Manchester United Banter Archive April 29 2018

29 Apr 2018 23:25:25
Good evening everyone, not long since joined so I thought I'd give you my views on how I see things at the moment.

Firstly I must start by saying nothing feels better than a last minute winner! It erases the previous 90 minutes play and sends everybody home happy. I must also add that I'm delighted with the result.

Now onto the performance.

I watched Utd toil and underwhelm against a very poor WBA and if I'm brutally honest this wasn't much better.

It was another slow, last lustre affair lacking any real pace, intensity or movement.

I was ecstatic when we signed Sanchez but having watched him week in week out for the past few months I'm not sure he's the player I thought he was. Playing from the left he's often far too deep, too narrow and takes up positions which should be occupied by Pogba. Sanchez likes the ball to feet, to play quick one twos or look to play a ball over the top or in behind. The problem when we play 4-3-3 we have nobody making penetrating runs. Sanchez drops deep, takes up Pogba's space in midfield and invariably is unable to play a forward pass. All too often he only has Lukaku to aim for, he gives the ball away or is far too deep to effect the game and plays a short sideways pass.

I think Sanchez is a fantastic player but I'm yet to be convinced that he's actually improved our team. He may have stifled the development of both Martial and Rashford and blunted the effectiveness of Pogba. Time will ultimately judge how effective he is in a Utd shirt.

What's abundantly clear is we lack width and are devoid of any kind of consistent delivery from wide areas.

I'm not sure there is enough attacking intent or goals in the team for us to be able to bridge the gap with City.

Some may snigger but the only conceivable way I can see us challenging City under Jose is to improve our defence. I say this because Jose is a pragmatic and defensive coach. We are never going to play with the attaching verve of City or the thunderous intensity of Liverpool so we need to understand where we can improve. Although our defence is adequate we still have a tendency to concede sloppy goals and this must stop. I only see any title challenge under Jose coming from shut outs, clean sheets, getting in front and staying in front, clinical, efficient performances built on a solid and reliable defence churning out results most weeks 1 or 2 nill. Any title challenge under Jose will be defined more in the goals against column rather than the goals scored.

30 Apr 2018 00:11:59
That is a great post mate. Can’t argue with any of that if lm honest. Perhaps the only thing is about Sanchez. I think we will see the best of him next year with a summer off to get fit and have a rest. True he has unbalanced the team abit but he’s a big game player and his quality will shine through. Great point about us showing up he defence and winning the league that way. Never really thought of it that way but I think you maybe right.

30 Apr 2018 01:59:56
Excellent summary that 👍.

30 Apr 2018 08:23:10
Totally agree with everything there mate. I’m putting down the lack luster performances in recent weeks to the season being over for us. I feel as though if we were chasing top 4 or a title our performances would be different.

30 Apr 2018 08:36:11
Thanks guys,

Park - I hope you right about Sanchez, no doubting his quality mate. I think he needs to play higher up the pitch and when he does drop deep then we need midfield runners ahead of him. Something to work on in the summer.

30 Apr 2018 10:22:33
Good post DL but I see it a little different we may concede a few less but last season we conceded less than the champions Chelsea and this year we are around the same conceded as city the difference in the large points gap to Chelsea last year and city this year is we have scored thirty odd goals less than these teams .
It's hard not to see city putting a large points total up next season because of the attitude lots of teams take when playing them, to surpass them I think we have to try and match them and that's going to mean winning lots of games and finding lots more goals .

30 Apr 2018 10:28:58
Wise words DLIB-scary comparison could be that we'll end up playing football the george graham way-aaaahhhhh-get the holy water quick!

30 Apr 2018 10:55:38
It was another game where the commentators were tearing apart the tactics. Why are the balls not passed out to Young and Valencia, even when they have acres of space? Why did we only show any urgency from the 88th minute onwards? There's something awfully wrong when tactics are picked apart.

I agree with Sanchez. Martial was excellent when he came on yesterday and was getting better and better before being dropped for Sanchez. I don't understand why he doesn't play Sanchez in a more effective role.

30 Apr 2018 11:53:27
That's my point Slate, the way we play I just don't see us scoring that many more goals next season and certainly not getting anywhere near City.

Although our defensive record has been decent I think it's an area we can improve and if we can cut out those sloppy goals we could conceivably get those extra wins we need to bridge the gap.

I just don't see us playing attacking, expansive football under Mourinho. He's been here two seasons and we have to accept that his style is simply not going to change. I'm trying to see where we can pick up the extra points we're going to need to challenge for the title and I just don't think we'll get there by Jose playing a more expansive game and trying to outscore our opponent's.

