1. When you score the earliest goal of the season your expectations of the game suddenly rise. Whilst you might have been hoping for two or three goals, when you’re 1-0 up with 89 minutes left to play, you hope a thrashing is on the cards. This hope is only cemented when you spend the first ten minutes passing the ball around at ease. The opening of yesterday’s game reminded me of the end of the game we played at Ewood Park in 2011 when we won our 19th title. Blackburn were happy with the point to help them in their relegation battle and we only needed one point to win the league. So the final ten minutes saw us pass the ball around our own half and Blackburn sat back and let us. Maybe West Ham were just shocked to have conceded so early, partiuclarly when you consider how regularly United have let in early goals this season, but they offered nothing and I was expecting a 4-0. Sadly, we looked lost in the final third and couldn’t make the most of our superior possession and chances on goal.
2. Anderson put in a good shift in the centre of the park and was easily our best player. For several weeks now he has been one of our best performers, even when coming on as a sub, so it was good to see him playing well when given the opportunity from the start. He’s one of the few players at United right now who has the confidence to take players on and, more often than not, succeed. He was skipping past West Ham’s midfield and defence as if they weren’t there. Ferguson doesn’t seem to like to play the same formation or players in consecutive games, but Ando surely has to be starting from now on. He had to come off with over 5 minutes to play though, clearly exhausted, showing his next goal is to work on his match fitness.
3. Fellow Brazilian Rafael also put in a solid performance at the back and was a great help going forward. Without any natural width, due to the absence of wingers, the fullbacks had a lot of ground to cover and Rafael did it well. In the first half he was caught miles out of position on one occasion but thankfully he recovered well, and that was his only blip over the 90 minutes. It’s nice to remember that he’s only 22 and is likely only going to get better.
4. Tom Cleverley was given the chance to shine last night but unfortunately struggled to make much impact on the game. It was no surprise when he was subbed off with just under half an hour left to play. His replacement, Ashley Young, was probably worse though. Young is becoming more unpopular with every passing game and it’s likely the atmosphere in the ground whenever he gets on the ball and makes a mistake transmits to him fairly well. What does he actually do? He doesn’t run past players, his crosses usually find the first defender and he throws himself to the floor whenever he’s tackled. I don’t doubt his work rate, I genuinely believe that he is trying hard, but he just hasn’t looked good enough for a year now, following that bright start.
5. After weeks of looking very nervous at the back, the defence did a pretty good job last night. West Ham are a threat from set pieces, even using freekicks on the half way line as an opportunity to launch the ball in to the box, but despite a few scares, we handled them well. Maybe that is more to do with Andy Carroll’s incompetence as much as anything. It’s incredible to think Liverpool spent £35m on him. They’ll recoup nothing like that when they sell him at the end of the season. With just the 1 goal from 9 games this season you have to wonder if even West Ham will want him. He looked lazy and disintered all night. If one of our defenders were in position just a couple of feet from him he couldn’t be arsed to even pretend to win the ball back. In light of Lindegaard’s recent comments about homosexuals in football, with him claiming that the fans couldn’t handle it if a player came out, it was definitely proved true last night. Fans can’t even handle a player with a ponytail, with chants of “get your tits out for the lads” being sung in Carroll’s direction whenever he messed up.
6. For weeks, a lot of us had been calling for Ferguson to play the likes of Anderson and Cleverley in midfield and after ten minutes it looked as though we had been vindicated. Whilst we still won, the display for the majority of the game wasn’t at all impressive. Maybe the issue is to do with the lack of wingers? Maybe the issue is not only the constant change in players, but the weekly changes in formation too? It’s hard to imagine us getting a run of good form together because our team and tactics are always changing.
7. Whatever you want to say about Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, for me, is still our most important player. Whilst Van Persie is technically a better striker and the player I would rather our chances fell to, Rooney is the player that makes the team tick. He works hard for the team, can drop deep to help out, and links our play. Last night, he was all over the shop, and saw the ball pinched from him time and again. The majority of his shots were wild and it was like his head wasn’t really in the game. When he’s on the top of his game, I’m sure the other players will follow suit.
8. With Chelsea dropping more points and City winning away, it was so important we got the three points. I desperately want to see us playing well, putting in performances like we did against Newcastle all that time ago, but for now I will happily settle for the points. We’re playing nowhere near our full ability yet we’re top of the league, so that can only be a positive. Things just need to click for United, with a more settled starting team, and then our title rivals should be afraid. The only concern is how long it will take for things to click. Sooner, rather than later, hopefully.
Man Utd News 24/7
3 points.. that’s all that matters
Rafael, Evans outstanding. Both these guys have established themselves because injuries forced Fergies to abandon rotation – Evans from end of 2011 and Rafael from start of this season. I am sure we would have seem better from Nani and Anderson in the last 12 months if they had that sort of established position. Hopefully manager would learn.
A bit like playing 442 with no mobile midfielders, playing a diamond without anyone who can go wide means it wont work well. Best football this season was 2nd half vs Spurs
Carrick Scholes
Nani Rooney Kagawa
RVP
Replace Scholes with Clev or Ando and this is the team – sadly we have never seen it again
Rafael was really good in the game, barely gave Matt Jarvis a sniff
Wonder if parryheid will be a big man and admit that Anderson was our best player last night?
Scott: “Rooney is the player that makes the team tick. He works hard for the team, can drop deep to help out, and links our play. Last night, he was all over the shop, and saw the ball pinched from him time and again. The majority of his shots were wild and it was like his head wasn’t really in the game. When he’s on the top of his game, I’m sure the other players will follow suit.”
