DaveTucker

Totally agree VAR is ruining the game. Last season I was 50:50 as I assumed they'd fine tune it but they clearly won't. On Saturday my 2 year old was messing about so I looked away from the screen for a second as Mane headed in so I allowed myself to celebrate wildly which I don't usually do these days. I soon realised why and it bloody hurt. From that moment I just knew we'd concede and sure enough we did. The problem is I was annoyed with myself for celebrating like I did without seeing the goal so I'll be even more cautious next time. The game is fucked if you take away the emotion of scoring a goal. It's what sets football apart from other sports where the are more 'scores' because a goal means more. It's why we tolerate nil nils.

Great report as ever. I was irrationally annoyed with the fact someone (Shaq ideally) didn't have a blast with the last kick of the game. Prob too far out to expect anything but it was pissing down at that point so may have been spilled by the keeper or deflected. Certainly worth a go more than the pitiful effort that we produced.

Wasn't Sakho the only man (At least at one point) you ever gave a 10 to in the ESPN match ratings? Gambling occasionally pays off I guess.

I always thought he was a complete bellend but I've listened to him on both Carra's podcast and Quickly Kevin (Highly recommend to anybody over 30) recently and he comes across as a totally decent guy. Now I just think of him as a Tim Nice but Dim sort of figure.

“If we focus on Liverpool too much, we are wrong. “We would be better looking at ourselves and play as we did at Atletico under Simeone, game by game. For him to have to mention his previous manager suggests even their players are aware of Guardiola's obsession with us. Must be a bit demoralising to come in having fought back to win from behind and instead of focusing on their achievement he's sulking about our own come back.

Great report Dave. Out of interest who annoys you more Newcastle or Villa fans? Have you or your Mum seen Son's ice cream advert? If not Google it. Proper cringeworthy stuff.

I fucking love Fabinho. What a player he is. Keep everything crossed he doesn't get booked against Villa or we'll have a problem against City.

I did like Maddison's tweet to the S*n the other day in his defence. Also, Southgate is a joke. I couldn't give a fuck about England but that back 4 would look ok if he played Trent, Gomez and Chillwell.

Totally agree on Scholes. Most overrated player of all time for me. I've got a few Manc mates who are forever using Xavi and a few other old pros opinions on him to claim he was better than Gerrard. I'm hardly an expert on United's history but I can't recall one big game that he has had a major impact on. If he had I'm sure I'd remember as it would have done my head in at the time. He clearly wasn't shit and I remember him having decent games and also scoring a few worldies against bums but can't recall him taking a big game by the scruff of the neck and dragging them to victory in the way Gerrard did countless times.

Assuming they knew he was off, anyone else think it would've been a nice send off to bring the Mig on for the penalties? We could have dressed it up as sentiment to appease Alisson but for all his faults it's one thing he was bloody good at and he may well have made a difference. Alisson doesn't strike me as someone who would take it too badly anyway unlike that Kepa tool. Ancient history now though but would've been a fitting reward for being such a good pro this last year.

He is indeed a difference maker. As well as Old Trafford and Barca I'm pretty sure he also missed the draws against Leicester and West Ham. I don't think it is a coincidence.

That Kane line may the best thing I've ever read. Sessegnon would be worth a punt as back up left back as he could also get minutes in the front 3 and is young enough to accept a bit part role. Could bring him on in games we have wrapped up for a run out and rest Robbo for the odd game against the dross. His potential is pretty high too so well worth a gamble.

What frustrates further is they've lost 4 fucking games this season and only 1 against the top 6. I thought when Palace, Leicester and Newcastle all beat them in relatively short space of time it would set a benchmark for teams to have a crack at them. Instead they've already revived their air of invincibility. Bizarre. Hopefully Palace will be buoyed by their previous win next Weekend.

Good news for you Dave, you must have missed this in December...….. https://www.goal.com/en/news/smalling-signs-new-man-utd-contract-through-to-2022/124o8o2ewz7nm17tztx2o5671h

Great report, I think we do just want it too badly for it to be enjoyable. If we win this one I'm sure I can enjoy seasons like this again for pretty much the rest of my life. Until we get that monkey off our back though this is how it will be. I think you're being kind to Bobby dropping him the same amount as Mo from last year. At least Mo is still top scorer in the league so must be doing something right although I agree he hasn't been the same. Bobby, with the exception of a few games (Arsenal the obvious one), has been terrible. This was beyond bad. What bothered me most wasn't that he was playing shit which is forgivable but that he kept nonchalantly trying flicks and backheels when simpler balls were on. That I can't forgive because it just wasn't needed, it was like he was playing an exhibition match. I know he's been moved deeper which has hampered him but we need him to step it up.

Great read. Totally agree about Lingard. I've been sent some of the most cringeworthy clips imaginable of him lately. He's nowhere near good enough to be behaving like he does. Not that it would be acceptable for anyone. Even Ronaldo would wince. I think he just wants to be like Pogba (God knows why!). He's like the little loser in school who just bums the cool kid to try and live off scraps of popularity but then starts to think he belongs and becomes an odious bellend.

The 100% record against the sides outside the top 6 is incredible. Also amazing that we've only conceded 3 goals all season to those teams with Cardiff, Burnley and Leicester being the lucky 3.

Great report! The hand over the mouth thing seriously does my head in. Did I miss a spate of instances where players got in trouble due to lipreaders as I can't even recall one yet everyone is at it. And why would you do it while talking to a ref? At least if you are talking to a player you may be calling him a cunt or worse but presumably he wasn't doing that to the ref.

5 goals in 14 is scarily good. Mad to think only a few years ago we conceded 6 at Stoke.

Kante or DeBruyne for me. Those pair and Naby in Midfield with what we already have and there would be no stopping us. I do really like Jorginho too. Was gutted we weren't in the running for him in the summer.

Feel bad for belly laughing about that last line and pic!

Are you over Paul Walsh going short yet Dave?

Totally agree Dave, I was buzzing for days after we put City out and couldn't wait for the journey to continue. I'm already nervous as fuck about the final though.

I know what you mean but I'm not sure we do have consecutive runs like that every year. 2014 aside. Usually things pick up and we look at a run of games against lower teams rubbing our hands and then royally fuck it up. Unfortunately we appear to have reverted to type in recent weeks but I'm a bit more optimistic we can get back on it once people are fit. The important thing is to strengthen well in the summer to hopefully avoid these blips in future.