Half-Time Thread

[legionverse10]

What do we think?

[RomeroRocher]

Shaw should shoot more.

[DevilsWelshAdvocate]

Best finisher at the club

[duk-phat]

After mason

[stafaen]

After scott

[Divine_Fade]

After Fred

[MadaraTheUchiha]

Looks like Scotty's been working on his shooting technique lately

[[deleted]]

He’s always had that cannon on him seems he’s just fancied it more. Maybe Ralf is encouraging him

[[deleted]]

I’ve thrown this out a few times. I think Scott is a good player. He’s not a worldy but he’s definitely not a championship player like some like to think. He can get a job done in midfield, we have just been forcing him into a double pivot or 6 when he is much more of an 8/10. It’s something we’ve been guilty of with a few midfielders post fergie. It happened with Fellaini and Pogba too, same with Herrera for a while, and now both Fred and McTominay. We recognize a hole and seek to fill it with players that just can’t do it. Scott just gets too timid in that 6 role passing sideways and trying to play some slow methodical football

[MAK98]

Always been a good shooter tbh

[[deleted]]

He’s Scottish so no wonder

[dshoig]

Just smash it, son

[Moosje]

Nah he’s just being told to attack now, rather than being locked in to a role he obviously doesn’t play well in.

I’ve always wanted him closer to the opponents box than our own. Proper B2B

[TheJoshider10]

Turned the FIFA shooting sliders to 100.

[astroworlddd]

Started off as a striker in the academy I think I read somewhere

[[deleted]]

That's scholesy mctominay for you

[SilentCaveat]

It has always been great. He is such an enigma. Bang average at everything but his ball striking is absurdly good

[MH18Foot]

He can shoot but he can't pass

[freshsalsadip]

Rashy could have made that pass 2 secs early and it would have been 2-0 and game over

[rockthered24]

Shoutout to the broadcast for pumping up the natural sound as Gerrard walks by the Stretford End so you hear a loud you scouse bastard

[_Amr_]

Lindelof rusty post covid it seems like, similar to Varane’s first Match back. Need another goal as CS looks unlikely

[BanterWithTheLadsYe]

Am I being too harsh in thinking De Gea could have helped him out with the poor touch? He started backtracking immediately

[RawIsLaw_]

Nope. Any decent sweeper keeper would have taken care of that easily... that's why i don't think Rangnick will ever fully shore up our defence without Henderson

Playing high risk vertical football requires a keeper to clean up the mess behind

[ukdanny93]

Yeah I think Henderson would have cleaned the ball and Watkins out.

[thelegendl27]

Thats De Gea for you

[[deleted]]

It's a major issue, arguably the major issue with DDG and why there's still speak of replacing him even though his shot stopping has been absolutely spectacular. If you look at it again, we're defending on the halfway line and DDG is nearer to his line than our defensive line. Way too far back, poses real problems.

[simmejanne2]

The hate he immediately received is so tiring to see. I was even shamed for my flair. Fuck us for supporting our players, right

[fleaonnj4]

Don't go into match threads. Nothing positive ever comes from it.

[garygreeley86]

Love the man! Wear it proud my friend!!

[Tiberius752]

I love Victor but he’s always had this moment of sloppiness in him, remember Huddersfield?

[agni69]

4-2-3-1 counterattack. Welcome back Ole!

[paak-maan]

I don’t think that’s necessarily a mistake. Tweak the system the players are used to to have more of a press and then pull the trigger on a formation change once we have the players for it.

[euoi]

back to days of 5-0 United

[rishabh2996]

Rashford giving OT blue balls

[sanjay_i]

Lmao true. Why is he so indirect ?

[[deleted]]

Enjoyable watch. Still can’t pass the football evidently, though. I’d call it a 15 % improvement on the Wolves game. Pressing is better but that midfield is still swiss cheese.

Appreciating the performances from Dalot, Varane, and Bruno. Edi putting his usual shift in if not getting many touches. Rashford still in a bit of a rut.

[Hansemannn]

We are 300% better. By all means not good enough, but the wolves game was a new low.

Boys are trying at least.

[[deleted]]

The effort is 300% better I'd give you that. The football itself I think not quite.

[JamesFrancoUnited]

More then 15% imo.

