[RobinLFC]

So are you guys expecting a win tonight? It's a hard one to predict, with Utd being in good form before the break, but it's been so long so hard to know how much of that is still there right now. And Spurs have Kane and Son back.

More excited for this one than City-Arsenal since this could be a tense game. A lot at stake too.

 

[calodo2003]

That’s debatable..

Difficult to say that Williams is better than Shaw at this time in their careers. I like both of them, but prefer Shaw, especially in a match like this.

If we go five in the back, we could see both of them; if we go four in the back, Shaw is the better choice.

 

[tenpoless]

Not nervous at all. After what Jose has done at Utd (and watching all his meltdowns), it's hard to see him as the god like manager figure He used to be.

 

[K_Ash]

why does it have to be Lindelof?! is Bailly hurt (as usual)?

 

[Sandikan]

Looking forward to this one now - been so long!

I'd take a draw, but just hope Jose is in traditional cowardly mode.

 

[Deery]

Difficult to say that Williams is better than Shaw at this time in their careers. I like both of them, but prefer Shaw, especially in a match like this.

If we go five in the back, we could see both of them; if we go four in the back, Shaw is the better choice.

Shaw’s only better than Williams at tracking back and covering a winger. Everything else I would say Williams is better at and there’s more of a goal threat with Williams.
But, given Ole’s past team selections against top teams wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them either..

 

[Riz]

So are you guys expecting a win tonight? It's a hard one to predict, with Utd being in good form before the break, but it's been so long so hard to know how much of that is still there right now. And Spurs have Kane and Son back.

More excited for this one than City-Arsenal since this could be a tense game. A lot at stake too.

I don’t think form before the break counts for anything now to be honest. In much the same way how a team finishes the season doesn’t necessarily have a massive bearing on how they start the next one. It’s been too long.

However I’m hoping the factors that led to our good form pre-lockdown continue to have an influence e.g. Bruno’s impact, all the centre midfielders’ strong performances, clean sheets.

Really don’t know though it’s been too long to have any clue how fast out the blocks either side will be.

 

[SirAnderson]

Levy had a grate idea, it's a shame it didn't work out.

It didn't certainly didn't. Stadium will be as quiet as a mouse. Fitting.

 

[calodo2003]

Shaw’s only better than Williams at tracking back and covering a winger. Everything else I would say Williams is better at and there’s more of a goal threat with Williams.
But, given Ole’s past team selections against top teams wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them either..

There’s just been a ‘leaked’ lineup that has both playing. Not a fan of going five in the back, but allowing Williams a little freedom forward is totally fine. His tracking back will help Shaw with Lucas as well.

 

[RobinLFC]

I don’t think form before the break counts for anything now to be honest. In much the same way how a team finishes the season doesn’t necessarily have a massive bearing on how they start the next one. It’s been too long.

However I’m hoping the factors that led to our good form pre-lockdown continue to have an influence e.g. Bruno’s impact, all the centre midfielders’ strong performances, clean sheets.

Really don’t know though it’s been too long to have any clue how fast out the blocks either side will be.

Yep agreed, could go either way. If it was just a patch of good form then sure, it won't count for anything now. But if your good form was down to your players finally clicking and finding chemistry, then you'd think you still see some of that tonight, hopefully for you guys.

Anyway, enjoy the game

 

[Adisa]

Why? We should be favorites.

Recent form goes out the window. Like the first game of the season.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

It's good to be back in the football forum again! Come on United!

 

[Deery]

There’s just been a ‘leaked’ lineup that has both playing. Not a fan of going five in the back, but allowing Williams a little freedom forward is totally fine. His tracking back will help Shaw with Lucas as well.

Wasn’t a fan of it at the start of the week but more I think about it could be better option as you say it can help Shaw out and can also give a bit of width for Bruno to operate with from number 10, plus ease Pogba in too..

 

[calodo2003]

Wasn’t a fan of it at the start of the week but more I think about it could be better option as you say it can help Shaw out and can also give a bit of width for Bruno to operate with from number 10, plus ease Pogba in too..

