Chelsea 1:0 Manchester United

shield · Mar 11, 2017

minoo-utd said:
This game will show what exactly is our level, playing against the league leaders at their best on their ground after they have beaten us 4 0, it's not about the FA cup it's about who we are exactly under Mourinho, this is a big game if we beat them we gonna have a good run IMO.

My thoughts exactly.

shield · Mar 11, 2017

Grunge said:
And exactly why Mourinho will take it seriously and field our best available 11 in an attempt to beat the odds, which are it must be said, stacked heavily against us for a change ... love being the under-dog.

I also want us to take this match very seriously. I feel we have a very good team but we just lack confidence. If we can at least put up a good fight then the boost we will receive will be immense. Our players need self confidence more than a "rest".

We might even end up thumping FC Rostov 4-0 or 5-0 if we perfrom well against Chelsea.

Sammyjunn · Mar 11, 2017

Orc said:
Christ, most of you are acting like you're Sunderland and we're Barcelona. This'll be a very close, hard fought match. My guess is very low scoring.

No blow out like some of you are predicting.

I love your humility, but be realistic.

Gerald G · Mar 11, 2017

Actually remembering that he said he'll make changes;
De Gea
Bailly--Smalling--Rojo
Valencia--Herrera--Carrick--Pogba--Shaw
Rashford--Martial

then vs Rostov:
Romero
Valencia--Bailly--Rojo--Blind
Herrera--Pogba
Mata--Mkhitaryan--Martial
Ibrahimovic

Kraftwerker · Mar 11, 2017

Gandalf Greyhame said:
@Lucky McLuckerson has been on an unbeaten run since the Hull City game, no? This is where it ends, I'm afraid.

Well, it was good while it lasted.

That match didn't count. It's actually an unbeaten run since... the last Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge. :nervous:

Sereques · Mar 11, 2017

minoo-utd said:
This game will show what exactly is our level, playing against the league leaders at their best on their ground after they have beaten us 4 0, it's not about the FA cup it's about who we are exactly under Mourinho, this is a big game if we beat them we gonna have a good run IMO.

Chelsea an in form team with 7 days of rest at home against a team with 3 days of rest with a long trip from Russia and somehow the game will reflect our level?

Don't get me wrong, I know anything can happen in football. A massive defeat to them means nothing, same as a solid victory for us. All it means is, the winner progress to the next round of FA Cup.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Curious how the club's website changed Mourinho's statements regarding ‘a Nick Butt's team’, perhaps they've found it disrespectful?

"We have three days and we have to travel," Mourinho told MUTV. "We have to go to London. It’s really hard. We don’t have Zlatan, of course not, but we go with everything we have. We don’t put a [weakened] team out like some clubs sometimes - Manchester United cannot do that.
"We know this Europa League is very important for us, and the FA Cup is beautiful. We cannot go there with a [Reserve] team, we'll try to manage it within our squad and get a good team to compete with them.
"Manchester United is Manchester United; it's the winner of this competition. It's not Chelsea's fault we were given this Monday match. We'll make changes, as we played on Thursday, but we cannot go to Chelsea with a [Reserve] team."

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

If we started playing 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 more usually, Fosu-Mensah could become really useful as right wing-back.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

And if we repeat the Rostov formation, one of Martial or Rashford will be out.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Red Katie said:
Don't know but doubt that will happen again. So what about Jones and Bailly then? Have they played much together?

Besides pre-season, I think we never or almost never had a Bailly-Jones center-back pairing.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Gerardo Islas said:
My lineup if we play with 3 CB's:

Both Fellaini and Martial have a chance of benching Carrick and Rashford there.

Also, would drop Jones for Smalling, and then Bailly surely to be the right center-back, like this: Rojo, Smalling, Bailly.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Gerald G said:
De Gea
Bailly--Smalling--Rojo
Valencia--Herrera--Pogba--Shaw
Mkhitaryan--Rashford--Martial

subs: Romero, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Lingard, Rooney

Give this a go but I think Mkhi will be rested and Lingard will start.

Nice, but I would prefer to test Mhkitaryan advancing centrally from a midfield position, with two forwards, Martial drifting to the left and Rashford to the right, so, more like a 3-4-1-2.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Lawman said:
Would be suicide to match their formation imo. Play to our strengths and give it a go!

Our strengths are not enough, right now. I think Mourinho really was testing the formation against Rostov, it was not just the pitch, etc.

