De Gea
Rafa-Jones-Rojo-Shaw
Herrera-Blind-Fellaini
Valencia-Falcao-di Maria
Rafa-Jones-Rojo-Shaw
Herrera-Blind-Fellaini
Valencia-Falcao-di Maria
FA Premier League
Manchester United 1:1 Chelsea
Old Trafford
- Kick-off
- Sun, 26 October 2014 @ 4:00pm GMT
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Discussion Live Updates 66 Your Lineup Prediction
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Pizzagate: 10 years onTen years ago today, Manchester United ended Arsenal's 49 game unbeaten run with a 2:0 victory at Old Trafford.
In the tunnel after the match, apparently Cesc Fabregas (who will be playing against us on Sunday) threw a slice of pizza and it hit Sir Alex Ferguson in the face.
Read the wonderful BBC article about it here or join the caf discussion here.Mourinho press conferenceJose Mourinho has held his press conference ahead of Sunday's game and has as good as confirmed that Diego Costa will be available.
Mourinho on injuries:
"Diego has a chance, he has a little chance – the same as Mikel and Ramires. The only one I can confirm has no chance is Remy."
Mourinho on Costa in more detail:
"Everything happened to him. He was obviously injured and then he had to go to hospital before the Maribor game with a viral situation that we didn’t manage to resolve without him being in hospital overnight.
"The problem is that being ill obviously didn’t help his recovery because we didn’t want to bring him here to Cobham. All the treatment he did was the medical staff going to his house. We are trying and we will see what happens between today and tomorrow.
"I’m waiting until after tomorrow’s training session to see which players are available. I will consider nothing until then. Obviously I have studied Man United the best I could, as I always do with every opponent, but I haven’t made any decision about my team."
Mourinho on the mood in the Chelsea camp:
"‘We are playing well, we are confident, we are top of the league and we are in a good position to qualify in the Champions League. The camp is happy and we are ready for the game.
"We go to every match to win but sometimes during a game a point is a positive point and a positive result. Last year at a certain moment the game was very difficult to win and I think both teams accepted the point as a normal result.
"On Sunday we go to win. If you give me one point now – and we don’t play the game – I will not accept it. I want to fight for the three points.’"
Mourinho on van Gaal:
"I’m not playing against Louis on Sunday, Chelsea are playing against Man United. During the match I have no time, and for sure he has no time, to look around and see who the opposition manager is.
"Before the match and after the match he is one of my big friends in football and I will always be happy to see him. I’ve never hidden what I feel about him.
"He was important. He gave me a good opportunity to keep working at a high level. As a young coach to be working four consecutive years at a club like Barcelona, one with Mr Robson and three with Louis, was very important."
Mourinho on Filipe Luis replacing the suspended Azpilicueta:
"It’s not easy to come in and kick Azpilicueta out of the team because he is such a good player, but so is Filipe. Our defenders are very young. What we call the second line – Christensen, Zouma, Ake – are very young players so we decided to bring an experienced player to have a group of five and give us a bit of stability.
"Filipe is playing a lot – every game in the Champions League – so now he is in perfect condition and as you can imagine he is very stable, very experienced, and for us as a team it makes no difference."
With Carrick still not fit to start, I would be inclined to go with a midfield 3 of Jones, Blind and Herrera. That 3 should make us defensively solid, give us energy, strength and allow Ander push on to support a front 3 of Di Maria, Valencia and Falcao. I know it would involve another new centre back pairing of Rojo and probably Smalling but Chelsea are a big team so we need to compete at set plays.I'm not really expecting anything from this. If our defence turns up and actually plays like a defence then we have a chance, but going off recent performances I very much doubt that's going to happen. 1-3.We have a decent chance of getting points, especially of Costa and Remy are out.
It is not about him being anything special. However clumsy he is, his best play so far has been in opposition half than our half. He is still good at winning aerial battles when his back is to the opponent's goal not ours. I just think he feels comfortable there and he doesn't have the pressure of thinking that his mistakes that far up top might lead to goals. There is a different aggression about him when he plays up front which is lost when he plays further back.
I feel a front three of Falcao Herrera and Fellaini is a big nuisance to defenders. and will help us defend from the front. The only reason I would put fellaini up front is the form of RVP and the invisibility of Mata. Once Rooney is back he can go back to the bench. Also, I have noticed that ADM whips in a lot of early crosses in the beginning of the match. I would rather have fellaini and falcao at the end of those than the current RVP. But ya, I might be wrong and I am basing this on one performance against WBA. I can't remember the last time we played him up top though.Check out Fellaini's leg muscles, for a tall fella those are some big meaty legs, say what you like about him, but he works hard. If anyone can turn him into a United player it's LVG.
