Are we starting to look a little like a football team?

Big Andy

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We're starting to have a little bit of character and fight about us (City game apart). That's what we needed first and foremost. The rest will follow when Erik gets his ideas fully across to the players.
 

AjaxCunian

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A football team, yes.

Hardly impressive though.
 

Irwin99

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It should be pretty obvious but it's just not happening for a full 90 minutes...yet. There are spells where you think, the technique in this team, the pass and movement is pretty damn good bar one or two sloppy moments.
 

Shark

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When we're on it the passing is purposeful and potent. We just need to do it more consistently and not in short bursts. ETH is obviously working hard on achieving that.
 

BuzzKillington

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He was never going to change things overnight. Progress is slow and isn’t linear. There will be more derby game performances before the end of the season, but there are some green shoots showing and they’ve been there since the Brentford debacle. When he’s got his first choice front line out (Martial as striker) we look a decent outfit.
 

Anduin

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You can clearly spot the improvement in how we move the ball forward and the players are much calmer in possession, even under pressure. It’s just not consistent yet, but we’ll be getting there until next season.
 

Marwood

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A few players are doing the basics properly and its having an impact.

Just need everyone one to now join in with choice and correct weight of pass.

That's what ultimately it comes down to.
 

redcucumber

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A football team, yes.

Hardly impressive though.
Relative to where we were a few months ago it's definitely at least a bit impressive. Our passing movement is on a completely new level. Players are far more confident in possession and work the ball so much better. It's a promising start and wins like tonight against an Everton team that hadn't lost in 7 games show that there is already a much stronger resolve in the team. It's great to see.
 
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Vapor trail

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I think it will take more time but you have to think of the optimum capacity. This United team is nowhere near the prime or peak of their performances so turning over the likes of Liverpool / Arsenal is a good barometer that with incremental improvements and more time together the team should make significant progress over the next 12 or so months. A few more signings mostly around midfield and maybe striker will pivotal.
 

RedIan

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5 wins out of the last 6 with the 1 loss to Man City which was always going to be a loss as they are head and shoulders above the rest of the league.

Martinez has been superb, great defender, great passer and at carrying the ball. A gritty leader. Erikson, pulls the strings, we have missed a play maker like him since Scholesy retired - Once Casamiro fully up to speed we will get better.
 

Crashoutcassius

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we always had fight, we were the best team in the world at coming from behind for 18 months.

we needed a far better tactical plan and more quality players.

i think the plan today was good, we controlled the game, and hopefully players like antony can build on their good start
 

cyberman

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Honestly never thought out defence could play out from the back like that.
Looks like Lindelof could have a future here after all
 

Rightnr

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We are at the start of the beginning, yes. But very early and if we retain this form (5 wins out of 8), we're on course of just above 70 points which might or might not get us top 4.
 

Isotope

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Our ability to come out from high press is starting to look like top class team.
 

Giggsy13

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There was panic after the city result but it was clearly a one off display after a lengthy break. This team is finding its resiliency and with the scousers off to a poor start, we have a real chance at top 4.
 

Robbie Boy

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We're heading in the right direction but it'll take time. ETH has a huge mess to clean up, and patience will be required.
 

Chief123

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say it quietly :nervous:
I was thinking this the first half. When was the last time we’d go to somewhere like Everton and actually be confident, on the front foot and having so many numbers forward dominating the ball.

Away wins at Leicester, Southampton and now Everton.
 

Flexdegea

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Even Degea looking decent at his new sweeper role. Cleaned up a few times, not complete panick in possession


Helps with a midfield in front and ball playing defenders
 

PaulScholes99

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Felt the same today. The first half was quite good and we totally controlled the game. It was something like 8-1 shots and their shot was a long range stunner. We still make to many errors while trying to play like a "real" football team but at least we are improving and often have very nice sequences of play. ETH isn't here long and before him we didn't try to play it out from the back like this. So totally expectable that we are nowhere close to City (or even Arsenal) while doing it but maybe ETH can get us there. Even Guardiola at City needed a full year. Let's hope.
 

Berbasbullet

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We are getting much better at moving the ball faster and short, first time passes are a lot better.
 

Cascarino

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I think you have quite a few signs of improvement. At this early stage it's inconsistent and varies a bit game by game, but I think already you can see what the aims are.
 

ManUArfa

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....and Solskjaer has won it!
We're starting to have a little bit of character and fight about us (City game apart). That's what we needed first and foremost. The rest will follow when Erik gets his ideas fully across to the players.
That's the thing for me. We haven't had that character and steel for a long, long time. Players are actually putting a shift in and fighting.
 

ManUArfa

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....and Solskjaer has won it!
Even Degea looking decent at his new sweeper role. Cleaned up a few times, not complete panick in possession


Helps with a midfield in front and ball playing defenders

...and also central defenders sprinting backwards and wide to give him options. That allows the holding player to come back to collect the ball with less pressure and the same options wide also available.

De Gea got caught out in the first or second game this season (can't remember which) because that wasn't happening. Playing out from the back is a team effort.
 

mu4c_20le

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One would have to be blind to not see the improvement in our play. I'm firmly in the keep hag even if we finish 6th camp.
 

bond19821982

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Yes , slowly. The whole Casemiro made a mistake or Dalot made a mistake aren't actual "mistakes" technically. I mean ofcourse it gets punished but that's us trying to be a footballing team. Quick passes to team mates gets intercepted or gets dispossessed before even trying to make a pass - these things would get better. We are more aggressive with the ball now.

My only complaint is , our chance creation in the final phase should be better. We aren't creating enough but that will take time. The constant injuries aren't helping either.
 

Longshanks

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Iv got to say no. A good football side wins that 4 or 5 -1, not desperately holding on to a 2-1 win against a frankly very poor Everton side.

There was some good moments, but we really lack ruthlessness at times, we relax too quickly in games before we put them to bed and switch off and balls up to many good opportunities by being dim.
 

wangyu

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Not yet. First things first, let us create a good mentality first. Then comes the football, then come the results and then come the trophies
 

Cathy Ferguson

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Yes , slowly. The whole Casemiro made a mistake or Dalot made a mistake aren't actual "mistakes" technically. I mean ofcourse it gets punished but that's us trying to be a footballing team. Quick passes to team mates gets intercepted or gets dispossessed before even trying to make a pass - these things would get better. We are more aggressive with the ball now.

My only complaint is , our chance creation in the final phase should be better. We aren't creating enough but that will take time. The constant injuries aren't helping either.
Our final pass has been awful in our recent games, not least today and on Thursday. The low was Fred against Sociedad.
 

nainaisson

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Not yet. First things first, let us create a good mentality first. Then comes the football, then come the results and then come the trophies
In this country, you gotta make the mentality first. Then when you get the mentality, you get the football. Then when you get the football, then you get the trophies.