[mav_9me]

Most fun I’ve had watching United in a long time. Should have won. Sesko getting two is great for us, two super finishes.

Could not agree more. I've longed for the type of goals we scored today.

 

[Klean]

Same story as many games this season, unlucky not to take all 3 points.

I thought some Pro's were - Sekso scoring. Thought that Amass looked dangerous in his cameo and probably unlucky not to score. I thought Cunha was very good when he was moved behind Sesko. It was nice to see Bruno pick right back up where he left off and I also thought that Ugarte was good today.

Con's - The Team looked very open and easy to play through. Many times, Burnley would pick up the ball and just play passes, bypassing the midfield as if they weren't there. The buildup was also just awkward. Many times, the center mids would pick up the ball and be man-for-man marked and have no option but to play it back. I didn't think either Heaven or Martinez played all that well.

Overall, probably a 6.5/10 performance. Some grace must be given to the team having to pick up a "new" system in only a few days to prepare for it. If this is the way forward, in the long term, we now have a logjam of players for a handful of roles (Cunha, Bruno, Amad for the #10, and 6 centerbacks), and the midfield is still the same issue it was under Amorim. Hopefully, they sort it out, though, and we can start converting some of the draws into wins.

 

[DRJosh]

I hope we get Xavi in as a permanent appointment to change things up and bolster the midfield. We will struggle against all 19 teams with Casemiro and Ugarte.

 

[sglowrider]

I have seen this movie before.

Pre-Ole we were drawing bucket load of games instead of winning. Then Ole comes in and we score 3-0s in lots of games. But also lose 0-4 games. Then he gets sacked, and then we look for the news & brightest young manager again.

Great value for money -- to see replays of a movie for the price of one ticket.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

Šeško looked really alert and sharp today. Both of his goals were really well taken, with great movement to anticipate and get himself in the right position. Very encouraged by this. Really happy to see Lacey playing, and his hit would have been such a dream goal. The kid has got magic in them there boots I tell ya!

We should have won this game. Good goal chalked off for Kyle Walker being a pussy, Bruno hit the woodwork, two cleared off the line, Lacey hits the wood, and Šeško had several near misses.

We looked better today in the overall game than we have under a full game under Amorim maybe ever. We had a couple halves of games with Amorim's set up where we were playing some nice stuff but then we'd tail off and crawl back in our shells in the second half, clinging on for dear life. It was a good game and we looked like a recognizable United team again.

 

[ValenciasDrilledCrosses]

Same story as many games this season, unlucky not to take all 3 points.

I thought some Pro's were - Sekso scoring. Thought that Amass looked dangerous in his cameo and probably unlucky not to score. I thought Cunha was very good when he was moved behind Sesko. It was nice to see Bruno pick right back up where he left off and I also thought that Ugarte was good today.

Con's - The Team looked very open and easy to play through. Many times, Burnley would pick up the ball and just play passes, bypassing the midfield as if they weren't there. The buildup was also just awkward. Many times, the center mids would pick up the ball and be man-for-man marked and have no option but to play it back. I didn't think either Heaven or Martinez played all that well.

Overall, probably a 6.5/10 performance. Some grace must be given to the team having to pick up a "new" system in only a few days to prepare for it. If this is the way forward, in the long term, we now have a logjam of players for a handful of roles (Cunha, Bruno, Amad for the #10, and 6 centerbacks), and the midfield is still the same issue it was under Amorim. Hopefully, they sort it out, though, and we can start converting some of the draws into wins.

??

 

[1988]

Did enough to win the game. Build on it and improve.

 

[Steve 007]

Disappointed.

I thought the line up was wrong, Cunha on the right?

Fletcher had an opportunity and I like him but we needed a safe pair of get the job done hands. Instead we got a ‘brave willing to experiment coach’. Very happy for Sesko I hope this is the start of his Utd career and he gets double figures this season now.

Lacey looked absolutely superb and I’m gutted our first goal was chopped off for very little. Arsenal seem to run round at corners with a baseball bat smashing the opponents knees and get away with it ‘it’s a physical game’.

