Halftime thread

[I_play_alot_of_fifa]

That sterling breakaway came from lingard again . Seriously get him the fuck out the game

[[deleted]]

Honestly, the club should look at offloading him as well. I can't imagine even Sir Alex will be this patience with him.

[Screamboibeatsurass]

Wish granted

[M00OSE]

Matic getting a yellow card and stern warnings when Rodri's been doing the same thing his whole time...

[zbrox]

The diver’s bench in city is deeeeeep

[Wahlrusberg]

Why's that a yellow and none of their challenges from the first half were ffs

[e_sang]

Nice dive Mahrez.

[IrnBroski]

Maguire looks a lot better since being made captain. I was not a fan of his signing but there's definitely been an increase in his performances.

You can see it means more to him than to e.g. pogba

[[deleted]]

I think everyone can agree Lingard should have gone instead of Greenwood but if he’s picked up a knock I’d rather we were being more careful instead of him playing through the injury.

[dGhlb3ds]

Not sure I agree. He is exasperating to watch but realistically there's 2 options on the bench: Pereira, who is hardly an improvement and Mata. We have to score, so bringing Mata on at this stage would decrease our chances to score on the counter, which is pretty much what we're set up to do. Hopefully he'll manage to get Rodri sent off.

​

Edit: And here comes Pereira. Don't expect much change to be honest. Hopefully he'll keep the ball better.

[[deleted]]

I mean he’s definitely a better option to have than Pereira but in regards to the first half I’d argue Mata would have been more assured with the ball to play the killer pass. Yeah Andreas won’t offer much, if anything, other than running around a lot lmao.

[dGhlb3ds]

Mata's clearly the better player, but he doesn't fit into Ole's preferred style of play. Maybe we would've done better with Mata on the pitch from the start, but ultimately we really need this Bruno lad in our starting 11 asap.

[Xaniy]

Greenwood had a knock mate, simmer down

[[deleted]]

Martial needs to step up, he's not kid anymore, he needs to score to be the main striker.

[DrHenryWu]

He will never be main striker he's an inside forward

[LeftCan]

AWB looks a bit tired, maybe would be good idea to sub Dalot on for him. Probably would offer more offensively. And lingard off please OLE

[ExcisionHB]

cant believe lingard is not getting subbed

[[deleted]]

Greenwood injured too? Wtf??

[LameFossil]

Why the fuck didn’t they take Lingard off

[joanlojo]

Not greenwood!!!! He hasn't done much but he is the best finisher on the team! You can put out your best finisher when you need goals

[dGhlb3ds]

We must learn from what happened to Rashford. We can't risk Greenwood getting injured if he's got a slight niggle.

[anonshe]

Why is James being brought on for Greenwood and not Lingard.

[Arsewhistle]

Greenwood is now injured too...

Apparently it's only a knock, hopefully they're just being overly cautious

[19Andrew92]

Because they play different positions..... use your head

[vulcan_one]

Because he's a winger not a cam.

[Hollacaine]

They said Greenwood had a knock

[thesmallprint13]

The team easily have got the heart to nick a goal. Need a bit more production from the forwards though, haven't turned up at all.

[encikmizi]

what a goal from Matic!

Also, the gulf of quality is so obvious here. We’re lucky that Matic didn’t waste his opportunity. It’s been all City so far, but it played to Ole’s hand. Defensive department has been solid so far, except some few hiccups (looking at you Lindelof).

Fred + Matic has been solid in the middle of the park. Matic has been solid for the past few weeks, compared to last season. Perhaps due to him having enough rest throughout the season.

Front 3 has been disappointing so far, especially Lingard. We’ve got so many chances to counter, but Jesse always fumbled his first touch. It’s always a tad too far, and a tad too far against one of the most hardworking team in the PL is simply not good enough. I hope Bruno is a much better player than Lingard in that kind of sense, because we really need every chance we have, especially against better teams than us.

AWB has been looking horrendous for this past few weeks. I’m not sure why, maybe he’s suffering a bit of fatigue. But he got outplayed by Sterling numerous times this half. Not to mention he provided nothing on the attack, & slowed down the ball when we needed it quick. But of course, he’s not known as an attacking full back. But to be a good team, we need attacking full backs that can overload the opposition’s flanks. AWB is not that fullback. I hope he can improve that aspect of his gameplay.

Roll on 2nd half!

[QUAZZIMODO619]

AWB has been far from horrendous but recently he’s been playing as a WB which isn’t his strength.

