[Mani]

Clearly onside!

That's difficult desicion for referee to make,especially when a player moving so fast from MF

 

[mazhar13]

From the Chris Smalling performances thread:

Milner was in the team to close down the defenders and be close to Carrick and it started off working well. But after about 15 minutes he decided he'd had enough and we were able to play it around without trouble

Man. City had a good plan at the start to press us hard knowing that we'd be building from the back with short passes. They did a good job suffocating us and forcing us to play long. Even with Fellaini causing problems on the left side early on, Man. City were still able to cope and cause us problems on the ball.

So was it really that Man. City stopped trying hard enough to stop us so early? I wouldn't say so. Yes, when we equalised, it made Man. City nervous, but they were still playing aggressively and tried to press us hard. However, the reason we started to take control of the match is because our players settled into the pace of the game and started to play the ball around at a quicker tempo.

Our main issue (and this is an issue for many possession-based teams) is that we took a while to get into our rhythm and settled into the pace of the game. However, after our first goal, we settled into the game and played with more confidence, and Man. City couldn't keep up with their pressing. Eventually, it looked like they stopped trying, but I don't think they did; I think they just got tired chasing us around, and it played right into our hands as Carrick got more time on the ball and spaces started to open up on the field.

This is what I love about the system van Gaal's employed. We pass the opposition out of the park, and the energy they expend is all for naught as we stamp our authority on the match and dictate the game. This is one of the reasons Barcelona was so tough to play against under Guardiola.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

From the Chris Smalling performances thread:

Man. City had a good plan at the start to press us hard knowing that we'd be building from the back with short passes. They did a good job suffocating us and forcing us to play long. Even with Fellaini causing problems on the left side early on, Man. City were still able to cope and cause us problems on the ball.

So was it really that Man. City stopped trying hard enough to stop us so early? I wouldn't say so. Yes, when we equalised, it made Man. City nervous, but they were still playing aggressively and tried to press us hard. However, the reason we started to take control of the match is because our players settled into the pace of the game and started to play the ball around at a quicker tempo.

Our main issue (and this is an issue for many possession-based teams) is that we took a while to get into our rhythm and settled into the pace of the game. However, after our first goal, we settled into the game and played with more confidence, and Man. City couldn't keep up with their pressing. Eventually, it looked like they stopped trying, but I don't think they did; I think they just got tired chasing us around, and it played right into our hands as Carrick got more time on the ball and spaces started to open up on the field.

This is what I love about the system van Gaal's employed. We pass the opposition out of the park, and the energy they expend is all for naught as we stamp our authority on the match and dictate the game. This is one of the reasons Barcelona was so tough to play against under Guardiola.

Very good points. Also the war we play is pretty much anathema to City. It's very continental and they've never done well against similar styles in Europe. Very interested to see how we approach the Chelsea game because they are the true test

 

[OldTrevil]

 

[bosnian_red]

From the Chris Smalling performances thread:

Man. City had a good plan at the start to press us hard knowing that we'd be building from the back with short passes. They did a good job suffocating us and forcing us to play long. Even with Fellaini causing problems on the left side early on, Man. City were still able to cope and cause us problems on the ball.

So was it really that Man. City stopped trying hard enough to stop us so early? I wouldn't say so. Yes, when we equalised, it made Man. City nervous, but they were still playing aggressively and tried to press us hard. However, the reason we started to take control of the match is because our players settled into the pace of the game and started to play the ball around at a quicker tempo.

Our main issue (and this is an issue for many possession-based teams) is that we took a while to get into our rhythm and settled into the pace of the game. However, after our first goal, we settled into the game and played with more confidence, and Man. City couldn't keep up with their pressing. Eventually, it looked like they stopped trying, but I don't think they did; I think they just got tired chasing us around, and it played right into our hands as Carrick got more time on the ball and spaces started to open up on the field.

This is what I love about the system van Gaal's employed. We pass the opposition out of the park, and the energy they expend is all for naught as we stamp our authority on the match and dictate the game. This is one of the reasons Barcelona was so tough to play against under Guardiola.

Yep. Don't think it was anything to do with City being great or anything, we just started off really poorly, passing was off, players basically sleeping while City started quickly. Once we settled on the ball we never looked back, and there wasn't anything City could do.

 

[Cooksen]

At Uni today I am seeing a lot of red shirts and united stuff.

