[Luffy]

I think a former number 20 of ours must have been disappointed with our current number 20's quality in front of goal.

 

[ColvaleGoa]

Fred is like Marmite today. Some are loving him and some want him off. I still am not convinced by him yet. But he needs to be given a chance before we write him off.

Besides that I am loving the intensity today. Need to score another and put it to rest now

 

[E-mal]

Mata has been poor for me.

 

[Andycoleno9]

It is just a shame that Mata can't play in midfield.

 

[Cloud7]

Think we’re being a bit harsh on Fred in here. He has played some quite nice passes, and is always looking to get the ball moving forward, he’s just been a bit lax defensively, but he’s barely played so he’s understandably rusty.

 

[KennyBurner]

I don't think that Fred is bad. For me, he is playing good. Nice passes and some good one-twos. He made mistake at the end but he had good half

Most on here have to being listening to the game by radio to think Fred has been bad. He made 2 errors defensively at the end of the half and suddenly let’s switch in Herrera for him? Incredible

 

[Ranchero]

Scintillating first half. And could easily be two or three up.
Matic is like a new man, even without the goal, he is actually seeing forward passes, actually creating, and actually running. I mean we can actually see a player now. Fred has not had his best half of football, that is for sure, he looks nervous on the ball, but give him time as he has had little by way of minutes on the pitch.
We are working harder than Huddersfield and under Mourinho it would be the other way round.
Ole is taking us back to basics and players are thriving as they are able to express themselves. If he keeps doing this he HAS to keep the job.

 

[Kill 'em all]

The kind of style we're playing really suits Sanchez. I think it's too early to write him off as a flop, could have a real impact under this system.

I feel that he would've made all the difference today.

 

[Slevs]

How are we playing?

 

[redshaw]

Huddersfield could've had a couple but we've played quite well.

 

[bosnian_red]

Also Lindelof looks quality again. Only 24 years old, he's really improved this season and even more so these last 2 games playing with this more front foot defensive style. Jones as well has look very assured. If only he could stay fit...

 

[Massive Spanner]

True, but there are significant changes you can definitely see. Both fullbacks playing further up the pitch, telling them to press further up the pitch, and telling them to release the ball quickly. All those things feed off each other, having more players to support the attack opens up passing lanes and when you give it away you have more players to press. Telling them to attack and look forward when you get it. None of those things need months of coaching to implement, it's just the mindset that they're going out with now and the players are thriving

That's basically my point though, mate. Ole and Phelan have only really done the obvious, quick changes you need to get a team playing attacking football and it's made a huge change already. It's a massive indictment of how awful Mourinho's policies were, really, when you see how easy it's been for Ole to get this team playing well. A team Jose always said wasn't good enough to do it.

 

[Canagel]

May be it's just me but we have hardly been impressive, intent is certainly there but quality is still lacking need to actually create some clear cut chances in second half.

No its been very good. Huddersfield have set up very defensively , it's going to be difficult to break them down but we've been good. Dalot should've made 2-0

 

[shamans]

Pogba has been very under par this half.

Are you kidding me?

 

[Nate Dogg]

Fred has been good but the yellow card will mean he will get subbed.

 

[Cloud7]

Matic has been great again. He is really enjoying himself out there.

Jose probably feels betrayed

 

[Andycoleno9]

Mata has been poor for me.

He is excellent. His every touch and pass is joy to watch

 

[Random Task]

May be it's just me but we have hardly been impressive, intent is certainly there but quality is still lacking need to actually create some clear cut chances in second half.

Huddersfield has 11 men behind the ball, 8 of them on the edge of their own 18-yard box, it's not easy breaking them down.

But we have a 1-0 lead so they have to step out during the second half if they intend to get a point. Gaps will appear.

 

[Toddler]

It is only been 1 and a half games but between this team and Mous team the difference is like a night and day. It is enjoyable all of a sudden. Well, lets see if we can keep it up and progress.

 

[Nick.]

May be it's just me but we have hardly been impressive, intent is certainly there but quality is still lacking need to actually create some clear cut chances in second half.

Agreed, I am concerned about our ability to open teams up through open play when the score is even.

 

[Devil may care]

Tempo, pressing, energy and intent are all point, we are just a bit rusty with the intricate passing, plenty to build on in the 2nd half.

 

[togg]

This is miles better than what we have seen under Mourinho. It's going to take a bit of time for the players to gell with the more freedom they have been given. Blending as a team in a new direction isn't like a light switch.

 

[0le]

Are you guys forgetting most of these players played a few days ago?

