[thegregster]

See your point, however, the squad is big enough to compete in several competitions at least for now. I do not see us winning the FA cup to be honest, whereas top 4 will not be an easy walk either as Chelsea are likely to improve under Tuchel and Klopp will get his team back on track sooner rather than later. EL is basically a trophy and a 100% guarantee of Champions League football next season. I would definitely have it as a top priority.

Plus a place in pot 1 for the CL draw.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

I have gone for a narrow 1-2 win , but would be happy with a scoring draw.

 

[pocco]

EL is a weird one. It's not a big deal to win it when really we were hoping to be a CL side this season. But getting knocked out will feel like such a low point for us. Kind of like we're expected to win or go close really.

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

Hoping we put out an 11 that will see us go out early, or at least one that will rest our best XI.

Henderson
Williams Lindelöf Maguire Telles
Matic Fred
Mata
Amad Greenwood Shoretire​

 

[Adcuth]

I think people underestimate the value of winning as well for the mentality of the side.

We don’t have many players in our squad who’ve won trophies. That was part of why Ferguson’s sides did so well, the squad knew how to win.

On that note also, giving it our all in every competition can also highlight what areas we need to improve in the summer. Let the lads fight for everything then bring in better players/adequate cover so that we're better prepared to challenge on all fronts next year. Putting out a shite team so we're fresh for the league is not the way a top club should operate

 

[Adcuth]

There's rumours that Harry had broken his leg. Someone dispell this please?

 

[AgentSmith]

There's rumours that Harry had broken his leg. Someone dispell this please?

If the Greek police couldn’t do it, no one can.

 

[Adcuth]

If the Greek police couldn’t do it, no one can.

Its bullshit, blag account spreading the rumours. Panicked for a minute

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

On that note also, giving it our all in every competition can also highlight what areas we need to improve in the summer. Let the lads fight for everything then bring in better players/adequate cover so that we're better prepared to challenge on all fronts next year. Putting out a shite team so we're fresh for the league is not the way a top club should operate

Instead a top club should injure and fatigue our most important players like Bruno by playing 9 additional Mickey Mouse Thursday nights while we're trying to stay in top4!

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Instead a top club should injure and fatigue our most important players like Bruno by playing 9 additional Mickey Mouse Thursday nights while we're trying to stay in top4!

Shouldn’t that apply for Sociedad as well?

 

[Adcuth]

Instead a top club should injure and fatigue our most important players like Bruno by playing 9 additional Mickey Mouse Thursday nights while we're trying to stay in top4!

We can rotate a couple if there is a serious need for it. Not most of team just to preserve our chances in one competition and harm our chances in another. Especially a European cup that get us into the CL by winning it. Mickey mouse cup my arse. I hate the idea that its not a worthwhile competition.

 

[Havak]

Damn, I had it in my head all week that this was 8pm. Good though really, working from home so less time to wait when I finish!

Is Shoretire being added to the predictions for line-up game? Could be on the bench tonight.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Would rather win the FA Cup to be honest. It was great to win the Europa a few years back to complete the set but it is just not an exciting or illustrious competition, for me.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I think people underestimate the value of winning as well for the mentality of the side.

We don’t have many players in our squad who’ve won trophies. That was part of why Ferguson’s sides did so well, the squad knew how to win.

At the same time people over estimate it too.

Plenty of teams have won trophies before and never turned into serial winners - if anything some relax after winning something.

Look at Arsenal for instance, won an FA cup under Arteta and then had their worst run for a long time. Mentality isn't a thing you just suddenly acquire.

 

[Random Task]

Would rather win the FA Cup to be honest. It was great to win the Europa a few years back to complete the set but it is just not an exciting or illustrious competition, for me.

Ole needs to win something and the EL is as good as anything else, plus it's a free ticket into the CL the following season, so there's that.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Ole needs to win something and the EL is as good as anything else, plus it's a free ticket into the CL the following season, so there's that.

