The Official Manchester United Thread [Vol 6]
Discussion
Well the way out and wacky fee we paid for Pogba was to some extent because of the marketing opportunities he gives us - so it's to be expected the club are trying to maximise on it.
I agree with GTO-3R though, some of the comments about Pogba are amazing - he has been playing very well over the last month, one bad game and people are all over him. He is clearly going to be a key figure for us for seasons, of course in that time he will have bad games.
We are 5 points behind second place, have just had a disappointing home draw we could have won, against a team that have won away at Arsenal, Chelsea and City this season. Compared to where we were even 2 months ago we would have jumped at this comeback, and yet some people (not so much on here but all around social media) just want to bash Pogba
Anyway, please Jose just spend this week in training on finishing practice. We are apparently 20th in the league on chance conversion - and yet still 6th overall. Sort that out and we are golden
I agree with GTO-3R though, some of the comments about Pogba are amazing - he has been playing very well over the last month, one bad game and people are all over him. He is clearly going to be a key figure for us for seasons, of course in that time he will have bad games.
We are 5 points behind second place, have just had a disappointing home draw we could have won, against a team that have won away at Arsenal, Chelsea and City this season. Compared to where we were even 2 months ago we would have jumped at this comeback, and yet some people (not so much on here but all around social media) just want to bash Pogba
Anyway, please Jose just spend this week in training on finishing practice. We are apparently 20th in the league on chance conversion - and yet still 6th overall. Sort that out and we are golden
Didn't play well, but should have made more of the chances we created. Two one on ones in the fist half either side of the penalty should have all but finished the game off. One save from De Gea from (Firminho maybe) in the second half was all that Livepool did on a counter is all I remember. An off game after a great run but gained a point where we would have not gained any in September.
On Pogba, yes he was bad yesterday, but the scuffed attempt on goal set up his afternoon. The advertising around the stadium was because he has his own emoji on twitter...which is nice, but only when you deliver top performances. But great to see fight in the team, i was sure we would go on an win it afer the equaliser - atmosphere was one that I haven't experienced in a long while.
On Pogba, yes he was bad yesterday, but the scuffed attempt on goal set up his afternoon. The advertising around the stadium was because he has his own emoji on twitter...which is nice, but only when you deliver top performances. But great to see fight in the team, i was sure we would go on an win it afer the equaliser - atmosphere was one that I haven't experienced in a long while.
Gavia said:
How does it affect his footballing ability though? Most footballers have image rights built into their contracts and plenty of the top players have their own lines of consumer products.
I agree - the nivea adverts with some LFC players in are appalling.It just struck me as looking a little odd, but I suppose it's the best way of getting TV exposure.
On another note, Ibrahimovic has become a real totem for you, hasn't he?
desolate said:
Gavia said:
How does it affect his footballing ability though? Most footballers have image rights built into their contracts and plenty of the top players have their own lines of consumer products.
I agree - the nivea adverts with some LFC players in are appalling.It just struck me as looking a little odd, but I suppose it's the best way of getting TV exposure.
On another note, Ibrahimovic has become a real totem for you, hasn't he?
One thing that i did think strange was the subs. Bringing Mata on for Martial made us very narrow which helped Liverpool more.
Challo said:
Fantastic signing for us this season. Yes he can be a little lazy, but he has now scored 10 in 10 which is amazing for a 35 year old in the prem. Great tailsman and can only be good for the youngsters to learn from him. Big thing is how we can get Rashford game time and keep getting mins under his belt.
One thing that i did think strange was the subs. Bringing Mata on for Martial made us very narrow which helped Liverpool more.
I thought Martial looked better than OK in the first half and probably had the beating of our new right back.One thing that i did think strange was the subs. Bringing Mata on for Martial made us very narrow which helped Liverpool more.
Overall it seemed a bit regimented going route one so early as I thought you created enough to warrant sticking to plan A for quite a bit longer.
The game would have been perfect for Rashford to come on for Martial. Fresh legs and pace against your right back would have caused him major problems I think. One thing that stood out a mile for me was without Carrick we looked no where near as good in midfield and Pogba was on the ball a fraction of the time in the second half compared to the first! Can't help but think it's a position we need to sort out sooner rather than later if Jose isn't going to play Blind there 
Watched the game back again last night and paid particular attention to Pogba. His performance wasn't that bad actually but wasn't great. When we went more direct he stayed back in a central 2 with Herrera, restricting his impact going forward. We were playing with a front 5/6 at that point and at risk of the counter attack which nearly worked with Wijnaldum's shot! Pogba lost the ball a couple of times but still moved the ball well enough and almost always in a positive/forward manner.
Not a great game by any stretch but he'll have plenty of opportunities to put that right. He'd have scored a 5/6 out of 10 I guess. In the game like that we're looking for an 8 or 9 out of 10.
