[padr81]

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.

Because you have a trophy, you'll win the Europa of that I'm certain and we're a little rocked at the minute form wise after no wins against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal x 2, your guys are unbeaten in an eternity in the league as well. For us its now or never.

 

[SwansonsTache]

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.

We have the EL as another CL option, they don't.

 

[padr81]

*Fixed

Oops I thought you meant Young on the wing. If Young starts you'll play 3 at the back no?

 

[Android1974]

*Fixed

If we're playing 4-3-3, it's much more probable Darmian starts instead of Young, I would say.

 

[Adebesi]

Because you have a trophy, you'll win the Europa of that I'm certain and we're a little rocked at the minute form wise after no wins against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal x 2.

Fair point. I would counter that this is not the time to let our unbeaten streak end, would do nothing for our confidence. But its true that the EL is really important for us as a second route into the CL.

 

[padr81]

Fair point. I would counter that this is not the time to let our unbeaten streak end, would do nothing for our confidence. But its true that the EL is really important for us as a second route into the CL.

Yeah, its also our last big home game of the season, that said when I go for us to win I'd have percentages at
City 34%, Draw 33%, United 33%.

 

[Android1974]

Considering we're also in a race with Liverpool, and that we'd be just two points behind them with a game in hand, a draw today wouldn't be such a bad result.

 

[royboy16]

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

Conte is a bit of an unknown and he was a bit lucky in the cup as the sending off changed the game.
JM doesnt have a great record against PG if I'm not mistaken and our makeshift defence could be caught out.

 

[AgentP]

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

I think we'll play Lingard instead of Carrick. Our main strategy I'm guessing would be to cut the supply line to your front 3. We will have to press your midfield 3 in order to do that. Lingard will try to prevent your defenders from passing the ball to Fernandinho. I think one of Shaw/Young would play instead of Darmian to deal with the pace of Sterling and Navas. When we have the ball, playing long balls to Fellaini to bypass your press would one of our go-to options. If you play with a high line as is expected, Rashford, Lingard and Martial will get plenty of chances to make runs behind with Mkhi being our main creative outlet. It could easily be Mkhi at No.10 and Lingard wide as well.

 

[sammsky1]

Think Mourinho should park the bus tonight and play for the draw. Very similar tactics to Cheslea.

5311 formation

DDG
Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Damian, Shaw
Fellaini, Carrick, Herrera
Martial
Rashford

 

[Summit]

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

You don't want Miki in there?

 

[padr81]

I think we'll play Lingard instead of Carrick. Our main strategy I'm guessing would be to cut the supply line to your front 3. We will have to press your midfield 3 in order to do that. Lingard will try to prevent your defenders from passing the ball to Fernandinho. I think one of Shaw/Young would play instead of Darmian to deal with the pace of Sterling and Navas. When we have the ball, playing long balls to Fellaini to bypass your press would one of our go-to options. If you play with a high line as is expected, Rashford, Lingard and Martial will get plenty of chances to make runs behind with Mkhi being our main creative outlet. It could easily be Mkhi at No.10 and Lingard wide as well.

Interesting so a 4231 with Lingard, Martial on the wings and Mkhi at no. 10? Would certainly be risky. Another of the reason I was plumping for you playing 433 is just so Fellaini could push onto Otamendi for long balls and headers through where your front 3 would be able to run on. The thoughts of Rashford in a footrace with Vinnie for a knockdown is horrifying.
Theres no way playing a 4231 Jose would allow Fellaini to push up though imo. It would leave you guys wide open for counters when you attack with just Herrera vs Toure, KDB in the middle.

We don't play it enough but our team at its best is playing on the counter. Its why we've been so good away from home and struggled at the Etihad. When we break 5 v 5 etc.. we've scored some absolutely wonderful Fifa15/ProEv team goals. Jose will never allow that situation to happen. When we're at home with 70% of the ball and teams sitting in front of us we can't seem to break them down or if we do, we don't do it often enough and hand them an equaliser when we try and force it.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Got a feeling Rooney might start this one.

 

[Carlsen19]

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

Likewise

 

[whatwha]

Not feeling confident. I just hope we don't lose tonight. Park the bus and play on the counter if necessary.

 

[2 man midfield]

You don't want Miki in there?

I don't think it's realistic, we're away to City and the workhorses got us a result against Chelsea. I don't see Jose picking him tbh.

 

[Catt]

I'll be honest and say I don't have much hope for us tonight. We have too many players missing.

 

[prtk0811]

If we're playing 4-3-3, it's much more probable Darmian starts instead of Young, I would say.

