What do you want from our team?

[Dante]

Effort and pride.

I love watching United's football, regardless of the style. The club is too ingrained in my being for that not to be the case. I mean, even if we were in League 2, I don't think it would change anything.

So, really, the talk about 'exciting' football is lost on me. I find Mourinho's style to be fascinating in its own right. The only thing that bothers me is when a player is lazy and disrespectful on the pitch. Everything else is gravy.

 

[Josep Dowling]

I completely understand the frustration that we were behind City by 19 points last season and that after just one match we're in 7th place, but if you scratch just a little below the surface we could have easily beaten Leicester City 3-0 instead of 2-1.

Lukaku, when fit, will bury that glorious chance more often than not.

As for the Vardy goal, it was a communication mistake we don't see often between De Gea and Bailly. It will happen again, but not more than once again this season I reckon.

Despite De Gea having to make that one full stretch save, we comfortably kept Leicester City out of harm's way most of the game. A few tackles and blocks deep in our third but they were the kind of tackles you'd expect of our defenders.

This is the way it's going to go against clubs whose tactics are to go full stride on us -- defend and counter. We have to clean up the communication between De Gea and Bailly but we shouldn't believe that's going to a problem. It will be great to have Valencia over the somewhat limited Darmian (decent cover, though). It will be great to have Lukaku match fit and starting again. But do count me in among those who would like to see Sanchez move to the right and Martial return to the left. Sanchez was sensational on the right for his prior clubs and there's no obvious why he wouldn't succeed there again. Do that, pay homage to the fitness gods, and we can dispatch the Leicesters of the league fairly easily. City, however, is another matter and I'm afraid they're a notch better than us.

You watched a completely different game to me.

We went 1-0 up and didnt get into Leicester’s box the entire first half. They had two very good chances to score, especially the Maddison chance. Leicester had the majority of possession whilst we sat back.

We were better in the second half but again Lukaku missed his golden opportunity. The game was more 50/50 but still we never controlled the game with the ball. I can accept that away from home but not at Old Trafford.

It’s the same old story, we create little but are so clinical we get away with it. Soon or later though that strategy bites you if we concede. As it did so many times last season, Sevilla is the obvious example.

 

[wolvored]

I started supporting the club in the late 60s as a kid and went to my first match at OT when Frank O'Farrell become manager in 1971 funnily enough leaving Leicester. Back to the present and there is no joy for me watching a game anymore, goals aside. We played like the away team first half yesterday, and thought the other side was prime Barca. The DOF cant come soon enough, but I think it wont happen until next season, with a new manager coming in as well. As long as we are going to go down the attacking route of the fergie 1993-2008 great sides I'm all for it. Would sooner win 5-4 in the final minute and be witness to two attacking sides, than win 1-0 and hear what a fantastic defensive performance with 10 men behind the ball for 70 minutes we had.

 

[lex talionis]

You watched a completely different game to me.

We went 1-0 up and didnt get into Leicester’s box the entire first half. They had two very good chances to score, especially the Maddison chance. Leicester had the majority of possession whilst we sat back.

We were better in the second half but again Lukaku missed his golden opportunity. The game was more 50/50 but still we never controlled the game with the ball. I can accept that away from home but not at Old Trafford.

It’s the same old story, we create little but are so clinical we get away with it. Soon or later though that strategy bites you if we concede. As it did so many times last season, Sevilla is the obvious example.

The nature of sitting back and countering is that the opposing team will have more time on the ball. The stats will flatter the opponent, as was the case yesterday. Leicester only had one great chance on goal before the flukish goal they scored in stoppage time when we were running down the clock.

Lukaku did miss his golden opportunity and that just can't happen. We should have been up 3-0 going into stoppage time.

We're going to see more games like this, but it will be interesting to see how we handle weaker clubs who defend in the low block against us. We had a really hard time breaking down parked buses last season.

What I want from this team is to execute better on its tactics. Improved movement and passing in the last third and better finishing than what we saw yesterday. I'm not too worried about our defenders and our midfielders but our front line must pull themselves together, beginning with Sanchez's short passing and Lukaku's finishing.

