Manchester United 2:1 Barcelona

2 man midfield · Feb 19, 2023

De gea

AWB
Varane
Martinez
Shaw

Casemiro
Sabitzer
Bruno

Sancho
Weghorst
Rashford

Antony and Martial off the bench maybe?

Bertie Wooster · Feb 19, 2023

Hope to see Martial and / or Antony back. But, if either are, can only see them starting on the bench. Same with McTominay after today's return.

De Gea

Wan-Bissaka
Varane
Martinez
Shaw

Casemiro
Fred

Bruno
Sancho
Rashford

Weghorst

Chairman Steve · Feb 19, 2023

I can’t help but feel the glamour goes down hill if we get past them. It’ll be a bunch of shithousey teams from here on which aren’t as fun.

I can totally see Arsenal pulling the chute and exiting to focus on the league by playing their second string.

TMDaines · Feb 19, 2023

Be interesting to see which two out of Sancho, Fred and Sabitzer he picks. He likes the Eriksen-type player (which suggests Sabitzer) but surely you also want Fred in midfield for such a game. If you want then both, with Fred pushed further forward, you slot Bruno on the right and you don’t have room for Sancho. Weghorst defo plays.

Adamsk7 · Feb 19, 2023

TMDaines said:
Be interesting to see which two out of Sancho, Fred and Sabitzer he picks. He likes the Eriksen-type player (which suggests Sabitzer) but surely you also want Fred in midfield for such a game. If you want then both, with Fred pushed further forward, you slot Bruno on the right and you don’t have room for Sancho.

I’d play Sancho left, Bruno right and Rashford up front. Fred, Sabitzer and Casemiro midfield

TMDaines · Feb 20, 2023

Adamsk7 said:
I’d play Sancho left, Bruno right and Rashford up front. Fred, Sabitzer and Casemiro midfield

Not a chance Weghorst doesn’t start. He has started every match since joining and works extremely hard.

I can see why some might opt for it, but can’t see Ten Hag doing so. I think he will want both Weghorst and Fred to disrupt De Jong and Busquets.

tenpoless · Feb 20, 2023

Fresh Casemiro can make a lot of difference. Unleash the beast. Frenkie for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

MadMike · Feb 20, 2023

Todd said:
De Gea

Shaw
Martinez
Varane
Dalot

Casemiro
Sabitzer
Fred

Sancho
Rashford
Bruno

Feeling pretty good about our chances.

Hopefully we pound them and De Jong decides to come to United after all.

Given our options, that’s what I’d like to see too.

The Brown Bull · Feb 20, 2023

What’s the story with Antony?

mu4c_20le · Feb 20, 2023

The Brown Bull said:
What’s the story with Antony?

Grew up in a favela and played football on the streets of Sao Paolo, he joined their youth setup aged 10 before being spotted by European scouts.

criticalanalysis · Feb 20, 2023

mu4c_20le said:
Grew up in a favela and played football on the streets of Sao Paolo, he joined their youth setup aged 10 before being spotted by European scouts.

Unfortunately lost the ability to use his right leg other than to stand on, only scores tap ins and on his spiritual journey to transcend into a fidget spinner.

sglowrider · Feb 20, 2023

tenpoless said:
Fresh Casemiro can make a lot of difference. Unleash the beast. Frenkie for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fred had Frenkie in his pocket the previous match. Case can be used for other purposes.

tenpoless · Feb 20, 2023

The Brown Bull said:
What’s the story with Antony?

Dated Lauren Moyesey. Her dad phoned Ten Hag who agreed its bang out of order, dropped from the squad for Barca

Chaky_Best · Feb 20, 2023

With Busquets back, it can, and will make a big difference for them. They will have the ball more and will try to slow our intensity.

I see a similar outcome as the United vs Real of 10 years ago when Nani was sent off.

We were better and confident and then have been out.

Anyway, I want to win, but I want to win more the Carabao cup on Sunday.

-------------------------------------------De Gea---------------------------------------------
Dalot------------------------Varane-----------Martinez----------------------Shaw
--------------------------------Casemiro-------Sabitzer--------------------------------
Bruno-----------------------------------Fred-------------------------------------Sancho
------------------------------------------Rashford-------------------------------------------

NoPace · Feb 20, 2023

TMDaines said:
Not a chance Weghorst doesn’t start. He has started every match since joining and works extremely hard.

