Manchester United

He said he would use four at the back in a press conference.

He says a lot of things

That player must've done or said something to trigger that response. No way that comes out of nowhere. (I'm not excusing anything).

Game was a bore fest. I realise it's preseason but the friendlies are becoming quite the farce. Almost 50 players used between the teams. Refs don't actually want to do any reffing. Opposition has a competitive game in two days. How much more constructive would a United probables vs possibles match be?

Also, note four at the back ;)

If it was about actual preparation then teams wouldn't be flying round the world for pre-season, it's just ridiculous. 

I'm surprised more Managers don't complain about this, perhaps they do quietly but are then told to pull their heads in by their clubs. 

Can't imagine the likes of Mourinho and Wenger are happy about the jaunts they're being sent on in pre-season these days. If they were given free licence on planning pre-season I doubt it would include many flights at all, and certainly not long ones. 

This game he played 4-3-3, so everyone should just calm down and listen to what Jose said, which was that the three at the back was being worked on purely to give them another option if it was needed. 

Yes the second game was not as exciting as the first, but that was because RSL were not trying to force the issue like the Galaxy were. It was quite obvious that the best RSL side played the first half hour before getting subbed. The rest turned to a borefest. 

But how can anyone say that Valencia's tackle was a red? It was a clear yellow was not dangerous or reckless at all. I agree something must have been said or something for that to happen. 

In regards to pre season, I actually think those going to America or staying in Europe are doing it right, as the conditions are perfect for preseason, and while flying is not ideal, it probably is more realistic, as they will spend time on flights during the season.

Full match replay/highlights here: https://www.reddit.com/r/footballhighlights/commen...

The Valenica foul was never a red card, that was a shocking decision. Tackle appear to be retribution for the dude who tackled Mata.

Preseason is preseason, I don't think it really matters who the opposition is, its more about getting fitness levels up and working out combinations - the season doesn't kickoff properly for a month yet.

Nice to see flexibility in formations. I do think the 3-5-2 suits our squad makeup better but we will play different shapes depending on opposition.

Valencia tried to go through the back of the players legs to get the ball. I would have given him a red, and in fact the moments he made the tackle I yelled out ' that is a red '.

I am not sure it is serious foul play or violent conduct. He was in control the whole time and the tackle had no more intent to injure than any other tackle trying to get the ball from behind. 

I have certainly seen worse tackles been given a yellow / less.

How can you get the ball from behind while swinging yours legs from behind when there are two solid legs in front of you?

Why does that factor into the decision as to colour of card? Red cards are for serious foul play or violent conduct. THis was neither, it was a cynical challenge that is worth a yellow in every other game where I've seen a similar challenge made.

Those type of tackles can put a player out for life. 

Reality is that ' smart ' players don't make those sort of challenges.I think it was serious foul play.

Well the other player left the stadium on crutches following the tackle, so I would suggest it was serious foul play or violent conduct.

Tackle for retribution... guy leaves on crutches... do we even need to watch it to check given those facts?

No you're all right, the severity of the injury is what decides the colour of cards, not the laws of the game.

Glad none of you lot are reffing my games!

Yea I've had this thought for some time now. I like the idea of a training camp away in Europe for a week or so but when you start flying around the world and back playing meaningless friendlies it hardly seem ideal.

Wenger “If you ask me is it ideal physically to prepare, certainly not. But it does have other advantages because we can meet fans all over the world so that is a positive.

“The bonding in the team is easier as well because we live together for two weeks, so on that front, it can be very positive."

Not only has his team gone from single digits in Sydney to 32+ each day in China, several members of the squad got food poisoning. I can't imagine any manager is happy with this.

Nelfoos - if Valencia was attempting to make a tackle then yes it probably is a yellow card. He doesn't make a tackle, he clearly and deliberately kicks through the opposition player's legs.

You can watch it here: https://streamable.com/goxnn

The close up shot from behind says it all. It's not a tackle. He's kicked him. The only criticism you can point at the ref is that he lost control of a friendly when he didn't punish their poor tackles.

I've seen it multiple times. Its about as clear cut a yellow as you get for me. The intent was to make a cynical challenge, not to injure the dude.

Tackles like that happen all the time, I'm not sure I've ever seen a red for one before this game.

The worst bit for me was that it took 5 minutes to make a decision, even in a friendly that isn't on. And allowing one of the managers to make the dcision for him is an absolute joke, even in a friendly! I see why a red was given and I understand all of your arguments but to me it isn't violent conduct or serious foul play, so therefore not a red.

I hope i'm never playing on the same field as you if you think that is only a 'cynical challenge' and doesn't warrant a red card.

Stay away from Cap 8 then!

I just saw the tackle for the first time.

Wow that's about as clear a red as you'll see. To me he came running in and went for a big old kick at the legs. It's not a tackle whatsoever. He's kicked the player. I think you could most certainly argue there was intent to injure/violent conduct.

Nelfoos, you must play in some extraordinarily violent games if you don't think that's a red.

For me there is a mutual respect given to each other on the football field where you don't actively look to injure someone. If you get injured from a good challenge it's part of the game. But moments like that are a bit c*nty and can do decent and very unnecessary damage to people. I think the shirt pull is a good example of showing respect. You know the guy needs to stop and break up the play, you can't get to him legally so you opt for a professional foul and take a yellow card - safest way to do that is pull his shirt. Alternative of roasting him from behind has much bigger risks.

Pulling shirts is  just cheating and deserves an elbow to the face. The sooner they stop this the better.

Watching United v Real Madrid "live" on BEIN 2 . Just about to kick off.

Anthony Martial, on form, is something else. Big Fella with some fantastic work in the build up too.

https://streamable.com/aurg7

Hopefully with his personal issues of last season behind him he can recover the form of his first season.

The penalty shootout was great. 3 from 10 scored. 

Good to see Pereira and TFM progressing well too. Lindelof is either not up to it, or not fit enough yet. Lets hope its the later. Lukaku looks solid. Mhkitaryan looks ready to go. Martial seems to have finally taken to Jose's way of having to track back, and his quality on attack has always been good. 

May not need any more arrivals? 

Takes far more than this long to judge Lindelof, but at this point I think Bailly + Smalling are the best pairing right now. Otherwise yeah, current form looks good, have to carry it into the season though.

Good article on Pogba (in my opinion of course!);

http://www.espnfc.com.au/english-premier-league/23...

The set up by Martial was outstanding. The Real pen - I have never seen a ball kicked that hard.  Watching Inter v Lyon right now live on Bein 2. I have finally found a pitch as shifty as North Harbour stadium. It is in China.

Two things 1) I hate this long ball football

and second 2) isn't Fellaini a terrible player

Fellaini was terrible, except when looking for trouble. his miss from 6 yards that cleared the stadium roof was amazing. Sorry, but I really don't rate him. He was ok at Everton but at Man U, he is a failed experiment.