The ‘Positives From Yesterday’ thread

Well, that one hurt.

However, there were quite a few positives. Here are some:

Onana

He exudes confidence and authority. He completed more successful passes than any DDG game since 2016. His reputation alone is helping as opposition teams don’t go after him in the same way they do DDG. Once we learn to actually learn what to do once we break a press, we’ll really see the benefit.

Rashford

Off the mark. He needed that. Big contributions in the last two games when back in his favoured position.

We responded well to the equaliser

Thought we played much better after they scored. We didn’t lose our composure and fold like we’ve done before. Usually when we concede, there’s a 5 to 10 minute spell where we’re backs to the wall.

Dalot

We were worried about him against Saka, but I think he was one of our better players. I think he’s actually better on the left than the right.

Antony

A lot more assured and careful with the ball in the last two games.

The Garnacho ‘goal’

Amidst the frustration, it’s easy to forget it’s a great goal. Classic counter, lovely, slick touches and such a calm finish. A damn damn shame.

Rasmus

The biggest positive of the lot. We looked a different proposition with him on. His very first action was to chase down a ball he was Never going to get and was pretty damn close.

Twice he pinned Gabriel and released Bruno, who then played out quickly to rashford. That’s something none of our forwards have in their locker.

You could see his penalty box instincts for that scramble where rashford got to the byline.

You can see his pace in behind for the penalty incident.

He just generally gave everyone a lift too. Great energy and positivity like that is infectious. You see it with Garnacho when he comes on, it more than makes up for how raw they are.

Any more?

Love Onana. Could best player on the ball under pressure in the team. Was splitting the Arsenal press so well that they just gave up trying to press him in the end and let him do what he wanted with the ball.

Razzers is great, having a centre forward that can move, body other players and not trip over the ball is going to huge. Noticed his little flicks and touches during build-up from some of his highlights last season and was hoping it'd be something he brings to us. And straight away for the Garnacho goal, one like back heel and he opens everything up for the counter. Hopefully we can take it a bit easy on international duty and come back match fit.

Agreed on all fronts. Shaw’s a better player but he leaves attackers acres of space (because he’s less fit than they are). Saka usually has free reign. Antony justifies his place but he still won’t beat a man and his final ball is £#%&!. Onana is brilliant - it helps not to have Maguire to pass to but he’s made a big difference. Rasmus looks the business - will make a huge difference. It’s insane it’s taken us this long to begin to address our striker position.

Hojlund looks like he will be a physical presence.

Dalot had a good game at LB. Arguably our MOTM.

Good goal by Rashford.

Think that's about it for me.

Enjoyed Ramus yesterday and hopefully it will be the last time we see Martial in a United shirt.

Antony's pass completion was 59%, not sure that is looking after the ball well (lowest in the team).

He did OK tracking back. But not sure how long we can persevere with an attacker who carries limited threat in league games. Did nothing going forwards again.

Originally Posted by Coracao

Antony's pass completion was 59%, not sure that is looking after the ball well (lowest in the team).

He did OK tracking back. But not sure how long we can persevere with an attacker who carries limited threat in league games. Did nothing going forwards again.

That’s misleading. We were struggling in the first 30 minutes to keep the ball in midfield. He was the one who was receiving it in tight areas and keeping it where others were giving it away. He was our best out in that first half an hour.

Faded as the game went on, but he’s improving.

Originally Posted by Dr Stranger

That’s misleading. We were struggling in the first 30 minutes to keep the ball in midfield. He was the one who was receiving it in tight areas and keeping it where others were giving it away. He was our best out in that first half an hour.

Faded as the game went on, but he’s improving.

Is this misleading too or is it only misleading when it goes against the point that we were pretty poor yesterday regardless of how we try to dress it up?

He completed more successful passes than any DDG game since 2016

We competed.

It’s a low bar these days.

Originally Posted by believe

Is this misleading too or is it only misleading when it goes against the point that we were pretty poor yesterday regardless of how we try to dress it up?