Mike09 · Mar 11, 2017

DDG
Valencia Smalling Rojo Shaw
Herrera Carrick Pogba
Mkhy Rashford Martial

Outnumbered their midfield in the middle by playing Herrera Carrick and Pogba to stop Kante and Matic.
Pace pace pace up front three.
Practice set pieces and crosses because Chelsea conceded a lot of goals in the air.

Lawman · Mar 11, 2017

Android1974 said:
Our strengths are not enough, right now. I think Mourinho really was testing the formation against Rostov, it was not just the pitch, etc.

I agree but think we could get roasted in a 3. Would prefer Carrick in front of a back 4

Philadelphian · Mar 11, 2017

Mike09 said:
DDG
Valencia Smalling Rojo Shaw
Herrera Carrick Pogba
Mkhy Rashford Martial

Outnumbered their midfield in the middle by playing Herrera Carrick and Pogba to stop Kante and Matic.

Pace pace pace up front three.

Practice set pieces and crosses because Chelsea conceded a lot of goals in the air.

Don't need to stop Kanye and Matic as they aren't so threatening. And the two of them are very clearly good enough to stop our 3. We need width against them, not more bodies in the middle to play to their strength.

Catt · Mar 11, 2017

Android1974 said:
Besides pre-season, I think we never or almost never had a Bailly-Jones center-back pairing.

Yeah I couldn't seem to recall if they had.

Mike09 · Mar 11, 2017

Philadelphian said:
Don't need to stop Kanye and Matic as they aren't so threatening. And the two of them are very clearly good enough to stop our 3. We need width against them, not more bodies in the middle to play to their strength.

If we can't dominate them then we can't beat them.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Gerald G said:
Actually remembering that he said he'll make changes;
De Gea
Bailly--Smalling--Rojo
Valencia--Herrera--Carrick--Pogba--Shaw
Rashford--Martial

then vs Rostov:
Romero
Valencia--Bailly--Rojo--Blind
Herrera--Pogba
Mata--Mkhitaryan--Martial
Ibrahimovic

No Mkhitaryan in the Chelsea game? Gosh, that would be amazingly bad.

I also wonder if Carrick can be of any use against a pressing machine like Kante.

Attila · Mar 11, 2017

De Gea
Jones Bailly Smalling Rojo Shaw
Herrera Pogba
Valencia Rooney Young

afrocentricity · Mar 11, 2017

We're going to lose this, now that I've said that we'll win tho, but now that I've said that.......

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

Attila said:
De Gea
Jones Bailly Smalling Rojo Tuanzebe
Herrera Pogba
Valencia Rooney Young

Fixed. Why just all 4 center-backs if you can put 5?

G Best the Belfast Boy · Mar 11, 2017

I am no expert but I think the only time Chelsea lost in the league since they changed to a 3-4-3 following their 3-0 loss to Arsenal was against Spurs who also went 3-4-3. Maybe this tells us something. Then again Everton went 3-4-3 against Chelsea and lost 5-0. By the way I am not advocating 3-4-3 as it may be a bit risky changing our format to go similar to what Chelsea is now comfortable with. Indeed have we the players to go 3-4-3 and as someone mentioned earlier in the thread - do we have the players intelligent enough to go 3-4-3? However I decided to evaluate why it worked for Spurs and would a similar approach work for us.

Of what I have read about the game between Spurs and Chelsea and both teams going 3-4-3; the midfield was packed so both teams sort of cancelled each other out in that section of the field.

The difference from what I understand is Chelsea’s mid four were less attack minded preferring (or made to) drop back making themselves more of a defensive unit. However Spurs as opposed to sitting back – pressed Chelsea, had more possession and were attack minded. The key in this game was Spurs left sided centre back Vertonghen who frequently attacked the left flank and was involved in most of the Spurs attacking moves.

Of course I am not saying this is the way to go but it if we did; the positives are - we have speed up front, we can nullify the midfield, I think Herrera is intelligent enough to adapt and I also think both Bailly and Rojo are capable of what Vertonghen did for Spurs (that’s only ‘I think’). The negatives being the team looks jaded due to the amount of games we have played, not certain the format will suit Pogba, then again… we are not used to 3-4-3, do we have the players to play 3-4-3 particularly against Chelsea and will Mkhi/Rashford whoever is on the left and Martial (right) stretch the wings to keep the width? Just the players I would pick…

As said I am no expert and I am not saying this is the way to go – indeed in my analysis the negatives outweigh the positives.

