26 Oct 2025 14:52:48
The much maligned Luke Shaw created two goals yesterday with his midfield challenges. Brighton claimed a foul on the second. Looking at the replay, there was a slight grab but the player undoubtedly dived. Both he and the other "always injured" and much maligned Mason Mount (nice alliteration) have shown what good players they are this year.
For the second week in a row the set up has been well tailored to suit the opposition. Yes, there was that worrying 10 minutes or so when they brought it back to 3-2 but rather than sit back, increasing the risk of conceding a 3rd, we just went out and scored again. like United of old!
Things are clearly beginning to gel. We have players who can not only score goals but can find space and key passes. Proper talented footballers. The departures may be prospering elsewhere but that is of no importance. We needed to sweep away the negativity and it looks like that's been done.
I do wish we could have kept McTominay who is a far better player than Zirkzee. The latter needs to move on and hopefully that will happen this January notwithstanding losing some payers to AFCON. Presumably Dorgu will cover for Amad ( a downgrade), but no one can replace Mbuemo, even if we have Mount to bring in. Unfortunately it's hard to imagine us signing a top defensive midfielder until the summer when I imagine efforts will be made to move Ugarte on.
Our big problem last year was scoring goals. I predicted and am still expecting that we'll score 60+ this year. With the light schedule players should remain energetic and focused. I'm very hopeful for Champions League qualification. The next 6 games, 5 of which are against lower opposition, could be pivotal.
It's been fun watching United again. Long may it last.
27 Oct 2025 14:17:20
Amazing how zirkzee has got worse by not playing. Going out of the league cup this year and not having Europe has severely hampered our fringe players. They get no chance to show what they can do, and cannot maintain match sharpness. We have to have a deep run in the FA cup for this reason, or our squad will get very unhappy very quickly.
28 Oct 2025 05:14:06
All players get worse by not playing. They’re not match fit, and not acclimatised to the pace of the game and lose their touch.
28 Oct 2025 12:37:18
I have respectfully disagree DB. They've made chances and they didn't take them. Hence they're not on the starting teamsheet.