⚽ Football (Soccer)

[Zantera]

I'm pretty nervous for today, even more than against Arsenal. I feel in the past even during our weaker spells we have shown that we can step it up against a good team and have a fine performance. It was also a bit of a free pass because nobody realistically expected us to beat Arsenal and coming out of that game with a 1-0 defeat and a 'decent' performance was probably a best case scenario in a lot of people's minds.

But Fulham is the type of team that we really struggle against typically. A hard to beat well drilled mid table team with enough quality to beat a top team on their day but not enough depth to compete over a season. A team that we are expected to beat, even more so now that we are 3 points behind a lot of teams from week 1 (or more if those teams picked up points yesterday).

Hoping for a decent performance, a win and Sesko on the score sheet. Would be really happy if we got like a solid 2-0 or 3-0 but realistically I think it will be a hard fought battle and I'm worried we might not win.

 

[blue scholar]

I'm pretty nervous for today, even more than against Arsenal. I feel in the past even during our weaker spells we have shown that we can step it up against a good team and have a fine performance. It was also a bit of a free pass because nobody realistically expected us to beat Arsenal and coming out of that game with a 1-0 defeat and a 'decent' performance was probably a best case scenario in a lot of people's minds.

But Fulham is the type of team that we really struggle against typically. A hard to beat well drilled mid table team with enough quality to beat a top team on their day but not enough depth to compete over a season. A team that we are expected to beat, even more so now that we are 3 points behind a lot of teams from week 1 (or more if those teams picked up points yesterday).

Hoping for a decent performance, a win and Sesko on the score sheet. Would be really happy if we got like a solid 2-0 or 3-0 but realistically I think it will be a hard fought battle and I'm worried we might not win.

I feel like its going to be 2-1 in your favor. That Cunha-Mbuemo connection will be too much for Fulham to overcome. It all just really depends if your midfield shows up.

 

[Zantera]

First half 0-0 and it looks about what I expected. We look good at times, create nice chances at times but in between Fulham are in control for long stretches and every corner feels really worrying because Bayindir has 0 presence and isn't close to getting the ball. Bruno missing a penalty on top of it is just a headache.

 

[blue scholar]

First half 0-0 and it looks about what I expected. We look good at times, create nice chances at times but in between Fulham are in control for long stretches and every corner feels really worrying because Bayindir has 0 presence and isn't close to getting the ball. Bruno missing a penalty on top of it is just a headache.

Should have been 2-0. The save on Cunha's shot was fortunate.

Casemiro, Amad, and Bayindir have no place in your strongest 11.

Joshua King is a fun watch.

 

[B]

Fair result, we edged it in the first, they edged it in the second. Not much to say really, sort of a neutral performance, played alright at times & lacklustre in others.

Yoro's goal was perfectly fine I don't know why Sky Sports are trying to stoke the flames on it. Was similar to the goal we conceded last week, Mount was actually manhandled a lot more and the keeper was being bundled into, if that was a case of "the goalkeeper/defending player just needs to be stronger", then so is this. **** outta here with these contradictory, flip flap opinions acting like it was fine last week against us, but because it worked in our favour this week, it's controversial.

 

[BlackFox]

1-1 Started well but went down hill sharply and there were some worrying signs creeping already back into our game. After a bright 15 minutes we didnt take our chances and we seem to lose our way again, Bruno lost the plot with the penalty and we barely created anything in the second half. Our keeper looked a bag of nerves on any cross coming in our box but we held on to the draw.

Amorim really needs to figure this puzzle out quickly as its not quite clicking otherwise he could find himself in trouble very quickly.

 

[Zantera]

I feel like Bruno having a bad performance is problematic because he's almost become bigger than the club in a way. And the whole saga this summer of him turning down the Saudi offer because he wanted to stay only cemented that.

Now anyone can have a bad game but the difference is Bruno is not getting subbed off even if he has a stinker. He should have been swapped out at half time after those first 45 minutes and the shocking penalty and maybe him getting subbed would have made him reflect on his performance. But he got to play 90 minutes and he'll start the next game and there wont be any change.

I'm not blaming him for us dropping points today just to be clear, just feeling frustrated that we seemingly have 1 untouchable player who cant be subbed even if he's having a rough game. Seems Mainoo is on his way out because 0 minutes after 2 games...

 

[BlackFox]

Yeah it seems all the positivity from the pre-season and Arsenal game only took for the ref to walk behind Bruno lining up the pen and walking into him and we mentally lost the plot and all the negativity comes back. Instead of killing the game off after going 1-0 up we retracted and ended up inviting the equalizer to come. Worryingly our new signings cant seem to find a way to score either and missed some really good chances. At home next week against Burnley is a must win game already and they will be coming to OT with confidence after their win at the weekend. Amorim is facing a tough time ahead if that doesnt go his way.

