41 minutes ago, just said:

Apart from finding a proper striker, the other thing I hope happens in January transfer window is that we manage to off-load Cucurella. He had a very short Purple patch where he picked up a bit, but he has sure as hell reverted back to what he was now.

There is so much wrong with his game IMO, it's hard to know where to start. Add in the physical short-comings of his lack of height and lack of strength, and it's hard to find any positives in him at all. Yes We've had small full-backs in the past who were quality. Petrescu and Ferrer spring straight to mind. But technically and, more importantly, positionally, they were miles better than Cucurella.

The worrying thing is Just, is that as bad as Cucurella is, when James came on, he was just as bad, possibly even worse. 

1 hour ago, just said:

Apart from finding a proper striker, the other thing I hope happens in January transfer window is that we manage to off-load Cucurella. He had a very short Purple patch where he picked up a bit, but he has sure as hell reverted back to what he was now.

There is so much wrong with his game IMO, it's hard to know where to start. Add in the physical short-comings of his lack of height and lack of strength, and it's hard to find any positives in him at all. Yes We've had small full-backs in the past who were quality. Petrescu and Ferrer spring straight to mind. But technically and, more importantly, positionally, they were miles better than Cucurella.

Not defending him because I don't think he's good enough for the money we paid for him but he starts for me at LB right now. I look at him and know his limitations but I think he can do a job when needed and I am more worried elsewhere on the pitch. Mudryk, Noni, Jackson, Enzo, Caicedo are far more concerning than Cucurella in my opinion.

 

Edited December 7, 20232 yr by Sheva

Ten Hag conceded six in two matches against Galatasaray and four goals in one match in Copenhagen. Barely beat Copenhagen in Manchester thanks to the danes missing a last minute penalty. 

To have this clown mock you by saying you can't defend it's truly and utterly pathetic. We're almost midway through the season with no European football and still look no better than Everton or Palace. It's both laughable and worrying. 

Here they are ladies and gentlemen. Extended highlights from last night's vintage display:

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf2fjBy8mDo

 

13 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Got to sort out our full backs. 

For the first goal last night, Cucurella was so far out of position that he left two players unmarked on his supposed side. United switched the play to them, Disasi and Silva both leave the middle to pressure the cross (why both ? is there no communication ?)  leaving plenty of space for Maguire to shoot, and then McTominay to score after the ball rebounds off (who else) Cucurella.. 

And then for the second goal, Reece James is far too far in field, leaving Garnacho all the time in the world to put a nice cross into the back post, where our other full back (Colwill) has gone to ground far too easily leaving McTominay with a free header. 

 

The defence is a shambles. I think he's changing it up too much, and trying to be too clever with round pegs in square holes.

You can if you want say the attackers are no good and we bought badly. I disagree but fair enough. The lack of defensive Organisation though is completely on Poch.  It’s so frustrating. 

Just now, ozboy said:

You can if you want say the attackers are no good and we bought badly. I disagree but fair enough. The lack of defensive Organisation though is completely on Poch.  It’s so frustrating. 

And he is showing no signs of fixing that.

5 hours ago, ozboy said:

You can if you want say the attackers are no good and we bought badly. I disagree but fair enough. The lack of defensive Organisation though is completely on Poch.  It’s so frustrating. 

Fortunately United's attackers were worse than ours, which at east avoided a truly embarrassing scoreline.

I can't see how Cucurella's and James' lack of discipline in their positioning is Pochettino's fault. I highly doubt he told Cucu to play at LCB if he felt like it. Or told Colwill to go to ground if he got a slight tap on the back, You can say he shouldn't be picking them, but he has so many injuries that he doesn't have the luxury of benching or leaving players out if they are fit. We had a bench full of academy players as it was ... 

2 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Fortunately United's attackers were worse than ours, which at east avoided a truly embarrassing scoreline.

I can't see how Cucurella's and James' lack of discipline in their positioning is Pochettino's fault. I highly doubt he told Cucu to play at LCB if he felt like it. Or told Colwill to go to ground if he got a slight tap on the back, You can say he shouldn't be picking them, but he has so many injuries that he doesn't have the luxury of benching or leaving players out if they are fit. We had a bench full of academy players as it was ... 

I can see how it’s his fault. I will bet that if red nose was managing players would do what they were told. But red nose would never change his back line every game and Silva would have been moved on last season or the season before. 

9 hours ago, ozboy said:

You can if you want say the attackers are no good and we bought badly. I disagree but fair enough. The lack of defensive Organisation though is completely on Poch.  It’s so frustrating. 

Could be worse. We could have appointed Postacockloo. I'm not sure he can even spell defend but he is starting to set records at Tottenham. His one tactic is play at 10,000 miles an hour and get everyone up to the halfway line. It's Ossie Ardiles fantasy football all over again.

 

Credit to Bournemouth for doing to United what we should have done but we're incapable of.

3 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Credit to Bournemouth for doing to United what we should have done but we're incapable of.

Spot on and credit to the ex chelsea player too:

Every time the former Chelsea and Liverpool man took possession around the United box, his first instinct was to threaten the goal.

His finish maximised the sodden conditions as he used the pace of the low cross after Lewis Cook had taken advantage of static United defending as Bruno Fernandes looped a clearance out of the penalty area to steer the ball in at the far post.

Solanke was a constant threat. He also struck the base of a post with another shot across goal and it was his header that led to Marcus Tavernier turning home what he thought was a second, which was ruled out for offside.

 

^^Yes, he's really improved as a striker. Maybe we'll put in a £100m bid if we don't sign Toney. Or Osimhen.