[Giggsy13]

Of the last 4 games this was our worst performance, thankfully we won anyways.

First half was poor but the second half played very well. Would have to say the Southampton game was the worse overall.

 

[mctrials23]

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Am I the only one who absolutely cannot stand that robot voice on anything and instantly find anything that has it about 99% less funny?

If that was a real voice it would have actually been funny.

 

[city-puma]

Watched the game again this morning I thought
Brighton played very well but didn't threaten too much its criminal how our midfield is a bad as it is, can barely string two passes together.

Good result but performance wise not good.

Their football with possession and quick ball recovery can take the soul out of the opponent. Even with ten mean, you feel they are not one men short even though there is much more space. But our players can’t deal with it as a unit. We need to reset our football philosophy at this club.

 

[Lentwood]

The back four were absolutely excellent last night. To only really give up one chance in a game that open just highlights to me what fantastic individual defenders they all are.

It's funny, because our entire fanbase and every know-nothing pundit acknowledges that we are ridiculously open and easy to play against....yet who generally gets all the stick? Our defenders! Time and time again, we're wasteful in possession, our shape is horrible, we don't tackle, we don't press, we miss chances...and yet at the end of the game, we're opening 'player X must be sold' threads because someone was (supposedly) half a foot out of position.

For me, if you have anything other than four excellent defenders in the back four last night, we concede two or three goals. It's been like this all season, our defenders have to play superbly well just to limit the opposition to one or two chances. If they are even slightly off it, we get torn apart.

 

[Artimities]

Looks like we were told to keep some gas in the tank for the 2nd half. It just looked as if we all held it down a gear by intention.

I also think we need to dribble more instead of always looking to bang the ball around. Its almost as if teams start to figure it out and react on the passes.

 

[VP89]

The back four were absolutely excellent last night. To only really give up one chance in a game that open just highlights to me what fantastic individual defenders they all are.

They let in a couple easy chances early on. DDG bailed us out twice. Welbeck easily found his way in between Maguire and Lindelof too for a header on goal.

The DDG save on Jakub Moder was a result of one of the laziest closing down of crosses I've seen from Shaw.

 

[Ronaldo's ego]

Take the three points and move on, nothing has changed. They were so comfortable their casualness led to conceding a goal and having a man off within minutes. We’re struggling against average teams who just lack that high quality cutting edge to really punish us. Top quality teams will absolutely destroy us.

 

[TheReligion]

I’ve watched the game back today, albeit an hour version, and whilst I’m not exactly happy with the overall performance I’m genuinely not sure what some of you expect at the moment?

Brighton dominated the ball first half but didn’t threaten much. De Gea made that cracking save but it seemed pretty comfortable even if not something you want to see on your own patch.

Second half United pressed high and had much more urgency. They started playing 5-10 yards higher up the pitch. This led to the Ronaldo goal and Dunk sending off.

After that we had much more of the ball, and created the better chances, although as time went on and we didn’t get the second anxiety grew and Brighton held the ball a bit more even if they created little other than the pot shot off the bar and the Welbeck chance near the end.

Given Brighton have drew twice with Chelsea, scored two and held Liverpool at Anfield and also taken points off Arsenal, they aren’t a bad team. They look after the ball well and are well drilled. We aren’t the only team that’s had to concede possession against them.

Ultimately yes our play is still disjointed but you have to understand the reasons why that is. Despite this our recent issue has been converting the chances we make into goals. This in turn puts pressure on the fragile midfield and defence as we’ve found ourselves hanging on to narrow leads which should be already put away. That happens to every single team in such circumstances though and isn’t anything new. You have to take your chances.

Undoubtedly losing Greenwood has hurt us along with the form of Rashford, the Ronaldo drought and Cavani being quite flakey. There’s only really Sancho kicking on.

If our forwards can get some form and confidence I genuinely think feeling will change. Converting 1-0 in to 2-0 is huge during a game and we need to start doing it quickly given the chances we are making.

