Red Devils 2018-19

[Gallego99]

Methinks OGS did not play Sanchez earlier because Rashford was carrying an injury sustained from a hard tackle by Henderson. It was a like for like substitution until OGS was forced to use the Sanchez card,the third and final substitution. Any other permutation would mean a need for tactical shift.
Methinks he would have used Sanchez to replace Lukaku assuming no further injuries. That clumsy guy did not provide any defensive cover. It was left to Pereira and McTominay.

Sanchez as usual did not show any desire to play. In fact that farker has put on a bit of weight. He's forcing United to sell him this summer.

 

[red amoeba]

Ok lah, lukaku did pull some weight on the right flank. Two crosses, one that would have / should gone had Smalling been more alert.

Sanchez in the other hand try very hard and succeeded in trying to dribble and lose the ball. At one point Pogba had to intervene to tackle Milner after he went past Sanchez. Pogba was caught on TV showing the wtf you doing look.

Alas his wages mean no one can afford him. Guardiola is laughing that he dodged a bullet.

 

[yinyang]

Ok lah, lukaku did pull some weight on the right flank. Two crosses, one that would have / should gone had Smalling been more alert.

Sanchez in the other hand try very hard and succeeded in trying to dribble and lose the ball. At one point Pogba had to intervene to tackle Milner after he went past Sanchez. Pogba was caught on TV showing the wtf you doing look.

Alas his wages mean no one can afford him. Guardiola is laughing that he dodged a bullet.

Fair comment. Lukaku did his bit, am no fan of this big potato -given JM's bias for physique like Fellaini (no lioss, he has to peddle his wares in China).

 

[Gallego99]

Ok lah, lukaku did pull some weight on the right flank. Two crosses, one that would have / should gone had Smalling been more alert.

Sanchez in the other hand try very hard and succeeded in trying to dribble and lose the ball. At one point Pogba had to intervene to tackle Milner after he went past Sanchez. Pogba was caught on TV showing the wtf you doing look.

Alas his wages mean no one can afford him. Guardiola is laughing that he dodged a bullet.

Lukaku did well during Mourinho's reign. He did his job by scoring 20 goals in all competition. The only issue with him is he doesn't fit into a quick transition game. Dribbling is another issue but he uses his body well to put off defenders. That much credit I'll give him.

Sanchez is another Bale mould. Agree, his wages would mean any transfer fee will be limited. I dun think any of the coaching staff is happy with him. The look of Phelan's face says it all. Like OGS says, he has to sought it out himself. What a waste of money!!!!! Thanks to Mourinho!

 

[Gallego99]

SAF should have a talk with Sanchez.

We're damn lucky to get a point from that game. I think OGS was fuming when Lingard came off. He just wasn't ready to play. Sad.... I missed the chance to see the afro guy play.

 

[yinyang]

Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United:
Romelu Lukaku double helps visitors to victory
By Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport

Lukaku is now into the top 20 all-time Premier League goalscorers
Romelu Lukaku "grabbed his chance" by scoring twice to make light work of Manchester United's injury crisis with a comfortable Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils were missing eight first-team players at Selhurst Park, but claimed a club record eighth consecutive win away from home and extended their unbeaten league run under their interim boss to 11 games.
Belgium striker Lukaku netted in each half, curling a well-placed shot into the corner for his first and scooping over goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for his second.

Looking to respond, Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp flicked a header wide of the far post, but Joel Ward did manage to convert a diving header from close range with 24 minutes remaining.
Solskjaer said: "He [Lukaku] has done loads of running up and down the line, right wing, left wing. He's had a different role because of Marcus Rashford's form.
"He got a chance up front. Two very good finishes, could have had another one as well earlier on, so I am very pleased for Rom. He is a quality finisher.
"It's great to have him around the place, always happy, always working on his finishing. He's played more than you think, but he's played wide right, wide left, so it's Rash's form that has moved him out there.
"Now with Rash's injury, he grabbed his chance."

United were under pressure late on but Ashley Young drilled in a third for the victory as United stay fifth in the table, a point behind Arsenal who hammered Bournemouth 5-1,while Palace remain 14th.

Mixed showing from United

There were major concerns before the game that boss Solskjaer may have to field a significantly-weakened United side, having seen three players stricken by injury in the first half against Liverpool last Sunday.
But the Norwegian managed to put out a fairly strong eleven, giving a start to £47m summer signing Fred for his first appearance since 5 January in the FA Cup.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder was shaky early on, being outmuscled off the ball too often and playing loose passes, but his 84.5% pass accuracy was bettered only by defender Victor Lindelof.

