[Ixion]

Got back from the game a little bit ago, great match to watch. Atmosphere was bouncing and the team showed some really encouraging signs.

Pogba and Zlatan different class.

 

[carlosp]

Got back from the game a little bit ago, great match to watch. Atmosphere was bouncing and the team showed some really encouraging signs.

Pogba and Zlatan different class.

I'm still buzzing, and I wasn't even at the match.

 

[Red Dreams]

Mourinho mentioned Fellani and Valencia.

I felt Valencia was superb today.

 

[Jacko21]

Hmm... when Martial goes upfront and is about to score, or when the ball goes to Valencia and he eliminates the defender and cross, or when Zlatan got the ball and he crosses for Martial who's an inch away to score a goal, I don't know, with those in, or with the last screamer Paul had at the end of the game, it's a 4:0 or 5:0 game. Do you call that controlled and comfortable but not exciting? It's hard to agree... the team has to work harder to score those goals but should that happen, Manchester United will be in a fantastic spot.

They were flashes from a team that has huge potential. But you'll have to excuse me if the performance tonight didn't get me out of my seat.

We're not there yet.

Have you forgotten what exciting used to feel like at Old Trafford under Ferguson?

 

[Raoul]

Mourinho mentioned Fellani and Valencia.

I felt Valencia was superb today.

Everyone played well tonight.

 

[Theonas]

Hmm... when Martial goes upfront and is about to score, or when the ball goes to Valencia and he eliminates the defender and cross, or when Zlatan got the ball and he crosses for Martial who's an inch away to score a goal, I don't know, with those in, or with the last screamer Paul had at the end of the game, it's a 4:0 or 5:0 game. Do you call that controlled and comfortable but not exciting? It's hard to agree... the team has to work harder to score those goals but should that happen, Manchester United will be in a fantastic spot.

You are describing 2 or 3 half chances. If we were drawing or losing you would call that "not enough" and rightly so. The fact is the result changes the perception of any game. Put in the exact same performance and if it's a win, people will call it "controlled, mature, authoritative" and if you lose "lacking creativity, slow, pedestrian". The fact is we were out-possessed by Southampton at home, something no other top club including ours under Fergie would have happened to and did not create anywhere near enough chances to call it a dominant performance. On the upside, we finally individual talent that can create something out of nothing, that can produce goals without needing a chance. We did not have that since Van Persie in 2013 and that alone should make competitive for the league this year. So overall, good start, wealth of talent on the pitch, solid but yet nowhere near as fluid and creative as a unit as the best sides. Hopefully it comes with time but under Mourinho, I am not holding my breath.

 

[Red Dreams]

Everyone played well tonight.

and they could have upped a gear or two if needed.

...now to enjoy the weekend

lots of games...to laugh at.

 

[Kill 'em all]

I'm very pleased with the way Jose has somehow made Valencia and Fellaini play so well. This game was another step towards the ideal Mourinho direct attacking style.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Can't stop smiling.

So excited for this season, really feels like we might be back.

 

[Offside]

I'm very pleased with the way Jose has somehow made Valencia and Fellaini play so well. This game was another step towards the ideal Mourinho direct attacking style.

Valencia was good at the end of last season

 

[BringNaniBack]

Everyone played well tonight.

Rooney didn't, despite the cross.

 

[Dion]

-------------------DDG-----------------------
Valencia-----Bailly---Blind----------Shaw
------Herrera---Pogba-----Fellaini-------
Mkhitaryan-----Ibra----------Martial

The team I want against Hull city

Definitely would need to have Pogba on the left of the 3.

 

[Kill 'em all]

Valencia was good at the end of last season

I don't remember him being so confident, taking players on, crossing the ball as soon as he gets past his man and so on.

 

[Offside]

I don't remember him being so confident, taking players on, crossing the ball as soon as he gets past his man and so on.

No, he was at a level tonight he hasn't been for years.

 

[Raoul]

Rooney didn't, despite the cross.

Bullshit. Anyone without an agenda will concede he did just fine.

 

[noodlehair]

- I thought Paul Pogba put in the best performance from a United midfielder probably since before he left...and that's despite the fact he spent about 90% of the game not in midfield

- Fellaini has gone two whole games without infuriating me OR trying to get sent off. It's amazing what happens to players when they actuallly have a clue what their role is in the team

- Fair enough Zlatan with the goals...the first one was class, but he did kind of spend the entire game being Andy Carrol. He definitely passed the ball to Southampton more than he did to his team mates.

