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LIVE BLOG: WBA vs United

October 20, 2014

Daniel Stapleton

Follow @danstapleton89 on Twitter.

The player most deserving of a statue at Old Trafford will probably never get one

VIDEO: Fellaini and Blind goals vs West Brom

199 Comments

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

Go and watch the game again.. Jones was headless chicken, trying to step into an area and then got done by a couple of passes.. I think the team's shape was a mess from the start but where was jones? Running around aimlessly as always. They are a defensive unit, jones should have informed the defence if he indeed was trying to play offside but he wasn't.. In fact he wasn't doing anything.. Got out played by sessegnon

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Paschal Agwunobi October 20, 2014

Wonder what Jones was thinking, his positioning is his weakest point. Very poor positioning. Jones should learn, paddy mcnair won't do what he did. Jeez, I can't believe an under 21 player will be more stable than a senior player.

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Paschal Agwunobi October 20, 2014

Jones is truly a headless chicken, he should go and learn defending techniques from our under 21 paddy mcnair. That's just the bitter fact, mcnair is more composed and stable than him.

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wayne barker October 20, 2014

It's just schoolboy shit if it was Jones fault how many other defenders played him onside apart from Rafa?
This doesn't surprise me after your Varane comments a few threads ago now Jones is on your list of players to pick apart,predictability

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tallestreD October 20, 2014

Gary it was an offside trap gone wrong and nothing more.

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tomtruered October 20, 2014

What has Mourhino got to do with this? Chelsea are an already stable team. THEY DID NOT LOOSE 4 SENIOR DEFENDERS AND SUFFERED INJURIES SINCE THE SEASON STARTED. LEAVE VAN GAAL ALONE. HE IS A GENIUS IN HIS OWN CAPACITY. JUST SIGN 2 DEFENDERS AND DM AND WE ARE GOOD. MOURHINO WON'T PLAY SOMEONE LIKE MACNAIR, Januzaj, BLACKETT, AND WILSON

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

It's clear as day.. Phil jones was out of his Ty depth through-out... Rafael was in rightful position to defend... Ir don't think they were trying to playing offside.. Jones just went wandering and wasn.t reading the game.. One of his weakness i've highlighted and why I don't think he has made progress since he signed from blackburn.. I expect year on year progression from a player, jones has done none of that and tonight exhibited his issues.

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Big Vex October 20, 2014

Chelsea will slaughter us, make no mistake about that.

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JosephC October 20, 2014

For someone who has played little football for united recently and come under so much critisism, fellaini showed great confidence to take the ball down, make some space for himself and have a crack. That goal was a reward for effort in that 45 minutes that he didnt show all of last season. Could really kickstart his united career.
Also love the fact blind is willing to have a strike from deep every now and again.. he picks his times well and is never far off the target.

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Oh come on guys! That is not an offside trap gone wrong. Jones wasn't trying to play offside. He charged into a clustered area of the pitch to try and win a ball that he should never have been going for. When you play against pacy strikers you don't leave space in behind.

We have been defending shockingly as it is. So why would you then encourage trying to play offside with a high line against pacy players? You do your job properly, keep your shape, stay goal side of your man and leave no space in behind.

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John October 20, 2014

Van Persie is favored bit too much imo. I am starting to feel that. It's ok Falcao needed to be rested due to more flight time and it was good not to take risk by playing full match but why not substitute him in place of Van Persie for second half?!?! Van Persie clearly is our of form and is playing as if he is guaranteed the position upfront. That's something I am finding bit odd.

It's 2 points dropped no doubt about that but it's ok result away from home eventhough it's West Brom considering our target for this season. Hopefully Di Maria is alright for match against Chelsea and we really have to step up in that match. Jose is playing mind games re Costa injury already.