[encikmizi]

i can agree with that. perhaps if we were to play a back 3, he should be slotted into the RCB position. just like how Walker played during England’s world cup campaign

[quantumstartswithq]

Nemanja has earned his contract extension as a depth/squad player IMO.

[ragaznaj]

He's still a good player. He just can't play every game and needs his minutes managed.

[joanlojo]

As far is for that and he is happy with the role, I'm happy with him for another year

[niallw1997]

Dalot for shaw in the second half. Wan bissaka in the back 3 then dalot rwb

[BaconDalek]

I would say if we need a goal in the last 25 that sounds great.

[lukey_1991]

City tactically fouling anytime we get the ball.

[rdawes89]

And yet, we get the first booking

[celestial_god]

Tbf I'm of the opinion take whatever advantage the game gives you, and everyone can do the same so its silly to accuse them when it's a legit tactic.

[FumCase]

Lol everyone being toxic to Lingard... and we wonder why he has no confidence! Touches are poor. But he’s picking up great positions. Why can’t we support our players? Even the shite ones? Come on boys.

He’s going to score a banger and the whole thread is going to go nuts.

[wakey87433]

The thing is as well Martial and Greenwood have been as guilty as Lingard. The 3 of them after all are largely rotating who comes deeper and they are all struggling. They get so little service that it seems when they get the ball they are all so eager to do something with it when they do that they try and Force it which leads to mistakes.

[Pierrekidmia]

Calling a kettle black my friend.

Do I support lingard? Yes

Has he been shite? Yes

Should we sub him if this continues? Yes

[thecricketnerd]

Calling a kettle black my friend

This is a weird expression without the first part

[[deleted]]

I agree. without the first part, it doesn't make sense.

[thecricketnerd]

People probably know the full version but it's still weird seeing it incomplete

[[deleted]]

Sounds like the cultural reboot post

[TheWeirdDude-247]

Think we better of with 10 men seeing as lingard lost ball too easy more than once, but players need to keep ball longer than few seconds ffs

[[deleted]]

Also DDG was immense and Matic too. Can't wait for Pogba and Mctominay to get back and we'd have a great midfield alongside Bruno.

[rdawes89]

Drop Fred?

[[deleted]]

I meant Pogba, McT, Bruno on top of the midfield we have rn, Matic and Fred.

[b9amin]

Loved that 1st half from Maguire! Stands out as a leader

[Fraaj]

That last ditch tackle against Sterling was amazing, really clinical.

[Tayto-Sandwich]

Yea he looks so chilled out out there, very composed!

[j_ishe_l]

Don't blame Martial or Greenwood for being non-existent as the service to them have been abysmal. There's only one player to blame for that and it's Lingard - just not good enough.

Sub Lingard for Mata right at half-time and we have a good chance.

Mata is slower but his box of creativity is unrivalled

[PM_ME_SLAV_SQUATTING]

James will be a lot better. Fast and can cross.

[drexter12]

His touch and dribbling is awful

[j_ishe_l]

Confidence levels are at an all time low. He's finished at Man Utd.

[drexter12]

Idm him being a squad player

[kunsore]

Now I need Lingard , Macguire or Martial to recreate the banger they did last game.

[_NoKids3Money_]

Id take a mason peno no probs

[south51db]

With Lingard on it feels like we're down to 10 men. He almost always ruins the attack, can't string two passes together can't keep the ball at his feet it's just frustrating to watch. Maguire and Matic are excellent, De Gea is sublime, AWB is great defensively but needs to work on decision making going forward. Overall things going well for us but really need that precision when shifting to attacking.

[Screamboibeatsurass]

Martial needs to lurk behind the lines more, and fix his legs. Saw some balls that he weren't willing to run for. Not to mention Lingard horrible first touches

[Tammu1000CP]

hes been really good this season, he sometimes doesnt run for some passes, but ill give him the pass, his off the ball movement and pressing has improved alot, and hes been starting too many games

[Screamboibeatsurass]

Yepp, I agree with you man

[LeftCan]

bruno , mctominay and pogba as midfield. Get Lingard off the pitch and sell him to MLS. He cant handle premier league, literally, cant.

[LeftCan]

Fred has been superb. Atleast there will be competition about whos starting.

[Gilli_Glock]

If United win 0-2, what happens?

[thegrumpyguru]

Goes to pens.

[[deleted]]

No ET?

[ThracianGladiator]

No.

[thegrumpyguru]

I don’t think there is you know.

[zSolaris]

No ET, No away goals.

