He's an absolutely fine squad option and was showing good things for a player his age. Not stupendous, elite level, but decent player to have for rotation.Maybe a bit harsh, but it's fair to point out that he didn't exactly set the world alight before his injury either
We are the biggest work in progress in world football.
He's had 4 training sessions
But you can already see glimpses, which is positive and encouraging.
We had holes all over the pitch before and conceded chances galore - so i'd expect that to continue and hopefully fizzle out over time.
Central midfield looks the weakest for me - Ugarte is nailed on but he was a bit exposed on times, not sure Bruno is suited to deeper play but you lose so much pace by dropping Garnacho/Mount for accommodate him higher.
Most of the problems Amorin has are good problems to have - things will only get better.
The slagging off here of Malacia is mental - the lads not kicked a ball in 2years. He worked his arse off and tried - he's obviously not going to be performing at an elite level but that half of football will let him kick on - the perfect game for him to try. I'd rather see us try him than fecking Dalot again because we know what Dalot will do there. Amorin needs to experiment with players
He's an absolutely fine squad option and was showing good things for a player his age. Not stupendous, elite level, but decent player to have for rotation.
Drawing any kind of conclusion from last night is brain-dead. He'll need a while to get back up to speed, and that's absolutely fine.
He's going to have to play to regain match fitness - probably won't start against the likes of Arsenal, but he needs to gain minutes here and there. Starting him against Bodo Glimt was fine....so, doesn't that lead to the conclusion that he's not currently a great option to start at LWB?
I don't think that holds unless he can perform better than he did yesterday. One thing is whether we are really in a position to carry passengers at the moment, and another is if it's worth it? It's not like this is a player we know will be a strong contributor just as soon as he's back to his normal levels of fitness, like we do with say Shaw. He has never been more than a borderline player in this squad.He's going to have to play to regain match fitness - probably won't start against the likes of Arsenal, but he needs to gain minutes here and there. Starting him against Bodo Glimt was fine.
He wasn't particularly great before being out for about two years, so all I was expecting was for him to put the work in and keep the ball ticking over (the routine passes if you will).Well, what did he actually provide? He ran gamely on the flank, but I can't remember anything whatsoever coming out of it. No successful challenges that produced something dangerous, no non-routine passes that found a team-mate, or at least was on a trajectory that gave someone a realistic chance to connect. In addition to which as you say one oppo goal that resulted directly from him being shredded in a one-on-one duel. This from a player who already before he was out injured for a year-and-a-half was one of the most frequently dribbled-past players in the PL, and was notably lacking in quality on the ball. Where are the positives and the useful contributions, exactly?
I don't think we should write him off based on a single performance after such a long time out. But for now, he's a project - if for nothing else, then because he probably has close to zero market value right now. Given the limitations on display already before that long injury break, there's a limit to how optimistic you can reasonably be about that project.
Surely our bar isn't that low. Amass might be a kid but he would struggle to be worse in defence and attack than Malacia was last night.He's going to have to play to regain match fitness - probably won't start against the likes of Arsenal, but he needs to gain minutes here and there. Starting him against Bodo Glimt was fine.
Look, I have my doubts about whether he has what it takes to succeed, but you cant judge a player on a single performance after 18 months of injury.Surely our bar isn't that low. Amass might be a kid but he would struggle to be worse in defence and attack than Malacia was last night.
And I'm agreeing with you. I don't want to bin off a player that is clearly working and motivated to succeed.Look, I have my doubts about whether he has what it takes to succeed, but you cant judge a player on a single performance after 18 months of injury.
I am with you on this. I am sure he's unhappy today with his performance, but he deserves support.He wasn't particularly great before being out for about two years, so all I was expecting was for him to put the work in and keep the ball ticking over (the routine passes if you will).
It's minimal expectations, but in my view he kept the ball better than some of our 'better' or more experienced players did when making what you'd expect to be routine passes.
I just don't think slating an already limited player, recovering from injury who's put in the effort is really called for. Especially when we've others who have the ability but don't put in the effort.
I also rated him 8, which i think is really good.. 2 goals, one assist and worked a lot for the team but also had sloppy moments.How is Hojlund having a rating of only 8.1 on this platform after last night's performance is way beyond me.
I really can't wrap my head around the negativity of people on this forum. His hat-trick was literally stolen from his nose by a player who's been absolutely wasteful the whole night, and that same player has a rating of 6.
