Superb starting debut from the kid. He was a bright spark during an otherwise dark afternoon of football. Unlucky not to have grabbed a goal, but he's known as a prolific finisher so it was great but also very telling that he was the one player who consistently got himself into scoring positions and on the end of chances. On another day he gets one or two.
He was incredibly well appreciated around the ground yesterday. Rarely lost possession - never cheaply - seems to just glide across the pitch, took people on at the right times and seemed to have a calm head on him. Played a couple of smart passes, too. Oh, and he didn't stand around if he did lose the ball, he battled back. Take note, Martial (who was getting on the nerves of a lot of people for his lack of running and work rate).
Gomes & McTominay did well, also. Would have been nice to see Chong.
One broader observation... These United players are not liked very much by the match going fans. Young, Lingard, Rashford, Pogba, Jones & Martial came in for a lot of stick, and to be honest, I found it hard to disagree. Rashford in particular, to me at least, looks as though he's gone backwards as a player. He's making far, far too many poor decisions, holding the ball too long and trying too many silly flicks. Needs to go back to basics.
On a more positive note... Mason Greenwood
posted on 13/5/19
The players receiving stick from the fans and the coaching staff should be those who aren't giving 100%
Those are the ones whose jobs should be in question.
You can win titles with only half decent players. We've seen it happen in recent years. But you won't win diddly squat if you have a side that doesn't give its all every single week.
That's why I don't get the abuse directed at the likes of Young and Lingard. Argue about whether they're good enough to be in the squad; but they don't deserve any stick when they're two of the few consistently leaving everything on the pitch.
We've got Pogba jogging about slinging lazy passes here and there (just over 80% pass completion and one key pass yesterday compared to Lingard's 89% pass completion and two key passes). We've got Martial defending only when he can be arssed. We've got Rashford switched off half the time and trying ridiculous backheels all game.
Those are the three that needed a rocket up them yesterday.
posted on 13/5/19
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 47 minutes ago
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 5 minutes ago
Only watched the highlights but the first wasn’t a penalty, their player swung his boot and completely missed the ball which caused him to fall. Second was awful defending from us, Pogba allowed his marker to wonder into the box unchallenged and the defenders positioning was all over the place leaving out right side completely open for them to score a tap in.
On the highlights Greenwood looked like the only player trying.
..................
We actually did not play as badly as many have made out on here 1982. It was one of those days where we couldn't score in a brothel.
We had more shots at goal and on target than we had when we beat them in December.
McT looked far better than Matic does. Gomes looked good when he came on, and as has been said, Greenwood had a very good showing. Dalot was OK as well.
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In the main, this. Although Dalot displayed a few moments of naivety (which is to be expected, obviously).
Based on work rate, it was easy to see who really cared yesterday. Whether they're up to scratch or not, Greenwood, Lingard, McT, Dalot and Young worked their backsides off whilst Pogba and Martial jogged about.
For me, we need to ensure we see a good proportion of those kind of players in the squad next season. It's application we're missing more than talent IMO.
And I honestly now don't know what we should do about Pogba.
posted on 13/5/19
And I honestly now don't know what we should do about Pogba.
.........................
If we get a decent offer get rid.
The two major things I questioned when we were linked to bringing him back was his consistency and his attitude. Both were always evident and both were why we should never have paid what we did for him.
The other reason to get rid is that Ole seems to think he can make him into a play maker from deep.
No he can't. No one can.
posted on 13/5/19
I'm starting to let those thoughts dominate too, VC. My worry is whether we just can't afford to lose his quality.
A stronger and stronger part of me is now just thinking let's just forget about building towards a title challenge now, and start rebuilding with those players we know we can trust to play for the badge, every frikking week.
A young, committed side that wants to play attacking football with intent and pace.
What's the worst that can happen?
posted on 13/5/19
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 36 minutes ago
Since our poor run of form though, he looks disinterested and self indulgent. He needs to buck up his ideas like many others.
.....................
