coordinated perma-crock Phil Jones and Wayne 'everyone wants me dropped' Rooney. Oh and Young & Valencia who everyone loves. Basti S is topping up his pension & Luke Shaw, who it just be nice if he plays again.
Last edited:
When he was being used right in a midfield 3 for us even last season he was one of the most complete and technically minded midfielders in the league let alone United.
That's why he's still rated so highly.
I really would love to know what LVG writes in that fecking book of his. When he managed Holland in Brazil, he was up and down and more animated on the touchline. The only time he's got off his ass was when he did that comedy fall against the Gooners.
That being said though we should have finished Liverpool off over both legs...there was no excuse. His substitutions yesterday...what was he thinking??? And he reckoned we could score four because we put five past Midtjylland!! We couldn't even get the 2-0 which he was harping about. Makes that pre-match presser look even more ridiculous now!
Further humiliation to follow against West Ham and City. Can't wait!!
That being said though we should have finished Liverpool off over both legs...there was no excuse. His substitutions yesterday...what was he thinking??? And he reckoned we could score four because we put five past Midtjylland!! We couldn't even get the 2-0 which he was harping about. Makes that pre-match presser look even more ridiculous now!
Further humiliation to follow against West Ham and City. Can't wait!!
He always subs the defender (if not a senior one) if they are having a bad game, but only after they screw up and concede a goal. That is a reaction
And he got Herrera injured by telling him good job son!!
Seriously, what kind of an approach is that?
He is a dinosaur of a football manager (and well, a human to be honest).
Liverpool won the tie easy apart from a 20 minute window of hope. They were still making the better quality chances last night.
Although Lingard should have scored. I should edit Lingard into my previous post - just absolutely nowhere near good enough but in the team every week. Still a better pick than Memphis Bellend, mind.
Although Lingard should have scored. I should edit Lingard into my previous post - just absolutely nowhere near good enough but in the team every week. Still a better pick than Memphis Bellend, mind.
It was much more fun.
If my aging memory is right there was 3 competitions.
European Cup for league winners only.
Cup Winners Cup for Cup winners
and UEFA Cup for 2nd and 3rd in the league.
Nearly two years, a whole first team of players shipped out, £250m to put it right...indefensible! inexcusable!
I feel at the moment, what have is basically a competition designed to be a test for the coefficients - both the individual teams and the leagues.
Which isn't very exciting and, as I say, the only interest I can really see in it is the Champions League spot for the winner.
What a ridiculous post
Our players have got a lot of stick from fans and media, they have not been immune to criticism. And the role of our youth players is vastly exaggerated, the only one who's really impacted the side significantly this season over a longer period of time is an expensive signing Martial. It's not like we are playing teams full of great youth.I think the Europa League has been great this year.
Surely his plan was to punish Fellaini and Carrick for their weak performance last week by telling them to sort out what they'd screwed up in the first leg. Well that really turned out well, Louis.
An individual mistake cost us just before halftime and Louis showed how great he is with youngsters by taking the lad off asap. Wouldn't want him to have to work his way through this experience and grow, would we.
Just feck off!
An individual mistake cost us just before halftime and Louis showed how great he is with youngsters by taking the lad off asap. Wouldn't want him to have to work his way through this experience and grow, would we.
Just feck off!
Have any of the players put out blog/social media posts about how "we're disappointed...we need to improve" and all the usual bullshit they come out with every week?
I think that fact the result isn't what people wanted has blinkered the view of the game.
I couldn't watch live, and was working during the first half. So disappointed to see 1-1 at half time. Second half I browse redcafe (largely negative comments from usual suspects) and online live commentary (largely positive).
Later in the evening I saw the full match. We are in no way as shit as people make out. Sure ww could have done with some quality and composure at times, but overall the effort and play was not clueless. Really impressed by Martial and Rashford.
There is a difference between not being good enough and being shit.
Find it really strange that one comment was we had more attacking intent, but that left us open at the back. Shock horror.
Man of the Match
Runners-up
-
32%
David de Gea
-
5%
Marouane Fellaini
-
5%
Marcus Rashford
-
3%
Daley Blind
-
1%
Michael Carrick
-
1%
Jesse Lingard
-
1%
Chris Smalling
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 353 ratings.
Score Predictions
305,127,117
- Man Utd win
- Liverpool win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 16% Man Utd 1:1 Liverpool
- 15% Man Utd 3:0 Liverpool
- 14% Man Utd 2:1 Liverpool
- 8% Man Utd 1:2 Liverpool
- 7% Man Utd 2:0 Liverpool
- 5% Man Utd 1:0 Liverpool
- 5% Man Utd 0:2 Liverpool
- 4% Man Utd 3:1 Liverpool
- 4% Man Utd 0:1 Liverpool
- 4% Man Utd 4:1 Liverpool
- 3% Man Utd 0:0 Liverpool
- 3% Man Utd 4:0 Liverpool
- 2% Man Utd 5:0 Liverpool
- 2% Man Utd 0:5 Liverpool
- 2% Man Utd 2:2 Liverpool
- 2% Man Utd 0:3 Liverpool
- 2% Man Utd 1:3 Liverpool
- 1% Man Utd 3:2 Liverpool
- 1% Man Utd 1:4 Liverpool
- 0% Man Utd 5:1 Liverpool
- 0% Man Utd 0:4 Liverpool
Match Stats
- Man Utd
- Liverpool
- Possession
- 59% 41%
- Shots
- 17 13
- Shots on Target
- 3 7
- Corners
- 5 3
- Fouls
- 14 11
Referee
Milorad Mazic
Man Utd Lineup
-
-
-
replaced by Matteo Darmian
-
-
replaced by Antonio Valencia
-
-
-
replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger
-
-
-
