United (A) - League Cup SF | Post-Match Thread

Really happy with the overall performance of the team. Having said that, it is clear that the centre-back pair won us the game. I also thought that Fernandinho was exceptional. Conversely, I didn’t see anywhere near enough from Mahrez and Sterling in terms of offensive output.

The issues in attack still persist. But, ignoring those issues which have been consistent throughout the season, this was by far the best performance yet. It was much better than against Chelsea. We conceded only a couple half-chances and created far more goal scoring opportunities than United.

We should be able to take a lot of confidence from the last two games. If we can somehow get Sterling back to his best and a good run of fitness from Aguero then the title is there for the taking. That is remarkable given how awful we’ve been on the whole. We’ve got the best defence in the league right now. That was unthinkable just a short while ago.
 
Rascal said:
It is simple, we were better than them, we kept the ball better, we defended better, in every department we were better and we had players missing. Its a wake up call to the the rag cunts that whatever they have done of late, they are not on our level.

This time last year defensively we looked shot, now we don't look like we will ever concede. The Stones and Dias partnership has an astonishing record, I think its 1 goal conceded in 9 games they have played together. I think we all thought Stones was finished at City, for him to turn it round speaks volumes about his character. Dias looks an amazing signing. To come from the Portuguese league to England and play with so much authority , calmness, commitment and skill makes him look an absolute bargain buy. To think we have Laporte and Ake as well and we now have superb defensive cover.

Shout out to Cancelo and Zincho as well, i thought both were superb last night, they defended well and used the ball well, always offering us an option.

In the midfield, we dominated them, that carthorse Mctominay was made to look like a carthorse who needs putting out to grass, he never got near Gundo or Ferna, how i wish we had a 23 year old Ferna, what a player that lad is.

Sterling and Mahrez worked there socks off, not the most productive night for them, but they never let the rag fuckers settle and both worked back which is something I don't really expect from Mahrez, but he put in a shift and if it wasn't for that amazing save he would have scored one of the great derby goals.

Phil and Kev scared them to death, they were so much better than there supposed rivals, Fernandes and the rag younger ones. Fernandes was anonymous, Pogba was shite, Rashford was never in it, their MOM was their keeper.

Young Zack looks a good un too, i was nervous about him playing, but had no need to be, he is quality and will be pushing Ederson big time.

The biggest difference of all though was we wanted it more, the togetherness of our players on a very emotional night for our club was a joy to behold. They loved it and did the King proud.
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Great summary. Agree with every word. Dias impact on the other defenders is the most impressive thing for me. He’s added aggression and a desire to defend that has been lacking for sometime. You can see in him and stones that they are enjoying tackling. Not nicking the ball back but physically dominating opponents. Great to see.
 
All of a sudden we have leaders all over the pitch! Dias Stones Dinho, Walker Kdb Gundogan and even Foden all shouting and organising.
 
domalino said:
There are a lot of professional defensive midfielders earning 100 grand a week who can't plot a run to effectively block our play, I think anyone who thinks the referees can do it deliberately are giving them far to much credit.
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No conspiracy from me. Just factual what happened in this game. Older refs sometime preempt play to allow themselves time to get into position. Even younger fitter refs do it as they pride themselves to be in good positions to make calls.
I would imagine they are praised for good positions in their post match assessment by their bosses.
However, a good ref knows to hang back abit. Most even know how a team play and adapt to be invisible.
At no point should a ref put his personal plans/needs ahead of the football being played.
 
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One of the big differences to me is that we have stopped playing with inverted wingers. The play has speeded up with Sterling and Foden on their strongest sides. Even just the initial control and movement is quicker than before. Mahrez will need to adapt as it seems he can only play as an inverted winger
 
shevtheblue said:
There was a foul early on in the first half by Fern on Bruno, it was just a normal shithouse Fern tackle to break up the play but it rattled Bruno. Not the tackle in itself, because as much as he is a diving ****, he also wants to win and probably legitimately gets fouled a bit as well. But it was the moment that Bruno started complaining to the ref and Fern just stood there staring at him, basically saying this shit is gonna happen to you all night mate. That's what we miss with Rodri, he doesn't have that snap and bite that's needed in these types of games.

Another key moment for me was Dias constantly talking, constantly giving and receiving encouragement when doing a block or good tackle. This is exactly what we have been missing, all the way back from when Vinny started getting his injuries. It's easy to play something like that down, but if you have played team sports, you know how important it is and it can somehow just take you up levels in performance. In fact, Pep mentioned it in the post match interviews. It's HUGE.

I was disappointed again with Mahrez, fair's fair and this isn't his position, but Pep asks a lot of his players and it's up to you to deliver. He asked it of Torres this season, the kid has delivered. He asked it of Kevin against Chelsea, he delivered. Sterling struggled in that position and he had some time on the bench, but you know you get workrate from Sterling. If you aren't going to perform, you need to work, work, work, and Mahrez just doesn't get it.
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Mahrez is keeping that position warm for Lionel..................
 
Paladin said:
Referees patrol a diagonal path. It is bound to conflict with our left sided attacking play at times, and also our right sided defending areas (opponent's left side attacks). Don't be misled into thinking this is deliberate sabotage by referees.
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Been telling them this for over 3 years mate, it still hasn't sunk in that he's on the opposite side to his assistant referees.
 
MillsyTheMosher said:
Ruben Dias is on track to become the worlds best CB if he isn't already.

We FINALLY have a VK replacement that is more than worthy.

Dias and Stones are colossal together.

Laporte must be v worried.
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Pep’s job is now to keep Laporte engaged as he will definitely be needed as the season goes on given Stones’ injury track record.
I think he will start the next game.
Diaz is due a rest.
 
That was gr
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lionheart said:
Can somebody explain why Cancelo gets booked for squaring up to Fatty Shaw and yet Fatty Bollocks gets nothing for that offence? Also the blatant dive by Martial should have been a yellow.
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Think Cancelo would've been booked for the initial blocking off anyway (and rightly so). However, describing Shaw leading with his elbow as a 'shoulder charge' was stretching the bounds of reality and Fatty should've been booked at least for it.
 
Colin Murray on Quest last night asking his co-presenter/pundit: "How many fouls did Stones and Dias commit between them?" Pundit: "I don't know, 5 or 6?" Murray: No, NONE not one."

That's our boys. Although I didn't watch last night (too nervous!) I was so proud of them when I read the result.
There are days when I think why am I bothered about football but there are more days when I realise that it is light relief from the world. Don't get me wrong I still am not 100% sure that they should be playing but I am grateful to them for keeping going.

Stay safe, take care everyone.
 
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