 

[bosnian_red]

Yeah it's seriously annoying as feck seeing some people with their heads in the sand, saying shit like go support City or Liverpool if you want attacking football. Many of us on here have been United fans for a very long time. I've been one my whole life. Unless you were born in Manchester and into a family of United fans, then you grew to love United when you watched them. The way we play under Mourinho, not many people will grow to love this United. Very, very few. We fell in love with what this club represented, its traditions, and probably a huge part for many was loving the way United played football. We've always been an attacking team, or tried to be one. Even go back as far as Sir Matt and he said that you always have to try and entertain and always went by the philosophy of scoring more than the others. That held true through so many of our managers, until now.

So people can feck off when they call us spoilt about complaining about the style. Mourinho just isnt suited to this club and goes against pretty much everything that the club stood for throughout the past 60 years, if not further back, with how he is constantly picking fights, breeding negativity throughout, plays negative, dire football, has a defence first mentality, and has a very bad record with youth and always is looking to buy his experienced players to further push back promising youngsters instead of properly developing them.

Also, yeah, of course we would all still support United when we are shite and if we went down the leagues. Doesn't mean we can't complain or hope for the days of improving and getting back to playing good football at the top again.

 

[Kag]

Yeah it's seriously annoying as feck seeing some people with their heads in the sand, saying shit like go support City or Liverpool if you want attacking football. Many of us on here have been United fans for a very long time. I've been one my whole life. Unless you were born in Manchester and into a family of United fans, then you grew to love United when you watched them. The way we play under Mourinho, not many people will grow to love this United. Very, very few. We fell in love with what this club represented, its traditions, and probably a huge part for many was loving the way United played football. We've always been an attacking team, or tried to be one. Even go back as far as Sir Matt and he said that you always have to try and entertain and always went by the philosophy of scoring more than the others. That held true through so many of our managers, until now.

So people can feck off when they call us spoilt about complaining about the style. Mourinho just isnt suited to this club and goes against pretty much everything that the club stood for throughout the past 60 years, if not further back, with how he is constantly picking fights, breeding negativity throughout, plays negative, dire football, has a defence first mentality, and has a very bad record with youth and always is looking to buy his experienced players to further push back promising youngsters instead of properly developing them.

Also, yeah, of course we would all still support United when we are shite and if we went down the leagues. Doesn't mean we can't complain or hope for the days of improving and getting back to playing good football at the top again.

Well said.

Too many people on here (topreds?) are claiming to be happy with the football they watch because they're simply desperate for Mourinho to succeed. They look at his track record. They look at how much they wanted him here initially. They like his dogged personality. What they don't like is the reality. That we've employed a third bloke in a row that counters United attacking tradition. Who can't get the team to score goals. Who face teams like Leicester and are outplayed, in periods, in spite of the vast difference in quality. Then they pretend that our players are poor, to remove the blame from Mourinho. To sympathise with his apparent plight.

It's nothing short of a travesty, given the players at our disposal, that we play the sort of football we do. That people try and justify it is fecking mind numbing.

 

[ship50]

I want (desperately wish) that our players start enjoying the game. I want them having fun on the pitch, whether defending or attacking. I want to see real smiles, grins and cheers from them when we score / win. I want our manager to lighten up a bit and spread some cheer. I want the players and the staff to work for each other. That's all.

 

[bosnian_red]

Well said.

Too many people on here (topreds?) are claiming to be happy with the football they watch because they're simply desperate for Mourinho to succeed. They look at his track record. They look at how much they wanted him here initially. They like his dogged personality. What they don't like is the reality. That we've employed a third bloke in a row that counters United attacking tradition. Who can't get the team to score goals. Who face teams like Leicester and are outplayed, in periods, in spite of the vast difference in quality. Then they pretend that our players are poor, to remove the blame from Mourinho. To sympathise with his apparent plight.

It's nothing short of a travesty, given the players at our disposal, that we play the sort of football we do. That people try and justify it is fecking mind numbing.

