01 Aug 2018 06:38:00
Missed the game for getting up for work. Anyone able to give a quick review and a few details on how everyone performed?
01 Aug 2018 08:55:04
First 30 minutes we played with a lot of energy, some really nice play between Sanchez and Mata which ended up leading to the 2nd goal.
When the team was announced it looked like we were going back to 4-4-2 but we actually played 3-5-2 with McTominay on the left of the back 3 with Bailly in the centre and TFM on the right. TFM looked assured in that position and didn't really put a foot wrong, McTominay as you would expect was positionally naive but was fine at bringing the ball out and keeping the ball when needed.
De Gea had little to do, his kicked wasn't great but it was his first game so understandably rusty, he couldn't do anything about the goal, though you never know sometimes with De Gea he can save them.
Fred was decent, nothing special from him but good in possession, did his defensive work well and has bags of energy, hopefully more to come from him but the early signs are positive. Herrera was the furthest forward of the midfield 3, got the goal and it was probably his best all round performance of the tour, he has been poor.
Darmian was ok, probably better than Shaw, but the wing backs are our real weakness in this formation, I am still not sure we can play it unless we have 2 players that can play these roles properly.
As mentioned above Sanchez was the best player by a mile, still running with the same energy at the end as he was at the start, a clever run for his goal and very good headed assist for Herrera's goal, if he starts the season in this form we are going to have some player on our hands, one who can drag us through some games single-handedly, like a new signing after how poor he was last season, he looks happy and settled now.
Quick note on Madrid, they had quite a few players missing despite most of their squad being there and brought some big players on late on who could have got them back in the game while we were tired but we held firm which was good to see. They have some player on their hands in young Vinicius Junior, his stepovers and bursts of pace reminded me of Ronaldo at the same age, his decision making also, he is still young and green but he could end up a world beater and you can see why they have spent upwards of £40m on someone so young.
Hopefully this gives you a general idea.
Oh and also, Jose was very positive about the players afterwards saying how he already knows they will run themselves into the ground for this great club. The headline on Sly though:
Jose: I learnt nothing.
I would definitely read the quotes or watch the interview on this one, it does not fit in with the narrative they are pushing about this tour though hence the headline.
01 Aug 2018 09:05:37
Sanchez looks very sharp and will be like a new signing. Him and mata linked up beautifully at times. He needs to start centrally off Lukaku and 352 is the way forward with this squad.
Herrera was decent but Fred impressed me a lot today. Very good close control and passing range. He was faultless and a midfield of him pereira/ matic and pogba will be a very creative one.
Great to see bailly given the captain’s armband and nice to see De Gea back in net. This side with everyone back has the potential to be a very good side. A few more additions would really help the situation.
Just wanted to give a quick shout out to darmian. Never been his biggest fan and don’t think he is good enough but his attitude has been exemplary. Wants to leave but has put his head down and worked his socks off. More players could learn from his professionalism.
01 Aug 2018 09:31:41
Spot on park and gds.
Good call on darmian not a prima donna.
01 Aug 2018 09:32:33
Thanks fellas, I think Jose is turning us into the undergogs. I read his comments, who knows with a couple of signings the mood from the outside will improve and he could come out fighting at the start.
01 Aug 2018 09:53:05
I said that last week. Siege mentality starting early. I love that us against the world mentality. Fergie was the master at it.
Its quite obvious to some.
01 Aug 2018 10:57:19
How does a siege mentality work if you’re criticizing your own players in front of the media?
01 Aug 2018 11:12:18
Should united really be turned into underdogs? Biggest club in the world accepting being underdogs? Don't think so Caolan_2.
01 Aug 2018 11:37:33
Seosamh,
It is all mindgames, Fergie was the master of it and Jose was pretty good back in the day, these days a lot of what he tries just gets twisted and turned massively against him unfortunately.
01 Aug 2018 12:07:55
Simple fact is at the moment we are behind city. So yes we are underdogs.
01 Aug 2018 12:38:36
We are underdogs what's the problem. Not even 3rd in the betting ergo underdogs.