If our defence is so bad why is it so good?

[treble_winner]

People will bash every single aspect of our team and every single player until we are winning the league title and then they will proceed to bash every single aspect of our team and every single player until we win it again after that.

I don't particularly think it's a bad thing. This is Manchester United. We should aim to get better every year, every day... Sir Alex Ferguson would want such a mentality coming from our players also. We bash Real Madrid fans for booing their own players, even a legend like CR7. Yet I think that's exactly what keeps Real Madrid players on their toes.

Our state today, if you think about it, comes from the year 2009 when we let Ronaldo and Tevez departed, without bringing in proper replacement. We should have been fuming with ourselves and gotten a greater hunger to succeed in the Champions League next season after losing to Barca. Yet we were content with ourselves, hence we only brought in Valencia and Owen to replace Ronaldo and Tevez. We still did okay, but to me that was the true moment when we stopped aiming for higher goals and just grew content with the present. That's the cause of where we are today.

Back to the main point, I think our defence leaves a lot to be desired. You can point out stats. Yet whenever the opponents got a set-piece, I was always on my edge. I never got the type of confidence I had in our defence like with Rio-Vidic. Our defense is quite good, but still lacks consistency just like our striker (Yes, I'm looking at you Martial!).

The only players whom I felt deliver enough consistency this season are only Wan-Bissaka and Fred. Maguire is not in that list of being consistent yet, at least to me.

 

[Offside]

That's because United are a club who should be challenging for titles. Not pissing about in a struggle for 5th/6th every year.

You would find the exact same with fans of Madrd, Barca, Juve and Bayern. It is up to us to demand better of the club because God knows, our owners and CEO aren't going to when in their own words, success is not dependant on our onfield results.

Some of you lot would be better suited to supporting clubs like Everton or West Ham.

Did I say it was a bad thing?

 

[Gehrman]

The question is why have Sheffield united conceded less goals than us and we are on level with Leiceister after buying their main CB for a world record fee. No our defense isn't terrible, it's just that mediocritry has crept in ever since Saf left, also partially due to underinvestment under Saf.

 

[cyberman]

The question is why have Sheffield united conceded less goals than us and we are on level with Leiceister after buying their main CB for a world record fee. No our defense isn't terrible, it's just that mediocritry has crept in ever since Saf left, also partially due to underinvestment under Saf.

Because theyre a very defendive side

 

[diarm]

Did I say it was a bad thing?

No you didn't. Apologies if I misinterpreted you.

 

[Offside]

No you didn't. Apologies if I misinterpreted you.

I agree with everything you said.

 

[Gehrman]

Because theyre a very defendive side

I would argue so have we been for the majority of the season.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

The question is why have Sheffield united conceded less goals than us and we are on level with Leiceister after buying their main CB for a world record fee. No our defense isn't terrible, it's just that mediocritry has crept in ever since Saf left, also partially due to underinvestment under Saf.

Sheffield is a defensive team but when you look at Leceister I wonder how much of their defense is affected by Ndidi. Didn't they start leaking goals when he injured?

 

[OleTheGreat]

Every great team will have a bad day and i guess Maguire had a bad day, i'd actually say he had a bad moment. He never expected Bergweijn to keep dribbling inwards and that probably caught him off guard. I still think Lindelof could've made an inward run to cut him off or De Gea could've simply got 2 hands to it and caught it or pushed it away. It was an unlucky moment for both and i think it's too harsh to call them useless or overrated. Every professional has a faulty day, what we tend to forget is midfielders and forwards can make a mistake and it hardly makes an impact on them because the defense can always work on their behalf to get the ball or keep it away from goal but part of the mistake is also from our midfielders who couldn't close down on him and to blame just Maguire or De Gea is not fair. We had a quiet first half and were too lethargic in passing the ball forward. I think Maguire had to sometimes carry the ball so far into the opponent half that he was bound to lose his position and therefore should not blamed for the goal. The second half was much better and after Pogba was introduced, it was all so exciting to watch. It's sad we couldn't get the second goal but i think we should be happy because we didn't lose the game.

12 games unbeaten and the run goes on. Let's forget the mistake and get behind the team again. Maguire needs to improve on his passing range because every time he gets the ball, it is either a pass to Shaw which he usually gets back or it is to Lindelof who goes to Bissaka. We need to mix it up a little and ask him to try to find Fred, Bruno or Mctominay/Pogba who again need to mix it up and try to find players who are not covered well. If i can figure out their next pass so easily, imagine the ones on the field who can easily break it up and counter. Ole needs to create a pattern of attack from the time the defense has the ball to how the forwards can approach a goal. There are so many combinations to break a team that sits back and our wingers need to be wide and get inside only when there is an overlap. Shaw is on and off every other game. He doesn't really run at players, he just looks up, turns around and goes back to defense which is useless when you are so high up the pitch.