He just isn't as good as he has been rated. I have been saying this for ages.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup. You have and it is a view I agreed with. Martial is one that I have changed my mind about.
When you compare these 2 young men to Rooney and Ronaldo at the same ages, you begin to wonder.
I am not talking just about their talent or ability but them standing up and being counted when things are not going to plan.
They need to sort themselves out or they will be gone soon
posted on 13/5/19
comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 38 minutes ago
The players receiving stick from the fans and the coaching staff should be those who aren't giving 100%
Those are the ones whose jobs should be in question.
You can win titles with only half decent players. We've seen it happen in recent years. But you won't win diddly squat if you have a side that doesn't give its all every single week.
That's why I don't get the abuse directed at the likes of Young and Lingard. Argue about whether they're good enough to be in the squad; but they don't deserve any stick when they're two of the few consistently leaving everything on the pitch.
We've got Pogba jogging about slinging lazy passes here and there (just over 80% pass completion and one key pass yesterday compared to Lingard's 89% pass completion and two key passes). We've got Martial defending only when he can be arssed. We've got Rashford switched off half the time and trying ridiculous backheels all game.
Those are the three that needed a rocket up them yesterday.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rosso,
The more vocal stick was indeed aimed towards those not putting in the effort.
But the murmurings of discontent were hard to ignore every time Rashford tricked a stupid flick, or Lingard lost the ball trying something otherwise pretty simple.
I've defended Lingard plenty of times, but the truth of the matter is he lacks the on the ball quality to match his movement. In a dynamic attacking team you'll see more from him than we do currently, but we need a significant upgrade. He should have been subbed off yesterday.
But this is the other problem we have... Our hardest working players are our least talented.
posted on 13/5/19
I've defended Lingard plenty of times, but the truth of the matter is he lacks the on the ball quality to match his movement. In a dynamic attacking team you'll see more from him than we do currently, but we need a significant upgrade. He should have been subbed off yesterday.
....................
His end product isn't good enough. He has these short spells where he scores or assists but then goes on these long spells where he does neither.
posted on 13/5/19
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
I've defended Lingard plenty of times, but the truth of the matter is he lacks the on the ball quality to match his movement. In a dynamic attacking team you'll see more from him than we do currently, but we need a significant upgrade. He should have been subbed off yesterday.
....................
His end product isn't good enough. He has these short spells where he scores or assists but then goes on these long spells where he does neither.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indeed. He's a decent squad player, but really nothing more.
I saw the question asked, "If Lingard had been signed rather than an academy graduate, would he still be at the club? Would his signing have been considered a good one?".
I can't hand on heart say yes. Mkhitaryan was a better player but still rightly considered a poor signing.
posted on 13/5/19
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 52 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
I've defended Lingard plenty of times, but the truth of the matter is he lacks the on the ball quality to match his movement. In a dynamic attacking team you'll see more from him than we do currently, but we need a significant upgrade. He should have been subbed off yesterday.
....................
His end product isn't good enough. He has these short spells where he scores or assists but then goes on these long spells where he does neither.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indeed. He's a decent squad player, but really nothing more.
I saw the question asked, "If Lingard had been signed rather than an academy graduate, would he still be at the club? Would his signing have been considered a good one?".
I can't hand on heart say yes. Mkhitaryan was a better player but still rightly considered a poor signing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mkhi didn't perform as well as Lingard has these last 24 months, sorry.
He's not a world beater, very obviously, and he never will be. But I'd rather we kept him than Sanchez (because he actually performs better), Mata (because he suits better the kind of football I think we'll be playing), and right now even Pogba or Martial, because at this moment I don't think I trust either of those players to put themselves on the line for their teammates. And that's all I want to see.
We can't start rebuilding with players who aren't absolutely without reservation committed to the club whilst shipping out the very few we have who would bleed out for the badge.
posted on 13/5/19
I agree with all of that Rosso (save for the bit about Mkhi). I'm certainly not calling for Lingard's head!