Chelsea 1:0 Manchester United

FireballXL5 · Nov 3, 2017

abdo99 said:
We must outnumber them in midfield and not make the mistake we did at Liverpool by playing Herrera and Matic. If Pogba and Fellaini are not ready I'd play Mctominay instead and drop Mkhitaryan.

I agree, but I just can't see Jose dropping Mkhitaryan.

Frank Grimes · Nov 3, 2017

A win here would be such a crucial result and could shape our season. I'm not confident but it is a must win game for Chelsea too and maybe we can take advantage of that.

SwansonsTache · Nov 4, 2017

Probably we'll go 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. Would have been nice to have Fellaini in there as the third man in midfield to counter Bakayoko's physicality.

haram · Nov 4, 2017

I am confident we can win this.

Android1974 · Nov 4, 2017

I wonder if Conte will go for Fàbregas or Pedro. Anyhow, if Kanté is anywhere near operational, we'll have trouble.

Offside · Nov 4, 2017

Our record here is beyond shocking. 1 league win in nearly 16 years and even that was against 9 men, with our winning goal miles offside. We've also played a few cup ties here in that time, losing all of them. The Champions League win in 2011 is the only happy memory some of our fans will have at the Bridge (the 3-3 was decent to be fair). We are surely due actually playing well and winning here?

haram · Nov 4, 2017

Offside said:
Our record here is beyond shocking. 1 league win in nearly 16 years and even that was against 9 men, with our winning goal miles offside. We've also played a few cup ties here in that time, losing all of them. The Champions League win in 2011 is the only happy memory some of our fans will have at the Bridge (the 3-3 was decent to be fair). We are surely due actually playing well and winning here?

The 1-0 loss where Hazard scored, we played well in. Would be a great time to end this Stamford Bridge curse.

Morpheus 7 · Nov 4, 2017

It's a horrible place to go, we need to play great to win there. This is a weak Chelsea who have problems but it's a must win for them. If we had a fit Pogba I would be confident but we don't. We have been flat since fellaini got injured. We had a competitive scrappy win against spurs. It's nice to battle for a victory and win but you need quality away from home. I think Jose is desperate to beat Conte but it will be tough. You always have an edge over your opponent being at home. I think it will be a draw, Chelsea are in bad form but we haven't been great going forward recently. The midfield is lacking creativity.

Offside · Nov 4, 2017

We can take hope from the fact that Jose’s tactics were spot on against then last season at Old Trafford, and in the cup we did alright considering we had 10 men.

markorm · Nov 4, 2017

Bonfire Night

Bring it on.

notcool · Nov 4, 2017

Chelsea's 3-4-3 is lopsided. They usually have one wingback on one side and a wingback and a winger on the other. This is pretty obvious if you look at the game last season where we beat them 2-0. It was clear that Hazard was in a central position more often than not, with Pedro as the winger.

The way to counter this is to go lopsided ourself.

One way to do this is what Herrera did against Hazard in that same match, tracking him into central areas.

Another way would be to go 4-3-3 and have one winger track their wingback at one time and the other winger track their wingback at another time. This means at any given we will have one fullback on one side and a fullback and a winger on the other, which will match up to Chelsea's one wingback on one side and a wingback and a winger on the other. Then our spare man in midfield (the DM) can pick up the ten.

The thing not to do would be to go 4-5-1, as Mourinho did against Arsenal away last season. This is because our shape will be symmetric (2 fullbacks and 2 wingers) and we will therefore lose out in other areas.

sunama · Nov 4, 2017

Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell said:
If we you expect to lose then why not just go for it and approach it without fear?

Because playing your way, we could get 3 pts from the fixture. But most likely 0 points, because of our record at SB.
But using Jose's way, we will most likely end up with 4 out of 6 points, in the 2 games against CFC, this season.
If we can implement this strategy against all top 6 teams, ie. get 4 out of 6 points, that'll win us the title.

There are some people in here who think that we can't win the title this season. I disagree. I think we are absolutely going for the title and the above strategy is a title winning strategy (albeit a boring, unadventurous strategy).

AgentP · Nov 4, 2017

I just hope they don't have Kante back. Without him, they are not the same side.

sunama · Nov 4, 2017

RedCurry said:
Well let be reasonable. We are never going to go “all out attack” against a top side away. But if we did and lost a game, it’s still better than being cowardly.

You need to think about the title, my friend. Think about the bigger picture.
If your squad is head and shoulders above all other squads (like MCFC), then you can play like that.
But MUFC squad is not great.
So, Jose has to play away games to top 6, 0-0. When we play the home fixture, we must try and get 3 points.

sunama · Nov 4, 2017

automaticflare said:
How about those glorious fergie years where we always played all out attack (sic) and lost about a million games in a row against Liverpool 1-0 and Danny Murphy seemed to score the winner every time. Say you loved them. Or are you old enough to even remember.

