1. When Manchester United are winning 4-2 at home with seven minutes remaining you assume the points are in the bag. There is always the possibility the opposition might be able to claw one more back but a team of United’s experience, at this stage and the season, can be relied upon to get the job done, right? I would have put my house on us winning at that stage and it’s beyond comprehension that we somehow managed to throw it away. It was so important that we went to the Etihad with a big enough points advantage that even a defeat against City would have kept us top of the table. Now if we lose there we will be second in the table with them having at least a +7 better goal difference than us. We can bleat on as much as we like about us taking this position after 6-1 or at the turn of the year but the point is that a couple of weeks ago we were eight points clear and after that shambolic ending to yesterday’s game our advantage is ever so slight.
2. The full-backs were a massive disappointment and their inept positioning cost us badly. Rafael is only 21 and the only way you improve is with practice but after Smalling’s bright performances pre-injury I’m surprised he wasn’t able to walk straight back in to the team. I’m also baffled as to why Sir Alex Ferguson is saying Fabio, who was first choice for our Champions League final against Barcelona less than a year ago, is being shipped off on loan, when Patrice Evra, who has been substandard since the World Cup, is picked week after week without any pressure. United were incredibly naive at the back, Evans and Rio included, and that is desperately disappointing. A back four of that experience should not be leaving men unmarked with a few minutes to go and I can’t get my head around how that was allowed to happen.
3. Phil Jones was ready to come on for United just before the equaliser was scored. This substitution should have been made at least five minutes earlier with the scoreline still at 4-2. Paul Scholes, for all his ability, was not tracking back with the energy he would in his youth and it was apparent he needed to come off. Like we needlessly chased the game against City at 3-1 down earlier in the season, United continued to attack at 4-2 up. Why? And why wasn’t Fergie on the touchline telling them to get a grip of the game. We didn’t need to play defensively or sit back but there was no need to attack with the gusto we were. Conserve energy, keep possession, and if an opportunity to score another arose, great. Wayne Rooney was bellowing at his team mates to sort themselves out at 4-2 but it wasn’t enough. Giggs could have come on for Scholes, Jones could have come on for Welbeck, and we could have seen the game out. Naive defending and naive tactics.
4. This should have been a match reactions which focussed on the great attacking display. To score four goals against a team of Everton’s quality is pretty good going and it could have been more. Antonio Valencia wasn’t as keen as taking on Distin as he has other left backs this season but he was still great to watch. Nani looked better than he did last week and took his goal so nicely. There’s no one on the pitch I’d rather those chances fall to. His goal against Everton, the goal against Villa, and the goal against City in the Community Shield, show what confidence he has when one on one with the keeper. Great stuff. Danny Welbeck was all over the pitch, like always, working hard to win the ball back and attacking with speed. His goal was a lovely finish and the way he linked up with Rooney for the last goal was brilliant. Rooney grabbed two and has now equalled his all time highest Premier League goal tally which is a great achievement. If you were interested, he has a goal every 98.96 minutes this season, compared to the one goal every 113.37 minutes of PFA Player of the Year Robin van Persie.
5. Credit to Everton. Pienaar, Fellaini and Jelavic earned their team a point and fair play to them. To not let their heads drop at 4-2 says a lot about their mentality and we can complain about our mistakes all we like, because Everton capitalised on them and we can’t take that away from them. Fair play.
6. For what it’s worth, I still think we’ll win the league. These nerves and frustration will make it all feel better too. But I am angry with the team because five points in a couple of weeks is a ridiculous amount to throw away. It’s not like we were playing away to top teams or facing title challengers at home. Wigan away and Everton at home should have been six points on the board. For all the praise I have heaped on this team for managing to compete despite our ridiculous injuries and lack of investment in midfield, it will all be for nothing if we don’t win the league. The title was there in our hands and if we don’t win the league this season the players will have no one to blame but themselves. Roll on Monday…
Man Utd News 24/7
Fair reactions to a sad outcome.
I thought we had it won, before everton took away 2 of our points. Gutted.
Roll on Monday, come on United!
Believe!
Spot on scott, totally gutted of what happen, the boys should regrouped and focus on the next task which is beat the hell out of Shitty. Bring it on!
