[MyOnlySolskjaer]

For his level it wasn't a great game, a bit wasteful on the ball. He was involved as usual which is great but he lost the ball a bit and his passing never found the right range.

Not sure what's wrong with saying it wasn't a great game for him. Let's take those rose tinted glasses off.

 

[bosnian_red]

Love how he always wants/is available/gets on the ball

Too many times Pogba actually goes missing in games

He is definitely a way more influential player. Pogba is probably more talented, but I dont think he is a better player tbh. Early days yet, but Bruno just always gets involved, works so hard, and is just so productive. Everything you want. Both will benefit from each other probably, but I don't think Pogba's ever had a stretch where he's been quite this influential. He had a really good run right when Ole took over... but Bruno has lifted everyone, whereas when Pogba his form I'm not sure if it was him lifting everyone or just getting into a purple patch on an individual level.

 

[SATA]

He really moans abit too much, doesn’t he? Reminds me of Berbatov during his time here

That inside pass to Shaw in the second half to put him through on goal was class

 

[Jonno]

6/10 performance, which converts to mere mortals putting an 8 or 9 in.

Always positive, always quick tempo always looking forward, sees everything, truly a top class player. Didn’t need to get out of 1st gear.

 

[Kag]

Criticising him for being wasteful is a ‘waste’ of time. That inclination to be wasteful is exactly what embodies his entire game. It’s going to happen but it’s worth it due to the (almost) revolutionary effect he has on our ability to play some semblance of football in the opposition half. He’s at the heart of everything and anything in an attacking sense. Even the way the other players just look for him when on the ball; it’s something we haven’t had all season.

As long as he continues to have that effect on our team then the misplaced passes, and ambitious through balls are forever welcome.

 

[ash_86]

Said it back in the match thread that he looked gutted to come off midway. Unless he gets a goal or assist he doesn't feel he did his job well. Quite a good habit to have. He will have great and so and so games. But the important thing is the level he sets for himself and hold himself responsible.

 

[bosnian_red]

Criticising him for being wasteful is a ‘waste’ of time. That inclination to be wasteful is exactly what embodies his entire game. It’s going to happen but it’s worth it due to the (almost) revolutionary effect he has on our ability to play some semblance of football in the opposition half. He’s at the heart of everything and anything in an attacking sense. Even the way the other players just look for him when on the ball; it’s something we haven’t had all season.

As long as he continues to have that effect on our team then the misplaced passes, and ambitious through balls are forever welcome.

Yep. He's a player who just always looks to play the killer ball when he gets the chance. Always looking forward, always trying to score. Such a rare quality to have, combined with actually having the ability to pull it off. He'll always score and get assists because of this, would be crazy to tell him to hold back.

 

[ColvaleGoa]

I just want to see how Rashford and Bruno combine. This prospect is just so mouthwatering. Is it going to be as deadly as we think it could be? Rashford at the recieving end of some of those scrumptious passes from Bruno is stuff of dreams.. I just hope they turn out to be as deadly as imagined!

 

[Cassidy]

Criticising him for being wasteful is a ‘waste’ of time. That inclination to be wasteful is exactly what embodies his entire game. It’s going to happen but it’s worth it due to the (almost) revolutionary effect he has on our ability to play some semblance of football in the opposition half. He’s at the heart of everything and anything in an attacking sense. Even the way the other players just look for him when on the ball; it’s something we haven’t had all season.

As long as he continues to have that effect on our team then the misplaced passes, and ambitious through balls are forever welcome.

Hes similar to Pogba in that sense, and if we do not improve the rest of the team in a year or two fans will be turning on him

 

[mu4c_20le]

Hes similar to Pogba in that sense, and if we do not improve the rest of the team in a year or two fans will be turning on him

If we do not improve in a year or two, he will be wanting to go to sunny Spain. He's one of the few who always wants it on the pitch

 

[Utdstar01]

Him and Mata are always looking for eachother, quite a relationship they've struck up in such a short space of time.

 

[Kag]

Hes similar to Pogba in that sense, and if we do not improve the rest of the team in a year or two fans will be turning on him

True. I’ve never criticised Pogba’s ambition for similar reasons; although, I do think Bruno plays at a higher tempo, which will give him more goodwill.

 

[RUCK4444]

Criticising him for being wasteful is a ‘waste’ of time. That inclination to be wasteful is exactly what embodies his entire game. It’s going to happen but it’s worth it due to the (almost) revolutionary effect he has on our ability to play some semblance of football in the opposition half. He’s at the heart of everything and anything in an attacking sense. Even the way the other players just look for him when on the ball; it’s something we haven’t had all season.

As long as he continues to have that effect on our team then the misplaced passes, and ambitious through balls are forever welcome.

This. I said the same when we first signed Pogba. Both force the game and are always trying to make something happen, I will never want that to stop to only be replaced by negative possession.

