[The United Irishman]

We have only conceded more than 1 goal once in 2015 (Swansea away), I believe as long as we score at least 2 then we will bag all 3 points.

 

[Adcuth]

Exact same team again. We'll be offered more space than against Villa, like against the red shite. Should help us to get the ball down and play like we can. Keep it tight again at the back, we've been decent there bar a few silly mistakes. Gotnto not allow any to cost us a goal. I think we can score at least 2 against city, they don't look as threatening as usual. I think it'll be a hard fought 2-1 win for us, maybe more if the the lads click like we know they can. Well excited for the game though.

 

[prarek]

I think their confidence is shot right now. Still you never know its a derby. Im expecting a tough game. Id be happy with a draw.

 

[Bubz27]

This thread just reminded how long ago it was when welcomed them to Old Trafford that 'Championes' chant.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Really believe we'll win. I am perhaps getting a little too confident but it's been a while...

3-1 Manchester United.

 

[ChaddyP]

The lads must be fecking itching to play this game. Confidence must be through the roof in our camp. Hope we really stuff them. Will also take a boring 1 love win with 70 percent possession

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

We have only conceded more than 1 goal once in 2015 (Swansea away), I believe as long as we score at least 2 then we will bag all 3 points.

Actually Swansea was the only time since the 2-2 draw at West Brom in October and it has happened only four times this season in the League (2xSwansea, Leicester and West Brom).

 

[2 man midfield]

Still not confident. City could be on the end of a drubbing from Luton and i'd still fancy them to be up for this. If we win though, it will be our biggest achievement this season. It may please City fans to read this, but this is basically our cup final this season. If we get 2nd, that will eclipse anything i expected at the beginning of the season. For LvG, 4th was the aim. Still is. But to do so whilst finishing above the champions and in fantastic form both in terms of results and style of football? I think he'll have exceeded himself.

 

[Wayne's World]

Bloody hell I'm actually confident for the first time in many years of us beating City, the last couple of years I'm always expecting them to steamroll over us but the form we are in and theirs, we should really take advantage this weekend

I reckon the City players heads have completely dropped and I doubt If we make a fast start on Sunday that they will get back into it, despite people saying they will raise their game against us

 

[JustAFan]

They'll raise their game and give us a difficult time for sure. I like our chances but no sure thing

 

[JB08]

Believe

 

[Oneunited26]

Still not confident. City could be on the end of a drubbing from Luton and i'd still fancy them to be up for this. If we win though, it will be our biggest achievement this season. It may please City fans to read this, but this is basically our cup final this season. If we get 2nd, that will eclipse anything i expected at the beginning of the season. For LvG, 4th was the aim. Still is. But to do so whilst finishing above the champions and in fantastic form both in terms of results and style of football? I think he'll have exceeded himself.

Should we fear city? in a way yes, because we have only started to get our shit together for the past 3 games, and 3 games do not make us conquerors. While city have been there done it for the past few years. But lets not forget city struggle against teams who are good at keeping possession, and they play a 4 man midfield, we do not and we will have the numbers in midfield, unless they change things around. It would not surprise me if toure and aguero have storming games causing us problems, but let us not underestimate this style of play VG is putting together is something city do not like playing aganst. City remind me of united back in 09, we did not like playing possession teams during the final year of ronaldo's stay here, and the final few years of fergie's reign. And these clever little players used to run rings around us, I think it applies to city at the minute, they do not like these technical players like herrera and mata playing triangles, and keeping possession because toure and aguero are going to see very little of the ball, starving them of the ball. You factor the brains of the team carrick, fellaini loves these games and if we get our shit together we could give them a few problems. A factor of carrick herrera mata fellaini rooney, with either di maria or young is a midfield that could swarm city's 4 man midfield, because rooney will get involved in the midfield. I think they have to play a 5 man midfield or they will see very little of the ball, and it could be a long day for them

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I can understand why some of us are still pretty cautious but honestly City could show up and be shit on Sunday.

 

[Vooon]

It's going to be tight as feck, but we definitely have the advantage given our recent form and confidence level at the moment. I think both teams are going to score, I reckon 2-1 or 1-1 are likely results, but we could also lose this match regardless of City's form - it's just one of those matches.