For those who’ll be lucky enough to be there, make yourself be heard and sing your heart out!
Come on United!!!
my XI for Monday based on yesterday’s downfall….
DGEA
Smalling Evans Rio Evra
Carrick
Valencia Rooney Scholes Nani
Welbs
i only disagree with one point.valencia was awful yesterday as he was against wigan and villa.he never once tried to take on their defenders…
in one sentence:
Still scratching my head how the fuck yesterday’s result happened.
COME ON UNITED!
I need to change numbers no?
19
we will win at the council house, no doubt!!!!!!!!!!!
we will win at the council house, no doubt!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Hitz…. Touche fella!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
still gutted :/
Well said. To be honest it was a performance reminiscent of our title rivals when they have choked over the years. Lets hope UNited are better than that.
feels like a loss. 4×2 up and 7 mins left why the fuck could we not hold on.
The result hurts more than any other this season due to the manner of it and how few games are left!! I’m still shell shocked! I’m just preying we get to sample James’ celebratory cigars a week Sunday!!
i look for a sterling rebound defensive performance from our backline against the bitters. my ass they are now title favorites. they are playing manchester united fc
Scott Spot on with comment 2, FBs just weren’t anywhere near good enough on defense. Also agree the manager is partially to blame as the subs were to late and Everton had confidence.
Feel this was a bit of a team loss. The lads got complacent and were looking to run up the score. See it all the time this year, giving of cheep goals because the FBs and MF are not doing their defensive duties.
We really really need to get a Fletcher type player back in the mix. We have always had them and now don’t. Needs sorting. MF needs to protect the back 4 much better. Park should have also come on at 4-2 and seen it out.
But no sense crying over spilt milk. We can do the business at City and look to the future after that.
Bring on City and Monday.
Hope Andres Marriner and his boys have a good game and stand up to the foul tackling that City have been dishing out.
Couldnt put it better myself
Off topic
Portugese press saying we’re ready to pull the plug on Gaitan due to new price demands from Benfica. Sir Alex says on French radio that he has had a look at Edin Hazard.
BELIEVE
united have never lost under andre mariner lol. wonder what happens if ashley young starts lol
andre mariner is a ref who is also extremely card happy. that said, given whats at stake i expect both united and shitty to be cautious in this derby. it will be a different game to normal derbies i sense. with of course, united plopping the bitters
If our defence had played as well as our forwards we’d have been out of sight! All we can hope for is that they’ve learnt from it and work like dogs in training this week to get it right! It’s been a bad April so far, let’s hope we can end the month on a high!
@Mike
Thanks for the info. Personally I doubt we will get either of them. Too expensive.
well said scott, can’t wait for monday, if we win then defenitly we’ll all forget about this season mistakes. and if we lose for the second time, then i don’t think we deserve number 20 anyways. come in united make it a picnic day, it’s only city small club with small mentality. roll on monday.
Off topic but did anyone see the link at the top of the page last night “At Home with the Noonans”. What a bunch of fucking idiotic cunts. Doing fucking stand up. Employing teenagers and wearing cheap suits. Plastic fucking gangsters. Like I said to Deano last night not a patch on Paul Massey back in the day. Yes I am a Gangster and I will tell all and sundry on National Televison. Clowns.
With 15 minutes to go you could se brakes on. And there was no need for it. There and then should shown his masterclass. Would have preferred Young to replace Nani because of his defensive capasity. Rooney backed home more. Utterly disapointed with the performance and coaching.
Cant agree more regarding Evra. He has been out of it since semi-final against Baern thoug.
Shitty must attack, lets take advantage. But first the longest week of the year.
Costas
Very much doubt Hazard, however the Gaitan rumours are abound.
Off topic. But if there is any truth in a rift between pep and pique surely we should be back in for him? although pep might not be there next year and the price would be very high for a young player with his experience , class andacheivements surely it would be worth it, especiallysince hes been here before
Valencia was ineffective for once. Nani on the other hand was top draw. I’d stick with those 2 next Monday. Just a case of how we line up! Whatever the formation, we have to be switched on at all times. This time next week, the nerves will be in full flow!