 

[It's B Rubble]

“Fred is bad”
“Fred is awful”
Seeing as these are two genuine quotes from this forum in the past 2 minutes it bothers me that they’ve chosen to focus on a slight negative. Our TEAM has been playing in sync and have been an absolute joy to watch. Fred has been caught a few times but has also covered Dalot when he’s al the way up the pitch, roping passes in between the lines to the feet of Rashford and Mata, running closing down players... and he’s been “awful”. Surprised some of you people are still here since we’re sitting in 6th.

 

[Gambit]

Fred is like Marmite today. Some are loving him and some want him off. I still am not convinced by him yet. But he needs to be given a chance before we write him off.

Besides that I am loving the intensity today. Need to score another and put it to rest now

I'm finding he's good at the quick interconnecting play when attacking but his awareness of the game around him defensively is still poor. Still not used to the speed of the premiership.

 

[Cloud7]

Wouldn’t mind seeing Pereira or Gomes for Mata midway through the second half.

 

[Bastian]

Rashford and Pogba took the shoot theory too literally.. Trying to score from the worst possible angles.

Good to see Manutd play football again. The pressing and intent is very impressive but sadly our passing and movement is still something we need to work on.

Would love to see Perreira for Mata in second half and 2nd goal so Gomes gets a run too.

I remember Rashford having 2 attempts, one good one from the right which was trickier for him and another when he could have put someone in a better position through. Pogba has had 2 lame attempts and one from an impossible angle.

 

[RedPed]

Sanchez is really going to come into his own in this new attacking play. Can't wait to see him back. With him and Martial it's gonna get messy.

 

[mancan92]

Pogba has been very under par this half.

No he hasn't. He hasn't made one mistake all game and is keeping it simple. But moving the team forward.

 

[Ranchero]

Fred not even remotely as bad as people suggest, though he is absolutely in need of improving defensive awareness, there was the obvious one and a couple more. But he’s been good in our half we have to accept more misplaced passes when encouraging more risky play

In fairness he has been the weakest link in the side today and does not look comfortable in there. I would be thinking of subbing him. Herrera if he is on the bench.

 

[MrBest]

Slow, sloppy in posession, not taken our chances. Trying to hard to be safe, not enough attacking intent is what i would of said if Jose was still here.

I think we have been great, like a breathe of fresh air. It is not perfect and there is still a lot to do, but so happy to see us attacking and looking to push the ball forward. Fred has been a bit of a liability but i think he just need match confirdence. I would keep him on the whole game.

 

[VP89]

Think we're really dominant. A bit wasteful but early days under OGS still. Pogba is everywhere.

Would like to see Gomes but looking less likely now.

 

[Hoof the ball]

Fred's discernible qualities are his energy off-the-ball. Very good at making this high press work. Also, his passing is adventurous. Likes diagonal balls.

 

[Mihai]

Also Lindelof looks quality again. Only 24 years old, he's really improved this season and even more so these last 2 games playing with this more front foot defensive style. Jones as well has look very assured. If only he could stay fit...

Agree, Victor has been outstanding so far. Jones has always been like this, a quality defender but injuries have kept him back.

 

[2 man midfield]

Are you kidding me?

He hasn’t been great has he?

 

[Ranchero]

No he hasn't. He hasn't made one mistake all game and is keeping it simple. But moving the team forward.

He has not been at his best but far livelier than he has ever been this season.

 

[bosnian_red]

That's basically my point though, mate. Ole and Phelan have only really done the obvious, quick changes you need to get a team playing attacking football and it's made a huge change already. It's a massive indictment of how awful Mourinho's policies were, really, when you see how easy it's been for Ole to get this team playing well. A team Jose always said wasn't good enough to do it.

Yup. His logic was he had to protect the defenders because they weren't good enough (huge confidence boost hearing that I'm sure) so the fullbacks had to stay tight and midfielders had to stay in position. That's his mentality though. He'll never be happy with what he has and couldn't even begin to realize that our defenders actually play better when on the front foot instead of being asked to sit deep.

 

[Raees]

Haven't looked particularly good today but it is refreshing to see that it is more clear to see it is individual errors which are to blame, not to mention the lack of width versus us shooting ourselves in the foot out of sabotage.

 

[Patrick08]

Are you kidding me?

I am just seeing 5 yard short passes sideways till now, in a second he gives the ball to teammates. He can create much better.

 

[Kapardin]

We need another goal to deflate Huddersfield. 1-0 is still pretty nervy as they will park the bus if they score one, making it difficult for us to win the match.

 

[Rossa]

I agree. Really can't see it with Shaw in comparison to other top fullbacks. Zero output offensively.

I think he's solid, but nothing more. He lacks real pace, and his only above average attribute is his ball retention in tight areas. His overlaps are often poorly timed, and at least one or two of Mata's failed cross field passes failed because Shaw was far too slow to anticipate the pass.