Manchester United Banter Archive April 07 2018

07 Apr 2018 23:09:19
In the last number of weeks, we have beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and City. we have beaten all of the top 6 at some point this season.

Is Jose taking us in the right direction?

07 Apr 2018 23:49:22
Can't see how he's not to be honest, with a LB, CB and CM for next season, we should be very very good (i hope👀)

07 Apr 2018 23:56:47
I'm not what you'd call a massive fan of his angel, but he has improved our points hall and position and delivered our best league finish since AF left, this deserves some credit and certainly further opportunities.

I think what we get on here is people who don't like him don't give him much credit for anything while people who do like him defend him when he gets it wrong or says something daft.

Positions on it don't have to be so absolute, if he's not yr cup of tea you can still think he gets things rite the same as if you like him it's ok to say he gets things wrong aswell but overall yr still happy with him.

I'd find a fair overall assesment is we are improving and moving closer to competing at the top again however sometimes we appear a bit too cautious as whenever we have had to go for it we have looked good.

08 Apr 2018 00:11:51
Good post, Slate. People coming on after, giving it the big, 'oh how silly do people look after their comments at half-time'. They forget we should have been 5-0 down at half-time, and 6-0 down at the start of the second half. Probably 2 penalties as well. Yes, we stepped it up in the second half, and I'm as ecstatic as anyone, but that was obviously down to Mourinho's Churchillian team talk (that none of us heard), rather than the players who were so poor in the first half.

08 Apr 2018 01:00:45
Well city's goals were both from mistakes.

Valencia sliced his clearance and they scored from the corner

2nd dea gea kicked it to them

It's swings and roundabouts.

08 Apr 2018 04:01:50
Players are human and fallible. It’s how you respond in situations like that. Whether you are prepared to lift your game, put in the effort and force your way back into the game. The players did this today.
A bad start, it can happen. There was a lot of pressure on the players and the manager for this game.
They had a bad start but responded. As we expect them to.

07 Apr 2018 21:33:47
Great win. Played well in second half, I'm buzzing, I only have one thing that's annoying me and that's pogba with his blue hair, I mean he does his hair so much he could have dyed it a different colour.
He is lucky fergie wasn't manager, fergie would have held him down while Keane shaved it off.
Anyway it's a good day when that's my only complaint.

07 Apr 2018 21:44:21
He dyed it blue when he went on International duty, change it before the derby and they'll spout the usual bull**** about him 'concentrating too much on his hair'. Stepped up in the 2nd half today and that's all that matters.

07 Apr 2018 21:47:11
Didn't know that scholsey, still he could have dyed it red😎.

07 Apr 2018 22:19:11
When he does his hair all the time he’s not concentrating on his job and when he leaves it the same for 3 weeks he’s out of order, thought he was class in 2nd half today and answered a lot of critics.

07 Apr 2018 23:04:13
He was gds2, but for me that sky blue hair wasnt right
I'd rather see it pink😎.

07 Apr 2018 23:42:30
I thought he was trying to be clever after Pep's comments.

08 Apr 2018 00:54:30
Had a good long chat to Guardiola on the pitch after the game, hope there isn’t a deal in place for the summer.

07 Apr 2018 20:27:17
What a remarkable game and where to start? After the revelations the day before I expected Pogba to step up and show his commitment to the club but in the first half he was bang average; our stand out player was Herrera making us all wonder why he has not been picked this year. We huffed and puffed and took the game to City but when hey stepped us a gear we couldn’t live with them.

Mike lost his head at a corner and suddenly we were 1 down, then they cut through us like a knife through butter and we were 2 down staring into an abyss: the horrors of City setting a record for the earliest title win by beating us was becoming all too likely. But then half time arrived and Jose got a chance to rally the troops. And boy, what a rally!

I don’t know what he said to Pogba but what a difference, an energetic, focused display with 2quality goals. Let’s give credit to Herrera for a beautiful chest down into the path of PP for the first goal, another exam0le fo why he should have been playing more. And then onto the winner, Mike making up for his mistake by volleying home from a great cross.

So what does this tell us?