I don't doubt the benefits of winning the competition, just find it very difficult to be excited about it.

 

[Turnip]

I'm feeling ambitious and saying 3-0. Don't know how good they are and have no reason to be so positive after the previous game, but still.

I don't doubt the benefits of winning the competition, just find it very difficult to be excited about it.

I'm not sure why it gets shit on so much honestly, I'd take it over the league cup. And its more exciting seeing us play against teams from other countries imo. Hope Ole takes it seriously and goes for it, we should be able to comfortably stay in top 4 and challenge for this, I don't think aiming at both is particularly ambitious in our current situation. And if we do drop out of top 4, I'd be really surprised if it was Europa fatigue that caused it.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Only just seen this is at 5:55pm.

That mucks up the dinner plans.

 

[tomaldinho1]

There's rumours that Harry had broken his leg. Someone dispell this please?

Slabhead doesn't break mate, check your sources. He's like a Toyota Hilux.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Blimey, forgot this was even on this evening.

 

[romufc]

Its gone back to the days where I am not excited about the game.

1. Its Europa League.
2. I can predict how the game will pan out.

We have possession in our third, cannot progress up the pitch, make silly passes, get caught out, concede 1/2 goals and probably lose 2-1 or draw 1-1.

 

[UmbroDays]

I disagree winning the EL is CL football next season, FA Cup is always a touch win, the PL OK we are 2nd , but a couple of losses and we tumble down.
EL is nearly equal to PL for me, strongest available teams for both.

Same

Listening to the UtdHour pod and hearing who I think is @Rood (or the chap from yorkshire voices are pretty much the same) said he wants the reserves in, but I think it's way more important than that.

It's a European competition and is the 3rd most prestigious trophy for British clubs behind Champions League and the Premiership. It is a guaranteed Champions League place , another trophy in the museum, more global success and an actual tangible for the end of the season vs finishing 4th/3rd/2nd and getting nothing from it.

We need silverware and not just another Champions League place, as we've shown over the past few years we don't have the team to do anything substantial against Europe's best

 

[Siorac]

I'm not sure why it gets shit on so much honestly, I'd take it over the league cup.

I'd take it over either of the domestic cups any time. At least in this one we get to play some teams that we don't face at least twice every year.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Its gone back to the days where I am not excited about the game.

1. Its Europa League.
2. I can predict how the game will pan out.

We have possession in our third, cannot progress up the pitch, make silly passes, get caught out, concede 1/2 goals and probably lose 2-1 or draw 1-1.

It is such a shame we threw away CL qualification so needlessly, I get people want to win any cup we're in but watching the CL games Tues/Weds really hit home how little the EL means for me.

The issue for is now is with Mou is was a bit of a one-off, we'd never really been in it to win it before and it was a new experience. Now it seems our usual European comp and it's just hammering home how inferior we are, which is made more annoying by the fact the big European giants are definitely far weaker than they were.

 

[romufc]

It is such a shame we threw away CL qualification so needlessly, I get people want to win any cup we're in but watching the CL games Tues/Weds really hit home how little the EL means for me.

The issue for is now is with Mou is was a bit of a one-off, we'd never really been in it to win it before and it was a new experience. Now it seems our usual European comp and it's just hammering home how inferior we are, which is made more annoying by the fact the big European giants are definitely far weaker than they were.

That is what frustrates me, if we actually were a serious football team, we would not lose to Istanbul away knowing a point will take us through.

There has been alot of games this season which has shown what the players are, which is weak. The defending at Istanbul was horrific, Leicester, Everton, SU, WBA.

Those games have shown us what we are. We are not a team on the pitch. It seems as if the attackers let the defenders defend instead of helping out and the defenders have no backbone,.

 

[Samid]

That is what frustrates me, if we actually were a serious football team, we would not lose to Istanbul away knowing a point will take us through.

We would still have been out with a point vs Istanbul.

 

[Utd heap]

Miserable bunch of bastards you lot.

Utd on early, get the beers in for 6.