No 👍

AWB had another solid game yesterday. He works well with Anthony and they didn't give Arsenal much down our right wing. We also have Amrabat's debut to look forward to, and I expect we'll look far hungrier and determined with him in the team.

Finally Martial looks finished as a starter for us - he’s run out of excuses / places to hide. The comparison between him and Hojlund is stark.

Originally Posted by DublinRedDevil

AWB had another solid game yesterday. He works well with Anthony and they didn't give Arsenal much down our right wing. We also have Amrabat's debut to look forward to, and I expect we'll look far hungrier and determined with him in the team.

Players with the right attitude give everyone a lift too. Amrabat is a beast. Hojlund is a beast. We saw the effect Martinez had last season. That will spread.

The injuries and lack of sharpness have really rocked us early on. There’s some real potential and options in this squad now, even if it does still require a lot of work.

Originally Posted by Dr Stranger

Players with the right attitude give everyone a lift too. Amrabat is a beast. Hojlund is a beast. We saw the effect Martinez had last season. That will spread.

The injuries and lack of sharpness have really rocked us early on. There’s some real potential and options in this squad now, even if it does still require a lot of work.

You could see both Dalot and AWB pushing Saka and Martinelli out wide to force them both onto their weaker foot. Martinelli is just that bit handier with his left foot though, so AWB was that bit busier. But the two lads being coached well, and they're taking everything in and hungry to learn. That's very positive.

Agree about Martial - although EtH said he had a good game, nobody believes that and he's done.

Put Amrabat in that team and a match fit Hojlund and we win imo. Arsenal got very lucky and while we weren't Brazil '70, we'll be a lot better than them for starters. I was ill after the game but feeling a lot more positive today.

Shout out to the usual suspects/dullards who just can't take any positives and only see shit ahead.

Originally Posted by Parlabane

Finally Martial looks finished as a starter for us - he’s run out of excuses / places to hide. The comparison between him and Hojlund is stark.

Originally Posted by Dr Stranger

Players with the right attitude give everyone a lift too. Amrabat is a beast. Hojlund is a beast. We saw the effect Martinez had last season. That will spread.

The injuries and lack of sharpness have really rocked us early on. There’s some real potential and options in this squad now, even if it does still require a lot of work.

Originally Posted by DublinRedDevil

You could see both Dalot and AWB pushing Saka and Martinelli out wide to force them both onto their weaker foot. Martinelli is just that bit handier with his left foot though, so AWB was that bit busier. But the two lads being coached well, and they're taking everything in and hungry to learn. That's very positive.

Great takes. Feel better already.

Martial never starting again hopefully has to be the most positive. Albeit a negative positive.

Originally Posted by believe

Is this misleading too or is it only misleading when it goes against the point that we were pretty poor yesterday regardless of how we try to dress it up?

Just shows how bad we are at progressing the ball through the midfield more than anything.

Originally Posted by DublinRedDevil

AWB had another solid game yesterday. He works well with Anthony and they didn't give Arsenal much down our right wing. We also have Amrabat's debut to look forward to, and I expect we'll look far hungrier and determined with him in the team.

Martinelli had him on toast. Thought it was AWB's worst game for quite a while. Dalot on the other hand had Saka in his pocket.

Originally Posted by RedNick80

Martial never starting again hopefully has to be the most positive.

This for sure. He's probably quite relieved himself as well

Originally Posted by shenwen

Martinelli had him on toast. Thought it was AWB's worst game for quite a while. Dalot on the other hand had Saka in his pocket.

AWB's game is when teams are trying to catch us on the counter. When we're under sustained pressure he seems to get a bit lost. It seems that Dalot is the opposite.

Impressed by Dalot, thought he did well the other week after a horrific first 20 minutes or so. Didn't think he'd be able to put in the performance he did against Saka though.

Was a better performance than away at Arsenal last season
Rashford got his first of the season
Hojlund looked the part as an actual centre forward

That’s it

Brighton is an absolutely huge game after the international break
We have to win it
Not feeling confident the way things are going
I know we have a bunch of new signings to still integrate into the team but ETH has to get us playing to a clear style for the full 90 minutes