The city is ours more like the whole world is ours

 

[kiristao]

In India we had Hargreaves as one of the Pundits and he was so anti-United. Before the game he went on and on about how we would struggle against Aguero and Silva and how City would be more up for it then us. Even at half time he kept talking about how City will get back in the game and post match he went on about how it was individual mistakes by City that helped us win and not because United played well. To prove his point he even mentioned that for the Fellani goal, Demichelis should have realised Fellani was behind him and quickly exchanged places with Clichy to negate the height advantage that Fellalni had.
Why is he so bitter?

 

[Xaviesta]

Worth staying up for that's for sure!

LVG is the real deal. No question.

Even @Insanity has come around and been won over.

He has turned it around in the last few weeks. I was not confident a few weeks back. He won me over today.

Brilliant, brilliant performance.

 

[Galactic]

In India we had Hargreaves as one of the Pundits and he was so anti-United. Before the game he went on and on about how we would struggle against Aguero and Silva and how City would be more up for it then us. Even at half time he kept talking about how City will get back in the game and post match he went on about how it was individual mistakes by City that helped us win and not because United played well. To prove his point he even mentioned that for the Fellani goal, Demichelis should have realised Fellani was behind him and quickly exchanged places with Clichy to negate the height advantage that Fellalni had.
Why is he so bitter?

Apparently, his injuries were caused by the medical staff at OT. Nothing to do with him being injury prone.

 

[Galactic]

Clearly onside!

The linesman's position was terrible. He was way further ahead than the last man. Anyway, thank you very much, sir! I bet he was thinking about that horrible mistake on Kompany after seeing the replay at half-time.

 

[Ducklegs]

In India we had Hargreaves as one of the Pundits and he was so anti-United. Before the game he went on and on about how we would struggle against Aguero and Silva and how City would be more up for it then us. Even at half time he kept talking about how City will get back in the game and post match he went on about how it was individual mistakes by City that helped us win and not because United played well. To prove his point he even mentioned that for the Fellani goal, Demichelis should have realised Fellani was behind him and quickly exchanged places with Clichy to negate the height advantage that Fellalni had.
Why is he so bitter?

I have no idea.
Considering he got three years of wages for doing absolutely nothing.
He should of been let go at least two years earlier than he was, but we persisted with him for some reason.

 

[Americano]

Apparently, his injuries were caused by the medical staff at OT. Nothing to do with him being injury prone.

He's been a miserable bastard ever since we made him take the black.

 

[MDFC Manager]

In India we had Hargreaves as one of the Pundits and he was so anti-United. Before the game he went on and on about how we would struggle against Aguero and Silva and how City would be more up for it then us. Even at half time he kept talking about how City will get back in the game and post match he went on about how it was individual mistakes by City that helped us win and not because United played well. To prove his point he even mentioned that for the Fellani goal, Demichelis should have realised Fellani was behind him and quickly exchanged places with Clichy to negate the height advantage that Fellalni had.
Why is he so bitter?

It really was incredible. Even at full time he was finding it difficult to acknowledge our superiority and went on about how city will buy Pogba and be back to their best next season. Bitter bastard

 

[Mali_Zeus]

In India we had Hargreaves as one of the Pundits and he was so anti-United. Before the game he went on and on about how we would struggle against Aguero and Silva and how City would be more up for it then us. Even at half time he kept talking about how City will get back in the game and post match he went on about how it was individual mistakes by City that helped us win and not because United played well. To prove his point he even mentioned that for the Fellani goal, Demichelis should have realised Fellani was behind him and quickly exchanged places with Clichy to negate the height advantage that Fellalni had.
Why is he so bitter?

Better question is why would anyone have him as a pundit in the 1st place.

You have to feel sorry for him, his career was disastrous and it seems he blames it on us somehow.
Well come to think of it I dont feel sorry for him cause he's such a bitter bastard.

 

[Tomuś]

It's fantastic that we have big game players all over the pitch now. De Gea, Smalling, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Rooney just to name a few. Then there are Jones and Carrick who do well in the big ones as well. Even Valencia's solid approach serves us well recently against good sides (bar that brainfart vs Arsenal).

Add Di Maria in there when he comes out of his shell.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

 

[NK86]

It really was incredible. Even at full time he was finding it difficult to acknowledge our superiority and went on about how city will buy Pogba and be back to their best next season. Bitter bastard

He is a milder version of Summerbee it seems. Luckily for me, I never listen to the pre-match, half-time or full time studio crap. Makes me wanna puke everytime those "pundits" open their mouth.

