2017 Pre Season | Sampdoria vs Manchester United

[Stactix]

Except you aren't accounting for improvement from players along with regression to the norm in terms of expected goals vs. what we actually scored. I expect Martial, Rashford, Mkhi, and Pogba all to better this season to various degrees. And just looking at it statistically we should be more fortunate in front of goal than last year even if we hadn't have bought anyone.

You can't look at football as a rigid sport, it's fluid. One improvement can cause improvements throughout.

Indeed, I imagine atleast one of Rash/Mart/Mhiki will be a different player this season.
I still think the way Utd attack is a bit rigid & can be very pedestrian at times. Usually its down to a lack of bodies in the box which hopefully might increase with Matic & a lack of runs.
Pass to fullback, thinks about crossing, passes back 20 passes later fullback crosses, Mata only Utd player in box.
-rage.
In fairness Utd played some beautiful football at times in the first half of the season but were just so tumescent in the second.

 

[MrSingh2002]

He is saying Fellaini is a better box to box midfielder?

Correct. Don't think Herrera has the legs for the role. Think thats why Jose moved him to a more defensive role where his tactical discipline earnt him a starting berth.

 

[MZX7]

I don't think Griezmann would do that too.both of them though.
As for Lukaku scoring 20, 30 goals surely helps.

I feel that apart from Pogba, forms of Rashford, Martial and Mkhitaryan will decide our fate in the season.

Lukaku will need all the help he needs from these players to score those 30 goals.

 

[Heardy]

Sorry guys im

for the last 30min

Ah unlucky pal! Suppose even someone as reliable as you has to have the odd off day!

 

[antohan]

Missed the game, good to hear Matic slotted in nicely.

Anyone noticed Torreira? Heard reports he was doing great at Sampdoria, calls for NT inclusion, etc. Any good?

 

[MrSingh2002]

Herrera isn't a DMF. He was used here because we have no other option only but he's a clear b2b midfielder. Even when playing as a DMF it was clear he loves to rush forward when there are occasions. His best position is b2b and he's clearly better than Fellaini in this position in almost everything.

He's far from being just a squad player also.

Can you name a box to box player Jose has signed or selected in the mould of a Herrera?

I think of Essien, Maniche, Khedira, Fellaini, Mikel, Muntari etc as his type of box to box player - big, strong, physical fecks.

 

[MrSingh2002]

I must admit that if Herrera is to play in a three with two top class specialists of their position, he needs to show us his own class more consistently.

Fellaini could be a good shout for that third spot. He's got a knack of popping up with that important goal, and his passing has impressed me throughout this tour.

I feel fans don't give Fellaini the credit he deserves. Probably never will, but it clearly isn't lost on Jose. Fellaini rarely has ineffective games.

 

[Infestissumam]

fantastic preseason this. No injuries, good results, flashes of good football and way better conditions in the US than in Asia last year. Can't really ask for much more.

 

[Reynoldo]

Did not like Jose's body language when asked if Martial is in his plans or if he could leave, he did a big sigh and stretched back in his chair. Not positive body language.

 

[Acole9]

Just watching the post match conference, doesn't sound like they'll be anymore signings.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

When everyone is fit.....

3 5 2
De Gea
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Valencia Matic Shaw
Fellaini Pogba
Lukaku Martial

4 3 3
De Gea
Valencia Bailly Rojo Shaw
Matic
Fellaini Pogba
Mkhitaryan Lukaku Martial
​

May sometimes see a 4231 too

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Jones Darmian
Pogba Matic
Mata Mkhitaryan Martial
Lukaku​

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Jose Post Match Presser: Jesus Italian questions go on and on

 

[sglowrider]

Just watching the post match conference, doesn't sound like they'll be anymore signings.

Not if they want Martial on loan for Persic.

 

[Reynoldo]

Jose Post Match Presser: Jesus Italian questions go on and on

I know I thought they had mixed up the feeds and cut to someone reading a novel

 

[pocco]

Did not like Jose's body language when asked if Martial is in his plans or if he could leave, he did a big sigh and stretched back in his chair. Not positive body language.

What did he say?

 

[sglowrider]

Jose Post Match Presser: Jesus Italian questions go on and on

Jose speaks Italian right?

 

[Kag]

Can you name a box to box player Jose has signed or selected in the mould of a Herrera?

I think of Essien, Maniche, Khedira, Fellaini, Mikel, Muntari etc as his type of box to box player - big, strong, physical fecks.

Herrera is big, strong and physical. He's built like a rake but the application of his work confirms these traits all the same. 6 feet tall, strong in the tackle with great stamina and drive. Herrera falls in line with all of the players you mention, and is considerably better at football than all apart from Essien.

 

[Will Absolute]

Should anyone take any notice of people who think Mata is a nothing player?

No. I've just put myself on ignore.

 

[Reynoldo]

What did he say?

He gave a non comital basically everyone is in his plans and didn't mention Martial at all. Very much a brush it away type of answer.

 

[Acole9]

Jose Post Match Presser: Jesus Italian questions go on and on

They're not questions, I think it's just an interpreter for the Italian media.

 

[Reynoldo]

They're not questions, I think it's just an interpreter for the Italian media.

That makes more sense.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Jose speaks Italian right?

Yes, you can actually see him chewing it over but a translator summarises and he answers in English

 

[Eckers99]

To be fair it was a but more derogatory than you give him credit for:

Fair enough. But it's the 'nothing player' comment which has gained traction here, and it was abbreviated enough to make it significantly worse.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Fair enough. But it's the 'nothing player' comment which has gained traction here, and it was abbreviated enough to make it significantly worse.

