Marco Silva was left to rue a missed opportunity after his Fulham side were beaten by a late Josh Zirkzee strike at Old Trafford on the first night of the new Premier League season.
The Fulham boss felt his side were more than a match for Manchester United and believed they could have taken one of several good chances to score – and ultimately paid the penalty for their lack of killer instinct in front of goal and some defensive naivety.
Silva told his post-match press conference:
“Tough game, as we expected – it is always tough to play here – and a good battle. I think both teams, they played clearly to win the game. I think we started really well and we started some good counter attacks, we were able to beat the pressure from Man United from the first minute until, I think, halfway into the first half. I think we did really well, we started on the front foot and then there was a very good reaction after from Man United, they pushed us back, and we were not able to play in the way we like and with the composure on the ball that normally we have.
“There were no big chances for them, apart from one moment that we lost the ball in our build up, and they had a big chance. The last 20 minutes of the first half, it was more Man United, the opposite to our first first minutes that were really good. We adjusted some things at half-time and the second half was different. We were able to defend a bit higher, not around our box like the last 20 minutes of the first half, and we were a bit more aggressive too. I think we did control the game better in the second half.
There were chances for Man United, we had some moments too, two against one, with Andreas Pereira and Alex (Iwobi) against Maguire that we should have done much better. Four against two, three against two, so many counter attacks that with better decision, we have to create clear chances in that moment. In the last 10-15, minutes, the game went in the direction that we knew and the players, they were aware that you cannot let the game go in the emotional part. We know that is the part of the game where Man United are normal and they can punish, because the game is completely broken. If you keep your organisation and you are well organised, it is much more difficult for them.
When I see our players with some free kicks, trying to rush all the decisions, even with the players on the grass trying to do it quick, we should have much more balance in decisions, to have longer moments in possession, because the pressure from Man United in that moment was not there any more. We should have longer possession to create the moments, but we started to lose the ball too quick. There were counter attacks for Man United, counter attacks for us, and the game can go either way. And then the last minute, they score in one moment that the game was completely broken.”
At least, he called out Pereira for his godawful failure to set Awobi through when we were two on one.
To put this game into perspective, we have spent something like 30m and United have spent close to ten times that. Yet, on the pitch, any neutral observer would be hard put to tell the difference.
That’s why it is so disappointing to come away with nothing from this game. United didn’t deserve the victory but we DID deserve the loss because some of our passing was truly dire, especially at crucial moments.
Still, it’s just one game, I suppose. But, already, I can see an over dependance on Robinson in attacking areas on the left. We need a left winger because we look unbalanced IMO. And Silva has made no mention of any coming in.
According to The Athletic, Willian was still weighing up his options -just a few days ago. So his statement, finally calling it a day at Fulham, I believe, has come as a shock to Silva-who was probably still holding out hope that he would commit for another season.
That seems to be the case as Marco Silva says that his only comment is that Willian has made his decision and he has no more to say on the subject.
So, hopefully, a left winger is now a possibility, also.
Our crossing in general was awful, albeit from corners, free kicks or Robinson crossing the ball to no one. I felt for Muniz, up front by himself with nothing to work with. Silva again made some iffy substitutions. Cairney was slow and cumbersome and it was his lack of strength was the start of the buildup for their goal. What was more disappointing was his lack of effort to retrieve the situation, very unprofessional, you would have thought that he had play the whole match and was knackered.
I was surprised Kenny T played, but give him his due, he had our only meaningful shot on target, excluding Muniz overhead deflected kick.
I gave Leno MoM because we would have conceded more than one without his saves. However I was pleased to see that little, diving shi* Garnacho miss a sitter.
Agreed, too much of our passing wasn’t good enough, crosses were awful for the most part. Thought we did on in midfield. Lukic did a good job, Andreas was way below part. Muniz looking like a proper no. 9: even if not scoring, he’s proving a thorn in the side for defenders and keeping them occupied, good physicality too. Thought we looked better with him and ESR on the pitch. Noticed that frequently, when Jedi went forward, Iwobi was straight back covering well for him. Thought Manure liked a bit sharper than us later in the match. Disappointing, but hardly season-defining. Upwards and onwards. COYW!
If someone is willing to pay 30 million for Pereira please take it. Would never question his attitude and workrate. But where is the skill. For a player he takes all the free kicks and corners his number of assists and goals is woeful.
Not much to seperate the teams. Last year on opening day we went to Everton played an awful game and mug them. Last night we played a decent game and we were mugged.
“We’ll race you back to London”. I overtook 2 London coaches full of Man Utd tourists on the way back.
Does anyone think The Rat coaches the rest of his team on how to go down after minimal contact.
The above comments are accurate.
Martins comments on Cairney are spot on.He has been a good player but looked awful in that moment.If he had got at Fernandes as he should we would have come away with a point.He said this week he wants to stay at Fulham for much longer-if thats his effort Marco should get shot of him now.COYW