Manchester United Banter Archive March 23 2015

 

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23 Mar 2015 20:14:47
My old man is on holiday in Eygpt. They're saying in the local TV that sits were lucky and the ref was bribed lol

In a more serious note, I'm probably saying what we're all thinking . But if only we had played 433 earlier then where would we be? Easy to say after two games but our performances have been very good especially our first half performance.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 23:03:52
One will never know. Maybe we would have been worse off. Interestingly enough we have performed relatively well this year against the better teams. The double over Liverpool, 4 points off Spurs which should have been 6 if our strikers had put the ball away in the first half, a win at the Emirates, a tie against Chelsea and a narrow loss at City. What we seem to lack is the ability to break down packed defences, but when we play better teams that attack us because they think they can break us down, we do better. If we can improve our performances against the lower teams next year, we should be back challenging for the title.

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24 Mar 2015 05:09:27
Since Rooney is playing striker performances have improved.
Even formation is suiting well.

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24 Mar 2015 06:24:30
You could see when Herrera went out for Falcao the last 7 mins of the game, Rooney was dropped to the midfield and it stopped whatever LFC had left. didn't get that sub in the first place, but no midfielders left on the bench it had to be.

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{Ed001's Note - Herrera had to be taken off, refs often look to even things up after a sending off to the home team and he was on a yellow card. It was a very sensible decision, even though Herrera is much better in midfield than Rooney. I would have been disappointed with any manager who hadn't acted there.}

24 Mar 2015 06:50:18
I agree and tbh I was surprised the change took that long.

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23 Mar 2015 19:06:43
The Liverpool victory gets better by the hour excuse after excuse from the Liverpool from all we played is long ball to the referee was shocking strange how our 2 goals was from Herrera carving there defence with great ball and great finish and adm lob over and top finish and as for blaming the referee I dunna where to start all I can do is laugh also funny how before the game Liverpool ex players and managers was all over the play saying how we was going to get battered and clueless but since the game no peak and no word haha

Believable2 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 19:42:30
Yeah people don't understand the difference beetween a hoof and a long pass, liverpool did more "hoofs" than us yet there tinted glasses can't see that

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23 Mar 2015 21:44:26
It's the victory that keeps on giving skrtyl charged now too 😄 what a great weekend

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24 Mar 2015 06:52:20
Honestly Dean I would rather he be able to play. For some reason Rodgers won't drop him even though his positioning makes bramble look like thiago Silva

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24 Mar 2015 14:23:46
Liverpool fans are the biggest cry babies on the planet. They're worse then gooners, who also don't stop bloody moaning. At least our moaning is, for the most part, constructive. :)

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23 Mar 2015 17:33:59
Incredible the amount of abuse that Bale is getting at Madrid, no wonder he isn't producing his best. Has anyone seen the photos of supporters attacking his car after the Clasico? It's like he is being run out of the club.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 18:22:02
He is being ran out the club

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23 Mar 2015 19:16:33
Real Madrid is one of the worst places to play football in my opinion. The club and the fans have no respect for the players.
Without Bale there wouldn't be a Lc Decima.
I seriously fail to understand why in the world players go for Madrid except for money.
If you want to go to a big club choose Barca or Bayern. At least the Germans respect the players.

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23 Mar 2015 19:27:00
Big clubs Manchester United you forgot that one

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23 Mar 2015 23:24:52
They will drive Bale out of the club, and it will come back to haunt them in a Champions League final, mark my words.

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24 Mar 2015 06:18:50
I think he will come our way in the summer. Madrid is a mess and Definitely something brewing there between some of the players. He is a top player and still very young.

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23 Mar 2015 17:09:24
Alright. lads. Just sobered up. Brilliant result yesterday, and better posters than me have already lauded particular players for their performances. Smalling isn't someone I've ever warmed to as a player, but I'm starting to see a good player in there fighting to get out.

Easiest trip to Anfield in years, but of course it was them playing particularly badly, rather than us doing anything right. Just like Spurs played really badly too. What a coincidence.

Can I just say. Beating those jokers should be cause for great hope and optimism. This board should be full of fun and frolics. Instead all I'm seeing is people turning on each other with a smug, 'I told you so' attitude.

Its been two good results lads. If it carries on, well and good, but don't pretend the first 7 months didn't happen and that we were all imagining the dross that was being served up on a weekly basis.

Enjoy this result. Because there's nothing better.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 17:40:45
I think it's easy to say that Liverpool played badly but defensively, we were very good. We didn't let them play through the middle and pressed high, forcing them into errors, top drawer stuff!

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23 Mar 2015 17:09:00
It surprises me how some guys on here are calling out the critical fans so soon and then ignore our praise. Everyone has praised the performances and results, we have said he may have finally got it right and this is what we have wanted to see since he took over.

But let's put it all into perspective. We have played very well against two teams below us in the league. The very fact that we are all over the moon about beating Spurs and the **** tells you how bad it has been this season.

It's always nice to beat them of course but yesterday was a lot more important for a reason (it has been ages since it felt that good to win a game), you are so quick to dismiss the shambles that has gone before these two games. Second half yesterday was a lot more nervy than it needed to be as well considering how well we played first half and Mr. Stampy. I've been banging on about our expectations being lower than they should be all season. It's like we have been starved for 7 months then the same person starving us has given us a meal, so you want to forgive everything! Do you remember getting beat by a poor Arsenal in the cup a couple of weeks ago, at home?