 

[Oneunited26]

I can understand why some of us are still pretty cautious but honestly City could show up and be shit on Sunday.

Like I say, 3 games do not make us conquerors. We could have a complete meltdown at the back, but if we stick to the same system, our players keep the intensity up, keep the very good possession game with a purpose, we are truly in business.

What is the worry? our over confidence, possibly. Lets hope that does not happen, remember pundits thought liverpool would beat us 3 0, and what happened? we know the score

 

[2 man midfield]

Should we fear city? in a way yes, because we have only started to get our shit together for the past 3 games, and 3 games do not make us conquerors. While city have been there done it for the past few years. But lets not forget city struggle against teams who are good at keeping possession, and they play a 4 man midfield, we do not and we will have the numbers in midfield, unless they change things around. It would not surprise me if toure and aguero have storming games causing us problems, but let us not underestimate this style of play VG is putting together is something city do not like playing aganst. City remind me of united back in 09, we did not like playing possession teams during the final year of ronaldo's stay here, and the final few years of fergie's reign. And these clever little players used to run rings around us, I think it applies to city at the minute, they do not like these technical players like herrera and mata playing triangles, and keeping possession because toure and aguero are going to see very little of the ball, starving them of the ball. You factor the brains of the team carrick, fellaini loves these games and if we get our shit together we could give them a few problems. A factor of carrick herrera mata fellaini rooney, with either di maria or young is a midfield that could swarm city's 4 man midfield, because rooney will get involved in the midfield. I think they have to play a 5 man midfield or they will see very little of the ball, and it could be a long day for them

Don't get me wrong, i think we stand the best chance we have for a few derbies. But it wouldn't surprise me one bit if City make us look very ordinary and bully us out of the game.

 

[Galactic]

They'll raise their game. Form won't matter.

Having said that, i think we'll beat them if we can avoid a red card or a stupid own goal/defensive cock-up.

 

[Oneunited26]

Don't get me wrong, i think we stand the best chance we have for a few derbies. But it wouldn't surprise me one bit if City make us look very ordinary and bully us out of the game.

In their 4 man midfield? unless they change the system they going to see very little of the ball. Like I say they hate possession teams, and we were better than them with 10 men. Too long have many fans think every top team will make us ordinary, and we have actually dominated these big games, not got lucky we have looked like a real danger. Our problem against city? we have kept getting red cards, that is been one of the big problems with united against city. And city have not face a real united team in a while now, the closest was this season, and we could have got a draw, but we got one man sent off. Lets see if we can keep 11 men on the field first, and I think VG's whole mentality is dominating that football match through periods of possession, and this united team is not ordinary anymore, its becoming a team that can hang with the big boys again

But when was the last time we were bullied in a big game?

 

[2 man midfield]

In their 4 man midfield? unless they change the system they going to see very little of the ball. Like I say they hate possession teams, and we were better than them with 10 men. Too long have many fans think every top team will make us ordinary, and we have actually dominated these big games, not got lucky we have looked like a real danger. Our problem against city? we have kept getting red cards, that is been one of the big problems with united against city. And city have not face a real united team in a while now, the closest was this season, and we could have got a draw, but we got one man sent off. Lets see if we can keep 11 men on the field first, and I think VG's whole mentality is dominating that football match through periods of possession

We could have got a draw, we could also have conceded 3 penalties and been out of sight by half time. I was impressed by the effort we showed in the reverse fixture, but i feel our supposed dominance over them that day was overrated.

If we can keep 11 men on the pitch then we have as good a chance as ever, of course.

 

[Oneunited26]

We could have got a draw, we could also have conceded 3 penalties and been out of sight by half time. I was impressed by the effort we showed in the reverse fixture, but i feel our supposed dominance over them that day was overrated.

If we can keep 11 men on the pitch then we have as good a chance as ever, of course.

