Thought Dan James did well though. He was a threat when on the ball and they clearly needed to foul him out of fear from his pace. Just needs to improve his delivery. Maybe have him and martial/ rashford swap flanks more often.
PL D FA Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1:1 Manchester United
Post-match discussion
Mon, 19 August 2019
Thought Dan James did well though. He was a threat when on the ball and they clearly needed to foul him out of fear from his pace. Just needs to improve his delivery. Maybe have him and martial/ rashford swap flanks more often.
I was quite impressed today that we didn’t capitulate after their wonder strike. We seemed in control of the game for probably all but 10 minutes of it. We had chances and of course that penalty...
My main issue is that we don’t seem clinical enough in final third still. Playing balls into people’s heels and lack of understanding is still there to see despite all the Pre season training.
I was disappointed in Lingard today who fluffed his lines and offered very little. Pereira seemed to improve us instantly with quick decision making. And very disappointed that Shaw couldn’t strike the ball better right at the end there. It would have been an amazing win and confidence booster for him if he blasted that into the roof of the net.
My main issue is that we don’t seem clinical enough in final third still. Playing balls into people’s heels and lack of understanding is still there to see despite all the Pre season training.
I was disappointed in Lingard today who fluffed his lines and offered very little. Pereira seemed to improve us instantly with quick decision making. And very disappointed that Shaw couldn’t strike the ball better right at the end there. It would have been an amazing win and confidence booster for him if he blasted that into the roof of the net.
Failed to create much in the first half when our dominance was complete and undeniable. We closed down the first attacker effectively, we collected all the second balls, we pinned them down in their box but our tempo in the final third was pedestrian. The tactics worked perfectly but our end product didn't show that.
In the second half, they targeted Shaw with a pacey player coming on and they managed to find some spaces more centrally, mainly because McTominay was forced to cover on the left. We found the answers defensively but Wolves also found some room to breathe and the second half seemed like a more even contest.
The main positive was that we looked solid again at the back. Another big plus is that in the first 45 minutes we had a clear indication that Solskjaer's plan can take us forward if we add some more quality in the coming transfer windows.
A couple of other things: Solskjaer should decide on who our designated penalty taker is going to be. Just because we have Maguire, who's a good header of the ball, doesn't mean that we can't have some variety in our set-pieces. When your opponent has a midfielder who has scored double digits from long-range lurking on the edge of the box in a dead-ball situation, you should keep an eye on him.
In the end, football is a funny game. Had Lingard taken his chance early in the second half, it would have been a walk in the park.
In the second half, they targeted Shaw with a pacey player coming on and they managed to find some spaces more centrally, mainly because McTominay was forced to cover on the left. We found the answers defensively but Wolves also found some room to breathe and the second half seemed like a more even contest.
The main positive was that we looked solid again at the back. Another big plus is that in the first 45 minutes we had a clear indication that Solskjaer's plan can take us forward if we add some more quality in the coming transfer windows.
A couple of other things: Solskjaer should decide on who our designated penalty taker is going to be. Just because we have Maguire, who's a good header of the ball, doesn't mean that we can't have some variety in our set-pieces. When your opponent has a midfielder who has scored double digits from long-range lurking on the edge of the box in a dead-ball situation, you should keep an eye on him.
In the end, football is a funny game. Had Lingard taken his chance early in the second half, it would have been a walk in the park.
Neville on Sanchez 
Exactly. I want to hurt myself going through some of the hysterical moaning here and in the matchday thread.
Oh fair enough, as you were.
We drew away to a very good team. Were a bit unlucky and not clinical. We move onto the next one, squad depth is a bit if an issue. Certainly not a cause for a meltdown.
The criticism of Lingard here is spot on. He has moments in him but just isn't capable of sustaining a positive contribution to the team performance on the pitch. James is a work in progress and I'm happy to watch him progress, but I suspect we will need to bring in Sancho next season to shore things up on the right.
On to Lingard and James. It really feels like we're trying to compensate for losing our solidarity in the middle from Ander's ball winning, by having James working hard up and down the right and Lingard winning a few balls from the attack. I guess AWB is another change that might have made that work but... They might be competing for or winning the ball a few times a match but they arent doing it in the same dangerous areas Ander would, between midfield and defense centrally. We had massive gaps open up there when Wolves broke.
And even if it did work, having players who have more quality and are sharper in attack than Lingard and James in attacking roles is surely better. I dont think a winger can really make up for your CM not paying much attention to defensive duty.
Just seems to be backwards
And even if it did work, having players who have more quality and are sharper in attack than Lingard and James in attacking roles is surely better. I dont think a winger can really make up for your CM not paying much attention to defensive duty.