All I have to say is how the fuck am I gonna make it through the next 7 nights waiting for the derby…
Any tips would be highly welcomed
I cannot see United with current back 4, beating City. Aguero and Tevez will walk right through to score a couple. Tactics were all wrong when at 4-2, and that is Fergie and Phelan’s fault. I can’t see Fergie getting this one right either.Realistically, I will take a draw as the best possible result, but the 2 points dropped yesterday has probably already decided the fate. I can only pray we will play with 5 in the middle, and no more Rafael.
hello every one
Toure said: ‘United’s result was amazing. It was an unbelievable day for us with United dropping points at home. For me, it was strange.
‘We found out about it on the bus on the way to Wolves. It was quite unbelievable and we now have to try and take advantage.
we have to play them at home and, if you look at the record of United, they are very strong away and it will be a very difficult test for us
alongside aguero he is there best player
its definitely the longest week of the year. can’t stop thinking about it :/
WillieRedNut – I think we saw the lack of depth in the engine room, it was such a highlight it was unbelievable. Scholes seemed to lose the energy in the last 15 mins, not keeping the ball. I think the fullbacks had a terrible game, rafeal had carcrash of a game
Costas/Mike Sky is reporting Hazard has been spotted outside Spurs. But think that is odd since the window isn’t open. Probably bogus.
Reports on Gaitan are that United dropped their interest when Benfica upped their demands.
Think you lads should relax until summer. You will drive yourselves, and the rest of us, batty.
Like Scott. I still believe we can win the league but we have just made it harder for ourselves. One good thing that came out of the draw, if ever there was one, was that the lads have got absolutely no margin for complacency against the blue twats whose home record has been flawless this season. Similarly, our away record has been more than good this season and that fills me with hope that we might just beat those twats on Monday. Another factor that is in our favor is our away support. It fills me with pride when I say that we truly have the best away support in the land and they will fill the lads with confidence.
Can’t help but feel that Young will feature next Monday. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t surprise me if Nani starts on the right instead of Tony V.
@Mike, Fletch
Also guys, from what I heard Fergie said that he didn’t go to the Lille game just to check out Hazard. He was interested in 2-3 other players.
Feels like a broken record, but I don’t know why we are even looking at the attacking side of things. We’ve done very well. 117 goals in 51 games. We need some new blood defensively, whether that’s at full back or DM..
intersting stats
http://www.eplindex.com/14039/england-xi-part-2-midfield-opta-stats-analysis.html
King Eric
Never saw it but Damien Noonan(rip) was probably the scariest motherfucker I ever met.
Including mr Massey
Costas, offtopic but we went to Greece back in 06 (and actually my daughter was conceived while staying on a lovely little beach just west of Heraklion
) but how in the heck can such a beautiful country be so messed up economically and politically now. I drove us all around from Athens to Olympia to Nafplion and the people we met while there were some of the friendliest anywhere, shopkeepers invited me back for raki while my wife was shopping, etc. Im saddened everytime I read another story of the seething chaos that’s supposedly going on there and now I doubt we will go back unless it stabilises. Whats the situation look like from where you’re at? Is it as bad as it seems?
Costas. I am with you on buying a LB. It’s about time Paddy Evra got some competition and with Fabio going on loan, we either need to buy a LB or promote Fryers from the reserves. As for RB, I would still go with Rafael but the lad seems to have a brain fart atleast once or twice in a match but he is still 21 so the lad still has a long way to go. I would also like to see the Gaffer give De Laet a run out at the RB spot in the pre season just to see how much he has progressed. Apart from that, I hate seeing Jones or Smalling at RB positions because those guys look very uncomfortable at RB.
Disappointed naturally like we all are, we’ve officially got form against the Toffee Men now.
As Mikekelly12 says we need to work like dogs, Doberman style not like we were on Sunday we were more like Jack Russells ( Annoying as hell ).
As much as I love Rafael at right back perhaps Chrissy Smalls can fill in on this occasion with his height that can be used to our advantage despite the Gimps not having much height with Kettleneck and Block Head. Ball come in Chrissy Smalls will throw himself through anything that is in his way.
