[mitchmouse]

There is no better game to turn a corner around than this and I'm so glad for ETH because he had to make big calls and it was not easy to do that when facing Liverpool with two defeats already. For all love I have for Ronaldo, he was one of my childhood heroes, I was really happy and excited about a game when I saw Maguire, Shaw and Ronaldo out of starting 11.

The great reaction by the player. It was really refreshing to see Malacia and Martinez playing very aggressively and alert instead of our usual passengers. Even De Gea, who I don't like, actually came a few times from the line to sweep and help defense. Have to mention Varane, great performance and he was leading a back line as I didn't see in our team for a while.

If Martial stays fit he should be our first choice #9, I was sure that his United career is over so credits to ETH because what he showed in the preseason and last night is encouraging and our attack actually looks good with him as a focal point. I hope for Rashford that this goal can bring him back to life, he was my favorite player before his massive drop in form so I would really like to see him playing confidently again.

I remember when OGS said something like no teams should run more and work harder than United, so he was also aware of these team issues. But I also remember when he tried to press PSG high first half at OT and Martial and Lingard was subbed off with injuries so if it is true in reports about us wanting both Gakpo and Antony then the club should really get it done - to play with this intensity constantly we need more numbers, especially in attack.

I also liked Eriksen's post-match interview, he actually trolled a team a little bit saying something like "it was actually good to play with players who are willing to run". Great pass from him for the first goal and a shame that his free kick didn't find a net. McTominay was present in the midfield but also delayed passes a few times and instead of progressing the ball he got caught by opponents and risk dangerous turnovers.

All in all, really hope the team can kick on from this performance and learn that you should work harder than the opponent to earn the right to win a football game. Also, this game and a few new signings should not remove focus from ongoing general unhappiness with the ownership of the club.

can't agree with the bit about Martial. His hold-up play in general isn't good enough - we need someone stronger (which is why I wanted halaand, among other reasons) and I'm afraid he just won't score enough goals. We need someone who puts away half chances: Martial misses really good ones not just tiny ones

 

[Yorkeontop]

The hope kills but it also revives.

 

[Ady87]

Work in Liverpool city centre so today has been fun.

Malacia the standout. Happy to play a counter attacking style with that youth and pace upfront. A night where all out 1-2's paid off when they usually don't and lots of confidence in the passing and decision making. I'd be happy if we played like this every week.

 

[IRN-BRUno]

Excellent performance. Usually would be pretty nervous in that situation at the end but actually felt calm and confident we'd hold on. Just need to see that more regularly now, go again at Southampton and prove it wasn't a one-off in a derby.

Must have been some pressure on Martinez given the comments in the media for the past week but he was superb. I had doubts about his fee but if he can maintain those standards he'll certainly be worth it.

Malacia also outstanding, not going to find many tougher tests than going up against Salah on your first start but he showed he was more than up to the job. I like Shaw but Malacia definitely deserves a long run in the side now.

Pleased for Rashford too. He's clearly deserved criticism for his performances in the last year but some of it has been way over the top. It's only a start but hopefully that'll help get his confidence back up and he keeps putting that effort in.

 

[Lux Thunder]

can't agree with the bit about Martial. His hold-up play in general isn't good enough - we need someone stronger (which is why I wanted halaand, among other reasons) and I'm afraid he just won't score enough goals. We need someone who puts away half chances: Martial misses really good ones not just tiny ones

Although I can agree that he is not the most clinical attacker, I can't disagree more with you on the part about his hold-up play.

Last night he won almost every duel on the ground and/or dribbled out against Liverpool's defenders in situations when he received the ball with his back to the goal. His skills, vision, positioning and movements are pretty good and we badly missed him first two games as he is far more superior than our other options in terms of link-up play and bringing other players into the game.

If he can continue to do it consistently, he would easily be ETH's first choice for that position.

