Seems clear that Mou is trying to earn some squad trust by not replacing starters immediately. Once Rooney or Mata falter badly, Micky will get put in democratically and certainly won't relinquish his spot.
Makes sense to me. Though I'm willing to bet the starting XI will look quite different on September 10th. You can get away with todays lineup against Bournemouth, Hull, etc. The big guns absolutely must be on display against City.
Maybe with Pogba available we will see a very different squad against Southampton. I personally would like to not see Fellani on the pitch in a starting role.
Think Pogba/Herrera could be a really dynamic partnership. Or make Schneiderlin sit deep and let Pogfam run wild forward. Either is our best bet.
This is the most likely scenario imo, except I still believe that it will be Fellaini most of the time. I think Pogba and Rooney will sit in front of the DM, whether that's Schneiderlin or Fellaini, and the team will operate as more of a 4-1-4-1.
All the reports I'm seeing say that we need to sell some players before adding any more, which is difficult at times considering how much the club pays the players. I saw a couple tweets saying that we are trying to get Southampton to take Rojo in exchange for Jose Fonte.
I'm at half mast already just thinking about Pogba's potential debut today. Not sure if he will start but expect him to be an early 2nd half sub at the very least.
Already twice he's switched play after an extended one on one or small field battle. One of the best in the world at that. Reminds me of Scholes.
All Southampton opportunities coming from cutbacks and squares to the top-right of De Gea's box. Fellaini and Mata on same side is iffy
Decent half. Shaky on the back end at times, small glimpse of the some of the growing pains that will come with Bailly. That run by Pogba tho.
The more I watch that Zlatan overhead attempt the more I think "oh, he really should've finished that." Lol the only player in the world that makes you start expecting things like that
My favorite thing about Zlatan is his size means that we likely never have to witness Fellaini-ball again.
I hope so. Mata has played well and Valencia's overlapping has been great too, but Mkhitaryan is a completely different level of player out there on the right wing. He needs minutes too, get him on the field imo.
Valenci's overlapping has been fantastic but he doesn't get wide enough when he gets back on defense. He gives up a ton of space on the back end. Mucky in for Mata and a true right right back would be a much better set up in my opinion.
Gonna start doing some match ratings if everyone is ok with that 8/19/16 United 2 — 0 Southampton Zlatan (36', 52' PEN) De Gea GK N/A Don’t feel comfortable rating him; lack of action is encouraging though. Quick off his line to collect a couple through-balls. Shaw LB 7 Lost track of his mark a couple times in transition but got forward really well. Looks like the next Leighton Baines in the attacking third. Didn’t know much about winning the penalty but his pressure created the second goal. He, Martial, and Pogba in a triangle has to be one of the fastest left-sided trios in the world. Blind LCB 6 Clean game. Didn’t notice much. Liked how he played split passes into Pogba as often as possible. Bailly RCB 8 Fantastic again. Lots of crosses gave him a chance to show his heading ability; will pair well with Smalling down the line. Confident in cleaning up Zlatan’s terrible giveaway. First player on the team sheet right now. Valencia RB 6 Got forward decently but little final product. Looks one of the more athletic team members again. Iffy marking in the first quarter of play. Fellaini CDM 7 Calm and industrious. Quiet but assured. Looks far more comfortable with how Mourinho wants to use him than the previous two managers. Pogba LCM 9 (MAN OF THE MATCH) Better and better as game wore on. Great touches and switches, covered tons of ground, looked utterly comfortable. Almost pulled off a moment of brilliance or two. Deserved to finish the headed corner. Martial LM 6 Flashes of his brilliance but anonymous in first half and looked unsure of how to link with everyone. Second half movement was brilliant but far too wasteful. A sharper Anthony and this result is 4-nil. Rooney CAM 7 Huffed and puffed, good in transition, nice cross to Zlatan. Still think his final ball is the best on the team (until Mkhitaryan gears up). Nice shot in first half that forced a save. Not quite as wasteful as previous games. Tired early; is fat. Mata RM 5 Magician with great passes in first half…bit defensively worrisome on cutbacks in front of Valencia. Heading lapses leading to shots in first half will upset Mourinho. Ibrahimovic ST 8 Marvelous header, a no-nonsense penalty, but quite sloppy in the midfield holdup play. Did the requisite Mourinho-dirty work down the final ten minutes. Mkhitaryan RM 7 Should’ve received a diagonal from Martial in transition and probably would’ve scored. Looked comfy from the get-go. Incredibly calm touch and dribble in his own third to transition, only to be bungled by Rooney. Great box-to-box run only for Pogba to push it wide. Herrera CAM N/A Smalling CB N/A
I think Mata played better than a 5. I think some of what you said is more on valencia being a little to eager to get forward and leaving little cover getting back for Mata who is not a super defender.
a 6 is not "disdain"—at least not from me. We dodged quite a few bullets from Mata and Valencia's pisspoor marking in the first half.
Hey Fam I forgot to record the game today. Watched some highlights. Pogfam's hair was amazing. Rooney's cross was meant for Pog, but Zlatan is amazing. Zlatan is going win the Golden Boot as long as he stays healthy.
Just finished the game. Agree with most of what has been said. I know it's only 2 games in, but Martial looks like he has zero confidence right now. EDIT: I should specify... Zero confidence in the final third. His runs were nice.
We would never hear the end of it if Zlatan won a Golden Boot in England at age 34 he would never stop jawing
I would agree with this to a certain extent. Last year Martial was looked to as the main goal scoring threat and now that's Zlatan. He kind of looked like he was getting lost between two minds in the final third about whether he should go for goal or try to play it in to Ibra. It's understandable with the caliber of player that Ibra is. They just need a few more games to develop their relationship and Martial will be fine imo.
Good for him too. Just unlucky he would end up behind Fosu-Mensah, B-J and a couple of left minded utility defenders (rojo/blind). he became expendable.