Solskjaer, who has repeatedly spoken about the traditions of Manchester United, took the opportunity to hand a debut to 17-year-old youth team midfielder James Garner for the final minute, replacing Fred.

Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises Romelu Lukaku impact

Forward Alexis Sanchez failed to impress in another lacklustre showing, but striker Lukaku scored two well-taken goals, having missed a glorious chance in the opening 10 minutes when he volleyed over from close range.
The former Chelsea, Everton and West Brom man moved into the Premier League's top 20 all-time leading scorers, his 111 strikes drawing him level with Dion Dublin.
At the back, full-back Luke Shaw followed up his excellent showing against Liverpool with another solid performance, while Young kept Wilfried Zaha quiet and capped his display with a goal.

 

[red amoeba]

Good victory esp when Chelsea n Ars won. Spurs dropped points which is good for us.

Fred & Sanchez are terrible. Losing the ball and little contribution. Shaw has nailed down the LB position finally and there should be potential in that. Mourinho did something positive at least to inspire him.

Lukaku did his chances no harm. Pogba was subdued. Bring on Southampton. Hope Ars lose the derby this weekend.

 

[Gallego99]

Chelsea, Arsenal and United are closing in on Spurs. A great result at Selhurst Park, a challenging venue no less. Next Southampton at home b4 the big one at Paris.

What can I say about Lukaku. He'll miss the easy ones and score when you least expect him to. Exciting times ahead.

 

[Gallego99]

Good victory esp when Chelsea n Ars won. Spurs dropped points which is good for us.

Fred & Sanchez are terrible. Losing the ball and little contribution. Shaw has nailed down the LB position finally and there should be potential in that. Mourinho did something positive at least to inspire him.

Lukaku did his chances no harm. Pogba was subdued. Bring on Southampton. Hope Ars lose the derby this weekend.

A draw would be just as good.

 

[Gallego99]

Fred was awful. Sanchez failed to track his marker. He doesn't seem to have his usual fire in his belly. Let's hope he's ready at Paris.

 

[yinyang]

No competition, so far

 

[red amoeba]

Tonight vs Southampton should be put money take money. Lukaku n rashford shld play. Fred should give way to pereira.

With ars n Tottenham licking horns it’s the best opportunity to put points on the board.

Score more since goal diff could be decider.

 

[Gallego99]

Apart from the wonderful strike and stumbled assist, I thought Pereira had an otherwise lousy game. The lad did alot of running and hustling but most of his crosses from the flank were mishit.

It was a very poor performance in the first half. Things started to look up only when Sanchez came off and Dalot came in with an abundance of energy to spark the game. The goals that we conceded were mistakes mad by De Gea. He was probably counting how much he would potentially make next season.

PSG is next and I think Utd can pull it off.

 

[red amoeba]

Apart from the wonderful strike and stumbled assist, I thought Pereira had an otherwise lousy game. The lad did alot of running and hustling but most of his crosses from the flank were mishit.

It was a very poor performance in the first half. Things started to look up only when Sanchez came off and Dalot came in with an abundance of energy to spark the game. The goals that we conceded were mistakes mad by De Gea. He was probably counting how much he would potentially make next season.

PSG is next and I think Utd can pull it off.

Considering the squad is down to bare bones I will take his strike. Equal to valery one. True, in both cases goalie at fault.

Lukaku is showing up well. Sanchez is telling OGS to sell him.

Against PSG I just hope no more injuries. Keep the power dry for Ars this Sunday. Overturn two goal away is too much to ask.

 

[Gallego99]

I'm still holding on to the treble dream. Remain hopeful for a miraculous outcome,the mother of all comebacks.

The stupidity of overpaying for Sanchez has had a knock on effect off the field. DG refuses to sign but hopefully United will not accede to ridiculous demands by players. Best that they get Sanchez off the books at the earliest opportunity.

 

[yinyang]

Bursting the kitty again?

