[Yagami]

Not sure about the formation, but I think that's most likely the team he'll pick. Perhaps Lingard will start instead of one of them?

Yeah, I can't see Martial and Mkhi starting together. Rashford, Lingard and one of them is my prediction for our attack. I'd love to see them three together, though.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

First United game ever for me tonight and I'm sitting with City fans. Feck my life.

I don't envy you. I did that as a kid at Hillsborough, sitting with Sheffield Wednesday fans.

Not an enjoyable way to watch football, even if we win.

 

[NJM78]

-------De Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
-Herrera Carrick Fellaini
-Micky Rashford Martial

2-2

 

[King.of.Red]

we win 3-1. Martial scores twice and Rashford one.

 

[Scarecrow]

Rather Carrick didn't start this, to be honest. I don't see what the point would be. We don't have the quality to control the ball against their high press or the creativity to make chances out of higher possession, so might as well play on the counter with high intensity. I don't see how Carrick would help with that.

I also don't really trust Mikhi in a game like this, in all honesty. Rather start the three youngsters upfront and play Young as a LCM / LM and give the right side to Valencia, Herrera, Lingard / Rashford.

Something like this:

-------------De Gea-------------
Valencia---Bailly--Blind---Shaw
----Herrera---Fellaini--Young-
---------Lingard-----------------
----Rashford-----Martial--------

If that makes sense. I dunno, it looks like one of those weird, seemingly-shit teams that you win big games with.

 

[Antisocial]

First United game ever for me tonight and I'm sitting with City fans. Feck my life.

My first was away at White Hart Lane, sat with the Spurs fans, a few months after the treble when I was about 14. I learned many interesting things about Victoria Beckham that day

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I don't think Carrick will replace Pogba in the line up. We'll need players with more energy for this game. My line up would be

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
Herrera Fellaini
Mkhi Lingard Martial
Rashford

​

I like Linguard in the middle as he thrives there and City have a soft centre in midfield and central defence but likewise fellaini worries me in our midfield

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I imagine it'll be something like:

De Gea

Valencia ---- Darmian ---- Bailly ---- Blind ----- Young

Herrera ---- Carrick ---- Fellaini

Lingard ---- Rashford​

 

[2 man midfield]

Is that the team you want, or a team you think he'll play?

Bit of both really. It's probably the team I realistically want to see.

 

[AgentP]

I like Linguard in the middle as he thrives there and City have a soft centre in midfield and central defence but likewise fellaini worries me in our midfield

Since City play 4141, Lingard can prevent the DM(Fernandinho probably) from receiving easy balls from the defense and force them to play long balls which we can try to intercept and counter. I'm just a little worried about Martial and Mkhi's work-rate to make this work. The good thing is these two are relatively fresh compared to other players.

 

[Adebesi]

The more I think about it the more I think he will go with Rooney to compensate for the lack of leaders on the pitch in the absence of Ibra in particular, but also Pogba. So I think it could be something like:

De Gea
Valencia - Bailly - Blind - Darmian
Herrera - Fellaini
Lingard - Rooney - Martial
Rashford

​

I would prefer to see Miki in there in place of Rooney though, or if not then lose Lingard and move Rooney to the right.

 

[Cee90]

I've not been this nervous about a game since our last three champions league finals.

Not sure what to expect at all, I just hope Jose pulls off another 'tactical masterclass'.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Going to be tight. Could go our way or their way. Need luck.

 

[mitchmouse]

Have to go to a damn works do tonight at the Cafe de Paris - pretty sure they don't have Sky Sports! Have a feeling I won't mind too much come the final whistle but would still prefer to be home watching

 

[G Best the Belfast Boy]

Rather Carrick didn't start this, to be honest. I don't see what the point would be. We don't have the quality to control the ball against their high press or the creativity to make chances out of higher possession, so might as well play on the counter with high intensity. I don't see how Carrick would help with that.

I also don't really trust Mikhi in a game like this, in all honesty. Rather start the three youngsters upfront and play Young as a LCM / LM and give the right side to Valencia, Herrera, Lingard / Rashford.

