Hated every minute of that game. After a lifetime of watching the reds we had a demonstration of what money has done to the game. Man U were a team from a different planet and any one of their players or their bench would qualify as the best we ever had. We were so far behind in every department that I can’t blame the board, the players or the coach. It’s not just a better team, it’s that they are playing a different game. Nothing we could do about it, except perhaps stop giving their superstars the ball in places where they can hurt you. Got to be question marks around fitness?
Pretty much sums my feelings quite succinctly. Awful game where we were comprehensively out played from very early through to the end. Not been to OT for a game so it was an experience but it sure was a humbling defeat.
Quite enjoyed the spectacle and atmosphere of the away end but I do think its ridiculous how far removed 'big' clubs are. A quick google showed that Marcus Rashford on his own earns double our entire squad. Must say it does make me cringe when Man U (or any big club) fans I know all around the world/ country that arbitrarily act like they're a somehow higher class/ better person than me because they arbitrarily chose to support Man U when they were winning a lot. I lost a lot of respect before the match for DC with him bigging up Man U and him being a fan of them to be honest, we played like he had been in the dressing room telling our squad how much better their players are. They're a mid table premier league team, have been for a while, and we gave them the respect of an early 2000s Ferguson team. I am not saying we had a chance of winning but from the moment the goal went in we looked terrified and begging for the game to be over. Every years there are mismatches of this level and the smaller team typically at least takes some heart and has a go. Man U's defence is quite shaky and their morale is low but we never tested them but c'est la vie. The bigger issue (and I know a lot on here seem to think its a given we should have lost 7-0 and you cant pass comment) is that DC got a hell of a lot wrong last night and its starting to worry me. Onwards and upwards but DC needs to up his game a lot after 2 bizarre performances. Would like a more upbeat drive home than the last 2 from Burton, please.
Chronicle Doug tweeted pre match there match day squad cost 1/2 billion quid let that sink in total madness. We never stuck a chance if all our lot had the game of there life's which they didn't we still were getting beat by 2 or 3. Its venus and Mars stuff the money is in the top of the game and they will make damned sure that's where it stays.
I think a lot of that is spot on but they aren’t a mid-table premier league club. Yes, they’re a level below City, Arsenal & Liverpool but they’re in that next bracket of clubs that finish between 4th & 8th with Chelsea, Spurs, Villa & Newcastle. 8th last season was their worst premier league finish I believe. The depth of the premier league is frightening these days. A real mid-table club like West Ham can win a European final & take some of the best players from clubs like Ajax & outspend most of La Liga & Serie A.
Agree about DC he hasn’t convinced me yet that he’s the best option we had. Still early days yet though, can’t judge him too much on this game, but we can make judgements against Stevenage and Burton. Got to ask what our army of coaches are doing for their money though?
A bit ott is that. I started to think of past players of ours who stood comparison to the Man U squad and very quickly got to John Stones for starters
What they paid and what they are worth are two different things. Too much is made of how much they have spent on certain players when they have overpaid.
When you think back to the numerous squandered chances, it's arguable that 'only' 7-0 flattered us. Looking at the list of goalscorers very much hits home how strong a line up that 'not full strength' United team was. I had to laugh when they made the triple sub at (I think) 4-0 and brought on Bruno Fernandes. I went there expecting to see a comfortable United win, but hadn't expected us to ship 7 goals. The first 4, at the very least, were gifts arising from inept defending and individual errors. I'd question the overall defensive tactics, rather than looking at the individuals but I'm not sure we'd have any answer for our lack of pace vs the United front 3 last night. The team selection was the biggest issue for me. I don't mind the selection of Jalo, as his pace could have potentially caused problems (albeit he was comfortably chased down by a United defender at one point). I'm less impressed with the selection of Watters (predictably anonymous) and Yoganathan, who doesn't look ready for the step up at the moment, ahead of Craig. However, I don't think a different team selection would have made a material difference to the outcome. The highlight was being among a noisy following of Reds fans, who sang throughout and stayed to applaud the team at the end. Last night's game won't materially impact our season. The league is the important one for us and we need to make sure we get a response to the Stevenage game, more than the United one, on Saturday.
Agree with a lot of that Clarke must have read Flitcrofts Man City FA Cup game plan , big up the opposition then don’t turn up .
We knew the gulf in class would be all too apparent. I always felt it would be at least 3 with us maybe nicking a goal. My issue is we did the things that we could control very poorly. For example,Man Utd players didn't make our players fail to find a team mate from just a few yards away. I wanted us all (And others) saying after the match that we gave it a good go, but their class showed. Sadly that’s not what happened.
So what are they worth 1/4 billion, they are all international footballer's who technicaly are light years in front of us. We've seen what there kids can do and I accept it wasn't what you termed our strongest 11 but most of that lot could come to us and improve us.
It's like saying we've should be walking the league with a keeper that cost ten million pounds, when anyone who's seen him play know Chelsea overpaid. Man United are the same.
I'll be completely honest, I've lost interest in football barring the major international tournaments- even those I have lost some enthusiasm for. I realised that last night when I couldn't be arsed to even watch it on TV. Money has totally ruined it for me. Maybe when my son is older I might get back into it for him but I just have no interest anymore. I come on here now mostly because it occupies me and gives me someone to talk to.
I've put this in another thread, but at £80m+, Harry Maguire alone probably cost more than our total transfer spend *ever*. Just one player - albeit an England international - cost more than Glavin, Redfearn, Hignett, Banks, Sheron, Dyer, Ward, Hristov, Anderson, Mowatt and the rest combined.
Unable to go last night but sitting at home watching was embarassingly painful. Wrong selection, poor tactics and appalling performances all contributed to the perfect storm whichade it so easy for them. Baz and Mael were the only two who deserved any credit after watching that. DC, his coaching team and all the other players need to have a deep look at themselves and get their mindset changed for Burton and the rest of the season. I hope to god they've woken up this morning with a clear determination to never repeat what they did last night. I dont care that it was Man U. We didn't get the basic fundamental things right. Had we done, we'd have made a fist of it. We've all seen bad performances over the years but last night ranks up/down there with the very worst. They were doing things wrong last night that I was coached not to do when I started playing, aged 8 years old. We have every right as fans to now expect a massive turnaround, starting on Saturday ...and continuing.
When alls said and done it was always a free hit for us but you do hope a crushing defeat like that doesn't affect their confidence going into the next game.
Agree Burton have new owners and spent a bit this summer so wasn't going to be easy anyway.. How much will conceding 10 goals in three half of football affect em especially if we concede early on Saturday.. We can't even drop the goalie and take out the firing line.. I know I'm like an old record but poor recruitment again.
