[Bestietom]

A little wary of our midfield. Backline and Forward line, will be fine.

 

[Lynty]

Given the nature of his agents comments (which read like a threat at times) I don't really foresee the increased media spotlight as anything other than an attempt to apply pressure on Ole to play him more often. And I certainly don't think it makes sense for Ole to greenlight interviews as a means to precede future cameos in the team.

The problem is that the role Donny would be asked to play in the team is too similar to Fred, and while I think he has better on-ball capabilities than Fred, unless there's a McTominay or a Matic player next to them, their defensive limitations can be exposed.
I don't think Fred is good enough for our starting XI however he does have enough stamina and energy to cover every blade of grass which I think Ole values above Donny's ability in the event where we lack a physical presence of McTominay or Matic in midfield.

I can't really comment on vdB as a number 6/8 and who he fits with, due to lack of appearances for United and only ever watching him play for Ajax in Champions League. The sample size is way too small or specific for me to make a fair call.

If he and his agent are using interviews as threats/pressure. They have been really ill advised. It's possible that they using the opportunity to place pressure, voice unhappiness and keep vdB names relevant with a view to moving in January.

But I don't get that vibe at all. I feel that he's been given assurances from Ole (especially due to Matic and Fred being dire) and he's felt he's safe to have interviews to calm or dismiss any reports of him being unhappy or looking for a move.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I would genuinely love to see Ole start Greenwood as 9, then Ronaldo can get a crazy sun reception. Feel like our team needs to have a strong message that players are solely picked on form and not their name…Greenwood is playing out of his skin for his age, would be harsh to move him again (the one game we drew he got moved for Martial and still bailed us out).

 

[Tincanalley]

….players are solely picked on form and not their name…

Ahem, yes. Good luck with that

 

[villain]

I can't really comment on vdB as a number 6/8 and who he fits with, due to lack of appearances for United and only ever watching him play for Ajax in Champions League. The sample size is way too small or specific for me to make a fair call.

If he and his agent are using interviews as threats/pressure. They have been really ill advised. It's possible that they using the opportunity to place pressure, voice unhappiness and keep vdB names relevant with a view to moving in January.

But I don't get that vibe at all. I feel that he's been given assurances from Ole (especially due to Matic and Fred being dire) and he's felt he's safe to have interviews to calm or dismiss any reports of him being unhappy or looking for a move.

I don't think he's unhappy at the club, but it's clear he wants to play - which is the attitude you want from players. The problem is his skillset and the players readily available to play with him in the same position.
Fred & Pogba aren't going to be dropped, and Matic is the only DM we have - so how does he get in and who does he play next to that doesn't leave us defensively weak in the middle of the pitch?
He should definitely be coming on as a sub, but we all know what Ole is like with subs.

 

[Lynty]

I don't think he's unhappy at the club, but it's clear he wants to play - which is the attitude you want from players. The problem is his skillset and the players readily available to play with him in the same position.
Fred & Pogba aren't going to be dropped, and Matic is the only DM we have - so how does he get in and who does he play next to that doesn't leave us defensively weak in the middle of the pitch?
He should definitely be coming on as a sub, but we all know what Ole is like with subs.

We'll see. I can't see anyone putting in as bad performance as Fred last week. But I agree, you can't drop him with Scott maybe not being ready to start.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

If Sancho is fit, I'd start him. He needs to play into form and Newcastle should be an easy game for him to get some form going.

If Ronaldo is in the squad, I'd be stunned if he didn't start. He's been training and he played for Portugal without issues. He is nailed on to score for his re-debut.

If Sancho is out, I could see Ole going with Cavani-Ronaldo for this game.

I want to see this line-up:

Sancho-Ronaldo-Greenwood
Bruno
Fred-Pogba
Shaw-Maguire-Varane-AWB
De Gea

Ronaldo can drift into the left/left half-space and Bruno can take his place in advanced central areas if so. Sancho can also come in centrally at times to help progress and recycle the ball as we venture into the final 3rd.

