[NLunited]

Did you see how Donny ran into space a few times, extra options. Good he is back, good cameo

Yes, he is always looking for runs. Now the others were able to find him , cause we are improving in possession. Makes him look decent.

 

[always_hoping]

It will be annoying if United win by just a one goal margin in Spain and Sociedad top the group thanks mostly to a dodgy penalty in Old Trafford.

 

[Tarrou]

couldn't give a feck if we top the group or not personally

 

[Ole's screen]

Because that’s an attempted cross not a shot.

 

[lex talionis]

Job done over a weak side, but it was good to see Maguire get some minutes, Ronaldo score and De Gea not bothered once.

 

[DJ_21]

A good win. Good to see we didn’t even concede a shot in that game. Let’s keep this going into the weekend. Need the 3 points on Sunday. Things are looking promising.

 

[GreatDane]

I mean does it matter that much who wins the group? There are some serious sides dropping into the EL, we’re gonna have to face them at some point so I’m not really concerned if we finish second tbh.

That said, we should of course try to top the group.

Besides waiting a round before drawing a CL team we also skip on two head to head games in February and move straight into the next round. So it would give us a breather if we top the group.

 

[Judas]

There will be times we need to break down these kind of teams quicker,however I believe this can happen given more games like this.

Why? Are they planning on making football matches shorter?

 

[NoLegendary]

Why? Are they planning on making football matches shorter?

If i were to believe Klopp, it would be the opposite and make them longer until…

 

[MZX7]

We didn't face a single shot. When was the last time that happened?

We did fave one shot. Went straight into De Gea's hands. A weak shot, but a shot nonetheless.

 

[TheReligion]

We did fave one shot. Went straight into De Gea's hands. A weak shot, but a shot nonetheless.

It was a cross

 

[wolvored]

Its great when you watch these type of games again and think how many we going to score in the win, rather than i hope we can get a win. TH has been brilliant so far with the rebuild. Long may it continue!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

They have won their other four Europa games like us, but also won at Old Trafford. They are 7-1-3 in the league, whilst we are 6-2-3. Their underlying performances have been better too in terms of expected data so far in the league. Feel free to scoff, but they are a very consistent side making the absolute most of their squad.

Winning there by two goals is probably one of our toughest tests of the season, maybe second toughest after trying to get any sort of win versus City. Maybe beating Liverpool at home is comparable.

I’m willing to bet the 11 teams they played in the league were vastly inferior to the 11 we played.

Winning there by two goals is definitely a tough ask. Needing to win by two clear goals on the road is a tough ask against any half decent team. But we’ve definitely passed a number of more difficult tests already this season. Beating Arsenal, beating Liverpool and beating Spurs would be the most obvious examples.

 

[TheReligion]

I’m willing to bet the 11 teams they played in the league were vastly inferior to the 11 we played.

Winning there by two goals is definitely a tough ask. Needing to win by two clear goals on the road is a tough ask against any half decent team. But we’ve definitely passed a number of more difficult tests already this season. Beating Arsenal, beating Liverpool and beating Spurs would be the most obvious examples.

Agreed which is why I don’t quite get @TMDaines saying we are the same level. Even our defeat early in the season at OT showed that not to be the case.

They were beaten by Barca 1-4, drew with Atletico 1-1 and just lost their last La Liga match to Valladolid.

They rarely score many goals and have had a number of 1-0 wins against low end La Liga teams. I appreciate he’ll say well United haven’t been scoring many goals but as you point out we’ve been playing much harder opposition and performances gradually evolving/improving under EtH as the team adapts to his system.

 

[TwoSheds]

We can handle Barca. We are dead if we get Sevilla.

I assume this is a joke?

 

[Boondog]

A clean sheet vs Sociedad is possible. And I see no reason why we cannot put up a couple goals. So not worried.

And if we come up short bring on that extra challenge. This cup will likely be us vs Arse regardless. I really like where the team is right now. They are playing well and improving each week.

 

[sparx99]

couldn't give a feck if we top the group or not personally

You play an entire extra knockout round and it’s against the CL dropouts. Not those teams are dropping down cos they aren’t good but the extra round is a huge inconvenience in a busy season.

 

[pacifictheme]

Just another really strong performance. Against shit opposition sure, but we really battered them in a way we rarely have in years. Total control for 90 minutes.

 

[Godfather]

It's a joy watching us control teams like that. Under Ole we had good results too but we never looked in full control.

 

[Tarrou]

You play an entire extra knockout round and it’s against the CL dropouts. Not those teams are dropping down cos they aren’t good but the extra round is a huge inconvenience in a busy season.

yeah that sucks, had no idea about that

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It's a joy watching us control teams like that. Under Ole we had good results too but we never looked in full control.

Yup. And under Van Gaal we used to have loads of possession but created feck all. This combination of loads of possession and shots at goal is a new and very welcome vibe.

 

[AltiUn]

My nonsense? You actually think we can beat Real Sociedad away by 2 goals or more? You're an embarrassment. Feel free to quote me next week when we probably lose or draw 0-0.

