That was not a great half. Our second XI is at the LASK level, if not a little below them - and that is not a good thing. There were some positives though: a beautiful flick on from Ighalo, a couple of gorgeous long passes from Mata, and Williams terrorizing them on the left.
On whole, though, there is argument for strengthening the squad.
TFM is not a fullback and we should stop deploying him there. He is terrible at it.
James is like a puppy trying to figure out how its legs work. A loan might be best for him. I don't trust him to have any impact off the bench.
Bailly was out of position 5 or 6 times in that half. He always has a mistake in him and his mistakes are costly. I don't like him as even 3rd choice CB.
Romero looked sharp. Wondering if getting him in more games next season might be a good thing.
McT and Fred don't work well together. Which one you find more culpable probably has to do with the style you enjoy. One thing that crystallized today about Fred's play is that when he has the ball he often hangs onto it too long, so that when he has played a successful pass, the person receiving the ball is put under unnecessary pressure and/or is under threat of an immediate crunching tackle or losing the ball. Contrast this with how Matic or even Pogba invite pressure onto them but when they distribute the ball they have given the receiver of the ball an extra step of freedom. Carrick also was a master at this. As a player, I loathed playing with players like Fred, when I watch him now, I find myself shouting "Now! Pass it!" and he still has the ball. I was never as fit as Fred is, but fitness is the only skill difference I can spot between him, me, and the local high school players. I am so done with Fred. I will try to stop ranting about him but it is driving me insane watching him play.