[Foxbatt]

Mikhi was terrible in his passing but the moment we took him off, then even that option of someone crossing came off. Mata is a player who needs to be away from this team. Yes his negatives outweigh his positives. I,for one did not know what Lingaard was doing today? There were so many passes on for everyone yet everyone held on to the ball till they got crowded out. As for Rashford, the less said the better.
I am losing my faith in Jose simply because he could not get the forwards and the midfield to pass. All they seems to do is to run into the opposition and then get crowded out. I do not think Pep would win the PL with this team as Carragher says but surely he will get them to play a lot better.
I thought Shaw had a very good game and probably the best player after DeGea and that says a lot about the rest of them.

 

[arthurka]

Ancelotti is available... Please get him on the blower.. Cant take much more of this negative crap that Mourinho seems to be spreading...

 

[Borden]

Ancelotti is available... Please get him on the blower.. Cant take much more of this negative crap that Mourinho seems to be spreading...

As much as I loathe the football we're currently serving up, I really, really don't think Ancelotti is the answer.

 

[Klopp_De_Klown]

Tripping over ourselves to give away another 2 points again. Thats 3 points outa 9 we got over Christmas. Nobody to blame but ourselves.

Our midfield still pretends it belongs on the pitch . We need a powerhouse in the engine room to help Matic. Pogba cannot hold he needs to be free. An old SAF style 4411 with modern flexibility with Pogba being the 10 would suit us and him slotting in to help when defending. Time to go back to basics and keep it simple. Then see where we need to adjust as to wherethings work or not. Oh, and you know what would be really good? If when clearing a ball from defence we actually had a system to find OUR OWN man once in a while.
I know some want a back 3 and it may be a better option but we are doing nothing right and everything wrong. So it might actually be a bigger risk than the back 4 and I think we only have 3 fit centre-backs at the moment. So it will not be risked.

Did we actually make a real chance today? I don't think so and we had no sustained pressure and I'm sick to death of other teams looking like scoring EVERY time they attack. They always seem to have a man over or an extra runner in space. 2 holding midfielders would solidify us no end and in time allow us to play and create with a front diamond and fullbacks pushed into the wing positions when we have the ball.

We are going nowhere fast, as we are. Far as I'm concerned the pretence has to stop. We are not good enough, we were sharper at the start and we need to get back to our strong defence and build on it. Horses for courses and rotation so people play loads still and yet get rests and keep fresh.

Oh and if someone can tell why Pogba touched that ball on the goal line, the brainless cnut, I'd be eternally greatful. Even if it's not 100% going in, touching it means its no chance at all. What a donk. We have no collective football intelligence. This is not the team that ran chelsea off the park last season. Where has that team gone and where is its footballing nouse that on that day made chelsea look so clueless?

Because we are a million miles form that this season so far. Backwards we have gone! Time for a new number 2 on the bench, bring some fresh ideas and thinking. As it is we are looking as clueless as chelsea did that day.

 

[Raoul]

Ancelotti is available... Please get him on the blower.. Cant take much more of this negative crap that Mourinho seems to be spreading...

I prefer a younger, attack minded manager.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

As much as I loathe the football we're currently serving up, I really, really don't think Ancelotti is the answer.

Isn't negativity why Bayern got rid?

 

[Borden]

Isn't negativity why Bayern got rid?

I read that he did very little actual coaching in training, which the players didn't like. And yes I think there were complaints about his brand of football too. Heynckes said something along the lines of wanting to bring "good football" back to Bayern when he took over again. And in any case Ancelotti has never proven himself as a builder, which is what we need. If we had a ready-made team of stars in their prime then maybe he could do a job.

 

[SirScholes]

Mou has to take the blame the players are good enough to be putting away the last 3 games.
Pogba has to be the go to guy and not matic, Herrera on to free Pogba would of been the move.
Also someone stop matic shooting from 40 yards when we are building pressure! Does my tits in

 

[Full bodied red]

Every year, in summer, I look forward to the new season's fixtures coming out and the first dates I look for are the three or four matches around Christmas and New Year.