Great we seem to have found confidence and we beat two rivals for Top 4 (TOP 4 people, not Title), but I think those of you asking for blood and expecting us to say "yes we are dumb fools for ever doubting LVG" need to clam down and remember the season as a whole not just a couple of weeks.

Personally I have endured 7 months of crap under LVG, 2 weeks of joy doesn't make up for it and you certainly shouldn't be expecting me and other critics to eat their words!

We aren't criticising this, we are criticising what has gone before and it was totally justified!

Lets all enjoy this form, we all wanted it, but we shouldn't discount the past because we feel good today.

Believable3 Unbelievable4

23 Mar 2015 17:47:05
bit blinking rich mate from a guy that was calling for change after 12 weeks. U can hardly call out people for over reacting to a few good performances.

Can't we all just get along for a bit?
lets enjoy this moment for a bit before tearing strips off each other.

It's obvious for some reason u will not change your opinion beast so there is little point trying but u can't keep a hold of previous if u want to move forward.

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23 Mar 2015 18:23:13
I think that is a fair point Beast. I have voiced my opinion more than once that I think the doom mongers have been a little over the top, and I still think that. I also think that two much better performances don't eradicate the poor performanced that preceded them.
Like I have said before, opinions vary. But for United to return to being the well oiled machine that we all want, then ALL the components need to work properly together. I emphasis AlL, rather than just one (is the manager).
Two good wins does not make LvG a genius. But I still maintain the rest of the season was not solely down to the manager.
There have also been posts on here today saying that we are looking netter since the manager caved into the fans' demands, or words to that effect.
Perhaps we could look at it from a different point of view and say that the players are finally getting to grips with LvG's ideas and are now doing as he has asked. I have struggled to understand Herrera's regular omission from the team. But Mata, RvP, Do Maria, Falcao, Smalling, Jones etc etc have all had plenty of chances this season and performed below par.
I believe you yourself, Beast, has hailed Mata a waste of space this season?
How opinions change after a couple of good wins!
I feel that the truth is, it is a mixture of all our opinions. There is no quick, and easy fix when trying to rebuild a team, despite all the people on here who appear to have all the answers.
There is no doubting that a lot of performances have been sub standard. But perception is a very strange thing. You said above about the 7 months of crap, yet we sit 2 points behind second place. You perceive that as crap. I see that as fairly decent, but could have been better.
All the talk about this manager would have done better, and that manager would be challenging for the league is purely hypothetical. We will never know the answer.
What we do know is that LvG is the manager, and he should be allowed the time and resources to try and implement his plans and ideas. And that, in my view, should be the case for any manager.

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23 Mar 2015 18:55:52
Personally I think the criticism has been OTT but can't help thinking LVG has stumbled on these performances due to a lack of left backs being fit against Spurs.

Blind has been the reason for our slow predictable play (sideways & backwards passing to the fore)and being used out of necessity at LB allowed Carrick to be played as the central playmaker and set the tempo.

It's obvious LVG has a "Blind" spot for the Dutch players and couldn't see the harm Blind was causing when being played central.

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23 Mar 2015 19:20:15
I was sceptical when we signed Blind. I don't think he is a world class player by any means, but I have been pleasantly surprised by him to be honest.
I personally feel he gets a lot of unfair criticism on here. He may not be the quickest, but he is a good passer and an intelligent player. Is some ways similar qualities to Carrick, who also has historically got a lot of stick. Suddenly, after 2 good wins and Carrick is the heartbeat of the team and the player we have !missed the most.
Football fans have very short memories, and are very good at contradicting themselves. ( I don't discount myself from that either!)
Pace is an important part of modern football, but it is not the only quality required. What players like Carrick lack in speed of feet they make up for in speed of mind.
Blind may not quite be at the level of Carrick, but in my view, he has been an very good addition to the squad. Sure he's had bad games, but he is one of the "steady" players that does the simple things well and does not get the credit he deserves.

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23 Mar 2015 19:24:34
Chris - I want us all to be happy and united at the minute, there is no reason for negativity. It is far too soon to say I told you so for anybody on any side of the LVG fence on account of the past 2 games. I was quick to call for LVG's head and up until Spurs my side of the fence was filling up rapidly. I am fully prepared to change my opinion of LVG, I want to do so and have said so numerous times - most people that were leaning to my view will want to leave it quicker than they arrived, as we all want Utd to play well.

The past 2 games have given me optimism and whether its luck, confidence, pressure, astute management or whatever if we keep playing with urgency and an attacking mind frame I will happily say I was wrong. That is all I want and expect, not to win every game, but to play like we want to win.

Betty - Yes I have slated Mata as well, he has been brilliant the past 2 games. Again if he continues in this manner then I will be happy to be wrong about him, I really like him as a guy and a technical player but felt and feel he is too slow for a fast paced team which is what I want (he has looked dynamite recently though).

I won't bother listing all the things I have gotten right over the course of the season and I haven't even gotten the LVG thing wrong yet!

There isn't really a debate at the minute because we have done well, but when we do so consistently and start winning things I will take the "I told you so" happily, it's too soon to crow though guys.

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23 Mar 2015 19:42:31
But that's the problem I have mate, u are telling people to calm down because its too soon for 'crowing' but at the same time don't u think it was to soon to be calling for a managers head after 12 or so weeks?

