Brighton 1-0 Manchester United Friday 4th May

Brighton 1-0 Manchester United (Gross 57)

An intriguing statistic surfaced after this Friday night game. United had lost to all the promoted teams this season away from home. Brighton, Newcastle (1-0) and Huddersfield (2-1) had beaten us, but we had beaten all the top 5. Jekyll and Hyde United. We’ve also dropped points to Stoke, Southampton and West Brom, proving that although there has been a vast improvement this season, against the actual shite of the division we struggle to break them down and too often end games with feelings of frustration.

It was the first time since 1989-90 that we had lost 3 league matches in a season against newly promoted clubs. This insipid display wasn’t some massive shock though, with United pretty much on auto-pilot and Brighton up for it looking to seal safety in front of their fans. But even though it wasn’t a total coupon-buster, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t fucking dire. For four of our seven defeats to be against teams in the bottom half is unacceptable. Comparisons with City are not enlightening for us, with them only losing two games, against us in 2^nd and Liverpool in 3^rd. We are stumbling over the line to finish runners-up, fortunate that Spurs are having their annual blow-up and Liverpool are concentrating on Europe.

There were a fair few players out on that pitch who had a chance to force their way into the Cup final team and they were clearly not arsed. But even then, we should have enough to put away bloody Brighton, who hadn’t won in 7 games. For all that we moan when Martial and Rashford are left out, nights like these are still pretty common for them, proving Mourinho right. But the manager has to take a lot more responsibility, as way too often under him we see these joyless, disjointed and functional performances. I’m in no way #MourinhoOut, not by a long shot, but to see so many games like this is criminal given the attacking talent we have.  

Lukaku was injured and Sanchez was rested, with Rojo starting with Smalling, after Mourinho had justified Bailly’s absence by saying he needed to make sure the other defenders were match fit for the World Cup. Even for him, that bullshit took some chutzpah to say to the press. Young captained the team with Valencia rested.

The game itself? Brighton were up for it from kick-off, pumping balls into the general direction of the wily old forward Glenn Murray. As the game went on and they realised how poor United were, they abandoned the agricultural approach and went for a more considered style, with the ball-players Pascal Gross and Dutch international Davy Propper – one of my favourite players in the bottom reaches of the league – proving difficult to mark.

Our full-backs were showing no positional awareness (how often do we see overlaps from them?) and our centre-backs were treating the ball like its lit dynamite. United had 68% possession when the whistle blew, but there wasn’t much to write home about. It was mostly boring, slow keep-ball. There was little penetration from our forwards, seldom were balls played in behind. United were very sloppy, especially Fellaini and Rashford, who blew United’s best chance when refusing to cut the ball back to Martial after getting to the right side by-line. Instead he paused, thought about shooting, and only got a corner after dawdling so much he could have set up Mata as well who had made a late run. It neatly summed up an awful half devoid of quality, with a real end of season feel to it despite cup places being on the line. Fellaini was too deep, not forward enough to be useful.

De Gea had to make 3 top saves to keep us level. Murray’s 25 yard shot, Izquierdo’s effort and a Gross drive were all heading towards goal but Spanish Dave proved why he won both player of the year awards in midweek by denying them all. The only positive in the 1^st half was a tremendous drunken Friday night rendition of ‘Viva Ronaldo’ from the travelling Reds desperate for our Portuguese alumnus to step up again and stop the scousers from winning a 6^th European Cup in Kiev in 3 weeks or so. C’mon Ronnie. Save us from that horror, would you?

There is still plenty of deadwood at the club, chief among them Darmian, who was utter wank again. Please let that be his last United game, and it would be fitting if it was. The Italian was beaten horribly easily by Izquierdo for the goal, allowing Gross to head in after the initial cross was parried, the goal being awarded by goal line technology after Rojo’s clearance just wasn’t good enough.

