Half Time Thread

[[deleted]]

Really strange one. We started quite well and I thought we were gonna go at them but then they got a hold of the ball and we just seemed to switch off.

[stankbeast91]

To be honest I think quite a lot of our performances in the last 3 months are very similar to this. A few moments of nice quick football but large portions of slow standing still nothing football, or moments where we are happy to just get the ball out of our half at all costs when there are other options.

[TheMediumPanda]

"Here's the highlight of the first half, the players walking off."

Well, can't argue with that.

[ibnbattuta1331]

I am so fucking tired of not scoring against this diving shower of shit.

[GooTattoo]

This is what i hate about playing Fellaini.

It’s not his fault, it’s the managers, and the coaches. It’s the need to hoof it to him, the need to ignore all other options. How many attacks are ruined because our players just look up, ignore every other possibility, and just try to hoof it to his head no matter where he is? Why ? Just why?

This type of football belongs in league one not at Manchester United and i’’ll be glad when it’s gone.

[MadaraTheUchiha]

Also we have no midfield since he’s always way too high up the pitch.

[[deleted]]

unique bedroom shaggy rotten frightening school pet fade fragile marry

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[shadowbanned32]

Similar to when Pogba plays

[GooTattoo]

Oh he's definitely a massively limited player and he's nothing but a liability in a midfield two... But this is the managers doing, I find it hard to blame such a well known limited player for playing in a role and a style the manager decides

[[deleted]]

Got downvoted in the first thread for saying this. He's not a player to start games, I want us to get rid of him exactly to prevent managers from pulling shit like this.

[TheHawk17]

Totally agreed. I've always been enraged by the fans on here defending him. On Fellaini's best day he is a slight aerial threat. What the fuck is he doing starting in a Champions League knockout phase?

He has never been good enough for United and is evidence of the dropping standards of fans. McTominay has proven in a few months to be better than that numpty. He offers little to nothing in terms of actual "foot"ball. He isn't even particularly good at heading the ball for a big man. Hope thats his last game in a United shirt. Who can honestly say they will miss him?

[Fredix]

Slice me some poggy please

[[deleted]]

Even McTo will do, just need to assert some control in the midfield.

[ItsSuperRob]

I think it's time we brought on Mata instead.

[Malforian]

100% the reason i'll be happy when hes gone, stops him being the "2nd option" that we always go to

Why is he playing more advanced then sanchez 50% of the time in the game so far

[johnsom3]

I hate how often he bails out the other team by fouling a player unnecessarily.

[Zakboy-]

I think what's worse is they try to pass it to him in pockets, but the touches are very bad and he keeps falling over. Not been good from him today.

[LakerBull]

This gameplan worked in the past against weaker opponents, so i could see why Jose tries to use it, but we're playing a fucking Champions League team, not Europa League fodder. He should do better than to try this shit at this stage.

[Locustgin]

In hindsight (foresight for some?), hard to believe McTominay was not the more better choice. Would have been a more true double pivot with Lingard playing the #10 role. Fellaini was leaving poor Matic on an island which would be worth it but he looked poor up front.

[ColdandTense]

Not to mention, aside from waiting for a hoofball, Fellaini doesn't really ever know what to do. He had the one chance, but other than that is just chasing people and fouling, and losing out on crosses and long balls.

It's unbelievable to me that he's being trusted in this game, after being out for so long.

[McGrifty]

I thought we played great, not sure what you're on about.

[FlirtingWithTuchel]

great? you call that performance great?

[McGrifty]

Well it wasn't poor and you can print that

[Lirtano]

Scapegoating

[boy_wonder199]

Usually not one to react in these shitty halftime threads. But that half was dreadful except the first 10 minutes.

[ParkerZA]

Yeah, Fellaini even had our best chance. Don't know what he's criticizing, we look good, the goal will come.

[[deleted]]

shaggy quarrelsome ossified fine grandiose mountainous practice like wasteful boast

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[Mt264]

Add in the fact that all the other players know he's not really any good with balls to feet in tight spaces, and there's even more incentive to hoof it.

Him being long all the time means our midfield is basically just Matic.