Just seems to be backwards
That's not even remotely close to the truth. Wolves had a 10-minute spell after half-time where they dominated the game (and scored in that period to their credit) after that United pretty much dominated the game. Wolves played on the counter for the remainder of the game but created very little.
We deserved the 3 points all in all. Wasn't to be though.
So Martial, Lingard, Mata and James were rubbish but there were loads of positives? Not sure I follow...
I will tell you something, regardless of issues i have with tonight`s game. I feel better with this draw and that performance than after game and win last season after Watford and that comes from someone who was always (till recently) a bit more of "3pts regardless of performance" type.
Good post. Unfortunately we can always rely on this place to get hysterical anytime we don't win a game. Bunch of children on here.
My take - the first half was extremely impressive. Defensively pretty much perfect and as you say coming to this ground and completely dominating an entire half of football is not something we will see from any team apart from the very best.
The negatives? Not that many. As you say we are clearly not the finished article, but we are seeing encouraging foundations here. We lack creativity for sure. Sancho looks an obvious target and if we can get him next summer along with a classy 10/8 hybrid then we could see this team being a real contender next season.
We will definitely finish top 4 this season. Over 38 games I'd have a strong defence over a strong attack every single time. I don't think we will lose nearly as often as our direct competition for those places.
What's that related to Martial ? We needed attacking reinforcement second half and our options were Greenwood and Mata. It's a long season and not just one game and we totally lack any depth up front. Our options in the attack are very, very limited and one injury to Martial or Rashford and we'll be totally fecked.
Lingard played well ? You must have a rock bottom expectation then.
Yep. It's definitely possible to feel optimistic after a draw, and this is one of those occasions. A lot of teams will get beat here
What he said sorry?
Wolves had a 5 minute spell and scored.
We dominated the match and should have won - I’ll take that over what happened last year.
We’re making progress which Is good.
We dominated the match and should have won - I’ll take that over what happened last year.
We’re making progress which Is good.
United last season would've crumbled after the pressure subsequen to their goal.
Not a terrible result but we should be expecting more if we want to qualify for CL.
It is glaringly obvious we have room to improve with a creative mid and winger.
McT ---- Pogba
------CM
RW---Martial--Beanz
Not a terrible result but we should be expecting more if we want to qualify for CL.
It is glaringly obvious we have room to improve with a creative mid and winger.
McT ---- Pogba
------CM
RW---Martial--Beanz
So they happened during the game, where we conceded 1 goal and very nearly conceded a 2nd. Gotcha, so obviously we werent comfortable defensively
How the feck were those chances "sitters"?
Should prove to be a good point away come the end of the season.
Unlucky not to have won the game. Why didnt Rashford take the penalty? Seemed a bit odd.
Unlucky not to have won the game. Why didnt Rashford take the penalty? Seemed a bit odd.
Positives: Wolves hardly had a sniff at home (2 shots on target)
Cons: We only had 2 shots on goal too, really need to improve in attack and create more clear cut chances.
Cons: We only had 2 shots on goal too, really need to improve in attack and create more clear cut chances.
Our corners are still a bit of a problem
Not the right time to sell Alexis. At least wait till winter. Can't rely on Mata and Greenwood.
Some people, including myself, let their emotions control them over rationale. People are different. Of course I know we are in a transition period and this is not how we are going to be forever, but it sure as hell feels like it after 6 years off piss poor football. Especially a game like this were a win would have been absolutely perfect, it's frustrating as hell.
Other than the performance of some players, I thought first half we were very good. Wolves didn't have a shot on target and we had almost 70% possession. 2nd half they fought back and our inexperience caught us.
We'd have lost this game last season so there's improvement. Its just so frustrating because we almost had it.
We'd have lost this game last season so there's improvement. Its just so frustrating because we almost had it.
Indeed and one big positive was we actually passed from back without panic when they pressed really aggressively.
James played today due to his high work rate and fitness levels. He made a few great covering interceptions to stifle Wolves famous counter attacks or won a foul from getting back in the defensive phases. He won't play every game but think his inclusion today was obvious and paid off.
Lingard we are stuck with as we didn't get the number 10 in the summer. That's life unfortunately. It's a rebuild and we will do what we can until the right player becomes available. He'll still be useful but it's certainly not a plan as such.
It's easy to see where our next phase of recruitment should be. Lingard is an average player. James is still raw but encouraging. Sancho and Havertz would complete this team
Didn’t city get the exact same result last season
Its simple, Rashford takes that pen and we top of the league celebrating a hard fought victory with less negative threads and more 8 days of heaven kinda threads.