 

[Zantera]

In isolation the results aren't the worst thing. Anyone can lose to Arsenal 1-0, anyone (even the big teams) can draw away to Fulham. The problem is it adds up. Burnley is already a massively important game to get 3 points from because after Burnley we play City away and Chelsea. We also have some tricky games during October/November like Liverpool away, Nottingham away and Spurs away. You need to get some wins and wind in the sails or you never gain any momentum. I was being negative to my dad yesterday when we were 1-0 up because even a 1-0 win doesn't really buy Amorim or the team much in the positive bank anyways. You need to get some solid 2-0 and 3-0 victories showing that you can control a game and get a perfect outcome. Scraping 1-0 victories when the other team has plenty of chances isn't enough to build momentum on. And then of course 1-1 happened.

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to ring any alarm bells 2 games into the season but the games are coming in fast and hard and all 3 newcomer teams who are tipped for relegation have already managed to pick up a win. The discourse around last season was that we were already so far behind and everyone was lethargic because finishing 11th or 15th doesn't matter but we can't start going there in September already.

 

[BlackFox]

Liverpool win the "Isak derby" 3-2 against 10 men Newcastle in what is probably the best game of the season so far, very firey as expected. Liverpool always seem to find a way though at the moment in the league.

 

[Hunter Rider]

City looked good last weekend, and Chelsea were mediocre, then they switched places this weekend, City were woeful against Spurs and Chelsea tonked West Ham, I'd say Potter is odds on favourite for first manager sacked.

Arsenal swept Leeds aside quite easily, with their strong defence they look the most rounded of the title contenders.

United were basically in groundhog day against Fulham, first 15 minutes were positive, then Fulham simply pressed onto our crap midfield and dominated the rest of the game. Amorim's refusal to change the system will be his downfall, if he can't see that Bruno and Casemiro can't play as a midfield 2, he only has himself to blame, it's so blatantly obvious that Bruno isn't a CM and that Casemiro doesn't have the legs, we also don't have the wingbacks for it to work, at this rate I predict we'll be looking for a new manager by the November International break.

Liverpool win the "Isak derby" 3-2 against 10 men Newcastle in what is probably the best game of the season so far, very firey as expected. Liverpool always seem to find a way though at the moment in the league.

It was a cracking game and Newcastle were very unlucky, with 10 men and no striker they dominated the 2nd half, Bruno Guimeras was immense! But, Champions find that moment, and right at the end they made the man advantage pay, great moment for the kid.

 

[Hunter Rider]

This Kobbie story has been building momentum over the last few days and I hate it. When Amorim said he's competing with Bruno for a place that was a huge red flag, as no matter how out of position or crap Bruno is, he never even gets subbed off, let alone dropped.

Kobbie isn't the finished article and he's not mobile enough for a 2 man midfield, but Amorim hasnt shown anything as coach yet and it's a bad idea to sell a talented 20 year old for a manager who's system is one rarely used by any top team. When Kobbie played so well for England he had Rice and Bellingham with him, complimentary skill sets, and at United we had a pseudo 3 with Bruno dropping in on occassions alongside him and whomever he partnered.

Now I read this, Baleba was our only option for the box to box DM? And they were essentially looking at Wharton and Stiller as Kobbie replacements, when logically either of those 2 along with Baleba and Kobbie gives you a well balanced young midfield 3 for a 4-3-3, instead of persisting with a 31 year old erratic and petulant #10 maverick.

 

[B]

The biggest red flag & question mark with Amorim is Bruno. I've no problem with him playing CM in certain special circumstances, maybe you're chasing a game or maybe we've multiple injuries. That's fine.

But he shouldn't be first name on the team sheet to play in that position, the reality is the best pairing I think I've seen under Amorim in the position is Ugarte/Casemiro. Which shouldn't be shocking as while they both have negatives both individually & as a pairing, they are both naturally CM's & understand the position.

I would say Mainoo's a better choice as a CM also, even though he's not some physical specimen that covers ground quickly & often, he's a lot better at retaining possession & he able to link play between midfield & attackers better. Bruno is a lot more of a killshot passer, which is why is much more suited & being better at touching the ball in the final third. I realise I'm like a broken record on that but it's true.

Not to mention you've now signed a couple of players who have some proven quality in front of goal & creatively in both Cunha/Mbeumo, I'd have thought it would have made more sense playing him closer to them would help them link up better.

I don't think it's necessarily just the formation &/or system Amorim uses, more so personnel but if he wants to not only see the new year as manager, but if he wants to become a top manager. You need to have the flexibility to adapt when certain games & opposition demands it.