 

[SonOfFergie]

With the amount of chances we created we should be winning this game by 2-3 goals. So wasteful with our finishing.

 

[GazTheLegend]

How the feck do Burnley always manage to survive 30 shots against them? How do they manage 2 goals with one shot on target all game? How do they get through these games with us -at all-? One day we will batter them by 10 and it will be a fair result.

But ultimately it's 2 points dropped against a bunch of journeymen.

 

[Nyland]

I didn't think we played that bad. I get that we deserve no benefit of the doubt at this stage, but like with the Leeds draw, it feels as if people are looking at the result and making a conclusion about the performance.

Had we nicked either of these games with a last minute winner then I think the outlook on how we actually played would be very different. Last night I think we got the ball into the box a lot earlier than we normally do and we seemed to create more chances because of it. A number of times I was pleasantly surprised how quickly we got the ball into the area rather than taking the extra touch or two allowing defenders to narrow the available angle.

Dropping 4 points against Leeds and Burnley isn't great. And I get why memory will understandably consign these games to history as a bit of a sign of how we struggled in the first couple of games of the new year - but I really don't think we've played badly in either

 

[Igor Drefljak]

I thought we were really unlucky yesterday.
I'm surprised people are so downbeat on that performance.

Ifs and buts, but in reality, we conceded two avoidable goals yet again (Second one to be fair was a very good strike, but Martinez should have been tighter), and we could have been looking at this performance differently.

We really kept them at bay for the most part, and going forward, it was some of the better viewing I've seen from our side.
We actually fed Sesko the ball, and although he should have scored more, he got two goals, both decent finishes to be fair to him.
30 shots, 10 on target, and hit the woodwork twice. That would win you a lot of matches.

I know Burnley haven't been great, but we've had Fletcher take control for a few days, with players coming in from Injury.
Shame we didn't get the win, we actually deserved it.

 

[LukeChadwick36]

OK so who should we appoint for rest of the season?

I genuinely don't know. But I don't work in the world of football to know who is available. For Ineos to dig out Woodwards little black book because they don't know is ridiculous.

 

[rhutcho69]

Not many mentioning Casemiro performance, played like an 80 years old way off the pace and contributed to both goals by not closing down at all or with any intensity, should of been hooked at half time.

Would like to see us braver in selection against teams like Burnley, do we need a back 4 and Ugarte and Casemiro

Would of got away with Mount and Mainoo there tonight judging by the way Ugarte and Casemiro defended, would of have had more link from defence to attack

 

[Igor Drefljak]

Not many mentioning Casemiro performance, played like an 80 years old way off the pace and contributed to both goals by not closing down at all or with any intensity, should of been hooked at half time.

Would like to see us braver in selection against teams like Burnley, do we need a back 4 and Ugarte and Casemiro

Would of got away with Mount and Mainoo there tonight judging by the way Ugarte and Casemiro defended, would of have had more link from defence to attack

You mean the two players who weren't fully fit and probably would have been ideal if they didn't even come on, even as subs?

 

[rhutcho69]

You mean the two players who weren't fully fit and probably would have been ideal if they didn't even come on, even as subs?

Yes those 2

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

No different to the season as a whole, created chances which we didn't take and then switch off and concede goals from nowhere.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

it's just a feature not a bug of our play - we concede 1 shot on target and the score ends up 2-2. It's just this terrible, lackadaisical, can't be arsed football that ends up with players consistently switching off that ends up with conceding cheap goals or cheap opportunities. More than anything I'd love our new manager to stamp this complacency out - 3-4-3, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or 2-3-5. Just get the finger out lads, everyone will be behind you.

Did you hear Tim Sherwood on sky sports saying Sesko should be hauled off at half time because ‘it’s like they’re playing with ten men’. Then he says after the game 'I stand by what i say he's not good enough to play for United'. Well thank god for that, the man's not been right about anything. What a monumental bellend.

Anyway fair play to Sesko, we were robbed by the ref, unlucky with the chances, goal line clearances and the woodwork - but this kind of 'how did we not win this' match is a feature not a bug.