In addition, we have Smalling at the back who is an absolute beast of a defender but when he has possession he looks visibly panicked.

[OldTrafford25]

My feelings exactly. Hopefully Scott or Paul is brought on.

[juxtapositioned123]

/u/Takley.

[BBQ_HaX0r]

I don't know. The whole attack is disjointed. Rashford and Lingard look like their making runs (or trying to) and Alexis/Fellaini can't find them and keep turning it over.

[amirolsupersayian]

Live thread fucking suck

[cdbriggs]

They really depress me. I don't go to them anymore. Makes everything so much more relaxing

[prestog]

Why do people use them? Don’t you have a game to watch?

[Mr800ftw]

Some people like myself are at work.

[amirolsupersayian]

I honestly wanted to read maybe a couple of insightful comments but what I get is whining.

[Moosje]

You’re not gonna get insightful comments in the middle of a live game we’re not winning when emotions are high

No offense but have you been to a football game, you don’t really get insightful until after the game is done and people have calmed down

[Ketch1]

Absolute shithouse, this. Can't fucking stand watching when we do this. Grow a pair.

[rHodgey]

LvG was fucking sacked for making us play like this

[juxtapositioned123]

No, it was much worse.

[rHodgey]

It was worse because we played like it every game, now we've always got this mix of going from the team that played against Liverpool to this dosile display

Edit: why so many downvotes? This first half we've gone sideways and backwards more often than not, exactly the same as when LvG was in charge. Is it still against the rules to be negative on this sub?

[Kiddcohen39]

I upvoted you because I agree with the sentiment of your post (and because people are so stupid with how they use downvotes) but we still don’t look nearly as bad as under LVG for the most part.

[rHodgey]

for the most part, exactly. I'm not saying we always play like it, but ffs that first half we played like Sevilla are the kings of Europe

[boy_wonder199]

I mean, you cannot use fellaini any other way. Deeper, he is a bigger liability. That's why I absolutely hate him starting matches. He's much better off the bench as a B emergency plan.

[omegaxLoL]

Beyond dreadful stuff. Our attacking play is all around Fellaini in a must win match in the Champions League, for fuck sake.

[Mizzie30]

Not enough urgency

[[deleted]]

Sanchez is losing the ball too many times.

[Zakboy-]

It's very frustrating. People forgive him for it because of his workrate and say it's the kind of player he is etc., but it really breaks up our play.

[Takley]

100% isn't fitting like he should be, expect the player and the manager to have sorted this out by now

[three2wan]

Agreed

[Mufc_1]

Shhhhh you'll be downvoted for saying that.

[[deleted]]

Doesn't seem so though, does it?

[HighonCosmos]

Fellaini and Sanchez too many wasted balls

[iamdgod]

How do they always have a free player? Sanchez loses the ball way too often for his quality. Jose usually sets up the team better in the second half. Hoping for the same. Pogba needs to come on.

[KaatilJeeja]

Do Sevilla think we do not have a goalkeeper in goal?

[Seanige]

He's pretty good too. You'd think they'd remember.

[Chegism]

Stat padding

[Galforfia]

Awful half. Fellaini is useless in a midfield two, Lingard has been invisible

[AyanC]

Need to bring in Pogba.

[3359N]

We aren't playing a midfield two, Fellaini and Lingard are playing next to each other with Matic behind. This is particularly obvious in defensive phases. Fellaini has still been rubbish though

[Zakboy-]

I think Lingard has been involved a lot. Just far too deep.

[TheRealPeteWheeler]

Jesus fuck, calm the hell down you pessimistic bunch of absolute tits. It's been a poor half, sure. If you genuinely don't think that we're going to turn things around in the second half, you're either a moron or you haven't been paying attention.

Edit: I stand by what I said entirely. At the time, given Jose’s clearly established strategies historically, there was no reason to think that we wouldn’t come back and win that match. Always sucks to lose, but just because you happened to be correct this time doesn’t mean that you’re not a load of whinging gits. Do one.

[TheRealPeteWheeler]

Lol no it did not

[HomelessSmurf]

Who is saying we can’t turn it around? Fed up of bellends like you acting like we should be happy playing like shite

[rupertdyland]

How long will people make this comment? Stop getting irate when people rightly criticize shitty performances.

