[RedSky]

United like to do things the hard way. Keep it tight and hit on the break. The team must be prepared to suffer to win this.

Yep, sit deep. Defend as a unit and counter fast like we did against PSG. Hopefully they won't choke as they did in the first leg against PSG.

 

[Jake]

Yep, getting really boring now. Its like they're trying to cover all bases. If we win it will be "I'm so delighted to be proved wrong"/"We got so lucky, we need to replace our first XI" and if we lose, it will be "told you so, sack Ole, sell Pogba and De Gea"

Just don’t see what the point in his post was at all. Why a United fan would log in to post things like that is beyond me.

Just enjoy the night and hope for a decent result.

 

[Raven]

Just don’t see what the point in his post was at all. Why a United fan would log in to post things like that is beyond me.

Just enjoy the night and hope for a decent result.

Pretty much, there are ways of enjoying football without being such a misery.

 

[izec]

Not nervous for the first game, i will be nervous in the second, unless we get smashed tonight.

I dont think Barca are all that and we will see that in the next round, but we are not good at the moment to hurt them properly. They have the individual quality to score a few against us, but a good team can beat them if they have a bad day in the CL.

I dont think sitting back is the way to go at home, you need to press and play on the front foot. If you let them play, they will and you can only hope they miss everything they create, which they usually dont do. They fold easier if you go at them than when you let them control.

 

[Patrick08]

This is what annoyed me against PSG in the home leg.Sure PSG kept the ball well but there was a complete lack of spirit and faith from our side.We seemed to give up relatively easily.
The whole atmosphere before the game was one of positivity and excitement yet when the game was in motion everything felt flat and utterly underwhelming,including the OT crowd .

The problem is we never press collectively. This has to change tonight.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Yep, getting really boring now. Its like they're trying to cover all bases. If we win it will be "I'm so delighted to be proved wrong"/"We got so lucky, we need to replace our first XI" and if we lose, it will be "told you so, sack Ole, sell Pogba and De Gea"

If we win it, it will be by being efficient in front of goal, good counterattacking play, and not making mistakes.
We will not win this game by outplaying Barcelona in possession, being the better team technically or having the best passingsystems.

Hopefully we will improve on these areas over the next 1/2/3 years as they are the the most important fundamentals for being successful over time.

 

[roonster09]

If we win it, it will be by being efficient in front of goal, good counterattacking play, and not making mistakes.
We will not win this game by outplaying Barcelona in possession, being the better team technically or having the best passingsystems.

Hopefully we will improve on these areas over the next 1/2/3 years as they are the the most important fundamentals for being successful over time.

That's a bold prediction.

 

[Member 115509]

Pondered over the team selection prediction, I went for Jones in a back three with Lindelof and Smalling. I'd rather see Dalot at RB or RWB than Young - not the only one I see - but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Young starting.
I'm guessing Rashford will start even if he isn't 100% but whether Matic will be in the same category I don't know, but I get the feeling that OGS will want to start with his strongest lineup. At least McTominay will be ready to fit in to the midfield, no room for error here.

 

[littlepeasoup]

I kinda love the nervous excitement you get before a big game. Really amped up now.

I want the players to give a good account of themselves, and give the fans something to sing about. Dreaming of a positive result, but objectively I think we all know it's going to be really, really tough.

 

[Canagel]

Valverde and Pique both hyping up our set piece threat is a good sign as it shows they haven't watched us much lately.

It's just boring clicheb associated with English clubs. Didn't ronaldo say we were a set pieces team too? And we're probably the weakest set piece team of the league? They called us 'physical' and 'powerful' like since when have we been 'physical'? We get bullied in crosses and set piece!. tbh I hate the holier than thou and self righteousness attitude of the club . They'll be coming here expecting us to roll over and prepared a bunch of excuses if it doesn't go to plan. They're already trying to make a game of beautiful football vs defensive ugly football before its even started and if they lose you'll be sure they'll say stuff like 'Man United didn't do anything , they just defended' and all that stuff even if it isn't the case- just watch and see.

 

[Schmeichel=God]

Cancel it and put Barcelona into the semis

Merciful indeed

This could be our last home game in the CL this decade, so enjoy it.

Certainly one way of looking at it. Ole is obviously trying to motivate the squad by way of talking about the special nature of these nights. Regardless of being an underdog, pride and excitement should lead to the players and therefore us appreciating the game.

Hoping and praying United shock us all with a performance and Barca severely underestimate us. We were all doom and gloom before the PSG game and look how that turned out. Something tells me Barca will have a lot more respect for us than PSG did and deal with us accordingly.

Hmm, but their version of respect is even more so treating the ball like a treasure for 90 minutes and playing in front of our defence. So that respect probably won't lead to us having any more possession! They'll probably press even more than PSG too.

Can we just play Pogba behind Lukaku, Rashford and Martial. Couple of holding midfielders and a defence without Young.

Definitely. This is what I was thinking. Although the problem is with how well they'll keep the ball, meaning that Pogba won't be able to wait higher up for a counter. He's going to have to drop back.