So we were behind. Time for a swashbuckling response… er… about that. In the 71^st minute Rashford had a powerful shot from distance well saved from the Aussie Matt Ryan, but that was about as good as it got. Mourinho introduced Lingard and Luke Shaw, and later took off Rojo for McTominay, but it didn’t really make a difference.

The last sections of the match were embarrassing with the United side just circulating the ball. There was no setting it wide, no pace, just waiting for someone else to take a risk or make an offensive run. We were left with Pogba trying to find the top corner from 30 yards for the final 7 or 8 minutes or so, an admission that we had run out of ideas before we’d even begun brainstorming.

The home side were jubilant and why not, having clinched their survival and seen off the great Manchester United of Darmian. There was a minor pitch invasion at full-time and good luck to them – Chris Hughton, one of the more dignified football men, deserves all the praise he gets.

Mourinho went for Martial and Rashford in his presser. "For 10 months I get asked 'why always Lukaku? Why always Lukaku, why always Lukaku? Why always this player? That guy doesn't have a chance to start, the other one is on the bench.' You know why now." For once, there was little to be said in response. Let’s just hope the massive Belgian is fit and ready for the Cup final, otherwise we are going to have a huge job on our hands.

United (4-3-3) De Gea 8; Darmian 3.5 (Shaw 68, 5.5), Smalling 5, Rojo 5.5 (McTominay 76, 5), Young 5; Fellaini 5 (Lingard 68, 5.5), Matic 6, Pogba 4.5; Mata 4, Rashford 3.5, Martial 4.

Champions League Semi Final 1st Leg Observations

Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid

Bayern's first loss at home this season was clinched by a slick counter attack from Real after a huge individual error by Rafinha, who sent a pass straight to Vasquez. He passed to Asensio, who calmly lifted the ball home for the winner and a second away goal to leave his side well placed to reach a 4th final in 5 years.

Bayern were the better side here, having 60% of possession. They created the better chances, and it was baffling how they only scored once. But one big error – just like at the same stage in 15/16 when Griezmann was allowed to run through for Atletico – is enough for Real Madrid to smell blood, and seal victory.

This squad is built to get through these ties. Real have seemingly done the impossible and made the Champions League their competition. The fact they will finish miles behind Barcelona domestically is irrelevant to how these players approach things in Europe, where they have figured out how to control games against the very best sides, and also to grind out results when not playing well.

It's no secret they got their luck as well, of course. Who would've thought that Robert Lewandowski, one of the best strikers of his generation, would miss two one-on-ones in the same game? Or foreseen the time when Thomas Muller inadvertently blocked an effort from Hummels on Real's goal-line? But Real just find a way to get through these games, and take a lead to Spain next week.

Zidane went conservative with his side, picking Vasquez ahead of Benzema or Bale and playing 4-5-1, with Isco nominally on the left, but in practice joining in with the central midfielders. Jupp Heynckes was the polar opposite, picking essentially 5 forwards. Javi Martinez protected the fort, but the rest went forward in an attempt to push Modric and Kroos back and force them to play cautiously.

For a Champions League semi-final between two heavyweights, it was a game low on moments of top quality. Instead it was a frantic game full of mistakes - perfect for the neutral. The viewer was denied watching the electric pace of Arjen Robben, however. Only 8 minutes had passed before the Dutchman was limping off. He isn’t as plagued with injuries as he once was, but at 34, you couldn’t but help wonder if Robben would again start a Champions League game of such magnitude, even though age so far hasn’t hampered him.

Father time isn’t afflicting Franck Ribery either. The 35-year-old was Bayern’s best player, forever jinking past his marker, whipping balls in and creating opportunities with his velvet touch. In an ever changing world, to see Ribery on that left flank for Bayern is quite comforting. Throughout the evening he was a threat, and if the rest of his teammates had played like him Bayern would’ve won.

