[Bobski]

First half was decent, but it was a low quality half with both teams making a ton of basic mistakes. Utd were all energy and hunger but once that inevitably dropped off they had little to fall back on and the better structured team starts to take control.

 

[JMack1234]

The thing is,

Sometimes you see shocking performances that make you fume. This isn't one of them, Spurs are just better than us? Why are they better than us. They've signed no one but they've got a coach whose got graft and guile and can get the absolute best out of his players. We've got a manager whose with a few exceptions made our players worse. That's the problem.

 

[The Irish Connection]

Stretford End showed true class tonight.

Would love to have been in there tonight.

We played well for most of the match but we were very sloppy, wasteful and unlucky in the final third. And Tottenham killed us on the break as we chased a goal.
When you think about it, we've been very wasteful with chances for years. Improved last season but this season, again wasting good positions and chances. The players have to take some blame there. Lukaku the obvious one.

I'd actually love Mourinho to turn this around. I'm still supporting him and unless we could get Pochetinno, I don't think any manager available would do much better. We needed heavy investment and moving on a few.

If we got the top centre half and the top right winger we would have won the last two.

 

[RedDevil@84]

See a bunch of people saying how you're not that down because you played better even if you've lost 0-3. Surely it should be just as concerning to you that Spurs didn't play anywhere near their best and won 3-0 at Old Trafford?

I mean, Erikson was brilliant for 2 of their goals but was very quiet for the most part. Kane didn't do much outside of his brilliant header. Dele was invisible. That's their 3 best attacking players not even being at their best and yet they've easily won. I've seen Tottenham play much better than that.

Depends on how you look at it. One could say Spurs were very well contained with their key players taken out of the game, but the match was lost terribly due to individual defensive mistakes.
Besides, if we compare to how we lost in last match, this was far better performance. At least it looked like the players cared for most of the match. Depends on what is your yardstick really.

In the end, this is a Utd forum. Seeing positives in a defeat is part of it.

 

[Ekeke]

In the previous match some people disputed the stats from our midfield, where we barely won a tackle or intercepted the ball.

We had the same again this time from our first choice expensive CMs.

1 tackle 1 interception from Fred, 1 tackle alone from Pogba, 1 tackle alone from Matic and 1 interception alone from Lingard playing behind Lukaku

Meanwhile Spurs had :

Alli - 5 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dembele - 4 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dier - 2 tackles, 1 interception

Eriksen (in the hole behind the 2 forwards) - 1 tackle, 1 interception


Our anemic midfield continues to put in less work when we are without the ball than is required and what our opponents are putting in. And this time it isnt a small team, its Spurs. Showing that a good team can also have hard working midfielders who are also quality on the ball.

 

[Grande]

You were not the better side.

True, we just played better football, with and without the ball. We were more agressive. More incisive passing, better and quicker combinations. Better in possession when playing out from the back. Created the better half chances and the most good chances. But tonight, unlike last year’s Cup SF and most of the meetings between United and Spurs, At that crucial moment, Lukaku missed, but Kane scored. Lingard hit the Spurs’ legs thrice, but Lucas missed Herreras legs by an ounce. That is what football ultimately is about, the right mettle at the right moment. United had it two years ago when Spurs lacked it. And again last year. And tonight, Spurs had it and we didn’t.

Of course, it’s the third game of the season.

 

[The Irish Connection]

And delighted to see Shaw continue the good form. Just stay fit now lad!

 

[sam147]

Anyone who blames Jose is a buffoon. They had a superior team yet we played them off the park. Jose showed how he wants to play if he had the players to execute his plan. Lukaku missed a sitter in every one of the last three games. What do you want Jose to coach him to finish into open goals? Jones stood still for Kanes goal. And for the second goal you could see Jose shouting at Jones to cover in behind shaw while he stood there like an absolute donkey. At the end of the day the man will be made the scapegoat because of that slabhead cnut we have in charge as CEO. Forehead almost as big as his ego. And Luke Shaw proved with his comments earlier that Jose was supporting him behind the scenes and today he proved to Jose he has a future here. Jose wants reactions from his players he wants them to fight and be tough. Shaw got criticised publicly whereas a certain Frenchman cant even handle a few well deserved comments. Absolute nonsense. But its all Joses fault for moving him out the team from LW. Even Ronaldo played RW. Tevez played on the wings. Its all about mentality and some players have none.

 

[pocco]

Back from the game and just dared venture on here. Listened to the football phone in after the game and felt like I'd watched a different game to others, so I'm expecting negativity on here.

