CHOULO19

So you're saying that Jose said before the game: "Listen lads, you're all well paid professionals here and know a thing or two about tactics, I want you to get out there, sit back, figure out a way to stop their offensive system and key players and then do it!" Let's be a tiny bit reasonable, shall we? Jose chose and worked on the tactics and should get the credit for them just like he gets all the stick when they don't work out. And I'm not at all talking about our defensive approach at all nor am I defending our general approach to games. I'm talking about the tactics which very much were changed from "the usual tactics". I'm not even defending those tactics, I'm just saying that contrary to what you wrote, it was very clear that the tactics yesterday were very different than usual and adapted to united's play. And I can and will praise tactics that managed to stop the system of the most in form team in the league. This is completely irrelevant of how attacking we were and what we looked to do with the ball. Regardless of how offensive you play, you still need to find the best way to defend again the opposition.

No he didn't! Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the tactics, they were completely different than anything we played recently and the vast majority of the times since Jose returned because we adapted to utd and changed our tactics accordingly. For example, our usual defensive strategy, after the first phase of pressure, is to try to force the opposition out wide and not allow them into central areas. That is what Jose has tried to do since returning (as opposed to Benitez for instance who tried to 'funnel' the opposition play into central areas and outnumber them there). The exact opposite happened yesterday. We left them huge spaces centrally to deny them spaces on the wings which is half of what their attacks are all about. And it worked because even though there were massive spaces in the middle they just seemed like they didn't want to get in there and often moved the ball backwards instead. Another example is that we man-marked Fellaini literally all over the pitch, not just in specific areas. We haven't done that often at all this season (last time was Willian on Toure IIRC and even that was not all over the pitch but in some areas until Matic double teams him). Again something we adapted according to utd's system. I'm not saying that those are the best tactics in the world or that they were a tactical masterclass or something like that, or even that they were implemented perfectly because they clearly weren't, but they weren't by any means "the usual tactics". Obviously a lot of work and thinking went behind them during the week.

Brilliant as he very often is. So much that Jose even said that he was the best player on the pitch. Now, where art thou MrExcalibur100?

My MOTM yesterday. He was brilliant and didn't put a foot in wrong. He was targeted by utd and often out numbered 2 to 1 down the flank but still managed to fend them off every sing time. Made Young look like a school boy a few times. His best performance for us this season, imo. More of this vs Arsenal, please!

Why imagine? The game at old toilet ended with an imaginary second yellow for Iva and an imaginary FK which they scored from to equalize.

Can you please PM me who is using .GIF signatures so I can have a word? If that's what turns you on :eyebrows:

I know it's a cliche and an over simplification, but I think it was clear which set of fans was more "entertained" at the final whistle. As fan, results and wins will always be more gratifying than good performances with no points. Ideally, you'd want both, but unless you have BY FAR the best team in the world like Barca did, it is impossible to have that in every match because you will need to be pragmatic and adjust tonthe opponent, especially in the big matches, and that would sometimes mean conceding possession to have a chance of getting the results.

Does not mean it should be immitated because that team did not just have a "philosophy" they also had a a team of outstanding players at their peak with very specific rare abilities. You might copy some of the style but you won't ever replicate the achievements. Certainly it does not mean that possession based football is the best approach to every sinle match regardless of the cicumstances, which was what we originally meant.

It's all the self-righteous 'proper football' crap. People just assume that every team in every single match will ideally look to keep possession as long as possible because Pep's Barcelona are the ultimate footballing model.

Imagine, just imagine, for a second, that Jose had given that interview. Can you picture the outrage and indignancy of the media at such a disrespectful and classless interview and manner of treating the reporter?!

He's already 'won' the medal.

Lol You think we did not control the match? We made united play EXACTLY as we wanted them to: No long balls to Fellaini, spaces in the middle not down the flanks, not allowing their wingers to cut on the other foot and cross which is one of their biggest threats, man-marked midfielders, especially Fellaini, to prevent Falcao laying it off to them in the hole around the box...etc. Like I said, it wasn't a great performance, but united got nothing from their usual tactics.

It was not a fantastic performance by any stretch of the imagination, but no one can deny that we controlled the match and steered it in the direction that we wanted it to go, and that is largely down to Jose. Though I still believe that we would have had a better performance had Mikel started in the center ahead of Zouma who looked nervous as hell every time in possession and made several nearly-costly mistakes in the first 20 mins.

Does "Prickly" mean that he came off sounding like a prick? Because that is exactly how I felt!

Pretty sure it's 6, mate.

So....is De Gea still celebrating that Rooney goal?

Tbf, Van Gaal never had 'it' in the first place!

While I do agree that he hasn't been at his best, he has been isolated in this match. Not fair to judge him when he's being partnered by a CB.

I think that the performance has been well beyond average so far, but luckily so has utd's. Our shape was pretty bad and there are massive gaps for united to exploit in central areas. That said, we did seem to grow into the game and finish the half strongly (relative to the start at least).

Mikel has showed that he can come into the side even if he hasn't played for months. Zouma's positional awareness is much worse than Ramires which is perfectly normal because he is not a midfielder. Mikel may not have Zouma's jumping ability (who does?!) but his timing and anticipation of aerial balls is miles better. He would have been more than capable of dealing with Fellaini.

I still can't think of a single reason why Zouma is in midfield when we have Mikel and Ramires on the bench. Makes no sense. But I guess we'll see what Jose has in mind in about 15 minutes.

Exactly how old are you?

Urgh, Zouma in midfield

Might want to change that display pic, then!

McNair? lol