Centre backs have to be Jon Evans and Rio, I know they collectively got things wrong against Everton but dropping any of them sends out all the wrong messages and could give the Gorton Globetrotters a slight advantage.
Mad Pat, god this guys would die for United in the left back role and he will always go on the run forward which is always going to have us exposed and feeling tense when we lose possession.
To deal with this we need someone who is going to offer cover and I suggest using Ashley Young, which makes people wonder what happens to Nani, simple Nani goes on the right. The Center of the park could be Tom C, The Ginger Ninja and the worst player we have Michael Carrick
This leaves one man upfront Monsieur Rooney who can drop deep when out of possession. Marauding forward to link up with the wingers and the usual suspects just outside the 18 yrd box.
Leaving Danny out may seem unfair as he has more than warranted a first team start for this one but for Sir Alex he may take upon a cautious approach and see how things pan out.
Valencia is one of the subs for me who can come on and rape their left back in the last 20-25 minutes, Danny the Lad will also come on later on. As will Phil Jones incase we need to shore things up.
Danny The Lad will score the winner just to show City that they made a massive mistake letting him go at 8 yrs old saying he wouldn’t be good enough. United obviously though so taking him on at 10yrs old. That’s where my money is going. A True Mancunian finishing them off.
i suspect smallings will play for RB position against bitters. the gaffer has taken to tuning the lineup depending on opposition, and given sh-tty height advantage we may well see smalling. and he will probably be asked to be more defensive than attacking, needless to say. although we won’t play for a draw. never do. not in mufc dna
Still believe Manu, 20 titles to rub Liverpool’s nose in it. You will beat City and win the title. Couldn’t believe Everton’s comeback yesterday and it just restored a little bit of pride after getting beat last week by the shite.
Come on manu.
I think city will beat us , but Newcastle will takes points off city, and through it away , I really believe that the game at st James park is the title decider…
King Eric – Was meaning to watch that last night, but didn’t I may give it a watch. They seem pretty pathetic those lot.
Cedars – You need plenty of Bob Dillingers to get you through, thats my take on getting through buddy
Couldn’t agree more. We threw it away with lax defending and too much attacking when it was unnecessary, but I put a HUGE amount of blame on Fergie for NOT making substitutions earlier. He waited till the 86th min, when we were drawn at 4-4, to bring in Jones and Chicharito for Scholes and Valencia. Ideally, he should have done subs at the 70th when we were up 4-2; bringing in Jones for Scholes to help our defenders and Giggs for Valencia and switch Nani to the right and just have everyone defend and keep possession. I cannot believe how naive Fergie was. I’m sure the only reason they were pushing forward still was to try and close the goal difference between us and ManShitty, but holding onto the 3pts is much more important. Really shot ourselves in the foot this time. I’m just hoping for anything but a loss at the Etihad…a draw and we’re still up by 3, so I’ll take that…but I’d love a win and pretty much seal #20 up.
@Utd4life
Yeah, I also feel that De Laet will come into play. I remember watching him play at RB against Valencia in the friendly in 09 and he did very well. Looks like he’s had some ups and downs in his progress, but he hasn’t had a decent crack at the first team. I don’t like seeing Jones and Smalling playing there. They do a decent job, but it only halts their development as CBs.
As for Evra, don’t know what to say. I often wonder if it’s a case of a footballer in his mid life crisis (Giggs had a couple of bad games at that age too) or if he’s just burnt out. One thing’s for sure. The answer to the problem isn’t leaving him without competition on that side. He needs someone. Maybe Fergie was looking at Debuchy…
King Eric
The guy you mentioned is a polititian anyway
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1491314_salford-mayor-hopeful-paul-massey-blasts-bbc-chiefs-for-branding-mediacity-unsafe
@JC
Cheers mate. Nice to hear that technically you have a Greek offspring.
It’s quite bad. Personally speaking I am not in a position (at the moment) where the economy is taking a toll on me. But no one’s job is safe anymore and I’d lie if I said I didn’t worry about my future too. I think you can look at any struggling club on the brink of bankrupcy and you can see where it went wrong for Greece. Mismanagement. For at least the last 30 years. And I won’t dispute that we may be a kind bunch of people. We are also naive politically. We let crooks and incompetents rule the country for far too long. Like a hot supermodel, Greece is great to look at, but not enough brainpower upstairs…
It’s not really the draw that upset me most, it’s the fact that we let a 2 goal lead slip twice. I think we’ve every reason to be confident going into the city game with scoring 8 goals in our last 2 games. If the defence stay focused, that is.
