News: The 2018/19 Season Preview, Discussion & Review Thread [R]

The defense is too deep for the midfield to push up.

Shaw's positioning is perfect except Lindelof is too far and Martial is too close.

triangles, triangles, triangles.

 

Paul Ince is not holding back in his criticism of the club.

www.goal.com/en/news/man-utd-are-a-laughing-stock-ince-slams-mourinhos-old/1pf6zxpagzp7k1999ypujeq7zs

 

Is United's fragile defense so far something to worry about?

www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11477591/manchester-united-defensive-frailties-is-jose-mourinho-right-to-worry

It has to be a concern at the very least. Prior to the summer, it really was not hard for me to imagine we'd get 3 new arrivals easily (2 FBs, plus a top shelf CB). We end up only with a FB for the future in Dalot. It never was close to enough.
A LB and a high quality, veteran CB were musts for me and they both were there for the taking in Alex Sandro and Alderweireld. As mentioned in the Brighton match thread, the need for leadership at the back has been made very clear. Bailly, who I thought might be a possible candidate, has regressed this past year. Lindelof has made progress, but he's not the leader type (not yet at least).
The best candidate for the job appears to be Smalling to me: say what you will about him, but despite the fact that he has errors in him from time to time, he still managed to hold the backline together pretty competently. For Spurs, I want to see us go 3 at the back and I'd want to see Smalling recalled to play alongside Bailly and Lindelof.
A back 2 of Bailly and Lindelof can still be in the cards eventually, but Bailly needs to get back to the level he was when he first came to the club (when he literally was a beast and one of the best CBs in the league). The 3 at the back will also have the benefit of playing 2 upfront, which might suit our forwards better also for the time being.
We're weak at WB but it is what it is unfortunately and as mentioned, it should have been positions of focus for us this summer...

 

Defensive uncertainty affects Manchester United - Danny Higginbotham

www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11480052/manchester-united-affected-by-defensive-uncertainty-says-danny-higginbotham

Very ambivalent on this issue tbh. We definitely could have used some reinforcing at the back this summer. But at the same time, some players, starting with Bailly, need to pull their finger out of their bum and get it together quick.
Lindelof, so far at least, is doing his part and if Bailly performed the way we know he can, our backline, while far from perfect because of our known weakness at FB, would at least be as solid as we've been at times.
With our attack as poor as it's been in recent years, the defense is the department we somewhat could count upon and if we lose that, we're done for.
I'm ok with allowing Bailly the opportunity to play out of this funk. I'd still go 3 at the back though, at least for this game vs Spurs, with Smalling and Lindelof as his partners.
Smalls get tons of stick, but he's shown he can keep things together enough on his day. And at the moment, he's probably the closest we have to a leader at the back, which we need at the moment.

 

United are a collection of faulty parts.

www.bbc.com/sport/football/45326547

Well, the defensive issues addressed above don't look to be solved (look to be even worse as a matter of fact). One thing Mourinho could and really should do, is go with a pair in central defense and stick with them for a few games no matter. It's not like anyone is really distinguishing themselves at the moment anyway.
Not sure what is happening to Bailly and it's obvious that Mourinho has put the fear of God into Lindelof, as he looked his lack of confidence self from last season when he came on. I'd go with those 2 and Mourinho should make it clear he's his partnership for the foreseeable future, no matter what. If nothing else, it could boost their confidence, which is what they need.
The defense is not the only issue though: we've got serious problems upfront as well, with a misfiring Lukaku. Not sure what the deal with Sanchez is. Mourinho should turn to Martial, but we know the likelihood of that happening. If Lukaku is not his 100% self, maybe he can go with Rashford upfront. No matter what, that's another riddle for him to solve.
Would also bring Pereira for Burnley, no question. They'll be tough to breakdown defensively and we need guys who can make things happen and AP is clearly the type required. No excuses, no BS allowed: they need to get going this weekend...

 

We are in Group H with Juventus for UCL draw.

Champions League draw:

Group H:

🇮🇹 Juventus
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man Utd#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/e57MQ6XDwW

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 30, 2018

 

So many people are so down, no one even cares about the draw, lololol.

 

You don't understand,

Juventus will face Manchester United.

He’s coming back 🔴 pic.twitter.com/tRMNE5spit

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 30, 2018

 

So there goes this year's UCL

Champions League draw:

Group H:

🇮🇹 Juventus
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man Utd
🇪🇸 Valencia
🇨🇭 Young Boys#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/Q5EZy4BOPG

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 30, 2018

 

Wow, United lucky to make it to the knockout round after this draw. Man...

 

Groups B & C should be fun.

 

Love it. Love me a challenge. No excuses.

 

Were not gonna get out of our group.

 

Do I smell a new bet?

 

Ronaldo back at Old Trafford!!

 

I'm listening

 

I meant you and Jeff, but we could do the same thing. I obviously don't give a ******** about my avatar.

 

@benni... I say we get out of the group, you?

 

Give me a day to think about it.

 

Can't wait to park the bus away vs Young Boys.

 

If you don't have a bet, I'll be willing to say we DO make it out, just for stakes. Any avatar approved by board member voting.

 

Yeah ******** it. I'm saying WE WILL NOT make it out the group on the UCL.


.sticking with my bet.

 

I see us getting a maximum 2 points in this group. 0-0 draw away to Young Boys and a 1-1 draw at OT after going behind in the first 15 minutes

 

I'm gonna be in Manchester for the match against Young Boys. Any suggestions on how to get tickets?