The early sub didn’t affect the home side tactically - Muller shuffled out to the right, and Thiago came on to play midfield -  but at half-time, Thiago could reflect on a performance that at best could be described as a 2/10. The Spaniard was guilty of letting the simplest of passes go astray and had errant touches galore. Did he just not warm up properly, or was sulking from not starting? He’s one of my favourite players to watch, his elegant style very easy on the eye, but although he improved as the game went on it was an undignified display from a player who by now should be indispensable for club and country given his talent. The fact that he was on the bench to begin with said a lot about how his season has gone.

Isco's narrow position led to joy on the right for Bayern. Ronaldo was isolated.



Bayern's offensive style was relatively unaffected by the early subs and injuries 



 

Regardless of Thiago’s struggles, Bayern were on it. Muller and Ribery went close before Kimmich scored in the 28th minute after Real were caught upfield. James sent a class through ball into the path of the full-back, who sent the ball towards goal instead of crossing as Real were expecting. He caught the keeper out and sent the Munich crowd into fever pitch.

Six minutes later a second Bayern sub was made, with Boateng pulling his hamstring and coming off for Sule. It was a big blow for Bayern to lose one of the best Centre-Back’s in the world. In a way it was classic Bayern - the players falling apart the minute they physically exert themselves. Their terrible injury record going into these ties season after season is surely no coincidence - after weeks of strolling through Bundesliga 5-0 cakewalks, the sudden change in intensity is obviously hard to deal with. In this match they were without Vidal, Alaba, Neuer and Coman even before the in-game problems. Although, a club of Bayern's size and wealth should never use injuries as excuses.

Ribery had a huge chance of making it 2-0, but his touch was awful, incredibly heavy, and the chance was gone with Keylor Navas pouncing on the ball. James, on loan from Real remember, had the keeper scrambling when sending a curling effort just wide. Real’s 4-5-1 wasn’t working, leaving Ronaldo too isolated and the team too narrow leaving Bayern finding joy in the wide areas.  

Bayern looked dominant though, ready to press home their advantage, when, as has happened so many times for this Madrid side over the last few years, a stunning intervention turned the game. Usually it's Ronaldo who saves them, but this season Marcelo has not been far behind. The left-back - a description that seems increasingly invalid - backed up his goals against PSG and Juve with an outstanding strike on the half-volley of wicked power, arrowed right into the bottom corner. It was unstoppable, and now Bayern left the field level after a half they had completely dominated.

Zidane made a brave sub at the break, bringing on Asensio for Isco and switching to a wider, more classic 4-3-3. Immediately, Bayern were forced to retreat, and Ronaldo began to see more of the ball. This game was the first Champions League game in 12 – Twelve – that Ronaldo had failed to score in, breaking his record run of scoring in every single CL game this season. But he was still being double-marked, opening up space for the other attackers. Vasquez and Asensio benefited, being left free to combine for the winning goal after Rafinha’s suicidal pass from Bayern’s own corner.

Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net, with a scorching volley with his left foot from the edge of the area, although he had quite blatantly handballed to help control it. Amusingly, he acted with pure indignation when the referee chalked the goal off.

Zidane, as much as I still don't see what he offers most of the time, got his subs spot on, and bravely sent on Benzema when Carvajal couldn't continue, putting Vasquez at right back, knowing he was one of the few who could keep pace with Ribery. The Asensio goal had shocked the Germans, leading to anxious passing and groans from the crowd, and Benzema almost scored after another lax defensive pass but the keeper made a top save.

A final roll of the dice saw Bayern play without a holding player as Tolisso replaced Javi Martinez. It was a good change, and the chances were returning, with the game being played almost entirely deep in Real’s half. But Real were determined to leave with a lead - Navas saved from Ribery, Ramos put his body on the line for the team as always, heading away cross after cross, flying into tackles and setting his side on the break with long passes. Marcelo, after being caught out of position for Kimmich’s goal, was rock-solid in the last 20 minutes preventing Muller from getting past him, and having the same effect on James when he was pushed wide right. Last-second blocks were the order of the day from the holders, and when they failed Lewandowski helped Madrid out by poking wide from ten yards out when James had sent him clear. It was a costly miss, a rare one from the Polish marksman and Real saw out the game.