Good points.

 

[Random Task]

I'm not a betting man but I'm happy to be mercilessly destroyed on the forums if we don't win.

Wait, wait, not only are you asking to be "mercilessly destroyed" when we beat you 4-0, but you'd be happy about it? That's some genuine masochism right there.

I like it.

 

[Volumiza]

It's good to be back in the football forum again! Come on United!

Ditto. Dipped in and out over the last few months but nothing going on. Here we go again, hopefully we can pick up where we left off.

 

[Damien]

There’s just been a ‘leaked’ lineup that has both playing. Not a fan of going five in the back, but allowing Williams a little freedom forward is totally fine. His tracking back will help Shaw with Lucas as well.

Leaked lineups haven't been as accurate this season compared to last.

 

[edcunited1878]

If there was ever a moment where you can clearly point out and say that this player made a significant clear step up that saw them ascend to another level, today could be that day for Marcus Rashford. A match in London, against his former manager in Jose Mourinho, coming back from injury, and most importantly, his humanitarian efforts that have correctly put him on a platform that transcends sport.

Go on lad, continue to make us proud.

 

[calodo2003]

Leaked lineups haven't been as accurate this season compared to last.

Hope this one is not. No real reason to go five in the back.

 

[calodo2003]

If there was ever a moment where you can clearly point out and say that this player made a significant clear step up that saw them ascend to another level, today could be that day for Marcus Rashford. A match in London, against his former manager in Jose Mourinho, coming back from injury, and most importantly, his humanitarian efforts that have correctly put him on a platform that transcends sport.

Go on lad, continue to make us proud.

He has shone bright during the hiatus. If his decision making on the pitch improves also, he will be the superstar everyone is clamoring for.

 

[Berbasbullet]

why does it have to be Lindelof?! is Bailly hurt (as usual)?

Because he's our first choice CB alongside Maguire?

 

[spontaneus1]

I'm not a betting man but I'm happy to be mercilessly destroyed on the forums if we don't win.

Spurs fans always have the advantage of hiding behind Glaston, much like the shield Barney was to Liverpool fans in the past.

 

[Berbasbullet]

I think we will go 5 at the back, start conservative and the second half take the game to them I hope.

 

[tenpoless]

Call me an idiot but that 5 at the back formation looks solid to me. Knowing one of Rashford/Martial will drift wide and We've always relied on counter attack. It won't hinder our offense much if We do play on the counter.

 

[mu4c_20le]

We are betting favourites for this match and the line keeps dropping. I wouldn't be surprised if Jose lied again and one of Son or Kane starts on the bench.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Call me an idiot but that 5 at the back formation looks solid to me. Knowing one of Rashford/Martial will drift wide and We've always relied on counter attack. It won't hinder our offense much if We do play on the counter.

You’re an idiot!

Kidding, I agree, I think the split strikers might work quite well with Bruno filling the gap in the middle.

 

[Riz]

We are betting favourites for this match and the line keeps dropping. I wouldn't be surprised if Jose lied again and one of Son or Kane starts on the bench.

I would be very surprised if that happened, who on Earth would they start in their places?

 

[Withnail]

Do you not remember all of the big games in our history when someone uncool starts unexpectedly?

Noted though

He's not 'uncool'

He's just not very good and we've got a full squad to choose from.

Unless there are injuries we're unaware of I'd be shocked if he starts. There'll be a fair few meltdowns if he's on the starting team.

 

[tenpoless]

You’re an idiot!

Kidding, I agree, I think the split strikers might work quite well with Bruno filling the gap in the middle.

Indeed. Also a chance to let Jose taste his own medicine! play 5 at the back like a coward, score a jammy winning goal and let's see if He complains after the match. Complaining about himself.