 

[Zantera]

I don't feel like Bruno is great in the #10 position in this system either. The way the system lines up our #10s are like half central half wingers and Bruno feels more like the old "Özil-10" who has his space behind the striker centrally with wingers on both sides making runs and 2 DMs behind him cleaning up everything.

I like both Cunha and Mbeumo but again you can look at things in isolation and you can look at them in the bigger picture. Do I like these signings? Yes. But do I also think we might have been better off only signing one of them, played Bruno in a #10 role and used the Cunha or Mbeumo money (whoever we didn't end up signing) on a really good CM? Probably. Should we have let Bruno go to Saudi? Probably. He's had great games for us and he's had great moments for us but it feels like we'll never have full control when he's out on the pitch. Too many random risky passes that might work 1 out of 5 times and the other times it gives the ball away.

Regarding Mainoo I feel similarly to the Garnacho saga where it's just a bummer. Now Mainoo hasn't shown the same attitude problems (that we know of) as Garnacho so there is a difference. But you have these 2 young talented players emerging and as a fan you would want to see those players integral to the rebuilt yet one has his foot out the door and the other one might follow. And you're looking around at what we have left and it makes no sense. The fact Mainoo can't get gametime in our worst midfield since the Fergie era feels insane.

 

[Zantera]

Can't say I'm surprised we're somehow losing to Grimsby by 2-0 at half time. I honestly don't see us beating Burnley in the weekend either and we'll spend 2 weeks during the international break in shambles looking at other managers.

Only took a couple of weeks for Amorim and the boys to completely kill our enthusiasm for the season. Top4/5 or EL? Finishing top half will be a mountain to climb at this point.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Onana really is the worst keeper United has had in my lifetime.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Can't say I'm surprised we're somehow losing to Grimsby by 2-0 at half time. I honestly don't see us beating Burnley in the weekend either and we'll spend 2 weeks during the international break in shambles looking at other managers.

Only took a couple of weeks for Amorim and the boys to completely kill our enthusiasm for the season. Top4/5 or EL? Finishing top half will be a mountain to climb at this point.

Sell Bruno, get a real midfielder.

 

[Zantera]

Sell Bruno, get a real midfielder.

I think Bruno turning down the Saudi offer has made him even more untouchable sadly because now he's not just our best player over the last 5-6 years but he's also the one who turned down a move away for more money so he could stay here and help us get back to the top.

Out of our starting XI I feel like he'd be the last one to be put up for sale.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I think Bruno turning down the Saudi offer has made him even more untouchable sadly because now he's not just our best player over the last 5-6 years but he's also the one who turned down a move away for more money so he could stay here and help us get back to the top.

Out of our starting XI I feel like he'd be the last one to be put up for sale.

And probably the most worthwhile to sell. We'd get plenty of money for him, he's on the wrong side of 30, and he doesn't fit the system. We really, desperately, need a good, young midfielder. McT was probably our best and we sold him. We need something, anything there. We get run through and can't control a damn thing.

Also, I can't handle the whiny face anymore either.

Fans can turn on Ruben, but leave the new players out of this. I fear their reaction will do far more harm then anything else to them.

 

[Zantera]

I don't even feel much hope we'll beat Burnley in the weekend either, I can already envision that game in my mind.

We come out hungry and for the first 5-10 minutes we look like a top team hungry for 3 points. We go at them, we have 2 decent chances and things look solid. But after those first 10 minutes Burnley realize "Hey, this isn't so bad" and they work their way into the game and we spend the next ~20-25 minutes watching our own performance grind to a half with Burnley slowly eating their way back in, taking over the midfield battle. 0-0 at half time and we think "yeah it was mixed but we can still get a win here".

2nd half starts and we look good for 5 minutes but then Burnley gets a goal off a counter attack with Onana/Bayndir doing a weak save resulting in a rebound straight out to someone who buries it. We make some substitutions but the next 20 minutes are largely spent on passing the ball around sideways around the middle of the pitch looking for players to make runs that never happen - or the pass never comes. We throw in Maguire in the dying moments and someone finds him with a corner but the header goes out.

We finish the game having won the xG but lost the game. Talks about patience and "we get a needed international break to fix some things" and then we have to wait 2 weeks to get pummeled by City.

 

[B]

I won't go overboard with the criticism because despite whoever the pundits were I listened to post-match want to hype up Grimsby like they played fantastically & they played us off the park, the reality is with the volume of opportunities we had on another night we would comfortably have scored 4 or 5 with the same opportunities.

Obviously we failed to take those chances which is why we were scrambling just to get to 2-2 after going 2-0 down but still, I won't go overboard & act like they didn't play well enough to win, because they did despite it not being an ultra slick performance. Conditions didn't really help either team to be fair, pitch seemed waterlogged in areas causing unpredictable slow downs & stopping of the ball.

