Did someone in this forum say that Zlatan might be old and not so good any more? Not so sure about that.

And well.. Pogba is just great.

This season has started well and I think it's only going to get better.

Could've been 4-0 or 5-0 yesterday, but we weren't too clinical in front of goal. Some of the football was really good..

Only thing about his age I remarked was that he proberbly wasn't going to be around in 2-3 years.

It's indeed been a good start. People might be on about "Oh but it's against Bournemouth and Southampton..." - well yes. The teams we lost too many points against last year. That's correct. ;)

More than the goals I think it's his overall play in the build up. He's a target man, he's also a great passer and seems to understand the game very well also.

Complete player. I wish we had signed him 10+ years ago from Ajax. I mean - a forward three of Ronaldo-Rooney-Zlatan in their prime with Scholes, Carrick and Giggs behind them.. wouldn't be that bad :).

Second game watched and some weird feeling. The view on the pitch doesn't stick to the Uniteds name yet. It's like I will need some time to get used to what I see. But hopefully that continues :)

Good text about the changes brought by Mourinho, backed by some statistical details:

(http://www.football365.com/news/manchester-un...weaks)

I think that it's rather poor analysis of the numbers to be honest. The numbers that seem important aren't great.

The best way to view attacking effectiveness is expected goals, which isn't available on most stats sites, but some guys publish them at times. Can't find any about this season, but nevertheless the next best thing would be just shots and shots on goal per game. For shots per game we're just 14th in the league. For shots on target we're third. This offers a few options - we get our attacks mostly on the counter and thus create easier chances than most teams(which might be the case) or we're just on a hot streak so that the shots we take go in more often than they do on average. All in all I think it's a combination of us getting higher quality shots and we've been somewhat lucky that the shots we've taken have gone in. I mean - Mata scored a very lucky goal, Rooneys goal was also lucky as Martial really mishit his shot and Zlatans goal against Bournemouth was such that he won't score from that position more than 20% of the time(I'd guess). The goals against Southampton were better chances though. But overall if three of our five goals have been somewhat lucky, then it's clear that we're on a bit of a hot streak.

The defensive effectiveness is usually viewed in a similar manner. Again, I don't have the expected goals against numbers and the next best thing is the number of shots. There we've conceded 22 shots, but just four on target. For comparison the same numbers for City are 15/6, Chelsea 13/5 and Liverpool 12/7. I'd rather have Chelseas numbers defensively. But we're doing better in defense I guess. The number of shots suggests that we're letting our opponents shoot quite a bit, but not from good positions. Whether there is some luck involved here is somewhat debatable - obviously off target shots could have gone on target and in if our opponents were luckier or more skilled, but I think it has quite a bit to do with us controlling them defensively and not allowing them to have shots from good positions. There are stats sites that sometimes focus on these things, but I guess they'll publish articles about these things when teams have played more matches.

On other things I agree with the article - number of passes per goal suggests that we're being more direct and taking more risks, which is a good thing. Comparing the passing percentage and the possession percentage combined suggests that we're being MUCH more efficient with our passing. Usually the more passes a team makes, the higher their pass accuracy is. This is perhaps a result of the improved quality in the team as well - Zlatan is great on the ball and rarely loses it when he isn't trying something special, Pogba is good as well and we don't put ourselves into positions where we can give the ball away stupidly in midfield.

I think the advanced positions of Shaw and Valencia have also been very important. As we attack rather quickly, they will take advantage of any space left to them with great effect. Both are good on the ball as well.

I guess these stats after two games are somewhat misleading though as Southampton and Bournemouth are probably weaker than our average opponent will be. If we can produce the same stats against other teams as well, then great. But if we had played against a stronger team in one of these games, then the stats would probably be worse.

It's clearly a work in progress and I like the more direct football we're seeing. But we still need to improve somewhat if we want to win the title.

Even without looking at the stats, it is obvious that we are playing more exciting, more direct football and also more effective, but the current stats are yet another proof of it.

We see things on the pitch that we were longing for in the last seasons, like for example more vertical passes, taking risks, running at defenders. Consequently, we are not boring anymore with constant back and side passes and our attacks and not slow and predictable like last season.

And it is so important that we have high quality again, with Zlatan and Pogba, while Bailly provides the steel in defence. Mkhitaryan is yet to show what he's worth, so we have some good times ahead.

Generally, after just a couple of games, I see that lots of neutral fans and those of rival clubs all consider Man Utd as the main title contender. Nice to see that we have quickly switched from a team that can maybe reach the 4th spot to the one fighting for the title. That is all the merit of Mourinho who gave perfectly good interviews at the start, brought the positive vibe in and around the club, brought the right players and is tactically doing a good job for now.

