[CM]

When has Romero ever let us down? We won the Europa with him in goal

He had a couple of shaky games under van Gaal and got sent off against Derby. We've not really seen him against a top club yet.

 

[Danny Roberts]

I think we'll nick this. They are hit and miss and our confidence is just too high right now.

My "sister" will be backing United at 50/1 too! Not sure if this is appropriate but seen this offer:

https://bettingoffers.co/50-1-betfair-offer-enhanced-odds/

 

[Adisa]

Pogba could be captain tonight
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/24/paul-pogba-captaincy-manchester-united-solskjaer

Would be a big feck you to Mourinho. I like it.

 

[Devil81]

If Romero plays and drops a clanger and we go out I will be fuming.

We've got the best goalkeeper in the world, I'm sorry Mr Romero but you will just have to accept you are his reserve or you will have to leave.

If he had ambition for his actual career he'd have left anyway, he's good enough to play in goal for at least half the Premier league teams.

 

[Tiber]

I don't feel particularly good about tonight. With Ashley Young and co starting at the back its hard not to feel like a bad loss is due at some point

 

[Riz]

No rest. This is a trophy we need to go for it and a game against Arsenal, then we will face somehow an easier tie vs Burnley so, no point from keeping anyone out

You know Burnley is in the league? The ties for the next round haven’t been drawn yet.

 

[Revan]

I don't like the no De Gea thingy. Romero is good, but De Gea is so much better, and this is the competition which we can win, so would have liked to go all in for this competition.

 

[Adisa]

If Romero plays and drops a clanger and we go out I will be fuming.

We've got the best goalkeeper in the world, I'm sorry Mr Romero but you will just have to accept you are his reserve or you will have to leave.

If he had ambition for his actual career he'd have left anyway, he's good enough to play in goal for at least half the Premier league teams.

Sometimes, you just have to trust your players. Fergie did it all the time. Going into big ties with better players on the bench.

 

[Canagel]

We have to defend well. They've got two of the most clinical strikers in the league and any clear chance they'll take .

 

[Bola]

Pogba could be captain tonight

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/24/paul-pogba-captaincy-manchester-united-solskjaer

Suits me if true. I think the responsibility could push his game to the next level

 

[Bola]

Can't wait for this game... Got me feeling all nostalgic for that game 20 years ago.

It's quite an eventful recent history we have against Arsenal in this competition - can see tonight's game being a cracker.

Part of me wants arsenal to take it seriously with a full strength team

Although smashing a B Team is obviously good for cup progression, A hard fought away game is something to relish

 

[Red00012]

hope to see this tonight.

pogba
matic herrera
shaw smalling lindelof dalot

Smalling is injured

 

[Havak]

Part of me wants arsenal to take it seriously with a full strength team

Although smashing a B Team is obviously good for cup progression, A hard fought away game is something to relish

Ole did say '1 or 2 changes', and I would expect that could mean more than that really, especially as I wouldn't count the confirmed goalkeeper change as one of them.

Paul Pogba is rumoured to captain the side, which would likely mean that Valencia and Young aren't starting I guess?

Before the traveling squad was announced, my thought process was that the changes tonight will be most likely in the following areas:

1. A change at goalkeeper (already confirmed Romero starts).
2. A change at Full Back. These guys probably do the most running/sprints forward and back so it makes sense to try and balance the time that Young/Dalot/Shaw play. It seems that Shaw is over the illness, so he could start. I initially thought Dalot would miss this then face Burnley, but if Pogba is going to captain the side I think it will be because Young is on the bench. So, Dalot + Shaw this evening.
3. Phil Jones. He's played a lot of football and you always assume he is due an injury. We want Bailly to be sharp in case he has to be called upon before Smalling is back. Jones has played in every game under Ole, and even had to come on in the one game he was rested in. Maybe he will still start, but looking at our fixture list he will definitely be on the bench either here or against Burnley.
4. Marcus Rashford. Suffered a knock last time and thankfully it looked worse than it was. I think he still starts tonight and will probably be subbed off for Lukaku if we are in a strong enough position to do so.

