Cronky

Linked with Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove.

Re Lingard, over the last few seasons a lot of good players at Man U seem to have dipped in and out of form. There have been so many changes to the management, the players and the formations that it's no wonder that some careers have stalled. Shaw seemed to disappear without trace for a while, Pogba now seems marginalised, Jones has probably gone backwards, and Lingard's development has hit the buffers.

Was hendrick even playing? He was totally anonymous. Joe did a lot more than him last night. Right from the start, I've been one of Hendrick's most vociferous critics, but I thought he did okay yesterday. He has looked so inhibited in previous games, and you don't expect an experienced player to struggle to find their feet like that. But hopefully, between his ears, he's turned a corner.

Asked the same during the game, looked it up and apparently he plays centre midfield/attacking midfield. Occasionally left but mainly central. He looked more like a central midfielder. Most managers seem to want to ease youngsters into the first team in the less responsible wider positions. He seemed quite feisty as well, putting himself about. It would have been great if he'd managed to score when he had that chance.

They were the better side, but it's disappointing to lose when the first goal was conceded from such a bad mistake. That's the best I've seen Hendrick play. He actually looked like he wanted to be there. We find it so difficult to secure our own ball from throw-ins, really because we struggle to retain the ball under pressure in tight spaces. It's awful to watch.

Looked confident and wanted to make things happen. Always a good sign in a youngster making his debut.

Hendick has got stuck in, once or twice. Longstaff has passed well. Apart from that, it's been as per usual. Apart from Almiron, we're seriously lacking pace going forward. Why anyone should be reluctant to take a chance on Lingard, I don't know.

Defend in numbers and try to nick a goal from a set piece. Probably the right percentage decision. Won't be pretty, of course.

I don't know what's happened to Lingard at Man U. On his previous form, he'd be the best player in our side. Providing he's not injured or has major psychological issues, I'd definitely take a punt.

I’m sorry but joelinton , I don’t feel sorry for him, he is lazy, and doesn’t care. I’ve watched the team for 25 years and he is one of the biggest wastes of space we have ever had , why Almiron and Murphy are playing second fiddle to this fraud is anyone’s guess I have to agree, breaking him down and for the money we paid he brings very little to the team, when he loses the ball he rarely goes aggressively back after it, looks lazy and being lazy are different but I agree he looks lazy, stats may make a mug of me. The bloke isn’t really getting much better, fuk me how long do you wait, he’s no mug but I struggle to find what he is? Winger, midfield, striker, number 10 ? No fucker knows Folk have said in some games he’s been great, fuk me I just don’t see the same thing, reasonable yes but not great and even given motm on an occasion .Maybe JL just doesn’t float me boat but I don’t see any decent player there at all. Our whole midfield is horrible. Well ultimately whether a player is lazy or just looks lazy can only be a matter of opinion. But for me, he definitely looks like he's trying. Some players just don't have the sort of physique that enables them to move in the kind of nimble way that so many situations in football require. I'd agree that there's a problem in finding his best role. Perhaps his current one is the best possible. But overall, I fear he lacks the mobility to do well in the fast pace of the Premiership, whatever role he's given. He's got a good football brain, but his body isn't allowing him to do what he needs to do.

We pressed the opposition further up the field with more conviction and overall the new line-up looked like an improvement, though not a spectacular one, of course. I feel a bit sorry for Joelinton, who never hides, but we would be a much better side if there was someone in that number 10 position who was more mobile and had a better touch. He reads the game well, and shows for the ball, and knows what he should be doing in possession. Trouble is, his body doesn't allow him to do it at sufficient speed. He loses the ball in promising situations too often, and a player in that role tends to see a lot of the ball. A lot of moves seem to break down with him. In fairness, he sometimes uses his strength to open things up, and I don't think we have a clear alternative option. But it's a very frustrating picture to watch.

Quite a positive looking line-up. Good to see the bros back together. Optimism disappeared a bit when I saw the Leicester team though.

Choudhury has looked a decent player, and 10 appearances doesn't sound like he's fallen that far out of favour at Leicester. I'm okay with this.

I'm fed up with this. I don't want to hear any grovelling apologies from this lot. They need to be made an example of, and given a lengthy ban by the FA. With all the previous cases, they'll have been fully aware of their responsibilities.

I can't fault his attitude, and he's earned his place in the side. But that position of withdrawn striker can make a big difference to how a team functions. Someone with more pace and a better first touch is who we need to look for, long term. And yeah, I know that's difficult.

Yeah, that was a significant moment. Good midfield players can actually take advantage of being put under pressure by using the space that potentially opens up for their team mates or themselves. Our other midfielders tend to get rid of the ball as fast as they can. Sean doesn't have the footwork of his brother, and has got caught a few times. As others have said, he probably needs to be further forward, where he can take more risks and get on the end of chances. As Whitley Mag has said, it's not as though we have stellar alternatives to these two. They are young, improving players, and will benefit from more game time. We need to find the best way of playing them together. With Hayden suspended, I'd be tempted to pitch in Hendrick, rather than Shelvey, alongside those two. We can't afford three midfield players who all lack pace, against a side like Leicester. Having said that, I think Bruce will probably give Matty a rest, and drop him to the subs bench. He's put in a very good stint for the last two games. As a final point, I'd like us to stick with 3-5-2. It's not necessarily a more defensive formation, and it seems to suit the players better.

He looks like he's ready to seize his chance. He played with a lot of assurance and distributed the ball well. In a midfield that struggles to retain possession, he stood out. I was particularly impressed to see the number of passes he delivered without even needing a first touch. I just hope that his emergence will also encourage his brother, whose confidence looks more brittle.

Not quite sure how we managed to keep the ball out at times. Typical of our performances in recent times. Get men behind the ball. Hope we nick something.

Matty playing well. Releasing the ball quickly and sensibly. Joelinton is so frustrating. Often loses the ball in promising situations.

That would be the most uninspiring midfield in our history. Clearly you don't go back very far. 76 first game? Then you've got a very short memory

That would be the most uninspiring midfield in our history. Clearly you don't go back very far.

Matty looked confident and at ease on the ball. I'd like to see how he fares now against one of the weaker sides. He covers the ground okay, but lacks pace and struggles to get into the right position to tackle. But he moves the ball along accurately and swiftly, which none of our other midfielders can do. I'd like to give Hayden and the two Longstaffs a try in a 3-5-2.

We're not completely out of it, though it's hard to imagine Joelinton getting on the end of a chance, let alone finishing it. Young Matty has done pretty well. It's nice to see a midfield player who looks half way comfortable on the ball. He seems to have shed a few pounds since last season.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Peace and love.

Well that players haven't said anything either way have they. The idea that the club made up that story about the players without getting their consent is even more implausible. And that's saying something.