"Jingle Bells, ManYoo Smells, Chelski Ran Away....
Happy Boxing Day, chaps. I'm here to get us going this morning with United traveling to the Britannia to meet stoic Stoke. Later we get top of the table Leicester against Klopp's new look Liverpool and we finish up with Newcastle v. Everton.
I'll be around or the first one but Kate and I will be joining Dad for the rest of the day. Join me for the early one, won't you?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:19 AM
263 Comments:
Morning, chaps - the big news out of Blighty this morning is that Van Gaal has made the bold move of dropping Wayne Rooney out of the starting line-up. While I think it's the right move, it is sad to think about the deterioration of Roon's career. I still remember him as the teenage phenom at Euro 2004 tearing it up against France and Croatia.
Morning Bob
I am ready for a feast of football! Not sure if I can be here for the duration!
This game, then the ten o'clocker and then NBC has a double header! Football from 7:45 until 5!!
It’s looking grim this festive period for Van Gaal. Last week’s home defeat to Norwich City stretched his side’s winless run to six matches, they’ve dropped from first to fifth, they’re out of the Champions League, his team is eye-wateringly dull despite having £250m spent on it, there’s talk of him being replaced by Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, or Ryan Giggs, the press is on his back, the supporters aren’t happy and no one wants to watch Louis van Gaal’s army any more.
My computer is driving me nuts today!!
Don't know how long I can last with it acting like this
Morning, UWS - it's wall to wall footer today without even the time for a traditional game of Chutes and Ladders on Boxing Day. Glad that you're on board for at least some of it.
Good morning chaps. I'm here for the Boxing Day action. I love the jingle.
Sorry to hear that you're computer is giving you trouble - I know how irritating that can be.
Morning, MUR - join the party! Welcome!
The team news out of the Brittania this morning:
Stoke: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Cameron, Whelan; Shaqiri, Krkic, Afellay; Arnautovic. Subs: Joselu, Wilson, van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters, Haugaard.
Man Utd: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blind, Young; Carrick, Ander Herrera; Mata, Fellaini, Depay; Martial. Subs: Rooney, Romero, Schneiderlin, Varela, McNair, Borthwick-Jackson, Andreas Pereira.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Your thoughts about Herrera starting ahead of Roon, gentlemen?
I remember chutes and ladders from my childhood. I wasn't aware that it was a Boxing Day tradition.
I'm glad to see it. It should have happened about three years ago! Also , Roon is starting to go a little Frannie Lee on us.
He's a numpty. He wants an apology from the press??
Classic headline on The Mirror
We're sorry that you have dropped from 1st to 5th
We're sorry that you have been knocked out of the Cl
We're sorry you have bored us to tears
We're sorry you have spent a quarter of billion
What about Schneiderlin?
Leeds doesn't play today. They're the only football league match in England tomorrow. It's BEIN shown on the telly tomorrow with kickoff at 11:30 AM EDT.
A Stoke fan is in the Space Station right now.. wonder if he has good coverage of the match? Maybe he can focus in on the match from there as they pass the Brit
Great apology UWS. I think you read his mind! I think Schneiderlin is more defensive than Herrrera. He would play more the Carrick or Pig Stick role.
Love the Mirror headline - great stuff!
Just the way LVG walks annoys me
It's so warm here that the AC just turned on. Dinner at the in-laws had to be eaten indoors in stead of outdoors because it was too hot!
What about the way that LVG sips his tea - annoying? ;-)
The Guillotine for LVG! I would like Giggsy to taker over.
The AC is hear at Gooner Central as well. Bloody hot for Christmas.
What about Mourinho - would you welcome Jose at OT?
Sparky is going for Stoke City. He's lying down on the couch , so I guess he's expecting a boring match
United about kick off at the Britannia wearing their black away kit.
They'e off from the Brit.
Oh - Mata had a half chance there but didn't expect that cross from Herrera to get through to him.
Stay away Jose . Do not pass Go, Do NOT Collect another fat paycheck
Here's one that the press didn't ponder. How about Mark Hughes to replace LVG. He wouldn't do any worse.
I have thought of him
That was a dangerous cross across the box
The Potters on the attack and a cross goes across the goal. Now the Potters win a corner.
Oh - great move there by Stoke, Shaquiri at the end of it fizzed over a great cross but no one was following in.