The difference now is our midfield is a lot more solid with McTominay and Fred. It affords us the luxury of having a player or two that tries that tricky through ball or chip over the top of the opposition defense because they are capable of it. Just getting to this point is a world away from where we have been as a squad over the last few years, big progress in my eyes.

 

[Cassidy]

True. I’ve never criticised Pogba’s ambition for similar reasons; although, I do think Bruno plays at a higher tempo, which will give him more goodwill.

Thats fair

 

[Cliche Guevara]

Such an intelligent and elegant player. Pulled off loads of class stuff tonight that most other players just don’t seem able to see.

Possibly shows the benefits of not relying on analytics too much and still watching a player yourself, as Ole said earlier. Perhaps if Ole had watched him last season we would definitely have signed him in the summer, or maybe Sporting were holding out for too much money. Either way I think he would have quickly proven worth whatever we had to pay last summer.

Another couple of Brunos and this team is fecking magic.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This. I said the same when we first signed Pogba. Both force the game and are always trying to make something happen, I will never want that to stop to only be replaced by negative possession.

The difference now is our midfield is a lot more solid with McTominay and Fred. It affords us the luxury of having a player or two that tries that tricky through ball or chip over the top of the opposition defense because they are capable of it. Just getting to this point is a world away from where we have been as a squad over the last few years, big progress in my eyes.

100% the team was awful at recovering the ball and played far too safe under Mourinho, so pogba trying to be creative ended up looking way worse and adverse to the team.

fast forward a few months and the team are much better at pressing and winning it back quickly, Bruno can give it away a few times then pop up with a key pass - that’s the difference between Scoring goals.

fans need to be more patient and stop worrying about stats and giving away a pass. Football wasn’t meant for 95% passing accuracy and 110+ passes a game.

people like pogba and Bruno play an exciting creative play style and I love to watch it. Really hope they get time together as some of their 1 touch stuff will be beautiful to watch.

 

[Stadjer]

100% the team was awful at recovering the ball and played far too safe under Mourinho, so pogba trying to be creative ended up looking way worse and adverse to the team.

fast forward a few months and the team are much better at pressing and winning it back quickly, Bruno can give it away a few times then pop up with a key pass - that’s the difference between Scoring goals.

fans need to be more patient and stop worrying about stats and giving away a pass. Football wasn’t meant for 95% passing accuracy and 110+ passes a game.

people like pogba and Bruno play an exciting creative play style and I love to watch it. Really hope they get time together as some of their 1 touch stuff will be beautiful to watch.

Everyone complained about Louis van Gaal his boring football and now they complain about players taking risks but losing the ball. There is always something to complain about

 

[Adam-Utd]

Not a great game.

That was nothing like a poor performance. Are you unhappy unless somebody has a 99% pass accuracy and just passes sideways?

 

[Adam-Utd]

Everyone complained about Louis van Gaal his boring football and now they complain about players taking risks but losing the ball. There is always something to complain about

I think kids these days have been ruined by fifa and football manager. They expect everything to be perfect and zero mistakes otherwise it’s a bad performance.

imagine if they watched football in the 90s now? They’d be pulling their hair out.

 

[RedCurry]

He has a bit of Alexis from Arsenal days about him.

 

[Relevated]

The only thing is that he completely failed at passing a 5 yard pass a couple of times. But we will let it slide.

 

[sglowrider]

I think kids these days have been ruined by fifa and football manager. They expect everything to be perfect and zero mistakes otherwise it’s a bad performance.

imagine if they watched football in the 90s now? They’d be pulling their hair out.

The difference is that you watch and appreciate academy players and development. It changes your perspective on how you see things -- that everything is a process and it takes time to develop and build up. You develop patience.

Same as the changes under Ole on a macro level -- I am not saying he will be there the next 20 years but we can see what he is trying to do in the short run.

 

[Icemav]

Thats fair

I suppose one of the reasons that Bruno plays at a higher tempo and has a penchant for rapid one touch play is that it suits his game. Pogba is one of the best dribblers in world football and therefore has a habit of holding onto it and overplaying. Bruno can't ghost past multiple players so doesn't have the temptation of that potential poison in his game.

 

[ghagua]

Criticising him for being wasteful is a ‘waste’ of time. That inclination to be wasteful is exactly what embodies his entire game. It’s going to happen but it’s worth it due to the (almost) revolutionary effect he has on our ability to play some semblance of football in the opposition half. He’s at the heart of everything and anything in an attacking sense. Even the way the other players just look for him when on the ball; it’s something we haven’t had all season.

As long as he continues to have that effect on our team then the misplaced passes, and ambitious through balls are forever welcome.

Just what we have been missing. Someone not afraid of trying to play a killer pass even if there is a risk of losing the ball. What we need is better ball possession behind him when we are put under pressure.

