Manchester United

It’s 100% a foul. Tierney should’ve caught it in real time.  

Arsenal with some killer possession but United looked absolute fire for the first 15 minutes, which is promising from our POV. The substance is there, just need to keep building the confidence to make it happen more often. 

I don't buy this smash and grab storyline.

Yes Pep/Arteta ball is very attractive. But, the enabler for that (other than fouling to prevent counter attacks) is getting players high up the field to win the ball back and maintain possession. That has an obvious flaw: teams are high up the field and can be countered easily.

The xG statistics (2.03 for United vs 1.42 for Arsenal) some what back this up. What it shows is that United, despite having significantly less possession, created better chances. Consider also shots from open play, 8 for United while Arsenal had 11 despite having twice as much possession. Many of these were long shots.

In summary, possession in itself is nonsense.

Also here's a video of Jesus kicking out at Martinez: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/x6lgyo/gabriel_jesus_kickout_on_lisandro_martinez/

20 Legend

I don't buy this smash and grab storyline.

Yes Pep/Arteta ball is very attractive. But, the enabler for that (other than fouling to prevent counter attacks) is getting players high up the field to win the ball back and maintain possession. That has an obvious flaw: teams are high up the field and can be countered easily.

The xG statistics (2.03 for United vs 1.42 for Arsenal) some what back this up. What it shows is that United, despite having significantly less possession, created better chances. Consider also shots from open play, 8 for United while Arsenal had 11 despite having twice as much possession. Many of these were long shots.

In summary, possession in itself is nonsense.

All accurate. Also the perfect description for "smash and grab". 
I think maybe you don't like it because it makes it sound like the losing side was the better side, which was not the case ain my opinion. Both teams had respective gameplans, we didn't finish our chances and we didn't defend the counter attack well. You guys were ruthless on the counter and won the game. 
Giving it a title like "smash and grab" doesn't really mean anything. 

paulm

20 Legend

I don't buy this smash and grab storyline.

Yes Pep/Arteta ball is very attractive. But, the enabler for that (other than fouling to prevent counter attacks) is getting players high up the field to win the ball back and maintain possession. That has an obvious flaw: teams are high up the field and can be countered easily.

The xG statistics (2.03 for United vs 1.42 for Arsenal) some what back this up. What it shows is that United, despite having significantly less possession, created better chances. Consider also shots from open play, 8 for United while Arsenal had 11 despite having twice as much possession. Many of these were long shots.

In summary, possession in itself is nonsense.

All accurate. Also the perfect description for "smash and grab". 
I think maybe you don't like it because it makes it sound like the losing side was the better side, which was not the case ain my opinion. Both teams had respective gameplans, we didn't finish our chances and we didn't defend the counter attack well. You guys were ruthless on the counter and won the game. 
Giving it a title like "smash and grab" doesn't really mean anything. 

I think you guys might be defining "smash and grab" very differently. To me its always meant snatching a lead and parking the bus - effectively stealing a win (given a smash and grab is slang for theft), when the reality is that it was a very even game with chances for either side and that simply doesn't fit the definition of smash and grab in the context I've always seen it used.

I used the description of a snatch and grab as a prediction about 15 minutes into the game when Arsenal were more fluid in possession, despite excellent aggression and intent from United. It seemed like Arsenal were more likely at that point. 
Not what I’d use to describe the game that resulted at all.

Another rubbish Europa league game, another Spanish opposition, another terrible referee (who's been accused of match-fixing before), and another absolutely horrific VAR decision.

Delighted the spirit of Ole lives on, as EtH makes two 90 min substitutions with the game long finished.

The state of VAR...

So Rashford's goal which just touched his upper arm is disallowed because "he scored straight away".

Meanwhile over at West Ham:

1. Scamacca controls a bal with his arm and subsequently chips the keeper, not overturned
2. Antonio handballs a bobbling ball past a defender to go 1v1 with the keeper, but because it bobbled off the keeper and defender before finally putting it away it isn't overturned

20 Legend

The state of VAR...

So Rashford's goal which just touched his upper arm is disallowed because "he scored straight away".

Meanwhile over at West Ham:

1. Scamacca controls a bal with his arm and subsequently chips the keeper, not overturned
2. Antonio handballs a bobbling ball past a defender to go 1v1 with the keeper, but because it bobbled off the keeper and defender before finally putting it away it isn't overturned

Rashford’s goal was a good un, as were the two mentioned above. Scamacca wasn’t clear and obvious (ditto Rashford imo). Antonio’s one, didn’t see it in real time. So probably not clear and obvious. 

Also wasn’t it Gabriel got to charge down the ball NRL style for no pen? 

Looked like a great goal from Rashford.

I watched the highlights of those games back to back and I thought it seemed very inconsistent and silly. If Scamacca's is a goal then Rashford's is a goal.
Shame too, it was a cracking goal from Rashford.

I may be biased towards my team but I thought Gabriel's handball in our game was the correct decision. Yes his arm was out from his body but it came up because he stopped running in that instant, it's a completely natural movement.

Goal number 700. You can't beat those stats.

Messi will.

Buffon II

Messi will.

Messi is a long way off hitting 700 senior club goals. He's 35 so if he keeps going as long as Ronaldo he might get there, but he's really on one injury away from retiring. 

Buffon II

Messi will.

Haaland will

theprof

Buffon II

Messi will.