I seem to remember watching a Soccer Saturday and he was saying what a good player he is.

 

[McLvnsMuse]

When we finally cant mathematically reach 4th we might win a game against the relegation fodder

Funny because It’s been such safe bet this season. “Striking distance of top 4? Book that loss or draw”

Even funnier because we survived the hardest start to the season only to drop points vs every team between 12th and 20 (except palace)

 

[r0663664]

It is unlikely that we end up in playing in Europe. Team just needs to string 3-4 wins on the bounce, they will be top 6. We don't have the team to finish high. If we have proper transfer addressing CMs, back-up striker, RB/RWB then I think we need have a very good finishing top 4. At this point, I would consider selling Mainoo to fund our transfer.

 

[Real Name]

We really deserved a victory. Unlucky own goal and a wonder strike, other than that we had them under the tosh practically most of the game. Really glad for Šeško, took his goals well and I hope this means everything has opened up for him. As some others have said it was finally fun to watch United again.

 

[Linerarms]

City have a lot of injuries and are struggling. I think we wil beat them. Got to start playing Lacey, Jack Fletcher, keep faith with Heaven. Need to trust the young players instead of us moaning about Ugarte, Cunha etc

 

[Crimson King]

It reminded me of a lot of performances under EtH, especially in the 4231. Don't have the midfielders for it. Leaves Casemiro extremely vulnerable again

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It reminded me of a lot of performances under EtH, especially in the 4231. Don't have the midfielders for it. Leaves Casemiro extremely vulnerable again

That’s a strange take. Those performances were notable for us conceding a shit load of shots at our goal. Often 20+. Burnley had one shot on target last night (7 in total).

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

That’s a strange take. Those performances were notable for us conceding a shit load of shots at our goal. Often 20+. Burnley had one shot on target last night (7 in total).

Haha, that’s a very good point.

No question we were more solid, we just bizarrely had two 5 minute spells where we seemed to lose control, and conceded in both.
Enjoyed the game though and no surprise things immediately look brighter for Sesko.

Still convinced we’ll improve dramatically in this system as the players settle into it again. Dorgu looked immediately more comfortable, as did Bruno (was exceptional), Sesko, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte.

 

[Mike Smalling]

There was something off about the intensity and shape of the team in the first half, but it seemed to be corrected after the break.

In the end we don’t win that game because the defenders again switch off in key moments. Their first was lucky, but also down to a huge lapse in concentration. Their second was a low percentage shot, but one that shouldn’t have been allowed.

Maguire, De Ligt, and Mazraoui returning could hopefully do something about our goals conceded.

 

[dinostar77]

I hope we get Xavi in as a permanent appointment to change things up and bolster the midfield. We will struggle against all 19 teams with Casemiro and Ugarte.

At this point any manager is irrelevant. Regardless of who we appoint, we need 2 x CMs, elite CMs.

We generally also need more quality and better options off the bench. It won't all get done in one window.

 

[KungFuCanta]

Random thoughts from the game

Pros

• I enjoyed watching some of this performance. There were parts that were entertaining and energetic.
• I prefer this formation as a way to play (we don't have the midfield to play it well)
• Dorgu had a good game and we crossed the ball to a forward
• Said forward, Šeško, came alive in the 2nd half. 2 good goals. Hopefully he can kick on from here
• Bruno was back. Whilst clearly not match fit, he was out creative driver.
• Lovely cameo from Lacey. High hopes for him.
• Urgarte played ok? ok, he didn't play badly.

Cons

• There were larger parts of the performance that were the old school lack of energy and urgency. We go 2-1 up and sit back.
• Heaven looked like he'd never played in a back 4 before. All over the place. It'll come and his o.g. wasn't his fault really. Dalot and Casemiro just let the guy through and Heaven had to leave his man to cover.
• Lammens jumps for high shots like he has lead in his boots. Is this trainable?
• Without Bruno we had no creativity at all in midfield. At 2-2 we didn't look like creating any chances (except for Lacey's
• Casemiro and Shaw ran out of legs from about the 10th minute.
• Cunha was largely absent

Dunno if we can take anything at all from this game. I am assuming that Fletcher's last game will be Brighton in the FA Cup (expecting a defeat ) Thrown in at the deep end, he did okay and didn't do anything stupid. But whether it is Ole/Carrick to the end of the season, or something else, INEOS have fecked up the season. Against the odds, I think we had a good chance of a top 4 this season, but we'll need to have a major turnaround to make it into any european competition this season.