We've conceded two sloppy goals against Huddersfield, Stoke, Watford and Leicester this season and that's not to mention goals we've conceded but managed to come from behind and win. That's 9 points we've lost and conceded 8 goals in 4 games against bang average teams. If we'd have taken those easily winnable points we'd be in a much better position to challenge City.

Like I've said I think any title win under Jose will be predominantly based around clean sheets, a formidable defence and churning out 1 or 2 nill wins every week.

This in an area I think we need to concentrate in the summer. I think we definitely need two new full backs and a commanding first choice CB. I think if Jose is going to bring us the title we need a settled first choice back 4 that plays every week and the names just rattle off the tongue. Conversely get this right and it might just help our attacking play as well.

That's just the way I see things moving forward under Jose.

30 Apr 2018 18:16:12
Again DL your making good points and yr examples of where sloppy goals conceded have cost points I can't argue with but we failed to score against pool, Newcastle, spurs, west Bromwich, Southampton and Chelsea and it duznt matter how great the defense is there's not many points on offer if we don't score . You can get away with that most seasons but u can't when your wanting to surpass this city team they win relentlessly .
I totally agree being more expansive isn't Jose's preferred way but city are taking that choice out of his hands if we want to beat them to the title and draws won't do it. I'm all for upgrading the fullback positions but that's to aid the attack more than there defensive record. I'd upgrade any position when the arrival is better than what's already there.

30 Apr 2018 19:21:43
Slate - Fair point mate we really need to be scoring against the likes of Newcastle, WBA and Southampton, I'd forgotten about those games and that's another straight forward 9 points dropped especially the home games! We need to improve at both ends mate!

30 Apr 2018 20:36:16
Yeah I'm pretty much with u scope for improvement both ends.

29 Apr 2018 21:37:28
Lots of post match talk about Fellaini and his value to United moving forward. He does provide a good plan B, but are we really saying that he’s the only player of that type we could use? Am I missing something? Do we break the bank for this guy?

29 Apr 2018 21:53:39
Not the only player, but I can't think of many more more effective when a ball is in the air in the box.

30 Apr 2018 08:25:52
If our plan B is Fellaini, then we are in deeper trouble than we think. He should be plan Z. Teams like city and Barcelona don't resort to throwing balls into the area in the hope fellaini gets his head to one.
We need a proper midfield that can open defenses. And a proper winger who can stretch and deliver a decent cross. This is what's lacking, not a giant who every now and then might get his head to a hopeful ball.
Thought that Martial delivered a couple of beautiful crosses, but he looks so unhappy.

29 Apr 2018 20:27:12
This is why i love United, a very classy message from Fergie and Mourinho. No matter how much of a rival you are but it is still a professional game and we showwed our class in paying respect to Arsene Wenger who is a legend in the game.

29 Apr 2018 18:31:48
Fellaini scores the winner against out most long standing rivals in a match that we need max points to help us finish above the scouse lot (imperative we do that btw) and some say he's not good enough.

He not messi or ronaldo, he's not even a starting 11 week in week out but what he brings is an edge that wr don't have from anyone else as a sub and has shown it today. And he's done it numerous times for us!

Great win - 3 pts GGMU.

29 Apr 2018 20:39:16
Much underrated. Today in several of his moves you saw class and composure. Looks better and better.

29 Apr 2018 20:50:26
Ezs. I Agree have to give fellani credit, and when he comes on you can see he works hard and wants to win.

29 Apr 2018 20:57:42
Ezrs. i'm not a fellaini fan but jose wants him to stay. If he stays ill not be shocked.

29 Apr 2018 15:54:34
Very bizarre looking Arsenal team even taking an upcoming Europa League game into consideration.

29 Apr 2018 17:52:06
Have we fast forwarded 2 months - we are treating this game like a friendly. Disgrace so far, no tempo, no umpf - terrible.

29 Apr 2018 18:10:41
Completely agree Beast. Holiday bags packed, clearly little interest in making starting eleven of cup final. Tedious. Slow. Too many touches.

29 Apr 2018 18:24:43
I thought we made a very good account of ourselves against Arsenal under 18s to be honest.

29 Apr 2018 19:01:03
Nice one Sepp!

29 Apr 2018 19:57:04
3 points.

29 Apr 2018 13:21:32
Jose in the press saying that he sees being at United for quite a while yet and that it will be his longest domestic position.