Fred is now confident on the ball but sometimes gets carried away and loses the ball. Mctominay tries too many things and often hussles. Rashford didn't look himself in the game, James is running around working so hard but he needs to improve a lot. Our box is never bombarded with players during the game and that hurts. Like we have heard for so so long under Ole, our game to break teams that sit back is still our biggest problem. We just play easy passes and look around while Bruno is the only guy who quickly goes for the kill every time and then we have Pogba, who is majestic and can play a crucial role if given the license but i still feel he is weary of the players around him. I hope our game improves for next season and we get the likes of Grealish, Sancho who can make an impact. Greenwood came in and made such an impact, i hope he's given more chances.

Still confident and i think we can make 4th if we keep the run going in the final 8 games and try to win most of them! Chelsea will budge somewhere and we need to take advantage. Be careful of the Wolves team meanwhile.

 

[cyberman]

I would argue so have we been for the majority of the season.

I dont think so, at all. The front 3 sees too much of the ball for it to be true.

 

[Random Task]

The question is why have Sheffield united conceded less goals than us and we are on level with Leiceister after buying their main CB for a world record fee. No our defense isn't terrible, it's just that mediocritry has crept in ever since Saf left, also partially due to underinvestment under Saf.

United have a young but talented squad still learning to ply its trade consistently, with buckets of room for improvement, and the funds to both keep its best players and purchase upgrades when and where necessary. Sheffield Utd and Leicester have far maturer and better-established squads that have reacher their peaks. They have little to no room for improvement nor the funds to purchase squad upgrades.

United will continue to rise while the other two either stagnate or drop down the table.

 

[Denis' cuff]

OP: because the defence have been protected by the rest of the team, at their expense, which is why they are so crap in the creative department. Thankfully, now gradually changing

 

[Gehrman]

United have a young but talented squad still learning to ply its trade consistently, with buckets of room for improvement, and the funds to both keep its best players and purchase upgrades when and where necessary. Sheffield Utd and Leicester have far maturer and better-established squads that have reacher their peaks. They have little to no room for improvement nor the funds to purchase squad upgrades.

United will continue to rise while the other two either stagnate or drop down the table.

Oh C'mon Sheffield United were only just promoted to the PL this season. But you're right I think will and should grow better than them.

 

[fps]

Because we don't score enough.

Mistakes at the back are highlighted and put as the reason we've lost or drawn again but the reality is we don't score enough and should be able to recover the odd mistake as a team. We require an almost perfect backline to scrape a CL spot.

There is a balance which needs to be found. If there is nothing to fear up front, the other team will attack more. Likewise if United offer no scoring threat from midfield, and have no midfielder who goes beyond the ball or gets in the box, the other team's midfielders can have a much easier time focussing on how to attack. The defence is not just the defence. Dan James might have had a bit of a mare at Spurs, but their full-back didn't make much happen - he knew if he went forward he'd never catch James. That's the power of pace, even in an unfinished package. Defence is about the balance of the side, and United still invite pressure where it needn't exist at times. That said, the attack doesn't strike fear with Rashford Martial James, because in the middle Martial is hot and cold - put a big challenge in on him early and he vanishes - and James is a right-footed player on the right wing.

I am surprised that Bailly hasn't been given another chance next to Maguire yet. Could he be another Fred, a decent player but getting no games?

 

[POF]

We are 3rd best defence... 10 more goals than Liverpool (top)

Now let me simplify things more.

Our attack... is 6th best... scored 26 less goals than City (top)

The point here is that almost the entire summer transfer budget was spent on "fixing" the defence. The attack was neglected with only Dan James coming in with the 2 marquee attackers leaving.

It's why judging Ole on the first half of the season (pre Bruno and Igalho) is unfair as the attack was dreadfully short of quality and depth.

The worry for United is that after spending £130m on 2 defenders last summer, there are still major deficiencies in defence. The Maguire/Lindelof pairing has glaring weaknesses. Lindelof in particular is having a terrible season. It's a real problem position and unless Bailly or Tuanzebe step up in the very near future, the club will need to invest even further.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

@BenitoSTARR

McT has 0.8 key passes per game and Fred 1.3.