 

[Sassy Colin]

https://youtube.com/shorts/ihkigXYXIQU?feature=share

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I was really happy with how we responded to their goal. No panic, nothing daft... Just saw the game out very comfortably.

I think having Varane and Martinez backed there helped... They're both such cool customers.

 

[mu4c_20le]

I was really happy with how we responded to their goal. No panic, nothing daft... Just saw the game out very comfortably.

I think having Varane and Martinez backed there helped... They're both such cool customers.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I was meaning more in play - but yeah that was daft... as was him not going to the corner in the 94th minute and playing a Hollywood ball instead, but in general we handled it well.

 

[UnitedSofa]

 

[Eplel]

Think Salah would save a lot of time there if he just let Bruno have the ball and not create an episode.

 

[Water Melon]

Who was voted MOTM?

 

[Ibi Dreams]

Think Salah would save a lot of time there if he just let Bruno have the ball and not create an episode.

Yeah it was completely pointless. And it was our ball anyway so don't really know what Salah was trying to do

 

[Lux Thunder]

Apparently, Salah earned a bonus point on Fantasy for his determination and desire to take the ball from Bruno.

 

[AbusementPark]

Salty, United played great football and done a very professional job. Yes Liverpool had more possession but it was by design, we soaked up the pressure and hit on the break. We were comfortable for 80mins until Salah scored and then seen out the rest of the game with ease.

If Liverpool were the better team then we would have faced an onslaught in the last ten minutes, it didn't materialise.

Fantastic result and performance to build on.

 

[TsuWave]

slapping these bozos just feels different. I'm going to have a great rest of the week

 

[AbusementPark]

Who was voted MOTM?

Gave it to Rashford, think Martinez was better. Even still, difficult to pick one last night, for good reasons this time.

 

[The Sad Clown]

Seems very apparent we've seen this before - way too many times. Under Solskjaer there were more than a few of these types of victories. Not against Liverpool admittedly but against City and others. All it lead to was giving people the entirely false perception that the team had turned a corner when in actual fact it was just once again the wrong kind of blip. I think the same will be true this time but the worst part is that during the period it takes for this team to revert to type, fans simply regress into a state of denial for as long as they can.

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

 

[dks17]

Seems very apparent we've seen this before - way too many times. Under Solskjaer there were more than a few of these types of victories. Not against Liverpool admittedly but against City and others. All it lead to was giving people the entirely false perception that the team had turned a corner when in actual fact it was just once again the wrong kind of blip. I think the same will be true this time but the worst part is that during the period it takes for this team to revert to type, fans simply regress into a state of denial for as long as they can.

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

username certainly checks out

 

[AbusementPark]

Seems very apparent we've seen this before - way too many times. Under Solskjaer there were more than a few of these types of victories. Not against Liverpool admittedly but against City and others. All it lead to was giving people the entirely false perception that the team had turned a corner when in actual fact it was just once again the wrong kind of blip. I think the same will be true this time but the worst part is that during the period it takes for this team to revert to type, fans simply regress into a state of denial for as long as they can.

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

I had the same thoughts also after the game but watching it back through, the team showed a togetherness not seen before in a long time. The manager has a game plan and knows how to implement it and has proven pedigree at doing it with previous teams.

Yes Ole got us some fantastic unexpected results but I just feel this team and manager have something different about them. We have bought players who know the system and what’s expected from them and I’m hoping this feeds into the rest of the squad. Another thing to note is, the players seen that anyone can be dropped from the starting line up, if they want to play then they must perform, we are slowly getting to the point of having multiple options for each position.

We get in Gapko and Antony and that’s fantastic competition for across the front 3.

 

[Eplel]

Seems very apparent we've seen this before - way too many times. Under Solskjaer there were more than a few of these types of victories. Not against Liverpool admittedly but against City and others. All it lead to was giving people the entirely false perception that the team had turned a corner when in actual fact it was just once again the wrong kind of blip. I think the same will be true this time but the worst part is that during the period it takes for this team to revert to type, fans simply regress into a state of denial for as long as they can.

