Just got back from work in time to catch the last 30 minutes.
Just how bad were we before this?
I'm going to make a logical guess and say we looked disinterested, lacking cohesion and pretty dull.
I'm still firmly in the 'LvG In' camp but surely the best way to set up is with width and a sole striker?
I'm not going to get carried away because of the quality of the opposition, but the last half hour I thought we played some very good football. Down the flanks we looked very strong and Rooney looked much more dangerous further forward. Never been a big fan of him as a lone striker but if he gets the required service, his need to always drop deep could be curbed. I'd prefer him in a no10 role behind either Wilson or RvP. Falcao hasn't taken advantage of his run in the side and hasn't been playing in a way that says "Boss you really can't drop me".
I must say I'm very pleased for Herrera and hope Louis plays him more often. Love his composure in the middle and he is really good at setting the tempo. His industry is something we really need. My favourite quote from the clown Keown tonight was him suggesting he isn't the required quality for a Man Utd midfielder. Excuse me Martin but he is FAR better than some of the dross we have seen in his position over recent seasons.
De Gea
McNair Smalling Rojo Shaw
Herrera Blind
Di Maria Rooney Young
Wilson
Would quite like to see the above side given a run of games.
Plenty of gorgeous pace to hurt teams in that line up and I think Rooney operates well when he has a striker with clever movement ahead/alongside him. Hopefully sitting a few games out will give RvP and Falcao a good kick up the backside (although I feel RvP hasn't been nowhere near as dreadful as Falcao).
If we make Falcao's move a permanent one then we are absolutely crazy. Would rather snap Danny Ings up on a free transfer!
People speak of the 'dreadful defence' but I think a dynamic striker is as much a priority as any other position on the pitch.
Lacazette, Dybala, heck even Berahino would make us look a much more dangerous attacking team.
First Hour's Performance.
posted on 16/2/15
Falcao was very ineffective. Hernandez may have scored a few if he was here as Falcao had 1 chance he underhit pass to Rooney instead of shooting and 2 balls if he timed his run he would most likely score.
posted on 16/2/15
We always had good control of the game but we didn't look like we had a goal in us until LVG made the change.
No pace or speed in our game at all. When we took the woeful Falcao off and brought on some energy, width and pace in Young, we looked a threat.
It's not rocket science. Even league two and league one clubs can cope with our slow tippy tappy turgid football. It's been proved in the cup. Only when we play with speed have to looked a cut above.
Falcao shouldn't start another game for us, unless we have no Rooney or RVP to choose from.
posted on 16/2/15
I think that game efficiently showed Falcso will no longer reach his top level days
posted on 16/2/15
At least we won away from home.
posted on 16/2/15
Swansea away up next. Going to be a toughie and LVG has to get it right. Falcao needs dropping.
posted on 16/2/15
Swansea weren't even great against our weakened side 1st game of the season so they resorted to kicking lumps out of our players as they could barely get the ball let alone attack. Fluked 2 goals and it was wave after wave of Man utd pressure with only a very weakened Man utd side. Reckon we might win 4-0.
posted on 16/2/15
Its a horrible cliché but I think it really rings true. Defenders HATE trying to defend against pace.
I've always been a big believer in pace being redundant if you can't match it with an end product, but we have proven over the years we play much better when we play with speed and purpose and this slow football that is infront of defenders is really doing us no favours.
posted on 16/2/15
Really need to improve our away form.
posted on 16/2/15
I think we will sneak a win at Swansea Darren.
posted on 16/2/15
Haven't seen much of Swansea recently but they've looked poor when I have.
Need to carry on picking up three points because we've got a tough run in. Would be nice to hopefully has a bit of a cushion by the time those games come along.