Unless something goes badly wrong, Mainoo is going to be a regular in our midfield for a decade or more. Such maturity in his decision making, and such calmness on the ball, thanks to the confidence he has in his superb technique.
Also a shout-out to Evans: for an ageing, free emergency signing who can't run, he has performed better than anyone could have dared to expect.
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 4 minutes ago
Unless something goes badly wrong, Mainoo is going to be a regular in our midfield for a decade or more. Such maturity in his decision making, and such calmness on the ball, thanks to the confidence he has in his superb technique.
Also a shout-out to Evans: for an ageing, free emergency signing who can't run, he has performed better than anyone could have dared to expect.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. If he keeps his feet on the ground then he can become a mainstay. As someone mentioned yesterday he could actually benefit from us having fewer games in 2024 as playing twice a week may have been too much.
I'm pleased for Evans. Has done exactly what Ten Hag would have wanted from him even if we've seen him too often (no disrespect or sleight intended) than we would have wanted.
I told you there was no way we'd lose yesterday.
I get why some feel we need 2 #6s in the middle but I do think with a fit Martinez back it might not be needed. I know we're not a top side right now but if we want to be one then we can't really play with 2 #6s. But I guess for now it's a sensible alternative. In theory Mount is an #8 and can offer more energy than McTominay and will press further up the pitch which EtH badly wants.
Varane along with Martinez are clearly our best CBs, I'm hoping the reason he was benched recently was simply the manager being cautious with his fitness. Saying that he still needs to be replaced in the summer. If (and that's a huge if) we can keep Varane and Martinez fit for long periods this season it'll make a big difference.
I feel sorry for Hojlund, I think there's a good player developing there but he shouldn't be leading the line of such as big club at his age with his lack of experience. Maybe we do need to bring in a striker over Jan just to give him support. I know there are rumours about Guirassy who has a release clause of about €18m, his career stats aren't particularly good and moving country mid season is never easy but if he can chip in with a few then it might be worth it, it's frustrating how we always seem to put ourselves in these situations though.
Yesterday was a very good result against the league leaders but I do also think Liverpool were very poor, but I'm not complaining.
The last permanent manager got crucifed for persisting with a double pivot. And its clear the current manager still needs one despite the players he has bought in.
I honestly feel we got pretty lucky yesterday. We have reached a stage where we are now clinging onto what little shards of light we can - the team worked hard, well that should be a given and more reflects how poor we have been in other recent games. VVD comments simply reflect where both teams are - if it was role-reversal, no doubt one of our players would have said similar.
Onana - was still flapping, a few decent balls out of defence, but most shots went straight at him. Doesn't seem capable of catching the ball. Did nothing to convince me, even with a clean sheet.
Varane and Evans did well, our defence is strange, we have kept quite a few clean sheets, but at times we will just let in a hatful.
Obviously we don't know who will come in, in the future, but Mainoo looks like he should be part of that future. Amrabat looks slow and ponderous, doesn't convince me at all. McT looked a bit headless also - he can do a job against poorer teams, but he's just not got it at the highest level on a consistent basis.
It's not fair on Garnacho who is still young, but we need more from him. Hojlund's work-rate is great, out of everyone I feel so much for him. Antony for me flatters to deceive, he's not quick, so one-footed, and little end product.
It was such a subdued game yesterday, Liverpool almost felt like all they needed to do was turn up. I think it's naive to think we are close to them. We were better than we were at Newcastle, but we were still pretty crap - it's a reflection of where we are that we had to perform the way we did yesterday, offering so little in attack was so disappointing, especially against an under-firing Liverpool.
It simply shows how badly we need both a firing Bruno and Rashford. As much as they infuriate us, within this squad, they are the 2 that can really spur us on. Whilst both deserve to be dropped (I know Bruno was suspended), at some point we need them back and firing, because we really are a damp squib without them.
As for ETH, of course yesterday was a welcome result, but it's the ones against Bournemouth and Newc i am more worried about. Making the effort against Liverpool is almost easier than against teams who still view us as the big scalp.