Something like this:

-------------De Gea-------------
Valencia---Rojo--Blind---Shaw
----Herrera---Fellaini--Young-
---------Lingard-----------------
----Rashford-----Martial--------

If that makes sense. I dunno, it looks like one of those weird, seemingly-shit teams that you win big games with.

I take it you mean Bailly

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I don't envy you. I did that as a kid at Hillsborough, sitting with Sheffield Wednesday fans.

Not an enjoyable way to watch football, even if we win.

I did the same at St.James Park with the Newcastle fans. However they soon discovered me and my dad weren't Newcastle fans and basically abused us for the full game

 

[AltiUn]

First United game ever for me tonight and I'm sitting with City fans. Feck my life.

Hope you bring us good luck!

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

The more I think about it the more I think he will go with Rooney to compensate for the lack of leaders on the pitch in the absence of Ibra in particular, but also Pogba. So I think it could be something like:

De Gea
Valencia - Bailly - Blind - Darmian
Herrera - Fellaini
Lingard - Rooney - Martial
Rashford

​

I would prefer to see Miki in there in place of Rooney though, or if not then lose Lingard and move Rooney to the right.

I wouldn't be shocked if Rooney started tonight, Although I really hope he doesn't.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Blimey, if we win this 3-0 we go 3rd ahead of Liverpool. How did that happen.

 

[Adebesi]

Blimey, if we win this 3-0 we go 3rd ahead of Liverpool. How did that happen.

Let's do it. Ah how sweet it would be to have one of those kinds of night, not just a win but a night when everything just goes right, like the Roma 7-1 or the Arsenal 8-2.

I know it wont happen, but that really would work wonders for my general mood.

 

[harshad]

Blimey, if we win this 3-0 we go 3rd ahead of Liverpool. How did that happen.

Pool got Benteke'd

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

I did the same at St.James Park with the Newcastle fans. However they soon discovered me and my dad weren't Newcastle fans and basically abused us for the full game

I think my acting chops must have been pretty good because they didn't catch on. I can't even remember what the score was it was so long ago, but both teams definitely scored, as we were forced to faux-cheer when Wednesday scored, and stayed silent when United scored.

I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather watch it on telly, or on the crappiest of Russian streams.

When I lived in Aberdeen, a mate of mine was a Rangers fan. He went to watch Aberdeen vs Rangers and sat with the home fans. They caught on pretty quickly, and a lad behind him said "If Rangers score, we're kicking the feck out of you". So he quickly got up and left

 

[robinamicrowave]

The thing is, to win this we're going to have to be clinical. You've got the right team and manager to sit deep, wait for us to give it away and then spring an attack. Lingard, Martial (or Mkhitaryan) and Rashford should be your front three later on. Fact is we're either old and/or slow at the back. Unless we're incredibly intense like we were in the first derby this season and get ourselves out of sight by half-time, I can see yous nicking it. It'll be interesting at least, which is more than you could say for basically any of our home games this season.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Blimey, if we win this 3-0 we go 3rd ahead of Liverpool. How did that happen.

With another game in hand on them too.

It's like neither us, Liverpool, City or Arsenal want top 4, and we're all competing to see who can be the most shite. Arsenal are winning.

 

[Adebesi]

I think my acting chops must have been pretty good because they didn't catch on. I can't even remember what the score was it was so long ago, but both teams definitely scored, as we were forced to faux-cheer when Wednesday scored, and stayed silent when United scored.

I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather watch it on telly, or on the crappiest of Russian streams.

When I lived in Aberdeen, a mate of mine was a Rangers fan. He went to watch Aberdeen vs Rangers and sat with the home fans. They caught on pretty quickly, and a lad behind him said "If Rangers score, we're kicking the feck out of you". So he quickly got up and left

I have done this a few times. Sat with Fulham fans at Craven Cottage many years ago. Also sat in the away end at Old Trafford with Spurs fans for that game with the phantom goal against Roy Carroll. After that I decided to never do it again. I wasnt discovered or anything, I was sitting with my mate who is a Spurs fans and I just kept my mouth shut. But I didnt enjoy it at all.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

We're going to lose aren't we

 

[Infra-red]

De Gea

Valencia
Bailly
Blind
Darmian
Young

Herrera
Carrick
Fellaini

Rashford
Martial

I think you might be right there. Perhaps Mkhitaryan/Lingard alongside Rashford in the front two.