More than Tielemans and Ndidi combined. The former has more goals and assists though so I can accept he is more creative/offensive than Fred/McT. But as a trio, can it not be argued that the United trio is as “offensive” as the Leicester trio given we don’t field a DM a la Ndidi. Or at the least, not “defensive specialists?”

That’s the only thing I have an issue with, the notion that we field 7 defensive specialists. When it’s clearly not the case. Can we be more creative? Hell yes. But are we defensive. No.

Bruno-Matic-Pogba sounds fun but is going to leave the Serb with a hell of a screening job as he’s not as mobile as Ndidi. Which technically also makes a case that in a situation where Pogba doesn’t leave, a DM is our first priority.

I think you’re arguing with someone who isn’t against you on this.

I’m merely pointing out Leicester are set up to create and attack with their midfield and that we can also do that with everyone fit and well.

If anything I’m trying to highlight how well Bruno and Pogba work.

I didn’t realise you wanted to discuss Fred and McTominay as I wouldn’t include them both in a 3 with our best midfielders available.

I wasn’t trying to argue Leicester or more attacking more a way that United could use Bruno and Pogba to keep our best creative players on the pitch. I like McTominay and Fred but they aren’t our best creators. Anyone calling them purely defensive is either ignorant or blind.

I agree we don’t have 7 defensive specialists I’ve been arguing that point on this thread too. I agree with you.

Ndidi’a style is aggressive containment as seen by his higher tackling stats. Matic delays attacks through positioning thus enabling players to get back into shape. I think people need to get away from the idea that it’s one players job to defend.

 

[romufc]

The point here is that almost the entire summer transfer budget was spent on "fixing" the defence. The attack was neglected with only Dan James coming in with the 2 marquee attackers leaving.

It's why judging Ole on the first half of the season (pre Bruno and Igalho) is unfair as the attack was dreadfully short of quality and depth.

The worry for United is that after spending £130m on 2 defenders last summer, there are still major deficiencies in defence. The Maguire/Lindelof pairing has glaring weaknesses. Lindelof in particular is having a terrible season. It's a real problem position and unless Bailly or Tuanzebe step up in the very near future, the club will need to invest even further.

They aren't really marquee players though, Lukaku we all know what he is, a good goal scorer that didnt fit this club and Alexis the less I say the better. Those two were sold due to attitude and functionality in this squad. Replaced by a 17 year old Greenwood, and giving Rashford and Martial more game time, which the marquee players took from them.

We spent the money, our defence has improved, I know you have an agenda against Lindelof but can you show me what you mean by terrible season? I expect a defence that has glaring holes and the main CB pairing one being terrible to be mid table / bottom in terms of goals conceded.

We have everyone here praising Leicester / SU etc who have conceded the same amount of goals as us?

We have played every top 6 club and in every game were were in it. Even the great Leicester defence got battered by Liverpool.

So a defence with glaring holes conceded 3 goals in 12 games? How does that work?

 

[Member 113277]

The question is why have Sheffield united conceded less goals than us and we are on level with Leiceister after buying their main CB for a world record fee. No our defense isn't terrible, it's just that mediocritry has crept in ever since Saf left, also partially due to underinvestment under Saf.

Because our first half of the season was a disaster, basically.

 

[POF]

They aren't really marquee players though, Lukaku we all know what he is, a good goal scorer that didnt fit this club and Alexis the less I say the better. Those two were sold due to attitude and functionality in this squad. Replaced by a 17 year old Greenwood, and giving Rashford and Martial more game time, which the marquee players took from them.

We spent the money, our defence has improved, I know you have an agenda against Lindelof but can you show me what you mean by terrible season? I expect a defence that has glaring holes and the main CB pairing one being terrible to be mid table / bottom in terms of goals conceded.

We have everyone here praising Leicester / SU etc who have conceded the same amount of goals as us?

We have played every top 6 club and in every game were were in it. Even the great Leicester defence got battered by Liverpool.

So a defence with glaring holes conceded 3 goals in 12 games? How does that work?

They're marquee players in the sense that one was the club record transfer fee for a forward and the other the highest paid player in the history of the club. The fact that they didn't play well doesn't take away from the fact that they were the attacking players the club invested the most money in.

I don't have an agenda against Lindelof at all. I actually quite like him. He comes across as a really good character. But he's poor in the air, very weak physically and lacks pace. He would need to be Franco Baresi to make up for those deficiencies - and he's not.

