[Lurpak99]

Both Arsenal and Liverpool were a man short and adjusted. We looked lost. The key difference. This is where a top manager thinks on his feet. Perhaps van Gaal should have dived like he did v Arsenal.

Liverpool had the advantage of being up against a tactically clueless manager in Pardew, on that front Pulis is miles better.

 

[Red Dreams]

Liverpool had the advantage of being up against a tactically clueless manager in Pardew, on that front Pulis is miles better.

...than van Gaal

 

[Sheldon69]

Little reminder we need a new manager going forward, no harm.

We've some very average players. Darmain, Carrick and Lingard are midtable right now.

As this guy ever put a cross into the box ?

 

[Sandikan]

Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton actually managed to come from behind in their games - and had less time to do it.

.

Yes what you say is true here, but it takes more out of you having to play with ten for so long.
Once Mata went it was always going to be a case of can we hold it 0-0.

Once we broke, that was it.The players were shattered. probably mentally too

 

[entropy]

The law of contradictions is wasted on this guy. Won't play Memphis when he is on form neither will he give him a break when he is utter shite.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He says he likes youth yet wouldn't trust Varela and TFM at the back. Left himself with apart from Smalling a shambolic defence, Blind is obviously exhausted. Darmian cannot cross a ball to save his life and Rojo is coming back from injury and can be scatterbrained at the best of times. With Lingard and Darmian we lost all attacking threat down that side. You don't trust the kids as much as you would have us believe.

 

[Red Dreams]

He says he likes youth yet wouldn't trust Varela and TFM at the back. Left himself with apart from Smalling a shambolic defence, Blind is obviously exhausted. Darmian cannot cross a ball to save his life and Rojo is coming back from injury and can be scatterbrained at the best of times. With Lingard and Darmian we lost all attacking threat down that side. You don't trust the kids as much as you would have us believe.

Did Varela play quite a few games and was thus rested? btw I really like this lad. Hope he plays v Liverpool.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Did Varela play quite a few games and was thus rested? btw I really like this lad. Hope he plays v Liverpool.

He was rested, but we didn't half miss his energy and crossing down that side.

 

[Red Dreams]

He was rested, but we didn't half miss his energy and crossing down that side.

He was brilliant v Arsenal. Fantastic crosser of the ball.

EDIT: Hope we have him on a good contract.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Thought we started poor, looked better after 10 men and then looked poor after goal. We don't respond to goals well.

 

[Dante]

No CBJ, no party.

He's one of the best crossers in the league and the only provider of actual width in the squad.

It's all well and good having wingers on their wrong foot cutting in, but you need a threat from the fullbacks to compensate. He's the best we have and without him we can't create anything against teams that park the bus.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Turned it off and went to the gym sometime after the Mata red card, first time I can remember doing something else while United were playing, first half that I saw didnt even resemble a football match, Van Gaal and his 0 shots on goal ever philosophy makes you honestly wonder why you watch football at all.

 

[GloryHunter07]

Can't believe LVG would tell Mata to get that immensely stupid red card, all down to the manager on that one!

Ive used those two together far too much this season.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Turned it off and went to the gym sometime after the Mata red card, first time I can remember doing something else while United were playing, first half that I saw didnt even resemble a football match, Van Gaal and his 0 shots on goal ever philosophy makes you honestly wonder why you watch football at all.

I turned it off after Rondon scored because it was obvious that was game over.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Despite the disappointment, I'm very happy for Fletch. Solid game today. He's got nowhere near the motor that he did in his prime but he's turned into a dependable CM with impeccable passing, control and technique.

 

[Acole9]

We played well with 10 men but the trouble is once they scored it pretty much knocked the stuffing out of the players. It's a shame because had it been 11 vs 11 I'm sure we would've beaten them.

 

[11101]

Pretty much switched off when Mata went. Its one thing to rally the players when you go a man down in the last 30 minutes, its conpletely different to play with 10 for over an hour.

 

[Rory 7]

The law of contradictions is wasted on this guy. Won't play Memphis when he is on form neither will he give him a break when he is utter shite.

