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Daily Manchester United - Episode 124 - Europa League Review - Real Sociedad (A)
21 Plays26 days ago
Kieran and Tom review the away day to Real Sociedad, and are we left rueing our chances or laying the ground work for the Old Trafford leg?
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Transcript
Manchester United's Match Review
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the daily Manchester United on the Global Sports Podcast Network. Every club, every day. Happy Friday. You made it to the weekend.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And does it feel like we lost that match or does it feel like we got a good result? Well, we're here to try and influence your decision either way. My name's Kieran. I'm gladly joined by Tom on today's episode. Tom, how are you doing?
00:00:32
Tom Cairns
Hello, Kieran. Yes, so we came away, I thought, with a better performance than and we anticipated, but now it's going to come down to the second load. This game at Old Trafford next week is going to define our season.
00:00:47
Tom Cairns
It's like our cup final, isn't it? Even though we've still got some games to go before we get to the final, which we want to be getting to in Bilbao.
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. But let's start at the beginning with the first half because I thought, you know what? United played quite well in that first half. It wasn't overly you know amazing to watch, but Real Sociedad were nowhere near the mark in that in that second in that first half, I should say.
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll get on to the second half later. But Yeah, this did have a feeling of two sides that were battling mid-table in their respective leagues. But I thought United were better side in that first half, creating the chances. And, you know, Real Sociedad didn't have a shot on target in the entire first
Player Performances and Surprises
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
half.
00:01:28
Tom Cairns
I couldn't agree more, Kieran. I mean, I thought we could have been two up. You know, we had that chance involving Delo, who should have played that ball and should have squared it to Hoyland when he ran down that right-hand side.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:40
Tom Cairns
Why didn't play that into Hoyland straight away first time, I don't know.
00:01:43
Tom Cairns
But the second one, where I think he played it into Fernandes eventually, it wasn't the best of balls either. So those were the two golden opportunities, really, where I thought United really could have put Sociedad to the sword in the first half and made it a little bit more comfortable for themselves.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:02:00
Tom Cairns
And Garnaccio, I was actually surprised to see him starting, but he did actually put in a better shift than I thought he would do.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. You know, he was really good. too You know, it it almost was like it couldn't be decided which side he was going to go down, left or right, but he's so much better down the left, as as we've seen in recent matches.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, know, is he starting to link up with, ah you know, we've got... our winger in Dorgou there, is he starting to really, is it starting to click with those two? Because I know it it's it's been a bit of a a struggle between the two of them because they're both pacey. They both want to drive forward and it's almost like they'll almost occupy the same space if it comes to it. But I think they they're learning how to play with each other on the team.
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, I think Dorgou started the game well. I think, I mean, to be fair, I think all of the all of the players started quite well in that first half. And as you said, that ball should be played to Hoyland from Dallow. It should be. you know We'll get on to the second half, but just to take a snippet from that second half, the the ball from Real Sociedad from sort of deeper on the right-hand side to find a curl away in and he slips, but he's still able to get it away.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
That sort of ball should be bread and butter for a wing-back.
00:03:17
Tom Cairns
Yeah, I mean, when I see opportunities like that in the first half where Delo should have played to the Highland, I mean, at this stage of the season now, when you know that there's not going to be many chances coming your way, you've got to take
Controversial Penalty Decision
00:03:28
Tom Cairns
them.
00:03:28
Tom Cairns
You've just got to take them. You can't just try to be too clever with what you do because it isn't the time to do it. So Delo has just got a play simple passes, really.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:03:38
Tom Cairns
I misheard what you said about the second part about De Ligt. Kieran might have to go over that again for me, if that's all right.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's because it might be incorrect, because I'm thinking about it now. and I think it's Jorah who just about puts off the strike. Anyway, but two boxes, two crosses in the box in that second arm from Sociedad, showing Dallot how it should have been done.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, I just think Dallot is a missed opportunity. I mean, you and I were talking during the game, and it it was getting a little bit painful to watch him at that right-back spot. And you just think...
