FC Zorya Luhansk 0:2 Manchester United

pauldyson1uk · Dec 8, 2016

sunama said:
And that's the reason why I said yesterday, this will never be called off, unless there was a torrential snow and it was impossible to kick a ball.
The important thing to remember is that league matches are being played every other week on this pitch and none of these matches were cancelled. Now that MUFC come over, a match can't be played?
Although I don't like the injury possibility that this match can cause, I'd rather get it out of the way, so we know who we play next in the EL.

they have played 2 games there since 19/11, so dont agree with the now we are playing there comment.
If it was snowing , it would be better than a rock hard pitch.

ZAGREB RED · Dec 8, 2016

A draw and no injuries is pretty much the goal. Hard to predict the team with a potentially rock-hard surface and a tough game against Spurs on Sunday, that might mean Jones, Bailly and Mkhytarian will be unlikely to play a part tonight, and any other players who are carrying knocks. Only 5 defenders in the squad though, maybe Young will play FB. Wouldn't be surprised if Fellaini starts tonight, the fact that Schneiderlin didn't even make the squad illustrates just how far out the picture he is just now.
Mourinho needs to balance getting a result tonight with the potential for injuries affecting his selection for Sunday. Under the circumstances, a drab draw from a horrible game wouldn't go amiss, but the fact that Mourinho has raised concerns about the pitch could mean he will sacrifice the win/draw tonight in order to avoid picking up injuries, not just for Sunday, but longer-term. Even then, losing tonight and going out and another bad result against Spurs will crank up the pressure enormously.

Carlsen19 · Dec 8, 2016

ZAGREB RED said:
A win and no injuries is pretty much the goal. Hard to predict the team with a potentially rock-hard surface and a tough game against Spurs on Sunday, that might mean Jones, Bailly and Mkhytarian will be unlikely to play a part tonight, and any other players who are carrying knocks. Only 5 defenders in the squad though, maybe Young will play FB. Wouldn't be surprised if Fellaini starts tonight, the fact that Schneiderlin didn't even make the squad illustrates just how far out the picture he is just now.
Mourinho needs to balance getting a result tonight with the potential for injuries affecting his selection for Sunday. Under the circumstances, a drab draw from a horrible game wouldn't go amiss, but the fact that Mourinho has raised concerns about the pitch could mean he will sacrifice the win/draw tonight in order to avoid picking up injuries, not just for Sunday, but longer-term. Even then, losing tonight and going out and another bad result against Spurs will crank up the pressure enormously.

Fixed.

ZAGREB RED · Dec 8, 2016

Carlsen19 said:
Fixed.

You clearly have a more optimistic view than me then ! I was just thinking, bare minimum, get it done, dull 0-0 draw, no injuries, job done...a win would be better obviously. I hope so, but no injured players also.

pauldyson1uk · Dec 8, 2016

Carlsen19 said:
I know the conditions are appalling but I can't believe people are saying they'd take a draw. We're playing Zorya fecking Luhansk

don't want a draw, but if getting a draw means we escape with no injuries, then so be it.

Minimalist · Dec 8, 2016

I'd take a win. Expect a draw/loss.

Northstand · Dec 8, 2016

Only just realised this is 6pm GMT. What will the time be locally for kick off?

dichinero · Dec 8, 2016

Knowing the risk, I fully expect José to mindlessly play the strongest XI possible. We should be able to do this lot with a weakened team!

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

Northstand said:
Only just realised this is 6pm GMT. What will the time be locally for kick off?

8pm.

Northstand · Dec 8, 2016

top1whoisman said:
8pm.

Thanks mate

Shane88 · Dec 8, 2016

A draw gets us through but this game is must-win.

7 losses and 1 draw in our last 8 European away games. That run has to be ended.

sunama · Dec 8, 2016

pauldyson1uk said:
they have played 2 games there since 19/11, so dont agree with the now we are playing there comment.
If it was snowing , it would be better than a rock hard pitch.

They play there every other week. One game away. One game home. And so on. But games are taking place, as normal.
Snow might be better to play on BUT if it does snow heavily, UEFA will have a valid reason to cancel the match.
Right now, all we have is a frozen pitch, which is being played on regularly for their league games. There are no extraordinary circumstances.
I don't think that the game will be called off.

