[KiD MoYeS]

de Gea
Rafael Smalling Blackett Shaw
Carrick
Fellaini Herrera
di Maria van Persie Rooney​

Go for it.

 

[nemanja15]

Best-case scenario?

de Gea

Rafael
Smalling
Evans
Shaw

Carrick
Herrera
Di Maria

Mata/Fellaini

Rooney
van Persie

 

[Kag]

Our back line is a mess going into this game. Shaw, Blind and Rojo all out is just a laughable state of affairs. Smalling is the only first team defender available by the looks of things.

 

[Paul the Wolf]

Despite all the injuries we can still win this game at a stretch(er)

 

[mufc1996]

Our back line is a mess going into this game. Shaw, Blind and Rojo all out is just a laughable state of affairs. Smalling is the only first team defender available by the looks of things.

Van gaal said shaw is a question mark, he would of said he was out if he was out, so he's probably waiting to see if he can train tomorrow.

 

[Red4Ever]

Di maria is great news (please don't train tomorrow cup ears)

 

[Deleted member 78215]

Where the shit is Jones? How long do shinsplints last?

 

[Red4Ever]

shaw was interviewed about the arsenal game yesterday i think

didn't mention his own injury but this might have been a day or two old

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/news/shaw-fringe-players-can-step-up_189167.html

 

[sunama]

Where the shit is Jones? How long do shinsplints last?

Jones' body cannot handle the strain of the professional game.
Of course fans and the club will continue hoping, but the chances of him playing more than a few games in a row are slim.
I know some people won't like to hear this but the evidence is there.

I doubt any club will want to buy him from us, so best to allow his contract to expire and then bid farewell and best of luck. Just like we did O.Hargreaves.

I'm also glad that people are no longer putting Falcao in their team line-ups. That dude has serious injury problems and I do hope that he gets past them.
IMO he has not yet recovered from his last big injury and it is questionable if he ever will. This is the very reason why we loaned him in and didnt buy him and in every game he plays in, LvG subs him, as his knee is still giving him problems.
Marco Van Basten, while at the peak of his powers, also received a career ending injury - I hope the same does not happen to Falcao.

With regards to this game, if Shaw, Carrick, Di Maria and De Gea (as well as our other players), are fit to play, then we may have a chance in this game.
My only worry is that this is the first time we are playing without Blind in a while and I'm not 100% sure what effect this is going to have.
We all know that our defence is weak. Without Blind in front of them, Arsenal could score heavily against us.

Another interesting point that nobody has raised is that both teams with high possession as their key tactic.
This means that the battle of the midfield is going to be all important.

Since the close of the transfer window, this is the most negative I have felt about us, going into a game.
This is a must win game for us, as our target is top 4.

 

[Barry Crocker]

LVG isnt really one to bullshit so i think Shaw will be fine. If there was any recurrence of his hamstring he would have said he was out or had a little chance, instead he was coy and said it was a question mark. Interesting no word on Rafael who started training 2 weeks ago. Be great to have Carrick back he can slot in perfectly into Blinds position, as one of Carricks strengths is reading the game.
LVG may play Fellaini and drop Januzaj i think to add a bit more physicality.

DDG
Valencia Smalling McNair Shaw
carrick
Herrera Fellaini Di Maria
Rooney
RVP

 

[Brightonian]

Carrick's performance will make or break this game for us, I reckon. Blind has been doing an excellent job against teams that try to press us high. His composure and good feet make light work of opponents' pressing, and he always provides an out-ball for our defence when they're under pressure. I'm not sure Carrick has the mobility and energy to do this as well as Blind does.

That said, Carrick has had some very good games against Arsenal over the last few years. I remember him and Cleverley totally neutralising Wilshere and Cazorla a couple of seasons ago. He tends to do well against teams that keep the ball on the ground and don't get too physical, so Arsenal matches suit him.

 

[Barry Crocker]

Jones' body cannot handle the strain of the professional game.
Of course fans and the club will continue hoping, but the chances of him playing more than a few games in a row are slim.
I know some people won't like to hear this but the evidence is there.

I doubt any club will want to buy him from us, so best to allow his contract to expire and then bid farewell and best of luck. Just like we did O.Hargreaves.