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
We need someone there who can who is able to not only lock down that right-hand side defensively, but is able to put those balls in and and doesn't look backwards. You know, as a wingback, when you're attacking, when you're trying to get the ball forward, Dallow's looking backwards. And, you know, Hoyland's right there. And if you but put that ball into him, he should have the the extra yard of pace that he needs to get on the end of that ball. And even if the ball goes wide or it sails over the bar, at least you fizzed one in and and asked Real Sociedad to do something.
00:04:38
Tom Cairns
well you've got to make ah Well, you've got to make them work for it, really, haven't you? I mean, United, I sort of thought, just like I say, you know had the chance and um didn't take them. i mean But of course it changed in the second half, which we'll go on to a little bit later on.
00:04:51
Tom Cairns
But yeah, I thought that first half, in a season where we've been struggling for first half goals, I didn't think were going to get a goal in the first half anyway, but that was definitely one of our better first half performances, I thought, compared to any other game we played in 2025.
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. I agree. we We started well. We almost went as we wanted to progress, you know, coming to this.
Second Half Dynamics
00:05:16
Tom Cairns
Thank you.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you know so How many times we hear San Sebastian on the TNT Sports broadcast?
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're here in San Sebastian. But we went to their place and really dominated that first half, I'll be honest with you. OK, it was only two shots on target, but the chances we were creating were good.
00:05:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And We'll talk a little bit more about that goal scramble, because what when I first saw it might have deceived me, but I was sure when i when I saw it, I'd taken a nick off Real Sociedad arm there, but I don't think it did. So that's just, you know, me trying to find retribution where there isn't.
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, it was it was one of those where after that you think, are we going to score? Please, please let us score.
00:05:55
Tom Cairns
Yeah. Well, I'm just looking at the first half stats, actually, Kieran. So, throughout the first half, you United had seven shots to Real Saucyde as three. Three on target, so theirs of zero. Possession-wise, Real Saucyde had more of the bold than United. They had 61% possession, United's 39. So, to...
00:06:13
Tom Cairns
thirty nine so that's ah
00:06:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is odd. Yeah, well, just going to say that it didn't feel like that. It didn't feel like we had less of the ball, but I suppose we were doing more with it. Sociedad were trying to slow down the play and as soon as United got the ball, they were really quick and and eager to get moving forward. And that that's great. that's That's what we want to see. And I think it was a brave choice to try and soak up pressure away from home, especially with the form that we're in. But it it was working.
00:06:43
Tom Cairns
It was, and I think we're going to need more of that. And it felt like the players had urgency to go and get the ball back whenever we lost it. Especially Xerxes, actually, I thought was, a you know, I know he had a good performance because he got the goal in the second half, but I thought he got stuck in really, really well. And I thought the Europa League,
00:07:01
Tom Cairns
in in a game of its magnitude against Real Sociedad, I thought this was going to be the kind of game where he was going to get his elbows out. And I thought he duly delivered individually. So if he could repeat that in the second leg in seven days time or six days time from when this recording has gone out, then then we might be able to just straight through.
00:07:21
Tom Cairns
But it's certainly not going to be it's certainly not going to be an easy game next week at Old Trafford. We've got to have... but Well, I say if we have as good of a performance as we did some um on Thursday, plus taking the chances away, we should be fine.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Should being the imperative word there, Tom. And we should be back after this break where we'll talk a bit more about the second half. And once again, we find ourselves in a very familiar position of it really all started to kick off. We'll join you after this.
00:08:00
Tom Cairns
Thank you.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we had a Xerxi has scored buzzer and klaxon, it would be sounding at the 57th minute of this game. I mean, it's it's a great it's a great flowing bit of play. Garnaccio setting up Xerxi with that ball across.
00:09:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Questions asked to the keeper, Romero. if it you know It looks like he takes a step the wrong way and he's out off balance for the goal. But take nothing away, Xerxi. I'm so glad to see him score. It puts a smile on my face.
00:09:14
Tom Cairns
And he's first in Europe for Manchester United. Good going from Zerxian. What a good time to get it as well. To just give United a little bit more confidence. but of course that faded away not too long after with ah the penalty that Real Saucyde had got afterwards with a Bruno Fernandes handball.
