[Pexbo]

Rooney definitely won't be shifted out wide. I reckon it'll be the bottom one.

He finished up wide against Hull. Could be Mou's way of marginalising him.

 

[Natener]

Swapping Martial and Mata out of the lineup for Lingard and Mkhitaryan = defensive setup to some people. Granted, Lingard and Mkhi are both better at tracking back but on the whole Mourinho has added more pace on both wings with one of them being arguably the most creative and productive Bundesliga player last season. How does that equate immediately to being defensive?

 

[Dr Baltar]

I'm at the bernabeu, going to watch the madrid game at 4. Anyone know of any bars that will show the United games that are close by?

Stop showing off!

 

[CG1010]

Wasn't lingard injured sometime back? When did he come back? Have a feeling Mourinho really likes him.

 

[Rado_N]

I really don't like this match being made into Jose v Pep by Sky.

 

[VeevaVee]

or people claiming we have gone for more pace on the wings though, Lingard isn't very quick at all, he has good agility and is a decent dribbler but he doesn't have great pace, despite what many think. Mhki is reasonably quick but again isn't blistering so the claim we have more pace now is not accurate given that we have dropped Martial who is quicker than both of them.

They all attack and move forward quickly, even if they aren't the fastest in a straight line. They're still pretty fast though.

 

[Cooksen]

Did not see Myki and Lingard starting, went with Martial and Mata

 

[Reyoji-Utd]

Very balanced team. We all know that Mourinho wouldn't put an attacking team out. He will try to contain and hit on counter and the pace is there.

Also the subs are good to have to come in and change the game with Rashford and Martial. These two with their pace and tricky fetes will be good to have to run at the tired defense of City.

Personally, predicted a 2-1 to us. But always has that feeling of anything can happen. Might just sit and tight and enjoy the occasion.

 

[Raw]

Wasn't lingard injured sometime back? When did he come back? Have a feeling Mourinho really likes him.

Yeah this is his first appearance (starting or bench) since picking up the injury v Leicester. Seems to be very much in Mou's plans.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I was hoping that this would be Martials game to kick start his season. Hopefully if both him and Rashford are chucked on in the second half Zlatan can feed them in either wing by holding the ball up in the attacking 1/3 and taking advantage of the gaos they leave as a result of their wingbacks tucking into midfield

 

[Born2Lose]

Glad even if we win that the chronic moanerss have something to complain about because we won it defensively.

Martial's been poor and lost his place, it might well be the kick in the backside he needs to improve, this is how the club should be run. No player is bigger than the club (except King Wayne of course)

 

[AndyJ1985]

How is swapping Martial & Mata for Mkhitaryan & Lingard a defensive setup? The latter two are fine attacking players.

 

[Sigma]

How did you know?

We need people who will track back, otherwise they will have an overload in midfield. Also, countering fast is the way to beat Pep's system and Mata doesn't allow that.

 

[Skills]

Stop showing off!

Found one, right opposite the bernabeu. This day is going to be footballing heaven (if we win obviously)

 

[ottosec]

How is swapping Martial & Mata for Mkhitaryan & Lingard a defensive setup? The latter two are fine attacking players.

It's Mourinho, even if he starts 10 strikers people will say he's defensive.

 

[SwansonsTache]

Lingard to frustrate us for large parts of the game, and then somehow manage to get a goal.

 

[Sb_16]

Defensive setup from Mou, looks like you'll try and bully us in midfield then hit us on the counter attack

Mkhitaryan: Better than Mata at both ends and pacier too
Lingard: Puts in a defensive shift but has better movements on top as well

Defensive setup? Hmmm!

 

[The United]

How is swapping Martial & Mata for Mkhitaryan & Lingard a defensive setup? The latter two are fine attacking players.

swapping players don't indicate. I think people are basing on how Jose usually likes to play in big games. I don't personally mind being super defensive and get some points in away games against them.

At home, i would like a bit of entertainment.

 

[Billy Blaggs]

Anyone got a stream

 

[Catt]

You predicting us to lose every game. Predicting us to lose to Bournemouth on the opening day ffs.

Yeah I'd say you're on the wind up. Or incredibly negative.

I assure you I'm not on a wind up and it's more a reflection of how poor we've been the last 3 years.
I just happen to think City are stronger at this moment.

 

[JPRouve]

Wasn't lingard injured sometime back? When did he come back? Have a feeling Mourinho really likes him.

To be fair, he has been good and he provides speed and plenty of movement. He and Micki T are difficult to contain, City will have to be very disciplined.