 

[#07]

 

[kiristao]

It really was incredible. Even at full time he was finding it difficult to acknowledge our superiority and went on about how city will buy Pogba and be back to their best next season. Bitter bastard

It was quite irritating. I watched the post game analysis just to see how frustrated he was.

 

[Insanity]

It was quite irritating. I watched the post game analysis just to see how frustrated he was.

I wanted to punch him through the television. I think John Dykes, and even Townsend, were surprised at the nonsense he was spouting. Didn't want to give us any credit; at the end went on with something like, "...what's the next step?"

Was a complete idiot throughout.

 

[Mister Ed]

It really was incredible. Even at full time he was finding it difficult to acknowledge our superiority and went on about how city will buy Pogba and be back to their best next season. Bitter bastard

I despise hargreaves.

He gave us one good season than lived on our payroll for years doing nothing except being injurred and working on his way back to fitness. At any other club he would have been tossed aside a long time ago but he was respected here and had alot of credit due to that one good season. Then when he had hardly played for us in 3 years and he was let go, he repays our patience and respect by moving to fecking Manchester City (shows how much respect he has towards the fans and manager).

Hearing him talk like that just proves the point that he is a vile bitter cretin that doesn't even realise how lucky he was that Fergie kept him on for so long here at United, his career could have been over far sooner if not for our patience with his situation. No doubt he probably blames United for the fact that he is made more out of glass than muscle.

 

[Tincanalley]

In the post match Pellegrini says 'their first goal was very unlucky, it was a clearance by De Gea and Paulo sleep' ... That's what I heard last night. But actually what he says is 'Paulo slip'. Oh. Very unlucky, right.

 

[Melvyn]

Not surprising to see Niall 'dickhead' Quinn wheeling out FFP as a post match excuse. well done you complete bell end, have some decking grace in defeat.

Unsurprising. I remember after the home loss to CSKA, he was absolutely adamant that City's failures in Europe this season was because of FFP restricting their squad numbers. You know it's bad when even Jamie Redknapp and Souness are disagreeing with you.

 

[MDFC Manager]

He is a milder version of Summerbee it seems. Luckily for me, I never listen to the pre-match, half-time or full time studio crap. Makes me wanna puke everytime those "pundits" open their mouth.

Yeah I'm the same usually, but I watched it last night cuz I wanted to see him squirm.

I wanted to punch him through the television. I think John Dykes, and even Townsend, were surprised at the nonsense he was spouting. Didn't want to give us any credit; at the end went on with something like, "...what's the next step?"

Was a complete idiot throughout.

That was quite incredible. City got thoroughly shafted but just "one or two" additions to the team will make them challenge again, whereas for us? "can't see them challenge for the title". Fool.

 

[IwatUwat]

Great result.

Performances to note for me:

Valencia - Awesome really is growing into a top right back, his work rate is stupid. Positionally made one mistake but made up for it. Going forward had Clichy on the rocks.
Fellaini - Another great performance, unorthodox no10. but its working. Young him and Blind have an undestanding.
Young - Intelligent footballer, works so well with Blind and Fellaini, keep Di Maria out the side and rightly so. Good cross for the goal.
Blind - So tactically astute really helps the 2 around him. Defensively won a lot of headers yesterday, and stamina is brilliant. Top Top game from him yesterday IMO.
Smalling - Really is looking solid back there now.


Personally thought Rooney was really quiet and quite ineffective, touch was a little off for me. But then he took defenders away from the action and let Fellaini Young and Blind dominate down that side, which worked perfectly. Sometimes as a striker you have those games where the play isnt where you are and you just do a lot of running for not much. But I felt when it was played in to him he was slightly on his heels at times.

Great performance though we rode out the first 10...they did score... but then dominated the rest of the game. Physically much better than them and technically too, which was good to see.

 

[Blue always red]

Loved it when Nev went "I don't want to see City drop down to division 1 and 2 again." Quinn was just squirming in his seat.

 

[Sultan]

Man City had a good plan at the start to press us hard knowing that we'd be building from the back with short passes.

United have tweeked tactics over the last Month and cut down playing passes between the defenders. Even De Gea is now mostly kicking out long. When we do pass out from the back Carrick or one of the full-backs are first options to start building attacks.

 

[FlawlessThaw]

Not surprising to see Niall 'dickhead' Quinn wheeling out FFP as a post match excuse. well done you complete bell end, have some decking grace in defeat.

