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The old Man Utd Thread

ThePixelbarks

By ThePixelbarks
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Loik V credern

Loik V credern

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At this point I generally care more for a player's career than I do the club amassing more talent than it knows what to do with. Apart from De Gea, Martial and Smalling, every other signing has been wasted. I'd be saddened if Pogba is another casualty. I have no idea why he'd take the risk. I don't buy the 'challenge', 'unfinished business', 'his first family'. He's showing more faith in Man United to reverse their decline than they did with him. Pogba is dedicating his best years of his career while United couldn't even guarantee him a starting place in a nothing midfield. It must appeal to his ego to be the most expensive player ever, but I don't know why he wouldn't look at the last few years, even that De Gea can't escape to Real Madrid and wonder if not giving it another go with Juventus in the Champions League would be better. Maybe he genuinely is more fond of the club than anyone knows, but being there 3-4 years playing in the youth side and reserves doesn't seem like enough time to make a lifelong connection. 

 

I kind of thought Pogba would have the attitude of 'they showed no faith in me then, Juventus gave me the platform to flourish, they treat me like a God, no way would I go back to Man United'.' But it depends how a person sees it, either flattered by the sum they're willing to spend, or suspicious of them simply willing to splurge on big names, rather than identifying qualities in a player and knowing how they fit. And ultimately while at Juventus he's looking down at United, so you'd think only the transfer sum would flatter, it's not like being in awe of Barcelona being interested and wondering what it would be like to train with Messi and Iniesta. Or Real Madrid being interested and being excited about being coached by (likely his idol) Zidane for a club Zidane starred for. Just to play in those stadiums, star in the big games every season. He's already sampled Man United and might never get the chance to experience them. 

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ckny

ckny

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Quiet in here today, guess there's not been much going on? Oh.

 

Didn't see much of the match but understand it was a steady performance, nothing special. What happened with Mata at the end, has Mourinho spoke on that yet?

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feltmonkey

feltmonkey

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I didn't see it either, I was driving.  I've read reports that it looked like a Van Gaal performance, no creativity or drive.  

 

As you say, he was apparently taking off the smallest player on the pitch.  Hmm.  

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-mata-mourinho-substitution-11717219

 

I fear for Mata.  

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Loik V credern

Loik V credern

Posted
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Not sure what Mourinho's first 11 will be. Bailly was good, Rooney and Zlatan were slow, over the last year the most promising moments have come from any one of Rashford, Martial, Lingard, through nothing but their own instinctive direct nature. My brother after Zlatan scored said had he got the first and Lingard the second, Ibra would still have led the headlines wouldn't he ? Personally I don't think he'll get more than 15 league goals. I think we know what type of goals him and Rooney will score; headers, knock down tap ins, the odd flick from a cross, but they slow the attack down. It's not maximising the talent you have, it's relying on goals coming from players with stats on their side. But for most of the game that didn't matter, what did was Lingard having a few seconds of brilliant coordination. 

 

There was a bit where the ball fell to Zlatan in between legs half a yard from goal and he delicately tapped it, like he wasn't in control of his feet, was bizarre. Like C Ronaldo shows though, you don't have to be good with the ball to still be eventually effective, if your timing for a header is still decent. 

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Loik V credern

Loik V credern

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, feltmonkey said:

What? Zlatan and Cristiano Ronaldo aren't good with the ball?   :huh:

 

I should have added 'in a match'. I mean you can have a bad game in terms of poor ball control and be of a certain physique that allows you to leap high and score a headed winner. I don't watch Zlatan much, only referring to this game, but C Ronaldo has mostly regressed as a footballer in terms of build up play, close control in tight spaces. He's altered his mentality to be more effective with finishing, I admire the small players who react intuitively to the ebb and flow of a game, the midfielders who are able to receive the ball at any point of a game and be ready for it, like constantly operating at 80%, rather than being an all-or-nothing player who can do nothing with the ball the whole match, mostly just losing it, then for a moment use their power and athleticism and finishing instinct to score. 

 

Zlatan like Ronaldo, but more so, shines when the ball falls to him from whatever height, angle, pace, and his great technique finds a way to guide the ball towards goal. I thought his overall contribution was poor today, is all. 

