Like most things last night, Matic was at fault for the goal. He's the one who was marking and tracking Dybala, but then curiously he just let him go. Lindelof was great. Seems like a player who would be good for us if he was in a highly functional and well coached team. But in the current mess we're in at the moment, he's probably going to continue to be very inconsistent.
2
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 40
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Status
I don’t think it was Smalling’s fault, but of course he had to leave his position. Ronaldo, Cuadrado and Dybala were all attacking on their right side. This is also how they confused United a few times the first 20 minutes. I think they need to take the blame as a team, not one individual. At the same time they were facing one of the best attacking forces in this solar system, and they were shifting positions very smart, and then add the luck of a double deflection ending up perfectly for Dyabala. This will happen one or two times in a match against Juve. The good thing is that United seemed to solve it because Juve tried the same thing a few times in the second half but failed.
Mourinho was full of praise for Chiellini and Bonucci after the match, talking about how they were the difference in the two sides. If Lindelof isnt going to get any praise after last night, he never will.
I dont really think he was either. It would be clutching at straws. Martial could have tracked Ronaldo better but he reacted ok, he just wasn't fast enough. Hard to blame him for something he can do nothing about. Matic was the main culprit, by a long way.
Lindelof had no part to play in it.
How good was Bonucci at 24?
Dislike him, but he was solid enough last night, tidy showing.
To be honest Bonucci and Chiellini made many mistakes in the CL final against Real Madrid last year where they, just Lindelof & co, faced Ronaldo. I think it was the 2-1 goal from Ronaldo that was even a bit similar to Juves goal yesterday.
I agree - it's a pity Jose didn't give him any credit.
Jose said it was his best ever display for us.
Please post the comments I haven't seen them x
Good last night, probably one of the central defenders I'd keep as he can also play a few other roles if need be.
The comment was in his post match interview shown on SSN.
That's more like it, he is really comfortable on European scene where they don't play in the air and a less physical game.
*From Luckurst so it may be paraphrased.
Thanks both @Invictus
Our defenders need as much confidence as possible - hope they can build on this x
good showing in 2nd half, grew into the game. Not great 1st half though, he had a part to play in the goal we conceded. This type of game suits him ie a more technical as oppossed to a physical team . Good on him though, hopefully he kicks on, surely won't do his confidence any hard
Should we be aiming for the top? So should we be looking for players who can perform at the highest level?
Very good last night. Had lost all hope on him before but there is something there that could be worked upon.
Okay. Do you agree Bonucci and Chiellini are better than Lindelof or not?
That's not a sleight on Victor.
We don't have the best attack, but Juve's defensive performance was effortless last night.
They dealt with our attack in a way our defence can't even handle Brighton's.
Matic is definitely at fault too. His first half was absolutely shocking.
I'd like to see a replay, but from memory the deflection wasn't huge and Lindelofs starting position wasn't great in the first place.
I am not sure Lindelof will ever be good enough, but watching Matic yesterday, I don't think we can blame our defence at all. Matic was literally at blame for every time Juve attacked our goal, they had around 5 very very good chances last night and he lost his man during at least 4 of those attacks. It's incredible how passive he is defensively, he brings nothing on the pitch these days. I think he is our biggest problem at the moment, alongside Lukaku who is totally out of form(whether he is good enough to begin with is another thing).
Also, our fullbacks are still questionable, especially right back, I don't think we will ever have settled defence until we have at least one proper top fullback without makeshift fullback on other side. Both Young and Valencia are done.
The issue with signing 29 year olds, they are very likely needed to be replaced after 2 years
Feck it, you just surprised me. Thought Matic was well over 30 for some reason. He plays like he is 38 ffs.
First time I see him playing with clear confidence on display, after a looong while.
You've hit the nail on the head. Too many issues all over the pitch and ultimately this leads to a disjointed performance.
Did ok yesterday other than arguably being at fault on the goal. He's got talent, he's just not physical enough for the prem. He's a bit like the Memphis of CBs.
Of course they are better. They are better than the defence of any PL team. But if they had been facing Dybala and Ronaldo, I am not so sure how effortless that would have been. We saw for example what happened against Real Madrid last year, so saying that they would never make mistakes like that is simply not true.
It looked as if Lindelof first made an attempt to follow and cover Ronaldo, but when Shaw followed him, Lindelof instead tried to stop Ronaldo from passing in to the box.
Yeah, you are right. Lindelöf shouldn't be one of the first choices right now. Think he will be good in the future, tho.
....What ?
In my eyes Matic is predominantly at fault and then, to a point, Martial shouldn't let him get the cross in. Ronaldo has moved wide so Cuadrado comes in and is Smalling/Lindelof's focus. Shaw does what he needs to albeit a bit slowly and as they come forward Matic is tracking Dybala but is just too slow. If you watch the reply you can see it dawn on him and he speeds up slightly but it's too late by then. Lindelof is actually coming to cut off the shot/near post option which I think is correct.
I thought he had a good second half, thought he was out of position a few times 1st half. Think people say he had a very good or a good game because hes usually whopping
He had a good game vs Juventus no doubt but in the other 2 games we conceded 4 goals and gave up some really easy chances, I wouldn't really say they've done well. I just don't think they make a particularly good partnership, always seems to be a lack of understanding between them, they both have skill sets that theoretically should compliment the other but it just doesn't.
Man Utd 2:1 Everton
Made a couple of mistakes in the first 10 minutes, but another good performance after that.
Played well today, well done Vic 
.
.Impressed again.
Maybe after such a bad start to his career here I'm a lot more lenient in what to expect, but I think his last 3 games have been solid
Maybe after such a bad start to his career here I'm a lot more lenient in what to expect, but I think his last 3 games have been solid
That's more like it! Another solid performance.
Getting into it now. Looks like a different player. Hopefully he keeps on with this.
Another great game today, I hope he builds on this and makes the cb position his own
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