Without reading the reaction of others, I'll give my take. First half was the best we've played in years. We were well organised, aggressive, showed passion, played some good football and were generally picking Spurs apart at times. I just felt that we made wrong decisions in attack at times, coupled with some poor touches and Lukaku not doing well enough holding up and bringing others into play. Shaw was in acres of space and we couldn't get the ball to the right people to pick him out whilst Spurs' defence has shuffled across to the other side. We also got unlucky with our finishing and Lukaku missing another big chance.

Second half was ruined by individual errors from our defenders again. I've not seen any replays but Jones seemed to be caught out for the first two goals. The third goal was just a result of chasing the game and leaving our CB isolated against a speed merchant with room to run past the defender.

All in all I feel it was a frustrating game because we played so well but the result didn't reflect the game at all. It could/should have been a different outcome.

I'm left feeling positive in that, if we play like we did in the first half, play a system where our fullbacks can push forward, and play with intensity, then we'll turn things around and we'll really take some teams apart. I hope Jose sees it the same way.

The side note to tonight is that we've been undone by one or two moments of poor decisions/concentration by our defenders. It doesn't look good on Woodward and his decision not to bring in those defenders. I think if we had the likes of Maguire in there tonight then we'd be talking about a completely different outcome and would probably be excited by what we'd just seen.

 

[eldoherz]

Anyone who went to the game can comment on how the atmosphere was, during and after the game?

Sat in the Stretford end. First half the place was bouncing and there was a sense of belief. First goal goes and still the sense of belief. Second goes in and you could just tell that all real hope was gone, yet the support and chanting for example still continued at a decent level.

Fact is though, bar a few more vocal individuals in the section I was in there wasn't a strong anti Mourinho sentiment, hell if anything there seemed a bit of solidarity there at full time(obviously this will be biased by the fact that the less steadfast fans had already long gone by that point). The feeling in the ground and on the walk back to the tram wasn't anywhere near as negative as Sevilla last season in my opinion.

How much of this is down to many fans just accepting it versus us feeling like there was something worthy of some hope in the first half performance is something to consider though.

 

[freeurmind]

In the previous match some people disputed the stats from our midfield, where we barely won a tackle or intercepted the ball.

We had the same again this time from our first choice expensive CMs.

1 tackle 1 interception from Fred, 1 tackle alone from Pogba, 1 tackle alone from Matic and 1 interception alone from Lingard playing behind Lukaku

Meanwhile Spurs had :

Alli - 5 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dembele - 4 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dier - 2 tackles, 1 interception

Eriksen (in the hole behind the 2 forwards) - 1 tackle, 1 interception


Our anemic midfield continues to put in less work when we are without the ball than is required and what our opponents are putting in. And this time it isnt a small team, its Spurs. Showing that a good team can also have hard working midfielders who are also quality on the ball.

It's not that they don't run or press but they show no intelligence when doing so. The number of times you'll see 2 of ours press the same man with the ball leaving someone else free is maddening.

 

[acnumber9]

I don't know, we just seem to have a manager who is on the way down, so it's hard to gauge where we are, but surely players who seemed so good for their previous teams aren't suddenly as bad as they are looking for us at times, this coupled with the seeming alarming regression from players like Rashford and Martial, must point to the manager been a big part of the issue just now.

To Jose's credit I actually think in the main he's bought well, he just can't get them to play well.

Which players though? It seemed obvious Sanchez was on the way down in his last 6 months at Arsenal and that signing smacks of Woodward. Lukaku is what he was at Everton. An ok striker. Matic was better last season than he had been at Chelsea the year before. Zlatan did as well as could be expected.

The rest I can’t say I either watched at all or saw enough of. Bailly had barely played for Villarreal, I’d never seen Lindelof play and Mkhitaryan was by all accounts very up and down even at Dortmund. For Fred it’s too early to tell one way or another and I can’t say I saw him play much if at all. Pogba is another player I feel is hard to judge. He’s generally been a hot and cold player.

 

[K2K]

@SquishyMcSquish I told you.

 

[RedMilo]

Just back from the game. Thoroughly enjoyed the first half, the second half was kind of surreal because I never saw it coming... The support were fantastic again. Enjoyed the high press, wondering if its too early in season to expect us to play like that the whole game. Defensive mistakes & Lukaku inability to finish cost us this game. Lindelöf shouldn't be anywhere near the team. Shout out to Luke Shaw, very good performance from our left back again today.

 

[GlastonSpur]

… we played them off the park. …

You lost 0 - 3, at home. But you played Spurs off the park?

Were you in Alexandra Park or at Old Trafford?

