[el3mel]

He can, but maybe he thinks Martial is the kind of guy who would appreciate a public pat on the back from his teammates too. What harm has it done? Seems a daft thing to get wound up by in my opinion.

It did no harm, but it's annoying to see our players listing fans chants after a game we conceded the equalizer in 97th min and are in 9th spot with 7 points away from 4th. If I were player, I would be severely depressed by the result far more than any fan.

 

[shaky]

It did no harm, but it's annoying to see our players listing fans chants after a game we conceded the equalizer in 97th min and are in 9th spot with 7 points away from 4th. If I were player, I would be severely depressed by the result far more than any fan.

Well i'm glad they're channeling their disappointment into being positive rather than being depressed.

 

[crossy1686]

This was so obviously wrong. How did they get 6 minutes?

This was the real travesty from this game. That and our inability to deal with two crosses into the box. Almost a perfect result.

 

[crossy1686]

It did no harm, but it's annoying to see our players listing fans chants after a game we conceded the equalizer in 97th min and are in 9th spot with 7 points away from 4th. If I were player, I would be severely depressed by the result far more than any fan.

I think with the amount of negativity that's been around the club in the last few weeks the PR teams are working overtime to find anything positive to celebrate.

 

[Reynoldo]

Lots of positives but still a sickener of a result in the end....blah....still so annoyed!

 

[wolvored]

Plus 2 goal celebrations from us, if the shoe was on the other foot, we wouldn't have batted an eyelid. It was against us this time, we take it on the chin and move on.

Agreed

 

[Wayne's World]

Was absolutely devastated at the end of the match today so couldn't comment on here but since it's died down and that, I have to say I'm pleased with that performance today. First half was poor and we didn't seem to have any balance in midfield and allowed theirs to dictate the game which they did impressively but that second half was really good. Got the likes of Martial and Rashford wide which created space and pulled Chelsea's defence all over the place and we deservedly went in front through two brilliant finishes from Martial. One thing learned is that Martial is now the first man on the teamsheet for me on the left wing, he's showed the right attitude in recent weeks and he reminds me of the form he got back into before we bought Sanchez last January.

Overall, happy with the display but really disappointed to concede that late goal, draw was probably a fair result but it's still gut-wrenching. Still it felt like something has changed under Mourinho and the players, they played for him today and we showed we are capable of putting in big performances ahead of a huge game at Old Trafford on Tuesday against Juventus

 

[Jake]

Jesus are people getting annoyed that Smalling posted a message on social media about Martial having a good game?

I’m extremely critical about social media and how it effects our squad, for example when Lingard was snap chatting the whole West game bus attack before a game etc. But Smalling has done nothing wrong here at all.

Enjoyable game, gutted to have conceded last minute. Not sure where 6 mins came from anyway but it is what it is.

Played with passion and proved 90% of everyone watching who thought we would get schooled wrong. Bitter pill to swallow as we should have won but we need to take the positives from that game and bring them forward to Tuesday. Who knows, we could have a decent CL run.

 

[Gasolin]

Except it’s not hindsight... not for me anyway. I was screaming at the TV when he took Mata and Martial off. I knew what was coming.

Sitting back and inviting pressure with our shaky defence is asking for it. We should just try and outscore our opponents instead of protecting leads. We don’t have the defenders for it.

It's a real EPL game and not FIFA, I don't think we should discount the fact that Chelsea would have been pounding on us and Martial had a problem to sprint right before the sub. We needed fresh players. I can't blame Jose for those changes.

 

[donkeyfish]

Play like that every game and we end up with a lot of points. Annoying to concede easy goals and lose two points in the end, but an overall good performance. Even our at times wobbly defence had decent control for most of the game, not exactly a chance bonanza.

I don't mind the players or the manager being happy after that at all, best game this season probably.

 

[Sayros]

I'm sure the players are gutted, but also putting things in perspective, this was a game many thought they would lose. They were a minute away from a win which makes it devastating at first but in the big picture this was a positive result and may generate more momentum.

 

[cyberman]

It's a real EPL game and not FIFA, I don't think we should discount the fact that Chelsea would have been pounding on us and Martial had a problem to sprint right before the sub. We needed fresh players. I can't blame Jose for those changes.

Plus we didn't sit back! We pressured them high in midfield and broke straight onto their back 4 at times.
Its a strange accusation to make.

 

[The White Pele]

I still think we should play with more of a diamond midfield to get the best out of our players.

This game only furthered my belief on this. Mata looked more effective playing centrally. Martial proves to be our most dangerous finisher in the box. Pogba is a massive threat when he has the licence to go forward.

Therefore the below should be how we line up IMO

—————————ST
———Martial
—————Mata/Lingard
———Pogba————Pereira/Fred
———————Matic
——————Back 4
——————-Dave

The problem with a diamond is often a lack of width but the combination of Shaw, Pogba and Martial would give us more than enough width on the left. If Dalot could bring what Shaw offers to his flank then it would be a massive improvement down the right. Plus Pereira in support can really whip in a dangerous ball.

