Was pretty poor today, but so was the entire defence.
2
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 45
- Clean sheets
- 17
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 4
- Status
On first viewing I didn't really blame him for the first goal, but watching it back you can see that Lindelof suddenly dropping back is the only reason Salah was onside. Our four defenders were all holding a good line until that moment and Salah would have run offside, but just as Firmino is about to make the pass Lindelof starts sprinting backwards and is 3 metres or so behind the others.
Second goal he's obviously trying to show the Liverpool player down the outside but he's just too far away from him.
Second goal he's obviously trying to show the Liverpool player down the outside but he's just too far away from him.
How the feck did you come back to Maguire for this?
Haven’t you learned by now? Every goal we concede is going to be dissected until every player on the team, including Lingard, will have been blamedHow the feck did you come back to Maguire for this?
During the match thread yesterday there were several posts with “typical united, allowing Liverpool to score for the first time in 4 games. Classic failure on our defence bla bla bla”
This forum has a lot of miserable people posting
Lindelof had a poor game, but I don't hate him. He's just a decent defender, decent but not good enough. The great United teams always had 2 top class CB's and that's what we should be aspiring to.
I watched the goal several times as well. There is a large gap between the CBs, maybe because they just ran back from a corner and that’s also why they have switch positions. Lindelof seems pretty sure that the pass is aimed in to that gap and tried to cover that, but then the pass came int he small gap between him and Shaw instead.
Lindelof is about one metre behind the offside line but looking in detail I am not sure Salah would have been offside anyway. He looks in line with Maguire and maybe even Shaw, or at least very close and difficult to say.
It was a combination of things. First the midfield who didn’t press Firmino at all, normally they are good at that. Then Lindelof covering the wrong space and Shaw not following Salah. And maybe also the screwing up of the offside line. On top of that it was a good movement from Firmino to shake off our DM and a great pass and also a little unexpected that he put it in that space. I think if we scored that goal we would praise the assist and goal scorer and not think so much that it was down to poor defending.
The biggest issue is he hasn't got a clue what's going on around him.
What are he and Maguire doing? they have literally nobody around them for 10+ yards, the ONLY threat there is Salah. Lindelof should have moved across to Shaw a few yards to block the space off. It seems like he doesn't even know he's there and is just ball watching.
Instead he gets his positioning all wrong, ends up spinning around 360 degrees looking for the ball and gets nowhere near Salah. He ends up neither defending the space properly or the man.
He was poor for the first goal. He was confused as to whether play Salah offside, or run early with him, so in the end he did a bit of both and failed at both.
Lets not forget, Salah is world class & Lindelof isn't. He's a hard working, decent CB but not elite level.
Lets not forget, Salah is world class & Lindelof isn't. He's a hard working, decent CB but not elite level.
Lindelof played Salah onside, blaming Shaw for that is ridiculous.
Bailly's not perfect but I prefer him as Maguire's partner. I really don't think Lindelof's a bad player but I don't know I'll ever be convinced he's the level of CB we need.
God awful defending for the first goal, he neither tracked the run or cut off the channel for the pass, he just played Salah onside. Didn’t have a clue. He seems a decent guy, he’s a decent defender....but that’s all really.
I am not the biggest fan of Bailly or Lindelof but they have played better than I thought they could this season.
However, the problem when Bailly plays for me - when he is great, he absolutely shines as an amazing defender (so much so that people value him as our best CB according some posts). When he struggles though he can seem really out of it, like he is playing on a different wave length to everyone else. Those amazing tackles sometimes turn in to poor positioning from too much tackling mentality and being owned by a world class striker. Some wins may become draws and some draws may become losses.
Lindelof is the worse defender but he kind of plays with this cool & composed mind. He can be part of the defence that let's in a goal - but he kind of keeps that defensive line together alongside Maguire and the fullbacks to allow the rest of the attacking team to go and try win the match.
Bailly is the better natural defender but I'm not so sure we would be this high up in the league with Bailly in the team every week.
It reminds me a bit of Daley Blind & Smalling- Blind wasnt the best defender we had but it allowed us to defensively feel more composed than Smalling partnering with Jones or Rojo and any other CB he played with during that time.
