Manchester United 2:0 Hull City

bosnian_red · Jan 8, 2017

With mourinho saying he'll go pretty much full strength (but also completely changed from yesterday), kind of hope we do this:

De Gea
Valencia Smalling Jones Darmian
Mata Herrera Pogba
Mkhitaryan Ibrahimovic Lingard

And then against Liverpool, Martial in for Lingard. Think Mourinho is of the opinion that he'll use the full squad over these 2 games though which is why darmian and lingard are in here, instead of Blind and Martial who would normally be in.

Shaw, fosu mensah and schweinsteiger to come in to rest pogba, herrera and valencia.

Gerald G · Jan 8, 2017

De Gea
Valencia--Smalling--Jones--Darmian
Herrera----Pogba
Mata
Mkhitaryan--Ibrahimovic--Lingard

subs: Romero, Mensah, Blind, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Rooney, Rashford

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

bosnian_red said:
With mourinho saying he'll go pretty much full strength (but also completely changed from yesterday), kind of hope we do this:

De Gea
Valencia Smalling Jones Darmian
Mata Herrera Pogba
Mkhitaryan Ibrahimovic Lingard

And then against Liverpool, Martial in for Lingard. Think Mourinho is of the opinion that he'll use the full squad over these 2 games though which is why darmian and lingard are in here, instead of Blind and Martial who would normally be in.

Shaw, fosu mensah and schweinsteiger to come in to rest pogba, herrera and valencia.

With those players, it wouldn't be a 4-3-3, but a 4-2-3-1.

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

Havak said:
Yep. Now that Rashford found his shooting boots I think he should be given the game. Though I think it will be a 4231 against Hull where Rooney/Mata play at No.10 and Rashford/Martial/Lingard play from the left. De Gea, Valencia, Shaw, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, and Ibrahimovic to return, with Smalling & Jones to continue at the back.

There's no point playing a CDM in this game.

Have my doubts on Shaw's situation. Also, I think Mourinho would likely avoid using Jones in this game.

Havak · Jan 8, 2017

Android1974 said:
Have my doubts on Shaw's situation. Also, I think Mourinho would likely avoid using Jones in this game.

I'm sure he wanted to use Smalling/Jones here even before the Rojo injury. He's already said he wanted to use and rotate his three central defenders throughout this month while Bailly is away. Smalling & Jones will continue until Rojo and/or Bailly can return, other than perhaps a substitute appearance for someone else during this game.

Shaw I think needs to play here if he wants game-time anytime soon, otherwise his only chance is the return leg of this fixture, if we win comfortably on Tuesday. We can afford to play one player coming back from injury against what will most likely be a poor and depleted Hull.

bosnian_red · Jan 8, 2017

Android1974 said:
With those players, it wouldn't be a 4-3-3, but a 4-2-3-1.

We've played a 433 with those exact players this season. Mata and Pogba play basically the same role on either side of midfield.

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

Havak said:
I'm sure he wanted to use Smalling/Jones here even before the Rojo injury. He's already said he wanted to use and rotate his three central defenders throughout this month while Bailly is away. Smalling & Jones will continue until Rojo and/or Bailly can return, other than perhaps a substitute appearance for someone else during this game.

Shaw I think needs to play here if he wants game-time anytime soon, otherwise his only chance is the return leg of this fixture, if we win comfortably on Tuesday. We can afford to play one player coming back from injury against what will most likely be a poor and depleted Hull.

No, Mourinho said he wanted to rest the first team center-backs each in these two cup games. Jones played almost the whole Reading game instead of Rojo. If he starts against Hull, he will be ‘overplayed’ (by these standards). Having said that, not much Mourinho can do, is there? He might fear Hull's forwards enough to risk losing Jones to the Liverpool game.

The fact that Shaw wasn't even on the bench, while deemed not injured by the manager, in a game where he could have minutes to recover his game, makes me think something other that physical is going on.

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

bosnian_red said:
We've played a 433 with those exact players this season. Mata and Pogba play basically the same role on either side of midfield.

Really, when? Can't recall that. Even when on the right-wing, Mata plays very centrally, due to Valencia running back and forth, but that's not the same.