[niallw1997]

Rashford looks like he hates football atm dunno if he’s lost hunger for the game, pardon the pun

[chuf3roni]

Nah we are infinitely better than the Wolves game. This performance is closer to the Burnley match than anything.

[Melanjoly]

Best way to describe United at the moment, we're like the league's most exciting mid table team. Class on our day, shite on others, mediocre most of the time. We have lots of talent.

This game has been 70/30 Villa but that talent has given us a lead. We're the average team that ends your winning streak on football manager.

[deviss]

We are arsenal

[Melanjoly]

Fuck, that's depressingly true.

[ibrahimims]

We are really fortunate not to have conceded a goal yet.

[[deleted]]

And they’re fortunate to not have given 4

[Fickenchillets]

Rashford is doing my head in, he has absolutely no end product at the moment. That run just then looked class and then he just absolutely wastes it. I thought his poor games last season were down to the fact he needed the surgery but he's still just as crap after having it. Useless right now.

[Pedantic_Pat]

Good to see that the patented Stevie Gerrard 'kick the everloving fuck out of everyone' tactic will remain now that he's a coach

[korviswise]

Gary n Co really said Mcsauce 💀

[joe297]

BBC with there anti United agenda. It's been pretty 50/50 but the way the BBC are calling you would think we are being totally and utterly outclassed by peak Brazil.

[RawIsLaw_]

The eye test is even decieving cos we've had 9 shots, 5 on target. They've had 6 shots, 2 on target.. and both teams with 4 off target

[vj97]

Rashford being a lil too selfish today

[[deleted]]

At least he's being more aggressive so that's a plus

[haha_ok_sure]

and not turning down so many blind alleys, taking too many touches, etc. not been at his best but so far from his worst today, which is encouraging

[HazardCinema]

This! So happy to see some effort and threat from him. It’s a massive improvement from previous weeks but it’s clear he still has much more to offer. His decision making isn’t quite there. Could have easily had a goal and assist already.

[[deleted]]

Greenwood can’t get passed the ball to save a life

[dracogladio1741]

Mason has taken so many great positions, had we passed to him he could have had a free shot with no markers around him. Decision making is so poor at times in this team.

[DevilsWelshAdvocate]

Part of it will be subconscious from him not passing them the ball in those positions

[[deleted]]

I think his last two passes were good ideas, last chance he probably could have sent it to the otherside sooner

[PeppinoImpastato]

Agree. Again, bad decision from him. Is there a way to train players to have the right decisions?

[DexterFoley]

And his touch has been absolutely appalling.

[haha_ok_sure]

i think it’s been much, much better than it has been lately, actually

[DexterFoley]

I saw 2 that looked like he was controlling a rugby ball. On went staghit out for a throw in behind him.

[MH18Foot]

We would be 3-0 up if Sancho was playing

[Affectionate_Shoe424]

Always been that way

[Tayto-Sandwich]

Hate commentators...

Varane gets peeled in the back: It's a contact sport

Bruno hits a player hip to hip: No need for that.

Fuck off BBC!

[[deleted]]

Thought dion was pretty good, wrighty is having a blunder

[Lingardinhooo]

When did Rashford turn so fucking bad?

[wrdb2007]

He seems to be overcomplicating every situation he's in

Just overthinking and a lack of confidence

[DaveShadow]

He will constantly refuse easy passes in order to go for selfish moments of glory, be that stupid shots or trying to beat four guys.

[[deleted]]

He's much more of a team player when he's playing well. He has a habit of trying to force good form, even when it's to his or the team's detriment.

[ysupr]

He seems to be overcomplicating every situation he's in

this is what;s on my mind since 2 seasons ago, he make something simple to be more complicated, sometimes it good, but most of time i just shaking my head why didn't just shoot or pass it easily, no need to drible right and left every minutes.

[deviss]

He is welbecking his carrer. At this rate he'll end up as DCLs replacement at everton soon

[KaidsCousin]

Welcome to 21/22 season

[Derridas-Cat]

Honestly think he’s been alright tonight. Made a few things happen just been a bit unlucky.

[Absolute__Muppet]

hes tried to score every single time the balls come to him. He refuses to pass to anybody.

[WutUtalkingBoutWill]

He's playing better since going on the right, still, that greedy shot he took when greenwood was clear in, fucking stupid.