He showed promise last season and signs of improvement but this season, he continues to get dominated in the air and his lack of pace and physicality is a huge weakness. He's also a bad combination with Maguire who isn't going anywhere.

You can't judge United in the same bracket as Leicester and Sheffield United. They are small clubs on a good run of form. They're not genuine competition for United long term - or shouldn't be at least.

Both clubs are doing well relative to their investment. If Sheffield United spent £190m on Baldock, Stevens, O'Connell and Egan they would be getting slated, especially if they got walked past like Bergwijn did to Maguire.

It's a different level of scrutiny and expectation playing at a club like United. That's why not everyone can do it.

 

[noodlehair]

I don't think our defence is or has been "so bad" to be fair.

Bissaka has been fantastic. Idiots have complained about him but he runs our right flank on his own. Shaw I think has been a lot better than people credit him for this season. Even the other night he made at least 2 goal saving challenges/blocks after seeing that someone else had lost their man and covering. Maguire has been awful at times and great at others. The break came at the wrong time for him. Lindelof I'm still not convinced is that good and De Gea has been off form for a year now, but it's not like either are constantly terrible either.

The other thing is that literally everyone is bad at defending now. Liverpool have Van Dijk and two very good fullbacks but outside of that how many teams have defenders who you don't expect to do something really dumb every other game? Maybe Leicester? The other night Sanchez volleyed Rashford through on goal with a clearance, while our other best chance came from Aurier tripping himself over. Rudiger played Aston Villa through on goal at the weekend by somehow accidentally kicking the ball in the opposite direction to where his leg was facing. Most of Arsenal's defenders are basically akin to just kicking the ball into your own net twice at the start of the game. City play a midfielder at centreback because they're centrebacks are actually worse at defending than him.

In the past it felt like having a good defence in comparison to the rest of the league meant teams had to really work hard or do something exceptional to score against you, aside from the odd freak goal. Vidic and Rio, Terry and Gallas, etc. Now a good defence in comparison to most of the league is basically just having more than one player who isn't more dangerous to your own goal than the other team's strikers are.

 

[romufc]

They're marquee players in the sense that one was the club record transfer fee for a forward and the other the highest paid player in the history of the club. The fact that they didn't play well doesn't take away from the fact that they were the attacking players the club invested the most money in.

I don't have an agenda against Lindelof at all. I actually quite like him. He comes across as a really good character. But he's poor in the air, very weak physically and lacks pace. He would need to be Franco Baresi to make up for those deficiencies - and he's not.

He showed promise last season and signs of improvement but this season, he continues to get dominated in the air and his lack of pace and physicality is a huge weakness. He's also a bad combination with Maguire who isn't going anywhere.

You can't judge United in the same bracket as Leicester and Sheffield United. They are small clubs on a good run of form. They're not genuine competition for United long term - or shouldn't be at least.

Both clubs are doing well relative to their investment. If Sheffield United spent £190m on Baldock, Stevens, O'Connell and Egan they would be getting slated, especially if they got walked past like Bergwijn did to Maguire.

It's a different level of scrutiny and expectation playing at a club like United. That's why not everyone can do it.

I do not get this.. we sign marquee players, they do not perform, we get rid of them you complain.

We sign expensive defenders, they do well and you complain.

Name me one defender, striker, midfielder who goes for £80m and makes no mistakes.

Ronaldo was signed for £100m by Juventus and I have seen him miscontrol, miss good chances.
I have seen VVD floored by Rashford this season, one was bought for £75m and one was free.. how dare a £75m defender get outmuscled by a free forward?

Again, 3 goals in 12 games for a defence with glaring holes is pretty damn good dont you think? of those 3 2 were goal keeping errors.

 

[POF]

I do not get this.. we sign marquee players, they do not perform, we get rid of them you complain.

We sign expensive defenders, they do well and you complain.

Name me one defender, striker, midfielder who goes for £80m and makes no mistakes.

Ronaldo was signed for £100m by Juventus and I have seen him miscontrol, miss good chances.
I have seen VVD floored by Rashford this season, one was bought for £75m and one was free.. how dare a £75m defender get outmuscled by a free forward?

Again, 3 goals in 12 games for a defence with glaring holes is pretty damn good dont you think? of those 3 2 were goal keeping errors.

I'm not complaining. It was the right move to get rid of Sanchez and Lukaku. I am really happy with the approach Ole has taken to squad building, in particular the character of the players he has signed. There are clear signs of improvement.

I am concerned that the club have spent huge money on the defence and there are still glaring weaknesses there.