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23 Mar 2015 21:47:42
3 months is time to gage for me. 6 months there was zero change. He was saying one thing and doing another, he was not learning from mistakes and we were continuously bamboozled by his decision making. Looking at his history and what we were doing led me to believe he was somebody we needed to replace if we didn't want to waste more time and money.

Maybe that was short-sighted, maybe not. But two good results is hardly the same as virtually a whole season of craziness and underachievement.

The league was for the taking this season, we missed a golden opportunity.

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23 Mar 2015 22:03:47
I think a lot of people failed to realise the bosses approach and what needed to be done. After the Leicester farce we needed to learn to defend as a team. How many times since have we conceded two or me?

Since the start of the year we've been working on passing, pressing and the attacking side. The philosophy is sinking in, the players are buying it. 433 is coming in. Progress is being made.

And I agree with Chris, its a joke to say sack him after 12 weeks when you never gave him a chance but once it looks like clicking your telling people to calm down. Sure two games may be a bit premature, but the positive party has had to sit through months of rubbish.

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24 Mar 2015 10:16:48
LVG does have some bad attributes but the work he has done on the whole has been fantastic for the club, he is the one that came in and instantly started to clear out the deadwood and will continue to do so. At the end of the 3 year contract the team will be so much stronger than the team he inherited. You obviously seem to think that he should have got everything 100% right straight away at a new club in a new league?! Anybody that has called for him to lose his job based on the teams performance after less than a season really doesn't know anything about football.

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24 Mar 2015 11:00:24
Tot66 - No really worth responding to blind faith fans like yourself, but you do realise Moyes was sacked less than a season in charge by the same board that have appointed LVG? The board that don't know anything about football by your definition?!

Most clubs have sacked a manager in less than a season, what I was asking for was not revolutionary! It was totally logical based on performance, who's to say Moyes wouldn't be winning the league this season with patience!

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24 Mar 2015 11:54:32
Would u agree though beast with his main point about the team being much better talent wise than when he came?

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24 Mar 2015 14:01:01
When he leaves that is. Sorry at work.

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23 Mar 2015 15:31:59
this was a post on the liverpool page by swishcleaner, you just have to laugh so bitter at getting turned over at home.

their page has gone into meltdown hahah


I must admit they are a shocking side this year and I'm embarrassed that they managed to beat us twice because of basic tactics. They are the worst team I've seen in the top 10 and it baffles me how they've picked up points. We didn't change tactics or adapt to theirs and it cost us. Annoying as we saw this against Blackburn and Swansea- LVG just had to follow that blue print with better players to beat us. Hopefully you're right Tommy and arsenal, city and chelsea will give them the spanking they've been crying out for all season.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 16:12:14
Rodgers was a genius a couple of weeks ago now they want him sacked again I read that post very funny

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23 Mar 2015 15:27:31
Thanks for the tips guys it has worked a treat

Yours sincerely

Mr Louis Van Gaal.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 15:39:06
My pleasure Louis, if you need somebody to talk to and take the occasional slap, happy to help!

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23 Mar 2015 16:08:03
No special mention for Beast and JMB? :)

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23 Mar 2015 17:17:04
U shoulda all know my pershon now, I don't praiseh just the in in individual my praiseh go's to the communitys that help me lot throughsh different times.

Lvg.

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23 Mar 2015 18:06:42
That 2nd post was more Steve McClaren than LvG!

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23 Mar 2015 18:29:28
Blinking trailor park boys and there lack of knowledge

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23 Mar 2015 13:50:45
Everyone talks about Pogba as the one that got away but I'll tell you what Gerard Pique is the player who would fit into our team perfectly at the moment.

With the impending obscene big money offer for Hummels, Pique is cut from the same cloth and some. Strong in the air, tough in the tackle, plays the ball from the back and is assured with his feet. He is exactly the type of defender we need.

He has won every accolade in the book and could have been our key CB for a decade plus had we kept him. What a loss he was.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 14:12:44
Unfortunately the lad was homesick and at that time we had Rio and Vidic so he may never have got the chance he needed to become the player he has become. It was a shame he left but not sure he would be the player he is now if he hadn't, I think that is partly the reason Fergie thought it was better for him to go.

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23 Mar 2015 14:53:03
There was also this theory that we had a choice between Evans and Pique and we chose to keep Evans.

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23 Mar 2015 15:29:45
MB,

That is kind of true, not really a rumour Fergie came out and said it, Pique was homesick and asked to leave and he didn't mind him leaving because we had Jonny Evans as cover. So not really a choice between the 2, but Evans played some part in it.

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23 Mar 2015 19:27:48
And shakira would never settle in Manchester haha.
Jmb i said the same thing after the classico. He's an amazing defender.

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23 Mar 2015 12:46:20
Where has the so called football expert Robbie Savage gone with his expert analysis of why we are so bad and a million miles behind all the other big prem teams with very little chance of making top 4?
I'm sure if we had lost he would have been all over it like a rash.
So good to shut the likes of him and the twitter brigade up.
Made me laugh that Alan Shearer has said he always thought we would make top 4. Yep coarse you did Alan, you've not changed your tune at all have you. :-)

Believable5 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 13:09:24
same goes for Hargreaves (Bitter idiot), Michael Owen, Savage, Merson, Lawrenson, Dalglish, Rush, Souness, Redknapp. They all predicted an easy win for the scousers and not one has come out and said they were wrong.
MOTD2 highlights of the 1st half took under 2mins!! They showed the goal and the Liverpool near miss and that was that!!