Suppose I'm spolied by the nice-feeling memories of Christmases past,spent in the living room, surrounded by christmas trees and christmas lights and with a nice fire going, watching us demolish even good teams.

After today, and almost £500 million spent on players and three different managers in just four years, I wonder if that part of christmas is now gone forever.

 

[Mart1974]

Mikhi was terrible in his passing but the moment we took him off, then even that option of someone crossing came off. Mata is a player who needs to be away from this team. Yes his negatives outweigh his positives. I,for one did not know what Lingaard was doing today? There were so many passes on for everyone yet everyone held on to the ball till they got crowded out. As for Rashford, the less said the better.
I am losing my faith in Jose simply because he could not get the forwards and the midfield to pass. All they seems to do is to run into the opposition and then get crowded out. I do not think Pep would win the PL with this team as Carragher says but surely he will get them to play a lot better.
I thought Shaw had a very good game and probably the best player after DeGea and that says a lot about the rest of them.

Shaw was terrible. He could not clear the first defender when crossing, to odd time that he did ge massively overhit the cross. From my place in the stands he was running a good 20 yards inside the touchline and therefore easy to hold up,.

 

[Ban]

This was dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. Dare to say we're back at square one. Maybe not yet but we will be if we don't turn things around. We're up to our knees in a top 4 fight now.

 

[arthurka]

I prefer a younger, attack minded manager.

As much as I loathe the football we're currently serving up, I really, really don't think Ancelotti is the answer.

I really wasnt really making that claim that he should take over just pointing out that there are some top managers available out there..

I would love to get some guy in that likes to keep the ball and play direct but we are in dire need of direction and there aren't that many top managers available out there.. But we need someone fresh that could liven this place up again..

 

[VeevaVee]

It's not the results that bother me so much. It's the complete lack of drive and the bumbling around with the ball. The team needs urgent work and it's pissing me off that it doesn't seem to be happening.

 

[Ban]

I really wasnt really making that claim that he should take over just pointing out that there are some top managers available out there..

I would love to get some guy in that likes to keep the ball and play direct but we are in dire need of direction and there aren't that many top managers available out there.. But we need someone fresh that could liven this place up again..

Yeah, lets start all over again!
Waheee.

 

[Red Pavan]

You must copy and paste these replies every week. (The first month of the season aside).

I genuinely think that Liverpool game killed our confidence as a team, we were steamrolling teams 4 - 0 so regularly that it became a joke around here! Then Mourinho set up against Liverpool in the most cowardly fashion and basically told the players that he doesn't trust them, and from that point on there was only one thing that was going to happen, players playing with the knowledge that their manager has no faith in them.

Well done zapping the players confidence Mou.

I don't post much in the Post match threads. Possibly done around five or six times this season.

 

[Berbaclass]

We badly need the identity that Fergie seemed to take with him when he left. Things are sort of okay at times if we go in front but Scholes was right about our start to the season.

I think it just papered over the cracks and hid the deficiencies in the team the good form we had starting the season ,now things aren’t quite as rosy were seeing the true reality.

When things don’t go to plan the players have no idea what to do and just play aimlessly. Lacking pace in the build up and generally just lacking ideas.

Mkhitaryan is a bit of a scapegoat for me, he’s not a left winger so people shouldn’t really be surprised when he gets shifted out there and plays badly.

Really think there needs to be an overhaul. Not particularly in personnel but more of our approach. I’m just baffled that we’re still in this place after 18 months of Jose and many millions seemingly down the drain.

 

[Borden]

Yeah, lets start all over again!
Waheee.

"Start over"? What would have to be abandoned for us to start over? We're impotent going forward, and vulnerable in defence. What is the plan exactly? What is Mourinho trying to do with this team? I can't see it.

I can tolerate a year or two of less-than-stellar results if I have the feeling that we're going somewhere, but at the moment Mourinho doesn't seem to have a clue about what he wants to do and how he wants the team to play. We look completely clueless. So "starting over" doesn't really sound like a bad idea to me. But I don't think Ancelotti is the guy to do that, in fact I think he could very well prove to be a disastrous appointment.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Same sort of performance we usually see, just a disappointing result, it's a chore watching us, not a pleasure.