Real went away to the French champions-elect, and won. They went to the home of the Italian champions, and won. For the second year in a row they won at the Allianz Arena, beating the German champions in their own back yard. They have taken on Europe's best and beaten them – even this time without Ronaldo scoring. Can anyone stop this team?

 

Liverpool 5-2 Roma

I hate Liverpool, okay?

They’re very good. Salah was awesome, scoring twice and destroying the Roma backline despite them training with him for the last two years. Captain Jordan Henderson gave his defining European performance, dominating De Rossi and Nainggolan and constantly sending forward passes to the now famous front 3 of Firmino, Salah, and Mane.

Roma played a high line, rather making a rod for their own back against the rampant pace of Liverpool. Leaving Perotti and El Shaarawy out left the side lacking in attacking pace and flair as well. Salah put his team 2 in front in no time, refusing to celebrate, although the Kop went justifiably mental. As much as I despise Liverpool, even I had to admit it was something special for an English team to attack like this in a European Semi-final; committing so many men forward with carefree abandon. Klopp has given his team an absurd amount of confidence, happy to attack in almost any situation.

That situation included being 5-0 up, where Liverpool were still amazingly on the front foot and duly were punished and Roma stole two away goals at the end. This left them in the same situation as after the 4-1 defeat at the Nou Camp in the last round; namely, win 3-0 at home and we go through. But I find it very difficult to believe Liverpool and Salah won’t score in Rome.

Liverpool were brilliant, you can’t deny it. The loss of Oxlade-Chamberlain through injury (a cruel twist of fate that left me and no doubt Southgate concerned about the World Cup) was a mere fly in the ointment for them, with no change in their playing style and high pressing approach.

Firmino scored twice, Mane added another, but the night was about Salah, owner of 43 goals this season. That is, make no mistake, Ronaldo and Messi numbers. From a bloody Liverpool player. I just pray my man CR7 crushes his and the scousers dreams in Kiev in May. I don’t think I’d be able to cope with them lot chanting ‘6 times’.

Bournemouth 0-2 Manchester United 18th April

Bournemouth 0-2 Manchester United (Smalling 28, Lukaku 70)

United warmed up for the Cup semi vs Spurs by dispatching a spirited Bournemouth XI, bouncing back from the defeat by West Brom well with a professional display. 

Mourinho made seven changes from that shocking game, partly as a reaction to the performance, partly to rest certain individuals for Spurs. So United started a league match without Lukaku and Matic for the first time in 17/18, with Valencia rested completely as well. Only De Gea, Herrera, Pogba and Smalling retained their spot but the real story was the selection of Luke Shaw and, amazingly, the player I dislike most in the current squad, Matteo Darmian. The Italian had almost disappeared from view but here he was, starting in the league for us for the first time since *checks soccerbase* the 0-0 draw at Liverpool on the 14^th October. This game was on 18^th April, for god’s sake. I’m never happy when he plays but he did ok considering he was brought in from the cold at short notice.

Shaw again looked a little too rotund for my liking… at this stage, you can only laugh really. But to be fair to the man fond of a Big Mac, he played well in the much changed defence, although he wasn’t the star of it. That was the recalled Phil Jones, who was showing plenty of effort and passion, dominating the area and winning the ball back numerous times.

The first goal was lovely. Herrera played a through ball down the right between the channels for Lingard to run onto, as opposed to most of the game when everything had been to feet, forcing the receiver to trap and control it. But this time, Lingard was able to instantly cross, and with all the Bournemouth defenders facing their own goal and not wanting to commit to a potential own-goal, Smalling, - the new Van Nistelrooy over the last month - was there to stab home. 3 goals in 3 away games for our new striker Smalling.

