United Stand Review: Goldbridge on Missed Chances and Team Progress

Yahoo

28-04-2025

The United Stand podcast, hosted by Mark Goldbridge, offered a typically passionate reflection on Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League. As Goldbridge summarised, 'we totally and utterly deserved to get at least a draw out of that,' underlining his optimism despite a frustrating afternoon.
Goldbridge repeatedly emphasised the importance of perspective. 'Take the confidence,' he urged United fans, adding, 'we created lots and lots of chances.' He was adamant that Manchester United's dominance warranted a better result, pointing out that United had '25 shots to their eight' and 'six on target to their one.'
However, he didn't shy away from criticism, particularly regarding wasteful long-range efforts. 'Until this team learns to stop shooting from stupid places and actually do what you're paid to do, play football, we'll be fine,' Goldbridge said. Highlighting a key moment, he noted, 'Bruno shoots from 40 yards — got no chance of scoring,' expressing frustration that United's captain set a poor example that others, like Garnacho and Mainoo, followed.
Mark Goldbridge also used the platform to defend manager Ruben Amorim, facing criticism despite limited time in charge. 'If he's got Ten Hag's players and they're low IQ players, how the hell are they going to play a high IQ system?' he argued. Goldbridge called out sections of the fanbase, declaring, 'some people want to see United fail,' after seeing negativity even when the team scored a late equaliser.
He passionately defended Amorim, stating, 'blaming it on Amorim who didn't want to start till the summer is even more moronic.' Responding to a viewer named Cored who said, 'It's not too early, Mark, we must have doubts,' Goldbridge insisted that judging the new manager without a proper transfer window was 'completely and utterly moronic.'
Reflecting on specific in-game decisions, Goldbridge criticised United's stubbornness playing out from the back under pressure. 'It's literally unachievable to play out from the back,' he said, describing how Bournemouth pressed United aggressively. 'Now is that the manager telling them to do that, in which case it's suicide, or is it just low IQ players who can't be adaptable?' he questioned.
On individual performances, Goldbridge gave credit to Mazraoui, labelling him 'our best player until he went off' and awarding him man of the match. He also recognised Rasmus Højlund's crucial equaliser, explaining, 'that goal we scored was brilliant because we actually worked the ball into dangerous situations.'
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw was heavily criticised, with Goldbridge stating Shaw 'still looks miles off it,' and cautioning that he 'hasn't played football basically for two years.' Garnacho, while lively, reverted to selfish tendencies, as Goldbridge noted, 'instead of nodding it back into the danger area, he tries to control it.'
Ultimately, Mark Goldbridge's takeaway message to Manchester United fans was clear: 'Block out the noise and focus on the team.' While acknowledging flaws, he concluded that the draw provided a mental boost ahead of United's Europa League campaign.
'Take the point, take the positives,' Goldbridge urged, firmly believing that United were 'better than Bournemouth' and had deserved more from the Premier League clash.