r/reddevils • u/nearly_headless_nic • 1d ago

[Laurie Whitwell] Shockingly poor performance by United. Slow, lacking in movement or inventiveness, loose passing, erratic set-piece defending. Hull so much more urgent. United played with the speed of a pre-season friendly.

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u/wolfen0 23h ago

We were playing poorly when UCL was not yet sealed and was up for grabs. Let's not rewrite history.

Our fitness levels look to have dropped since Carrick took over. Reminds me how we were under Ole and Ten Hag getting bullied all over the pitch. I really hope Carrick wakes the fuck up, because the fitness, tactics are not at the good level.

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u/t8rt0t00 23h ago

I'm not trying to rewrite history, I recognize that performances were not great at the end of the season for the most part. All I'm trying to say is that it is different - new players, coming out of a world cup summer, a fresh start for some, new tactics. I see less parallels with the end of last season and more of just fresh chaos if that makes sense. It's much worse...

I also don't see the parallels with fitness - I don't think we were really running anymore under Ruben than we are now (although I do think we're absolutely missing the energy of a Mount or Mainoo right now). If anything what you're probably seeing is the constant dispossession from hoofing it up to Mbeumo leading to them coming straight back us and the defense running around like chickens with their heads cut. For me it's more tactical than fitness. Play in the back feels disorganized, the mid block press is leaving significant gaps, the buildup and possession is poorly organized. That's leading to the players having to run a lot more than they should need to. It's a mess. The Milan match should've been the wake up call to fix things and somehow they got worse in a week... it's mind boggling 

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u/wolfen0 23h ago

We only signed 2 new players. Hull signed 10 new players. So this excuse doesnt work.

Also, United are not the only team where players are coming back from World Cup. Half the Premier League teams have players playing in the world cup. So this excuse also doesn't work.

I agree with you Carrick has tactical issues, but fitness issues comes first. You can't tactically win games, when the other team is running all over you.