[girish]

Turning point

We turned multiple times, and have no direction.

On on a side note, there should be an option to select 0 for a rating.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We turned multiple times, and have no direction.

On on a side note, there should be an option to select 0 for a rating.

We are dizzy with turning.

 

[Woodzy]

The header for sure. There was another scramble where Onana and Maguire got it off the line. I can’t remember if that was before or after the pen though.

Other than that I don’t think they had big chances. Onana made some routine saves first half from Grealish etc.

Could quite easily been 3-0 though.

Might be the one you are talking about with Maguire but there was a chance in the first 10 minutes where Haaland probably should have scored.

 

[Buster15]

What about learning from your mistakes.

 

[city-puma]

I'm insulted. A game against that plastic lot at home, and our courageous salt of the earth lads didn't give one single fecking shit yet again. Can't even out-pashun City let alone compete with them on a technical level. Feck the lot of them. Feck Bruno. Feck Rashford. Feck Ten Hag and his equally useless dickhead of an assistant as they spent the entire game sitting in their chairs like a couple of morons watching a house go on fire, spending hours scrawling little notes on a piece of paper instead of doing something that would actually help.

When we went two nil down you could see Pep jumping around on the touchline egging his players to push forward. I mean, sure, he was probably coked out of his fecking nut but at least it was motivating his players. Our shower of shite clearly don't give a shit and if the manager can't do anything about it either then they all need thrown in the bin.

Keep Onana and Højlund, Martinez and Shaw. The rest of them have zero bite. Nothing. You can have all the skill in the world but if you can't be arsed applying it then take off our fecking shirt because you don't deserve to wear it.

That dressing room has been filled for a long time with players who don't care. They probably tell new signings "don't worry about pressure, just enjoy the cash and keep your Instagram updated because the owners are away walking dogs in baby buggies anyway!" After the league cup they thought they did enough, like that lazy fecker we all have at work who does one task and then spends the rest of the week flipping through videos on YouTube.

I think you also know you are angry and therefore bashed some wrong targets. I think the players had given their all but they were well beaten systematically.
The players should not be scapegoat every time we play like amateur team.
ETH’s strategy of squad building fails emphatically. It’s a fact and current reality. Maybe, he can figure out a formula to adjust the strategy. But his mistake in transfers is so huge that it’s hard to see how he can. More than likely, it’s a shambling season to continue.

 

[sparx99]

It is bizarre watching other games in the PL and it looks like it’s on 2x speed compared to ours.

 

[Stig]

Could be time for a rebuild.

Spend a few hundred million to rebuild the team and we could be OK,

Sounds like a plan.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Cheers to Onana. Only bright spot.

Even with our awful situation, I try to give people a chance. This is the 1st time I have truly understand supporters on here that would move on from ETH. I could list 10 things I didn't get today and I'm an idiot American United fan.

 

[Buster15]

They're running like demons in comparison to our players!

But you're not wrong

Did you see Bruno tearing around at the start chasing lost causes. The City players must have thought.... this is going to be easy. Lets just wait till he has exhausted himself then we can start to play.

 

[noodlehair]

Onana - He was fine apart form when he came out to collect the ball then somehow ended up rolling on the floor without the ball and also not in his goal whilst also rolling the ball straight to a city player. At least two saves though that were far from routine.

Dalot - Where does he go? The second goal. Where is he? He's not in attack, he's not in defence. Where's he gone there? He does this all the time. Its like Where's Wally except it turns out he's on holiday in Bermuda so isn't actually in the picture.
Evans - Not that I thought he was one of the worst players, but anyone have any idea what "tactics" (as ETH put it), require picking Johnny Evans over Rafael Varane? The tactics of your mate bet £10 Evans would be in the line up?
Maguire - There goes the 110% win ratio or whatever it was.
Lindelof - So we signed an emergency left back, in order to avoid having to do something desperate like have to play Lindelof at left back for example, and then leave them on the bench so we can play Lindelof at left back? Ok. Definitely not concerning or daft in any way.

Amrabat - We also appear to have signed an emergency midfielder so we can either play them not in midfield or replace them with not a midfield at half time.
Eriksen - He played that one Beckham ball to Rashford, but unfortunately Rashford was able to get across and defend the situation from himself.

McTominay - I liked him better in the first half when he didn't really do anything football related but was far enough up the pitch for it not to matter as much.

Bruno - Playing on the right wing so McTominay could play in Bruno's position so McTominay could then have to move out of Bruno's positon so Mount could play in Bruno's position, so Mount and Bruno could then swap places, or something. I dunno it must have made sense to someone. Anyway he was shite. Disagreed with Neville's assessment that he was just going round trying to "do" everyone and somehow psychopathically controlled Antony into kicking someone.

