[Lentwood]

Mourinho knew exactly what he was doing today. Defending the centre of the park is the most important thing when it comes to beating Arsenal and dropping (read: 'resting') Pogba was the right decision on this occasion. I remember he failed to track Chamberlain in the game at OT when we scored the equaliser. Rooney, obviously, has been the biggest thorn in our side for years.. up there with Drogba.. and generally raises his game for us. Bar Valencia for Tuanzebe (who played well), nobody was 'rested' for anything other than tactical purposes.

The only reason he didn't get the result he was hoping for was that he came up against a pragmatic Arsenal side who didn't want to give United anything easy like we have in the past. The counter attacking style was largely nullified by a patient Arsenal and once we got the slice of luck for the goal, Jose's one-dimensional approach was laid bare for all to see.

If United fans do genuinely believe that he 'put all the eggs in one basket' on the day that Liverpool handed control of top 4 back to you - then I can only imagine that you would be furious at the unnecessary risk. Obvious to anyone, though, is that this is simply an excuse.

Jesus. I thought Arsenal Fan TV was misrepresentative of Arsenal fans but turns out there are more than a few!

Come crawling out of the woodwork because you beat our Reserves who barely broke a sweat and next week when you are embarrassed by a team who actually give a monkeys you will be straight on the phone to TalkSport screaming "Wenger Out" again!

Your theory about the Liverpool result is bizarre given that game just barely finished before we kicked off and your attempt to explain away no Pogba, Blind, Bailly, Valencia and Rashford will
be made to look even sillier when all 5 start in the match that actually matters on Thursday!

But by all means cling to the delusion that Arsenal aren't done as a top club - it's the hope that kills you after all :-)

 

[montpelier]

That was a patched up XI.

Jones, Smalling, Mata, Tuanzbe, Rooney, Carrick - all need not have played in an ideal world.

 

[The Purist]

Jesus. I thought Arsenal Fan TV was misrepresentative of Arsenal fans but turns out there are more than a few!

Come crawling out of the woodwork because you beat our Reserves who barely broke a sweat and next week when you are embarrassed by a team who actually give a monkeys you will be straight on the phone to TalkSport screaming "Wenger Out" again!

Your theory about the Liverpool result is bizarre given that game just barely finished before we kicked off and your attempt to explain away no Pogba, Blind, Bailly, Valencia and Rashford will
be made to look even sillier when all 5 start in the match that actually matters on Thursday!

But by all means cling to the delusion that Arsenal aren't done as a top club - it's the hope that kills you after all :-)

Actually, I've been Wenger Out for a good few years. My attempt to 'explain away' the exclusions are pretty well-founded and you're welcome to argue why it was the wrong decision tactically in your eyes.

I don't think we are at the elite level of clubs, the likes of whom are always there or there abouts in the CL and can get whoever they want within reason. - Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich etc.

There are no elite clubs in the Premier League anymore. The fact that you're calling a Europa League game 'a game that matters' proves that I could bring the same retort onto you.

Maybe the unfortunate reality here is that I'm the less deluded one?

Anyway, I'll leave you to it. Not here for arguments - just posting my opinions which I believe were fair!

 

[Lentwood]

Actually, I've been Wenger Out for a good few years. My attempt to 'explain away' the exclusions are pretty well-founded and you're welcome to argue why it was the wrong decision tactically in your eyes.

I don't think we are at the elite level of clubs, the likes of whom are always there or there abouts in the CL and can get whoever they want within reason. - Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich etc.

There are no elite clubs in the Premier League anymore. The fact that you're calling a Europa League game 'a game that matters' proves that I could bring the same retort onto you.

Maybe the unfortunate reality here is that I'm the less deluded one?

Anyway, I'll leave you to it. Not here for arguments - just posting my opinions which I believe were fair!

"Game that matters" depends on context. Today's game did not matter as the result will have no bearing on the outcome of any competition.

Thursday is a cup semi final and is therefore "a game that matters" to both teams

We might be fairly average atm but we have the manager, the money and the power to make ourselves relevant again. Not sure Arsenal can say the same

 

[Roosney]

Tuanzebe ridiculed Alexis Sanchez, that was the only positive off this.

 

[montpelier]

there wasn't enough clogging of Sanchez all round the park for me,

the guy's an absolute prick

 

[The Purist]

"Game that matters" depends on context. Today's game did not matter as the result will have no bearing on the outcome of any competition.

Thursday is a cup semi final and is therefore "a game that matters" to both teams

We might be fairly average atm but we have the manager, the money and the power to make ourselves relevant again. Not sure Arsenal can say the same

Well I would say that both clubs have the money and the power to do so. I wouldn't say we have the right manager, certainly. I'm also not sure if Mourinho's recent results justify unwavering praise. The new breed of manager that has come to the league - Klopp, Pochettino and Guardiola all seem to have the tools to surpass his achievements here in the longer term. Mourinho struggled to adapt to our tactics today and it's not the first time I've seen that happen this season. I thought it was a one-dimensional United performance against a relatively beatable Arsenal.

