PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Arsenal FC - Dec 2, 2021 [R]

He wasn't bad

 

He actually did really well. Yes rusty defensively sometimes lost but the outlet he provided and the quality with ball is superior to AWB.

 

I am not sure if his ego could not take working under Ralf, his loyalty to Ole or he just needed a time off. Perfect timing by the way. Can Phelan do that please?

 

I watched the match last night after work with no notifications. I'll start with the bad:

How can Rashford always literally always do the wrong thing? He is in the wrong place, the timing of his runs are wrong, when wanting to receive the ball he comes too deep, his pressing is depressing it's like he fake presses, his heading is fake heading. His assist to Ronnie was good, the pass from Dalot was brilliant.

Lingard will become an important player under Rangnick.

There was too much space in the middle when Arsenal have the ball. We do not know how to press properly and position ourselves defensively in the high block and middle block. We are good in the low block, but then who isn't? We work here.

We are terrible when we have possession in the final third and the opposition is organized. The Bruno goal actually came from that type of possession but that was probably the only time we had the balls to play through the middle and link up to feet. We need to work on that.

When we are in transition with the ball, we are pretty good.

Notice the past three games all of our goals scored except Bruno's came from the opposition making a mistake in their half or the one like Jorginho. This is the name of the game, make them make mistakes.

 

I didn't know your eyes were failing you, sorry to hear. Fred was good? What did he do? He made one good pass for the goal and earned the PK but he was adrift on the defense, not breaking up passes, getting bossed of the ball. He did two big things so it can overshadow but he was terrible on the small regular things that are his job, he was terrible!!

 

Imagine trying to put someone in their place for having a poor footballing take when you’re the guy who even this year was saying we should be looking to sign Troy Deeney.

I have no interest in being part of a community feedback loop of confirmation bias against Fred, or McTominay, or Maguire, or Matic, or Shaw, or anyone. I’m sure there’ll be someone thinking of attempting a lame counterargument about me and Bruno that won’t land because it will have been badly thought through - whatever.

Since Ole left, Fred has been one of our best performers, including against Arsenal. His positive contribution to our press and our vastly improved defensive structure hasn’t gone unnoticed by those equipped to form their own opinions. We’ve faced three sides who are far, far better drilled than us and who excel in build up - and he’s still been a huge part of us getting two wins and a draw, not just due to single moments in spite of himself, but as a result of his overall performances.

 

My point was made about Deaney when we sign Ogalo then signed Cavani. It was a plee for a veteran fox in box type striker

I am sorry you took a wise crack as trying to put you in your place. I have seen Fred have good games and bad and this game he was a mixed bag. He made key positive plays but he also had his turnovers, bad passes, bad reads and poor marking.

I just want more than a mixed bag from my 8 on a regular basis.

 

Wait, you were serious about Deeney? You mean that wasn't a wise crack?????