Other than those potential changes, I don't think we'll see any others. Of course, one of Lingard or Martial could be left out, but I think we're better off changing some players for the Burnley game rather than this. For example, I think we could drop out Dalot, Bailly/Jones/Lindelof, Herrera, Matic, Lingard, Rashford and Martial for Young/Valencia/Darmian, a CB change, Fred, Pereira, Mata, Lukaku, and Sanchez on Tuesday and still beat Burnley comfortably.

 

[bonusroller]

Are we in Pink or Blue tonight?

 

[breakout67]

Would be a big feck you to Mourinho. I like it.

Unlike you, those at the club aren't obsessed with Mourinho. Not to mention Mourinho was the one to actually give him the captaincy in the first place in 17/18 before he got injured.

I would not want anything to happen just to spite a former manager. Anything related to Mourinho should be purged from the club, focus on the positives of what's going on under Ole not on a former manager that downed tools.

 

[Zlatattack]

I wonder if this would be a good game to start Sanchez? Maybe fire him up a bit? Personally I'd prefer if we stick to our top 3 and go for the kill.

 

[red_de_pologne]

Smalling is injured

Weird, thought Ole said only Rojo and Fellaini are out, but I see now that Smalling won't play as well, a shame, thanks.

 

[mav_9me]

I think we will lose. Law of averages. Can't keep winning and also we have been winning against arsenal. Both have to stop.

 

[Brightonian]

I sincerely hope they rest one of Auba/Lacazette and play Ozil instead, as lots of news sites are predicting. Herrera can shut someone like Ozil out of the game in his sleep. You only have to do it for the first half hour and then he'll stop trying.

I'm perfectly happy with Romero playing. He's an absurd luxury to have as a second keeper and has had lots of very strong games for us. If you expect to need the very best keeper in the world in goal to win the game, you're doing something wrong.

Romero
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Shaw
Herrera Matic
Pogba
Lingard Rashford Martial
​

Bailly to have one of his 'good ones' and monster Lacazette or Auba out of the game.

If Rashford has even a hint of injury just start Lukaku, his desperation to win his place back will hopefully make him dangerous and we shouldn't forget how prolific he was back when he last played with an in-form Pogba, at the start of last season.

 

[Gee Male]

Cant wait for this. Friday night, knock out football, and of January pay day. Yes please.

 

[tenpoless]

Bellerin is injured, our left hand side is most dangerous. If We play Martial and Pogba I believe We will score goals.

 

[Floyd]

I hope Bailly gets the nod, I think we need him vs Auba. And that he plays so well he gets to keep his place.

The way Ole likes to set up the team with a high defensive line, a pacy CB is a big advantage. And Bailly is as fast as they come, he has shown himself to have absolutely no problem keeping up and then some with both Auba and Vardy.

Not to mention vs PSG he could be a real asset vs Neymar and Mbappe. He "just" needs to keep his cool, easier said than done though according to his history.

 

[Ban]

Unlike you, those at the club aren't obsessed with Mourinho. Not to mention Mourinho was the one to actually give him the captaincy in the first place in 17/18 before he got injured.

I would not want anything to happen just to spite a former manager. Anything related to Mourinho should be purged from the club, focus on the positives of what's going on under Ole not on a former manager that downed tools.

Glad you quoted it. Those kind of posts are so cringe. They wanting him gone, now he's gone they can't stop talking about him still.

 

[breakout67]

Glad you quoted it. Those kind of posts are so cringe. They wanting him gone, now he's gone they can't stop talking about him still.

I wanted him gone since September. And it shows since i basically never bring him up now. I've moved on and am loving that we have players like Pogba and Rashford looking levels above what they were showing earlier in the season.

It's weird really, I would have never found out about him doing punditry if it wasn't for this forum. For some reason people are going out of their way to see what he is up to and trying to use it as fuel for some overarching point they want to make about him.