So basically, remove Rashford’s role from the team today. Bring in an extra midfielder to give us a better foothold in the game and more possession and then use the fullbacks to provide the width.

 

[tentan]

Fantastic game of football. We should've won but I think a 2-2 draw was probably the right result. I just wish we could play like this every week, the players look less tense than usual and were fantastic today.

 

[Class of 63]

We had Chelsea where we wanted them, a chance to humiliate them in their own back-yard so what does the the King of Caution do, take Rashford off yeah he'd had a quiet/poor game no probs, but to take Martial off(on a hat-trick)was pure cowardice.

Get rid.

 

[kerryman]

Why leave Lukaku on when he doesn't ever look like scoring and take Martial off who was so clinical in front of goal yesterday...poor substitution.
The other player who was instrumental in the lead up to both our goals was Mata who was also taken off!

It's so clear we are much better with these two given some game time, and played in the correct position, however last season and early this season they weren't being utilised correctly or at all.
Sanchez has scored 3 goals for us since he arrived in January (19 games) and has played ahead of Martial for nearly all that time.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Hazard, Kanté, Jorginho, Willian, Kovacic, Alonso, Azpilicueta and probably Pedro would walk into United's 11.

Ehhhhhhh. Not all of em.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

I can’t even be arsed. Just go away.

Ditto

 

[RedDevil@84]

Why leave Lukaku on when he doesn't ever look like scoring and take Martial off who was so clinical in front of goal yesterday...poor substitution.

Because Martial is going to start against Juve maybe?? Jose told something which made Martial pretty happy after getting subbed

 

[meninred]

all substitutions Terrible.

 

[Hazard Warning]

Are people just refusing to acknowledge the fact both Mata AND Young should have been off when the score was 1-0? Young off and a pen vs 10men the game is finished. They are not even debatable decisions, it’s laughable.

We were awful, by far our worst performance of the season but if the referee does the job he’s paid to do then it doesn’t matter and we win comfortably. Roll on VAR, officiating in this country is a joke.

Edit: for the people who are complaining about 6 minutes added on - did you even watch the game? There were 6 substitutions made in the 2nd half so there are 3 of your minutes. I was at the game so may be wrong but it felt like Rashford was getting treatment for about 3/4 mins when he was down. You time wasted for the last 20 mins on every single throw-in. There were legitimate groans around MHU as we felt 6mins was too little given what had gone on in the game.

I’ll rewatch the game though as I always get different impressions watching it live than on TV

 

[Heista]

I understand that United almost won and that beforehand a draw would have been fine.
I, however, do not agree with how positive some reactions are.

First half was very bad. It felt like Chelsea were just on cruise mode and enjoying themselves.
There didn't seem to be a plan attacking wise.
Good on Mourinho to seem to turn tides at half time. United played good and competitive and Chelsea seemed stuck in second gear.
Besides the big chance 1/2 minutes into the second half from Morata, United were more aggressive and the better team, until Martial scored his second. When United again fell into defensive mode. Subs didn't work.

When you're so close to bringing the points home, it's harsh to concede 40 seconds before time.
I think that a draw is a fair result. I must say I thought that United would win it before the start.
Happy for Martial and Mata who both played well.

 

[noodlehair]

He was fouled by Lukaku (he trod on the back of his ankle). They showed it on Sky after the game.

Yeah I saw it. Fouls is stretching it somewhat and he clearly wasn't injured at all. Just trying to cheat to get someone on the other team in trouble. He cost you a goal because chose to lay on the floor in his own six yard box while we were in the middle of an attack.

You were also in control of the game until he decided to do that. After that point you never got control back really.

I mean our players have done some pretty stupid things this season but that easily topped it.

 

[Judas]

We had Chelsea where we wanted them, a chance to humiliate them in their own back-yard so what does the the King of Caution do, take Rashford off yeah he'd had a quiet/poor game no probs, but to take Martial off(on a hat-trick)was pure cowardice.

Get rid.

Martial was clearly looking tired though? Who he brought on was a bigger mistake, as Sanchez was utterly dreadful. Sanchez let the team down with his dreadfulness more than Jose did with his subs. The Rashford sub was perfect and worked fine.

 

[Prometheus]

Gary Neville giving young MoTM
Just like Valencia he needs to be subtly and quietly shifted into retirement. Watch the game from 70minutes on. Young was gassed. His reaction speed and physical abilities looked like a defender out of a Sunday league. He is beyond finished.

Otherwise master class performance from Mourinho.

Choosing Young over Mata/Martial is indeed bizarre.

 

[duffer]

Yeah I saw it. Fouls is stretching it somewhat and he clearly wasn't injured at all.

