Not without another midfielder.
CL W Champions League Group F
Manchester United 3:2 Atalanta
Post-match discussion
Wed, 20 October 2021
The win is all that matters, but going down 0-2 at halftime to a middling opponent warrants serious concern. It's not as though the first half was out of character. We've been a shitshow for most of this season.
Much needed win, but we were dreadful again for large spells. It's completely unsustainable.
Big result for the group and it's a great moment but the post-nut clarity is we're a shambolic side and Atalanta shat their pants.
Never in any doubt 
Apart from the abysmal defending, that first half performance was in large part down to three of the front four.
Fred again being left to do everything and running all over the place to cover for the absence of Greenwood and Rashford, when Atalanta were in possession.
Due credit to AWB and Shaw for their important role in the fight back.
Was Greenwood in the bog, when Ole gave his half time talk?
Fred again being left to do everything and running all over the place to cover for the absence of Greenwood and Rashford, when Atalanta were in possession.
Due credit to AWB and Shaw for their important role in the fight back.
Was Greenwood in the bog, when Ole gave his half time talk?
He must be the most overpaid man on the planet and it doesn't matter how much he's being paid.Football, bloody hell!
Sidenote - can we sack whoever that lad is that we hired as a set piece specialist ASAP
Frank Kessie in the january window
I enjoyed that, coming back when you are down and out is a buzz .
Our best performance of the season. We even had them beat in the first half except for those two goals
We were constantly threatening and we turned the ball over quickly. We were overlapping, playing triangles and one twos, Jesus Christ we looked like a team tonight. If we continue like this Ole deserves the job.
We were constantly threatening and we turned the ball over quickly. We were overlapping, playing triangles and one twos, Jesus Christ we looked like a team tonight. If we continue like this Ole deserves the job.
Great stuff! Fair play to the players and Ole for that second half. Obviously not sustainable to keep having to come back though.
If anything this game further reinforces Ole’s inadequacies as we lacked a proper system going forward for much of the first half and were appearing to rush things. But fair play to the team for rallying in the second half.
It’s almost as if the team has to cobble together it’s own rhythm and approach as they go along due to a severe lack of coaching. This “hit and hope” mentality is worrying.
The outcome today was different from the Leicester game but the problems are the same. Ole needs to go.
It’s almost as if the team has to cobble together it’s own rhythm and approach as they go along due to a severe lack of coaching. This “hit and hope” mentality is worrying.
The outcome today was different from the Leicester game but the problems are the same. Ole needs to go.
League trophies
We love us a bit of late match drama. All because we can't keep a clean sheet. Titles are won on that stuff and we are so far off it.
But what a great second half comeback. Fred was decent. That cross to Ronaldo by Shaw was glorious, it made that goal.
Bruno needs to play in midfield not as part of a front 4.
Classic papering over the cracks by us.
But what a great second half comeback. Fred was decent. That cross to Ronaldo by Shaw was glorious, it made that goal.
Bruno needs to play in midfield not as part of a front 4.
Classic papering over the cracks by us.
Who cares? If he's not good enough, he'll eventually get sacked. Until then, don't lose sight of the fact that watching United play is (probably) what got you into football.
Enjoy the game for what it is - entertainment - and not just a neverending and negative narrative being rudely interrupted by matches.
It's not healthy.
Now, why can't we always play like we did in the second half?
Ole has to be braver when choosing a formation.We have a sick amount of talent upfront, and a very shaky defense. especially without Varane.
Kudos for DDG,again he had two great saves in the crucial moments, but Lindelof's reaction before that was atrocious.
Still have some job todo, thanks to that performance in SWI
Ole has to be braver when choosing a formation.We have a sick amount of talent upfront, and a very shaky defense. especially without Varane.
Kudos for DDG,again he had two great saves in the crucial moments, but Lindelof's reaction before that was atrocious.
Still have some job todo, thanks to that performance in SWI
I’m gonna enjoy the night rather than dig into the detail now, but seemingly like you I was quite confident United could get back into it at half-time. Being 0-2 down at home feels awful, but I think they only had three chances first half – the problem is that two of them were great ones. Atalanta didn’t look great.
It was great to see a really deserved comeback win. 2.96 xG deserved the three goals.
Atalanta had several chances, broke through many times but lacked the killer pass… it was an end to end match and in the end the team with vastly superior players won.
Let's hope he's serving a probationary period
Papering over the cracks in terms of finding balance for this team or an appropriate set of tactics, but the players are still fighting for Ole.
Get in there.
Felt like we were playing Leeds at one point it was so open. Mental.
Oh and Viva Ronaldo.
Felt like we were playing Leeds at one point it was so open. Mental.
Oh and Viva Ronaldo.
It was just slapstick throughout. I have no idea if we played well or not because if you throw 4 strikers on then your going to look shite most of the time but randomly score goals from nothing as we did tonight. Job done?
