Home
Forum
Archives
Contact
- Advertise
Live
About
- Privacy
App
Shop

Home
Live blog

LIVE BLOG: United vs Real Sociedad

October 23, 2013

Daniel Stapleton

Follow @danstapleton89 on Twitter.

CONFIRMED LINE-UP: United vs Real Sociedad

VIDEO: United’s goal vs Real Sociedad

240 Comments

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

samuel - united WE stand October 23, 2013

If you find a way to link kagawa and rooney together in a flexible system then united would be good, I still feel they can both combine.

Log in to Reply

Rukky October 23, 2013

Kagawa was immense. For the first time this season i enjoyed our football.

Log in to Reply

Hamster October 23, 2013

@ keanoisdaman they still will think do.

Log in to Reply

edcunited1878 October 23, 2013

So Come On David Moyes, (Continue to!) Play Like Fergie's Boys, We'll Go Wild Wild Wild!!

Log in to Reply

Proverb October 23, 2013

: I knew Fellaini had a very poor game vs Southampton, but Giggs today showed that Fellaini was actually abysmal.

Log in to Reply

Gav October 23, 2013

United played well?????? What game were you lot watching???? Nervy and clueless through midfield!!!

Log in to Reply

spidey October 23, 2013

By far the best performance this season.. Giggs showed us why he is a legend...rooney was good and Kagawa was good in the second half...and nice performance from Valencia too...all in all.everyone had a good game.. Our finishing has to improve though.. And our reliance on 18 year olds and 40 year olds is frightening and emphasises the need to improve the squad especially a cover for Carrick.. God forbid he gets injured and we'll be run over.. Sensible subs from moyes this time.. Hope we can take this performance and kick on from here

Log in to Reply

Fibes October 23, 2013

@Justin10RvN

Nice one for owning up man. He certainly did make you look a cunt ;)

Log in to Reply

AntiScouser October 23, 2013

Our football would be much better if our center-halves were more comfortable with the ball. Likewise, if we are to improve, Kagawa should be given more freedom to express his skill. Last but not least, Young is not decent.

Log in to Reply

Justin10RvN October 23, 2013

on ITV they're saying our goal was illegal, saying Hernandez was offside and interfering with the play, Schmeichel looks perplexed.

Log in to Reply

keanoisdaman October 23, 2013

fuck off gav you tit.

Log in to Reply

Justin10RvN October 23, 2013

scratch that Sky Sports

Log in to Reply

Fibes October 23, 2013

Also, thought Chicharito put in a great shift tonight despite not getting the run of the ball, even once.

And those two turns from Kags. You know which ones I mean...

Log in to Reply

samuel - united WE stand October 23, 2013

Perhaps kagawa has played himself into starting vs stoke... United have improvements to make no doubt, need more end product and finishing.

Log in to Reply

matty October 23, 2013

Samuel, i think maybe just about right.
But have we ever considered giving the same excuses we give for others for young. Cant we all argue that he's not been affected by the same 4-4-2 formation that is crippling the whole team now.
Wouldnt a right footed player be adversely affected when he's shunted to the left of a flat 4man midfeild and ordered to keep it as wide as possibly. Let us study the games in which he was used in the 4-2-3-, City away and most of the big games away/last couple of seasons for astonvilla. Young's contributions were admirable when he was given the freedom to come infield a bit to link up play with the midfield and strikers.

Log in to Reply

Hans October 23, 2013

What an opportunity missed to score a few goals and build up the confidence.

Glad we were not punished for our sloppiness and wastefulness.

Attitude much better that last Saturday, but still cannot understand our failure to keep the ball and play intelligent passes.

Anyway, let's build on this and make sure we beat Stoke!

Log in to Reply

Hamster October 23, 2013

Gav wind ur neck in

Log in to Reply

edcunited1878 October 23, 2013

@ Gav - What games, if any, have you been watching prior to tonight's match? United created many more chances than I can recall, probably since Leverkusen and Swansea. I haven't seen the match yet or seen any stats, but just by following the play by play on here, ESPN.com and Guardian, United had many clear goal chances but didn't put them away.

It's one thing to not create enough clear or any chances for that matter, like United have not done consistently in recent weeks, but tonight they created clear chances that weren't put away.

Rather have the issue of not burying chances from many, than not having many chances to begin with.

Log in to Reply

Justin10RvN October 23, 2013

@Fibes

that he did, Giggs will still give you those games at times, i just wasn't convinced it would be one tonight, i was happily proved a ignorant cunt, now if only he was 20years younger

Log in to Reply

Scorp October 23, 2013

We exactly saw the problem we had against Southampton. Fellaini sat deep and Rooney didn't drop back leaving a huge hole between defence and attack. Giggs did brilliantly to bridge that gap. He got the ball forward everytime he got it. Credit to Moyes for correcting that.

But as brilliant as he was today, we know Giggs won't produce performances like this even if played week in and week out. His performance showed what we are missing in the midfield. If Herrera or whoever Moyes is targeting can perform the role that Giggs today, I think we should do well.

