Was my man of the match. Critics are looking very foolish. Was excellent breaking up the play, and better at starting attacking moves than I expected.
31
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 49
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 6
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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I was very skeptical about signing him, but if today is anything to go by he could become an important player for us.
An ability to admit when you're wrong is a much better attribute than blindly continuing to hold a bad opinion as a point of pride, and much more conductive to healthy debate.
Looked much more comfortable at the base of a midfield 3 than he did for much of last season in a midfield 2 to be honest. With two energetic players either side of him he should provide ample stability, and also if he doesn't have to move forward and back as much as in a midfield 2 then his lateral mobility may be much improved as well. His distribution was good as well, though I thought he benefited from Real's lack of fitness to some extent as they didn't press cohesively. Matic can struggle when put under pressure but today was very good.
He was always likely to be an asset against top teams but for me the most encouraging thing from United's perspective was his work on the ball, obviously his shot that led to the goal and his cross that led to Fellaini's head injury were both quite good. He'll need to do a lot more of that in the league against poor opposition that will defend deep much of the time, since that's where United struggled most last year. Last year for Chelsea he was pretty mediocre at this for the most part; he finished with decent assist numbers but his passing was rarely incisive and he was often ponderous on the ball. Much of this is because he struggles to use his right foot at all; I can't remember a single shot of any note he's taken with it during his time with Chelsea.
Sorry, this isn't meant to WUM or to piss in anyone's Cheerios. I do think the change from a 2 man to a 3 man midfield will genuinely help him quite a bit and he was undeniably excellent today, especially considering his unfamiliarity with his teammates and his lack of a preseason.
He was always likely to be an asset against top teams but for me the most encouraging thing from United's perspective was his work on the ball, obviously his shot that led to the goal and his cross that led to Fellaini's head injury were both quite good. He'll need to do a lot more of that in the league against poor opposition that will defend deep much of the time, since that's where United struggled most last year. Last year for Chelsea he was pretty mediocre at this for the most part; he finished with decent assist numbers but his passing was rarely incisive and he was often ponderous on the ball. Much of this is because he struggles to use his right foot at all; I can't remember a single shot of any note he's taken with it during his time with Chelsea.
Sorry, this isn't meant to WUM or to piss in anyone's Cheerios. I do think the change from a 2 man to a 3 man midfield will genuinely help him quite a bit and he was undeniably excellent today, especially considering his unfamiliarity with his teammates and his lack of a preseason.
A reason to be optimistic, was great tonight. A real hard bstard that drives us forward. Showed leadership and got us back in the game,will be massive in old Trafford. No hiding from this man, takes charge. Bring it on!
There were people in the transfer forum saying he was just a big lump and they wanted someone who could play on the deck when we he was being discussed as a potential incoming transfer. 
Technically he has been superb. Once he fully settles into the team, he will undoubtedly be a key player for us this season.
Technically he has been superb. Once he fully settles into the team, he will undoubtedly be a key player for us this season.
I think Valencia can be thrown in there as well. He's not as good as Carvajal overall but he's comfortable under pressure, defends well 1 on 1 and is athletic.
I was actually surprised to see him do so well considering he's just getting used to a new team and had no preseason, but he still went on to have a good game.
Considering the superiority of Madrid's midfield, he gave a good account of himself (especially when compared to Pogba or Herrera's performances).
Carrick, even at his best struggled massively against high pressing top teams and this shouldn't be seen exactly as a slight on Carrick but as praise for Matic. Regardless Carrick was really overrated on these boards and excessive future praise of Matic would only reinforce that fact and in time, people would probably rate him less than they used to.
Considering the superiority of Madrid's midfield, he gave a good account of himself (especially when compared to Pogba or Herrera's performances).
Carrick, even at his best struggled massively against high pressing top teams and this shouldn't be seen exactly as a slight on Carrick but as praise for Matic. Regardless Carrick was really overrated on these boards and excessive future praise of Matic would only reinforce that fact and in time, people would probably rate him less than they used to.
His 2nd ever game for us, against the best team in the world, after barely a pre-season. All in all, not bad!
The two successive outside of the foot passes at 1:20 and the pass at 3:12 were particularly impressive.
The two successive outside of the foot passes at 1:20 and the pass at 3:12 were particularly impressive.
He is going to be our most valued signing for the past 4 years. Only time will tell but I think Jose has done Chelsea with this transfer.