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23 Mar 2015 13:20:47
I saw us at 7-1 and said to my Mrs if I was in the UK I would throw a few hundred on that. 2 weeks ago I would never have done it even if we were 15-1, just shows what confidence can do, not just for the players but the fans as well!

Playing positively, means the supporters believe and that feeds into the mentality of the players! It all starts with the gaffer and he needs to maintain this attitude of us being better than our opponents and playing to beat them first half.

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23 Mar 2015 16:17:47
love it when Savage refers to himself as an ex United player as if to try to reinforce his credentials, the man is a fool and his punditry is up there with Adrien Chiles

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23 Mar 2015 16:20:35
Hi no midfield. All those pundits a are no better than the amount of crap we have had to read on here from our own fans. sack the manager. Blind is too slow. Mata is too slow. A few weeks ago beast wad claiming or players were exhausted and unfit etc etc. At least the pundits are paid for spouting crap so don't need to correct themselves or apologise for their misguided and bias views I don't see too many apologies or withdrawls of stupid one jerk comments from the doom mongrels of a few weeks ago on here either. East of the world These days I'm afraid. At least big al and lfc came on and admitted how stupid they were. For the 62nd time this season I'll post the word patience ;-)

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23 Mar 2015 16:49:49
Ken - Its perfectly ok to call for patience when deserved, but sometimes action needs to be taken. If patience is all you harp on about then we should have stuck with 5 at the back, or Rooney in midfield or maybe kept Young, Fellaini & Herrera on the bench?

I don't understand why you come on here if you don't want to read peoples opinions and think people are stupid for calling for a change! If the answer is bury your head in the sand and hope it all turns out in the end to every problem, it's a pretty sad state of affairs, we'd still be living in caves with that mentality!

99% of neutrals are not stupid, LVG was having a shocker and it was beyond a joke for a great many of our own fans. He has acted and its looking better, but that doesn't eradicate the disgrace that was the first 6-7 months of his tenure.

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24 Mar 2015 07:47:34
Beast. It takes time and calling for the managers head after a few months is not right imo.
lvg is trying to change the whole culture of the football side of the club and it takes time to get that through to the players. Some get it quicker than others. We had massive injury list early doors. Had a manager totally unfamiliar with his squad and 7 new members unfamiliar with their new team mates league country and culture.
Your right 2 wins don't make us great but 3 defeats in 25 does not make us useless.
Lvg and the players found a way to keep us competitive while undergoing huge change and should be applauded for that. Style will come but it takes time and patience

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24 Mar 2015 10:53:09
Ha, Savage, he never played for the first team.Hence his bitter, biased comments.
I think United are slowly rediscovering their identify. There have been big changes.They looked demoralised during Moyes' tenure which has taken time for the club and players to recover from. There is a semblance of a good spine to the team, De Gea, Smalling, Carrick, Herrera Fellaini and Rooney. Players will need to be added to that.But there is potential there and we've not had a strong backbone to the team for a while. I'm hoping De Gea is looking at what is happening at Madrid and thinks better of it.
Just like to add: Fellaini, I've never rated him and criticised him massively but he has really surprised me and thoroughly deserves to play.He seems to love it at United and really puts a shift in. Humble pie served in my hat.

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23 Mar 2015 11:59:51
So here's a where I'm at. First off, fantastic result yesterday and I couldn't have asked for more personally. We were by far the better team and we deserved those three points. I feel now (as long as nothing crazy happens) CL football is secure. I think the Gunners will quash any hope Liverpool have left.

Fair play to LVG when we needed him to get it tactically spot on he has risen to the occasion. Having said that the criticism he has come in for this season was very much warranted whether that be from fans, pundits or ex players. I actually think the criticism has helped him a lot and that's the reason we are seeing the team set up the way it has been.

Although LVG would never admit it because of his arrogance he has changed his style and tactics because of his critics. He doesn't have to admit it, but I am glad he acknowledged it before it was too late. Without the criticism we would still be trying in vain to implement the 3-5-2 disaster.

Lastly, Mata and Herrera have been stand outs the last two games. Both players have been championed by the fans to start games throughout the season and now we are seeing why. It makes me wonder if we played with this set up the majority of the season how many of those draws would be wins?

Like I said I think we have got there in the end and I am glad the manager has come through for us and not let his ego rule the roost.

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23 Mar 2015 12:15:19
I agree with you JMB.

I actually didn't want Mata anywhere near the team as he didn't contribute at all when he started previously, kind of like Januzaj. However he has done what all class players do, not sulk but try even harder to prove the doubters wrong when given the chance. Respect to Mata and Herrera, especially Fellaini & Young. I hope ADM learns from them and applies himself, maybe Rafael will if given the chance.

Having seen us deliver I am hopeful that LVG maintains whatever it is he has been doing, picking players on form has to be vital if we are to not have similar problems to what we have encountered all season.

I knew we were capable of this and that is why I was so frustrated with his meddling. Maybe the future isn't as dark as I thought it would be with this guy in charge, but we will see what happens when RVP returns and how he sets us up against Villa.

I'm happy for once!

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23 Mar 2015 12:19:58
Ah so you and Beast are the reason he changed the tactics, I knew he wouldn't have done it because he knows what he is doing!