Absolutely true-that. People talks about such-and-such a player “controlling the game” or “establishing his team’s rhythm” – last night we saw the exact opposite. TheWayneBoy just “wasn’t really in the game”. His usual importance was highlighted by last night’s particular irrelevance. IT doesn’t happen often but when it does then you get to see what is so frequently taken-for-granted.
West Ham held there own ……….. for about 33.5 seconds.
After that, there was really only one result
Just like Anderson is starting to grow into his role, Tom Cleverley needs time. Both have the skill, but it is not til a bit older that they will achieve their full potential and become strong enough to last 90 mins v full blooded tackles like the lads were getting all evening. I really think we need a manager screaming at the refs all game long to get calls about these tackles. Lads like Tom and Nani regularly get clattered 10 times in the first 10 minutes and can hardly walk by the end of it.
As it was, Cleverley 90% pass completion, most of it in the final 3rd. Andos skill was more evident because he had the deeper role. Cleverley was up amongst it with the forwards and 8-9 of their lot.
Anyway, credit to the lads. The tempo was back up there for most of the match and the only team that was looking to win the match was us. Credit to West Ham as they kept their shape and their keeper did well enough.
Bring on Reading. Highest pass completion team (us on 88%) vs lowest (Reading 63%).
I’ll take those odds. 3pts please!
kanchelskis.
No he wont because he wasn’t.Anderson put in a good shift for the time he was on the park,but fan bois or not open your eyes.Rafael was head and shoulders top player followed by Evans and Smalling also put a great shift in as did Lindegaard,In fact the whole team did pretty well albeit the front men were sloppy,but it is pointless trying to convince your like of that.
Great write up agree with everything except the case of Rooney been our most important player.
If Kagawa was in his position last night we would of destroyed West Ham. Hes playing as a deep-lying playmaker but his passing and generally play is far to inconsistent for the role and I feel its impacting the team too much when he isn’t on form (which to be fair is generally at least 1/3 of the season at least).
I know i bang on about Rooney a lot on this blog but its just irritating how someone who is paid so handsomely just doesn’t produce the goods on a regular basis. We should be able to rely on him and if we choose to continue to rely on him to play such a pivotal role then sadly i feel we wont win a great deal this season when it gets to the business end of competitions.
The only solution I see is to put him back up top and if he doesn’t bang in the goals like Hernandez, drop him until one of the other 2 lose form. This is very much wishful thinking as for some reason Fergie will drop everyone in our team for poor performances but Rooney who gets to play through his bad spells.
I hope he proves me wrong but he has failed to do so now for quite some time.
Lol. Keep squirming. I look forward to much more of it over the course of the season.
andoo you know fuck all
kanchelskis.
Dont you think you are taking the idolitry a bit overboard.Note you dont attempt to pick holes in my assessment or even show where you think he had a superior game to say, Rafael squirm?Nah I think not,fan bois they dont vary and I wonder why you want my approval of your idol.Weird that
Yes. Anderson is my idol (assuming you mean idolatry, with an ‘a’). Anyway, yes I complete idolise him. That is clear from my posts. In fact, I think he might be our best player at the moment.
No, fuck it. I’ll say it. I think he’s United’s greatest ever player. There is no limit to his brilliance.
(Does this make it easier for you?)
Have they met in macdonalds and had an disagreement, or are you happy to see him fail??
Cause his latest cameos could win over an level headed fan. Just saying
Oh you giving spelling lessons as well eh.If it wasn’t an insult to the disadvantaged I would say your an idiot.You may find others apart from me disagree on that point.You still haven’t answered any of my remarks other than the fan bois one.
I’d say Rafael is an early candidate for player of the season.
Get your tits out for the lads, haha that’s quality.
To be fair I don’t think it’s we can’t handle a player with a ponytail; it’s more that Carroll is a massive wanker who happens to have a ponytail. It’s just a way to give him stick
parryheid says:
Oh you giving spelling lessons as well eh.If it wasn’t an insult to the disadvantaged I would say your an idiot.
____________________________________________________________________________
you’re*
Gosh, is there even a need to argue who played better?
Both were great. But just one thing. If Anderson had Rafael’s engine… What a prospect that would be
Not worth engaging with you on any other level mate. Anderson could miraculously turn into our talisman and drag us to this treble this year and you’d still have a problem with him.
You bring nothing to this board other than your own bizarre, blinkered, irrational hangups. I’m well passed trying to debate them with you.
kanchelskis or is that teach.
still no answers yet,wriggling.
Radio lads which was MUTV had Rafa mom followed by Evans
kanchelskis/teach
Dream on you dopey sod,just answer this then.Why do you want my approval of your(Ha) idol
With United it’s a bit again like in the old days: “We’re shit but we’re winnig” if you catch my drift
Ronaldo, Iniesta and Messi are the three nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012
http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/news/newsid=1959407/
@parryheid
I’m really not that fussed mate. You bestow your munificent ‘approval’ upon whomever you see fit…
… safe in the knowledge that your complete lack of rationality means it will mean kack all to anyone else.
Great game last night, it was a brilliant to watch also, boring? My arse!