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

sunama said:
They play there every other week. One game away. One game home. And so on. But games are taking place, as normal.
Snow might be better to play on BUT if it does snow heavily, UEFA will have a valid reason to cancel the match.
Right now, all we have is a frozen pitch, which is being played on regularly for their league games. There are no extraordinary circumstances.
I don't think that the game will be called off.

Oh the match is on all right. We’ve seen plenty of snowy affairs on UEFA competitions, with the orange balls and all. In terms of injuries, ice cold pitch is definitely worse, probably in terms of fair play, the snow is worse.

WhoDaGOAT · Dec 8, 2016

dichinero said:
Knowing the risk, I fully expect José to mindlessly play the strongest XI possible. We should be able to do this lot with a weakened team!

They drew their previous two home games in the group. We just about beat them at Old Trafford.

So no, this won't be easy.

Mihai · Dec 8, 2016

sunama said:
They play there every other week. One game away. One game home. And so on. But games are taking place, as normal.
Snow might be better to play on BUT if it does snow heavily, UEFA will have a valid reason to cancel the match.
Right now, all we have is a frozen pitch, which is being played on regularly for their league games. There are no extraordinary circumstances.
I don't think that the game will be called off.

You also have to take into consideration the kick-off time. I didn't check it, but If they usually play their league games during the day and this games starts at 8pm, then you can have two very different weather conditions.

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

WhoDaGOAT said:
They drew their previous two home games in the group. We just about beat them at Old Trafford.

So no, this won't be easy.

I agree. I think one of the biggest benefits for us is the fact that they have nothing to play for.

Randall Flagg · Dec 8, 2016

I think this is a game where if its 0-0 shitty game that will be fair enough

It will not be a good game and in difficult conditions

WhoDaGOAT · Dec 8, 2016

top1whoisman said:
I agree. I think one of the biggest benefits for us is the fact that they have nothing to play for.

Indeed. But I worry that they will play with freedom and have the motivation to secure a famous win.

I think it will be a bad performance by us, but we'll get the draw we need.

SirMattBugsby · Dec 8, 2016

Who's gonna play RB? Both Valencia and Darmian not part of the squad..

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

WhoDaGOAT said:
Indeed. But I worry that they will play with freedom and have the motivation to secure a famous win.

I think it will be a bad performance by us, but we'll get the draw we need.

Agree on the last bit. Based on my experience with the slavic team sports (I know it’s quite a generalization), I don’t think they’ll be super-motivated. The atmosphere won’t probably be that heated either, them not playing in their home city and all that.

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

Shubham Ahuja said:
Who's gonna play RB? Both Valencia and Darmian not part of the squad..

Pretty sure it’s Young, although hope it’s TFM.

Water Melon · Dec 8, 2016

Zorya Luhansk will play out of their skin in front of their fans. They have nothing to play for, bar their pride. No pressure on them. Hope we score an early goal so they feel some pressure.

Annihilate Now! · Dec 8, 2016

Carlsen19 said:
I know the conditions are appalling but I can't believe people are saying they'd take a draw. We're playing Zorya fecking Luhansk

Why? A draw is guarenteed qualification, which is the whole point of this game... to qualify. Winning the game is pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things, it's qualification thats important... so if you offered me a draw right now, instead of taking a gamble on the actual outcome of the game, then of course I would take it. Sure it lacks a bit of belief in our side, but it's completely logical, and hardly unbelievable.

Chaky_Best · Dec 8, 2016

-----------------------------Romero----------------------------
Mensah---------------Bailly---------Rojo-----------------Blind
-----------------------Fellaini--------Herrera------------------
Mkitaryan--------------------Mata-----------------------Lingard
-------------------------------Rooney--------------------------

marukomu · Dec 8, 2016

I have a feeling the weather will beat us.

Mciahel Goodman · Dec 8, 2016

Is anyone else expecting a relatively strong lineup?

I'm thinking:

----------De Gea
Young--Jones--Rojo--Blind
-----Herrera---Pogba
Mkhitaryan--Rooney--Martial
-----------Zlatan

I guess Lingard and Rashford might start with a view towards resting Mkhitaryan and Martial for Sunday. Whether or not Mata plays will be a good indication of Jose's approach to Sunday too, I think.

nick2004 · Dec 8, 2016

Forget Sunday, we have to win this.