I must say in the build up to the game I think we were perhaps a bit too relaxed. Jose answering journo's phones, Pogba and Ibra being interviewed by Henry, joking around. Probably a couple of dancing video's posted by Pogba too on Instagram I should imagine...
That put's the 0-0 at their place to rest anyway. We could/should have won that yesterday and perhaps they can consider themselves a little lucky. Dave had little/nothing to do all game.
Not a great game by any stretch but he'll have plenty of opportunities to put that right. He'd have scored a 5/6 out of 10 I guess. In the game like that we're looking for an 8 or 9 out of 10.
I must say in the build up to the game I think we were perhaps a bit too relaxed. Jose answering journo's phones, Pogba and Ibra being interviewed by Henry, joking around. Probably a couple of dancing video's posted by Pogba too on Instagram I should imagine...
That put's the 0-0 at their place to rest anyway. We could/should have won that yesterday and perhaps they can consider themselves a little lucky. Dave had little/nothing to do all game.
Alpinestars said:
You have to go "long" to beat the press IMV. Or have exceptional players a la Barca. Maureen should have set up to do that in the first place.
It's as though pressing is a relatively new phenomenon! What Loserpool do is press in numbers and at speed in the wing/corner areas to prevent the cross. This and they run their b
ks off in their attacking third to win the ball high up same as Spurs. 'Cept for the last half hour yesterday when they played for a counter attack defending in numbers deep. So we can't attempt to pass through as it wastes too much time. Better to build the numbers up launch aerial attacks and hope to pick up the second ball when it drops off the attackers/defenders head. A brave throw of the dice by Maureen, not pretty but certainly effective. Football aint just about poncing around winning the "number of passes" trophy. It's about results. Maureen gets them.
ORD said:
Pogba is absolute class and will be one of the best players in the World. If you can't see that, you pretty much have clue about what makes a good midfielder. He's got it all.
I agree to a certain extent. He doesn't have it all.....yet....but the ingredients are there. He has a great touch, vision, passing range, strength and he can score goals. I think we should keep hold of him for a while yet. 
DeltonaS said:
Pogba was dreadfull again today,
he even got a lucky escape by not receiving a 2nd yellow just a couple of minutes after the penalty.
Bit like Firmino, he could have had his marching orders today. Not for a straight red but culmination of fouls and then raising his hands to Ander, albeit provoked, no excuse. he even got a lucky escape by not receiving a 2nd yellow just a couple of minutes after the penalty.
anniesdad said:
So we can't attempt to pass through as it wastes too much time. Better to build the numbers up launch aerial attacks and hope to pick up the second ball when it drops off the attackers/defenders head.
WAT? Perfectly possibly to pass the ball quickly through a team like ours if you have enough quality. But I thought passing was poor from both teams yesterday with many players not showing enough composure in possession.anniesdad said:
It's about results. Maureen gets them.
Which is why you're sixth? 
Sparkyhd said:
Bit surprised José isn't getting more out of him.
Also a bit disappointing that José isn't playing any youth and relies on pumping the long ball to aged Fellaini in last ditch attempts to salvage a point.
Pogba's not matching up to his cost but I'd say José is falling even further short. He's not really special any more, just a grumpy old has-been with the tactical nouse of Big Sam.
Also a bit disappointing that José isn't playing any youth and relies on pumping the long ball to aged Fellaini in last ditch attempts to salvage a point.
Pogba's not matching up to his cost but I'd say José is falling even further short. He's not really special any more, just a grumpy old has-been with the tactical nouse of Big Sam.
I take it you think Rashford should have come on instead of Fellaini? I disagree, there was no space for Rashford to do his thing.
Loads of players on show for United yesterday are pretty young.
ORD said:
A team making crosses against a packed defence that had held out well? Amazing. Never seen that before.
Utd were quite comfortably the better team in the game I watched. Liverpool did a lot of running about but almost nothing with the ball, and they parked the bus in the 2nd half. No mention of that from the media, of course.
Agreed. Loserpool gave the ball away cheaply yesterday, rattled at the way in which we pressed them in midfield. Utd were quite comfortably the better team in the game I watched. Liverpool did a lot of running about but almost nothing with the ball, and they parked the bus in the 2nd half. No mention of that from the media, of course.
Correct about parking the bus, master tactician Klopp who'd a thunk it?
It's hard finding stats just for the second half, but The Telegraph's match report has a good timeline of the match here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/15/man...
From the 59th to 74th minute you had 53 seconds more of the ball than us. Did we park the bus before or after this period?
From the 59th to 74th minute you had 53 seconds more of the ball than us. Did we park the bus before or after this period?
Edited by jammy-git on Monday 16th January 12:59
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