2nd string against Chelsea? Or do we risk more tiredness

[Philo]

I'd say rotate the players and play on the counter like we've done against better opposition this season, something like
Romero
Bailly lindelof Maguire
Dalot Fred McT Williams
Mata
Ighalo James
And keep a strong bench just in case I guess...

 

[red4ever 79]

Shocking as ever.

I dont even consider him to be here anymore. Completely unreliable.

 

[flappyjay]

To me its more winning a trophy or not winning a trophy. Hopefully we can win the FA cup and finish 4th anyway but sacking off the FA cup? For a shot at 4th place? Nah. Used to laugh at Arsenal fir the 4th place trophy.
Winning the FA cup is better to me than getting to say the round of 16 in the champions league then getting knocked out.
And Sancho wanted to come last summer without champions league

We are still in the Europa, we can win that trophy if our back ups dont feck up. I see United fans downplay money making situations like ucl and endorsements all the time, without these we would be in AC Milans situation. Instead we have been throwing money at our issue without worries and looks like it might finally stick. Look at it as a necessary sacrifice to take a step forward . I would have liked us to win both the cup and the Europa but we might have to settle for 1.

 

[Amarsdd]

Don't forget Chelsea will also be resting players. And I think actually us resting players should work in our favor. Chelsea is a possession team who are extremely weak to counters. So resting players, we should have a good set up for counters like we have done previously. Only need to playe a couple of the first team. Something like:

De Gea/Romero
Laird Bailey Maguire Williams
Fred Scott
Lingard
James Ighalo Rashford

If Shaw is fully fit, then we can even go for a back 5.

 

[Jacob]

Balance is most often the answer.

Make 5-6 changes.

 

[Champ]

They are; Leicester, however, aren't. They'll have a full week's rest ahead of the final game and if they beat us in that, we're probably out. It's bad enough that we need to get a result there, even without being knackered.

But Leicester play Sunday after playing yesterday, against a Spurs team who have had an extra days rest.
It's all swings and roundabouts, so we play one more game than Leicester in a week, I'm pretty sure we can handle that.
We have a much bigger squad than Leicester, who have struggled this restart when having to play games in quick succession.
Leicester have played 8 games since the 20th June, we have played 8 games since 19th June, so technically we've had an extra day, and we play one extra game then Leicester.
Not a lot of difference really,

 

[Adam-Utd]

Does everyone realise that Chelsea are in exactly the same situation as us??
Yeah they had two extra days to prepare but they also have had the same amount of rest days overall.
Ridiculous to say we should play the second string, we should be wanting a trophy AND top four.
And there's no reason why we can't do that.

Well they aren't as the played on Tuesday and have been resting for 5 days. That alone means they can risk playing more first teamers, then rest 3 days for Wolves if needs be.

We have literally 2 days to recover before playing again. We already look very tired, that means if go strong against Chelsea we would have played 3 hard matches in 6 days! what if it goes to extra time also?

Why is no body reading my comment above where I explained playing our best 11 against Chelsea and risk not winning against West Ham is a good idea?

Because you're completely forgetting that Chelsea might even make it themselves.

If we beat West Ham and Chelsea draw/lose to Wolves and then lose to Liverpool we don't even need to win against Leicester to qualify!

You're talking like there's only 1 space and Chelsea are guaranteed?

Anyway Leicester look like they've a lot fresher than us right now, I wouldn't be super confident we can go to their ground and definitely win, especially in the form we've shown the last 2/3 games.

 

[Fortitude]

I'd put Fred and McTominay in from the start with someone other than Pogba or Fernándes ahead of them.

Ighalo starting, too.

Not sure whether messing with the wings is a good idea. But get a fresh midfield in and run them into the ground and then put on our big guns if needed.

 

[elmo]

Rojo? Tuanzebe?

Not the end of the world if one Maguire/Lindelof has to play as that isn't really a position you should be gettingheavily fatigued..

Rojo is out on loan

 

[Champ]

Well they aren't as the played on Tuesday and have been resting for 5 days. That alone means they can risk playing more first teamers, then rest 3 days for Wolves if needs be.

We have literally 2 days to recover before playing again. We already look very tired, that means if go strong against Chelsea we would have played 3 hard matches in 6 days! what if it goes to extra time also?

Because you're completely forgetting that Chelsea might even make it themselves.

If we beat West Ham and Chelsea draw/lose to Wolves and then lose to Liverpool we don't even need to win against Leicester to qualify!

You're talking like there's only 1 space and Chelsea are guaranteed?

Anyway Leicester look like they've a lot fresher than us right now, I wouldn't be super confident we can go to their ground and definitely win, especially in the form we've shown the last 2/3 games.

