Smal

Decent enough start but Man U have had some good chances already. Boddy and Kelly key for us I think. Feel like they’re winning the midfield battle.

If our midfield line is pressing that high then the defensive line has to step up higher too. We can’t put all the focus on the midfield shape. The defence can’t be that deep when the midfield are pressing, it’s crazy.

I think we win the game if Joelinton isn’t injured btw . Miley is fantastic with the ball in the final third but he can’t play as a box to box CM yet at all. Swap him out for an athletic player who is strong in duels and we don’t concede De Bruyne’s goal.

It was good to see him out-pace Foden on one occasion when he came on. Hopefully a sign that he’s getting closer to what Howe needs from him physically.

League only: xG conceded per 90 pre-Pope injury: 1.02 xG conceded per 90 post-Pope injury: 3.16

the biggest problem with the system at the moment is that the defensive line is playing about 15 yards deeper than it usually does since Pope’s injury. That’s why those gaps between defence and midfield are even bigger than usual. Last season we had Schar and Botman stepping up and marking opposition forwards into midfield, but it’s just not happening anymore because the distances are too big. It’s not a coincidence that our xG conceded has gone up massively since Pope’s injury.

It’s a difficult one because you could see that coming a mile off and he didn’t do anything to change/stop it at all. What could he do though with nobody on the bench who could come into the front 6? Lascelles on to make a back 5? That sounds like something Steve Bruce would do.

felt inevitable in the second half, really.

If this ref was giving yellows for dissent they’d have 6 players

Big Dan Burn winning offensive headers from our goal kicks is an underrated part of his game

Miley is a #10 imo. His final pass is almost always fantastic. Can’t do box to box or recovery runs required for his role tonight (yet).

agreed. Gordon should’ve just done what he did for his goal

When our players aren’t fucking knackered they can do some pretty incredible things, like. Miggy is a different player to last month’s version.

Fabian Schar you beauty

that is a disgrace

Isak had to get in front of his man for that cross.

these commentators are an absolute mess

Our bench is always so funny, man

I really don't see why we need to sell our best players unless they actively want to leave tbh. We need to bring in more young players to develop and sell for profit. I've no idea who like, but that's what scouting is for.

hit escape/x as the page is loading and you’ll be able to read it.

we have Wilson and once Barnes is back we’ll have Gordon to rotate there too which will help to stop Wilson and Isak getting injured so often. We have massive priorities in the team at right wing and central midfield. Again, Solanke would be £50m+. If we need a 3rd rotation striker I don’t think we should be spending that kind of money on someone who’ll be 27 this year considering the other positions we’re weaker in and FFP. I really like Solanke though. His out of possession/pressing work is top notch too. I just can’t see it unless we’re selling Wilson.

I don’t really understand what the plan would be for Solanke. We play one striker and we have the best in the league outside Haaland. Solanke will be about £50m and like… we really, really need a right winger . Edwards is always breaking a completely inaccurate story before we actually sign someone else though, so fingers crossed.

this one clearly indicated that she was in the home section for the away games. I really don't have a problem with it. The rest of the 9 board members have been fans for most/all their lives who will be putting forward their perspectives. Hopefully they'll be able to get their points across on the ticketing issues. I don't think this one lady who's only been a fan for a couple of years is going to have much influence on ticketing etc.

Presuming Joelinton's out, if we go with our usual flat 5 with Gordon - Longstaff - Bruno - Miley - Almirón then Foden is going to absolutely annihilate us in his current form. Have to try 4-2-3-1 imo. Dubs Trips - Schar - Botman - Burn Bruno - Longstaff Almirón - Miley - Gordon Isak Make sure Burn has protection and Longstaff can pick up Foden. Stick Miley on Rodri. Focus all our attacks up our right.

pathetic stuff . Spammy cunts, man.