Manchester United face £100m tug-of-war for Jadon Sancho
with French big-spenders PSG

4 MARCH 2019 • 10:30PM
Follow
Manchester United are ready to battle Paris St-Germain for Jadon Sancho in a tug-of-war that could see the Borussia Dortmund winger become the first £100 million English footballer.
Sancho has emerged as the top summer forward target for both United and PSG, who face each other in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

Any move for the teenage England winger would raise fresh doubts over the future of Alexis Sanchez, who has been a spectacular flop since his move to Old Trafford from Arsenal 14 months ago.
Sanchez’s calamitous United career hit a new low on Monday when he was ruled out for up to two months with medial ligament damage to his right knee as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury crisis deepened ahead of the PSG game, in which United must try to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit

But, despite Sanchez’s injury leading some to wonder if the Chile forward might have played his last game for United, his exorbitant £500,000-a-week wages will make him difficult for the club to offload unless a move away is subsidised or there are huge compromises on both sides.
Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out for up to two months with medial ligament damage to his right knee CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES


Sancho, 18, has established himself as one of the most exciting young players in Europe following his £8m move to Dortmund from United’s bitter local rivals Manchester City in August 2017.
He has nine goals and 14 assists to his name this season and Dortmund, having extended Sancho’s contract until 2022 in October last year in recognition of his meteoric rise, are determined to keep the player.

But United and PSG are preparing to test Dortmund’s resolve and the Bundesliga leaders know interest from both clubs will drive the price higher and guarantee an extraordinary profit on their original investment should they decide to cash in.
United’s record purchase is the £89m signing of France midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016 but there is a recognition that it could take £100m or more to prise Sancho away from Dortmund given the enormous inflation in the transfer market. Kyle Walker - who joined Manchester City from Tottenham Hotspur for £54m in 2017 - is currently the most expensive English player.

The prospect of United signing Sancho would be a potential embarrassment to City, who were unable to persuade the teenager to stay, after he grew frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities, only to see him flourish in Germany and establish himself as a full England international.
United have put the accent firmly back on attacking football since Solskjaer’s appointment as caretaker manager and believe Sancho would help form part of an exciting Anglo-French attack with Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Pogba.


United have lacked a natural right-sided forward for years and, while Solskjaer has managed to successfully compensate for that so far, Sancho could prove a valuable addition in the short, medium and long-term and bring more pace, urgency, creativity, goal threat and X-factor to the forward line.

Any potential move to Old Trafford would certainly excite England manager Gareth Southgate, for whom the idea of three of his most talented attackers - Rashford, Lingard and Sancho - playing together at club level would doubtless benefit the country on the international stage.

As well as a versatile forward, United want to sign a pedigree centre-half, with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly among the targets, and, ideally, another midfielder this summer.​

Sanchez’s failure has reminded United of the perils of seeking short-term fixes. PSG were once interested in Sanchez but they are now pursuing a model that targets the best young players who can develop and, with uncertainty persisting over the future of Neymar, who has been courted by Real Madrid, the French champions have identified Sancho as a leading target.
PSG certainly have form for making huge outlays on youngsters. They paid £166m to sign Kylian Mbappe from Monaco, aged just 18, and only narrowly lost out in January to Barcelona for the highly rated 21-year-old Holland midfielder Frenkie De Jong, who will formally move to the Spanish club from Ajax at the end of the season.

PSG paid £166m to sign Kylian Mbappe (left) from Monaco CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Sanchez was substituted after 52 minutes of United’s 3-2 win over Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday, when his exit coincided with a marked uplift in performance.

He underwent scans on Sunday, which established he had suffered damage to the medial ligament in his right knee and, according to the Chile physiotherapist, Pedro Onate, he will be out for “six to eight weeks”.
An eight-week lay-off would rule Sanchez out until the end of April. United will play a minimum of 11 more matches this season and Sanchez currently stands to miss as many as nine of them.
Sanchez’s injury comes at a time when Solskjaer is already without Martial, Lingard, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata through injury, and Pogba, who is suspended against PSG following his red card in the first leg.

Sanchez’s form has been so poor that some will not consider his absence to be much of a loss and Reinaldo Rueda, the Chile coach, admitted he was becoming concerned.
“For sure it’s very worrying,” he told the La Terceranewspaper. “I hope we can enjoy the Alexis we all knew again.”
Ashley Young believes United can pull off a huge upset, despite all their injuries. “We know what we’re capable of. People can write us off,” he said. “I’ve got every faith if we defend well and if we create the chances that I know we can do, we can win the game.”

 

[yinyang]

Me thinks it's a lost cause. Mountain too high to overcome. Fat chance

PSG vs Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs an unthinkable comeback
- but they aren't as unthinkable as they used to be
Solskjaer needs to turn around a deficit, but the knockout stages have seen that happen plenty in recent years in the most unlikely of circumstances. The Norwegian faces the night of his managerial career
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-solskjaer-champions-league-ucl-a8808351.html

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has naturally spent the last few days passionately infusing his players with the spirit of so many epic Manchester United comebacks in the history of the European Cup, but just as inspiring might be a spirit of openness that has infused the Champions League over the last two seasons.
It is genuinely like nothing we have ever seen before, and should at least offer some hope United can pull off something they’ve never managed before.