They take it short and the cross is poor .
My computer is crazy today
Pausing every window I open!
MY SS link has sound but have a geeky face frozen for Le Tis... that's not hard to do
Did you all see my comment about Leeds playing tomorrow, not today. Away to Forest with kickoff at 11:30 AM EDT.
I saw that - not sure that I'll be around for that one. It's an odd time for it.
A shot from Bojan is well over. Johnny Wilkinson would have been proud.
If you get BEIN you can DVR it.
Arnautovic is already creating a nuisance of himself for the United backfour.
Robbie Mustoe said that we will see if the players are playing for the manager. Based on the start, they seem to want him out as much as UWS and I do.
Herrera tries a daisy cutter from distance. Straight into Butland's gut.
SHOT ON TARGET!!!
That's what I hate most about LVG
United have had SEVEN shots on goal TOTAL in FOUR home games
Obvious foul by Smalling on Whelan, the former Citeh trainee.
The free kick from Arnautovic had too much bend and went wide.
Everyone keeps talking about United's defense.... they have been pathetic as of late
I missed that shot because I got a refill on the coffee and not just because it's early in the morning. Does anyone need an explanation?
When Stoke look more dangerous going forward than United do, you know that the footie world has been turned upside down!
Agreed. They've had some passes in concentration and that's me being generous in the spirit of the season.
From the Beeb
I'd take Stoke's front four over Man Utd's all day right now, only possible exception Martial.
It's been a topsy turvy season. Also, that's why I was suggesting Hughes as a possible replacement for the one headed for the guillotine.
Agreed, UWS. Me too.
Shaquiri is tormenting the United defenders. Gets upended by Herrera.
It was fun watching Shaquiri until that nasty one from Hererra . That would have been legal in the 70s.
Shaquiri whips in a dangerous ball but it's eventually cleared out.
Bojan has a shot blocked as United are under the cosh then Blind finally clears
I would rather see United play the way Stoke do than the way they play now.
United win their first corner of the match
Bojan , the shortest man on the pitch , heads away the corner from Blind. Then, Bojan fouls Herrera after being tackled.
The wind drags the free kick from Memphis and Butland is forced to make a save as it was about to creep inside the near post.
One nil... absolutely pathetic!!
DAMN IT!!! EASY PEASY AS BOJAN TAPS INTO AN EMPTY NET AS UNITED WERE CARVED APART.
What was D3.14 doing..... he has been atrocious all season!!
I'm sending your t-shirt back to you Bob!!
The defense isn't that good!!
DeGea has saved them far too many times!
David's eyes are in Madrid right now... why put up with this crap in front of him
Memphis believes it is better to give than to receive as he basically gifted the Potters their goal. He headed back an innocuous pass from Affelay and Glen Johnson squared it across the goal and Bojan easily tapped in. He likes receiving gifts.
Let's talk about a good team... Leicester City!
They say they will fall but will they?
They won 7 out of 10 matches from last season
They have won 11 and only lost one of the first 18 games this season... that is almost a full season!!
Sorry, lads - I chose the wrong time to visit the bog.
Despite that, De Gea has been a pro and has been playing well despite that. His teammates should stand up and be counted.
They must fall at some point. The Foxes are relying on their first team and particularly Vardy and Mahrez. But no team goes through an entire season with their first team intact. Something's got to give at some point. But while it lasts, they are fun to watch.
welcome back mate. You missed a belated Christmas present as Memphis gifted Stoke a goal.
Oh dear - United are 2-0 down. Sorry chaps.
What a goal!!!!
Fantastic shot to put the Potters two up
LVG just sitting
DAMN IT !!! 2-0 STOKE. AS A FREE KICK FROM BOJAN WENT INTO THE WALL AND ARNAUTOVIC SCORED WITH A GREAT FINISH IN THE UPPER 90.
Bojan drilled one into the wall and then Arnautovic curled home the rebound with a scorcher.
See what happens when you shoot on goal
United don't do that
"Louis van Going....?"
More gifts under the Potters Christmas tree.as YAshley is in the spirit of giving as the free kick came from a stupid handball.
Another shot on target... and another.. no just one!