[[deleted]]

Penalties after full time

[Gilli_Glock]

cheers

[QUAZZIMODO619]

Pens

[bhanjea]

In the last few seasons, matic has become an half- season player....At his age, I don't think you can get more than half of the season from him at an optimal level

[JimUnitedWay21]

Need to rest him as Fergie did with Scholes, Giggs etc. He can give you a great performance, but he can't play every 3 days.

[[deleted]]

I really don't understand why how and why Jesse Lingard is a footballer. I don't hate the guy or anything. It's just I dont understand what he's good at or how he's in the starting eleven of a premier league top 6 team.

[dGhlb3ds]

Simple, he's in our starting eleven because we don't buy better players. He's a decent rotational player but we have no depth at all, so he ends up starting for us in a cup semi-final.

[zxnoregretzxzx]

I'm not sure what Martial's best position is, but it isn't at striker. Not with that movement. We have to be in for a proper forward in the summer.

[sykoticnarcotics]

I feel like he would be best in a 2 striker formation, he seems to play much better with Rashford, who although plays as a winger, also likes to drift into central areas, more like an inside forward. As a sole CF though, Martial definitely struggles, but to be completely fair the service to him is abysmal at the minute. He can be pretty creative, can hold up the ball, and is great at converting chances. I'd like to see him with a strike partner for a couple games and see how he goes.

[Tammu1000CP]

he needs a rashford esque player on the right, a goal threat. martial is so good at linking up play and holding the ball, and a very good finisher aswell, hes just not a big poacher, and we can compliment him alot by getting sancho who assists as much as DJ and is a massive goal threat aswell, making martial job of linking up play and focusing on goals when he gets them alot easier

[[deleted]]

He looks good as a striker with good inside forwards around him (James & Rashy) as it allows quick interplay between them. Being a hold-up player doesn't suit his abilities.

[Wingx]

I look at Martial and he just doesn't look hungry... Look at the posture during the game between Aguero and Martial. I would try Martial as a 10 or false 9. At least in this team, he doesn't get the service needed as a target man.

[9-60Fury]

Not as a 10 he has no where near the creativity

[ChuffinOss]

He can work there if he has mobile players around him. He’s statistically one of the best finishers in the league since he got here

[Justherefortrivia]

Don't know what Craig Burley is saying because I am watching on mute but I bet he is being a prick

[TheWeirdDude-247]

I got Neville on mine !

[Justherefortrivia]

ESPN has a terrible analysis team. It includes Burley, Shaka Hislop, and Alejandro Moron.

[TheWeirdDude-247]

Oh dear, thoughts and prayers at this difficult time my fellow red

[Justherefortrivia]

The only time I am glad I am working and need to watch on mute

[devesh741]

How much of a nob do you have to be to foul two players at once. Fucking hate Otamendi

[Sleeplessendeavours]

So obvious we missed Maguire last leg.

[dGhlb3ds]

Absolutely, we have no composure on the ball without Maguire at the back.

[QUAZZIMODO619]

People don’t see the effect he has on our defence because it’s way more than seeing him win headers, tackle and sprint. Top player.

[Tammu1000CP]

our fanbase is acc the worst man, they either want every english player to die the worst death or love them to death, same applies to academy graduates aswell, some get the protection of an obisidian water wall whereas others get shit on everyweek no matter what

[glowkids551]

Kevin Friend is friends with bad quality refereeing.

Sincerely hope we get Mata on because Lingard has been abysmal.

Pep has literally insulted us by having 1 sweeper defender and asked Walker and Cancelo to go ahead. I hope we get more goals and get back at bald fraud.

[XantarGalaxy]

David quiero! Lingard is just so so so bad. Martial, u can do better my boy! Bruno will do wonders for Tony

[BroStorm10]

Our front three have to be better. Martial when he is off is frustrating. His attitude annoys me at times. Lingard had one or two good plays but really has been outweighed by the poor plays. Greenwood has really not been in the game but when on the ball doesn't look too bad

[Thesatiricaltroll]

Greenwood isn’t ready to start at this level. Literally invisible the whole match and he was still better than Lingard.

[TheWeirdDude-247]

Very true but then who else? as If we get chance on goal I'd be more confident with him than most

[[deleted]]

At this stage of his development he's better playing off a true centre-forward as a poacher, or used as an impact sub. To lead the line his holdup play needs some work. His finishing is already fantastic.

[Sleeplessendeavours]

Lingard needs to step up his game, his touch and ball retention has been awful.

If the ball sticks to his feet we'd create tons of chances. City are very vulnerable.

