This is quite enjoyable. Got to give Leicester credit, they were playing well while we were not quite in sync. But with Rashford in incredible form getting the first and then ETH again recognizing the need to make a change at HT and the two goals since, Leicester are broken. Great job all round so far.
Wayne Rooney hearing the "Jamie Vardy, your wife is a grass" chants at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/maHE6roHsO— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) February 19, 2023
Not a good first half, but with the form Rashford is in you know we can score and we did. De Gea was superb in the first 45, have to give him that credit. Second half was a blitzkrieg. We played superbly, should have scored a couple more. Jadon was excellent. That was so much fun to watch.
WW is clearly related to ten Hag. don't get me wrong he has some good moments here and there, i like the way he attempts to press even though he moves in slow motion but if we are being honest. the level we are trying to get to he is not at that level. he looks like a decent player for a mid level epl team. not a team that should be contending for all trophys.
?? We knew that when we signed him. We needed a striker and we were broke; he was all we could afford. Pointless getting mad about his deficiencies now.
The lads were having fun towards the end. Brilliant goal by Sancho and I liked a few of the clever attempts after by Bruno and the effort to get WW on the sheet. Rashford is just ice cold. Fred was a mixed bag. Great assist for the 2nd, but was a bit lucky to have played Rashford while he was still onside. At fault for misplaced pass that nearly allowed Leicester an early lead. Sabitzer was aggressive, played hard, but was lucky to avoid a sending off. He has to be more careful, but otherwise I liked what I saw from him. I've said it before and I'll say it again, de Gea doesn't need to be shown the door this summer. If he agrees the contraction extension at a reduced salary, all the more power to us.
The criticism of WW finishing is partly fair enough (was never going to be a deadly finisher but he has had quite a few chances now), however his workrate often in an unfamiliar role is worthy of recognition. His is still a key part of our attacking dynamic. Occupying oppo defenders centrally with energetic and intelligent movement is what creates space for others to exploit. He is performing a role and from a team perspective it is working for us. Weghorst Ig: “Theatre of Dreams it is! 🫶Wonderful afternoon! Thankful for all the support, Thursday again💪 Totally enjoyed it 💯👹🙌🏼 #RedDevils #OldTrafford #nextisin🙈” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/5ih9SolQiM— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) February 19, 2023
much like Antony it is too early to tell with Weghorst. i never liked the focus on his Burnley spell from the start given it was the exception throughout his career not the rule. aside from that if he has been given a specific remit that isn't to be on the end of everything then he's doing just that. he'll never be a super clinical S-tier forward but he's shown he can score over his career. he may not even be here long enough to tell definitively anyway
Rashford played left, right and center. He was given freedom to move. Time to call Wout for what he is, a defender.
I’ve said that for weeks. He’s a defensive forward. He offers almost nothing in the final 3rd but it was be a lie to say he doesn’t help. He puts in a shift, but it’s not really an offensive one. It’ll be interesting to see who we target at CF this summer. And if we can’t get them and there are no good options, we might actually want to consider moving Rashford to the 9. He’s showing this year that he can thrive there.
I think Rash is being incredibly well managed my EtH. His first goal came from RWF running in to the space behind. His 2nd goal came from LWF running into the space behind. He does occasionally play and score centrally at #9, but EtH usually puts him there late in games when CBs are tired and/or when teams are chasing us and we can play counter-attack. I dont think we get the same productivity with him perma-#9. WF & #9 late in games plays to his strengths. Having a top-scorer at WF is becoming more of a thing for various reasons - think Salah, Saka, Sterling for a season at City etc. (last few for City have been AMs in KdB & Gundogan).