However, the problem when Bailly plays for me - when he is great, he absolutely shines as an amazing defender (so much so that people value him as our best CB according some posts). When he struggles though he can seem really out of it, like he is playing on a different wave length to everyone else. Those amazing tackles sometimes turn in to poor positioning from too much tackling mentality and being owned by a world class striker. Some wins may become draws and some draws may become losses.
Lindelof is the worse defender but he kind of plays with this cool & composed mind. He can be part of the defence that let's in a goal - but he kind of keeps that defensive line together alongside Maguire and the fullbacks to allow the rest of the attacking team to go and try win the match.
Bailly is the better natural defender but I'm not so sure we would be this high up in the league with Bailly in the team every week.
It reminds me a bit of Daley Blind & Smalling- Blind wasnt the best defender we had but it allowed us to defensively feel more composed than Smalling partnering with Jones or Rojo and any other CB he played with during that time.
Last edited:
Yeah I still prefer Bailly. Lindelof is a bit better on the ball but Bailly has the edge in the air and in the urgency of his approach defensively.
I think both have been decent this year and our defence has looked ok in most games. I get more frustrated at how often we cede the ball in midfield tbh.
I think both have been decent this year and our defence has looked ok in most games. I get more frustrated at how often we cede the ball in midfield tbh.
This is a good post. I agree with a lot of it, though I would also say that Bailly looks more comfortable after a run of games and those matches where he has been a bit all over the place have tended to be when he was not fully match sharp.
No he shouldn't. Both CBs are in good positions there, if anything they are already a little too far apart. It's on Shaw to move tighter to his CB not Lindelof to move out. Shaw wasn't tight enough and compounded it by letting Salah get goal side and in front of him.
We scored 3 great goals but Lindelof's yellow card was my favorite. We need to do it more often.
Of course he should, in that situation he has nobody to mark, no runners going in behind and Firmino has dropped off and is the one passing the ball. He has 1 threat and that's Salah. Go and close the space down and that goal doesn't happen.
Shaw also has TAA on the outside of him so he can't get too tight or it'll open up the easy cross into the box.
Yeah I agree too. Bailly looks like the more natural partner for Maguire when they play next to each other because he is able to cover Maguires weaknesses (and vice versa).
However, whilst Bailly and Maguire are able to cover each others weaknesses- I'm not sure if they are able to bring out an actual strength in each other or our defensive line or team as a whole.
Maguire and Lindelof play in this calm, slightly intelligent and composed manner who are able to come forward and make a pass when needed before going back to doing their jobs whilst controlling their fullbacks like Wan Bissaka and Shaw aswell. Their strengths are made stronger even if their weaknesses may still be there.
It's just something I thought about when Ole re-picked Lindelof after injury over Bailly's good performances with Maguire. Let's see if Bailly & Maguire as a partnership is capable of taking over Lindelof & Maguire, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't as quickly as alot of people may seem to think.
Lost concentration at times, and when you’re dealing with Salah you’re going to punished for it.
Lindelof is a good CB but we look so much better defensively with a fit Bailly.
If we do spend a massive sum on a CB this summer, it would have to because we can’t rely Lindelof’s partnership with Maguire and we remain unsure of Bailly’s ability to stay fit.
Lindelof is a good CB but we look so much better defensively with a fit Bailly.
If we do spend a massive sum on a CB this summer, it would have to because we can’t rely Lindelof’s partnership with Maguire and we remain unsure of Bailly’s ability to stay fit.
https://talksport.com/football/8235...pool-transfer-victor-lindelof-charlie-austin/
So was it the wrong choice or is the Virgil, sorry verdict, still out there?
So was it the wrong choice or is the Virgil, sorry verdict, still out there?
Super harsh criticism there I'm afraid. He was poor yesterday and he's only a good defender but to pick that goal as the low light is baffling. We're caught out because Cavani gives the ball away 35 years from our goal. To single out Lindelof for that goal is bizarre.There you go everyone. Lindelof's reaction and defending there
Look at his first step, backwards and then proceeds to give Firminho all the fecking time to play a pass.