Let us not forget back then, this club was in a reconstruction phase. I call our fall from grace under Moyes after fergie retired, basically stark house after the red wedding. fergie retired, Moyes disastrous stint has manager, his sacking, Giggs temp taking over, VG taking over in July, we were a broken club. Going into the city game under a complete new guidance, new players. We are talking about a club starting at ground zero, against an established order in city. So looking back, it was one hell of an effort by the players. And I look at us now, we are looking in very good shape not seen in a few years, with an identity. And for too long under VG, this team was lacking that identity to hang with the big boys. What was our identity? But the biggest pleasing thing is? going to grounds like anfield, and not just scrapping a 2 -1 win, but looking like a united team playing to a level at anfield that has not been done in a long time, no luck, not getting dominated, but dominating them in such a overwhelming fashion, it was men against boys at times. To go to anfield and out football liverpool at anfield, is something that is pretty damn scary.

 

[prarek]

Form goes out the window in this game. It would be foolish to underestimate them.

 

[2 man midfield]

Let us not forget back then, this club was in a reconstruction phase. I call our fall from grace under Moyes after fergie retired, basically stark house after the red wedding. fergie retired, Moyes disastrous stint has manager, his sacking, Giggs temp taking over, VG taking over in July, we were a broken club. Going into the city game under a complete new guidance, new players. We are talking about a club starting at ground zero, against an established order in city. So looking back, it was one hell of an effort by the players. And I look at us now, we are looking in very good shape not seen in a few years, with an identity. And for too long under VG, this team was lacking that identity to hang with the big boys. What was our identity? But the biggest pleasing thing is? going to grounds like anfield, and not just scrapping a 2 -1 win, but looking like a united team playing to a level at anfield that has not been done in a long time, no luck, not getting dominated, but dominating them in such a overwhelming fashion, it was men against boys at times. To go to anfield and out football liverpool at anfield, is something that is pretty damn scary.

Again, don't want to get ahead of the game here. As poor as City have been recently i don't think we can compare a toothless Liverpool side to them. Not trying to belittle the win at Anfield, it was a brilliant performance and we've shown real progress. I just don't think we're far enough down the line to think City at home is a forgone conclusion. Another Swansea may well be just round the corner.

 

[Oneunited26]

Again, don't want to get ahead of the game here. As poor as City have been recently i don't think we can compare a toothless Liverpool side to them. Not trying to belittle the win at Anfield, it was a brilliant performance and we've shown real progress. I just don't think we're far enough down the line to think City at home is a forgone conclusion. Another Swansea may well be just round the corner.

I think too many will continue to underestimate united, let us not forget macca predicted a 3-0 win for toothless liverpool, and savage predicted liverpool would destroy united. Its easy to say city will turn us over, when we do have the players now to beat city

 

[Ricardo de la Vega]

Ugh....I hate playing City nowadays. We never beat them even when we should do - and right now we should spank them off the park and have them squealing for the final whistle - but I cant see it happening. I will LOVE to be proved wrong...come on boys!

 

[2 man midfield]

I think too many will continue to underestimate united, let us not forget macca predicted a 3-0 win for toothless liverpool

Yes but he's a fool. I wasn't as apprehensive about Liverpool considering they cashed in on their only world class player and they're other 2 players of note were just coming back from injury and having a 6 month dip in form. If Aguero had been going through a barren spell i'd be more confident, but even then they have the players to hurt us. If we thump them 3-0 on sunday i'll gladly bump this and hold my hands up. But i think it's too premature to say 'we got this'.

 

[Oneunited26]

Yes but he's a fool. I wasn't as apprehensive about Liverpool considering they cashed in on their only world class player and they're other 2 players of note were just coming back from injury and having a 6 month dip in form. If Aguero had been going through a barren spell i'd be more confident, but even then they have the players to hurt us. If we thump them 3-0 on sunday i'll gladly bump this and hold my hands up. But i think it's too premature to say 'we got this'.

If I am wrong sunday, so be it. I am just happy we are going into these big games, with the coach players and identity to hang with the big boys, no longer the laughing stock.

 

[pseudo_canadian]

Toure and Aguero will step up and be world-beaters, as per usual whenever we play City.

It will be a very difficult match for both sides.

Let's hope Kompany has some more brain-farts in him.

 

[2 man midfield]

If I am wrong sunday, so be it. I am just happy we are going into these big games, with the coach players and identity to hang with the big boys, no longer the laughing stock.