You're right, though. Both teams are capable of getting there (at Premier League level at least.. domestically, our teams have a long way to go to compete at elite European level. Part of that is down to the individual quality of players like Messi/Ronaldo and the fact that even the best players here seem to want to move there now - Bale, Fabregas, Ronaldo again, De Gea but for a fax machine).

 

[Abdou0230]

Football rule #2: Play for a draw and you will always lose.

 

[CLK_FPC]

Confirmed everything I assumed about Rooney being finished as a top level player

 

[Jaxdan]

And I agree with your last sentence. Not sure why you're laughing at my first paragraph, then. Because Mourinho picked a side that played to our weaknesses and usually would have beaten us, if we hadn't been so patient.

The possession was 50% to 50%. Shots were 10(4) United, 9(4) Arsenal. Corners were 9 United 5 Arsenal. It's not like we parked the bus. You got a luck goal off Herrera's back when he turned and ducked like a wuss that broke us. You did score a nice goal a couple minutes later, I'll give you that. You guys won. Congrats. But it's not as though you bossed the entire game and had to just wait us out.

 

[Catt]

I have no idea, because you might disagree with it like everything else? Are you always this hard work?

When have I disagreed with you before? You having a bad day mate?

 

[Litch]

Rooneys miss was they key moment in the game.....score it and the pressure would have been huge on Arsenal....

 

[James Peril]

United's line-up today wasn't full of reserves, but it consisted of players with little cohesion - all ruined by the inclusion of Wayne Rooney, who truly is finished at this level a long time ago. I think he knows this very well too, but he still acts like he is the player he once was. What about smashing shots towards goal Wayne? You do not always have to curl the balls high in the corner, those two misses were very poor and separates the great players from the mediocre ones. Imagine Griezmann getting that chance, he would have scored. Forget the corners he took, those were just awful.

I wonder why Jose Mourinho even plays Rooney at this stage, surely he of all can see that he is useless? To be kind? Respect to the once star of Manchester United? It is strange, hopefully next season we do not have to see him on the pitch again. I hold not sentiment towards footballers at all, at some point it is allowed to say that someone is finished. We all know he can go on and make millions in China or most likely the US.

It is all about squad - Man Utd have a big one, but it is lacking in some departments. Playing Rooney, Fellaini (as a starter), Lingard et al is a big, big problem. Rooney would not get a game for any club in the Premier League anymore and Lingard is a Championship-player.

 

[Infra-red]

We'll have to play a hell of a lot better than that to beat Ajax (assuming we actually get ourselves into a position to play them).

 

[James Peril]

Rooneys miss was they key moment in the game.....score it and the pressure would have been huge on Arsenal....

It surely was. Both the one alone against Cech, and those shots he had outside the box without any pressure. Tries to curl them high, should have just smashed them towards goal. Away from home you have to take your chances, no matter if it is Hull or Arsenal. Wayne Rooney playing from start away to Arsenal was a huge mistake.

 

[VeevaVee]

When have I disagreed with you before? You having a bad day mate?

Yeah

 

[marlowe78]

I've been offline for a while now and thought it better to cool out before I post anything. And after giving it thought, I still can't get my head around it. This was pathetic from Jose and from us as a team.

I was generally happy with the lineup. We needed to rest a few players for Thursday, but it was pretty strong. I thought the one major issue would be Tuanzebe having to deal with Sanchez, being such an inexperienced player. I thought the game might be decided there but Axel did quite well, IMO.

Instead, our issue was that we never really looked intent on trying to win it. I wholly disagree with the people who said this wasn't a bus-park job, we had players like Mata and Mkhitaryan playing in deep positions and pretty much everyone was playing behind the ball. I could understand doing this in the first half to ride out Arsenal's initial attacks, but I wholly expected us to up the pressure in the 2nd. Yet nothing...

We basically got the outcome we deserved. Did nothing to get something from the game -----> got nothing. Nothing profound to see here. We watched it for 2 seasons under LVG.

And this begs the question: if Jose went into this game really expecting nothing from it or not really wanting to put out the commitment to win it, why play guys like Mkhitaryan and Rashford? Either you play important players like that and make a real go of it, or you play U23s and whatever backups we have laying around and make the best of it. It would help, of course, if half of our midfield wasn't fecked off before the season was over...

This was really painful to watch. We were mostly playing toss with each other in the midfield, not making any kind of committed runs to break through Arsenal's defense, which isn't exactly one of the strongest going. Rooney and Carrick are slower than an overpacked lorry and accordingly struggled. This was a game where Herrera needed to do more on the attacking side but was too defensively committed to really produce much.

