[KiD MoYeS]

This was the game I was worried about before the Sheffield United game! Thought Arteta had the beating of Ole in the game earlier in the season. Hopefully they bounce back but not sure they showed anything against Sheffield United to suggest they will.

 

[TJ Reid]

Easy to jump on the Martial bandwagon, but in most of his appearances this season, he really has been poor. He should not be starting this game.

I'm fine with trying to keep playing someone to force them into form, but now that we have suffered a loss when he should have been substituted, a different approach needs to be taken.

He can't keep playing at the moment.

He won’t start Saturday

 

[Turnip]

I know we all like to act like we're on a roller coaster online like all football fans, but lets not forget that before last night's truly awful performance we beat Liverpool while looking like the better team, and were at least on a par with them the game before, lets not all shit our pants just yet. I'd say in the game against Man City, which wasn't that long ago, we really didn't seem far off their pace either.

Arsenal won't sit back like Sheffield, they'll attack and there will be space. I'd bet on our forwards (maybe not Martial given current form) to score more than theirs, and our defence to hold up better than theirs. I'm way more confident that we'll beat these than I am against teams like Sheffield, we still struggle against 10-man-defence teams even if we've got better at them since Bruno came, once we've actually got a right winger in the squad I'm sure we'll be more consistent in games like that, until then I fancy us against Arsenal more.

Going ambitious: 3-1 to us.

 

[royboy16]

Hopefully there will be a reaction and we can get something.

 

[kafta]

Must win. It annoys me how Arsenal are miles off us, but recently always manage to play well against us. Thank god we're away from home.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Easy to jump on the Martial bandwagon, but in most of his appearances this season, he really has been poor. He should not be starting this game.

I'm fine with trying to keep playing someone to force them into form, but now that we have suffered a loss when he should have been substituted, a different approach needs to be taken.

He can't keep playing at the moment.

The issue for us watching was why he stayed in while Greenwood who was working his socks off, was taken off

 

[Offside]

If we start this game poorly it’s mental. What is Ole telling them before they go out?

 

[Siorac]

we beat Liverpool while looking like the better team, and were at least on a par with them the game before, lets not all shit our pants just yet. I'd say in the game against Man City, which wasn't that long ago, we really didn't seem far off their pace either.

I'm inclined to say that in isolation, this doesn't mean all that much. We rarely looked completely hopeless against these teams. Heck, we beat City away from home, coming back from 2-0 down in their 100-point season! But we were still a million miles off of them that season by every conceivable metric.

We're a team fighting for top 4. That's our reality. None of us should have deluded themselves into thinking we're title challengers; if we accept we're not, there's no pantshitting.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Lacazettte
Aubameyang* Rowe Saka
Xhaka Partey
Tierney* Luiz Holding Bellerin

Pepe and Cedric to come in if Aubameyang and Tierney are injured

As for us, for the first time in a while, Ole went with Pogba in a pivot against one of the better sides in Liverpool.

We kept the ball better, created chances, and generally competed well in the middle. So, from Ole's point of view, it'll be interesting to see whether he reverts back to his tried and trust pivot of Fred and McTominay, which he may be thinking about even more following our loss yesterday, or he sticks one of the two next to Pogba.

I think Shaw and Lindelof are almost certain to come back in. People used to ridicule Shaw but he's forever an outlet on the left-hand side. Not sure that was always the case with Telles. He may need more games to not only build up fitness but that relationship with Rashford because not once did I see an over/underlapping run, where we got in behind Sheff United's backline yesterday. This is something that happens quite often when Shaw plays.

Martial is short on confidence. Not only that, but he's not doing enough in his general play to warrant a start. Some may argue the same can be said about Rashford, but he's the only player (along with James) who is forever running in behind and trying stretching teams.

I think based on the above, I would probably go with:

Cavani
Pogba Bruno Rashford
Fred McTominay
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
De Gea​

Greenwood or Martial can always come on if we're in a situation where we need more attacking presence, with Pogba dropping into the pivot, with either Fred or McTominay.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Cavani and Beek uptop ?