I can see why some might opt for it, but can’t see Ten Hag doing so. I think he will want both Weghorst and Fred to disrupt De Jong and Busquets.

Yeah, there's no away goals, so having Sabitzer come on after an hour for a potentially 120 minute game makes sense, whereas when/if the game gets stretched, having Sabitzer or Sancho come on as a #10 could decide it (or Antony on the right and Bruno moving in to play as a #10).

I could see this from the start, though:

---Rashford---------------------------------
------------------Weghorst--------Bruno
-----------Fred--------Sabitzer----------
Shaw------------Casemiro--------------
-----------Lisandro------Varane-------Dalot

and we just live with Raphinha on Lisandro a fair amount and have Dalot tucking in to help Varane with Lewandowski.

That's a tough team to play against and Barca won't sit back and park the bus so you still get space for Rashford to try to get in behind.

2nd half, Weghorst off for Sancho as a #10 or Antony as a RW (with Bruno playing as a #10) as the game gets stretched, or Sancho on the left, Rashford up top proper and Bruno on the right.

GregM40 · Feb 20, 2023

I think it could be interesting to see how Xavi goes with both Pedri and Gavi out. Busquets won’t be match fit, but you’d assume be starts alongside De Jong and either Roberto or Kessie

He tinkered quite a bit in the away leg in defence with Araujo on the right and brought Alonso and Alba in. I suspect it’ll be Kounde, Araujo, Christensen and Balde at the back this time which seems a more solid defence for them.

Thankfully we have much better squad options this time around, but I still think it’ll be a tight game.

Gerald G · Feb 20, 2023

GregM40 said:
I think it could be interesting to see how Xavi goes with both Pedri and Gavi out. Busquets won’t be match fit, but you’d assume be starts alongside De Jong and either Roberto or Kessie

He tinkered quite a bit in the away leg in defence with Araujo on the right and brought Alonso and Alba in. I suspect it’ll be Kounde, Araujo, Christensen and Balde at the back this time which seems a more solid defence for them.

Thankfully we have much better squad options this time around, but I still think it’ll be a tight game.

I really don't know why he thought it was a good idea to play Alonso CB... but thanks a lot for that. And I agree, I think it will be Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde.

They should be better on the ball with Busquets back but you can still get in behind him and I would back us at home. I'd be tempted to play Casemiro, Fred and Sabitzer, but at least we've got options this time. It should be a thrilling game and hopefully we get the win, but please no extra time.

Red the Bear · Feb 20, 2023

Full strength obviously although I'm not sure whether we should start sabitzer over Fred or not.

They're significantly weakened in the midfield having lost both Gavin and pedri and with this being on our home turf I gave extremely high hopes of a comprehensive win.

Havak · Feb 20, 2023

Red the Bear said:
Full strength obviously although I'm not sure whether we should start sabitzer over Fred or not.

They're significantly weakened in the midfield having lost both Gavin and pedri and with this being on our home turf I gave extremely high hopes of a comprehensive win.

I'd be amazed if Fred doesn't start considering he was subbed by the hour mark against Leicester. If Sabitzer starts, it would be over Weghorst or Sancho IMO. I think we're more likely to just go with the more offensive line-up and let Weghorst press high up the pitch. The crowd will be up for this one and we'll have probably our strongest back-line whilst Barca are missing 2-3 of their more creative players.

Ideal scenario is we can be winning the game and sub on Sabitzer, McTominay and Garnacho to see the game out but have also more pace on the counter.

tenpoless · Feb 20, 2023

What is this bullshit, 2 days between this game and EFL final? that's not even enough for 1 training session!

Red the Bear · Feb 20, 2023

Havak said:
I'd be amazed if Fred doesn't start considering he was subbed by the hour mark against Leicester. If Sabitzer starts, it would be over Weghorst or Sancho IMO. I think we're more likely to just go with the more offensive line-up and let Weghorst press high up the pitch. The crowd will be up for this one and we'll have probably our strongest back-line whilst Barca are missing 2-3 of their more creative players.