He's been out for a very long time and it will take him a long time to get back to match fitness.Whatever you think Malacia can be, yesterday at least showed that he is not currently ready to start games for this team. He was a good deal less than adequate - that's just the truth, it's not to slag him off. And to defend a regular place in this team, he'd have to be a good deal better than he was before he was injured.
Imo there's still huge holes in the defence, poor finishing and questionable decision making. But the players looked more motivated.Missed the game last night and haven’t had a chance to watch any of it back.
How do people think the game would have played out under Ten Hag? Did we look as disjointed under him or a step in the right direction?
However, the question is more do we 100% have to rush him back and to that I think the answer is no.
I do not think Amorim is the type of person who looks at him and goes "You were shit before your injury, you are shit now, so I'm not giving you a chance and your career here is basically over"One thing is whether we are really in a position to carry passengers at the moment, and another is if it's worth it?
Carry passengers?I don't think that holds unless he can perform better than he did yesterday. One thing is whether we are really in a position to carry passengers at the moment, and another is if it's worth it? It's not like this is a player we know will be a strong contributor just as soon as he's back to his normal levels of fitness, like we do with say Shaw. He has never been more than a borderline player in this squad.
It is very simple to see how Amorim operates here. He noticed frailties and addressed them. He gave players that needed minutes time and then withdrew them before they damaged the result.
Rasmus was excellent, as was Mazraoui. Ugarte was solid, Luke Shaw being back, and hopefully staying fit will be an asset.
Wing backs are being evaluated it seems but for me, it needs to be a mix of Amad, Dalot, or Mazraoui. Defensively, you can use Mazraoui when Yoro is back or rotate Martinez and Shaw on the left and have the other as the LCB.
Bruno could work as a cm but not against a pressing team. Ugarte starts alongside Kobbie, Casemiro and if we include youth players, I'd like to see Collyer or Fletcher maybe.
The CAM role needs technical players with work rate so Mount, Bruno and Amad are first picks. Antony maybe with the wide support could work but let's not get carried away. Ibragimov could be a massive prospect in that role in the future.
Rasmus for me proved his use. Yeah he's let down by his touch at time but his work rate is unmatched by any of our strikers. Imagine having him and Gyokeres to choose from as rotating options.
Overall I loved this game. I relish the suspense in games, as long as we win haha. Its a competitive sport so lets see a competitive game eh. I was born a year before Fergie took over so ive heen spoiled in mt time as a fan. Lets get gritty and enjoy a game that could go either way eh. It was brilliant to see the effort from the players. Yeah mistakes were made but it's 2 games in and we Amorim had a lot of shit to undo to get us playing smoothly and consistently. You can already see his influence though. Bring on the next game.
He wasn't particularly great before being out for about two years, so all I was expecting was for him to put the work in and keep the ball ticking over (the routine passes if you will).
It's minimal expectations, but in my view he kept the ball better than some of our 'better' or more experienced players did when making what you'd expect to be routine passes.
I just don't think slating an already limited player, recovering from injury who's put in the effort is really called for. Especially when we've others who have the ability but don't put in the effort.
Carry passengers?
We've carried passengers for years, we are the laughing stock of world football because we are so easy to play against.
Playing Malacia was no more absurd than playing Anthony, or Mount, or anyone of them, every single player in this squad needs game time in Amorins system. Some performances will work, some will not. Malacia for me done ok, considering how long he has been out. Not perfect, but no one was. Martinez was nowhere for they're 2nd goal and there were some errors - nothing to go mental about though.
I thought Malacia was way better with the ball than Anthony, who had another stinker. Just easy to bash Malacia i guess
Yeah, I thought he was fine, not good.Okay, so he wasn't actually good, just as bad as you'd expect from him, given he's been about for a long time.
It wasn't far removed from some of Ten Hag European games. Let's not forget was games in the last few years that United dominated but due missed chances and brain fart moments it allowed the opposition to win or draw games.Missed the game last night and haven’t had a chance to watch any of it back.
How do people think the game would have played out under Ten Hag? Did we look as disjointed under him or a step in the right direction?
One person who should be slightly worried is Martinez. I think he may very well end up as a key utility player. I can see Shaw winning the battle for LCB. I think he would do well to do a good shift in midfielder as a back up to Ugarte.
Bruno vs Kobbie in CM is another good battle. Having both in rotation, with Bruno also being able to play one of the 10 roles would make us have a lot of versatility in the squad to combat injuries.
Yesterday made me realize that Casemiro is partially responsible for a lot of our erratic play moving the ball forward.
