FC Astana 2:1 Manchester United

Yagami · Nov 27, 2019

SteveW said:
I think Garner and Mejbri are the most obvious midfield contenders for the first team in a long long time. They're superb footballers. Undecided on Levitt. He's a classy player but not quite sure if he's United level. Puigmal and Galbraith haven't a hope in my opinion.

Yeah, I don't think Puigmal or Galbraith will make it either.

As for Garner, I just don't rate him as highly as most, but, as I've said before in regards to him, I do hope I'm wrong and everyone else is right because I love seeing players make it from the academy.

roonster09 said:
Puigmal played many games as either RB or winger with few games as midfielder. I don't remember him showing anything that puts him ahead of Levitt and Garner.

Galbraith is good though, he has such a good shot and hits it cleanly. Not better than Levitt or Garner but his shooting is very good, generates so much power.

Galbraith's played the odd game at RB like Puigmal, too. At that level, I don't really read too much into a player being tested in different positions.

When I say I prefer them to Levitt and Garner it's entirely down to personal preference in what I like in a CM, so I'm not outright saying they're better talents that them, for what it's worth. For me, whenever I've seen Puigmal and Galbraith in midfield, I've liked how calm they've been under pressure with their ball carrying skills, and ability to shield the ball when pressed. Puigmal seems to be a great free-kick taker, too.

pauldyson1uk · Nov 27, 2019

Still cant make my team selection, some of the squad are not there.

The Man Himself · Nov 27, 2019

pauldyson1uk said:
Still cant make my team selection, some of the squad are not there.

Yeah. Sack Niall Sell Damo

pauldyson1uk · Nov 27, 2019

The Man Himself said:
Yeah. Sack Niall Sell Damo

BeforeKeanetherewasRobson · Nov 27, 2019

pauldyson1uk said:
Still cant make my team selection, some of the squad are not there.

Probably Ole's fault.

Damien · Nov 27, 2019

pauldyson1uk said:
Still cant make my team selection, some of the squad are not there.

@Niall this is the squad who traveled, have fun adding them.

Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Max Taylor, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Levitt, Teden Mengi, DiShon Bernard, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, Arnau Puigmal, D'Mani Bughail-Mellor, James Garner, Jesse Lingard, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood.

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

Damien said:
@Niall this is the squad who traveled, have fun adding them.

Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Max Taylor, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Levitt, Teden Mengi, DiShon Bernard, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, Arnau Puigmal, D'Mani Bughail-Mellor, James Garner, Jesse Lingard, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood.

As this might be the exceptional case (when it comes to squad) can't we just close the prediction game for this one? It might be too much effort for @Niall and also going forward, the line up list would be so big and most of them won't make the squad.

Niall · Nov 27, 2019

roonster09 said:
As this might be the exceptional case (when it comes to squad) can't we just close the prediction game for this one? It might be too much effort for @Niall and also going forward, the line up list would be so big and most of them won't make the squad.

I was thinking that myself but then realised we still need those players in the system in case any of them play and have to be available for the match lineup / man of the match voting / player ratings etc.

I'll add them today.

Niall · Nov 27, 2019

Damien said:
Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Max Taylor, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Levitt, Teden Mengi, DiShon Bernard, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, Arnau Puigmal, D'Mani Bughail-Mellor, James Garner, Jesse Lingard, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood.

Ole!!!!

Grande · Nov 27, 2019

Damien said:
@Niall this is the squad who traveled, have fun adding them.

Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Max Taylor, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Levitt, Teden Mengi, DiShon Bernard, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, Arnau Puigmal, D'Mani Bughail-Mellor, James Garner, Jesse Lingard, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood.

Bold and calculated move, sending the U23 squad with some older players needing game time as chaperons. It will be a crash course in growing up for many of the kids, playing in minus 20 C in five hour time difference and in front of 30 000 wild kazakhs (not certain about that last bit).

All the while sparing first team players the long travel and risk of injuries, saving energy for the next league game.

Paul the Wolf · Nov 27, 2019

With any luck they'll leave Lingard behind when they come back.

ArjenIsM3 · Nov 27, 2019

Niall said:
Ole!!!!

No Idea For Nickname · Nov 27, 2019

Niall said:
Ole!!!!

Tom Cato · Nov 27, 2019

peridigm said:
I'm normally not one for wanting us to send a significantly depleted squad on the road for a match like this but we need 1 pt from 2 matches to qualify. Given the travel, and our lack of fit midfielders, Ole may not have much choice than to roll out one of the predictions seen above. It would be nice to win the group but probably not critical. Where it gets tricky is if we lose and Belgrade manage to get 3 pts away at Alkmaar. We then go into the last match against Alkmaar where any two of the 3 can qualify.

We've already qualified on aggregate results. This match is entirely meaningless for us.

youngrell · Nov 27, 2019

Someone will find fault with the squad, I'm sure.

Sassy Colin · Nov 27, 2019

Damien said:
@Niall this is the squad who traveled, have fun adding them.

Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Max Taylor, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Levitt, Teden Mengi, DiShon Bernard, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, Arnau Puigmal, D'Mani Bughail-Mellor, James Garner, Jesse Lingard, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood.

Who are all these people?

Heinzesight · Nov 27, 2019

Paul the Wolf said:
With any luck they'll leave Lingard behind when they come back.