Ideal scenario is we can be winning the game and sub on Sabitzer, McTominay and Garnacho to see the game out but have also more pace on the counter.

I agree, Fred's been pretty decent recently and that's probably what Eric intends to do, having Martinez back should be a blessing as well.

BorisManUtd · Feb 20, 2023

tenpoless said:
What is this bullshit, 2 days between this game and EFL final? that's not even enough for 1 training session!

They're playing all the time so probably don't have time for training sessions anyways. My main hope is this game vs Barcelona doesn't go to extra time.

Valencia Shin Crosses · Feb 20, 2023

I have a feeling we fecking thrash these cnuts. Want to see Antony start, but if he doesn't I assume it'll be the Wout experiment again.

Lee565 · Feb 20, 2023

I think Maguire might be ideal for this game, in the last match we struggled with dealing with the influx of aerial balls into the box in the second half for Lewandowski and Maguire is probably our best defender for dealing with this

jimmyb2000 · Feb 20, 2023

Lee565 said:
I think Maguire might be ideal for this game, in the last match we struggled with dealing with the influx of aerial balls into the box in the second half for Lewandowski and Maguire is probably our best defender for dealing with this

Maguire up against the speed and swiftness of a Barcelona team......what could go wrong?

top1whoisman · Feb 20, 2023

jimmyb2000 said:
Maguire up against the speed and swiftness of a Barcelona team......what could go wrong?

I would definitely not play Maguire, to me he is the 4th cb in the pecking order. But this Barca with the injuries and suspensions is quite slow actually, in my opinion.

RedDevilRoshi · Feb 20, 2023

Just hope we avoid extra time.

Levi1 · Feb 20, 2023

top1whoisman said:
I would definitely not play Maguire, to me he is the 4th cb in the pecking order. But this Barca with the injuries and suspensions is quite slow actually, in my opinion.

5th, behind Shaw

top1whoisman · Feb 20, 2023

Levi1 said:
5th, behind Shaw

True, forgot him as a CB, he's been very solid there. If I remember correctly Southgate used him as a LCB for England at one or two games, perhaps even at the last Euros. Was very good there for them as well.

RuudTom83 · Feb 20, 2023

Let’s hope the game is concluded in 90 minutes. Could really do without extra-time and penalties.

We are yet to see a midfield of Casemiro and Sabitzer so it will be interesting to see what EtH goes with.

Real Name · Feb 21, 2023

They're without Gavi and Pedri, right?

evil_geko · Feb 21, 2023

I feel very confident for this game and I don't like that at all.

Raw · Feb 21, 2023

Real Name said:
They're without Gavi and Pedri, right?

Yep. Busquets is back though.

Real Name · Feb 21, 2023

evil_geko said:
I feel very confident for this game and I don't like that at all.

My concern too.

pocco · Feb 21, 2023

Real Name said:
They're without Gavi and Pedri, right?

How come Gavi is out? That's big for us if so.

Baneofthegame · Feb 21, 2023

DDG
AWB
Varane
Martinez
Shaw
Casemiro
Fred
Sancho
Rashford
Weghorst
Bruno

Real Name · Feb 21, 2023

pocco said:
How come Gavi is out? That's big for us if so.

Yellow cards I think.

DRJosh · Feb 21, 2023

As long as we keep Rashford and Casemiro fit for the final against Newcastle I’ll be happy. The Barca game will be a good test but ultimately it is the game against Newcastle that matters more in the medium term with a potential first trophy under ETH. Even if we get past Barca it’s unlikely we will go all the way.

Siorac · Feb 21, 2023

evil_geko said:
I feel very confident for this game and I don't like that at all.

I don't think your confidence affects the result in any way but here's something to dent it if that's what you're looking for:

The last three times we drew away from home against a Spanish team in the first leg of a European knockout competition, we went on to lose at home: Atlético Madrid 2022, Sevilla 2018, Real Madrid 2013.

Member 125398 · Feb 21, 2023

Really excited for this one. Hoping for a Roma style thrashing but expecting a nailbiter where the momentum changes frequently. 3-2 United, please no extra time.

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