People forget this.
And the best part is, they apparently enjoyed those losing games.

The No.10! · Nov 4, 2017

Still confused as to who to go for in midfield in my line-up prediction. Gut feeling says Fella might start alongside Matic, but there haven't been too many obvious signs for the same. Will almost definitely be three at the back, and Rashford and Lukaku up front with Mkhi (why God why), but who alongside Matic?

carlosp · Nov 4, 2017

So, the 3 years of Moyes and LvG, we got 0 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses in the PL against Chelsea.

Since Mounrinho took over, 1 loss and 1 win.

We can do it.

Moyes
26 Aug 2013 Manchester United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
19 Jan 2014 Chelsea v Manchester United L 3-1 Premier League

LvG
26 Oct 2014 Manchester United v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
18 Apr 2015 Chelsea v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
28 Dec 2015 Manchester United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
07 Feb 2016 Chelsea v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League

Mourinho
23 Oct 2016 Chelsea v Manchester United L 4-0 Premier League
16 Apr 2017 Manchester United v Chelsea W 2-0 Premier League

Didn't know it but Chelsea are the only team ever in the Premier League/English Division One that has a positive goal ratio against us.

Opposition P W D L F A
Chelsea 50 14 19 17 61 66

SwansonsTache · Nov 4, 2017

If they have Kante back, as it is rumoured, we should play with 3 in midfield, issue is we don't have a third midfielder at the moment.

RedRom · Nov 4, 2017

The No.10! said:
Still confused as to who to go for in midfield in my line-up prediction. Gut feeling says Fella might start alongside Matic, but there haven't been too many obvious signs for the same. Will almost definitely be three at the back, and Rashford and Lukaku up front with Mkhi (why God why), but who alongside Matic?

Who else is there to play in the Miki role? It is just a choice really between him and possibly Mata in such a role.

As for who alongside Matic, due to lack of fit players, then it will be Herrera.

The No.10! · Nov 4, 2017

RedRom said:
Who else is there to play in the Miki role? It is just a choice really between him and possibly Mata in such a role.

As for who alongside Matic, due to lack of fit players, then it will be Herrera.

Based on current form, I'd go with Lingard in place of him. Mata is not played centrally by Jose, so that's that, and in any case he doesn't start him in these big matches, so that's out of the question as well.

If Kante is in FACT back, that will be a huge boost for them, and possibly the turning point of the game before even a ball is kicked.

Siorac · Nov 4, 2017

sunama said:
People forget this.
And the best part is, they apparently enjoyed those losing games.

I didn't forget those games, I just don't see why losing a game in 2001 means we should never ever again try to attack Liverpool at their own ground. Bit of a strange logic to be honest.

Siorac · Nov 4, 2017

sammsky1 said:
damn, Hoped Fellaini would be back. He is even more essential than Pogba for these top 6 away gigs.

And we've reached the peak with the overrating of Fellaini, congratulations everyone.

Though maybe this isn't the peak, now I think about it. If he misses one more month, he'll be declared our best ever player, probably.

RedRom · Nov 4, 2017

The No.10! said:
Based on current form, I'd go with Lingard in place of him. Mata is not played centrally by Jose, so that's that, and in any case he doesn't start him in these big matches, so that's out of the question as well.

If Kante is in FACT back, that will be a huge boost for them, and possibly the turning point of the game before even a ball is kicked.

Lingard is s good shout actually, and is the only other person that could come in for Miki untill we get some of our injured players back.

The No.10! · Nov 4, 2017

carlosp said:
So, the 3 years of Moyes and LvG, we got 0 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses in the PL against Chelsea.

Since Mounrinho took over, 1 loss and 1 win.

We can do it.

Moyes
26 Aug 2013 Manchester United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
19 Jan 2014 Chelsea v Manchester United L 3-1 Premier League

LvG
26 Oct 2014 Manchester United v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
18 Apr 2015 Chelsea v Manchester United L 1-0 Premier League
28 Dec 2015 Manchester United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
07 Feb 2016 Chelsea v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League

Mourinho
23 Oct 2016 Chelsea v Manchester United L 4-0 Premier League
16 Apr 2017 Manchester United v Chelsea W 2-0 Premier League

Didn't know it but Chelsea are the only team ever in the Premier League/English Division One that has a positive goal ratio against us.

Opposition P W D L F A
Chelsea 50 14 19 17 61 66

That should have been one win for us under LVG, if not for Depay to feck it up in the last moments! I know it's far fetched, by a mile, but I still blame him for us missing out on the champions league that season on goal difference. We should've won that game.

Kapardin · Nov 4, 2017

Siorac said:
And we've reached the peak with the overrating of Fellaini, congratulations everyone.

Though maybe this isn't the peak, now I think about it. If he misses one more month, he'll be declared our best ever player, probably.