 

[Siorac]

Cavani and Beek uptop ?

I think there's a less than zero chance that Bruno doesn't start this game.

 

[Havak]

He won’t start Saturday

I hope not. I did have him down for not starting this game regardless (unless he scored a few goals last night then you could argue him keeping his place).

The issue for us watching was why he stayed in while Greenwood who was working his socks off, was taken off

This was exactly how I felt, but as soon as Cavani was warming up, you just KNEW it was going to be Greenwood coming off.

If we are going with a front three in a game now, it has to be Rashford, Cavani and Greenwood. Or, we go with four in midfield and leave out one of the latter.

For what it's worth, even before we lost last night the line-up I had in mind for this game was:

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw
Fred
McTominay Pogba
Bruno
Cavani Rashford​

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I know we all like to act like we're on a roller coaster online like all football fans, but lets not forget that before last night's truly awful performance we beat Liverpool while looking like the better team, and were at least on a par with them the game before, lets not all shit our pants just yet. I'd say in the game against Man City, which wasn't that long ago, we really didn't seem far off their pace either.

Arsenal won't sit back like Sheffield, they'll attack and there will be space. I'd bet on our forwards (maybe not Martial given current form) to score more than theirs, and our defence to hold up better than theirs. I'm way more confident that we'll beat these than I am against teams like Sheffield, we still struggle against 10-man-defence teams even if we've got better at them since Bruno came, once we've actually got a right winger in the squad I'm sure we'll be more consistent in games like that, until then I fancy us against Arsenal more.

Going ambitious: 3-1 to us.

They kinda sit back against us last time playing 5 at the back but I think this time they will play 4 at the back and be more open so hopefully this time playing to our strength.

 

[Stevondo8]

Ddg
AWB lindelof Maguire shaw
Fred mctominay
Rashford Bruno pogba
Cavani

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Arsenal will not play like Sheffield United did. This game will suit us better.

They will, they're a very defensive side. They'll play like Sheffield but much more quality.

 

[Vidyoyo]

I can see this being a high scoring game with not much in it. Gone for 2-2 as a prediction.

I don't think we'll play anywhere near as badly as we did against Sheffield Utd. I expect Tuanzebe, Telles and Martial to get dropped and their replacements will be a lot more effective because they're better players (harsh on Telles but Shaw is better right now).

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Lacazettte
Aubameyang* Rowe Saka
Xhaka Partey
Tierney* Luiz Holding Bellerin

Pepe and Cedric to come in if Aubameyang and Tierney are injured

As for us, for the first time in a while, Ole went with Pogba in a pivot against one of the better sides in Liverpool.

We kept the ball better, created chances, and generally competed well in the middle. So, from Ole's point of view, it'll be interesting to see whether he reverts back to his tried and trust pivot of Fred and McTominay, which he may be thinking about even more following our loss yesterday, or he sticks one of the two next to Pogba.

I think Shaw and Lindelof are almost certain to come back in. People used to ridicule Shaw but he's forever an outlet on the left-hand side. Not sure that was always the case with Telles. He may need more games to not only build up fitness but that relationship with Rashford because not once did I see an over/underlapping run, where we got in behind Sheff United's backline yesterday. This is something that happens quite often when Shaw plays.

Martial is short on confidence. Not only that, but he's not doing enough in his general play to warrant a start. Some may argue the same can be said about Rashford, but he's the only player (along with James) who is forever running in behind and trying stretching teams.

I think based on the above, I would probably go with:

Cavani
Pogba Bruno Rashford
Fred McTominay
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
De Gea​

Greenwood or Martial can always come on if we're in a situation where we need more attacking presence, with Pogba dropping into the pivot, with either Fred or McTominay.