I have never gone into so many games this season with genuine dread as to what we will conjure up
Apparently it’s been 7 years since a PL side had as many shots as Liverpool did and not score so it was probably more about Liverpool having an off day than us being good but a point is still a point.
comment by Robb - Glenn Maxwell. Legend. Hero. Icon. (U22716)
posted 6 minutes ago
Apparently it’s been 7 years since a PL side had as many shots as Liverpool did and not score so it was probably more about Liverpool having an off day than us being good but a point is still a point.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They didn't carve out clear opening after clear opening though to be fair.
RB&W - I have no issue with a double pivot if they have at least one who is comfortable on the ball and can progress it nicely. Don't want to put pressure on him but Mainoo looks like he could be the one. I'd quite like to see what he'd do next to Mount.
comment by Robb - Glenn Maxwell. Legend. Hero. Icon. (U22716)
posted 18 minutes ago
Apparently it’s been 7 years since a PL side had as many shots as Liverpool did and not score so it was probably more about Liverpool having an off day than us being good but a point is still a point.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saw someone referring to Nunes as Juandy Carroll, which I’m still laughing about.
I know Liverpool had loads of shots, but I don't think they made what I would call loads of clear-cut chances. They weren't carving us open which I have seen in the past, or against other teams.
Our defence was pretty disciplined, which simply led to them trying shots from everywhere. And let's be honest, they weren't quite on it, partly due to us, partly due to their own lack of patience.
I don't see Mount anything other than an attacking midfielder, so it's either him or Bruno for me. If Casemiro can get anywhere fit, play him alongside Mainoo, and when Casemiro gets knackered, swap him with Eriksen.
Yesterday's result really summed up how I feel about us right now - full of dread before the game, pleasantly surprised after. Glad Liverpool were on an off day, but disappointed at how blunt we look, and how we just can't go toe to toe with the big teams right now. the fact that we have to play in a certain way, rather than 'we are Utd, we can play how we want to and let the opposition worry'.
And most of all, the fact that we just don't know what team will turn up, whether it be the one against Eve / Liv, or Newc / Bourn, regardless of home away, or what has happened previously.
So gloriously inconsistent, not very entertaining to watch, I know we are on a project etc etc, but it's hard to be positive about anything, even after avoiding the worse yesterday
People mock Hojland's start to the PL life for United but if you actually compare the price we paid with the amount of goals he has scored then it is not as bad as other team's signings.
For example:
Jackson = £4.57m per PL goal
Nunez = £6.53m per PL goal
Hojland = #DIV/0! per PL goal
See Chelsea and Liverpool are paying over £4m per goal for their forwards, but you can't put a value on Hojland's goals contribution in the PL for us.
Some players are invaluable.
Nunez has become terribly overrated by Liverpool fans, many who feel the need to constantly validate him.
Well it was the one result no one expected. Wonder what you would have got from the bookies for 0-0? I was slightly surprised - not because I've been all that impressed by Liverpool so far - but because it was at Anfield. Decent if somewhat nervy performance from United I thought.
Truth be told we had the better chances and with improved finishing we would have replicated the result we got with O'Shea's last minute goal.
Liverpool offered next to nothing in an attacking sense and that was down to our organisation. Lots of work to do but there's something in that side.
I wonder if Bruno's absence also helped with the discipline.
Midfield - needs to be two number 6s behind a more advanced midfielder.
-----------------------------------------------
I don't think it really matters whether we've two sixes or one six and one eight. It's the man to man marking which is leaving us exposed in midfield.
We need our midfielders to be closer together, not as far apart as they are at times. If we are going to go man to man, the defensive line needs to be braver and play higher and get closer to the midfield so if the midfielders do decide to close down not as much space is vacated.
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Looking back at yesterday
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posted on 18/12/23
Unless something goes badly wrong, Mainoo is going to be a regular in our midfield for a decade or more. Such maturity in his decision making, and such calmness on the ball, thanks to the confidence he has in his superb technique.
