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Manchester United 3:1 Aston Villa

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    roykeane19

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    Its crazy how we are 2 points away from City, just hope we can keep this run of form, would be great to beat them after the villa match

    But first I hope we get the 3 points from villa
     

    hbgreg

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    Give up on football if we don't win this game. I won't be able to comprehend it.
     

    RedDevil@84

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    I have a feeling LVG might rest Rooney for this one. He's not had a break for ages, and ran himself into the ground against Italy. As good as he's been recently (and this season in general), he wasn't particularly influential against Liverpool - taking him out for a game isn't necessarily going to hurt us at the moment. And if you can't give him a break against Aston Villa at home, when can you?

    It could be Falcao's big chance. On his own up front, against a weakish defence and in a United side that are finally in form and firing, There'd be no excuses, really.
    Unless Rooney himself says he is tired or LvG feels from the training that Rooney is tired, there is no reason to rest him..
     

    bosnian_red

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    Can't wait for this... International breaks are always so annoying. Hope we didn't lose any momentum from the last 2 games. This is a good opportunity to really smash a team, and a very good chance to go into second place. Arsenal play Liverpool in the morning, and City play away to Crystal palace which is always a tough game on monday. Could easily see both them dropping points while we win. Going into the Manchester derby with us ahead of City as well will be great psychologically for us as well.
     

    RedDevil@84

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    Can't wait for this... International breaks are always so annoying. Hope we didn't lose any momentum from the last 2 games. This is a good opportunity to really smash a team, and a very good chance to go into second place. Arsenal play Liverpool in the morning, and City play away to Crystal palace which is always a tough game on monday. Could easily see both them dropping points while we win. Going into the Manchester derby with us ahead of City as well will be great psychologically for us as well.
    I think Arsenal will easily win this.. Pool are coming from a defeat.. Plus no Skrtel.. That should be enough for Arsenal at home..

    Nevertheless all the more reason for us to smash Villa..
     

    Brightonian

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    Unless Rooney himself says he is tired or LvG feels from the training that Rooney is tired, there is no reason to rest him..
    Yes, obviously. I'm saying that I think there's a possibility of the latter. He's a very experienced manager, he knows keeping your key players fresh during the run-in is crucial.
     

    buckooo1978

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    we need to smash this team.....show no nerves

    even in our championship winning teams we've always nicked wins and made it exciting/scary for the fans....

    I'd like to see us beat them convincingly.....it means going into some games teams are already mentally concerned by us

    I'm hoping for a 4-0
     

    NJM78

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    I really hope LvG does not change it up thinking this game is almost a given, we should play exactly the same team unless anyone injured (?) - they can all rest in the summer as we need to keep momentum going now until the end....also Fellaini must start after his recent goal scoring form and displays for both club and country - his confidence must be soaring.

    3-0 or 3-1
     

    arctictern

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    Benteke seems to be showing signs of coming back into form (3 goals in last 3 games) and we will have to be wary of Villa going route one to him. We got early goals in both of our previous (which I think helped majorly is calming our nerves), and an early goal here would be a huge boost.

    We shouldn't be dropping any points in this fixture, and I expect us to claim all 3. I'm interested to seeing how our defence manages the Benteke-Agbonlahor frontline, both of whom are dangerous, irrespective of how hapless their form may be.
     

    Raoul

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    Benteke seems to be showing signs of coming back into form (3 goals in last 3 games) and we will have to be wary of Villa going route one to him. We got early goals in both of our previous (which I think helped majorly is calming our nerves), and an early goal here would be a huge boost.

    We shouldn't be dropping any points in this fixture, and I expect us to claim all 3. I'm interested to seeing how our defence manages the Benteke-Agbonlahor frontline, both of whom are dangerous, irrespective of how hapless their form may be.
    Probably with Fellaini dropping back a bit more than usual to help Smalling and Jones.
     