In spite of all unfounded skepticism, Mourinho is quickly proving to be the right man at the right place, looks like a United manager through and through, so I wonder whether people in our Board are regretting not bringing him right after Fergie retired.

(http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Fo....aspx)

Full third round draw

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Leeds v Blackburn Rovers
QPR v Sunderland
West Ham v Accrington Stanley
Southampton V Crystal Palace
Swansea City v Manchester City
Fulham v Bristol City
Bournemouth v Preston North End
Tottenham v Gillingham
Everton v Norwich City
Derby County v Liverpool
Northampton v Manchester United
Brighton v Reading
Newcastle v Wolves
Stoke City v Hull City
Leicester v Chelsea

Nemanja77 wrote:

Even without looking at the stats, it is obvious that we are playing more exciting, more direct football and also more effective, but the current stats are yet another proof of it.

We see things on the pitch that we were longing for in the last seasons, like for example more vertical passes, taking risks, running at defenders. Consequently, we are not boring anymore with constant back and side passes and our attacks and not slow and predictable like last season.

And it is so important that we have high quality again, with Zlatan and Pogba, while Bailly provides the steel in defence. Mkhitaryan is yet to show what he's worth, so we have some good times ahead.

Generally, after just a couple of games, I see that lots of neutral fans and those of rival clubs all consider Man Utd as the main title contender. Nice to see that we have quickly switched from a team that can maybe reach the 4th spot to the one fighting for the title. That is all the merit of Mourinho who gave perfectly good interviews at the start, brought the positive vibe in and around the club, brought the right players and is tactically doing a good job for now.

In spite of all unfounded skepticism, Mourinho is quickly proving to be the right man at the right place, looks like a United manager through and through, so I wonder whether people in our Board are regretting not bringing him right after Fergie retired.

I couldn't agree more. He's given the players the freedom to be players again and not just cogs in a machine. The machine might run smoothly but every now and then you need to put the pedal to the metal.

Generally, after just a couple of games, I see that lots of neutral fans and those of rival clubs all consider Man Utd as the main title contender. Nice to see that we have quickly switched from a team that can maybe reach the 4th spot to the one fighting for the title. That is all the merit of Mourinho who gave perfectly good interviews at the start, brought the positive vibe in and around the club, brought the right players and is tactically doing a good job for now.

Or they're buying into the way Mourinho speaks. He's very good at manipulating the media and getting them to do his bidding. I think we have to improve quite a bit to win the title. Mainly because both City and Chelsea will also improve a lot.

In spite of all unfounded skepticism, Mourinho is quickly proving to be the right man at the right place, looks like a United manager through and through, so I wonder whether people in our Board are regretting not bringing him right after Fergie retired.

I think there are a few warning signs. I'm not sure I like the way he handled the Schweini situation. I guess if it is about his professionalism, then he hoped that someone would pick him up before that came out. But if it isn't, then it's just a bit weird. I'm also slightly surprised we haven't seen Rashford play at all in the league. The way he manages is different and he wants the first 11 to gel together as well as possible. Which is perhaps the reason why he's made late substitutions, even when we've been cruising. Fergie would've happily given 30 minutes to Rashford against Bournemouth when we were 3-0 up. I hope that this changes and we get more early substitutions when we're 2-0 up so that the younger players could get games.

I think it might turn out well, but I'm not going to be happy about three wins to forget the reasons why I doubt his quality because of them. It feels good to win and to have serious expectations once again. And probably for a year I can be happy with just competing for the league, but after that I think it's important to make sure that Jose is not only managing the first 15 players, but integrating the younger players and not creating fights for himself within the club.

With Schweini it does feel a bit like he did it to make a statement to the rest of the players. Seeing as Schweini wasn't committed enough he banished him from the first team to show the others that nobody is safe if they don't do well. It has worked and as Schweini isn't THAT connected to the club it hasn't caused too many problems. But that's something he can do once. I fear that he might pick fights just to create siege mentality, which can only work in short term and that after 3 years he's gone as we've had enough by then. Might be 3 fun years, but still.. then we've got to see the club find a new manager again and see all the circus that surrounds it.

I think there are a few warning signs. I'm not sure I like the way he handled the Schweini situation. I guess if it is about his professionalism, then he hoped that someone would pick him up before that came out. But if it isn't, then it's just a bit weird. I'm also slightly surprised we haven't seen Rashford play at all in the league. The way he manages is different and he wants the first 11 to gel together as well as possible. Which is perhaps the reason why he's made late substitutions, even when we've been cruising. Fergie would've happily given 30 minutes to Rashford against Bournemouth when we were 3-0 up. I hope that this changes and we get more early substitutions when we're 2-0 up so that the younger players could get games.

I think it might turn out well, but I'm not going to be happy about three wins to forget the reasons why I doubt his quality because of them. It feels good to win and to have serious expectations once again. And probably for a year I can be happy with just competing for the league, but after that I think it's important to make sure that Jose is not only managing the first 15 players, but integrating the younger players and not creating fights for himself within the club.