Thanks for the info, hope everything stays well for you over there. We’d love to go back sometime especially to bring my daughter over when she’s a little older, so hopefully it gets straightened out somehow and doesn’t disolve into anarchy. As always I’ll blame the communists…
FITB – A mad last 10 minutes! The midfield is still a concern, but I’ve went over that ground so many times. Suffice to say, we need to strengthen that area. And there’s Pogba in the mix. If he ever signs his new deal! We really need to pushing Clevs and Pogba next season. Energy and composure. Don’t know if Tunnicliffe will go out on loan. An interesting summer awaits…..before that though, a little matter of city at the wastelands.
@JC
Lol, I blame them a lot too. Makes for some interesting debates with my best friend who is one.
Hope you come back pretty soon. The country is still great to be at. If you are a tourist.
Costas. I do feel that the there is more chance of the Gaffer buying a LB than a midfielder next season.
Yesterday`s defending was terrible, but still there will be no need to reshuffle ths team for next monday`s match. Rafael and Evans were doing fine until yesterday. All the Defenders had an off day yesterday. Otherwise ,Midfield and Attack looked good. Nani should help more Evra in Defence. I Believe we can do it.
Got 20 Valium to get me through this week.
Zzzz zzzz zzz will someone wake up on monday please
i just wait to vidic to come back cos evra does not deserve to be united captain,,,he is weak in defence ,,,and much worse in the offence ,only in the middle of the pitch he is doing ok ,what is not enough,,,his attitude sucks ,he jogs back like he doesnt care,,,this is no way a captain attitude,,,
Points 2& 5 sum it up best for me & are exactly whst ive said to my mates.
The full-backs,defensively, were poor.
Rafael has antonio falling back & helping out, but paddy wont get that cover with nani in front of him, who i thought came back really well y’day.
I can’t really offer a defence for paddy these days, as he can’t for us, & as you’ve said, very poor since 2010, prior to which i raced him Europe’s best left back. Its probably not helped not having genuine competition for his shirt though since heinze left. These days he fancies himself more as a winger.
Credit to everton which though, we were slow out the blocks, they came & attacked us, so fair play to them.
Not enough legs in center midfield to help out the defence either, & as much as we need that play maker, for me we miss a kicker like keano in the big matches more, where we get out-muscled.
Positives though as well, when we did wake up, some of our attack play was great, & welbecks best game for ages. Nani gave one of his up for it performances, slightly disappointed on the other wing though, as distin has been awful recently.
Another positive was the city result, in a way.
Wolves were never gonna take anything from that game, yet US dropping points suddenly put the expectancy back on the bitters, & although they took 3 points, it was nothing like the free flowing demolition of norwich when they’d been totally written off.
Whatever
Cedars
Breakfast Girls Beach Beer Girls Beach Girls Afternoon Tea Girls Mamas cooking – No Girls afterwards be a good boy and go to sleep
x7 and you’ll get to next week
Of course pop in and I’ll keep you entertained with fresh Mancini phone a friend updates
King Eric
The whatever was directed at the previous to your good self. I will read your post later.
Have to go to work now.
* previous poster*
MG
My savior! I like the sound of that combo, sure to keep me going! Thanks!
I even fucked the name up.
This is confusing man.
mancdub
Saw that, but given your lack of sleep I let it go!! ha ha ha
Massive wake up call!!! Massive screw up!! There is a time to encourage and a time to kick ass. This is kick ass time. NO WAY we should concede 2 goals in the last 10 minutes! Get your heads out of your ass United and see the job done. Only then can you relax.
Rafael reminds me of what Ancelotti said of David Luiz: “He is too trusting and naive” . In other words he much be ahead of the play mentally anticipating and expecting the danger and position himself accordingly. Many times the best play a defender makes is avoiding having to make it in the first place.