00:09:29
Tom Cairns
I thought it was the correct decision, but it does look harsh when you look at it. Because what's the difference between a natural jump and an unnatural jump? This is the...
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:09:37
Tom Cairns
Go on.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Well, Robbie Savage was saying, you know, you jump with your arms. So it's this age old question of, yes, it's letter of the law. Is it a penalty? Well, yes, to the letter of the law it is. But I think you have to take a step back because some balls against the chest or arms or whatever, it seemed a bit inconsistent about what was handball and what wasn't in this game.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, we I mean, when the ball hit, I think it was Delick's arm. it make I think it was Delick's arm. um That was deemed he was, you know, His arms were tucked in. It might not have been delict now i think about it, but his arms were tucked in and that's where the referee says, no, it's no penalty. So I could see from that point of view, you know, defender's done everything he can to keep his arms inside. So if the ball hits it, it can't be done.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Fernandes, his hand is raised because he's jumping, ball hits it. And whenever we hit it see the referee do the rectangle, it's only going to be one outcome, isn't it?
00:10:32
Tom Cairns
Yeah, ah I mean, it was it was a bad time and
Management and Tactical Analysis
00:10:36
Tom Cairns
it hurt my United's momentum. And what made it even worse for me, Kieran, was when the referee gave the penalty after the VAR, the celebration from the Real Sociedad fans behind the goal was just like, folks, you haven't even scored yet.
00:10:50
Tom Cairns
You've got penalty to take first. Just calm down.
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they were celebrating because it was looking like it was going to be their first shot on target of the game. And of course, they hit it. I mean, what can you do for an honour? He's at the mercy of the penalty spot.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only thing he can do is dive and hope. And he goes the wrong way, but I'm not going to take that on Andre. I thought he had ah actually quite a good game. And, you know, the referee got involved with Real Sociedad to give him a shot on target. And then...
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just like we've seen in Manchester United, a goal we scored against us is and we drop, our heads drop. And Real Sociedad, from that point onwards, all over us. Inanna keeping us in that game. And particularly the shot from Oskarsson, I think it is, the the Icelandic striker for Real Sociedad, towards the end of the game.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ball comes over from the left-hand side, almost like a diagonal. And Oskarsson's beaten that back line. It's a wonderful save from Inanna. Fantastic reaction save.
00:11:45
Tom Cairns
It was.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And to be honest, that that would earned us the draw, I think. Yeah.
00:11:50
Tom Cairns
Yeah, I would agree with that. And what was really, really funny as well, Kieran, was the the substitute Oscarsson. He was 13 when he made his competitive debut, his professional debut. I think it was like in the third tier of Icelandic football.
00:12:05
Tom Cairns
His dad is the manager, or his dad was the manager. Seven years on, he's now playing for Real Sociedad in La Liga.
00:12:13
Tom Cairns
It's absolutely mental that really, but at least he's still got a long way to go yet in his career. He's got like a good 15 to 20 years left, but hats off to him and hopefully he can set the world alight in and European football. And who knows, he could be a Premier League player one day.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, he had a great half an hour on the pitch, didn't he? he was He was alive. He looked really, really good, really eager to get in behind. And it it changed for Sociedad. And I think I've always talked about Amirim and his substitutes.
00:12:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think bringing off Garnaccio for Eriksen really hurt us because although Eriksen's a really creative player, we lost a bit of pace whenever we could counter. There was one ball for Fernandes towards the end.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Garnaccio would have struggled to get to it in fairness, that deep into the game. But you saw that ball and you think, oh, Ericsson's not getting there, is he? It's it's just, it's not for him.
00:13:00
Tom Cairns
No.
00:13:02
Tom Cairns
No. I mean, Ericsson wasn't going to have the pace, even though he was going to have more energy than himself in Garnaccio. So when you bring players like Ericsson on in place of Garnaccio, the dynamic in how you play changes drastically because Garnaccio can only play in a certain type of way compared to how Ericsson does it.
00:13:21
Tom Cairns
So you've got to play more down the middle as opposed to just pinging on the wing and expecting someone like Ericsson to get on the end of it, which... as As we saw from Eriksen when he was at Tottenham, one game I remember when he was playing for Tottenham against Liverpool down the wing, he was totally dismal.