Also a shout-out to Evans: for an ageing, free emergency signing who can't run, he has performed better than anyone could have dared to expect.
posted on 18/12/23
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 4 minutes ago
Unless something goes badly wrong, Mainoo is going to be a regular in our midfield for a decade or more. Such maturity in his decision making, and such calmness on the ball, thanks to the confidence he has in his superb technique.
Also a shout-out to Evans: for an ageing, free emergency signing who can't run, he has performed better than anyone could have dared to expect.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. If he keeps his feet on the ground then he can become a mainstay. As someone mentioned yesterday he could actually benefit from us having fewer games in 2024 as playing twice a week may have been too much.
I'm pleased for Evans. Has done exactly what Ten Hag would have wanted from him even if we've seen him too often (no disrespect or sleight intended) than we would have wanted.
posted on 18/12/23
I told you there was no way we'd lose yesterday.
I get why some feel we need 2 #6s in the middle but I do think with a fit Martinez back it might not be needed. I know we're not a top side right now but if we want to be one then we can't really play with 2 #6s. But I guess for now it's a sensible alternative. In theory Mount is an #8 and can offer more energy than McTominay and will press further up the pitch which EtH badly wants.
Varane along with Martinez are clearly our best CBs, I'm hoping the reason he was benched recently was simply the manager being cautious with his fitness. Saying that he still needs to be replaced in the summer. If (and that's a huge if) we can keep Varane and Martinez fit for long periods this season it'll make a big difference.
I feel sorry for Hojlund, I think there's a good player developing there but he shouldn't be leading the line of such as big club at his age with his lack of experience. Maybe we do need to bring in a striker over Jan just to give him support. I know there are rumours about Guirassy who has a release clause of about €18m, his career stats aren't particularly good and moving country mid season is never easy but if he can chip in with a few then it might be worth it, it's frustrating how we always seem to put ourselves in these situations though.
Yesterday was a very good result against the league leaders but I do also think Liverpool were very poor, but I'm not complaining.
posted on 18/12/23
The last permanent manager got crucifed for persisting with a double pivot. And its clear the current manager still needs one despite the players he has bought in.
posted on 18/12/23
I honestly feel we got pretty lucky yesterday. We have reached a stage where we are now clinging onto what little shards of light we can - the team worked hard, well that should be a given and more reflects how poor we have been in other recent games. VVD comments simply reflect where both teams are - if it was role-reversal, no doubt one of our players would have said similar.
Onana - was still flapping, a few decent balls out of defence, but most shots went straight at him. Doesn't seem capable of catching the ball. Did nothing to convince me, even with a clean sheet.
Varane and Evans did well, our defence is strange, we have kept quite a few clean sheets, but at times we will just let in a hatful.
Obviously we don't know who will come in, in the future, but Mainoo looks like he should be part of that future. Amrabat looks slow and ponderous, doesn't convince me at all. McT looked a bit headless also - he can do a job against poorer teams, but he's just not got it at the highest level on a consistent basis.
It's not fair on Garnacho who is still young, but we need more from him. Hojlund's work-rate is great, out of everyone I feel so much for him. Antony for me flatters to deceive, he's not quick, so one-footed, and little end product.
It was such a subdued game yesterday, Liverpool almost felt like all they needed to do was turn up. I think it's naive to think we are close to them. We were better than we were at Newcastle, but we were still pretty crap - it's a reflection of where we are that we had to perform the way we did yesterday, offering so little in attack was so disappointing, especially against an under-firing Liverpool.
It simply shows how badly we need both a firing Bruno and Rashford. As much as they infuriate us, within this squad, they are the 2 that can really spur us on. Whilst both deserve to be dropped (I know Bruno was suspended), at some point we need them back and firing, because we really are a damp squib without them.
As for ETH, of course yesterday was a welcome result, but it's the ones against Bournemouth and Newc i am more worried about. Making the effort against Liverpool is almost easier than against teams who still view us as the big scalp.
