[SqueakyWeasel]

Hard to see what Jose is doing here. If the game were on Thursday, I think we'd see more of the first XI rested, but since it's Wednesday and the final is on Sunday, he must feel as though he can play most of his best side in both fixtures.

20 man squad as follows: De Gea, O'Hara, Romero; Bailly, Blind, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Smalling, Valencia, Young; Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Pogba, Lingard, Schweinsteiger; Ibrahimovic, Martial, Rashford. Means one outfield player will miss out, along with O'Hara. It's actually difficult to decide who that'd be as Young was good against Blackburn and may force another start.

Keeping in mind it's being played on Wednesday "afternoon" I'd field the strongest team possible! Not a great lover of resting too many players (bring it on "give youth a chance" boo boys). I think match-day rhythm is far more important to the modern day "fragile" footballer millionaire than conserving energy levels at this stage anyway.

Hopefully I'm right because Southampton haven't played competitively for about 10 days (to date), in which time we've managed some squad-bonding, morale-boosting wins! Topped off hopefully today with a full strength resounding win in a hostile environment. Herrera being banned (he needs a rest anyway) is enforced but other than that I expect to see pretty much the starting team for Sunday minus Ander and Carrick (I'm pretty sure that I'm smelling Schweiny today). Bringing on the likes of Fellaini, Young and Rashford as subs to stop fatigue and avoid needless injuries as soon as we are breathing clean air!

Onwards and upwards!

 

[Brightonian]

Keeping in mind it's being played on Wednesday "afternoon" I'd field the strongest team possible! Not a great lover of resting too many players (bring it on "give youth a chance" boo boys). I think match-day rhythm is far more important to the modern day "fragile" footballer millionaire than conserving energy levels at this stage anyway.

You have to find a balance between the two. Look at what happened to Spurs at the end of last season. That was undeniably because a number of their key players weren't rested often enough throughout the season and clearly burned out towards the end.

We're lucky that we have a strong squad though, and can rotate in a number of positions without exactly weakening the side. Ibra, Pogba and Herrera all definitely have to be in a team if it's going to be our 'strongest side', but beyond that there's a lot of flexibility. Any of the CBs seem like good options. Mata or Mkhi, Martial or Rashford, Blind or Darmian, Lingard and Rooney. All of them have had strong games over the last few months and merit game time.

The only person we really have to worry about is Ibrahimovic. He's scoring all our goals, and he's old. But he's also experienced and intelligent and proactive. Between him and Mourinho, I trust them to make sure he doesn't burn out. Other than that, enough rotation to keep everyone else going will happen naturally because of the aforementioned competition in the squad.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

You have to find a balance between the two. Look at what happened to Spurs at the end of last season. That was undeniably because a number of their key players weren't rested often enough throughout the season and clearly burned out towards the end.

We're lucky that we have a strong squad though, and can rotate in a number of positions without exactly weakening the side. Ibra, Pogba and Herrera all definitely have to be in a team if it's going to be our 'strongest side', but beyond that there's a lot of flexibility. Any of the CBs seem like good options. Mata or Mkhi, Martial or Rashford, Blind or Darmian, Lingard and Rooney. All of them have had strong games over the last few months and merit game time.

The only person we really have to worry about is Ibrahimovic. He's scoring all our goals, and he's old. But he's also experienced and intelligent and proactive. Between him and Mourinho, I trust them to make sure he doesn't burn out. Other than that, enough rotation to keep everyone else going will happen naturally because of the aforementioned competition in the squad.

Totally agree!

Look back to the treble year. The squad depth won us everything in 1999 but so did a good balance of match rhythm for the "perceived" first team. It was, as will probably prove to be the same this time round, injuries and suspension enforced most minor rotation over and above thinking that players needed a breather.

When I said "Not a great lover of resting too many players" in my original post I meant "wholesale" rotation for the sake of it. One or two players ducking and diving into the match day squad to freshen up legs or keep benched players match fit is fine, changing 8 outfield players and losing our whole "identity" is another thing altogether.

 

[Tincanalley]

Just stay in the pub drinking, the match will come at some stage!

You might meet some cleaners, and maybe the postman at some point. Don't mind them.

 

[CM]

Is Darmian not part of the travelling squad?

 

[Tincanalley]

Expected omission from Darmian, after his performance against Blackburn, but Shaw is done for.

I don't think so, but its up to him, it seems.

 

[TMDaines]

Shaw is rightly fourth choice left back at the moment. He's got time to turn it around, but I've been massively disappointed with him this season.

 

[dove]

Shaw is rightly fourth choice left back at the moment. He's got time to turn it around, but I've been massively disappointed with him this season.

But... but... but... He didn't get a 20 consecutive games run to prove his worth

 

[TMDaines]

He'll be lucky to ever get two games unless he can fulfil the basic concept of supporting the left-sided forward players. Lad looks completely clueless at the moment.

