[el3mel]

I'd guess Hannibal is that youngster who is also injured. So we have Pogba, Van de Beek, Mata, Hannibal all injured. At that point I get it. It is what it is for Bruno. We could've played a winger as a 10 and thrown on a youth winger to start, but I can see why he wouldn't do that.

Can we just not play with a 10 at all ? We're not forced to play with one, and changing formation in such game will hardly be a problem.

 

[Jonno]

Dean Henderson in the crowd for Rashfords debut goals was fun to watch

 

[bosnian_red]

Absolutely mental stuff to be playing Fernandes here. There's no need for it. Asking for trouble. Wan Bissaka I understand more as there's less cover but ideally he'd rest too. The 3 gks in the bench is bizarre too.

Pogba, Van de Beek, Mata, Hannibal all out... at some point you just start your key player in a dead rubber if the next 4 in line who are natural there are all injured.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

So what ? Playing a youngster instead of him in a game we can lose 3-0 and go through won't be a disaster.

Beside, didn't we agree to put me on your ignore list last time we talked ?

I’m not that juvenile. You are. I’d prefer to challlenge stupidity on here

 

[Sea-Cow]

Glad that Rashford is getting a rest. I wish Bruno and AWB were also, but alas.

I hope that Greenwood can get on the scoresheet, especially after his form has improved recently. And I hope that one of the young lads gets brought on before the 85th minute so they have a chance to play a bit.

But really I just want it to be somewhat entertaining, which I think it can be. Ideally, Sociedad would score around the 30th minute or so and then really start opening up so we can get a chance to hit them. Fingers crossed.

 

[Jonno]

I back this team to win, quite shocked odds are 2.14 United, with this line up, real value to double your money. Quote reply me at full time when you count your winnings

 

[el3mel]

I’m not that juvenile. You are. I’d prefer to challlenge stupidity on here

Good for you then.

 

[A-man]

He's just making sure they don't have an early collapse, hopefully Amad can come on at half time.

I think, and hope , it was the right decision.

 

[bosnian_red]

Can we just not play with a 10 at all ? We're not forced to play with one, and changing formation in such game will hardly be a problem.

For what though? Another winger? We can change to a 442 or a 433. In a 433, your 10 is essentially your creative mid, we don't have a creative mid who is fit apart from Bruno. 442 we can do and use Martial and Greenwood top, James and one of Shoretire or Amad in deeper wide midfield positions. Maybe that's what he referred to as he wouldn't do that, give a youth player with virtually no first team exposure a start in a more difficult/higher responsibility defensive role as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 compared to in a 433 or 4231 being a winger.

 

[Josep Dowling]

I was desperately hoping to see Diallo. 4-0 up in the first leg. I would have expected more changed.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Good for you then.

You’re welcome

 

[stu_1992]

Unfortunately we've no cover at all for Bruno. None of Pogba, VDB and Mata are fit.

I don't think we have any good options to play in the Bruno role. Three GK's on the bench indicates the problem.

Personally I would have played almost anyone in Bruno's role to give him a rest, but my head is not on the line if this goes somehow did go pear shaped. Of course, if Bruno gets injured tonight......

Pogba, Van de Beek, Mata, Hannibal all out... at some point you just start your key player in a dead rubber if the next 4 in line who are natural there are all injured.

That makes sense, to be fair I didn't realize that Mata was out injured and I had forgotten about Van Be Beek being out. I with @Bulldog United in that I would have basically player practically anyone there even if it meant being a bit experimental. Is Shoretire not capable of playing in that sort of position for example?

 

[elmo]

For what though? Another winger? We can change to a 442 or a 433. In a 433, your 10 is essentially your creative mid, we don't have a creative mid who is fit apart from Bruno. 442 we can do and use Martial and Greenwood top, James and one of Shoretire or Amad in deeper wide midfield positions. Maybe that's what he referred to as he wouldn't do that, give a youth player with virtually no first team exposure a start in a more difficult/higher responsibility defensive role as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 compared to in a 433 or 4231 being a winger.

We're 4 goals up, just play an extra defender or midfielder to slow the pace of the game and just try to hit them on counters.

We don't need to unlock their defense when they'll be forced to go all out with their need for goals.

 

[el3mel]

For what though? Another winger? We can change to a 442 or a 433. In a 433, your 10 is essentially your creative mid, we don't have a creative mid who is fit apart from Bruno. 442 we can do and use Martial and Greenwood top, James and one of Shoretire or Amad in deeper wide midfield positions. Maybe that's what he referred to as he wouldn't do that, give a youth player with virtually no first team exposure a start in a more difficult/higher responsibility defensive role as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 compared to in a 433 or 4231 being a winger.

Why not ? I see no problem in this setup. Matic - Fred midfield, Amad and James wingers and Martial and Greenwood upfront. Yes midfield isn't creative, but we don't really need to score a lot of goals tonight. We don't even need to score at all. This formation would see such game through no problem. This is hardly a game for tactical thinking.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

You can’t put out a team of youngsters. Suddenly you can be 2-0 down, and then bringing on Rashford and Bruno at half time.

if you start with the attitude that it’s a dead rubber, you are more likely to be punished.

start well, don’t concede in the first 20 mins. That will take away any threat from them, and slowly wind the game down as it goes on.

if we happen to be a goal up at half time, then we can start to make changes, and we can make 5 of them.

were some people expecting to see a load of untried youngsters in the team from the start? Far too risky.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

What a stupid team selection

Bruno and AWB should be getting a rest

martial should just be binned off he doesn’t deserve any chances to play.

 

[kouroux]

Time to rename the club Bruno United

 

[Leftback99]

Strong correlation between moaning about the line up and those wanting him sacked.