Yeah I agree with you on this one. Ok, for defence it's "OK" not to rotate as they usually are not affected that much by fatigue. But for the rest of the players I'd like to see more rotation. Ok it's only 2 games in to the season and we only had one game per week, but if we are not going to give game time to more players they will be out of match rythm when they get thier chances.

But let's see what happens with the next game. Would be smart to rest some of the guys going out to national team duties.

Yeah, its obviously too early to tell how things are going to be. But the message from the first few games seems to be that Mourinho isn't 'pushing' the younger players whenever there is a possibility. With Fergie it was always the case that when a young player was on the bench and the team was cruising(like it's been in both league games so far), then he brings on the squad players. That meant, that they actually got regular football and probably felt more included.

Now I can easily understand the reasoning behind Mourinho not playing them yet, as we have a new way of playing, a bunch of new players and he wants the team to adapt to the way we play and having the same 11 play together more minutes obviously helps create a better understanding between players. I think it's a good strategy. But if this continues for the next few months as well that we get the first 11 in the league matches and the second 11 in the other matches(or worse, just 5-6 squad players in the other matches + 5 or 6 regular starters), then I see some bad signs.

Obviously we'll see how things pan out. If we are hoping that he'll stay for 10+ years, then this can't continue too long.

I don't think Jose will rest anyone before the NT matches. I think most players need games anyway and none have had two games per week so far this season. So there really is no reason to rest them. He might rest Valencia and not play Rojo when they return from South America.

The oldies we have are already retired from international football(Carrick and Zlatan). They're probably the two players who need rest more than others.

I think there are a few warning signs. I'm not sure I like the way he handled the Schweini situation

I think Mourinho just wants him out as soon as possible, as he has understood that the player isn't committed enough and is just happy to sit and spend his 200k/week.

Moreover, we don't really need that kind of luxury player when we got Pogba, Herrera, Carrick, Fellaini, Schneiderlin and also a young Pereira waiting for his chance.

Therefore, I have a feeling Mourinho is making pressure, so Schweini will decide to leave before the transfer window closes. Especially with the experience in Chelsea where he had some players roaming against him, José surely doesn't want any kind of similar situation in United.

Here is a text I read earlier this morning, if you're interested. It's about this Schweinsteiger situation. Nothing special but not bad:
(http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/...93092)

It feels good to win and to have serious expectations once again. And probably for a year I can be happy with just competing for the league, but after that I think it's important to make sure that Jose is not only managing the first 15 players, but integrating the younger players and not creating fights for himself within the club.

I agree with this and I hope it will be done, but right now the most important thing is to make the first 11 and start strong. Once this is done, it will be easier to introduce the other players slowly, especially as we have lost of games coming our way soon.

Nemanja77 wrote:

It feels good to win and to have serious expectations once again. And probably for a year I can be happy with just competing for the league, but after that I think it's important to make sure that Jose is not only managing the first 15 players, but integrating the younger players and not creating fights for himself within the club.

I agree with this and I hope it will be done, but right now the most important thing is to make the first 11 and start strong. Once this is done, it will be easier to introduce the other players slowly, especially as we have lost of games coming our way soon.

I think that there is a possibility that he won't give too much playing time to the others. His fitness regime seems to be rather good and he's often used the key players in nearly all matches throughout the season.

I guess we'll see how this pans out.

Unfortunately we're not playing lineups or results prediction game this season, but I'll put this round predictions just for fun:

Tottenham - Liverpool 2-1
Chelsea - Burnley 2-0
Crystal Palace - Bournemouth 1-0
Everton - Stoke City 3-1
Leicester - Swansea 2-0
Southampton - Sunderland 2-1
Watford - Arsenal 1-2
Hull City - Manchester United 0-2
West Brom - Middlesbrough 1-2
Manchester City - West Ham 3-1

We can make a new "Who's the youngest player to get minutes this round?" prediction game? :D

Imo, Mkhitaryan on number 10 and Rashford on the right would be a better option than Rooney and Mata.

I hope Fellaini will be substituted on half-time, as he is risking another yellow. Seems too nervous today.

Rooney was one of our worst players again, weak link in attack.

Mata so and so, but simply not strong and not fast enough.

I'd really like to see a couple of changes earlier, as this game is risking to become a tricky one, also because of heavy rain. One mistake and we could be trailing, then it would be difficult to take all three points.

So, bring Miki on for Rooney, Herrera or Schneiderlin for Fellaini and maybe later Rashford for Mata.

It feels like it's 2008 once again. Second half. We need a goal. Chances come every minute. Pressure at the max.

Fun to watch, whatever the result will be.

It's Jose-time!?!