What's all this talk about Memphis being 'on form' all about? He had two good games against a Danish team who are in their pre-season and Shrewsbury. He was, to put it bluntly, pure wank against Watford on Tuesday. He deserved to be dropped today.

 

[UnitedBoy]

Worst part about today was not United making me lose out on 470 quid. But the fact that the red card gave gaal a pathetic excuse why we lost.

 

[Red-Jeff]

Ive used those two together far too much this season.

Exactly, it's a shame!

 

[Esquire]

Despite the disappointment, I'm very happy for Fletch. Solid game today. He's got nowhere near the motor that he did in his prime but he's turned into a dependable CM with impeccable passing, control and technique.

Agree with you there. He looked well and is playing regularly. Happy for him.

 

[prateik]

Despite the disappointment, I'm very happy for Fletch. Solid game today. He's got nowhere near the motor that he did in his prime but he's turned into a dependable CM with impeccable passing, control and technique.

Agree with you there. He looked well and is playing regularly. Happy for him.

As of 9th Feb, he was 5th in the list of players with most distance covered.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...t-who-leads-arsenal-chelsea-and-a6863056.html

Fitness is certainly no longer an issue..
Delighted for him.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

As of 9th Feb, he was 5th in the list of players with most distance covered.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...t-who-leads-arsenal-chelsea-and-a6863056.html

Fitness is certainly no longer an issue..
Delighted for him.

Fitness is not an issue but he was a live wire when he played for us during his bets run from around 2008-2010. He's got nowhere near the same acceleration right now. He's remained a hard worker but not the same pest, which was the point I was trying to make.

 

[Perrick Dubois]

Bad result, didn't get to see the game live but I saw the goal. No idea where Blind was going but I guess that is what happens when you put a midfielder in defense and expect him to defend sequences like a natural defender.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Stop! Zombie time!

 

[SilentWitness]

There's a guy in the newbies saying that the defeat does not just lie with LVG, or even David Moyes, but with SAF.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

There's a guy in the newbies saying that the defeat does not just lie with LVG, or even David Moyes, but with SAF.

A defeat that featured 3 players who featured regularly under SAF is his fault? This guy is onto something

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Fellaini could have come on instead of Memphis to be honest. However with Darmian as the fullback it would have been no use. If Varela had been there it could have worked a treat.

 

[Golden Nugget]

Frustrating as hell. I played football yesterday a few hours before the game - our team consists of injury stricken players, players learning the game or people that just want to excercise - even though we play for fun we show more passion and press better than what United shower against west brom.

It wasn't as if West Brom were a constant menace or well organized like Watford were - they were very average, even then, they were able to create a lot of chances against us.

Mata was stupid, yes - but we had over an hour to re adjust, but it seemed like we never did that. At 0-0 we looked content with a draw - when we went 1-0 down we looked content of only conceding one goal as we only had 10 men.

I doubt I'm alone when I state this, but as bad as the result was, it wasn't the result that annoyed me - it was the lack of passion, the lack of fight, the lack of anything positive from he game. Arsenal dropped 2 points - I don't think you need much more motivation here to go out and get a win. The only United lad that showed any passion was captaining West Brom.

Didn't like the starting line up to begin with - its been a tough schedule so I understand the need to rotate - but Blind was the one that looked he most tired against Watford - Memphis has been in good form and didn't look tired. There's been a lot said about the subs, but I just want to echo that Memphis should have come on a lot earlier; while I understand Schneiderlin coming on, It should have been the tired Carrick coming off. Fellaini would have been perfect for this game as an option, yet TFM was brought on in the most pointless sub.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Frustrating as hell. I played football yesterday a few hours before the game - our team consists of injury stricken players, players learning the game or people that just want to excercise - even though we play for fun we show more passion and press better than what United shower against west brom.

It wasn't as if West Brom were a constant menace or well organized like Watford were - they were very average, even then, they were able to create a lot of chances against us.

Mata was stupid, yes - but we had over an hour to re adjust, but it seemed like we never did that. At 0-0 we looked content with a draw - when we went 1-0 down we looked content of only conceding one goal as we only had 10 men.