HairBear was offside.. it was a back pass anyway
I hope you're right Bob
Hair Bear didn't , but Butland was alert as he made a close range save, but the offside flag went up. At least that was a better idea from United
BOOM BOOM. Nice one. I hope they Boom Boom him away
Yashley got a card in return for gifting card Stoke a free kick and to think he was getting anything for the holidays.
United win a corner due to a karate chop.
erik Peeters is down injured at the halfway line.
Pieters is back up.
Have I told you my computer is driving me nuts today... just sayin'
The corner is headed away by Glen Johnson
United clearly need to have more man-buns on their side. That appears to be the key to Stoke's success.
This side has not created anything!!
SO BORING!!!!!!!
Sorry UWS. Is the computer performing any worse than UNited?
What is the philosophy?
What is the plan?
I am stunned it is continuing
Should have been three
Where are the defenders?
United are lucky as as Arnautovic beat the United offside trap and shot wide with just De Gea to beat
I just noticed that four League One matches are postponed due to a waterlogged pitch as is Blackburn vs Middlesbrough. No reason given for that one.
Van Gaal must be out for New Year's. The start of 2016 with a new manager.
United look so slow in front of goal
No creativity
Always reacting and never anticipating
PATHETIC... like my computer
LVG needs to stop taking notes. You don't need a legal pad to see what's wrong with United.
Will LVG even be in charge for the match on Monday?
A corner from Blind is carried by thew wind and headed out by a man bun
The next one is headed out by Whelan , the first man. It's quite obvious which way the wind is blowing.
No danger caused by United at all!!
Wonder if Mustoe will change his tune at half time
Don't care where they are in the league.... they ARE NOT PLAYING THE UNITED WAY
This goes back way before SAF. As I stated before, Sexton got the axe after seven straight wins to end the season... it wasn't done the United way
All the waterlogged pitches are in the Northwest of England . Rather interesting.
I did some research last night. Prior to that run they drew eighteen matches and scored very few goals. The number one defense despite being eighth in the table. That doesn't sound too different from this edition of United.
I'd fire LVG on the way back to the dressing room... lock him out !
Last time United came back from two down to win was in 2013... on Boxing Day... it aint happening today
One goal back for United before the interval would turn this one around. Hair Bear nearly got onto that cross.
Sexton was sacked because Martin Edwards had just become the new owner and had the sense to see that United weren't playing the right way. A certain Mr. woodward seems to be bloody clueless. That's part of the problem
Nice research.... they were better than this lot
LOL! Van Gaal definitely got a lump of coal in his stocking from you, UWS.
Hair Bear is called for a push off the next corner . Idiot! A complete waste.,
Ta, UWS. Agreed Bob. I would drop a l;ump, but it might not be coal
Into stoppage time. Three minutes.
Into stoppage time of this half.
LVG sends his assistant out to do the talking.
Enter Wayne Rooney....?
LOL! Nice one, MUR!
Jim Beglin says Roon coming would shake it up. Is he a Cars fan?
Ta, Bob.
Oh - decent cross from Mata there but Herrera never got anything on the header.
A cross from Mata is just too high for Herrera.
A slip from Blind is the story of United's half and entertainment for the locals.
Half time
SACK HIM NOW
Stoke are deservedly two up at the half.
I hope Louis Van Going out . Let Giggsy take charge in the second half.
i just don't know what the board see in LVG
IT IS NOT THE UNITED WAY
Good tweet by Rio
I'm not surprised and that's the worrying thing
United have been playing this way the whole season... what are they on about in the studio!
Bringing Rooney on won't make anyone start quaking in their boots
Is there another team I would that I WOULDN'T prefer to watch than United right now?
I would say Aston Villa, WBA and possibly the two Northeast sides
Other than that... NO
Well stated by Rio . Spot on.
Roon is coming on. I don't think that will change things too much.
I think those other four sides with the exception of the Baggies are sadly more entertaining than United.
Second half underway
PLEASE DON'T SAVE LVG
The second half is underway as both sides have made a change. Van Ginkel is on for Whelan. Who did Roon replace.
I just heard that Roon replaced Kung Fu Panda. Is D 3.14 getting special treatment because of the Dutch connection.
It's got to get better than this.
Roon is on... free kick... puts it into HB... shocker..he fouls someone... shocker
It's 0-0 at the half between the Bees and the Seagulls and the same between Daggenham and Cambridge.