 

[Utd heap]

I’ve watched the game back today, albeit an hour version, and whilst I’m not exactly happy with the overall performance I’m genuinely not sure what some of you expect at the moment?

Brighton dominated the ball first half but didn’t threaten much. De Gea made that cracking save but it seemed pretty comfortable even if not something you want to see on your own patch.

Second half United pressed high and had much more urgency. They started playing 5-10 yards higher up the pitch. This led to the Ronaldo goal and Dunk sending off.

After that we had much more of the ball, and created the better chances, although as time went on and we didn’t get the second anxiety grew and Brighton held the ball a bit more even if they created little other than the pot shot off the bar and the Welbeck chance near the end.

Given Brighton have drew twice with Chelsea, scored two and held Liverpool at Anfield and also taken points off Arsenal, they aren’t a bad team. They look after the ball well and are well drilled. We aren’t the only team that’s had to concede possession against them.

Ultimately yes our play is still disjointed but you have to understand the reasons why that is. Despite this our recent issue has been converting the chances we make into goals. This in turn puts pressure on the fragile midfield and defence as we’ve found ourselves hanging on to narrow leads which should be already put away. That happens to every single team in such circumstances though and isn’t anything new. You have to take your chances.

Undoubtedly losing Greenwood has hurt us along with the form of Rashford, the Ronaldo drought and Cavani being quite flakey. There’s only really Sancho kicking on.

If our forwards can get some form and confidence I genuinely think feeling will change. Converting 1-0 in to 2-0 is huge during a game and we need to start doing it quickly given the chances we are making.

Good summary!

 

[Buster15]

It was one of those games where the result was more important than the display, which was good in patches.
But pretty much every team we have played this season has looked better coached and harder working than us.

 

[Buster15]

Great result, decent but certainly not fantastic performance. Brighton are a great team considering their means, credit to them.

Yes indeed.
They show exactly what is possible with good recruitment, good coaching and good tactics. Many of the things we are deficient in.
But nonetheless, a good result that keeps us in contention for a CL spot.

 

[TheReligion]

Good summary!

Phew. At least I’m not going mad then with how I saw it. Reading some of this thread you’d think we’d lost 0-5 at home to Liverpool again..

By the way be careful if you’re going you Leeds

 

[lex talionis]

What I see is a squad that is still shellshocked by their poor performances earlier in the season and perform well under their ability. The talent is there to easily beat sides like Southampton and Brighton but these players lack confidence in themselves and their teammates. Their hesitation results in passes that aren’t made and shots straight at the keeper.

And let’s be honest: we have an incredibly weak link in midfield when Fred and/or McTominay are on the pitch.

There’s only so much digging out of the hole that’s possible this season but we’re capable of more performances such as what we saw last night. Not great, but good enough to dig out the result. We’ll get hammered by stronger sides soon, but if we can beat clubs we’re supposed to beat I’ll call that progress.

 

[Buster15]

The performance was no different from the shit we’ve served up the past few weeks (or months), but I guess we’re at the stage of the season where it’s “all about results”

But yeah - not great. Brighton controlled a lot of that game and if not for a spectacular save from Dave we’re probably looking at more dropped points at home. Obviously, we missed some chances ourselves, but the overall play is simply not good enough. Every team that comes to Old Trafford seems to be able to have large swathes of the game where they’re in complete control. Not good.

We looked much better when Pogba came on (surprise, surprise) as Fred was a disaster. The man is such a hindrance on this team. One or two assists don’t cover for the shit he does on the regular

As for Rashford, feck knows what’s wrong with him. I know some on here often say he was never good enough or was overrated, etc, but that’s not true. He was great for us and looked really promising, and backed it up with good numbers. But he looks so disinterested at the moment. He’s so infuriating to watch, constantly making the same mistakes over and over again. Not sure if there’s any way back for him here. This isn’t a couple of bad games we’re talking about.