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Dark Soldier

Dark Soldier

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Rooney was awful. Not really a surprise but his first touch is shocking, some of the passing was scattershot and he and Ibra are quite alike in their movement, dropping deep etc. I do worry a bit for the season if, like Moyes and LVG, Rooney can play as shite as he wants and still get picked. Martial left, Micky centre and Rashford right with Zlatan up top dropping deep allowing runs behind could be a beautiful thing.

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MojoChin

MojoChin

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Rooney was shite. Fellaini was shite. Mata was treated horribly. But apart from that I thought it was a decent and comfortable game. Lingard looked well and Bailly looked imposing, Pogba will certainly help in the centre of midfield for a bit of dynamism. So I'm pretty pleased with yesterday and our prospects, very annoyed about Mata though.

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Trigg

Trigg

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Its still early days and Rooney has notoriously taken an age to get going but I agree he was the worst play on the pitch yesterday. I thought Fellaini was alright apart from the mistake leading to their goal. I don't blame the pitch like Jose!

 

I don't mind Rooney playing, as long as he derserves it. Something he's not deserved for the last 2-3 years in my book. Going forward I'd like to see:

 

- De Gea -
- Valencia - Smalling - Bailly - Shaw
- Carrick -
- Herrera - Pogba -
- Mkhitaryan - Zlatan - Martial -

 

You just won't get to see the best of Pogba in a midfield 2 I don't think, and spending £90m or whatever it is you want to give him the best chance to succeed and impress.

 

Can't even imagine why you thought Mata was treated 'horribly' or why you're annoyed @*chin*. Mata looked fine on the sidelines after coming off to me.

 

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Bleeders

Bleeders

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I didn't think Fellaini had that bad of a game up until his howler of a back pass. Shinji Okazaki got nothing out of him whilst he was on the pitch, it was like watching someone run into a brick wall. Rooney though, was pretty poor. Would not be at all disappointed if we sold him either in this window or the next. 

 

Bailly had a good game, bit rash in the challenge but reads danger very well. Be good to see how Eric and Smalling form a partnership. Zlatan was a peripheral figure for most of the game until his fine header at the end and of course not forgetting Jesse's great run and finish. We've got strength in depth now I think. Would like to see Miki in the number 10 role instead of Rooney.

 

Watched the highlights on MOTD when I got back from the game and noted Danny Murphy's comments on it; talk about blowing the Mata substitution out of proportion. It's not any different from LVG subbing his goalkeeper prior to penalties because he's a few cms taller. We're defending a lead and Leicester are throwing in long balls, we need tall players. It was only a couple minutes from the end as well, so personally don't see the issue. Sure it's shitty for Mata, but the team and getting the win are more important.

 

Work to be done still, but a good start against the League Champions, who were for the most part unchanged from last season.

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MojoChin

MojoChin

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He may well have looked ok on the sideline, but if I came off a couple of minutes after coming on I'd be pissed, especially if there is already supposed beef between you and the manager. I may have read the situation all wrong, and I was a good 8 pints in by the end of the match, but I wasn't impressed by the Mata decision.

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Bleeders

Bleeders

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Mata had been on since 63 minutes (for Lingard) and came off in injury time (for Mhkitarayan). I think Mata will still be here come September mind.

 

More importantly, has Jose taught Valencia how to beat the first man with his crossing. 4 assists so far in pre-season.

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Trigg

Trigg

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18 minutes ago, *chin* said:

He may well have looked ok on the sideline, but if I came off a couple of minutes after coming on I'd be pissed, especially if there is already supposed beef between you and the manager. I may have read the situation all wrong, and I was a good 8 pints in by the end of the match, but I wasn't impressed by the Mata decision.

 

There's no beef as far as I can see. Sure he sold him, and I'll think he sell him again at some point. He just doesn't fit the mould of a Mourinho #10 and as much as I like Mata, I can live with that if thats what the manager thinks is best.

 

I forgot to mention Bailly actually, thought he was super. All the talk in the build  up was how he'll have his work cut out with Vardy, well apart from a few rash moments he handled it all perfectly fine. When you think of Vidic's first game in English football for example he didn't do too bad in comparison!

 

The thing I think impresses me and surprised me is his ability and calmness with the ball at his feet. For a 22 year old with 50 games at the top level its impressive.

 

Also. Pogba has landed!

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Guest

Guest

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It was just a little joke, Trigg. I know the forum loves a spelling wanker!

 

Anyway, Pogba has passed his medical according to the Manchester Evening News.

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