Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Note in OP, 13/8

Pro. F · 16-08-2014 02:08PM

Anybody demanding CBs to be bought today after seeing that performance is a fool. Jones, Smalling and Blackett all did well in two different formations and with far too little protection.

Young showed why he is not a defender on that second goal. Imo it was a mistake from LVG to trust him at LB and I'm sure those problems will pop up with him as a wing-back too.

Taking off Hererra was a wrong decision too. The team lost a lot of fluidity after that.

Mata was lost in the 3412. I think we need one of the front two strikers to be a properly dynamic runner when using that formation. One of Welbeck, Zaha, Young or Nani beside Rooney/Chicharito/RvP could open the game up a lot more for Mata then.

Rooney misplaced too many passes, but he still scored a goal, went close with a free kick and had some very good touches and movement in the box. So I wouldn't be criticising his performance very much. People will make out that by being captain of a losing side that it's his fault for not showing more leadership, but that is just a dumb excuse to bash a player that they don't like.

Nani and Januzaj both did well in the second half, so that's a positive.

It's very disappointing, but it's not a disaster. LVG has said it will take him a while to get things going and I see no reason to not be patient and trust him.

SlickRic · 16-08-2014 02:09PM

It's frightening how one-paced Utd are.

Quandary · 16-08-2014 02:09PM

Losing a few of these "easy" games should hopefully get the transfers rolling at least.

Every cloud and all that!

beno619 · 16-08-2014 02:10PM

Already sick of seeing Jones & Smalling pass back to De Gea, defeats the whole purpose of having 3 at the back.

J. Marston · 16-08-2014 02:10PM

Blind and/or Rojo, that'll be it.

If Di Maria and Vidal watched that today, I think they'd laugh and say "No thank you."

MagicIRL · 16-08-2014 02:10PM

I thought Blackett played very well. Jones responsible for the first goal was a shame. Really need a strong experienced CB to partner the other two.

Fletcher is a great squad player at this stage... but not a starting 11 CM.

If those two positions are sorted, things will be better. I think the team played well over all, but lacked that final ball in the final third.

Ed The Equalizer · 16-08-2014 02:12PM

J. Marston wrote: »

Blind and/or Rojo, that'll be it.

If Di Maria and Vidal watched that today, I think they'd laugh and say "No thank you."

Yep, I reckon that's a big problem. The difference between Woodward talking things up and the reality is growing bigger by the day.

J. Marston · 16-08-2014 02:13PM

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

What was said in the interview?

LVG: 'It's not only up to me, it's up to the players to decide (if they go). I never say you have to go'

Van Gaal: "We need defenders, but that I've already said."

It shouldn't be up to the players to decide. Kick them out.

mufc1993 · 16-08-2014 02:13PM

I miss the days when United would need a late goal and all the play was in the final 3rd towards the Stretford End. Them days you knew there was a great chance of United scoring. Didn't even think United would create a half decent chance late on today.

Pro. F · 16-08-2014 02:15PM

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Nani managed 16 passes in the 2nd half,not a way to earn your place back on the team.

16 passes in 45 minutes for a winger is not a problem at all. That is perfectly normal. He also took on and went past a good few players, opening up the game, and got in some decent crosses. Using that performance as a stick to beat him with just shows that you are desperate for any way to criticise him.

bantee · 16-08-2014 02:16PM

The thing about Jones & Smalling in a back 3 is that they're not great passers of the ball so they rely on DeGea too much.

That's why I'm surprised we didn't go in for DeVrij, who showed in the WC that he was very comfortable on the ball and he took it forward regularly while Vlaar stayed back.

Another CB and CM urgently required.

Son Of A Vidic · 16-08-2014 02:17PM

J. Marston wrote: »

It shouldn't be up to the players to decide. Kick them out.

Absolutely. The opinion of an ineffective player should be completely irrelevant imo.

Blatter · 16-08-2014 02:18PM

It'll be interesting to see if LvG starts the next game with a 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-3.

tinofapples · 16-08-2014 02:19PM

Leaders we need.

yermandan · 16-08-2014 02:20PM

Still on the positivity couch, it's a lonely place right now though. Kew?

kryogen · 16-08-2014 02:20PM

Pro. F wrote: »

Anybody demanding CBs to be bought today after seeing that performance is a fool. Jones, Smalling and Blackett all did well in two different formations and with far too little protection.

Young showed why he is not a defender on that second goal. Imo it was a mistake from LVG to trust him at LB and I'm sure those problems will pop up with him as a wing-back too.

Taking off Hererra was a wrong decision too. The team lost a lot of fluidity after that.

Mata was lost in the 3412. I think we need one of the front two strikers to be a properly dynamic runner when using that formation. One of Welbeck, Zaha, Young or Nani beside Rooney/Chicharito/RvP could open the game up a lot more for Mata then.

Rooney misplaced too many passes, but he still scored a goal, went close with a free kick and had some very good touches and movement in the box. So I wouldn't be criticising his performance very much. People will make out that by being captain of a losing side that it's his fault for not showing more leadership, but that is just a dumb excuse to bash a player that they don't like.

Nani and Januzaj both did well in the second half, so that's a positive.

It's very disappointing, but it's not a disaster. LVG has said it will take him a while to get things going and I see no reason to not be patient and trust him.

Cheers you saved me some time here

redbaron_99 · 16-08-2014 02:20PM

tinofapples wrote: »

Leaders we need.

Is that you, Yoda?

Lord TSC · 16-08-2014 02:21PM

Your Airbag wrote: »

Noting was coming to Rooney central. He was dropping back a lot. The service from midfeild was not there.

