10 Talking Points from Saturday's game vs Swansea
- Grace
- Aug 21, 2017
- 5 min read
Leave Rashford alone.
Rashford had a bad day against Swansea: he was booed whenever he got the ball and then everyone and their pundit was saying he needs to be benched because ‘the game has gone into his head.’ Chillax people, there is a method to the madness. Yes, Rashford wants to score, it was very obvious and yes, his touches were poor.
However, looking at it, Man United’s attack was poor in the first half. However, for those still crying foul over his starting berth should take a chill pill because, boy – does he run the defense rugged. Swansea came to attack and that showed in every single way. They had 5 defenders and 3 of them were dedicated to Lukaku *Special ehe! The team also lacked the wide game they produced vs West Ham and this is where Rashford was useful, he ran them rugged until the second half saw them done. Remember, Swansea’s made an offensive double substitution and then, it was time to strike.
Do I think Rashford’s first touch is not good and that he’s been missing a lot of goals he used to score, yes. Do I think he should be benched? Not yet.
Natural born wingers
I know there were four goals, again, but we admit that the game vs Swansea was les fluid and Man United struggled to break away. A lot of things are to blame but this poor transition from defense to offense, especially in open play is that our wingers of the day chose to track back. First, Valencia dragged behind a lot – which could have been a design to manage Swansea’s counters that started in the first 3 minutes; but also, Blind was very much behind. Without Martial to man the wing – coming on a substitute, the game became very narrow and that is why our first half looked like we kept hitting people and not going anywhere.
In contrast, last week’s game was open and free – watching it was fun and for all the fun, there was also more threat to goal. We need more wingers to open up play, especially when we are going to be coming up against more difficult opponents.
Manchester is Black.
I always talk about the role models who shape our dreams… my son, who is just beginning to watch football is seeing all these goals from 4 players who play for the biggest club in the world and their skin looks like his and… dreams are valid. We knew Mourinho loves diversity but this was at such level, it warrants mentioning. We are not racists, just inspired to see something quite great happening and it’s awesome.
Anthony Martial to everyone: Shut Up!
Okay, I predicted Martial would score – but who could have predicted it was to be in that fashion – from the moment he came on, the moment up front changed. First, Martial knows how to keep the ball – he is not just fast and willy, he makes such awesome turns they confuse the opposition and he creates space.
The most satisfying thing about his goal is that it shut.everyone.up; we hear some clubs wanted to buy him, *shut up. We heard some fans complaining about him last season, *shut up and if you have been wondering where the goals are coming from, shut… okay, don’t shut up but it’s clear Martial will shut everyone up. From his turns to his running, Anthony Martial is back and there will be no shutting him up.
Do you think Martial should be starting?
Phil Jones mopping out balls
Phil Jones match II of the season can be rated Superb. Jones nearly got an early goal and even better, he was just defending in that solid way that is dependable and that is why I wanted Blind to come forward. As the last man, he cleared that defense and not once did he look in danger or making mistakes. We hope he keeps fit.
Mkhitaryan is the king of assists.
Mkhi has assisted 4 goals in 2 games and his movement could not have been better. After Mou took off Mata and moved him to the position, he became even more lethal – I think he needs to play more forward as he was even more effective with his runs that way. Plus can we just appreciate the guy’s vision?!
Lukaku is having his dream season.
I remember that spell in 2013 when RVP had not scored in a while and people had begun to question his mojo. However, SAF told the press to shut it coz all the lad needed was to start scoring again. *SAF called everyone ‘the lad’ J Anyway, it turned out to be true coz RVP regained his scoring legs and then we won the 20th. Coming off a great debut, Lukaku is not only earning his keep, but you can imagine his confidence; which we need. As a striker, getting off to early goals means you are right there, always a threat and even when the scoring legs disappear sometimes in December, there are others to pick slack and you return. I truly am happy for Lukaku – long may he score.
Patience is the key to 4 goals.
Manchester United have scored 5 goals in the last 10 minutes this season. This is vintage United – because team come to pack the bus and hope to score on the break… but with the great defensive structure and defensive midfielders – hello Matic; it’s very hard to break them. In turn, Mourinho has set up his team to resist and resist until they tire their opponents then either bring in fresh legs or pile pressure until a goal is scored. All the same, it’s something of a dance they are playing and ‘me like’.
Best cocktail of experience and youth
Only thing which I want to say is that United have got the right mix of youth and experience, along with a team where most players genuinely enjoy playing with each other.
This was vintage United performance, absorbed the pressure and took the game deep and then just when the opposition is looking to claw its way back into the game we hit them on the counter with precision and pace. That made me feel giddy with delight
Bailly. His name is Bailly.
So, I was on match reporting during and when I did my first hapf analysis, I called him Eric Bailey, my bad. I was high on the last minute goal. And while I am more Amarula person, let’s just say that we are all happy for our boy to score. This solid 23-year old defender, always smiling, always putting in the force is a great player and he deserved that moment of pure joy to have his name on the scoresheet.
Speaking of happiness, can we just appreciate the fact that we are not just happy to be playing well and leading – but prefer to just hammer in as many goals as possible.
This is shaping to be a great start and I for one cannot help but feel elated. What about you? How was the weekend’s game? Any comments and observations of note?
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