GWT: PL Matchweek 21

[Chimaera]

Hard to not look terrible when you have the likes of Fred and Jesse Lingard that are not big club calibre and Matic's corpse in your midfield.

I would agree in some sense. But plenty of sides in the EPL field less talented groups than United. There’s talent there. Albeit they aren’t playing to where they should

 

[hatterson]

I would disagree in Arsenal sitting back. They’re pressing and working harder in defense than I’ve seen in a while. Some players who are usually passengers have put in efforts beyond what they normally do

They’re pressing well when United have the ball in their defensive third, but once United have moved forward a bit, Arsenal have brought numbers back and overloaded the ball.

As usual United completely lacks the ability to move the ball side to side with anything remotely resembling urgency, so Arsenal is able to easily defend with numbers on the ball.

By sitting back I didn’t mean a low pressure 10 behind the ball thing, I just meant that they’re bringing numbers back to defend and are more than happy to let United pass it from the CBs to a FB on the half, and back again.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Exactly, they're pressing high and controlling possession. The Ole narrative is very convenient though

Not when the ball is their half.

Also what narrative? Ole is useless tactically.

 

[gary69]

After beating Arsenal on the weekend I fully expect Chelsea to drop points tomorrow against BHA.

In the end it doesn't look that bad as Wolves and Spurs lost and now United look like losing as well.

 

[Blender]

I would agree in some sense. But plenty of sides in the EPL field less talented groups than United. There’s talent there. Albeit they aren’t playing to where they should

Yea it's not like United are fielding the worst midfield in the league here. It's not good of course and not the quality a top club should have, but they need to set up and play to their strengths. That's where the failure really is, they are trying to rely on players that aren't good enough to do things they can't handle.

 

[PeteWorrell]

I would agree in some sense. But plenty of sides in the EPL field less talented groups than United. There’s talent there. Albeit they aren’t playing to where they should

They are using Lingard as a 10. There are few players that are as creatively bankrupt as him in the league and he is playing in an important creative position in attack. It is an abomination that a player that has not scored or assisted since forever been given such a role in a big club.

 

[hatterson]

Yea it's not like United are fielding the worst midfield in the league here. It's not good of course and not the quality a top club should have, but they need to set up and play to their strengths. That's where the failure really is, they are trying to rely on players that aren't good enough to do things they can't handle.

In terms of raw talent they're not the worst, but in terms of talent vs. what they're asked to do, the gap is larger than any other side. Granted part of that is because the best two midfielders are injured, but the main issue with why United is as pathetic as they are is due to a manager that has no idea how to use the talent he has.

 

[Blender]

That Pepe dive they just showed...

 

[hatterson]

lol Pepe. Hand to the chest and he's acting like he was shot.

Tell me again about how United were diving.

 

[Chimaera]

They are using Lingard as a 10. There are few players that are as creatively bankrupt as him in the league and he is playing in an important creative position in attack. It is an abomination that a player that has not scored or assisted since forever been given such a role in a big club.

Then don’t play him there. Hit balls over the top. Look to switch the side of play to create diagonals. Overload.

there’s other options out there. They get to the final third and if James isn’t running by a man or Rashford using pace, they have no ideas.

 

[Blender]

The way that caught the net I thought it was in for a moment.

 

[Chimaera]

In terms of raw talent they're not the worst, but in terms of talent vs. what they're asked to do, the gap is larger than any other side. Granted part of that is because the best two midfielders are injured, but the main issue with why United is as pathetic as they are is due to a manager that has no idea how to use the talent he has.

One of the two probably rather never play for United again if he had his wishes. The other is more worker than offensive player.

 

[koyvoo]

Rashford the worst player on the pitch today

 

[Blender]

With his pace and ability to drive the ball forward, I don't know why Greenwood hasn't been starting more lately.

 

[hatterson]

With his pace and ability to drive the ball forward, I don't know why Greenwood hasn't been starting more lately.

He's 17 and they don't want to overwhelm him and ruin his development.

 

[hatterson]

Second half is much more what I expected from this game.

Sloppy and disjointed play from both sides and an absolute black hole of quality in the middle of the pitch.

 

[hatterson]

That's a penalty....

 

[Jersey Fresh]

That's what £50M gets you for a British FB, ehh

 

[Blender]

They have called much weaker penalties than that this season, so I honestly have no idea what the standard is at this point.

 

[hatterson]

That's what £50M gets you for a British FB, ehh

AWB has been excellent this year....

 

[Jersey Fresh]

AWB has been excellent this year....

I don't think he offers enough going forward to justify the price tag.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I don't think he offers enough going forward to justify the price tag.

But being one of the best defensive RB’s in world football does justify it.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

But being one of the best defensive RB’s in world football does justify it.

I don't agree with that.

 

[AB13]

Absolutely superb, man of the match performance from Torriera. When he is used as a defensive midfielder like he has been under Arteta, we defend so much better, and it is a night and day difference.

 

[Blender]

I don't agree with that.

He's 22 so they also paid for some future development and years of his prime, but generally there aren't a ton of top end fullbacks defensively or offensively. Current tactics put a huge responsibility on them and guys who can do it reliably aren't easy to find.