[AngliaRed]

Well it's not ad bad in terms of the season but these past couple months have contained some of the worst post-SAF performances. Could argue that Spurs game was the worst.

More I think about it, 352 seems viable here.

De gea
Bailly Smalling Lindelof
Valencia Matic Pogba Young
Sanchez
Martial Lukaku
​

One benefit it has at least is putting the front 3 all where they perform at their best (Sanchez in a free role, martial playing just off a bigger striker, lukaku playing in a front 2), and pogba having a back 3 behind him to give him a bit more freedom to attack. Considering Herrera and fellaini are injured, might be time to use it.

Would love to see this, but Shaw in for young.

 

[cyberman]

Praise the lord we have a home game!
Its been so long! 1 in 7 I believe?
I'm going for an easier than expected win. 2-0 borefest.

 

[charlenefan]

Chelsea's recent wins have come at home against clear to go down West Brom and Championship Hull City. I'm not saying we'll beat them because I actually dont believe we will but unless they beat us I'm not buying that they're in any kind of form themselves

 

[Siorac]

We beat Chelsea last season after they have the title pretty much sealed up and Pogba was bossing the midfield.

This season, we are in shambles and Chelsea still have so much to play for. I don't see how we are going to nick this.

EDIT: Oh wait shit, no. I mixed it up with another game Still, we were quite shit for most of the spring last season, too. I'm still hopeful we can once again conjure something great out of nothing.

Same thing happened in that famous run under Van Gaal.

 

[roonster09]

Not really. It is Chelsea who will bring the game to United while United will sit back and try to hit on the counter which we all know doesn't work well. So if Chelsea attack well then they are bound to score while recent attacking pattern at United has been heavily dependent on individual brilliance rather than tactics.

It is. We are not lower league team to say it's their game if they want. Game is at OT, looks like last 2-3 games has so much impact on few.

 

[Rob]

Draw, please.

 

[Godfather]

Must win game. No excuses.

 

[Android1974]

We could just pick one if we choose to go 3 at the back which is a big possibility I think. The lack of available and onform midfielders plus the return of Bailly may force us to do just that.

We, apparently, have 3 available centerbacks and 4/5 midfielders, so no.

 

[Canagel]

We, apparently, have 3 available centerbacks and 4/5 midfielders, so no.

We've always played 3 at the back vs Chelsea since the 4-0 defeat there last term. Why would that change on Sunday? Rojo hopefully will be fit but I'm not sure about Jones. We could play 3-5-2 and put 3 in at the back and 3 in the middle. We either start with 3 at the back with 3-4-3 or 3 in midfield with 4-3-3 or do them both with 3-5-2. I think we'll start with 3 at the back given that it's the preferred formation against Chelsea and drop a midfielder.

 

[Android1974]

We've always played 3 at the back vs Chelsea since the 4-0 defeat there last term. Why would that change on Sunday? Rojo hopefully will be fit but I'm not sure about Jones. We could play 3-5-2 and put 3 in at the back and 3 in the middle. We either start with 3 at the back with 3-4-3 or 3 in midfield with 4-3-3 or do them both with 3-5-2. I think we'll start with 3 at the back given that it's the preferred formation against Chelsea and drop a midfielder.

Because we were supposed to be the best team and should impose our play at least at home, maybe? And because we haven't played 3 at the back since December the 5th, also? Besides, those two last season games you mentioned were closer to 4-4-2 than 3 at the back, anyway.

 

[Turnip]

I don't like to be a pannicky poo in Here, but their defence against Barca was superb apart from 1 error and we can't score against Newcastle or a host of other relegation fodder quality teams, so it seems like us scoring is out of the window. And they still have Willian and Hazard, so they've got a pretty good chance of scoring.

I really want to be optimistic and say this is a turning point for is if we win, but Jesus it's hard to be that optimistic.

It also worries me how positive you lot are, these sort of comments normally come before an embarrassing loss.

I'm going 0-0 snoozfest and hope to god I'm wrong. We need 1 decent performance against a top team this season.


Also, please play Shaw and let Bailly be fit.

 

[Canagel]

Because we were supposed to be the best team and should impose our play at least at home, maybe? And because we haven't played 3 at the back since December the 5th, also? Besides, those two last season games you mentioned were closer to 4-4-2 than 3 at the back, anyway.

Well are we imposing our play with the current formation? No. We've had some really good results with 3 at the back or 4-4-2 if you want to call it that. When we are attacking one of the back 3 can step into midfield which in turn means the midfield doesn't have to drop deeper to get the ball. Some of the best results this season like the Arsenal and Watford games we've looked 10 times more dangerous in attack than what we are now.

 

[Android1974]

Well are we imposing our play with the current formation? No. We've had some really good results with 3 at the back or 4-4-2 if you want to call it that. When we are attacking one of the back 3 can step into midfield which in turn means the midfield doesn't have to drop deeper to get the ball. Some of the best results this season like the Arsenal and Watford games we've looked 10 times more dangerous in attack than what we are now.

I agree with the last part, those games with Arsenal and Watford were mouthwatering. But then Mourinho dropped it, and then even worse Sánchez arrived and destroyed, Mourinho's fault, the small balance the team had gained…

If Mourinho's not bluffing about the injuries, we have indeed only 3 centerbacks available, even if Darmian could and probably will do the position too.