Oh dear - terrible dive from Bojan - deserves a yellow card.
Did you say Martial is off?
Bojan is booked for a dive ,looking for a pen. That needs to be stamped out of the modern game.
No, he's still there
Who came off?
I did , but I was wrong. Who did Roon replace. I would have taken off Memphis.
He's on for D 3.14. The first correct decision of the day by LVG
Did anyone see the graphic for the first Stoke goal. Memphis was 25 yards from De Gea, but the back header went a mere three yards. I bet it was really 3.14 yards and rounded to the nearest whole number by NBC
no urgency from United at all
Nice one MUR
we are math geeks!!
United heading backwards despite being two goals down
Martial gets the ball.... DOES sprint FORWARD...gives the ball away
Ta, UWS. We sure are
Great work, Statto!
If Jose replaces LVG , he would not be the first ex Chelsea manager to be in charge at OT.
Ta, Bob.
If it were up to LVG , all cars would only have a reverse gear. He believes it would simplify driving.
Rooney yelling at his teammates to have them get their fingers out... NO.. yelling at the ref
That helps
Mat with a pass to his girlfriend, Miss Control. I thought a disciplinarian like LVG wouldn't allow the WAGS on the trip.
Come on, United!
Arnautovic with a nice pratfall there when he was in.
In addition to the four League One matches postponed and the Championship match, there are three League 2 matches and two Conference matches postponed., all due to waterlogged pitches.
Agreed. But for that and the missed sitter, United could have been four down
United just look really out of sorts.
Sorry three Conference matches, not two.
Will Jose be in charge against Chelsea? Has an odd ring to it.
Roon knocked off the ball really easily. I was watching a clip from his performance at Euro 2004 and he was a real tiger who held up the ball like nobody's business.
Oh - great save Butland!
OH!!!! what a save by Butland from Hair Bear off a run and pass by Roon. Better from United.
Surely, Butland must be making the trip to France this ete,
OF COURSE.. HB shouldn't have given him a chance
Diouf , the former United player , is on for shaquiri . Sparky wants more goals.
If you want a trip down memory lane, check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=374&v=V4ldEFAzMD4
At least United are putting it into the box but still not good enough
Butland does well to tip over a deflected cross from Mata . Stoke eventually clear the corner. Herrera shoots miles wide.
De Gea can't even keep the goal kick in play
Why make me feel worse on Boxing Day Robert?
That pass from Herrera looked like something from my rookie season
Shawcross is a great Martial Arts student as he easily tackles Kung Fu Panda off a nice pass from Blind.
Herrera is fouled by Van Ginkel.
Sorry, mate. I was just reminding myself of how great player he used to be.
Shawcross easily heads away the free kick from Roon. the former United trainee is defending better than any of the United back four.
And to believe that I woke up earl for this during a vacation.
Jose would be the third ex Chelsea manager in charge of United if he succeeds LVG. Who were the other two.
Charlie Can You Adam and Eve It is on for Geoff Cameron.
Sorry, mate - this is a Boxing Day horror show.
What the bloody hell was that from Herrera?
It sure is. I think we are watching Van Going away's last match in charge
I think talking about United squad's is ridiculous. Excuses. You've got England's top scorer of all time, the Premiership's best goalkeeper, plus a load of internationals. Whereas Leicester have got few if any internationals and they're playing out of their skins.
Nice save by De Gea from fellow Spaniard, Bojan
Just over ten minutes to rescue this match for United.
More of the same in the second half
LVG is so wonderful
What could he have said in the dressing room
That says it all mate. The United players really could use a pep talk. That's what Sparky says.
Cambridge take the lead at Daggers
Probably something . He wrote it on that obnoxious legal pad.
Charlie Adam 12 wallops one well over the bar.
Why did United/LVG buy Schneiderlin?
United are now sixth and a win by Watford and United would be seventh... Moyes territory
weak effort by Martial.... WALLOP IT
Oh - Martial nearly steered one in past Butland but the big Stoke keeper did well to tip it around.
Great by Butland to chop that shot around the post. Affellay breaks from the United corner. De Gea easily saves from Bojhan
Watford could win at the Bridge.
BOOM BOOM. De Gea was delighted to see that long range effort driven over the bar. I wish Adam 12 would arrest LVG for impersonating a United manager
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