Why can't people get it!?!
Chelsea, Leicester and everyone else have all played the same amount of games in the same period,
The FA cup teams will play one more, possibly two.
This means everyone has had essentially the same amount of rest days, yeah some may have a longer gap between a game, but then have to play two games in quick succession.
Don't understand why people find that so hard to understand.
You realise we had a 5 day rest between Bournemouth and Villa?
Chelsea have played 5 games sinces 1st July, we have played 5 games since 30th June.
Where's the difference??

 

[AndyMUFC]

We’ve not won a trophy in 4 years, there’s no reason we can’t get a trophy and top four so changes for sure but not the entire team.

Romero
Dalot
Lindelof
Maguire
Williams

Matic
Fred
Bruno

James
Martial
Rashford

6 changes from yesterday is plenty enough.

 

[Riz]

We’ve not won a trophy in 4 years, there’s no reason we can’t get a trophy and top four so changes for sure but not the entire team.

Romero
Dalot
Lindelof
Maguire
Williams

Matic
Fred
Bruno

James
Martial
Rashford

6 changes from yesterday is plenty enough.

Definitely wouldn’t start Bruno, he’s looked gassed recently and we need him fresh for the last 2 league games.

Martial and Rashford possibly as they’re on form so can keep their momentum going but I think I’d rather have them as options off the bench if the match is still within 1 goal at the hour mark.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Rojo? Tuanzebe?

Not the end of the world if one Maguire/Lindelof has to play as that isn't really a position you should be gettingheavily fatigued..

Rojo is away on loan. Tuanzebe injured

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Romero

TFM
Bailly
Lindelof
Dalot

Fred
McTominay

Lingard
Mata
James

Ighalo

 

[Adam-Utd]

Why can't people get it!?!
Chelsea, Leicester and everyone else have all played the same amount of games in the same period,
The FA cup teams will play one more, possibly two.
This means everyone has had essentially the same amount of rest days, yeah some may have a longer gap between a game, but then have to play two games in quick succession.
Don't understand why people find that so hard to understand.
You realise we had a 5 day rest between Bournemouth and Villa?
Chelsea have played 5 games sinces 1st July, we have played 5 games since 30th June.
Where's the difference??

Because that was our rest period. We were fresher for the Villa match.

Now we have played another match on Thursday and have 2 DAYS TO RECOVER.

Whatever happened previously is massively irrelevant. Have you ever exercised before? go and run 10 kilometres, then do it again 2 days later. then do it again, but this time leave it 5 days. I guarantee you'll feel fresher after 5.

 

[AneRu]

We are still in the Europa, we can win that trophy if our back ups dont feck up. I see United fans downplay money making situations like ucl and endorsements all the time, without these we would be in AC Milans situation. Instead we have been throwing money at our issue without worries and looks like it might finally stick. Look at it as a necessary sacrifice to take a step forward . I would have liked us to win both the cup and the Europa but we might have to settle for 1.

This because missing out on the CL would be a disaster and possibly set us back a few years with key players getting unsettled and loss of revenue in this COVID era. Top 4 first then go all out for the Europa.

 

[Zlatattack]

I'd say start with a second string and if we're still in it for the 2nd half, bring on the big guns for the last 30 mins.

My starting line up

DDG
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams
Fred McT
James Periera Rashford
Ighalo​

At 60 mins if we're winning or it's a draw, bring on Martial, Greenwood, Pogba, Fernandes and Matic.

Line up as...

DDG
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams
Matic Pogba
Greenwood Fernandes Martial
Ighalo​

 

[Knux]

Because that was our rest period. We were fresher for the Villa match.

Now we have played another match on Thursday and have 2 DAYS TO RECOVER.

Whatever happened previously is massively irrelevant. Have you ever exercised before? go and run 10 kilometres, then do it again 2 days later. then do it again, but this time leave it 5 days. I guarantee you'll feel fresher after 5.

Technically the players have 3 days to recover from yesterdays match. Playing on thursday night and sunday night (72 hours).

And its not fair to compare us to professional athletes. Their bodies recover faster with all the massage and cryo they get.

 

[Mainoldo]

To me its more winning a trophy or not winning a trophy. Hopefully we can win the FA cup and finish 4th anyway but sacking off the FA cup? For a shot at 4th place? Nah. Used to laugh at Arsenal fir the 4th place trophy.
Winning the FA cup is better to me than getting to say the round of 16 in the champions league then getting knocked out.
And Sancho wanted to come last summer without champions league

We used to laugh at Arsenal we use to always be where Liverpool are. You have to judge things in perspective.