 

[dinostar77]

There was something off about the intensity and shape of the team in the first half, but it seemed to be corrected after the break.

In the end we don’t win that game because the defenders again switch off in key moments. Their first was lucky, but also down to a huge lapse in concentration. Their second was a low percentage shot, but one that shouldn’t have been allowed.

Maguire, De Ligt, and Mazraoui returning could hopefully do something about our goals conceded.

Now we have switched back to a back four. We really need to decide on our centre back pairing and play them together as much as possible. The root of any rock solid defence is a great CB pairing. Heaven and De Ligt ? Maybe Yoro and Maguire for the other pairing. Discounting licha due to him being injured constantly.

 

[Mike Smalling]

Now we have switched back to a back four. We really need to decide on our centre back pairing and play them together as much as possible. The root of any rock solid defence is a great CB pairing. Heaven and De Ligt ? Maybe Yoro and Maguire for the other pairing. Discounting licha due to him being injured constantly.

Martinez is back now and playing full games with no problems. No reason to act like another crippling injury is coming as a certainty. De Ligt / Martinez is probably our best CB pairing.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Martinez is back now and playing full games with no problems. No reason to act like another crippling injury is coming as a certainty. De Ligt / Martinez is probably our best CB pairing.

100%. They would be well suited as a pairing too. Have they played many/any games together?

 

[dinostar77]

 

[acnumber9]

Nah, it’s the same formation.

 

[hellhunter]

Nah, it’s the same formation.

People tried so hard to gaslight us into believing that

 

[Godfather]

Martinez is back now and playing full games with no problems. No reason to act like another crippling injury is coming as a certainty. De Ligt / Martinez is probably our best CB pairing.

Yep. Harsh on Heaven but I also see this as our best CB pairing and with the injury record of those two Heaven will get plenty of minutes.

 

[Matt851]

At this point any manager is irrelevant. Regardless of who we appoint, we need 2 x CMs, elite CMs.

We generally also need more quality and better options off the bench. It won't all get done in one window.

It's such a nonsense to say a manager is irrelevant until we get new central midfielders.

The fact we are still relatively high in the table despite all of our poor recent results shows many other teams have significant flaws.

Many of our competitors also have European games to contend with

Fletcher has no experience as manager but also only had around a day with the team. He set the team up in a bit of an odd way but would hopefully learn from the experience of kept in place

We should be able to qualify for the europa at least and that would have a knock on impact on our budget for next season

 

[Eplel]

Some of my thoughts about the game.

1. Even though we dropped 2 points we deserved to win
2. It's a positive that the team finally showed intent going forward.
3. Some of the weaknesses we still had under amorim and ETH persist - recruitment must resolve these (e.g. lethargic reactions from certain players like Zirkzee, Ugarte and Dalot. Ugarte especially is nothing without the intensity he showed when he played in Sporting)
4. We need to understand that we cannot be dangerous and creative going forward if our main outlets are dorgu and case. Players need to understand their roles and strengths better.

 

[LARulz]

Difference is also Bruno is available for Burnley and wasn't Leeds. When he came off yesterday our quality dropped and they got a bit more of a hold in the game

 

[acnumber9]

People tried so hard to gaslight us into believing that

They still are.

 

[Sandikan]

Knew we were well on top, but looking at the stats I hadn't realised it was that much on top.

30 shots, XG of 2.55, 519 passes v 240, 65% possession.

Conceding 2 goals to 1 shot on target is just ridiculous too.

Oh well. Roll on the FA Cup game, as the 2 league games after that are a right sh!t sandwich. Not sure if you want to start the interim manager there to be honest.