+1
After watching United last night I've worked out what's been confusing me and why it's not working. I've been watching Sheffield United. It's the only explaination for last nights 'attack'. Now firstly, let me say that Istanbul Basaksehir (who from now on I'll call IB because I'm lazy) defended well and were organised. From the moment they scored I was sure we were in trouble (I'll get to that goal later) but I also expected, I dunno, an attack? But no. Much like MotD highlighted at the weekend, Manchester United followed the example of the original United by getting the ball to the final 3rd of the pitch and then walking it around, passing it backwards and forwards, and side to side without ever really trying to put the ball in the box until they lost possesion. I've not seen the stats but it feels as if that happened from a misplaced pass a lot more than a lost tackle. Then, just before half time, someone tried it and we scored. It wasn't a great ball from Shaw and Martial had to do some adjustments to get the header, but it worked and we scored. Still worried, it is United after all, but hopeful that a swing in momentum, a swift kick up the backside and the instruction to turn them round and create space (or deliver another good cross to someone in the box) and we could turn this around. Instead there was 45 minutes of the same with out best chance coming in injury time (I think it was) from what was almost an own goal. I mean, I was just sat in a mood of disbelief which has become sadly familiar.
Now, I have a little more sympathy for our midfielders than the Sheffield ones because it appeared that our forwards were afraid of the box and once they reached the line, they turned back. I don't know, maybe there was a rumour that it had covid or had been mined or something, but for some reason they didn't seem to want any part of it and rarely made any runs in behind. All our players were so close together all it would've taken was a little communication, eyeing up a move or gap. Hell, point if you have to completely give it away and make the run. It doesn't even have to work. It just has to put an option in the IB defenders minds. A couple more times and you'll start to create a little space for people to move into. Maybe force a mistake? But no. No, we just rinse and repeat the first half minus any goals from either side. Well done IB. You played well. You were up for the fight, dogged and disciplined. You couldn't believe your luck (neither could I) and you took the advantage you were given. An historic night in your stadium. I only wish your fans could've been there for it.
Now, that goal. I say the following without hyperbole. That might be the worst goal I've ever seen scored against United. Certainly in terms of failing the basics. If I was teaching 10 year olds football and that happened to them I wouldn't be annoyed or angry. They're 10. But I would tell them that this is the difference between playing football on the playground or in the street and on a pitch with a team, where each player has their own position and role. I'd explain that, unless it's the final seconds of a game and you need a goal, you never leave an opposition player alone that high up and the way to defend it to have one in front and one behind, so that you can either cut out the pass to him or have someone behind him when he receives the ball. You can have a few differences once you reach this point but I'm pretty sure that every coach at almost any level would agree that this is the standard and 'best' way of starting. If you were drawing it up on the board or arranging players on a training pitch, this is how you'd do it. I'm not an expert. I'm just a fan who's watched football for decades and even I know that.
As for blame? Well Matic seems to be the most at fault. I think he was supposed to be marking Ba and Ba could be the only person on the pitch slower than Matic so that's ok. But not if you give him a 20 or more yard headstart. Was Henderson shouting out? I don't know, I've not seen an angle where I can see it. For all I know he's shouting and gesticulating wildly trying to get someone's attention. But if not, why not? Where was Ole? Or the rest of the coachiing staff for that matter? No one noticed? Or not try and make someone aware?
Will someone on the board make the decsion now? There are rumours abounding, but I'll believe it when I see it and, even if it does, who are we getting in? Another yes man who won't kick up a stink? And if it's not, will we just lose this person (Poch or Allegri are the two always spoken of) after 18 months of being frustrated by Woodward or Glazers not funding the team? Even if Ole does go, unless that last bit changes it'll probably be rinse and repeat the last 7 years. But I'd hope that one of those (or someone like that) would do better than this.