That's what I was saying

 

[MrSingh2002]

Herrera is big, strong and physical. He's built like a rake but the application of his work confirms these traits all the same. 6 feet tall, strong in the tackle with great stamina and drive. Herrera falls in line with all of the players you mention, and is considerably better at football than all apart from Essien.

Good points. No doubt he'll feature alot for us throughout the season. I just personally would pick Fellaini. Only just.

 

[TheReligion]

Aside from Matic theres no noticeable upgrade.
Zlatan cancels out Lukaku
Rojo out injured cancels out Lindelof.

Matic will be a great purchase but I don't see this team scoring 30 more goals in the league. It's still a distance away from top 4 let alone the title.

You do know Zlatan and Rojo aren't deceased and will return?

Another signing due too.

 

[Livvie]

Ohh ye forgot about Matic he looked veryimpressive despite it being his first game.
Mata took the goal well but besides that he did nothing of notice. Pretty much sums up his whole United career that sentence.

Where would we have finished without his goals last season? And I wouldn't call two against Liverpool nothing of notice.

 

[Ban]

I feel that apart from Pogba, forms of Rashford, Martial and Mkhitaryan will decide our fate in the season.

Lukaku will need all the help he needs from these players to score those 30 goals.

Completely agree.

 

[WoodysWallet]

The interpreter was translating the question and the answer from Jose.

Going back to the Martial question. I don't think you can read too much into his answer, as I don't feel that he wants to give Martial the comfort or security by saying that he is an important player.

Jose knows he's an important player, he's keeping him on his toes because he's pushing on at the moment. He's also got the support of the fans and Mourinho knows this.

Unlike Fellaini, who is not the most popular amongst the fans.
He was quick to defend the player because the odds are stacked against him.

It's hard to put into words, but psychologically Mourinho is very powerful. He reads players well and approaches answers differently with each scenario.

UnlikeFergie for example, that would stand by every player and give them the hairdryer behind closed doors.

 

[the hea]

Where would we have finished without his goals last season?

Who knows. My feelings on Mata are kind of torn. On one side is his productivity which is really good but on the other hand he almost always is invisible for most parts of the game and doesn't contribute enough to our general play. I'd much rather have someone like Martial starting, he always keeps on taking on the defenders and is a much more exciting player to watch.

 

[Stactix]

You do know Zlatan and Rojo aren't deceased and will return?

Another signing due too.

Both won't be back til second half of season,
Zlatan hasn't been confirmed either.

 

[Catt]

Just watching the post match conference, doesn't sound like they'll be anymore signings.

What did he say?

 

[Jim Beam]

Correct. Don't think Herrera has the legs for the role. Think thats why Jose moved him to a more defensive role where his tactical discipline earnt him a starting berth.

Your opinion as you said but it's still damn strange to declare our most mobile and aggressive midfielder as someone who hasn't got the legs for box to box role and then put Fellaini there instead of him.

 

[Acole9]

What did he say?

He thanked the board for getting him three signings but he wants four but he doesn't seem too hopeful about it and what with the news about Perisic tonight it looks like our business might be done.

 

[Catt]

He thanked the board for getting him three signings but he wants four but he doesn't seem too hopeful about it and what with the news about Perisic tonight it looks like our business might be done.

Thanks.

 

[markhrad]

Who knows. My feelings on Mata are kind of torn. On one side is his productivity which is really good but on the other hand he almost always is invisible for most parts of the game and doesn't contribute enough to our general play. I'd much rather have someone like Martial starting, he always keeps on taking on the defenders and is a much more exciting player to watch.

My feelings about Mata is that he does very little in our build up play or when our opponents have the ball. He really just tries to get in the box at the earliest opportunity. When he should be outside helping to develop the play he has already snuck in the box. This means that he will score a few goals resulting in some fans ignoring how little he contributes to our overall play. I find him frustrating because he is obviously skillful but I suspect that he is probably sneaky by nature. I would bench his tush and bring him on in times when we are chasing a game because the one ting he can do is sneak in the box at the right time to tap in a goal.
When it comes to Martial I am disappointed that he has not had enough playing time with Lukaku. I would have loved for them to develop an understanding and become twin terrors like Cole and Yorke. Martial dribbling into the box and knowing where Lukaku is going to be would make all our dreams come true.
In fact I am not seeing anyone besides Pogba really try to link up with Lukaku but I am old school and believe that our strikers should be the one taking the most shots to goal and Herrera and others should think first about feeding him the ball rather than going for a glorious long range shot. Its not as if he is static. I am not saying that Lukaku should be the only one shooting but as Zlatan said to Pogba give/ pass him the ball.

 

[noodlehair]

I bet when Daley Blind sleeps at night he actually has dreams about himself being distracted from his own dream because he's too busy daydreaming during it.

 

[noodlehair]

Did not like Jose's body language when asked if Martial is in his plans or if he could leave, he did a big sigh and stretched back in his chair. Not positive body language.

He probably did that because he already answered the exact same question in detail about a week ago, after also having to answer it about 500 times last season.

It's also a really stupid question anyway. I mean under what circumstance is he going to answer "no"?

 

[Still ill]

Just back from game, an enjoyable evening I must say. The mighty Marouane bestrode the Aviva like a colossus, voted man of the match by my 8 year old, the only opinion in town tonight. I was unable to disagree. A lot of warmth towards him from the crowd, which was nice to see. He was out on his own at the end warming down, got a great reception.

Matic lovely to watch, impeccable. Martial, some questionable decision-making notwithstanding, was most dangerous man on the pitch. Lindelof really unconvincing still. Lukaku humming with intent. Tony great. Nice to see that it's still a thrill to see them in the flesh.

 

[markhrad]

I bet when Daley Blind sleeps at night he actually has dreams about himself being distracted from his own dream because he's too busy daydreaming during it.

Good one.