CedarsDevil
It lack of sleep and running around getting ready for work. Thanks for being lenient
The iPhone is wonderful invention but its a bit small for my sausage fingers
guys we r heavily linked with sigurdson (spelling?) today…i for one will be depressed if we go for him lol dont get me wrong but sigurdson?we need world class talent in the midfield!!
imagine next yr sigurdson and carrick vs xavi iniesta busquests!!!
anyway…thats all speculation and i for one hope its not true…i hope we go for hazard..looks a great talent..
feeling positive about monday after being depressed for the whole day yesterday
glory glory man utd
Sloppy,Sloppy,Sloppy.pay attention to what your doing.
Scott, point number 2 was so EFFIN spot on, exactly what I have been thinking since yesterday…
heres to hoping for a repeat of summer 2007!! where big cash was spent on world class talent!
ahhh hargreaves,nani,anderson,tevez all came for big money and with big reps…
true some of them havent fulfilled there potential and left etc but my point is big money was spent on established talent!yet we really havent done that since…which is sad…fingers crossed we see a summer like that!!
Sad about the draw, but lets the stage is set for an exciting derby.
Our attacking link up was excellent, and city weren’t that brilliant against wolves, and were under pressure. Looking forward to the derby win.
Btw, we need some competition on the left back position, evra is almost guaranteed a place in the team and he’s played pretty much all of our games in the last couple of seasons.
Potato?
Are we forgetting that we’ve beat them twice this season-both times not at Old Trafford. No worries. Keep calm & pass it to Scholes
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
Logically speaking, the two points we dropped this week, and the three against Wigan, are no more or less significant than the points we dropped earlier in the season — draws against Stoke, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea, and losses to City, Blackburn and Newcastle. Earlier in the season, we tend to under-react: we may be momentarily pissed off, but still we think “oh there’s time to make it up”. Later in the season, we tend to over-react, because we can see the finishing line in sight. But every point is equal. If we hadn’t dropped points earlier, we wouldn’t be running down to the wire now.
I haven’t seen much of the team recently, but what was encouraging to me was that we looked sharp in attack against Everton (most of the time, anyway). I just get the impression we’re like some cutting-edge hi-tech racing engine that just isn’t working quite right — it needs to be tweaked or tuned a little differently. Everyone can see that when it hits a sweet spot, it is a thing of awesome power and beauty, but every now and then it splutters or backfires or loses power or just plain stops, and no-one’s quite sure why. Is it the set-up? A bad part? A design flaw? No one knows. Seems to have a mind of its own, in fact. Strange.
But I am confident we will go all the way. I just can’t do this pessimism shit.
Off topic:
Always been a fan of LeBlanc myself, but decided to keep my own council with the pro Maurine groupies on here. Still a few capable candidates out there.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/120423/ferguson-admits-admiration-blanc-170517
Also, Finally someone is calling for Carrick in the England set up:
http://www.eplindex.com/14039/england-xi-part-2-midfield-opta-stats-analysis.html
In your whole analysis you don’t mention Jonny Evans, who has been utter crap whenever a team has attacked but he looks great when he doesn’t need to defend!!!!
We were absolutely careless, what the hell Rafael was doing?I couldn’t believe my eyes after they scored the 4th goal and to be honest I throw the remote down in my anguish.and let me tell you it was Fergie’s mistake, he should have substituted Scholes and Valencia for Giggs and Park after 10 minutes before the end of the game.they were out of the fuel, we all know Everton players are playing to the last breath of the game and I think we have experienced that 1 year ago, at time the result was 3-3.Fergie was over confident and finally we paid the price.about the derby, I won’t give any prediction but am not optimistic after such sloppy defending, it was not really the United spirit considering how crucial that 3 points, but what I can say my love for united has always defied anything negative inside me, so we certainly need a response at Etihad.Come on you reds
zigoo Nani,Hargreaves and Anderson didn’t cost that much less than 60mill combined and at the time Nani and Anderson were young lads not world class talent,don’t think Tevez cost Utd anything up front some sort of monthly loan deal.Erm Utd spent 50mill on players last year
Where was Meulensteen and Phelan,,..I feel these points was lost from the bench.