Enjoy.

1-0 Sociedad.

 

[Alvaro Maestre]

0-5 Real Sociedad meltdown

 

[lex talionis]

I’m excited about the EL competition but I’m wary of the physical toll it’s going to take on our key players like Bruno, Rashford and Maguire that you know Ole will never drop.

If we crash out in the semifinal and because we’re wrecked we drop out of the top four at the end, all hell will break loose here. Can the caf take the strain?

 

[red_de_pologne]

I’m excited about the EL competition but I’m wary of the physical toll it’s going to take on our key players like Bruno, Rashford and Maguire that you know Ole will never drop.

If we crash out in the semifinal and because we’re wrecked we drop out of the top four at the end, all hell will break loose here. Can the caf take the strain?

Ole will have a tough time prioritising - top 4 battle vs. CL spot via EL. Could end with neither and a big egg on his face.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Shola Shoretire needs to be added to the squad list @Damien @Niall.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I can’t say I’m massively excited. Ole would have to do something pretty out of character and give Diallo a start for me to really get excited, which lets be honest he won’t do. I do think some people are underestimating Sociedad. Spanish teams are still technically a level above prem teams and we have a shocking record against Spanish opposition. If we play at our absolute best we can win but if we play as we did against West Brom, I can’t see us getting anything today.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

United odds to win Europa League revealed
United are the favourites to win the Europa League this season, according to one bookmaker at least.

To win the 2020/21 Europa League (Betfair)

• United: 5/1
• Tottenham: 6/1
• Leicester, Napoli, Arsenal: 9/1
• AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Ajax: 12/1
• Villarreal, Real Sociedad, AS Roma: 14/1
• Red Bull Salzburg: 20/1
• Benfica: 22/1
• Shakhtar Donetsk: 33/1
• Club Brugge: 35/1
• Rangers: 40/1
• Lille, Hoffenheim: 50/1
• Olympiacos: 66/1
• Dynamo Kiev: 80/1
• PSV Eindhoven, Granada, FC Krasnodar: 100/1
• Sporting Braga, Dinamo Zagreb: 125/1
• Slavia Praha: 150/1
• Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys, Maccabi Tel Aviv: 250/1
• Royal Antwerp, Wolfsberger AC, Molde: 500/1

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I can’t say I’m massively excited. Ole would have to do something pretty out of character and give Diallo a start for me to really get excited, which lets be honest he won’t do. I do think some people are underestimating Sociedad. Spanish teams are still technically a level above prem teams and we have a shocking record against Spanish opposition. If we play at our absolute best we can win but if we play as we did against West Brom, I can’t see us getting anything today.

Sociedad aren't going to put 11 men being the ball, though. Typically, those are the games we struggle in.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

Sociedad aren't going to put 11 men being the ball, though. Typically, those are the games we struggle in.

We do also tend to struggle against technically proficient teams too. The issue we have is we are back to the point where you aren’t sure which Man Utd will turn up. We could be excellent or simply not turn up and get outplayed.

 

[JMack1234]

How on Earth can people not care about the Europa League? We are not winning the prem, whereas winning the EL guarantees a CL spot next season. Realistically, it is the easiest trophy l to win for us.

Exactly my thoughts.

Winning trophies changes the mentality of any side. Also, I think the value of a trophy- any trophy- to Ole and many of our key players is massive.

 

[daveoliver91]

Hi guys! Apologies if you have already said this, is this a single game?
If the game ends with a draw, does it go to ET or directly to penalties?

Cheers!

 

[Adcuth]

I'd take it over either of the domestic cups any time. At least in this one we get to play some teams that we don't face at least twice every year.

Plus European football is good for player development

 

[Adcuth]

Hi guys! Apologies if you have already said this, is this a single game?
If the game ends with a draw, does it go to ET or directly to penalties?

Cheers!

2 legs. Next is the 25th

 

[Vidyoyo]

Forgot this was on until I saw the homepage. Hoping it's a good one!