I'm also glad that people are no longer putting Falcao in their team line-ups. That dude has serious injury problems and I do hope that he gets past them.
IMO he has not yet recovered from his last big injury and it is questionable if he ever will. This is the very reason why we loaned him in and didnt buy him and in every game he plays in, LvG subs him, as his knee is still giving him problems.
Marco Van Basten, while at the peak of his powers, also received a career ending injury - I hope the same does not happen to Falcao.

With regards to this game, if Shaw, Carrick, Di Maria and De Gea (as well as our other players), are fit to play, then we may have a chance in this game.
My only worry is that this is the first time we are playing without Blind in a while and I'm not 100% sure what effect this is going to have.
We all know that our defence is weak. Without Blind in front of them, Arsenal could score heavily against us.

Another interesting point that nobody has raised is that both teams with high possession as their key tactic.
This means that the battle of the midfield is going to be all important.

Since the close of the transfer window, this is the most negative I have felt about us, going into a game.
This is a must win game for us, as our target is top 4.

It is not. A draw is good and leaves us a point behind Arsenal. Come May it will be us and them in 3rd and 4th imo. Maybe Southampton if they can keep up their momentum but i think their bubble will burst once they get their first defeat or when xmas fixtures stretch their squad.

 

[2 man midfield]

A very under-rated quality in a striker. Can create several really threatening positions in every game. Really fecks the opposition over if we win the ball near their box. Something that's been sorely lacking in our team since Danny left.

Yep. Anyone remember that free-kick he won for the RvP winner in the 3-2 at the Etihad? Joe Hart was basically doing keepy uppy for the remaining seconds before Danny got onto it.

 

[Sandikan]

who would play left back if Shaw isn't fit?

Blackett? Or ....not Young surely

 

[Brightonian]

Is it my imagination or was Vermijl on the bench at some point recently? He can play FB on either side. Not a great option, obviously, but James is on loan.

Pretty confident Shaw will be fine to play, anyway. LVG's just covering his bases.

 

[kundalini]

Is it my imagination or was Vermijl on the bench at some point recently? He can play FB on either side. Not a great option, obviously, but James is on loan.

Pretty confident Shaw will be fine to play, anyway. LVG's just covering his bases.

Last match Vermijl was on the bench. Rumours of Reece James going on loan but last time I checked, it had yet to happen. James played for U21s against Chelsea recently, though he got destroyed by their right winger, to the extent that Vermijl went to left-back in the 2nd half, while James played holding midfield role.

 

[Raoul]

Do we definiteively know who is not available this weekend ? Blind, Falcao?, Jones, Rafa ?

 

[Dobba]

Do we definiteively know who is not available this weekend ? Blind, Falcao?, Jones, Rafa ?

Pretty sure only the first two have been officially ruled out so far.

 

[Sied]

We have 3 players who can play LB and all are potentially unavailable... I'll be crossing everything that Shaw is fit.

 

[zzakzz17]

Do we definiteively know who is not available this weekend ? Blind, Falcao?, Jones, Rafa ?

Blind and falcao definitely out, shaws a doubt, carrick and de gea are fit. No word on rafael, jones and evans.

 

[Raoul]

Blind and falcao definitely out, shaws a doubt, carrick and de gea are fit. No word on rafael, jones and evans.

Feck, forgot about Shaw as well.

 

[Donut]

I hope for this:

-----------De Gea
Valencia-McNair-Smalling-Shaw
--Herrera-Carrick-Di Maria
-------------Mata
------Rooney-Van Persie------

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Where the shit is Jones? How long do shinsplints last?

Think he is getting ready to collect his pension cheques

 

[Sied]

I hope for this:

-----------De Gea
Valencia-McNair-Smalling-Shaw
--Herrera-Carrick-Di Maria
-------------Mata
------Rooney-Van Persie------

If we're just hoping, you've got to include Rafael in there! Sanchez is going to be a handful if he's not 100% though. I like the idea of having Herrera over there to double up on him, as he seems their only real threat recently.

 

[Red4Life_#7]

4-2-3-1:

----------------De Gea
Valencia - Smalling - McNair - Shaw
----------Carrick - Fellaini
-------Januzaj -Rooney - Di Maria
--------------Van Persie

This is the team I would start with. With Herrera coming on to sure things up on the hour mark and maybe Rafael getting a run out.

 

[Sied]

De Gea
Rafael Smalling McNair Shaw
Carrick Fellaini
Herrera Rooney Di Maria
RVP
​

Carrick and Fellaini to keep things compact and to give that physicality that Arsenal hate. Also Herrera on the right to keep an eye on Sanchez from a defensive point of view.