1. City are not all that. Too many teams have shown them too much respect and sat back. Get after that and they struggle.
2. Herrera should play more. He is committed, and he is quality. PP was picked for weeks when he was pants, Herrera must be wondering WTF is going on.
3. Lukaku can have a poor game and we can still score 3.
4. We really aren’t that bad. When we play freely and go for it we can compete with anyone. Jose, are you listening?!
5. Chris is both brilliant and crap, personally I think he needs to be replaced but you can’t fault his commitment and effort, which we can’t say about all put players.
6. City don’t like it up ‘em, boy did they get tetchy when they were behind.
7. Pep is class, his post match interview was top notch.
8. Jose showed some class, apparently he congratulated Pep on the title at the end of the game.
9. DDG is the best in the world, another mind blowing save.
10. No idea what Jose said at half time but my God it worked.

My main take from the game was Pogba. He has the ability to be one of the best in the world but he rarely does it for more than half an hour a game, and then not that often. If he could do it for an hour a game consistently he would be right up there, I remain to be convinced.

So, onwards to next year, hopefully more teams will get at a City and take points off them and we will improve and get more points which means we might actually have a contest.

07 Apr 2018 20:56:21
Look what happens when you allow him to play further up the pitch he scores goals.

{Ed004's Note - That formation played today was what we should be building on. Sign fullbacks and Alderwereild/Umtitti before next season and we will have a formidable side}

07 Apr 2018 21:06:03
As I said, I don’t think we are that bad, I keep banging on that we have not been playing to our potential. Not sure where the issue is but it needs sorting, I think we are only a couple of players away from being a top side (assuming we get our existing players playing to the top of their game) .

I love Herrera, he epitomises everything I look for in a player, what a game he had today. Pogba could be world class, as could Sanchez. Martial and Rashford have huge potential, Jesse keeps developing, I think full backs and CBs are the issue, a top class solid defence will allow cour midfield and forwards to crack on and do damage. Perhaps a solid CM who can control a game and dominate the pitch is what we are missing.

{Ed004's Note - Completely agree AJH. We have beaten City, Lpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea this season and that can't all be down to luck. We are second and deservedly so. Any other normal season and we would be bang in the middle of a title race or leading it}

07 Apr 2018 21:14:45
I've said it before and I'll say it again Pogba is a runner. He makes fantastic runs from midfield into the box. For both of his goals he was our most advanced player! The problem is he can leave us exposed when a move breaks down especially when he's playing in a two. He's brilliant at breaking from midfield and when he gets into advanced positions he also has quality on the ball.

From his post match press conference it's obvious that Carrick has been working with him which is very encouraging.

I think Pogba can also be just as effective in a two but we must understand that sometimes we'll be exposed when he vacates the midfield and a move breaks down. He must be allowed to run and break from midfield where he is so difficult to pick up. We'll gain a lot more than we lose and in the big games I'd always revert to a midfield three to provide more defensive cover.

I'm delighted for him and the one thing I will say is he never hides. He dragged us back into that game from the brink of collapse when others looked scared to be on the pitch.

On a different note I thought Jose post match comments we're very revealing. Smalling and Bailly were so poor in that first half. They we're both hiding and didn't have the courage on the ball and gave us absolutely no platform to play.

{Ed004's Note - Very good post. I agree with you that Pogba needs that license to get forward. I watched Souness and all discussing Pogba after the game and it was frustrating me that they were all saying that his best attribute is his athleticism. I thought that was doing him an injustice. Personally, I think it's his passing ability and that why's both the French manager and Jose have tried to develop him into a quarterback kind of role however he just don't have the defensive awareness or focus for that role.}

07 Apr 2018 21:48:18
I totally agree Ed. He passing is very good, he can also dribble and shoot. I also think they were doing him a great disservice but I do understand the point they we're trying to make. Those runs he makes ahead of the ball are so hard to pick up and he's also very good at carrying the ball forward on the counter. Unfortunately he definitely leaves us exposed defensively at times and that's why sometimes he needs an extra midfield to cover for him.

Your absolutely spot on I think Jose wants to use his ability on the ball more to help us dictate the tempo of the game from deeper positions but his natural inclination is to make runs forward. He's not great out of possession and your absolutely right he lacks defensive responsibility, doesn't track runners and let's people run off him. On a positive note there aren't many midfielders in Europe that can break so devastatingly from midfield. He really is unique in many respects and we have such a powerful weapon if we could just somehow find the right balance and release him to do what he does best. Maybe as he ages his game might develop and change to become more of a deep lying play maker but at the moment we should let him burst forward from midfield and let other teams worry about him rather than asking him to perform a role that at this stage of his career doesn't make the best of his unique talents.

