Closed Man United 0-0 Chelsea

[robsblubot 3,508]

we stole away 1 point at OT, when you say it like that, it's a good thing because only few teams will succeed doing that.

about the game itself we were lucky our defense was outstanding today. if we would have gotten one in, we would be screwed, there never was the intention to win this game, schurrle up front was the proof for that.

and well lukaku... this is a mentality check for him, if he manages to keep his head clear and doesn't get too disappointed by this, it will show he's maturing.

The whole team was good defensively. The defense, playing very deep, did not have to handle one-on-ones very often and certainly not with spaces behind. Of course, attacking then got the short end of the stick.

Sorry, just have a problem with this notion of self-contained sections in a football team -- something that does not exist unless we are talking about the American kind.

[Keikoismad 162]

proof of inbreeding right there

Post of the day!

[The Mak 4,459]

All in all it's a good result for a very young and incomplete side. And we are a VERY young side these days, especially going forward.

We still have 1 or maybe 2 new players to come in and the likes of Luiz, Mata and Dave to come back to full fitness. The team still has to get used to one another.

A positive is the solid defensive display and that JT is on form.

A negative was the pivot. Fucking terrible. Lamps was so slow to pass and Rami's passing was so bad that Oscar had to drop back and try to dictate the tempo, which he did quite well, but it absolutely killed us going forward. Maybe it's a positive if Jose realises now that it's an area we need to desperately strengthen...

Happy over all. We'll look much more of a team in a few weeks, so I can see us sticking it to them at the Bridge.

[Barbara 15,149]

But the ref didn't book him so how was it not a pen? That's what Cole was saying.

Ik it's not clear cut, but it could easily have been given.

and that's the only mistake done by the referee in that dive. Cole should have been booked for shamelessly having a Barça player moment.

Sorry but your obsessions with referees favoring ManUtd and harming us is hard to understand. The JT pen could have been called or not. It's up to interpretation.

The mistakes he did was about booking. Should have booked Cole for the dive, should have booked Valencia for trying to break Oscar's legs and should have never booked Kevin when he got elbowed. I even think Kevin fouled Robin, but it wasn't for a yellow and Robin should have been booked for the elbow.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

And it's at Everton. Yikes! Should note that our next 2 PL away games are against Everton and Spurs with Fulham at home tossed in between.

Then after that we have City (or is Norwich before it?). September will be very tough, but then we have two months with relatively easier fixtures. If we can avoid our winter slump we can use those two months to hopefully create a little gap at the top.

But we're getting way ahead of ourselves here.

[Jase 43,479]

Then after that we have City (or is Norwich before it?). September will be very tough, but then we have two months with relatively easier fixtures. If we can avoid our winter slump we can use those two months to hopefully create a little gap at the top.

But we're getting way ahead of ourselves here.

After Spurs away, we have Norwich (A) and Cardiff (H) before facing City at the Bridge. We then won't face any of the bigger sides till mid-December when we go to the Emirates. Have Liverpool at home after Boxing Day as well.

[Barbara 15,149]

one thing I'm aiming to post since my first post, but I forgot, good at least it'll now have a post of its own.

In the two matches Robin played against us last year he scored.

He was completely invisible today. Our defense was amazing. The entire block. While they were pathetic, I think we only made it worse. Mourinho seems to have made it his priority not to lose (although I believe we could have won), but it seems like Moyes aimed for little more than that and the little effort they had we silenced.

There was only one concerning moment when Welbeck - still worse than Torres - missed that header in such a Welbeck way. But that was it and I don't even think it was a mistake by us.

Also the only decent player on their side was Rooney. Still while he tried a lot we were able to neutralize his attempts efficiently. We didn't miss Luiz at all - and I don't mean he shouldn't play. I mean it as a compliment to our four men behind. I was apprehensive before the match because we didn't have Luiz and van Persie can make a lot from very little. We marked him perfectly and David wasn't missed. That's how good in setting up defenses Mourinho is and also how seriously our 4 backs are playing. They were solid, serious and stopped Rooney's attempts and Robin from even attempting.

[jonaaibosk 191]

one thing I'm aiming to post since my first post, but I forgot, good at least it'll now have a post of its own.

