Manchester United 3:2 Arsenal

sammsky1 · Feb 25, 2016

We will have to park the bus and hope to score from a set play. LVG must learn from the last mauling Arsenal gave us and play 3 in the middle.

Am assuming Martial hamstring keeps him out

I'd play a very defensive and contained Christmas tree formation suffocating all space in middle of field and let arsenal have the ball, so play on the counter hoping Depay and Rashford pace can get a goal.

DDG

Varela
Smalling
Blind
Rojo

Schneiderland
Carrick
Herrera

Mata
Memphis

Rashford

sammsky1 · Feb 25, 2016

MyOnlySolskjaer said:
Too soon for Rojo to start?

He has to play. Simples

Kevin · Feb 25, 2016

Northstand said:
Why's everyone hopeful on Martial? Thought he'd done a hamstring?

LvG said his hamstring felt tight and was smart to drop out. It isn't a rupture and it is not 'heavy'.

Sylar · Feb 25, 2016

sammsky1 said:
DDG

Varela
Smalling
Blind
Rojo

Schneiderland
Carrick
Herrera

Mata
Memphis

Rashford

Am thinking similar with maybe Martial on the bench to come on as sub second half (depending on hamstring).

a_devil_inside · Feb 25, 2016

Going to be a very tough match, can't see us winning but a draw is doable. If we can get a quick goal then we might be able to play off that.

sammsky1 · Feb 25, 2016

Sylar said:
Am thinking similar with maybe Martial on the bench to come on as sub second half (depending on hamstring).

We don't have many other options. It's nuts. Can't remember a time ever in 30 years that we had such injury problems

Spark · Feb 25, 2016

Red Dreams said:
hoping to jinks it. 2-1 loss.

Thats not how jinxes work! 2-1 to Arse now

Gerald G · Feb 25, 2016

I can't see Martial playing, well starting anyway. Even though LVG said it was just a 'tight' hamstring - with little rest before Arsenal - I don't think he will play but we'll see.
I think Smalling will be missing too and if that is the case Rojo should come into the lineup. I know he will be unfit but we don't have much of a choice.

De Gea (Please)
Varela--Rojo--Blind--Riley
Carrick--Schneiderlin--Herrera
Mata--Rashford--Memphis

subs: Romero, McNair, Love, Poole, Lingard, Pereira, Januzaj

Or Lingard in for Herrera in a 4-2-3-1 formation

Sylar · Feb 26, 2016

sammsky1 said:
We don't have many other options. It's nuts. Can't remember a time ever in 30 years that we had such injury problems

I swear it gets worse every year. Under Fergies last few years, I remember thinking it was bad. Then under Moyes I thought, its getting worse. Now under LVG, its the ultimate.

This might be a no pressure game for the lads. Although at home, it might be seen as a game they arent "meant to win". Yes they represent United but they might play with no fear and no pressure.

nick2004 · Feb 26, 2016

Unleash our horny youth against Arse... and enjoy!

Kevin · Feb 26, 2016

From the official site on Martial:

"It should be his first muscle injury [since arriving at the club]," he told BT Sport. "But he is smart and wise to step out. It is not a rupture or anything like that. A tight hamstring. I don't think it is very heavy."

The manager elaborated further at his press conference: "Anthony can be tired. He's only 20 and he's played all the matches so it's not so remarkable. He stepped down himself and that I like very much.

"I have already explained to you the only muscle injury we have is Marouane Fellaini. That we know already when he played so many matches in a row. It's always like that when you don't have other players and it's difficult to change or rotate. So the next muscle injury would be [expected to be] Martial but I don't think he has a muscle injury. He is very intelligent - he steps down when his hamstring is tight.

"You have to cope with that, it's difficult also for the team because, after David De Gea, now Martial, and Martial and De Gea have played very good seasons, I think, and they have to be replaced."

Nonetheless, everybody will be eagerly waiting to see if Martial will be available for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Stobzilla · Feb 26, 2016

Hopefully ...

feck it, we are at home Martial coming onto his left or down the right against Monreal, really try and trouble him along with Varela. Riley keeps his place, pacey, Walcott is probably gonna start there so we need to try and match him in that area.