I get what you mean about Rashford. But I can't see us selling him because he still has the capability to be a good striker. But something is not right and whatever it is, it has to be resolved and quickly.
I can imagine he is just as frustrated as we are. But slowing things down a touch to give him more control and more time might help.

 

[Belisarius]

About 2 minutes into the game we had a free kick inside our own half on the right side. Lindelof surveyed the field, couldn’t find a pass he liked and turned round and passed back to DDG. De Gea was pressed and made a poor kick low and straight up the middle that was intercepted about 5 yards ahead of where Lindelof had started. We were then pinned back in our own half for about the next 4 minutes.

Then around the 18 minute mark Dalot had a free kick in our own half on the right side near the side-line. Dalot surveyed the field, couldn’t find a pass he liked and turned round and passed back to Lindelof deep in our own right hand corner of the field. Lindelof was pressed and kicked it into the middle of the field slightly ahead of where Dalot started from.

I don’t understand why we would ever make back-passes from free kicks in our own end. If a player can’t find a pass recipient from a dead ball when he can take his time and is under no pressure, why would they think the guy behind them who is further back, under pressure and with limited time is going to have better options. This kind of stuff drives me crazy.

 

[mitchmouse]

Having now watched the full 90 minutes, I can't help wondering where our season would be if we played well in both halves! That said, we were not as bad in the first half as the radio had us believe (although we far from good) and Brighton didn't exactly dominate or create that many chances. But I just don't understand how we are so static and don't make runs off the ball or create space (something Leon Osman rightly highlighted on few occasions).

Obviously, much better in the second half and both goals were nice. Have to say, I didn't get the feeling Brighton were going to do a Burnley/Southampton to us (playing against 10 men helped(.

I was impressed by Scotty, I thought he handled Bissouma very well, and Lindelof was faultless. On a negative, Bruno missed another open goal which is worrying and Maguire again looked very slow...

 

[Momochiru]

I've given Varane a 1 out of 10.

It felt like he wasn't even on the pitch.

 

[Artimities]

In the top 4 so given everything we have been thru this season, I am ok with the result.

Does have me thinking we are going to look entirely different next year.
Cavani - gone
Ronaldo - gone
Greenwood - idiot
Pogba - gone
Lindgard - hopefully gone
Rashford - a huge question mark with his form... should we look to move him?
Maguire - overpaid and not the type of defender we are requiring and way too slow.

What a rebuild we are going to need.... The offseason is going to be crazy!

 

[red woppit]

They let in a couple easy chances early on. DDG bailed us out twice. Welbeck easily found his way in between Maguire and Lindelof too for a header on goal.

The DDG save on Jakub Moder was a result of one of the laziest closing down of crosses I've seen from Shaw.

And one of the laziest marking of an attacker from Dalot.

 

[Belisarius]

And one of the laziest marking of an attacker from Dalot.

I noticed that too. He didn't even try to jump. I know the Brighton guy was bigger, but at least challenge and try and put him off.

However, other than that one play, I did think Dalot played very well overall.

 

[ManchesterManchester]

Not sure what you think my agenda is, other than the fact that I think any team that has Bruno playing as the way he often does will have a ceiling on how much they can expect to keep the ball. If you want to routinely have 60%+ possession, you need to have far more respect for keeping possession and patience in attack. Bruno was on 75% last night. Only Sancho and Telles were lower and they see far less of the ball. It’s odd that you lament United’s ability to dominate the ball at home, but when I point out the player who most regularly concedes possession for United, I get accused of having an agenda!

Bruno still far too regularly brings pressure on United by forcing passes that aren’t on, when the team would benefit from just recycling possession, especially in moments of strife. How United played after conceding against each of Boro, Burnley and Southampton is indicative of Bruno losing composure and trying to hard at times. He’s a great creative force, but too often he makes a poor assessment about the relative risk and reward of a particular pass.

