PBP: UEL - Manchester United FC vs FK Astana - Sep 19, 2019 [R]

Love that Gomes gets to start and apparently in his preferred position, centrally behind Rashford. Really want to see him (along with Greenwood and Chong obviously) take full advantage and put in a big performance today.
Fred is another who needs to build on his strong cameo vs Leicester and stake a claim in our midfield.

 

I don't understand risking Rashford in this game.

 

Wtf?

Did someone post the lineup?

 

Yeah Rashford inclusion makes no sense here, especially considering we have no strikers on the bench

 

Yup. I guess we'll see Rashford off and Greenwood move to 9 and another kid or Jesse on, but I still think it was a really bad idea to risk the only first xi 9 we have available.

 

God I really hope the kids do well.

 

Suspect Rashford at #9 but would rather see Greenwood there given he can score with both feet.

-------- Gomes
Chong ------------- Rashford
--------- Greenwood

Would be best - play the kids where they are used to playing.

Plus agree, we shouldn't be risking Rashford starting in the circumstances.

 

Okay found the lineup. My phone is like United selection process - hit or miss

Rashford playing and AP not playing and not even in the squad are two glaring wtf issues

 

Jones and Rojo - I know which side I'd attack us down

 

Why not both. They will probably collide and give you a free run.

 

Fred barely misses with a long distance shot that crashes against the bar. Really unlucky.

Decent ball over the top from Rojo just a tad too long for Rashford. As is the case in that type of game, we have to hope United don't take too long to score, to give the team and kids some confidence (and open the floodgates in the process).
Another chance for Rash who should have scored. Hit it straight to the keeper.

 

Looks like one those games where we will get 100 shots but not score or might sneak one in

 

Greenwood now with a good chance, following some neat interplay with Rashford but his shot goes wide. It's been all United so far, as expected.

Precisely what I'm afraid of: the longer Astana hold out, the harder they could be to break down.

Rojo with another good ball in the box but Rashford is unable to finish.

And another, same combo with the same result as Rash hits the ball straight at the keeper this time. Rojo has been very good so far inn the role of provider and Rash really should have scored by now. ​

 

Two easy chances missed, he's only 21 so be patient

 

Not asking for much: one goal by halftime would be enough going into the 2nd period. Creating some good chances at least, despite Astana defending tight and in numbers.

 

Rashford needs to simply a few things in his play. He overly complicates things imo.

 

Rashford has had 4 good chances so far, 2 of them he should buried without question. It's frustrating because he obviously has the ability and the athleticism. His composure though is seriously lacking. Need to learn to keep a cooler head in front of goal.

HT: 0-0....

 

Would rather see Chong inverted at RWF - we are stacked with LWFs and as a leftie that side going outside players and crossing does not play to our strengths (or his).

With our lack of goal threat, we need Mason central and Rash@LWF, Chong@RWF and both narrow. Leave the width to our fullbacks.

Our front 4 just standing and walking when the mids advance with the ball pisses me off too. That s££t has been going on for years.

 

Slick from Gomes to find Rojo who put in a decent low cross that both Chong and Greenwood missed out on. Sharp turn and pass from Gomes though.

Definitely agree on switching Greenwood and Rashford, given how wasteful the latter has been and the former being a good finisher. And it does like like Greenwood is taking a more central position, with Rash playing off the left...

 

Props to Ole. Playing Rojo in a match televised only in Spanish was pretty damn smart.

 

We should yank Rashford. We don't want him tired for the next match. He needs to start that one and even if we lose or draw this, no reason we cant still qualify. Get Matic off as well and get another kid on.

 

Lingard, McTominay and Garner all warming up (Mata as well). Here's hoping Ole does not wait too much longer.

 

Gomes corners are as bad as Youngs and Matas.