Yep. I mean, we have a front 6 of Pereira, pogba, fred, Sanchez, rashford and Mata against Leicester with 2 ball playing centerbacks behind them, yet Leicester had both more shots and more possession then us, at Old Traffore. They aren't even a possession oriented team. Its fecking embarassing tbh.

 

[Reddy Rederson]

Just a little bit more attacking, and a bit more aggressive pressing when we dont have the ball.

 

[Kag]

Yep. I mean, we have a front 6 of Pereira, pogba, fred, Sanchez, rashford and Mata against Leicester with 2 ball playing centerbacks behind them, yet Leicester had both more shots and more possession then us, at Old Traffore. They aren't even a possession oriented team. Its fecking embarassing tbh.

Apparently it's acceptable because we didn't buy Alderweireld or a new right winger.

 

[bosnian_red]

Apparently it's acceptable because we didn't buy Alderweireld or a new right winger.

It's funny how the same people ignore that Leicester sold their best player (who is a right winger) and are left with a very average squad who didnt even start their main striker.

 

[sglowrider]

Been a united fan since before the SAF era (yes that long!). Ron Atkinson was in charge, so definitely no glory supporter!.

United we're always known to play with flair even when we weren't at our best.

All i ask is the club follow tradition and play a decent level of attacking football. Not this 10 behind the ball with 1 up front & counter attack when provided with an opportunity garbage that's been played over the last 4-5 years, it doesn't suite us!.

Don't get me wrong i wouldn't be happy losing 4-3 week in, week out but tired of this ultra defensive dross that's been forced on us in recent years.

Glory hunter! You dont remember Dave Sexton then.

 

[SpyLuke10]

Positivity and quick ball movement.

 

[AndyJ1985]

I want us to play more like City/Liverpool and less like Stoke/West brom.

 

[Moonwalker]

There's a hierarchy of preferences, with the combination of results & style at the top, and the top preference is universal, isn't it?. It's on the second best combination that we diverge. For me, results come first (unless it's Otto Rehhagel Greece bad, and Mourinho is not quite there). If you can't get the results, you may as well play some swashbuckling football. With the fourth preference we go back to objective and universal, obviously.

I can perfectly understand that people have a value preference for style over results, even though I don't share it. What I'd be perplexed with is if people actually thought Jose fecking Mourinho would be the one to satisfy that sort of inclination. That he would buy into the romance of United, the history, the tradition, and just abandon his identity for the sake of it. If that's what you thought, well... you're a dupe.

With so many people coming down on the negative side these days, I can only think it's disillusionment with that piece of conceit, or the fact that they've also learned that Mourinho's success, alas, is a contingency. Which is another thing that should have been fecking obvious from the start. Then of course, it doesn't help that the other 'born winners' in the league can deliver everyone's top preference. It's a bitter pill to swallow.

 

[simplyared]

Yeah it's seriously annoying as feck seeing some people with their heads in the sand, saying shit like go support City or Liverpool if you want attacking football. Many of us on here have been United fans for a very long time. I've been one my whole life. Unless you were born in Manchester and into a family of United fans, then you grew to love United when you watched them. The way we play under Mourinho, not many people will grow to love this United. Very, very few. We fell in love with what this club represented, its traditions, and probably a huge part for many was loving the way United played football. We've always been an attacking team, or tried to be one. Even go back as far as Sir Matt and he said that you always have to try and entertain and always went by the philosophy of scoring more than the others. That held true through so many of our managers, until now.

So people can feck off when they call us spoilt about complaining about the style. Mourinho just isnt suited to this club and goes against pretty much everything that the club stood for throughout the past 60 years, if not further back, with how he is constantly picking fights, breeding negativity throughout, plays negative, dire football, has a defence first mentality, and has a very bad record with youth and always is looking to buy his experienced players to further push back promising youngsters instead of properly developing them.

Also, yeah, of course we would all still support United when we are shite and if we went down the leagues. Doesn't mean we can't complain or hope for the days of improving and getting back to playing good football at the top again.

Exactly my point!