{Ed004's Note - I can understand where they are coming from but at this stage in his career he doesn't have either the experience or desire to play deep in our midfield. As he gets older I could see him becoming a better version of Matic if his defensive play improves with experience. I think our priority (after fullbacks) now should be getting someone to play beside him and Matic that can dictate a game but has energy (upgraded Herrera basically) so someone like Veratti, prime Modric or Thiago}

07 Apr 2018 22:06:26
Yeah I agree Ed another interesting summer ahead.

07 Apr 2018 22:25:14
Sorry Eds if my earlier posts didn't get posted because of what i wrote.

Totally agree with Danny, Ed and Ajh.

Today really was some what of a turn around for some players and it has made me so proud being a Manchester United fan.

We would really be even more formidable with two proper full backs, cb and a midfield partner for Matic and Pogba.

Great great game.

{Ed004's Note - I'm not going to lie I've no idea what post you'll be referring to as there were so many that got deleted at half time. I'm hoping it'll be a lesson for the future in that the game isn't over at ht. Very happy with the attitude and drive shown by the players in the second half. They didn't act like players who didn't have faith in the manager}

07 Apr 2018 23:36:52
Totally agree with that ed. It wasnt at half time when i posted. I would never do that as i am very busy watching the match.

It was the post which included Guardiola as Fraudiola 😂😂😂.

Today the players were hurt and showed what it meant to be wearing that shirt.

{Ed004's Note - I didn't see the post so can't comment on it. Great reaction from the players today}

07 Apr 2018 22:11:26
Herrera was very good probably our best player .
For Danny and 025 why do think pogba wants to leave.

{Ed025's Note - i have never said that pogba wants to leave jred..

08 Apr 2018 12:30:30
Neither did I in fact I really hope he stays he's potentially a world class player. I recognise his obvious talent and think if we can fit him into a system where we can make the most of his attributes we'll be a force to be reckoned with.

I have absolutely no idea if he wants to leave or not, what I desperately want is for Pogba to fulfil his immense potential at our Club!

07 Apr 2018 20:18:58
To use a cliché, that game was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. At 2-0 I was furious, and was having a chat with my mate, he was backing Pogba to the hilt, however we agreed on one thing. His talent is unquestionable but his desire had to be questioned.
What stood out to me wasn't his goal, but his willingness to fight for everything second half. His reaction to the foul on Jesse by Fernandinho (should have been a red btw) got me fired up. We need more of the same from him now, this is the standard.
Alexis has got some amount of stick but he was fantastic second half, his little chipped passes to Herrera for the first and the one to Pogba for the second are exactly why he was signed. He has been very good last couple of games, and always works his socks off.
This has to be the standard now, let's finish the season strong, finish second and build and give it a hell of a go next season!
Caolán.

07 Apr 2018 19:57:19
And breathe! especially you Souness, smoke coming out his ears😂😂😂. Exhilarating and so satisfying, they cheered every pass in that first half, cocky *****.

07 Apr 2018 19:26:56
Wtf just happened.

First half was an absolute disgrace.

Second half was like a different team. Different manager.

That's all we ask for. passion and fight and some attacking football.

Shame we haven't been like this all year.

I feel stupid posting at ht now.

07 Apr 2018 19:50:09
When ever we are aggressive and take charge of a game we play well and our talent shines. When we are passive and allow the opposition to play we look like a lower mid table team.

Pretty simple. And I am not convinced it is all Jose instruction, some of these players seem mentally fragile. Dropping back goal side feels safe. Like at the very least you weren't caught out of position.

First 15 mins and whole second half I thought we played well today. Lukaku had a mare. But the rest of the team turned up and earned some pride for the badge. Couldn't have asked for more.

07 Apr 2018 21:46:39
Sorry, i should add, Lukaku has been one of the stand outs this season. He's had a great first season but had a bad off day. I wish Jose had took him off for Rash.

{Ed004's Note - Yeah I was hoping Martial would come on for him}

07 Apr 2018 18:05:07
What’s the history of Alan Green with Utd? I love listening on 5 Live whilst I’m pottering about but always sigh when he’s in the seat. For some reason he’s always so pessimistic about them whatever they do. Don’t get how such bias can be allowed from a commentator.

