The old Man Utd Thread

[Trigg]

That's hard on Blind, Liam.

I thought Herrera was playing very, very advanced so often Blind was left on his own to do all the work and was over run.

Obviously the defending in general is a shambles but this team STILL has no leadership or captaincy. Where was the calming influence that slows the game, takes the venom out when the opposition are in the ascendancy.

Rooney can scream his head off all he wants when the third goal goes in but it's ineffectual because a) he created pressure by losing possession around our box b) was shit in general himself so isn't leading by example.

I also think the game is totally different if the officials make the correct decisions. We enter half time 2 nil up after the cross for the first is correctly given as a goal kick, that De Leat is sent off for three bookable offences not long after. The inconsistency in allowing Di Maria to be barged over in that incident where he hurt his wrist, the way he allows the assault on Rafael then gives a foul by Rafael is incredible.

I agree with all this pretty much, Rooney needs to have a word with some previous captains and take some advice. It's easy to shout at younger players to try and the look the part but I much prefer a captain that leads by example.

Anyway, was a freak result really. Total collapse after the shocker of a decision on the first penalty incident.

The thing many were worried about in terms of defence was injuries and so far its shown why. Not having a settled back 4 just doesn't help and with Blackett now facing a suspension and Evans going off injured it'll be a difference back 4 again the next game.

[feltmonkey]

Rojo will have to move inside, partnering Smalling. Uh-oh.

At least Luke Shaw might get a game.

[Bleeders]

West Ham will prove a tricky fixture as well; physically imposing, strong from set-pieces... our CBs will have their work cutout.

I'm hoping LVG can bring in a couple quality defensive players in January. We've addressed one problem; scoring goals and making chances. Need to address the issue of leaking them now. Difficult to do in one transfer window to be fair.

[paddyo]

It's that song Manchester United fans used to sing about Manchester City.

Dont worry mate, there are loads more songs that we can sing about city ????

[Mr Do 71]

@ManUtd

Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV young defenders Tom Thorpe and Paddy McNair will be in tomorrow's #mufc squad. Read more: http://t.co/tolCN38oIq

[Guest]

They can't be any worse than Evans, can they?

[feltmonkey]

Shinji Kagawa did well on his return for Dortmund, scoring a goal, and playing in a nice pass behind the fullback in the build-up to another.

[AlwaysBeClosing]

Relieved we're not pushing Carrick or Fletcher into that CB shaped hole, valuing age over skill for the position. He's playing youngsters that are working to that role, great idea. Hoping for cover to take the edge off the bigger WHU players, Herrera tracking deeper to make up for it.

[Bleeders]

United XI: De Gea, Rafael, McNair, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Herrera, Di Maria, Rooney, van Persie, Falcao #MUFClive

[paddyo]

Cant wait to watch utd later, no matter what anybody says its really exciting atm

[Mr Do 71]

Very much a brand new team today, with all 6 of our new signings starting. Only De Gea, Rafael, Rooney and RvP, from Fergie's team.

[Bleeders]

I think we might lose today; our vulnerabilities play to West Ham's physical strengths.

Obviously, I hope I'm made to look a fool and we run out winners. Either way, sure it will be an entertaining game. What a match for the young lad McNair to make his debut.

[Scruff]

As long as you're not saying your vulnerabilities are long balls into the box as we've not played that way at all this season.

We not only lost Kouyate, but Noble is out too. They've been replayed by Almafitano and Poyet respectively. It's probably the most attacking team Allardyce has ever played.

Looking at your front five (and it is absolutely pant-shitting and awe-inspiring) and the way we've been set up, I think I can tentatively say it won't be a goalless game

[Liamness]

Sooo given Rojo and McNair (?) will be starting at centreback today, that's 7 players who have played in that position so far for us in the league. Fucking mental. Hard to tell if West Ham will try to overwhelm our defence physically, or try to break against us quickly as Leicester did so successfully. They're capable of taking either strategy.

[Guest]

If the results stay as they are, and if we'd have beaten Leicester last week, we'd be second!

[Liamness]

Looks like there has been a couple of sensible tweaks to avoid what happened against Leicester. Herrera seems to be playing a fair bit deeper, and Shaw seems to have a lot less freedom to go forward than Rafael, with Di Maria providing the width on that side on his own instead. Ideally in time we will have the platform that can support a more cavalier approach but this seems sensible for now. I think if West Ham are going to threaten, it will have to be from set pieces, so we have to be careful what opportunities we give them.

[Bleeders]

Good start by us, but Dave was at fault for the goal, waving at thin air.

[ckny]

Fucks sake, Wayne.

[Liamness]

That is not how you take a player out. It was the correct decision to commit the tactical foul, but he was completely careless in the way he tried to do it.

Moving to 4-3-2 with Fletcher on and Falcao off, or maybe a 4-4-1 with Herrera / Di Maria on either wing. A much better shape than we had against Leicester to try and keep the ball and close the game out, either way.

[Gabzy]

Yep. So being captain hasn't really changed his impulsive stupidness then.

[footle]

Fucks sake, Wayne.

Gives mata a chance?

[Liamness]

Also gives us a chance to lose from two goals up for the second game in a row, having never previously done than in our premier league history.

[Loik V credern]

Also gives us a chance to lose from two goals up for the second game in a row, having never previously done than in our premier league history.

I was thinking at least it gives Januzaj, Mata a chance for a bit...obviously it doesn't because despite everyone dieing/getting sent off those two still don't get a game.

[Liamness]

We need an out ball, get Januzaj on maybe? Shame Wilson isn't on the bench.

[Nicky]

drama, but fucks sake

[Scruff]

We played chaps. Thought we deserved at least a draw from it and Nolan's goal was clearly onside, but hey-ho.

Think you're going to have to spend a lot of money in Jan but McNair looked really good; fantastic backwards headed clearance from him toward the end.

[Gabzy]

Phew! We survived. McNair was brilliant all game, very impressed.

[Bleeders]

That was hard work, no thanks to Rooney getting himself sent off with a clear red. McNair played a blinder alongside Rojo.

[ckny]

Rooney must have fancied a few weeks in Dubai. He won't play again until the Derby on November 2nd.

[Liamness]

Every chance that on another day, that Nolan goal would've been allowed. Three points it is, but only just. Rooney tried his best to fuck it up completely, what a joke of a captain's performance.

McNair was quite good, and Rojo looked more comfortable at centreback, and we just looked all around a bit more solid at the back. Van Persie looked quite tired at the end, and besides his goal didn't contribute a lot. I guess he will start our next few games now that Rooney's out and Falcao might be injured.