[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

Awesome. As expected.

I'm sure you will see the highlights, and it's horrific. 6-3 flatters us.

 

[Raoul]

Everton next week we need to see a reaction. If we win that I’ll be convinced we’re at least going in the right direction. If we lose that I’ll be convinced we’re going to down tools for another manager and finish 6th.

I expect a strong performance from us. I think ETH will use today to further refine his tactics and lineups against the likes of Chelsea and Spurs in the coming weeks.

 

[Woziak]

Martial and Antony the only players to come out of that game with credit in the bank. Everyone else beyond shambolic.

Perhaps Bruno's worst ever performance for United and that's saying something.

Bruno needs to be dropped and Ericsen play as the 10 with Casemeiro coming in with Fred or Mctominay, right now the team needs to stop 2PL goals per game which is shocking !!

 

[RaddyRed]

Horrible watch that today and I'm not sure any line up ETH could have come up with would have got us anything from that game, city playing like that are unstoppable.

Today was the type of game where AWB would have been a better starter at rb (although think he is finished at the club tbh and won't be fit anyway) and Casemiro in for Sancho from the beginning, trying to frustrate them as long as possible.

Everton game is a big test for these players now, need to show we can come back with a strong mentality against an improving Everton who will be fired up by a Sunday night Goodison atmosphere.

 

[mu4c_20le]

The game was won at half time; they take off most of their players that won said game (to avoid injuries for their title challenge), and then sit back as they have zero incentive to push other than for easy counter attacks which duly came.... whereas we are/were scuttling around with our best team trying to avoid embarrassment...

It was men against boys...

It was always men against boys. No matter what the reason for taking their scorers off, I'm sure they did not intend to ship 3 goals. We have a lot of work to do but it certainly took the shine off their win. At least the desire is still there from some of our players, take some comfort in that.

 

[Robertd0803]

Wtf is all Ive got here.

3 goals at City and still hammered.

Feels very much like a "whatever" result, not giving City any credit whatsoever and very much a result to write off and concentrate on the Everton game.

 

[demetre]

This lot has zero fight in them. No pressure from forwards and midfielders are all in walking pace, losing every 50/50 ball. We had no chance really.

Good to see Martial scoring those late goals though. He might have a big role for us if he stays healthy.

 

[Leftback99]

Everton next week we need to see a reaction. If we win that I’ll be convinced we’re at least going in the right direction. If we lose that I’ll be convinced we’re going to down tools for another manager and finish 6th.

6th is where we're expected to finish anyway. If we start losing to teams like Everton (which I wouldn't put past us next week) it's the likes of Brighton and Newcastle that we'll be fighting with.

 

[honirelandboy]

Rashford, Scott, Sancho and Bruno badly need to be dropped. I'd be going Elanga, Martial and Anthony up front with a midfield three of Fred, Casemiro and Eriksen and go 4-3-3. That was extremely difficult to watch today. Bruno should not be given basically a free role when you are playing City. Ten Hag got it completely wrong today.

 

[AlPistacho]

We’d have a much better midfield without Bruno imo

He was so annoying in that first half. Every time we’d get the ball he’d lose it immediately straight away trying that trough ball or Hollywood pass. Doing exactly the opposite of what we needed which was to pass it around and take the sting out of the City’s momentum. Then if a chance came take it.

Also was annoying because City were ready for it as their CB’s stayed quite deep, yet still Bruno didn’t figure it out.

 

[OrcaFat]

There's no universe in which we get some points from game against City in this form, with this manager, with this striker.

Well in this universe, City have drawn a couple of games recently.

I get your point and it’s hard to disagree but form is not a given. If you play with intensity and organisation and set up to get the best outcome possible, you can knock them out of their rhythm and basically interrupt their form. We let them win today.

The question is (leaving aside the apparent lack of intensity and concentration) did we set up to get the best possible result? Or are we putting together a project in ETH’s image and must take the rough with the smooth on the road to transformation and long term, sustained improvement?

 

[Blood Mage]

One last thing before I go get pissed, Antony and Sancho aren't direct or quick enough to be playing together. Drop Sancho and play Rashford on the left for now. Bring in a pacey striker in January as cover for Martial's next inevitable injury.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Chickenshit football. Won't even challenge in Europa League with this display.

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

Horrendous performance from every player, no fight and no intensity, and sloppy in every thing they did, City didn't even go at them at that hard.

EtH will have to learn from this, as he also bears some responsibility for his tactics and in-game management.

 

[Giggsy13]

10x better than us

There is undoubtedly a gulf in class but that first half could’ve been avoided if we played with more focus and composure. The first 3 were self inflicted terrible goals. The 4th was just a brilliant pass that no defender in the world could stop. In reality we are a decent side that should’ve been more competitive, but it seems the stage and moment intimidated some of our newer signings but for Antony who was a bright spot. I would call this a one off and not a true reflection of the improvements we’ve already made this season.

 

[theatreofdreams777]

I absolutely hated 4-2-3-1 since Mourinho years (maybe even the second season of Van Gaal!) and hate it now even more with Bruno being a no 10 in it. We had no control in midfield whatsoever.

