There are so many fragile people in this thread. The team isn’t you, it’s a bunch of other people. Their success and failure is not your success or failure.
Man Utd are clearly in the better position going into this match, Leicester are without key players including both full backs, their form has fallen off a cliff, and United are unbeaten in yonks. It will be about going for the throat and getting that goal in the first half. We know that if the team attempts to back off and defend it invites pressure, and that’s been the case despite differing personnel for the past few years.
This is the real cup final and all I hope is the team doesn’t bottle it as in two recent failed CL qualification attempts. Staying on the front foot, trying things, being bold, this match should not be a problem.
Key match-ups (feel free to disagree, I’m just thinking aloud!)
Vardy vs Lindelof
Vardy is lightning quick and aggressive, and will try to get in down Lindelof’s channel. Lindelof needs to step in aggressively to the ball at the right times but stall him and wait for support if he finds himself one v one, which will happen at least a couple of times.
Fernandes vs Ndidi
Ndidi will attempt to cut down Bruno’s passing options, block central space, and harry him into errors and turnovers. Bruno needs to pick pockets of space slightly wider without treading on Rashford and Greenwood’s toes and get some quick passing going. He will probably also drop a bit deeper in search of those angled passes into the centre forward/10 position he likes. That could lead to a disjointed attack if he can’t get possession up the pitch.
Pogba vs Tielemans
This is more a case of who performs better than a direct match-up. Each is a powerful elegant midfielder who will look to pass forward quickly and get involved in attacking play. One of them could decide the match, who turns up? Who gets closed down better? These performances will go a long way to determining who gets to play out into the space out wide, which is where damage can be done.
Martial vs Morgan
I may be wrong, but I think Morgan will be starting at the centre of Leicester’s defence. Martial is in the form of his life. So long as he doesn’t get clattered early and lose heart, which has happened before, to me this is the match-up where United win the game. Martial’s movement and incisive passing will be too much. But Wes has leadership skills, presence and has won the title before....
100%