Good morning Manchester! Big title fight! Round 3!! In the Blue corner, Bobby the scarf wankini! In the Red corner, Sir Alex The Govan Wizard Ferguson! Come on United!
Just by-the-by, Fergie was out on the touchline at 4-2. Unfortunately, he was busy waving to the Stretford End. Still baffled that he didn’t make a sub-Scholes was having a bit of a shocker and for the first time in ages we really missed Vidic. Fellaini was winning everything and we should have stuck Jones on him. I also couldn’t believe the Evra miss!
On a side point, I would be wary of playing that team next week as Evra was quite badly exposed without much help from Nani. Ideally, we would go 4-5-1 like the good old days but we don’t have the personnel for that so I reckon Smalling starts next week with different possibilities on the wings. Is it worth risking Nani? Could Park come in?
I always feel better when I see Smalling. For me he is the true heir to Vidic. Love Evans but I rate Smalling higher, he has that yard of pace like Rio, is brave, heads the ball well, his positioning and awareness are great and when he is alongside either Rio or Vidic he complements them perfectly.
Let me also say, there were quite a few players who were a bit off their game. Scholes tired badly at the end as noted above and should have been subbed earlier, Evans had a bad game under pressure his positioning and awareness went, Evra was fantastic attacking but maybe could have done better for one goal, Rafael is a star, this was an off game but he should have done better, surprised to see him lack his usual tenacity but he is an excellent RB, all the people rating him one week ago slate him now which is pathetic, Carrick faded badly and unusually for him his reading of the game was off, the wingers and forwards did not put in a good enough defensive shift to help see the game out. Overall, team lost as a whole. Where is Keano when you need him?
Fergie also lots focus here. Which is odd.
Noonans gangsters? That’s a joke. Hardly the Gambinos!
Nothing pathetic about slating Rafael – he is great in many ways and is a ferocious tackler but he is not always alert to danger. And it’s now been a couple of years since his double yellow against Bayern. At a certain point, you have to expect him to mature a bit.
I think the problem sometimes when we have Rafael and Jones on the field is that they are both dying to go forward and forget that their bread and butter is to stop the other team scoring. Give Jonny Evans credit for coming on in leaps and bounds in that area this year.
The Noonans were a very very hard family from an area near where I grew up.
I wouldn’t say they ran things but the guys that did run things didn’t fuck with these lads.
And even though most of them are no longer with us I would be a little wary of dissing them. Even anonymously on the Internet.
Damien ran the door at the Hacienda for years. I saw him in action more than once. He was fucking terrifying. Salford is a city of bad boys but he was one of the baddest.
I saw a cheesy documentary about Dominic a few years ago.
Maybe that is what King Eric saw.
If you want a clearer picture of what these lads were about just google the name White Tony Johnson.
They may not be the Gambino’s but I’m glad I never got on the wrong side of them.
toffee supporter here. Must admit that Man U were unplayable when they scored the 2nd, 3rd and fourth goals. Honestly many toffee fans knew everton was in deep shit when the score line read 4-2 but credit to everton that they never gave up. Man U just left it a little late but even right now, I believe they can still go on to win at Man City and win the league. I am sure Mancini would prefer Man City to be ahead by 3 points and have a worse goal difference and having to visit Old Trafford….hence it is all up to the Man U players to BELIEVE that they CAN do it, as Phil Neville did….
mancdub – thanks for enlightening us. I did google and wiki, who say:
Desmond “Dessie” Noonan (8 August 1959 – 19 March 2005) was a British organised crime figure in Manchester of Irish descent who acted as a political fixer for the Noonan crime family. He and his younger brother, Dominic Noonan, were suspected by police to be responsible for at least 25 unsolved murders during their 20-year reign over Manchester’s underworld.
Mainly because of the very dangerous contacts Desmond Noonan had made during his reign as “Britain’s number one crime boss” his family was at the end of the 1990s known as “one of the most notorious crime families in British history”.
Not to trifled with, to be sure.
Have to agree with Scott, the backline did let us down in that match, and yes Jones should have been on earlier to lock things up.
