The 3 saves from Silva's deflected shot, Jesus' shot from 13-14m and Sane's powerful strike from the left were all top drawer stuff. Probably others that I'm missing atm.
Premier League Gameweek 15 (2nd - 3rd December 2017)
- Thread starter Sandyman
- Start date
I've never really rated him but I thought Lanzini was brilliant today.
Are they on course to be the best team ever?
Indeed it will.
If you sit back and defend like WH, and we play like that, we will get absolutely spanked. You obviously defend much better than WH and are much, much, much more potent in attack.
But we won't play like that, we'll be well up for it. And you are at home and might be tempted to have a go. If you try to play football against us, I think we'll do you.
I'm not saying they couldn't struggle though. You're saying they couldn't go unbeaten when there's every chance they can.
I fully expect them to slip up because every team does and better teams than City have but to dismiss the fact that they've been winning, regardless of how and not give them credit for it and think of the possibilities is being biased and dense.
it's not condescension, it's common sense.
Check on NBC.
You and me have different definitions of top drawer.
They were saves you expect a ordinary goalkeeper to make.
Altho there will be crying over it I'm not against of going defensive and hitting you on the counter.
Because fans are naturally harder on their own team and our prospects but the same applies the other way. Many, many fans on here were watching us win 4-0 each week at the start of the season and saying we're gonna steamroll every one when the reality was that we were playing poorly for large periods and then adding gloss to the finish at the end.
I also think they're getting tired and will slip up at some point. I'm not discounting the possibility that they'll just carry on though.
There's no question that's exactly what we'll do.
City didn't create much considering it was a training attack vs defense drill though. Adrian didn't make many saves and none were amazing, nowhere near De Gea's performance yesterday.
I hope so.
I'd leave it. They're like a cult following.
City remind me of Liverpools run from last year, they went from destroying sides to battling wins and it took a while for the great Liverpool narrative to change. Their battling wins were seen as signs of champions as well.
City should be worried about stopping us from scoring. Theres a bit too much focus on what Jose should do, Pep has the huge tactical decisions to make imo.
City should be worried about stopping us from scoring. Theres a bit too much focus on what Jose should do, Pep has the huge tactical decisions to make imo.
I hope the Ronetta curse strikes again. I remember your incredible arrogance about us being destroyed if we were to attempt to play football against you only for us to win 4-2 with your good self disappearing for months from here as a result. If we win we'll know why!
I agree.
Yeah, except liverpool had already lost one game badly, relied heavily on Henderson and Wijnaldum, and had no bench. City can pull Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo and Gundogan from the bench...
@giorno
Citys bench have done little for them though?
Sure it allows them to change the shape but as individuals they're not exactly taking the game by the scruff of the neck
Do we think Pep likes his first 11 looking so tired? Wouldn't he change it if he could?
Citys bench have done little for them though?
Sure it allows them to change the shape but as individuals they're not exactly taking the game by the scruff of the neck
Do we think Pep likes his first 11 looking so tired? Wouldn't he change it if he could?
If City play how they have last few games I see United winning the game even without Pogba. Martial, Lukaku and Lingard will feast on their defence.
We're just not paying well at the moment, tbh i'd have had Bernardo on far earlier today for Aguero who was one again, abysmal, and he has been for a couple of weeks but we got through the game with Mangala in defence and a victory, this could well be our sticky patch in the season but as we're 8 points clear in pretty cool with it, if it gets down to 2 or 3 then I might be concerned
Lingard, Martial and Rashford would have had a field day with that city team today. hope pep uses this set up against us and doesn't change his system. it's not like he changes his system a lot so it would play into our hand nicely.
I would say Gabriel has been pretty big for them so far, but the point is they can. Quality almost always asserts itself over 38 games, and the simple truth is city have more quality and depth than any other team in the league. So long as Guardiola does a good job, only an big injury crisis or another team morphing into 13/14 juventus can keep them from winning the title
That's the spirit!
You barely scraped past WHU and your luck of scoring in the 96th minute won't be enough to even get a draw against MUFC.
This'll be the battle of the best managers in the World and IMO, Jose is better when it comes to getting results. Pep has a better playing style, but Jose always goes for the result.
