Match Day Thread United v Crystal Palace

Pressing doesn't mean everyone up front and leaving gaps mate, if coached correctly it's done in sections with those by-passed dropping deeper to help out.
The defence should have less work for most of the game and have people dropping deep when needed.

 

yes the players need to be properly coached. I don’t think the way they played against palace was quite the article.

 

I just watched the first half. I thought we played extremely well in that half. Sustained pressure like a switch in the brain went off or something.

It was good to see Dalot today. A number of great crosses into the 18 which is something that you rarely see with AWB. Telles is also far more illustrious than Shaw. He should be a starter in place of Shaw. Overall, I saw a lot of great things today but we need to drive forward into the 18 better. We didn’t get clear cut chances when we drove forward as we struggled to break through Palace back four.

I’d also like to see van der Beek start alongside Bruno to perhaps provide more creativity in the middle of the park.

 

Was a really good performance I thought. Second half bit nervy but first half we were good enough to have scored at least one.

Very good signs from the team.

Rashford was a bit off pace and should have been hooked sooner, ahead of Sancho.

And Dalot and Telles now have the shirt so good luck in Shaw and AWB getting them back.

 

Spot anyone you know?

 

Apart from Fred you mean

where are you in there?

 

The bloke clapping.

 

You are much younger than I thought The one on left or right…?

 

He had about an hour's training session, that was all. And it was a tidy impact we saw in such a short period in that first half.

But it's clear why it was only for the first half. Playing the 4-2-2-2 and having to rely on the fullbacks to provide that cover in case Palace were able to break requires a lot of discipline AND more importantly a lot of stamina and workrate. It was understandable Ralf needed to change it as the match went on.

I think as the training sessions continue, we'll see the team sustain it for longer. From what I saw, the players absolutely enjoyed the game yesterday.

Also want to add, listening to Ralf before and after the game, I was massively impressed. He comes across like he knows what he's doing, he's positive, he's constructive and critical and just comes across like he knows how to manage the players and the squad and knows what he wants. He has a way about him I like and I think the players will completely buy into him.

 

Great photo. Where did you find that?

If Fred plays like that under Ralf I may need to eat a bit of humble pie about him.

And I'll be 100% happy to. Best game I've seen from him ever tbh.

 

Stood up.

Not the bloke with the dodgy hair on the front row!

 

My eldest WhatsApped me.

No idea where he got it from. Good find though, eh?

 

He’s like the conductor of an orchestra. Ultimately we may or may not like the style of music or interpretation but at least there is direction and leadership. There’s been times recently that we felt different bits of the orchestra including the soloist were doing their own thing.

 

Aye it's a great photo.

 

He is a regular in the Brazil 11

 

Fred was excellent.

It's probably that he did for us what he does for Brazil, instead of being shoehorned out of position. He's there to provide energy and break up opposition play, he did it to a tee.

For me, him with DVDB and Bruno is a fine midfield three.

At present the front three would have to be Greenwood, Ronaldo and Sancho. Rashford doesn't get in on current form and fitness.

 

Tell you who looked very assured as well, Maguire.

Like some cloud had lifted.

Be great to get Varane back alongside. Although Lindelof played well tbf.

 

He’s the grumpy chick texting!

 

This is a perfect analogy. Simply putting good players together and asking them to execute perfectly is rather fanciful. They will always look disjointed without a plan. Even few words that paint a picture makes all the difference at this level. I really can’t remember the last time that we played like that first half in terms of back movement and retaining complete control of the opposition at OT. Incredible to see the transformation.

Let’s see how consistently they can produce such performance as a team in the next five matches. If we can get 3-4 good team play like that, then this team will be unto something fresh.

 

It's me who should have been grumpy, getting a view of her fat boyfriends arse crack all match.