And.......yeah that teenager Januzaj must be groomed as he is young and learning. He clearly is Ryan Giggs Junior with no.11 shirt already like Giggs clearly is Fergie junior. I am not too optimistic with that youngster. Hopefully he will come good. Tbh I think he is bit overrated. I hope he becomes next Messi or Ronaldo or next big thing but I won't be holding my breath. :(

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

It’s clear as day.. Phil jones was out of his depth through-out… Rafael was in rightful position to defend… I don’t think they were trying to playing offside.. Jones just went wandering and wasn.t reading the game.. Got out-witted by clever passes and united get punished. One of his weakness i’ve highlighted and why I don’t think he has made progress since he signed from blackburn.. I expect year on year progression from a player, jones has done none of that and tonight exhibited his issues. I dread to think what the likes of hazard could do. United need to spend and get quality center-halfs in

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wayne barker October 20, 2014

Still didn't answer my question out of the 4 defenders how many played him onside

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Dan Young October 20, 2014

9 clearances, 3 interceptions, 3 blocks. yeah absolutely no composure or positional awareness atall.

it appears the future of our back four is being made a scapegoat

the comment about learning from mcnair really made me laugh!

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John October 20, 2014

First half to RVP. Then atleast play next half to Falcao. Why use out of form player match after match??!! He did nearly scored but he has lost his spark our RVP lad!!!!

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tallestreD October 20, 2014

Defending deep also has its shortcomings as well. Well I saw the same defensive frailty that has been there for a while now. Our defense needs to get a grip and do their jobs. They can start that by staying fit so we can have a stable back four.

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Wayne, Rafael was where he should of been. He's meant to react in instance because Jones goes charging forward in David Luiz moment in a rush of blood to the head? Not going to go on about this anymore. it's clear as day Jones was mainly at fault. If he stayed where he was that goal doesn't happen. End off story.

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

Agreed with that.. Jones and the rest of the defenders weren't playing offside. Jones jogged into a dangerous position, a position of which if you don't win the ball, you would have left a gaping hole and a serious mess to be exploited. Jones has all the physicality but I don't see the intelligence and craft needed to.be a top class center-half.. He doesn't read the game well at all.

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Number of clearances mean jack shit. Stats can be so misleading at times. No one is making Jones a scapegoat, but simply stating the obvious that he cost us a goal tonight at a point when we was in charge of the game.

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tomtruered October 20, 2014

Lovely interview from Fellaini. Hope he ups his game against Chelsea.

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dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT October 20, 2014

At this rate RVP should get NO game time AT ALL for the next four straight games. He has had enough chances. Give Falcao the same game time against those teams and I bet you he produces double what RVP has. There has to be a bit of favoritism there because RVP is almost never taken off by Van Gaal. I don't understand why. He's quite easily our worst striker out of the three we have yet he probably has played the most. Someone explain that to me in terms other than favoritism.

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Paschal Agwunobi October 20, 2014

Everyone knows Jones cost us a goal, he shouldn't have rushed forward when he wasn't sure of winning the ball, such tackles is dangerous cos if u fail to win the tackle, a gaping hole will be left behind. Pls, stop defending him, the replay showed it all.

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wayne barker October 20, 2014

Gary I used to play fullback mate imo Rafa got caught I little asleep,people throwing out headless chicken and out of his depth at Jones is just ridiculous talk and I'm guessing haven't played much football,normally there's always a shout that everyone should react to

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

Statistics only tell half the story. Thomas cleverley averages 90% passing accuracy.. How many of those were assists? how many were intended to control games?.. I've watched jones enough now and I can always bank on him to be clumsy, give a fair few stray passes that put the side under pressure or look like giving away penalties.. He nearly got one after kicking berahino in the ankle but thankfully the striker stayed on his feet.

The standards of a manchester united defender must be sky high.. Jones has time to prove doubters wrong but manchester united hasn't got the time for that.. Anything short of 4th position at least would send alarm bells ringing.

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Anyway, the pluses were the reaction after halftime, and Maroaune Fellaini for me. I said it was time for him to go this summer, but I was genuinely delighted to see him score a goal like that. He could still have a part to play at this club. I'd gladly eat humble pie on him and see him become an effective player for the club.