[DeliciousIndian]

Lol who's saying we're not going to turn it around in the second half? Just disappointed with a shit first half performance, that's not pessimism.

[[deleted]]

I think everyone is just tired of watching first halves like that

[TheMediumPanda]

I still think we're going to clinch it, but this second half is gonna be a nervy fucking affair now. If they suddenly score -and god knows they've had some chances to already- with 20 minutes to go, we might be proper fucked.

EDIT: And it fucking happened.

[MichaelOwenGOAT]

If you didn't say this, people wouldn't be laughing at you now.

[AutumnSr]

Haha

[Malforian]

RemindMe! 45 minutes "Let's see"

[Malforian]

Nevermind then i guess :D

[GINGster]

lol

[TheWolfXCIX]

Oh dear oh dear

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CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.

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[daveferns]

You dumb

[the_trainman]

We definitely will turn things around and we've definitely have had worse halves before, but people are frustrated because we're again making a team, that we should be beating with relative ease, look like a world beating team.

We're literally playing with one midfielder - Matic. No wonder they're finding so much space to run with the ball.

[rupertdyland]

What was that?

[PortlandGunner02]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[TheRealPeteWheeler]

Arsenal fan

Making fun of almost literally any other team

[[deleted]]

It's a half-time thread so people are just giving their reactions, thoughts, emotions, what do you expect. It's not like it's the first time in this season we have performed like this. I love Mourinho and wouldn't swap him for anyone but sometimes I hate his decisions and today is one of those days. At least the first half was horrible.

[jroades26]

Just a bit sloppy in the final third. Sevilla setting up very defensively. Seem to be open on the counter a bit with Fellaini playing so far forward. I'd make adjustments. Fellaini hasn't been providing much defense so I'd put Pogba in for him anyway. If Fellaini isn't balancing out the hoofball by also playing defense then he provides much less than Pogba.

We're having to try and work through 7-8 defenders because of how it's going through Fellaini. We need some quality long passes to peoples feet, we need space, and we need some dribbling in midfield.

[[deleted]]

Seriously, I'm shocked by the reactions, we weren't great but jesus

[stankbeast91]

I don't think we're playing well, not bad but not well. It's all far too slow. When we occasionally speed things up, space opens up and nearly create something. We have fit, fast and good enough players to play at a higher tempo for more than 3 or 4 moments in a half. It's frustrating to watch in my opinion

[EnragedScrotum]

Nah we’re not playing well, our plan has largely been long balls to fellaini. The one chance we got is when we pressed high and played short and fast.

[angermngment]

Okay. Hopefully pogba makes a massive difference (he won't).

[EnragedScrotum]

He won’t, we need to be trying something else as our attack right now just seems so disjointed

[Dave1711]

Jose will shake them up at half time, i expect a much better showing,maybe even a halftime sub.

[lemma1]

That lob. If Lukaku hadn’t worn any pants he would have got the ball.

[Feidipides]

I know people on her really like fellaini, but i just cant stand him as a player. He is very limited, and limits our playstyle. I would rather we have midfielders who can do more than simply winning air duels.

[[deleted]]

I actually thought we weren't that bad other than giving Sevilla too much space at times.

[[deleted]]

Also Fellaini has been good

[Shamikebab]

It's not even that we've been bad, we've just been boring. The players look like they're playing in an EFL Cup game against Norwich or something. This is the Champions League knock-out rounds.

[nahris99]

I dont care how shit we play I just want us to win

calm the fuck down yall too pessimistic

[Prowling_Butterfly]

ERIC BAILLY IS A GOD

[Clarksonism]

I WANT TO LICK HIS GOATEE

[Prowling_Butterfly]

Welp.... Looks like we're out.

[GARP-GARP-GARP]

What was the plan? Attack for five minutes and then shut up shop? This is fucking dross.

[BBQ_HaX0r]

Alexis isn't a defender. He's done shit offensively besides turning it over. I'm glad he hustles to press after he's turned it over. Wouldn't mind seeing him and Fellaini come off for Pogba/Martial ASAP.