Log in to Reply

Tope99 October 23, 2013

The difference in our team today was Giggs. We dont have midfielders that run and dribble through the centre exept anderson(who doesnt play well). With cleverley and fellaini looking to only pass the balk it deprives our team of that creativity and drive

Log in to Reply

FletchTHEMAN October 23, 2013

Owen Goal!

How about that guy!

Like A New Signing! ;)

Log in to Reply

Tope99 October 23, 2013

*ball

Log in to Reply

matty October 23, 2013

Samuel, i think you maybe just about right.
But have we ever considered giving the same excuses we give for others for young. Cant we all argue that he's not been affected by the same 4-4-2 formation that is crippling the whole team now.
Wouldnt a right footed player be adversely affected when he's shunted to the left of a flat 4man midfield and ordered to keep it as wide as possibly. Let us study the games in which he was used in the 4-2-3-1, City away and most of the big games away/last couple of seasons for astonvilla. Young's contributions were admirable when he was given the freedom to come infield a bit to link up play with the midfield and strikers.

Log in to Reply

United till I die October 23, 2013

@ Samuel

Don't see why the Rooney, RVP and kagawa combination won't work especially if RVP plays up on the shoulder of the last man. Let Rooney and kagawa be the creative force behind him. RVP is best attacking balls in the box not dropping deep.

Log in to Reply

Justin10RvN October 23, 2013

@Scorp

the biggest thing Giggs did was in the second half he flexed his new coach authority and told Rooney to drop back into midfield, which kept us solid and allowed Roo/Giggs/Kags to link up the way they were brilliant on the fly tactical adjustment from Giggsy

Log in to Reply

ty0707 October 23, 2013

Velenica or nani should start in the future?

Log in to Reply

Fibes October 23, 2013

@Justin10RvN

You're right in the sense he has those games where he just frustrates everyone to fuck. But no-one can question his fitness and quality. Even though he can't blow past players anymore he's still got the legs for it. And if a 39-year old can step it up like that, then that just sets the benchmark for the rest of the squad.

Log in to Reply

Random October 23, 2013

Real Sociedad were the poorest team I have seen all season.

That said, a decent win for United and some encouraging performances. Kagawa was class in the second half, Evans was great. Giggs was good, although I would still like that Roy Keane in the middle, a box-to-box player who can win the ball. Until we have a strong ball-winner, it will be impossible for Kagawa to play number 10, and Rooney will fit better because of his work-rate.

Good win overall. Champions League almost out of the way for Moyes, now to concentrate on the league.

Log in to Reply

Fibes October 23, 2013

@Scorp

Unfortunately Herrera has got nothing like the quality of Giggs. He's good, don't get me wrong - but more useful without the ball than he ever will be with it.

Log in to Reply

edcunited1878 October 23, 2013

An idea would be to play a narrow 4-3-2-1, but you don't have a primary use for Nani or Januzaj, to "hide" the gap in midfield.

DDG-Back Four- Clevs, Carrick, Valencia (but narrow)-Kagawa and Rooney (narrow)-RVP.

It's an idea, but I highly doubt such a thing would fly only because United don't have the requite players.

Log in to Reply

Raging Bull October 23, 2013

Wonderful performance all over the pitch. The people slagging Giggs have eggs chips wetfish slapped all over their faces......pressing, fast tempo the only thing missing was a few more goals, but we now have choices. Come on David Moyes

Log in to Reply

mjcRED October 23, 2013

Plus points:
Giggs - MOM performance. I've knocked him enough of late and have questioned why he remains such a prominent member of the squad, fuck me he was class tonight.

Rooney and Kagawa - Their link up play and interchanging was exciting and got better and better as the game wore on. Kagawa in a more withdrawn role and central role behind Rooney is what myself and others on here have been wanting to see for weeks now. Tonight was a glimpse into what could be a burgeoning period of creativity from a central area. Stick with this combo vs Stoke please Moyes.

Negatives:
I'm sorry but Valencia was once again exposed by his lack of quality compared to those around him. He had so much of the ball down his side for large chunks of the game yet did little with it. His crossing and shooting were once again ineffective and predictable. Evra's crossing was also wasteful and erratic for much of the game.

It was harder work than it should have been and the game was bookended by the kind of quick tempo and aggressive pressing that serves us best.

Good work boys and well done Moyes.

Log in to Reply

Random October 23, 2013

Also good subs by Moyes today. Smalling on for Rafael was called for. And he reacted quite quickly to the Sociedad subs. Maybe he could have gone for the money, by putting on Janujaz or Nani earlier to get that second goal, but I am very satisfied by his subs. Good job there.

Log in to Reply

Justin10RvN October 23, 2013

@Fibes

oh yea, i never questioned his fitness the man is part machine, i was worried about his pace. Against Southampton he looked very sluggish, but he came in today and looked better than players half his age, i love watching Giggs when he's in that kind of form he shrugged off tackles all game, he's the only midfielder we have currently capable of that which is insane, at 40 he takes players on and comes out on top quite a bit, we desperately need a player like that, just one half Giggs age.