It was grim viewing and i see no future in that line up.
It was grim viewing and i see no future in that line up.
Surely tonight just proves that the players really want to play in the CL and not Europa? Maybe they are behind Ole, maybe some aren’t, but tonight doesn’t really prove anything beyond doubt.
Got swept up with the excitement and it was a great night of football, incredible poetic winner by Ronaldo.
Does feel like the emperors new clothes a bit though. The Glazers and board will love it. It's the Man Utd theme park ride, roll up to relive the glories of the past! Take your seat and drink in the wonder of a goal in the dying moments by the incredible CR7 to win the game! It's an illusion, a simulation of the real thing. Anyone with eyes and a brain can see this team is nowhere near competing with the true challengers, yet we should be given the squad. The worst thing is this doesn't really matter to the board and owners. Man Utd 'moments' will keep the brand going strong keep those old glories alive and that will keep the money rolling in. They have spent enough money that we should be up there now, but somehow we aren\t and what\s worse is that this fact is kind of an irrelevance now. Club has no serious footballing ambition, comes from the top and is as plain as day.
Does feel like the emperors new clothes a bit though. The Glazers and board will love it. It's the Man Utd theme park ride, roll up to relive the glories of the past! Take your seat and drink in the wonder of a goal in the dying moments by the incredible CR7 to win the game! It's an illusion, a simulation of the real thing. Anyone with eyes and a brain can see this team is nowhere near competing with the true challengers, yet we should be given the squad. The worst thing is this doesn't really matter to the board and owners. Man Utd 'moments' will keep the brand going strong keep those old glories alive and that will keep the money rolling in. They have spent enough money that we should be up there now, but somehow we aren\t and what\s worse is that this fact is kind of an irrelevance now. Club has no serious footballing ambition, comes from the top and is as plain as day.
For the part of the match I was able to watch I was really impressed at how positive he was being.Shout out to AWB who looked like he was metamorphosing right before our eyes into a unstoppable marauding all action attacking canon of a fullback in that 2nd half
The two sat behind us left five minutes before half time.Shame all the posters who didn't watch tonight or turned off after the first goal. Missed an good game there
The game in Italy will be harder for Manchester United. Gasparini went full defence after the lead. Atalanta were a little scared to play open game.
Ole is better than Gasparini. Don't hire him.
He shouldn't bench Duvan. They needed his physical presence.
Great result.
I felt Bruno playing deeper in the 2nd half gave us a lot more balance. Also ... all the defensive running Ronaldo did second half, can't really expect him to keep that level of work rate
I felt Bruno playing deeper in the 2nd half gave us a lot more balance. Also ... all the defensive running Ronaldo did second half, can't really expect him to keep that level of work rate
Confidence boosting and deserving win.
Still can't understand why we operated with a 4-2-4 first half
Still can't understand why we operated with a 4-2-4 first half
The first half was embarrassing and warranted the half time boos. If we play like that against Liverpool, it’s no exaggeration to say that in the form they’re in, we’ll get destroyed. Passionless, and the football was somehow even worse than against Leicester. A lot of our issues stemmed from, once again, Fred and McTominay losing the midfield battle. It’s a massive myth that they even offer defensive stability. McTominay is massively weak in the tackle for such a big man.
However, the second half was the best I’ve seen us play since the City win back in February. Suddenly, the passing became fast and fluid, and we played proper attacking football. Clearly, while I’m Ole out due to his tactical shortcomings, the players are still playing for him. This also shows that they have this sort of performance in them - it just doesn’t make sense that it takes us to play awfully before playing well. We need to extrapolate this sort of performance over 90 minutes consistently, or we won’t win anything. At the same time, give this second half performance against Liverpool, and we will get something. Van Dijk has been shabby since returning from injury to say the least.
It is not a coincidence that our best football came after McTominay was substituted for Pogba though, someone who can properly pass the ball. I know we were torn apart against Leicester with a Matic-Pogba midfield, but that would have happened with Fred and McTominay too. Midfield structure isn’t down to personnel, it’s down to coaching and instilling discipline. Ole has to stop constantly reverting to those two after they’ve failed him time and again. Our best and most balanced midfield is one of Matic or Fred next to one of VdB or Pogba. Someone more defensively inclined next to a more creative influence.
Anyway, I’m utterly delighted with that. I must say that no matter the performance, those moments of pure euphoria are what we love football for, and what makes it the best sport in the world. After Harry’s goal, me and my mate genuinely started squeaking and giggling like little kids. Imagine what we were like after Ronaldo’s winner. This is the type of win that can truly kick start a season, for both the team and fans. Word on Ronaldo, this man is so inevitable. Every time his teams are in trouble, you still have a feeling that he will somehow find a way to pull them out of it, even at 36. You just don’t get that feeling with anyone else, and this is why I think he is the greatest player of all time.