Rashford - Somewhere there's a bunch of aliens playing buggs bunny and co at a game of football and one of them has stolen Rashford's ability.
Hojlund - Good first half, then in the second half Mason Mount was brought on to link up play with him.

Subs:
Mount - Did he touch the ball? I feel bad for him but I still don't know what he even does never mind what he's good at.
Everyone else - Came on late enough that I'm sparing them, apart from Antony who managed to be annoying.
Antony - Annoying.

ETH - So, just to be clear, he played McTominay at no10, so his no10 could play on the right wing, so his £80m right winger could sit on the bench along with his £50m central midfielder who can't play in central midfield. Then at half time he subbed off the central midfielder he signed to play in central midfield, so he could move his no10 who isn't a no10 into central midfield, so he could bring his central midfielder who isn't a central midfielder on at no10, so his no10 could stay on the right wing. He signed a left back on emergency loan so he wouldn't have to not play a left back at left back, so he could leave them on the bench so he could not play a left back at left back. You know if you're sitting on a plane, and the pilot keeps pressing random buttons in the hope the next one he presses will be the on button? At what point would you maybe think you should get off before he causes you to die? Because I feel like our players will maybe reach that point quite soon.

Gary Neville - There is still no button on my tv remote that causes nurses to come and escort Neville to bed once his anti dramatic medication wears off, and I feel like this is something Sky really need to address.

Haaland - He does some up City quite well. Obviously better than everyone else, yet somehow also completely uninteresting to watch or feel any particular way about at the same time.

 

[Buster15]

Could be time for a rebuild.

Spend a few hundred million to rebuild the team and we could be OK,

Sounds like a plan.

A stupid plan.

 

[Cee90]

We’re nowhere near rock bottom either.

 

[90 + 5min]

Why are people talking about game when this is about something else.

The last thing to do is talk about players, tactics, manager and so on.

 

[weetee]

We'll be in for Potter round about Christmas. Really exciting times.

I reckon this could actually really happen - wouldn't work out though imho. But ETH seems out of his breath - multimillion dollar question though: who could be brought in and realistically steady the ship and has the gravitas, charisma and CV to keep players and media in check? Don't really see anybody. And without a competent overhead / director of sport who could mitigate pressure anything else than an experienced elite coach won't do either.

 

[Stig]

Agreed.

He does need to improve though. Rashford and Bruno need to be dropped. The players need to start showing some battle at the very least.

And he can't be given such free reign over transfers, for the love of God the money we've wasted ..

A top DOF would help immensely, though it'll take a while to show I'm sure.

You may not be wrong, but paying someone 300,000 quid a week to pop into training 4 mornings a week shows the madness of the contracts that we have issued.

 

[Stig]

We’re nowhere near rock bottom either.

I have no idea why, but that made me smile. There is something terribly wrong with my reaction to your post.

 

[Yanited__]

Obviously a tough result to take. I've maintained it's going to be an up and down season, on the balance there's been more negatives so far and this obviously is another one.

It's very easy to be critical of the players quality but the harsh facts are that Man City are a better footballing side than us. However, I will take some positives moving forward.

Hojlund, again looked a handful. He has the physicality to play in the premier league. Brings players into play, has natural pace and ability to carry the ball/run channels. But he's a striker and his finishing/goal scoring isn't prolific. He's getting in the right positions, and you hope he will improve with time/maturity as goalscoring is ultimately what will make or break his time here.

We shipped 3 goals but Onana was probably the best player and that's good for his confidence, you can see he's growing more into being the United keeper. Maguire I thought was good, didn't put a foot wrong but again, hard to praise him fully when we've conceded 3 goals.

We can talk about a lack of style of play, which players should be dropped, the questionable in game decisions/substitutions, even reflect on the transfer signings over the last 18 months. But the one thing that I will question about this group of players and ETH is why has there yet again been another collapse in a big game in the second half?

You have to show a bit of fight in these games. Don't mind losing, but keep it competitive. Second half was a complete embarrassment and difficult to watch. When we were at our peak and Liverpool/pre oil money City were crap, they still gave us a game and didn't just give up/roll over for us. This is something that's a unique low point for us.

 

[Lee565]

The amrabat sub was the end of our chances getting anything today

 

[sparx99]

Why are people talking about game when this is about something else.

The last thing to do is talk about players, tactics, manager and so on.

Because regardless of any off-field failings we spend enough and have enough ‘talent’ to do better than this.

 

[always_hoping]

Have been on my travels all day and haven't been able to watch the match. Looking at the match stats and somewhat expected result (I predicted a 2-0 defeat) I might give watching back on the full match a miss altogether.