 

[sugar_kane]

Under normal circumstances I'd be fairly confident of us smashing Spurs but given the situation literally anything could happen (apart from maybe Mourinho setting his team up to play entertaining football)

 

[Berbasbullet]

Indeed. Also a chance to let Jose taste his own medicine! play 5 at the back like a coward, score a jammy winning goal and let's see if He complains after the match. Complaining about himself.

Oosh inject that into me!

 

[Infra-red]

Hope this one is not. No real reason to go five in the back.

Seems to be Solskjaer's preferred system against similar/superior strength sides - we've used it three times in the League since January, against Liverpool, Chelsea and City.

 

[sp_107]

We are betting favourites for this match and the line keeps dropping. I wouldn't be surprised if Jose lied again and one of Son or Kane starts on the bench.

We dont do well when every one see us as favourites. I hope we dont be too c0cky tonight.

 

[Dante]

Call me an idiot but that 5 at the back formation looks solid to me. Knowing one of Rashford/Martial will drift wide and We've always relied on counter attack. It won't hinder our offense much if We do play on the counter.

It's very solid.

I rewatched the City game a couple of days ago, and we looked almost impenetrable... granted, our creativity wasn't great and we were helped significantly by City shitting the bed. But it's a formation that provably works against big teams.

The only caveat is that McTominay/Fred/Matic are the only players of capable of playing in the disciplined way that we've set up the last few games. I don't see how Pogba can possibly do the same job. Even his World Cup performances wouldn't translate to the job that the other 3 have been doing this year.

Ole will need to balance up the risk versus the reward of playing a hyped up Pogba-Bruno axis, versus a much more proven Fred-McTominay double pivot. I keep flipping between the two options in head.

If I had to guess, I think we'll start with Fred-McTominay and keep it tight while we check to see what Tottenham have got up their sleeve. If it's nothing, we'll bring on Pogba. But if they look consistent a threat, we'll carry on sitting deep and countering. You can't un-concede after an early goal, but you can score after a quiet start. Logically, that's the only approach that makes sense because Spurs are a relatively unknown quantity after the extra long break.

 

[MadDogg]

Shaw’s only better than Williams at tracking back and covering a winger. Everything else I would say Williams is better at and there’s more of a goal threat with Williams.
But, given Ole’s past team selections against top teams wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them either..

Shaw is a better passer (especially short passes) and has a better touch. He's also faster and stronger (although the latter is somewhat nullified by Williams being more aggressive).

Honestly, Shaw is probably better at everything except having the mentality to really drive forward. He's just too passive to make the most of how good he actually could be.

 

[bsCallout]

Nervous now.

 

[DWelbz19]

I'd bet a good bit of money that black lives matter will score today. I can just feel it.

Living up to that title you earned. Well in.

 

[Dante]

Shaw is a better passer (especially short passes) and has a better touch. He's also faster and stronger (although the latter is somewhat nullified by Williams being more aggressive).

Honestly, Shaw is probably better at everything except having the mentality to really drive forward. He's just too passive to make the most of how good he actually could be.

Exactly.

If you could to take crossing ability out of the equation, Shaw would be the best full-back in the league, imo.

Big 'if' obviously.

 

[jderbyshire]

Been listening to this all day. Can't wait to see the reds back on the pitch!

I've gone for this line-up:

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw
McTominay Fred
Greenwood Fernandes Rashford
Martial​

We beat them in December with this formation so I would be somewhat surprised to see Ole change to the back 3.

Both managers will be desperate to not lose this match. I think the naturally slower pace of the game could suit Spurs, so I think these factors will counter the fact that we probably have a better team on paper than them.

Prediction: 0-0.

Bit of an anticlimax, I know... Hope I'm wrong!

 

[Deery]

Shaw is a better passer (especially short passes) and has a better touch. He's also faster and stronger (although the latter is somewhat nullified by Williams being more aggressive).

Honestly, Shaw is probably better at everything except having the mentality to really drive forward. He's just too passive to make the most of how good he actually could be.

Making runs, give and goes, crossing and shooting, Brandon is better at all these things..