I have never gone into so many games this season with genuine dread as to what we will conjure up
posted on 18/12/23
Apparently it’s been 7 years since a PL side had as many shots as Liverpool did and not score so it was probably more about Liverpool having an off day than us being good but a point is still a point.
posted on 18/12/23
comment by Robb - Glenn Maxwell. Legend. Hero. Icon. (U22716)
posted 6 minutes ago
Apparently it’s been 7 years since a PL side had as many shots as Liverpool did and not score so it was probably more about Liverpool having an off day than us being good but a point is still a point.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They didn't carve out clear opening after clear opening though to be fair.
RB&W - I have no issue with a double pivot if they have at least one who is comfortable on the ball and can progress it nicely. Don't want to put pressure on him but Mainoo looks like he could be the one. I'd quite like to see what he'd do next to Mount.
posted on 18/12/23
comment by Robb - Glenn Maxwell. Legend. Hero. Icon. (U22716)
posted 18 minutes ago
Apparently it’s been 7 years since a PL side had as many shots as Liverpool did and not score so it was probably more about Liverpool having an off day than us being good but a point is still a point.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saw someone referring to Nunes as Juandy Carroll, which I’m still laughing about.
posted on 18/12/23
I know Liverpool had loads of shots, but I don't think they made what I would call loads of clear-cut chances. They weren't carving us open which I have seen in the past, or against other teams.
Our defence was pretty disciplined, which simply led to them trying shots from everywhere. And let's be honest, they weren't quite on it, partly due to us, partly due to their own lack of patience.
I don't see Mount anything other than an attacking midfielder, so it's either him or Bruno for me. If Casemiro can get anywhere fit, play him alongside Mainoo, and when Casemiro gets knackered, swap him with Eriksen.
posted on 18/12/23
Yesterday's result really summed up how I feel about us right now - full of dread before the game, pleasantly surprised after. Glad Liverpool were on an off day, but disappointed at how blunt we look, and how we just can't go toe to toe with the big teams right now. the fact that we have to play in a certain way, rather than 'we are Utd, we can play how we want to and let the opposition worry'.
And most of all, the fact that we just don't know what team will turn up, whether it be the one against Eve / Liv, or Newc / Bourn, regardless of home away, or what has happened previously.
So gloriously inconsistent, not very entertaining to watch, I know we are on a project etc etc, but it's hard to be positive about anything, even after avoiding the worse yesterday
posted on 18/12/23
People mock Hojland's start to the PL life for United but if you actually compare the price we paid with the amount of goals he has scored then it is not as bad as other team's signings.
For example:
Jackson = £4.57m per PL goal
Nunez = £6.53m per PL goal
Hojland = #DIV/0! per PL goal
See Chelsea and Liverpool are paying over £4m per goal for their forwards, but you can't put a value on Hojland's goals contribution in the PL for us.
Some players are invaluable.
posted on 18/12/23
Nunez has become terribly overrated by Liverpool fans, many who feel the need to constantly validate him.
posted on 18/12/23
Well it was the one result no one expected. Wonder what you would have got from the bookies for 0-0? I was slightly surprised - not because I've been all that impressed by Liverpool so far - but because it was at Anfield. Decent if somewhat nervy performance from United I thought.
posted on 18/12/23
Truth be told we had the better chances and with improved finishing we would have replicated the result we got with O'Shea's last minute goal.
Liverpool offered next to nothing in an attacking sense and that was down to our organisation. Lots of work to do but there's something in that side.
I wonder if Bruno's absence also helped with the discipline.
posted on 18/12/23
Midfield - needs to be two number 6s behind a more advanced midfielder.
-----------------------------------------------
I don't think it really matters whether we've two sixes or one six and one eight. It's the man to man marking which is leaving us exposed in midfield.
We need our midfielders to be closer together, not as far apart as they are at times. If we are going to go man to man, the defensive line needs to be braver and play higher and get closer to the midfield so if the midfielders do decide to close down not as much space is vacated.
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