At least he’s playing with lads his own age tomorrow.

Annihilate Now! · Nov 27, 2019

Paul the Wolf said:
With any luck they'll leave Lingard behind when they come back.

I imagine he'll probably be our Captain on Thursday... unless he gives it to Axel.

Adcuth · Nov 27, 2019

The Man Himself said:
Yeah. Sack Niall Sell Damo

#NIALLOUT

0le · Nov 27, 2019

Can we still finish second?

RedDevilRoshi · Nov 27, 2019

0le said:
Can we still finish second?

Yes

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

0le said:
Can we still finish second?

Yes, if we lose both games.

0le · Nov 27, 2019

roonster09 said:
Yes, if we lose both games.

RedDevilRoshi said:
Yes

Ok thanks. Then I suppose the game is important to avoid facing certain teams early in the competition.

Bestietom · Nov 27, 2019

roonster09 said:
Fosu Mensah is in the travelling squad

Delighted for him. He needs to be given a chance after recovery.

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

0le said:
Ok thanks. Then I suppose the game is important to avoid facing certain teams early in the competition.

We can lose this game and can still finish first though, our last game is at home vs AZ.

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

Bestietom said:
Delighted for him. He needs to be given a chance after recovery.

He is not travelling, earlier it was reported he was with the squad but later it was Tuanzebe who traveled.

0le · Nov 27, 2019

youngrell said:
Someone will find fault with the squad, I'm sure.

Imagine if Gomes does not start

RedDevilRoshi · Nov 27, 2019

I don’t know where some of these players play as haven’t seen much of the U23’s play. So don’t shoot the messenger if I’ve put 1-2 players in the wrong positions! Really looking forward to watching this as not seen many of these players play before.

Starting XI

Grant

Laird
Bernard
Tuanzebe
Shaw

Levitt
Garner

Lingard
Gomes
Chong

Greenwood

subs:
Kovar
Taylor
Mengi
Galbraith
Puigmal
Ramazani
Mellor

Score Prediction:
FC Astana 0-2 Manchester United

Bestietom · Nov 27, 2019

Damien said:
@Niall this is the squad who traveled, have fun adding them.

Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Max Taylor, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Levitt, Teden Mengi, DiShon Bernard, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, Arnau Puigmal, D'Mani Bughail-Mellor, James Garner, Jesse Lingard, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood.

Can you help me @Damien . There was a midfielder that played with the academy 6/7 years ago that everyone though would make it . He scored some great goals from set pieces and from play, and called him the next Beckham. I can't for the life of me think of his name now, but if I heard it I would remember him. I used to go a lot to see the academy then. Any suggestions.

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

Ole confirmed Lee Grant will start tomorrow.

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

Bestietom said:
Can you help me @Damien . There was a midfielder that played with the academy 6/7 years ago that everyone though would make it . He scored some great goals from set pieces and from play, and called him the next Beckham. I can't for the life of me think of his name now, but if I heard it I would remember him. I used to go a lot to see the academy then. Any suggestions.

Eikrem, Petrucci?

bludsucker · Nov 27, 2019

The squad is quite youthful. We are in for a pasting. Will the lineup prediction options be updated with these additions??

RedDevilRoshi · Nov 27, 2019

roonster09 said:
We can lose this game and can still finish first though, our last game is at home vs AZ.

I believe Partizan also have an outside chance of qualifying ahead of AZ. If they beat AZ tomorrow and then beat Astana in their last game & AZ lose to ourselves in their final game.

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

RedDevilRoshi said:
I believe Partizan also have an outside chance of qualifying ahead of AZ. If they beat AZ tomorrow and then beat Astana in their last game & AZ lose to ourselves in their final game.

Yeah if they win tomorrow then they will have very good chance.

Sassy Colin · Nov 27, 2019

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-united-astana-news-academy-17321815

Also, note that even Shitty are getting in on the act!

Manchester City, also already through to the Champions League knockouts, granted Phil Foden a 14-minute cameo against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Adam-Utd · Nov 27, 2019

bludsucker said:
The squad is quite youthful. We are in for a pasting. Will the lineup prediction options be updated with these additions??

Do you really think that? our reserve squad is very good. Most of these lads have played in front of big crowds before so that won't be an issue.

I personally think we will win by 2-3 goals.

Bwuk · Nov 27, 2019

Oles confirmed Lee Grant, Ethan Laird, DiShon Bernard and Dylan Levitt are all starting.

Adcuth · Nov 27, 2019

Maybe

Grant

Laird
Tuanzabe
Bernard
Young

Levitt
Matic

Chong
Lingard
Gomez

Greenwood

Bestietom · Nov 27, 2019

roonster09 said:
Eikrem, Petrucci?

Just phoned my sister and she confirmed it was Callum Gribbin who I used to admire back then. He moved up to the under 23s in 2018 but Finished because of injuries.
This young man had everything needed to be a top top player. But had bad luck with injuries. Thanks @roonster09 .

roonster09 · Nov 27, 2019

Bestietom said:
Just phoned my sister and she confirmed it was Callum Gribbin who I used to admire back then. He moved up to the under 23s in 2018 but Finished because of injuries.
This young man had everything needed to be a top top player. But had bad luck with injuries. Thanks @roonster09 .

I think he has signed for Sheffield United, there was some background story around him.

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