That opened up space and for the rest of the match the home defenders were constantly being turned by United’s pacey forwards, but the finish eluded them despite plenty of good approach play. Martial and Rashford buzzed around nicely but we were missing a real penalty box player to get on the end of the balls in. Unlike a lot of games this season, United weren’t particularly static, but we didn’t look like getting another goal.

That was until Lukaku came on and instantly gave United a convincing threat up top. It was he who finished off Bournemouth with the second goal. He ran into green space, and the ball was played into his path on his left side by Pogba enabling him to tuck it away without breaking stride. It was another simple goal, but so pleasing to witness for a team that sometimes like to overcomplicate things. Runs in behind, accurate passes = goals.

Matic came on for Herrera, and Pogba pushed up, exclusively playing in their half, and dribbling with the ball at his feet all the time. Our main man was feeding Martial, Lukaku and Rashford as well as looking for sights of goal himself. Just when he was really getting into his groove Mourinho subbed him, with a slight wry smile on his face I’m sure. Let the press write their crap – with the Cup semi on the weekend, the more minutes Pogba rests for the better.

Pogba’s replacement was Daley Blind, who like Darmian has spent most of the season on the bench or in the stands despite being available. (Although Blind was injured for 6 weeks during February and March). The Dutchman took the field for the first time since the 3^rd round Fa Cup win over Derby on the 5^th of Jan, and only 2 minutes after coming on shanked horribly at the ball when given the chance to shoot. It rather summed up a season where his previously quite decent United career has tailed off horribly. He started the first 3 fixtures but Young took the left-back spot and has never really been in danger since. Blind played all the European group matches but like Darmian appears to have been punished for the Bristol City loss. Although I hold him no malice (unlike that Italian prick) his time at United is surely up in the summer with the team barely noticing his absence all season. I mean, this was only his 6^th league appearance of the campaign.

The back 4 – even Darmian despite everything - defended well as part of the unit to allow United to see the game out pretty easily in the end, the expected onslaught from the home team never really arriving due to United’s experience and their own lack of quality creative players. Not that the crowd left at full-time annoyed by the action – far from it, as it was a raucous atmosphere from the very first minute to the last, the fans fully appreciative of their players despite the loss. Why not, when Eddie Howe has masterminded yet another season dining at the top tier for the small south coast club. So a decent win, but it’s Spurs, Wembley, and the Cup that takes our attention now.

United (4-3-3) De Gea 6.5; Darmian 6.5, Smalling 7, Jones 8, Shaw 6.5; Herrera 7 (Matic 72, 6), Fellaini 6, Pogba 7.5 (Blind 80, 5); Lingard 6.5 (Lukaku 62, 7.5), Rashford 6.5, Martial 6;

Manchester United 0-1 West Brom 15th April

Manchester United 0-1 West Brom (Rodriguez 73)

Fans of every single club in England, without fail, believe that their club love ‘doing it the hard way’. “Typical City” the Berties would bitterly mutter as their shite heroes slipped into the third tier. “Classic West Ham, never making it easy for ourselves” sigh the Green Street veterans after another pathetic performance, now forever condemned to watching football at an athletics stadium (admittedly a world-class one). Mostly, even for the rubbish clubs, this is utter bollocks. Even at United - the most successful team in the country remember – there persists a feeling from a sizable number of supporters that a trophy is only ever won in strife, and some of the recent domestic cup victories prove them right. After watching United lose to a West Brom outfit already essentially down, propping up the table and with a caretaker manager, only a week after the result of the season at the Etihad, you wonder if the cliché does ring true.

Of course, having 8 of the finest selection of young British players of all time lose their life in a plane crash with their potential not even slightly fulfilled would probably qualify for ‘doing it the hard way’. But generally, even the bad times at Old Trafford aren’t too bad. Despite this dreadful 90 minutes, United still could finish 2^nd and lift the FA Cup, which would be a very good season. But it is the inconsistency and the lack of ability to build on wins that so frustrates the crowd when it comes to Mourinho’s Manchester United. How were his team so lethargic after the high of Smalling’s winner at City?