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23 Mar 2015 12:33:57
GDS2 - it is something we will never know. But he has meddled constantly, we were all clamouring for Rooney to be up top, Herrera in midfield, (most Mata, but not me) wingers and a back 4. This happens 'EVENTUALLY' and look what happens.

He has tried a lot out, but the pressure was building and he needed to start compromising. Maybe a coincidence, maybe he learnt from advice, or maybe it was part of a master plan. I know if my life depended on it I would not say he had planned this all along.

That said, if he carries on having us play with this tempo and having some of our weaker players performing out of their skin, then nobody can have any complaints.

I doubt SAF wanted 4 years of rubbish before it clicked, he didn't plan that, but some people will argue it was needed.

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23 Mar 2015 12:36:32
he should play the same team which will be the 3rd straight game.

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23 Mar 2015 12:48:29
GDS2

I agree with some of best views. I also said a few weeks ago the unavailability of players due to injuries might actually force him to play our best line up and and a saving grace in hindsight.

RVP being out has given allowed Herrera to play on a regular basis and boy he makes a huge difference IMO and rooney played in his proper position.

It will be interesting to see what he does when RVP is back and if he boas back to Rooney in Midfield, herrera on the bench and RVP on top, for me it is a disaster of a line up

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23 Mar 2015 13:05:22
Sure maybe SAF and Giggsy are calling the shots now and LVG is just a frontman

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23 Mar 2015 13:15:58
First of all as I said previously, we had over 50 injuries to contend with.
Secondly, we bought 6 new players, 5 of whom were from overseas. These people need to settle, learn the language, buy houses, re-locate their family and children.
So you wanted LVG, who himself is new to this country and the PL to come in, take a team that finished 7th last year, with not a clue in the world and very short on confidence, to then just pick the team when most of the back four was injured and play out of our skin.
Can you not see how ridiculous that makes you sound? If you went into a new job in Italy, with no knowledge of the language, culture or the company you're working for, will you be at your best from day 1?

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23 Mar 2015 13:25:37
Nomidfield - Most of the players he signed have not been involved in the past 2 games. Herrera he didn't even fancy until recently, so it's hardly like the bedding in of new players is to blame. Maybe picking players on reputation and trying to fit square pegs in was the reason.

Maybe he has realised that he inherited some very good players and he should play them where they have played all of their careers with tactics they naturally enjoy - fast attacking play!

Injuries will have been a problem, but the squad has depth. his main problem was formation, slow play, RVP, Rooney playing deep and to be fair not having a settled CB partnership.

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23 Mar 2015 13:43:25
Thing is Beast, in some areas the squad has depth, in. other areas it's weak . LVG has obviously been trying to find a line up and tactics which give us the right balance between defence and attack and for the first half of the season doing it with an injury crisis to deal with .
If you had your way he would have been gone at Christmas and we'd have been back to square one.

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23 Mar 2015 13:43:29
I have no idea why folk feel my post is a dig at LVG. Have I not stated on three seperate occasions that he is coming to the fore and getting his tactics correctly?

Pardon me if I'm wrong but wasn't this whole forum, the media and the fans at Old Trafford disgruntled by the 3-52 and the omissions of key players? Didn't we all have a moan about Rooney in midfield, Di Maria playing striker and the slow tempo?

Yes we had injuries but who didn't? Did we have 50 players out at the one time? And this bull about taking over a demoralised team, give me a break. We have one of the best three squads in the league. Players who have umpteen accolades to thier name. We added two World Cup finalists, a champions league winner and one of the hottest goal scorers in Europe.

This isn't a rant. I'm over the moon for LVG that it has come good at this stage but to give excuse after excuse for his faults is farcical.

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23 Mar 2015 13:43:39
One thing we can all agree on, I think, is that Valencia, Young, Smalling and Fellaini - players who have come in for a slating - have all improved immeasurably during the course of the season. Some credit has to go to the management for that.

At the beginning of the season we had all those injuries plus, I do think LVG came into the league unaware of its inherent style and fierce competitiveness. He was probably sufficiently arrogant to have ventured into the job with the firm belief that he didn't need to do his homework, and that the league would ultimately bow down to his obvious brilliance. The first sign of his adaptation came with Fellaini, when he started to recognize the value of his size and physicality.

With the injury to RVP and with Falcao's lack of form, he has been forced to revert to Rooney up top, and that, along with a generally healthier squad leading to some consistency, has been the final piece in the puzzle - or so it would seem from the last 2 games. Whether he would have reached this conclusion on his own, who knows. But, as they say, it's better to be lucky than good.

Arsenal can do us a couple of good turns. They can beat Liverpool and lose to us. If they do and we can win our next 2 home games as well, we will surely be back in the CL next season. I for one will then be glued to these pages to see what squad changes get made during the summer.

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23 Mar 2015 14:19:44
Yeah Beast, you also stated two weeks ago that LVG was a clown

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23 Mar 2015 14:20:57
JMB,

I think if you re-read this paragraph:

Although LVG would never admit it because of his arrogance he has changed his style and tactics because of his critics. He doesn't have to admit it, but I am glad he acknowledged it before it was too late. Without the criticism we would still be trying in vain to implement the 3-5-2 disaster.

You may realise why people think you are still having a go at the manager. Is there no way he changed the tactics because things weren't working? He has tried different things earlier in the season but many of them didn't work so he went back to the boring football that was still getting results and making us difficult to beat.