Plenty energy in the middle of the field but no final ball, great game from both rafael who imo was by far the better player and jonny evans who on my man of the match list would rate at 3 also chris smalling did okay, despite a few scares like early in the second half when was robbed off the ball in a dangerous position thankfully Jonny was alert and blocked the ball soon before they could send more numbers forward, maybe the laziness of carrol helped in us getting less troubled but after he was subbed they started causing all sorts of problems to no much effect thankfully….
That was the best I’ve seen of carrick all season he really marshaled well the back line but still think fletcher in that sort of line-up a diamond or even the christmas tree formation in that case can do a far much better job that carrick, while acknowledging that his passing might have been on for the duration of the game but still think passing at stationary isn’t much effective
which doesn’t really count as we found them were still abit asleep, but even though we still created quite a lot of chances which at another day could have produced a cricket score.
Fletcher imo would do a much better job as he’s far mobile than the latter and offer far greater goal threat than michael
All in all it was a well earned 3 points we so deserved it and looked more hungrier than the hummers even after we had scored
Roll on reading!!
Miss Ronney. Imagine us if that team had stayed intact! Sigh.
Parry – it’s barely fan boys though, anderson was the best central midfield player on the.pitch. It’s one thing if you fail at seeing a player’s ability and another not giving credit. Where credit is due. Each one to his own as they say but that brazilian will hopefully be a key player for united
Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney make short list of forwards for FIFA FIFPro World XI
http://www.fifpro.org/news/news_details/2111
Joining (Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand) previously listed among 20 for Defenders of the year.
I honestly believe CURRENTLY our best midfield pairing is Carrick and Ando. Was very impressed with Ando last night, though he looked absolutely fucked when he came off. Jonny should be our first choice CB now, he’s been playing exceptionally well for a while. Rafael was also dooze, has most definitely made the RB spot his own. Also good to see Evra returning to form, last couple games he’s been much better than before. Long may it continue.
I also don’t see why everyone is going on about Young.. He’s clearly not in form, but that doesn’t make him the worst player to ever play in the PL like some on this forum would have you believe.
samuel-united We stand.
that wasn’t the point that Teach was trying to make when he called me out on his post.And my post at half time last night was no failures,this will surprise you but I am a former fan of the player who gave up the ghost + three years ago when I recognised he was never going to amount to fuckall with us.As many others did and he would have to do a lot more pretty much weekly to bring me to the fold.much less give approval of him to the likes of Teach who still wont answer the questions
A very Happy Birthday to a true Manchester United Legend. RYAN GIGGS. He’s 39 today.
Not only this blog @matt
Asley is quickly becoming teams scapegoat, and he doesn’t help things
Lastnight he came on looked lively but could not beat his marker, couldn’t putt in a decent cross, dives a lot that infuriates a lot
I don’t know if he’s man utd’s quality or not, but he better pick up his form quickly than he does loses it cause this could become a season to forget. Trust me!
For him not the club lol
Agreed on the ashley young. He’s 27 and won’t get as much time to sort it out as he’s at his peak and should be showing far more authority in his game. He won’t avoid criticsm because he simply should be a finished article. His apparent work rate is covering up deficiences, the question mark regarding his signing is getting more visible every game.
I’m similar to parry watching him play with Hargo all those seasons ago thought Ando was going to develop into a world class player.For whatever reason,injuries,attitude,lifestyle he ended up becoming a seconadry figure.This season though as I’ve said before he’s matured maybe the penny has finally dropped and he will fulfill his potential because no one can doubt his ability
I agree with every comment and sentiment in the match reaction and I can’t add anymore.
PPL giving young a hard time, and demanding Nani to be included, Nani has been just as poor. I never see him go past players, add assists, he goes down just has easy, and Nani is demanding wages that he has not merit. So while Young has been poor for a while, do not forget Nani has been just as poor.
Parry – fair enough. Don’t forget injuries have held anderson back but a talent can’t just erode, he’s still got it and with more match fitness he’ll hopefully come good. You’re entitled to hold back before handing out credit but on another hand, he’s been on an upward turn and it would be good to acknowledge that.
Nani may be in poor form but his class is not in doubt, the portuguese can easily win games even on his off days. Maybe that’s the thing, nani is a maverick and needs more support to show his quality, he’s the most talented wing man in the united team. If united can’t appreciate him, another big european team will do as i always say.
nice to see Rafael concuer Carrol in the air
Yeah, can’t really judge the Ando-Clev partnership in a formation like this. Clev was way out to the left because of the amount of central players on the field.
Balon d’Or Nominees: Ronaldo, Innesta, Messi
Lesser known
Rollon d’Floor Nominations: Bale, Suarez, Pedro, Young
samuel – united WE stand – Nani I think is very overrated, he is asking for wages that he does not deserve, I cannot remember the last time he has won matches for united, there is appreciating, and then there is expecting a pay rise on the back of the 2010/11 season performances, and even then it was not sensational. Nani and Young have both not been good enough since their form dipped after the start of the 2011/12 season.
‘Fans’ looking for scapegoats, so what’s new?
Thank goodness these ‘fans’ have no say whatsoever in our team. The day any fan has a say in our team is the day we are doomed.
fergie is the boss says:
I cannot remember the last time he has won matches for united
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I agree on that. But at the same time it’s something he used to do fairly regularly. Season before last he was perhaps our most important player, alongside Rooney. Something like 10 goals and 18 assists in the league? He did ‘benefit’ from Valencia’s injury that season.
The thing with Nani is he’s a precious soul and needs his hand held to guide him back to good form. If he is given another chance to do that, I reckon he can get back to his excellent self again. Wouldn’t be surprised if Fergie cuts his losses though, which is a shame.