But, leaving Pogba and Lukaku as the counter targets higher up, whilst asking Rash & Martial to defend the flanks doesn't seem too shocking an idea. Ball up to either one of Pog or Rom, who then play it through to Rash & Martial when they get up the pitch. Call it a second phase counter, as opposed to straight through to Rash/Martial being ultra low %.

I suppose alternatively we could have Lukaku LM, Pogba RM defending and feeding insta balls through to Martial & Rash as the 9 and 10. Saves their energy for direct counters, fed better by Pogba, whilst reducing Lukaku's margin for error. Get on the LM, work hard, cross on the left foot naturally, just get us up the pitch. No holding the ball up, no balls drilled to feet between two CB's. Might work.

Anyway, none of this will happen

We were extremely fortunate to beat PSG, we won't get so lucky against Barcelona.
At least we'll get to watch a great football team play some proper football, so it's no all bad

Ughh, but real high up there as the most painful experiences I've had watching Utd were those two Barcelona finals. We were so so outclassed that it was upsetting. So I'm going to struggle to feel appreciation for their ability over a lot of head shaking, huffing and puffing!

We're gonna twat this lot.

I love this If this comes true...you're a god.

Get the bet on.

We'll have to recite all the same prayers we did for sure.

Besides prayers we'll need some dodgy goings on n all. Get the Voodoo spells on the go...a few incantations beseeching power from beyond....sell a few souls. We'll need help from all angles.

 

[Schmeichel=God]

Whilst sleeping I had a dream about us last night...

...unfortunately it wasn't to do with this result (maybe a good thing).


I dreamt we signed Ruben Neves next year.


Get your bets on boys!

 

[Schmeichel=God]

Lads....I've cracked our tactical approach for tonight.........

 

[Schmeichel=God]

But in all seriousness I'd probably go for this:

 

[Sassy Colin]

There is a good chance we can win this, I am more worried about the away leg.

 

[Jacob]

Prediction:

1-2
Rashers
Messi
VAR

 

[Paxi]

We’re going to win 7-4 tonight.

 

[Vintagered]

But in all seriousness I'd probably go for this:

I’d love Herrera and Matic to play but aren’t they injured. ?Fully expect McTomminay to play and possibly Fred. Big night for Scott. I reckon he’ll do well.

 

[Havak]

Barcelona have never beat us at Old Trafford

 

[Jim Beam]

We’re going to win 7-4 tonight.

Feckin De Gea...

 

[haram]

But in all seriousness I'd probably go for this:

Pogba up front, Rashford on the right, Herrera and Matic who aren't even fit, Jones at RB, some fella called Goalie between the sticks.... yeah lets not do this.

 

[Adcuth]

I'd be very tempted to use the diamond tonight, Mctominay at the base, put Pereira and Lingard in the central roles and pogba behind a 2 strikers. Would give us a lot more work ethic centrally but with 2 players who can push out if we're in need of width. Nothing to lose in this game.

 

[Ramshock]

Without Anders work rate in midfield this just got even harder.

 

[EverReddy]

on the train on the way up from Euston. Full of barca fans - it's great. i'd just like to say please don't start Jesse

 

[Stacks]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Lukaku owes them goals just for the disrespect

 

[Revaulx]

Without Anders work rate in midfield this just got even harder.

Plenty of people in his transfer thread seem to think we are better off without him

 

[Schmeichel=God]

Pogba up front, Rashford on the right, Herrera and Matic who aren't even fit, Jones at RB, some fella called Goalie between the sticks.... yeah lets not do this.

Happy to debate my stance here albeit with hands up.

Pogba is better than Lukaku at holding up play. He can feed the runs of other players. I would absolve him of defensive duty and ask him to find space deeper. I wouldn't want constant low % through balls. We're going to need a foot on the ball and to get up the pitch. Pogba is much better placed to do that than Lukaku.

We will need out balls on the wings however, so I don't know why you think giving Rashford a basic role of working up and down the wing on his natural side is a bad idea. I'm not asking him to create from there, simply to use his attributes to get us up the pitch.

So you think Jones at RB is a worse idea than Young? Jones...who has played there multiple times over the years.

Herrera & Matic I hold my hands up to, didn't realise they were still unfit for this game. So, Fred for Herrera, Jones for Matic, Dalot to RB.

And to call me out on forgetting to enter the obvious "De Gea"...

 

[Grylte]

on the train on the way up from Euston. Full of barca fans - it's great. i'd just like to say please don't start Jesse

This match is perfect for Jesse, to be honest.
Energy, work rate, good at counter attacks.
Oh, and it's a big one, he'll score the winner.

 

[Kapardin]

So is Rashford fit to start or not? Any news on that front?

 

[Patrick08]

So is Rashford fit to start or not? Any news on that front?

If he is half fit and starts I expect him to make poor decisions all night in final third.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

Is Matic out tonight?

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Yeah if we try to sit back with five defenders and two defensively minded midfielders they will just wait patiently before they can hit us and will likely win 2-0 or 3-0 with ease. We can try sitting back and hitting them on the counter at Camp Nou in the return leg like we did with Paris, except I’d hope to go there with a better result.