- When we didn't have the ball I thought we looked really flakey. We sat off really deep, but somehow there was stilll loads of space around and INSIDE our penalty area. It was bizarre. Probably will take some time for our players to get used to being positionally organised but definnitely an area we need to improve on quickly, and a lot.

- When we had the ball, apart from our forward players being extremely wasteful, we were fine.

- Overall, thought the first half was a bit dire, the second was pretty good. It had a routine feel about it, and we showed signs of being able to pick off and really punish teams once we get ahead in games. It took about 4 months for us to win a game routinely last season. We've done it twice in two games this, without even looking llike we're playing that well. Again, amazing the difference it makes when the team has a cllue what the feck it's supposed to be doing.

- Valencia takes throw ins like a girl.

- I don't like this Friday night Football nonsense on Sky. It was like watching SoccerAid or Children in Need.

 

[Jacko21]

You are describing 2 or 3 half chances. If we were drawing or losing you would call that "not enough" and rightly so. The fact is the result changes the perception of any game. Put in the exact same performance and if it's a win, people will call it "controlled, mature, authoritative" and if you lose "lacking creativity, slow, pedestrian". The fact is we were out-possessed by Southampton at home, something no other top club including ours under Fergie would have happened to and did not create anywhere near enough chances to call it a dominant performance. On the upside, we finally individual talent that can create something out of nothing, that can produce goals without needing a chance. We did not have that since Van Persie in 2013 and that alone should make competitive for the league this year. So overall, good start, wealth of talent on the pitch, solid but yet nowhere near as fluid and creative as a unit as the best sides. Hopefully it comes with time but under Mourinho, I am not holding my breath.

I thought Mourinho paid too much respect to Southampton. Conceding possession so readily isn't something Old Trafford supporters are used to - you kinda got the impression the atmosphere suffered because we were rarely on the front foot and didn't take the game to them.

Saints were by and large pretty poor, didn't used the ball all that well and failed to make more of their opportunities.

It'll be interesting to see how we setup against City in our next home game.

 

[okLaptop1]

Damn I enjoyed that. Hope we can keep this up when everything clicks, and I can't wait to see Miki play a full match for us. And as great as it was to see Pogba play brilliant and Zlatan score twice, I was weirdly most giddy when Shaw burst forward with pace. So happy to see him back from his injury.

The only thing I didn't like was Neville dwelling on every little mistake Mata made and how Mourinho's shipping him cos he doesn't want him etc. Got old pretty fast.

 

[RaptorSlo]

Mmm. There wasn't a lot in it, to be fair, but I think just about enough contact. The players reaction was pretty telling.

Seeing the replay above, it's clear, his leg was kicked enough that he hit his own leg then. That's a tripping 101 technique.

 

[okLaptop1]

I don't like this Friday night Football nonsense on Sky. It was like watching SoccerAid or Children in Need.

As a kiwi it's great to watch a game early on Saturday and not worry about work in a few hours.

 

[Slavkov]

You are describing 2 or 3 half chances. If we were drawing or losing you would call that "not enough" and rightly so. The fact is the result changes the perception of any game. Put in the exact same performance and if it's a win, people will call it "controlled, mature, authoritative" and if you lose "lacking creativity, slow, pedestrian". The fact is we were out-possessed by Southampton at home, something no other top club including ours under Fergie would have happened to and did not create anywhere near enough chances to call it a dominant performance. On the upside, we finally individual talent that can create something out of nothing, that can produce goals without needing a chance. We did not have that since Van Persie in 2013 and that alone should make competitive for the league this year. So overall, good start, wealth of talent on the pitch, solid but yet nowhere near as fluid and creative as a unit as the best sides. Hopefully it comes with time but under Mourinho, I am not holding my breath.

Excuse me mate but I have been watching my beloved United since 1991 and I am seeing now everything one should be excited about. We have exciting young players, we have established internationals, we have that cocky feeling all over again. We have a couple of players who can decide games on their own, and most importantly, in my opinion, we have that United factor back in our team. You are talking about possession but when was the last time when I watched United wondering not whether we would win the game but by how much, that was never in doubt and it was never in doubt last week as well. The end to end staff thay we used to see under Fergie in the 90s is no more, it would probably never happen again...70% of our games under Fergie in the last 10 years were about control, proffesionalism, and determination and I could see all those things today. I have not been as excited as this since 2004.