 

[Bob H from Manchester]

Just back from the game. Thoroughly enjoyed the first half, the second half was kind of surreal because I never saw it coming... The support were fantastic again. Enjoyed the high press, wondering if its too early in season to expect us to play like that the whole game. Defensive mistakes & Lukaku inability to finish cost us this game. Lindelöf shouldn't be anywhere near the team. Shout out to Luke Shaw, very good performance from our left back again today.

Loving your common sense account of things. the 0-3 defeat can easily be explained away and yes we can challenge for the prem title. Only 3 games in and Spurs are on fire at the moment - but won't last as no squad depth - let's look at this after 12 games, it'll look different for sure.

 

[LordSpud]

Loving your common sense account of things. the 0-3 defeat can easily be explained away and yes we can challenge for the prem title. Only 3 games in and Spurs are on fire at the moment - but won't last as no squad depth - let's look at this after 12 games, it'll look different for sure.

If teams like City and Liverpool (and even Chelsea and Spurs to an extent) carry on as they are then we will be nowhere near the League title. Also remember this is our second loss in a row - City lost 2 games all season last year!!

 

[sam147]

You lost 0 - 3, at home. But you played Spurs off the park?

Were you in Alexandra Park or at Old Trafford?

First half we were the much better team pal. Second half we were still the better team apart from 10mins in which we lost the game due to spurs being clinical and silly mistakes. And Alexandra park has better sights to see than your trophy cabinet

 

[sglowrider]

It's important to remember: 37pts from the next 35 matches.
Doable me thinks.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

It's funny, we actually held our own at times today. We were comfortably outplayed by both Leicester & Brighton, I'd say today was probably the best "performance" of the season haha. What a banter club we are these days.

And if anyone corrects me & says we played well against Leicester you are deluded, we were FAR inferior to them.

First half we were the much better team pal. Second half we were still the better team apart from 10mins in which we lost the game due to spurs being clinical and silly mistakes. And Alexandra park has better sights to see than your trophy cabinet

You sound so small time here mate. They beat us & they are a miles better team than us right now.

 

[GlastonSpur]

First half we were the much better team pal. Second half we were still the better team apart from 10mins in which we lost the game due to spurs being clinical and silly mistakes. And Alexandra park has better sights to see than your trophy cabinet

The better team does not concede 3 goals, whilst scoring none, at home. It's as simple as that.

And even your main chance to score came from a mistake by Rose, rather than anything that United created.

 

[RedDevil@84]

Carrick to come out of retirement and play in defense soon

 

[wc18]

Jose has lost the squad and once that happens it's over...he's never going to regain their trust again. He's also seems to have alienated our most promising players... It's a disaster.

What top player in their right fecking mind would want to play for this twat. He doesn't embody what united is all about. Never has and never will...its time he's taken out to pasture and put down. How on earth does this team have no philosophy or principles by which they play. It's literally like no game plan has been implemented and practiced. For me that's just completely unacceptable for a manager no matter who he is.

The most damning thing is that he bitches about not getting new players but in reality he just absolutely cannot get the best out of the players he has signed... Except for matic. He still has no idea where to play pogba to get the best out of him and the center backs are a joke. Enough is enough time to cut ties and bring in Zidane with a DoF or technical director

 

[ti vu]

See a bunch of people saying how you're not that down because you played better even if you've lost 0-3. Surely it should be just as concerning to you that Spurs didn't play anywhere near their best and won 3-0 at Old Trafford?

I mean, Erikson was brilliant for 2 of their goals but was very quiet for the most part. Kane didn't do much outside of his brilliant header. Dele was invisible. That's their 3 best attacking players not even being at their best and yet they've easily won. I've seen Tottenham play much better than that.

We should be worried because individual mistake cost us dearly and in area we couldn't address:CB personnel.

Tottenham made mistake in defense too. Sure however in comparison we made much more and Tottenham forwards were clinical enough to put it away.

Our team is not in form and also has room for improvement.

 

[TheReligion]

See a bunch of people saying how you're not that down because you played better even if you've lost 0-3. Surely it should be just as concerning to you that Spurs didn't play anywhere near their best and won 3-0 at Old Trafford?

I mean, Erikson was brilliant for 2 of their goals but was very quiet for the most part. Kane didn't do much outside of his brilliant header. Dele was invisible. That's their 3 best attacking players not even being at their best and yet they've easily won. I've seen Tottenham play much better than that.

They weren't good as they weren't allowed to be. Football is not as simplistic as you make out.

Lukaku cost United tonight and it's clear there are issues with the CBs but 0-3 flattered Spurs and it could have quite easily been 3-0 United before half time. That's football. Don't try and make it more of a drama than it is.