We will probably find it hard to keep a clean sheet but if we could pull off a mere 1-0 win that would put us in a great position ahead of return leg.

I can’t believe we are discussing a Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona after what happened at OT against PSG. Remarkable.

Yup. I think that's the danger. Need to ensure we don't sacrifice our attack as they can be gotten at.

 

[Schmeichel=God]

I’d love Herrera and Matic to play but aren’t they injured. ?Fully expect McTomminay to play and possibly Fred. Big night for Scott. I reckon he’ll do well.

Ah yes...didn't realise they were both still unfit. Uggh. So yeh, it needs quite the rejig.

Not as content with it now but I think it would be this then:



I wanted Jones as a defensive full back. A more naturally aware defender than Young. Simple passes required, no Young long ball.

But with no Matic I think I'd have to put Jones in there at DM/hybrid 3rd CB. For me he's (marginally) the most agile of Lindelof & Smalling, so is the best fit for that additional anchor man/destroyer duties. He wouldn't really be that involved in build up anyway for my liking.

That means I'm going for Dalot in his more natural position at RB. Tempted to stay defensive FB with Bailly out at RB, but not confident enough for that.

Yeh, Scott is really having a positive baptism of fire recently. Can only do him good in my opinion...as I trust him to do well enough.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

But in all seriousness I'd probably go for this:

Pogba isn't good enough a goal scorer for that to work I reckon.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I’d love Herrera and Matic to play but aren’t they injured. ?Fully expect McTomminay to play and possibly Fred. Big night for Scott. I reckon he’ll do well.

Matic and Herrera are injured ? Well that's some of my optimism well and truly burnt.

 

[Ishdalar]

Happy to debate my stance here albeit with hands up.

Pogba is better than Lukaku at holding up play. He can feed the runs of other players. I would absolve him of defensive duty and ask him to find space deeper. I wouldn't want constant low % through balls. We're going to need a foot on the ball and to get up the pitch. Pogba is much better placed to do that than Lukaku.

We will need out balls on the wings however, so I don't know why you think giving Rashford a basic role of working up and down the wing on his natural side is a bad idea. I'm not asking him to create from there, simply to use his attributes to get us up the pitch.

So you think Jones at RB is a worse idea than Young? Jones...who has played there multiple times over the years.

Herrera & Matic I hold my hands up to, didn't realise they were still unfit for this game. So, Fred for Herrera, Jones for Matic, Dalot to RB.

And to call me out on forgetting to enter the obvious "De Gea"...

If it was in my hand to hurt Barcelona, I'd play Lukaku 101%, and make him play in the spot between Alba and Lenglet, with Rashford or even Lingaard playing central.

Lukaku will have an easier day overpowering Lenglet than Pique, he's also fast enough to make use of the highway Alba leaves at the back when he joins the attack, and you don't really want hold up play or second plays vs Barcelona, that favours the style of Pique, Busquets, Rakitic and Lenglet, great players at cutting passes and through balls, but not pacy nor world class defending 1vs1.

 

[VP]

Not confident given our previous against Messi. The lack of expectations does make for a more relaxed buildup though.

Hope the crowd is up for it unlike the PSG game.

 

[Cee90]

I’ve been to Old Trafford about 30 times and we have never lost.

That’s some record right?

I’m at the game tonight so you can all thank me later!

 

[Schmeichel=God]

Pogba isn't good enough a goal scorer for that to work I reckon.

Definite fair point. I've called him out far too many times on the accuracy of his shooting, especially under Jose. But in this formation once we've gotten up the pitch (better served by Pogba than Rom) I'm expecting Martial and Rashford to move central and be the recipient of Pogba's passing.

We cannot settle for 15% possession, we need to be aiming for 35 to 40%. Imo, with Pogba as a false nine feeding others we have a much better chance of achieving this, and at the very least a handful more half threatening moments or freekicks, again getting us up the pitch.

Essentially and primarily I'm forgoing a natural striker to aid transition, which once successfully achieved means Martial and Rashford are forwards, with Pogba the third when suitable and also the target for any crosses with his height and strength.

It's not a long term plan, but one for this game which I think would work.

 

[haram]

Happy to debate my stance here albeit with hands up.

Pogba is better than Lukaku at holding up play. He can feed the runs of other players. I would absolve him of defensive duty and ask him to find space deeper. I wouldn't want constant low % through balls. We're going to need a foot on the ball and to get up the pitch. Pogba is much better placed to do that than Lukaku.

We will need out balls on the wings however, so I don't know why you think giving Rashford a basic role of working up and down the wing on his natural side is a bad idea. I'm not asking him to create from there, simply to use his attributes to get us up the pitch.

So you think Jones at RB is a worse idea than Young? Jones...who has played there multiple times over the years.

Herrera & Matic I hold my hands up to, didn't realise they were still unfit for this game. So, Fred for Herrera, Jones for Matic, Dalot to RB.

And to call me out on forgetting to enter the obvious "De Gea"...

Biggest game of the season... randomly throw Pogba into a position he has never played before.
Rashford's natural side... even though he prefers to play on the left.
Jones is not a better RB than Young.
Jones for Matic