Liverpool have a shite defence and Spurs are Spurs. It will be between us, City and Chelsea. City are early favorites as usual, but both United and Chelsea are definetly in there. Chelsea have silently been winning games after that disaster of a first game. Spurs, Pool and maybe Arsenal will fight for that fourth spot. I don't expect us to be a free flowing team, but out of all the managers, I trust Jose to get those 1-0 masterclasses over any other manager. The arrival of Ibra will be a huge boost for us in the second half of the season.
The Title Race 2017/18 | Done and dusted.
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Think City and Chelsea look better. But we are well in it.
Arsenal loss came between the 1st and 2nd leg of the Europa semi-final and Spurs loss came after the 2nd leg of the semi-final. It was clear at that point we had prioritized the Europa over the league.
IIRC Pogba started on the bench against Arsenal and wasn't even in the squad for Spurs. Which is all you really need to know about our interest in those matches.
But also Chelsea and Spurs both lost to us too
I think Chelsea is the favourite.
They have won 2 titles in the last 3 years, the mentality and experience are there. They have no trouble dispatching smaller teams and have looked solid against big ones. City is on a hot streak but they have that every season, then followed by an implosion in the winter months.
We've had a lot of laboured performances this month despite the scoreline and it's not sustainable for the whole season. Can certainly improve in that aspect but the jump from 6th to 1st maybe too much of a hurdle.
They have won 2 titles in the last 3 years, the mentality and experience are there. They have no trouble dispatching smaller teams and have looked solid against big ones. City is on a hot streak but they have that every season, then followed by an implosion in the winter months.
We've had a lot of laboured performances this month despite the scoreline and it's not sustainable for the whole season. Can certainly improve in that aspect but the jump from 6th to 1st maybe too much of a hurdle.
They dropped points against Everton at home. They're not unbeatable.
Not sure how anyone can say Chelsea have looked better than us based on the 6 league games. Stoke was really their first match where they looked like the defending champions and could be argued that was due to Stoke having a make shift back-line with a RB and LB playing CB
I also don't think the game against Bournemouth should be ignored. They needed 10 minutes of stoppage time to score the winner.
Chelsea looked much more comfortable against Everton even though they beat them only 2:0. Everton never were in it. At OT Everton had good chances to make it 1:1. And Chelsea have played without Hazard. If they beat City, they'll be only 3 pts behind United after having played 4 teams from top 7 (last season). Meanwhile, United have had much easier fixtures.
Yeah they were very lucky to win that game.
That is the nature of being a Mourinho team. He is not about to change his mentality anytime soon if at all. He simply hates losing more than he loves winning.
You have fantastic depth in midfield and attack too. I think both city and United can cope with a few injuries at a time just fine.
Shocked at the amount of people being very negative on United's chances. 
I think the Bournemouth example is more telling. We dominated the Everton game for 50 minutes with 10 men, I actually came away from that game very impressed with our movement to match them for the extra man while completely controlling the ball.
Games like Bournemouth will happen to every side but they show the importance of not going a goal behind. It lifts the crowd, the team, and puts you in a vulnerable position. We were very lucky to win that.
But what about the 40 mins v Everton with 11 men?
Not refuting that. But you can't deny we dropped too many points in these sort of games which was part of the reason we were so adrift from the top pack so early last season. Drawing from a winning position against Arsenal, drawing twice with Pool and that spanking at Chelsea..
When we completely dominated the game, missed a hat full of chances, and conceded with their only shot in the game? If that's us at our worst then that's fine. A lot of things didn't go our way that day to not take away 3 points, not least a silly red card. Like I say, Bournemouth was more telling. We'll drop points to middle tier sides and so will everyone. It's a tough league.
It's sad people have really underestimated our yesterday's result. Granted the performance was not great but that is why the win was even more special.yes city thrashed palace but for those watch the highlights would have seen palace should have scored atleast 2. I am not saying city wouldn't have beaten palace then but point is city are defensively vulnerable.
Also I can't see city grinding out results like we did yesterday. They would need their attackers to do wonders , and every time it won't be easy to do. Chelsea, yes they can grind the results but city no I cannot.
Also I can't see city grinding out results like we did yesterday. They would need their attackers to do wonders , and every time it won't be easy to do. Chelsea, yes they can grind the results but city no I cannot.
