[KennyBurner]

At least we didn't concede. A CM that can string two passes together would help though

Fred has actually played the ball well so only God knows what this means. Even mctominay has slowly grown into the game. The problem has been our transition out the back with both Maguire and AWB so slow to make decisions on the ball. AWB the main culprit.

 

[48 hours]

Anyone else's BT died?

no, still functioning

 

[Widow]

Mate please watch the game he's been terrible. I get that you've probably wanted him to start for weeks and now that he's finally getting some game time you want him to do well. Probably because he's one of your favourites and you've probably been saying he's the answer to all our problems but he has been absolutely asssss.

 

[JPRouve]

Our defenders and midfielders can't pass in tight space or quickly. Martial and Ronaldo have made runs that should have been picked quickly and their teammates elected to pass it backward.

 

[Roboc7]

Mctominay having another awful performance, it’s obvious he’s nowhere near good enough to be a starter but if he doesn’t sort himself out he’ll find himself in the deadwood category pretty quickly.

 

[DickDastardly]

That's nonsense, Rashford is lazy and can't hold on to the ball for shit.

Yes, while Tony is this workhorse forward who just keeps on going like a duracell Bunny.

 

[RedTiger]

Anyone else's BT died?

On and off

 

[C3Pique]

Our build up is awful.

GK > CB > FB > WF > FB > CB > CM > Lose ball.

Rinse and repeat. Are they not coached to actually move about in possession? It's high level Sunday League at best.

 

[pocco]

Carrick appears to be trying to implement the hybrid 4-4-2/4-3-3 Fergie played 07-09.

And Poch, interestingly enough. He also defends 442 off the ball. I wonder...

 

[NinjaZombie]

I've always wondered what a team playing at the high level would look like with 2 centre midfielders who do nothing but pass the ball sideways. I've got my answer.

 

[Escobar]

Mctominay having another awful performance, it’s obvious he’s nowhere near good enough to be a starter but if he doesn’t sort himself out he’ll find himself in the deadwood category pretty quickly.

He still gets picked week in week out

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Anyone else's BT died?

Yup

 

[Matt851]

The BT commentary is overly harsh, I think it’s been an alright away performance so far, all things considered. The McFred midfield is seriously limiting our performances, it’s very clear.

I agree mcfred aren't great (particularly mct) but think it's harsh to put so much of the blame from them. The coaching and tactics are crap. Fred is still having to cover huge expanses if midfield to make up for the lack of running from forward / wide players. The different shape with and without the ball feels overly complex for a team that's struggling so badly, especially because it's to accommodate martial.

 

[Martial'sEmergingSmile]

Martial off for Rashford, who for all his faults actually gives a shit.

No he doesn't. Or at least doesn't play like he does. It's quite literally his biggest fault. He - statistically - presses less than Martial. He also walks around out of possession.

I would bring him on though at some point. All of his good performances this season have been cameos against tired legs.

 

[stu_1992]

Fairly uninspired stuff so far. Not that I expected many changes as it's the same coaching staff and not like Carrick had a lot of time on the training field to do anything anyway. I guess I was just hoping for a statement performance more than anything as a result of the new manager bounce. Ronaldo to pop at the end with a goal, 1-0 win.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Are we playing for a draw?

Seems like it judging by that 1st half performance, particularly offensively wise. Hardly created any good chances to put them under any sort of threat.

 

[stw2022]

He looks like a creepy geography teacher.

That’s what he was going for

 

[yamo123x]

Uninspiring negative drivel.

We look like we believe we can't win and that is a confidence thing.

Too.many players not good enough.. AWB worst of the bunch

 

[StuCol]

no, still functioning

Mine has gone

 

[Idxomer]

Yes, while Tony is this workhorse forward who just keeps on going like a duracell Bunny.

Not really, both are lazy but Martial is actually working hard this game and a good outlet for the ball.

 

[Blood Mage]

Need rid of all of these “coaches”. Absolutely imperative that whoever comes in removes all these novices from their roles.

Players that came in must be seriously bemused.

Carrick, McKenna and the rest, all need to go whenever the new man arrives.

Agreed

 

[BuzzKillington]

Anyone else's BT died?

Yes mine did. Had to go on my IPTV instead to watch BT, rather than the one I legitimately pay BT for. Shambles.