Brilliant debut from him playing against one of the best midfield showed his pure class, never went hiding in a match his cross to fellain when he got injured was an example. Always available as a passing option and broke up no. of plays
Fantastic game from Matic. Was one of the only players who was calm throughout and did his job very well. His passing ability and range surprised me a bit, he's more than a pure destroyer. Very good signing for us, he doesn't depend on pace, he can play at the top level for a couple of seasons easily.
Like a glove he fits for us, great signing by Jose. It is like having a Carrick who can play one vs one a lot better (and maybe sacrifices the passing), I think he will be an incredibly important player if he stays fit this season.
Matic was good last night, if carries this on then he'll be a very important signing for the club. It's just a shame that because of his massively advanced age we cannot expect him to play more than 20-30% of games and he could be dead by April.
He was brilliant last night given that he's had next to no pre-season. His only weakness that i noticed is that if he is out of position, he finds it hard to catch up with the runner.
The guy is 29, not 39.
He is unbelievably old.
Verry happy to have a dm and even more so that it aint dier!
The Matic & Walker sales to strengthen rivals remain big headscratchers for me - Matic is a perfect addition for Mou and should allow Pogba to create more. Of course, Paul will need to be less reckless in possession
A lot of speculation that Conte was not entirely content at Chelsea with the board et al but more & more I am wondering if he is indeed there for much longer
A lot of speculation that Conte was not entirely content at Chelsea with the board et al but more & more I am wondering if he is indeed there for much longer
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I know its early days but it illustrates why we have been finishing 5th and 6th. Our rivals have better players and/or balanced squads. We have many players trying to find a position who are combination of young, inconsistent, lack winning character. Lots of square pegs in round holes still and not enough tough nosed winners.
Matic will be a help this season but I think a change in fortunes depends upon the performances of Miki, Mata, Rash, Martial and goals from Pog. More of the same if this doesnt materialize.
Matic will be a help this season but I think a change in fortunes depends upon the performances of Miki, Mata, Rash, Martial and goals from Pog. More of the same if this doesnt materialize.
It speaks volumes that a supposed Chelsea reject looked better than fan favorite and a 90-mil midfielder.
I expect he'll fully avail himself of the facilities in Care home-ington
That's my opinion for so long. What we were good at is slaughtering and joking about about the players of the other top 5 side and calling them rejects or cast offs while they were winning for a reason : these players who are strangely acknowledged as a cast off or big lump etc are just more functional and much better for a team system than our players.
You can collect some fancy names in the lineup as you want but that doesn't guarantee success. What guarantee success is how the players are functioning in this system and how balanced you are. Absence of this is the reason of our failure. It's not strange when we play with the best line up people are dreaming about we put the worst performance on the pitch. People just wants as big names as possible on the pitch.
Matic is an example of why Chelsea were heavily balanced in the midfield and how he gives them stability is obvious but people here were calling him big lump and Chelsea reject. Apparently the man who played 35 matches for the league winner 2 times in 3 years isn't good enough for a team who is finishing 5th and 6th. Feck me really. We should get Fabinho just because the fans love his name anyway and a more of a muppet signing than Matic!
BTW functioning players doesn't mean them to be non creative or non flair. It means players who are good as a unit and make the team work. A player can be very creative and functioning it's not contradicted for me.
Maybe people should learn to trust what Mourinho wants, and stop dissing on Perisic. Even if that seems closed.
Super game.
Really strong and encouraging debut. Pity he slipped for Madrid's second goal but Valencia was at fault anyways. Looking forward to seeing how he strengthens our midfield. If he keeps up this level of performances, I can't see Carrick getting many games this season.
Another good game, he'll be more loved on here than he was at Chelsea by the end of the season - mark my words.
We were dominated in midfield and he was surrounded by a useless Pogba and Herrera, yet he still managed to put in good performance.
Love the way he wins the ball and dribbles his way out of trouble. Even his passing is very good, I mean short passing but with purpose rather than just passing for the sake of it.
Good chance he will spend more seasons at ManUtd than at Chelsea, just like Mata did.
Mata was a much better player for Chelsea though. He has played well for us, generally speaking, but he never matched his performances in a Chelsea shirt with us. Oh and he was a free kick specialist, a trait that has been ridiculously under utilized by us.
Seconded.
Very very good game imo. Calm and good on the ball, great work ethic and happy we have him
He will be a very good player. His calmness on the ball, intelligent passing will be important.
He's been bought as a Dm, but one of his best assets is his shooting ability. I think he'll score a few important goals this season, as well as keeping a few out too.
Yeah he's got a rocket on him alright. Hope he gets forward enough to use it.
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