Appart from the Penalty and Martials goal, we really did not create much. Calling the result flattering is not correct as a draw was very fair enough for both teams. And this was me being frustrated.
Still, there is no plan on how to attack. We struggle to play out of defence when there is some pressure. We are "forced" to play the ball to the fullbacks and they advance up the pitch with the ball and are then pressured with no-one to pass to. The same problems as last season. And even though we have focused on improving the stamina during the preseason we should have been able to improve on some of these important issues.
Hopefully, we are able to play more as a team and the players can play regularly out of attack without resorting to playing risky or blind passes, but I just don't see it.
We're not going to do anything in the league though are we. We're at the start of the rebuild and the first target is to get CL football. Today's result was a good one in that context.
Exactly. Stick David Luiz and that Kebab Shop owner who plays next to him at centre half and we fold tonight under that second half pressure.
Our bench is so poor..it’s ridiculous. Wolves have a much better bench than us- how are we going to possibly challenge for top 4?
If we get any injuries too it could be catastrophic- we need to keep Sanchez
If we get any injuries too it could be catastrophic- we need to keep Sanchez
We desperately need a designated, quality and consistent set piece taker.
Our corners, free kicks and penalties are frequently poor.
Our corners, free kicks and penalties are frequently poor.
More than happy to take 4 points from two very tough fixtures on paper. We deserved to win both so plenty to be positive about.
Martial is looking like a real natural striker.
Only negative is the vibe around Pogba. Something needs to be done to resolve that...im just not sure what that is. A new contract feels like a bad message to send, but might be for the greater good.
Probably should have sold him and brought in 3 other midfielders and a RW to ensure greater overall quality increase.
Martial is looking like a real natural striker.
Only negative is the vibe around Pogba. Something needs to be done to resolve that...im just not sure what that is. A new contract feels like a bad message to send, but might be for the greater good.
Probably should have sold him and brought in 3 other midfielders and a RW to ensure greater overall quality increase.
Absolute rubbish. Did you watch the game? You don't come here and not concede Amy chances. Bar a 5 minute spell we were far the better team.
Much better than last season overall.
If Greenwood/Gomes can be integrated into this line-up and bin Lingard/Mata top 4 should be nailed on.
Unfortunately i think only injuries will bring this about..
If Greenwood/Gomes can be integrated into this line-up and bin Lingard/Mata top 4 should be nailed on.
Unfortunately i think only injuries will bring this about..
Wolves very nearly conceeded a few goals. Were they more assured at the back than lucky United?
Honestly don't know where you're going with this. Our defence is the last of my worries and we cruise tonight with a better ball in the final third/more movement.
The issues tonight are at the other end of the pitch yet you're still going on about the back 4!
I think Pereira is our best set piece taker but he's not a starter. Hate to see our LB run all the way up to take a corner from the right. Madness.
Man of the Match
Runners-up
-
34%
Anthony Martial
-
8%
Harry Maguire
-
6%
Marcus Rashford
-
5%
Paul Pogba
-
3%
Daniel James
-
2%
Victor Lindelof
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1%
Luke Shaw
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1%
Scott McTominay
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 613 ratings.
Score Predictions
693,60,145
- Man Utd win
- Wolves win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 24% Wolves 1:2 Man Utd
- 23% Wolves 0:2 Man Utd
- 11% Wolves 1:1 Man Utd
- 11% Wolves 1:3 Man Utd
- 8% Wolves 0:3 Man Utd
- 6% Wolves 0:1 Man Utd
- 4% Wolves 2:1 Man Utd
- 3% Wolves 2:2 Man Utd
- 2% Wolves 0:0 Man Utd
- 2% Wolves 0:5 Man Utd
- 1% Wolves 0:4 Man Utd
- 1% Wolves 2:0 Man Utd
- 1% Wolves 1:0 Man Utd
- 1% Wolves 2:3 Man Utd
- 1% Wolves 3:1 Man Utd
- 0% Wolves 5:0 Man Utd
- 0% Wolves 1:4 Man Utd
- 0% Wolves 2:5 Man Utd
- 0% Wolves 3:0 Man Utd
- 0% Wolves 4:4 Man Utd
Match Stats
- Wolves
- Man Utd
- Possession
- 34% 66%
- Shots
- 6 9
- Shots on Target
- 2 2
- Corners
- 4 6
- Fouls
- 17 8
Referee
Jonathan Moss
Man Utd Lineup
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replaced by Juan Mata
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-
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replaced by Andreas Pereira
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replaced by Mason Greenwood