Much will be made of Paris Saint-Germain’s collapse to Barcelona in 2016-17 - in a way that will hang over every Champions League second leg where they have a lead until they actually win the trophy - but more relevant is the contagion effect the chaos of that tie seemed to have on the rest of the competition.

It is almost like when a player pulls off a spectacular strike, like a scorpion kick, only for a series of similar efforts to follow because everyone has been shown it’s now possible.

This isn’t far off what has happened with previously highly improbable Champions League comebacks.
The time since PSG’s collapse has seen Roma recover from 4-1 down against Barcelona themselves to claim a remarkable 3-0and Monaco overturn a 5-3 at Manchester City to then win 3-1. Even huge comebacks that weren’t fully completed saw frenzied and emotionally freighted football that was scarcely imaginable for most of the modern Champions League. Real Madrid went 3-0 ahead in Turin only to suffer the stunning ignominy of Juventus doing the same at the Bernabeu, before a contentious Cristiano Ronaldo penalty saved the Spanish side. It’s similarly now forgotten that Roma came to within a goal of overturning Liverpool’s 5-2 in last season’s semi-final, winning the second leg 4-2.

• 
  Injury-hit United without 10 first-team players for PSG clash

Again, with the latter two, such situations shouldn’t have been imaginable. They instead came imposingly close.

Perhaps the truly important element in this is really the generally raucous nature of Champions League football in recent seasons, and how it’s so quickly evolved due to more attacking football.
Such comebacks are obviously connected to the huge escalation in goal returns over the last few seasons, to the point that first-leg leads of even two goals don’t mean as much as they used to.

They aren’t even as elusive, for one.

There have been 18 first-leg leads of two goals or more in the two years since the 2016-17 knock-outs, with three overturned, and two others going as far as key late goals to confirm qualification.
There were only 17 in the three years between 2013-14 and 2014-16 and three of those were overturned, but two were in generally lopsided ties like Manchester United coming back against Olympiakos and Porto succumbing to Bayern Munich.

Compare that to the period spanning Solskjaer’s playing career in the Champions League, between 1996 and 2007. Those 11 years saw 27 such leads, with just three overturned, and two of those famously came in the same 2003-04 season with Milan-Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid-Monaco.


So, put bluntly, the last two years of the Champions League have seen as many sensational comebacks as Solskjaer’s entire playing experience of the competition. European football is just nowhere near as tight as it used to be.
It also means that, whatever about beating PSG themselves, such comebacks just aren’t as “impossible” as they used to be either.


Consider the complexion of this tie, against that contrast.
Before even trying to figure out how to win a game against a side as good as PSG, such 2-0 leads would have been layered by the knowledge that they just don’t tend to be turned over at this level, doubling the scale of the challenge. It is a history that still conditions much of the thinking now. But it shouldn’t.

Leads like this just aren’t as rarefied, or consequently as ruinous, as they used to be.
Part of it is also about, well, just completing part of the task.
If beating PSG by two goals at Parc des Princes is daunting, scoring one is not. It’s just one moment in a game, in a much more open era of attacking football.

And this is the key: once a team has that single goal, it’s no longer a daunting comeback. It’s just another step to be taken in the game, at a stage of football history where so many more goals are being scored. The tie suddenly comes alive. The complexion has transformed.

United head to Paris needing a historic comeback (AFP/Getty)

That sense of excitement on one side, of concern on the other, is often enough to completely re-energise a tie.

You could feel it when Roma got that second against Barcelona last season and, perhaps much more relevantly to United, when Mario Mandzukic made it 2-0 to Juventus at the Bernabeu.
They were no longer in the profoundly difficult process of trying to overturn a 3-0 lead against an imposing giant. They instead only required a goal to bring it level, in a way that happens in so many routine games.
This is something Solskjaer will be playing on.
He of course has the greater challenge of trying to work out a team for the PSG match given United’s many injuries. That has occupied much of the thinking around the squad.

The scale of the deficit, however, should not. At least not in the way it used to.
Such comebacks now come around so much more often.

 

[Gallego99]

With the 5 young guns, they'll beat PSG tonight and rewrite the history books. They will play Garner, Mason and Tahith Chong. They'll be playing under no pressure at all. They'll beat PSG 3-1 and it will be the mother of all COMEBACKS!!!!!

 

[red amoeba]

Ajax showed the way. Man Utd fell away. Mourinho to be Real Madrid manager again.

 

[yinyang]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47461886