We can cope with a few injuries for sure. I wasn't saying United lack depth. Just that City are a system specific team that play the dominant way, so when one players goes off injuired a similar one comes on, the system stays the same and the roles of individuals doesn't get affected.
For us, while we certainly have depth, we lack like for like replacements like City do. Like now, when Pogba is sidelined we'll have to make do with Herrera and Fellaini who are quite handy and up for it, but neither of them can do what Pogba does. As a result the manager has to tweak the way we play which varies from one opponent to the other unlike City. Sometimes we dominate, sometimes we sit back and hit the counter, on a rare occasion like Chelsea at OT last season we press the hell out of the opposition. But you can't deny it's like making the shit up as you go along rather than work with a stable system. Hence my comment on manager having a bigger role if we are to succeed.
My memory might be dull, but I remember the first half against Everton being very dull with very few chances.
Good point but that's what even we are doing to an extent. Bringing the fear factor for teams coming to old Trafford and playing. City will outscore us but I can easily see us also doing damage to bottom half teams at home.
Let's just keep winning our games. City always start like this every season.
Even before Pep.
Even before Pep.
@Manchester Dan
No you did not dominate that first half. You rarely threatened their keeper while Otamendi was getting such a roasting that he had to change positions.
Lets not lie now!
No you did not dominate that first half. You rarely threatened their keeper while Otamendi was getting such a roasting that he had to change positions.
Lets not lie now!
What are you on about they grinded out results twice already this season. Against Everton and Bournemouth.
Agree with Grey. From 2:05
City look sensational right now, free flowing attacking football and they've now got great defenders in Mendy and Walker.
I trust Jose though, he's built for the marathon. Let's hope this is our season.
I trust Jose though, he's built for the marathon. Let's hope this is our season.
Let's also not forget where we've been the last few seasons. Any title challenge at all, even an unsuccessful one, would be huge progress for us.
I hope people keep this in perspective if City do get the better of us over the course of the season.
I hope people keep this in perspective if City do get the better of us over the course of the season.
That's why I'm not fussed if we don't win it.
Considering the last 4 years, 2/3rd would be a dream.
They couldn't against everton and needed a 97th minute victory Bournemouth in a 5 minute stoppage time.
Everyone else is shocked by the opposite coming from Utd fans. It's like they never learn. [No rolleyes]Shocked at the amount of people being very negative on United's chances.
Imo, that's grinding out a result.
Picking up points in situations that look unlikely is textbook grinding out results.
Hmm. So what is grinding out a result? Taking a lead against Southampton then sitting back and inviting pressure for the rest of the game?
I have not seen city getting 3 points when they been really tested. You won't get every game where you play against a 10 men side or against a struggling palace side. Chelsea did that last season and won the league. If city does that and pep is pragmatic , I can easily see city winning the league.
I have put city as favourites even before the season started and still stick by it but the only issue for them is can pep be pragmatic.
I could say the same about United's games so far. At least City have already played, and beaten, a top four side from last season. I imagine your statements are based on some misguided judgement that because City do not sit back in games and invite pressure then we are not 'grinding' out results, even if we win without playing well e.g. Bournemouth away.
Can we stop this top 6 tested bullshit? Are Liverpool / Arsenal and even Spurs at Wembley (as of now) really considered top level games?
Its as if it's an entire new season..
Its as if it's an entire new season..
Well if they're not, then what is? Only when City, Chelsea and United play each other can it be considered a 'top level game'?
It's clear you are not willing to understand the point. Not every day will you lot get to play against a 10 men Liverpool side or watford side who are generous to gift you goals. There will be days where your opponents will be stronger than you, the real test will be then. It is not just about sitting back and defending (sometimes pep may even have to do that) , it is also about defending well and countering their attacks aka being pragmatic.
What's there to learn? Poor manager = poor results?
Also when was the last time we got 16pt from the first 6 games?
Because you don't really seem to be making one. Is your point literally just that City will face tougher games than Watford, Palace and a 10-man Liverpool? The same applies to every single team, they will all face tougher games than they have faced thus far.
Yes, you will face tougher opponents like any other club and pep may have to modify his approach . I am not suggesting you guys will fail but pragmatism is needed. (Don't know what you couldn't understand in that)
Obviously, yes, as United will discover when they play against one of these teams.
Don't forget that they have been missing hazard and that bakayoko is still finding fitness
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