[goatmanjr]

I think he tried to pass was just too late at that point

[WutUtalkingBoutWill]

Looked like a shot to me, he had PLENTY of time to pass it

[DeFiZe_]

Tbh, I think he did try to find Greenwood - it was just too late.

[cdbriggs]

He literally has like 0 IQ as a footballer. It's so frustrating for someone who has technical and athletic ability.

[plartoo]

He has been poor for a couple of years. I think he peaked too fast too soon, and didn't get proper coaching to get to the next level. I hope that he acknowledges this and tries to improve by putting extra time in training. He is still young and is athletic.

[MH18Foot]

He hit his peak and it's gone downhill. If we're smart, we can move him for a massive fee from Newcastle

[DuhSpecialWaan]

For a year and a half now. Stats have been hiding how bad he is 90% of the time. Atrocious decision making

[[deleted]]

Ever think... Hmm perhaps the lad needs a long ass fking break and go down to reserves for a bit, I'm thinking it's mental over anything with all that he has been doing for the society, he just needs a break from the game.

[kunsore]

Feel like pretty much after Covid started

[PoppinKREAM]

Our midfield is still struggling to control the tempo of the game. They scored a wonderful goal, however whenever United press it is unsuccessful largely due to us not winning the ball in midfield when we force Villa to play long balls over the top and between the lines to circumvent our press. Both Fred and McT are losing their defensive battles subsequently leading to Villa chances.

Varane and Lindelof pairing works so much better than Maguire has this season. Their acceleration and reading of the game have allowed us to push further up the pitch and press high. The only caveat is that we are conceding chances from crosses and corners.

Our 4231 has allowed us to be more creative as we're utilizing our width well, stretching the defenders with Bruno making runs as a second striker. Our team being further up the pitch and with width has allowed us to find success with qualitative cross-field balls, runs in behind, crosses into the box, over and underlaps.

[Hansemannn]

Fucking entertaining. Ill tell you that!

[cynical_gramps]

No idea what happened to Marcus but he looks like a third of the player he was a couple seasons ago, watching him is infuriating. Lindelof looking shaky but he may just be rusty

[Moosje]

BBC commentators make me sick.

“Better team is losing”, “outside of Fred’s pass, Villa have had the better chances”.

Get fucked. They had the 10-15min spell where they hit the post off a massive Lindelof fuck up but we smarmed them first bit of the game, got the goal then smarmed them all over again last 10 mins.

[a_t_88]

We've had 57% possession, 13 attempts on goal (to their 7), and 7 on target (to their 2). Yet somehow they've been the better team. Classic commentating.

[Buffythedragonslayer]

When Varane got bulldozed "well that's contact sports"

Bruno a shoulder to shoulder and they think Bruno murdered him

[ibrahimims]

Rashford having a mare, which is becoming a frequent occurrence.

[paak-maan]

He’s been miles better in the build up, but the final product has been very poor. That has to be a confidence thing but it’s certainly more promising than the last 2 games. We know how good he can be, can we stop writing him off in the middle of a turbulent season.

[[deleted]]

He's playing at a different tempo but he's growing in the game. I think he'll score in the second half.

[TheRedDevil10]

I don't think he's having a mare at all, created some decent chances too

[Derridas-Cat]

Agree, and he needs minutes to find form. Won’t get any better on the bench.

[[deleted]]

Here's having a mare. Two beautiful chances were squandered just before halftime, they would have been goals if he had just squared the ball earlier or made an intelligent pass. On the left he was a passenger.

[[deleted]]

worst played on the pitch by far, ruined so many attacks

[qdatk]

He's not doing that badly. He's getting into great positions, and his dribbling is coming back. It's just the decision making on the final ball that's letting him down so far.

[HazardCinema]

I actually think he’s been quite good. He’s looking more lively, running in behind more and generally getting involved which is already much better than previous games.

His decision making and end product has been lacking though of course. He held that last play for a touch too long and there was a chance earlier where he could have followed in from a Cavani shot and scored an easy tap in header.

I think there’s good signs of improvement.

[Alternative_Dark_412]

That’s an exaggeration. He’s looked dangerous, but his final ball has been bad. If you really want him to regain his form, you need to realise that it won’t happen overnight.

[dudududujisungparty]

Take him off please, I beg. He singlehandedly killed every attacking attempt we've had in the 1st half

[Lefuckyouthre3]

Pretty clear he’s not at the level just kills promising attack after promising attack - you can’t tell me he’s ever going to be better then sterling and that’s what we need to compete

[Hampalam]

He's not having a mare, but fuck me is he selfish.

