[Rudi j]

Worst part of all after this game another international break...

Oh god if we don't win its going to be a long two weeks .

 

[RedRavi]

What I'd like to see:

--------------DDG--------------
Rafael/Val-Carrick-McNair-Shaw
-------------Blind-------------
--------Herrera-Di Maria------
-------------Mata-----------
-------Wilson-----Rooney------

As someone's already mentioned, i think fast movers and passers like herrera and di maria when hes playing centrally, really do bring the best out of Mata. Would have been better for him if Falcoa was available as well, because of the movement falcoa provides. In the games rooney was out injured, we saw mata struggle a bit, yes i agree he doesn't have the physicality that was required in those games, but i do also think it didn't help his game with us playing 2 wingers in di maria and januzaj, also he only had fellaini playing behind or alongside him rather than herrera.

 

[RedDevil@84]

If Falcao is playing, then Falcao and RvP up front with Rooney in no 10.. If not playing then Rooney and Wilson up front with Mata in no 10.

 

[anidea]

What I'd like to see:

--------------DDG--------------
Rafael/Val-Carrick-McNair-Shaw
-------------Blind-------------
--------Herrera-Di Maria------
-------------Mata-----------
-------Wilson-----Rooney------

As someone's already mentioned, i think fast movers and passers like herrera and di maria when hes playing centrally, really do bring the best out of Mata. Would have been better for him if Falcoa was available as well, because of the movement falcoa provides. In the games rooney was out injured, we saw mata struggle a bit, yes i agree he doesn't have the physicality that was required in those games, but i do also think it didn't help his game with us playing 2 wingers in di maria and januzaj, also he only had fellaini playing behind or alongside him rather than herrera.

Unfortunately Mata is not that player in our squad around whom the team should be built atm. If he didn't take his chance, fair enough, let Rooney play. Of course, if we are going for a goal in the last 30 mins, it's not a bad idea to get Mata in for Januzaj and try to play through the center as much as crosses from Di Maria. Having said that, mata wasn't awful against chelsea, just that he didn't do enough to continue after rooney came back.

 

[chriswt]

Really hope Herrera is back fit and gets a start in this, we've missed his dynamism in midfield going forward. Even though Fellaini has done an outstanding job in his absence, it's no surprise our attack looks weaker when Herrera isn't playing.

 

[Divine 777]

Unfortunately Mata is not that player in our squad around whom the team should be built atm. If he didn't take his chance, fair enough, let Rooney play. Of course, if we are going for a goal in the last 30 mins, it's not a bad idea to get Mata in for Januzaj and try to play through the center as much as crosses from Di Maria. Having said that, mata wasn't awful against chelsea, just that he didn't do enough to continue after rooney came back.

It's not necessarily about building a team around Mata, the point being made is, Mata, individually, could really up his game and have a solid contributory impact on our attacking play if he has players around him who themselves are fond of playing quick passes.

Even though Mata didn't perform to the level he was expected to when he had the chance while Rooney was out, but still I personally think he is a better number 10 player than Rooney, and that was evident from Rooney's performance against City where the only noteworthy thing he did was that run which ended up him not being audacious enough to take the shot with his left foot and lose the ball. Apart form that, he had been attempting to play Scholes-esque long balls to Januzaj which couldn't be executed properly.

 

[WR10]

DDG
Rafa McNair Blackett Shaw
Blind
Carrick Di Maria
Rooney
Falcao RVP
​

Let's feckin smash em. Get Old Trafford roaring

 

[NessunDorma]

I am increasingly feeling a sense of deja vu over these games.

There's every chance we'll look great in smashing Palace, and it'll be 'on' again, with hopes rising.

Then we'll go and perform poorly at Arsenal.

We do need to put a string of good results together for there to be daylight between now and 2013/14.

 

[Razzler777]

Feeling optimistic about the teams progress even if the table and results haven't shown it.

Can see a convincing win on Saturday.

According to physio room we're still missing these boys.

Manchester United 7

M Rojo Dislocated Shoulder no return date
Rafael Knock no return date
A Young Groin/Pelvis Injury no return date
P Jones Calf/Shin Injury no return date
R Falcao Calf/Shin Injury no return date
J Evans Ankle/Foot Injury 8th Nov 14
J Lingard Knee Injury no return date
If that's correct, i'd like to see this team.

DDG

Valencia
McNair
Blackett
Shaw

Blind
Fellaini
Di Maria
Januzaj

Rooney
RVP

Giving Wilson and Carrick some game time if possible!

 

[Chuckazulu]

The diamond is probably the formation that makes the most use of our forwards but defensively it leaves us too exposed especially when we're attacking. Daley Blind cannot cover both flanks and centre all game and that usually comes with consequences. When you compare our defensive record when we are playing the diamond and when we are playing other formations that should tell the story.