07 Apr 2018 19:34:33
He's always been like that. cremember listening to him as a child and thinking the same.

07 Apr 2018 20:04:42
He has said he is not a Man Utd fan . We annoy him 😆😆.

07 Apr 2018 20:07:48
He's a Scouse fan and he's so biased. And that's why Fergie banned him from OT.

07 Apr 2018 21:07:02
He's from my neck of the woods. And he is a Liverpool supporter.

07 Apr 2018 15:16:28
Saw a great stat today in an interview with Nicky Butt. Apparently there are 64 players in the top 2 tiers who came through our Academy. That’s a very impressive number. Our under 23s may be struggling but we still have one of the best records of bringing get our own through. I expect Jesse and Rashford to feature today, possibly McTominay too. I don’t think we’ll see th class of ‘92 again but I’m all for growing our own. Even when they don’t make it at United we seem to have a very good feeder chain going for clubs in the top 2 tiers. I’d be amazed if any other club can match those numbers.

07 Apr 2018 15:43:01
Can you name them anybody😆😆.

07 Apr 2018 15:57:35
And it’s over 80 years snce we didn’t have a home grown player in the match day squad (Red Man was there I believe 😄) . That’s another incredible record which I don’t believe will ever be seen again amongst the top clubs.

07 Apr 2018 18:34:43
pity we can't find another giggs or scholes.

07 Apr 2018 11:24:14
Is anyone really that surprised that Pogba is being touted about by Raiola?

That is what he has done all his career, in the nearly two years Jose has been our manager we have signed four players represented by Raiola and have since move two of those four on.

Pogba and Lukaku are the only two left, Pogba looks like he will only be here a short time and don't be surprised if Raiola looks to move Lukaku to PSG or Real Madrid in a couple of years time.

It's what he does, he earns more money from signing on fees than he does for arranging new contracts. So why would he choose to get his players to sign new deals when he can move them on and earn more than twice as much?

Pogba started the season very well, he was the key player in all the 4-0 wins we had. Then he got injured and our formed dropped off. He came back and was starting to play well again until we signed Sanchez.

Since we signed Sanchez Pogba's form has dropped right off, whether he is upset that someone else is earning more than him or whether he is unhappy because his role in the team has changed I don't know. But that was the catalyst for his drop off in form and effort.

I wonder how much of his discontentment has to do with Raiola who was whispering in his ear before he left for Juventus last time.

07 Apr 2018 11:56:22
Hasn't Lukaku left raiola to join another agency? We'd be better off cutting all times with the man like Ferguson did.

07 Apr 2018 13:10:11
I agree entirely shappy the whole thing has come as no surprise to me.

Plus I get the impression that when the going gets tough the pogba gets going he doesn't seem like the type to roll his sleeves up and dig in.

Surely when we started dealing with rioala the club knee this kind of thing could and probably would happen.

Personally I could care less I support the club not the ever revolving door of players that were seeing lately.

07 Apr 2018 13:39:05
Good luck in getting Real Madrid interested in Lukaku.

07 Apr 2018 09:07:06
Thank you Pep for giving pogba the pep talk (Sorry! ) that Mourinho should've given him. So will the real Pogba stand up and show the Bitters and us United fans what he can do.

07 Apr 2018 06:15:50
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Premier League Match Preview Saturday 7th April 2018

07 Apr 2018 09:36:49
Interesting preview Ed.
Notice 2 main game this Saturday.
Everton vs Liverpool: I feel this game could be an interesting twist to what most are expecting. I know the scousers are playing well but just a funny feeling.
Manchester Derby: I feel there is a good chance of draw or ManUtd might just bring it to Citeh. That’s because I feel Citeh will be careful and potentially rest some players for CL return leg as the pressure is on them. They do not have to perform here but can still confirm the title with the remaining games. Most derbies are tough and Baldy will not want to take chances with potential injuries afterall ManUtd has nothing to lose. So Baldy would want to have a strongest team and options for the return CL game at home. Favor a draw or ManUtd win for me.

{Ed001's Note - these derbies are impossible to call. More so than normal in a derby the form book goes out the window.}

07 Apr 2018 09:48:15
I agree Ed. However there will always be some “information” when you start seeing certain odds from bookies 😉. But yes fundamentally I agree with you 🙏.

{Ed001's Note - the bookies will only be reacting to money placed, not from information.}