It felt like you were saying nice things about the manager but couldn't resist doing it in a backhanded way, like 'yea he's done well but only because we told him what to do', like he is on here reading the page after every match. I think there is more than a slight possibility that he is just adapting to the Premier League and the players are adapting to his methods, you've called him arrogant all season but as soon as we start winning he's now not arrogant any more because he is just doing what he has been told to do by his critics.

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23 Mar 2015 14:57:08
If RVP has been fit, I have absolutely no doubt that Rooney would still be in Midfield and Herrera would be warming the bench. It just goes to show there are fine margins involved.

Credit to LVG for sorting it out, but as GCU says the injury to RVP has forced his hand somewhat. If he can get our fringe players doing as well as this it would be fantastic if he can get our very best players lifting their own games to this level.

The World Cup didn't help him with his prep, but Giggs has a job to advise about opposition and what to expect, (I watched an interview where he explained that was his job). So either Giggs is at fault for LVG's naivety or there is no point in having Giggs as a number 2 as he is not listened to by the gaffer. Either way I expect Giggs will be gone in the summer, just a theory but I see little point in him being there, unless he is happy being a punching bag. haha

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23 Mar 2015 14:59:31
He deserved to be called a clown. But even clowns can be funny at times, rather just annoying!

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23 Mar 2015 15:24:25
LVG favoured formation has always been 433, he has said this on a number of occasions and that he was forced to change it because of injuries to certain players. If some would of listened they would of heard this.

It's no coincidence that we have a near fully fit squad and we play better and it's 433!

I don't think anyone can be classed as wrong in this argument but some might be big enough to admit to being a tad hasty when condemning him as a flop etc.

It's amazing what a few wins can do ain't it lol.

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23 Mar 2015 15:41:17
He could have played 4-3-3 all season. Never have we not had the players to do so.

Up until Spurs he epitomised the word "flop", but every floppy can pick himself up now again if the motivation is right!

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23 Mar 2015 19:01:29
He could of done beast but maybe he thought we might not be in this position now if he had?
U must remember the lack of confidence we had when he took over.

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23 Mar 2015 19:26:38
Fair point Chris. let's just hope he has the formula now, if he can do it with our fringe players just imagine what he should do with World Class talent.

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23 Mar 2015 19:44:31
Hang on a minute did we just agree on something together??

I feel a friendship brewing lol

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{Ed025's Note - get a room.. :)

23 Mar 2015 20:22:23
Bloody hell ed are u being punished? Editing the United page? Or is it u are missing me and my quirky ways already?

I would pop over to the Everton page for some of my worldclass bants, but your boys are a savvy bunch I have to admit.

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{Ed001's Note - punished? You know he loves it on here, especially after you have beaten Liverpool! You know what they say, once a blue, always a Manc, just ask Mr Rooney....}

24 Mar 2015 06:54:18
Haha fair point that mate

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{Ed001's Note - though he has been flirting with those Arsenal boys recently, he is such a tart!}

24 Mar 2015 09:03:50
I think he's just on there waiting for Dags jokes, gaining some material for his comedy duo act with Ed002, he's the comic and Ed002 is the slapstick rodeo clown :)

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{Ed001's Note - I would pay to see that duo, so long as Ed025 promised not to tell jokes! His gags are worse than Dags, that is how bad they are. Whenever anyone tells a bad joke on our editor's widget we always tell them to pass him back his joke book.}

23 Mar 2015 11:46:41
wow. that was sweet. over the loser lot.
anyways, i was going thru a few tweets. rather funny such as

"a gerrard heat map for the game. just a straight red line. in and out"

"Pele was on the pitch longer than gerrard"

but the one that caught my eye was the following- certainly from a liverpool fan

"Ander Herrera should have been sent off for 1. yellow card foul on gerrard. and 2. simulation. It wasnt gerrard's fault. he was just stepping down on the ground. it was smart play from ander that he smartly put his leg between the ground and gerrard thereby causing the stamping. it wasnt deliberate. i mean how stupid can someone be.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 14:04:50
That's why Gerrard has officially apologized. :P

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mbd              

23 Mar 2015 10:35:20
JuanMatasBeard,
I think it was your post i read asking about Janmaat, at that moment I was wondering why would we want him, but i must say he was exceptional against Arsenal, as he has shown he can play both LB and CB. Good spot JMB!

Believable3 Unbelievable0

mbd              

23 Mar 2015 11:19:43
Meant RB

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mbd              

23 Mar 2015 11:49:49
Very reliable player MBD. I liked him at the world cup and he is extremely versatile. He seems to tick all the boxes as an 'ideal' LVG signing if you like and with us crying out for new defensive players I honestly thought he would be on our shopping list.

Not a spectacular name by any means but he will do a job.
Very good pick up by Newcastle, but like Debuchy they will struggle to hold onto him.

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23 Mar 2015 12:18:50
Also except Clyne no other candidate seems to stand out as a target.

Coleman will be expensive a well.

So Janmaat will be a good signing. Newcastle signed him for 5mp so we could get him for 10-12mp.

I also checked his injury record and he has phenomenal appearance stats.

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23 Mar 2015 10:06:11
So a few thoughts on yesterday and where we now stand after calming down (a little) from the excitement of yesterday.

A couple of months ago I was given a bit of a hounding for saying that I thought Herrera had been good but not excellent so far in his United career.