Compare that with Mata, Fellaini won't get bullied.
Shaw pic made me laugh, big arse and pink boots, just like my ex
In his prediction where he shockingly expects United to lose Mark Lawrenson has put in this utterly false line in his prediction for the Chelsea match:
If it was not for their goalkeeper David de Gea, United probably would not have come away from The Hawthorns with anything, which does not bode well for the visit of Chelsea.
De Gea didn't make a save, so Lawrenson must've saw some highly inspirational pep talk from de Gea or he didn't actually watch they game and came up with the lazy assumption that our defence is shit and therefor de Gea has to have a blinder every game for us to win a point. What a tool.
That is unreal.
Saw that, too. Unbelievably poor from Lawrenson. We all know he isn't the brightest, though.
You missed one. 5 games down in between the United home win 3-1 and United away win 2-3 we drew 3-3 under AVB. Remember you came from 3-0 down.Anderson son son
He's better than Kleberson
Anderson son son
Our midfield magician
To the left to the right
To the samba beat tonight
He is class with a brass
And he shits on Fabregas!!!!!
His best play? I can only remember one moment in over a year at the club. Last week. He's been a nightmare signing so far in his United career.
Fellaini is really lazy. You need to be watching him live to realise. He casually strolled back when team were not in possession of the ball - at least that's what he did last season. If you think only muscle and strength is what makes a footballer you're following the wrong sport.Check out Fellaini's leg muscles, for a tall fella those are some big meaty legs, say what you like about him, but he works hard. If anyone can turn him into a United player it's LVG.
Compare that with Mata, Fellaini won't get bullied.
Shaw pic made me laugh, big arse and pink boots, just like my ex
I am more confident under Van Gaal of a win, but I would not be surprised if reality set in on Sunday and it shows how poorly our defensive set up is managed. Looking forward to the match with a bit of optimism mainly because of several of our players and a competent manager like Louis Van Gaal at the helm.
compare that to thisCheck out Fellaini's leg muscles, for a tall fella those are some big meaty legs, say what you like about him, but he works hard. If anyone can turn him into a United player it's LVG.
[/spoiler]
Being optomistic here; 3-0 to Chelsea.
Seriously they're going to destroy us. We haven't looked convinsing in attack consistently except for Di Maria and at the back we are shambles and it doesn't even mattr if Costa and Fabregas were out, they'd still take advantage of that. This put with the fact my girlfriend's a Chelsea fan I'm looking into ways of putting myself into a deep sleep for the weekend.
This said, so far this season our predictions have been wrong quite a lot, so maybe this one's 3 points in the bag.
You guys ever seen a rugby player? All footballers look like little girls in comparison. Because of this I can't be impressed by any footballer's muscles.I would not play Fellaini.
I've never seen him turn out for Man Utd and put in a great performance.
He scored 1 goal against WBA and this doesnt suddenly make him a great player, good enough to play against Chelsea.
It will be a highly strategic game on Sunday...that's for sure.
Same here.
And besides big leg muscles mean nothing.
Messi is slightly built and he is rated as the best player in the World.
Ronaldo was still great when he was young and wiry.
Lets not forget that our best player (Di Maria), is built like a match stick.
Big muscles mean very little when it comes to playing football.
A great footballing brain and skill are what I look for, above everything else. Big muscles and pretty face are the last things I'd look for.
Let's not compare footballers with rugby players man. Next thing we will be comparing them to wrestlers too.
Agree 100%.
Mata has to play.
As much as I don’t rate Fellaini, he hasn’t exactly had a chance to shine at United, he changed the game on Monday night and if he does start it will be because of his performance against WBA. Hopefully LVG can get the kind of performances out of Fellaini that we saw during his Everton days, if he does we will have a decent player on our hands.
Bloody hell how could I forget that? So it is 6 wins in the last 22 then.
3-3 is not a win..
I know, the original post said we had 6 wins in the last 22 games against Chelsea in the league. I made a post saying that it was actually 7 in the last 22 but I forgot the 3-3 game, which pushes the last result (a win for us) out of the last 22.
On Sunday it may as well be.de Gea
Rafael Jones Rojo Shaw
Blind
Herrera Di Maria
Fellaini
van Persie Falcao
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Lindegaard; Smalling; Carrick, Fletcher, Young, Mata; Januzaj
This is what I'm expecting, though I'd personally try and find a way to leave RvP on the bench.. I just can't imagine LvG starting without one of RvP, Fletcher, or Carrick as I believe they are the only players in the squad that he'd give the Captain's armband too.