NOVEMBER 29, 2012 AT 16:04
Gaffer says:
“nice to see Rafael concuer Carrol in the air”
He had placed spring legs, overjumped the giant easily in numerous occasions..
That ball boy rafael was on another level, the thought of him still only 22 and surely going to improve is scary.
If only his twin brother could get half decent as him, although believe fabio looked a much better player going forward than rafa,( america tour anyone?)
samuel-united We stand.
That was acknowledged at 14 30 in my reply to him.Just that I disagreed Anderson was the top player in the game.plus I forgot to mention Carrick had a belting game also. but he wants my praise for his idol and that’s just tough.
F.i.t.b – yes YOU, the keyword here is you think he’s overrated but so many across the continent see his quality and if he becomes avalaible, they’ll be queueing for his signature. You’ve mentioned wages a few times as have many but i’m struggling to find what relevance that has regarding the portugues’ talent. He starts for a,strong portugal team all the time and he shines (was their best player along with ronaldo at the euros) yet somehow he’s not good enough. Young apart from his quickfire start has not shown qualities expected of a player at his peak, say what you want about nani and yes his form isn’t quite up there due to reasons none of us actually know but by some distance, he’s the most technically gifted winger at united and has won unired matches.
Nani’s best periods with the club has always been when Valencia is out injured. Kinda tells you what is the problem huh
Alright, enough of comparing, on their day, all our 3 wingers are devastating, so cheers to when that happend
A glimpse into our future boss? Although not the immediate choice, but definitely on the right track
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2062991/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-interview-Manchester-United-hero-Fergie-fjords-.html
Happy Birthday Ryan Giggs.
39ys a man 21yrs a Red Legend.
33 MajorTrophies. Right, and he’s won it 12 times!!!!
Best compilation I’ve found
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC5YOEFbInY
But there is a top on on the manutd.com site in honor of our Boy Wonder! Don’t miss it!
One has to feel for A.young, just a little. I know he has been Piss poor but just as some here claim welbz is used out of position hence his under par performances i think the same holds for young. Might i say that if we stuck Valencia out on the left he might be as bad as Young? neither has a left peg they can use for anything but to stand on.
@Robbo2Keano
But Young has always been adept at cutting in. His best days at Villa were either behind the striker or cutting in from the left.
Valencia is a direct, orthodox winger. Young is not.
fergie is the boss says:
I cannot remember the last time he has won matches for united
__________________________________________
The City Community Shield win was certainly a memorable one. We know what he’s capable of. The raw talent Nani has is defo higher than what Young has, plus, as someone pointed out earlier, Young is 27, NOT very young at all. He should be in the peak of his playing abilities right about now or next year.
Granted, I think it’s unfair for him to be asking for such wages, but at least play him when he’s fit, for crying out loud.
Anyway, heard jorge mendes is touting nani to PSG. The way they’re going, they’ll be the next galactico. They’ll be paying him ridiculous wages, he’ll be amongst portuguese speaking team mates and don’t be suprised if his form increases while people weep about what could have been.
Regarding young, he’s 27 and should be stepping his game up, he’s at his peak hence the scrutiny of his performances. He should be given the chances to turn it around but you can’t help but think improvements from him won’t be reaching dizzying heights any time soon. If young steps up, i always hold my hands up and i will do it,again. The brutal truth is, at 27, this is probably the maximum we’ll get off him.
@Kanchelskis
You are right mate, however at villa he got the ball far more often than he does at united. he also got it in various positions; behind the front man, out wide right and even through the middle of the pitch. he also had targets like carew to aim at. at united a lot more is expected of him and for the past 12 months he hasn’t delivered (blame it on the poor euros, that might of hurt his confidence). What i have noticed is that though he does move about when out wide (left most of the time) he is a one trick pony, fake down the left cut back right swing it in, at the moment that isn’t working for him. To his credit when he had a short cameo on the right, against either norwich or QPR, he put in some decent balls
Villa under martin oneil were a very direct team. Set pieces, second balls, flick on by the target man to feed the likes of young but united play a more variety game, a clever style (which is required at the top level), perhaps young doesn’t fit into that. Maybe we are not playing to his strenghts but then again, a player signed by united should play to the club’s strenght and not the other way around, it could also be a mentality thing as some have pointed out, i really am not sure but i say give him time to turn it around. what will be, will be.
I hope to see kagawa fit soon. His injuries didn’t seem serious at first but fuck knows what’s happened but the japanese can be a key player. kagawa, anderson and powell are the only central mid player united have that can shift past players with a burst of acceleration, they’ll be crucial. All kagawa needs is that upperbody strenght to bounce of tough challenges but technically, he’s very good. Hopefully he recovers as soon as possible.
Tom cleverley is an absolute wasteman
And ji sung doesn’t play for our club any more. Seriously man, you need to get the negative shades off your eyes and go get some sun.
There are times when you lot need to have a look at yourselves. Loads of other teams if you want em. Laterz.
Its either no midfield leaving the widemen and strikers isolated … OR … too many midfielders with no width to stretch teams.
I know we have Valencia, Nani, (forget Young) and Kagawa out injured but this was happening before this.
NEW PLAN : Lets play an energetic midfield two either combination Carrick / Anderson / Cleverley / Fletcher WITH two wide players (not Young) to stretch teams and two strikers.