I think Rashford and Antony should be really concerned. Almost all positions require a certain level of intensity and athleticism, and the two positions ( the two AM roles) which may not require as much, still require dribbling ability, which neither possess.
He is young and coming back from a long injury.No idea if Malacia will come good or not, but was this not his first match after something like 18 months out from injury/surgery? I’m willing to give him a chance beyond this one game.
Because is one of our few players, who gets into good positions in every match. But I agree...he wastes chances, and I think his bad decisions is because he is too selfish.Another game of Garnacho wasting chances and making bad decisions. Why is he still starting every game?
Garnacho always tries hard. He was there for his tap in. He missed at least 3 decent chances. Bit wild, but less selfish than usual. I agree that the new idea might not be a perfect fit for Garna … but he can learn. There is something in him, some fire, which I like. There’s more to come from the playerAnother game of Garnacho wasting chances and making bad decisions. Why is he still starting every game?
Based on talent, possibly, but given Shaw's injury record it just may never turn out to be a problem. Indeed given that Martinez's injury record isn't marvellous either, we might struggle to have either available at times.One person who should be slightly worried is Martinez. I think he may very well end up as a key utility player. I can see Shaw winning the battle for LCB. I think he would do well to do a good shift in midfielder as a back up to Ugarte.
Pretty good performance other than the 10-15 mins when we cosplayed at still being managed by Ole/ETH. Second half was pretty much all United and I never felt we were going to give up the lead - pretty sure we;d have lost this game 4-5 weeks ago.
Hopefully, some of the Hojilund critics here will no be quiet for a while: he held the ball up pretty well, brought others into the game and his goals showed what he can do if people actually pass to him.
There were other good performances too and I guess most people made Maz the MoM.
I did feel Onana could have done better with their second goal...
Probably because he is the one player in the team who is constantly finding himself in scoring positions and the managers realise he is young and needs some time to become the finished article.Another game of Garnacho wasting chances and making bad decisions. Why is he still starting every game?
He’s 25, hardly greenHe is young and coming back from a long injury.
He should be given a chance, especially as a backup/squad player.
IMO though, he won't make it and will likely be sold or his contract will be allowed to expire.
These Dutch-related players which ETH seemed obsessed with have mostly been useless. ETH doesn't seem to understand that most players who do well in the Dutch league, can't handle the EPL. The EPL is completely different animal. Even LVG wasn't so obsessed with Dutch-related players.
I'm starting to think Kobbie may actually be better suited to the #10 position in this system than Bruno is. Leaning towards him up front and Bruno as a deep-lying playmaking #8, with some license to roam forward.
Plus points:
- Mazrouri/Onana reliability.
- Hojlund scoring striker goals set up by team mates that aren't just him running at people and shooting because no one can create a chance for him.
- Mason Mount played in something resembling a position that actually suits Mason Mount.
- Malacia is alive
- 45 minutes of not having to worry about Diogo Dalot engaging his brain when in possession
- Entertainment
- We beat Bodo and Glimt at the same time so get 6 points instead of 3.
Minus points
- Lack of option on TV remote to have Savage ejected from the ground or banned from using the words "formation" or "system"
- Malacia alive but then murdered in front of a live tv audience for the second Bodo and or Glimt goal.
- 45 minutes of Dodo Dalot engaging his brain in possession.
- Unecessary last 10 minutes entertainment (just kick the ball into the fecking goal Garnacho)
- Players not fit enough to execute tactics for 90 minutes despite there being nothing exceptionally demanding about them compared to other teams tactics.
- Despite us playing well and being in control for significant periods, both Bodo and Glimt had enough chances to have won the game.
I think we will end up with Dalot on the right, as Amorim has already stated to believing he's much better there. I think he has the industry and attacking impetus to shine, but doesn't have the connectivity that playing on the left in this role requires.
The sooner we have a viable left winger/back, the sooner Dalot moves to the right hand side and Amad goes into one of the Attacking midfield roles.
I think we will end up with Dalot on the right, as Amorim has already stated to believing he's much better there. I think he has the industry and attacking impetus to shine, but doesn't have the connectivity that playing on the left in this role requires.
The sooner we have a viable left winger/back, the sooner Dalot moves to the right hand side and Amad goes into one of the Attacking midfield roles.
Rasmus Hojlund
Tyrell Malacia
replaced by Casemiro
replaced by Luke Shaw
replaced by Diogo Dalot
replaced by Marcus Rashford
replaced by Amad Diallo