I still stand by that up to that point, I didn't think he had played how I knew he could and maybe that was just due to not being given a run of games. Who knows what the reason was for him not playing earlier in the season, maybe something happened or it was to do with the court case or something else, but that all seems long forgotten now. I can now say that Herrera has been excellent and will be a top player for us in the Champions League going forward (fingers crossed we get there). At his best wow, what a player we have on our hands.

Chris Smalling has taken a lot of stick from numerous people also and I have always been a big fan, especially with a run of 2-3 games. He can bring the ball out of the defence well and the amount of headers he wins is phenomenal. He is also pretty quick, and though prone to the odd error, if he can cut them out and stay fit (which has been his big problem) he could go on to be a massive player for us and could mean only 1 centre back being signed in summer.

A few weeks back people were saying how scared they were of this run of fixtures and I said I was looking forward to them, these are the games I look for when I buy my season ticket, they are the games I enjoy and the games that give massive confidence if we win. We have big game players and top quality big game players at that and this was the time for all the hard work to finally pay off. Thank God I have been proved right so far, I would have been delighted with 4 points before the Spurs game, 6 points just did not seem realistic, if you would have said we would get 6 points with 5 goals and 1 conceded you would have been laughed off this site!

We just need to continue this good form and I think Champions League football will be ours next season. I also think how we play in the games against City and Chelsea will help us for next season.

Finally I heard quite a lot of people saying 'it was better under Moyes' a month or so back, this is Moyes who hasn't beaten Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool away from home in the league in his whole career. LVG has beaten 2 out of 3 at the first attempt with 1 to go. Finally we are starting to see the manager and team we all hoped we would this season and long may it continue.

Believable7 Unbelievable7

23 Mar 2015 11:34:13
Great Post! Totally agree.

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23 Mar 2015 11:53:25
Chris Smalling has made great strides since his red card vs City. He has great natural tools, size, strength, speed, just needs some composure, and he looks like he is being coached to take the ball down far more often and play calmer.
He handled the tussle with Balotelli well yesterday, hurrying back into position while Balotelli was being restrained by his own fans.

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23 Mar 2015 12:06:18
I spoke to a guy who used to coach at Liverpool a few months back who worked with Smalling at England's youth level and he said to me that he has all the attributes to be 'one of the best defenders in the league'.

He said he needed more self belief and to overcome his injuries. I scoffed at the time but I tell you now I'm getting closer and closer to purchasing a ticket for the Smalling Bandwagon!

Ps. He also said he was told Felliani was the hardest worker in training and it just goes to show how a bit of hard work can turn your fortunes around!

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23 Mar 2015 12:17:17
Good post GDS2.

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23 Mar 2015 12:17:25
Have never been a big fan of Smalling but at the minute he is showing great improvement. Much more composed than Jones who just seems to have mad moments.
Smalling and Rojo for me to see out the season. Jones to be sold in summer with 1 top defender to come in who has the OrganisationAl skills to bring these on along with McNair/Blackett

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23 Mar 2015 12:46:55
Sell Evans and Thorpe, not Jones. Bring in two top CB's. Hummels and Otamendi.

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23 Mar 2015 13:41:23
Brad,

If this season has shown us anything it is that we should be careful who we just 'sell in the summer'. I imagine you would have had us selling Young, Fellaini, Smalling, Valencia, some even wanted Rooney gone but these players have shown that they have a place at the club. Jones is still a very young lad, it is easy to think he is older than he is because he started so young and has many appearances.

Despite his injury record he has played 124 games so far in his career and has a lot of potential. He has not perhaps improved in the way we hoped he would, but to just sell him now would be a mistake in my opinion. I agree with Sydney, Thorpe and Evans need to be the players that leave, we will need a bigger squad next season (even if we only make Europa, not tempting fate on a CL place just yet) and quality in depth is extremely important.

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23 Mar 2015 09:54:43
What would you guys like to happen when Liverpool play at arsenal would a draw suit us or arsenal victory to get a bigger gap between us and Liverpool please don't anybody say you want Liverpool to win and I know we have to concentrate on ourselves .

Believable0 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 11:07:44
1. Draw
2. Arsenal win


In that order of preference

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23 Mar 2015 11:22:19
Arsenal win defo . Getting 4th has to be priority, and increasing the gap is the way to do that

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23 Mar 2015 13:19:33
Arsenal win but I think scousers will get something from that game.

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24 Mar 2015 06:29:09
Nomid

LOL, I think Arsenal will put them to sword and would not be surprised by 3-1 or 4-1 scoreline. Arsenal are the form team and the only saving grace for the scousers is that there is a International break. Looks like Skrtle is going to get a deserved 3 match ban but i am sure BR will tell us what a fair and clean player he is :)

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23 Mar 2015 09:50:28
you have to laugh at all the crap about all we did was hoof the ball to fellani.

reading some of the drub on the liverpool page just makes the win even sweeter.

just accept the fact you got beat by the better team instead of making excuses.

we wouldn't hear the last of it if we lost

Believable2 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 09:22:59
What is most pleasing about yesterday was that we beat them in the right way and neither goal, nor the penalty were a result of a long ball up to Fellaini. The first pass from Herrera to Mata was sublime (he seems much quicker and fitter these days). And the ball from Di Maria to Mata for the second was great also, what a finish. I'd of loved a clean sheet, but I can't be too harsh on Carrick who has had a very positive impact since he has come back into the side, he and Blind link up really well as do Herrera and Mata. The one thing that did surprise me was Rooney who was hardly seen during the game but his closing down I'm sure was felt by the scousers.

