Manchester United

You first good game this season.

Surprised you didn't lose, the way tthings have been going.

Of course I'm pleased with the result but we should not get carried away. Agree about Carrick, when he does the simple things he looks good. Young  still does  not do a lot for me. The only reason people think he is good is because up until a few months ago he was shocking, and anything is better that his previous form. I know Mata is the croud favourite but when the chips are down he is not the one I want in my side.Far too slow for one thing. I thought Spurs were terrible in the first half and everything they did went wrong whereas everything we did came off. I have watched Spurs a few times this season and when they are on they are a good side.  Ask Arsenal and Chelsea.

At last something to be pleased about. We never really looked like losing this game. Right from the start we took control. The only player that was very average was Rooney. Even Jones and Smalling were up to it today. Jones stupid challenge could have be a red card instead of yellow. Mata surprised me, not only were his goals excellent, but the rest of his game was very good. The goal we conceded was because we mucked around on the half way line and got punished-- although I thought de Gea should have covered his near post better. The challenge on de Gea in the last minute of the game should have been a red as it was a blatant stomping. I'm a lot more hopeful than I was a few weeks ago.

We have to play all three above us but two are at home.

Man Utd abosuletly deserved that win - they were excellent (aside from Rooney, who was absolute muck). They were just so much sharper all over the pitch.

I thought that Jones was lucky to stay on the field, with the challenge on Lallana in the first half being reckless and and deserving of a yellow, and the challange in the second half being very close to being a straight red (it was knee height when the ball had never left the ground).

Good to see Skrtel get a three week ban for stomping, it was deserved. Bet the Woolwich boys will be happy with that.

It's 50/50 just like the Costa one on Skrtel earlier in the season which he got away with. It was probably (deliberate/part of his momentum/back luck). Wouldn't have been surprised at either lack of punishment or a ban. The FA just make this stuff up as they go along and plenty of players on plenty of teams have been shafted/gotten away with murder/got what they deserved. 

Following his deserved ban Skrtel immediately posted a picture of 3 Clowns to his Instagram account...Some say as direct reference to the FA, but the following statement clears things up.

LFC Statement:

"We are disappointed with the FA's decision to ban Martin Skrtel of Liverpool Football Club for a 'deliberate' stamp on an opponent this past Sunday. Martin himself has a grandfather who was a circus clown, with a family history of abnormally large feet. Martin's condition often results in him grabbing shirts, pushing opponents, and stepping on others as he struggles to maintain his balance. He has shared a family portrait on Instagram to express his sadness at the decision of the FA, who clearly do not appreciate the plight of clowns. Liverpool Football Club counts many clowns among its players and supporters who may slip or stamp but will never walk alone."

Had a good laugh when I read this.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/arsenal-deserve-win-premi...

Like a lot of Woolwich boys-- just full of it.

The 3 points were good but we were far from convincing against a side that should have had 4/5 put past them. 

With the possession Utd had we should have really punished them. We seemed to be going through the motions. There was some excellent football played at times but overall he was good enough to win but I doubt it will be enough to beat the three above us. At least the Woolwich boys helped  out by keeping Liverpool away from us for the moment. Rooney's goal was fantastic, which made up for another average performance from him.

Far from slick, but it looks like more of a team out there, rather than a group of disaffected egos. Still not sure how you've snuck into 3rd, but you've got to be happy to be there.

More than likely back to 4th after tonight.

Players stood up (again) today. Was a bit nervous in the first 15 but scoring the first just lifted everyone. The patterns of play seem to be working and flowing and that creates decent chances every game. All the goals were well worked, even if Young had to bundle his over an Mata was offside.
Only looked shakey defensively when Jones and/or Smalling rushed out; Valencia shouldnt have to be covering the left channel. Btw he was outstanding today, to play that well against City deserves some credit. 