Just now I've watch the 2 minutes highlights. Gift of penalty given away, Haaland left unmarked for the 2nd goal and again unmarked to assist the 3rd goal. Nothing new from a United team that doesn't make the opposition even work hard to score.

The gap between the two Manchester Clubs as big as it's been in City's favour now. Them the champions of Europe and United who are unlikely to finish in the top five or six this season and it very much showed today. Moving swiftly on to the Newcastle game on Wednesday and can hopefully stay in the cup as cup competition is the what could bring the most joy for United this season.

 

[CodeRed]

Left home at 5am and do all these games week in and week out for over 20+ years...

And my reply to this thread...'what is right with the club for say the last 10 years'?

I cant think of 1 thing. Honestly. If it wasn't for seeing my friends who sit around me or my loyalty then I would be in a very dark place.

 

[Red in STL]

Did you see Bruno tearing around at the start chasing lost causes. The City players must have thought.... this is going to be easy. Lets just wait till he has exhausted himself then we can start to play.

Like a headless chicken, there's no real purpose to it though I guess it does look demonic!

 

[OleGunnar20]

You may not be wrong, but paying someone 300,000 quid a week to pop into training 4 mornings a week shows the madness of the contracts that we have issued.

Yep.

After last season I'd hoped he'd turned a corner. Appears it was the new contract motivation at play, what a shame.

I'd like to see Garnacho given 3 or 4 starts on the bounce at the very least. Same with Amad on the other side when he's back.

What is there to lose?

 

[Laurencio]

Because regardless of any off-field failings we spend enough and have enough ‘talent’ to do better than this.

I think if anything the match showed that our players simply are not good enough to go toe to toe with City.

We overpay for half-decent talent and potential. Our spending does not indicate our player's actual ability - unfortunately.

 

[Amira]

I think if anything the match showed that our players simply are not good enough to go toe to toe with City.

We overpay for half-decent talent and potential. Our spending does not indicate our player's actual ability - unfortunately.

The problem is I wouldn’t trust this manager to build the squad. That’s where the ownership and structure above the manager comes into play I guess, but I wouldn’t give him one more pound to spend.

 

[Hammondo]

I don't understand why people are shocked by this, why the meltdown?

 

[Amira]

Onana - He was fine apart form when he came out to collect the ball then somehow ended up rolling on the floor without the ball and also not in his goal whilst also rolling the ball straight to a city player. At least two saves though that were far from routine.

Dalot - Where does he go? The second goal. Where is he? He's not in attack, he's not in defence. Where's he gone there? He does this all the time. Its like Where's Wally except it turns out he's on holiday in Bermuda so isn't actually in the picture.
Evans - Not that I thought he was one of the worst players, but anyone have any idea what "tactics" (as ETH put it), require picking Johnny Evans over Rafael Varane? The tactics of your mate bet £10 Evans would be in the line up?
Maguire - There goes the 110% win ratio or whatever it was.
Lindelof - So we signed an emergency left back, in order to avoid having to do something desperate like have to play Lindelof at left back for example, and then leave them on the bench so we can play Lindelof at left back? Ok. Definitely not concerning or daft in any way.

Amrabat - We also appear to have signed an emergency midfielder so we can either play them not in midfield or replace them with not a midfield at half time.
Eriksen - He played that one Beckham ball to Rashford, but unfortunately Rashford was able to get across and defend the situation from himself.

McTominay - I liked him better in the first half when he didn't really do anything football related but was far enough up the pitch for it not to matter as much.

Bruno - Playing on the right wing so McTominay could play in Bruno's position so McTominay could then have to move out of Bruno's positon so Mount could play in Bruno's position, so Mount and Bruno could then swap places, or something. I dunno it must have made sense to someone. Anyway he was shite. Disagreed with Neville's assessment that he was just going round trying to "do" everyone and somehow psychopathically controlled Antony into kicking someone.

Rashford - Somewhere there's a bunch of aliens playing buggs bunny and co at a game of football and one of them has stolen Rashford's ability.
Hojlund - Good first half, then in the second half Mason Mount was brought on to link up play with him.

Subs:
Mount - Did he touch the ball? I feel bad for him but I still don't know what he even does never mind what he's good at.
Everyone else - Came on late enough that I'm sparing them, apart from Antony who managed to be annoying.
Antony - Annoying.