Ji sung didnt you already make your point about Tom cleverly, up your medication a little and see if it helps you realise this
Ji sung must be on his period.. Intervention time i think, people can gather around and sing the “kumbaya” song to save him. For a wasteman, tom does wear a lot of bling, doesn’t he?
I think everybody in the defense played great, I wouldn’t mind seeing smalling and evans in the middle for a run of games. I’m encouraged by smalling, personally I like how he plays and he’s improving after injury faster than I thought.
Speaking of Ashley Young, he hasn’t been playing well recently but I think he will get back on top of his game sometime this season.
Also people always hate on him diving and shit, yeah I agree he dives but people forget that he weighs 65 Kg. He’s fucking tiny, so I’m not usually surprised when he falls down after a slight push from people a lot bigger than him.
Bring on Reading, can’t wait till the weekend ! Also can’t wait for a Wayne Rooney hatrick I’m expecting in that game
samuel – united WE stand – You say how good nani is, he has got so much talent, you give young a hard time, yet has nani been better than young over the last year or so? no. Nani can win us a game, I have not seen that ability since October 2011. That is a long time ago, there was this real joke united fans used to give talented players years ago, like ginola, so talented but only did it when it suited him. That is Nani, you can go on and on about he is the most talented winger at the club, but I would TonyV all day long, who cares of PSG want him, or anyone else. What matters is, what he does at MUFC, not that other clubs want him. And for me, Nani has not been good enough since he arrived. He has been here since 2007, and I have still yet to see him become the player many think he is
One more thought re Anderson (and Rafael for that matter). I think this season and next will be great times for all Brazilian players as they will be working their asses off to try and impress to make the World Cup squad. No disrespect to whatever they will achieve at their various clubs around the world, featuring in that squad will be the pinnacle of their careers and something they have been dreaming about for a long time. Thus, even party hounds like Ronaldinho are buckling down and focusing (at least on a relative basis in his case!).
As it relates to Anderson, if you had asked him 5 years ago whether there was any chance he wouldn’t even make the squad, he would have been completely flabbergasted. Now that it would be a pretty big upset for him to make the squad (with the likes of Lucas Levia well ahead of him in the pecking order), I think he is going to be very, very committed to winning a regular place and shining at United to try to get Big Phil’s attention.
kanchelskis – even in that season, he was ok, still his form was up and down.But no one can complain about Nani not been given enough chances, he has had enough time to show what he should be doing. And I have not seen enough that merits it is worth keeping him, if he is demanding wages that he wants.let PSG have him. Now if we had sold ronaldo in 2006, and he went on to become the world player of the year, yea its a kick in the balls, but no one can complain what could have been. I just find it contradicting from PPL, when they give young a hard time by praising how good Nani is, when he has done fuck all for well over a year
Anderson is mint
@estaban – good point there fella
I know there’s mixed feelings on Jones being played as a midfielder, but could he be the man to be the base of the diamond? Anderson and Cleverly ahead of him, and a front three of Kagawa, Rvp and Rooney? We could still have some decent width with this formation if Rafael and Evra/Buttner/Fabio bombed forwards, then Jones could hold back and form a defensive 3 of Smalling, Jones and Evans. Leaving Smalling as cover at right back and Evans covering the left, with Jones occupying the central role ready to break up any counter attack.
Plenty of youth and some vital experience in this team, but one thing it has in abundance is energy! Not to mention craft and guile as well as some combative midfielders in Jones, Anderson and Cleverly. We’d still have Fletcher, Carrick and Scholes for if we needed to change it up a little. Less game time for our wingers, but given Young’s recent showings, Nani dropping off the edge of the earth and Valencia providing seemingly one dimension (albeit a very good one! he could even rotate with Rafael down the right as this system would without doubt require a lot of energy)
Hernandez coming off the bench as always would be brilliant, Welbeck could be used instead of Kagawa (move rooney to replace kagawa) if we needed something a little different too
Very experimental and bold; but I for one would LOVE to see what this lot could do!!
I know we’ve had some very similar variations of this so far this season and wingbacks aren’t exactly revolutionary, but I feel this team would be very near, if not, our best.
@TC great write up mate there
I’m in completely agreement with you on that
Its all I’ve been trying to state for a while but couldn’t put it that well Width can always be provided by our full backs
Rafa is fine but evra haven’t got the energy to boost up and down anymore, so hopefully buttner or fabio will step up to the plate
The diamond formation is the future and could also be very useful in europe
3 points in the bag. now on to the main gist.
the performance was God awful and as usual the standard condescending remarks followed suit when the fact was pointed out.
my favourite is “what god given right do we have to blitz teams 3/4 goals”. in the context of the game,what utter fucking tripe.
what everyone seems to forget is we won the league a few season ago on the back of 1 nill wins,difference is we were a where a whole lot more solid and went about our football the right way.lately its been dross and we could suffer the culminative effect of teams not fearing us.
performance is just as important as the results. i mean God, we screamed for ando to start,if he wasnt performing would anyone be willing to give him a chance? i doubt it.
what pisses me off is how much better we can perform but are willing to just do the the mnimum. these guye are so much better than this.