The one hope you have got is Pogba - he won't be playing - so we won't be operating at full power, but I don't think we need to be at full power to beat a team who struggle to beat the likes of WHU.
BTW, why no MUFC vs MCFC match day thread? It's the biggest game of the season and we need to have a long build up.
They are winning like champions do.
I think its quite clear the game is about you keeping us out. I don't think Pep or Jose believe for a second City are keeping a clean sheet here, hence why so much discussion is about how United keep City out. In all likelihood you'll have 40ish percent of the ball and the game will be played in your half, you'll have to do the bulk of the defending.
You will score, that's pretty much a given, its down to how you keep us out for the final result. Defend like the first 70 minutes v Arsenal and we'll score two or three. Defend and play at your best like you normally do and you'll win. Jose won't be stupid enough to allow us to play the way he allowed Arsenal to and thats why its the focus of discussion.
Fernandinho and Kompany were rested today as they had 4 bookings, think most the players will be rested for the Ukraine this week too so very much doubt it'll be the same 11, I'd expect Mangala, Danilo and Aguero to be replaced by Kompany, Fernandinho and Jesus, wouldn't also be surprised to see one of Sane or Sterling start on the bench
@giorno
But Jesus is out of form and Aguero has not scored in the league for almost 2 months. The quality is lessening with each game but it's being thrown into the character narrative as if its already the title run in.
They're already slowing down goalwise without an injury crisis and are giving up ridiculous chances to crosses and its not as if English football allows you to overcome fatigue by playing every 3 days.
Its not as if it needed an injury crisis for all of this to already happen so why will it change now?
But Jesus is out of form and Aguero has not scored in the league for almost 2 months. The quality is lessening with each game but it's being thrown into the character narrative as if its already the title run in.
They're already slowing down goalwise without an injury crisis and are giving up ridiculous chances to crosses and its not as if English football allows you to overcome fatigue by playing every 3 days.
Its not as if it needed an injury crisis for all of this to already happen so why will it change now?
Whereas you playing The Harry Kane team without Harry Kane, makes no difference? Had he played, we'd be leading by 11.
We played without Pogba.
@padr81
I can't agree with that buddy, we've conceded 1 (?) goal from open play at home in a calender year, we were the width of a post from scoring 4 goals in 3 of the last 4 games and boast a perfect home record.
Jose gets a spotlight on him as intense as the sun with how he sets up away from home yet Pep seems to get away with it despite having an identical record.
Does Pep start Aguero despite scoring his last league goal 9 weeks ago?
Will City beef up their defence from high balls despite our on form attack cutting sides open on breaks along the ground?
Can he trust Fernandinho to deal with our roaming front 3 on his own (Arsenals centre halves were left with nobody to mark at times last night )
Will you play defensive in a sly way by over recycling the ball and limiting your runs to preserve your 8 point lead?
Pep has a lot to plan for
I can't agree with that buddy, we've conceded 1 (?) goal from open play at home in a calender year, we were the width of a post from scoring 4 goals in 3 of the last 4 games and boast a perfect home record.
Jose gets a spotlight on him as intense as the sun with how he sets up away from home yet Pep seems to get away with it despite having an identical record.
Does Pep start Aguero despite scoring his last league goal 9 weeks ago?
Will City beef up their defence from high balls despite our on form attack cutting sides open on breaks along the ground?
Can he trust Fernandinho to deal with our roaming front 3 on his own (Arsenals centre halves were left with nobody to mark at times last night )
Will you play defensive in a sly way by over recycling the ball and limiting your runs to preserve your 8 point lead?
Pep has a lot to plan for
You say they're already showing a dip in form -true- yet how much points did they drop? Aguero and Gabriel Jesus aren't scoring -yet they keep on winning, because they have other players that can win them games, even when they don't play well
Simply put, this is a team that's built to be spectacularly good when firing on all cylinders, while also having enough individual talent to carry them through the rough patches. It would take a monumental collapse from them for even United to have a real shot at the title
And it's not just that they're that good, they've had their share of luck going their way so far, but that's the reality of the current situation. Pick up 49 points out of 69 left and they finish on 92. You'd need 57 just to finish level with them. Even if they revert to last season's overall form, you'd have to be almost perfect from here on out just to have a chance on GD
Win next week and it's different ball game imo.