ETH - So, just to be clear, he played McTominay at no10, so his no10 could play on the right wing, so his £80m right winger could sit on the bench along with his £50m central midfielder who can't play in central midfield. Then at half time he subbed off the central midfielder he signed to play in central midfield, so he could move his no10 who isn't a no10 into central midfield, so he could bring his central midfielder who isn't a central midfielder on at no10, so his no10 could stay on the right wing. He signed a left back on emergency loan so he wouldn't have to not play a left back at left back, so he could leave them on the bench so he could not play a left back at left back. You know if you're sitting on a plane, and the pilot keeps pressing random buttons in the hope the next one he presses will be the on button? At what point would you maybe think you should get off before he causes you to die? Because I feel like our players will maybe reach that point quite soon.

Gary Neville - There is still no button on my tv remote that causes nurses to come and escort Neville to bed once his anti dramatic medication wears off, and I feel like this is something Sky really need to address.

Haaland - He does some up City quite well. Obviously better than everyone else, yet somehow also completely uninteresting to watch or feel any particular way about at the same time.

I don’t know if I’m laughing or crying

 

[The Oracle]

There was a moment in the match today when Grealish was on the ball, and it dawned on me there and then...

Jack Grealish is a better footballer than any player we have at Manchester United.

 

[Hammondo]

There was a moment in the match today when Grealish was on the ball, and it dawned on me there and then...

Jack Grealish is a better footballer than any player we have at Manchester United.

You only just realised?

 

[peridigm]

The amrabat sub was the end of our chances getting anything today

Starting Evans and Maguire With Lindelof at LB ended our chances but I guess Reguilon was not fit to start. Not that it matters. Any CB pairing fit enough to play today was doing nothing when our midfield and forwards can’t keep the ball or mount and attack. We’re skint, top to bottom. This season is a write off and it‘t not even November yet.

 

[Matt Varnish]

We do not have one world class player at the club. Embarrassing for the so-called biggest club in the world.

We lost that plaudit years ago.
Welcome to the 1970's and mediocrity.

 

[sparx99]

I think if anything the match showed that our players simply are not good enough to go toe to toe with City.

We overpay for half-decent talent and potential. Our spending does not indicate our player's actual ability - unfortunately.

I don’t think we are good enough to go toe to toe exactly but then I don’t think spurs or Brighton or Newcastle are better on paper. When I say we should be doing better I’m talking about competing. The bare minimum of making it a contest.

 

[noodlehair]

There was a moment in the match today when Grealish was on the ball, and it dawned on me there and then...

Jack Grealish is a better footballer than any player we have at Manchester United.

Don't worry if we'd signed him we'd have found a way to fix that.

 

[Andy_Cole]

Don't worry if we'd signed him we'd have found a way to fix that.

Was gonna post the same!

 

[sparx99]

The problem is I wouldn’t trust this manager to build the squad. That’s where the ownership and structure above the manager comes into play I guess, but I wouldn’t give him one more pound to spend.

We can’t know for certain who is pushing for who and whether these are 1st/2nd/3rd choices.

What does need establishing is what is John Murtough actually doing. Is he trying to establish a style of play that would be supported from Academy to First Team? Are the players we are signing at least part of a strategy (even if that strategy isn’t working currently)?

I’ve seen it brought up that we should’ve moved heaven and earth for Kane over Hojlund. While I can see the appeal of signing a superstar striker I just don’t think we were anywhere near ready to win. I’d like to see us genuinely commit to signing younger players who can grow together as a group.

Right now we should be planning on how to win a league title say 3-4-5 years from now. What would that squad build look like? Who wouldn’t be part of that because of their age/attitude/lack of talent.

 

[The Hilton]

Exactly. We were in it up till then. Maybe could've converted one of our counters and made a game out of it. Once City went up, that was it. Their quality compared to ours, plus our injuries meant it was a foregone conclusion from the moment Haaland put that ball in the net.

Still annoys me how he still persists on playing Bruno on the right. Caused a lot of problem there. Silva and Grealish had overloads all day.

Yeah I agree, Bruno on the right didn't work, neither did leaving Eriksen on. But we were threadbare in midfield, wasted our chances, so we needed the big moments to go our way.

 

[The Hilton]

Nah that's a poor excuse, United won this game last season coming from behind.

Just because it happened once doesn't make it likely or easy. City are brilliant once they're ahead, their game is built for it, the penalty gave them a huge advantage.

 

[Camy89]

The only thing that keeps me vaguely optimistic is that I like to think these are the times we’ll look back on and think ‘Jesus, remember that time, it was a tough’ as we go back to our winning ways. Maybe in like 10yrs.

It’s going to get better at some point? Isn’t it?

 

[JayWalker]

Result aside, there's no excuse for struggling to score a single goal. And it's not just City either, we don't look like creating/scoring against most oppositions.

 

[giggsy84]

Please leave this club, ETH.