 

[ManchesterYoda]

Would like to see Martial attacking from the left, Greenwood attacking from the right and James central.
No harm in trying this as we are 4-0 up.
James can press fairly well when we don't have possession and can make runs in behind when we are about to counter.
Martial is better playing from the left and Greenwood is our best option from the right until we eventually see what Amad can do. So why not?
No idea why Bruno is playing. He should definitely be rested.

 

[SAFMUTD]

Bissaka starting is disgraceful. How many consecutive games has he played and this was the perfect opportunity to rest him. Bruno starting is also a weird one.

Its clear something happened to Williams that Ole completely lost faith in him.

Quite strange to give him a brand new contract with improved wages just to not play him at all.

 

[Sandikan]

The heck is Bruno starting.
We're 4-0 up from the away leg, and have Chelsea away in 3 days!

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

 

[Smores]

The moaning for amad, Williams, tuanzebe. Who would start instead of Bruno, amad? I think it’s sensible Ole not putting him in there

That's 3, you know we field 11 right?

Incredible how people have to make stuff up and then moan at others

 

[SAFMUTD]

Besides AWB and Bruno who could have used a rest the starting XI is fine. This should be a walk in the park so let's hope we don't get any injuries and move on to the next one.

 

[RashyForPM]

And AWB. What happened to Tuanzebe is a real mystery for me.

Tbf Tuanzebe has proven to be absolutely awful. I’d play Williams. He’s looked ok in the few times he’s played this season and was reliable last season before lockdown.

 

[bosnian_red]

Why not ? I see no problem in this setup. Matic - Fred midfield, Amad and James wingers and Martial and Greenwood upfront. Yes midfield isn't creative, but we don't really need to score a lot of goals tonight. We don't even need to score at all. This formation would see such game through no problem. This is hardly a game for tactical thinking.

Games can go wrong. You want to go with a front 3 of Amad, James, Martial and Greenwood? Give Amad Diallo a difficult defensive role right off the bat? Real Sociedad are a decent team who we had an excellent game against. They can return the favor if we play reserves and get too casual. If VDB was fit, he likely would've started for Bruno. Or Mata even. Possibly even Hannibal! As it is, all were injured, Ole went for the safe option and likely see it through til half time to kill any possible early momentum, instead of playing a youth team player in their first game a bit out of position with greater defensive responsibility as our 2 strikers aren't exactly the hardest of workers (Greenwood is fine and all, just not exactly a young Rooney).

 

[JakeC]

I understand Bruno playing, we have no fit Senior midfielders l, but Brandon has to be trusted for this one.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Time to rename the club Bruno United

For all us Brunosexuals.

 

[The Mitcher]

The state of the caf complaining about Bruno playing in a game he will most likely be subbed off in anyway.

 

[AgentSmith]

Tbf Tuanzebe has proven to be absolutely awful. I’d play Williams. He’s looked ok in the few times he’s played this season and was reliable last season before lockdown.

100%

He should be out on loan if he’s not going to get an opportunity in this type of game.

 

[Judas]

that sums it all up quite nicely.

 

[The Mitcher]

For all us Brunosexuals.

Careful, the mods might be banning that word next after the OTHER one they announced was now banned.

 

[Zoo]

Would have thought that Tuanzebe or Williams would be been fine to cover for AWB.

 

[GwilDor]

Don’t want to get ahead of time here, but Molde just sent Hoffenheim out of the EL. I know who Ole wants to meet in the next round (If we get there anti-jinx)

 

[red_de_pologne]

Hope to see Amad for 30 mins at least

 

[Tom Cato]

Poor but expected no less from Ole tonight. 4-0 up and can’t even give a young lad a chance. Mourinho eske.

The kids will feature. You're just salty they're not starting. You're literally complainnig for no reason.

 

[Gandalf]

I understand Bruno playing, we have no fit Senior midfielders l, but Brandon has to be trusted for this one.

This part I do agree with. We apparently had loan offers from Southampton and Newcastle In January but kept him here for cover. For his development he needs to play a few games and it seems we won't be giving them to him so that is puzzling.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Don’t want to get ahead of time here, but Molde just sent Hoffenheim out of the EL. I know who Ole wants to meet in the next round (If we get there anti-jinx)

Imagine Ole getting knocked out with Manchester United by Molde..

 

[el3mel]

Games can go wrong. You want to go with a front 3 of Amad, James, Martial and Greenwood? Give Amad Diallo a difficult defensive role right off the bat? Real Sociedad are a decent team who we had an excellent game against. They can return the favor if we play reserves and get too casual. If VDB was fit, he likely would've started for Bruno. Or Mata even. Possibly even Hannibal! As it is, all were injured, Ole went for the safe option and likely see it through til half time to kill any possible early momentum, instead of playing a youth team player in their first game a bit out of position with greater defensive responsibility as our 2 strikers aren't exactly the hardest of workers (Greenwood is fine and all, just not exactly a young Rooney).

Are these the reserves though ? It's only Diallo. James has been starting recently and Martial and Greenwood has been mostly in and out. Definitely an attack that has enough experience to see a dead rubber through that throwing one, only one youngster with them won't be a disaster, beside, if by a miracle we found ourselves down or something, we can always shift in the main players and play seriously, even though I doubt that will ever happen (Sociedad will probably even play with low intensity to focus on the La Liga because they know they're out anyway).

If we don't experience in such game and rest our main player in this, we'll never get a similar chance again considering our upcoming schedule. This was our perfect opportunity.

 

[bsCallout]

So many of you underestimate how much Bruno wants to play. It's not worth Ole putting his life at risk. I wouldnt want to tell Bruno he's not playing.