00:13:39
Tom Cairns
And it just felt that a little bit, even though it wasn't exactly the same because he was it's more of an attacking midfielder. The right side or the left-hand side, he was filling in for Garnetjo. But it kind of felt like that.
00:13:50
Tom Cairns
So I think Emerand just needs to be mindful going into the second leg that, OK, maybe it is better to put Garnetjo on the pitch considering how he got on against Sociedad. you know, the how Europa League football works, the style of football there is with the type of football that they had.
00:14:04
Tom Cairns
I know we keep talking about footballs and that, and you know, whatever football use, it shouldn't be an excuse. But sometimes it is because Premier League football cannot be compared to how an FA Cup bowl or Europa League bowl is kicked.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, no. I didn't think we'd stoop this low, Tom, talking about balls here. But there we go. That's the state of play. ah um But there we go. Tom mentioned it, not me. It's okay. Don't worry about it. um We'll try and stay on the positive side because I think the defence was quite strong.
00:14:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that, you know, whoever came on there, Jorot, De Ligt, Masraoui, Lindelof for his brief appearance towards the end there, I think they were locked down. They they they were all really good today.
00:14:47
Tom Cairns
I thought they were very disciplined as well, Kieran. It felt like they knew what they were doing, especially during the set pieces, because when Saucy's dad had the corners, I thought we could well end up conceding him from one of these, as we did against Fulham.
00:14:59
Tom Cairns
But bar the penalty via the handball from Fernandes, we seem to have survived that. If we can do that again next week, I i am tempted to write off the Arsenal game on Sunday, because that's not our season.
00:15:13
Tom Cairns
As much as I hate to say that, because I can't stand Arsenal with a passion, um We have to focus on next week because as I've already said, that's our season defining match and we've got to put in the performance of our season.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree. And I think Amirim towards the the start of the game on the TNT sports coverage, ah they when they had the interview with him, he was saying that our season's done. you know As if to say, it we we're not focused on the Premier League, we're just focusing on getting results and learning the system and making sure we can prepare for next season. So,
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
it It kind of gave in. I'm throwing in a towel for most things and you know maybe a slight focus on the Europa League. But as you've mentioned, Tom, I think we've got to go all out for this. We we have to.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's the last trophy we could win. It's a route back into Europe because we've got no hope in hell of getting it through the league. So you know it it should be top of the list, but we shall wait and see.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So for the third part, we're going to rate the players out of 10. So this should be a good one and definitely no arguments coming up. Let's find out. We'll see you after this.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, it's time to get ah well, I guess our claws into this and dig into which players we think did well. We'll start from the back and work our way forward. i Andre Anana, I've been a critic of his. I do like having a sort of this eccentric keeper, but even I've been a critic of him.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Didn't really have a lot to do in that first half, but boy, when it came to the second half, saved us. Absolutely saved us.
00:17:26
Tom Cairns
yeah
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And for that reason, I think it's not his fault he had a quiet first half. I think everyone in front of him was doing the job enough. I'm happy to give him a seven. um He would have been a lot higher if he saved the penalty, but I'm not going to hold that against him.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
i'm not going to deduct him from it. I would have added to it, but not deduct. Already?
00:17:44
Tom Cairns
I'm going to break your decimal rule, Kieran, and say six and a half.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Already?
00:17:47
Tom Cairns
Yes, hold ready. yeahp ah Six and a half. 6.5 is a good rating from me. I thought he was outstanding the second of That save he made from about 25 yards out when that was very much on target, I thought that kept us in it.
00:18:02
Tom Cairns
I thought he made another save in the first half, thinking of it, although I may have been wrong. but But yeah, I thought he um he kept United in it and got involved when he when he needed to at the right time. So I think Onada had a great game for once, and the 6.5 out of 10 is what he'll get from me.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, we saw what he could do. And I think that's important. he's He's very good at reactions. And hopefully we can see that developing ah into next season as well. Let's have a look at the back three. Let's start with Lenny Jorreau. To be honest with you, I think all three centre-backs did a really good job. I'm happy to give Jorreau seven. And especially there's that, I think it was Jorreau, who's just sort of putting off Oskarsson as the ball's whipped in from the right-hand side. And Jorreau does just enough to sort of prevent the shot from getting on target there.