They need to invest in the attack. Those marquee attackers need to be replaced. By the time Igalho leaves in January, it's arguable that the club will need 3 new forward players (depending on Greenwood's progress). That won't be cheap.

Having to upgrade a £190m back 4 shouldn't be necessary with the investment and age profile of the defence but I fear it will be.

 

[SoCross]

I think you’re arguing with someone who isn’t against you on this.

I’m merely pointing out Leicester are set up to create and attack with their midfield and that we can also do that with everyone fit and well.

If anything I’m trying to highlight how well Bruno and Pogba work.

I didn’t realise you wanted to discuss Fred and McTominay as I wouldn’t include them both in a 3 with our best midfielders available.

I wasn’t trying to argue Leicester or more attacking more a way that United could use Bruno and Pogba to keep our best creative players on the pitch. I like McTominay and Fred but they aren’t our best creators. Anyone calling them purely defensive is either ignorant or blind.

I agree we don’t have 7 defensive specialists I’ve been arguing that point on this thread too. I agree with you.

Ndidi’a style is aggressive containment as seen by his higher tackling stats. Matic delays attacks through positioning thus enabling players to get back into shape. I think people need to get away from the idea that it’s one players job to defend.

Hehe no argument mate. You’re right, we are saying similar things.

I think both of us are looking forward to seeing our two best “creators” on the pitch at the same time for 90 mins.

 

[tomaldinho1]

OP: because the defence have been protected by the rest of the team, at their expense, which is why they are so crap in the creative department. Thankfully, now gradually changing

This. We have a decent enough defensive record (mind you it's still not amazing) because our tactics are so defensive. We were almost completely reliant on the counter attack to score goals and it's only since Bruno's arrival that things are changing - that's why there's such a need to play pogba/bruno together because we are still a very limited team.

 

[Stacks]

The question is why have Sheffield united conceded less goals than us and we are on level with Leiceister after buying their main CB for a world record fee. No our defense isn't terrible, it's just that mediocritry has crept in ever since Saf left, also partially due to underinvestment under Saf.

What I was thinking. Leicester sold us a defender for 80mill and have conceded less than us and scored more than us. Similar goals conceded as Wolves, Sheffield United and Palace and we don't exactly play swash buckling football.

 

[Stacks]

People will bash every single aspect of our team and every single player until we are winning the league title and then they will proceed to bash every single aspect of our team and every single player until we win it again after that.

It's probably more so that we are competing with the likes of Wolves/Sheffield United and Palace and have won just one league game more than them, as opposed to us not being "table toppers"

 

[BenitoSTARR]

This. We have a decent enough defensive record (mind you it's still not amazing) because our tactics are so defensive. We were almost completely reliant on the counter attack to score goals and it's only since Bruno's arrival that things are changing - that's why there's such a need to play pogba/bruno together because we are still a very limited team.

We aren’t completely reliant on the counter attack that’s a myth. Most of our goals before Bruno were from open play.

Open Play 58%
Penalties 16%
Set Pieces 13%
Counters 11%
Own Goals 2%

Also fun fact 41% of our attacking play is from the Left side , 23% central and 36% from the right.

We try to counter but a lot of teams sit deep and prevent it.

 

[tomaldinho1]

We aren’t completely reliant on the counter attack that’s a myth. Most of our goals before Bruno were from open play.

Open Play 58%
Penalties 16%
Set Pieces 13%
Counters 11%
Own Goals 2%

Also fun fact 41% of our attacking play is from the Left side , 23% central and 36% from the right.

We try to counter but a lot of teams sit deep and prevent it.

Need at least some kind of a source here, would be very surprised if that's accurate. We've scored 45 goals in the league and, off the top of my head, I can think of at least 7 from the first half of the season which is more than 11%

 

[hmchan]

Need at least some kind of a source here, would be very surprised if that's accurate. We've scored 45 goals in the league and, off the top of my head, I can think of at least 7 from the first half of the season which is more than 11%

I have some questions about those stats too. Counters are essentially part of open plays, how are they categorized?

 

[Isotope]

Game like this that I can see the advantage of having ball playing CBs. Just the number of times they eased the pressure at the back by a little pass here and there.

As much as I love Smalling, he wouldn't be able to be part of this. Although I still think he should be retained for different type of games.