 

[padr81]

City fan checking in. Don't worry I'm not BM crazy and I don't even dislike United never mind hate you guys. I do though dislike Jose (but thats another matter)
I'll probably move off to the football forum when the match starts as I won't be able to get a word in.

So I think tonight is a bigger game for us than you guys if I'm honest and imho its going to be a coin flip. Like a game of exhausted football zombies, you guys with a massive injury list and Koscielny doing his best to leave us with as big a list at the weekend.

So 22 players all pretty tired and I think that favors you guys, why? Jose will play cautious and not conceding will be priority. We will play open and naive and tired minds will lead to silly mistakes especially if we don't have Merlin in the middle which looks likely.

I'm pretty sure it'll line up something like.:
------------------------Clownio-----------------------
Navas----------Kompany-------Otamendi---------Clichy
Martial-----------------Rashford------------------Mkhi
---------------------Fernandinho----------------------
-----------------Toure--------DeBruyne----------------
-----------------Fellaini-------Herrera------------------
-----------------------Carrick--------------------------
Sterling----------------Aguero---------------------Sane
Darmian---------Blind----------Bailly-------------Valencia
------------------------DDG----------------------------

Our best chance I think will come from Sterling and Navas exploiting Darmian and Blind if they play LB, LCB. For you guys its important Martial puts in a defensive shift and doesn't let Navas and Raheem 2 on 1 Darmian. We like to play little triangles and than slip a winger in to pull back to the near post for Aguero to sneak in and I think he'll lose Blind and get a goal that way if Martial doesn't pull his weight defensively.

I can imagine Herrera going full Hazard again and man marking KDB. This will leave Fellaini, Carrick vs Fernandinho and Toure. Both teams will be struggling to do anything with those players. Fellaini will go hard on Yaya and I think Fernandinho will push up on Carrick.

Its obvious where the holes are for us. Martial, Rashford and Mkhi against our back 4 of which 3 are dreadfully slow and one is fast but doesn't know what he's doing. Given our high field position lots of space for Carrick to fire balls over the top for your trio to run on to = trouble for us. I'm not a person who'll say your stronger without Zlatan but I think this game suits Rashford better as a no.9 or even Martial because Rashford would put in a better defensive shift on the wings. Who am I worried about most? Claudio the human hologram? Nope, Navas being a very average footballer and playing out of position? Nope.. its Clichy the man who has cost us more points than Claudio and Stones combined this season and somehow avoided criticism because his howlers haven't been as glaring.

I think there is goals in it for both sides but we'll both have to do what we haven't really done all season and show killer instinct. I think we're the top 2 for missing big chances this season. KDB and Pogba have both hit the bar more than most teams individually (9 or 10 times each) and we've hit the bar 28 times to your 27 or something neither team should be proud of. The team that holds there nerve when the big chances pop up will be the ones who walk away with the points but neither side do it too confidently.

We're having very similiar seasons, both excellent away from home, both dropping silly points at home, we probably take a slightly higher percent of chances but we're also prone to throwing away a goal or two here and there. I genuinely believe we've both had rotten luck from ref's and if not for it despite underperfoming we'd both be in a title race.

For us alone: 1-0 up v chelsea, stone wall red on Luiz not given. Chelsea equalise, we melt down. 2-0 up on Spurs, stonewall pen not given, Spurs immediately counter attack and get one back from an offside assists. Liverpool there was the Sterling being hacked by Milner while Klavan was pulling back Kun, both were pens (although only one could be given and probably both red cards too). Along with about 15 more that I could type off the top of my head.

You guys had the Bravo decision go against you and I've watched alot of your games, plenty of others too.
The problem for both teams is these things haven't evened out for either of us and not at key times when decisions do go our way. I know you had the possible Herrera handball v Chelsea but thats the only big decision I remember you getting in your favor and maybe an offside goal somewhere.

Long post about nothing. It'll be tight, we'll both score at least once and it could go either way. Personally I think we might shade it because, simply, we need it more.

