United (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

Is it only me or did our pattern of play look different yesterday.
I noticed our back line was not as high when in possession in their half and we didn’t compress the game into the final third as has been our style in the Pep era.
This opened up more spaces between the lines when going forward.
I also saw either Dias or Gvardiol sitting much deeper when we were going forwards…maybe we’re learning how to prevent other teams catching us on the break at long last…or maybe it was just because we were playing against a poor team.
Either way we didn’t get caught out as we have been so often before.
 
Superb win.

I know there’s a concern about our midfield but there are more good than bad signs this early on in the season.

The biggest positives, look at Erling, he’s hungry this year, one of the best performances by a 9 of recent. He looks sharper, much more complete, holds up play a lot more, understands teammates, demands more of them. That is captain material.

Excellent debut for Donnarumma, once again, he will concede goals or have the odd error. But if baffles me how many people thought we’d always play the same way. Yesterday will shut a lot of tacticos right up. That’s a proper keeper there, big, commanding, yelled at Ruben and co a few times to keep close track of United players, produced a big save. The team looked very comfortable at the back, don’t know how else to put it, but they never seemed as confident with Trafford.

Khusanov is a brilliant signing, he is rapid and strong. His only issue is rushing into tackles sometimes, but that will improve.

Phil also did his thing, it’s only a matter of finding rhythm for him, once he does, he is a difference maker, whether some people (including some of our fans) choose to believe it or not. We are a better team with him starting regularly.

Another big plus for me, the lineup yesterday looked comfortable because of legs and physicality. Big up to Nico O Reilly for that left back shift again. Gvardiol looked comfortable as ever.

I can keep going, that was another decent 75 minutes for Rodri, looks rusty but that is normal, we will always be a better team with him in it. Reijnders wasn’t good but improved as the game went on and should’ve scored, once again that is the kind of physicality and runs from midfield you expect from our players.

Lastly, he’s received a lot of criticism, but Doku was sensational yesterday. Arguably his best game for us. That’s what we need, he was strong, not just dribbling for the sake of, always looking for midfield runs and most importantly, Haaland’s runs.

There’s a lot to come from this team. Yes there are some concerns, but plenty of reasons to be positive. Onto Napoli and Arsenal. CTID
 
Burtonblue said:
Is it only me or did our pattern of play look different yesterday.
I noticed our back line was not as high when in possession in their half and we didn’t compress the game into the final third as has been our style in the Pep era.
This opened up more spaces between the lines when going forward.
I also saw either Dias or Gvardiol sitting much deeper when we were going forwards…maybe we’re learning how to prevent other teams catching us on the break at long last…or maybe it was just because we were playing against a poor team.
Either way we didn’t get caught out as we have been so often before.
Click to expand...
I think you're exactly right - I was going to post something about that yesterday but wanted more time to see it again.

The highest line yesterday was from the scum on that 3rd goal when Maguire was 20 yards inside our half when Haaland was left free to run on to the ball and score.

I was calling for much less of a high line and perhaps with the departure of Ederson and the arrival of Donnarumma, that's signaled the change. Anyway, I think it gave us a platform to play a bit differently, with more and more space as the scum chased the game.

I also prayed last week that Donna would turn up and hit the ground running; for me, that was a fantastic debut. It was great to see him pushing their players about on corners and commanding his area, as well as a couple of excellent saves. Would Eddy have kept a clean sheet, and if not, would they have got more momentum? We'll never know.

3-0 against that lot is probably par. Napoli next, who are a bit of a mystery, and then a big test v Arse; getting anything there will be a bonus.
 
Stelea said:
He isn’t wrong. At HT we were ahead in the possession by 10% and in the end we ended 10% down. If this is the tactic doing forward then fine, but the drop off is tangible
Click to expand...
We may have had much more possession in the first half but only created three chances resulting in a good shooting opportunity: Haaland in the first minute, Foden's goal and a chance hit straight at the keeper a few minutes later.
In the second half with less possession we scored twice, had that crazy miss by Haaland, a flick straight at the keeper from Haaland and the miss by Reindeer. - Basically we made better use of the possession we had.
The positives were the goals and chances created, and the solid defending. The main negative for me was giving away the ball unnecessarily in our own half by passing to players who were marked, the same mistake we saw several times against Spurs.
Overall we were at least three goals better than them.
Another positive: They are crap.
Another negative: I've retired so can't go into work and wind up rags this morning.
 
