[Gannicus]

Very Nani like half from Di Maria

Harsh, but true.

 

[Someone]

You are gonna have to explain this one to me

In 3-5-2 there's a big black hole in midfield, when you're close to a black hole 90 minutes will feel like 40 minutes, i guess.

 

[hbgreg]

Wait, people do realize this has been the best we've ever played for a long time now? We've actually been completely dominate in all aspects, our defense has been solid, the midfield controlling, and we've been creating chances. It's all worthless if we don't win but there's a lot of encouraging signs.

 

[saivet]

Carragher bloody hell

 

[Offside]

Playing pretty well I think. Keep it up and we'll win.

How is misplacing every pass especially in the final 3rd playing well? We are controlling the game but that is it.

 

[Name Changed]

I don't get the point of the system with these players. We don't have any width apart form out full backs and they get doubled up on every time. We aren't getting runners into the box anyway and any crosses we have put in are going in to Van Persie only. Our midfield lacks serious pace and there's no penetration whatsoever. All we are doing is keeping possession and we have been sloppy at that, particularly Rooney and Di Maria.

 

[JohnDoe]

Wait, people do realize this has been the best we've ever played for a long time now? We've actually been completely dominate in all aspects, our defense has been solid, the midfield controlling, and we've been creating chances. It's all worthless if we don't win but there's a lot of encouraging signs.

We have?

 

[imperi]

Managers these days seem to want to be too clever. Playing weird formations and players out of position.

Well who is really playing out of position?

 

[Rado_N]

You mean everyone on here that is not watching the game but typing! You are a typical Rooney hater … the first to complain then the first to scream his name when he scores! He's playing the position our manager thinks is best … I don't personally agree either and also think he and AdM should be swapped if you check back through this thread I said it way earlier than you but this is where we are so grow up you big kid, watch the game and stop trying to pick fights hidden behind your keyboard!

Bizarre post. Rooney has been garbage.

 

[JPRouve]

He's really not, our best chances have come through him. He's not having an exceptional game, don't get me wrong, but he's far from "our problem" and people go way over the top with him.

In CM he is a problem the few times he played around the box he was good, but it's not where he plays most of the time

 

[Will Singh]

We are we playing a striker in midfield, a midfielder in defence and another midfielder in attack....Philosophy

 

[Getsme]

The same manager that has suggested Bale was correct to ignore an easy cutback option. Twice.

Managers will say whatever they want to benefit their club.

Rubbish, Sir Alex never did anything like that

 

[The Mitcher]

Its only the final ball that is letting us down.

 

[Rado_N]

Well who is really playing out of position?

Rooney and Di Maria are the obvious ones.

 

[Mystry]

At least we are winning the possession.

At times I can get why you would play Di Maria high up for his pace to run in behind but then I see a lack of drive from midfield or anyone pulling wide when we work it down the flanks, especially down the left. We're still struggling the create and we'd be much better off if he was deeper, going wide at times to help stretch the defense. We'd also be better off we had another CM in there so Rooney isn't so deep.

 

[UDontMessWith24]

Garbage, with the injuries i could understand this 352 rubbish but now its just annoying.

We've been at our best when we play 442 (diamond) why not keep with it?

We've been at our best going forward in that formation but the defending was diabolical. It hasn't been great in the current formation but we haven't been conceding as much.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Bizarre post. Rooney has been garbage.

Thank you. I knew I wasn't insane.

 

[Jazz]

Shaw has pace and all but once he gets to the final third he gets confused and his decision-making turns to shite. I've noticed this a lot. Has someone on the coaching team not pointed this out?

Di Maria and Rooney not playing well. Di Maria especially is to say the least very disappointing.

 

[Name Changed]

Playing pretty well I think. Keep it up and we'll win.

Keep this up and we won't. We actually need to create a decent chance. Southampton could easily catch us on the break.

 

[RedFish]

We've been the better team, but it's a fairly shite match. I'd definitely swap Rooney and Di Maria's positions. Di Maria has been wasteful imo.

Echo this

 

[hbgreg]

We have?

Yes, there's been good oppurtunties to score.

 

[Raw]

We're getting into some great positions but we're just fecking up the final pass. We haven't been that bad.

 

[Rado_N]

I've been cooking dinner while watching so I may not have the whole picture here. But from what I've seen, Rooney and Mata are the ones that are creating something. And Valencia.