I'll go 2-1 City,
Aguero to put us ahead in the first 20 minutes getting on the end of a Sterling cutback.
Rashford to equalise after a stupid pass by Toure is intercepted by Fellaini who'll feed Mkhi who'll run past Clichy, who will be too busy falling on his arse to make a tackle. Otamendi of course will charge out to try and break up Mkhi, miss by a mile and he'll set up Rashford who even if he shins it will score because Bravo will jump out of the way.
We'll than get a winner late in the second half after both teams miss plenty of guilt edged chances through Aguero again, this time Sane with the pull back.
Why 2-1 City? Because we simply need it more and you have alot of injuries. This is easily our only big game left but its our biggest of the season.
All that said, I wouldn't be surprised at 1-1, 2-2 or even 2-1 win for United.

 

[SwansonsTache]

If we win this I'll go on an absolute bender and call in sick tomorrow

 

[Scarecrow]

I take it you mean Bailly

Ah yeah, cheers.

 

[zlatan_ish]

All the best United

 

[Android1974]

---------------------Fernandinho----------------------
-----------------Fellaini-------Herrera------------------
Sterling--------DeBruyne------Touré----------Sane
-----------------------Carrick--------------------------
-----------------------Aguero--------------------------
Darmian---------Blind----------Bailly----------Valencia
------------------------DDG----------------------------

Unfortunately for United, City's 4-1-4-1 would expose us in our 4-3-3, I think, where we could easily be 5 against 5 in defense.

 

[AN17]

--------------Rashford-------------------
Martial--- Herrera--Lingard---Mhki
-------------Darmian---------------
Young--- Blind--Bailly---Valencia

Darmian in a free role doubling up on Sterling/Sane whoever is causing us more trouble.

 

[Android1974]

I have the feeling this is a game where Guardiola won't manage to hold his vanity and will push for some risky tactical innovation, which might well caught Mourinho by surprise. Let's see how fast Mourinho will adapt. Everyone expecting width from them, but he might go for a somewhat classic 4-4-2.

 

[Adebesi]

City fan checking in. Don't worry I'm not BM crazy and I don't even dislike United never mind hate you guys. I do though dislike Jose (but thats another matter)
I'll probably move off to the football forum when the match starts as I won't be able to get a word in.

So I think tonight is a bigger game for us than you guys if I'm honest and imho its going to be a coin flip. Like a game of exhausted football zombies, you guys with a massive injury list and Koscielny doing his best to leave us with as big a list at the weekend.

So 22 players all pretty tired and I think that favors you guys, why? Jose will play cautious and not conceding will be priority. We will play open and naive and tired minds will lead to silly mistakes especially if we don't have Merlin in the middle which looks likely.

I'm pretty sure it'll line up something like.:
------------------------Clownio-----------------------
Navas----------Kompany-------Otamendi---------Clichy
Martial-----------------Rashford------------------Mkhi
---------------------Fernandinho----------------------
-----------------Toure--------DeBruyne----------------
-----------------Fellaini-------Herrera------------------
-----------------------Carrick--------------------------
Sterling----------------Aguero---------------------Sane
Darmian---------Blind----------Bailly-------------Valencia
------------------------DDG----------------------------

Our best chance I think will come from Sterling and Navas exploiting Darmian and Blind if they play LB, LCB. For you guys its important Martial puts in a defensive shift and doesn't let Navas and Raheem 2 on 1 Darmian. We like to play little triangles and than slip a winger in to pull back to the near post for Aguero to sneak in and I think he'll lose Blind and get a goal that way if Martial doesn't pull his weight defensively.

I can imagine Herrera going full Hazard again and man marking KDB. This will leave Fellaini, Carrick vs Fernandinho and Toure. Both teams will be struggling to do anything with those players. Fellaini will go hard on Yaya and I think Fernandinho will push up on Carrick.