This Sunday is of course going to be extremely tough. People will say Chelsea will hammer us, and they could well do, but football doesn't always work like that. We're still capable of getting a result in that game. Can't afford to be gifting goals with the ease in which we have done recently. I go into the game with hope rather than expecting a win.

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Paschal Agwunobi October 20, 2014

Yea,at least mcnair doesn't run around like a headless chicken . His positioning is far better too

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Wayne, you'd guess wrong. Played football at a decent level and with a couple of professionals playing in the top two flights of English football.

Clearly I'm not going to change your mind. I have my opinion and you have yours on who was mainly at fault for that goal. Gary Neville and even Van Gaal seemed to agree with me. Van Gaal said maybe Jones didn't need to step up when he did but he'll have to go back and watch the replay.

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

How can rafael get caught when they clearly they weren't playing any kind of offside? Rafael and rojo were in their rightful positions to retreat in case the likes of berahino break away.. Maybe it is lack of communication but jones was practically charging all on his own looking to do it all and left the defence in a deficit.. The gap he vacated was huge and berahino could have smoked a cuban cigar and still buried that chance.

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Mark Reid October 20, 2014

Wayne all the sports reports say it was Jones error .

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wayne barker October 20, 2014

So did I Gary I represented the county at schoolboy level and played on a team and in a league with ex pros,i wasn't referring to you but if you did call him a headless chicken and way out of his depth,way off the mark in that assessment imo

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

Fellaini strike reminiscent of something he would do at everton. Great physicality and to be fair to him, a brilliant finish but he will have to do far more than his cameo to.change my perspective on him. His general all round play as a central.midfielder must be top notch. His positioning, reading of the game, passing, defensive awareness and mobility etc have to be high calibre.. If he needs to look at a player then he should look at nemanja matic who is an absolute tank but has great all round quality.. Fellaini has a long road ahead, doubts aren't switched off him but credit to him, superb strike.

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wayne barker October 20, 2014

Mark it all depends if there was a shout or not if there was Rafa didn't react

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John October 20, 2014

Any Tom, Dick and Harry knows it was Phil Jones fault for their 2nd goal. He was caught out of position. He made that through ball an assist for that West Brom player.

And.....my God you just have to look the fat boy Luke Shaw tracking back for that first goal. Blind was covering it for him and they say Blind has to adapt to the pace of primere league.

We should go 4-2-3-1 with Falcao upfront on his own against Chelsea otherwise the omens are not so good.

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John October 20, 2014

I mean that through ball from West Brom player became an assist because of Phil Jones being out of position. It's absolute clear.

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samuel - united WE stand October 20, 2014

Shaw played decent towards the end of the game but he needs to step up to the level required.. He looked a lot quicker at southampton but isn't the same at the moment.. Think he and di.maria.need to work on their partnership both offensively and defensively

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Wayne, if you look back I never called him headless chicken or said he was out of his depth. I just stated he was mainly at fault for that goal in my opinion. I'd just be repeating myself if I said why I thought that again.

Samuel, Fellaini wasn't really playing central midfield today though. He was playing further forward than I've ever seen him play at United. Like Gary Neville said after the match why should United be embarrassed about playing to a players strengths by playing more directly and getting the best out of a player like Fellaini. The footballing purists might turn their noses up? Who gives a fuck about them ponces. Fellaini showed today that he can offer something to the team and he clearly he changed the game. I'm not getting carried away. Just saying if utilised right he's a good option to have in the squad.

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Mark Reid October 20, 2014

Regardless of the Jones error or not thought he had a good game otherwise.Dunno exactly what was wrong with us today can't put my finger on it Herrera wasn't a 100% and that's ok a broken ribs tough to recover from your movements off.Shaw was quite but not awful RVP not as sharp as he can be the main thing is we came back Twice.I think we are coming together but it's going to take time.To get in to the Champions league will be a good season,to finish 3rd would be great.