 

[bosnian_red]

There's a hierarchy of preferences, with the combination of results & style at the top, and the top preference is universal, isn't it?. It's on the second best combination that we diverge. For me, results come first (unless it's Otto Rehhagel Greece bad, and Mourinho is not quite there). If you can't get the results, you may as well play some swashbuckling football. With the fourth preference we go back to objective and universal, obviously.

I can perfectly understand that people have a value preference for style over results, even though I don't share it. What I'd be perplexed with is if people actually thought Jose fecking Mourinho would be the one to satisfy that sort of inclination. That he would buy into the romance of United, the history, the tradition, and just abandon his identity for the sake of it. If that's what you thought, well... you're a dupe.

With so many people coming down on the negative side these days, I can only think it's disillusionment with that piece of conceit, or the fact that they've also learned that Mourinho's success, alas, is a contingency. Which is another thing that should have been fecking obvious from the start. Then of course, it doesn't help that the other 'born winners' in the league can deliver everyone's top preference. It's a bitter pill to swallow.

Probably a huge factor tbf. You have our 2 biggest rivals, one setting records in the league, the other up until now achieving the same in the league (or better over 2 seasons) while reaching a CL final and setting goal records in that competition, both while playing terrific football while we play this shite football and achieve nothing. Now add in Sarri at Chelsea, who will surely get them playing terrific football in time and a very good squad to get them performing well. Could well see us fighting for 4th playing shit football while the 3 clubs above us (also biggest rivals) are succeeding and entertaining. Scary thought.

 

[Denis79]

I'm a United fan as my father was and as his father before him. I remember when we weren't the winning force that Sir Alex later made us to be.

That being said, I won't go mental if we have a bad game or even season. What I have big problems with is the un-professionalism that surrounds our club at times. Mourinhos childish moaning, our players sulking and shit like that. What I want most of all is our players and manager to shut the feck up and show heart, pride, class. Very tired of all the negativity from within the club and the media.

 

[Dennis Viollet]

I want to see my team fight until the end with passion and Desire. Score goal loke the good old times in Fergie's era. I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

 

[9 Stone Elvis]

We have Mourinho in charge so I know what to expect football wise and Im ok with it up to a point. We can be pragmatic but still attack with pace and power when we do attack. That should be seeing us winning games 2-0 and shutting up shop. No issues with that at all. Get these results against the lesser sides and play as we did against our rivals and there is a title challenge right there.

Winning is what we will be judged on. People are praising Klopp and Pochettino for their style but its not lifting trophies and that wont do at Man Utd. Mourinho gets a lot of criticism but he has won two cups, been runner up in another and runner up in the league in two seasons. Is it good enough? probably not, but its not a complete disaster either. If Guardiola wasn't managing City I suspect we would be looking a bit more favourably on what we are doing. But he is so there is no point going down that road.

To answer the question though there is ONE thing I would like from the club that we used to do regularly that we don't seem to do any more and it would be the catalyst for success in my opinion.

We need to start making our players better again. Players need to improve when they come to Man Utd. When you look down our history in recent times that's exactly what we did. Signings playing to their potential and beyond. Of course it doesn't always work out but when it does it brings success.

Imagine a current United line up where Sanchez is playing to and beyond how he played at Arsenal. Pogba is playing to and beyond how he played at Juventus, Shaw is playing to and beyond how he did at Southampton, Matic is playing to and beyond how he did at Chelsea etc etc. We have an issue where over the last 5 years we have bought players for big money and in very few cases have they improved in our shirt. I don't need to list the players from past history who we brought in and developed or integrated into our teams and improved as players, as leaders and as footballers. For varying reasons it doesn't seem to happen now. If we can do that I would be happy.

 

[JWjunior]

I want all the players, coaches and managers to give they're all for the club on and off the pitch. And if they do it I'll always stay behind them no matter wins, titles or nothing.

 

[simplyared]

We have Mourinho in charge so I know what to expect football wise and Im ok with it up to a point. We can be pragmatic but still attack with pace and power when we do attack. That should be seeing us winning games 2-0 and shutting up shop. No issues with that at all. Get these results against the lesser sides and play as we did against our rivals and there is a title challenge right there.