STR comment on roo is spot on. i give the chubby guy stick but one cant deny his influence on the rest of the team. that along with ando and rafa are just about the only positives from the game. bt as a collective unit there is still a ton of work to be done. Tom c would be wise to watch for iniesta very very closely or even ozil.hes young but hes got to push on and show hs talent. christ, rafa took up the challenge, why cant he or ashley young for that matter.
great to have the points but fuck sake the football has got to improve. heres hoping we play a 3 man midfield all through the season. for the life of me i dont know how we have failed to see this.
carrick/fletcher ando and tom c. end of story. or better yet if toms head is still in the clouds
carrick fletcher and ando will do just fine and to be honest that would be my preferred midfield trio
My concern about last night is an ongoing one – our midfield just isnt good enough. Ando is improving and has the burst of pace to go past opposition players but his shooting on goal is poor. Cleverley sadly looks too lightweight. He buzzes around in midfield looking busy bit rather ineffective. Carrick may complete alot passes but other then his excellent ball to RVP to create the opening goal he creates very little. We do not have goal scoring midfielder, box to box player, which is a travesty and needs rectifying quickly.
Because of the formation we had no width last night and everything was going through a very crowded midfield. I think we create more and are more entertaining to watch when we play with wingers, it also puts the opposition under more pressure as it is harder to defend against.
West Ham were a poor but workmanlike team. I worry that if we play like that against Shitty in a couple of weeks we will get outplayed and beaten.
We need some consistency in the team selection, play our best side when injuries permit.
Red Keighley
Just out of interest while playing 4-4-2 this season when have we produced a better performance? A lot of people wanting to revert/rush back to playing with wingers but when ever we have played that system this season we have been piss poor.
Other than the final third last night our play was better than pretty much anything thy have produced this season. With time and consistently.the final third aspect will come I’m sure of that.
We controlled the game completely, closing the opposition players down earlier and generally looked sharper and more comfortable last night up until the last ten but that will always be the case with a 1-nil leas regardless of the opposition.
F.i.t.b – where were you when nani was ripping teams apart and dragging the team along creatively as rooney had a break from the trauma of slamming prostitutes? He ended that season with 18 fucking assists and 10 goals? If we look through the stastical contributions of the 3 wingers during their time at the club, i reckon nani thrumps them all but that is a matter for another day. You’ve contradicted yourself finely by saying nani has done nothing since he joined yet you claim he hasn’t done nothing since 2011, which in a,way means he has perfomed and justified his pricetag despite a slow start and joining at the age of 20. The difference which you clearly struggle to see is that nani, at 25 has made more of an impact on the great football stage (club and country), still has room for improvement and can get better compared to young, who is 27 approaching 28 and isn’t going to get any better, this is the reality. You’re conjuring up an idea that i am against young, which is completely wrong. He’s at his peak and the demands for performances are going to be high, he isn’t going to have as much time as others as he’ll be going downwards in his 30′s, let’s be realistic here, if he doesn’t step up now, he probably never will. If you disect my comments well, you’ll see that i’m willing to be patient with young as i want the best for united but i’m also realistic, at his age, he may not cut it. You can ramble on about wages, i don’t think any of us get adequate information regarding his demands, that subject is irrelevant whilst evaluating the ability of nani, an ability i think he has in abundance. He’s a man and if he feels he’ll get a better deal elsewhere and given more support than he recieves at united whilst playing alongside quality players which he’ll do at any big team, then so be it. This is not a personal afilliaton with nani, i recognise talent and prefer to see it flourish.
Valencia is a different type of a player compared to nani and i’m a fan of his robust wing play but he does get found out and you prefering him doesn’t really bother me, each one to his own and all that.
I would just say, nani has his faults. For example, he tries too hard and complicates things. He sees himself as an entertainer, he learnt his trade off the streets of lisbon, he has this free spirit of trying to beat every defender when clearly he could do it once and whip crosses in, he did that during his best season and bagged the highest assists, he was ranked amongst the likes of ribery, robben e.t.c but confidence seems to have deserted him, he’s not as focused as he should be (probably due to lack of support), he also plays best on the right and with valencia’s lack of flexibility, it has been at the detriment of the portuguese. He’s also coming from a continental style of constant touches and linking up play, dribbling e.t.c. orthodox players are always going to be flavours in the heart of typical old fashioned english fans, get the ball on the wing, boot it forward and lump it into the box. Maybe nani just isn’t cut for this league and its mentality but talent wise and at 25, there’s more to come if he still has the desire.
Anyway, i’ve said enough on this subject, it never leads to nowhere and therefore, i won’t give anymore response of note.
Andoo – spot on with that comment. Pure wing play is still part of the club’s DNA but modern football is starting to nullify and supress it. Teams know if they shut down the hub of creativity, which is essentially on the wing then they stand a chance. We need to adapt wuth the times, dominating the middle is key to doing well. Fergie recognised it after two batterings from barca, he knew more fluidity was needed and has brought more variety, whether that be with wingers or the diamond shape. Getting joy fron these variety of style doesn’t come overnight, you keep working on it and you keep developing or buying players to fit into the system.
@Samuel
we have had our battle haha, but you comment about our wingers and Nani.
SIMPLY WOW.
Thank you. In this forum I know that me, you and United Till I Die does know the importance of Nani.
Thank You again mate!!
I always liked your comments over Nani, cause it has meant that I wouldn’t have a need to write anything about him, cause you say what I think.
Exellent mate.
peace.
Marq says:
“‘Fans’ looking for scapegoats, so what’s new?
Thank goodness these ‘fans’ have no say whatsoever in our team. The day any fan has a say in our team is the day we are doomed.”
Exactly mate, It’s always someone
Shinji Kagawa wins International Player of the Year, in Asian gala
let’s hope he comes back strong like he did for Dortmund and gives us that extra push.
peace.