 

[Adisa]

Unlike you, those at the club aren't obsessed with Mourinho. Not to mention Mourinho was the one to actually give him the captaincy in the first place in 17/18 before he got injured.

I would not want anything to happen just to spite a former manager. Anything related to Mourinho should be purged from the club, focus on the positives of what's going on under Ole not on a former manager that downed tools.

I wasn't being serious.

 

[Ban]

I wanted him gone since September. And it shows since i basically never bring him up now. I've moved on and am loving that we have players like Pogba and Rashford looking levels above what they were showing earlier in the season.

It's weird really, I would have never found out about him doing punditry if it wasn't for this forum. For some reason people are going out of their way to see what he is up to and trying to use it as fuel for some overarching point they want to make about him.

Completely agreed.

 

[Zebs]

Are we in Pink or Blue tonight?

Blue I'd say. Arsenal have pink in their jersey.

 

[Adisa]

Are we in Pink or Blue tonight?

Blue I think. When last did we wear pink?

 

[Nickosaur]

I'm looking forward to this. Should be an amazing game, really open.

 

[jderbyshire]

Feeling we're gonna get beat here, dunno why. Gone for 1-0 to the Arsenal.

I'm hope I'm wrong though because we could do with keeping this run going.

 

[Adam-Utd]

If Romero plays and drops a clanger and we go out I will be fuming.

We've got the best goalkeeper in the world, I'm sorry Mr Romero but you will just have to accept you are his reserve or you will have to leave.

If he had ambition for his actual career he'd have left anyway, he's good enough to play in goal for at least half the Premier league teams.

Agreed. We either rotate the whole team, or just play your best. No point going full strength outfield and then playing a different keeper. That's probably why Spurs aren't in the Cup final right now.

 

[Adisa]

Agreed. We either rotate the whole team, or just play your best. No point going full strength outfield and then playing a different keeper. That's probably why Spurs aren't in the Cup final right now.

Ole said there will be changes. I'm just guessing he's decided Romero will be one of them. I also expect guys like Sanchez, Lukaku and Bailly to start.

 

[dwd]

Should be playing full strength since this is our best chance of a trophy.

 

[Devil may care]

Judging from Ole's presser it doesn't seem like we'll be seeing the mass rotation we saw against Reading, which I'm glad to hear as I think this is an important game in continuing the great momentum we have.

I'm hoping Dalot in for Young and Bailly in for Jones is all we see as far as changes go, Ole has to have seen how poor the midfield was on rotation so I can't see where he can make a change there and up front Martial will be up against either Maitland-Niles of Lichsteiner, perfect game for him to shine, so if Sanchez does start I hope it's either on the right or as a striker if Ole feels Rashford needs a rest as he looked a little sore the other day after the Brighton game where he got clattered on the knee. My worry is we'll start Lukaku.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Craig Pawson's the ref... can't remember if he's good or shite.

As this is clearly the biggest tie of the round, it's a disgrace that big Mike Dean isn't in charge. This game deserves his type of box office.

 

[Macern]

Would love to see this:
Romero
Dalot - Bailly - Lindelöf - Shaw
Herrera - Pereira
Alexis - Pogba - Martial
Rashford

 

[dove]

“Resting” de Gea is BS. He played just 2 matches in 23 or so days, why would he need rest? If de Gea asked to be left out himself then fair enough but if it’s Ole’s decision, I feel it’s a big mistake.

 

[Gordon S]

Suits me if true. I think the responsibility could push his game to the next level

The guy has been world class since Ole arrived. Do you really think he has another level in him?

 

[Red Devil Rising]

This place is going to go ballistic if we lose tonight.

"De Gea would have saved that"
"Ole has been found out"
"I always wanted Poch anyway"

All hyperbolic of course.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Feeling we're gonna get beat here, dunno why. Gone for 1-0 to the Arsenal.

I'm hope I'm wrong though because we could do with keeping this run going.

I'd be amazed if there's only one goal in this game. 2 really good attacks vs 2 very poor defences.

2-2 normal time. Is it a replay for a draw by the way?