That’s why I said in the newbie thread pre Sheriff match that we should build towards 4-3-3 with Casemiro as DM behind two CMs like Liverpool, Real Madrid and City did for a number of years to have more control in midfield.

Since the last couple of years I've always thought we should've built our team with 3 man midfield thinking more about the control in the middle of the park like Real Madrid did in their midfield with Kroos - Casemiro - Modric or City did with Gündoğan - Fernandinho/Rodri - De Bruyne or Liverpool did with Henderson-Fabinho-Wijnaldum/Thiago rather than a 4-2-3-1 which suits the counter attacks more.

IMO, in the long run we should definitely be a team that dominates the opponent and control the midfield rather than a counter attacking team (I've had enough of it under Jose & Ole) and should build towards 4-3-3. With the signing of Casemiro, we now have the tools to do that too but it may be a bit early to do that just yet. He'll probably stick to his 4-2-3-1 with Bruno as his AM today.

Edit : Yeah, it's 4-2-3-1 with Casemiro on the bench. The team that won against Arsenal with Ronaldo coming in for Rashford.

IMO, our best midfield combination right now is a trio of Fred - Casemiro - Eriksen in a 4-3-3. Hopefully this game will be a lesson for us and ten Hag gradually starts to phase Bruno out like he did with Maguire.

 

[FreakyJim]

Yeah but they scored 6

ha!

 

[Tigersam]

I hope ETH realise that Bruno, Sancho and Rashford needs to be drop in big game. Bruno is too careless to have any influence, I would swap Bruno with Bernado Silva anytime any day. Rashford is just a player with pace with zero technical ability. Sancho will.never be a top class winger, he is slow by EPL standard. He can't beat his player. In tough games, I want to see Fred, Casimero and Erikson in midfield. Garnacho to replace Sancho.

Yes I have noticed this and it puzzles me. Man United pursued this player for a long time, but did nobody ever get his time stats over 50m/100m before making the bid?

Even during the 'medical' those tests could have been made and a re-think considered because you are right, he isn't quick enough nor tricky enough to beat defenders. Also what is wrong with his stamina? For a young lad he always seems totally knackered after 50-60mins.

 

[AdamColeBebe]

Honestly theres no use getting worked up about it. City are a cheat code. They will own this league for the foreseeable future and they are miles better than anyone. When they finally play Arsenal they will hammer them too.

The Liverpool game last year (the 1st one) hurt more when it was at OT and knowing that Pool DON'T have unlimited funds and were just purely better than us.

This whole PL era is kinda not worth worrying about - City are where they are, they will stay there for as long as their owners want them to. We may get the odd outlier like Liverpool and Leicester but apart from that the League has gone.

Not really a valid point when you consider the following:

"In terms of net expenditure, United have outspent fellow powerhouse clubs Manchester City (£826.6m), Paris Saint-Germain (£790.4m) and Barcelona (£546m) - all of whom have won five or more league titles during that period, compared with United's sole title in 2012/13."

Using their spending as an excuse is becoming outdated and just makes United look increasingly incompetent.

 

[pacifictheme]

They won the first half. We won the second. Honours even. Gg.

 

[Giggsy13]

This lot has zero fight in them. No pressure from forwards and midfielders are all in walking pace, losing every 50/50 ball. We had no chance really.

Good to see Martial scoring those late goals though. He might have a big role for us if he stays healthy.

This narrative has been shown not to be true this season. They do have fight, that’s why we beat Liverpool and Arsenal. This is a one off game: one month off, self inflicted errors but a decent response in the 2nd half. If there is a sound response against Everton next week then there is nothing to worry about.

 

[Mr Anderson]

First half was as worse as it’s ever been. City dominated without breaking a sweat - we were awful on and off the ball. Fullbacks battered, midfield non existent and the front 3 diabolical.

2nd half we at least showed we had some fight in us. But it goes to show we are miles and miles away from the type of team City are - ruthless even when in 2nd gear.

Hopefully Erik will learn from it as the setup was his call. Just looked like we had no plan for de Bruyne or Haaland. No leader there to take Haaland for his first goal, shows the characters out there - no way should have Eriksen been left with him.

 

[Pickle85]

After Pep put 4 b-players on the pitch? Amazing!

The number of Barça fans on here these days is so fecking annoying. Don't they have their own forum to circle jerk on?

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

People are giving City more credit than they deserve. Our midfield and front players made the game so much easier for them by being absolutely dross in possession and clueless out of it. This was one of the easier games City will play this season. The occasion got the best of our players many of whom defaulted to their poor attitude once City strated to dominate the possession and ping the ball around.

The few times our players decide to take a little longer and pass the ball around with some conviction, we managed to actually look decent. There were spaces to attack but our players just rushed everything.

 

[Coops73]

Missed the post match interview, did he say feck or cnuts at any point because he should have.

 

[GMoore23]

ten Hag Should have been more pragmatic here as the result is all that mattered.
A midfield 3 of Eriksen, McTominay and 1 of Fred/Casemiro.
Elanga for Sancho also for the workrate.

We would've got something from the game as to be honest, City weren't that great, we were just a shambles.