Arsenal don’t like it with a 4-3-2-1 as they showed against Burnley. A 4-3-3 attacking line up is what they’d prefer to face as they like a counter themselves

 

[Devil may care]

The sooner we get to this game the better, need to get the train back on track, we need a performance and a win from the team. I've felt the teams mentality has improved this season and this game will put that to the test.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Arsenal don’t like it with a 4-3-2-1 as they showed against Burnley. A 4-3-3 attacking line up is what they’d prefer to face as they like a counter themselves

Playing it or playing against it because regardless of that, I'm certain Ole will go with his default 4231. Just think it's key he gets his personnel right.

 

[theklr]

Id be more nervous if we had won against SU, at least the boys know now you have to be focused to win a game , and not try just breezing it through.

Think the SU game was an reaction to beating the scousers I think.

Lets hope the «big game» attribute helps them

 

[Leonzo1]

Christ the knee jerking on here is incredible. Yes last night was awful but this literally happened to every team in the league this season. Fairly confident we'll bounce back. 3-1 United.

 

[UncleBob]

------------------Cavani----------------

--No idea-----Bruno---------No idea

------------Fred---------McT------------

Shaw-----Maguire----Lindy---AWB

-------------------Dave-----------------

Wouldn't be surprised if we start with Rashford out left, Pogba on the opposite side

 

[SATA]

Palace got a 0-0 there just a week ago. I fancy us to win and bounce back to be honest

 

[AshRK]

Losing is never fun but have a good feeling yesterday's loss could be a blessing in disguise for this game. We will be up for it and whenever we have played arsenal we looked lethargic. Now there are no excuses for that. Maybe the tonic we needed before playing them.

 

[2 man midfield]

----------------De Gea-------------
Wan Bissaka-Bailly-Maguire-Shaw
-------------McTominay-----------
---------Fred--------Pogba--------
----------------Bruno-------------
-----------Rashford-Cavani-------

 

[2 man midfield]

Palace got a 0-0 there just a week ago. I fancy us to win and bounce back to be honest

Same. I think we'll have taken last night as a wake up call.

 

[mitchmouse]

We are unable to start a game fast - we've proved that time and again this season, even against Watford and West Brom. You can't do that at the Emirates (although that's slightly less true without the crowd) and expect to get something. I've lost count of how many United performances I've seen live there and at Highbury and are record is pretty piss poor (although better than it was in the 70s and 80s). Can't see us winning this - and given our habit of giving teams a head start, I doubt we can get a draw either.

 

[mitchmouse]

Same. I think we'll have taken last night as a wake up call.

Is that the same wake up call we got from losing to Palace first game of the season? I don't think we do wake up calls: we do "we have to put that behind us and go again" and then don't

 

[2 man midfield]

Is that the same wake up call we got from losing to Palace first game of the season? I don't think we do wake up calls: we do "we have to put that behind us and go again" and then don't

I dunno we went on a pretty good run the last time we lost to Arsenal. The early season stuff can be put down to the circumstances, i.e lack of a pre-season etc. The important thing is to make sure this is just a blip and not the beginning of a tailspin.

 

[Buster15]

If we start this game poorly it’s mental. What is Ole telling them before they go out?

That is a good question.
And do they take any notice.
Arsenal have already beaten us, albeit at home where our form had been dreadful.
On paper we have a good enough side to beat them.
But which Manchester United will turn up.

 

[Van Piorsing]

----------------De Gea-------------
Wan Bissaka-Bailly-Maguire-Shaw
-------------McTominay-----------
---------Fred--------Pogba--------
----------------Bruno-------------
-----------Rashford-Cavani-------

Looks good. If this squad won't have the balls to show dignity of the football club, then I really don't know who will, in this team.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Id be more nervous if we had won against SU, at least the boys know now you have to be focused to win a game , and not try just breezing it through.

Think the SU game was an reaction to beating the scousers I think.

Lets hope the «big game» attribute helps them

Interesting take. Sometimes it takes a result like this to get a reaction from the players. Worked for Arsenal of late, and other teams in the past.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Looks good. If this squad won't have the balls to show dignity of the football club, then I really don't know who will, in this team.

