06 Mar 2017 11:09:51
Well it feels like we've been here before, dominated a game, played okay but not amazingly and should have walked away with 3 points but have to settle for 1.

There seems little point trying to break down what went wrong, many others have done that already and its the same issue as with all the games we haven't won this season, we have been wasteful in front of goal. If we had the same conversion rate as those teams above us we would be at least 10 points better off easily.

Over the last few weeks a thought I had around Christmas time has been at the front of my mind everytime I watch us. I think Zlatan is holding us back.

Something Pogba mentioned in a post match interview after a game I think highlights my point. He was asked about the number of assists he has had converted by Zlatan. To which he replied "I look for Zlatan and he's easy to pick out".

That to me suggests the team are looking to play though Zlatan rather than just playing the game.

Jred pointed out how we used to play through Cantona, and we used to heavily rely on RvN too. We had success during those players times at the club, but we did become too one dimensional. If the key player didn't perform then the team didn't perform.

This season Zlatan has been the player to dig us out nearly every week, but if his performance level drops then the team struggles.

I also think some of the best team performances have come when Zlatan isn't on the field. Its like everyone feels they need to up their game as Zlatan isn't there.

Look how good Cavani has been for PSG this season, he along with several offensive players struggled in Zlatan's shadow.

Martial and Rashford last season made it look like we had a vibrant exciting future with our forward players, neither has been as good since they have been cast into Zlatan's shadow.

I actually really like Zlatan, he has a great attitude and I appreciate his humour. But I think if the team is to evolve and take the next step then it might need to be without the big Swede.

1.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 11:54:07
Interesting point but a thing you address in the off season than now, you don't go changing a system half way through the season

Also bear in mind Zlatan likely going to get a 3 match ban so it will give you a idea and the team how we perform without him.

2.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 12:10:19
Shane, yeah I wasn'y suggesting it was something to try and change right now but in the summer. Just that I don't think if Zlatan left in the summer it would be as big an issue as most think.

3.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 12:03:58
If he does get a 3 game ban, then the first of those games will be Chelsea Away in the Cup. The perfect opportunity for Rashford, Martial and Miki to play as a 3 and show us if the future really is bright. They perform well and we win in that game and then again against boro and WBA then that really would give the manager something to think about.

4.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 12:04:12
No reason we can't have the best of both worlds. Zlatan doesn't have to play every game. In fact, despite his incredible fitness it's desirable that he doesn't. maybe if he gets more of a rest he will be sharper when he plays and will put away more of the chances which come his way. The games where he isn't involved will give the other players the chance to step up.

The fault is with Jose who should be able to spot what's going on and manage the situation. It's difficult to be critical because we've won one cup, we're still in two more and our league form has been decent. However, I do think he needs to rotate more to give some players a rest and bring through some younger players who need game time to develop.

5.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 12:25:10
Good post Shappy. Agree completely, however I do think it is something we should change right now. We are 6th in the league and our performance levels since the turn of the year have been back to where they were at the start of the season. I'm not putting the blame on Zlatan, but what we are doing is too inconsistent, we need a more reliable set-up because we draw too many against teams we should be beating comfortably.

Zlatan has played exactly the same virtually all season, it's just sometimes a shot goes in rather than doesn't, his actual all round game hasn't dropped off from what he has been like all season in my opinion. We would do a lot better collectively with an alternative striker or formation imo.

6.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 12:35:44
Hi Shappy,

Interesting post I must admit I've had similar views regarding Ibra all season but then he keeps knocking in the goals and making me look a fool!

I'm somehow always left with the feeling I want more from him but then I can't question his goal scoring record.

I think he's probably as important to us off the pitch as on it. He's a dedicated, model professional with a winning mentality and brings a confidence and arrogance needed to play for a big club like Utd.

I think Jose is hoping his dedication, attitude and professionalism can inspire the likes of Martial, Rashford and Shaw (to name but a few) on what is takes to be a top professional.

I think it's an indication of where we are that we're now relying on a 35 year old to set the standards on and off the pitch.

On a more positive note I see the classic signs of a manager getting to grips with an under performing side. He's made us very hard to beat, we've played some good football at times and dominated most of our games but at the moment we still lack the consistency required. Martial, Mata, Pogba, Ibra and Miki can all drift in and out of games and our defenders are always liable to the odd mistake or lapse in concentration. We've played some decent stuff this season but it's tended to be in short spells or patches rather than long periods of dominance and sometimes we just seem to coast through long periods of games where nothing much really happens.

I'm absolutely convinced Jose will get it right and we just have to show some faith and patience and understand it's not going to happen as quickly as we would like.

Bringing me back to Ibra if he gets the ban as expected I guess we'll see how the team dynamic changes without him.

7.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 19:06:35
What did the Romans ever do for us?

{Ed025's Note - ibra is not the messiah....hes a very naughty boy.. :)

8.) 06 Mar 2017
06 Mar 2017 19:28:35
If we do well while zlatan is banned and Jose kept the same team, dropping zlatan to the bench, I would worry that he might cause disruption in the dressing room. His ego wouldn't allow him to keep quiet and accept it.

9.) 07 Mar 2017
07 Mar 2017 08:30:05
Completely disagree Shappy.

It is very wrong to say that Zlatan has been holding us back . Instead he has been pushing us ahead. His poor performance at one game and we drawing the game tells that we are too much dependent on him rather than him holding us back. Pogba, Martial, Mikhi should share the scoring responibility. Our game has not been one. dimensional. for me . Yes we are supplying balls to Ibra but it is never the case of supplying to him only. All players had several chance to score and out of them ibra was the least wasteful . Ibra is one important reason for our performance and I seriously wish he was 28 . He would. have 5 more years with us.