That doesn't change the fact his passing was awful at times; there was multiple instances of half-hearted passes that were easily intercepted.

16-08-2014 02:22PM

mufc1993 wrote: »

I miss the days when United would need a late goal and all the play was in the final 3rd towards the Stretford End. Them days you knew there was a great chance of United scoring. Didn't even think United would create a half decent chance late on today.

The players showing again that it's their spirit that is lacking when they go behind. They have the talent to turn it around sometimes but when it's not presented to them they just go into their shells. Kagawa, Mata, Rooney and Herrera should all have finished the game, Nani was trying to make things happen but got limited touches and no support.

It must have been Fergie who taught the players to run away from the ball when chasing a game but it just doesn't work, the lack of patience is astounding in the team.

The way every other top team do it is to keep the ball and run the opponent into the ground. Work hard to get it back and repeat until they tire or you have them beat due to being better than them. United try to force it through with very little pace, lose it and then stand off. It's been like this for way too long.

Fescue · 16-08-2014 02:22PM

Blatter wrote: »

It'll be interesting to see if LvG starts the next game with a 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-3.

I made the same remark in the match thread but I was surprised how a manager of LVG's class, was so fixed on 3-5-2. I think the formation should play to the strengths of the players. I'm not sure 3 at the back does that.

J. Marston · 16-08-2014 02:24PM

yermandan wrote: »

Still on the positivity couch, it's a lonely place right now though. Kew?

With this playing in the background?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxHInDptJKY

:pac:

redbaron_99 · 16-08-2014 02:24PM

Somewhere David moyes is laughing his ass off.

twam2008 · 16-08-2014 02:25PM

I don't get this, he says he needs defenders but is in no rush to make signings? Which is it?

Van Gaal in no rush to make signings
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Aug/louis-van-gaal-not-fazed-by-transfer-situation.aspx?newsid=14F7F23B-34C9-4B43-BBC1-BE7D718E2C0C&pageNo=1

ericzeking · 16-08-2014 02:25PM

Blackett was a big positive for me, I thought Jones and Smalling were really good too and stepped up, they didn't get the required protection though...I thought herrera did well enough and Fellaini did OK when he came on, I don't think we can rely on Fletcher though, I think his decision making has always been poor when he's required to take responsibility, he's grand as a secondary midfielder to do a bit of hassling and harrying.

Disappointed but not going to get carried away as there were quite a few positives in my opinion, we looked very much like a team going through a period of adjustment.

We need a few numbers though as our formation and tactics are being dictated by our injury list which shouldn't be the case for a club United's size in the first game of the season.

Lord TSC · 16-08-2014 02:26PM

twam2008 wrote: »

I don't get this, he says he needs defenders but is in no rush to make signings? Which is it?

Van Gaal in no rush to make signings
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Aug/louis-van-gaal-not-fazed-by-transfer-situation.aspx?newsid=14F7F23B-34C9-4B43-BBC1-BE7D718E2C0C&pageNo=1

He'll say "in no rush" so that when he rings up teams tomorrow, he doesn't get quoted a double price.....

thelad95 · 16-08-2014 02:27PM

I'm literally lost for words. I hope a lot of the deadwood is f*cked out the door in the coming few weeks. Fellaini, Chico, Young need to go. Blackett and Lingard did their best but were out of their depth to be honest.

twam2008 · 16-08-2014 02:29PM

Lord TSC wrote: »

He'll say "in no rush" so that when he rings up teams tomorrow, he doesn't get quoted a double price.....

Think leaving things to the last minute will mean we're quoted double figures anyway.

2moreMinutes · 16-08-2014 02:29PM

thelad95 wrote: »

I'm literally lost for words. I hope a lot of the deadwood is f*cked out the door in the coming few weeks. Fellaini, Chico, Young need to go. Blackett and Lingard did their best but were out of their depth to be honest.

I wouldn't agree with Blackett being out of his depth. He looked composed on the ball and seemed comfortable enough. Of all the lads I might criticise today, he'd be well down the list.

GSPfan · 16-08-2014 02:30PM

I'm delighted my opinion of Ashley Young didn't change when most in here thought he had become brilliant off the back of one pre-season.

He needs to go. Januzaj again looks like our one true game changer and thats a bad sign.

Nailz · 16-08-2014 02:30PM

Here's where I think we stand now after this game from what I posted in the match thread...

Today doesn't really worry me, I think we'll be fine, it just proves that we need players and sharp.

A left-sided defender and a starting quality CB are needed. I've been quite critical of Jones over recent year but I do think he has improved and deserves his place on the right side of back 3 with Evans in the centre. A central midfielder as well is necessary.

I didn't understand some of the decisions LVG made today, I agreed with Fellaini and Nani coming on, but taking off Herrera and Hernandez when both Fletcher and Mata were playing so poorly I didn't... But I think we'll iron out a few of these creases over time while van Gaal is still getting acquainted with the squad.

I think Fellaini, as it stands, is our second best midfielder, and deserves a starting place partnering Herrera. Mata lacked hunger today and was very lax, when Nani came on I think it should've been for him, dropping Rooney into no. 10 and leaving Hernandez up as the striker.

Young I thought played very well again today, I think he's been very good at wing back and I'd be happy to see him there over the course of the season, although I thought it was unfair on him to be played more defensively as part of the back four, and we were caught out because of that (another reason to bring in reinforcements).

Januzaj was also excellent when he came on today, loved Herrera's progressive play also.

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Note in OP, 13/8

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