About Maurice...
EM Forster's novel free pdf
Radio dramatisation
Merchant Ivory movie original cut
With deleted scenes restored
Soundtrack
My Maurice fic AO3 angleshades
I don't take questions but rec @expo63 on all things Maurice
Images -
The Woodcutters, Anton Mauve; Woodcutters in the Forest, Carl Larsson; Lighting the Fire, unknown, pm for credit
Header images -
The Woodcutters, James Hamilton Mackenzie; publicity still, Merchant Ivory Productions
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Match Review: Manchester United 1-0 FC København
A stressful, emotional night for Manchester United's players and fans alike saw a poignant tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton before kick-off, followed by 96 minutes of turmoil, frustration, irritation, and jubilation.
Before we begin the review, a word of thanks to the visiting Copenhagen fans. They sang with United to commemorate Sir Bobby, brought banners, and were thoroughly decent and respectful during the moment's silence. It was appreciated.
In stark contrast to such class, Manchester United played the first half like they have many games lately - with a lack of synergy between players, a lack of a clear game plan, and a lack of impetus. Some of this will be confidence, but some of it must be coaching. That isn't to say strictly Erik Ten Hag's work, but more and more it seems like United are crying out for the return of René Meulensteen to fix the basics that United seem to be fucking up.
There were a few moments where United came to life through Antony, Dalot, and McTominay, but so few, and so clumsy, that it's not worth analysing. Half time couldn't come quick enough, and actually came too soon as referee Marco Guida blew the whistle 15 seconds before time - without any 4th Official signage of stoppage either. Very odd.
Still, odd or not it got United off the field and into the dressing room, where Erik Ten Hag could hopefully give them a bollocking and remind them of the game plan. Sofian Amrabat was hooked; arguably unlucky to be chosen over McTominay, though he had an unimpactful performance to be fair. In his stead came Christian Eriksen and wow, did we need him. A man of the match performance from the Dane where he showed the rest of United how to pass, how to break the lines, and how to beat the press. It feels like Juan Mata all over again; a highly intelligent, gifted player whose body can't quite hack it but is just so clearly ahead with his thought process compared to his teammates.
United did look sharper though. There was more pace, more movement, and more danger about them. Like the Sheffield United game, the second half was what the first should have been, and then half time should have allowed Ten Hag to sharpen that further and make minor alterations.
Rashford and Garnacho both broke on the counter in acres of space, and both had the first touch of a baby elephant to gift the ball back to the keeper. Despair. Thankfully, the Harry Maguire Redemption Arc saw 'Slabhead' himself pop up to score a good header and give United a deserved lead - despite the wasted chances.
United should have gone on to score a second but couldn't quite find the net, but for the most part rode out any counter pressure from the Danish side. That is, until the 96th minute of 94 minutes to play when Scott McTominay's head-high foot gifted Copenhagen a penalty. Despair.
Except, it wasn't.
Andre Onana saved young Jordan Larsson's penalty, and while we might be thankful it wasn't dad Henrik at the penalty spot, Onana made an excellent save to continue his better-than-average penalty save record and secure United an unbelievably crucial three points in the Champions League group stage.
If Brentford felt like a turning point, this felt like a bonding point; the entire United team mobbing the much-criticised Onana in jubilation and the Cameroonian keeper scrambling to instruct his defence - not realising it was the final kick of the game.
All in all it was a poor performance, but yet again United showed they can improve following instructions, they can do better, and they have got the mettle to hold out. There also seems to be hope. Onana played well, Maguire played well, Eriksen bossed the midfield, Reguilon is back so there's now a Left Back option...
It was all too stressful though, and Ten Hag will need to rectify why United start so poorly. If this happens against City at the weekend then United are going to be slapped 7-0 again, or worse. I'd hate for Ten Hag to become 10 Hag, but who knows. Perhaps the underdog position and the Big Game factor will inspire United to click and complete the turnaround of form. Stranger things have happened.
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