It’s not as if West Brom were any good. They should always be respected – this was incredibly their 3^rd league win at Old Trafford since Ferguson retired – but they were and are rock bottom of the league, desperately low on confidence, sleepwalking to the Championship under temporary boss Darren Moore, after the appointment of Alan Pardew spectacularly failed. Their lack of attacking prowess is almost hilarious, and yet they won at our home, a place where Mourinho has only lost to two other teams – City and Sevilla. In the process leaving us 16 points behind with 5 games to play, meaning the Champions-elect became the Champions. It was their first league win since January for fucks sake.

WBA didn’t need to be special or even average to win, for United were abject. Slow, ponderous, and lacking in ideas, we looked like we were the team who had given up for the season. The contrast with the chest beating after the derby win was stark. Only two changes had been made – Lindelof for Bailly and Mata for Lingard – yet the change in tempo was like a chasm.  It was really hard to recall any moments of dominance or great football. We had the ball, but didn’t do a lot. We had the territory, yet rarely turned the defenders or tested the keeper. It was all very dreary. Lukaku had a chance saved. Herrera had a penalty claim waved away. That was it for the first half.

A familiar issue in all of United’s poor games this season has been lack of width and once again it was on show. Mata and the totally wasteful Sanchez both drifted inside, with Pogba, Herrera and Lukaku already there. The result? A congested mess when we go forward, practically tripping over ourselves in the search for space. With Valencia and Young either unwilling or unable to push high up, United were stale, relying on little bits of quality to open up a stout defence.

Albion were panicking whenever they had the ball, almost terrified that they could actually come away with a result. The golden chance inevitably came on the hour mark and it fell to Lukaku, just who United would’ve wanted it to. Matic picked him out with a fine cross and he did nothing wrong with his header. Nothing. It was powerful and goalbound, but Ben Foster flung himself to his left and pulled off a magnificent save. Rom couldn’t believe it, and the WBA lads probably thought then and there they could nick it.

It was from a corner, obviously. You can take the Tony Pulis out of the team etc. Brunt swung it in, Matic lost his man at the far post and desperately headed it himself back into the six yard box, where Jay Rodriguez had escaped Lukaku to score. Another goal conceded from a set-piece that Lukaku is culpable for then. There really is no point having him in there if he is so shit at marking, just leave the guy up top. You couldn’t blame him too much though, he barely got a kick against the bottom team due to his teammates actions.

There was no onslaught or siege on to the Stretford End goal afterwards. Even the introduction of Lingard, Rashford and Martial didn’t lead to anything tangible, despite all three being renowned for their effectiveness off the bench this season. More urgency, more crosses and Smalling being used as an unorthodox centre-forward, but no real danger for the well organised Baggies. United looked out of ideas, and in the end deserved to slip to a 6^th league defeat of the season, just when you least expected it. It was probably one of the shocks of the season, an incredibly disappointing coupon-buster, but it didn’t feel disastrous in any way. Just that United had been punished for lazily strolling through a game, and given we had been losing to Chelsea, Palace and City recently, you can hardly say a loss wasn’t coming.

The one silver lining was the knowledge that City won the title in a quite pathetic way, watching the TV draped over their Sunday dinner on a wet and miserable evening. Some might ask how City mathematically clinching the league could ever be good, but when you consider at half time last week we were facing the threat of them releasing thousands of fireworks at their stadium in front of us after thrashing their rivals, you begin to understand why this was a bit easier to swallow. They were denied their champagne moment. In any case, they’ve had it wrapped up since late December 2017, so any feelings of despair have long since been dealt with. They can enjoy the last 5 games, whereas United go to Bournemouth as a warm up for an enormous Cup semi with Spurs. It would’ve been beneficial to have been on a run of wins before that crunch game, but United never do it the easy way, do they?

United (4-3-3) De Gea 7; Valencia 5, Smalling 6, Lindelof 6, Young 3.5 (Rashford 75, 5); Herrera 5 (Lingard 46, 5), Matic 5, Pogba 5 (Martial 58, 6); Mata 5, Lukaku 5.5, Sanchez 4.5. 

