United (a) post-match thread

[Fernster]

I am very upset that the RAGS have the upmanship this season but the view of some fans saddens me more.

This season was always going to be harder with a number of reasons:

Key players ageing losing agility and pace.
After a prize winning season the expectations on the team creates a ton of pressure (yes I know they are pro's and should be able to handle that)
Too many injuries with unsuitable cover.
Asking players to play in unusual positions.
For me a massive one was losing Vinny. Captain Fantastic had more impact that some people realise, on and more importantly, off the pitch. He was the staple that binded the team. Losing him was massive and has impacted the whole feel of the team and possibly the club.

I don't like the "Pep doesn't get derbies" etc. etc. Just look at his reaction on the side of the pitch. He kicks every ball and feels the pain of losing as much as the fans.

Yes, our season is below par but we can still compete in the Chumps League and the FA Cup.

They don't give trophies for derbies so what trophies will the Rags win this season?

Chins up blues, we love our club!! Never give up and in Pep, believe!!!

 

[Craig]

Why play Zinch and not Mendy? Because we need to prepare Zinch for Real as well as possible, Mendy isn't available for the 2nd leg.

Why play Cancelo? We've promised him things when he signed, he isn't going to make it unless he plays in important games, and not only against rubbish teams. We may need him at some point in the CL, if Walker is unavailable for some reason.

Why play Aguero over Jesus? Because he is Aguero and because he is not likely to start against Madrid, that is, to keep him happy.

Why start Sterling over Jesus? Because we need Sterling to regain form.

Why start Foden over Mahrez? Because Foden deserves a start in a big game after his performance in the cup final.

Why not start Mahrez over Bernardo? Because Bernie is generally superb at Manure's ground, scored in the last games there.

Ultimately, we lost because Eddie had a shocker, not because the selection was rubbish. The first goal helped the rags a lot, they were content to sit deep which made it difficult for us.

I hope to God he’s not seriously considering playing Zinchenko against Madrid. Madrid are a pretty average side these days but stick Bale or anyone with pace against him and suddenly they could easily be back in it. He won’t be daft enough to start him I’m sure the Derby debacle will have finally shown him what was obvious beforehand.

 

[Whymewhynot]

I am very upset that the RAGS have the upmanship this season but the view of some fans saddens me more.

This season was always going to be harder with a number of reasons:

Key players ageing losing agility and pace.
After a prize winning season the expectations on the team creates a ton of pressure (yes I know they are pro's and should be able to handle that)
Too many injuries with unsuitable cover.
Asking players to play in unusual positions.
For me a massive one was losing Vinny. Captain Fantastic had more impact that some people realise, on and more importantly, off the pitch. He was the staple that binded the team. Losing him was massive and has impacted the whole feel of the team and possibly the club.

I don't like the "Pep doesn't get derbies" etc. etc. Just look at his reaction on the side of the pitch. He kicks every ball and feels the pain of losing as much as the fans.

Yes, our season is below par but we can still compete in the Chumps League and the FA Cup.

They don't give trophies for derbies so what trophies will the Rags win this season?

Chins up blues, we love our club!! Never give up and in Pep, believe!!!

Again, us being better than united doesn’t make losing a derby ok, if anything it makes it worse that a far inferior side has beaten us 3 times. You can list all of our problems but Uniteds are 100 times worse. They managed to get up for the Derby’s though. Not saying I’d swap positions with them, I just wouldn’t select a strange team most times we played them which jeopardises a result.

 

[alexmcity]

I hope to God he’s not seriously considering playing Zinchenko against Madrid. Madrid are a pretty average side these days but stick Bale or anyone with pace against him and suddenly they could easily be back in it. He won’t be daft enough to start him I’m sure the Derby debacle will have finally shown him what was obvious beforehand.

The other option is Cancelo who has played at LB for us about 130 minutes...Maybe Cancelo would be the better option but it's difficult to say. Add to that we will rely on Otamendi and Dinho at CB and I'd be happy if we progressed by losing 1:0. It would be more like 2:2 and very nervous last 10 minutes.

 

[@BluePhil8]

I hope to God he’s not seriously considering playing Zinchenko against Madrid. Madrid are a pretty average side these days but stick Bale or anyone with pace against him and suddenly they could easily be back in it. He won’t be daft enough to start him I’m sure the Derby debacle will have finally shown him what was obvious beforehand.

Is Zinchenko shit now? I don't remember anyone saying this last season when he was our first choice left back and we won the domestic treble?

 

[sir baconface]

Losing form in the league after two incredible seasons and winning everything in England is normal, especially if you count the severe injury crisis at CB and also the fact that legends like Silva, Aguero and Fernandinho are aging. Despite all this we can still win a cup treble this season which has never been done by any English team before. After it became obvious we couldn't defend the title, whether we finish 10, 15 or 25 pts behind the dippers doesn't really matter. We need to give playing time in the league to squad players and see how they perform and prepare them for important games. It's a squad game, especially for clubs wanting to win multiple trophies.

Pep is a winner, more than his critics in this thread combined, this is why he has won more trophies than any other active manager now. He is the last man who would tolerate half-arsed performances. That many fans question him on this count is baffling.

Whilst agreeing with your first few sentences, and the need for squad rotation, I’d feel a whole lot happier if derbies weren’t relegated to bottom priority. Now, although I actually quite like Cancelo and love Foden, both are well down Pep’s favourite list. No way on earth would he have started them both in a game he ranked even moderately important.

Continuing the squad theme, now the League’s gone, why don’t we see a lot more of Foden and Garcia? At least there’d be a feeling we are doing something for the future instead of shuffling deck chairs and pandering to pet players.

Nobody can deny Pep’s a winner but this season has exposed lots of cracks and no little disconnect.

 

[alexmcity]

#Ultimately, we lost because Eddie had a shocker, not because the selection was rubbish. The first goal helped the rags a lot, they were content to sit deep which made it difficult for us."

We lost the game because we were appalling, had a bad attitude and were general "not up' for the game, in my book unacceptable, however many trophies we have won over the last few years.

And with the game a derby against hated opponents , made it even worse.

Nah, both goals were blatant mistakes. We wouldn't have lost the game with a normal goalkeeping performance

 

[Indaparkside]

There’s a true saying in life you never really appreciate what you have got until you lose it.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you
VINCENT KOMPANY how much have we missed our skipper

 

[sir baconface]

Is Zinchenko shit now? I don't remember anyone saying this last season when he was our first choice left back and we won the domestic treble?

Credit to the lad for filling in out of position and for his positive attitude. Unfortunately, though, he’s not having a good season this time round.

His performance v rags was one of the worst full back displays I can remember.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Again, us being better than united doesn’t make losing a derby ok, if anything it makes it worse that a far inferior side has beaten us 3 times. You can list all of our problems but Uniteds are 100 times worse. They managed to get up for the Derby’s though. Not saying I’d swap positions with them, I just wouldn’t select a strange team most times we played them which jeopardises a result.

Absolutely bang on