29 Apr 2018 09:15:42
Morning all, just after a little help or point in the right direction. One of my best friends recently lost his little boy due to a rare condition. In his honour and to raise awareness and also support the brilliant nicu where the doctors and nurses looked after the family he's holding a black tie charity event, and wants to auction or maybe raffle prizes. So the reason I ask on here is I think I've seen posters mention the right channels to go down to contact clubs in the past? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

29 Apr 2018 18:49:31
Try the search engine mate it was discussed a few weeks back.

30 Apr 2018 15:09:31
Thanks for your help everyone real effort!

29 Apr 2018 07:37:29
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 29th April 2018

29 Apr 2018 11:39:56
Ozeil - your mum should be proud.

{Ed001's Note - it is a nice thing to do and probably stopped whoever it was throwing it in his tracks.}

29 Apr 2018 05:26:59
Wow just came from reading some of the posts on Pools banter site and understand that Ed002 has boycotted that site. What a shame considering he has been so patient with them also being a supporter?
It's incredible some posters (including some here) are just really dumb trying to antagonize people who knows more than them. I am supportive about friendly banters but to go all out making stupid challenges is just laughable. I followed until their banter post 5 and stopped as I can't seem to find the first post that pissed Ed002 off but I get it's about some "love Gerard no matter what" issues. I said before he is a good player but no sure he will be a good manager so that's that.
Guess this is ManUtd page so I'll stop here but can only say "you can say your piece but does not mean it's peace for everybody". That should help posters here of being sensible and sensitive to the Eds whom you are really requesting for insights but that they are not paid nor obligated to answer. Sad really about people's expectations sometimes sad.

{Ed001's Note - Ed002 is not a Liverpool supporter mate. Out of the English clubs he leans towards Chelsea.}

29 Apr 2018 06:35:20
Ah ok noted. Whichever club he supports he surely has got great knowledge and information of the football world as with all the Eds. Great contributions from all and sad if any of Eds stay away.
You guys should chill and not get too agitated by some posters who are just spaced. You guys should know as with fans who pelt buses or use belts to harm rival fans. There will always be dumbass but we look forward to more fans and supporters becoming better.
Kudos to all the Eds for the sites as we’ve come a long way. 👏👍.

{Ed001's Note - it is difficult mate, for legal reasons we have to read every post, sometimes it can get a bit much seeing what we see. In the last few years we have lost at least 20 editors, probably more, most of whom never lasted a week! It does get to the point where you just want to bother with it all.}

29 Apr 2018 07:13:22
I’d volunteer but unfortunately my knowledge and connection is not good enough. Beside I’m in Asia and don’t think anyone wants to be bothered with Asian football 🤣🤣🤣. That said the Eds team is doing a great job and hell I am enjoying myself with all the reads.

{Ed001's Note - trust me you are better off on that side of things!}

29 Apr 2018 07:45:27
It’s crazy 666 how a few people ruin it for everyone. Ed002’s input will be missed and I can’t think of anyone else that we could get such accurate information as fans. We still got Ed001 so life isn’t all bad 😉. Hopefully Ed002 will be back soon.

{Ed001's Note - good job you dropped that line in!!}

29 Apr 2018 08:53:02
Would never forget you ed 😂.

{Ed001's Note - funny whenever anyone says that, it never seems like they mean it as a compliment....}

29 Apr 2018 09:22:12
Yeah Park agree. Nobody appreciates when the person is around but regrets terribly when they are gone.
Look at Arsenal 🤦‍♂️. Even Jose regrets regarding Wenger.
But well we are human and sadly that’s the thing that we always take for granted.

29 Apr 2018 09:22:19
This is football banter site. No one should offend or be offended by any comments. We all have different views and none of us are idiots or thick for believing in our views. So no need to wind up the Eds or each other. I love the banter on here and find most discussions interesting. We, as fans, love to know about the goings on at our club. So any privileged information is always interesting. So everyone can calm down, count to 10 and enjoy the site and the great banter we have.

29 Apr 2018 09:40:40
AAA some people just stop at 3 🤣🤣😘
But yes banters are great and I also learnt from this site. But there will always be some who will try to impose their views and get nasty otherwise. Sad for these.
I love this site and the people who make this site the best - posters and Eds.

29 Apr 2018 10:03:16
Agree AAA. I think on the whole the United site has been a respectful platform. People have differing views but it very rarely gets person which is great. Really enjoy this sites and the Eds have done an amazing job. Long may it continue.