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The old Man Utd Thread

ThePixelbarks

By ThePixelbarks
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Marlowe

Marlowe

Posted
Posted

We were solid, not awful by any means. Look much more composed at the back with Darmian in there and Scneiderlin screening. Smalling very sharp as well, so really the only missing piece is that other centre back role. Blind will do a job, and it's certainly a plus to have someone with his passing ability and intelligence in there, but i'm concerned about how he'll fare against stronger, pacier forwards.

Up front it was a decent debut for Memphis. Especially liked his mazy run inside and through pass to Young in the first half - ought to have been the second goal. The game was light on clear cut chances, but we showed enough to persuade me that we won't be wanting for goals this season, especially if we add Pedro as another wide option. It's only really an injury to Rooney that would significantly blunt us - not sure Chico's hold-up play is up to it as lone forward.

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Bleeders

Bleeders

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I thought Darmian acquitted himself very well, telling that when Valencia came on Spurs started hitting that right side with a degree of success.

Schneiderlin did well too I thought, really did a job of pressing the Spurs midfield and winning the ball back. Romero had a good command of his area too, made a few good saves too.

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sith

sith

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It was a dire game in general. Spurs looked good until we scored but I never felt they were going to score. I thought we were ponderous in attack, several times Carrick won possession deep in in their half but we were far to slow to take advantage of the situation. Depay looked ok but some his touches were shocking in the 2nd half, hopefully that was just fatigue. Darmian was brilliant and MOTM for me, he didn't put a foot wrong all match. Blind is not a CB either, Otamendi please. Still the 3pts is the main thing after our slow start last season.

So happy the football is back :D

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Liamness

Liamness

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Wasn't a good game, but promising. All the new signings looked good, particularly Darmian and Schneiderlin, who both plug long-standing holes in our squad. Was great to see Carrick moving forward, pressing and trying to get involved in the attacking play, as opposed to concentrating on screening the defence. Just need a bit more cohesion, there were passages of excellent play where we were toying with Spurs, hopefully after a few games the team will be settled and doing this from minute one.

Mata was quite poor I thought. There were a number of occasions where he took too many touches, and either slowed down the play or actually got it robbed from him. He has to play with a quicker tempo.

Also as an aside, I cycled along the Bridgewater Canal to the game with my dad and brother. All the way down to Altrincham the old towpath is now tarmaced, and plenty wide enough to overtake pedestrians or pass cyclists coming the other way. It was a gorgeous day and a really nice way to get there, as the canal takes you right around to the north side of the stand, there's some steps up where 'Hotel Football' is and some cycle parking. I remember when the trams would always be packed and the best way to get to the game was drive. I'd never dream of doing that now, there's plenty of better options.

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Trigg

Trigg

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Opening game so just happy to get 3 points, even though it was a pretty poor game from both teams. Still better than last seasons opening game!

I agree with Liamness too. Thought Darmian and Schneiderlin were very good and seem to have settled in well even though its early days. I can see us getting a few goals this season due to Schneiderlin's pressing high up the pitch. Was very impressed with him.

I thought Depay, Mata and Rooney were all off it and even Young to a degree, found plenty of space but Walker seem to have him under control.

Still, good to have the football back!

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Bleeders

Bleeders

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I do think Mata and Depay need to switch positions, most of Depay's success at PSV was cutting in from the left, and Mata seems to slow the play down as soon as the ball is played out to him.

Interesting to see if he starts warming the bench again should we sign Pedro from Barcelona.

I really like the look of Schneiderlin as well. One of the reasons why Saints beat us at OT last season since he was doing what he did to Spurs, getting in and about them, causing the turnovers. On another day when Rooney might've been at the races, we might have created a few more clear chances.

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Trigg

Trigg

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Walker looked a mess to me, plenty of mistakes (even besides the goal) - Mata looked sharp and Depay confident also. I think we're in with a great chance.

He did, but still kept Young in check.

It was sloppy all round from both teams, they eluded to it in the commentary too. Putting it down to first game judders, hopefully see it improve over the coming weeks.

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Trigg

Trigg

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Yeah, clearly match fitness and sharpness lacking frpm both teams, since they were blowing out their arses at about 65-70 minutes.

Don't forget we're playing on Friday this week. This the first season this has become a thing now isn't it?

Next season for Friday games. This game was moved due to a planned EDL demonstration.

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MojoChin

MojoChin

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I thought the defence and midfield of Carrick/Schneiderlin looked solid enough, bar the Erikson chance, and will have no complaints if that continues. Spurs had that wee spell in front of goal in the second half but I never felt worried they'd score. Thought we had the more incisive opportunites up front, even if they were few, but the front 4 all looked very laboured. I'd like to see Herrera come in for Young, move Memphis to the left and Ander in behind.

But I hope the labouriousness is a first match of the season thing, there didn't seem much pace going forward. But that was my only concern over the performance on Saturday. Yes, it was a poor match overall, but even Romero seemed good. There are certainly tougher matches but if you look at last season's top 10, only Swansea and Crystal Palace will be completely happy with their performances. I suppose there's City tonight though...

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Nicky

Nicky

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one thing i havent seen mentioned, is how cracking schweinsteiger looked when he came on. immediately organising everyone, within 3 minutes of him being on, it made me realise the last 6-7 years what we've been missing. shame he's no long term solution

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Liamness

Liamness

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He did look good. A little more positive on the ball than Carrick, and quicker to release it.They're two very good options, so it doesn't really matter if they're unlikely to be able to start every game.

I do think Mata and Depay need to switch positions, most of Depay's success at PSV was cutting in from the left, and Mata seems to slow the play down as soon as the ball is played out to him.

Yeah, he was at his most exciting when taking on defenders, beating them with a little bit of skill. He'd be able to do that more often starting from out wide. I also think a 4-2-3-1 could isolate Rooney a little, and put too much pressure on him to deliver the goals. In a 4-3-3, you expect Depay would chip in a few coming from the left, and it would also be easier to have midfielders (most likely Herrera) to make runs into shooting positions. It suits the players we have more, really.

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Liamness

Liamness

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What do we think about Blind staying at CB? What he lacks (pace, strength, height) I would argue isn't exactly what we've been missing from our defence the last few years. Smalling, Jones and Rojo are all more than capable of providing that, as are our fullbacks. What they can't do as well as Blind is read the game, play the ball out, and generally provide a calming influence that helps settle the rest of the side. He's quite unconventional for a Premier League central defender, but perhaps England is just behind the times in this regard. Mascherano and Cannavaro are two of the greatest defenders in recent history, making up for not being so physically imposing through tenacity and incredible anticipation. He may turn out to be just what we need.

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