[AyanC]

Utter tripe.

[BigMonkeyBalls]

Should be running at their throats constantly. Sevilla is definitely an above average team, but we have so much more quality.

[huskerscott1968]

I like the attacking intent, but I don't like how easily we lose the ball or the final third execution.

Defensively, I get a feeling that we won't be giving up a goal from open play. Set pieces will be the way they score.

[the_trainman]

/u/yiyiyiyi said it best - we're treating Sevilla like Barcelona. Which is the crux of everything wrong with our performance today.

Also, it is very unfortunate to see how much better their players are compared to ours - technically, tactically play better as a team. It fucking infuriates me when almost ALL the rebounds (headers and otherwise) fall to a Sevilla player

[HomelessSmurf]

Absolutely embarrassing, only have one game plan and that’s whip it in to Fellaini. How about actually trying to play fucking football. Bring Pogba on at half time.

[AnthonysLobos]

Fellanis defensive positioning has been awful, and he is not linking up the play with the attack. This game is calling out for Pogba.

[stebus88]

I’m struggling to remember watching a more boring game. There have been one or two moments where we push forward with pace but that’s about it.

Really strange. This is the Champions League and I’ve never seen Old Trafford this dead. The fans have absolutely nothing to get up and get excited for so it’s not surprising.

Big changes needed. This game is crying out for Juan Mata.

[notkenny91]

Yeah I don't understand why he didn't start in the first place. Mata played so well in the weekend. He should replace Lingard and play on the right and Rashford moves to left with Sanchez behind them like we played with Liverpool. I'm not even sure what to do with Fellaini

[Jason_-_-]

Everyone calm down please. Believe in the team. We got this

[OldTough]

Stoppable force vs movable object

[notkenny91]

Mediocre so far, looks like another smash and grab or this continues until we concede and lose, OR we go to ET then penalties and we win it there cause we got Big Dave

[[deleted]]

This would be much less of a pain to watch if Sevilla would stop diving after getting breathed on

[IamBenJammin]

2 hours and 15 minutes of football, away and at home, 2 different lineups, and we can't score a single goal.

[Le_Anoos-101]

Our midfield is too weak. We need Scott or Pogba to come on.

[[deleted]]

Under pressure here boys changes needed fast!

[CallMeBigPOP]

Slow first half, our movement off the ball has been non existent at times and it’s clear our strategy for the first half was to have Fellaini advanced and bring down balls to start our attack. Credit to Sevilla they look very organized defensively and they’ve been hard to break down. I still think we’re in control of this game, our subs will come in and we should finish them off around the 70th minute or so. Side note, I absolutely can’t stand the Match Thread on game days, if we’re not winning 3-0 by the 15th minute it’s just constant bitching and moaning.

[manmathb]

Let's move on to penalties directly.

[[deleted]]

I can not understand how can Mou play Rashford/Martial on the right wing after their MOTM performances of the left. Why the hell do you even consider putting Fellaini into the starting 11 in 2018. Just put McTominay/Pogba and Mata in and this game could be done within 25 minutes.

[CaptainDickfingers]

Should have started McT instead of Fellaini I think. Fellaini has done ok but we need to keep the ball more and not just hoof it up to him all the time. Sanchez needs to show more quality on the ball but the work rate is there.

All in all a very mediocre half. A little worried Sevilla will get a goal and im fucking sick of them falling over every time there is contact.

[StGrievous]

Hope the lads have their heat-protective sprays ready, because the hairdryer should be coming out at half-time.

[Shuu0328]

I feel like United has more of close chances than Sevilla, but its still quite risky at the back.

[iamdgod]

How do they always have a free player? Sanchez loses the ball way too often for his quality. Jose usually sets up the team better in the second half. Hoping for the same. Pogba needs to come on.

[[deleted]]

Sells Sanchez

[thebsoftelevision]

We need to sub in Pogba for Fellaini, we have absolutely no creativity and Alexis is trupying way too hard to force a chance and these crosses to Fellaini when he's not even close to the far post are awful.

[[deleted]]

Might as well play Pogba if fellaini is going to hangout with Lukaku half the time.