    Player Red

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    Yes, obviously. I'm saying that I think there's a possibility of the latter. He's a very experienced manager, he knows keeping your key players fresh during the run-in is crucial.
    Hasn't been a particularly demanding season on players physically. We must be about 12 matches short of what we have usually played by this stage of the season.
     

    buckooo1978

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    think Villa will rely on playing on the counter - we just need to use the ball well and not leave ourselves vulnerable at the back

    really excited to see a fresh Mata and Herrera link up again
     

    Jaxa

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    De Gea

    Valencia Smalling Rojo Blind

    Herrera Carrick Fellaini

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    Falcao

    Reasoning behind Rooney on left and starting Falcao, Rooney is undroppable and can do a job on the wing, Di Maria is still not deserving of a start and looks like he will give a goal away every game right now and with Falcao it's a risk because yes he's looked really good on International duty against not brilliant teams but he looks hungry and with something of a point to prove, our system has changed a little with Herrera and Mata and were not just lumping balls up front right now which can Favour Falcao and if he scored a few goals on Saturday which is highly possible imagine how much confidence that will give him ?

    Were about to play City & Chelsea back to back and wouldn't having a really in form striker such as Falcao be a massive Boost in securing top 4 at this time of the season, if in the first half that shows no sign of promise revert back to Rooney up front and bring on Di Maria on the wing.
     

    Turnip

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    Think this is a big game, need to get 3 points here and continue our momentum into a tough couple of fixtures. Think we should manage it though based on our last couple of performances. This is the only time in a while I've let myself get this optimistic though.
     

    Sandikan

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    with 8 games to go, and having seemingly stumbled across an effective shape, utilising Herrera and Mata well, I don't understand why people are trying to shoehorn Falcao back in.

    Rooney up top, with VP and Falcao benched is the only sensible option here on in, with both VP and Falcao at huge risk of being shipped in the summer.
     

    Sied

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    The amount of confidence in here makes me uneasy.... I'm not used to it.
     

    wythyred

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    I hate Villa so hope we smash them my prediction is 4-0 United Rooney X2, Fellaini & Falcao (Off the Bench)
     

    Mojo_

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    I just hope we don't have an off day but confidence is brimming at the moment so I'm quite optimistic on this one. Villa are on a little surge though and will be in the mood for an upset I think; Shitwood will try and go for the win.
     

    Kag

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    People still wanting to bed in Falcao? Let it go, people, he isn't very good, isn't staying at the club and isn't anywhere near as in-form as Rooney, our best striker.

    I'd bring in Di Maria for Young and leave the changes there.
     

    kafta

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    I get why some people want Falcao to start, but i think we should stick to the same line up, and keep our momentum. If Falcao comes in, and we end up static up top, and lose our game plan, this game could become tricky. And we don't need any blip in form, to avoid all the 'another false dawn' accusations. Stick to the winning formula, all our games are must win at this stage.
     

    Cassidy

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    I get why some people want Falcao to start, but i think we should stick to the same line up, and keep our momentum. If Falcao comes in, and we end up static up top, and lose our game plan, this game could become tricky. And we don't need any blip in form, to avoid all the 'another false dawn' accusations. Stick to the winning formula, all our games are must win at this stage.
    I don't. We need to win this game, its a very big game for us. If Liverpool win and we lose, we're right back in a worrying position with City next. This is a must win game and Rooney must start up top.
     

    kafta

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    I don't. We need to win this game, its a very big game for us. If Liverpool win and we lose, we're right back in a worrying position with City next. This is a must win game and Rooney must start up top.
    yeah in the rest of my post i agree with that
     

    Señor

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    Overboard optimism against Arsenal = we lost
    Overboard pessimism against Liverpool = we won
    Overboard optimism against Villa = ???