Sancho did want to come but we didn’t want to spend the money it would have cost and it will be the same this summer if we don’t have Champions League. This isn’t a status issue it’s a money issue.

Let’s be realistic. The FA Cup is not important. Gary Neville said his biggest mistake at Valencia was chasing a cup. Let it not be Ole’s. Get top 4 we still have a chance of getting the Europa after.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

He won't rest the full starting XI, but there is absolutely no need for all of AWB, Pogba, Fernandes, Martial, Rashford and Greenwood to start.

I imagine Fernandes and Martial will get the nod to keep a level of potency, in the hope we score in the first half, and get them off around the hour mark.

I'm guessing:

Romero, Dalot, Bailly, Maguire, Williams if okay, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Lingard, Martial, James

With Mata, Pereira, Ighalo and Fosu-Mensah guaranteed some sub action.

 

[Irrational.]

For me the line-up has to be:

Romero

Dalot, Bailly, Maguire, Williams

McTominay, Fred, Pereira

Mata

Ighalo, James


Lingard in for Pereira if he's not available. No way would I want to risk any of our first team regulars (Maguire aside) for the two most important games of the PL season.

 

[redshaw]

Would say go for the trophy normally but 2 days recovery is silly at this stage whatever the amount of games we've all played, so a much changed 11 please.

 

[#07]

I say we start with a much changed team and gamble that Chelsea, who struggled against Norwich and got beat by Sheff Utd, won't be able to break us down for an hour/75 minutes. Then late on we send on the big guns and hope they can get the job done in the last 15 minutes (and if needed extra time).

 

[Adam-Utd]

Technically the players have 3 days to recover from yesterdays match. Playing on thursday night and sunday night (72 hours).

And its not fair to compare us to professional athletes. Their bodies recover faster with all the massage and cryo they get.

The point is we've played on Monday, Thursday, then Sunday, then Wednesday again. That's 4 games in the space of 9 days!

Our players already look tired and are labouring through matches. There is also a chance of extra time against Chelsea.

It's just too much to ask. We need to decide what's important and target that, we don't have the squad to win everything.

 

[Superunknown]

Several of the players looked knackered yesterday. Although Bruno was important for both of our goals, he looked very tired. I would seriously think about definitely resting him and would probably rest Pogba too for the important league games coming up. AWB has looked in need of a rest, too. There's a strong argument for keeping Martial and Rashford out of the starting 11, so that they're in better condition for the next league game.

The ones who definitely need to be given a run out are: Ighalo, Mata, Fred, McTominay, and most likely James, too. So, by playing these ones at the start, it does give us the potential to rest some of the key attacking/midfield players. Fred and McTominay should be nailed to at least start, imo.

 

[ZupZup]

Play our strongest team... it's the semi-final.

The players are more than fit enough. Any single one of these players would laugh at you for even suggesting they would be too tired to perform on Sunday.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Play our strongest team... it's the semi-final.

The players are more than fit enough. Any single one of these players would laugh at you for even suggesting they would be too tired to perform on Sunday.

Performances say otherwise. They might be technically fit enough to run around but that 10% of sharpness makes a big difference. We've been beaten in work rate by Southampton and Palace 2 games in a row now.

 

[reddevilchennai]

We’ve not won a trophy in 4 years, there’s no reason we can’t get a trophy and top four so changes for sure but not the entire team.

Romero
Dalot
Lindelof
Maguire
Williams

Matic
Fred
Bruno

James
Martial
Rashford

6 changes from yesterday is plenty enough.

This team is more than enough to get the job done against Chelsea. Could slot in Bailly instead of one of these CBs. In 60th minute Pogba for Bruno or earlier, incase we are 2 up before the 60th minute.

 

[Rozay]

An end of season game against West Ham has come between us and our ambitions more times than I’d like to remember. They will be aware of that too. We need to slap them about, as they’d love nothing more than to add 2020 to 1995 and 2016.

 

[ZupZup]

Performances say otherwise. They might be technically fit enough to run around but that 10% of sharpness makes a big difference. We've been beaten in work rate by Southampton and Palace 2 games in a row now.

Southampton I'd agree but they are known for working incredibly hard under the current manager. I don't think Palace outworked us at all. We were still pushing for a 3rd goal.

It's mostly confirmation bias. It's lazy and too easy just to blame tiredness if the players don't perform at their best. We've gone 19 games unbeaten now and these players will be on a high. When you are on a run like this, you won't feel as tired and you'll be desperate to play.

 

[mancave bear]

Yes, we shouldnt use any of the best XI in the game against Chelsea. We need to focus on the league and europe games, and our best XI needs ti be rested. Chelsea will probably do the same.