Messi is a long way off hitting 700 senior club goals. He's 35 so if he keeps going as long as Ronaldo he might get there, but he's really on one injury away from retiring. 

Messi has 691 club goals.

so he does, bad math on my part.

Today's VAR clanger.

Both feet off the ground, studs up, lunging forward with force, ends up connecting with upper shin.

Only a yellow apparently.

accusations become charges......
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300713424/manchester-united-player-mason-greenwood-charged-with-attempted-rape

theprof

accusations become charges......
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300713424/manchester-united-player-mason-greenwood-charged-with-attempted-rape

I wonder why it took so long?

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

theprof

accusations become charges......
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300713424/manchester-united-player-mason-greenwood-charged-with-attempted-rape

I wonder why it took so long?

Got to nail all the evidence together I suppose. Probably goes beyond the shared audio and images, and right into detailing MG's actions before and after the events, possibly for many weeks, any conversations between them and friends, his mental state, her mental state, etc etc.

No Eriksen today? Not in the squad. Bit of a worry.

No way Ronaldo is a better option up top than Rashford. 

At the risk of being the guy who moans about the referee every week, we have yet another bottled performance from Pawson and Gillet. Clear penalty on Sancho among other arguable issues like the free kick Ronaldo scored off.

Won or lose it's just not worth waking up for this nonsense.

On a positive note, we are still making chances, and look resound at the back. Hard to say but that's a big improvement over where we've been last few seasons.

Hopefully we can find our finishing soon.

Mason Greenwood's official charges are:

Apparently he's also been denied bail for breaching his previous bail conditions so is in prison until his hearing in 5 weeks.

20 Legend

Mason Greenwood's official charges are:

• Attempted rape: Oct 22, 2021
• Assault occasioning actually bodily harm: Dec 1-Dec 31, 2021
• Coercive behaviour, namely "altering way she socialised, making threatening + derogatory comments": Nov 1 2018-Oct 15 2022

Apparently he's also been denied bail for breaching his previous bail conditions so is in prison until his hearing in 5 weeks.

Being reported that he's out on bail now.

Well that was refreshing, the most dominant United performance I've seen in a long time and without Eriksen as well. An absolute masterclass from Fred, the backline never looked troubled and 2-0 flatters Spurs. Sancho wasn't great, Antony worked hard and showed flashes, Rashford did bits but lacked end product (still isn't a striker) but that 3 points was on the back of a midfield 3 of Fred/Casemiro/Bruno that were quality all match and never let Tottenham get a look in. 

Agreed ^^ 

I missed the first half, but from what I saw we had an excellent game.

The whole backline was excellent. Martinez had Kane's number all night. ("bUt He'S tOo ShOrT tO bE a CeNtRe BaCk"). I didn't even realise Son was playing until about the 90th minute.

Rashford is the best worst player in the league. Sometimes he just glides past players and other times he can't control a ball.

I watched the little clip of Ronaldo leaving the bench before the full time whistle and found it particularly enjoyable that when it cut back to the game, the team played a beautiful free-flowing passing sequence without him on the pitch. Symbolic perhaps. 
The end? 

He's already walked out after Rayo Vallecano and was apparently warned then. Club released a statement saying he won't be part of the squad vs Chelsea and reports are saying he's not going to be allowed to train with the first team.

As you touch on, it's bizarre when he chose to walk out. I'd almost sympathise if we were losing and he wasn't used. But we played excellent and all his walkout achieved was highlight that we didn't need him. And instead of sticking it to the manager, it really came across as disrespectful to the existing players.

He could've taken a pay cut and left in the summer. Will be interesting to see if he's less interested in money in Jan.

The most important thing is when a we have our next rough game we stick to our guns and don't give in to the inevitable English pundit "they just need to get a proven goal scorer up front like Ronaldo" bla bla bla.

20 Legend

He's already walked out after Rayo Vallecano and was apparently warned then. Club released a statement saying he won't be part of the squad vs Chelsea and reports are saying he's not going to be allowed to train with the first team.

As you touch on, it's bizarre when he chose to walk out. I'd almost sympathise if we were losing and he wasn't used. But we played excellent and all his walkout achieved was highlight that we didn't need him. And instead of sticking it to the manager, it really came across as disrespectful to the existing players.

He could've taken a pay cut and left in the summer. Will be interesting to see if he's less interested in money in Jan.

It's very disrespectful and petulant. No player anywhere is bigger than the club.

Well thank fudge for goal line technology. Chelsea were fairly rubbish and we should've put something on the board in the first half. After watching their fans boo and cheer Varane after he clearly significantly injured himself it's great to do it in the 90th minute.

I think I'm just gonna stop watching Europa league games against Spanish teams. Fake injuries, time wasting, players getting tripped over but grabbing their face on the ground, tactical fouls, etc... and to top it off referees that buy it hook line and sinker.

Garnacho's goal was great. Very happy for him.

The only points we dropped all group was from the shark house penalty against Real Sociedad in our first game against them. Can't be too disappointed.

I'm gonna say it...

Even when we were down 2-1 to a goal which VAR probably would've overruled... it was so refreshing watching a football game without VAR. Not worrying about some bullshark offside cropping up. Genuine tension while watching the game.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out Ronnie

Who would have thought an alleged rapist is an asshole.

players true colours coming out now huh? Clearly thinks he's bigger than the club and the game. sure he may not be getting the love from the manager he wants but that's down to his attitude.