On to Liverpool now. Whether we are Ole in or Ole out, we can only hope to win against that lot. If possible, let’s do it through a penalty from a Bruno dive just to tick them off!
However, the second half was the best I’ve seen us play since the City win back in February. Suddenly, the passing became fast and fluid, and we played proper attacking football. Clearly, while I’m Ole out due to his tactical shortcomings, the players are still playing for him. This also shows that they have this sort of performance in them - it just doesn’t make sense that it takes us to play awfully before playing well. We need to extrapolate this sort of performance over 90 minutes consistently, or we won’t win anything. At the same time, give this second half performance against Liverpool, and we will get something. Van Dijk has been shabby since returning from injury to say the least.
It is not a coincidence that our best football came after McTominay was substituted for Pogba though, someone who can properly pass the ball. I know we were torn apart against Leicester with a Matic-Pogba midfield, but that would have happened with Fred and McTominay too. Midfield structure isn’t down to personnel, it’s down to coaching and instilling discipline. Ole has to stop constantly reverting to those two after they’ve failed him time and again. Our best and most balanced midfield is one of Matic or Fred next to one of VdB or Pogba. Someone more defensively inclined next to a more creative influence.
Anyway, I’m utterly delighted with that. I must say that no matter the performance, those moments of pure euphoria are what we love football for, and what makes it the best sport in the world. After Harry’s goal, me and my mate genuinely started squeaking and giggling like little kids. Imagine what we were like after Ronaldo’s winner. This is the type of win that can truly kick start a season, for both the team and fans. Word on Ronaldo, this man is so inevitable. Every time his teams are in trouble, you still have a feeling that he will somehow find a way to pull them out of it, even at 36. You just don’t get that feeling with anyone else, and this is why I think he is the greatest player of all time.
On to Liverpool now. Whether we are Ole in or Ole out, we can only hope to win against that lot. If possible, let’s do it through a penalty from a Bruno dive just to tick them off!
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Only had a chance to watch the first half and thought here we go again. Same vs. Villarreal a few weeks back. Both times we came back to win. Maybe I should stop watching United altogether.
I believe you could see a bunch leaving on tv.
Atalanta created plenty, including 100% chances. They were a threat on every transition. It doesn't really matter that their big chances inc goals were a result of our shit defending and terrible "pressing", the threat was real and chances all the same.
You're basically saying we had the better chances and they were luckier in their finishing. That's absolutely delusional and only makes sense if you ignore what our players are doing out of possession.
Quite right.
Liverpool will be the test.
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Just got back from the game.
Created quite a few decent chances in the first half despite going down 2 nil, coaching seems to be ok there?
Second half though we were a different team in terms of intensity, half time talk clearly worked. Another fantastic night in the champions league at home. Clean sheet would have been nice but can’t beat a come from behind win can ya.
Created quite a few decent chances in the first half despite going down 2 nil, coaching seems to be ok there?
Second half though we were a different team in terms of intensity, half time talk clearly worked. Another fantastic night in the champions league at home. Clean sheet would have been nice but can’t beat a come from behind win can ya.
Man of the Match
Runners-up
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27%
Bruno Fernandes
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20%
David de Gea
-
8%
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
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8%
Fred
-
5%
Marcus Rashford
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1%
Victor Lindelof
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1%
Luke Shaw
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1%
Paul Pogba
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 319 ratings.
Score Predictions
153,68,58
- Man Utd win
- Atalanta win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 20% Man Utd 2:1 Atalanta
- 11% Man Utd 1:1 Atalanta
- 10% Man Utd 1:2 Atalanta
- 9% Man Utd 2:2 Atalanta
- 8% Man Utd 2:0 Atalanta
- 8% Man Utd 3:1 Atalanta
- 6% Man Utd 1:0 Atalanta
- 5% Man Utd 0:2 Atalanta
- 4% Man Utd 3:0 Atalanta
- 4% Man Utd 1:3 Atalanta
- 4% Man Utd 3:2 Atalanta
- 3% Man Utd 0:1 Atalanta
- 2% Man Utd 4:1 Atalanta
- 2% Man Utd 4:0 Atalanta
- 1% Man Utd 5:0 Atalanta
- 1% Man Utd 0:3 Atalanta
- 1% Man Utd 2:3 Atalanta
- 1% Man Utd 0:0 Atalanta
- 1% Man Utd 0:5 Atalanta
- 0% Man Utd 5:1 Atalanta
- 0% Man Utd 3:3 Atalanta
Match Stats
- Man Utd
- Atalanta
- Possession
- 56% 44%
- Shots
- 22 13
- Shots on Target
- 9 6
- Corners
- 8 5
- Fouls
- 10 12
Referee
Szymon Marciniak
Man Utd Lineup
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replaced by Nemanja Matic
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replaced by Paul Pogba
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replaced by Edinson Cavani
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replaced by Jadon Sancho
