I think Pep is going to do great for the team & they have to have the most talented roster in the Premier League. I'm shocked Barca let Claudio Bravo leave to City. He's better than Ter Stegen. I also think he's a huge upgrade over Joe Hart. City is really putting together a solid squad. Aguero, KdB, Silva, Bravo, Stones, Sane, Gundogon, Nolito, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Kompany & Sterling could possibly be very good. Talent wise they should be able to compete for the UCL.
I watched Kanté a good bit last year, and he is a very good two-way player; he thrived in the wide open full bore offensive and counters that LC ran so well, and when it's that type of game, he covers so much ground in the middle third. And, as you say, his speed and agility tend to bog down the opposing mf.
who was on an island the entire second half. but you can't defend for 80-85 of 90+ minutes and not expect United to score.
I don't think Mourinho can keep Mkhitaryan out of the lineup any more. the interplay with Zlatan is just so much better. That means Mata or Rooney comes out - it should be the latter, but likely it will be the former.
Was it Elmohamady at right outside back? If so, he was beaten twice, cleanly by Rooney: the first time as he sought to shield the ball as it was about to roll across the goal line and result in a GK, but Rooney neatly and quickly stepped around prodded the ball toward the six and struck a dangerous cross that caromed and could have gone in then. The second, play similarly toward the goal line with Rooney in possession and a sharp step w/o and then with the ball left the back looking back. This time Rooney's cross found the streaking Rashford. Crushing loss, but as you say, Hull was playing a clearance game for 95% of the second half.
How do you think Ibra and Pogba "fit" in a Mourinho match mold?
Was it Elmohamady at right outside back? If so, he was beaten twice, cleanly by Rooney: the first time as he sought to shield the ball as it was about to roll across the goal line and result in a GK, but Rooney neatly and quickly stepped around prodded the ball toward the six and struck a dangerous cross that caromed and could have gone in then. The second, play similarly toward the goal line with Rooney in possession and a sharp step w/o and then with the ball left the back looking back. This time Rooney's cross found the streaking Rashford. Crushing loss, but as you say, Hull was playing a clearance game for 95% of the second half.
How do you think Ibra and Pogba "fit" in a Mourinho match mold?
CHP, yes, he was the RB all game and had a good one until the end when he finally tired out.
I don't think the issue right now is either Zlatan or Pogba - although Pogba had a pedestrian performance. You've seen Pogba have the freedom to bomb forward, since Fellaini is essentially a ball-winner. Obvious today that Mkhitaryan needs to start and they can't play both Rooney and Mata in the lineup. I think Mata's played better, but Rooney is Rooney so it won't happen. Their best formation might be a 4-3-3 but I think Jose likes the physical superiority of the two deep midfielders.
I don't think the issue right now is either Zlatan or Pogba - although Pogba had a pedestrian performance. You've seen Pogba have the freedom to bomb forward, since Fellaini is essentially a ball-winner. Obvious today that Mkhitaryan needs to start and they can't play both Rooney and Mata in the lineup. I think Mata's played better, but Rooney is Rooney so it won't happen. Their best formation might be a 4-3-3 but I think Jose likes the physical superiority of the two deep midfielders.
This is the first look I've had at the new Man U (and it was intermittent as I was getting lunch together), so my focus and interest naturally went to Ibra, Pogba and how they would mesh forward with new Mata and Rooney. I saw Mkhitaryan, and my knowledge of the team and BPL being a notch or two or three below yours, I wasn't alert to having him press my button. I'll know better next time to re-focus.
ManU's possession game in H1 and early H2 struck me as mechanical, but as Hull wore down, its shape bent, their tackling and marking grew later and later and the final third opened up. Mata was very active coursing along the 18 trying with some success to create openings, but other than on corner kicks and crosses, where Ibra's and PP's size would create obvious problems, they and WR seemed to be in each other's way. They're still figuring it out and it seems they might benefit from going wider. Valencia for an old standard was active coming down the right flank.
I was struck by how many of the old reliables did not move off their bench today. Will be an interesting season for sure.
I watched Kanté a good bit last year, and he is a very good two-way player; he thrived in the wide open full bore offensive and counters that LC ran so well, and when it's that type of game, he covers so much ground in the middle third. And, as you say, his speed and agility tend to bog down the opposing mf.
Yeah he's been really fantastic. Chelsea struggled in that area last season after Matic's play fell off a cliff.