 

[Ban]

"Start over"? What would have to be abandoned for us to start over? We're impotent going forward, and vulnerable in defence. What is the plan exactly? What is Mourinho trying to do with this team? I can't see it.

I can tolerate a year or two of less-than-stellar results if I have the feeling that we're going somewhere, but at the moment Mourinho doesn't seem to have a clue about what he wants to do and how he wants the team to play. We look completely clueless. So "starting over" doesn't really sound like a bad idea to me. But I don't think Ancelotti is the guy to do that, in fact I think he could very well prove to be a disastrous appointment.

We have been starting over for 4 years now. It surely must stop at one point.

 

[Foxbatt]

It is terrible coaching or the players are not listening to him. When our attack gets the ball they do not know what to do with it. They just run and run and then into traffic and lose it.
I would rather have Carlos Quiroz now than Jose. At least he had a game plan.

 

[Pyroblazer]

We have been starting over for 4 years now. It surely must stop at one point.

Our problem is rather that we haven't started anything for the last 4 years. van Gaal had maybe sth in his mind but it clearly didn't work. I don't see where we are exactly heading under Jose, there is clearly no idea how we want to play or to improve except spending money. So I don't see how it is starting over.

 

[Stubble]

Jose obviously doesn't trust the second string squad players (Blind, Darmian, Herrera etc- and i don't blame him) this has led to too many games over xmas for the likes of Pogba, Matic, Young and they look tired and jaded. We are crying out for an injection of youth and enthusiasm but the likes of TFM and Peirera were allowed out on loan (bad decision in my opinion) and Tuanzebe etc don't get a look in even in cup matches. We have a defensive and midfield injury crisis every year without fail but this was not forseen - bonkers!

 

[Ban]

Our problem is rather that we haven't started anything for the last 4 years. van Gaal had maybe sth in his mind but it clearly didn't work. I don't see where we are exactly heading under Jose, there is clearly no idea how we want to play or to improve except spending money. So I don't see how it is starting over.

Pay a visit to my thread.

 

[Berbaclass]

Mourinho gives me the impression that he doesn’t think he’ll be here much longer and just doesn’t really care because of it. Of course that’s just my opinion and nor based on anything in particular but I think it just translates into the pitch.

 

[The Mad Manc]

Finding it really hard to stay positive at the moment. Clueless

 

[Treble]

Second half was shocking. Against Burnley the players were fighting. Not today.

 

[Fully Fledged]

We have been starting over for 4 years now. It surely must stop at one point.

Do you really think that Jose is here for the long haul? If not then what's the difference starting again next season or the season after when his contract is up?

The problem is that we don't seem to have a style of play. We don't seem to have a goal that we are building towards with regards to play style.

 

[togg]

Bloody frustrating. We really seem to have lost a whole load of confidence. The argument that without cities freak season we would be probably contending seriously for the title is starting to wear thin with these last few results. Unfortunately I think we are going to join in the battle for 3/4th place now. Looking at Mourinho in the post match, aside from his general caustic nature when losing, he looks perplexed, anxious and....not beaten, but weary.

 

[The Mad Manc]

Mourinho gives me the impression that he doesn’t think he’ll be here much longer and just doesn’t really care because of it. Of course that’s just my opinion and nor based on anything in particular but I think it just translates into the pitch.

My two cents only, but it feels like he's lost the changing room. Only Young put in a shift tonight

 

[Ban]

Do you really think that Jose is here for the long haul? If not then what's the difference starting again next season or the season after when his contract is up?

The problem is that we don't seem to have a style of play. We don't seem to have a goal that we are building towards with regards to play style.

I expect him to stay those 3 years at least. As for the 2nd part, yeah that's concerning.

 

[Berbaclass]

I expect him to stay those 3 years at least. As for the 2nd part, yeah that's concerning.

He’ll probably only stay another season purely because of lack of a better alternative though.