 

[stw2022]

We don’t look a fecking shambles defensively

 

[hurricane thunderclap]

I've always wondered what a team playing at the high level would look like with 2 centre midfielders who do nothing but pass the ball sideways. I've got my answer.

Too young to remember butch Wilkins then.

 

[lex talionis]

That's nonsense, Rashford is lazy and can't hold on to the ball for shit.

Disagree. Rashford absolutely never tracks back, but in attacking mode he’s far more invested in making something happen than Martial.

 

[HailtotheKing]

You mean hiding?

No, I mean finding the EXACT spot to stand where he can't receive the ball. That's not hiding, that's a superpower. Should be a new skill on FIFA!

 

[Escobar]

Carrick was one of the main coaches. Do you guys really expect a different United?

 

[Litch]

I agree mcfred aren't great (particularly mct) but think it's harsh to put so much of the blame from them. The coaching and tactics are crap. Fred is still having to cover huge expanses if midfield to make up for the lack of running from forward / wide players. The different shape with and without the ball feels overly complex for a team that's struggling so badly, especially because it's to accommodate martial.

Spot on...

 

[11101]

Some of you lot really hate McTominay dont you? Hes been playing well for the most part. Finding space and positive with the ball.

He's been shite. Keeps playing passes that little bit away from where they should be and landing players in trouble or plain giving the ball away.

Plus he fecked that good counter by playing it sideways to Telles, and a bit behind him so he had to stop his run.

 

[Laurencio]

But even with Poch who will play in the midfield?

Carrick? I hear he's better than Fred.

 

[Lecland07]

No, I mean finding the EXACT spot to stand where he can't receive the ball. That's not hiding, that's a superpower. Should be a new skill on FIFA!

He's like a human shadow.

 

[RedTiger]

We need to quickly release the ball if we intend to transisition out of a defensive position. Mctominay off for Bruno. Misplaced quivk passes are better than misplaced slow sideways passes

 

[KennyBurner]

Our defenders and midfielders can't pass in tight space or quickly. Martial and Ronaldo have made runs that should have been picked quickly and their teammates elected to pass it backward.

Finally one good comment in relation too Martial. He has been decent this game with the little possession all around. So many fixed on saying he has been invisible when he has been very involved.

He also keeps the ball well under press which is crucial for any counter attacks we might start when opposition press to hard.

 

[GifLord]

Maguire

 

[DickDastardly]

Not really, both are lazy but Martial is actually working hard this game and a good outlet for the ball.

Yes, but Tony scores way to little.

Out of the two, i'd give it to Marcus if we're to score in this game.

 

[eire-red]

Bruno for McTominay at half time, or very soon into the second half for me. Every time I've seen Bruno and DvB together central, they play some really nice 1-2 touch stuff.

Leaves us really light I know, but I'd rather have a midfield that can keep the ball and play passes, than have McTominay in there for some illusion of stability. It's just not true at all, he doesn't offer any defensive cover.

What I've seen in that first half is a Villareal team that are really neat and tidy, but lack cutting edge. If we leave the midfield as is, they'll eventually force a goal. If we show some courage, we can take the game to them and try and control it.

I understand the McFred, I really do. Carrick wants the solidity and discipline to not lose his opening game as coach. But playing McFred just invites pressure. Instead, we need a couple of players in midfield who can play those probing passes down the sides and feed Sancho and Martial, who have looked dangerous. The more we sit back, the more we'll drift from this game.

 

[laughtersassassin]

While he'd never be given the chance I'd bet Amad does a better job than Martial

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

All Villarreal need to do to get the ball of us is press it with numbers when it goes to our FBs, who are left stranded and sorrounded by 2/3 players force them to make a mistake or pass backwards..

Also, no one is making runs behind Villarreals defence but our midfielders/defenders are also not looking to go long either..

Very timid performance

 

[Berbasbullet]

Random memory, but anyone else remember fergie doing half time interviews in European games? Was it just fergie who did that? Why did we do that and why did it stop? Was it an ITV thing?

 

[Josep Dowling]

Fred has actually played the ball well so only God knows what this means. Even mctominay has slowly grown into the game. The problem has been our transition out the back with both Maguire and AWB so slow to make decisions on the ball. AWB the main culprit.

True. Maguire has been painfully slow to release the ball, then passes to a player being pressed because he’s taken so long.