Today also reinforced Fellaini's role in the patterns of play. The only long balls that go to him are from De Gea and every team's GK clears the ball up field / takes goal kicks. Fellaini just wins and find a team mate with 90% of those when De Gea aims for him. 

Great three points and they were deserved. At least we have got our bottle back. As well as we played we will not win  the league next season with the same players we have now. We need to  get two class defenders , a midfield player and even a striker. It is no good having a good manager if you don't have the right players.

There are a few players in the City side I would take in a blink  as they are class. I don't think all is well in the City camp as some players were having a go at each other. Think they need to replace a few as well. They are still a good side and very dangerous going forward.

The two goals we gave away was  just poor defending.

Man United have been quite lucky this year (please read on before reacting!).

They really struggled early on but managed to eek out results. Most other seasons, United would have been sitting in 12th before the great run they have embarked on of late and would be up the table but still in 6th or 7th. Luckily for them, other than Chelski and of late, Arsenal, the rest of the Prem has been below par this year with City, Spurs and Liverpool all struggling in patches and early contenders West Ham and Southampton dropping away.

The lack of cohesiveness evident early on in the season would have had most football fans (united fans included) doubting LvG and contemplating another year outside of the CL, however, the rest of the PL have missed an opportunity to keep the foot on the neck and end United's reign as a constant contender.

Now...react away!

I have been saying something similar for months now. Not sure I agree that the rest of the league has been below par.I never doubted LVG, just the players he had. Two months ago I would have said that the top four was gone, and it is still not safe yet, but as I mentioned the players have lifted and seem to have regained their bottle.

Liverpool are not out of it yet.

Found myself cheering for United to give us a boost...I feel very dirty and soulless...

I'd say that there has been a lack of consistency for the top teams this year that has meant that they weren't already out of reach by the time United hit their straps but it's just an impression I get. I could trawl through results and see what points the top 4 were on at this stage in previous seasons but I've done my trainspotting today on Liverpool's on loan players and how they are performing. 

Reaction

Luck has nothing to do with it. City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have actually been pretty good on the whole. Chelsea has been very good and consistent. Teams dont accumulate 50+ points and be bad. 65 points would get teams 4th/5th in most seasons and United has that already. There is no chance that United would have been out of the top 8, let alone be in the bottom half. 

The lack of cohesion early on was completely understandable and it actual shows the character of the team to win when new ideas are being imposed on the team. 
Personally, I wasn't contemplating another year without CL. There was so much more direction this season than last. People could see where LVG was trying to get the team and that was better than last year. Now that the players are comfortable with those ideas, the results and performances have come. 

Well Everton for one has been MIA. 

Have to say that I am surprised that they have not done a lot better.  They are a good side and in my opinion have a very good manager. For us I hope their MIA continues as we have to play them away and our record there is not great.

I don't agree. I don't think we were ever that far away as a side. It's worth remembering that our bad start was caused by a horrible injury toll. Whether or not the Premier League has been of a high standard depends how you look at it. I think goal difference always tells the true story and that shows we are right up there with the big teams. I don't think you can fluke a goal difference over 38 games.

Some people at the start of the season just simply overreacted when we had some bad performances like against Milton Keynes and Leicester. We had the relegation jokes and all that and that Reid should stay at his top 4 club etc. I think what has happened this season was just sort of inevitable. West Ham and Southampton were up there early but the chances of them finishing above us was incredibly slim. I think if you looked at how squad back when we weren't playing well you still had to think it was a top 4 squad. I don't think it was luck that these players started playing well. 

After 8 games in the season, Chelsea had 22 points and we had just 12. Since then we have gone toe to toe with them. I feel that this team has so far just achieved what they were expected to. I don't think I ever seriously doubted that we would make the top 4

Good performance, should have created more with 70% possession but Chelsea was predictably solid and compact. 

I think it should have been a penalty, there was contact by Cahill. You lunge in like that and you are asking for trouble. Anywhere else on the pitch and thats a foul

I think it was a penalty, on the logic that that's exactly what Costa did to the Netherlands in the world cup. And you're right, everywhere else on the pitch it's a foul.