Winning is what we will be judged on. People are praising Klopp and Pochettino for their style but its not lifting trophies and that wont do at Man Utd. Mourinho gets a lot of criticism but he has won two cups, been runner up in another and runner up in the league in two seasons. Is it good enough? probably not, but its not a complete disaster either. If Guardiola wasn't managing City I suspect we would be looking a bit more favourably on what we are doing. But he is so there is no point going down that road.

To answer the question though there is ONE thing I would like from the club that we used to do regularly that we don't seem to do any more and it would be the catalyst for success in my opinion.

We need to start making our players better again. Players need to improve when they come to Man Utd. When you look down our history in recent times that's exactly what we did. Signings playing to their potential and beyond. Of course it doesn't always work out but when it does it brings success.

Imagine a current United line up where Sanchez is playing to and beyond how he played at Arsenal. Pogba is playing to and beyond how he played at Juventus, Shaw is playing to and beyond how he did at Southampton, Matic is playing to and beyond how he did at Chelsea etc etc. We have an issue where over the last 5 years we have bought players for big money and in very few cases have they improved in our shirt. I don't need to list the players from past history who we brought in and developed or integrated into our teams and improved as players, as leaders and as footballers. For varying reasons it doesn't seem to happen now. If we can do that I would be happy.

You forgot to mention Lukaku who imo is nowhere near the level he was at with Everton.

 

[9 Stone Elvis]

You forgot to mention Lukaku who imo is nowhere near the level he was at with Everton.

With very few exceptions I could probably list almost every single signing made since Fergie left. Lukaku hasn't been bad by any means but I wouldn't say hes improved either.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Forget all the negativity we’re reading and hearing in the media. Leave out the speculation and look at the football instead.

It amazes me to hear so many posters on the Caf prepared to accept the type of football we are being presented with.

The impression I get is the majority of posters who complain about the entertainment value, are old school. Of which I am proudly one of.

After seeing the Leicester game the signs were there. Same old story: lack of attacking football, we scrape through, hangin on, could have well been a draw (thinking of Vardy’s missed volley) and we’re playing a mid table team at OT.

Football for me is about entertainment first and foremost. Not even our manager can go to the trouble of changing the miserable expression on his face. Aren’t we losing the point of what football is all about?

Our great club has thrived on entertaining people all over the world. Also Munich has contributed to building a fan base second to none.

Some Caf member started a thread recently about the risk of us losing a big portion of our fan base due to the crap football we’re dishing up. So relevant!

Just for the record I was born with utd blood in my veins, am a Mancunian and started going to matches in the early 60’s. and I’m not going to feck off and support anyone else.

So are you a utd fan contented with the football you are seeing, happy scraping 2 pts from mediocre clubs, think our 2nd place last season was a great achievment, and we shouldn’t moan, or do you want more?

Two functioning flanks during attacking.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

I really want to see us consistently press high up the pitch and play with a high line. Since I think we actually have the personnel to pull it off. It frustrates me seeing us just absorb pressure at times for no reason.

 

[Kag]

You forgot to mention Lukaku who imo is nowhere near the level he was at with Everton.

He had better service at Everton. Which is hilarious, really.

 

[Janson]

Effort and pride.

I love watching United's football, regardless of the style. The club is too ingrained in my being for that not to be the case. I mean, even if we were in League 2, I don't think it would change anything.

So, really, the talk about 'exciting' football is lost on me. I find Mourinho's style to be fascinating in its own right. The only thing that bothers me is when a player is lazy and disrespectful on the pitch. Everything else is gravy.

Completely agree. The entertainment brigade is in full force one game into the season. A game which we won by the way.

City and Liverpool won by multiple goals while we only did by 1. So let's start a new thread about exciting football.

 

[Volumiza]

Effort and most importantly respect for our club. Players and managers. No one can honestly believe there aren't problems at almost any football club. That stuff needs to be kept in the dressing room, boardroom or on the training pitch. I hope all concerned learn form this situation, realise they are not bigger than this club, shut up and get on with the season. Heads down and work hard to try and bring the title back to OT.

