Posts tagged paulpogba

2020 wrap up: Manchester United version

Football

Manchester United started the season with 27 point away from the first spot and ended with 3 points away and a game in hand.

Bruno Fernandes magic? or Ole really is a tactic genius?
All i want to say is we are officially back in the title race and i would definitely start “21 is coming home” after we have won few more games. (kidding)

We were at the 5th place in the start of Jan and went further down to seventh before Bruno’s arrival (trust me I’m no “playerFC” person but he is the best thing happened to us this year)

Very few players are able to make the kind of impact Bruno have had after his arrival.

Ending the saddest year with a win has made us all excited but I would love to watch us continue this form and be consistent in Premier League.

It’s time to look at how our team has done in the calendar year.

Here are the few factors that made up our year.

Ole Gunner’s nightmare: Injuries
Start of 2020 was like living in hell as a ManUtd fan. In the first game of the new year the Reds fell against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal (lol) and questions were raised on Solskjaer’s future at the club. However, as the Red Devils gathered themselves in the absence of key players, Marcus Rashford injured his back and was ruled out for a significant part of the season while Paul Pogba was already ruled out.

It felt like the end of the career which had not even started for Ole and the start of yet another cycle which would rip the team apart. (those were the days when I felt vulnerable as a United fan) We had just gotten rid of the negativity and here we were in the same dark tunnel desperately looking for yet another hand to pull us out of it. And Bruno Fernandez entered in our lives. (getting emotional)


Signing of Bruno Fernandes

United fans were relived when the reds finally signed the Portuguese magnifico. He came as a blessing in disguise and quickly became a fan favorite the moment he arrived. Such enthusiasm, motivation to his team mates and never giving up attitude already made him a contender for captaincy.

(Man of his words) Bruno Fernandes said:
“My love of Manchester United really started when I used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play and ever since then I have been a big fan of this great club.  For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible, I have worked hard to get to this moment and I can promise the fans that I will give everything for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies.“

Let the number speak
18 goals and 13 assists, Fernandes has been directly contributed to just over half of Manchester United’s 60 Premier League goals since he made his debut.

Those 31 Premier League goal contributions saw Fernandes break Frank Lampard’s calendar record for a midfielder of 29, set in 2009.

 Since his debut, no Premier League player has more goals (12) or assists (six) away from home than the 26-year-old.

 Fernandes has become the first Portuguese player to score 10 goals in a Premier League season since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008-09. (finally someone to match his stats)

Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi are the only players with more direct goal contributions in Europe’s top five leagues than Fernandes since the start of February.

If he takes this form to 2021 and be consistent, we can say that he can be the contender of the player of the season award. (I would def vote for him)

Most Goals and Assists Contribution in the Calendar Year 2020:

Lewandowski (30 Goals ⚽+ 5 Assists )
Lionel Messi (18 goals ⚽+16 Assists)
Bruno Fernandez (18 goals+14 Assists)
Cristiano Ronaldo (26 goals ⚽ + 4 Assists)

Among them Bruno is the only midfielder to feature in the list.

Semi final exits
It wasn’t all glorious for the Reds, Ole still had to get back to winning ways and that’s when the Red Devils suffered a big blow when they lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, having lost to City in the semi final of Carabao Cup previously. And things got worse when United were knocked out of the Europa League by Sevilla (heartbreaking) Three Semi Final defeats were a lot to take in but we gulped down the humiliation and moved on.

The heat up between Bruno and Lindelof.

Transfer window: Sancho drama
Jadon Sancho was Solskajer’s No.1 priority, but the laid back approach from the Man United board saw Sancho slip out of their hands and stay put at Dortmund for another season. After chasing Sancho all summer and an enquiry to Watford for winger Ismaila Sarr didn’t progress, the dead line day kept United busy. The Reds completed the signing of Donny van de Beek, with Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles, along with youngsters Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo all in a matter of few hours.

The lack of proper planning for the summer transfers meant that Man United started the season behind their rivals, who used the opportunity to strengthen their squads for a grueling season. 

Literally all the United fans during summer transfer window.

Champions League, a dream.
The Premier League season was a night mare for the Reds how ever the the grass was green in the Champions League. Dismantling PSG again and humiliating RB Leipzig was fruitful but the tides turned quickly and the Reds crash out of the Champions League.

A horrendous defeat in Turkey followed by the PSG stealing a win at home meant that Man United needed a point from their game against RB Leipzig, but eventually fell short and returned to the Europa League. The Champions League dream crashed as quickly as it had started.

Bitter memories.

Humiliating 1-6 defeat
We do not need a reminder for this, It’s printed on our minds. Not even in their wildest dream Jose and his team would have thought they will get to taste such a fruitful win at OT against the team they dream to be. When Bruno Fernandez penalty in the second minute after Anthony Martial was brought down, Man Utd appeared to be on course for all three points. But it doesn’t always go as you plan. Within five minutes of taking the lead, Spurs hit back with two goals and things did not get any better for the Reds after that.

Martial’s red card was a cue we were defeated long before the FT whistle.

The Drama.

Manager’s performance
For the most of his time at United Ole has been questioned about his plans and tactics for the team. Weather you are Ole in or Ole out we have to accept the fact that he has handled the job pretty well till now.

If you keep the cup games aside, from having a terrible started to the league finishing the year on the 2nd place with a game in hand is indeed blissful. The fans have already declared United in the title race.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can get the first piece of glory if he manages to take his team through the Carabao Cup semi final against the noisy neighbors and go on to win the cup. Hope we lift the curse off cup semi final and get the taste of glory ourselves.