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
What should have been a goal for Real Sociedad? Jorah showed immense strength there.
00:18:54
Tom Cairns
Yeah, and discipline. Let's not forget that. And um that could be the moment that keeps United in the Europa League. So I'll match your rating, Kieran, and go for a seven.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent. So let's move on to De Ligt then. ah yeah um Again, I've always been a fan of De Ligt. I think he's one of our best defenders, had a solid defen defensive display.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even with a slip, he can still adjust his body to make a clearance. A seven from me. I thought he was solid today.
00:19:22
Tom Cairns
I'll agree with you on that. There's nothing more that I can add to that. i thought he was, once again, just as he was against Fulham, one of the bright sparks in the team, as was a lot of other players ah for once. So 7 out of 10 is what he'll get from me.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, Masraoui, obviously we know how defensively solid he is. Towards end of the game, he was it felt like he was getting a little bit wound up. He was committing fouls that maybe he shouldn't have been.
00:19:42
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:19:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
i still think, though, he was very good defensively. I'm happy to sort of stick my neck out and give him a seven because, again, that whole back three were communicating well. They were closing down. they were you know Maybe they were hanging on towards the end, but they were still an imaginary clean sheet if you don't count the penalty.
00:20:04
Tom Cairns
Well, I was going to say Metserari got bullied quite a bit on that right-hand side, didn't he, towards the end? Or it might have been the left-hand side, depending on how you want to put it. But I think it was um Becker or whoever it was towards the corner flag. It just felt like he was getting absolutely shoved out of the way in any way possible.
00:20:21
Tom Cairns
But Mats Rory just kept calm. He kept composed. And he knew that he was going to be a valuable asset to that Manchester United team, given all the injuries we've had and players suspended ah and you name it all.
00:20:32
Tom Cairns
So, yeah, I think once again, it's a seven.
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm happy with that. Yeah, Becker coming on for the last 10, but Masraou, I think, did just enough to sort of draw the fouls from him. He was very intelligent in that play. um We'll look at the wingbacks now. Dorgou, I thought, started well, but started to fade a little bit in that second half. We saw less and less of him.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I'm going to give him a six, and that sounds harsh, but I think he started well. But just in that second half, we saw less and less of him as as we were under pressure a little bit more.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think a six seems harsh, but I think it's fair.
00:21:06
Tom Cairns
Yeah, going to agree with you on that. I don't think it was Dorgue's best game. I thought Dorgue's best game was at Everton. So I think with Dorgue, I think what he needs to still work on is he's crossing a little bit more because we know what he can do. He's got the potential to do it.
00:21:18
Tom Cairns
We just need to see it a little bit more consistently. So i'll I'll stick with my gut instinct and go with a six.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, this is where we might get divided here. I can sense Diogo Dallo. Now, he should have put the ball in for Hoyland, but it was a decent pass. I won't say great pass, but it was a decent find for Fernandes, who it's slightly behind him. Fernandes has to adjust, but it still produces one of the best chances of the first half.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It comes to... Five seems harsh. Five seems harsh.
00:21:50
Tom Cairns
I don't think ah don't think it's harsh, to be honest with you, Kieran.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I didn't... See, originally wrote down a six, and now I'm starting to double double take.
00:21:53
Tom Cairns
he ah it's It's no more than five because his decision-making was atrocious, especially for that Hoyland moment.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it a five? Convince me, Tom.
00:22:04
Tom Cairns
That was the moment where that should have put United ahead for me. if it played If he made the right decision and played Hoyland first time around, Hoyland had every right to be mad with him because that was the moment where Hoyland, I thought, should have been serviced there.
00:22:19
Tom Cairns
And I've mentioned it before. I don't know if it was you or someone else that's mentioned it as to why Hoyland hadn't been making, sort of getting goals at the moment. Is it because the lack of service has been getting?
00:22:32
Tom Cairns
That tonight was an example of it where Delos should have played him in. So...