I actually think it will be a close game – it’s a shame we had that Thursday night game in Russia. I think it will be something like 2-1 either way.

Personally despite not thinking we will go 3-4-3 - however for the sake of my post and ‘analysis’ if you can call it that

; my guess of a 3-4-3 would be something like:

De Gea

Bailly Jones Rojo

Valencia Herrera Pogba Shaw

Rashford/Mkhi Mkhi/Rashford Martial

Anyway I'am getting all confused

I agree with @MadMike @Sandikin @Silverman and @Paul the Wolf it is highly doubtful we will play with three at the back; also it is a system we are not prepared for against the league leaders who are well accustomed to the 3-4-3 line up.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

After two mistakes in two games that lead to goals, Jones shouldn't be anywhere near the starting lineup. Except Rojo, all other center-backs are looking fragile right now, but Jones is now on another (bad) level.

Giggs86 · Mar 11, 2017

Sereques said:
You are very strange, you don't see the glory in winning against so called "low level opposition" so we can pit ourselves against very high level opponents next season but you do rather we focus on the chance of beating Tottenham at Wembley?

That's the exact reason. I can't take a trophy seriously when it's mere purpose is a stepping stone. It's like celebrating top four finish, which I would never even think about doing. You only celebrate finishing first.

As I said in other threads, the three major trophies are the CL, PL, FA - in that order. League Cup/EL are very nice to win, but are a level below in importance.

Ramshock · Mar 11, 2017

I can see this being another beating unfortunately especially if Pogba goes missing in another big game.

Philadelphian · Mar 11, 2017

Ramshock said:
I can see this being another beating unfortunately especially if Pogba goes missing in another big game.

This very likely won't be about Pogba as Kante will very likely get the best of him. It's going to be about getting at them in wide areas instead of right into the teeth of their defense.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

The problem with starting both Martial and Rashford, without Ibrahimović in the squad, is that United won't have any option for a more attacking substitution – except perhaps Rooney, if you're an optimist – in a game that could well go to extra-time and allow four substitutions.

Android1974 · Mar 11, 2017

If Chelsea play Fàbregas instead of Matić and Terry, we could have a chance, if Mourinho does to Conte what Guardiola did to us with De Bruyne, exposing the lack of cover in the deep defensive two-men midfield by playing Mhkitaryan as #10 just behind Martial and Rashford.

RuudTom83 · Mar 11, 2017

i just wanted to add my contribution to the thread...

C'MON LADS

Sandikan · Mar 11, 2017

We sneak a win at Chelsea, and the draw brings up two huge derbies.

Bookmark it.

redsunited · Mar 11, 2017

Mike09 said:
DDG
Valencia Smalling Rojo Shaw
Herrera Carrick Pogba
Mkhy Rashford Martial

Outnumbered their midfield in the middle by playing Herrera Carrick and Pogba to stop Kante and Matic.

Pace pace pace up front three.

Practice set pieces and crosses because Chelsea conceded a lot of goals in the air.

They will be attacking from wingbacks and 3 forwards interchanging in between our defenders. In their 343, back 3 and mid 2 are ultra defensive. The mid 2 are only to win the ball and pass it to wide/attackers. If we play 4231 or 433, their wing backs will be free and keep attacking us. So we too should play the same formation as them and keep their wingbacks busy with ours. The game will be controlled from the wing back position and won by the quick ball passed to the 3 attackers.

Mike09 · Mar 11, 2017

redsunited said:
They will be attacking from wingbacks and 3 forwards interchanging in between our defenders. In their 343, back 3 and mid 2 are ultra defensive. The mid 2 are only to win the ball and pass it to wide/attackers. If we play 4231 or 433, their wing backs will be free and keep attacking us. So we too should play the same formation as them and keep their wingbacks busy with ours. The game will be controlled from the wing back position and won by the quick ball passed to the 3 attackers.

I get the point of we need to play in the same formation, Pep did the same thing against Chelsea and they should have won the game if Bravo isn't a bad keeper.
But I can also see playing our most used formation 4141 or 451 (433 when attacking) can be in the category of playing 3 at the back. Valencia is pretty much playing 2 roles this season, it might be look like a 4141 or 433 but actually it can also be called a 361.
I'm sure you can imagine that Mkhytaryan will operate in the middle more than on the right. While Valencia is pretty much covering the whole right side as a right winger back/right back and right midfielder/right winger.

simonhch · Mar 11, 2017

They are going to thrash us. I just think it's too many games, too much travel, not enough goalscoring, plus the traumatic memory of the last Stamford Bridge disaster. 3-0 Chelsea IMO.