 

[RkkMan]

Only Liverpool have conceded less goals than us in the PL and now 18 cleansheets in all comps. Not bad for a "shit defence"

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Need at least some kind of a source here, would be very surprised if that's accurate. We've scored 45 goals in the league and, off the top of my head, I can think of at least 7 from the first half of the season which is more than 11%

I have some questions about those stats too. Counters are essentially part of open plays, how are they categorized?

https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Statistics/England-Manchester-United

Click the team stats tab.

We don’t score as many counters as people think. We get defended against too deeply for it. People just remember those goals more.

What is shocking is 32% of our goals conceded are from set pieces.

 

[SteveW]

They've improved a pile as the season has gone on. I can barely remember the last goal they conceded that wasn't Dave being daft. Its very impressive. And they seem to have completely fixed their set piece issues from the first couple of months of the season.

Since its the same players you'd have to put it down to good work on the training pitch with Ole and the coaching staff.

 

[tomaldinho1]

https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Statistics/England-Manchester-United

Click the team stats tab.

We don’t score as many counters as people think. We get defended against too deeply for it. People just remember those goals more.

What is shocking is 32% of our goals conceded are from set pieces.

I'm assuming it just doesn't count when we win the ball high up the pitch/someone gives the ball away & only counts it as a 'counter' if the move starts really deep.

For example Greenwood vs Newcastle, McT vs City probably are just classified as open play. I think most posters' point about counters is we are so reliant on mistakes/counters/catching teams in transitions to create clear chances. It's no surprise that today we looked a much better team because we had Matic starting with pogba and bruno and actually moved their defence around and created goals. I know Sheffield are in a bit of a rut but that was 100 times better than how we normally play because we kept the ball moving, kept probing and didn't get frustrated. Shaw needs to up his game or be dropped for Williams though, he seems so devoid of confidence.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Only Liverpool have conceded more goals than us in the PL and now 18 cleansheets in all comps. Not bad for a "shit defence"

feck me this is true

 

[A-man]

Game like this that I can see the advantage of having ball playing CBs. Just the number of times they eased the pressure at the back by a little pass here and there.

As much as I love Smalling, he wouldn't be able to be part of this. Although I still think he should be retained for different type of games.

The defence and the rest of the team have played well against the top teams but not teams that sit back. I think the way they played today is the way Ole visualised how they should play, when he planned for the season. But it takes some creative players like Bruno and Pogba, and a striker who can score, for it to work. If you don’t create, you don’t benefit much from defenders who pass around the ball under pressure.

In this match is clear that there are benefits when both CBs are good with their feet.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

I'm assuming it just doesn't count when we win the ball high up the pitch/someone gives the ball away & only counts it as a 'counter' if the move starts really deep.

For example Greenwood vs Newcastle, McT vs City probably are just classified as open play. I think most posters' point about counters is we are so reliant on mistakes/counters/catching teams in transitions to create clear chances. It's no surprise that today we looked a much better team because we had Matic starting with pogba and bruno and actually moved their defence around and created goals. I know Sheffield are in a bit of a rut but that was 100 times better than how we normally play because we kept the ball moving, kept probing and didn't get frustrated. Shaw needs to up his game or be dropped for Williams though, he seems so devoid of confidence.

But winning the ball high up the pitch isn’t really a counter. Not in the traditional sense. A team can’t be really attacking us if it’s in their own third.

 

[Isotope]

The defence and the rest of the team have played well against the top teams but not teams that sit back. I think the way they played today is the way Ole visualised how they should play, when he planned for the season. But it takes some creative players like Bruno and Pogba, and a striker who can score, for it to work. If you don’t create, you don’t benefit much from defenders who pass around the ball under pressure.

In this match is clear that there are benefits when both CBs are good with their feet.

True. Attack had always been our archilles heel ever since LVG to Mourinho, and Ole's before Bruno. We just couldn't score much.
We often had one of the least conceded team in the League.

 

[SirAnderson]

Only Liverpool have conceded more goals than us in the PL and now 18 cleansheets in all comps. Not bad for a "shit defence"

Shouldn't it be "less" goals not more.
We actually tied in 3rd place for lowest goals conceded.

Liverpool - 21
Leicester - 29
Man City/Man United/Sheffield - 31

 

[Mickeza]

From a purely defensive perspective I think we’re fine. I do think if we want to challenge again we could do with one of our fullbacks being more attacking. An Evra in his prime right now would add so much to this team. Outside of the right wing that’s probably the one area I’d like to see upgraded the most - but finding someone better than Shaw isn’t easy. On Lindelof, yes he could be upgraded but would that upgrade be worth the significant cost it would take to get better than him? He’s a more than solid centre back.