In other ongoing transfer news, it looks like Bournemouth might be close to signing Ben Doak for 25M GBP.

Bournemouth sign Ben Doak -> Brentford sign Ouattara -> Newcastle sign Wissa -> Liverpool sign Isak

Richard Hughes out here playing 3D chess and doing everyone's business for them lol

We are SO thin now in attack.

You beat me to it hahaha! Super happy to have Maca in there. He's I think our most important player and will be playing the Gravenberch role today, and I hope can go 70 minutes.

Orenstein just said on the pre-match show that he's still not sure how the Isak situation will end up. Said that perhaps something could take place AFTER they place next week, which makes some sense.

YNWA!!

Really sloppy from both teams so far.

Tksymm7 said:

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Really sloppy from both teams so far.

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With all these changes, we're going to look sloppy for a bit. I just hope we don't drop points.

I'd take Kerkez off pretty soon. He's getting picked on, has a yellow and seems to be a bit lost at times. Overall I like what we're trying to do though.

Man Gakpo is freaking clinical with the right foot.

Terrible. Weaknesses completely exposed

The freaking counter twice. You cannot have that many guys forward. Not at this stage of the game when everyone is exhausted.

Horrific defending. 2 guys completely unmarked and still didn't even shutdown the shooter.

There have been some issues with players, but Slot can take a fat L on this one. Why bring in all these defensive subs and have them making runs forward and playing a high line? Completely unnecessary.

Completely agree .

I'm not even sure that's slot. I think some guys just completely lost there head. No clue why Gomez, Endo and Szbo are all charging forward like that. Just not disciplined.

Maybe so. Salah is really forcing the issue too. Need to get him a goal so he can settle down.

Chiesa the hero??

Thats my backup striker. Isak who?

I mean what a roller coaster. Don't know why Chiesa hasn't and doesn't play more. Bournemouth look absolutely GASSED.

This team just needs to have a better understanding of moments and defense. They don't have bad defenders, they have great defenders, they just can't commit nine dude to the opponents box and have two guys back. You'll get scored on by a U16 team if you only leave two back to cover.

Amen. Whether it's Slot or players they have got to be smarter with it. And if you are making defensive subs, play defense. Sloppy too, but that will get better with time

Frimpong felt some discomfort in his hamstring per Slot.

Hopefully it's minor and was taken out as a precaution.

Hopefully Szobo continues to evolve into his new role, but he has been too careless with the ball in the pivot. Macca and Grav should be steadier moving forward.

Hugo is the real gem of this transfer window. I liked what Frimpong did, while Kerkez and Wirtz were a step below...but Hugo was magnificent today. Hopefully we get to a point soon where he can play a full match. He is such a unique player and a real joy to watch. He causes all kinds of problems for the defense with his ability to drop deep and his freakish size. I thought his performance was so good it fundamentally changed my perception of the Isak transfer. I've now migrated to the idea that Isak would be a "cherry on top" kind of transfer instead of an essential piece of business. If we do sign Isak, either Hugo, Gakpo or Wirtz would have to sit the bench which is a bit insane.

Nice win, but I'll feel better about the team when I see Gravy back in the center of the pitch. Szobo and Endo almost cost us 2 points today with their lack of discipline and decision making.

I think Szbo is really good as a traditional No. 8 playing beside someone who is a bit more on their Ps and Qs defensively. He's so gifted physically and loves to play box to box but needs someone on it beside him. The first half was a great example because Mac Allister stood back and let him go, but then once he went out I think it got squirrelly. Adding Gravvy back will do wonders for this whole team imo. It'll free up Wirtz to be Wirtz more, and allow Mac Allister and Szbo to be their best selves as well. I think Salah has been a little isolated recently because the midfield has been so in and out. You can tell Wirtz loves the left side, so now we need Mac Allister and Szbo to help on the right to involve Mo and Frimpong. It'll all come together.

Putting Endo at right back was bat **** crazy, and I was so relieved to see Joe Gomez coming on when he did even though we gave up the next goal. I love Joe. Overall definitely still a work in progress as a team, but we'll keep plugging away.

Set piece FC is back.

Besides conceding that corner, MU has more than held their own so far.

Watching Man U today the more I'm convinced that either Gravenberch needs to play at the back to make a back 3 when we have the ball, or one of the full backs needs to play back like we saw in the first half in Friday, creating a sort of elbow at the back, and guys to not lose their minds and rush up the field.

ETA: Man U use width in fantastic ways.

Weird game for Man U and Arsenal. Arsenal kinda the same old same old; lacking creativity in the final third but got dominated in possession for once. Man U much better as a team plan but also just lacking in the final third. Just not much ability it get their dangerous players the ball in scoring spots.