Manchester Utd vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Brend'Watkins]

Only silver lining was that we got a decision at Old Trafford (though fwiw, it was never a goal, Onana clearly interfering with play in my view).1

He didn't touch the ball nor block thr goalies view.

Yes, am sure you're right that it conforms to the current laws.

However, in my view: since (i) Onana is the last player the ball must pass before the keeper, and (ii) the keeper has to factor in the possibility that Onana may divert the ball, he was most certainly interfering with the keeper's perception of the situation, and therefore with play.

In any event, I felt sure they would find some reason to disallow it, so was pretty surprised it was given!

The possible no goal decision was nothing to do with Onana’s position blocking the keeper’s vision but whether the ball brushed his shorts or some part of his body which from all camera angles was inconclusive. In hindsight, had it being disallowed we could have added another decision to our portfolio of shit decisions against us in this fixture. Maybe that influenced the Var decision bearing in mind the history of ManU favourable decisions that have happened. It could be that officials are feeling our heat as I was convinced the goal would be var-ed off.

[Mister E]

Didn’t expect to win but I thought we actually did ok. Game plan worked in the first half and I wondered if we were going to see another Emery masterclass. Did well to come back level but the key moment of the match was Abraham not controlling and finishing that chance at 1-1 when we were on top. Barkley MOTM for us.
Our main problem at the minute is that almost all of our main attacking players are misfiring: Watkins, Buendia and Rodgers. And they have been for a long time.
I think Barkley playing were he is could really help until Tielemans is back.

Agree with most of this. However, individuals making silly mistakes have cost us - Bailey's misplaced pass for their second drove me mad, for example; turning a potential goalscoring break into a bloody farce.
I said to my son during the game: for a team which is set up to control possession we are really profligate and turn the ball over all the damn time!

[Mister E]

... The third Bogarde passing the ball back into our 6 year area. 

A bit harsh on Bogarde, since the ball cannoned off him from a Konsa attempted clearance.

[Mister E]

Watching the goals and main incidents back, lovely run and pass from Maatsen into Tammy for chance at end. He should finish it, Luiz probably finishes it if Garcia pulls out, Garcia definitely finishes it if Luiz pulls out. Comedy show. Tammy's touch to put us 1-2 up was Ollie esque, horrendous really. Should be hitting it first time in any case. Bailey did pretty well then. Didn't see Mings missed header in extended highlights.
First goal, Barkley doesn't track Casemiro it looks like but Watkins is beaten at front post anyway. Martinez should tip it over. Second, Bogarde is out of position should force Fernandes to go down line and cut out pass option inside. Konsa flat footed, maybe Martinez should be out quicker to narrow angle. Third a complete mess, Bogarde caught on cross field ball. Konsa a bit unfortunate and I'm expecting Onana to block the shot. Unfortunate with deflection. Sesko made a complete mess of another break down the Bogarde/Konsa channel late on.

The second goal is entirely down to losing possession weakly up the pitch and our players not having the time to transition back into defence; exacerbated by a really clever pass to Cunha.

[Mister E]

The possible no goal decision was nothing to do with Onana’s position blocking the keeper’s vision but whether the ball brushed his shorts or some part of his body which from all camera angles was inconclusive. In hindsight, had it being disallowed we could have added another decision to our portfolio of shit decisions against us in this fixture. Maybe that influenced the Var decision bearing in mind the history of ManU favourable decisions that have happened. It could be that officials are feeling our heat as I was convinced the goal would be var-ed off.

Our history in the fixture is completely irrelevant to refs (and everyone else not associated with Villa).
The shot was hit so hard that the keeper would not have saved it, with or without Onana being anywhere near it.

[cdbearsfan]

Doesn't matter whether the keeper would have saved it. If the officials judged that it made any contact with Onana it would have been offside.

[Mister E]

Doesn't matter whether the keeper would have saved it. If the officials judged that it made any contact with Onana it would have been offside.

I get that, but it didn't.
I've had Redmankers trying the argument on me that he impeded the keeper's view of the shot whilst in an offside position ... clearly irrelevant.

[eye digress]

Only silver lining was that we got a decision at Old Trafford (though fwiw, it was never a goal, Onana clearly interfering with play in my view).1

He didn't touch the ball nor block thr goalies view.

Yes, am sure you're right that it conforms to the current laws.

However, in my view: since (i) Onana is the last player the ball must pass before the keeper, and (ii) the keeper has to factor in the possibility that Onana may divert the ball, he was most certainly interfering with the keeper's perception of the situation, and therefore with play.

In any event, I felt sure they would find some reason to disallow it, so was pretty surprised it was given!

It didn’t interfere with the keeper, the way it was hit he was never stoping that.

Even if we agreed on that assertion, do we really want VAR making subjective judgements on whether the keeper may or may not have saved it?

But for the record, I don't agree it wasn't interfering with play. Onana was an important geometric parameter. His position determined the angle for the strike. By moving one way or the other, he opened or closed that angle. By moving at all, he changed the calculus for the keeper.

I really struggle to see how this kind of situation does not interfere with play.

Fully appreciate it's not what the laws of the game say, and that the notion of "interfering with play" should perhaps not be taken quite so literally!

[astonvilla82]

Doesn't matter whether the keeper would have saved it. If the officials judged that it made any contact with Onana it would have been offside.

I get that, but it didn't.
I've had Redmankers trying the argument on me that he impeded the keeper's view of the shot whilst in an offside position ... clearly irrelevant.

Did they have a Labrador dog with them

[Baldy]

During the Chelsea game versus Newcastle, Reece James was given the man marking role of Woltemade. For the best part he nullified Woltemade who was eventually substituted. Man marking seems a dying act.

Not the most difficult task considering Woltemade is so crap.

True but Lindelof isn't. Rat Face wouldn't fancy him breathing down his neck for ninety minutes.

[Mister E]

Onana was an important geometric parameter. His position determined the angle for the strike. By moving one way or the other, he opened or closed that angle. By moving at all, he changed the calculus for the keeper.

Do you think Barkley had the time to even consider that Onana might be a useful 'shield'?!! It all happened very quickly. And, there was also a defender next to Onana acting as a shield.
The key point is that the ball did not brush him ...