Log in to Reply

FletchTHEMAN October 23, 2013

Giggs was brilliant tonight.

40? Pahhhh!

Legend! End of!

Rooney and Kags played blinders but the post was not to be denied.

Carrick Jones and Evans, and DeGea did well. Been cruel if they hadn't got the clean sheet.

Rooney our MOTM for me.

RSoc MOTM? Can't look past "The Back Post". Played an absolute blinder start to finish. Would have been 5 nil to us if not for old Postie! Just saying.

Log in to Reply

Raging Bull October 23, 2013

Gav....lololol someones a crying abu lolol

Log in to Reply

Random October 23, 2013

mjcRED

Spot on about Valencia. To have so much of the ball, and so much freedom, and not being able to make an impact on the match will be disappointing for Antonio. Hopefully, he will be able to do more damage in future.

Log in to Reply

trf October 23, 2013

And how about now? doesn't have any substance to criticise? :D

Log in to Reply

Jason October 23, 2013

Finally Moyes use his head and play Kagawa and Hernandez, both were BRILLIANT tonite! If Kagawa is still benched after this, then I dunno what to say.

Log in to Reply

The Truth October 23, 2013

@FletchTHEMAN

So if the goals were a foot wider we'd have won 5-0? Sorry it's just a pet peeve of mine when someone says "the post came to their rescue" or similar. A shot that hits the outside of the post is a shot off target, simple as that. If our finishing had been better we might have scored more, but it has nothing to do with the goal posts. How about if their defender hadn't inexplicably put the ball into his own net we'd have drawn 0-0. (How's that for glass half empty Fibes!)

Log in to Reply

Diego October 23, 2013

Zlatan isn't half bad at the moment.

Log in to Reply

John October 23, 2013

Real Sociedad are 12th in their league and we are 8th..so todays' result was the least expected eventhough performancewise we deserved may be couple more goals..was an improved performance..fired up Rooney and kagawa combined well, Giggs was terrific..Well done our players!!..Kagawa, despite being sidelined by Mr. Dave didn't let down..

Log in to Reply

Fibes October 23, 2013

@The Truth

http://www.savagechickens.com/images/chickenglass.jpg

Log in to Reply

Mobi October 23, 2013

I think Moyes is close to realising his best team now..
Keeper same
Defence same except Jones should be swapped with vidic
Midfield nani on the right and one of fellaini cleverley or Anderson need to step up and replace giggs unless fletcher is suddenly back to how he was in 08/09 season before his unfortunate illness
Attack swap hernandez with r v p

Log in to Reply

The Truth October 23, 2013

Rooney is getting a lot of plaudits, so I'll counterbalance that with a word about his atrocious finishing tonight. Bloody shocking it was.

Log in to Reply

FletchTHEMAN October 23, 2013

YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS:

Rooney Postmatch:

SirAlex "corrected story I put a transfer request in…he’s gone back proven that I didn’t”!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6xIFBssyv8

Log in to Reply

WeAreUnited October 23, 2013

I think Kagawa, Valencia and Chicharito really wanted to show Moyes what they are capable of, and what about the ever young Giggsy who we always write off, to be fair RSociedad were poor on the midfield or was it because Giggsy and Carrick were immense.

Kagawa at the left still cringes at me because he's not that effective there, BUt when he went behind Rooney , he showed HOW GOOD he is at that position, YOU JUST CAN TELL watching him. Also Rooney is immense as a lonestriker.

The dilemma is, that RVp is a beast upfront and we can't drop Rooney, because we need him on the squad if he plays like he did tonight, so the only way it is putting Kagawa on the left and Nani on the right, but on the left Kagawa is not that effective so Januzaj has stolen his spot there. A GREAT Dilemma, I reckon.

SPECIAL notion to Chicharito, the guy that never stops, he's improved 100%, the only thing that lacked was a goal, and when he got tired after not playing in a while, it was a GREAT move from Moyes to change the formation. SPECIAL notion for Valencia also, although I would still stick with Nani there or Januzaj if Kagawa plays well on the left.

WE HAVE OPTIONS, Moyes is doing great, when wass the last time that we outplayed an european opposition like this, ouhh against leverkusen, WE HAVE IMPROVED, now we need to get RVP Rooney and the wingers start banging those goals. + we have an 18 year old superstar on our team, amazing.

it is slowly getting there, be patient, comeback kings! #21

Log in to Reply

thymm50 October 23, 2013

De Gea, Raphael, Evra, Vidic/Jones, Evans, Carrick, Cleverly, kagawa, Valencia, Nani/januzaj, Rooney

Log in to Reply

The Truth October 23, 2013

@Fletch

Did Fergie ever state that Rooney had put in a transfer request, i.e. a formal one? I thought he said that Rooney had "asked to leave". Rooney seems to be splitting hairs here. The interviewer should have put him on the spot again by asking if he is happy at United. We know Shrek doesn't like to answer that one.