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:36
Tom Cairns
um For Delo, he's not getting any even more than a five from me. It wasn't his worst performance, but it should have been a whole lot better. So I'm going to say to you, it's not a harsh to give Delo a five.
00:22:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. ah You convinced me. I'll give him i'll give him a five. Yeah. Now I think about it. Those first touches are coming back some of them were a bit ropey at the best of times. So yeah, not his best game.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, maybe a five. Holding midfield then. I honestly think We'll start with Casemiro because I think he was quiet in this game. I'll be honest with you. I thought i think a five.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he was, towards that first half, he was getting bypassed in that middle of the park too frequently. I mean, it it showed he is lacking the physicality that he once had as as a great player.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He still had some passes at him. He was still able to link up the play. But defensively, when you need him in that holding midfield, Aaron should have listened to you, Tom, should have played him further up the pitch. But yeah, from the position he was in, I think it's a five from me.
00:23:32
Tom Cairns
Yeah, ah he looks quiet as well, so I'll i'll go with that. I mean, I'd have loved to have seen, even if it was for like 15-20 minutes, where the shifting plays around as players are coming on to replace them, would have liked to have seen him playing in a more attacking role and just improve the link-up play with Hoyland, because Delo didn't do that for me. And i think there were at times where, would you say there was a lack of link-up play between Garnetra and Hoyland?
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Potentially. Yeah, potentially. I think, well, I'll come on to Garnaccio in a a little bit, but yeah, potentially.
Garnaccio and Hoyland's Performance
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like that was a weak link, potentially, to the side. And then Bruno Fernandes. Again, couple of good passes from him.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He got a shot away as well in that first half. but I'm really struggling to find any eddie sort of essence to give him a seven. It's a six from me. I thought he was okay, but nowhere near his sparkling best.
00:24:21
Tom Cairns
Yeah. I think six is fair. I mean, yeah it was unfortunate with the handball, but I think with Bruno, yes, he created some good passes, but I think sometimes he just lacks that quality in the final third.
00:24:36
Tom Cairns
He's good in the middle of the park with the... I and there was one he played in towards Dorgue and another towards... I think it Xerxes who was playing it towards him. But we know how good Fernandes is at doing that time and time.
00:24:49
Tom Cairns
I'll go with a six.
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think so. And then our sort of front three then. Let's start with Garnaccio because he was hot off the press and started the game really well, set up the goal for Xerxe to tuck away.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
felt like there were some examples where he was showing more about being a team player, others where he was being selfish. i think he's still trying to learn them the blurred line between the two. I thought he was good. I think...
00:25:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I'm happy to give him a seven. I thought it was a real bright spark. He was leading our attack. He was getting into some good positions, making some good chances, um taking on some shots.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arguably what some he shouldn't have, but arguably some he should. I'm happy to give him a seven.
00:25:30
Tom Cairns
i'm going to go with a six and a half because i think there were chances where i think he needed to execute them better than he did. He had two or three that ended up going into the side netting. I thought he could should have got on target at least.
00:25:42
Tom Cairns
But I do agree with the fact that he set up that goal for Xerxes because that was huge. That was really, really huge. And he was really frustrated at having to go off. And who was it that came on for him? Was it Ericsson that came on?
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
eric sin yeah
00:25:52
Tom Cairns
Yeah. Yeah. He was deflated with Garnaccio because he felt there was still more left in him. And that tells you something about his performance. I didn't think he would perform as well as he did because I thought he he would have been better for him to just be on the bench and come and make that impact. The United needed just add a little bit more pace in there.
00:26:08
Tom Cairns
But who knows? that That might come in the um in the second leg at Old Trafford. I'm going to go for a six and a half out of ten for Garnaccio because I think there was more left in there than what he had shown.
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I agree. Maybe he's Amarim saving him for the Arsenal game, perhaps, and needs to limit the minutes there, considering we can't really rotate. But yeah, I think a seven is fine. Xerxes, seven.
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought he had a good game. And you know the goal sort of topped it off for me. He was OK in the middle of the park, but I think that goal, he needed that goal. I think I speak on every United fan. We we love to see it when Xerxes actually does score because it brings a lift, right?