We need to have a good performance and a win. A smashing would be nice.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Ahem, yes. Good luck with that

A man can dream! Also think it’ll be more epic for Ronaldo to come on off the bench so he can get an OT reception.

 

[therealtboy]

I would genuinely love to see Ole start Greenwood as 9, then Ronaldo can get a crazy sun reception. Feel like our team needs to have a strong message that players are solely picked on form and not their name…Greenwood is playing out of his skin for his age, would be harsh to move him again (the one game we drew he got moved for Martial and still bailed us out).

Ronaldo and Greenwood will both start, It will be a fluid front 3 with Sancho. Sancho and Greenwood will feed off Ronaldo and enjoy the space he will create from being double marked. Also can't wait to see Pogba playing those Zlatan balls again. He will trust Ronaldo will always make the run and execute, it's going to be something special. Luke Shaw crosses will also land on the best header of the ball in the game. Ronaldo will impact every player on the team and push them to be better,everyone will be out to impress and the overall level of the team will no doubt go up.

 

[Jaxa]

A little wary of our midfield. Backline and Forward line, will be fine.

I think this is going to be the running theme all season I am afraid , Defence and Attack are well equipped but we will always be found out in midfield but certain teams. Lets just hope we can score more than them

 

[Mickeza]

We have shed loads of games coming up so hopefully Ole now feels he has the squad to rotate. Donny will start in the CL I think - in normal circumstances I could see Pogba/Bruno being rested for this with the travelling but will anyone want to be rested for this one? The atmosphere will be crazy. Honestly our squad is fantastic and I haven’t got a scooby what the team will be.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Do we really feel that Ronaldo will be able to understand all of Ole's attacking systems and tactics within a few days training?

 

[Big Andy]

Do we really feel that Ronaldo will be able to understand all of Ole's attacking systems and tactics within a few days training?

He's a professional footballer with multitudes of top, top level experience playing under different managers, formations, philosophies.

Of course he will.

 

[Kaos]

Do we really feel that Ronaldo will be able to understand all of Ole's attacking systems and tactics within a few days training?

Ole is hardly some meticulous footballing professor, its clear to see we're setup to beat teams to the counter. I think Ronaldo will catch on just fine as to how Ole wants the team to play.

 

[Red_Aaron]

The only way donny starts this game is if Bruno is rested following his midweek euro trip but given his game is Tuesday I don't see that happening either

Fred and Matic will sit whilst our ridiculous forward options do their thing

 

[Scorpy]

Do we really feel that Ronaldo will be able to understand all of Ole's attacking systems and tactics within a few days training?

No white text?

 

[Fortitude]

Expect this will be a chaotic, disjointed game with goals in it. As long as we win and accrue no injuries, it's all good.

Our midfield either has Van de Beek in it, or we go with whichever out of the myriad of combinations that don't work as McTominay most likely won't be featuring.

Hopefully whatever we go with, has enough about it to contain Newcastle's midfield and put them on the backfoot suffocating supply to St Maxim, but also affording our new-look attacking unit more time and chances to familiarise themselves which each other in-game.

I really hope Pogba is back out on the left, but suspect he will start in midfield next to Fred. Sancho needs the PT, but I think Pogba out left with Greenwood on the right gives us the quickest inlet to racking up a couple of goals and giving the breathing space to let the team relax and ease Sancho into a less tense environment.

Part of me would love to see Cavani and Ronaldo up front with a magic Square behind them, but that obviously won't happen as both Greenwood and Sancho would be on the bench then.

It's a curious and surreal state of affairs for us to have an elite set of options in the forward positions. Ole has the tools needed to change games on the hop now, and even whilst finding our feet, due to our attacking options, we should be on the winning end of games even if they are all over the place for the time being.

Watching this via streaming will be like dial up; I suspect a lot of us UK viewers will have to feck off to sports bars/pubs or absolutely bemoan the stuttering, freezing streams that will invariably let us down at key moments in plays.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

No white text?

