[Tiber]

Think it will be this.

Mata dropped and Pogba in defnesive midfield?

Sure hope not!

 

[Ban]

Mata dropped and Pogba in defnesive midfield?

Sure hope not!

Pogba can start as a CM not as a DM. Mata deserves a start, that's true. Also I hope to see Mickhi a bit more.

 

[Sigma]

I'd like to see Lingard come back in

 

[Ban]

So who drops out from CB positions, Bailly or Blind. Or Jose trusts the same CB duo despite Smalling being ready and fit.

 

[Tiber]

So who drops out from CB positions, Bailly or Blind. Or Jose trusts the same CB duo despite Smalling being ready and fit.

Bailly and Blind cant be dropped on current form imo. I have never been a fan of Blind at cb, but he has been flawless since Jose arrived

 

[Ban]

Bailly and Blind cant be dropped on current form imo. I have never been a fan of Blind at cb, but he has been flawless since Jose arrived

I agree. Smalling should wait.

 

[Sassy Colin]

I got 15 points from the first 2 matches.

I got 17

 

[Sigma]

So who drops out from CB positions, Bailly or Blind. Or Jose trusts the same CB duo despite Smalling being ready and fit.

No one, not yet. Smalling needs to earn his place back

 

[nick2004]

4-0

 

[VP89]

No one, not yet. Smalling needs to earn his place back

Agreed. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[nick2004]

------------------------De Gea-------------

Valencia-----Bailly-------Smalling----------Shaw

----------------Carrick------Pogba----------------

Mkhitaryan----------Rooney------------Martial

--------------------Ibrahimovic---------

 

[Havak]

If Koeman was still in charge I'd be worried about dropping points here, but I'm feeling pretty confident in a win.

My thoughts are that Mourinho's plans for his first 11 will include: de Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw; Pogba, Schneiderlin; Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Martial; Ibrahimovic.

I think the only real question mark there is Schneiderlin, as depending on the opposition it could be Carrick or Herrera in there too. As for this game, I think it will be Pogba to make his first appearance from the bench and probably by the Hull game, Jose will have his XI and try to stick with it for most of the season. If there are players we can't get rid of, they might have to settle for Europa League games.

For this match, though:

de Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
Carrick Herrera
Mkhitaryan Rooney Martial
Ibrahimovic
---
Pogba, Rashford, Schneiderlin​

 

[nick2004]

Why many of you do not expect Pogba to start? We thought he'd play on Sunday, but he couldn't. So, this is actually his second game. And he has already spent a few years here, so it's not a new place for him. I would expect him to start.

 

[Bwuk]

De Gea
Valencia - Bailly - Blind - Shaw
Herrera - Pogba
Mata - Rooney - Martial
Zlatan​

 

[whatwha]

Why many of you do not expect Pogba to start? We thought he'd play on Sunday, but he couldn't. So, this is actually his second game. And he has already spent a few years here, so it's not a new place for him. I would expect him to start.

Because he has had very little time to train after signing. By Friday he will only have taken part in ~8 days of training?

 

[jojose]

Think we will be unchanged.
Pogba will feature at some stage, maybe as early as half time depending on his fitness and how the game is going.

Many people predicting Blind to get dropped for Smalling. I would be very supprised if that happened. Also cant see Mata making way for Jesse. I think Jesse might get the nod away and in tougher games but at home against weaker opposition with the pace and power in the rest of the team, id like to see Mata's guile in there as I would expect us to dominate possession and poorer side to park the bus a lot more than they have for the last 3 seasons

 

[Kaos]

It'll be the same team, but with Pogba and Mkhitaryan coming on early in the second half and a Rashford cameo.

 

[Chaky_Best]

Mkhitaryan is the new Kagawa ! #FreeMkhi

I just hope that we'll see him sooner than later. I can't deny the fact that Mata and Rooney were ok (not top but who was offensively ?) during the Bournemouth game, but I really want to see us using more speed and creativity.

Southampton will play deep with a solid bloc. I just want to be entertained and see great football

I don't really think that the line up will me changed. With Pogba playing 30 mins and hopefully having a good impact.

 

[Wicked_Badger]

Cannot wait for this. Just found out it's the Friday night game. United on a Friday night featuring Pogba and Rachel Riley, what more could you want?

 

[Android1974]

It'd be harsh to drop Mata though, so I think he'll get another start. Blind too.

Did Mata play better than Lingard at Wembley? So, why drop Lingard at first chance?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Did Mata play better than Lingard at Wembley? So, why drop Lingard at first chance?

Lingard is injured, so hasn't been dropped as such. It will depend if Jose thinks Juan did enough to keep his place in the side. Also depends of course if Jesse is fit again.

 

[Ferguson]

Didn't Bailly have a bit of an injury that nearly kept him from playing last match? I think it is time for Smalling to come into the side alongside Blind.

Mkhitaryan had his cameo last week which was a signal that Mourinho wants to bring him up to speed so he can play. I think he comes in for Mata on the right.

I think Pogba will start, but I can understand if he is used as a sub. And I think Carrick will be brought on to give some stability alongside Pogba.

So basically I think that some squad rotation will happen given that it is Sunday to Friday so there is less rest.

But the truth of course is that Jose will pick his team based upon the strengths and weaknesses of Southampton and based upon what he sees in training during the week

 

[Android1974]

Lingard is injured, so hasn't been dropped as such. It will depend if Jose thinks Juan did enough to keep his place in the side. Also depends of course if Jesse is fit again.