 

[Canagel]

I agree with the last part, those games with Arsenal and Watford were mouthwatering. But then Mourinho dropped it, and then even worse Sánchez arrived and destroyed, Mourinho's fault, the small balance the team had gained…

If Mourinho's not bluffing about the injuries, we have indeed only 3 centerbacks available, even if Darmian could and probably will do the position too.

The signing of Sanchez at the moment looks to be a mistake. It messed our balance up and would've been better in the summer to integrate with the rest of the squad. I think the problem was we couldn't wait until the summer because Man City would've snatched him but then we would've had other options to go for like Mahrez so it's a bit disappointing.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Could go either way really.

channeling my inner Owen

 

[Kidders]

Bailey to return and get sent off

 

[BluesJr]

As nervous for this as I have been for a game in a long time.

Feels like it’s a crossroads moment for us almost, whichever way it goes will define our season.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Current standings,
Manchester United, 2nd | 27M 17W 5D 5L 32GD(51-19) 56PTS
Chelsea, 4th | 27M 16W 5D 6L 26GD(49-23) 53PTS

Win!

 

[Offside]

We will be 3rd by the start of this I reckon. Utter joke.

 

[ice-bionic red]

Think we’ll win 2-0 like last season. Chelsea at home doesn’t worry me like a city/Liverpool game does

 

[AndyJ1985]

We're at home so at worst I think we'll get a bore draw.

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

Can't see Mourinho benching McTominay.

DDG
Valencia Bailly Smalling Shaw
Matic McTominay
Alexis Pogba Martial
Lukaku​

 

[Tincanalley]

The injury to Herrera highlights just how poor our midfield options are. The thought of having to pick two from Carrick, Matic and McTominay here worries me.

Luxury.

 

[Tincanalley]

But Matic has had to do all the dog's work on his own every game. Mentally and physically that's ridiculous. He looked shattered against Sevilla, Banega was squeezing the last bits of juice out of him.

This, I agree with.

It's Chelsea's game if they want it. Would prefer a draw.

This; nah.

 

[Tincanalley]

I don't expect a draw. Someone will win this, by a margin. Hope they are wearing red.

 

[Loublaze]

Think we’ll win 2-0 like last season. Chelsea at home doesn’t worry me like a city/Liverpool game does

Why not? We always draw with them! Our 2-0 win in the same fixture last season was only our first win against Chelsea since 2012's 2-3 win at the Bridge in the FA cup. We even drew with them twice at their worst in that season when they finished tenth! With that said, if we reproduce the form we showed when we played them last season we should win this comfortably.

 

[Canagel]

We will be 3rd by the start of this I reckon. Utter joke.

It's of our own making really. Losing to Newcastle was unacceptable and the fact Chelsea will be level on points with us if they beat us sums it all up. The same Chelsea who were in crisis after being embarrassed by Bournemouth and Watford in back to back games. We should've been out of their sight before the start of this game.

 

[Offside]

It's of our own making really. Losing to Newcastle was unacceptable and the fact Chelsea will be level on points with us if they beat us sums it all up. The same Chelsea who were in crisis after being embarrassed by Bournemouth and Watford in back to back games. We should've been out of their sight before the start of this game.

Well if we can get a result we can look to pull away again. Big game for our league season this. Fail to win and I can see top 4 becoming extremely precarious.

 

[minoo-utd]

We can dropped to forth if we lose this?

 

[Swift Football]

I just hate Chelsea to the core......It would be disastrous if we lose against them and dragged into top4 fight. I would expect a high press from Chelsea like Tottenham did and it wont take long before we break down, or just could not build up our game at all. I am afraid it might turn into an easy win for Chelsea.

I just wish De gea make some wonderful saves and we are able to nick a goal from our only shot on goal, or their defender makes one or two mistakes. I would be delighted if we get points irrespective of the style we play, in fact, i would be happier if we win playing ugly!! All I care in such big games is points rather than style of play. If we played brilliantly but could not get points, it means feck all.

 

[Ronaldo's Mum Eh?]

Is jones out for real?

 

[peridigm]

We can dropped to forth if we lose this?

3rd

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Last time we matched their system, Conte had Hazard dropping deeper than usual and they outnumbered us in midfield.

I sure hope Jose rectifies that if he decides to go with the 3 back.

I have no confidence whatsoever though after that Sevilla performance.

We need to win this.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Hope to see Ibra on the bench for this.

I dont , think he is finished has a United player.
Jose Mourinho has already ruled out Ander Herrera, Phil Jones, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marouane Fellaini.

 

[sglowrider]

Match Day Weather Report:

 

[Cee90]

Just hoping Chelsea don't turn up.

If they're on form, I can see us struggling.

 

[JB7]

Just hoping Chelsea don't turn up.

If they're on form, I can see us struggling.

And if we’re on form, I can see them struggling...

 

[Smores]

Can see us sitting deep trying to nullify Hazard then breaking on the counter. Would like to see something like this.

DDG
Bailly Lindeloff Smalling
Valencia Matic McTominay Young


Pogba
Alexis Lukaku

 

[Android1974]

Can see us sitting deep trying to nullify Hazard then breaking on the counter. Would like to see something like this.

DDG
Bailly Lindeloff Smalling
Valencia Matic McTominay Young


Pogba
Alexis Lukaku

That seems Chelsea's plan, so looks like it will be a great game… not.

 

[Smores]

That seems Chelsea's plan, so looks like it will be a great game… not.

More than likely, who cares though? All about points and not losing this one.