Disappointing; yes. But I think only because of our perception of what United are now

[Rich]

They were superb today as they were against City. And we gave them a lot more trouble than City did.

I do think our forward line (including Saka) is way off the standard required (we have nobody with more than 5 goals this season - a continuation of a theme from years gone by.

We need some world class talent in attack like the other big teams in Europe have. Maybe Saka is at that level (debatable) but the others are not. If we could get Alvarez and a left winger (ideally one in Jan) then I think you?ll see a lot of our troubles ease.

Saka Aside our front line is barely top 10 level. But our defence is the absolute best in world football.

[Peter]

They were superb today as they were against City. And we gave them a lot more trouble than City did.

I do think our forward line (including Saka) is way off the standard required (we have nobody with more than 5 goals this season - a continuation of a theme from years gone by.

We need some world class talent in attack like the other big teams in Europe have. Maybe Saka is at that level (debatable) but the others are not. If we could get Alvarez and a left winger (ideally one in Jan) then I think you?ll see a lot of our troubles ease.

Saka Aside our front line is barely top 10 level. But our defence is the absolute best in world football.

I couldn't disagree more. We weren't even great for 30 minutes but still completely dominant. We dragged United back into the game by the neck. They did absolutely nothing to earn it.

Second half we completely shat the bed. They are not a great side and they were not superb, apart from two outstanding shots.

This was all about us. We were capable of losing to anyone today.

You can argue about the forward line as much as you like but when you never play through the centre, never break the lines, and force all of your play down the flanks against a low block, it doesn't really matter how good your striker is. Haaland would struggle to score in this team.

[Rich]

I couldn't disagree more. We weren't even great for 30 minutes but still completely dominant. We dragged United back into the game by the neck. They did absolutely nothing to earn it.

Second half we completely shat the bed. They are not a great side and they were not superb, apart from two outstanding shots.

This was all about us. We were capable of losing to anyone today.

You can argue about the forward line as much as you like but when you never play through the centre, never break the lines, and force all of your play down the flanks against a low block, it doesn't really matter how good your striker is. Haaland would struggle to score in this team.

Come on P? let?s not let emotions get the better of us. United were superb and dominated us for large parts of the game (within their game plan).

Having the ball against a low block but doing nothing with it (virtually no team can do much when it?s done well) is not dominance.

They deserved it as they did against City, and they should have scored more than 3 too.

[Peter]

Come on P? let?s not let emotions get the better of us. United were superb and dominated us for large parts of the game (within their game plan).

Having the ball against a low block but doing nothing with it (virtually no team can do much when it?s done well) is not dominance.

They deserved it as they did against City, and they should have scored more than 3 too.

Stats dont really support that. They had 3 shots on target, 46% possession and an expected goals of 0.73. Plus, I actually watched the game.

They deserved to win but it was because we were ****ing awful.

[redgunamo]

They were superb today as they were against City. And we gave them a lot more trouble than City did.

I do think our forward line (including Saka) is way off the standard required (we have nobody with more than 5 goals this season - a continuation of a theme from years gone by.

We need some world class talent in attack like the other big teams in Europe have. Maybe Saka is at that level (debatable) but the others are not. If we could get Alvarez and a left winger (ideally one in Jan) then I think you?ll see a lot of our troubles ease.

Saka Aside our front line is barely top 10 level. But our defence is the absolute best in world football.

Fair points. We probably ought to have two or three serviceable strikers, plus one or two former forwards on the coaching staff as well. The nature of a team is governed by the mentality of the personnel.

The trouble is, such individuals are hardly to be had for love nor money (the very idea of somebody like Viktor Gyokeres playing for us is a huge step forward, in that regard), and so we've gone a different way and tightened up at the back instead; getting goals from all over the pitch, as they say.

For now anyway; the future may be a different matter.

[redgunamo]

Stats dont really support that. They had 3 shots on target, 46% possession and an expected goals of 0.73. Plus, I actually watched the game.

They deserved to win but it was because we were ****ing awful.