 

[CM]

I don't know how anyone can be massively disappointed in him when the only games he underperformed in were City (which everyone did) and, to a lesser extent, Watford. He's barely got a game since.

 

[GrandJury]

How can people after Mkhitaryan and Martial continue to say a player is 'done' when they are currently not playing?

Jose wants Shaw to step it up, if he has the right character and drive he will and he'll get back into the starting 11.

 

[Sandikan]

A little bit earlier on a Wednesday to a Sunday next game, is a decent turn around period, but I'd still be wary of playing everyone.
It's not often you have a 3-0 lead from a first leg, so this might be the last time this season we can tweak things around with low risk.

If he does insist on playing the full team, I hope he then takes people off if we do have a comfortable lead by half time/60mins etc.

If we're say 4/5 goals up, and Ibra is still on the pitch until the end it'll be madness.

 

[Sandikan]

How can people after Mkhitaryan and Martial continue to say a player is 'done' when they are currently not playing?

Jose wants Shaw to step it up, if he has the right character and drive he will and he'll get back into the starting 11.

Because people are knee jerk idiots.
You see it when a big team lose a game as well, they've suddenly been "found out".

Shaw's certainly in a difficult place at the moment, when Blind, Rojo and even Darmian are keeping you out, you have issues, but he can certainly come back from it. Might have to be next season though.

 

[Pexbo]

Regarding Shaw, I think people forget that Mourinho is working with him on a daily basis and watches him train. There is obviously an issue there at the moment and they will be coaching both the physical and mental aspects of his game. I appreciate that people think highly of Shaw and have a lot of faith in his potential but if there is an actual issue there or he's simply not performing well enough in training yet then it really isn't a good idea to play him in matches.

Personally I think there might be a bit of a mental issue. It could be something as simple as him not being willing to fully commit to a challenge or shying away from driving through a few opponents. If he's struggling to do things like this then it's understandable that he can't be fully trusted to perform his role on the field. I wouldn't be surprised if he's working with a psychologist to help him get over it either.

 

[Tincanalley]

He'll be lucky to ever get two games unless he can fulfil the basic concept of supporting the left-sided forward players. Lad looks completely clueless at the moment.

I think he is a decent player. I wonder if he has problems with his attitude/training/fitness? Also that appaling injury will take a while to overcome.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Is Darmian not part of the travelling squad?

Says on OP that he's remained in Carrington

 

[marukomu]

This will be a difficult game but I think we'll scrape through. I can see a 2-0 or 2-1 loss.

 

[jackofalltrades]

I hope we don't go over the top with the immensely frustrating possession passing game. I mean where the only objective is to keep possession by endless 10 yard passes forward, sideways and backwards without looking to create any attacking danger. My impression is that when we do that, sooner or later we cock up in a dangereous area. Kind of stuff you do when your 3 nil up with 15 minutes left.

I think we'll need to maintain some threat on their defence just to ease the pressure on ours. Perfect day for ruthless counter-attacks.

 

[Mark_GrumpyLion]

Only just now seeing this is today. Why are all the Euro League games today, does anyone know?

 

[Damien]

Only just now seeing this is today. Why are all the Euro League games today, does anyone know?

We're playing today because Lyon are also at home tomorrow and Lyon & St. Etienne fans apparently don't get on well. As St. Etienne have the lower UEFA ranking, their game was moved.

No idea why the Fenerbahce and Schalke games are today too.

 

[Impulse]

We're playing today because Lyon are also at home tomorrow and Lyon & St. Etienne fans apparently don't get on well. As St. Etienne have the lower UEFA ranking, their game was moved.

No idea why the Fenerbahce and Schalke games are today too.

Fenerbahce is because Besiktas are playing at home tomorrow as well, don't know about Schalke.

 

[top1whoisman]

We're playing today because Lyon are also at home tomorrow and Lyon & St. Etienne fans apparently don't get on well. As St. Etienne have the lower UEFA ranking, their game was moved.

No idea why the Fenerbahce and Schalke games are today too.

Besiktas play tomorrow as well, so the same thing regarding Fener. Or what @Impulse said.

 

[Android1974]

Doubts:

— Valencia, Fosu-Mensah or Young?
— Carrick or Schweinsteiger?
— (Right-wing): Mata, Lingard, Rashford…?

 

[podurban2]

Well I'm going to miss the game because of this. Thanks Gill!

 

[Pexbo]

We're playing today because Lyon are also at home tomorrow and Lyon & St. Etienne fans apparently don't get on well. As St. Etienne have the lower UEFA ranking, their game was moved.

No idea why the Fenerbahce and Schalke games are today too.

That's not what RAWK said. They said its a fix and corrupt UEFA are trying to help us for the Final at the weekend. They also said that they probably rearranged the Fener and Shalke games to make it look less suspicious.


I'm not even joking.

 

[Devil may care]

Doubts:

— Valencia, Fosu-Mensah or Young?
— Carrick or Schweinsteiger?
— (Right-wing): Mata, Lingard, Rashford…?

