[Ollie Derbyshire]

Do you believe he’s put performances in in training that have earned a start and still been overlooked by two managers? I really don’t. I think he’s either not shown the quality or not shown the right attitude or temperament to convince the coaches he’s worth it.

I could understand the fuss over him not playing if he put in the performances when he does get a chance but he’s like an even more shy Tom Cleverley.

I’ll tell you what, I know Matic hasn’t put any decent performances in matches I’ve seen, and I’ve seen all of them. Until given more than 5 mins in injury time on average no one can rate him fully for us.

I’d also rather see three actual midfielders in there then Matic and Fred.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I thought dalot had a massive hole in his ankle?

stitched up and on the outside of his ankle. should be fine im sure.

 

[CloneMC16]

Jones can play RB.

True. I forgot he played there before.

 

[Fooza]

Take the Gods out for this one, it'll take something if we pull out a win.

 

[Pexbo]

We've all seen the DVB for ajax in the CL when hes full of confidence and on fire. Hes a very good player. Dont forget were it not for covid outbreak originally he would have been a real madrid player. The deal was done and dusted. He needs to leave for the sake of his career. Go elsewhere, get playing and back to DVB of old and top clubs will come knocking again.

Maybe for the sake of his career he needed to get his head down and work harder and not sulk and get his agent stirring shit in the press? He’s at a big club and failed to take his chances when given them. This whole “he needs to be given a run of at least 5-10 games” business is nonsense. No player is given that luxury without proving they’re worth.

 

[MiceOnMeth]

Elanga starting over Sancho. Sums up his time here nicely

 

[Superunknown]

I'm going to this with absolutely no expectations. We'll see what happens. We're too unpredictable to guess whether or not this is even a good lineup or not.

 

[FromTheBench]

Why do we have 2 goalies on bench?

Surely there are other players that can fill those spaces.

 

[Lentwood]

With all the minutes Matic is getting it would have been nice to see us recall Jimmy Garner. A regular in the Championship, good against Arsenal in the cup, now might have been a good time to start phasing him in

 

[The Firestarter]

Chris Wood looks like Phil Jones' older brother.

 

[UncleBob]

Elanga starting over Sancho. Sums up his time here nicely

Not fully fit.

 

[thegregster]

Elanga starting over Sancho. Sums up his time here nicely

About time. Some just can't seem to accept that Sancho isn't up to it.

 

[UncleBob]

Ralf has fecking lost the plot with 8 subs where two of them are goalkeepers

 

[sullydnl]

Maybe for the sake of his career he needed to get his head down and work harder and not sulk and get his agent stirring shit in the press? He’s at a big club and failed to take his chances when given them. This whole “he needs to be given a run of at least 5-10 games” business is nonsense. No player is given that luxury without proving they’re worth.

The reports coming out of the club have been that he is getting his head down and working hard. Even recently when Ferdinand was alluding to the player he knew had been leaking stories to the press, he used VDB as an example of someone who wasn't doing that and was actually being professional.

 

[Pexbo]

I’ll tell you what, I know Matic hasn’t put any decent performances in matches I’ve seen, and I’ve seen all of them. Until given more than 5 mins in injury time on average no one can rate him fully for us.

I’d also rather see three actual midfielders in there then Matic and Fred.

I’m not sure how you can compare Matic with Donny, definition of apples and oranges. Donny is more mobile and that’s about it. Matic is a much better defensive midfielder and doesn’t hide away.

 

[VP89]

Elanga starting over Sancho. Sums up his time here nicely

I think its more Greenwood over Sancho and Elanga over Rashford. Elanga is likely put on for his pace and power to get in behind, I reckon.

 

[Nordmore]

With all the minutes Matic is getting it would have been nice to see us recall Jimmy Garner. A regular in the Championship, good against Arsenal in the cup, now might have been a good time to start phasing him in

Agreed I'd like to see that too. Can't be worse anyway.

On a second thought it might be actually better for Garner to stay there playing week in week out than warming himself on the bench here.