Ridiculous to say he is better than Pogba, that is hyperbole of the highest order. But no denying that a Matic-Herrera-Fellaini midfield would not only be solid, but with Fellaini as a goal-threat, we can dispense with our currently wank #10s.

RedRom · Nov 4, 2017

Kapardin said:
Ridiculous to say he is better than Pogba, that is hyperbole of the highest order. But no denying that a Matic-Herrera-Fellaini midfield would not only be solid, but with Fellaini as a goal-threat, we can dispense with our currently wank #10s.

Yes I agree, it would be s good opportunity to try something a bit different.
I kind of like the thought of those three playing together.

carlosp · Nov 4, 2017

The No.10! said:
That should have been one win for us under LVG, if not for Depay to feck it up in the last moments! I know it's far fetched, by a mile, but I still blame him for us missing out on the champions league that season on goal difference. We should've won that game.

I remember a feck up by Nani in the last minute against Chelsea that cost us the game and the season(City won) iirc.

Red Devil 26 · Nov 4, 2017

carlosp said:
I remember a feck up by Nani in the last minute against Chelsea that cost us the game and the season(City won) iirc.

That was in the League Cup. Not the Premier League. We lost that title dropping points to Everton and Wigan before that toothless showing against City.

Skills · Nov 4, 2017

The No.10! said:
That should have been one win for us under LVG, if not for Depay to feck it up in the last moments! I know it's far fetched, by a mile, but I still blame him for us missing out on the champions league that season on goal difference. We should've won that game.

It was Blind who fecked up for their goal. Charged out like a nutter from the edge of our box, slipped and let Costa through for 1v1.

Canagel · Nov 4, 2017

The No.10! said:
That should have been one win for us under LVG, if not for Depay to feck it up in the last moments! I know it's far fetched, by a mile, but I still blame him for us missing out on the champions league that season on goal difference. We should've won that game.

That is absolutely ridiculous. There were countless feckups from us that season. The 3-2 defeat to West Ham after being 2-1 up with 20 minutes remaining was much worse for example. You could include any of those frustrating 0-0 draws we couldn't break the deadlock in. A draw against Chelsea (even though it was a bitter pill to swallow considering the way we played) is never a result that should cost us the top 4. Our struggles were beyond that. It's not fair to pinpoint 1 game as the reason we failed to reach our targets. We failed because we didn't do enough as a team to qualify for the CL despite having numerous oppurtunites right until the last day of the season. We finished where we deserved in the end.

whatwha · Nov 4, 2017

Siorac said:
And we've reached the peak with the overrating of Fellaini, congratulations everyone.

Though maybe this isn't the peak, now I think about it. If he misses one more month, he'll be declared our best ever player, probably.

In absence the heart grows fonder

Sunspear17 · Nov 4, 2017

I hope Pogba is fit for you guys and Kante for us, so we can have the best of you vs the best of us.

Android1974 · Nov 4, 2017

So apparently Chelsea fans are expecting both Fàbregas and Bakayoko to be dropped to let that great Leicester midfield to be restored for this game, Kanté-Drinkwater. Nice to have options in midfield, ain't it?

unitedforeveral · Nov 4, 2017

With a 3-4-3 i think we should do everything we did at OT last season and try to get a win. Lukaku has to score because the dry spell will haunt him. He needs to get the goals in order to boost his self-confidence. Also we need to create a decent midfield with or without our fringe CMs. We definitely have to keep the ball and try to put as many passes together as possible because when Chelsea get to the ball, i'm pretty sure they'll try to attack us on all force. Although our defense is pretty good, we need a good midfield to get the win. I'm sure this is how things will work out if the game is moving at pace but we can control the pace of the game if we put out minds to it.

De Gea
Bailly- Smalling- Jones
Valencia- Herrera- Matic- Blind
Rashford- Lukaku- Martial

sammsky1 · Nov 4, 2017

Siorac said:
And we've reached the peak with the overrating of Fellaini, congratulations everyone.

Though maybe this isn't the peak, now I think about it. If he misses one more month, he'll be declared our best ever player, probably.

Plenty of evidence shows Fellaini is better than Pogba in away games vs top 6 teams where we park the bus.

Robbo's Shoulder · Nov 4, 2017

I don’t mind Fellaini starting in big games. Not the best player but a what a bloody handful, all arms, legs and hair flying all over the place. Worth a start ( when fit ) just for nuisance value.

Canagel · Nov 4, 2017

Fellaini and Rojo have travelled according to Luckhurst.

SwansonsTache · Nov 4, 2017

abdo99 said:
Fellaini and Rojo have travelled according to Luckhurst.

Fellaini being available would be huge since Chelsea reportedly have Kante back, so we could do with a midfield 3.

Ramshock · Nov 4, 2017

Fellaini is fit?

United_We_Stand · Nov 4, 2017

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