2014 Pre Season Tour

I didn't watch the match yesterday, so I can't really comment, but since the tour is over:

Pros:

- Some of the young players did well, especially, Blackett and Reece James.

- We've only conceded 4 goals, 3 were penalties (the one that hit Keane's hand shouldn't have been given), and a wonder goal by Pjanic but De Gea would have saved that.

- Ashley Young has given us some good options but he must be consistent during the league, tour means nothing otherwise.

- Our style of play has dramatically changed, we've been dieing for good football since '09 and we've finally got it. We've only been playing this system for 2 weeks, van Gaal said it will take 3 months to full implement his style so the Liverpool test came too early, we were not ready it seems.  Defenders misplacing passes when getting pressed is not unusual, a lot of midfielders struggle with this too, we will improve in that aspect I think, but I also didn't watch the match so I don't know how bad it was. Not a lot of teams press in our league anyway.

-We are playing with so much hunger, playing pre-season games with the same intensity we played Bayern in the CL. There is great competition within this squad.


Cons:

- Herrera needs a good midfield partner if we really want to see him shine, he seems shackled having to do someone else's dirty work. I read Fletcher played poorly, he should be used every once in while, he had a good tour but needs to be used rightly. Van Gaal made a mistake playing him vs Liverpool because of his fitness.

- An experienced CB is missing, we need a leader at the back. 5 at the back, a new CB, a ball winning midfielder and Luke Shaw will improve us a lot defensively from last season.  

-  I also read Evans distribution was poor yesterday, he is usually good on the ball, so maybe he was just tired. Phil Jones gave away a stupid penalty, unlike Evans' distribution this is becoming usual of him. Rafael was like this until 12-13, but returned to this in 13-14, so maybe consistent game time is what will help erase it out of his game. The upcoming season for Phil Jones will be big. He had a good tour, imo, from the games I watched.


Anyway, pre-season can only tell you so much, it's about fitness and avoiding injuries, the real tests will come when we start the league. We still haven't done anything of note and still have everything to prove.

BB, if you're interested, here's a link to the full match.

http://www.lastminutegoals.org/manchester-united-vs-liverpool-international-champions-cup-highlights-full-match/

Click on the 'full match' tab.

I appreciate that Red, will catch the match later on

fully second to babe's review/analysis.

the fact is I too couldnt watch the match. Glad we give them kick on the butt with this victory, those delusional pool boys.   Lets have this again when it really starts.

yea young had a massive tour. really looking forward to know whether that was for real. may be he came up with this cos of the fear of being or sold or something. lets see. He clearly wont be sold now in this window, thats certain.
Much much better than valencia in the wing back role his performances. We shouldnt have resigned that p.o.s so early. damn.

yea cb is the priority. the top most one that is without a doubt.  simply no way cant afford go with just 3 defenders when its a 3-5-2. need reinforcements asap. Blackett could well get drafted in as the 4th/back up cb. But even then it looks threadbare.

holding cm too is a must, as evidenced from this competition if we are to make a serious challenge for the top.

Some great goals, Hernandez's goal vs Real Madrid and Young's vs LA Glaxay are missing but were very good too. Made by the passes.

We're looking comfortable in posession, but no penetration in the final 3rd.

Penalty!

Rooney misses. Great save by the keeper.

I take that back, it actually came off the post.

Nice idea by Fletch, we're lacking cutting edge in the final third. Mata needs to be doing more imo

Welbeck has eclipsed Chico over this last season as well

Rooney's first touch

I genuinely can't stand Paddy Crerand.

Our players need to stop over hitting that final ball.

HT. Dull half.

Nothing really happened other than that missed penalty kick.

Would like to see Kagawa and Januzaj come on during the second-half. I think Kagawa will help us gain control in the final 3rd and Januzaj will stretch the play as he tends to move out-wide more than Chico.

Well done Fletch. 1-0

Fletcher

Cleverley

Cleverley can't do nothing right, the useless tosspot. What kinda attempt of a clearance was that. 1-1

Since the subs, we've been all over the shop. Lucky to not be behind

ngl Fellaini has helped us regain control, looks better than Cleverley right now

lol would you believe it. fellaini gets the winner

His chest control

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha getting Jeered everytime he touches it then wins it

I don't understand why the crowd were cheering everytime fellaini touched the ball :/