Keep Rashford up top, coming off two goals to help us through while behing in Europe, he's gonna be flying high and Memphis is obvious to stay in.

Lingard could do with a rest so start with this. Get some goals.

Kevin · Feb 26, 2016

Stobzilla said:
Hopefully ...

feck it, we are at home Martial coming onto his left or down the right against Monreal, really try and trouble him along with Varela. Riley keeps his place, pacey, Walcott is probably gonna start there so we need to try and match him in that area.

Keep Rashford up top, coming off two goals to help us through while behing in Europe, he's gonna be flying high and Memphis is obvious to stay in.

Lingard could do with a rest so start with this. Get some goals.

Martial has been non existent everytime he played for us on the right.

RustyS · Feb 26, 2016

Drop the AM and go with 3 CMs in a 4-3-3 or keep the AM and go 3-4-1-2. Anything else and Arsenal will do what they did at home.

I like the idea of a 3-4-1-2. Give them the possession and hit them on the counter like we did at the Emirates last season. Play Martial/Rashford and Memphis upfront. The same tactics could also work in the 4-3-3.

4-3-3:

De Gea/Romero
Varela Blind Smalling Rojo
Herrera Carrick Schneiderlin
Lingard Martial/Rashford Memphis

3-4-1-2/5-2-1-2:

De Gea/Romero
Varela Smalling Carrick Blind Rojo
Herrera Schneiderlin
Mata
Martial/Rashford Memphis

shamans · Feb 26, 2016

One can only dream but I hope Januzaj gets the nod.

Hostekule · Feb 26, 2016

Arsenal will be incredibly keen to bounce back after being knocked out by Barca. They can potentially have a field day hitting us on the counter as we'll be forced to take the game to them. Even more worryingly we wont be able to rotate any players with a day less to recover. A draw here would be a good result all things considered.

Also I'd consider it a huge gamble to play Rashford up top if Martial is fit. The PL has proven to be a step above Memphis' current level, and it would be unfair to assume that Rashford could play well against Arsenal. Admittedly I've not seen him play other than tonight so I might be wrong. It will be interesting to see what LvG goes for.

SalfordRed1960 · Feb 26, 2016

2 Man Midfield said:
Feck it, keep Rashford in there

------------DDG-------------
Varela-Smalling-Blind-CBJ
-------Morgan-Herrera-----
Memphis----Mata-----Martial
------------Rashford---------

Not a lot between CBJ and Riley, both very promising, maybe Riley has a bit more speed. But think for this game LVG may go for Rojo after today's run out.

I would put Martial on the bench just to give his leg more rest, but I think Lingard needs a rest.

So maybe he will go 4-3-3 with Herrera, Carrick and Schniederlin in middle.

Mata, Rashford, Depay up front.

3KDré · Feb 26, 2016

Go back to the old ways:

------------DDG-------------
Varela-Smalling-Blind-CBJ
----Schneiderlin-Herrera---
Mata---------------Memphis
-----Rashford-Martial-------

Would be a fun match to watch, and really it isn't that defensively different to how we play.

Giant Midget · Feb 26, 2016

De Gea
Varela Smalling Blind Rojo/CBJ
Herrera Schneiderlin
Lingard Mata Memphis
Martial

3-0 United

Krovv · Feb 26, 2016

Man United 2-0 Arsenal, with Arsenal fluffing 3 sitters.

prateik · Feb 26, 2016

With the injuries we have, this is a bit of a write off.
If we get anything at all, it'll be a huge bonus.

RedDevil@84 · Feb 26, 2016

With the kind of injuries we have, I dont see how we can harm them in anyways. I am looking at an easy win for Gunners.
But anyways will be watching this with utter optimism till full time

RedDevil@84 · Feb 26, 2016

Northstand said:
Why's everyone hopeful on Martial? Thought he'd done a hamstring?

Probably because LvG said something like Martial had felt a tight hamstring and opted to sit out this match himself and not that he had a big hamstring injury.

