PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Sheffield United FC - Jun 24, 2020 [R]

really did not miss mata wandering all over the pitch bringing defenders with him for no reason.

 

Exactly the type of game I want to see against lesser sides from Pogba today. Didnt disappear and didnt try to be the hero nonstop. He controlled the midfield, possession, pace, and broke press and got forward when needed. More of this from him.

 

FT: 3-0. Job well done from the boys. Onto Norwich and the FA Cup. Congrats to Martial for his hattrick and surely MOTM. Good job from the back 5 for their clean sheet. Midfield was good also (despite Bruno not being at his sharpest passing wise today). And Rashford, despite poor touch/finishing (which will improve with time/games no doubt) still got himself 2 assists on the day. Good stuff all the way around.

 

Loving how Martial can't hide his delight.

 

3-0? FOH

 

Good performance and good win - so much more pleasurable to watch a game when the midfield are utterly dominant.

Props to Anthony for the hattrick.

With Pogs and especially Bruno the give and go interplay with the forwards and the flicks and angles was a joy to watch.

 

Thought he was excellent today: the numbers support the eye test for sure.

Nemanja Matic lead United in touches (103), pass accuracy (94.9%), passes completed (93) and recoveries (8). pic.twitter.com/eNsc6j0qmB

— UtdArena (@UtdArena) June 24, 2020

 

The third goal in particular was a perfect example of how one quick flick buys us enough time for simple passes to devastate. Bruno's knowledge of where players are, especially those behind him, absolutely kills defences.

 

this also shows that pogba can be a DLP for united, like he is for france. he just needed better players around him LOL.

 

A lot easier (read possible) to do things at the base of midfield if you have a player or players who can bring the rest of the team into the attack ahead of you. Biggest problem we faced was not having a (central) target for progressive passes. We have two now.

 

he really was, with him deep pogba can focus on our transition into the final third without having to go pick up the ball from our defenders. he simply doesn't have that luxury next to fred and mct.

 

On form (which admittedly has been an issue with him at times), he's just the best option for me at the 6. Given his age and the fact that we can't be really sure he could keep this up for an entire season, I'd still favor bringing in a top DCM this summer.
If not, we'll just have to do with him (along with McTominay and possibly Fred) and hope that will be enough. Most natural guy we have at that spot for now though and arguably the best compliment to Pogs and Bruno in midfield.

 

we absolutely need a new DM, that's priority no 2 for me after RW. at this stage of his career, the only way for matic to be on form is to be a back-up/occasional starter.

 

What I've always said all along tbh. A DCM to me is still a higher priority than a CB...

 

That's not a fair assessment of Fred. Of course the entire midfield looks better when there's a beginning middle and end. Take any one of them out and we struggle.

 

Comprehensive. I'm genuinely a bit annoyed I can't just watch it all again straight away.

 

Martial could of had 5 if he was selfish. We need Rashford to get a goal, if just to settle the kid's nerves. After a rough few days, this game helped me a little.

 

Shame the laws didnt let us face Deano. Would have been a proper test.

 

I actually have to give Matic credit. Good job.

 

How much better would it have been to have had this Matic for 3 seasons.

Given Covid and all, if he can keep up that level then we can go without a DM for one more season and see what becomes of our academy options on loan. It's the Matic that was refusing to pass vertically and was literally waiting for his intended target to be closed down and unable to progress the play - the one who would only appear to be moving fast when they were flying past a player he had failed to tackle. That was the one that needed to go. Hopefully he has.

In games like this his lack of mobility isn't as much of a problem, provided one of Pogba and Bruno is dropping alongside him or Shaw is staying back. If we keep a high line and don't leave any gaps, and we keep possession for 60-65% of the match, him being slow to recover is mitigated.

 

He needs regular breaks to maintain his level. This Covid break has helped him and the regular break during the game.

 

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