Over all it wasn’t all that bad under Ole. I would definitely give him the benefit of doubt and would love to give this unbearable cycle of manager change a rest.

Comment down your thoughts below.

Manchester United players in the PL

Goals:

  1. Bruno Fernandes- 10
  2. Rashford- 7
  3. Cavani- 3
  4. McTominnay- 2
  5. James- 1
  6. Greenwood- 1
  7. De Beek- 1
  8. Martial- 1
  9. Pogba- 1
  10. Lindelöf- 1
  11. Wan-Bissaka- 1
  12. Maguire- 1

Assists

  1. Bruno Fernandes- 8
  2. Rashford- 4
  3. Martial- 3
  4. Mata- 2
  5. Cavani- 2
  6. Telles- 1
  7. Shaw- 1
  8. McTomminay- 1
  9. Lindelöf- 1

What’s next?

United have as many wins as Liverpool in the Premier League and are three points behind with a game in hand. We play Aston Villa next on 2nd Jan, 2021 1:30 am IST.

That mind-blowing comeback against Everton.

Premier League

This is what United is all about, this is what we missed, team effort and never giving up attitude. The way the whole stadium celebrated when United scored said everything.

The game was good after the second half. It looked like the team was hungry and wanted to give whatever it takes to win this game.

It was necessary for the Reds to win this game after all the humiliate loses and controversies, this is for the fans and Jose Mourinho.

It’s safe to say we deserved to win, the overall team performance was decent in the second half.

Another record was broken United conceded two goals within ten minutes of the game at Old Trafford for the first time but the players did not let that affect the game.

Today’s win means that Jose Mourinho now has the best win per cent of any United manager including Ferguson

It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, after having a bad run at home there were a lot of expectations off today’s game and United going 0-2 down within ten minutes was not at all expected, the fans and media started talking about sacking Jose after first half itself. (If that was possible)

That relief when your team makes a comeback.

Mata’ brilliant free-kick gave the Reds hope to make a late comeback and soon after the first goal Marshall’s equalizer set Old Trafford on fire.

So happy for Sanchez, he got a lot of stick for not doing well and today he got own piece of cake. That 90’th minute comeback by Alexis Sanchez everything, I haven’t been so happy watching United lately.

Manchester United is eighth on the Premier League table, just 5 points away from the fourth position. Things wouldn’t have been so messed up if United would have managed to win against Brighton, West Ham and wolves at least. When the season fixtures were out I was confident United will take all three points from these games but the players had other plans.

The players did not give their 100% but the win gave the Reds time to breathe and come back with a positive mind. United play Chelsea on 13th Saturday at 5:00 IST.

Jose’s post-match interview:

It wasn’t the substitutions that won the game – it was the desire, mentality and commitment. This is not about me, this is not about the players, this is about the club, and in the second half, the players gave absolutely everything. Nothing more to give.

“I am 55 years old, I am mature, I can cope with it and live with being hunted. I think some of the boys are not coping well with it. The way they started the game was panicking (sic). I thought at some moments we could score in our own-goal. It’s not easy for them.”

When asked if players aren’t playing for him:

It’s a ridiculous talk [that the players aren’t playing for him] – they don’t play for the manager, they play for the club. It’s not about that. What I asked the players is to give absolutely everything. We had little tactical touches, of course, we risked a lot, we were trying to find the best way to play. In the end, we won the match and I think we deserved to win. I think the fans deserved to win. At 2-0 at half-time, with all the dynamic of the man-hunting, I think they behaved amazingly well for the team. This is what a football club is. “

Attack, Attack, Attack. Pogba wants his team to attack more.

Premier League

The Worldcup star Paul Pogba insists his team should score more goals and attack in home matches.

After winning three-game back to back United were held 1-1 at home by the Wolves. It was a frustrating game for the viewers as the Reds couldn’t make a comeback after Nuno’s men equalized in the second half. United are now sitting at 7th position on the Premier League table, 8 points away from the arch-rivals Liverpool.

Criticising the way United have played their home game Pogba demanded his team to play attacking football.

“We should have played much better against Wolves,” he said. “When we are at home we should attack, attack, attack”

“That’s Old Trafford. We are here to attack. I think teams are scared when they see Manchester United attacking and attacking.”

“Maybe that’s the attitude should be better and we should play better because, again, we are at Old Trafford and we should just attack and press as we did against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season. When we play like this it’s easier for us.”

When asked about the playing style of his boss and why the Reds are unable to make an impact this season as well he said: “I can’t tell you because I’m a player, it’s not me.” “I’m not the manager, I cannot say that, but obviously we should show more options of player, but I cannot say that because I’m a player, That’s my way of thinking, we should move better, we should move more.”

“We have played six games in the Premier League, it’s not that we should get worried, but we should obviously get closer, get closer and closer. It’s better for us if we get close.”

Jose showed frustration regarding the attitude of the team:

Jose wants his team to learn from the display of the attitude by the Wolves.

The frustration was clearly seen on his face as he spoke “Not a good performance, not a good result.” he said “A fair result.”

“I think Wolves, by the way, they faced the game, they deserve because they play like I like to play, which is like the World Cup final.”

“That’s the attitude that I like my teams to have every match and we didn’t have that. They had, we didn’t.”

“The attitude made the difference. They were in the game since the first minute, they played every ball, every second in the maximum of their intensity, their desire and we didn’t.”

United play their next game in the League Cup against Derby County on 26th Wed. 12:30 IST. Hope we do better in the next game.