I would want fosu mensah. he really gives us the edge against top attackers with his energy pace and physical combination,

 

[Ramshock]

I'll be honest and say I don't have much hope for us tonight. We have too many players missing.

Always the optimist. Unfortunately I have to agree that this might be a bridge too far.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

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.

We can dream!

 

[prtk0811]

Always the optimist. Unfortunately I have to agree that this might be a bridge too far.

We have won there with cleverley in midfield and smalling evans and rafael in defense , If we approach with the right mentality , i dont see why we cant go there and put on a soild show.

 

[TheBiggest]

..........De Gea...................
....................................
..........Bailly...Blind................
Valencia.................Darmian....
............Carrick................
...Herrera.........Fellaini.........
....................................
Lingard......................Martial..
............Rashford.................

 

[stretford_oslo]

Got a feeling Rooney might start this one.

No way. We need work rate defensively and pace when we can counter, Rooney hasn't got any of those.

 

[Twigg]

Is Pogba confirmed out?

 

[NoLookPasser]

I am expecting this team:
-------------------De Gea
---Valencia---Bailly---Blind---Darmian
-------------Herrera---Fellaini---------
------Lingard----Mkhitaryan-----Young
-------------------Rashford-----------
From what I have watched of City in the last few weeks, they try to dominate the midfield by keeping possession and quickly slip the ball through to Sane or Sterling to create 1 on 1 situations with the fullbacks to provide crosses for Aguero. Mourinho would make sure the full backs are not exposed in that manner and would look for cover from his wingers which is why I think he would play Young and Lingard on the flanks. We could get in danger of being overrun in midfield if we play both Fellaini and Carrick against City. Hence, I feel Jose would play one of the two with him preferring Fellaini for his protection of Blind from aerial threats. With Pogba not in the team, I expect Mkhitaryan to be in the team for his creativity.

 

[VP89]

Got a feeling Rooney might start this one.

It would be a big letdown if he did

 

[TsuWave]

City players seem to always pump themselves for these games, I hope our players are fired up

 

[SirAF]

Is Pogba confirmed out?

Yes, mate.

 

[Raees]

really annoyed that Pogba is out for this.. 5-3-2.. we could have done em.

 

[Smoking_Owl]

We'll play ultra defensively, of that there will be no doubt. And I have no problem with that. The question that needs to be answered is will we have a good counter attacking transition plan that will allow the side to carry a threat to City or will we just defend in a deep block with little workable outlet?

I'm hoping for the former but the latter is more likely.

 

[SirAF]

We'll play ultra defensively, of that there will be no doubt. And I have no problem with that. The question that needs to be answered is will we have a good counter attacking transition plan that will allow the side to carry a threat to City or will we just defend in a deep block with little workable outlet?

I'm hoping for the former but the latter is more likely.

If Rashford, Martial and Mhki are on their game it could work out.

 

[JinnerJamie]

If Rashford, Martial and Mhki are on their game it could work out.

Just tell Mhki that this is a Europa League game and he'll be a cert to score.

 

[ivaldo]

We can't afford for Herrera to have an off game tonight. Hes not got a lot of support in a midfield 3 and will need to cover every blade of grass. Hopefully we keep a fluid front line. Plenty of movement will cause havoc with that city back line.

 

[Ridge Racer]

Surprised about people being so cautious about them, given how weak they're defensively. They don't seem to get results against big sides this season. I trust in a United win if Mou doesn't get too defensive

 

[SirAF]

Just tell Mhki that this is a Europa League game and he'll be a cert to score.

Hey, it is Thursday

 

[IrishRedDevil]

..........De Gea...................
....................................
..........Bailly...Blind................
Valencia.................Darmian....
............Carrick................
...Herrera.........Fellaini.........
....................................
Lingard......................Martial..
............Rashford.................

I've went with this also, although I'm hoping Shaw starts ahead of Darmian.

Edit: Actually no, I've went with Mkhitaryan instead of Lingard.

 

[top1whoisman]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Strong suggestion that Silva will join Stones in the treatment room and miss the match #MCFC #MUFC #ManchesterDerby

 

[JinnerJamie]

I Silva that big of a deal on City these days.

 

[Rooney24]

..........De Gea...................
....................................
..........Bailly...Blind................
Valencia.................Darmian....
............Carrick................
...Herrera.........Fellaini.........
....................................
Lingard......................Martial..
............Rashford.................

Pretty sure it will be this. although maybe Mkhitarayan gets in the front three somewhere.

 

[Android1974]

Looks like De Gea has a chance of finally getting MotM.