RedDevil@84 · Feb 26, 2016

But if we win against Gunners with a kids team and in the process screw up their title challenge, I will go crazy.
Last time they sent kids to OT, we screwed them 8-2

KM · Feb 26, 2016

Honestly Wenger should be sacked, if they fail to win this one. We are utterly decimated by injuries.

Devil may care · Feb 26, 2016

Central defense is the biggest worry I think, we have young fullbacks but they have plenty of energy and drive, the midfield is the most mobile we can field and the forward line should be feeling confident after last night's game. However the CB pairing of Blind and Carrick is so slow and immobile that it did cost us a goal and Arsenal will offer far more pressure than Sisto alone can offer, I'd risk starting Rojo.

Red_Beans · Feb 26, 2016

We should not get our hopes up for this one.
We have half our squad injured, the other half have already played two full games this week. Our youngsters have really stepped up to the plate recently, but the difference between the Danes and Arsenal is massive.
1-2 Arsenal

2 man midfield · Feb 26, 2016

Anything we can take from this is a bonus, I just hope it isn't too traumatic for our young players. 2-0 Arsenal.

Gandalf Greyhame · Feb 26, 2016

-------------------DDG------------------
-Varela---Smallling---Blind--Rojo-
-------Morgan--------Herrera-------
--Martial------Mata------Memphis-
----------------Marcus----------------

That would be a very nice lineup.

Edit: Yep, this:

Stobzilla said:
Hopefully ...

feck it, we are at home Martial coming onto his left or down the right against Monreal, really try and trouble him along with Varela. Riley keeps his place, pacey, Walcott is probably gonna start there so we need to try and match him in that area.

Keep Rashford up top, coming off two goals to help us through while behing in Europe, he's gonna be flying high and Memphis is obvious to stay in.

Lingard could do with a rest so start with this. Get some goals.

But with Rojo instead of Riley.

Sereques · Feb 26, 2016

Never imagine the day I would think Arsenal will beat us. Sunday is that day.

Sassy Colin · Feb 26, 2016

Successful said:
I'm really tempted to bet for arsenal and collect some easy money though.

Get out!

K2K · Feb 26, 2016

I cant see us winning this at all.

Arsenal are a proper step up from the teams we have been facing of late. Also Wenger seems to have Van Gaal's number, and even our win against them had a lot of fortune in it.

A good perfomance under the circumstances wouldnt hurt

ivaldo · Feb 26, 2016

I'm going to be conservative and say 4-1 to us.

TwoSheds · Feb 26, 2016

If Smalling is fit then the team might look relatively similar to today's but with Rojo in for Riley at LB and maybe Mata going wide and Lingard rested.

Otherwise I think we'll need the dreaded 352.

DDG
----------McNair Blind Rojo---------
Varela Carrick Schneiderlin Riley
----------------Herrera-----------------
------------Mata Rashford-----

Or something.

Edit: Memphis for Riley I guess.

CM · Feb 26, 2016

Anyone know the status on Smalling, Borthwick-Jackson or Martial?

Varun · Feb 26, 2016

I wish we'd take the old route we applied vs Arsenal. Get on their faces right from the off, ruffle them up and play with lot of pace on the counter.

Nickosaur · Feb 26, 2016

If only one of Martial or Depay was as effective on the right as they are on the left.

pacifictheme · Feb 26, 2016

shamans said:
One can only dream but I hope Januzaj gets the nod.

Based on what? Substitute at best. Definitely not the game to use one of our least consistent performers who hasn't really shone in two years. Very strange.

montpelier · Feb 26, 2016

Sunday is a massive game. Last night was a lot better than I was expecting. Coming up short vs. Mydtylland would have been a little disappointing, obvs. Big task on Sun though vs. the mighty Gunners. Dwarfs what we have been up against in the previous two. Maybe we can grow...

Could get tonked I'm afraid. Anyone not take a nice quiet draw, right now?

Unlikely lad · Feb 26, 2016

Has De Gea been given the okay for this?

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