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

There's a difference here. This result came as a reaction to terrible performances. It's not out of nowhere, like Ole's wins were, because after the Brentford game ETH didn't start making excuses and platitude post game interviews like Ole did countless times, he dropped players, he cancelled day off.

Let's wait and see how it goes before we make the Liverpool win an one-hit wonder.

 

[Hughie77]

Overall good performance against an established side with Quality as we've had to listen to over the last few years.

So to beat a team like that this early in ETH appointment is massive. I think we should have scored more than 2 Allison in goal made some very good descions for us not to get more goals. They played as A Team and this shows they can do it. Martinez was stand out for me, first tackle on Salah then gets up and chests him off start of the game loved it, showed him no respect from the off.
Great result need to kick on now, also Martial coming on showed he's got his mojo back

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Morning lads!

Waking up at my hotel in Manchester today still absolutely awestruck from that one! I can’t even explain what the atmosphere was like inside Trafford. I was in the standing section (n2401) but the whole place was so lively.

I’d just like to emphasise that it speaks volumes the two players most people raved about (Martinez and Malacia) were the ones hand chosen by ETH. On that basis, I think we should worry less about the money we are paying for Antony! This man can clearly spot a baller.

Anyway love and respect to everyone who went last night as well as everyone watching around the world.

Just don’t forget lads - Glazers out is the main thing. Enjoy the wins but don’t get distracted from the main mission.

Awesome post, so glad you got to see it live.

 

[Moston Red]

I’ve just watched it on MUTV. Malacia and Martinez were stand out for me. Bruno, Sancho and Rashford on fire but still making mistakes that maybe a better Liverpool would have exploited. The nearly own goal by Bruno?? What was he thinking. Still making stupid mistakes in our own box but much much better. I thought Scott McT had a great game too. Martial looks great going forward, love the way he jinks from left to right.

 

[mitchmouse]

Thinking about it more, we did a lot more than play on the counter. Just because Liverpool had more possession means very little. I'd be more interested in seeing a "map" of where that possession was. I mean a team is in possession when their keeper is holding the ball...

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

I was meaning more in play - but yeah that was daft... as was him not going to the corner in the 94th minute and playing a Hollywood ball instead, but in general we handled it well.

I loved his passion and work the whole game, but by myself in my office I was screaming at him to get to the corner. haha. If they scored off that he would have been dead to me.

 

[justsomebloke]

Playing like this in your third game and playing like this in your third season are two such different things its a nonsense to compare them. Ole's problem was that he never successfully developed the team past simple counter attack tactics.

Suffice to say, if ETH is still forced to play counter attack in his third season, he will have failed in his task and will be criticised too.

He did though. It just didn't necessarily work all that well. In 20/21 we were no longer having these kind of games against teams like Liverpool, City and Chelsea. The balance of play and possession in these games were much more even than the two preceding seasons, partly because we were playing differently and more ambitiously, but also because the opponent came out in a more careful posture. The general result was that most of those games ended in stalemate draws with few chances created either way, whereas previously we got disproportionately good results. Just goes to show that it's a long hard road from relying on exploiting good opponents weaknesses to being a team that can approach top opponents on an equal basis.

Then last season of course we just fell apart, not really a question of formation or tactics.

 

[NinjaZombie]

He’s just so obviously one of the good guys. I find all the hating on him incredibly childish.

He's the first Liverpool manager I actually sort of like, and I've been following United for close 30 years now. Ironic the only Liverpool manager I like is the one who finally won them the title.

I laughed out loud when I saw him playfully grabbing Bruno that way.

 

[largelyworried]

He did though. It just didn't necessarily work all that well. In 20/21 we were no longer having these kind of games against teams like Liverpool, City and Chelsea. The balance of play and possession in these games were much more even than the two preceding seasons, partly because we were playing differently and more ambitiously, but also because the opponent came out in a more careful posture. The general result was that most of those games ended in stalemate draws with few chances created either way, whereas previously we got disproportionately good results. Just goes to show that it's a long hard road from relying on exploiting good opponents weaknesses to being a team that can approach top opponents on an equal basis.