The formation (4-2-3-1) that we've been playing the previous two games gives us a much better balanced team and that's what i would like to see. At the moment, the problem with the 4-2-3-1 is that, our play in the final 3rd hasn't been as lethal as it's supposed to be and that's probably down to form or chemistry or bad luck? but i believe that's going to improve and, man, it really needs to fast or else we are fecked.

DDG
​

Rafa/Val Mcnair Blind Shaw

​

Herrera Carrick

​

Young Rooney Di Maria

RVP/Falcao​

That's the lineup that i would try. Young for Januzaj because he provides more defensively, he wouldn't slow us down and on a good day he can be a threat to the opposition. I know Di Maria on the wing hasn't been as influential as when he's playing LCM but if he could cut in more, like the way Hazard does it, he would get involved a lot and cause problems. Herrera gives us a deep playmaker that we've been lacking and he's not bad defensively too. Most of you are putting Carrick in defence but IMO Blind is much better in terms of positioning and reading the game hence i would swap the two.

I really hope we start off the game with a high tempo and put them under pressure with no moments peace because if we let them settle, they might cause us problems.

All in all, this game is there for the taking and hopefully we'll win with a wide margin and dominate the game throughout.

 

[anidea]

It's not necessarily about building a team around Mata, the point being made is, Mata, individually, could really up his game and have a solid contributory impact on our attacking play if he has players around him who themselves are fond of playing quick passes.

Even though Mata didn't perform to the level he was expected to when he had the chance while Rooney was out, but still I personally think he is a better number 10 player than Rooney, and that was evident from Rooney's performance against City where the only noteworthy thing he did was that run which ended up him not being audacious enough to take the shot with his left foot and lose the ball. Apart form that, he had been attempting to play Scholes-esque long balls to Januzaj which couldn't be executed properly.

Well, you are certainly downplaying Rooney's contribution there. Rooney adds a lot defensively, and let's not forget we were 10v11 for most of the match. Mata is just too light weight, and adding Herrera instead of fellaini, and Mata instead of Rooney, as you seem to suggest, would only make is susceptible to concede 2 or more. I would stick with the same line up as against city and see if we can win. Put one more striker in at 60 mins if we are still looking for a goal.

 

[bjorshol]

If Evans is fit, then this is what I would expect:

-------------DDG---------------
Valencia - Evans - McNair - Shaw
-------------Blind---------------
------Carrick------DiMaria-------
-------------Mata--------------
--------Rooney - RVP-----------

If Falcao is fit, then Rooney in for Mata.

 

[Jammydodger7]

A big concern for me would be set pieces, they're big physical players against our relatively small and inexperianced defence!

 

[Jammydodger7]

If Evans is fit, then this is what I would expect:

-------------DDG---------------
Valencia - Evans - McNair - Shaw
-------------Blind---------------
------Carrick------DiMaria-------
-------------Mata--------------
--------Rooney - RVP-----------

If Falcao is fit, then Rooney in for Mata.

You'd start Carrick? Ahead of Herrara or Fellaini?

 

[Globule]

You'd start Carrick? Ahead of Herrara or Fellaini?

Whilst I can't wait for Herrera to get back into the team, Carrick and Blind may be the way to go to offer more protection to our inexperienced back line.

 

[Jammydodger7]

Whilst I can't wait for Herrera to get back into the team, Carrick and Blind may be the way to go to offer more protection to our inexperienced back line.

I'd worry about Carricks match fitness though I think!

 

[bjorshol]

You'd start Carrick? Ahead of Herrara or Fellaini?

Forgot about Fellaini. I guess him in for Carrick. Carrick will come on eventually when we get another injury in the back.

 

[dutchred]

Forgot about Fellaini. I guess him in for Carrick. Carrick will come on eventually when we get another injury in the back.

Valencia - McNair - Evans - Shaw
--Carrick --- Herrera -------Blind
---------DiMaria-------
--------Rooney - Wilson-----------

 

[bjorshol]

Valencia - McNair - Evans - Shaw
--Carrick --- Herrera -------Blind
---------DiMaria-------
--------Rooney - Wilson-----------

Swap Herrerra for DiMaria and put DiMaria on left central mid and you have a decent lineup imo

 

[Reds-of-Ulster]

Evans isn't in the Northern Ireland squad, apparently because he hasn't been training. Would be surprised to see him tomorrow.

