We struggled to defend the space once again between the back four and the midfield, although legislating for Fernadinho basically being on the pitch to fill a hole and avoid another booking.
Who would you leave out for the three in the middle?
I agree about Ottamendi and Mangala. Hopefully Kompany will be back in next week for Ottamendi. Mangala needs to concentrate for the whole 90 mins. He always seems to have a slip up in him.
I know it sounds crazy after yesterday, but one of Sterling or Bony would sit United out for me.
Both have pros and cons. Sterling gives the pace threat, but Navas can provide that and the extra defensive consideration?
Bony came out of the middle far too many times for my liking yesterday and not sure his fitness levels or direct threat will be there to defend from front against United.
Bony gives us protection at defending set pieces, which is where we look sub-standard.
For me, Arsenal showed recently you need runners in midfield who can run beyond.
I'd go with a six and probably rely on Yaya, KDB and Sterling to provide the incision and goal threat.
Can't agree with you about Joe playing well.Thought everyone played well today.
Defence was a bit dodgy for their goal, Joe Hart blameless as there was a slight deflection and he had a very good game.
Other than that I was very impressed with Otamendi and Mangala's last-ditch save-the-day tackles. Sagna was cool as you like at left-back and Zabaleta is still the fucking man.
De Bruyne had another amazing game, unlucky not to score. Navas was fabulous despite being seemingly unable to finish into an open net. Really liked his play for our last goal.
So pleased for Bony, he had a great game too and thoroughly deserved his 2 goals. Loved his celebration, we probably all felt the same way.
Sterling motm, a first half hat-trick, the second goal where he floored two defenders in the box was outstanding.
Terribly unlucky Kelechi Iheanacho. He scored a beautiful goal, perfectly onside pass from Bony but got done by the linesman.
On a happier note I thought the crowd was also really good today. I couldn't tell you what happened from the 80 - 85th min because I was loving our sustained rendition of Argentinian Blues.
NO. IT. WASN'T. How many fucking times?
The defender was in play as he left the field without permission. The FA's own rule book makes this abundantly clear.
Can't agree with you about Joe playing well.
Apart from another near post goal ( the other was West Ham), he lost the flight of a corner in the first half and ended up flapping at it and in the second half fumbled an easy take from a corner. Also two very dodgy pass outs , one in each half to defenders under pressure.
Frightening to think what we could do with a full strength team playing at 100% for 90 minsWe've scored 11 goals in our last two games, and aside from a 20-minute period against Newcastle I don't think we've been anywhere near our best. That's mental.
Got the job done but far from impressive, outside of De Bruyne.
Bournemouth were without a doubt the worst team I have seen at our place in last five years, including some of the hammerings we have served up to some Championship teams in the Cup.
Otamendi fancies himself as some sort of incisive blind passer when he needs to just sort his basic defending, United will run a bus through us based on yesterday.
We struggled to defend the space once again between the back four and the midfield, although legislating for Fernadinho basically being on the pitch to fill a hole and avoid another booking.
Mangala does the difficult stuff very well but he continues to fail and close down the man. It was his crap ball which led to us conceding.
Half asleep at inventive set pieces down the left hand side and we looked better for Fernando, who continues to look a different player to last season.
I would feel more optimistic about our chances next week if we have Fernandino, Fernando and Yaya in the middle.
We're like a Chinese meal at the moment, it does the job but you are still left wanting more.
Less sweet and sour, please.