00:26:46
Tom Cairns
It does. And that was his best performance since he got that brace against Everton at the beginning of December. So, Serksy, for me, ah love the way he got stuck in and the way he just intercepts a play when Real Sociedad had the ball.
00:27:01
Tom Cairns
Do you know something? I'm going to give him a seven and a half out ten because I thought he absolutely worked his socks off tonight, did Serksy.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh! who
00:27:09
Tom Cairns
If he can do that against Arsenal, he probably won't because I don't think he will take too much out of himself compared to the Real Sociedad game at Old Shefford next week. But if he can keep up with that and actually just sustain a little bit of confidence in himself, he may play a part in that Arsenal game and just make a game of it. I don't think we'll get anything against Arsenal, i sadly.
00:27:31
Tom Cairns
But if we can make a game of it and if he plays a huge part in that, that'll give him extra confidence for for the second leg against Sociedad. <unk> so
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Rasmus Hoyland, the curious case of Rasmus Hoyland. You mentioned it previously. Tonight was the night that we saw and the proof in the pudding about how little service that Hoyland actually does get.
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Proof to the point that Dallow feels need to pass backwards when Hoyland is trying to make that run. I thought he made some good runs. I thought maybe he was caught on the wing a little bit too much for my liking, but I suppose if that is the system, so be it.
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So now it comes to me deciding... Did he have a good enough performance to sort of get you into the sixes? he The intent was there, but the the product wasn't. And I'm starting to try and think and try and really piece together if he did actually have a shot in this game. And I'm trying to look back. i He must have done. He surely must have done, but it didn't feel like it
00:28:31
Tom Cairns
Well, at least he made the effort to provide himself as an option to the likes of Delo and Garnaccio and everyone like that. But I should say, he wasn't service enough as I thought he should have been. I'm going to go for a five out ten because he didn't have a bad performance at Hoyland compared to other games.
00:28:47
Tom Cairns
But if anyone just starts playing him him a little bit more, especially the likes of Dogu, actually, who still needs to work on his crossing and Fernandes, if he can provide those long runs. He made some really good runs, actually, did Hoyland.
00:29:02
Tom Cairns
if what If Fernandes played like a really long ball in the middle of the park, Hoyland's the kind of player who would just be able to get on the end of it because we know he's got the pace in there as Hoyland. Old Trafford needs to show it um next week, I think.
00:29:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:29:16
Tom Cairns
So I think Hoyland will get a five out of ten, but but let's not rule him out because I think Old Trafford next week could be where he shines when it matters most.
Substitutes' Impact and Manager Decisions
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he was involved in that a little bit of a triangle between himself, Fernandes, and Garnaccio. And he he makes the pass Garnaccio, but the whistle's already blown for a foul that happened six or seven yards away. He looked second best in that battle with two defenders. That's why the referee blew. But actually, he did really well to make it up. But hey-ho, it is what it is. Garnaccio could have been in there cause it was a wonderful pass, but...
00:29:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is the way that it is. um we'll We'll touch briefly before we ah wrap up today on the three substitutes. Ericsson on for Garnaccio in the 78th minute. I feel like we were weaker going forward because we relied so much on the pace of Garnaccio.
00:30:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then again, there wasn't a lot for Ericsson to do. We were really against the, we were backs against the wall at that part of the game.
00:30:09
Tom Cairns
Yeah, five out of ten for me. I don't think he was able to do enough, Eriksen, but it's not his fault by any means. I think United were just consigned to just take the draw and hope for the best at Old Trafford.
00:30:21
Tom Cairns
there
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, then the double substitute. willll We'll start with Lindelof. I'm happy to give him a a six because he was really good in the air um and that's what he needed to be. He was he was committed. He was measured.
00:30:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
i just don't think he got enough minutes warrant more than a six, which is no fault of his.
00:30:37
Tom Cairns
Well, I'm going to give him a five and a half because he only had eight minutes in total if you to include the five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game. So I think Lindelof was able to carry on where the back three had left off in terms of a disciplined performance as a team. So think it's a five and a half hour time for me with Lindelof.