    We can't take Villa for granted. Sherwood is a better manager than he's given credit for and Villa are just in the beginning of their new manager honeymoon period. I'd take a no nonsense 1-0 win with no injuries and suspensions to take us into next week in time for our vital game against City.
     

    sunama

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    We need to be careful with this game.
    We cant afford to give passengers a chance to prove themselves.
    Play our strongest XI and lets win this.
    I cant believe that people want us to play Falcao in a must-win game. Playing Falcao could cost us a CL place next year.
     

    devil in me

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    I'm actually happier to be playing Villa with Sherwood in charge than I would have been had Lambert still been there, despite a (minor) improvement in their form. They will probably come out and have a go at us, which should suit us, especially if we keep our recent form up. No need to change the line up whatsoever, although wouldn't complain with ADM replacing Young. Big opportunity this weekend to tighten our top four grip, and put more pressure on Arsenal and City.
     

    ThanksBoss26

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    I don't. We need to win this game, its a very big game for us. If Liverpool win and we lose, we're right back in a worrying position with City next. This is a must win game and Rooney must start up top.
    Correct. We've not had Europe this season and have played a total of six cup games, five of which were against lower league opposition. Players shouldn't be tired whatsoever.

    We can't afford to mess about and shouldn't be resting anyone.

    If Smalling is available, same team for me. Those players who've started the last two have earned that.
     

    BringNaniBack

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    I actually think this is just as big of a test as the Tottenham and Liverpool games were now. We had been decent against the big teams all season anyway and finally we were more than decent against two of the bigger sides in the last 2 games and we put in two great performances and got the wins but our problem this season has being playing like crap against the smaller sides so lets hope this is actually a real turn around rather than us just being motivated for the big games.

    If we continue this form we should smash Villa but lets not get complacent we still need the same attitude and should treat this as a must win. Villa will be up for this and have improved since the new manager has come in. 1 or 2 losses and things could start looking ugly for us again. Hopefully its the same line up and lets carry on doing the business. COME ON UNITED!!!!
     

    arctictern

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    I'm actually happier to be playing Villa with Sherwood in charge than I would have been had Lambert still been there, despite a (minor) improvement in their form. They will probably come out and have a go at us, which should suit us, especially if we keep our recent form up. No need to change the line up whatsoever, although wouldn't complain with ADM replacing Young. Big opportunity this weekend to tighten our top four grip, and put more pressure on Arsenal and City.
    Yes, Sherwood is never comfortable with his team sitting back and defending and this attitude will be massively advantageous for us. I'm fairly certain LvG won't let the team go into false complacency.
     

    Havak

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    de Gea
    Valencia Jones Rojo Blind
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    Herrera Fellaini
    Mata Rooney Young
    --
    Valdes; Rafael, Shaw; Pereira, Januzaj, Di Maria; Falcao​

    Win here and Arsenal beat Liverpool, then I'd say top four is practically nailed on (and we've still a chance of overtaking Arsenal if we can avoid defeat against City/Chelsea and beat Arsenal at Old Trafford).
     
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    kafta

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    Has it been confirmed if smalling be available for this?
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Ander Herrera image Ander Herrera 91% of 884 votes

Runners-up

Player Ratings

6.6 Total Average Rating

Highest Rated Player

Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 597 ratings.

Score Predictions

633,7,11
  • Man Utd win
  • Aston Villa win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 35% Man Utd 3:0 Aston Villa
  • 18% Man Utd 2:0 Aston Villa
  • 14% Man Utd 3:1 Aston Villa
  • 14% Man Utd 4:0 Aston Villa
  • 6% Man Utd 5:0 Aston Villa
  • 5% Man Utd 2:1 Aston Villa
  • 3% Man Utd 4:1 Aston Villa
  • 2% Man Utd 1:0 Aston Villa
  • 1% Man Utd 1:1 Aston Villa
  • 1% Man Utd 0:0 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 0:1 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 3:2 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 1:2 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 2:2 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 0:5 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 4:2 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 2:3 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 5:1 Aston Villa
  • 0% Man Utd 5:2 Aston Villa
Compiled from 651 predictions.
Show more results Score Predictions League Table

Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Aston Villa
Possession
76% 24%
Shots
20 5
Shots on Target
7 2
Corners
10 2
Fouls
15 12

Referee

Roger East