Manchester United vs Inter Milan (Sat 20th July, 12:30 UK time)

sglowrider

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This might be the match that determines whether we keep Axel for the season or send him on loan back to Villa.
 

Affirmation

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I'm happy with some of the selections within that lineup but if we are to assume that this could potentially be our starting team for the first game of next season then it's disappointing overall.

Nemanja Matić cannot be a first team player for this team, he doesn't have the energy or the skill set and should arguably be sold to another club considering the widely reported interest in him.

As for Jesse Lingard, it can be argued that Angel Gomes should play ahead of him if we are to look at how they are performing, the same can be said for Mason Greenwood playing instead of Anthony Martial also.
 

Nogbadthebad

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I said in the first match thread, Lingard will be one of the first names on th eteam sheet this season.

OGS wants a high press. Lingard is by far our most energetic player for defending from the front in that way.
 

Cassidy

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We can revisit this in 3 week's time. But so far, two buys and probably two starters.
No need to revisit it, we need a 10 and Lingard cannot be the starter simple as, just look at this stats. As for James I won't say too much about that
 

red woppit

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How anyone can assume that this is our first eleven amazes me. We are in pre season, some players will be physically ahead of others, some may have little niggles to contend with, Ole is probably trying different player combinations to see how they interact, and also eleven players will not play all the games this season, we have a squad, and like it or not, we will probably need most of these players during the season. Yes, Matic and Lingard are not who I would pick for a starting eleven, but if the team as a whole plays well, and actually looks like a team, then I have no problem with either player.
 
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I would keep Matic for this season atleast,unless we receive a ridiculous offer. He'll still offer good cover for PL and cup games.
But he cant be a instant first team option.No,no,no.
 

Dazzmondo

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I don't think anyone needs to worry about Lingard being our starting cam since we're clearly trying to sign someone for that position the same way whoever we get at cb will be starting instead of Axel. I'm more concerned with Matic starting. I'm hoping he only plays 45 mins which would probably suggest Ole's still trying to decide who is the better option between him and McTominay. If he plays 60 mins I think we can assume that Matic and Pogba is our 1st choice midfield for the season and will be starting against Chelsea which imo would be very bad.
 

MadDogg

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Matic was fine the season before last. Last season, he was carrying an injury and had no preseason. He'll be fine again in 19/20.

Lingard is a significantly better player than Gomes right now.
Only for the first few months where he was very good. For the rest of the season his form was on a slow freefall, where he was average at best in the second half of the season and quite poor by the end of it.
 

NJM78

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What do the likes of LvG, Mourinho, Southgate and Ole see in him? He's not that good on FIFA.
Wouldn't know as I dont play Fifa.

Hopefully he doesnt have the same thing in common as LvG and Jose by getting the boot from United. He has already matched Southgate by getting a club relegated from the premier league.

Sarcastic and pointless replies are easy.
 
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I don't think anyone needs to worry about Lingard being our starting cam since we're clearly trying to sign someone for that position the same way whoever we get at cb will be starting instead of Axel. I'm more concerned with Matic starting. I'm hoping he only plays 45 mins which would probably suggest Ole's still trying to decide who is the better option between him and McTominay. If he plays 60 mins I think we can assume that Matic and Pogba is our 1st choice midfield for the season and will be starting against Chelsea which imo would be very bad.
Who ?
 

FreakyJim

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I really hate seeing Matic and Pogba as a midfield two. It makes us so slow and force us to sit deep when defending.
 

Fooza

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I was strangely optimistic about the upcoming season, the hype of the youngsters etc. Now it's dawned on me that the first team is starting to take shape, its not very much different to last seasons....

Ole better have a lucky charm, he'll need it this season.
 

Dante

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Despite the anti-Matic sentiment in this thread, I'm more concerned about Pogba in a midfield two.
 
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Dante

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I was strangely optimistic about the upcoming season, the hype of the youngsters etc. Now it's dawned on me that the first team is starting to take shape, its not very much different to last seasons....

Ole better have a lucky charm, he'll need it this season.
We're playing with a different strategy.

Ole has evoloved our style from the Jose hangover. We seem to be trying to play with the same energy as his first 15 games, but with a more fluid setup.

If we can play to the same level as we did from December to March, we'll be comfortably in the top 4.
 

Robbie Boy

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Only for the first few months where he was very good. For the rest of the season his form was on a slow freefall, where he was average at best in the second half of the season and quite poor by the end of it.
Complete fallacy that he was good. He literally had a few good months before turning to utter shit. It wasn’t surprising as his form for Chelsea had fallen off a cliff.
 

settembrini

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You want a player who hardly ever scores, hardly ever assists, has bad passing and who doesnt take much risk in his passing as number 10? Number 10 is usually the main creative outlet for a team and (one of the) best players in the team... no way Lingard should be starting there. I would ever prefer to start Angel Gomes instead of starting Lingard.
He's not my first choice for the position but I think he has played well for us in the past and can do a job in that role. He's miles better there than on the right wing at least.
 

sullydnl

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I'd be more surprised at Matic being dropped for the start of the season than him starting. I haven't seen any sign that management share the caf's very negative opinion of him.
 

Havak

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Be interesting to see who plays 60-70 minutes today. It'll probably be quite indicative of who is going to start the first Premier League fixture. I'm expecting Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Pogba, Martial and Rashford to be amongst the names.
 

Fully Fledged

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Two pairings I'm looking forward to seeing today. Axe and Victor, Aron and Dan. Hoping they put in a good showing and can make those positions their own.
 

Jacky Quacky

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What do the likes of LvG, Mourinho, Southgate and Ole see in him? He's not that good on FIFA.
Because by their perception theres no one better but Southgate is starting to see that Lingard aint all that.
 

Castia

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Really like the look of that starting 11

Football manager hipsters dream.