Havak · Jan 8, 2017

Android1974 said:
No, Mourinho said he wanted to rest the first team center-backs each in these two cup games. Jones played almost the whole Reading game instead of Rojo. If he starts against Hull, he will be ‘overplayed’ (by these standards). Having said that, not much Mourinho can do, is there? He might fear Hull's forwards enough to risk losing Jones to the Liverpool game.

The fact that Shaw wasn't even on the bench, while deemed not injured by the manager, in a game where he could have minutes to recover his game, makes me think something other that physical is going on.

Yeah, my understanding was this in terms of who would play:

Reading: Smalling/Rojo
Hull: Smalling/Jones
Liverpool: Jones/Rojo

However, it looks like there isn't much choice now. He could play Blind at CB, but I'd wager he will miss this in favour of starting at Left Back against Liverpool. The goal was likely that no one in the squad would play all three of these games, but Smalling is going to have to (and Jones to a similar extent) due to the Rojo injury. It's not so bad in Smalling's case as he's had plenty of time away. Of course, there is the chance the Rojo injury is not as bad as it looks and he could be ready for Liverpool.

If the game goes well, then Fosu-Mensah may get another substitute appearance to replace Jones IMO.

If Shaw doesn't get the Left Back job, then it'll probably be Darmian.

carlosp · Jan 8, 2017

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...ign=ManUtd&utm_medium=post&utm_source=twitter

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

Havak said:
Yeah, my understanding was this in terms of who would play:

Reading: Smalling/Rojo
Hull: Smalling/Jones
Liverpool: Jones/Rojo

However, it looks like there isn't much choice now. He could play Blind at CB, but I'd wager he will miss this in favour of starting at Left Back against Liverpool. The goal was likely that no one in the squad would play all three of these games, but Smalling is going to have to (and Jones to a similar extent) due to the Rojo injury. It's not so bad in Smalling's case as he's had plenty of time away. Of course, there is the chance the Rojo injury is not as bad as it looks and he could be ready for Liverpool.

If the game goes well, then Fosu-Mensah may get another substitute appearance to replace Jones IMO.

If Shaw doesn't get the Left Back job, then it'll probably be Darmian.

Yes, precisely. If Blind wasn't the probable left-back against Liverpool, Mourinho would spare Jones in this game. It could be Rojo, if he's ok for sure, but it might be tempting fate. At the start of the season, who would know that we would be playing a Jones-Rojo center-back partnership? Don't think the manager sees Fosu-Mensah as an option for center-back now, though, but, in the context you mentioned, could happen.

bosnian_red · Jan 8, 2017

Android1974 said:
Really, when? Can't recall that. Even when on the right-wing, Mata plays very centrally, due to Valencia running back and forth, but that's not the same.

Plenty of times. We've gone almost exclusively 433 since that Leicester game basically. A few games were exceptions, but mata when he plays as the 10 is almost always actually playing in a midfield 3. Check the average postions and passmaps in the games, him and pogba pick up almost identical positions (mata right, pogba left).

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

bosnian_red said:
Plenty of times. We've gone almost exclusively 433 since that Leicester game basically. A few games were exceptions, but mata when he plays as the 10 is almost always actually playing in a midfield 3. Check the average postions and passmaps in the games, him and pogba pick up almost identical positions (mata right, pogba left).

I check every game and never noticed that. I can't really understand how it could be a 4-3-3 without a right-winger, unless it's asymmetrical. Mata still has all the defensive duties of covering the right line in front of Valencia. We'll have to agree to disagree in this.

For instance, last game Pogba and Mata started, against Sunderland: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszon...8/team-stats/1/OVERALL_01#tabs-wrapper-anchor.

bosnian_red · Jan 8, 2017

Android1974 said:
I check every game and never noticed that. I can't really understand how it could be a 4-3-3 without a right-winger, unless it's asymmetrical. Mata still has all the defensive duties of covering the right line in front of Valencia. We'll have to agree to disagree in this.

For instance, last game Pogba and Mata started, against Sunderland: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszon...8/team-stats/1/OVERALL_01#tabs-wrapper-anchor.

Yeah, because there was already a midfield 3? Look at games when its herrera, pogba and mata. Its a midfield 3.