 

[RedBanker]

We were horrific and the manager needs to take a long hard look at what he is doing with his team selection and tactics. But funny as feck seeing the predictable whiners going on about Citys spending/financial doping/blablabla when the fact is that we have spent same if not more in the last decade. But yeah never change caf...never change.

 

[mu4c_20le]

The number of Barça fans on here these days is so fecking annoying. Don't they have their own forum to circle jerk on?

They have two world class players in every position, the players that came on usually start other games. Only one kid came on. Some of them acting like we scored three against City U19's

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Said it before but it’s like playing an online game against a hacker. They’re just running around invincible and patting themselves on the back for it. What are you meant to do?

They're defo in cheat mode.

 

[Chief123]

I would have snapped your hand off if someone said we’d score 3 goals away at city. You’d be certain we were getting something from the game.

 

[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

They won the first half. We won the second. Honours even. Gg.

'United in nine goal thriller'.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

We were horrific and the manager needs to take a long hard look at what he is doing with his team selection and tactics. But funny as feck seeing the predictable whiners going on about Citys spending/financial doping/blablabla when the fact is that we have spent same if not more in the last decade. But yeah never change caf...never change.

Bollocks. They've had so much spending off the books it's immeasurable. From fake sponsorships to giving Mancini a big job in the UAE after he left City to Peps brother being given Girona FC.

Your comments show a lack of understanding on the levels of cheat mode from City.

This does not take away from the fact that the United board/Glazers have made shite decisions for the last 9 years though.

 

[Lyng]

We lost the game but the City collapse at the end was hilarious made a shit day slightly better

Oliver got so scared he removed extra time

 

[steffyr2]

We have one genuine striker at the club, and he’s stank the place out for two thirds of his tenure.

But the number nine position today was actually the least of our problems. How on earth have we gone into this game this year, this season, with even less bite, less confidence, less bollocks, less passion, less intensity, less belief, less ability, less will, less skill, less cohesive, less reaction, and less heart than last year?!

Honestly, turn the fecking lights out. It’s like the Glazers are smiling, whilst watching us through a glass window in intensive care.

The idea was that our manager would make the team play better and improve the players individually. Because he was spectacular as a manager. When will we start seeing that?

 

[Galactic]

It was a really bad outcome but I actually don’t feel that depressed compared to our performances against them in the past few years. We didn’t camp in our half. We were brave but lacked composure. Dalot received the yellow card ridiculously early, that too killed our early plans IMO. Varane was injured for the 3rd and 4th goals, which could have been avoided. I know it’s all “what ifs” but I see a better future compared to be loom and gloom performances in the past against them ,

 

[SirReginald]

I absolutely hated 4-2-3-1 since Mourinho years (maybe even the second season of Van Gaal!) and hate it now even more with Bruno being a no 10 in it. We had no control in midfield whatsoever.

That’s why I said in the newbie thread pre Sheriff match that we should build towards 4-3-3 with Casemiro as DM behind two CMs like Liverpool, Real Madrid and City did for a number of years to have more control in midfield.

IMO, our best midfield combination right now is a trio of Fred - Casemiro - Eriksen in a 4-3-3. Hopefully this game will be a lesson for us and ten Hag gradually starts to phase Bruno out like he did with Maguire.

You are aware that a 2-1 midfield is the same as a 3 or a 1-2, right? Starting positions are not the same as actual positions. If you control the game your players average position will be much higher than if you don’t. Not to mention now that modern formations are completely fluid. A 3 man midfield could be a 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 6 man midfield at different points in the game. Don’t get caught up in formations.

 

[Redfrog]

6:3 is the equivalent of losing 2:1

I’LL TAKE IT!

Proportional but not equivalent.

 

[RedBanker]

Bollocks. They've had so much spending off the books it's immeasurable. From fake sponsorships to giving Mancini a big job in the UAE after he left City to Peps brother being given Girona FC.

Your comments show a lack of understanding on the levels of cheat mode from City.

This does not take away from the fact that the United board/Glazers have made shite decisions for the last 9 years though.

What's bollocks is we are still taking comfort in conspiracy theories when our club is spiralling downwards on the pitch. Forget City, Pool. Are we even the number three team in the land anymore? We don't win anything, we don't play in the CL, top talents don't sign for us anymore and the ones that do we pay over the odds for. We haven't got a single managerial appointment right since the man left. Sometimes we need to look inward and admit our own mistakes. The other team that thrashed us four games ago wasn't on cheat codes, were they? Yeah but let's talk about Peps great aunts second cousin instead.

 

[Fabio Rochemback]

I don't blame the defence for being 4-0 down at half time. Eriksen switched off the first goal, and the players in front of them made so many awful unforced errors that City were bound to take advantage.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We were horrific and the manager needs to take a long hard look at what he is doing with his team selection and tactics. But funny as feck seeing the predictable whiners going on about Citys spending/financial doping/blablabla when the fact is that we have spent same if not more in the last decade. But yeah never change caf...never change.

It is how we spent that money. They were planning for Pep years before he came. We planned for social media clicks. Now hopefully that is changing. It will take some time though.