Manchester United v Chelsea - EPL 06/12/23 8:15pm - Official Match Thread

Originally Posted by atticusgrinch

Rashford should have been dropped 3 months ago.

United offering that new contract was a massive £#%&! up.

He had just scored 30 goals. You cannot let him go on a free. Imagine letting a player in the form of their life scoring goals for fun leave on a Free.

Hindsight is a bastard. But you couldn’t not offer him a new deal .

I'm desperate for Rasmus Birtles/Forlan to score and I really hope he doesn't go the way they went.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

I didnt say he was absolutely faultless and it was the most perfect display I'd ever seen. Calm down you over enthusiastic M.O.T tester.

you didn't say anything.

he's a decent player. however, aside from the one awful pass, it would be fair to say that chelsea created a lot of chances despite him having a good game (and shaw and maguire), because one midfielder just isn't enough. he played well and we still didn't have much control. get mainoo in next to him... and cass when fit... and we can take on any midfield.

Originally Posted by marlo

you think are coming win against a team with canciedo and in the middle.
This is gonna be brutal. If Cole palmer plays Chelsea will win -1

Sage

Poch and Chelsea get a free hit really don’t they? They’re absolutely wretched and nobody says anything.

Originally Posted by Zorg

Poch and Chelsea get a free hit really don’t they? They’re absolutely wretched and nobody says anything.

Yeah I was worried about tonight because you look at the individuals and they should be a lot more, but they’re even more chaotic and than us and with about half the effort.

Originally Posted by Zorg

Poch and Chelsea get a free hit really don’t they? They’re absolutely wretched and nobody says anything.

Think his spell at PSG and now at Chelsea have highlighted he’s not a great manager of big egos. His stock has fallen a lot.

Originally Posted by TreeFiddy

Sage

Chelsea did win by minus one

Originally Posted by red in cumbria

It was always a silly comparison anyway.

You're a sweet kid Riccers, but you're not very clever. The data is the data.

RE: Rashford -- as one who has, if not defended, at least contextualised his recent run of form after multiple 20+ goal seasons .. absolute no problem with him being dropped. Manager lives and dies by his decisions - for better and worse. If the team functions better as a result of his omission, great. If team regresses to lack of goals without him in the side, then it weighs heavy on the manager. Which is how it should always be. Praise for getting pivotal decisions right; criticism for getting them wrong. Instead of cop out fantasy land.

Contract was definitely the right move from the club though. This isn't Pogba: its a 40-50 game player season in, season out. He'll fetch good money on the market if he doesn't outlive Erik.

https://x.com/paulmerse/status/1732476502673928303?s=46&t=46osAsCMaSbh7vgQsN2lEQ

At least he didn’t say by -1

Originally Posted by VanHaaksbergen

you're not very clever. The data is the data.

Big win and very good performance; should have been 3/4 really. Hojlund is desperate for a goal; he worked hard but needs a goal so badly.

Amrabat, Maguire, Shaw, The Scottish Player all excellent; Garnacho outstanding.

Originally Posted by jem

Don't worry Jem, I got it

i good my hands up here , i was wrong

It’s seems Chelsea’s watch is fake!

Originally Posted by Zorg

Poch and Chelsea get a free hit really don’t they? They’re absolutely wretched and nobody says anything.

Those two central midfielders cost them £220 million

Got outplayed by two players who cost us nothing

if chelsea's finishing hadn't been so abject, we'd be a little more critical of the performance. glad it's over, tbh. there was no point in the game at which we were comfortable. we don't do the simple things well.

Originally Posted by jem

if chelsea's finishing hadn't been so abject, we'd be a little more critical of the performance

It wasn't Chelsea who missed a penalty was it.

Seriously, we could - should - have been 3 or 4 up before they scored.

Best 90 min performance since Spurs last October. Just keep Rashford & Martial away from the starting lineup. Wouldn't be disappointed to see both of them leave in the summer.

Chelsea were as open as they were when they last came to OT. Amazing how powderpuff they are given the went so big on the 2 centre mids that started tonight.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

Why was the ref playing on then ffs??

Great result, better performance but still a long way to go. Some great moments. Thought The Scottish Player did superb, Maguire, Garnacho, Bruno (work rate), Antony and Amrabat were all very good.

We're still so open though, far too many gaps. Mainoo + Amrabat has to be the answer for more dangerous teams.

3 points behind City

Would Erik play that midfield pivot away at Anfield,IF it had been trialled earlier then may have been possible but don't think he has