 

[glazed]

Bullshit. Anyone without an agenda will concede he did just fine.

He was ok, but feels like he would be warming the bench if he were anyone else.

 

[BringNaniBack]

Bullshit. Anyone without an agenda will concede he did just fine.

Just fine? You said everyone played well.

Rooney was our the worst player again. Yes he played slightly better than his last two games and I guess you could say he did fine but that is all. Still doesn't deserve his spot in the team.

 

[Kill 'em all]

I really like how compact, tactically aware and focused our players look when we don't have the ball. One player covers the space of another, they instruct each other on where to move and we keep a very rigid shape while defending which is a great achievement in itself in such a short amount of time. He turned a team that's been used to man marking for as long as I remember to a team that defends the space instead. What's even more great is together with this defensive compactness, we can transition to a very dangerous attack in almost no time at all. With van Gaal we sacrificed our attack for control but with Mourinho, we have this defensive stability while still being able to hurt teams and create a lot of chances. We are much more direct, decisive and dangerous with the ball.

I have to say that from a tactical perspective, we have been the best team in the league during these 2 opening matches.

 

[OldTrevil]

Think a few of you are going a little overboard.

Yes, we always looked like we'd win, but we should've shown more impetuous as the home team. Didn't give the crowd anything to get enthused about - or indeed anyone watching at home.

Measured, controlled performance that is probably indicative of a post-tournament, early-season game.

Pogba looked a class above, as expected. Ibrahimovic is going to score goals.

I'd question the place of Rooney and Mata in the team. If you're going to concede possession and soak up pressure, then it'd help to have the pace in which to counter attack. Only showed moments of fluidity.

All in all, so so.

It'll take time, but so long as we're getting the three points in the meantime, I can live with that.

Sensible post

 

[BringNaniBack]

-------------------DDG-----------------------
Valencia-----Bailly---Blind----------Shaw
------Herrera---Pogba-----Fellaini-------
Mkhitaryan-----Ibra----------Martial

The team I want against Hull city

I would love to see us play that team.

 

[SirScholes]

I don't remember him being so confident, taking players on, crossing the ball as soon as he gets past his man and so on.

I think Jose said the full backs were asked to pass to the center backs and not allowed to bomb forward

 

[Raoul]

Just fine? You said everyone played well.

Rooney was our the worst player again. Yes he played slightly better than his last two games and I guess you could say he did fine but that is all. Still doesn't deserve his spot in the team.

The team as a whole played well - as Zlatan said. Rooney contributed to our success just as the rest of them.

 

[Theonas]

I thought Mourinho paid too much respect to Southampton. Conceding possession so readily isn't something Old Trafford supporters are used to - you kinda got the impression the atmosphere suffered because we were rarely on the front foot and didn't take the game to them.

Saints were by and large pretty poor, didn't used the ball all that well and failed to make more of their opportunities.

Exactly. Nothing is weirder than fans acting as though it was a good thing to have less possession at home to Southampton. I can only hope that it's just ill feeling from LvG's reign making people hate everything remotely associated with him. The fact remains that most of the best teams including ours under Fergie would control possession and play on the front foot especially at home to mid table clubs. The fact that we couldn't do it today is worrying and I can only hope that it's early season jitters.

It'll be interesting to see how we setup against City in our next home game.

That is the worry for me. A nightmare scenario for me is us playing that mob at Old Trafford like Stoke used to play us. Retreating back deep and hoping for a counter or a set piece. It's not befitting of the richest and biggest club in the land especially when they are also only starting their project. We can't even use the excuse that they are further ahead of us like say Barcelona. Mourinho's history suggest that's exactly what he'll do. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Adisa]

Just realized that we are 6 points up from these 2 fixtures compared to last season . What a start to Mourinho's United career.

Also had 6 points at the same stage.

 

[J-Stander]

Very pleasing second half. Pogba was a joy to watch, both fullbacks good again and Zlatan being Zlatan. Can't really ask for much more 2 games in.

 

[Livewire1974]

Best performance since SAF left.

 

[Jonnymufc]

Hard not to be a bit excited. I do think it's over the top to say that performance was 'great' but we certainly look a pretty formidable outfit in the making.

There was something that has undoubtedly been missing from performances in recent years and that is aggression. I felt like the boys were absolutely fighting for each other out there.

We had some great little moves and I think a few more weeks will see a few getting an absolute hiding at OT. Defensively I thought we looked a bit suspect tbh.