Its obvious where the holes are for us. Martial, Rashford and Mkhi against our back 4 of which 3 are dreadfully slow and one is fast but doesn't know what he's doing. Given our high field position lots of space for Carrick to fire balls over the top for your trio to run on to = trouble for us. I'm not a person who'll say your stronger without Zlatan but I think this game suits Rashford better as a no.9 or even Martial because Rashford would put in a better defensive shift on the wings. Who am I worried about most? Claudio the human hologram? Nope, Navas being a very average footballer and playing out of position? Nope.. its Clichy the man who has cost us more points than Claudio and Stones combined this season and somehow avoided criticism because his howlers haven't been as glaring.

I think there is goals in it for both sides but we'll both have to do what we haven't really done all season and show killer instinct. I think we're the top 2 for missing big chances this season. KDB and Pogba have both hit the bar more than most teams individually (9 or 10 times each) and we've hit the bar 28 times to your 27 or something neither team should be proud of. The team that holds there nerve when the big chances pop up will be the ones who walk away with the points but neither side do it too confidently.

We're having very similiar seasons, both excellent away from home, both dropping silly points at home, we probably take a slightly higher percent of chances but we're also prone to throwing away a goal or two here and there. I genuinely believe we've both had rotten luck from ref's and if not for it despite underperfoming we'd both be in a title race.

For us alone: 1-0 up v chelsea, stone wall red on Luiz not given. Chelsea equalise, we melt down. 2-0 up on Spurs, stonewall pen not given, Spurs immediately counter attack and get one back from an offside assists. Liverpool there was the Sterling being hacked by Milner while Klavan was pulling back Kun, both were pens (although only one could be given and probably both red cards too). Along with about 15 more that I could type off the top of my head.

You guys had the Bravo decision go against you and I've watched alot of your games, plenty of others too.
The problem for both teams is these things haven't evened out for either of us and not at key times when decisions do go our way. I know you had the possible Herrera handball v Chelsea but thats the only big decision I remember you getting in your favor and maybe an offside goal somewhere.

Long post about nothing. It'll be tight, we'll both score at least once and it could go either way. Personally I think we might shade it because, simply, we need it more.

I'll go 2-1 City,
Aguero to put us ahead in the first 20 minutes getting on the end of a Sterling cutback.
Rashford to equalise after a stupid pass by Toure is intercepted by Fellaini who'll feed Mkhi who'll run past Clichy, who will be too busy falling on his arse to make a tackle. Otamendi of course will charge out to try and break up Mkhi, miss by a mile and he'll set up Rashford who even if he shins it will score because Bravo will jump out of the way.
We'll than get a winner late in the second half after both teams miss plenty of guilt edged chances through Aguero again, this time Sane with the pull back.
Why 2-1 City? Because we simply need it more and you have alot of injuries. This is easily our only big game left but its our biggest of the season.
All that said, I wouldn't be surprised at 1-1, 2-2 or even 2-1 win for United.

Thanks for the post. Out of interest why do you think you need it more? Because you are coming off the back of the FA Cup defeat? I think a loss would deal a harsher blow to our top 4 chances from a mathematical perspective at least.

 

[Philadelphian]

De Gea

Valencia -----Bailly ------ Blind ------- Darmian ------- Young

Herrera ------- Fellaini ------ Mhky T

Lingard ---- Rashford


still can't fecking edit these the right way. feck me.

 

[royboy16]

Think it will be a similar result to the first meeting in September.
Id take a draw right now being honest.

 

[Android1974]

De Gea

Valencia -----Bailly ------ Blind ------- Darmian ------- Young

Herrera ------- Fellaini ------ Mhky T

Lingard ---- Rashford

He did well there against Burnley, but I sure don't want to see Fellaini as our deepest midfielder. Also, Herrera should play as close to de Bruyne as possible, and this one tends to go the right.

 

[Android1974]

Think it will be a similar result to the first meeting in September.
Id take a draw right now being honest.

Sure, but remember how we were feeling about the Chelsea game?

 

[jderbyshire]

Our best chance I think will come from Sterling and Navas exploiting Darmian and Blind if they play LB, LCB. For you guys its important *Young puts in a defensive shift and doesn't let Navas and Raheem 2 on 1 Darmian. We like to play little triangles and than slip a winger in to pull back to the near post for Aguero to sneak in and I think he'll lose Blind and get a goal that way if *Young doesn't pull his weight defensively.

*Fixed