 

[United22]

Tripping over ourselves to give away another 2 points again. Thats 3 points outa 9 we got over Christmas. Nobody to blame but ourselves.
This is not the team that ran chelsea off the park last season. Where has that team gone and where is its footballing nouse that on that day made chelsea look so clueless?
.

That is the best performance we have seen in the last 4 years without a doubt, and it shows we are capable of playing good. We just need to get that formula right

 

[Sing you a song]

5 years since our last title what a wake up call
We are in real danger of being left behind like Liverpool .
In this day and age it is all about spending power like never before .

I'm sure the owners see the top 4 every season and automatic champs lge qualification as the holy grail , but this is a much tougher ,more equal lge than it was 10 years ago . Now every prem team is awash with cash if we don't stop the slide soon and capture back our top spot then the gravy train will end , the sponsors will find somewhere else to spend there money .

Liverpool were top dogs for years , became complacent and never recovered and personally I don't think they ever will , we could be next unless the board wake up and smell the roses

 

[Chekhov]

Interesting to see the fans Boo-ing the team.

I think they might've been saying "Buu-urns, Buu-urns!"

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Bundle of lazy pricks only attempted to take it up a gear in the last 5 minutes - too little too late. Why don’t they play with that intensity for say the last 30 minutes? We are st home drawing a game, yet they show absolutely no urgency.

 

[Catt]

Today was the day I lost faith in José. Don't think he'll be able to turn this round and achieve anything here now.

Think I'm on the wall as of now.

 

[Mozza]

Different game, same old shite

 

[Catt]

Ancelotti is available... Please get him on the blower.. Cant take much more of this negative crap that Mourinho seems to be spreading...

Shouldn't go near Ancelotti. Better of keeping Jose for the time being at least.

 

[Luffy]

We were drifting towards mediocrity, now we're on a collision course to it. I think a new signing will definitely reinvigorate the team, but at this point I would be hard put to identify anyone who could be both willing to join, and have the potential to become a definite asset to this team. For one thing, I'm not sure if having a less than reliable defensive line means that Mourinho has to rein it his attacking ardours, or whether he would choose to play with this system even if he had the right players. What I mean to say is, would it matter bringing in the best players we can find if this is how they're set up?

In his last title-winning season at Chelsea, Mourinho's team managed to have one of the highest number of chances created, and yet concede the least amount of goals. The difference is that Hazard isn't around this time. But even more crucially, Chelsea's back line looked solid at that time, whereas ours simply doesn't. This meant that both Oscar and Fabregas could operate further up the pitch and prod for errors in the opposition's defense while Hazard did his thing, all in safe knowledge that they weren't going to get sucker punched if things go wrong. Threats on to the opposition's defense could come from a variety of sources, and they certainly did. I had thought that strengthening the team defensively was the solution to unleash Pogba, and Matic's presence in the team, while beneficial hasn't exactly done that. Maybe it has, and it's just that Pogba is just not up to it at the moment. Who knows, though: a defensive leader could drastically alter the dynamics of this team.

A player with flair could be the answer. I'm afraid that this system just doesn't seem to get the best of Mata and Mkhi, and Rashford's form isn't exactly scintillating in his current role. Lingard is good but only when he can use his speed and positional sense to create chances for himself, and I thus see him more as a late-game impact player.

There is no question in my mind whether Mourinho needs players. The real question is, just how many?

 

[Tahiri]

Decent first half I think, but lack of intensity and quality in the last thirty meters.

Those kind of matches where you see the importance of Lukaku! He attracts defenders leaving more space for wingers. Today there was no space.

Luke Shaw just centers randomly into the box. Lingard has decent runs but incapable of doing a pass (not United compatible). That's was a match for Miki to shine as Southampton does not exert pressure on ball holder but he threw his opportunity away.

I think Mourinho needs to work more on attack strategies, our defence is good enough !

As for people demanding his dismissal, they should just not fall into the media trap. Portraying Mourinho as defensive manager is just caricature. He's just pragmatic and wants to control every detail. He is not a risk taker. Let him do his job peacefully.