Rooney has created goal kicks and throw ins for Southampton, I'll give you that.

 

[Feed Me]

As ever, lots of criticism of the formation, not sure why though, because our general control has been good - we have dominated.

The problem has been a complete lack of care with the final ball.

 

[Enigma_87]

Well who is really playing out of position?

Carrick, Rooney and AdM.

 

[Kag]

Well who is really playing out of position?

Blind, Shaw, Rooney, Mata and Di Maria. Nearly half the team.

 

[ivaldo]

Haven't said otherwise. It's just not working for us this half, we need to make a change. We didn't have a clear cut chance this half apart from RvP blocked shot. It's not enough to win the game which is or main job.

But we did, a poor touch or a misjudgement of the ball doesn't take away the fact its a chance. We carry this on at this pace and we will create a hell of a lot more chances in the 2nd half. They can't chase shadows forever, If this was pep and barca fans on here would be spunking their pants at the passing masterclass. We've created the space and got into great positions, the final ball has just let us down a bit, that's all.

 

[arnie_ni]

Herrera for mata and Rooney to 10

 

[marlowe78]

We clearly looked the better side but this is still a game we can lose. Our ball movement has been surprisingly quick through the middle third, as Mata has been excellent coming forward. Valencia has also given us needed pace when there is no other option available.

Southampton have defended quite well and it looks like a quick attack is what will break them down. Di Maria and Rooney, however, were both awful. Neither made one decent ball forward and it seems Di Maria doesn't have a good instinct as to what his teammates will do around him. There were a few balls he played as if expecting RVP or Rooney to make a certain cut and played it in that direction but the cut never happened. Hopefully that is fixed over time.

Defending, we look solid. I thought Jones was very good and made some helpful linkups with Mata. Blind also showed a good amount of range.

 

[JPRouve]

The same manager that has suggested Bale was correct to ignore an easy cutback option. Twice.

Managers will say whatever they want to benefit their club.

Your point his irrelevant, Di Maria lacks tactical discipline, a choice in front of the goal has nothing to do with tactic.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Di Maria and Rooney should switch. Both are playing in each others best positions. Both looks out of sorts in the positions they are being played in. We need some drive from midfield, which Di Maria could provide. Rooney is a better option to get a shot away quickly or cross the ball to.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Shaw has pace and all but once he gets to the final third he gets confused and his decision-making turns to shite. I've noticed this a lot. Has someone on the coaching team not pointed this out?

Di Maria and Rooney not playing well. Di Maria especially is to say the least very disappointing.

This I think is because Shaw works better as a fullback being released into space he can attack with pace rather than play intricately. Still young so I'm sure it can be coached into him. The worrying part is how almost none of our attackers try to offer a run off him to offer themselves or to draw defenders off.

 

[jem]

...I am. It's all well and good when you say that AFTER Mata produces maybe the best chance we have on goal.
I personally just think that Fellaini would be more effective in this type of match.

Sorry for the snarky remark, but I actually missed that chance he made (ie. I was typing while that happened.) I think he's looked quite tidy today.

 

[JonDahl]

Wait, people do realize this has been the best we've ever played for a long time now? We've actually been completely dominate in all aspects, our defense has been solid, the midfield controlling, and we've been creating chances. It's all worthless if we don't win but there's a lot of encouraging signs.

We haven't created anything, which automatically means we were better v spurs.

 

[Matty7]

People saying Di Maria is playing like Nani... He's playing out of position! If we actually played where we brought him to play, then he will be fine! Blame the tactics not the player.

 

[Man-United]

We don't need 3 CB's in this game. Southampton has nothing so far with only Pelle.

 

[Revan]

Mata and Valencia good. Rooney, RVP and Di Maria wank.

RVP should update his firmware. Passing the ball is allowed nowadays in football.

 

[The United Irishman]

Think we have played well! Just missing a couple of goals but this isn't the best defence in the PL for nothing..It was always going to be tough to break them down. 2-0 final score

 

[GloryHunter07]

Whilst it is great to have some pace up top, ADM isnt really working with RVP

 

[Scrumpet]

How is misplacing every pass especially in the final 3rd playing well? We are controlling the game but that is it.

Keep this up and we won't. We actually need to create a decent chance. Southampton could easily catch us on the break.

It'll come together, I promise. You have my word.

 

[Offside]

Di Maria does have these games where he is like a x2 worse version of Nani. Look at Argentina v the Swiss in the World Cup.