00:30:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and then Collier, yeah, again, same with Lindelof. I'll give him a six. He didn't do anything wrong. I thought he was he was solid. He was able to come on, provide that sort of holding midfield role, almost like a bit of a destroyer to try and save this game. And he didn't really put a foot wrong in my book. So it's a six for me and maybe a bit more if he had more time on the pitch.
00:31:15
Tom Cairns
Yeah, well, you know what what I am with the default rating that I keep hold of, which is a five.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:31:21
Tom Cairns
ah i'm gonna i'll so I'll go with the five and a half, the same as Lindelof, because the middle of the park, where it's absolutely paramount, Collier was able to just sustain the level of discipline and the level of performance that United had overall by just coming on for the last few minutes just to upset Sociedad's momentum.
00:31:39
Tom Cairns
Because they had all the momentum they they could have had, I thought, so she did to go and win it. But Collier did very well to interrupt it. So, yeah, overall, five and a half out ten. Ruben Amarin, we haven't spoken about the manager. Do you think Ruben Amarin got it right?
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, I think so. i and In terms of the squad he selected and you know the system, I still think it's the right way to go. i think in terms of first-half performances, that's the best I've seen for quite some time.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like I say that a lot, but it was a good first-half performance. It was good up until we got the penalty against us. But it's when we let it we let our heads drop whenever we can see, and it's a real weakness, and we can't afford to do that against Arsenal.
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
if we If we find ourselves on the wrong end of a decision that could have gone at 50-50, we just let our heads drop, and that's got to stop.
00:32:30
Tom Cairns
I agree. And I think Amarin's got it right tonight as well. I just hope that's not a fluke. The second leg, yeah, well, hopefully not.
00:32:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully not.
00:32:38
Tom Cairns
But he's got to prove to us that how he's done it tonight was not like a one-off where the players all of a sudden decided to just completely turn up. That's got to sustain for the remainder of the competition, however long left in the Europa League we've got.
Predictions and Social Media Engagement
00:32:54
Tom Cairns
Hopefully it will carry over after next week.
00:32:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fingers crossed, eh? Tom, last thing from you then. I'd like a score prediction, please. Manchester United versus Arsenal on Sky Sports Premier League and main event if you are in the UK. ah Sunday at half past four.
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Score prediction?
00:33:10
Tom Cairns
3-0 Arsenal. No. loss no
00:33:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. Yeah, I didn't even give it a second thought, did you? Yeah, I'm kind of thinking ah a loss as well. I'm happy to go more positive. I want to see Xerxes on the score sheet. I think it's going to an win. I think it's 2-1.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think both sides recently have had their issues going forward, but Arsenal have just put seven past PSV. So this might be not the time to face them. Anyway, let's not focus about that. That's for Sunday. In the meantime, though, enjoy the rest of your weekend right up until that match. Tom, thank you so much for joining me on today's episode.
00:33:43
Tom Cairns
Thank very much, Kieran, and thank you to everyone that's tuned in. And hopefully we'll come away with a positive result on Sunday. Even though we don't, there's still the second against Real Sociedad to come, which will define our season.
00:33:54
Tom Cairns
And hope that we get through and face either FCSB or Lyon in the quarterfinals.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fingers crossed, eh? Right then, it's time to say goodbye. Enjoy the weekend. Hopefully, it's not a loss against Arsenal. We're very pessimistic here, but they have just put seven past PSV.
00:34:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yikes. That should be an interesting visit to Old Trafford. Yikes. Anyway, if you like what you listen, you can follow us on all the social media. It's GSPN Man United. We are on Twitter and X. We're on Facebook.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're on Instagram and we're on TikTok. We're also on YouTube as well. The YouTube channel is Global Sports Podcast Network, LTD. And from there, you can find the Manchester United playlist and listen and watch to your heart's content. You can even see our faces. We're waving to you right now, aren't we, Tom?
00:34:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah he's He's not playing ball. But there but there we go. He waved. There you go. So you're missing out on this. So make sure you do tune into the YouTube channel as well as give us a subscribe. In the meantime, though, thank you so much for listening and watching. And we'll talk to you very soon. Take care.