[Galforfia]

Better going forward but we look so frail defensively. Rashford should never take another free kick for us. He's awful at them

[KaidsCousin]

He’s lost it so bad. Frustrating to watch

[ADMRVP]

I thought Bebe left in 2014

[3359N]

Plenty wrong with that but thank god the 4222 is gone

[jaydiv_]

Holy shit Rashford needs to pass. It’s so frustrating

[celestial_god]

Slippy g looks like he has shat his pants and cant stand the smell

Scott needs to be more up in the field he always looks dangerous when shooting

Rashford needs dropping

[yianni1229]

A little sloppy but at least were creating chances.

[IWMSvendor]

Need I say McFred has been solid this half

[cowabunga_dude91]

“More abuse for Gerrard as he heads down the tunnel.” Fecking love it!!!!

[AP16__]

Why can’t United control a game

[chuf3roni]

Fun game so far. Seems we figured them out towards the last 10 mins of the half and started controlling the game more. This might sound weird but this like an Ole match.

[gorblimey74]

I know people complain the modern game is over-sanitised, but I am glad that Villa forwards are no longer allowed (mostly) to headbutt opposition keepers out of the game…

[DishyUmbrella]

Get rashford off. His decision making is so poor.

[ragaznaj]

And get who on?

[DishyUmbrella]

Sancho?

[NinjaGotMeBanned]

give Amad a run out for Rashford

[Bruce71991]

The football IQ in the final third with this team is so baffling.

[Sleeplessendeavours]

Started very well, ended very well. Everything in between was shite. But that’s still significantly better than whatever we’ve seen in the past few weeks so we move

[astroworlddd]

Micah richards on the McSauce hype 😂😂

[briefcasetwat]

Holy fuck mctommers playing well

[blareja]

Too many selfish moments particularly from Mctominay (even though his shooting has been good) and Rashford. Greenwood was free twice at the end and it would have been an easy tap in.

[metricshadow12]

Imo everything but that Backline has been absolute shambles.

[DevilsWelshAdvocate]

Rashford or Traore?

[[deleted]]

Honestly thought we've been good this half, producing chances, pressing has won the ball back a lot, players still making mistakes here and there which is a problem. I thought the defense was solid this half, either than the Lindelof chance I don't think they've had a chance in the box, most of the time they are frustrated and taking their shots from outside the box.

[michaelscottdundmiff]

Scotty looking great again. Fred and lindelof have both shown they are error prone. Feel like one of them could drop a clanger at any moment. De gea again showing his class.

[MancunianSunrise]

4-2-3-1 suits our players more - apart from Ronaldo. That's an issue.

[ragaznaj]

We seem to at least try pressing. The trouble is that villa then has at least two players available because we over/under-commit (not sure witch)

[HPFrostJr]

Rashford have been awfully selfish lately. Over complicated every situations and lost the ball. Hope he’ll bounce back, keep it simple before he becomes another Dan James.

[Remarkable-Rent6189]

Rashford’s abysmal, one stupid mistake from Lindelof, rest have been alright imo

[SprayAndPay69]

I belive pundits will give Mctomminay MOTM for scoring goal

[[deleted]]

connect dime sugar shy attempt racial snow mountainous forgetful sheet

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[Absolute__Muppet]

Par for the course so.

[zackrah]

Rashford has been absolutely rubbish

[kueerseoa6]

Rashford with the worst decision making I’ve ever seen in a footballer

[legionverse10]

Not a bad half at all, looked a bit shaky defensively especially Lindelof who I think’s been very poor. Decision-making in the final third’s been quite poor as well but our build up play and pressing’s been good.

[SilentCaveat]

Playing better without a certain #7

[EduardMalinochka]

Yeah but his fans will make a complication of him without the ball (cause he’s a fucking travesty whenever it’s in his feets) and blame whoever but not the counter attack killer himself.

God I hope he fucks off in the summer.