 

[SAFMUTD]

At least it's not 4-2-2-2

 

[Superunknown]

Ralf has fecking lost the plot with 8 subs where two of them are goalkeepers

Heaton and Henderson to come on in the second half as a double pivot.

(maybe even put Jones there and go for a triple pivot?!)

 

[KingCavani]

I’m assuming there has to be a major injury or covid situation if we have two keepers on the bench.

Rashford deserves to be banished for his recent form so if it’s purely to make a statement then I do appreciate it but I think that’s unlikely.

 

[Shark]

This guy Ralf is looking a bit clueless. Villa will walk through that midfield again.

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

I’m not sure how you can compare Matic with Donny, definition of apples and oranges. Donny is more mobile and that’s about it. Matic is a much better defensive midfielder and doesn’t hide away.

Matic is neigh on a cart house nowadays, he’ll drop between the CB’s leaving Fred exposed. I’d rather Fred as the CDM and Donny as CM. It can’t be any worse than we’ve seen time and again.

 

[thegregster]

I’ll tell you what, I know Matic hasn’t put any decent performances in matches I’ve seen, and I’ve seen all of them. Until given more than 5 mins in injury time on average no one can rate him fully for us.

I’d also rather see three actual midfielders in there then Matic and Fred.

This is like when Ole was playing Pereria and Lingard as a 10. There is little alternative till we sign a proper DM.

 

[0le]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

This is like when Ole was playing Pereria and Lingard as a 10. There is little alternative till we sign a proper DM.

I’d rather Fred than Matic as DM, he’s played there before and been no worse and he’s much more mobile.

 

[Red Dreams]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

I'm sure Maguire must be wishing for the good ol days of Ole playing him after one day of training coming back from injury.

 

[Rightnr]

No Maguire, no stress.

 

[Adam-Utd]

No Maguire, no stress.

Nemanja Matic, midfield is Static

 

[Hester_manc]

With this starting 11, I think we are going to be smashed to pieces.

 

[Stactix]

Away from home with a weaker midfield.. that's going to go down well.

 

[Forevergiggs1]

Maybe for the sake of his career he needed to get his head down and work harder and not sulk and get his agent stirring shit in the press? He’s at a big club and failed to take his chances when given them. This whole “he needs to be given a run of at least 5-10 games” business is nonsense. No player is given that luxury without proving they’re worth.

It was only in the last game against AV that Ralf said VDB was instrumental in calming the game down to get us the win. Doesn't matter what he does. He'll only start in meaningless games which at this stage of the season is zero.

 

[SER19]

Nice to see poor performances leading to bench. Rashford and maguire don't deserve to start at the minute.

 

[Gazza]

Ralf has gone for a more attacking line up.
If he played VDB instead of Bruno it would indicate we are more concerned about Villa than us being more on the front foot.

Not at all. For one thing I never said he should be played instead of Bruno, no idea where you got that from. Beyond that, controlling midfield is of vital importance to winning a game of football, it's not just about having more 'match winners' on the pitch.

 

[dpansheth]

With this starting 11, I think we are going to be smashed to pieces.

I think we are winning this one..

 

[Orton]

He was hardly gonna go with the same team as Monday, was he? Welcome changes and refreshing to see players actually getting dropped (rashford, Maguire) when playing like rubbish.

 

[ForeverRed1]

No Maguire, no stress.

you sure about that?

 

[Deery]

Nothing in the way of attack off the bench, I’m quite fearful of this game, although I think it might be a decent watch..

 

[Deery]

Nice to see poor performances leading to bench. Rashford and maguire don't deserve to start at the minute.

Rashford is dropped.

 

[Red Dreams]

Not at all. Controlling midfield is of vital importance to winning a game of football.

I agree. But there is a difference between a defensive midfield and an attacking one.
My guess is he expects the wing backs to help in midfield.
Bruno at his best is a better attacking option than VDB.
Though you could argue his recent form has been suspect.

 

[Nordmore]

Rashford is dropped.

No both him and Ronaldo are injured. If you believe what Ralf said.