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Originally Posted by borsuk
not the most demanding opponents with all those players out but nevertheless we played with a real swagger today, the carrick/anderson partnership has really looked the part the last few games, anderson's attitude and drive has been just what was missing.
i think there's been a change in our attitude in the last month or so with much more ambition in our passing in the opposition half. last season we were tending to take the conservative option most of the time and were dominating possession in many games without looking too much of a threat. this year we're looking to play the through ball much more often, which means risking losing possession but also means we're creating more chances, especially as we also have a number of players who look to run with the ball at opponents wherever possible (anderson, nani, park, rafael, evra) rather than checking back. it's no doubt partly because anderson is playing regularly but i think it's also a deliberate tactical shift.
2 clear, 2 games in hand, 3rd & 4th play each other tomorrow. not bad for a team with such a shite squad, eh.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baron_van_Marlon
Carrick was good today, as Borsors said, his partnership with Anderson is quite tasty with them both on form - Anderson running with the ball & Carrick seemingly a far better proposition 10-15 yards further forward & with 2 strikers to aim for. I suspect it helps that Sunderland were pretty shite, but I like that he was certainly using the ball nice & sharply.
Giggs in that first 20mins was a joke, the runs, body swerves & penetration were a piss take. Barely a player in the league with that ability (note, not raw pace, but ability to weave in & out of a crowded area of the pitch & make best use of the ball). Christ I wish we had a younger version to play left with Nani right so we got 90mins worth. What a player he is.
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consistency of selection helps, particularly tactics. then again we played 4-4-2 in the majority of games over the past few seasons anyway tbf. the problems, if there are to be any, will return if and when Ferguson decides - as a matter of course - that it's back to 4-4-2 on saturday and 4-5-1 on wednesday. also, the midfield is obviously so much more dynamic and forward thinking without Fletcher in it. biggest strength in some respects, he also represents the biggest weakness. anderson has demonstrated this pretty glaringly in recent matches imo. fletcher slotting in and out of the side rather than being used as its driving force should be the way forward. can anderson stay fit though?
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Originally Posted by Mr_Ed
Never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd be top with space to spare AND unbeaten come boxing day... Still think we'll finish 2nd tho ![Frown](images/smilies/frown.gif)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crumps
Playing well, looking solid, unbeaten and there's a couple of gears for us to kick in to as was evident in spells today. That balding Scouse @#%&! is going to end up being £#%&!ing sensational in the next few weeks.
Not bad considering we're shit eh?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by King Schlong
Its £#%&!ing funny isn't it? Everyone rights us off, even some of our own, and yet we continue to shuff it back in their £#%&!ing faces season after season.
All is good.
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united have the best squad, the best players and the best manager in the top flight, and are capable of playing attacking, fast-passing football with a verve and swagger that few can get close to - when we aren't in one up, kick-and-rush hoofing mindset. don't understand how any of these points has ever been in any doubt tbh. other teams have some top talent, fantastic young players, a decent pattern of play, top level fitness and tactical approaches and so on. but the overall collective of united is a cut above.
it helps that we have a manager who knows his own path. it helps that when 'everyone' is screaming for midfielders the manager identifies the forward positions as the key area and brings in a sensational novice for £6m. it helps that when 'everyone' is screaming for a world class player to be £#%&!ed off the manager just laughs. it helps that rooney and berbatov is the best attacking combination in the league.