12 Feb 2019 23:50:43
That one really cuts deep. We just saw how poor our depth is in our squad. Mata and sanchez’s Days are numbered for me. Both should be moved on in the summer. They give the illusion we have depth but in reality they are far too slow to play the counter attacking and pressing game that ole is trying to implement.

Martial and lingard’s injuries completely ripped our game plan apart. At that stage we should have probably gone for Lukaku over mata. Unfortunately we got beat by a better side and their quality is where we should be aiming to be.

The ref would a disgrace. He stifled the game and arguably should have sent of kimpembe. The antics and diving by Alves et al was embarrassing. And pogba’s Red is a dagger blow to any chances we have in the second leg. You look at city’s depth and they had de Bruyne out for most of the season. Yet they have gundogan, Bernardo, David Silva to replace him. Who do we have to replace pogba?

I love ole. I think he has done a great job. He has brought a smile back on our faces. He’s made watching united enjoyable again. But for me, tonight showed his limitations and that he is out of his depth. Although we have been great to watch we have been ever so reliant on our counter attacking prowess. We struggle to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game against the bigger sides. We need to start doing this. Signings would improve this but a lot of the is down to coaching. That is why I am still in the camp that we should be going for Poch. His spurs’ side dominate possession and retain possession well. We haven’t done that since the days of Scholes and Fergie.

And the player to do that is someone like Verratti. And absolutely wonderful player. The heartbeat of that team. Marquinhos as well was all over the pitch. He covered every blade of grass. Extremely imprsssive. Mbappe is special. He is going to be special. And finally di Maria. I despise the guy. But his quality from crosses is what we have been lacking for years.

Bitterly disappointed. That really was a car crash of a night. But we have learnt a lot of the squad. We bounce back and beat Chelsea in the cup. Have a great rest of the week chaps.

1.) 13 Feb 2019
13 Feb 2019 01:23:12
Veratti was one I posted and selected in my players to buy this summer, always been impressed. I doubt they would sell.

Ole is only playing with the hand he has, we signed nobody in January. This defeat is not unexpected because PSG are technically very good, taking midfield control and SAF teams had problems dealing with those.

I still say we should not rush to appoint a manager full time, too emotional too quick, what happens if it all falls apart in coming weeks and we have already laid our cards on the table by making the decision?

Lastly I maintain that the club infrastructure, the ground and the team need serious levels of investment. We are hamstrung in a way because to build the ground we would have to borrow and we already have debt, that makes it a more difficult starting point. In terms of the tram., let’s see whether the Glazers want us to be the best side or just the side that gets them into the CL to keep money rolling in. They struck lucky with SAF and Rio, Ronaldo, Rooney and CO92 who were there when they bought the club. They thought it would all carry on, the problems start at the very top and now we need to see action and direction.

2.) 13 Feb 2019
13 Feb 2019 02:04:45
Would Poch be able to produce his style of football with our existing players? Probably not. He would need to bring in some new faces and changes things up to accomplish where he’s at with Spurs.

Same goes with OGS - he’s come in and brought exciting, counter attacking, fast football. However, as you pointed above, the illusion of depth and certain players being past their prime, has definitely hindered his options. I’m in the camp of giving him the gig, letting him do a full summer of transfers and promote/ play a few from the academy. Still think he can do the job at this level.

3.) 13 Feb 2019
13 Feb 2019 04:39:27
PSG played more like a team than us. They had better cohesion. Their players know the movement of each other since they have been playing together long with a clear style.

In contrast, we have just started to get an identity for our team. We must note that Ole had barely few months to instill his philosophy. It is still a work in progress.
I am sure with 2 or 3 windows, Ole would add players who would suit our style.

4.) 13 Feb 2019
13 Feb 2019 06:22:49
Park - I think you are being harsh on Ole, he can only play with the players available and I think the gulf in the qualities of the players was highlighted rather than Ole's limitations. I'm not saying Ole is definitely the answer I just don't feel he should be judged on last night's result.
Injuries didn't help us but at no point during the game did I think we were capable of actually winning the match, outplayed and outclassed by a decent team, as Ole said it was a wake up call for where we really are.
Personally I'm enjoying the ride with Ole as our expectations were so low before Xmas and I think he has us around where we are, about the 4th-6th best team in England. For me last night was a free shot, a win would have been great but the result went with form and quality which wasn't a surprise.

5.) 13 Feb 2019
13 Feb 2019 08:19:24
I think rather than showing we have a poor squad, it shows how unbalanced the squad is - especially to play fast pressing, fast attacking football.

The injuries to Martial and Lingard took away most of our pace and pressing allowing PSG to play higher up and take control of the match.

Agree wholeheartedly with Red Man about needing to get the structure off the pitch right.

Not all doom and gloom though. A good DOF, and a few astute signings in the summer (ones that suit the style of play we want to implement) and the team will challenge for the prem and be better equipped to compete in Europe. I would take Rabiot on a free, add one of Veratti, Kante or Ndombele, a CB and wide forward. Then try to move players on who don't complement the style of play - like happened with Fellaini in January.