 

[Trizy]

Since we're lacking physical presence I can see Fellaini starting, I'd love Herrera to be back but Fellaini has done nothing wrong to get dropped in fact he's been one of our better if not the best player over the past 3 games (never thought I'd say that)


.................De Gea
Valencia-Carrick-McNair-Shaw
..................Blind
.....Fellaini............Di Maria
..................Herrera
..........Rooney...........RVP

 

[Asger]

I would love to see Wilson start. He's been immense for the U21s and we've missed some pace up front the last few weeks. Rooney playing behind Falcao and Wilson with ADM bursting from midfield would be such a quick attacking threat. I'm really hoping for a couple classic United goals where we turn defense into a goal in less than 10 seconds.

 

[Adebesi]

Going to miss this game, agreed to go to the damn rugby.

 

[Chuckazulu]

Something from the boss

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

This is bad but at least Rafael is fine.

Edit: Rafael has been ruled out through injury

 

[Sassy Colin]

Can I like my own posts lol? Red cafe tells me I need 10 likes before I'm a full member so like my sh*t and I'll show Falcao how to actually score goals

Banned

 

[Chuckazulu]

From the press conference:

On United’s defensive performance: “I don't agree with your opinion of the defence (that United should be concerned). If you don't count the five goals at Leicester, we have better than Chelsea I believe. That's not the problem, the balance is. That is why I have remodelled the structure of my team. Now I have to solve the problems of the injuries every week, that's another story.”

Spoiler: Link

http://www.manutd.com/en/MatchTrack...e=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd

This is what i was trying to point out

The diamond is probably the formation that makes the most use of our forwards but defensively it leaves us too exposed especially when we're attacking. Daley Blind cannot cover both flanks and centre all game and that usually comes with consequences. When you compare our defensive record when we are playing the diamond and when we are playing other formations that should tell the story.

The formation (4-2-3-1) that we've been playing the previous two games gives us a much better balanced team and that's what i would like to see. At the moment, the problem with the 4-2-3-1 is that, our play in the final 3rd hasn't been as lethal as it's supposed to be and that's probably down to form or chemistry or bad luck? but i believe that's going to improve and, man, it really needs to fast or else we are fecked.

So i have to agree, balance is the key

 

[dwd]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Paolo Di Canio]

Is Blackett still being punished for Leicester ?

 

[Bwuk]

Urghhh. I have no idea how I'd like us to line up. RvP looking out of sorts at the moment, so no real #9. Rooney hasn't been an out and out striker for ages.

De Gea
Valencia - McNair - Carrick - Shaw
Blind - Fellaini
Herrera
di Maria - Rooney - Mata​

 

[Sweet Square]

Urghhh. I have no idea how I'd like us to line up. RvP looking out of sorts at the moment, so no real #9. Rooney hasn't been an out and out striker for ages.

De Gea
Valencia - McNair - Carrick - Shaw
Blind - Fellaini
Herrera
di Maria - Rooney - Mata​

Rumours going around saying Wilson will start on Saturday.

 

[Bwuk]

Rumours going around saying Wilson will start on Saturday.

Wouldn't be against that from what I've seen of Wilson.

 

[Sweet Square]

Wouldn't be against that from what I've seen of Wilson.

Same here.

 

[bosnian_red]

So probably:

De Gea
Valencia Carrick Blackett? Shaw
Blind
Januzaj herrera rooney Di Maria
Wilson
​

He seems to be indicating that we'll be sticking with the 4-3-3 type formation. I'd go with McNair at the back as Blackett really seems a bit shit to me but Van Gaal likes 1 left footer and 1 right footer.

 

[bosnian_red]

Is Blackett still being punished for Leicester ?

Punished? He's not reallythat good, certainly shouldn't be starting based on what he's shown. He might play this given rojo is injured but I'm hoping its McNair instead.

 

[Dé jonge god]

Because why not

 

[Dance If You Wanna Dance]

I think we will see:

De Gea
Valencia Carrick McNair Shaw
Blind
Fellaini Herrera
Di Maria
Rooney Van Persie​

 

[Red_Aaron]

i'd play both youngsters at centre half and have Blind and Carrick protecting in a 4231

DDG
Valencia - Blackett - McNair - Shaw
Carrick - Blind
DiMaria - Herera - Rooney
RVP

lots of protection through the middle and enough up top to beat palace

 

[Ronnie O'Sullivan]

I feel cringey when Valencia starts a game

 

[CM21]

I want to see a diamond with ADM7 at the tip.Herrera,Fellaini and Blind making up the rest and Rooney and Wilson upfront

 

[Dance If You Wanna Dance]

I feel cringey when Valencia starts a game

Valencia is more than a decent option at right midfield in a diamond system. He is fine in 1v1 situations at full back, however, his positional sense and decision making are both very poor. Valencia at right back on Saturday is a worry, alright. Another right back, whether competition for Rafael or a back up needs addressing in January or next summer. The squad has been short of another right back for years.