PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs AFC Bournemouth - Jul 4, 2020 [R]

I think we’ll catch up with Leicester on GD by the end of the season.

 

FT: 5-2. Job done from the guys, even if ironically, they weren't at their sharpest (especially in the first half).

 

What a match. Bruno and Mason are just on another level right now and you LOVE to see it.

 

i hope fred gets a real shot at being the 3rd midfielder with bruno and pogba. if he stays disciplined, he could really offer something in front of the back 4 because he's way more mobile than matic and more comfortable on the ball than mctominay.

EDIT: on mct, gary neville is pushing the idea that he should be converted into a cb à la dier. maybe not a bad shout?

 

I think we take 3rd on points. I know our defence was rough today but I don't think that happens against Leicester and I fully expect there to be some kicks up the arse.

We were an absolute joy to watch in the 2nd half. Could have been 7 or 8.

I think Sancho ends up getting a lot more minutes at LW and AM than we were expecting a week ago.

 

so.... are we sure that sancho is not coming in to play on the left in front of rashford? (ducks)

 

I actually don't think Ole even knows to be honest.

I think it's a case of an elite player is available, wants to join us, and we have the money and squad space to spare.

I think Ole figures the rest out after that. He knows that the players we have up front would be flexible enough to make numerous options work.

It's a case of Martial/Rashford/Sancho/Mase/Bruno for the front 4 spots. We then play based on form and rotation.

 

Honestly, part of the reason Sancho is perfect for us is not just the profile: dribbler with pace and excellent vision, passing and interplay good for 30 G+A per season... its his flexibility. He could give us that output playing anywhere behind a striker and he creates defacto depth at multiple positions because he can play LW/RW/10 with consumate ease.

 

i would be, yes. ole has made it quite clear that he wants CBs who are comfortable on the ball. our long ball, soak up the pressure days are over. smalling doesn't belong in this team anymore.

 

As one of Mike's most staunch defenders I am still ok with this. He's not the right fit even defensively. He's a read and react type. We want a scorched earth tackle everything moving CB.

 

That is a legit concern. Because we have three young forwards. We have to worry about stunting development.

 

Legit question for strikers on the thread. Even if offside when your struggling to score, do goals callled off, like that help?

 

And why did Ed wait til January and not the start of the season.

 

My hope personally is that Ole rotates guys at the DCM spot more. I still want Matic against tougher teams (mainly because he's more disciplined positionally than the others).
Would have no qualms at all seeing Fred or McTominay there against the weaker sides. The goal is not to have to rely on Matic for every single game, which will surely have a negative impact on his effectiveness.

 

- Rashford
- Martial
- Greenwood
- Bruno
- Sancho

The way I see it, there will be plenty of games to go around between domestic competitions and Europe (hopefully CL...). Most, if not all of these guys can slot in to multiple positions. Doubtful that everyone will be in form at once, and if so, that's a good problem to have. That's the type of depth we will need to compete with Liverpool and Man City.

 

I imagine that Bruno will end up getting the MotM award but I wouldn't mind at all if is was given to Mase. He already was a decent shout for it last time out and was once again superb today. Scintillating.

 

I would give it to Mase.. 2 crucial goals.

 

No to Smalling back.

No to Mctominay at CB. Despite his physique, he's not strong enough and not a good reader of the game. Maybe in a 4 back system but, ill pass.

 

A happy surprise! Thoroughly deserved though as he's been one of our very best players since the restart. Good for him.

Those finishes 🔥

Today's #MUFC Man of the Match is @MasonGreenwood! 🥇#MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/4a3jWUqfZH

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 4, 2020

 

To address a couple points...

As a player one of Ole's strengths was playing within himself... As a manager, he's the same, he knows what he has and what they are capable of. He's very much a man-manager and a motivator rather than a tactician, but he understands how to unlock defenses. He's lost in buildup, but the players can take care of that and Carrick can help.

On the subject of goals... this is the 4th time in 16 games we scored 4 or more. The floodgates have opened. We played some shit teams in that span for sure, but we also scored against good teams and we broke down bunkers which was a problem.

I was livid with Matic. He was shit. He absolutely has benefited the most from Pogba/Bruno. He's getting praise for not ********ing up and occassionally playing a good outlet pass but whoever is the 3rd midfielder in a trio that has Pogba and Bruno is obviously gonna have more time on the ball. In the same way Pogba's job has become easier because Bruno can link the attack, Matic has an easier job of it because usually the focus isn't on him.

Still, he had a moment where he dribbled into trouble at the edge of our box (if Pogba had done that he would have been slated for weeks). He had that horrid pass to Bailly and a couple other completely unforced errors. Could easily have cost the game on another day.

As for 6 or 7... we were lucky to get 5. xG was like 2+ maybe 3. Martial's goal was probably super super low. Mason's weren't big chances and the FK wasn't super high either.