Manchester United 2-0 Brighton FA Cup 6th Round

Manchester United 2-0 Brighton (Lukaku 37, Matic 83)

 

The fixture after the midweek before. The aftermath of the Sevilla defeat lasted right up until kick-off here, with the manager pre-match press conference an extraordinary example of the fight that Jose Mourinho has always been known for. As United’s season was punctured on Tuesday the boss was already looking for the distraction, an angle of excuses.

It was something, even so. An impassioned 12 minute defence of his record in the Champions League, and a football history lesson of United’s substandard performances post-Ferguson. The Portuguese reeled off United’s league positions, and compared them with City, to show how difficult it was and is for him to bridge the gap. He then listed European results after 2011, bluntly saying “this is football heritage” after every point. It might well be useful to mention Sevilla’s excellent European record, but this weekend they lost to Leganes. The Spanish minnows must have some heritage they’re hiding in their tiny ground, eh Jose?

Not that my rather pithy last sentence detracts from the good feeling I got from watching Mourinho hammer home his point that United are shit and he is desperate to turn us around. Because he was spot on. United have been poor, especially in Europe. That doesn’t explain a loss to Sevilla, a result that will hang over the club for a good few months, but perhaps should help explain why the reaction is not immediately to get rid of Mourinho.

You might’ve forgotten there was also an FA Cup Quarter-Final to win. The game was ugly, with very little to write home about. Thankfully for the manager, two of his most trusted lieutenants – Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic – scored to send us to Wembley.

Lukaku, fast becoming a leader in this team, hit his 25^th of the season from a Matic cross, and then followed numerous Brighton chances against pedestrian passing of the home side. The toothless nature of the South Coast attack, combined with the commanding display of cup keeper Romero meant that United were never really in trouble, but it wasn’t in the slightest the sort of response the faithful would’ve wanted after Sevilla. Only when the second goal was scored did we look comfortable, when Matic nodded in a quality free-kick from Ashley Young.

Young? Ah yes. For the utility man had come on at half time for Luke Shaw, who was yet again publicly slammed by his manager afterwards for a dreadful performance. Shaw hadn’t been great, but I certainly wouldn’t have hooked him at half-time. The England left-back is definitely too fond of a pizza or three but has it actually had an impact on his football? Is Shaw being bullied by a bitter coach? Shaw’s United career seems at an end, whatever the real truth.

Pogba and for the first time Sanchez were left on the bench, but it barely got a mention afterwards as post-match quotes again took centre stage. It wasn’t just Shaw, almost every player received criticism, and some might say it was just deserts for underperforming players.  Mourinho questioned whether we were scared to play, although Matic was described as “an island of personality” in terms of his mentality compared to some others.

There was encouragement in the stands at least for a singing section experiment that was a big success. The traditional area of the away fans was instead populated by some of the most boisterous members of the Red Army, with the Brighton fans shoved into Tier 2 of the East Stand. The result was a massive boost to the atmosphere inside Old Trafford, as the acoustics in that part of the ground where the East and South stands meet are so much better and conducive for signing than other areas. Unlike the current signing section, no one was forced out of an area of the ground. The club, J Stand operatives and hardworking Reds deserve immense credit for bringing together so many like-minded vocal United fans at such short notice. Now it’s up to the club to make it permanent.

Seldom has the international break come at a better time for the Reds. An opportunity to rest, take stock, and regroup ahead of the run-in. Another cup semi at Wembley to look forward to. It isn’t all doom and gloom.

United (4-2-3-1) Romero 7.5; Valencia 7, Bailly 5.5, Smalling 6, Shaw 5 (Young 46, 7); McTominay 6.5, Matic 8; Mata 6 (Rashford 75, 5), Lingard 5.5 (Fellaini 89), Martial 5.5; Lukaku 7.5.