Bleurghhhh! What a shit, disappointing, pissed-on firework of a game. So much promise, so little delivery.
It would be easy to "blame" Mourinho, but fuck that. He selected the right team to nullify our strengths, and they were the better side in the first half, in which we looked anaemic and nervous. We were better in the second half, but we still only managed 3 shots on target.
We didn't play well enough. That's all. We had no answer to how United set up - strangling space in front of their defence and not allowing Milner or Clyne to attack. Herrera was dominating midfield, and Henderson and the dreadful Can sat too deep, and moved the ball too slowly. Sturridge was entirely isolated, and Mane kept running infield to escape the attentions of Blind and Young.
On the plus side, we kept a clean sheet at last, and I do think that maybe my prediction of 6th was pessimistic; we will be fighting United, Chelsea and Everton for a Top 4 spot, and United are just three points behind, so a draw isn't TOO bad.
It's pretty clear that City, Spurs and Arsenal are going to be the Top 3, so it's going to be tight.
Karius (5) Yes, his kicking is crisper and more accurate than Mignolet. But then everyone knew that already. My biggest fear was his antipathy to the high ball into the box, and lack of ability to actually catch anything, ever. Sadly, those fears are entirely accurate. It's like he has a fucking eppy as soon as the ball is delivered at any kind of height into the area. He was lucky twice not to concede. Yuck.
Clyne (6) As usual an A for effort, and he worked so hard. But he didn't have Mane to help offensively, as the Senegalese was often infield, leaving Clyne with limited options.
Matip (7) Lost his man once or twice, but he was generally calm and assured, and his use of the ball was decent
Lovren (7) Some wild clearances, but his more agricultural style of late has made him a better defender; some good interceptions and headers
Milner (6) Skinned once or twice, but diligent as ever against the quick and dangerous Rashford. Didn't get forward as much as he would have liked, and lacked the pace to get beyond Valencia.
Henderson (6) Dropped so, so deep on occasion, trying to get some space and time. Worked hard as ever, but his passing was occasionally rushed and he reverted back to safety. He's never going to be what you'd call "inspirational" but you can't knock his effort.
Can (5) A lumbering disaster area for the first 30 minutes, he slowly (obviously) improved, and started using his presence and physicality better. One decent effort, but his lack of mobility and tendency to want too long and too many touches on the ball was frustrating.
Coutinho (7) Good contest with Herrera, and didn't shy away from contact. Drove forward whenever he could, and had one lovely trademark shot from distance well saved
Mane (5) Got frustrated with the lack of space out wide, and spent large portions of the game more central, but was too often careless with the ball and couldn't find a way through.
Firmino (6) Didn't do much in the first half, but got through a lot of "busy work" without threatening. Better when allowed to drift more central, but obvious lack of pace showed on two occasions which a quicker forward would have capitalised on. Decent header.
Sturridge (4) He was totally on his own at times, and so came deep and went wide to get on the ball, but could do little with it. Where is the pace and acceleration? The goal threat? Playing himself out of the side, sadly.