 

[croadyman]

Had a quieter game by the high standards he has set himself so far at this club, maybe he should have started this one on the bench with such a huge local derby just a few days away, however can understand Ole deciding to go with the decision to start him but take him off around 20 mins from the end of the game.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

So it was a great game for Bruno then?

 

[zenith]

Things will revert to mean for him sometime during the season and it's at that point that I hope the fans will be rational, because he can't possibly put in incredible performances in Every match.

It's a good thing that pogba is back soon, cause he'll need the support as teams pay now attention to him.

 

[Tony247]

Criticising him for being wasteful is a ‘waste’ of time. That inclination to be wasteful is exactly what embodies his entire game. It’s going to happen but it’s worth it due to the (almost) revolutionary effect he has on our ability to play some semblance of football in the opposition half. He’s at the heart of everything and anything in an attacking sense. Even the way the other players just look for him when on the ball; it’s something we haven’t had all season.

As long as he continues to have that effect on our team then the misplaced passes, and ambitious through balls are forever welcome.

Absolutely. I would take a player with adventure, ambition and trying to make things happen all the time with even 65% accuracy than someone playing daft football having 95% accuracy with five yards lateral and back passes.

Higher stats not always show correct big picture.

 

[Tony247]

For his level it wasn't a great game, a bit wasteful on the ball. He was involved as usual which is great but he lost the ball a bit and his passing never found the right range.

Not sure what's wrong with saying it wasn't a great game for him. Let's take those rose tinted glasses off.

He had a decent game (not great I agree), considering we played with a man down and fred got stuck at back doing matic's duty and McT was having a bad day.

 

[Highfather_24]

Just what we have been missing. Someone not afraid of trying to play a killer pass even if there is a risk of losing the ball. What we need is better ball possession behind him when we are put under pressure.

Grealish? He rarely loses the ball, is a good passer and is very good at keeping possession.

 

[roonster09]

We look so much better with him in the team, all of a sudden players are making runs knowing he will pass the ball. Also the little triangles in crowded area to retain possession or how he just flicks the ball casually adds so much to the team. Looks simple but something we lacked. Changes nothing situation into dangerous one.

He wasn't as good as he was before but created plenty of chances. His game is very positive, always looks for progressive passes.

Can't wait to see him and Pogba in the same team.

 

[rollingstoned1]

Bruno plays a lot like herrera used to play for bilbao and for us during his first season until predictably LVG 'coached' him and took the risk taking nature out of his game because it wasn't compatible with possession football. he presses like a mad dog and keeps trying things just like Herrera used to.

 

[Jeppers7]

Top player, not a great performance...but who cares, hardly any player in world football is brilliant week in week out, Roy Keane for about three seasons is the best I can think of in a united shirt for consistency of brilliant performance.

 

[charlenefan]

So it was a great game for Bruno then?

I thought he was very good yes and did things during the game I haven't seen from a United player for years (in fact off the top of my head I can't recall us ever having a player like him before)

 

[#07]

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[LawCharltonBest]

Awful performance yesterday, didn't put a single pass right. Embarrassing to watch.

9/10 MOTM for me.

 

[The Original]

I thought he was very good yes and did things during the game I haven't seen from a United player for years (in fact off the top of my head I can't recall us ever having a player like him before)

You seem to be conflating his general ability with his performance last night. He was good but not as good as in previous games.

And he was poor in certain areas which was surprising. Getting caught in possession, and misplacing easy passes. I felt he was complacent.

 

[jem]

There was an article on the Athletic a while saying that being wasteful is not a bad thing as it often indicates the player's trying to make decisive. In my opinion, it's a very important to play in this way as football, more than any other sport, is a game where a single decisive moment can win a game. Incidentally though, it does make you realize how special Scholes was: he was both decisive and rarely wasteful.

 

[Majima]

There was an article on the Athletic a while saying that being wasteful is not a bad thing as it often indicates the player's trying to make decisive. In my opinion, it's a very important to play in this way as football, more than any other sport, is a game where a single decisive moment can win a game. Incidentally though, it does make you realize how special Scholes was: he was both decisive and rarely wasteful.

I thought it was generally accepted? The only people who go on about creative players losing the ball are casuals. Losing possession is not a negative trait. Messi gives the ball away the most in La Liga every year, KDB is always near the top, Neymar for PSG etc... what terrible players they are.

Bruno & Pogba can give the ball away all game for all i care, they're in the team for their imagination that other players cannot see. Leave the safe passing to McT & Fred.

 

[AshRK]

People crying because he is wasteful is funny. SO you prefer a guy like Lingard who just plays safe only to ultimately lose possession. Look at all the top teams, they have world class play makers who live on taking risks. Mata and Lingard play too safe for me and in Lingard's case you have a guy who has zero quality. I am eager to see how we look when both Pogba and Fernandes play together.