No wing play. No good ball-playing from the back with Smalling and Jones looking afraid to do anything.

Gutless and cowardly are really the only words I can find. Tuanzebe's debut the only positive. On a 10 scale, I give 3 out of 10. 3 to Axel, and feck all to everyone else.

 

[Eyepopper]

I have no problem with the team Jose put out today, logical decision with the EL coming up.

Something that did really bother me was the fact that once the second goal went in the players (bar the subs) seemed to accept that we were beaten and showed no real desire or effort to try get back into it - even if it was a lost cause.

Every player on the pitch should've been trying to force themselves into the team for Thursday but there was just no fight from them whatsoever.

 

[Bastian]

Felt a lot more frustrated after many of our home draws. Like last week. Agree with Neville that the first goal completely changed a game in which nothing was happening. And it was a fluke. Don't think Arsenal were that much better, in a game where both sides were poor but only one resting half their squad.

Tuanzebe did great.

 

[Chorley1974]

What time is the Arsenal open-top bus parade booked for then?

It was a bit like that, papering over their own tracks.

 

[Chorley1974]

That's such a poor attitude. If we're going to be challenging for silverware, we cannot be playing this embarrassingly.

This team is nothing short of a massive failure.

José needs to go if he cannot motivate the players to go out there and at least try to win the game against one of our biggest rivals.

Absolutely shocking stuff.

Absolutely shocking post.

 

[sunama]

First time we lose a league game in months and the fans go into meltdown.
Today wasn't Jose's best decision, but he has stated clearly that EL is now the priority.
His aim is to qualify for CL and win 2 trophies and we are still on course for this.

 

[1974_Fergie_Time]

I have no problem with the team Jose put out today, logical decision with the EL coming up.

Something that did really bother me was the fact that once the second goal went in the players (bar the subs) seemed to accept that we were beaten and showed no real desire or effort to try get back into it - even if it was a lost cause.

Every player on the pitch should've been trying to force themselves into the team for Thursday but there was just no fight from them whatsoever.

There was a reason those players played today to give their team mates a rest and most know they won't be in the side on Thursday night so you end up going through the motions when it's a lost cause and at 2-0 today it was

Jose took today's defeat just like the Charity Shield defeat to Arsenal was pragmatic about it but he had bigger things on his mind - we will see next season how different a full strength Man Utd are at the Emirates.

 

[wr8_utd]

Didn't watch the match and not bothered we lost. The League was done after the Swansea draw. We need to make sure we do the job on Thursday though because next weekend is going to be yet more dropped points.

 

[The red panther]

Mourinho knew exactly what he was doing today. Defending the centre of the park is the most important thing when it comes to beating Arsenal and dropping (read: 'resting') Pogba was the right decision on this occasion. I remember he failed to track Chamberlain in the game at OT when we scored the equaliser. Rooney, obviously, has been the biggest thorn in our side for years.. up there with Drogba.. and generally raises his game for us. Bar Valencia for Tuanzebe (who played well), nobody was 'rested' for anything other than tactical purposes.

The only reason he didn't get the result he was hoping for was that he came up against a pragmatic Arsenal side who didn't want to give United anything easy like we have in the past. The counter attacking style was largely nullified by a patient Arsenal and once we got the slice of luck for the goal, Jose's one-dimensional approach was laid bare for all to see.

If United fans do genuinely believe that he 'put all the eggs in one basket' on the day that Liverpool handed control of top 4 back to you - then I can only imagine that you would be furious at the unnecessary risk. Obvious to anyone, though, is that this is simply an excuse.

Ow come on we fielded a B-team, Mourinho said he was going to do that and he did.

-Rashford, Lingard, Bailly, Blind, Valencia and Pogba were all rested because they are crucial for semi final in El against Vigo
-Tuanzebe was given his debut
-McTominay was given his debut
-Mata and Jones made their comback after being out injurred for a very long time

I know Rooney has been a thorn upon Arsenal's backside but believe me right now, in his current form he is more a thorn in United's backside than anyone else

As far as the game is concerned. Arsenal was better but not by much. First half both teams had equal amount of chances, United missed a couple of big ones as per usual this season. Arsenal had a 100% luck goal with the deviation than 3 minutes later you score again because of weak defending by Darmian and Smalling (both players I hope will not be here anymore next season). So you lead with 2-0 in a game that United basically needs to win for it to matter and we simply can't score 3 goals in a match anymore let alone in one half so basically you knocked our already tired legs from underneath us and got the victory you deserved. I also doubt Mourinho will leave much sleep over it nor the majority of the fans or players because to be fair our top 4 ambitions were already killed last week after drawing against Swansea. Our focus is now 100% on EL and will remain so until after the final on 24 may.

