20 Jun 2020 06:49:59
Well, there was good news and bad news.

the team looked pretty sharp and fit which is encouraging for what will be a mad couple of months. Bruno picked up where he left off and paid a locked fit and hungry, I hope they get to, play together from now on.

However, James also picked up where he left off, he looks out of his depth throughout; Greenwood made much more impact when he came on. I’m still completely unconvinced by Martial, we need more from our centre forward. It’s not often I agree with Keane but Maguire and DDG were awful for the goal. Maguire was static and DDG should have saved it. I know it was the first game back but was anyone surprised?

I’d put Pogba and Greenwood in from the start, more creativity and more goal threat, and if Martial can’t pick things up then I’d also start Ighalo. This is a short sprint, we have to go for it.

1.) 20 Jun 2020
20 Jun 2020 09:11:05
Agree with all of that Tony.
Team does look on it;

DdG - think I've said before the restart I'd take Henderson back, DdG has been world class and saved us but his mistakes are costing big time recently.
wan Bissaka - prob his worst performance in a United shirt but I do rate him.
Maguire - static for the goal, he needs a decent centre back partner with him to make up for his shortcomings, Lindelof is not that player unfortunately, perhaps Bailly if he can remain fit but I'd go all out for a new centre back.
Shaw - i'd rather Brandon was our regular left back from now on, Shaw woefully out of position all the time, he's better in a 3.

Now the better news;
Fred and Scotty Mac - looked decent again.
Bruno - world class for me, on another level.
James - a good squad player for me, to be used for pace when the game is stretched, the lad does try tho.
Martial - non existent really but had moments of danger.
Rash - looked lovely and dangerous, appears on Bruno and Pogba wavelength.

Pogba - have to mention, excellent I thought when he came on.

Overall a point at spurs not a bad result but we should be beating that spurs team. This hands the initiative to Chelsea but we have a great run in and we look at the races, I feel we need to be more clinical in front of goal and have more urgency but that will come with games.

2.) 20 Jun 2020
20 Jun 2020 09:52:26
I thought shaw was ok, out of position a few times but no more than maguire.
Maguire will always get done for pace needs to learn when to get close and when to usher the player where he wants him.
De gea for me should have been let go before the contract extension. Hasn't been the same player since his bad world cup, to many mistakes.
Martial is a funny one, I want more from him as he shows glimpses of what he can do. With a few more games hopefully he gets some momentum, unlucky not to score last night, loris with a great save.
James for me is the player that needs to be replaced, offers pace and work rate but his decision making and end product isn't there.
Maybe a diamond with pogba replacing james in the next match could be an option.
As for pogba he showed last night what a player he could be for us. Big decision for utd what to do with him, I'm in agreement with ed002 that if he wants out it's something we should be doing, although I wouldn't take any juve cast offs for him.
1st game back, a point isn't a bad return but the game was there for us. Need to pick up a few wins on the bounce and put some pressure on the teams around us.

3.) 20 Jun 2020
20 Jun 2020 09:58:18
I agree with that AJH.

I think Ole opted for the industry of Mctominay, Fred and James rather than the flair, creativity and goal threat offered by Pogba and Greenwood. I suppose this was understandable give the long lay off and perhaps there was an element of Ole selecting his fittest players as well.

Spurs are a decent side but I think by HT is was obvious they were happy with retreating behind the ball, maintaining a good defensive shape and trying to hit us on the counter. I think Ole could have introduced Pogba and Greenwood sooner in order to give us more time to try and break them down.

I think their goal brutally exposed a system where we want to play a high line without CB's with pace, acceleration and recovery speed and with full backs pushed forward that perhaps lack the creative instincts or final product required to perform that role effectively on a consistent basis.

I agree this is now a sprint to the finish and Ole must find a system that provides us with defensive solidarity in addition to flair and creativity.

I just wonder if a 3-4-1-2 would give us more balance with the players we have available at this time. This system provides more defensive cover for Maguire and for Pogba in midfield. We get more width from the full backs without exposing the CB's, it still allows freedom for Bruno to influence the game and we get to play two up front. It solves the conundrum of who to play on the RW and still gives us good options from the bench. Food for thought I suppose.