I also have to admit I was sceptical about Zlatan coming in, but he has started excellently and I am now slightly worshipful of him.

First big yardstick is clearly the City match. Get a result there and we are really on a march.

Well done, lads.

 

[Theonas]

Excuse me mate but I have been watching my beloved United since 1991 and I am seeing now everything one should be excited about. We have exciting young players, we have established internationals, we have that cocky feeling all over again. We have a couple of players who can decide games on their own, and most importantly, in my opinion, we have that United factor back in our team. You are talking about possession but when was the last time when I watched United wondering not whether we would win the game but by how much, that was never in doubt and it was never in doubt last week as well. The end to end staff thay we used to see under Fergie in the 90s is no more, it would probably never happen again...70% of our games under Fergie in the last 10 years were about control, proffesionalism, and determination and I could see all those things today. I have not been as excited as this since 2004.

Of course it is exciting mate. The youngsters are exciting and the presence of two indisputable monsters of players is exciting as well. On paper at least, this is the best collection of players we had for about 5 years. The ego is also back I agree largely because we are the biggest spenders and the talk of the country. The quality of football is something else however is my point. I am not talking about end to end football as I agree that's not a gone era. I am talking about front foot football. I don't want to see us conceding possession and sitting deep to anyone at OT, especially mid table teams. That was the fear for me with Mourinho and I hope it won't be proven right in the next few months.

 

[SirScholes]

Bullshit. Anyone without an agenda will concede he did just fine.

I'm sorry i stood up for him against Bournemouth check the threads if you don't believe me, he was poor today, he just wanders round the pitch not really doing anything.
Against Bournemouth he was in dangerous areas had 3 opportunities to score where as today he seemed to walk between blind and the half way line.
Apart from his run and cross which was decent but 10 seconds wasn't enough.
Hope he kicks on a bit from here, big call taking him off Pens

 

[Theonas]

Hard not to be a bit excited. I do think it's over the top to say that performance was 'great' but we certainly look a pretty formidable outfit in the making.

There was something that has undoubtedly been missing from performances in recent years and that is aggression. I felt like the boys were absolutely fighting for each other out there.

We had some great little moves and I think a few more weeks will see a few getting an absolute hiding at OT. Defensively I thought we looked a bit suspect tbh.

I also have to admit I was sceptical about Zlatan coming in, but he has started excellently and I am now slightly worshipful of him.

First big yardstick is clearly the City match. Get a result there and we are really on a march.

Well done, lads.

I think what was present today and missing for few years now is the undisputed star quality. We did not have a player with the ego, aura and more importantly, ability to create out of nothing and score without needing a chance like Zlatan and Pogba for a long time now. Those guys get paid the highest salaries for a reason, they transform the team, the club and by extension, the whole feel around the club and fans because of moments of brilliance and so far, they have delivered.

 

[RedPed]

- I don't like this Friday night Football nonsense on Sky. It was like watching SoccerAid or Children in Need.

Agreed! What was with having 6 people on there?? Jeff Stelling looked out of place and like he didn't want to be there. The format seemed contrived and it just didn't flow. Absolute crap! Be surprised if Sky stick with that lineup and format.

 

[Adisa]

Best performance since SAF left.

Can't agree with that.

 

[R'hllor]

Can't agree with that.

Yea...the amount of goldfishes we have on this forum...

 

[Slavkov]

Of course it is exciting mate. The youngsters are exciting and the presence of two indisputable monsters of players is exciting as well. On paper at least, this is the best collection of players we had for about 5 years. The ego is also back I agree largely because we are the biggest spenders and the talk of the country. The quality of football is something else however is my point. I am not talking about end to end football as I agree that's not a gone era. I am talking about front foot football. I don't want to see us conceding possession and sitting deep to anyone at OT, especially mid table teams. That was the fear for me with Mourinho and I hope it won't be proven right in the next few months.

Maybe you have your point, mate and I respect your opinon, but I could not care less about possession when I am as excited as this when we get forward. We had some terrific chances on the counter, Martial gets us on fire with the ball at his feet when there is space. I cannot see what Mata adds to our team at the moment and would definitely use Mikki instead of him and I also think that Rooney slows as down but you know what, who am I to question the greatest manager in the world atm. I have the utmost confidence in our manager and he knows what he is doing big time. I am counting the minutes to our next game and reliving our last game and I am a 32 year old family guy. I have not felt like that for a very very long time!!!