[ilovepantyhose]

Originally Posted by imom

This is a team that is only half-built, with a high dependence currently on academy players. Even Dan James was not expected to play as much as he has.

With a team like this, there will be ups and downs.

Brighton went gungho with a 4-4-2 formation that suited the pace of our forwards and they were duly punished for it. Whenever we regained possession in our half, the counter was lightning quick and Dan James drew two yellow cards because of his pace. Rashford and Martial also got behind the Brighton defence with ease. Basically Brighton played into our hands and allowed us to play to our strengths that day.

When we come up against tight, defensive teams/formations, is when we have struggled. No creative playmaker. And we will continue to struggle until we can have Pogba back firing on all cylinders, and also sign another player in his mould as backup when Pogba is injured. We also have no backup for Martial and Rashford. Also, what happens when Maguire suffers an injury? We are many players away from the rebuild being complete.

So yeah, I am not taking this Brighton game as having 'turned the corner'. There will be many matches where we should 'win easily' but lose/draw. With this current squad it all depends on whether the opponent wants to play football or play counter.

yes, agree. as long as man u isn't in UCL, the chance of signing top players is low. even if they get into UCL, the player's asking price gets jacked up once they are linked to the club. i feel a reliance on youth will pay dividends down the road when they improve and become consistent, this core of youngsters can challenge for the BPL/UCL in 5 yrs maybe?

nowadays, opponents don't fear the current man u as much as fergie's. brighton thought they can collect a scalp but was overrun instead. man u won 3 in a row before losing to bournemouth, its the inconsistency that causes blood vomiting

ogs mentioned that he may not sign anyone in january, hope he can sign at least 3 players in the off season: a "zlatan", a "herrera" and a "pirlo/xavi"