I was there last night. I don't agree with those posters saying we were unlucky or the better team. I thought West Ham were miles better at the nuts and bolts stuff you need to actually win a football match. Always had plenty of time to block shots and intercept passes.
Team selection was poor, and crashing out of another competition with a tepid, unispired performace isn't the kind of thing that inspires a winning mentality.
Good post.
West Ham we're much better than us throughout - simple as that. A deserved loss, that's all it is.
I've no issue with rotating the squad, especially in the carabao cup. With us being out 1st hurdle though, you do wonder when Ole is going to give these "fringe" players another chance bar serious injuries? Ole pretty much sticks to the same players so it's a wasted chance for the bulk of them.
On paper, we still should have won that game. Everyone is banging on about 11 changes, but West Ham made 10 and still looked a decent team. We just looked laboured and disjointed. Not many could hold they're head up and say they gave it 100% and had a good game.
Problem with our "back up/rotated players" is they either flat out know they'll not feature in many important games which leads to a lack of effort or they're legs have simply gone and they can't perform at the top any longer.
I'll run through the x11
Henderson - knows he's number 2. Looked for a spell last season where he may get the No1 jersey. Ole's gone with De Gea - all the rumour is he wants a loan.
Dalot - Spent a year on loan and knows pushing AWB is a tall order. To be fair, I think he plays to his limits. Only regular game time would help him - he aint getting a run here bar an injury
Bailly - Has he ever been considered a long term 1st choice starting player here? Injuries and erratic form dont help him - but he's firmly a back up
Lindelof - Firm number 3 and he knows it. He could play 10/10 and he's still nowhere near displacing Varane or Maguire. Did play well though to his credit
Telles - Similar to Dalot. Has quality - but not displacing Shaw bar an injury
Matic - Legs have gone. Forces our midfield too deep. Shouldnt be playing
Mata - See Matic
Donny - Needs a run of games. Ole prefers McFred and Pogba. Probably 4th choice for 2 deeper midfield spots. Baffling me a little as I think he is better than McTom and Fred. Pogba is a liability deep as well.
Sancho - Just needs game time.
Martial - Has there ever been a Man Utd CF who puts as little effort in? Behind Ronaldo, Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford for a CF role. Behind Rashford/Sancho/Pogba for a LF role. Serves no purpose to us
Lingard - Just perfectly highlights the issue with quality through our squad for me. Has the odd moment, but overall lacks consistent quality. He's no threat to any of our starting players and never will be. Has been here years, and still the best he can offer is "bit part". get in the bin - should have took a perm move
So quality wise. We look good. Combine the above with a lack of desire to perform, lack of commitment. Lots of players happy to sit on big wages playing here and there with no conviction. Our 2nd string should be full of younger/hungry players with a future. Between our starting 11 yesterday, i'd argue only Sancho and Donny have a chance of impacting the starting 11 long term. Dalot/Lindelof/Telles/Henderson are reliable back ups. The rest can get in the bin - hopeless