The expectation at the start of the season was that United would put in a genuine title challenge, after 10 games we are not in the conversation for a title challenge, that is disappointing, and the reasons for us not being in contention are varied. We are probably about 6 points off where we need to be, the loses and performances at Brighton and West Ham are what has cost us, title challenger’s simply don’t perform and lose games in that way. It is very difficult to see us putting in a title challenge this season so in terms of the league it has now become about being in the top four. I think this is something that Mourinho has accepted judging by his pre-match press conference comments.
“I think in this moment we have to focus on ourselves and do better, or get better results,” he said.
“So, until the end of December, we have to focus on ourselves and the potential we have and the problems we have and the qualities we have and try to go because at the moment we are outside the top four. We have to push hard and work hard to improve and try and get into the top four positions.“ So the target now is to be in the top four positions by the 30th December. On average you need around 74 points minimum to make the top four which means by the halfway stage of the season you need about 37 points. This means United need to take around 20 points from the next 27 points on offer. The problem for United is that in last few seasons the amount of points needed to make the top four has gone up, so 74 might not even be enough given the strength of Arsenal, Chelsea and tottenham this season. If we target that for now when we get to final 10 games we should have a better idea of what we will need. Looking at the next nine games United should be getting the 20 points needed minimum.
The performance level has been greatly improved in the last few weeks and going out of the Carabao Cup to Derby meant the manager and his staff have enjoyed a full, uninterrupted week of training at the Aon Training Complex, leaving Mourinho pleased with their work.
“A very good week,” stated Mourinho. “
We work tactically, we improve some fitness levels. We improve some of the players that were almost there but not there – Lingard, Alexis – these kind of players, that were already available but not yet at a good level. We trained with our kids too, mixed with us on one of the days, which is an amazing feeling for them. A good week.” Let’s see if this reflects in United’s performance against Bournemouth. We will be seeking back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since September, but face a Bournemouth side riding high in the table, in sixth. The Cherries have won five of their last six games in all competitions and are a tricky side tactically, but one United should overcome.
Firstly Bournemouth’s formation is unpredictable; Howe changed his usual 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3 for the trip to Fulham. It will be interesting to see what formation they use here and what Mourinho does in response, will he match Bournemouth’s 3-man defence with a 3-man system of his own which is what he often does when United encounter a side that uses a 3-man system. Bournemouth can leave themselves exposed to quick counter-attacks. Howe remains committed to a positive, possession-based approach, which involves Bournemouth's full-backs overlapping aggressively, which leaves spaces in the channels for teams to counter-attack into. United’s 2nd goal in the 2-0 win over Bournmouth in April was a perfect example of how Bournemouth can be exposed in these situations. United have often looked at their most impressive under Mourinho when opponents push men forward, the speed of Martial, Lukaku and Rashford can prove devastating on the break and it's United's counter-attacking speed that will be most dangerous here and I fancy those three to cause Bournemouth’s problems here. Firstly United need to turn the ball over to create the opporthnites to counter-attack. For me the base formation should still be 4-3-3. Nemanja Matic holding and Paul Pogba pushing forward in a 4-2-3-1 system isn’t the perfect combination at the moment because Matic's lack of mobility is a serious concern in terms of stopping opposition counter-attacks. For me it feels like we need the third midfielder to play a balancing role between Matic and Pogba and I would like to see a good all-round box-to-box midfielder like Fred or Ander Herrera start. Defensively United have looked like a disjointed side lacking cohesion and compactness, we have struggled to keep clean sheets and I think Bournemouth could cause us real problems between the lines with David Brooks and Ryan Fraser. They are both diminutive, quick-footed playmaker’s who will drift inside into clever positions and get passing combinations going, regardless of what system Bournemouth play. They will force United’s full-backs narrow opening up space for Bournemouth’s full-backs on the overlap and with Matic struggling physically to protect United’s centre-backs this season, Bournemouth have the players to cause us problems. A reliable centre-back partnership remains a distant dream for United; Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof’s doesn't appear a convincing partnership, although Lindelof’s form has improved in recent games. This season we have struggled more when playing against a physical presence.
Subs - Romero, Darmian, Bailly, Herrera, Mata, Lingard, Sanchez
come on United!
cheeky cnut