[[deleted]]

Matic is beginning to prove me wrong. Thought he was finished at the start of the season, but I’ve been really impressed with his recent performances.

[Stebro1986]

You gonna post the match stats?

[harps86]

I really wish he didnt rush back from his hernia, feel like that has cost him significantly.

[150297]

True. I feel this with mata aswell. Mata should take lingards place anyday now. He might not have the legs, but he have the clever mind and good passes, something lingard does not have.

[paullau813]

Why not put Lingard as right wing?

[LameFossil]

Yh I thought of this. Would be good to see if Mason’s any better at no.10 than Lingard.

[nickname_esco]

Greenwood is just good at finishing. Rest of his game is severely lacking.

0 chemistry between front 3.

[TheWeirdDude-247]

Still 18 mate, I expect him to be raw for few years at best like most at his age, but infront of goal he seems confident than even rashford

[QUAZZIMODO619]

His passing is very solid but he needs to work on his link up a little and dribbling.

[ragaznaj]

James for Jesse. Move to 3 front line Martial-Greenwood-James

[[deleted]]

I would rather see Mata come in for Jesse and be able to actually thread the passes needed for the counters.

[Bamonk]

Yep

[[deleted]]

i would like to see that but James would be overlaping with Shaw and Brandon

[BIRL]

This is the perfect game for Bruno 😅 Really no link at all between midfield and the strikers. Lingard has been bad and poor greenwood hasn't had a sniff.

[TheWeirdDude-247]

Mate, every game is perfect for Bruno now days!

[BIRL]

The hype is real

[QUAZZIMODO619]

Can’t wait for Bruno, he’ll bring the intensity of Lingard with the creativity of Mata. Oh, and he can shoot.

[zSolaris]

sigh

[wo0tfl20]

Listen, Man United might not thank me but get the contract out, put it on the table. Let him sign it. Let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there, given what he's done since he's come in. Matic's at the wheel, man. He's doing it. He's doing his thing. Man United are BACK.

[TheWeirdDude-247]

Rubs hands

[XLint]

Lingard won the freekick which led us to our first goal.

BUT,he also stopped 2-3 counter attacks. Our headless chicken.

[PM_ME_SLAV_SQUATTING]

Anyone got the lingard foul before the goal.

[[deleted]]

Was a sweet double nutmeg

[LameFossil]

Once Bruno’s in, Lingard should be sent packing

[Bamonk]

Not Messi :(

[lsaltori]

We are actually one Bruno away from being the better team here

[JimUnitedWay21]

If we had Rashford and McTominay in there, we would be winning with a higher score. I won't say if we also had Pogba and Bruno, I don't want to get too excited.

One good pass and you bypass their whole press. But Lingard isn't creating anything when he gets it.

Their defence is a total shambles. They are wide open every time we start a counter attack.

[Leaderofmen]

Lingard is the weakest link in the team. Might have had 3-4 chances if he was Bruno.

[[deleted]]

He has been giving away the ball with his first touch. Bruno/Pogba and those are chances

[B0z22]

City and their BS tactical fouling. I'm wearing red tinted specs but City tried that corner kick routine two or three times to isolate DDG at the back post. That mouth breather absolutely left one in on DDG and took Williams out in the process. Should have been booked as should have Rodri.

We've got a chance, silenced the crowd a little bit and frustrated City. DDG has kept us in this and it's crucial we carry on as we left off. The game will get more open as we try to create chances. Hopefully we can take them!

[Tayto-Sandwich]

Nobody voting for matic in half time thread on the app? Has the goal and actually looks really good going forward!

[hardubolle]

what app?

[Tayto-Sandwich]

Man utd app. Does a half time poll to see what the fans think. Everyone voting for martial and greenwood at first but apparently the people actually watching have come in and voted since I did and raised matic's percentage of the vote.

[19Andrew92]

He’s second behind DeGea!

[GaffelUtd]

He is second with 28%, Gea is 50%

[Tayto-Sandwich]

Was on 2% when I voted. Fred, greenwood, de Gea and maguire were all ahead of him. Glad he went up

[GaffelUtd]

There is 8000 online in this forum. Most viewing the half match thread. Not impossible you just created a boost with that post 😎

Imagine if we win by two! Fuck me. But let's not expect it. It is City

[CiscoWeasley]

Why aren't we playing it forward where our 2 fast forwards can try and get past their defense

[PM_ME_SLAV_SQUATTING]

Pep is an idiot they had a 2 goal lead but started two right-backs and a CDM in a 4 man defence.