The good thing about beating the scum is that the twats that only seem to post when we have a bad result are nowhere to be seen.
Yesterday was great..loved watching the rags fans fucking off with 20 minutes to go.
You could tell it meant a lot to our players by the way they celebrated after the game..
It's always a great feeling to begin the week with a win over our neighbours from just outside Manchester
 
What was up with the M6 last night, all the way to the M5, rammed. Haaland was playing at centre half, midfield and striker, everywhere. What an effort, superb performance. We’ve been calling out for Khus at right back for a long while, has all the attributes. He looked like prime Walker yesterday, but with more aggression. Good to see Phil playing well, and that headed goal was not as easy as it looked. Doku was excellent and they couldn’t handle him at all. One of the biggest differences for me was Gigio, what a difference a world class goalkeeper makes. You can tell the defence trust him, and look up to him. He’s already built a relationship with the fans after one game, going to be a big fan favourite.
 
blue by birth said:
The good thing about beating the scum is that the twats that only seem to post when we have a bad result are nowhere to be seen.
Yesterday was great..loved watching the rags fans fucking off with 20 minutes to go.
You could tell it meant a lot to our players by the way they celebrated after the game..
It's always a great feeling to begin the week with a win over our neighbours from just outside Manchester
Click to expand...

For the last 2 weeks they have mouthed off about how they are going to smash us and how they have turned that corner again, it didn't help with City losing to Brighton and them getting given the 3 points at home to Burnley.

Those 2 weeks of them being above City were hell, it felt like welcome back to the 1990s and Oasis days
But all I was saying back was Beware of a Wounded Animal, City only need a result in the derby and United's pack of cards will fall down again.

The game itself was up in the air because of the death of Ricky Hatton and the reception the fans gave marked the respect that Manchester has lost a legend, R.I.P. Ricky the hit man Hatton
 
leo_city said:
Superb win.

I know there’s a concern about our midfield but there are more good than bad signs this early on in the season.

The biggest positives, look at Erling, he’s hungry this year, one of the best performances by a 9 of recent. He looks sharper, much more complete, holds up play a lot more, understands teammates, demands more of them. That is captain material.

Excellent debut for Donnarumma, once again, he will concede goals or have the odd error. But if baffles me how many people thought we’d always play the same way. Yesterday will shut a lot of tacticos right up. That’s a proper keeper there, big, commanding, yelled at Ruben and co a few times to keep close track of United players, produced a big save. The team looked very comfortable at the back, don’t know how else to put it, but they never seemed as confident with Trafford.

Khusanov is a brilliant signing, he is rapid and strong. His only issue is rushing into tackles sometimes, but that will improve.

Phil also did his thing, it’s only a matter of finding rhythm for him, once he does, he is a difference maker, whether some people (including some of our fans) choose to believe it or not. We are a better team with him starting regularly.

Another big plus for me, the lineup yesterday looked comfortable because of legs and physicality. Big up to Nico O Reilly for that left back shift again. Gvardiol looked comfortable as ever.

I can keep going, that was another decent 75 minutes for Rodri, looks rusty but that is normal, we will always be a better team with him in it. Reijnders wasn’t good but improved as the game went on and should’ve scored, once again that is the kind of physicality and runs from midfield you expect from our players.

Lastly, he’s received a lot of criticism, but Doku was sensational yesterday. Arguably his best game for us. That’s what we need, he was strong, not just dribbling for the sake of, always looking for midfield runs and most importantly, Haaland’s runs.

There’s a lot to come from this team. Yes there are some concerns, but plenty of reasons to be positive. Onto Napoli and Arsenal. CTID
Click to expand...
Spot on analysis
 
Still buzzing this morning.

I hear those who say “we’re nothing like our best”, and yes admittedly we were playing one of the worst United sides I’ve ever seen, but there was a passion and fire and intensity about what we did yesterday that was absent in previous games.

When Brighton brought 4 subs on we seemed to not have a clue what to do and almost gave up. I had no fear of that yesterday - with Donnarumma directing operations at the back, Dias fired up, Khusanov a brick wall down their left and Haaland playing like a man possessed (in particular as a third centre half at times)… it was just what you want in a derby.

Whether something has gone on behind the scenes, whether it was the Hatton news giving them extra impetus, whether it was Phil with a point to prove or whatever it was, you could see how much they REALLY wanted that yesterday. Haaland clearly hates United and looked more up for it than ever. Brilliant.

