PBP: Aston Villa FC vs Manchester United FC - Oct 6, 2024 [R]

Tough to see us winning now. I feel like we need intl break to regroup a bit, but ten Hag in a bind to turn it around before.

I think sit back and counter a la Ole. Best chance to win here. Needs results until he can properly rework/tweak things during break.

 

He's had numerous opportunities to "regroup" over breaks before.

Just cut the cord. It's over.

 

I have been a holdout for ETH and while the results this season were not good, the stats were showing strong signs that it was coming together and we would start getting wins once the finishing improved. However I'm seeing regression now to last seasons chaos and find myself moving in this direction.

If it continues at Villa I think waiting until the Nov break could be too late. Maybe Ruud could find a way to improve the mood and motivate the players (especially on the need to press with intensity) and we see an improvement

 

I waffled a lot last year and was a fence sitter right through the final. It was frustrating but ultimately, I have him the benefit of the doubt over injuries, club structure, recruitment, etc..

After all, he did win 2 cups. I was hopeful back in August, even a little confident. But, my turning point started with Brighton, and was confirmed by the Spurs game.

I have no hope left now he can turn this longer term.

 

Agreed - although I am a bit behind you in reaching that point. The part that I keep going back on (as posted in the ETH thread) is whether this is a player or coach issue. I would say coach, but we have now had a lot of coaches that all experienced these failures.

I am getting tired of the patience comments from ETH - but in the summer I also felt that now that the structure was being fixed that this would be a fresh start, so 9 games in we haven't exactly given him time under that for things to bed in...

Then I remember we have seen these exact issues ....

 

Erik is basically back where he was before the FA Cup Final - not expected to win and a defeat will likely doom him to the sack.

So this is basically another cup final - with the only prize for a decent result / performance being that the noise may die down a little over the international break.

I optimistically put down draw, mainly bc they have a few injuries following their CL game (Ramsey, Bailey and Onana) plus the weird thing of teams not used to CL football often having dips game after.

Like I said - optimistically as for sure is probs more likely we will loose

 

The Athletic podcast today suggested their sources indicate that his job is not under threat at this time

 

I honestly wouldn't be shocked too see us beat Villa then lose badly to Brentford badly post break.

That's just seems such a character thing for us.

 

The team to try and save his bacon.

Maguire / Evans presumably bc the oppo physical threat and @ their ground plus presumably means we will play lower in a mid-block. Which should mean the somewhat suicidal 4-2-4 ultra-high pressing structure will not be the goto …

Your United squad for #AVLMUN 🫡#MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 6, 2024

 

Come on now Evans and Maguire starting clearly shows ETH wants his payout now. Rashford also still starting.., Still going with Eriksen? Why buy De Ligt and Ugarte and not play them?

 

Is maybe a bit of a pattern we have seen before (with us all having had so much experience of swapping managers)- all managers when under intense pressure seem to revert back to something relatively safe.

Dunno if I would trust my future to a CB pairing of Maguire and Evans though.

Also Eriksen in midfield has shown last few games that he is one of the few players that can get us in the final third. However all the issues with mobility and defence are still there. Hard to see us winning the middle of the pitch with this lineup - puts a huge strain on Mainoo.

Dalot at LB a weakness too, but eff all options there apart from Martinez. In fact given Martinez CB form so far then given our LB issues wouldn't be averse to seeing him there to play himself into some form. Especially if Dalot all at sea again.

Only plus is that we finally have Rasmus back available as a starter.

Can't say I am at all confident having seen the team.

 

Just ********ing fire this guy.

Tired of watching.

Tired of hearing yall cry

 

Noticing Garnacho and Rashford are playing not as high and wide without the ball unlike before this. Obviously a change in tactics.

 

Bruno execution of passes off again a few times this game on simple chances to play people in that he usually makes.

Has been off his usual standards too many times this season. Curse of the new contract.

 

DeLigt for Maguire and Lindelof for Mazraoui..

 

4-5-1 without the ball. Seeing more from Garno when defending. Rashy a little more freedom, but also bigger threat.

 

Dumb foul. At least Rashy tracked back.

 

Lol at Villa fk routine

 

Pathetic from Rashford, almost 2nd yellow.

 

He's subbed now. He was a threat for us. Anthony feels like a defensive sub.