They spend 42m on Mangala, no way should they be complaining about FFP just yet

 

[FlawlessThaw]

Loved it when Nev went "I don't want to see City drop down to division 1 and 2 again." Quinn was just squirming in his seat.

That's never going to happen anyway and it's a sign that Neville hasn't gotten FFP into his head. Due to the PL TV revenues and the fact that City are consistently in Europe with a solid infrustructure in place, they are one of the top teams now. They won't be getting relegated to the lower divisions

 

[NK86]

Yeah I'm the same usually, but I watched it last night cuz I wanted to see him squirm.

That was quite incredible. City got thoroughly shafted but just "one or two" additions to the team will make them challenge again, whereas for us? "can't see them challenge for the title". Fool.

He actually said that? The guy's transformation to a true bitter is complete I think!

 

[mark_a]

Lols to both Bitter Hargreaves & Niall Quim's nonsense!! FFS we even put Falcao on to give them a chance.

Philosophy anyone?!

 

[Polite Poster]

Just a quick line to say that the best team won.

In the end I was happy that the losing margin was only 2 goals.On the balance of play it felt it could well have been much more !

United looked like a side with purpose, a team with a game plan who knew how to implement it. Whereas City looked more and more rudderless as the game wore on.

I think it is entirely possible that City could drop out of the top four this season and that would be a blow but as a City fan I am used to the downs as well as enjoying the upsides.

 

[MancFanFromManc]

Goooood morning my fellow Cafe members, and WHAT a morning it is. The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting, everyone is smiling. OH HAPPY DAYS

(just saying)

 

[MancFanFromManc]

Just a quick line to say that the best team won.

In the end I was happy that the losing margin was only 2 goals.On the balance of play it felt it could well have been much more !

United looked like a side with purpose, a team with a game plan who knew how to implement it. Whereas as City looked more and more rudderless as the game wore on.

I think it is entirely possible that City could drop out of the top four this season and that would be a blow but as a City fan I am used to the downs as well as enjoying the upsides.

Well put that man (not atall typical of your "Bitter" blue army - not the ones I know anyway)

The day obviously belonged to us, but it could so easily have been different. You took the lead and with a fair slice of luck could've gone 3 up. After we equalised it was a big day for us. Everyone gelled and it ended being a great day to remember. You City fans have had a few of those recently (and deserved too), this day was ours and we're going to enjoy it

 

[MancFanFromManc]

Really hope Carrick is ok. If he is fit I honestly think we can batter Chelsea next week with this set up. If not I wont be confident with Blind in the Middle.

Twice Carrick has come back from injury and we've won 6 on the spin. Cant underestimate his influence on gelling our team together

If he's missing, Blind will fill in and Rojo will get a game so hopefully we can keep this momentum going to the end

 

[Thisistheone]

What a performance. Still hasn't sunk it fully yet. But that was great!

 

[Di Maria's angel]

What a complete contrast this thread is to the many we were witnessing just a few weeks back. The pictures, memes, gifs etc. is a far better read than the depressing crap from a few weeks back. May the good times continue.

 

[Andy_Cole]

What a complete contrast this thread is to the many we were witnessing just a few weeks back. The pictures, memes, gifs etc. is a far better read than the depressing crap from a few weeks back. May the good times continue.

Or even this time last year after City's 3-0 win.

 

[Tincanalley]

What a complete contrast this thread is to the many we were witnessing just a few weeks back. The pictures, memes, gifs etc. is a far better read than the depressing crap from a few weeks back. May the good times continue.

And fair play to those of us who had the faith from way back when. Didn't get to watch this one live, was following The Guardian commentary, on and off. Got to a radio for the second half, to my amazement we were then 4 - 1 up. Got to a pub in time to see the last few minutes, and post match interviews; a bunch of MU supporters on cloud 9. Watched the whole game today. Wow, the MOTM should be shared between Young and Fellaini, both were immense. Rooney very good, too, though tightly marked. But so many excellent performances, no one played badly! Defence were excellent, Jones a beast. I thought Carrick tweaked something early in the second half and should have come off earlier. But ... hey. Brilliant display, terrific win, I am just laying back here and letting that great feeling soak in. Sweet as feck.

 

[MDFC Manager]

He actually said that? The guy's transformation to a true bitter is complete I think!

Yeah it was the first time I've heard him as a pundit and the bias was quite bizarre! He also said something on the lines of "United needed to win the title this season after spending 150m, because that's what city were expected to do when they were spending big". He must have gushed over Silva-Aguero at least a dozen times.