11 Apr 2019 06:39:20
We had 10 shots without getting 1 on target which is poor but the negativity on here is staggering. Apart from the first 15 minutes we were on top in that game, there were some great performances but the finishing was dire. Rashford may have been passed fit but he was poor last night and Dalot had the best chance with a relatively straight forward header.

The midfield was excellent. Pogba turned up, Fred impressed again and McTominay was MOTM, he needs to given a run. So many have been dismissive of him saying he’s a squad player at best but his development recently is very promising.

Our home form hasn’t been great, we are playing better and getting more points away from home so I’m looking forward to next week.

I popped into the live chat and quickly realised why I stopped gong on there, how anyone can enjoy the game whilst slagging off the players is beyond me. Each to their own I guess.

1.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 07:15:40
Spot on Tony. We also need to appreciate that although this isn't a vintage Barcelona side such as Xavi side of a few years ago, this is still a Barcelona side that contains Messi, plus other top quality players. A side that are top of their league to such an extent they can afford to focus far more on the UCL. Whereas, this is a million miles away from a vintage United side, a side which many people will say only has one maybe two world class stars with a rather poor supporting cast of players who most wouldn't be too worried if any one of them left. So for where these two teams are currently to still be in the tie going into the next leg is a great achievement. Fred and McTominay seem to be keeping their best form for the UCL. In fact based on McTominay's last two UCL performances it is baffling why Matic would start ahead of him for any reason other than McTominay being injured or suspended.

Several players were also coming back from injury. Which is a problem that seems to have plagued Ole over the last 6 weeks. I'm fairly sure this has happened due to the higher intensity Ole wants the team playing at. I think after a proper summer off and a well planned and structured pre-season which will allow Ole to condition the players and focus on the way he wants them to play the team will perform much better next season then they have over the whole of this season and that is before you consider potential sales and purchases hopefully improving the overall quality of the squad.

I'm looking forward to the next leg. We are still well in this tie, and ultimately if we are to go out of the UCL at this stage I would rather do it fighting against a top team than with a whimper against a mediocre team.

2.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 07:18:19
Agree with everything there AJH. I actually enjoyed it for the most part and was impressed with how well we pressed from minutes 10-70 and we won the ball back constantly. We were the better team for the majority of the game, but that highlights the quality we lack in the final third.

I love Rashford but we rely too heavily on him. Sanchez and Lukaku have come in for mega money and need to take a look at themselves in the mirror. I hope we strengthen up top or Martial pulls his pants up and starts to get on board.

McTominay what can I say he was fantastic. So composed. Best player on the pitch.

Also Mike Smalling left his mark on Messi and he wasn’t interested after that.

Lots to take from it despite the defeat.

3.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 07:38:08
I thought we did really well and have a good chance of going through still. PSG looked a better more dynamic side than Barcelona and look how that ended.

4.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 07:45:49
Played well last night, got stuck in to Barcelona. Finishing was poor that's what let us down apart from that a good performance .
I think a few have drawn a line in the sand and would of liked to seen us get stuffed . Then they can say all the players are crap and I'm justified with all the abuse .
But we pressed well last night closed them down and rattled them .
Smalling in particular got in amongst them, mctom was excellent and fred done well . tight game really with the difference being a bit of magic from messi and bit of luck from Suarez. Shame dalot couldn't do the same.

5.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 07:54:07
Sorry couldn’t disagree more. Thought we were poor bar Mctominay and Dalot and Fred. Barca were there for the taking. Barring Messi they are average. To be honest I was bored. can't blame the manager as there the same shower that Mourinho had. Can only be judged once he has bought in the transfer window. Young and Rashford were shocking.

6.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 08:07:08
So Barcelona are average now? Seemed to be a good team yesterday, 11 points clear in la liga .

On a different note, for a team that supposedly can't press, we didn't half press well last night .

7.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 08:10:36
Agree with Shappy.
Physical endurance cannot be built all of a sudden. I believe we will improve our style during next season when players adapt to high intensity play.
Moreover, we need to get the recruitment done early so that players can develop cohesion and understanding quickly.

8.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 08:26:01
“Barcelona were there for the taking, barring Messi they are average, ”. I accept they are not the team they were but that doesn’t make them average. Ole got it right last night, solid midfield with a high press and 2 up top. Sadly, finishing was dreadful which is which is why we are where we are.

If that is how he wants to play, we get our players fitter and strengthen, then I am confident we are in an upward trajectory.

9.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 09:13:21
It was interesting to see how the management team want us to play going forwards. I liked having a player in front of the defenders whose main instinct was to play forwards and play it quickly.

I thought the level headedness of McTominay was impressive as it was reassuring - given the lack of agreement with Herrera.

I though we lacked a bit of guile at times but I honestly thought we may never see the ball and lose by 3 and yet we sought to put our imprint on the game. So yeah, good performance.

Interesting to see that Rojo is now selected ahead of Bailly to make the squad too.

10.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 09:27:44
a hard working decent performance last nite, I agree. Good to see fred, mctominay have a good game but thought pogba went missing a bit. lindlhof looked a bit nervy but settled but the standout performance was Mike- attacked the ball and let messi know who he was up against. Finishing and forward play weren't that great and when rashford went off we lost a goal threat tbh. don't think he is 100% but he chases down and puts players on the back foot with potential for playing loose/ hurried football.
Not based on last nites game alone, and excuse that he's coming back from a layoff, but Martial is the most frustrating, whether its on the left, the right. through the middle or the chip van he just doesn't deliver 40% of his potential and his seemingly lacklustre attitude/ personna does nothing to breed confidence. People blast pogba, myself included for 1 in 5 performances or whatever but got to say martial delivers equally as little.
Back to a more positive not, I really think we can get a result over their place as we did control vast parts of the game.

11.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 09:58:47
Suarez is average now, this site never fails to shock / amuse me! This Barcelona team are walking La Liga and we were better than them for large parts of the game, glad we are still in it and the players will feel confident we can get something next week now.

12.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 11:35:37
It was really a good game to watch. After first goal, we lifted tempo, showed a little courage and willingness to drive forward, with only lacking was proper last delivery and desire of attackers to give that little extra. Rashford was wasteful, I always have a question on his natural ability as a out and out striker. He should have been subbed of first instead of Lukaku, who was giving little difficult time to langlett. Young also gave away ball many times and his aweful crossing didn't do any good.
Overall tectics were spot on. so it's very positive to see what OGS would do after full transfer window. Once he gets his players, than we can sit on a sofa and speak (easiest thing to do) .

13.) 12 Apr 2019
12 Apr 2019 15:17:05
But wait. Ole doesn’t do tactics?