Manchester Utd vs Middlesborough
0-0
Penalty Shootout: 1-3
Wed 28th October - 8pm
Capital One Cup
Manchester Utd vs Middlesborough
Penalty Shootout: 1-3
Wed 28th October - 8pm
Capital One Cup
To start things off, I want to say how well Middlesborough played. Although they sat back and played on the counter, they played with passion, determination, speed and flair, everything Man Utd didn't. To say I was in shock at some of the performances from United tonight is an understatement. Lets dissect exactly who I am talking about.
For me this evening, Memphis Depay was atrocious. I understand he hasn't had many games over the last couple of weeks, but that doesn't excuse the sort of performance he gave. The accuracy of his passing was appalling and he didn't pose any sort of threat to the opposition's defence. From what I have heard, his attitude has been criticised by other members of the squad and after watching his body language after a stray pass in the second half and add on the rumours of him & RVP falling out whilst on national duty, this makes me think he needs a right kick up the arse and to knuckle down & prove his price tag.
Then comes Sergio Romero, now he did make some fine saves but all of that will be forgotten about because of 1 moment. What he was doing when he nearly let a pass back creep into his net I don't know. He looked nervous and that was seen by Middlesborough and at every possible point applied pressure on him. It's a massive difference to the goalkeeper we are used to in De Gea, and that might be unfortunate for him but as a Manchester United goalkeeper, this is what the fans expect after being graced with such world class talent like Schmeichel, Van Der Sar & De Gea etc. He needs to improve very quickly and unfortunately for him, his next game might not be for a while.
In terms of quick snippets on individual performances..... Darmian, Blind & Rojo were OK, Smalling definitely still shines in the back four. Carrick still shows exactly why he should be in the starting 11 every match. Fellaini, Lingard, Perriera, & Wilson were just fine but nothing more and Romero & Memphis I have already mentioned. In terms of the substitutions, Rooney had no impact on the game and carried on his dreadful form, Young came on and seemed lively but still couldn't deliver any balls of any class and Martial was yet again a stand out player. As a team I feel we haven't quite got the final pass figured out, the passing is way too slow and looking at Fellaini trying to score a Scholesy sort of goal shows we don't have anyone who can put the goals away with ease other than Martial.
Now regarding Louis Van Gaal, I thought that on paper, the team choice was a good one. We brought in players like Perriera and Wilson and gave them the chance to get some minutes under their belt. At the same time, it gave the other players that haven't had too many minutes on the pitch, an opportunity to show what they are about. In hindsight, I think he maybe tinkered a little bit too much. It was a team full of players who weren't match fit and it showed in the tempo of United's play and quite frankly in the first half I might as well have been watching paint dry it was that boring.
There is one final point that I feel needs to made, and that was the performance of the referee. In short, he was awful. And it's not the first time. He missed so many little fouls like when a Middlesborough player grabbed hold of Ashley Young's shirt, dragged him off the ball and off the pitch but he decided to award the free kick to Middlesborough. Not sure what he was watching but It definitely wasn't that play. Then we have the two major penalty appeals. The first one is debatable but when you watch it in slow motion, he moves his arm towards the ball and therefore I would have to say it is a penalty but I understand why he hasn't given it. What I can't understand, is how the second handball is not given as a penalty. In the slow motion replay, it is clear that the referee can see the incident as clear as day. He is in a great position to see it and he isn't blocked in any way. How he hasn't given it, I have no idea but it is a dreadful decision. Quite clearly I am saying that Middlesborough deserved to win the match but for him to miss a penalty shout like that, all I will say is that Jose Mourinho's claims are nothing in comparison.
Anyway, I really hope the team learn from this, and learn that they need to be putting in much better performances if we are going to get anything out of this season. Lets hope they put in a great performance at the weekend and we can show what we are all about.
Hope you have a great 2nd of of the week and don't forget to like our Facebook page, Follow us on Twitter & Instagram and finally if you want to read the blog every week then make sure you follow us on Google Plus too!
