PBP: EPL - Brighton & Hove Albion FC vs Manchester United FC - Jun 30, 2020 [R]

Because he runs very fast

 

Was this for Gomes I wonder?

 

Nice to see us banging the goals in, with GD possibly being a factor by the end.

 

FT: 0-3. Looking good up front, solid defensively. Good day and we need to keep that roll we're on going strong.

 

Another dominant league display. This is how we need to treat lower level teams.

 

I am more pleased with these last two results against Sheffield and Brighton than our wins against City and Chelsea this season. We have always fared well against top sides but seeing us break down low block teams is refreshing and gives me hope for the future.

 

It’s clear to me that mct is learning from pogbas play and confidence. I don’t care what Johno says.

 

Comfortable win , shame i missed the first half. Greenwood is diff tier to James and Matic has been decent in last few outings.

 

He’s out of this world 🪐#MUFC @B_Fernandes8 pic.twitter.com/ghtU7WnMxZ

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 30, 2020

Deserved from Bruno after putting in another top shelf display today. But there are some legitimate shouts if he didn't get it, starting with Matic who once again was superb today.
He's rolling back the years to 2015 with Chelsea Matic and is a great compliment to Bruno and Pogs (who also was very good today). Long may this continue.

 

We can't score more than 3 goals #OleOut

 

Good performance. matic has been fantastic for many games now

 

Matic has been a completely different player to the one blighting us for 2018 & 2019. His progressive passing was nonexistent for so long, but in both of these 3-0 games he has been far bolder and more decisive than he had been since his first few months.

 

Also - Wan Bissaka gets an assist for that pass, but I thought he played in some nice crosses from the right, particularly a floated ball right on to Williams' head. I love that he's so clearly working on that part of his game.

I picked a sucky game week to have Martial as captain. But I don't think he had a bad game - he pulled the defence around, dropped deep, made that run between RCB and RB. Brighton sought to close him out of the game, and we used that to give Greenwood and Bruno time and space.

Rashford needs time and patience. He was on fire for a side playing a counter attacking game from deep, and now he's come back to a very different side going through Bruno and dominating against low blocks. I'd be surprised if he gets back to his pre-injury form in the next few games, he might have one or two matches where he looks really sharp but it'll probably be next season before he really builds up a head of steam.

 

Bruno has had a domino effect.

In attack, the forwards can expect touches in and around the box because he's linking things and making lots of runs to create opportunity.

In midfield, forward passes are on because Bruno's movement is infectious. Also, Pogba doesn't need to progress the ball for a direct chance, he can just progress the ball. His progressive passing was always good, but he's been utterly world class since he came back. That means teams have to focus on stopping PP and BF... Matic with time, when rested is still going to pick you apart.

Defensively, Maguire is having to do a lot less in buildup play because Pogba isn't pushing up as much and Matic isn't shut out of the game.

Top to bottom, the team now is functional. Bruno at 8/10 and Pogba at 6/8 cover a multitude of Ole's weaknesses. Our front 4 rivals Liverpool for G/A involvement. We already have incredible production from midfield for G/A now, if we get Shaw and AWB playing consistetly better and contributing... look out.

 

Absolutely - though Matic having time and being rested is only part of it. He wasn't previously rejecting vertical passes because he was tired or because he was constantly under pressure. It was coached into him under Mourinho, both at Chelsea and at Utd. It's taken him until January under Ole to purge that from his game and become much more positive, threading the ball through tighter spaces with pace.

I don't know if Matic makes that change with Lingard still in the 10. Bruno is probably the only way it clicks for him. But the penny's definitely dropped for a lot of players, and our overall balance is so much better for committing to a quality attacking 10 over a presser with a high pass completion and negligible net contribution.

 

What's stood out for me is his ability to force the opposition to commit players to him. If they give him space to carry the ball forward he's taking it, forcing a defender to commit, and then finding the open man or space that's available. Huge improvement over the past few years.

 

Do you remember those videos of Jesse running (or not) into all the wrong places to receive a pass? Think that is a big part of why Matic and the rest of the team look better with Bruno.

Jesse and AP were just not cutting it knitting our midfield and attack. Without decent #10s and #8s, CMs can't make passes, attackers stop making runs etc.

Matic has been a lot better, but Bruno (and Pogba) a big part of that.

 

Has anyone else noticed how much Paul Pogba is smiling during games? He genuinely seems to be having fun on the field.

 

Hardly surprising to be honest. All Pogs ever wanted was to be in a competitive team, one that has an actual chance at winning things. Bruno's arrival, along with the emergence of other players is finally putting United in the right direction.
The only team he was a part of that was really worth anything since he came back was the one from his first season (16-17). It stands to reason that he's a happy camper right now. And hopefully it will be enough to convince him that his future lies with us.