It is interesting that Cesc is having trouble getting in the side. Clearly he doesn't fit Conte's vision for an ideal midfielder. But he can still pick out passes that nobody on the team currently can make. We saw that on the Costa winner last week. So I hope there's still a place for him as the season goes on.
City looking very sharp so far today against West Ham Â
B, we're seeing some of the cohesion we were hoping for. Perhaps the finality of the Hart/Bravo situation has lifted the cloud of uncertainty. 2-nil at 36 minutes in.
First goal came from some masterful passing off of Silva and Nolito leading to a Sterling perfect shot, the second off a brilliant free kick into the box from KDB to the head of Fernandinho. KDB looks in midseason form, even aggressive on the forecheck, so to speak. Every touch from him has been gorgeous. Just missed a fantastic opportunity...City moving the ball at will on offense. Masuaku playing dangerously for W Ham, in danger of a 2nd yellow today.
Additionally, Iheanacho isn't seriously hurt. He'll rest for 2 weeks per the team.
They look spectacular at times. There was a sequence in the first half where they worked the ball out of the back in such gorgeous fashion with a series of maybe 12-15 passes that ended in a Molito chance that gives me hope of things to come.
Then they don't have the ball or give it away cheaply and they look absolutely terrible. I'm sure the last two minutes following Sterlings goal will drive Pep crazy. And I'm still not sold on the back four. I really hope Kompany can return, stay healthy and add that stability, calmness and confidence.
Nasri really wants to stay. He was all over the place.
I don't think Mourinho can keep Mkhitaryan out of the lineup any more. the interplay with Zlatan is just so much better. That means Mata or Rooney comes out - it should be the latter, but likely it will be the former.
How do you think Ibra and Pogba "fit" in a Mourinho match mold?
How do you think Ibra and Pogba "fit" in a Mourinho match mold?
CHP, yes, he was the RB all game and had a good one until the end when he finally tired out.
I don't think the issue right now is either Zlatan or Pogba - although Pogba had a pedestrian performance. You've seen Pogba have the freedom to bomb forward, since Fellaini is essentially a ball-winner. Obvious today that Mkhitaryan needs to start and they can't play both Rooney and Mata in the lineup. I think Mata's played better, but Rooney is Rooney so it won't happen. Their best formation might be a 4-3-3 but I think Jose likes the physical superiority of the two deep midfielders.
This is the first look I've had at the new Man U (and it was intermittent as I was getting lunch together), so my focus and interest naturally went to Ibra, Pogba and how they would mesh forward with new Mata and Rooney. I saw Mkhitaryan, and my knowledge of the team and BPL being a notch or two or three below yours, I wasn't alert to having him press my button. I'll know better next time to re-focus.
ManU's possession game in H1 and early H2 struck me as mechanical, but as Hull wore down, its shape bent, their tackling and marking grew later and later and the final third opened up. Mata was very active coursing along the 18 trying with some success to create openings, but other than on corner kicks and crosses, where Ibra's and PP's size would create obvious problems, they and WR seemed to be in each other's way. They're still figuring it out and it seems they might benefit from going wider. Valencia for an old standard was active coming down the right flank.
I was struck by how many of the old reliables did not move off their bench today. Will be an interesting season for sure.
Yeah he's been really fantastic. Chelsea struggled in that area last season after Matic's play fell off a cliff.
It is interesting that Cesc is having trouble getting in the side. Clearly he doesn't fit Conte's vision for an ideal midfielder. But he can still pick out passes that nobody on the team currently can make. We saw that on the Costa winner last week. So I hope there's still a place for him as the season goes on.
First goal came from some masterful passing off of Silva and Nolito leading to a Sterling perfect shot, the second off a brilliant free kick into the box from KDB to the head of Fernandinho. KDB looks in midseason form, even aggressive on the forecheck, so to speak. Every touch from him has been gorgeous. Just missed a fantastic opportunity...City moving the ball at will on offense. Masuaku playing dangerously for W Ham, in danger of a 2nd yellow today.
Additionally, Iheanacho isn't seriously hurt. He'll rest for 2 weeks per the team.
Then they don't have the ball or give it away cheaply and they look absolutely terrible. I'm sure the last two minutes following Sterlings goal will drive Pep crazy. And I'm still not sold on the back four. I really hope Kompany can return, stay healthy and add that stability, calmness and confidence.
Nasri really wants to stay. He was all over the place.