WE almost are a complete one.man-team. Rooney is our heart, lungs and funny enough our brains.
He is all over the place, winning the ball back like a terrier, crossing balls almost as good as Scholes, driving up the tempo in our passing game, constantly seeking a pass forward, always a threat from 30 yards out. Without him we cant even win games against Norwich. That is a facht!
NANI – He is being shunted out to help pay RVPs wages/cost – Berba was the other half of that equation so no surprise that coincided with a total collapse in his play feeling persona non grata as he must do.
Rooney – He is dire and if you dont see that you dont WANT to see that. Our future would be brighter with Rooney shipped out.
Rafael – WOW – Guts and strength and loves to play.
RvP – got what we paid for, and thank God for him.
Fletcher – Forget it.
Carrick – Forget it
Giggs – Actually embarassing
ANDERSON – Play him all the time now – until he looks like he needs a rest not this one game on and one game off bullshit. He`s 24 years old.
Get well soon Vida and bench Rooney and play Kagawa Chicharito and RVP with Welbeck keeping those three on their toes.
Anybody noticed how Berba was managing Fulham’s rhythm in attack.
He was a head above Roo’s in this role.
Roo was too wasteful as a dispatcher against Hammers and made a number of inept passes from good positions.
Rooney our heart & lungs ?? you have to be having a laugh.
when was the last time he played well? he’s going backwards since he got his pay rise he’s done fuck all.
in my opinion, and it’s just my opinion I would ship him out, his as a united player are over.
dont rate the guy.
this is same player who said united lacked ambition!!! who the fuck does he think he is? will never forgive him. fuck him off.
SHINJI THE NINJA – that is logical isnt it, play kagwa who has struggled, welbeck who cannot hit a barn door, and anderson who is still in and out of the team. Yea that makes sense, Hernandez is best served coming off the bench. Rooney does make united tick, and when his form dips so does the team
samuel – united WE stand – I know he has done some momens of magic, I aint stupid, but my view is? since 2007 he has not been good enough. You see talent florish to the end, he has had 5 years, coming to 6 years, and he is still the same. That 10 goals 18 assists, he was good, but to expect the wages he is demanding.you are having a laugh
Not the wages talk again, i think it’s best we wrap it up and bury the subject.
WeAreUnited – thanks, Appreciate the acknowkedgement.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/manchesterunited/id/603?cc=5739
a good read about Mr.Anderson and the rest.
someone posted this up about Anderson and it cracked me up.
Anderson was great and made it 83 minutes which is like 90+30 of extra time for him, great to see.
hahaha, funny
Berbarian
Berba is a far better option in attack than Rooney if what your trying to get out of the player is some play making ability. The new United is all about energy and confidence. Rooney has that in abundance. Berba unfortunately unless hes getting patted on th eback all the time is a shy timid fellow, easily bullied and just doesnt fit in. Its a shame because he is a real talent but because he demands so much time from a manager to tell him hes the man he best suits a small club where hes the only star. If Ferguson had to pat every decent player on the back and encourage them then he wouldnt have any time for coaching. Unfortunately it does seem that Fergusons tough upbringing in Govan reared its ugly head and his initial respect for Berbatov and his skill level soon turned into ridicule for the man. Survival of the fittest and all that.
Good luck to Berba, a wonderful player but where as Cantona held his head high and was master of his surroundings and needed no praise, Berbatov was shy and meek and casted a depressed shadow.
If reports are true, then Nani is demanding what Young is getting, or just below that. Those demands are anything but excessive imo. As everyone knows, I support Young to do well at UNited, but what did we think was going to happen when we signed him on for that amount?
Anyway, Fergie said Nani (who should have been back already) will be out for 4-5 more weeks. In time for the January transfer window…
If what Costas said is true Nani must be scratching his head wondering why Young is getting paid more then him when it looks like it couldn’t cross a cheque let alone get any decent balls into the box.
It all comes down to paying more to attract a new signing while not recognising what you have at home.
If ando could work abit harder off the ball would be great, hasn’t done that much probably due to his weakened engine, an upgrade could work wonders, but it can only gain strength if he’s played more often….
Also if we set up a team around him could bare fruit but only after he has flourished in his current role, which is as a box to box kinda player, ofcause.
Imo feel it would take the club to greater heights and it would suits him as he’s a more direct player and his passing is soo precise, his pace and power hopefully bring back the fast counter attacking play the club is best at
But only if he can maintain a great level of fitness.
Holy shit, let ne stop now We just fantasizing all we like. That’s why we are not allowed place an idea to the gaffer
@Bobby Charlton’s combover
With United being a private company and all, no one knows the exact figures. But according to some outlets, Young is on 120 or 130 thousand per week and Nani asked for something along that range. Some have even said that he dropped his demands a bit. I don’t think he’s asking for a lot really. After 6 years, you can’t expect him to keep making less than what someone else made the first time of asking.
Young is a victim of too much criticism at the minute which imo is unfair, he’s being asked to things wingers who have here for quite a while to understand haven’t quite been able to do for some times now.
One wonders why is it that all criticism has to toughen only on his side
I’m sure he’ll be blamed for causing rain in manchester.
I guess he had a great game for england and assisted for danny welbz goal, but both poor for their clubs
Nani at the other hand, plays well when in his national team but inconsistent for his club.
Surely there’s something needing sorting than their respective form.
My opinion……
Imagine yourself In Nanis place.