I doubt I'm alone when I state this, but as bad as the result was, it wasn't the result that annoyed me - it was the lack of passion, the lack of fight, the lack of anything positive from he game. Arsenal dropped 2 points - I don't think you need much more motivation here to go out and get a win. The only United lad that showed any passion was captaining West Brom.

Didn't like the starting line up to begin with - its been a tough schedule so I understand the need to rotate - but Blind was the one that looked he most tired against Watford - Memphis has been in good form and didn't look tired. There's been a lot said about the subs, but I just want to echo that Memphis should have come on a lot earlier; while I understand Schneiderlin coming on, It should have been the tired Carrick coming off. Fellaini would have been perfect for this game as an option, yet TFM was brought on in the most pointless sub.

I said in another thread about this, yes he should have been used but with Darmian not being able to put crosses in it would have been pointless. Varela however would have been the perfect fullback for him.

 

[Golden Nugget]

I said in another thread about this, yes he should have been used but with Darmian not being able to put crosses in it would have been pointless. Varela however would have been the perfect fullback for him.

Agreed - Darmian was shocking - but Fellaini could have been used in other methods, not just attacking crosses in the box - I recall constant long balls in Martial for example - would have been nicer to have them aimed at Fellaini, and have him hold up play for the likes of Martial, Memphis and Lingard... Or at least move us further up the pitch.

 

[Stretford End Phil]

I want my football team back - not this shoddy botch job.

I can accept the excuse young players fluctuate in form and performance in a most unpredictable manner. I can accept the Blind has been run ragged. I can accept Smalling is essential, and I can accept Mata had a one off and it was unfortunate. What I cannot accept is the dreadful waste of what was the existing squad, the use and abuse of young players without the proper conditions for their introduction, and misuse of the transfer market across 2 seasons.

LVG and the club walked into the WBA game all confident that things had turned around. He boasted of setting aside the January transfer window although we clearly needed defensive cover. He also implied what had been the season's malady had now been cured - clearly it hasn't. The euphoria balloon was burst and here we are again looking at a shambles, comparable to games like Stoke - what is the true performance that reflects our season? I defy anyone to find the real answer because in a season of twists and turns we still appear to be all over the place.

The transitions of young players has not been fine tuned and well managed although LVG wants the credit for the 'good' bits. Players have been thrown into the deep end, and while it worked twice for Rashford it also failed twice for Rashford. Being kind to both Jesse and Depay they have both flattered to deceive. I like the current crop of potentials but all the while the primary squad players look ever more ragged. Carrick is fast becoming an every other match player, Blind is exhausted, Ander runs into the ground, Morgen has his moments, and Smalling is our only defensive stalwart.

We are not a joined up football team. The squad and performances reflect a managerial methodology that is blatantly opportunist, pseudo-scientific, and markedly short in accepting responsibility for poor selection criteria, transfers in and out, and youth policy. Looking back we have lurched towards games rather than flowed like a well oiled machine. There is still something rotten in this system and we're continually reminded of it every 3 or 4 games.

We need a manager to set the machine working properly again, we need to address the questions concerning the first team regulars, and we need to re-profile our youth policy.

 

[Fully Fledged]

There's a guy in the newbies saying that the defeat does not just lie with LVG, or even David Moyes, but with SAF.

Because we drew 5-5 with them and it gave them the confidence to go on and beat us?

That's a silly reason but it is the only link between SAF and this loss.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

I want my football team back - not this shoddy botch job.

I can accept the excuse young players fluctuate in form and performance in a most unpredictable manner. I can accept the Blind has been run ragged. I can accept Smalling is essential, and I can accept Mata had a one off and it was unfortunate. What I cannot accept is the dreadful waste of what was the existing squad, the use and abuse of young players without the proper conditions for their introduction, and misuse of the transfer market across 2 seasons.

LVG and the club walked into the WBA game all confident that things had turned around. He boasted of setting aside the January transfer window although we clearly needed defensive cover. He also implied what had been the season's malady had now been cured - clearly it hasn't. The euphoria balloon was burst and here we are again looking at a shambles, comparable to games like Stoke - what is the true performance that reflects our season? I defy anyone to find the real answer because in a season of twists and turns we still appear to be all over the place.

