20 Dec 2014 19:05:34
Really nervy game and although the performance wasn't as bad as we've seen in recent weeks it wasn't enough to merit a win against a resilient Villa side.
Couldn't believe the decision to award Agbonlahor a red card. Beyond harsh, the challenge wasn't even a yellow in my opinion but even with the fortuitous decision we couldn't take full advantage and find the winner.
Ashley Young had a fantastic game as a fullback. Was consistently an attacking outlet and performed well with thousands of fans booing him all night.
Also thought Rooney had a very good game. Controlled the game well and distributed some lovely passes out to the flanks.
I was happy to see Falcao start and even more delighted when he powered home the equaliser. However, the team selection was a little concerning. Fletcher should not be starting important games for us. Without Herrera and Di Maria in the side, our play is considerably slower and more predictable. Hopefully Herrera's absence is nothing serious because for me, he should be starting most games.
Not a great result but it's not easy going down early to an incredible strike and to a team that's poised to absorb pressure and hit fast on the counter. At least our unbeaten run continues and United seemingly picked up no new injuries during the course of the match.
Manchester United Banter Archive December 20 2014
Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.
20 Dec 2014 17:42:16
Well I went for a run straight after the match and I'm in a bit more of a reflective mood now. I said earlier in the week we shouldn't take anything for granted and we were due one of those games where nothing went in for us, which happened today. We played some good football in the second half, however there's a couple of things I would have done differently than vag gaal.
I would have taken mata off for di maria, as for me mata again struggled to influence the game. Not sure also on the decision to bring rvp off as he is the form striker, however there's a busy week ahead so perhaps lvg had one eye on that.
Would like to say well done to Ashley young today, he was our best and most dangerous player for me and had the villa fans on his back all game. Also Wayne had a solid game in centre mid but I wanted him to get further forward much more than he did.also very happy to see falcao on the scoresheet, hopefully a lot more goals on the way.
We really could have done with winning today, so we could do with winning the next 2 now to try and keep up with the top two although that might be a tough ask. What was everyone else's thoughts on the game?
20 Dec 2014 18:11:38
This pretty much sums up what is currently happening within the footballing world:
"United drop points for the first time since 2 November and the world comes crashing down"
I am happy with the performance today. We payed some nice stuff at times.
The biggest concern for me today was the absence of Herrera in the starting line up. I have a feeling that some of his off field problems are contributing to his lack of playing time, although I could be wrong.
Looking forward to the Newcastle game. I fancy us to pick up a comfortable three points leading into the Spurs game, which will be a tough game.
Just like to add that I think playing Fletcher was a mistake. He has been a great servant to the club but can't play at the highest level. After seeing him in pre-season I had high hopes for him. But it is clear he cannot get back to the level he was at.
Against Liverpool, we made 30 + tackles. Today, it was below ten I believe. That was because Fletcher was unable to carry out the role he was assigned.
We will have Fellaini back against Newcastle, which should give us back out steel.
20 Dec 2014 19:18:39
Think herrera has flu.
I agree with RedAndy that Van Persie should have stayed on. It was just starting to look like Villa had their hands full with Falcao and Van Persie to worry about in the box.
Villa deserved their point, and I hope Agbonlahor can get his red card removed.
Not enough shots on target from us today, the speed of play has to improve. Getting Di Maria back will help a lot to have a dribbler in the side. Too much sideways passing today.
Huh I thought we are poor and passing it back and sideways just to ratain possession is not great and we lacked any creativity and i am not sure why no midfielder ever tries to dribble past someone and go forward or try a forward pass. Rooney is great in passing long crosses to the wings and put it on dime for Valencia on so many occasions but then nothing came from the end product.
I thought we were better when carrick went into midfield in the scone half but were quite poor the last 15 minutes with a man advantage and way too many long balls.
21 Dec 2014 20:05:03
Im with you on that GCU, think this was a bad display. It got a bit better in the second half getting Carrick back into the midfield, but we didn't have the same drive.
The last matches we have been best in the last 20 minutes of the game, this one (with one player more) we didn't have it.
But cudos to Villa, they closed us down.
20 Dec 2014 14:16:22
Really excited to see falcao starting, think this is the day he really arrives. What does Herrera have to do to get a start though? Fletcher in for Fellaini.
He is not in the squad. Does anyone know why?
Herrera not even on the bench!
Coincidentally after the allegations made too
{Ed004's Note - Apparently Fellaini, Blind and Herrera are ill}
Speechless with Fetcher starting. Not good enough anymore a this level and not happy with this. They will run at us in the middle.
You beat me to it. obviously Lvg does not fancy him at the minute. Maybe it is to accommodate others and we need a defence minded player.
He does Make a difference when he comes on so maybe we need to see it as a 14 man team rather than just 11.as with Olly Solskaer some players are better off the bench. maybe Lvg sees that.
20 Dec 2014 14:40:18
Cheers ed, hopefully it's nothing serious we could do without any injuries or illnesses for these next few games
Thought blind was out for months?
21 Dec 2014 01:29:25
Just because he's injured does that mean he can't get ill?
21 Dec 2014 09:01:35
Blind should be back by next week
20 Dec 2014 13:19:51
Looking at todays poll got me thinking about Phil Jones.
IMO he is a very good player with the potential to be a great.But, he just can't seem to stay fit! :(
which brought me to the question which may sound like a no brainer but, is Phil Jones injury prone? To me he is the type of player who puts himself on the line 100% every time he plays, throws his body into every challenge etc and is always going to pick up knocks and strains etc by playing this way but does that make him injury prone? Will he ever get over the injury problems?. i'm on the fence :), Would like to hear your thoughts? Cheers, RD
You have to look at the whole time he's been with us then how long within that time he's been injured (FAR TO MUCH).
IMO he will not get over the injuries simply because he IS injury prone.
Shame really because he has the potential to be a top player but he's unfortunately become a liability.
20 Dec 2014 12:32:14
Away at Villa has been a good hunting ground and today should be no different. I expect Villa to sit deep concede us a lot of possession whilst looking for pace through the middle on the break. We may even see long channel balls for Agbonlahor and Benteke to chase particularly if we play 3 at the back. These type of games could make it important to score first early to pop the villa confidence and draw them out. Their pace up front could cause issues but we should out score them. We need to play better or at some point we will get caught
20 Dec 2014 06:52:55
Predictions anyone:)
Excited with having 3 games in the next 8 days and love this time of the year. I can see chelsea dropping points as all their fixtures are quite tricky and will not be surprised to see city leading the league come the new year.
I also think we would do well if we can just maintain our 5 point gap with city which means we will be closer to second place.
Also expect to see the top 3 opening up a gap with 4th place and a repeat of last year with 3 teams in the running.
Shahram, I really hope you are right but can't help feeling you are being over optimistic. City are playing well and Chelsea have been incredibly solid apart form Newcastle. We are still stumbling through games so for us to close the gap would be a surprise. I read an interview with Carrick this morning and he said the spirit is really good, when you thiink there are a host of new players in the squad then that is a good sign and the more time they are together, the more of a team they will become. I really want to believe we can challenge but have not seen anything yet that says we can do it this year. I'll be delighted to be proved wrong!
Will be really interesting to see how LVG sets up this afternoon. How will he replace the physical presence of Fellaini? Will he push Carrick up into the midfield? Need to ensure we have enough pace in the side to handle the counter. Loads of interesting talking points . cannot wait.
I'll give Juan plenty of support (assuming he plays) this afternoon . I'm sure you'll all be wishing him luck!
United to come out on top . 3-1.
Play herrera, simples lol :-)