 

[JPRouve]

I want to like the team, I want to smile when I think about it.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

I want us to be a typical Jose team. Strong in defense, with good transitions for counter attacking and a team that lays it all out there.

While I'd love for us to seek to dominate the ball and be less reactive, it's not Jose's style.

A title challenge is also what I want. It's been far too long since we've had 1.

 

[Sky1981]

Should change the title to "Realistically want"

 

[sunama]

The impression I get is the majority of posters who complain about the entertainment value, are old school. Of which I am proudly one of.

I am 43 years of age and started supporting MUFC back in 1995, when we lost the title to Blackburn (I think it was).
I got into football, as MUFC were the most attack minded team, so I get that many of you want attacking football. I do, too.
The issue we have right now is that we have not won the title in many years and before long we may got 10 years with the league title. This will turn into 20 years. Essentially, we are currently following the same path as Liverpool.
To ensure that we do not follow the LFC path, I want us to win the title asap. To this end, attacking football takes a backseat. Winning football is all I am concerned with right now. After we win the league, we can change tactics, even if it means us finishing in 3rd place.

So, for the time being, what do I want? THE LEAGUE TITLE!

And and on the subject of Jose, as of now, he is the man who is most capable of winning the league. Some will say Klopp (who rarely wins the league title), some may say Pep (he manages our rivals and will never join us) and some may even say Poch (who has never won a trophy in his managerial career). Ergo, I will support Jose and the players he puts out, as he is totally results orientated.

The issue I currently have is the owners seem content with 4th place and are treating the club, almost exclusively, as a cash cow. We have a CEO who is now the DoF, able to over-rule footballing decisions made by a serial winning manager. A man who chases impossible targets and refuses to buy players like Perisic or Sandro who will instantly improve our team.

 

[MUFC OK]

'Exciting attacking football and an identity'. This will be 90% of the posts in here and I don't disagree, just think I'd be happy with us being a well oiled machine if it means challenging for the title.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Forget all the negativity, but Im going to start a thread riddled with negativity, that could have just gone in one of the many other negative threads created in the last day.

Do you lot ever give it a rest? Jesus, it’s not even really that negative a thread, he’s simply asking what people want from or expect from United. Stop, take a breath, think about the thread for a second, then either answer the question or bit of advice, don’t bother posting your negativity. Just go out of the thread and go to another, it’s not a hard concept.

@simplyared If Jose can get what he wants right which is pretty basic football then i’ll guess I can except his version of counter attacking football. There were signs at the weekend that it could be coming but the passing when it mattered or the choices taken were just not good enough on the pitch, we take an age to do anything. Part of it I feel is down to the fear our team plays with about abandoning position or taking a risk.

Counters for me are opportunistic, there isn’t always a structure to them it’s just good footballers understanding what is happening, you have the ball, you see space, attack that space, and see if you’re support can help you or is in a better position.

We when we used to counter at our best we bombed forward and everyone joined in to me now the likes of Martial, Lukaku and Sanchez should all be getting in to the box, Pogba and Fred backing them up sitting on the edge of the 18 yarder, Shaw or a RB getting to or beyond the 18 yarder to put in a ball depending on the situation Matic covering the midfield backed up 2 CB’s who have also pushed up to the half way line. Just squeeze the space and force teams to punt it against us so we can just sweep it up.

I just can’t buy in to Jose’s logic of you’re safer without the ball, that isn’t football for me, Football is expression, go out express yourself and have fun doing it and trying things to make people go wow and inspire generations to try similar stuff, that is football to me.

I’m content being 3rd 4th for a season or two whilst a manager gets his stuff together and that we can see what is evolving on the pitch and moving in the right direction which is within the values of the club. Eventually we will need to return to the top of the tree, which the way the league is now, is just not going to be easy.

 

[wolvored]

Completely agree. The entertainment brigade is in full force one game into the season. A game which we won by the way.

City and Liverpool won by multiple goals while we only did by 1. So let's start a new thread about exciting football.

Yes but it's not one game is it? It's still the same old dire shit from the last 2 seasons

 

[iHicksy]

I want us to dominate against teams that have worse players than us. I'm happy to play Jose ball against the likes of Liverpool and City but against the rest we have the quality to out score anyone. The game on Friday night was a prime example of this.