My bet would now be going for a draw at the emptihad, with a more likely 4-5-1 formation sent out, which could look roughly like this:
DDG
Valencia-Evans-Rio-Evra
Nani-Jones-Carrick-Scholes-Young
Rooney
StatesideAussie with his feet on the ground at 22:14.
Last week Sir Alex said he expects all the teams to drop points on the run in.
Bombs are away, lets not drop any more!
Three things
1) If we don’t win the title, i blame wayne rooney for his lack of discipline over the xmas period which saw him dropped for the Blackburn game. To hold us ransom 14 months prior to that over wages, and then to behave like this, then the blame must go on his shoulders, not that the self-absorbed half-wit would ever see fault in his own behaviour.
2) If Ched Evans played for Liverpool, do you reckon the bin dippers would wear a “Free Ched Evans” t-shirt seeing as they believe in supporting convicted racists, why not rapists?
3) Right-back has been of heavy discussion for Monday night. Here’s one that seems to have passed the discussion. Antonio Valencia at right-back? It would allow us to get Young, Nani and Valencia who have all been in good nick recently. Also with the opposition paying more attention to Valenica, him coming from deep with their left-winger tracking him, would make him more dangerous, especially if he can put in crosses in like he did in the FA Cup game for the 1st goal.
I blame! Ha! I blame him, I blame her, I blame them, I blame the blameworthy bloody lot of them!
They are to blame.
Also for the record, if City win the goal difference difference becomes 8 not 7!
wayne i see ur point,but what i mean was that anderson at the time was seen as the next ronaldinho,whle nani woz the best winger in the portuguese league and had a few champions league goals,and were touted as future stars..
hargreaves ..well,we all knew what we were getting there…if he could stay fit,top class..if not..well u saw the outcome
tevez at the time was someone who we could not wait to see in a red shirt…albeit hes a cunt,but he was seen as the final piece of the jigsaw before he came
yes we spent 50 mill last year…but with all due respect to ashley young and david de gea and phil jones,they arent names who terrify opponents…although they ghave done very well this year…
my point is if we could spend some money on some established names instead of going for the younger players who will take time to blend in,it would be great….i think we missed a trick with pirlo last year in all honesty…in his early 30s,but can pass a ball,free kick specialist,and has led juve to top of the serie a
zigoo
United rarely spend some money on some established names that terrify opponents more than Ashley Young and David de Gea and Phil Jones do. Perhaps Wayne Rooney was the last one?
Which would you prefer?
500 million pounds given to Sir Alex with the directive to buy the World’s best players, plus a further 200 million-a-year to tweak where necessary; BUT we never win the League
or
Retain the status quo, with United competing as always, trying to win the League.
I think I’m past worrying about what some people might do to me. Also, I ran with a crowd(stupidly) back in the day, that had a fearsome rep of their own. I won’t be asking anyone to google shit, though. Anyways, enough of this bravado BS! This is a United blog, after all.
one week is enough for fergie to figure out the best 11 to start against shitty …. we’ll come out with a positive result no doubt about that … mancini and his overpaid mercenaries are choking already … roll on monday …
P.S that awkward moment when a shitty fan finds out that etihad means united ! we fucking own that place already !!
StateSideAussie @ 22:14: “what was encouraging to me was that we looked sharp in attack against Everton”
Spot on. Those were four “trademark” UTD goals. Stunning speed and interplay and deadly finishing. THAT’s why I’ve followed UTD since the Munich tragedy forged an unbreakable link – in addition to the little matter of being born in Denton.
mancdub – Hello mate. Oh I wouldn’t cross the Noonans pal. It was a very cheesy documentary making out they were real life Robin Hoods. Even doing stand up and employing 15 or 16 year old in cheap hideous suits. It was very cringeworthy. If you are THAT much of a gangster you don’t broadcast it on TV.
I would be more worried of geezers like Paul Massey from Salford or Paul Ferris up in Glasgow.
Paul Ferris books are a good read. Recommend them to anyone.
Having watched United lift the league trophy numerous times before, this is definitely THE squeaky bum time but I am confident we will win again.
Hopefully the the players will raise to this and realise they let the fans and thereselves down against Everton. They have to believe. City will be gunning for us. We need to shut them up early and get a few goals lead and if they fight back then a draw would be a good result for us. They have to believe.