Over & Out!
Romero 5
Darmian 6
Smalling 7
Blind 6
Rojo 6
Carrick 7
Fellaini 6
Lingard 6
Perriera 6
Memphis 4
Wilson 6
Rooney 5
Young 6
Martial 7
For me this evening, Memphis Depay was atrocious. I understand he hasn't had many games over the last couple of weeks, but that doesn't excuse the sort of performance he gave. The accuracy of his passing was appalling and he didn't pose any sort of threat to the opposition's defence. From what I have heard, his attitude has been criticised by other members of the squad and after watching his body language after a stray pass in the second half and add on the rumours of him & RVP falling out whilst on national duty, this makes me think he needs a right kick up the arse and to knuckle down & prove his price tag.
Then comes Sergio Romero, now he did make some fine saves but all of that will be forgotten about because of 1 moment. What he was doing when he nearly let a pass back creep into his net I don't know. He looked nervous and that was seen by Middlesborough and at every possible point applied pressure on him. It's a massive difference to the goalkeeper we are used to in De Gea, and that might be unfortunate for him but as a Manchester United goalkeeper, this is what the fans expect after being graced with such world class talent like Schmeichel, Van Der Sar & De Gea etc. He needs to improve very quickly and unfortunately for him, his next game might not be for a while.
In terms of quick snippets on individual performances..... Darmian, Blind & Rojo were OK, Smalling definitely still shines in the back four. Carrick still shows exactly why he should be in the starting 11 every match. Fellaini, Lingard, Perriera, & Wilson were just fine but nothing more and Romero & Memphis I have already mentioned. In terms of the substitutions, Rooney had no impact on the game and carried on his dreadful form, Young came on and seemed lively but still couldn't deliver any balls of any class and Martial was yet again a stand out player. As a team I feel we haven't quite got the final pass figured out, the passing is way too slow and looking at Fellaini trying to score a Scholesy sort of goal shows we don't have anyone who can put the goals away with ease other than Martial.
Now regarding Louis Van Gaal, I thought that on paper, the team choice was a good one. We brought in players like Perriera and Wilson and gave them the chance to get some minutes under their belt. At the same time, it gave the other players that haven't had too many minutes on the pitch, an opportunity to show what they are about. In hindsight, I think he maybe tinkered a little bit too much. It was a team full of players who weren't match fit and it showed in the tempo of United's play and quite frankly in the first half I might as well have been watching paint dry it was that boring.
There is one final point that I feel needs to made, and that was the performance of the referee. In short, he was awful. And it's not the first time. He missed so many little fouls like when a Middlesborough player grabbed hold of Ashley Young's shirt, dragged him off the ball and off the pitch but he decided to award the free kick to Middlesborough. Not sure what he was watching but It definitely wasn't that play. Then we have the two major penalty appeals. The first one is debatable but when you watch it in slow motion, he moves his arm towards the ball and therefore I would have to say it is a penalty but I understand why he hasn't given it. What I can't understand, is how the second handball is not given as a penalty. In the slow motion replay, it is clear that the referee can see the incident as clear as day. He is in a great position to see it and he isn't blocked in any way. How he hasn't given it, I have no idea but it is a dreadful decision. Quite clearly I am saying that Middlesborough deserved to win the match but for him to miss a penalty shout like that, all I will say is that Jose Mourinho's claims are nothing in comparison.
Anyway, I really hope the team learn from this, and learn that they need to be putting in much better performances if we are going to get anything out of this season. Lets hope they put in a great performance at the weekend and we can show what we are all about.
Hope you have a great 2nd of of the week and don't forget to like our Facebook page, Follow us on Twitter & Instagram and finally if you want to read the blog every week then make sure you follow us on Google Plus too!
Over & Out!
Romero 5
Darmian 6
Smalling 7
Blind 6
Rojo 6
Carrick 7
Fellaini 6
Lingard 6
Perriera 6
Memphis 4
Wilson 6
Rooney 5
Young 6
Martial 7
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