If Valencia is fit, I would honestly not mind playing a 4231 with Valencia and Di Maria on the wings, and Fellaini behind the striker just to get some balls into the box and give Chelsea problems. I do believe Jose will play a cautious game as he did against City, likely leading to Schurrle and maybe Ramires starting the game. So, we need to try and exploit this and attack as much as possible if we want any points. If we're also cautious I think they will eventually break us down and win by a goal or two.Hope we don't get hammered I will be a little pissed, not angry I mean drunk.
Actually I will be very angry if we get beat my boss is a Everton fan and comes and winds me up at every opportunity.
I would love to give him a dig but he is definitely the kind to call the old bill on me.
That is without a doubt the most annoying .gif I've ever seen.
What no Hazard, I should think again on that side.I'm really bored of our two strikers together on top. It's not as if we score at win and terrify defences. Largely inefficient till date.
................ RvP .............
.................. Mata ..............
.. Di Maria ... Fellaini ... Herrera
................. Blind ..................
Shaw ... Rojo ... Jones ... Rafael
................ De Gea ................
I've said it many times before now. Mata behind RvP as second striker. The position he was brilliant in CL winning Chelsea side. A hard working midfield behind them would help provide solidity and cover to the defence.Why the feck are you lot posting pictures of men's legs?
It's that kind of night.This thread is just a mess.Based on the logic that LVG thought West Brom was our best performance I think he'll stick with the 4231.
de GeaI think he'll stick with the same back line to try and bring some stability and consistency to it. I also think Valencia will be needed to double up on Hazard along with Rafael. Herrera's engine on the same side as Valencia will still offer offensive flexibility and fire power going forward, that Valencia alone doesn't really bring these days. I think Mata deserves one last chance to prove himself before Rooney returns, and who best to prove himself against than his former club.
Rafael Jones Rojo Shaw
Herrera Blind
Valencia Mata di Maria
Falcao
It's our first spotlight we have to land across their heads then fly over the other teams without worries. Mentally, it's going to help our players a lot. I predict 2-1, I never doubt that we won't concede goals for any game but we can manage to outplay them as a team since it's an old trafford game and get the 3points. #BELIEVE #GGMU
Yeah - sounds about right. Mata has looked pale of late but he should be fired up before this one.
Besides, what's the alternative? Fellaini in the hole? There's something to be said for this - but I'd rather keep him on the bench and unleash him at some point as a so-called impact sub (which is the role he should have for us anyway).
RVP has to be dropped - let Falcao lead the line and prove he's worth his wages.less of the negativity .... YES .. Chelski are a better team than us at this moment in time.
We have some outstanding individual players who can turn a game
We have probably the most taticly astute coach in the world, who has done nothing but study chelski
all week, hoping to find a way to defeat them on sunday
It will be the same in all big games, very close, chelsea are favourites, but we have more than a decent chance
COME ON YOU REDS !!- Status
Man of the Match
Runners-up
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19%
David de Gea
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7%
Robin Van Persie
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6%
Chris Smalling
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4%
Luke Shaw
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3%
Adnan Januzaj
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3%
Daley Blind
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1%
Rafael
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1%
Marcos Rojo
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1%
Juan Mata
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 543 ratings.
Score Predictions
307,384,155
- Man Utd win
- Chelsea win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 16% Man Utd 2:1 Chelsea
- 13% Man Utd 1:3 Chelsea
- 8% Man Utd 1:2 Chelsea
- 8% Man Utd 2:2 Chelsea
- 8% Man Utd 1:1 Chelsea
- 6% Man Utd 0:3 Chelsea
- 5% Man Utd 0:2 Chelsea
- 4% Man Utd 1:0 Chelsea
- 4% Man Utd 3:2 Chelsea
- 4% Man Utd 0:5 Chelsea
- 4% Man Utd 2:0 Chelsea
- 3% Man Utd 1:4 Chelsea
- 3% Man Utd 5:0 Chelsea
- 2% Man Utd 3:1 Chelsea
- 2% Man Utd 0:0 Chelsea
- 2% Man Utd 2:3 Chelsea
- 2% Man Utd 0:4 Chelsea
- 1% Man Utd 0:1 Chelsea
- 1% Man Utd 2:4 Chelsea
- 1% Man Utd 3:0 Chelsea
- 1% Man Utd 4:0 Chelsea
- 1% Man Utd 5:5 Chelsea
- 1% Man Utd 4:2 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 1:5 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 4:3 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 5:3 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 3:3 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 3:4 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 5:4 Chelsea
- 0% Man Utd 4:5 Chelsea
Match Stats
- Man Utd
- Chelsea
- Possession
- 52% 48%
- Shots
- 19 9
- Shots on Target
- 7 4
- Corners
- 4 7
- Fouls
- 13 14
Referee
Phil Dowd
Man Utd Lineup
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replaced by James Wilson
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