 

[WR10]

Of course, devestating. However, we caught glimpses of how solid our attack is with functioning wing backs.

 

[sglowrider]

Back from the game and just dared venture on here. Listened to the football phone in after the game and felt like I'd watched a different game to others, so I'm expecting negativity on here.

Without reading the reaction of others, I'll give my take. First half was the best we've played in years. We were well organised, aggressive, showed passion, played some good football and were generally picking Spurs apart at times. I just felt that we made wrong decisions in attack at times, coupled with some poor touches and Lukaku not doing well enough holding up and bringing others into play. Shaw was in acres of space and we couldn't get the ball to the right people to pick him out whilst Spurs' defence has shuffled across to the other side. We also got unlucky with our finishing and Lukaku missing another big chance.

Second half was ruined by individual errors from our defenders again. I've not seen any replays but Jones seemed to be caught out for the first two goals. The third goal was just a result of chasing the game and leaving our CB isolated against a speed merchant with room to run past the defender.

All in all I feel it was a frustrating game because we played so well but the result didn't reflect the game at all. It could/should have been a different outcome.

I'm left feeling positive in that, if we play like we did in the first half, play a system where our fullbacks can push forward, and play with intensity, then we'll turn things around and we'll really take some teams apart. I hope Jose sees it the same way.

The side note to tonight is that we've been undone by one or two moments of poor decisions/concentration by our defenders. It doesn't look good on Woodward and his decision not to bring in those defenders. I think if we had the likes of Maguire in there tonight then we'd be talking about a completely different outcome and would probably be excited by what we'd just seen.

This. I share exactly the same sentiments. I have never felt feels as positive as I have after a 0-3 loss.

Jose needs to stick to this system or tweak it a bit. Results will come.

 

[Steven7290]

I thought this is a perfect example of the exciting football conundrum. Not saying we would have got point(s) if we had played more conservatively, more a case of playing good football ending up with a loss. I'd take either approach but at the end of the day I prefer points over style.

I thought we played well as a team before and even after they scored but the luck we had with our finishing ruined it.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

In the previous match some people disputed the stats from our midfield, where we barely won a tackle or intercepted the ball.

We had the same again this time from our first choice expensive CMs.

1 tackle 1 interception from Fred, 1 tackle alone from Pogba, 1 tackle alone from Matic and 1 interception alone from Lingard playing behind Lukaku

Meanwhile Spurs had :

Alli - 5 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dembele - 4 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dier - 2 tackles, 1 interception

Eriksen (in the hole behind the 2 forwards) - 1 tackle, 1 interception


Our anemic midfield continues to put in less work when we are without the ball than is required and what our opponents are putting in. And this time it isnt a small team, its Spurs. Showing that a good team can also have hard working midfielders who are also quality on the ball.

Strange since it seemed like we won the ball a ton in the first half.

 

[TMDaines]

I made a longer post elsewhere about the failings of Mourinho over the past year, but it was a weird game. 3-0 flattered Spurs, but feels apt for United currently. Chances were very even, but Spurs clinical and United blunt. Bigger concern for United than any lack of performance or vigor tonight is no idea what to expect against Burnley. Dressing room might still be intact, but the team selection, strategy and peformances are so erratic. Think United are headed for sixth unfortunately, which I suspected pre-season, and it will be a long old season, with or without Mourinho.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Might as well post it now

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[TMDaines]

Might as well post it now

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Yeah, was a close game, but Spurs made the key moments count. Check out fivethirtyeight having us a comfortsble sixth now with more chance of relegation than a title though!

 

[Scroto Baggins]

In the previous match some people disputed the stats from our midfield, where we barely won a tackle or intercepted the ball.

We had the same again this time from our first choice expensive CMs.

1 tackle 1 interception from Fred, 1 tackle alone from Pogba, 1 tackle alone from Matic and 1 interception alone from Lingard playing behind Lukaku

Meanwhile Spurs had :

Alli - 5 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dembele - 4 tackles, 4 interceptions

Dier - 2 tackles, 1 interception

Eriksen (in the hole behind the 2 forwards) - 1 tackle, 1 interception


Our anemic midfield continues to put in less work when we are without the ball than is required and what our opponents are putting in. And this time it isnt a small team, its Spurs. Showing that a good team can also have hard working midfielders who are also quality on the ball.

Agree, Brighton had from their midfield of Propper, Knockaert, Stephens, March a total of 17 tackles compared to Pogba, Pereira, Fred a total of 3 tackles, Pogba made 3 tackles and 2 interceptions the other two, nothing. This game is no improvement, Fred, Pogba, Matic all with one tackle each for a total of 3 tackles and 1 interception. Alli actually had a good game as more a midfield player, worked hard without the ball, five tackles and four interceptions. I wish I could say the same for our midfield when out of possession.