The transitions of young players has not been fine tuned and well managed although LVG wants the credit for the 'good' bits. Players have been thrown into the deep end, and while it worked twice for Rashford it also failed twice for Rashford. Being kind to both Jesse and Depay they have both flattered to deceive. I like the current crop of potentials but all the while the primary squad players look ever more ragged. Carrick is fast becoming an every other match player, Blind is exhausted, Ander runs into the ground, Morgen has his moments, and Smalling is our only defensive stalwart.

We are not a joined up football team. The squad and performances reflect a managerial methodology that is blatantly opportunist, pseudo-scientific, and markedly short in accepting responsibility for poor selection criteria, transfers in and out, and youth policy. Looking back we have lurched towards games rather than flowed like a well oiled machine. There is still something rotten in this system and we're continually reminded of it every 3 or 4 games.

We need a manager to set the machine working properly again, we need to address the questions concerning the first team regulars, and we need to re-profile our youth policy.

Best post I've read in a while. Wish our football could be as direct and incisive.

 

[acrebo]

I want my football team back - not this shoddy botch job.

I can accept the excuse young players fluctuate in form and performance in a most unpredictable manner. I can accept the Blind has been run ragged. I can accept Smalling is essential, and I can accept Mata had a one off and it was unfortunate. What I cannot accept is the dreadful waste of what was the existing squad, the use and abuse of young players without the proper conditions for their introduction, and misuse of the transfer market across 2 seasons.

LVG and the club walked into the WBA game all confident that things had turned around. He boasted of setting aside the January transfer window although we clearly needed defensive cover. He also implied what had been the season's malady had now been cured - clearly it hasn't. The euphoria balloon was burst and here we are again looking at a shambles, comparable to games like Stoke - what is the true performance that reflects our season? I defy anyone to find the real answer because in a season of twists and turns we still appear to be all over the place.

The transitions of young players has not been fine tuned and well managed although LVG wants the credit for the 'good' bits. Players have been thrown into the deep end, and while it worked twice for Rashford it also failed twice for Rashford. Being kind to both Jesse and Depay they have both flattered to deceive. I like the current crop of potentials but all the while the primary squad players look ever more ragged. Carrick is fast becoming an every other match player, Blind is exhausted, Ander runs into the ground, Morgen has his moments, and Smalling is our only defensive stalwart.

We are not a joined up football team. The squad and performances reflect a managerial methodology that is blatantly opportunist, pseudo-scientific, and markedly short in accepting responsibility for poor selection criteria, transfers in and out, and youth policy. Looking back we have lurched towards games rather than flowed like a well oiled machine. There is still something rotten in this system and we're continually reminded of it every 3 or 4 games.

We need a manager to set the machine working properly again, we need to address the questions concerning the first team regulars, and we need to re-profile our youth policy.

Yeah, what he said.

 

[Tonjo]

LVG out is the best solution Man. United must embark on. I don't think Giggs is up to mark yet for the post.
Just wonder how he will instruct Ronaldo if Woodward were to bring him back?
If Ferguson were to baby-sit Giggs, why not do it himself rather.
So the best solution is to bring in Mourinho. Even though he won't be long term but United back to winning ways is a must as they must stop the rot and not to go the Liverpool way - downwards.
Back to the WBA match, LVG and Giggs had made the biggest basic mistake. Never change a winning young and energetic team. Knowing WBA will be rough and tough, playing Carrick with the Spaniards is worst tactical decision. Timolthy FM should be playing in holding mid-field with Sneiderlin. Felianni should be No. 10 and leave the 3 speedsters (Martial, Memphis and Rashford) doing the runs up front. Felianni will be useful in the air against the taller WBA team when defending corners and set-pieces. Darmian has no right to walk back into the team as Varela has done well since deputizing. When in away games, tightening up and gaining at least a point is better than loosing all 3.
My predictions if LVG is still around - 7th in the premier league, knocked out of Europa cup by Liverpool and knocked out of the FA cup by W.Ham. Hope that I will be wrong.