Depending on injuries or just LVG's preference: Valencia in for Rafael, Blackett in for McNair (left footed) or Blackett in for Shaw if he's not passed fit.

 

[Havak]

de Gea
Valencia McNair Smalling Blackett
Carrick Fellaini
Mata
Di Maria Rooney
van Persie​

 

[Sandikan]

get through this without defeat and thing will actually look pretty positive.

 

[Semir_Tuce]

I'm afraid if we start with McNair and especially Blackett .. i just can see Alexis doing whatever he wants. Would rather take Shaw with one leg. Awful defense.. put Carrick there and play Herrera in the midfield ..

De Gea
Valencia Smalling Carrick Shaw
Herrera Fellaini
Mata Rooney Di Maria
RVP

 

[Roosney]

Do we definiteively know who is not available this weekend ? Blind, Falcao?, Jones, Rafa ?

Pretty sure only the first two have been officially ruled out so far.

Rojo as well.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

I'm afraid if we start with McNair and especially Blackett .. i just can see Alexis doing whatever he wants. Would rather take Shaw with one leg. Awful defense.. put Carrick there and play Herrera in the midfield ..

De Gea
Valencia Smalling Carrick Shaw
Herrera Fellaini
Mata Rooney Di Maria
RVP

McNair has been good whenever he played this season.

 

[gasmanc]

Carrick's performance will make or break this game for us, I reckon. Blind has been doing an excellent job against teams that try to press us high. His composure and good feet make light work of opponents' pressing, and he always provides an out-ball for our defence when they're under pressure. I'm not sure Carrick has the mobility and energy to do this as well as Blind does.

That said, Carrick has had some very good games against Arsenal over the last few years. I remember him and Cleverley totally neutralising Wilshere and Cazorla a couple of seasons ago. He tends to do well against teams that keep the ball on the ground and don't get too physical, so Arsenal matches suit him.

Very good summary, would you partner in Fellaini nearer Carrick or is it better to surround with more mobile players like Herrera and Di Maria, I was thinking along the lines of Carrick - Fellaini in front of the back four but reading your assessment perhaps not.
Fellaini is bordering on a must for me, perhaps best utilised in front of Arsenals suspect defence and surround Carrick with a bit of pace.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Rojo as well.

He has been ruled out since the citeh game

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Very good summary, would you partner in Fellaini nearer Carrick or is it better to surround with more mobile players like Herrera and Di Maria, I was thinking along the lines of Carrick - Fellaini in front of the back four but reading your assessment perhaps not.
Fellaini is bordering on a must for me, perhaps best utilised in front of Arsenals suspect defence and surround Carrick with a bit of pace.

I would not want Fellaini to share any defensive midfield duties with Carrick, he is not cut-out for that job. He could man mark & nullify (someone like Sanchez maybe?) in the midfield though. Would love to see Herrera play this one too, maybe drop Januzaj this game.

 

[gasmanc]

He has been ruled out since the citeh game

Our most capped center back and we've only had him available 6 weeks :-\

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Our most capped center back and we've only had him available 6 weeks :-\

We have used 13 different CB combinations this season already, which says it all

Here's the list:

 

[gasmanc]

I would not want Fellaini to share any defensive midfield duties with Carrick, he is not cut-out for that job. He could man mark & nullify (someone like Sanchez maybe?) in the midfield though. Would love to see Herrera play this one too, maybe drop Januzaj this game.

Yea this is not a game for Januzaj to start in, we might even see Valencia in for his workrate (certainly would under SAF).
Your right about Fellaini but I was thinking more box to box and being in amongst Sanchez and Wilshire and reign to bother the back four, Carrick and Fellaini could well hold the key to success if we use them right.

 

[Roosney]

He has been ruled out since the citeh game

And @Raoul asked who are definitely ruled out for this game.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Yea this is not a game for Januzaj to start in, we might even see Valencia in for his workrate (certainly would under SAF).
Your right about Fellaini but I was thinking more box to box and being in amongst Sanchez and Wilshire and reign to bother the back four, Carrick and Fellaini could well hold the key to success if we use them right.

Yeah, I reckon Valencia would start as a RB since Rafa is not a certainty for this game. You could never guess what's going in LVG's mind except for the fact that RVP is going to start

 

[bucky]

De Gea

Valencia - Smalling - Carrick - Shaw

Fellaini - A. Herrera

Mata - Rooney - di Maria

van Persie​