No but glad someone got the irony

 

[MancFanFromManc]

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
Fred
Greenwood Pogba Bruno Sancho
Ronaldo
​

Time to ditch this two holding midfielder nonsense

 

[nainaisson]

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
Fred
Greenwood Pogba Bruno Sancho
Ronaldo
​

Time to ditch this two holding midfielder nonsense

The back line will be more afraid of Fred than any Newcastle player.

 

[Fazer]

Due to our lack of options in CDM, I would go for this

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
Lindelof
Greenwood Pogba Bruno Sancho
Ronaldo

 

[RDCR07]

I need to sign up to Fubo.tv on a free trial to watch this game on Saturday here in the States.

 

[Turnip]

I need to sign up to Fubo.tv on a free trial to watch this game on Saturday here in the States.

Somehow there is no legal way to watch this in the UK...
Might have to use a VPN to watch the same way as you.

 

[RDCR07]

Somehow there is no legal way to watch this in the UK...
Might have to use a VPN to watch the same way as you.

Even if you sign up for one of these streaming sites on a free trial?

 

[USREDEVIL]

The back line will be more afraid of Fred than any Newcastle player.

I'd laugh it it weren't true. Ok what the hell:

 

[Jeppers7]

This is going to be a party on Saturday. I’m getting there early

 

[Red the Bear]

Special occasions require special formations

Varane
Sancho shaw
Vdb
Mata lingard pogba
Mason cavani martial

Ron

Will give Brucey something to think about eh ?

 

[Heardy]

Not going to lie, this is the worst I’ve felt not being able to go to a domestic PL game in as long as I can remember.

I reckon it’ll be electric.

 

[Leonzo1]

Ronny
Pogba Bruno Greenwood
VDB Fred
Shaw Maguire Varane AWB
DDG

4-0 United.

 

[RetroStu]

I think the only way Ronaldo doesnt start this game is if Ole wants to show everyone 'who's boss'.
The whole worlds eyes are on this game, and the club knows it too.

 

[peridigm]

I need to sign up to Fubo.tv on a free trial to watch this game on Saturday here in the States.

It’s on USA network.

 

[TheReligion]

Any chance of Ronaldo playing off the left, Cavani centre and Greenwood/Sancho right?

 

[peridigm]

Double pivot with Pogba and Bruno leaves us very exposed. We’ll either see a MF of Pogba/Fred, Fred/Matic, Fred/DVB and it largely depends on whether Sancho is fit or Pogba has to play on LW. I don’t even think Jesse will get a sniff at LW for this. My money is on Cavani starting with Ronaldo coming on around 60’. Who makes way will depend on how we’re doing at that time.

 

[RDCR07]

It’s on USA network.

I don’t have cable. But if I sign up for fubo I can get USA network.

 

[Okey]

Erm...has Ronaldo been officially unveiled yet? Are we gonna get another unveiling before the game? Or is it just me still ruing missing the Varane one? Then he comes off the bench to score a hat trick and my day is made!

 

[EtH]

Ronaldo
Pogba Bruno Mason
Fred DvB
Shaw Maguire Varane AWB
DDG

Hope this is the match where we begin to see DvB finally settle in. But either way…

Siiiiuuuuuuu

 

[bosnian_red]

Erm...has Ronaldo been officially unveiled yet? Are we gonna get another unveiling before the game? Or is it just me still ruing missing the Varane one? Then he comes off the bench to score a hat trick and my day is made!

Do you not follow United on any social media?

 

[Okey]

Do you not follow United on any social media?

Ha! Of course I do. Maybe more than is healthy. I'm just buzzing for debut 2.0. Don't mind me too much.

 

[mitchmouse]

No excuses, no b/s, no slow start. Any side with real title ambitions has to thump the likes of Newcastle. Part of me think we will, but the same part that felt we'd struggle at Southampton and Wolves, feels we still haven't got thing in place to dominate this sort of game

 

[Tincanalley]

Ole is hardly some meticulous footballing professor, its clear to see we're setup to beat teams to the counter. I think Ronaldo will catch on just fine as to how Ole wants the team to play.

Sarcasm alert