 

[Manny]

How is swapping Martial & Mata for Mkhitaryan & Lingard a defensive setup? The latter two are fine attacking players.

We lose a lot on the counter... Which how we expect we'll be playing. And Mkhitaryan & Lingard are better at tracking back.

 

[Trizy]

I'm just gonna quote myself from two weeks ago..

Haha nice.

 

[Sam M]

I assure you I'm not on a wind up and it's more a reflection of how poor we've been the last 3 years.
I just happen to think City are stronger at this moment.

Poor enough to lose to bournmouth? With our summer signings and new manager? Fine line between wumming and negativity.

 

[Cityfaninpeace]

Mkhitaryan: Better than Mata at both ends and pacier too
Lingard: Puts in a defensive shift but has better movements on top as well

Defensive setup? Hmmm!

You've stared your post by saying that both players that have come in are better defensively... Without the ball you'll be playing 4-5-1 and then you'll look to your two pacy wingers to break. Let's see.

 

[Garethw]

Hopefully a few games on the bench will give Martial the kick up the backside he needs.

I know that he has had some personal issues, but not keeping his dick in his pants shouldn't be affecting his job to this degree.

 

[Adisa]

People say it's defensive. Because both Lingard and Mkhitaryan are better at covering runs and protecting their fullbacks. Which is why I think they've been picked ahead of Rashford, Martial and Mata.
It's not a criticism it's just an observation. It's not like we didn't know how Mourinho approaches big games.
Some people are too touchy.

 

[SwansonsTache]

Mourinho channeled his inner Caf muppet there "They are good at attacking spaces".

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Swapping Martial and Mata out of the lineup for Lingard and Mkhitaryan = defensive setup to some people. Granted, Lingard and Mkhi are both better at tracking back but on the whole Mourinho has added more pace on both wings with one of them being arguably the most creative and productive Bundesliga player last season. How does that equate immediately to being defensive?

I think Martial and Rashford are the faster pair so I don't agree.

However more defensive Possibly but not by much. Certainly not much slower

 

[Catt]

Poor enough to lose to bournmouth? With our summer signings and new manager? Fine line between wumming and negativity.

I gave my reasoning so lets leave it at that. Lets hope for 3 points.

 

[Nickosaur]

I didn't realise Mourinho's record v Pep was so bad...

 

[thegregster]

People say it's defensive. Because both Lingard and Mkhitaryan are better at covering runs and protecting their fullbacks. Which is why I think they've been picked ahead of Rashford, Martial and Mata.
It's not a criticism it's just an observation. It's not like we didn't know how Mourinho approaches big games.
Some people are too touchy.

its not like Fergie every played wingers who were good at this.
Eg park.

 

[SwansonsTache]

I didn't realise Mourinho's record v Pep was so bad...

Messi.

 

[Manny]

Sky playing up Mou vs Pep again...

Give it a rest you prats

 

[Sam M]

I didn't realise Mourinho's record v Pep was so bad...

Lining up against Messi will do that. Let alone 2 other once in a generation players.

Fingers crossed for 3 points today for Manchester United.

 

[Gasolin]

Mourinho surprised me well it's on guys let's go get that win at home!!!

 

[Heine]

You might say Mhki and Lingard is better at tracking back, but they are also better at pressing high. So it gives more options, and more options to change the play during the game.

 

[Carl]

Glad even if we win that the chronic moanerss have something to complain about because we won it defensively.

Martial's been poor and lost his place, it might well be the kick in the backside he needs to improve, this is how the club should be run. No player is bigger than the club (except King Wayne of course)

I don't think he needs a 'kick in the backside'. It's not like there's been a lack of effort there from Tony Martial, it just hasn't gone for him. It'll come.

 

[Adisa]

its not like Fergie every played wingers who were good at this.
Eg park.

Exactly. There's nothing wrong with it. People hear e word "defensive" and immediately think criticism.

 

[Sb_16]

You've stared your post by saying that both players that have come in are better defensively... Without the ball you'll be playing 4-5-1 and then you'll look to your two pacy wingers to break. Let's see.

Mkhitaryan was bought in to start games sooner or later. Only real surprise is Lingard because Martial is good defensively as well. (Lingard, unlike Martial, makes off the ball runs, which could be the strategy for this game)

I'd say its balanced than defensive as that's very close to our starting 11.

Defensive could be inclusion of Smalling (CB) and Schneiderlin/Blind (DM) along side the two CM.