What really struck me too was the togetherness between the team and the fans, and the players themselves. The new boys look like they have been there forever - there is no “new kid trying to settle” vibes. Donnarumma in particular, and it’s lovely to see Khusanov smiling, clearly happy and integrated compared to the rabbit in headlights we saw on his debut.

I don’t care if we’re not at our swashbuckling, incisive, blow-them-away best - if we’re winning games like that, I’ll be a happy blue. That passion and fire and desire is now the absolute minimum requirement every week.

(Although granted most weeks we won’t be playing opposition whose midfield look like they’ve just spent the afternoon on the piss.)
 
leo_city said:
Superb win.

I know there’s a concern about our midfield but there are more good than bad signs this early on in the season.

The biggest positives, look at Erling, he’s hungry this year, one of the best performances by a 9 of recent. He looks sharper, much more complete, holds up play a lot more, understands teammates, demands more of them. That is captain material.

Excellent debut for Donnarumma, once again, he will concede goals or have the odd error. But if baffles me how many people thought we’d always play the same way. Yesterday will shut a lot of tacticos right up. That’s a proper keeper there, big, commanding, yelled at Ruben and co a few times to keep close track of United players, produced a big save. The team looked very comfortable at the back, don’t know how else to put it, but they never seemed as confident with Trafford.

Khusanov is a brilliant signing, he is rapid and strong. His only issue is rushing into tackles sometimes, but that will improve.

Phil also did his thing, it’s only a matter of finding rhythm for him, once he does, he is a difference maker, whether some people (including some of our fans) choose to believe it or not. We are a better team with him starting regularly.

Another big plus for me, the lineup yesterday looked comfortable because of legs and physicality. Big up to Nico O Reilly for that left back shift again. Gvardiol looked comfortable as ever.

I can keep going, that was another decent 75 minutes for Rodri, looks rusty but that is normal, we will always be a better team with him in it. Reijnders wasn’t good but improved as the game went on and should’ve scored, once again that is the kind of physicality and runs from midfield you expect from our players.

Lastly, he’s received a lot of criticism, but Doku was sensational yesterday. Arguably his best game for us. That’s what we need, he was strong, not just dribbling for the sake of, always looking for midfield runs and most importantly, Haaland’s runs.

There’s a lot to come from this team. Yes there are some concerns, but plenty of reasons to be positive. Onto Napoli and Arsenal. CTID
Click to expand...
Great summary. & we’re not fully match fit yet with us having no pre-season. Be good to get Kovo & Cherke back
 
Burtonblue said:
Is it only me or did our pattern of play look different yesterday.
I noticed our back line was not as high when in possession in their half and we didn’t compress the game into the final third as has been our style in the Pep era.
This opened up more spaces between the lines when going forward.
I also saw either Dias or Gvardiol sitting much deeper when we were going forwards…maybe we’re learning how to prevent other teams catching us on the break at long last…or maybe it was just because we were playing against a poor team.
Either way we didn’t get caught out as we have been so often before.
Click to expand...
It was.

We stopped playing our stagnant style of 'netball football' and were actually passing and moving. The only negative is that our passing was way off, likely due to the players learning this new system and Rodders coming back to form. That's what's been encouraging for me, more than the win and beating the SCUM.

I really hope we keep this new style, and not revert back to how we've played the last 18 months.
 
brian the blue said:
What a weird performance. Absolutely no control of the game, scoring from transitions/counters. It’s the kind of way we’d usually lose a game when we’re having a bad day.

Thought they looked better on the ball.

We’ll get torn to shreds by Arsenal next week going off that.
Click to expand...

I don't think so, I think we will concede possession and hit on the counter. Foden , Doku and Haaland is such a dangerous counter attack. No centre back can deal with Haaland at full speed. Arsenal struggle with breaking down defences, plus with Donnarumma in net there's extra protection

I think we are Pep Lijnders / Pep hybrid right now. Pressing in packs , quick transitions , balls out wide , everyone trying to get into the opposition box on the counter.

Pep respects Klopp, Pep loves football , he asked about Lijnders to Klopp so he's probably took on his ideas on. If we do turn into a Klopp/Pep style hybrid then when that clicks its going to be amazing to watch.

Such as when we camped in our half in the later end of the second half yesterday we were still looking for the counter when we won the ball. You can see the system there and starting to take shape. Just needs perfecting.

I saw a dipper fan tweet saying he was having flashbacks that the exact way we were countering against the rags was exact same way Mane , Salah , Firmino would counter for the dippers under Klopp/Lijnders. The speed of the transitions etc. The pressing/hunting in packs then quickly attacking was similar to what they did.
 
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