He was not injured but it was certainly a foul, Lukaku trod on his heel off the ball and those hurt like feck.

He should've got up of course but was hoping to get a foul (which obviously should've been given).

 

[Canagel]

Martial was clearly looking tired though? Who he brought on was a bigger mistake, as Sanchez was utterly dreadful. Sanchez let the team down with his dreadfulness more than Jose did with his subs. The Rashford sub was perfect and worked fine.

Why would he be tired? He went nowhere in the international break. That sub in particular was a bad one. Chelsea would've been scared to attack with Martial waiting on the break.

 

[Treble]

He was not injured but it was certainly a foul, Lukaku trod on his heel off the ball and those hurt like feck.

He should've got up of course but was hoping to get a foul (which obviously should've been given).

That's the point. I didn't see the alleged foul but he should have got up.

 

[duffer]

That's the point. I didn't see the alleged foul but he should have got up.

My post was in reply to a poster saying Alonso went down (and stayed down) for no reason, which is obviously bollocks.

 

[Buster15]

Play like that every game and we end up with a lot of points. Annoying to concede easy goals and lose two points in the end, but an overall good performance. Even our at times wobbly defence had decent control for most of the game, not exactly a chance bonanza.

I don't mind the players or the manager being happy after that at all, best game this season probably.

I had to read this post twice. A Manchester United supporter who says something positive about the players and manager.

The general opinion before the game was that United stood little chance of getting any sort of result against Chelsea.

So, a very creditable draw is still met with criticism and derision. It seems that Lukaku is the focus of a lot of complaints but late in the second half he was the only one who actually held the ball up.

I was as anoyed that we conceded so late but we all know about the defensive weekness.
I hope that this haunts Mr Woodward.

 

[Class of 63]

Because Martial is going to start against Juve maybe?? Jose told something which made Martial pretty happy after getting subbed

Hopefully it was that he was getting sacked in the morning

 

[Class of 63]

Martial was clearly looking tired though? Who he brought on was a bigger mistake, as Sanchez was utterly dreadful. Sanchez let the team down with his dreadfulness more than Jose did with his subs. The Rashford sub was perfect and worked fine.

Doubt it was tiredness, or shouldn't be at this stage of the season, it was just negative giving them the initiative at a time they(Chelsea players and Manager)must've have thought we are in serious trouble here.

 

[Womp]

Doubt it was tiredness, or shouldn't be at this stage of the season, it was just negative giving them the initiative at a time they(Chelsea players and Manager)must've have thought we are in serious trouble here.

How exactly is taking off a fatigued attacker for a fresh, rested attacker negative? Negative would be taking Martial off and bringing on another defender.

 

[IppoKun]

How exactly is taking off a fatigued attacker for a fresh, rested attacker negative? Negative would be taking Martial off and bringing on another defender.

Because it fits the narrative.

Rashford was on the ground in pain, Martial was so tired that he could barely sprint (you can also see this in that skill he does after the 2nd goal and doesn't sprint after passing two players).

I've seen people even saying shit like Martial was fuming after being subbed out... (when you could clearly see Martial smiling with Mourinho). That's how bad the narrative has become for some people, everything is negative for them.

 

[Judas]

How exactly is taking off a fatigued attacker for a fresh, rested attacker negative? Negative would be taking Martial off and bringing on another defender.

Don't bother with logic, some on here have picked their camp and won't move an inch on anything now.

 

[Canagel]

How exactly is taking off a fatigued attacker for a fresh, rested attacker negative? Negative would be taking Martial off and bringing on another defender.

It's not negative but it still gives Chelsea an initiative. You don't take off a player on a hatrick unless the game is done and dusted. His confidence would've been very high and Chelsea could relax a bit more when he was taken off.

 

[Offsideagain]

Not the first time Chelsea have used blocking tactics to secure a goal. It used to be Terry that blocked off the centre half. Couldn’t see who knocked Smallling onto the deck before the header went in that lead to the goal. Even Woodward must see we need at least one top class central defender to organise the defence. Gutted with the result but must admit it was better that anticipated.

 

[Ekeke]

It's not negative but it still gives Chelsea an initiative. You don't take off a player on a hatrick unless the game is done and dusted. His confidence would've been very high and Chelsea could relax a bit more when he was taken off.

Managers do that plenty of the time. Take them off on 2 goals after an hour or more to keep them fresh for the next games

 

[Class of 63]

How exactly is taking off a fatigued attacker for a fresh, rested attacker negative? Negative would be taking Martial off and bringing on another defender.

Pereira(a midfielder)came on for Martial, and Herrera had already come on for Mata 2 minutes after we took the lead, if that's not hold what we have I don't know what is.

 

[GhastlyHun]

Posted it in the Mou thread, but it's relevant here too: https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/oct/21/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-defence-attack