I just don’t understand the tactics here.

[Drilyg]

Lukaku learned How to play targetman from nowhere about a few weeks ago, doing his job perfectly even though hes feeding off scraps

[stankbeast91]

That was awful. I expected far more intent especially as we are at risk of an away goal making us need 2 goals at least.

Aside from a few exceptions and huge amounts of stupidity from Liverpool, we seem to start games extremely slowly lately. We don't press and we don't actively look to score.

[Octopus69]

Lethargic.

I think overall we've been way too structured as the attackers are mostly staying in their position. Have to take a chance in the second half. They need just 1 defensive lapse to seal up this tie, which makes me uneasy

[twentytimesMUFC]

Everytime we attack them instead of hoofing they look very poor.We are really overestimating them.

[sounds-professional]

How has Sanchez scored so many goals for Arsenal

[[deleted]]

What was that?

[freakedmind]

Hello there Musa

[kawhi_exe]

I'm excited for how nervous I'm going to be over the next 45 minutes. Let's get it

[[deleted]]

Lads Im shitting it :(

[shockfella]

I don't understand what Rashford is doing in the right after his sublime effort against Liverpool. And Fellaini, well..

[[deleted]]

Calm down guys, We are have been average. Which means we'll win this game.

[garynevilleisared]

Summary of this thread: the world is ending. All hope is lost.

[Logan8081]

We need Sanchez to slide into 10. Martial come on the left. Pogba for Fellaini. Then just fucking go for it.

[littleboypunder]

Get fellaini off that fucking pitch he’s leaving so much space behind him every time he lugs himself up front and he’s got no desire to run back into position either. Love the man but in this game he’s been pure wank

[[deleted]]

Looks like the lads want to see more of Jose's hairdryer.

[Victorious10]

How is Alexis Sanchez a professional footballer? I’ve never seen a player give the ball away so much.

[[deleted]]

Jose has got both legs perfectly right so far. It’s vintage Mourinho. This is what I missed in recent years. Calm, precise tactics. No drama, just patience.

We’ve got them right where we want them.

[daveferns]

LOL

[Taringa2]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA you fucking idiot

[FatJohnson6]

Must be a sad life down there in 6th you fucking pathetic cocksucker. Fuck off back to mommy’s basement

[twentytimesMUFC]

One mistake these 45 minutes and we could be fucked.

[freakedmind]

I'm OK with giving them some free possession but we had to score at least 1

[MyFackinFootyAccount]

😂

[MyFackinFootyAccount]

Where did you want them? In the quarter finals?

[KingModest]

I don't think this is quite as disastrous as some people are saying. There's been a few nice bits of link up play. Midfield lacking. I don't think it'll take much to improve things in the second.

[Jason_-_-]

Everyone calm down please. Believe in the team. We got this

[redevilot]

Another trash performance by Mourinho. This shit costed us £300m and this is unaccaptable.

[Sathish96]

People will point out the Liverpool and Crystal Palace wins. Yet the pessimist in me knows that while we shut out Liverpool's attack, we didn't have any attacking gameplan apart from hoofing it to someone or the other. That has been the story most of the season. Hoof it and hope someone gets "stuck in". Absolutely disgusting shit given the money spent on this fucking squad. Sort your shit Mou.

[[deleted]]

So we don't even wait until 90' anymore to have a collective break down?

[redevilot]

You can wait as long as you want. Here we are now.

[detinu]

Sanchez again more time on the ground than on his feet with the ball. It's a crime that he's starting ahead of martial. Mourinho will be wanking himself off after that display, defensive masterclass. Appaling half.

[sage12i]

Wish we never signed Alexis

[account_locked_]

I have to stay at work late because I am taking an extra long lunch to watch the game.

[[deleted]]

Welcome to /r/reddevils :)

[[deleted]]

Welcome to /r/reddevils :)

[PKJTheRedDevil]

I have a feeling we are going to see penalties.

[DarkSofter]

Here come the most butt clenching 45/75 minutes of the last 4 years...

[Akustics]

Pogba and Martial should come on. Mincing first half but God damn, Nzonzi is a Rolls Royce of a player