The last bitter point I will make, is their goal came from a foul on Falcao.

While Chelsea are going to be named champions, I'm not sure they're the best team in the country. Literally park the bus, foul and counter. Eventually you score. The time wasting started on the 70th minute, fair game I'd do it to, but between Drogba and Fabregas it was getting pretty outrageous.

Di Maria didn't offer much, Januzaj even less and blackett was a weird sub.

Though I still think we played really well. Next season Chelsea won't be able to concede 70% possession to us, in fact I think even last night they were lucky not to concede. Hoping like crazy we will make top 4 as I'd love to see this team in Europe.

Probably the best we have played all season. Have certainly not seen a more one sided game for a long time. Against teams as good as Chelsea you cannot afford to make mistakes--- we made one and got punished. The difference is that their defense is organised. Have had the same back four for ages.  McNair for us was excellent. This guy will go a long way. We will be hard to beat next season with 3/4 world class players new players. LVG has done a great job.

No way it was a penalty, he stuck his leg out sideways into Cahill.

Lots linking United to summer signings as focus turns to next season.

Personally, I think we definitely need another CM as we got rid of Anderson, Cleverly and Fletcher in that area. The less Rooney/Mata play there the better. 

Another striker will be needed when we don't buy Falcao. Someone in that 24-21 age bracket to fill the gap between experience (Rooney/RVP) and Wilson. Preferably an English striker but Lacazette and Dybala have been mentioned.

Another winger seems likely but that would limit Januzaj's chances. Depay seems likely but cant see him playing ahead of Di Maria, Mata or in form Young.

We dont need another CB unless we get rid of Evans. Not sure if Hummels is the answer, but the current CBs need to be much more disciplined.

We don't need another RB unless Rafael chooses to leave. He won't be happy. Clyne would be great.

We need another CB. Evans and Jones are not good enough. Smalling has improved but he does nothing for me. Januzaj has had his chance and I really thought last year that he was the answer, but I don't think he is. We need another striker and also a top midfield player.

LVG will get it right and we will be going for the title.

Depay is a fantastic player, I wouldn't write him off knocking any of them out of the starting lineup.

Correct. If Depay signs he'll be a starter. Not saying he'll walk in but I doubt he'll sign for a club who will bench him

Oh and that performance today was appalling. Everton ffs

The result did not really surprise me as Everton have a good record against us lately. However, the performance was disgraceful. Last week against the top side we played very well and last night there was not one player that would have got more than a 4 out of 10. Rooney has not had a good game for weeks and I know it won't happen, but he should be dropped. Smalling signing a new contract is laughable as when  LVG signs some defenders he will be lucky to make the bench.

Fantastic analysis of just how good Rooney has been.

http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/monday-night-football-premier-league-round-32-full-show/

Well there is RVP, Wilson  and Fellaini .  Even his effort has been poor. This is a team game and everyone need to pull their weight, even the captain.

Did you watch the link I posted? Basically Gary Neville is saying that Rooney is being told by LVG to not get involved with the play so much. His job is to keep the centre backs occupied so that they can not push out wide. Therefore there has been more space for the wide players. LVG basically judges football players and results on whether or not his system is being adhered to. If Rooney is not getting involved in the play enough and LVG wants him too then he will be dropped. It seems quite clear to me that LVG has directed him not to drop back into midfield given that Rooney instinctively does this.

Attacking has become too predictable and oppositions have found how easily it is to blunt our possession. Inside balls to Rooney and Fellaini have stopped and the wide play is almost boring. We are actually in need of some Di Maria individualism. I think I'd have him in the line up instead of Fellaini next week, and Mata and Di Maria can play LW and AM rotationally throughout the game

Arsenal in for Evans. Hope it does not cost us too much.

Rio F loose wife to cancer

BUGGER

Missed the game, what was the RvP penalty like?