These are the 3 I'm not sure about as well, I have a nasty feeling that it might not be Carrick or Schweini and instead we'll see Pogba saddled with Fellaini. I reckon Young might start given how much Jose seemed enamored with his performance vs Blackburn.

 

[Janson]

Is Mikhi available for this?

 

[Android1974]

These are the 3 I'm not sure about as well, I have a nasty feeling that it might not be Carrick or Schweini and instead we'll see Pogba saddled with Fellaini. I reckon Young might start given how much Jose seemed enamored with his performance vs Blackburn.

I would actually prefer Mourinho stuck with the now favorite 4-2-3-1, instead of pragmatically reverting to the 4-3-3, but with so much to lose and so little to gain, he'll be pragmatic, much like the League Cup Hull away game, and go for slowing things down and counterattack.

 

[Devil may care]

I would actually prefer Mourinho stuck with the now favorite 4-2-3-1, instead of pragmatically reverting to the 4-3-3, but with so much to lose and so little to gain, he'll be pragmatic, much like the League Cup Hull away game, and go for slowing things down and counterattack.

So you're thinking Carrick/Pogba/Fellaini in a 3 man midfield?

 

[Janson]

So you're thinking Carrick/Pogba/Fellaini in a 3 man midfield?

Why not Herrera?

 

[top1whoisman]

Why not Herrera?

Suspended.

 

[Devil may care]

Why not Herrera?

He's suspended.

 

[yamo123x]

Make no mistakes this is going to be a tough game, its a very hostile environment and the first leg result flattered us.
Just hope we don't sit back and try to defend- or lose an early goal like Fenherbace away OR else it could be a nervous evening.

For the record i wouldnt play Ibra unless we really have to. I just have a feeling he may get wound up and get a red as these fans hate him.
I wouldnt ever play Darmian again and he is so so poor. If we get anything above 50p for him in the Summer it would be good business.

my team

Romero
valencia bailly smalling blind
carrick pogba fellaini
young rashford martial

subs- mata, ibra,miki,schwein,o hara,rojo, lingard

Martial needs to turn up tonight, we can hurt them on the break with Martial and Rashford's pace.

 

[Android1974]

So you're thinking Carrick/Pogba/Fellaini in a 3 man midfield?

Yeah, but I feel Schweinsteiger has a chance. Carrick already played three 90' games in six days this season, but I wonder if Mourinho thinks he can neglect the physical aspect of his performance in a slowed down game.

 

[Janson]

Suspended.

He's suspended.

Oh yeah, thanks.

 

[Android1974]

my team

Romero
valencia bailly smalling blind
carrick pogba fellaini
young rashford martial

subs- mata, ibra,miki,schwein,o hara,rojo, lingard

Not to be picky with your fine prediction, but Pogba wouldn't play centrally in a 4-3-3, Carrick would.

 

[Devil may care]

Yeah, but I feel Schweinsteiger has a chance. Carrick already played three 90' games in six days this season, but I wonder if Mourinho thinks he can neglect the physical aspect of his performance in a slowed down game.

I'd like to see Schweinsteiger play mainly to try and gauge him against better opposition than Wigan, just in case we need to use him more often in the home stretch, but Carrick hasn't played a lot lately so I could see Jose feeling that he can do 2 games in a row as I doubt he'll play in the EFL cup final.

 

[Android1974]

I'd like to see Schweinsteiger play mainly to try and gauge him against better opposition than Wigan, just in case we need to use him more often in the home stretch, but Carrick hasn't played a lot lately so I could see Jose feeling that he can do 2 games in a row as I doubt he'll play in the EFL cup final.

Mourinho might feel more secure to try Schweinsteiger as #8, because as #6 his lack of rhythm could prove costly.

Actually, Mourinho might be tempted to revert to a more defensive 4-3-3 in the final, and Carrick should get ahead of Fellaini there, although he deals terribly with the probable pressing Southampton will apply.

 

[Devil may care]

Mourinho might feel more secure to try Schweinsteiger as #8, because as #6 his lack of rhythm could prove costly.

Actually, Mourinho might be tempted to revert to a more defensive 4-3-3 in the final, and Carrick should get ahead of Fellaini there, although he deals terribly with the probable pressing Southampton will apply.

Hmmmm, Carrick/Pogba/Schweini as the 3 man midfield tonight would be interesting to see.

Jose has talked a lot about needing to play a certain way at United and understanding this, if he goes into our first cup final under him against an average side like Southampton, with a negative selection I don't think it will be well recieved, we've hit form again with Pogba a bit deeper and Mkhitaryan as the #10, I hope he sticks with that on Sunday.

 

[Janson]

========Zlatan========
Rashford===========Young

=====Pogba==Fellaini=====
========Carrick========

Rojo=Smalling=Bailly=Valencia

=======Romero========