News: The 2017/18 Season Preview, Discussion & Review Thread [R]

Juan Mata lifts the lid on the mood inside United dressing room after the fast start to the season.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-fixtures-juan-mata-13642547

 

United got Swansea in the 4th round of the League Cup.

www.bbc.com/sport/football/41342647

 

Anthony Martial this season:

⏱ Minutes: 182
⚽️ Goals: 4
🎯 Assists: 2

🔥 pic.twitter.com/RmBWg82x0Q

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 20, 2017

 

Bigger, relentless, pitiless: are Mourinho’s Manchester United the real deal?

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...mourinhos-manchester-united-now-the-real-deal

 

Fixture update: Our @Carabao_Cup fourth-round tie at Swansea will take place on Tuesday 24 October (kick-off 19:45 BST). #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ECVli5OEfq

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 22, 2017

 

No new revelation in this piece, but it’s a good reminder of what Jose is trying to accomplish with his squad.

Despite the defensive lapses v Stoke, the manager has earned his handsome paychecks.

 

The good thing is we are scoring goals in quick succession which is something we have failed to do in recent seasons. What we need to do now is start scoring these goals earlier in games which would allow us to control the game and rest.

 

In truth, we have controlled the tempo of each game from the first whistle.

Despite improved finishing over last season, it can improve even more. Do that and we can bring on your boy Lingard at the start of the second half.

 

Yet the lack of early scoring has resulted in us exerting far more energy than we should over the 90. When we were at our best we would score goals early, shut up shop and coast.

 

Stats don't support this. Only 2 teams have covered less ground than us in the league.

 

Energy does not equate to ground covered.

 

Your reaching.

 

When we defend a lead we cover less ground because everyone sits progressively deeper and deeper while our attacks just become long, aimless punts to Lukaku. We cede possession and the imputus to the opposition. Instead of relaxing we are panicking in our third while mentally takes a toll as well.

 

True.

But I think it's a stretch to claim we're using more energy

 

Contrast it to the good old days when we would blitz teams early with multiple goals in succession and then give them the ball in their own half, win it back the second they cross into our half and proceed to let the ball do the work and tire the opposition out by passing it around amongst ourselves for a while.

Taking advantage of teams late and with fresh substitutions is all well and good when it works but it is not optimal given the result is not secure for the majority of the game and we roll the dice by risking dropping deeper and deeper. The added exertion, physical and mental, is the desperate defending or the desperate attacking.

If we can get these multiple goals earlier in games we would make life a lot easier for ourselves.

 

I can’t comment on today’s performance but before today our performances have been dominant but choppy.

On the energy question it needs to acknowledged that we’re fielding several players who are past the peak of their careers. We just can’t go high tempo for long stretches.

 

I doubt it

Sir Alex would be proud 👌 pic.twitter.com/gpSHuzDWJz

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 24, 2017

 

After today

City +2.6
United +0.85
Chelsea -2.85
Arsenal -3.15
Liverpool -3.2
Spurs -3.55

 

I can't believe how much Liverpool are flying under the radar, specifically Klopp.

If he drops points again tomorrow, he should be getting hammered by the media.

 

I wish, Liverpool fan would have a huge dilemma with Rafa beating them

 

I wouldn't be stunned to see Rafa get a draw.

 

After MD7

City +2.6
United +0.85
Chelsea -2.85
Arsenal -2.95
Spurs -3.55
Liverpool -4.7

 

...

So, how hard will he get it? If anything?

 

None. He is all "passion".