PBP: EPL - Aston Villa FC vs Manchester United FC - May 9, 2021 [R]

Defensively sound as a pairing, but neither are really defensively astute for a 6. As a pairing, their output and the ground they cover is so great that they make room up for Bruno and Pogba being on safari sometimes and even for both fullbacks being high.

Scott's got no positioning and no defensive sense AT ALL. He covers for it when we are on the front foot by assisting with the high press but he's exposed constantly once the opponents are on top. Fred next to a decent natural CM would be a good pairing.

Fred gets slander because he's unspectacularly good at a lot of little things but spectacularly has a brainfart or two every game. Scott hides on the ball and is always flying in so it looks initially like he's just enthusiastic. Then he crops up with a stunning goal and goes back to being mediocre.

 

Cav 1-3

Classic Cav header, assist Rash.

 

Excellent cross by Rashford but Cavanis movement in the box is so elite.

 

Oh yes, Cav, 1-3. Game, set and match!!! Sweet cross from Rashford to set him but that was a super finish from Cav. That is what he does.

 

Wow. Cavani. I was against his signing but I can't say he has t proved his worth over and over.

Crest cross from Rashford too.

 

Villa now go down to 10 men as Watkins gets a 2nd red for simulation.

 

Holy shit. A yellow for simulation???

You never see those, despite 90% of all going to ground is simulated.

 

If it’s a standard requirement then why is he better than 93% of midfielders in the PL for pressures made? It’s like the anti-Dan James argument - if defensive workrate is a basic requirement then why does Rash get away with doing less of it than 98% of the league’s attacking mids?

 

FT: 1-3. Another come from behind win for the guys.

Unbeaten in our last 25 away games in the Premier League now

— StatmanBains (@StatmanBains) May 9, 2021

 

Job done. Now for the second XI on Tuesday.

 

I think we've officially qualified for CL next season. In theory West Ham can catch us on points if they win out and we lose out, but they'd also need to make up 20 goal difference in the process.

 

Work rate and intensity are absolutely spikes.

 

Sorry, not sorry for delaying your celebration...

 

13 ball recoveries for Fred today: that in itself is pretty impressive. If only he had a reliable defensive presence next to him...

 

If we win our next two and Newcastle hold them to a draw on Friday, does City get a little nervous?

 

If we have 4 3-0 defeats and West Ham have 4 2-0 wins we'd both have a GD of +19 so it's not impossible....

 

The #MUFC passmap:

• Pogba connecting well with the other attackers when coming inside from the left.

• Fred delivered the most progressive passing.

• Every player in Bruno's area happy to give him the ball and see what he comes up with. pic.twitter.com/cUOW9ZioI8

— Between The Posts (@BetweenThePosts) May 9, 2021

 

Now it is...(yes, I know that should have been said in the OTT thread but I couldn't resist)

Next goal: 4 points from 4 games to clinch 2nd. Really more of a symbolic thing but still valuable as we start to look to next season.