Then last season of course we just fell apart, not really a question of formation or tactics.

As I said

Ole's problem was that he never successfully developed the team past simple counter attack tactics.

In 20-21 we only won a single league game vs Liverpool, City and Chelsea combined, a 2-0 counter attacking performance away to City where we had 34% possession. Quite literally, our only success was using those tactics. When we tried to do something else, as you said, it didn't work that well.

 

[bosskeano]

looks like ETH got his point across to the players with taking away their day off to make them run the extra distance not covered against Brentford

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...inance-of-liverpool-in-first-erik-ten-hag-win

 

[DevilRed]

Played our hand perfectly. Picked apart their weakness at the back with their high fullbacks. Rashford just loves a game against the scousers. So does martial.

 

[bleedred]

Seems very apparent we've seen this before - way too many times. Under Solskjaer there were more than a few of these types of victories. Not against Liverpool admittedly but against City and others. All it lead to was giving people the entirely false perception that the team had turned a corner when in actual fact it was just once again the wrong kind of blip. I think the same will be true this time but the worst part is that during the period it takes for this team to revert to type, fans simply regress into a state of denial for as long as they can.

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

You are going to get a lot of heat for it, but you are essentially right and I completely agree with you.

We had a good 20 minutes and then faded from the game completely.

 

[DJ_21]

Safe to say Trent can’t defend to save his life… perfect game for rashford to get some form back… he’s not tried taking anyone on for weeks and weeks but he knew he had Trent for breakfast.

 

[Iron Stove]

United's passing and movement in the first 30 minutes was so good. Quick and a mix of long and short passes that cut Liverpool apart. Hopefully a sign of things to come. Was almost shocked given our proud zombie passing traditions.

 

[ty09cali]

United's passing and movement in the first 30 minutes was so good. Quick and a mix of long and short passes that cut Liverpool apart. Hopefully a sign of things to come. Was almost shocked given our proud zombie passing traditions.

Yep... this is how ETH wants to play for 90 against most teams... i.e. non big 6 teams.

I do like the tactical switch at halftime to the counter attack style... was a prudent/pragmatic decision that shows how well he knows his team and their capabilities/restrictions.

 

[lefty_jakobz]

Hold on…y’all telling me that we beat the supposed 2nd best team in the World?

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Seems very apparent we've seen this before - way too many times. Under Solskjaer there were more than a few of these types of victories. Not against Liverpool admittedly but against City and others. All it lead to was giving people the entirely false perception that the team had turned a corner when in actual fact it was just once again the wrong kind of blip. I think the same will be true this time but the worst part is that during the period it takes for this team to revert to type, fans simply regress into a state of denial for as long as they can.

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

Username checks out.

 

[barros]

Let's see next game, we can't forget Liverpool didn't start any good this season and 2 points in 3 games means they have trouble to score and trouble at the back, they did create good opportunities yesterday that ended in the sky, we need to play against a team that's not in crise and is not a hateful rival because that makes our lads to play like their lives depend of a victory.

 

[Newtonius]

The way I see it is that these players can only deliver in a defensive and counter-attacking set-up and in terms of attitude you're lucky if they show up about one game in ten if that.

Nothing wrong with being tactically flexible when its required though is there, besides Ole couldn't do anything but counter attack while ETH is a capable enough coach to actually teach this team how to play on the front just needs time. Hell i am just glad some of the problem players were dropped, that's already different than Ole.

 

[Tony247]

I just can't hate him. If he was our coach, we'd all absolutely love him, even if he's a bit unhinged and mental at times

I like him too. Pep is a machine but Klopp is fun, he is mental and full of passion. I like that in managers. I also like that psycho look in ETH eyes.