Matic is what 70% fit, and 60 mins? Im not too sure how much I can place blame on him, without him however the midfield feels like it's lacking a player who is willing to really put a foot in and get involved in that physical battle and screen the CB's. Spurs have a bit of the opposite problem, they have those engine room type players in abundance but not a lot of creativity or drive in the midfield without a fading Dembele.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

First half we were the much better team pal. Second half we were still the better team apart from 10mins in which we lost the game due to spurs being clinical and silly mistakes. And Alexandra park has better sights to see than your trophy cabinet

Wow, a trophy joke, how original and cutting!

You were the better team in the first half but didn't create anything aside from Rose being an idiot. We were the better team after scoring and created the better opportunities overall, you were at home and for most of the second half losing, so of course you were 'on top' and attempting to dominate the game. You did not penetrate though, and we always (even in the first half) had that threat on the counter with Lucas, so when the final passes started coming off we created good chances.

Nobody was 'played off the park', let's not be silly.

 

[LolYo]

Kinda wish we lost to any other team, Tottenham is probably our main competitor for that 4th spot as it looks like City, Liverpool and Chelsea will be top 3 this year.

 

[sam147]

You did not penetrate though

Something you're far to familiar with bud. You created the better opportunities? What a set piece. Mastermind Poch relies on Eriksen time and time again to score from set pieces. All you did was play long balls all game and managed to score a set piece goal which forced us to push forward. United dominated at least 70mins of the 90. And its not a 'trophy joke'. Its a fact. Enjoy your 'We finally beat United away' trophy for the season.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Something you're far to familiar with bud. You created the better opportunities? What a set piece. Mastermind Poch relies on Eriksen time and time again to score from set pieces. All you did was play long balls all game and managed to score a set piece goal which forced us to push forward. United dominated at least 70mins of the 90. And its not a 'trophy joke'. Its a fact. Enjoy your 'We finally beat United away' trophy for the season.

a) Never called Poch a mastermind.
b) Never over celebrated the result and have (if you bothered to look) called for calm and perspective since it's 3 games in. Go ahead and treat all Spurs fans as a collective though, it makes you look really intelligent.
c) I'm going to ignore the attempt at a 'joke'.

We didn't play 'long balls all game' (though if we did and it worked, who cares?), and set piece goals count the same as any other goal in football. Dominating the game counts for nothing in itself, Jose Mourinho is your manager, you should know this. The only minutes that count are the ones where you score goals, we were better in the decisive areas and that's what counts. You can't say you 'played us off the park' despite creating less chances and really not carving out any yourselves.

I'm not here to gloat about the result and have no interest in that, it's just you're being incredibly bitter and having pointless swipes at people. It was a close game of football in which one team was more decisive in the final third, obviously 3-0 is an unfair reflection of the game but that's what happens when one team is clinical and the other toothless. You're acting as if you got hugely unlucky, you didn't.

I don't think any Spurs fans have claimed we were fantastic, we weren't. First half as @Keeps It tidy shows, United were the better side but failed to make it count, whereas we did. That's football, it's happened to us countless times and no doubt will plenty of times more.

 

[Asger]

Because Pogba wouldn't start for Brighton who beat us. Yeah...right.

Who was talking about Brighton? Doesnt change the fact he is massively overrated. Needs world class players like Pirlo and Vidal with him to perform like a proper midfielder.

 

[Rash Decision]

As pointed out on MNF surely this makes it more concerning, yes we seemed to be playing well, a lot of energy, and at least an attempt at entertaining, yet we lost by three.

The fact many were so pleased with how we pressed and attacked at times, was surely because it's been so long since we have seen anything resesmbling this, so Jose was trying something he doesn't do very often, and this just isn't him, he sets teams up and grinds results out, tonight was just odd from a usual Jose game.

He's well out of his comfort zone now, if he goes back to setting up a strong defence, our attack will look horrible, if he goes on the attack our defense will continue to make individual mistakes, it's a mess, and I can't see a way out now.

Agree with this, and especially your last para. Have felt Jose's been trying something he's not comfortable with since the Leicester game.

 

[JK-27]

Jose said it in the post match press conference, responding directly to a journo but I think fans as well.

Make a decision. If we play boring and win, it's not good enough. If we play well and lose, it's not good enough. So come on caf, make a decision, what's it going to be, because right now all you lot do is complain about everything.