Any defender's natural reaction is to step forward, close the space and try to affect the situatuon yet he's on his heels and backs into his own box. How much more retreating or 'smart positional' play does he want to show there? Be in line with Henderson?
He has ELITE reading of the game when it comes to choosing the safest option and not getting involved but I've having none of this mythical crap being bandied around that he's a really good defender because of it.
Last edited:
Mourinho trusted his independent scouts over the club scouts as has been reported. No doubt the fan fan base will blame the club scouts again.
Occasionally, teams will score against us, and it does not have to be someone´s mistake every time. Liverpool scored two great goals which was difficult to defend against, and no one made a huge blunder, imo.
VVD was over twice Lindelof's fee so not really a comparison.
The season Lindelof was signed, United also signed Lukaku, Sanchez, and Matic.
The season before, United signed Pogba, Bailly and Mkhitaryan.
I’m not sure VvD was within the budget.
Anyway, he’s injured and useless at the moment...
Not the same season. Maguire went to Leicester for £17m the season we bought Lindelof for £30m+.
Bailly and Lindelof = Van Dijk
Southampton charged Liverpool extra due to the Scousers tapping their player up which infuriated the Saints.
You have by far the most replies in the Bailly thread and the majority of them are critical, much more so than your posts in Lindelof's thread (which you also dominate by a long way). Hard to ignore such a poster.
And I don't mind you defending Lindelof, he's a good defender and gets a lot of stick unnecessarily, and as your fellow country man you'll obviously be biased towards him. What does seem in poor taste is trying to bring Bailly down because of that bias.
So again I reiterate, I look forward to seeing you defend Bailly's mistakes with the vigour you do Lindelof's.
It's harsh if this was a single case but it's all too typical to Lindelof's approach of defending. Back off, 'stall' and hope nothing comes of it.
Look at how far back he is when Firminho receives the ball ffs. He's a good 5 yards away and he's already on his back foot retreating.
Last edited:
I don’t know what you want honestly? If you disagree with me, it is better you write that instead of this ridiculous attempt of trying to influence what I write. Do like everybody else, and and comment the players instead of other members of the forum. Thank you.
Be more objective.
I don’t think Bailly has shown that he is at the same level as the Lindelof and Maguire. 3-4 good PL games are not enough for me. Ok?
Edit: removed an insult. Sorry for that, it was unnecessary of me @He'sRaldo
Last edited:
In what stupid universe is Lindelof to blame for the second goal?
That's a really good spot about the defensive line. Even Shaw looks annoyed. .
So the first goal, Lindelof gets his knickers in a twist dropping and getting his body positioning all.
Then second goal, he drops and doesn't engage.
Are you trying say something? That shock horror Lindelof likes to retreat and does little to affect the situation?
Is Lindelof to 'blame' for these goals? No, he's not at primary fault. Does he do anything effective? Absolutely not.
You don't have to think that. All you need to do is be as critical of Lindelof as you are of Bailly, or consequently, defend Bailly with the same vigour you do Lindelof ( I prefer the latter personally, both are good defenders).
Because otherwise, your posts look like that whole "Martial vs Rashford" thing where fans would bash one player to big up another due to personal bias.
Sorry but the great United teams generally had a great midfielder. Then generally 1 very good/ great centre back and a decent one alongside him. Clubs been around a lot longer than Vida & Rio.
I don’t think it is your position to run around and correct us who write here. If you don’t like what I write, respond to that instead of trying to make me write something else than my own opinion.
If you read Bailly thread you’ll see people who think he is our best defender, world class, etc. I just don’t agree. If you agree with them, fine. If not, it’s a bit double standard to write 5-6 posts about how I should change the way I write about Bailly. Again, it is better respond to my posts about Bailly then chase me in other threads.
Come on man. Firmino takes a micro touch and then instantly shuffles the ball across the box. Franco Baresi isn't stopping that goal from the Lindelof position. Incredibly harsh. The 1st goal was poor defending by Lindelof and he was poor tonight but this goal isn't on him.
The great United team without any world class CB is back in the 50s/60s.
- Status