Lingard was injured, but it didn't seem like something serious, so expecting him to be available.

Didn't Bailly have a bit of an injury that nearly kept him from playing last match? I think it is time for Smalling to come into the side alongside Blind.
[…]
But the truth of course is that Jose will pick his team based upon the strengths and weaknesses of Southampton and based upon what he sees in training during the week

You're right to mention that. Perhaps Mourinho was preparing already for the problem of benching him in the next game, although I still doubt it very much, since Bailly's been such a great addition. Whoever plays center-back might also depend on how dangerous in headed balls is Southampton's center-forward (Shane Long?). Doesn't look too high…

 

[Turnip]

Do people reckon we'll see Smalling come in in place of Blind or Bailey? Or is he still suspended?

Think this is quite a tough one to predict. Does he want to edge Pogba in slowly, or start with him on, because I think that could change quite a bit.

 

[OJKernow]

Can see us starting the same side as Sunday, introducing Pogba as an early second half sub to a great reception.

Fellaini and Mata deserving of retaining their places for at least one game due to their displays at the weekend.

Also think Blind deserves to keep his place despite Smalling being fit again, plenty of games coming up for him to earn his place back, but a consistent side for our first handful of games would be good to create some momentum.

 

[Red Stone]

Can't wait to see Pogba kick the pogball. It's going to pogbe unpogbelievable. Pogbring it pogbon.

 

[Harry190]

Why Friday? Why, why, why, why, why?

 

[Android1974]

Do people reckon we'll see Smalling come in in place of Blind or Bailey? Or is he still suspended?

Think this is quite a tough one to predict. Does he want to edge Pogba in slowly, or start with him on, because I think that could change quite a bit.

I've no idea regarding the Smalling situation, let's see if we get some signs from the pre-match press-conference. Although a bit unfair to Blind, if Mourinho sees Smalling as part of the center-back pair for the season, he will play him as soon as possible. The match against City is approaching… If Bailly is still carrying the injury Mourinho mentioned, the thing would solve itself.

Even the Pogba situation is difficult: my hunch is that he will start, although Mourinho did say he was going to ‘protect him’, so…

 

[Gerald G]

Do people reckon we'll see Smalling come in in place of Blind or Bailey? Or is he still suspended?

Think this is quite a tough one to predict. Does he want to edge Pogba in slowly, or start with him on, because I think that could change quite a bit.

I think Smalling might be on the bench but I don't think there's any chance of him starting. If we're relatively comfortable, I think he'll come off the bench.

 

[RedCurry]

Why Friday? Why, why, why, why, why?

Just stream it on your Rogers online account at work. C'mon.

 

[Android1974]

I think Smalling might be on the bench but I don't think there's any chance of him starting. If we're relatively comfortable, I think he'll come off the bench.

If Blind starts ahead of Smalling against Southampton, Mourinho might as well forget Smalling making enough physical fitness to the City game (with only Hull away remaining). Unless it is Bailly who gets dropped (for injury reasons)…

 

[Witchking]

Can't wait to watch the game. Hope United win again. First home game of the season. Have to start on a positive note. Pogba, Herrera, Felliani midfield i am guessing with Mata, Martial on the wings. Hope Rooney is dropped and Mikhi starts as number 10 but with Rooney scoring, there's no way he will be dropped.

Hopefully Mihki doesn't get disheartened that he is not starting (if he doesn't start again)

 

[horsechoker]

Why Friday? Why, why, why, why, why?

I personally think Fridays are better for match going fans, a lot of people don't have work the next morning and the kids don't have school. That's much better than staying out late or even having a long journey back home on a Monday night.

 

[Red Dreams]

Serious question. Why is this on Friday?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I personally think Fridays are better for match going fans, a lot of people don't have work the next morning and the kids don't have school. That's much better than staying out late or even having a long journey back home on a Monday night.

It is for local fans, but if they are coming from Ireland or the south of England, then people will need to take time off work to travel to the game.

 

[Crackers]

It is for local fans, but if they are coming from Ireland or the south of England, then people will need to take time off work to travel to the game.

I agree. I'm trying to make the trip from Ireland to a few games this year(will be my first time going!), and I prefer the Sat afternoon games the most. Mind you, a Friday night game would be fecking sick to be at, I imagine the atmosphere would be brilliant, regardless of home or away.

 

[Von Mistelroum]

What I'd like to see:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
Carrick
Schneiderlin Pogba
Mkhitaryan some space Martial
Ibrahimovic
​

What I think we'll see:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
Herrera Fellaini
Mata Rooney Martial
Ibrahimovic​

 

[horsechoker]

It is for local fans, but if they are coming from Ireland or the south of England, then people will need to take time off work to travel to the game.

They would still need to take a Monday off and probably Tuesday to travel, that's 2 days in a week whereas Friday only one day is sacrificed. Moreover, fans from Ireland and the south shouldn't take priority and I say this as a fan from the south. If you want to be a match going Manchester United fan living a few hundred miles from Manchester then you have to accept the fact that you're going to have to do long journeys. We're also going to play Europa League on Thursday nights and for most of the last 20 years we've played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so night football is very much a part of the game now.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I agree. I'm trying to make the trip from Ireland to a few games this year(will be my first time going!), and I prefer the Sat afternoon games the most. Mind you, a Friday night game would be fecking sick to be at, I imagine the atmosphere would be brilliant, regardless of home or away.

I agree, night games the atmosphere always seem special.

 

[Harry190]

Just stream it on your Rogers online account at work. C'mon.

Do we know each other?