I agree with your assessment but would also add the disclaimer that Bruno’s team mates behind him are not good enough. Therefor he probably attempts more risky passes than usual to try and get the ball to the good enough forward players.

 

[USREDEVIL]

Man we are easy to pass through. It's so easy for the opposition to move the ball into our box. We on the other hand pull up if there is any defenders near.

 

[#25]

I'm concerned that Ralf will give up on improving the style of play and just try to win games playing scared and relying on isolated moments of attacking brilliance, just to get the points and scrape top 4. I don't think this is the case but he's already abandoned his initial formation, adaptation & adjustment is good but I fear how much he will concede and just revert to Oleball based on the limits of the players.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

I am really disappointed to be honest. Before the game, I didn't expect to win at OT (we never do) but I thought after that first half we were in with a good shout and with the prospect of Lamptey and Welbeck coming on against tired legs, I was hopeful.

The red card obviously changed everything. But I don't get why it was red card and why VAR was even involved. The ref made an on field decision for yellow and though Dunk did foul Elanga he wasn't the last man, Webster was clearly there covering. Clear cut no need for VAR, I rewatched the game on MUTV and even your commentators didn't think it was a red.

Still I guess that's football sometimes and despite that, I thought we put in an excellent performance with 10 men and were dangerous right up until the final whistle. So disappointed but happy with the team performance, I thought Cucurella especilly had an excellent game and caused you all sorts if issues.

I think you're right to feel disappointed, because you bossed us in our own house right up until Ronaldo's fluke goal and then the red card. Up until then, your team looked like a cohesive unit and played a more fluent style than we did. The red card saved us, simple as, because even with it, we almost threw away the victory. That Brighton were able to fashion chances when a man down, away at OT, and have our majestic defenders like Maguire trembling in fear speaks volumes about how your team is coached and how they executed the plan. Not joking when I say half your team (at least) would start for us, if we could arrange a swap.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

The back four were absolutely excellent last night. To only really give up one chance in a game that open just highlights to me what fantastic individual defenders they all are.

It's funny, because our entire fanbase and every know-nothing pundit acknowledges that we are ridiculously open and easy to play against....yet who generally gets all the stick? Our defenders! Time and time again, we're wasteful in possession, our shape is horrible, we don't tackle, we don't press, we miss chances...and yet at the end of the game, we're opening 'player X must be sold' threads because someone was (supposedly) half a foot out of position.

For me, if you have anything other than four excellent defenders in the back four last night, we concede two or three goals. It's been like this all season, our defenders have to play superbly well just to limit the opposition to one or two chances. If they are even slightly off it, we get torn apart.

Dude, our defenders were not excellent. DeGea made a heroic save, then Brighton hit the woodwork. Neither had anything to do with our back 4. IN fact, our back 4 were so shit that Ralf brought on an additional defender to try and contain Lamptey. So, our back 4 were so good we turned them into a back 5 and still clung on for dear life against 10 men.

 

[Utd heap]

By the way be careful if you’re going you Leeds

Already bought my gumshield mate.

 

[TheReligion]

Already bought my gumshield mate.

really hope we get the three points!

 

[Shane88]

Did we actually create any chance without a Brighton player first making a massive, massive cock-up on the ball?

 

[Utd heap]

really hope we get the three points!

Will depend on how the players react to it. You don't get an atmosphere like we'll get on Sunday very often anymore. They'll be abused from the moment they leave the hotel.

 

[ryanburgess]

First half was shocking. Second half much better I.e attacking and wtf is going on with Rashford....

 

[TheReligion]

Will depend on how the players react to it. You don't get an atmosphere like we'll get on Sunday very often anymore. They'll be abused from the moment they leave the hotel.

Leeds will start at 100 miles an hour too looking for an early goal. Essentially if we can ride that out and nick the lead I’ll fancy us.