I think thats why it's about you guys at the back. Your defence is great and we all know you will score. If you defend like the Arse game I think we will too, if you defend as you can and normally do, I'm not so sure, especially with us looking poorer in front of goal last couple of games.
Pep knows we can't keep a clean sheet, Jose knows too. I don't think we can do anything about the high balls only hope for the best and that's why we will concede. The option I'd was thinking of was Kompany, Mangala and Otamendi but that will leave us really short attacking against a strong defence. Honestly our best hope is to try and do what we always do, take the goal(s) we concede on the chin and hope to turn it into a you score 2 we score 3 kind of game.
I think you'll impose yourself early and physically dominate, while we'll play almost LVG like early days, then we'll take over the ball and imho you'll score regardless so its down to our forwards v your defence (and atm I'd edging towards your defence coming out on top if honest.)
Ask me an honest prediction on what I've seen last 3 weeks, I'd say 2-1 United. The midweek games might change that but that's kind of my view on it. My only real positives are, we somehow tend to find a way lately and Pep has a good record v Jose. But honestly judging the last 2-3 weeks I just don't see us playing well enough to win at OT, and I don't see you giving up chances like the Arsenal game at home.
Yeah, it's not rest i'm talking about but the style of play, he adapted somehow last year in the etihad game. i would be surprised to see him do that. especially when you consider that a draw would suit city better than united. but let's hope that he isn't as pragmatic as that and that he tries to play us like he played the other teams in the league. we have the tools to hurt you and we are at home.
Re rest, we can't afford to rest everybody for the cl game like city, but on the other hand, we will have an additional day of rest, so it'll even out.
Shame that Pogba isn't playing, it's gonna be a cracking game and it would have been better to see both teams at full strength, there will definitly be some what ifs with us missing him, but that football.
The onus is on Jose imho, United need the 3 points so he needs to win. City would happily take a draw away at OT
@giorno
I don't think we have to be perfect at all to be honest. Its not as if a potential 5 point lead after next weekend is a mountain to climb?
City and ourselves will drop a level as the season goes on.
Look at City now, they're struggling up front because Aguero offers little when he's not scoring, thats Peps problem with him so Jesus must be really struggling in training if Pep still benches him. City needs those 2 back on form pretty sharpish if they want to reach anywhere close to your projected total.
On a seperate note I think the upcoming fixture congestion is overplayed since the opposition with smaller squads face the same problem. Its when you're struggling to find a spot for your reschduled away game in a packed month while the opposition have 2 weeks to plan for you.
Those are the killers.
I don't think we have to be perfect at all to be honest. Its not as if a potential 5 point lead after next weekend is a mountain to climb?
City and ourselves will drop a level as the season goes on.
Look at City now, they're struggling up front because Aguero offers little when he's not scoring, thats Peps problem with him so Jesus must be really struggling in training if Pep still benches him. City needs those 2 back on form pretty sharpish if they want to reach anywhere close to your projected total.
On a seperate note I think the upcoming fixture congestion is overplayed since the opposition with smaller squads face the same problem. Its when you're struggling to find a spot for your reschduled away game in a packed month while the opposition have 2 weeks to plan for you.
Those are the killers.
15W 4D 4L. That's 49 points. That IS dropping a level from what they've done so far, it's what they did last season, and it's not at all an unrealistic scenario. What is more unrealistic is Aguero and Gabriel Jesus never regaining their form the rest of the season
@golden_blunder
Yes but theres no mystery as to how we'll play. We tend to have a consistent style at home v the top 6.
What can Pep do to stop it is the key to the game imo.
How can it not be?
Yes but theres no mystery as to how we'll play. We tend to have a consistent style at home v the top 6.
What can Pep do to stop it is the key to the game imo.
How can it not be?
Well if we play counter attacking city just have to sit back, keep the ball and take their point. We need to be a bit more attacking as we need the points more than city
You're the footballing equivalent of a cuckold...
By the end of the season you'll be embarrassed by such lowly remarks.