There's been a lot of negativity amongst United fans again this season and no one can deny the league campaign has been disappointed but it hasn't been all bad.
Here's 3 positives from this season imo.
1. We've become tough to beat.
We've lost just 7 times in 51 games this season and only twice since October I think. We're tougher to beat than we've been in some time. We've left lots of points behind us but in none of the games we've won or drawn could anyone say we've deserved to lose them.
2. We don't concede many
We've only conceded twice or more in 6 out of the 51 games and that's without playing defensive football bar about 3 games. If you're not conceded more than a goal you always have a chance. We had a pretty decent defensive record last year but that was more down to cautious style and De Gea saving us. De Gea has rarely been required to be outstanding this season which is telling.
3. We're creating much more chances
I know stats don't score goals or win games but I saw a stat lately that we are 1st or 2nd in the league in every attacking stat except goals. We've also hit the woodwork more than anyone and apparently goalkeepers have performed better against us than anyone too. I think we will score much more next season and there's also no reason to believe that our defence will deteriorate either.
It's not all doom and gloom and I reckon the likes of Martial, Rashford, Mkhi and Pogba will contribute much more in terms of goals and assists in the near future. Hopefully we get CL football by whichever means and build from there. I'm more positive than I've been since SAF left.
Positives of this season
posted on 12/4/17
comment by devilsknight101 (U4670)
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Did anyone say we'd be relegated?
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i've seen it mentioned by quite a few people...maybe not on here, haven't read the whole thread
posted on 12/4/17
Look the fact is no one knows how we'd have done without Zlatan but I think it's fair to say anyone who think we'd be lower than 5th-6th is off their heads.
If we hadn't got Zlatan we'd have gotten another top striker in. It wouldn't have been Rashford leading the line.
posted on 12/4/17
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 5 minutes ago
Look the fact is no one knows how we'd have done without Zlatan but I think it's fair to say anyone who think we'd be lower than 5th-6th is off their heads.
If we hadn't got Zlatan we'd have gotten another top striker in. It wouldn't have been Rashford leading the line.
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So you're saying it's ok for you to speculate then but no-one else?
posted on 12/4/17
We finished 5th last season a few points off 2nd and we couldn't score much. Its the same this season can't score much and 5th place although this time a few points off 3rd.
posted on 12/4/17
I actually think if we had a strikeforce on form we would be top scorers and top of the league. Its hilarious you see pundits on ESPN FC, BBC and Sky and even BT Sport about Ibrahimovich carrying us but the reality is our players are carrying him. A lot of the chances he has had has been set up on a plate for him but he missed more times then he scores.
posted on 12/4/17
Now considering we have scored 46 while Chelsea scored 65 from a lot less shots and chances it shows most of our squad are crap at shooting. I evem said last season players like Fellaini, Lingard, Rooney, Memphis and even Martial who got into great positions but messed up are shocking at final finish. This season Martial scored a lot less mainly due to the way we play. He used to like having the ball all the time in the final third but now he has to work more defensively to get the ball and has bigger space to try to get in behind. The problem for us is this team has been set up to assist Ibrahimovic mainly.
posted on 12/4/17
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 10 hours, 52 minutes ago
Whatever the stats say, when I watch United I don't see a team creating loads and just failing to put chances away.
It just seems a typical JM team. Solid defence protected really well and deep from midfield, and a couple of stars going forward given license to try to win the game on their own.
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On the whole, I agree with you. Not many United fans will though.
We went through a period of playing some great stuff but it didn't last that long.
Since then it is back to what you describe.
"comment by Kamikaze Blue (U7450)
posted 5 hours, 14 minutes ago
I think you have to be careful on the 'we create lots of chances' thing. Same is said at City. It's misleading. Failure to convert chances generally means that you lack pace and movement. The chances aren't good enough - it's not a strength, it's a weakness."
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Spot on imo. I know that City fans have been complaining for a while about not taking enough chances as well. This is something thing that a lot of United fans don't seem to get. I.e. they think we are the only team that misses chances.
Also, every half chance has somehow become a "clear cut chance".......because Opta said so...So there.
posted on 12/4/17
Blind will probably end up playing for Real or Barca, I'd hate to see him go, he does have real quality. Pace is his downfall for a PL player, he'd thrive in Spain though. He still hasn't been given a shot at his natural DM position??
posted on 12/4/17
comment by Ray (U18999)
posted 2 minutes ago
Blind will probably end up playing for Real or Barca, I'd hate to see him go, he does have real quality. Pace is his downfall for a PL player, he'd thrive in Spain though. He still hasn't been given a shot at his natural DM position??
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Barca as a CB maybe. They seem to like ball playing CB's who aren't always great defensively. Real? Not a chance
posted on 12/4/17
Blind won't end up at Barca or Real.