If the rest of the players arent able to do the job, then this shows we need to get more quality players this summer.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

We could play the first team and still lose. Even if we win, we have to beat City in order to win anything. I can definitely see the reasoning for resting players, I think Chelsea will too. They’re in the same boat after all.

Poor argument. Give up since we might fail even if we try. I say go for it!

 

[Corey]

We’ve not won a trophy in 4 years, there’s no reason we can’t get a trophy and top four so changes for sure but not the entire team.

Romero
Dalot
Lindelof
Maguire
Williams

Matic
Fred
Bruno

James
Martial
Rashford

6 changes from yesterday is plenty enough.

Looks good to me. Need to strike a balance between resting players and trying to win the cup, and I think this lineup does the trick.

In terms of defence, keeping Lindelof and Maguire is fair as CB is probably the least tiring outfield position. I wouldn't risk Shaw so Williams should play, and Wan-Bissaka looks like he needs a rest so Dalot , or even Fosu-Mensah, makes sense.

In midfield I think it's important that one of Pogba or Bruno plays to provide creativity. Fred provides important energy against the bigger teams, and Matic should be alright to start given that he only played half an hour or so against Palace. Plus his knowledge f the Chelsea team could come in handy.

Up front, the Rashford and Martial partnership is looking devastating so I'd like to keep that going, especially given that they seem to be two of our fittest players who are not showing signs of fatigue. Greenwood's had a quiet couple of games and has taken big knocks in both, so giving him a rest makes sense. Also, if James is going to play well you'd expect it to be against a bigger team like Chelsea who provide opportunities on the counter.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Don't see how either club can afford to go full strength. Chelsea's remaining league fixtures are very tough and could still see them miss out on top four. Both sides will be rotated heavily.

 

[Champ]

Because that was our rest period. We were fresher for the Villa match.

Now we have played another match on Thursday and have 2 DAYS TO RECOVER.

Whatever happened previously is massively irrelevant. Have you ever exercised before? go and run 10 kilometres, then do it again 2 days later. then do it again, but this time leave it 5 days. I guarantee you'll feel fresher after 5.

My point is as a whole we are complaining about rest days when it has been pretty even throughout this period.
You make a good point but let's take your point and spread it over a month with two individuals...equal rest days but taken at different times, at the end of the month they race, one has had 2 days to rest, the other 5, yet overall they have had the same rest periods, who wins?
Would it be the 2 day rest person who has probably had minimal training in the last day or two as the 10k they did two days ago is enough to keep their fitness topped up allowing for good recoup, or will it be the 5 day rest person who had to train intensively for a few days in order to maintain their peak fitness??
Baring in mind they have had the same rest period over the last month, I'd say it probably wouldn't make a lot of difference.
Also as a footballer myself training with two different teams three times a week, I know how to condition myself in order to maintain peak fitness.

 

[Zlatans Knee]

There are some players that we cannot afford to risk, namely Bruno, Martial, Rashford, Matic. AWB definitely needs a rest. The rest can play and it would not be the end of the world if they get injured.
So:
Romero
Dalot
Lindelof
Bailly
Williams/TFM depending on injury
Fred
McT
Pogba (in Bruno position)
James
Mata
Ighalo

 

[Gandalf Greyhame]

Romero
Dalot-Bailly-Maguire-Williams
Fred-McT
Bruno
Greenwood-Ighalo-Rashford

AWB might start to stiffle Pulisic (if he starts), and Martial might start to trouble their shot-on-confidence defence as well. We're definitely not going to field a B team entirely (though I think it would be great for the West Ham game if we did) - we're 2 wins away from a cup.

 

[Evans999]

Both teams will makes changes.

Chelsea still have to play Liverpool and Wolves in the league which are very tough fixtures.

The best thing about the FA are the trips to Wembley, behind closed doors my excitement of winning the FA cup is no where near as much.

It's a sad affair but coming top 4 is a much bigger priority for both teams.

 

[Bebestation]

Romero
Dalot - Bailly - Lindelof- Williams
Fred - Mctomminay
Lingard
Mata - Ighalo- James

I think something like that has the ability to try win against Chelsea.

Maybe move Mata centrally, Lingard as a LW and James whipping crosses for Ighalo from the RW

 

[IRELANDUNITED]

No way mate! Moyes vs. Old BOSS. West Ham to knock United out of Top 4 for the 2nd time in the last couple of years. And the list goes on and on. At no point will West Ham players go easy on us.

Maybe you're right buddy, but if we can't beat this West Ham team at home we don't deserve to be in the champions league