The only reason they beat us last time was due to the worst penalty decision in football history. We're a miles better team now, we'll beat them comfortably.

 

[AltiUn]

Yup. And under Van Gaal we used to have loads of possession but created feck all. This combination of loads of possession and shots at goal is a new and very welcome vibe.

Also worth adding we're doing some very, very effective high pressing too. Even how we play out from the back has come on tremendously.

 

[sparx99]

Yup. And under Van Gaal we used to have loads of possession but created feck all. This combination of loads of possession and shots at goal is a new and very welcome vibe.

I’m very encouraged by the amount of progress given where we were last year. The attacking can still improve particularly the finishing but my god we are worlds away from last season. There is so much structure in the play.

 

[mctrials23]

I mean, that was a prime example of why they should be culling the number of teams in the EL. I can't imagine how awful the general standard is in the ECL. 0 attacking intent from them and defending with 11 players for 90% of the game.

Can't really take anything from that game.

 

[TMDaines]

Winning there by two goals is definitely a tough ask. Needing to win by two clear goals on the road is a tough ask against any half decent team. But we’ve definitely passed a number of more difficult tests already this season. Beating Arsenal, beating Liverpool and beating Spurs would be the most obvious examples.

Every bookmaker and forecasting model would disagree with you. The odds on beating Spurs and Arsenal at home by any scoreline would have been much more lower than than winning by at least two at Sociedad.

United have already drifted to 4/1 to win the group. Our implied probability therefore is comfortably under 20% (once you factor in the margin). We were around 45% to beat Spurs and 40% to beat Arsenal.

If you are more bullish, then you have great value to tap into in the betting markets, not just in this match but with United in general currently.

 

[SinNombre]

Nice victory but our understat Xg stat continues to be bad and that worries me.

Also there's a player in Garnacho. A good one.

We had 3.1 xG in this game and 4+ in the previous one in the Europa.

How is that concerning.

 

[onemanarmy]

I mean, that was a prime example of why they should be culling the number of teams in the EL. I can't imagine how awful the general standard is in the ECL. 0 attacking intent from them and defending with 11 players for 90% of the game.

Can't really take anything from that game.

Except that there are great matches between the so called smaller teams when they don't play Utd or a massive team. Football is played all over Europe you know, not just the big 4 or 5 competitions.

Let's just play the same 10 English, Spanish and 1 or 2 German teams against each other in Europe all the time...

 

[Real Name]

We had 3.1 xG in this game and 4+ in the previous one in the Europa.

How is that concerning.

Not that different to last season. Also understat is till too low.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Also worth adding we're doing some very, very effective high pressing too. Even how we play out from the back has come on tremendously.

Yeah, it does all seem to be coming together nicely, doesn’t it?

That said, I can guaran-fecking-tee there will be some bumps in the road ahead. And I can also guarantee this will have the ETH doubters out again in force. But c’est la vie. We’re going places. And that’s great.

 

[Longshanks]

Because that’s an attempted cross not a shot.

So if De Gea doesn't save it and it goes in, is it not a goal?

Attempted cross or not, it ended up as a shot.

 

[Whatsername]

Was anything said about away fans, or the lack of them, on the TV coverage? We’re in East lower so near to the away support but we couldn’t see any last night and no segregation either, but there was an announcement in Moldovan when they made a sub.

It made for a weird atmosphere, it almost felt like a friendly. Lots of tourists watching through phone screens, lots of little kids with it being half term.

 

[brian017]

The first tiebreaker is points won in games between the tied teams. The second tiebreaker is the most goals in the matches between the tied teams. The third tiebreaker is the most away goals in the matches between the tied teams.

So we don’t actually have to win by 2 clear goals, a 2-1 win will do. The important thing is scoring at least twice

 

[MinGin]

I don't think we will win next game against Sociedad, I have a feeling that we will be beaten by a ridiculous penalty

 

[Foolsgold21]

Nice easy and comfortable win - been a while since we've been able to say that, no matter who the opposition is.

Garnacho can be a good option off the bench this season, similar to the Elanga role - but obviously he has a much much higher ceiling.

If we get 7+ points from the 3 league games before the world cup then we will be in great shape for the return and the optimism will be invaluable over those 6/7 weeks.

 

[AltiUn]

We had 3.1 xG in this game and 4+ in the previous one in the Europa.

How is that concerning.

He's joking.

 

[RuudTom83]

The Sociedad game will be a nice test for the squad...like a mini final early in the season.

 

[Member 125288]

It was a cross

Statistically I don’t think that matters since it was on target and would’ve gone in if De Gea hadn’t comfortably caught it.

If big Dave had slipped and it went in are you suggesting the match stats would show Sheriff with a goal but no attempts at goal? That would be nonsensical.

 

[tenpoless]

Shots
24 0

 

[hellhunter]

The first tiebreaker is points won in games between the tied teams. The second tiebreaker is the most goals in the matches between the tied teams. The third tiebreaker is the most away goals in the matches between the tied teams.

So we don’t actually have to win by 2 clear goals, a 2-1 win will do. The important thing is scoring at least twice

Away goals aren't a thing anymore