In the two matches Robin played against us last year he scored.

He was completely invisible today. Our defense was amazing. The entire block. While they were pathetic, I think we only made it worse. Mourinho seems to have made it his priority not to lose (although I believe we could have won), but it seems like Moyes aimed for little more than that and the little effort they had we silenced.

There was only one concerning moment when Welbeck - still worse than Torres - missed that header in such a Welbeck way. But that was it and I don't even think it was a mistake by us.

Also the only decent player on their side was Rooney. Still while he tried a lot we were able to neutralize his attempts efficiently. We didn't miss Luiz at all - and I don't mean he shouldn't play. I mean it as a compliment to our four men behind. I was apprehensive before the match because we didn't have Luiz and van Persie can make a lot from very little. We marked him perfectly and David wasn't missed. That's how good in setting up defenses Mourinho is and also how seriously our 4 backs are playing. They were solid, serious and stopped Rooney's attempts and Robin from even attempting.

Excellent point well made. at times i forgot he was even on the park

[LegenTerry 265]

I really have some doubt about Mou. He claims he will develop the youth system but i don't trust him to do that, and the reason is he has contracted himself several times since taking over from Rafa:

1. He said Rooney or bust but later said he has plan b and c

2. he said Lampard will be used sparingly, but it seems he is gonna play 90 mins of every game (though he the weakest ling in the team

2 He promised a beautiful football but all we see is defensive strategy. We did not create any chance in this game against a team we dominated all year round last season under Fergie.

I wonder how was it for last season ... and also after Hull ?

Weakest position is ST and everyone knows that.

[The_Flash 1,144]

RVP was well pegged, very anonymous. However to say Frank is the weak link? I think not be such an amazing asset to our team it wouldn't be the same without him.

[nofacej 132]

I don't think Mourinho anticipated United to play so cautiously, and that was reflected in his team selection. The only reason I can think of for starting Schurrle up front is quick counter-attacks, but United were so tame that we never had the opportunity. They never really committed to any attack, and that prevented us from ever being able to hit them on the break. The main negative to take away from this game was our inability to string a series of passes together, though that improved later in the match. The second half was much better than the first I thought, especially after they replaced Valencia who had Hazard in his pocket. Will be interesting to see how we line up against them at the Bridge. Was really encouraging to see us defend so well after last season where we were at times woeful defensively.

[Billy. 2,742]

a draw away to united is a good point we may look back on this at the end of the season and think great point.

only thing i have to say is Mata has to play from the start now

[The_Flash 1,144]

a draw away to united is a good point we may look back on this at the end of the season and think great point.

only thing i have to say is Mata has to play from the start now

Mata must play at Bayern

[DJames 729]

Everyone is too busy bitching about Jose that no one realised this game was Petr Cech's 200 clean sheet as a blue. True Chelsea LEGEND!!

That's why he gets my MOTM vote

Personally I wanted a win but I'll take the one point and clean sheet

[Billy. 2,742]

Eden hazard ‏@hazardeden102m

One point @old trafford isn't bad ... Good energie from the boys...now focus on the next game against bayern... #CFC

[Azpinator 2,325]

In the two matches Robin played against us last year he scored.

He was completely invisible today.

I believe he only scored once as a Man U player against us, and there's a deflected shot off David Luiz that went in. I think he was invisible as well in the 2 Rafa 1-0 matches (PL and FA Cup).

[Barbara 15,149]

I believe he only scored once as a Man U player against us, and there's a deflected shot off David Luiz that went in. I think he was invisible as well in the 2 Rafa 1-0 matches (PL and FA Cup).

he came as a sub in the middle of 2H in one of those, didn't he?

My memory sucks. After he scored four goals in two matches in the regular season and seeing how good he is, I was concerned especially because we were lacking David Luiz. He was superbly marked today - and he wasn't inspired either. Still Welbeck had better chances than him and if there's one thing Robin is a master is on his positioning. He was about 60-70% of his usual, but we also completely shut him down which is always good and adds confidence to the backs.

[Land 331]

Looking at these posts it would make me think we drew 0-0 vs Leeds.

It was United.Y-A-N-I-T-E-D.At Old Trafford.