TRon

Fraser had a similar one published in the Athletic yesterday, also had a lot of good insight into the team spirit being built by Howe's management team, I don't know if it was posted yesterday by someone, I don't have access to it at the moment, but was a great read.

Attack the box with goal scoring intent.

Same applies when he's in front of goal. I can accept we might have been playing him in the wrong positions, but when he has found himself in goal scoring positions, he's either hesitated or fluffed it. That's got nothing to do with being played out of position, it's just lack of killer instinct.

I was quite confident we could win this before Trippier's injury, now I think momentum has shifted slightly, and I'd be delighted with a point - which I think we can get FWIW. Before the Everton game I said I would be happy with five points from these three games, we've got six already, so anything we get from this is a bonus as far as I'm concerned.

Every chance we'll concede a goal down that side if Murphy plays as an orthodox RB. He's weak tackling and at the back post when it comes to defending, considering they'll be a threat in the air, would be a massive risk.

Agree, I think Krafth will do ok when he's had time to prepare for a game both tactically and mentally.

He would if he had any end product. Forwards are measured by goals and assists at the end of the day, and he just doesn't produce enough of either.

He was better than Yedlin back then as well IMO.

He was never as bad as was made out. He was a bit too much safety first due to lack of confidence and fans picked up on that, but there were also signs of quality as well.

Rashford's a good player, but is he on the same level as other CL strikers at rival teams like Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea? I think one of Man U's problems is they don't quite match up to the top teams in some areas and strikers is one of them.

It's what I was gunning for before the injuries to Trips and Manq. I still think it's on, just think it's not as nailed on now.

Same as Targett. Quite sobering really that along with Trippier, three defenders can look head and shoulders above our current playing staff. The first two not even being first choice for bog standard PL clubs.

Exactly this. I don't have that much of a problem with his abilities, he's no world beater but can do a job as a stand in. But why would you want to hand out another contract to an ageing, injury prone player?

Villa certainly did a number on us, crippling our star right back with a stamp, and then taking out his replacement with a barge while he was in mid-air.

Krafth isn't good enough at this level, but at least he's an actual defender. I hope we don't make the mistake of trying to play Murphy there again, he'll get done at some point and it will cost us.

That would knock the balance of the side right out, and also take away two key aspects which Willock is bringing to the table: Winning the ball high up the pitch, and goal threat. Shelvey has to be the one who makes way, and that's not a slight on Shelvey. He's been playing well as the sitting midfielder, but that's surely the role Bruno has been brought in for, and he's simply a better player.

He's like the right footed version of Dummett, except slightly worse at everything. Wtf Bruce was thinking when we brought him in as a summer signing I have no idea. Probably, I've got a tenner, who can I buy?

I thought he was a decent defender until I saw how much better Targett looked in the same position, and also what a difference having someone like Trippier can make at full back. Dummett looks a bit slower than he used to a couple of years back, not sure if injuries and age have took their toll, but right now we have to be grateful he's there as an option.

Not to mention our best striker being already missing for three months. We are going to have to do it the hard way.

Very gratifying that he's won both head to head battles with his rivals for the job of NUFC manager. Lampard and now Gerrard put in their place, no doubt about it, we made the right choice.

He's showing more IMO, last season he was mostly about getting into goal scoring positions, this season he's becoming box to box, it's got to the stage where even if he's not scoring goals, his role is still valuable. I put that down to Howe demanding more from him, and also giving him clear instruction.

Yep. There has to be some serious level of planning to be pressing so high up the pitch yet maintaining such good defensive shape in tandem. It's inspiring.

He'd have been on earlier IMO if we hadn't been forced to make two substitutions either side of half time.

What?