26 Aug 2017 19:51:17
I rarely post long posts but I feel the need today.

We need to talk about Marcus. There was a clamour for Martial to start as Rashford had been wasteful in front of goal in earlier games. Tony started and to be honest, he didn't really have an impact, certainly no more (and probably less) than Marcus had done in the first 2 games. Today Marcus comes off the bench and scores the critical goal. What struck me is that he had been trying too hard to impress in the games against West Ham and Swansea as if he was trying to prove himself, against Leicester he appeared to be playing on instinct which is when he looks best. Is he more talented than Martial? Possibly, possibly not. Do I think he is a better player? Absolutely, because I think he has a better mentality and attitude and I think he will go on to achieve greater things. That isn't to say Tony isn't a great player but why does it have to be either or? Why can't it be both?

It would be easy to have a go at Lukaku, he didn't have his best game and he missed a penalty but there was a moment late in the game when a ball was pumped forward and Maguire went to collect it only to find Lukaku bearing down on him and he had to knock it out for a throw giving possession back to us. A small point but that is the difference this year, pace and threat that worries defenders and keeps them on their toes. He also never gave up running and on another day would have scored a couple.

3 games, 10 goals scored, 0 goals conceded, and this with the appalling liability that is Blind at LB (sarcasm people, sarcasm) . Bailly and Jones look very good together, if Jones can stay fit and Bailly can avoid being sent off then we have a very promising partnership at CB there.

Pogba continues to look lazy whilst covering huge ground and adding real value, if he carries on in this vein he will reach the standard we all thought and hoped he could. It's striking that our player of the year last year can't currently get in the team, Matic is allowing Pogba freedom to do whatever he wants and needs to do.

And so to Jose. A frustrating game which we should have been leading and he makes substitutions and how. Rashford on and boom, 1-0. Fellaini on and boom 2-0. No panic, no worries, just focus and action. Will we win the League? I have no idea but we look a team and it just feels different this year. Jose is calmer, happier and seems to have his eye on the target this year.

It's a team game, sometimes x will play well whilst y struggles but as long as we have enough players contributing and delivering we will be fine. My only concern was the narrowness we saw and the lack of width but hey, 3 games, 3 wins, lots of goals and 3 clean sheets. I'm off to have more wine. 😃.

1.) 26 Aug 2017
26 Aug 2017 20:47:38
AJH,

I agree that when we talk about Martial and Rashford we don't need to be comparing them and competing against each other. We are very fortunate to have two young attackers who, when on form are almost unplayable, and will only improve. I commented on Rashfords composure last week, but I didn't mean I want to see him dropped. He will improve that with age and game time. He's going to be top quality, as I believe Martial will be too.

I thought we played better today then last week, where I thought we were poor in patches. Today for 70 minutes at least we completely dominated them, and really should of been ahead long before rashford found the net. The style of football is almost incomparable to last season. The difference Matic and Lukaku have made is unbelievable. Pogba, Miki and a few others are like new signings because of the space Lukaku is creating with his movement.

I'm not a Fellaini fan but I've got to say he's winning me over in terms of being a squad player right now. I think he's having an impact everytime he comes on and I'm happy to eat humble pie. Never a starter but definatly a good option. Never thought I'd agree on that.

Again the only negative I have today is at times were not using the space out wide, coming inside very narrow when there's options to go on the outside. The crossing from Blind and Valencia really is very poor. It must be frustrating as hell for the likes of Lukaku when he makes good runs into the box not for nearly every cross to either hit first man or fly 10 feet over his head.

Of the signings Jose has made since he's come in they really have been top class. Imagine Our potential next year if he improves our full backs and gets that special player he wants, greizmann or similar. Jones and Bailly are looking very good too. Bailly is looking a real steal at £30m

Again, tougher tests ahead but the signs are good.

2.) 26 Aug 2017
26 Aug 2017 21:09:54
Very good post AJH.

3.) 26 Aug 2017
26 Aug 2017 21:13:42
Stand, I agree we were better today than last week. I thought 4-0 flattered us last week whilst this week 4-0 would have been fair. I also think Jose deliberately went narrower second half as the crossing had been so ineffective in the first half.

I'm also not a Fellaini fan but he does give 100% and often seems to make a difference, long may it continue.

4.) 26 Aug 2017
26 Aug 2017 23:16:12
We are looking good and playing to our potential .

5.) 27 Aug 2017
27 Aug 2017 00:04:19
Martial and Rashford are similar in a few ways, but are different players. Both young, fast, and good dribblers. But beyond that they are quite different, and could easily play together in any of the spots along the front three.

Rashford is frighteningly direct with his pace, has a better attitude and usually has a greater impact on the game. His pace and skill and imagination just constantly makes things happen. Martial, on the other hand, frightens defenders with his close control, pace, and cool finishing ability.

There is no reason for us to compare them as either/ or. Mkhitaryan has been off to a great start as the #10, Lukaku obviously is the #9 now, and we have to respect what Mata brings with his fine movement off the ball and touch and technical qualities. Versus teams who will sit back, Mata's game makes sense, to open up a deep lying defense. But against teams who might play a higher defensive line, it could be very exciting to see Martial AND Rashford on either flank. These are good problems for Mourinho to have.

6.) 27 Aug 2017
27 Aug 2017 09:49:24
Agreed Zidaniel. Mata has been excellent so far. His runs to find the pockets of space created by Lukaku have been excellent. Such a clever player, and unfortunate to be flagged just offside today for his goal.