Mata for me really, really needs to be one of the first names on the team sheet. The ball sticks to his feet and his vision along with his finishing is excellent - that's 7 for the season now. I think in the long run he should be moved in field alongside Herrera in a midfield 3 but for now he is doing great on the wing.

A question to end with, does Di Maria have a future with us? Is he suffering from first season issues or shall we farm him out and get someone like Bale (Who was awful yesterday)?

Believable2 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 11:09:18
Surely Mata and Herrera are evidence that players need time to adapt, especially foreign players from warmer climes. I would stick with Di Maria, but not necessarily start him in every game.

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23 Mar 2015 14:05:29
I agree, Sydney.

But for the last time, stop calling me Shirley.

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24 Mar 2015 06:59:20
Haha best line in a film ever Stevie

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23 Mar 2015 08:26:43
The International Break could'nt have come at a worse time for us.

We are growing in confidence and playing really well.

Just hope all our players stay fit during the international games and we have the same intensity going into the Villa game in 2 weeks time.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 08:58:29
I think it's come at a great time. There will be a nice buzz around OT for a couple weeks now.

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23 Mar 2015 10:15:46
MB,

You can look at that 2 ways, going into an International break on the back of a defeat means you do not have chance to right your wrongs for 2 weeks, I would much prefer going into it having just won 2 big games to be honest.

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23 Mar 2015 10:45:35
The international break at this point in the season baffles me. Why would you have a break during these pivotal few weeks? On top of that there is a friendly in there aswell. Is this for real? It's ridiculous and can't even begin to understand it.

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23 Mar 2015 13:21:03
Lets hope for no injuries. At least we don't have to worry about Mata and Hererra as Spain didn't pick them!!

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23 Mar 2015 07:33:03
Have to say, LVG is proving me and a few others wrong! The team is playing with passion, long may it continue!

Believable1 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 09:23:33
I don't think passion has ever been in question has it? Even when we weren't playing well the players looked like they wanted to work hard so that it got better, and unlike last year we have heard of no unrest in the dressing room. I can't think of many games where I don't think we tried hard, I just don't think the players had connected as a team until recently.

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23 Mar 2015 09:52:53
ever since we have been playing 4-3-3 and rvp has been injuried.

it took time to happen but we are finally looking like a team that everyone has been asking for all season.

and the timeing couldn't be more perfect with the run in we have

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23 Mar 2015 10:35:38
If he keeps us doing this then I will have no further complaints.

ADM, Falcao, Shaw & Rojo not any significant part of the turnaround either. Just imagine what we could be like if we had spent better in the summer or once they are integrated, no RVP either or a RB.

Pretty much the team that Moyes had aside from Blind. I hope this fast pace play is here to stay because the first half of yesterday and Spurs was awesome.

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23 Mar 2015 11:38:20
How could I forget Herrera.

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23 Mar 2015 11:42:55
Beast,

You're forgetting about Herrera there

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23 Mar 2015 12:20:11
Cheers Bilko. I was about to go for a walk and thought what the hell was I thinking and jumped back on hoping nobody picked up on my error! good man.

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23 Mar 2015 00:14:52
Was that Gerrard or Zidane who came on today? Just wondering now if Stampy will claim Herrera called his mum a "wild boar" ;)

Have to say I love how Herrera has no fear, gets stuck in like he was brought up in Manchester hating the scouse!

Believable3 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 00:47:59
Hey, behave yourself. No disrespecting my beloved Zidane, Mpez :)
But thrilled to see Herrera delivering again. He is a player seen not in his individual moments, but in how he raises the level of the team performance.

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22 Mar 2015 23:48:52
Poor Stevie G:"He was just frustrated that he was left on the bench" "He hasn't seen anybody make a tackle in the first half and got carried away" "He played with his heart and had a moment of madness"

"But sure wasn't great to see a player come out and face the cameras and own the mistake and apologize to his teammates"

Just paraphrasing some of the absolute drivel I heard from some pundits across several different broadcasters today. United players were justifiably slaughtered from all quarters for diving recently. I wonder if the two stamps today will get anywhere near that word count of ridicule.

Where is the pressure from the media on Rodgers and Liverpool? If United were 5 points behind a Champions League spot you best believe the club and manager wouldn't be in danger of not being reminded about it at every turn. And yet a club that has been in the top 4 for several months has had heaps of pressure thrown at the them at the mere possibility of dropping out?

Believable6 Unbelievable1

23 Mar 2015 09:26:56
BornIntoIt,

I think that just shows who are the bigger / better club at the moment (and for the last 20 years), as much as Liverpool fans will try and make you believe different United sells, there are a lot of fans and media who would love to see United fail as it gives them something to write about.

The Liverpool love in last season from the press and the whole FA Cup final on Gerrard's birthday thing we have to hear about every 10 minutes just make it even more funny to me when they fail. I like how much we are hated, it makes it so much more sweet when we get results like yesterday.

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22 Mar 2015 23:29:27
An absolute disgrace of a challenge. And how the ref didn't pick it up is equally as disgrace. The FA are going to have to start offering Ryan Giggs more protection on the sidelines. This is the second time in a month that he has been viciously assaulted by LVG. The Sly Dutchman using the cloak of celebration to leave a late one on poor Ryan.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

23 Mar 2015 11:22:36
Quality! Made me chuckle and now my manager is looking at me :/

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