I don’t why we’re questioning their character after some good wins of late. Can’t have it both ways. Show bottle to beat Wolves, Villa,,Liverpool but now we don’t?

They need to look at themselves and the level of performance shown last night. It was atrocious in many areas. They know that they can’t take a resurgent Arsenal lightly. I don’t believe they will

 

[OleBoiii]

This has become a big game now. Arsenal has some momentum and our players just took huge psychological blow. We simply must win.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Id be more nervous if we had won against SU, at least the boys know now you have to be focused to win a game , and not try just breezing it through.

Think the SU game was an reaction to beating the scousers I think.

Lets hope the «big game» attribute helps them

I agree in a weird way. For me the overall level of performance has been pretty poor for a while and we've done well to accrue the fantastic number of points we have from quite a few of our recent league displays ('m thinking, Wolves, Villa, Burnley). Hopefully this kick in the nuts will spur us on to play better versus Arsenal, who we owe for that shocker in November.

 

[Van Piorsing]

I don’t why we’re questioning their character after some good wins of late. Can’t have it both ways. Show bottle to beat Wolves, Villa,,Liverpool but now we don’t?

They need to look at themselves and the level of performance shown last night. It was atrocious in many areas. They know that they can’t take a resurgent Arsenal lightly. I don’t believe they will

It's the margin of grinding results. We often sit in our own box near 80th minute and pray for luck. Bottle is there, but the fear of conceding one goal is also there.

You're probably right, lad like McTominay has everything to step up and contribute a goal when attacking ones are failing, but there need to be a habit of finishing off teams before they start stressing us out - it's bad for supporters, Ole admitted his hair getting grey at astounding rate and from the looks of it, it's not good for De Gea who is prone to nervous decisions in nevralgic part of the game.

I often read from multiple posters one line - 'We just love to complicate things for ourselves'. Perfect statement about football mentality that is still under construction.

 

[Mcking]

Why should it not come as much of a shock that a player who can't get into his own national team and only has 1 goal in 25 games for them, isn't doing the business for us? Jesus wept

He did it last season.

 

[TJ Reid]

I think we will start in a 4-2-3-1

Leno
Bellerin Holding Gabriel Tierney
Partey Xhaka
Saka ESR Pepe/Auba
Lacazette

 

[SATA]

Mata and Donny to come in. Martial and Rashford drop out. Let’s have some technical players on the pitch instead of players running into blind alleys in every single attack

Front six of:

Fred

Donny Pogba

Mata Cavani Bruno

 

[croadyman]

Lacazettte
Aubameyang* Rowe Saka
Xhaka Partey
Tierney* Luiz Holding Bellerin

Pepe and Cedric to come in if Aubameyang and Tierney are injured

As for us, for the first time in a while, Ole went with Pogba in a pivot against one of the better sides in Liverpool.

We kept the ball better, created chances, and generally competed well in the middle. So, from Ole's point of view, it'll be interesting to see whether he reverts back to his tried and trust pivot of Fred and McTominay, which he may be thinking about even more following our loss yesterday, or he sticks one of the two next to Pogba.

I think Shaw and Lindelof are almost certain to come back in. People used to ridicule Shaw but he's forever an outlet on the left-hand side. Not sure that was always the case with Telles. He may need more games to not only build up fitness but that relationship with Rashford because not once did I see an over/underlapping run, where we got in behind Sheff United's backline yesterday. This is something that happens quite often when Shaw plays.

Martial is short on confidence. Not only that, but he's not doing enough in his general play to warrant a start. Some may argue the same can be said about Rashford, but he's the only player (along with James) who is forever running in behind and trying stretching teams.

I think based on the above, I would probably go with:

Cavani
Pogba Bruno Rashford
Fred McTominay
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
De Gea​

Greenwood or Martial can always come on if we're in a situation where we need more attacking presence, with Pogba dropping into the pivot, with either Fred or McTominay.

Sorry I just had to laugh at the words Martial & attacking presence in the same sentence after what I have seen from him recently