I’d like to see Varane/Lindelof at the back and Mctominay putting it about in the middle as per the second half v Bissouma.

Need to be at it from the off though which is my worry.

 

[Red Dreams]

Playing two games a week is catching up with the players.
Especially the ones who are finding it difficult to adapt to the high press Ralf wants.

Blending some youngsters into the squad will help.

We still have March and tough games to come.

Next three games within 7 days will be critical.

 

[Reapersoul20]

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WTF?

Every other team can crowd the ref, but not us ?

 

[gerdm07]

We are almost as bad as the last few weeks of Ole. I'm starting to wonder if RR has already lost the locker room.

Very good midfielders are efficient with the ball. A good example is a very good midfielder receives across his body to switch play. He receives across and controls with his right foot, plants the right foot, takes one step with the left to plant, and passes with the right foot. It's standard play. McT, though, receives across his body with the right (so far so good), plants his right foot, takes a baby step with his left, takes another baby step with his right, and on a good day plants his left foot and passes with his right. Often, though, he takes another 2 baby steps. I'm really so tired of watching him and just confused how he made it to this level. He must be the most inefficient midfielder with the ball in the league.

Remember when we entertained the idea Bruno good be a Ballon d'Or winner? The way he is playing he will never be top 30 because he is so wasteful. For every nice pass he does, he makes at least 5 wayward passes that are easily intercepted.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Dude, our defenders were not excellent. DeGea made a heroic save, then Brighton hit the woodwork. Neither had anything to do with our back 4. IN fact, our back 4 were so shit that Ralf brought on an additional defender to try and contain Lamptey. So, our back 4 were so good we turned them into a back 5 and still clung on for dear life against 10 men.

To be fair, neither were really clear cut chances. The header was a good effort but hardly one you'd expect someone to score and the shot/cross which hit the bar was either a long range effort or a fluke.

I think the point the poster is making is valid, we used to give up a lot of clear chances and that does seem to be changing. We've got a really tough run coming up, given the farce of the last run of Watford, Pool and City games, it will be interesting to see our approach given we have them all in a row + Spurs quite soon.

 

[Ranchero]

Looks like we were told to keep some gas in the tank for the 2nd half. It just looked as if we all held it down a gear by intention.

I also think we need to dribble more instead of always looking to bang the ball around. Its almost as if teams start to figure it out and react on the passes.

So no difference to Ole tactics then. None.

 

[Artimities]

So no difference to Ole tactics then. None.

seems like it....

 

[Pretzels81]

Still in the bloody race for 4th.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

I'd be genuinely curious how Fergie would handle the league with the current squad. The great man himself I absolutely adore him but I think in the modern game with so many teams around pressing hard the shit out of big teams he would struggle too. Maybe our defence would be more solid but at the expense of conceding even more possession and scoring crucial goals. These teams are much more threatening compared to once we could grind countless 1:0 results back in the day because of sheer quality over them and individual brilliance of some players consistently showing up.

And this is not saying he wouldn't adapt but like Mourinho the old schooler winner of everything absolutely lost his mojo with his approach I thinkit would be very hard for SAF now.

The bottom line is that we should be ready for more slips and dire seasons because we will inevitably lose a lot of points these well drilled teams which can harm us now. Only way up is to adapt our game to 2022 and beyond with recruitment of the squad and starting with a progressive manager.

 

[Lentwood]

They let in a couple easy chances early on. DDG bailed us out twice. Welbeck easily found his way in between Maguire and Lindelof too for a header on goal.

The DDG save on Jakub Moder was a result of one of the laziest closing down of crosses I've seen from Shaw.

Massive nit-picking, which really just demonstrates my point. Maybe Lindelof could have gotten closer to Welbeck, but we're talking fractions.

The Moder header was from a first-time cross, so I really don't understand your point about Shaw closing down. Pretty hard to prevent a cross that's whipped in first-time!