We had one of the most technically gifted, ball retaining midfields i've seen from a united side since Carrick and Scholes. In the first five mins leading up to the Pen we were playing some great stuff, then as soon as we scored we did the typical Jose thing of defending deep, and inviting the pressure on to us.

Even the commentators were getting annoyed. Look at that leicester team, on paper they aren't close to being our equal, yet we gave them the tools to draw the game. There is absolutely no excuse for sitting back against a team that we can absolutely dominate, we should be beating these teams 3 and 4 nil. I was a huge Jose fan, but he finally lost me on Friday.

 

[Enigma_87]

Width.

Won't happen with our current batch of full backs tho.

 

[DRM]

I want us to play more like City/Liverpool and less like Stoke/West brom.

This!
As much as it pains me to admit, I really enjoyed watching Liverpool yesterday, whereas our game v Leicester made me want to sleep.

 

[tonnas]

Yes this club is losing the point of what football is about. Football should be entertaining to watch. If you only care about results you may as well not watch and just check the score afterwards.

I want us to be active with an attacking plan on the pitch rather than defensive and reactive. Let teams be afraid of how to contain us first and foremost, rather than the opposite. Chances, shots on target. Success and trophies will follow.

I almost wish we had Klopp.

I want to win trophies mate

 

[simplyared]

Do you lot ever give it a rest? Jesus, it’s not even really that negative a thread, he’s simply asking what people want from or expect from United. Stop, take a breath, think about the thread for a second, then either answer the question or bit of advice, don’t bother posting your negativity. Just go out of the thread and go to another, it’s not a hard concept.

@simplyared If Jose can get what he wants right which is pretty basic football then i’ll guess I can except his version of counter attacking football. There were signs at the weekend that it could be coming but the passing when it mattered or the choices taken were just not good enough on the pitch, we take an age to do anything. Part of it I feel is down to the fear our team plays with about abandoning position or taking a risk.

Counters for me are opportunistic, there isn’t always a structure to them it’s just good footballers understanding what is happening, you have the ball, you see space, attack that space, and see if you’re support can help you or is in a better position.

We when we used to counter at our best we bombed forward and everyone joined in to me now the likes of Martial, Lukaku and Sanchez should all be getting in to the box, Pogba and Fred backing them up sitting on the edge of the 18 yarder, Shaw or a RB getting to or beyond the 18 yarder to put in a ball depending on the situation Matic covering the midfield backed up 2 CB’s who have also pushed up to the half way line. Just squeeze the space and force teams to punt it against us so we can just sweep it up.

I just can’t buy in to Jose’s logic of you’re safer without the ball, that isn’t football for me, Football is expression, go out express yourself and have fun doing it and trying things to make people go wow and inspire generations to try similar stuff, that is football to me.

I’m content being 3rd 4th for a season or two whilst a manager gets his stuff together and that we can see what is evolving on the pitch and moving in the right direction which is within the values of the club. Eventually we will need to return to the top of the tree, which the way the league is now, is just not going to be easy.

Appreciate your backing on this and you mention some good points in your post imo. I'm fully behind you regarding counter-atacking. One particular incident from Friday's game highlights what you are saying. It was when Sanchez in the middle of the park finds himself with 2 defenders round him. He fights them off keeping possession and then sweeps a ball over to the right almost perfectly executed and in the path of Mata who takes it in his stride. A great piece of footballing skill from the Chilean which the crowd responds to. It puts us in a great position as we've caught the opposition unawares. Mata, totally free immediately takes the edge off the advantage, slows down the tempo, and opts for a soft floating crossball in the hope that someone is going to get there head on it. By this time the whole fecking Leicester team is in the box so we've no chance. Then everybody's saying Sanchez is shit which as as far from the truth as you can get. Talk about frustrating!
Mata shouldn't even be starting games for us. He wasn't good enough for Mourinho at Chelsea, he's nowhere near the player he was then, after x amount of years with us, so where's the logic in that?