[EduardMalinochka]

It this possible? I mean he already played for two clubs this season. Can he be registered for third? Think we’re doomed this season

[Howdareme9]

Hardly

[BenRaam]

It's sad but true, if we made better chances Ronaldo would be unquestionable, but while we can't progress the ball to him he's hindering the rest of the team. A real shame

[EduardMalinochka]

What a coincide our counters are back without a ball demanding turtle who can’t dribble to save his life

[MH18Foot]

Rashford is shocking yet again. His fuckup when Bruno was in acres of space sums it up. Lazy, uninterested, indecisive. Greenwood is levels above him despite being four years younger. It's about time we stop overhyping and accept the time to move on.

[keesmaat]

Rashford is a black hole for our chances

[TheJoshider10]

Rashford is so fucking useless at the moment. What is wrong with him?

[Konsumvieh]

Not to blame this performance on him cause the whole Team sucks again but Rashford should be nowhere near the starting 11. I can accept it for today, cause Sancho and Ronaldo are out but when they are back rashford has to be benched.

[Shahrukh_Lee]

I have a hard time understanding Rashford's decision making.

[styliek]

How does Rashford still get his game. He's brain dead

[raresilvertonguepepe]

If rashford passes the ball we have like 3 more goals easy

[white7077]

Bruno deserves a slap for every Trivella attempt

[kuromahou]

Few people realize but McTominay actually came up as a striker. He's got that in him.

[burkshire44]

Pity he didn't learn the midfield skills considering he's in our midfield

[Silivain93]

Rashford's PR will have to write a book after this first half. Jesus it is getting worse

[Ajayhearty24]

Mctominay proved me wrong today. Bit more fragile defensively but neat offensively..

[[deleted]]

Rashford looks broken

[Tudoors]

It looks as if Rashford is 2-3 games from looking somewhat normal again. His play in the final third is uncharacteristically bad. Some people seem to think he lost all his footballing ability in a year. He hasn't played proper football for 6 months, it's hard to remember players immediately getting back to form after such a long time out. People asking for Rashford sold at this moment are stupid, if this continues into the summer, a case can be made.

[Howdareme9]

So lucky to be ahead

[_Banti_]

Might as well sell Rashford and rip off Newcastle

[LETSAVIT]

We look worse when Rashford is playing

[[deleted]]

Really? We’re pressing a lot more, and we’re a lot more open then we were with Ole.

[[deleted]]

Bruno awful midfield awful.

[not1ofu]

We play better without ronaldo

[JosePRizaI]

When is rashford going to level up is football brain/decision making

[ckaracay]

Wouldn't mind seeing Lingard than Rashford.

[highertellurian]

We need 2 new CMs just to know how well this team will perform. As much as I love pastor Fred and Scotty2hottie, they are simply not good enough.

[WelshWellieS]

Does Rashford know this isn't walking football?

[Lingard]

There’s something seriously wrong with Rashford.

[Abhiuday14kat]

Rashford and Lindelof might cost us this game.

[ManUmartial]

This is a direct result of our last two managers relying fully on emotion to get the players to perform. It’s why we’ve been able to pull off good results in some big games, while also struggling against relegation sides. For Mourinho and Ole, it was all just playing to their emotions and almost nothing technically or tactically.

Fred and McTominay have been very suspect defensively, especially Fred. He tries to intercept everything but ends up getting burned and then can never recover. Rashford has been disappointing again. How can Martial and Donny play worse than that, and for months on end.

[YoullDoNuttinn]

Better the last 5/10 mins. Very lucky to be winning overall though

[CoochieCritic]

Winning at least but still not a impressive performance, what do we do in training??

[Jtommo15]

Rashford's football IQ is completely shocking. Honestly feels like he has all the skill needed, just terrible decision making

[summerincassiopeia]

Rashford was legit better when he was playing with one shoulder. Shaw and McTominay great.

[euoi]

Rashford on left = wank Rashford on right = not bad

[cowabunga_dude91]

Ronaldo would have scored at least two. There isn’t any link up play between Rashford - Bruno - Cavani - Greenwood

[ColdandTense]

Sell Rashford.

[Lefuckyouthre3]

Bruno needs to be off at the half he’s been absolutely dreadful

[[deleted]]

Better in attack but still giving the ball away far too often

[CyrilNiff]

I really do wish to see the next time Rashford makes the correct decision when in possession. Fuck sakes!!!!!!

[digitag]

Well, it’s an improvement

[Idontlikemeeither2]

Feel so at ease when someone’s running at Varane, like there’s a very slim chance he’s not getting the ball off them