Because the "senior" players look like crap. With that performance and the wage paid, they are stealing a leaving. Lingard, Bissaka, Matic are the main suspect.
But that’s a necessary step.
-Matic had to play at centre half in order to give the first team a break for a game that actually meant something. Who cares if he was shit? He isn’t a key player for us.
-Same for VDB and Mata and be honest, with regard to DVB, he had the smallest, slowest, most non combative player in the PL next to him so that needs some consideration before he is hung drawn and quartered in here as usual. They were decent all thing considered.
- Bissaka and Lingard were unknown quantities with regard to this new style of play and so why on earth wouldn’t you give them 90 minutes in a dead rubber game?RR and the players themselves learned what they need to improve on in this type of approach. That’s a necessity for any type of “development” which is exactly what RR said was his objective over these 6 months.
- The kids who got a decent run out are now aware of the step they need to take and what’s expected...predictably Elanga looked more lost and less influential without the liscence to bomb on that Ole ball provided and Amad, despite not being on form, worked his bollox off which shows the boss his attitude.
- The other youngsters now have a taste and a reason to kick on.
I see no reason for negativity whatsoever. Clearly not up to standards we might expect from a first choice Utd side but rusty squad players, unfamiliar teammates, inexperienced youth players, debutants, poxy rain and a whole new formation/style of play...it was a fine match to watch and learn and good for the development of the squad.
We could have been waiting another 3 years to see Ole takes those risks even in the Carabao cup...let alone the type of message it sends through the youth system that you could make you CL debut under this regime if you Work hard enough.
Bravo to the boss. Didn’t expect it. Really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see the young players be given more of a chance to step up in the future. As for Bisakka and Lingard...they now know what they are missing...let’s see how they react.