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

Annihilate Now! said:
Why? A draw is guarenteed qualification, which is the whole point of this game... to qualify. Winning the game is pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things, it's qualification thats important... so if you offered me a draw right now, instead of taking a gamble on the actual outcome of the game, then of course I would take it. Sure it lacks a bit of belief in our side, but it's completely logical, and hardly unbelievable.

I also think Feyenoord will beat Fenerbahce, which means we win the group with a draw.

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

Water Melon said:
Zorya Luhansk will play out of their skin in front of their fans. They have nothing to play for, bar their pride. No pressure on them. Hope we score an early goal so they feel some pressure.

Don’t know how many of their fans make the trip to a (relatively) meaningless match on a Thursday.

Norris · Dec 8, 2016

Chaky_Best said:
-----------------------------Romero----------------------------
Mensah---------------Bailly---------Rojo-----------------Blind
-----------------------Fellaini--------Herrera------------------
Mkitaryan--------------------Mata-----------------------Lingard
-------------------------------Rooney--------------------------

Do you think Pogba won't play after making the 19 Man squad ? I think he is certain to start along with Fellaini.

Charlie Foley · Dec 8, 2016

Shane88 said:
A draw gets us through but this game is must-win.

7 losses and 1 draw in our last 8 European away games. That run has to be ended.

Fenerbache L 2-1
Feyenoord L 1-0
Liverpool L 2-0
Midgetland L 2-1
Wolfsburg L 3-2
CSKA D 1-1
PSV L 2-1
Brugges W 4-0
Bayern Munich L 3-1
Olympiakos L 2-0

Is what I make it. 10 games (4 EL, 5 CL, 1 CL Q) 1 Win, 1 Draw, 8 losses. 7 scored, 18 conceded. 1 clean sheet. 5 games where we failed to score.

If you took out the Brugges game, it would be 1 draw and 8 losses in 9, 3 scored, 18 conceded, no clean sheets. Shocking.

RedCurry · Dec 8, 2016

Plant Zlatan and Fellaini up top, Rooney just behind, let Carrick, Blind and Pogba stay static in the midfield and play long balls. No need to run unnecessarily on this pitch.

Catt · Dec 8, 2016

Bloody awful that is.

pseudo_canadian · Dec 8, 2016

Can't wait to grind out a shit 1-1 draw and get a few injuries.

I really don't have a good feeling about this game.

Water Melon · Dec 8, 2016

top1whoisman said:
Don’t know how many of their fans make the trip to a (relatively) meaningless match on a Thursday.

When will Zorya Luhansk play Man Utd in front of their fans next next time? Maybe not in the next couple decades. Could be once in a lifetime show for most of the fans.

iAm20Legend · Dec 8, 2016

marukomu said:
I have a feeling the weather will beat us.

I just hope we don't get anyone injured...

ivaldo · Dec 8, 2016

Mciahel Goodman said:
Is anyone else expecting a relatively strong lineup?

I'm thinking:

----------De Gea
Young--Jones--Rojo--Blind
-----Herrera---Pogba
Mkhitaryan--Rooney--Martial
-----------Zlatan

I guess Lingard and Rashford might start with a view towards resting Mkhitaryan and Martial for Sunday. Whether or not Mata plays will be a good indication of Jose's approach to Sunday too, I think.

I am too. Although playing a few key players tonight might seem a risk, Jose has already invested too much in advancing in this competition to leave anything to chance.

ivaldo · Dec 8, 2016

I hope they water the pitch before the game, want the ball to move quickly.

Carlsen19 · Dec 8, 2016

Annihilate Now! said:
Why? A draw is guarenteed qualification, which is the whole point of this game... to qualify. Winning the game is pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things, it's qualification thats important... so if you offered me a draw right now, instead of taking a gamble on the actual outcome of the game, then of course I would take it. Sure it lacks a bit of belief in our side, but it's completely logical, and hardly unbelievable.

Well, I get that. I just can't believe people would be happy for Manchester United to draw with Zorya Luhansk. I certainly wouldn't. It just shows how far we've fallen.

top1whoisman · Dec 8, 2016

Water Melon said:
When will Zorya Luhansk play Man Utd in front of their fans next next time? Maybe not in the next couple decades. Could be once in a lifetime show for most of the fans.

True. 685km from their home though. But guess you’re right. Their home match vs Feyenoord had total attendance of 16’855, incl. the Dutch fans, doubt the atmosphere will be too hard to handle. We’ll see.

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FC Zorya Luhansk 0:2 Manchester United

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