The old Man Utd Thread

[feltmonkey]

Just as a sort of mental exercise, how many genuinely decent performances can we think of over the last two or three years?

There was the 3-1 win against Liverpool, but I can't remember if that was actually a good performance, or if it was just exciting because of Martial's goal. Before that, probably the 4-2 win against City towards the end of last season, and the wins against Tottenham and Liverpool around the same sort of time. What else? have there been any other good performances I've forgotten?

edit - There was a 3-0 win against Everton as well, wasn't there?

[Barnard]

Dreadful first half from us, absolutely zero movement up front. Saints worth their goal lead.

If it is Van Gaal coming in, then at least we'll have someone doing a rebuilding job with our attacking traditions in mind.

[Shimmyhill]

To think Spurs were gutted when you poached LVG

[Bleeders]

Shocking that history is repeating itself . When it starts affecting revenue I dare say Ed will then sack Louis.

[Gabe]

To think Spurs were gutted when you poached LVG

I don't think anybody would have expected what has happened really, especially with the money he's been given to spend. He has rather made a hash of things, hasn't he?

[ManLikeColonel]

You should have bought Austin for 15M and you would have won the league with some change left over...

+1

[Guest]

He still wouldn't have won us the league because he'd probably be playing right wing back or something

[angel]

He'd probably be in goal

[davidcotton]

Isn't it time to change the thread title to "the-man-utd-thread-full-of-negativity-and-boredom-poor-jon, he was right!"

[Guest]

Let's see what Friday brings, eh? Anything other than a thoroughly convincing win and I'll put my money on him being gone by Monday. Unless Woodward and the board are even bigger fuckwits than I give them credit for. They are, aren't they? Or he'd already be gone.

And it probably shouldn't be 'poor Jon', maybe more 'poor us'. Except for Marlowe. He seemed to be quite happy with how we were playing when we threw a 2 goal lead against Newcastle away the other week. Poor Marlowe.

[Marlowe]

I was happy with that performance aside from a dodgy last few minutes, I think most fans were.

The sacking culture and the fickle nature of fans is what annoys me, but with LVG if he has actually offered his resignation then we're in different territory now. I don't really see how he can continue and hold the confidence of the players when he clearly thinks the job has got away from him now, and the evidence on the pitch in our home games is that the players aren't responding to his methods any more.

It's a shame because we played some genuinely excellent football towards the end of last season, including the most dominant performance I've ever seen us put in at Anfield. We also looked very solid at the start of this season, and sitting top at the start of December and going ok in Europe you expected us to push on from that solid base and start to add some more fluency in attack. As things transpired, we never got the attack going while simultaneously losing that defensive solidity. Without the settled back four of the first couple of months with Shaw and Darmian either side, and the presence of two of Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Carrick in midfield, we were exposed. For all the money spent, squad depth has again been a major issue. On reflection, it seems only a relatively injury free season could have seen us title contenders this season.

[ckny]

Dreading tonight.

[feltmonkey]

The result, or just having to watch it?

[feltmonkey]

A first-half goal! A lovely one, too.

[Dark Soldier]

Yeah was a good move by Derby.

[feltmonkey]

A strange half. United looked good, and played some nice stuff, and scored a very good goal, although it was offside. Then Derby scored a nice goal of their own out of nothing, and suddenly we were panicking at the back and could have conceded about six times in the last few minutes of the half. Inbetween, Rooney missed an open goal (I'm not buying that Warnock clearance as great defending - by the time Warnock got his foot to it, it had gone past Rooney's airshot.)

Entertaining stuff though.

[Guest]

I wouldn't say Rooney airshotted it. I just don't think he had the reach. Shortarse.

[Mr Do 71]

[feltmonkey]

That was quite good wasn't it? Rooney and Martial were excellent. The two young fullbacks played well. Lingard made some good contributions. Fellaini still looked like a massive uncoordinated gonk, but even he headed away some corners. So we can beat a Championship club pretty comfortably. Perhaps we've found our level?

[Nicky]

i was about to come and post "we've found our level" feltmonkey!

[Liamness]

I think you could just slightly shift around the players that started and end up with a more effective system.

        Martial      Rooney    Lingard             Mata      Schneiderlin  FellainiBorthwick-Jackson         Varela         Blind   Smalling             De Gea

We have two strikers who should flourish playing a bit closer together, and with a little more freedom. Particularly Martial; although we profit from the width and pace he provides on the left, if he is isolated against the fullback all game it seems a bit of a waste. We also have lots of attacking midfielders who would be very comfortable in a position starting wide, but that allows them to come inside. I think the main reason we stick with the 4-2-3-1 ish shape is because it affords more support to the fullbacks, both in defence and attack, than a 4-3-3 or a narrow 4-4-2. I know we were playing a championship team, but Varela didn't look like he needed that support yesterday, and Borthwick-Jackson has had a run of good performances in the league. Perhaps it is time to cede the patrolling of the wings to the natural fullbacks that we do have, and let our attacking players focus on creating and finishing chances.

[Guest]

Shrews in the 5th round.

[feltmonkey]

It's been confirmed that Guardiola is going to City. So as we're not going to get Guardiola, how does that effect everyone's views on whether we want LVG to stay or go? Personally, I wanted him out if we could get Pep as a replacement, but if it's going to be Mourinho, I'm just not sure.

[Timmo]

Gary Monk has to be first choice but I guess if he doesn't want the job it'll be Rodgers.

[Mr Do 71]

It's been confirmed that Guardiola is going to City. So as we're not going to get Guardiola, how does that effect everyone's views on whether we want LVG to stay or go? Personally, I wanted him out if we could get Pep as a replacement, but if it's going to be Mourinho, I'm just not sure.

Still want rid of LVG.

[feltmonkey]

Hehe a mate of mine has been saying for weeks that we should get Rodgers. His theory was that it would wind Liverpool up no end if we finished above them with their old manager.

Fortunately, he has no real say in the running of the club.

[The Fox]

Pochettino has to be in the running surely.

[feltmonkey]

I'd have no problem with that. He's a good manager. It won't happen, obviously, but it wouldn't be the worst appointment.

Edit - I read that as Pellegrini.

[Guest]

I think I'm most disappointed that United obviously haven't made any effort to get him and left City to it.

What worries me is what this will mean for our transfer plans. I know money talks the loudest, but surely having him as manager will attract some amazing players.

I just hope out managerial hierarchy realise it, and start putting plans in action to counter it. LvG has failed in his role, so we need a new manager, then the team needs a serious overhaul. I just want us to be able to compete.

Unfortunately I don't think the Glazers or Woodward are interested in football as long as the business keeps making money.

[Timmo]

The Guardian have reported/alleged that both United and Chelsea also had their hats in the ring.