 

[Eurotrash]

My son wanted to switch channel so he could see "Princess Sofia".

I didn't object.

 

[bugmat]

The law of contradictions is wasted on this guy. Won't play Memphis when he is on form neither will he give him a break when he is utter shite.

It all depends on if the player is in the red, yellow, green, fuchsia or el capitan color zone mate. Depay must be around turquoise now.

 

[bugmat]

I want my football team back - not this shoddy botch job.

I can accept the excuse young players fluctuate in form and performance in a most unpredictable manner. I can accept the Blind has been run ragged. I can accept Smalling is essential, and I can accept Mata had a one off and it was unfortunate. What I cannot accept is the dreadful waste of what was the existing squad, the use and abuse of young players without the proper conditions for their introduction, and misuse of the transfer market across 2 seasons.

LVG and the club walked into the WBA game all confident that things had turned around. He boasted of setting aside the January transfer window although we clearly needed defensive cover. He also implied what had been the season's malady had now been cured - clearly it hasn't. The euphoria balloon was burst and here we are again looking at a shambles, comparable to games like Stoke - what is the true performance that reflects our season? I defy anyone to find the real answer because in a season of twists and turns we still appear to be all over the place.

The transitions of young players has not been fine tuned and well managed although LVG wants the credit for the 'good' bits. Players have been thrown into the deep end, and while it worked twice for Rashford it also failed twice for Rashford. Being kind to both Jesse and Depay they have both flattered to deceive. I like the current crop of potentials but all the while the primary squad players look ever more ragged. Carrick is fast becoming an every other match player, Blind is exhausted, Ander runs into the ground, Morgen has his moments, and Smalling is our only defensive stalwart.

We are not a joined up football team. The squad and performances reflect a managerial methodology that is blatantly opportunist, pseudo-scientific, and markedly short in accepting responsibility for poor selection criteria, transfers in and out, and youth policy. Looking back we have lurched towards games rather than flowed like a well oiled machine. There is still something rotten in this system and we're continually reminded of it every 3 or 4 games.

We need a manager to set the machine working properly again, we need to address the questions concerning the first team regulars, and we need to re-profile our youth policy.

Agree with every single thing here especially the bodled bits. Been saying this for a while now - he has become a chancer of a manager

 

[Paul the Wolf]

I want my football team back - not this shoddy botch job.

I can accept the excuse young players fluctuate in form and performance in a most unpredictable manner. I can accept the Blind has been run ragged. I can accept Smalling is essential, and I can accept Mata had a one off and it was unfortunate. What I cannot accept is the dreadful waste of what was the existing squad, the use and abuse of young players without the proper conditions for their introduction, and misuse of the transfer market across 2 seasons.

LVG and the club walked into the WBA game all confident that things had turned around. He boasted of setting aside the January transfer window although we clearly needed defensive cover. He also implied what had been the season's malady had now been cured - clearly it hasn't. The euphoria balloon was burst and here we are again looking at a shambles, comparable to games like Stoke - what is the true performance that reflects our season? I defy anyone to find the real answer because in a season of twists and turns we still appear to be all over the place.

The transitions of young players has not been fine tuned and well managed although LVG wants the credit for the 'good' bits. Players have been thrown into the deep end, and while it worked twice for Rashford it also failed twice for Rashford. Being kind to both Jesse and Depay they have both flattered to deceive. I like the current crop of potentials but all the while the primary squad players look ever more ragged. Carrick is fast becoming an every other match player, Blind is exhausted, Ander runs into the ground, Morgen has his moments, and Smalling is our only defensive stalwart.

We are not a joined up football team. The squad and performances reflect a managerial methodology that is blatantly opportunist, pseudo-scientific, and markedly short in accepting responsibility for poor selection criteria, transfers in and out, and youth policy. Looking back we have lurched towards games rather than flowed like a well oiled machine. There is still something rotten in this system and we're continually reminded of it every 3 or 4 games.

We need a manager to set the machine working properly again, we need to address the questions concerning the first team regulars, and we need to re-profile our youth policy.

Cannot disagree with any of this