Treble_Winning · Mar 11, 2017

The level of pessimism on here is disappointing. We should remember that we have beaten Chelsea 8 times in the FA Cup and they've only beaten us 3 times. This isn't going to be like October, we are a completely different team at the moment. Jose is going to have the players fired up. This one is going to be PERSONAL for him, no matter how he tries to downplay it.

We need to approach this game with a positive, attacking mindset from minute one. Take the game to them, use the pace of Mhkitaryan, Martial and Rashford to exploit their weakness on the flanks. Use the inventiveness and creativity of Mata and Pogba to exploit Cahill's sloppiness and lack of technique and pace. We need to be mentally up for this. Double man-mark Hazard and Costa. Neither of them should be allowed even a sniff of the ball. As soon as Hazard touches the ball he needs to be surrounded by a sea of red shirts. We will show them that we are capable of playing at high intensity. We need AGGRESSION and GUTS. That's where the game will be won.

Treble_Winning · Mar 11, 2017

simonhch said:
They are going to thrash us. I just think it's too many games, too much travel, not enough goalscoring, plus the traumatic memory of the last Stamford Bridge disaster. 3-0 Chelsea IMO.

If the team can't even cope with 4 hour flights and two games a week, they should all consider a change in career. They have no business being professional athletes.

If they are traumatized by a single freak result, likewise they should just retire and become milkmen or postmen or something.

Let's stop making excuses for the players and demand that they EARN their million dollar salaries! Nothing less will do. First XI, high intensity, blood and guts, first to every 50/50 ball, aggressive pressing, foul them if we have to! We have to take the game to them!

Philadelphian · Mar 11, 2017

Treble_Winning said:
The level of pessimism on here is disappointing. We should remember that we have beaten Chelsea 8 times in the FA Cup and they've only beaten us 3 times. This isn't going to be like October, we are a completely different team at the moment. Jose is going to have the players fired up. This one is going to be PERSONAL for him, no matter how he tries to downplay it.

We need to approach this game with a positive, attacking mindset from minute one. Take the game to them, use the pace of Mhkitaryan, Martial and Rashford to exploit their weakness on the flanks. Use the inventiveness and creativity of Mata and Pogba to exploit Cahill's sloppiness and lack of technique and pace. We need to be mentally up for this. Double man-mark Hazard and Costa. Neither of them should be allowed even a sniff of the ball. As soon as Hazard touches the ball he needs to be surrounded by a sea of red shirts. We will show them that we are capable of playing at high intensity. We need AGGRESSION and GUTS. That's where the game will be won.

That last bit sounds like what the manager of the American national team might say before a match.

Treble_Winning · Mar 11, 2017

sammsky1 said:
It will sound sacrilegious for a United fan, but I don't mind losing this game.

Now we've already won a cup, our single minded focus should be getting into the Champions league next year: this game is proving a distraction.

Mourinho has already said that the League Cup is not enough.

As United fans we should demand nothing less than a top four finish AND three trophies this season. It can be done. We are 90 minutes away from a return to Wembley. Let's win it for Zlatan - he deserves to play again this season at Wembley where his heroics won us the day.

Treble_Winning · Mar 11, 2017

Philadelphian said:
That last bit sounds like what the manager of the American national team might say before a match.

It's true though!

If we sit back and play not to lose, we will lose!

We can only win if we take the game to them and overwhelm them with high intensity. We need to make sure Hazard doesn't even get to smell the ball. Foul them if we have to! Herrera should press the hell out of Kante. Rapid counter attacks down the flanks where they are weak. Mhkitaryan and Martial should look to torment Alonso and Moses with their pace!

Damien · Mar 11, 2017

Treble_Winning said:
The level of pessimism on here is disappointing. We should remember that we have beaten Chelsea 8 times in the FA Cup and they've only beaten us 3 times.

With most of those wins coming at Old Trafford. Last time we beat them in the FA Cup was 1999.

Results of last 20 meetings between United and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea wins: 12
Draws: 6
United wins: 2
Goals scored: 16
Goals conceded: 34
Games Chelsea failed to score: 3
Games United failed to score: 10

Right now we need about 20 chances to score 1 goal and that is against teams that aren't top of the league. It'll be a struggle.

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