Big talking point is likely going to be Onana who led to us going 2 down, we've now had 3 games this season & 3 goalkeeping errors from 2 different keepers. I don't know much about Senne Lammens but he cannot be anymore of a let down than Onana/Bayinder. The bar is extremely low, all you have to average an error every other game instead of every single game & you'll be our No. 1 for the season.
If we're lucky we might be able to flog Onana to a Saudi club for whatever we pay for Lammens.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I won't go overboard with the criticism because despite whoever the pundits were I listened to post-match want to hype up Grimsby like they played fantastically & they played us off the park, the reality is with the volume of opportunities we had on another night we would comfortably have scored 4 or 5 with the same opportunities.

Obviously we failed to take those chances which is why we were scrambling just to get to 2-2 after going 2-0 down but still, I won't go overboard & act like they didn't play well enough to win, because they did despite it not being an ultra slick performance. Conditions didn't really help either team to be fair, pitch seemed waterlogged in areas causing unpredictable slow downs & stopping of the ball.

Big talking point is likely going to be Onana who led to us going 2 down, we've now had 3 games this season & 3 goalkeeping errors from 2 different keepers. I don't know much about Senne Lammens but he cannot be anymore of a let down than Onana/Bayinder. The bar is extremely low, all you have to average an error every other game instead of every single game & you'll be our No. 1 for the season.
If we're lucky we might be able to flog Onana to a Saudi club for whatever we pay for Lammens.

Need Onana gone. His demeanor pains me when he plays as bad as he does. He was also awful during the penalties. Kept going the same way over and over again. Once he switched, so did the takers. Made it obvious if they just waited. Just doesn't seem to be a bright player.

 

[BlackFox]

Onana really is the worst keeper United has had in my lifetime.

The only one who I can think of as worse is Taibi and even SAF didnt take longer than 3 or 4 games before he was gone. Onanas been here two seasons!!

Utter shambles last night, it seems all the positivity at the start of the season is gone now and it feels like Amorim is on his last legs now. There just is little to no improvement in this side overall and the toxicity is back all over again. Perhaps last season wasnt as bad as its going to get and there is always new depths we can sink too.

 

[Zantera]

Utter shambles last night, it seems all the positivity at the start of the season is gone now and it feels like Amorim is on his last legs now. There just is little to no improvement in this side overall and the toxicity is back all over again. Perhaps last season wasnt as bad as its going to get and there is always new depths we can sink too.

This is the key thing for me. If we beat Burnley we can get a win on the board, some confidence (hopefully) and maybe get a tiny bit of momentum into some tricky games. But at the moment just beating Burnley feels like a mountain to climb and then we have City away and Chelsea as the next 2 fixtures.

There was so much talk during the preseason about good vibes in the squad, the results were good and it felt like maybe we could have a decent season. Remember when Sesko joined and there was the interest in Baleba and some people thought we would challenge for the Champions League spots? I never quite fancied us to finish that high but everyone was feeling optimistic and we figured we would be in the sort of top6-8 fighting. That was what, 2 weeks ago? Now we're only a draw or loss against Burnley away from being in full meltdown mode and having given up on the season.

I don't even know what we do at this point either. We might sign Lammens and best case scenario he's a better keeper than Onana and Bayindir. We still have a midfield issue. We're still struggling to play well over 90 minutes. We struggle to create chances and scoring goals. I already saw Sesko being compared to Hojlund after the Fulham game and that was after a 30 minute sub where he got maybe 2 passes? People already turning on Amorim and part of me gets it. The other part is like "we go through this same procedure every 2-3 years with a new manager and it never ends".

At this point being a Man Utd fan feels a bit like we made it out of the opening of a Final Destination movie but death has a plan for us and anything we try is met with a counter reaction and avoiding relegation (cementing this fiasco) feels about as unavoidable as avoiding death in one of those movies.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Amorim is toast, there's no way back for him at this point, the goalkeepers are both terrible and the midfield is crap, but losing to a 4th division team is unacceptable, especially in the manner of the defeat, and his post match interviews sounded like a resignation. I think he'll manage the Burnley game and then be replaced over the International break.

Like @Zantera I don't know where we go from here, it's seemingly a never ending cycle of failure, nothing works. I think the safest bet would be to hire someone with PL experience, but who? It's going to be difficult to pry a manager from a club now the season has started, but I'd probably try for Iraola.

Sell Bruno, get a real midfielder.

In truth we need at least 3, none of the ones we have are fit for purpose, especially if the next manager moves the team to 4-3-3, like most teams play. Obviously there's still hope for Kobbie, especially in a 3, but you need depth as well, and Casemiro, Bruno and Ugarte aren't it.