You have played since being 19 years old for United, helped them win tittles, from the CL to the league, and you have flourished since that Arsenal game, okey you have had some ups and downs, when that scouse Carragher injured you, but that has not effected your assists and goals.
And you earn 100 000 a week which is a lot, btw I don’t know how much he earns.
Then the gaffer decides to buy Ashley Young, which is great and all, cause he contributed well in his first year, but let’s stick in Nanis mind. Gaffer buys Young, and when he does that, you agent comes and tells you:
Mr.Luis, United have bought Ashley Young, and you will face competition. And of course, as a confident lad, you will answer, that’s good, but not a problem. And as a pro and because football is your work, you start asking him about Young’s wage.
And your agent replies: Mr.Luis his wage is 130 000 a week (I suppose?) and they bought him nearly 17 million. Then you would be saying to your agent, don’t be joking with me, and ask him:
“How much did I earn? Agent: 90 000-100 000K. Then after the incident, you would be chatting with your agent and being hopeful, for everything you have done, that the gaffer understand if you ask more, so you decide with your agent to start asking more, cause you think, a player with a status of Aston Villa, and no Champions League football can not earn more than you.
And the rest is history. As a all time United supporter, even though I am a supporter, and would have played for United, I would be going crazy about that.
Just a fact, that it’s a bit crazy to not recognise a players attribute, but then this is SAF’s way to be getting players off the team, I guess?
peace.
I definately agree that nani is a better player there for he should get a better wage, i dont think anyone will disagree with that. Hence that he does deserve to be on better wages than young. 40k difference when in football terms its soo obvious it should be as opposite, its a joke. Rightly backing whatever sum raise the Portuguese require, it surely can’t surpass ashleys
re: West Ham
Nobody on either side completed more passes than Ando in the final third, and he made the second highest number of tackles on the night. Thing is, since he’s not carrying an injury this shouldn’t surprise anyone whose been watching him objectively (big word). He’s always had great ability going forward and defending, and he’s always had pace – his top performances have ONLY lacked consistency, and thats natural for a foreign player who arrived at 18 and never plays in his natural position.
Anderson has learned a new role, had broken legs , been involved in a near-death car crash, been loved then hated by his own support, and undergone two major knee operations. He’s also been sat behind a much younger Scholes for most of his time here, and Hargo remains the only United player who really matched Anderson’s all-round game. For what its worth I think Cleverley could be that player, as both lads are young, smart with the ball, know how to pass and move, and have loads of talent.
Btw the fans now getting on Tom’s back make me laugh, I must say. Its as if people can’t respect two competing players at the same time. When Danny scores, Chica is shite, when Chica scores, Danny is shite. Its hilarious.
As for Nani, the only piss take I can see is Young on a higher salary as I’ve been saying since day one. Nani is not a cocky or flash lad, if he was he wouldn’t be quietly getting on with the same salary as part-time car sales man Kolo Toure. For a 25 year old International in the EPL Nani’s is on peanuts, despite already being voted player’s POTY for his assists and goals that pushed us over the finish line. Thats a solid achievement on his CV at a huge Club, and no petty blogger or spoilt ticket-holder can take that away from him tbh. Meanwhile, Young has never achieved anything like that in his solid career, and he’s certainly never had Nani’s natural ability or strength.
English or not, if we keep paying Young those wages but sell Nani in January you’d have to seriously wonder what the fuck is going on at the top. I know Nani’s not popular, but neither was Ando until the penny dropped among you that he’s actually our most complete midfielder and we’d be STUPID to sell him at a young age. Normally, when a player is adamant they want to stay, Big Clubs don’t sell them if the player has time and undeniable ability on their side. I doubt very much Fergie will sell Nani, even tho United currently have Young on more money than a younger better player who has produced more. Surely there should be no chance we’ll keep paying him that wage while letting Nani go in January?
SHITZU JUJITSU is a fucking twat of the highest order.
Firstly @United Till I die, glad to see you and your knowledgment here on the blog. I really appreciate it.
Secondly this is funny yes, ->” Btw the fans now getting on Tom’s back make me laugh, I must say. Its as if people can’t respect two competing players at the same time. When Danny scores, Chica is shite, when Chica scores, Danny is shite. Its hilarious. ”
I have always said, it’s evra vs the rest of the worlds LB’s, Carrick vs the rest of the worlds midfielders, Nani vs Valencia (they are very good friends, so why we fight over them), Ando vs Clevs vs Scholes, Welbs vs Chicha etc. CRAZY.
Thirdly.
” I know Nani’s not popular, but neither was Ando until the penny dropped among you that he’s actually our most complete midfielder and we’d be STUPID to sell him at a young age. Normally, when a player is adamant they want to stay,”
Very correct on this. Suddenly are of our supporters have found Ando, not sayign here, but when I read other forums and blogs or whatever else. Ando is suddelny in their top list. Where were those guys when he was a bit down?
I always supported Ando, and I admit, after he started playing well and after 3 or 4 games getting always injured, I didn’t get my hopes anymore high, cause I never knwe will he come back. But I always when he came back from injuries, I thought, he should play. Same for Cleverley, he should play more, he needs runs in the game!!
BTW UTID, you are very correct, Ando came very young here, and has never played in his actual role, he had to adapt into another position. Let’s hope it has started to pay off
We would be doing Arsenals, if we start getting rid of our best players at a good age. Of course, if everything is not ok, then you have to sell a player, but not in January.
peace.