We weren't awful, it's just that Manchester United appeared to have actually watched us play before and played against that team, rather than the one the league table says we are.

What did they used to say; don't do anything, just punish their hesitation. Or something like that.

[Peter]

We weren't awful, it's just that Manchester United appeared to have actually watched us play before and played against that team, rather than the one the league table says we are.

What did they used to say; don't do anything, just punish their hesitation. Or something like that.

They also say that when the opposition spoon the ball to you 20 yards from their goal, put it away. They did that- the third time we gifted it to them.

Sorry, I am not buying the understated brilliance of this United side. Two weeks ago we got completely outplayed by a dreadful Liverpool side who crumbled at Bournemouth two weeks later. I'm going to stick with the feeling that the problem is us.....

Perhaps our biggest mistake was taking the lead.

[redgunamo]

I couldn't disagree more. We weren't even great for 30 minutes but still completely dominant. We dragged United back into the game by the neck. They did absolutely nothing to earn it.

Second half we completely shat the bed. They are not a great side and they were not superb, apart from two outstanding shots.

This was all about us. We were capable of losing to anyone today.

You can argue about the forward line as much as you like but when you never play through the centre, never break the lines, and force all of your play down the flanks against a low block, it doesn't really matter how good your striker is. Haaland would struggle to score in this team.

When we think of a "forward line", we are thinking of Henry and Bergkamp, with Smith and Wright as changes

[Peter]

When we think of a "forward line", we are thinking of Henry and Bergkamp, with Smith and Wright as changes

Henry would HATE playing in this side. He'd want to play out wide.

[redgunamo]

They also say that when the opposition spoon the ball to you 20 yards from their goal, put it away. They did that- the third time we gifted it to them.

Sorry, I am not buying the understated brilliance of this United side. Two weeks ago we got completely outplayed by a dreadful Liverpool side who crumbled at Bournemouth two weeks later. I'm going to stick with the feeling that the problem is us.....

Perhaps our biggest mistake was taking the lead.

Yes, we have long been considered to be, with some justification, the white soft underbelly of the Big Club Cabal (if I may pinch a phrase). This is not new or even time specific; Liverpool and Manchester United have always fancied themselves against us, particularly, regardless of form.

It is an "us" problem and one we only occasionally overcome.

[redgunamo]

Henry would HATE playing in this side. He'd want to play out wide.

All modern strikers want to start out wide. Which is why when you get one who doesn't, he can clean up.

[Peter]

Yes, we have long been considered to be, with some justification, the white soft underbelly of the Big Club Cabal (if I may pinch a phrase). This is not new or even time specific; Liverpool and Manchester United have always fancied themselves against us, particularly, regardless of form.

It is an "us" problem and one we only occasionally overcome.

I'm beginning to think that bloody awful song has cursed us.

Couldn't we have chosen a more established song? And one that doesn't make me wince?

Something by The Who, maybe? I guess Substitute would be too confusing. And Won't Get Fooled Again has obvious negative connotations.

Magic Bus? The Real Me? Squeezebox?

[Peter]

All modern strikers want to start out wide. Which is why when you get one who doesn't, he can clean up.

Henry almost invented it. But was officially a centre forward.

We need Alan Smith. Or Giroud. He would be perfect.

[redgunamo]

I'm beginning to think that bloody awful song has cursed us.

Couldn't we have chosen a more established song? And one that doesn't make me wince?

Something by The Who, maybe? I guess Substitute would be too confusing. And Won't Get Fooled Again has obvious negative connotations.

Magic Bus? The Real Me? Squeezebox?

Terribly harsh. The Wonder Of You worked quite well, universal message and a' that, and was an established standard. But if that chap didn't write NLF for us, he may as well have. Good effort.

While West Ham United have embraced the band, I wonder if Iron Maiden are a bit cheesed off that they've never truly embraced the band's music. They do play Run To The Hills during the warm-up sometimes.

[John Bunnell]

The best winger in the world and world class elite Saka was dog sh*t again