For sure. It's nice having a fighting chance again. I feel these days that if we lose it will be in a closely fought game, with only a minor thing making the difference. Last season turning up at Old Trafford and expecting to have our asses handed to us against the likes of Liverpool and City, and not being the faintest bit surprised when we lost 3-0 in each was gutting. Glad we're putting those days behind us.

 

[Cmz']

Is Kolarov fit? If he is it wouldn't surprise me if they play him in a 3 behind Aguero with Silva in the middle and Milner on the right, a loss for either of us would be pretty bad considering we'd be 2 points behind them and 4 behind Arsenal (assuming they beat Burnley) with Liverpool having a relatively easy game and for them it leaves them 4 behind us, 5 behind Arsenal and they have some relatively tricky fixtures with Spurs and Swansea away and Southampton at home. We'll dominate posession and Pellegrini will have seen the way we've dominated the flanks with herrera - valencia - mata on the right and fellaini - blind - young on the left, I think it would be naive if they played a 442 as it means they'll probably be overrun in midfield and they'd have to rely on Silva tracking back to help out Clichy. Can't wait for the game though, first time in years I've actually felt confident about the derby and a win would be massive for us. I'll go 3-1 United (Rooney x2, Mata. Aguero (obviously) for them.

 

[Oneunited26]

For sure. It's nice having a fighting chance again. I feel these days that if we lose it will be in a closely fought game, with only a minor thing making the difference. Last season turning up at Old Trafford and expecting to have our asses handed to us against the likes of Liverpool and City, and not being the faintest bit surprised when we lost 3-0 in each was gutting. Glad we're putting those days behind us.

I think when teams come to old trafford these days again, much like the fergie era of 92-08 in terms of how feared those teams were of us, with 2007/08 being the peak of the golden era of fergie's greatness, teams are going to have to not just compete with united, but they are going to have to work extremely hard to beat us. Arsenal only beat us because of a stupid error by Valencia, and VG's bizarre decision to bench herrera defiantly did not help us. But our record under VG at old trafford is extremely efficient, our wins to rate at old trafford has been fortress old trafford again. So City are going to be in for one hell of a game, and they know it is well

 

[JTW95]

Despite city losing 4 away games on the bounce we can't let ourselves be complacent. These are the sort of games where form goes out of the window.

Hopefully their shite form will have a negative impact on them but we cannot rely on that.

But if we attack from the get go and assert ourselves I think we could be in for a good time of it. The key I think will be keeping Silva quiet.

 

[izec]

Hopefully Smalling is back. Dont want another Jones-Rojo partnership. I dont even know which one i would take out, but Smalling has to play. Di Maria in for Young please and we are good to go.

 

[marukomu]

I will be in Tokyo watching Hawkwind when this is on. Maybe I can find a bar somewhere.

 

[Dante]

The fact that City have just lost has got me worried. They're still a quality team and now they'll be stinging. What better way to redeem themselves than to win against their local rivals? They'll be well up for this match and that has to be a cause for concern.

 

[bosnian_red]

Again, don't want to get ahead of the game here. As poor as City have been recently i don't think we can compare a toothless Liverpool side to them. Not trying to belittle the win at Anfield, it was a brilliant performance and we've shown real progress. I just don't think we're far enough down the line to think City at home is a forgone conclusion. Another Swansea may well be just round the corner.

While I agree it's far from guaranteed, city really has been awful this year. That liverpool side, who we made toothless, beat city and were by far the better team in that game. City are 11th in the league in 2015 I think, and many players are old and past it. Of course aguero and silva are world class players and you have to worry about them, and toure has it in him to score out of nothing, but other then that? A very average side all around with very little motivation, low on morale, and a manager just waiting for the sack.

 

[Ish]

I'll go with a 2-1 to us.

Same starting lineup, except Smalling in please.

 

[Rezyuz]

3-0 easy

Fellaini hattrick

 

[Gannicus]

We'll beat City 2-0.

Smalling in place of Jones and Di Naria in place of Young. Blind remains at left back, still an underdiscussed development of late.

Rojo defending Aguero will be the key matchup of the game. If we can contain him, and I think we will, it's lights out for the oil fukks.

 

[kafta]

We're due a win against this lot

 

[Roman Bellic]

I'm almost certain City will turn up against us, just hope we are able to destabilise their attacks.