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wayne barker October 20, 2014

Gary that's what I said mate those comments weren't aimed at you I didn't think it was you who said that

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Umeweni Ifeanyi October 20, 2014

I knew there would b a meltdown here. Can't remember de gea making any saves as west brom scored their first with an absolute stunner that wouldn't have gone in 9 times out of 10. The second goal was clearly Rafael not responding to d offside trap. Teams that play high up the pitch with a high backline are always set up to play the offside trap pacey strikers or not. Ppl on here talking bout how good Mo is and how we are gonna b raped by Chelsea, Fuck off and go support them then. All this negativity makes me sick. Jones coming back from injury and playing with a new central defensive partner and u all are expecting him to play like backenbauer. Januzaj playing his first full game and u expect him to do a Nani and take players on over and over rather than playing the possession game d coach must have clearly told him to play. All those who hated and booed fellaini are d real cunts. Mata and RVP are not effective unless they play with a very physical midfield for adequate protection. IMO we didn't win because falcao didn't start RVP doesn't trouble d opposition defenders at all no physical duels unlike falcao. Mata should b dropped for d Chelsea game for fellaini in d no 10 position. I still believe we have a great opportunity to win d league we just need to get our momentum going, maybe now an away win would do just dat. The team needs to gel properly and these bloody international games are not just helping

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Like I said earlier Evans, Jones and Smalling played some good games when playing alongside Vidic or Ferdinand. I just don't see of them being a commanding centre back. No one takes charge back there at this moment in time. Seriously lacking any leaders in our back line and it's costing us badly.

The couple of obvious names spring to mind when talking about potential centre backs we could sign. Wonder if we'll finally make an offer for Hummels? We have to do something, and sooner rather than later.

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Gary Mitrovic October 20, 2014

Umeweni, we really do not have a great opportunity to win the league. What makes you think we can finish above Chelsea or City? Our priority this season is top four.

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Marko Maric October 20, 2014

Gary said all
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29326/9526702/gary-neville-manchester-united-need-more-options-to-match-chelsea

We have no pattern and rythm in our midfield

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Mark Reid October 20, 2014

Marko agree with that I think we need a proper leader.

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Marko Maric October 21, 2014

My opinion is also, that we have real class in the middle in Di Maria. And we can t accept that he look like everything depends on him. That will squezz him, and he won t have will to continue. We need one more class in the middle, box to box, CM, DM...whatever

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Tommy October 21, 2014

Well another shite game, who played well? Fellaini 2nd half, won't get credit off Samuel though and that's were it ends, rvp shite, januzaj cant cross for shite (he won't see any action for months) and Mata were pitiful, Herrera has played against Burnley, Sunderland, Leicester 2nd half and again today for the first half and was bullied by bang average midfiekder, albeit he's not 100% today, blind was pretty poor for the most part, couldn't even play makelele 5 yards passes, rojo is terrible on the ball has no composure whatsoever and him and Shaw were pathetic, rafeal is everything I said he waa last season, he had 0 positional sense,0 concentration and some said he was the best RB in the league because he did ok at home to Everton and West ham, I could honestly get 4 men off the street who had a better understanding than any of our defenders, and lastly lvg wasn't great today, his boy rvp was awful yet it took to 71 mins to bring falcao.on, ridiculous, one more thing if nani and young had performed like januzaj tonight you'd all be all over it, im s bit annoyed lol

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Marko Maric October 21, 2014

For now, everything behind Herrera and Blind, look like shit. Hope our defence will get together.

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Marko Maric October 21, 2014

Hope, hope, hope...they say Hope is a biggest bitch :)
So i dont hope, i know we will get better, and can t wait for january transfer window

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Mark Reid October 21, 2014

Tommy spot on mate I was turning over and over in my mind wtf was the problem but it's all of the above u mentioned.How many more formations are we going to try apart from DeGea and DiMaria we look very average and that includes the manager who has yet to get an away win.
Ok time to walk the pooch and think about something else(although I doubt I will)