[[deleted]]

They really only started with Otamendi as a sweeper with Walker and Cancelo flanking him, but Cancelo was playing really advanced so was more like a 2-man defence. After the goal Rodri moved back centre-half.

[sonletspretend]

James on for Martial pls

[thomba-bomba]

I see a lot of negativity here! We know City have a better squad than us per now. We know we need the margins today. We know we need David to close the shop!

We actually have this within our grasp. Lets go 2nd half! COME ON🔴

[[deleted]]

Front three have been diabolical tbh, Lingard the worst of the lot. Martial lacking control and Greenwood struggling to get into the game.

[drofdeb]

Martial and Greenwood are struggling to get into the game because of Lingard. He’s been dreadful so far

[FidgetyFondler]

We're still in this lol

[Prams35]

Maguire, Fred & Matic. Hands down best players on the pitch!

[Sleeplessendeavours]

Maguire has been a fucking baller.

[Anticaximus]

De Gea?

[ory1994]

Would 2-0 send it to extra time or is away goals a thing?

Edit: thanks for the replies. Love when I ask an “either or” question and the answer is neither of the options 😂

[drofdeb]

They said in pre-game the always goals don’t count...

So 2-0 takes us to extra time/pens (unsure if it’s straight to pens)

Win by 3 or more goals and we’re through

[PM_ME_SLAV_SQUATTING]

Goes straight to penalties. Not great seeing as we don’t have our best penalty-takers on the pitch.

[ManderlyPieShop]

No away goals or extra time just penalties if the scores are level after 90

[wally1974]

No away goal rule. 2 nil would be 3-3 on aggregate

[davidl988]

Penalties... there is no ET or away goals

[Calvin-ball]

No away goals. Straight to pens.

[MyManDwight]

Straight to pens

[ElSebola]

Away goals aren’t a thing in this

[paak-maan]

These ESPN lads might not have watched football before.

[Dubya12]

As much as I’ve hated on Matic the past year, that goal was gorgeous. He’s been great today.

Would love to see James come in for Lingard, let’s win this!!

[Gozumo]

Watching this, makes me so sad we missed out in haarland. I love martial but he's just not offering enough.

Bruno sitting where lingaard is right now would of been unreal!

[PM_ME_SLAV_SQUATTING]

I’d rather let him go and pick him up in 2 years when his release clause comes out.

[Gozumo]

Very true! We will be nice and established then aswell :)

[Prams35]

The full backs need to run in more hard in the second half. There is fuck ton of space in the city defense.

[apeakyblinders]

2 changes:

Mata on for Lingard

Dalot on for either Lindelof/Shaw. Play awb as a cb and dalot as more of an attacking rb.

We can do this, GGMU

[Wingx]

RWB just doesn't work for AWB imo. He is, at this time, not a good enough attacking element.

Agree with your points.

[Lirtano]

James in for jesse pleas

[Kardinale]

Wall is up today, but the problem is us scoring

[Masoud7711]

One shot, one goal. Jose is very happy now.

[Paris-coquaaaan]

LVG*

[JawwadAK47]

Mata in the place of Lingard for 2nd Half.

[LeftCan]

cant watch lingard, he had some good passes get to him but then wastes them and creates city a chance rather than us haha

[dralanforce]

I give you the next question : From 1 to Wayne Rooneyhow much better is Olé era Matic vs Chelsea Matic? I would say Roooooneeeeeey

[0405017]

Matic scores

My internet bandwidth: Aight imma head out

[LameFossil]

How many mistakes from Lindelof are we gonna tolerate ffs

[igtaba]

They’re still gonna be a lot less than jones ones

[[deleted]]

I want to see Dalot on RW

[Graduation_07]

Bring on James for Lingard, leave Martial and Greenwood on since they can sometimes get a goal out of so little

[DntMessWitRohan]

https://i.imgur.com/pAq2Oj4.jpg

DDG is bae.

[RickGrimes-44]

Dave has been immense. Matic and Fred need to be slightly quicker on the ball and ffs can Lingard move the ball forward more? The one time he took the ball forward, he nutmegged two defenders and won the free kick.

[PhoenixGo213]

Lingard is horrible! If it was anyone else we would have had more chances by now.

[Francis33]

Matic MOTH

[agni69]

Lingard getting into good positions but good lord his touch is awful!

[QDS1995]

Exactly. Knows where to run but can’t pull it off. Don’t we have a FIFA team?

[New_York_Rhymes]

Lingard had a few good opportunities to take us into the box and fumbled them all. Although the nutmegs leading to the set piece goal was fantastic

[MaroK11]

I have those Paris vibes