For the record I'am not saying you would not have won if we had fielded our strongest XI, I don't know that and the discussion is irrelevant. But it is quite obvious this is not the strongest XI Mourinho could field today and he didn't field his strongest XI for obvious reasons being the EL semi final.

 

[Eyepopper]

There was a reason those players played today to give their team mates a rest and most know they won't be in the side on Thursday night so you end up going through the motions when it's a lost cause and at 2-0 today it was

That's my point though, none of them should just accept that they won't be playing, they should be looking for a chance to force themselves into the team.

That is how they played though, like they were resigned to not playing Thursday so weren't particularly arsed, that's what bothered me, it makes me question their mentality.

 

[POF]

Always sickening to lose to Arsenal but with that team, I wasn't too disappointed with the performance. Playing that system you need speed on the counter attack and having Rooney and Mata in 2 of those key roles was far from ideal.

The game was decided by a huge slice of luck and a terrible error. If Rooney had squared that chance to Mata and United got the first goal, it could easily have finished 2-0 the other way.

 

[The red panther]

I have no problem with the team Jose put out today, logical decision with the EL coming up.

Something that did really bother me was the fact that once the second goal went in the players (bar the subs) seemed to accept that we were beaten and showed no real desire or effort to try get back into it - even if it was a lost cause.

Every player on the pitch should've been trying to force themselves into the team for Thursday but there was just no fight from them whatsoever.

1. Drawing or losing not much difference for us so we needed to win for it to matter, 2-0 down in the second half that is a long shot for a team that has been struggling to score goals for an entire season
2. Majority of our players are really tired, both in the legs and mentally
3. Our focus is on the EL, proably was already the case before we even started the match, than surely it is going to be like that 2-0 down

I don't like it either but it explains and I understand why it killed the game for us and we didn't bother too much anymore.

Also Most players realise they won't be featuring thrusday anyway even if they put up a good show

 

[manutd619]

JM said he wants the EL so I expect nothing in the league

As long as we get to Stockholm idc

 

[redsunited]

So glad i watched only the first half. After seeing Rooney playing the way he did, I didn't see the second half and spent my time wisely. Soon we stop this single striker and defending all game against decent away sides the better. This season is Europa League or nothing(flop season).

 

[SteveJ]

Top-class coverage from Goal.com:

ARSENAL STAFF MUNCH ON CHOCOLATES DURING WIN OVER MANCHESTER UNITED ~

http://m.goal.com/s/en-gb/news/2896...unch-on-chocolates-during-win-over-manchester

 

[No Love]

Top-class coverage from Goal.com:

ARSENAL STAFF MUNCH ON CHOCOLATES DURING WIN OVER MANCHESTER UNITED ~

They really do their finger on the pulse over their, don't they?

"Men eat chocolate in front of capacity crowd and millions of adoring viewers at home. Oh, and some guys had a kickabout, too."

 

[Rolandofgilead]

It was a game to get out of the way just like the rest of the league campaign. The massive game is Thursday night then rotate to keep players fresh for the final (should we qualify)

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Standard Jose performance. Quite suprised looking at the ratings and that people voted Tuanzebe man of the match. Had a really sketchy first 20 minutes and never really quite looked comfortable and was out of position a lot and didn't get forward.(probably by instruction)

I felt Martial was bang on for man of the match. Holding up the ball, getting flicks on, winning aerial duels. For me he was by far the best player for us.

 

[ghagua]

Should not have expected any different when a team is managed by a coward. Perfect opportunity to get into the top 4 last few weeks, but he wants to go for it in a knockout tournament.

 

[Rolandofgilead]

Standard Jose performance. Quite suprised looking at the ratings and that people voted Tuanzebe man of the match. Had a really sketchy first 20 minutes and never really quite looked comfortable and was out of position a lot and didn't get forward.(probably by instruction)

I felt Martial was bang on for man of the match. Holding up the ball, getting flicks on, winning aerial duels. For me he was by far the best player for us.

I have martial down at 3/10 at best and i thought i was being generous.

 

[Sentient Meat]

Martial is like our version of Ozil (not that he's done anything near as much) in that he has talent, but if he doesn't have early success in a match his shoulders begin to slump and and his body language becomes negative. Rashford on the other hand, and Lingard continue running until their number is called. He's young so I haven't given up on him yet, although perhaps Jose might have.

 

[MrBest]

Switched off after 60 mins. Was not going to waste half hour of my day more.

 

[Sunny Jim]

I really belive we need a clear-out. Too many average players, too many broken souls by LVG and Moyes.

 

[Jaxdan]

I have martial down at 3/10 at best and i thought i was being generous.

That's how I saw it as well. Everyone piles on Rooney, and at times deserved, but seem to give everyone else a pass. Martial, Mkhitaryan, Mata, Carrick, etc., etc. did next to nothing as well. The only outfield player that impressed me at all was the kid.