[Chetan_Rao]

In all the understandable Ronaldo frenzy, another home debutant that'll arguably make the longer-term difference to United's competitiveness and trophy credentials, has been practically forgotten for the moment.

Varane at centre-back, highly decorated and world-class in his own right. Defences win titles, and all that.

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

The Arsenal bus is shedding wheels spectacularly!

In just a few years, gone from perennial top-4 finishes (and cup runs) under Wenger considered 'unambitious' to not even figuring in top-4 conversations.

Aptly said! All Arsenal fans who cried 'Wenger Out' would be cursing themselves now. 1 win in 4 games, 1 goal scored! Hope they get back on track soon. What a fall from grace!

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

In all the understandable Ronaldo frenzy, another home debutant that'll arguably make the longer-term difference to United's competitiveness and trophy credentials, has been practically forgotten for the moment.

Varane at centre-back, highly decorated and world-class in his own right. Defences win titles, and all that.

The Ronaldo frenzy will take the limelight away from players like Varane, Sancho and even Lingaard who all had good games today! The deflection of pressure should work well for them.

[Chetan_Rao]

After it threatened to be a damp squib in the first half, what a game at Anfield after the break!

Terrific from both sides; what a talent is Foden, and how criminally unheralded is Salah?

An often unglamorous but critical position, the holding midfielder, esp. in a modern high-pressing game. Rodri did them all proud with that block off the line. Wow!

England have a wealth of world-class attacking talent, a shame they're stuck with a 'pragmatic' coach. Put eithe of these two in charge, and England could be world-beaters.

Brentford are the neutral's favorite this year. What a tenacious, talented side.

[vb-san]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

After it threatened to be a damp squib in the first half, what a game at Anfield after the break!

True, first half was so lackluster that at halftime I switched on the recording and went to bed (it was 11:30pm start here). And to my surprise, it was a delightful second half to watch in the morning, and a fair result in the end

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Rodri did them all proud with that block off the line. Wow!

That block was just unbelievable. It was as good as Salah's or Foden's goal.

[dragntailonfire]

Fantastic game indeed. Really enjoyed that. I expected a draw, or, a penalty or a free kick goal, if any, but by god, what goals.

However, I really feel aggrieved that Milner escaped a sending off, that too so many times. Refs need to find the courage to give these decisions, in such matches. In such situations, more often that not, certain home sides always get an unfair advantage.

It was really funny to see Mike Dean chewing his gum and looking at Pep and his protestations about not giving Milner a yellow. Another moment was when he got up from his seat and took off his coat.

[Chetan_Rao]

Can you score a worldie on two consecutive matchdays? Mo Salah can!

De Gea has rediscovered his best form, and boy do United need it, given the shaky defence with Varane out and Maguire rusty.

1-1 with a worldie save as I started typing, 2-1 behind through no fault of his, then level 2-2 and now again 3-2 behind straight from kick-off.

Manic!

Edit: Ends 4-2. Poor defending and disjointed midfield. United should've spent some of those millions on a world-class holding midfielder.

Wolves snatch an injury-time winner to win 3-2 at Villa Park after being 2 down at 80 mins. Paisa vasool football.

Edit 2:There are higher profile keepers out there, but Edouard Mendy is right up in the 'Top Keeper' mix. Those sort of performances can win titles.

Brentford, what a team!

[vb-san]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Can you score a worldie on two consecutive matchdays? Mo Salah can!

True, hard to choose between this one and the one against City two weeks back! Wonder what’s stopping Liverpool from handing over a new deal to the Egyptian!

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Maguire rusty.

Extremely overrated defender IMO.

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Brentford, what a team!

Easily, entertainers of the season!

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by vb-san

...


Extremely overrated defender IMO...

Based on the first 15 mins at Old Trafford, hard to disagree. Leicester's accountant must be incandescent, with laughter.

FOUR, in ONE half!!!! Maguire was mixed up in three, well one was an unfortunate ricochet, to be fair.

[vb-san]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Based on the first 15 mins at Old Trafford, hard to disagree. Leicester's accountant must be incandescent, with laughter.

And the third is in just now!

[RD150]

I would be really surprised if Ole doesn't resign after this. Ole, you are a legend as player, but as a manager , you are not good enough for united.

[pandey.jai]

English players are generally overrated in the PL and Harry Macguire is one of the many examples. He has the turning radius of a container ship and doesn’t have other qualities that mask his lack of agility.
Ole is well out of his depth, but we knew it already. His buddies in the media cover for a lot of his frailties and generally don’t create the media pressure as they would do in case of some of the others.

[ask_017]

Originally Posted by pandey.jai

Ole is well out of his depth, but we knew it already. His buddies in the media cover for a lot of his frailties and generally don’t create the media pressure as they would do in case of some of the others.

I have to agree. Simple fact is when Moyes said something similar about aspiring to be like Liverpool (albeit Moyes had the championship winning team), all hell broke loose. Now when Ole said that, nobody cares. Moyes, LVG, and Jose got absolutely the worst treatment from pundits and fans for their brand of football. Is the football now any better, never in my opinion.

One more thought from my side - has Ole improved any one player? Nope. You can say about Greenwood, but I would say it as his natural ability and progression due to getting more chances. What I am baffled to see is somebody like Wan Bissaka. He was a proper proper defender and players found it very hard to go past him. Now when they are trying to turn him into a more attack oriented player, he is losing his defensive attributes and becomes mixed bag of nothing, neither good in attacking nor in defense.

Shaw after the great season he had last year, something in him seems to be switched off. And Maguire, the management has to be also responsible for not improving the attributes of a player. He is a different player when playing for England and how is that possible.

In the recent past, whenever Ole's position was in some doubt, he managed to always pull something out of the bag, but now it seems that luck has run out. By the end of this daunting set of fixtures, (or even before that) I think he will be gone.

[vb-san]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Maguire was mixed up in three, well one was an unfortunate ricochet, to be fair.

He was actually getting in the way of his own team mates, especially with Shaw.


Happy that Liverpool strike 5, but this scene (after the 5th goal went in) was even more striking - not fitting for a club of Man U’s stature. I will be surprised if Ole survive for another week.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by vb-san

...Shaw...

Someone who, ironically, would fit much better in a Liverpool-style system.

Wing-back that likes going forward, getting cover from his left center-back and holding midfielder. Both aspects United messed up yesterday, and they were playing with TWO holding midfielders! Bet he'd swap places with Robertson in a heartbeat, purely from a footballing perspective.

That visual of fans leaving at half-time is just sad, esp. given some of those are probably traveling once-in-a-lifetime fans who came from afar to support their club. Imagine getting a ticket and traveling halfway across the world to one of the biggest games for your club in English football, and being subjected to that horror show.