Can't find the passmap for the game against Leicester at home, but it was basically a midfield 3 for average positions. Doesn't matter though, Mata is definitely capable of playing deeper and making it a midfield 3. Or really Pogba just plays more advanced because of our greater dominance in those games.

Grunge · Jan 8, 2017

CM10 said:
It'll be interesting to see how Mourinho approaches this one. I think he'll want to play a strong side because it's a semi-final but the Liverpool match surely has to take priority.

I think Jose tipped his hand the other day when he pointed out that mistakes in the 1st of a 2-leg contest can be overcome in the 2nd leg. (Not exactly his words but that was the gist)

And with that (and the pending match against the pool) in mind, I think it'll be a similar line up.

I think Romero would not be an unreasonable choice to give him a run of two games. DDG will not mind a couple more days off.

Jones and Smalling unfortunately virtually have to play depending on the fitness Rojo (doubtful at best?)

Probably Valencia back but I would not object to giving Young another go for the same reason as above
Darmian will almost certainly play at LB if Shaw remains out of favour.

Pogba & Hererra should be back & Fellaini may keep his position ... Outside chance that Schweiny is chosen but Mata will rest

I'd give Rooney the against Hull to break the record and get that monkey off his back sooner than later & have Lingard & Rashford up front again.

Zlatan to get a few minutes late in the game as will Mhkiki

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

bosnian_red said:
Yeah, because there was already a midfield 3? Look at games when its herrera, pogba and mata. Its a midfield 3.

Can't find the passmap for the game against Leicester at home, but it was basically a midfield 3 for average positions. Doesn't matter though, Mata is definitely capable of playing deeper and making it a midfield 3. Or really Pogba just plays more advanced because of our greater dominance in those games.

I find it defensively very dangerous to play Mata as midfielder in 4-3-3: the way he gets overrun by adversaries might cost us, when he loses the ball closer to the area.

Camy89 · Jan 8, 2017

Think we'll likely see a similar lineup to Reading as well.

Liverpool on Sunday is massive, we need our stars rested, injury-free and up for it.

I'd like to see Romero in goals, he's solid and it'd be good for him to get more time. Don't think Rojo will play, minor knock in last game might just mean to cut losses and see if he is fit for Liverpool.

Never thought I'd say this, but I would like Fellaini to start. He's physical and Hull are a big strong side. Against Reading he was doing stuff I've never seen him do before and I was pleasantly surprised i.e. putting pressure in the middle of the field and showing some pace to intercept loose passes between Reading's defence and midfield. Don't think Schweinsteiger will get a start, but probably some more minutes than last game.

Lingard will likely start, just, because. Hopefully Rashford starting again, showed good hunger against Reading and think his pacey runs could be a nightmare for their defence.

No idea whether Pogba, Herrera, Zlatan will start.

Android1974 · Jan 8, 2017

[cynic mode on]
Mourinho might deploy Rooney in order for him to break the goalscoring record. And then still have a chance to have him shipped to China. Sorry

Camy89 · Jan 8, 2017

Android1974 said:
[cynic mode on]
Mourinho might deploy Rooney in order for him to break the goalscoring record. And then still have a chance to have him shipped to China. Sorry

Hopefully he doesn't score.

Would love a halfway line bicycle kick against Liverpool to break the record. Glory.

JustinC00 · Jan 9, 2017

Camy89 said:
Think we'll likely see a similar lineup to Reading as well.

Liverpool on Sunday is massive, we need our stars rested, injury-free and up for it.

I'd like to see Romero in goals, he's solid and it'd be good for him to get more time. Don't think Rojo will play, minor knock in last game might just mean to cut losses and see if he is fit for Liverpool.

Never thought I'd say this, but I would like Fellaini to start. He's physical and Hull are a big strong side. Against Reading he was doing stuff I've never seen him do before and I was pleasantly surprised i.e. putting pressure in the middle of the field and showing some pace to intercept loose passes between Reading's defence and midfield. Don't think Schweinsteiger will get a start, but probably some more minutes than last game.

Lingard will likely start, just, because. Hopefully Rashford starting again, showed good hunger against Reading and think his pacey runs could be a nightmare for their defence.

No idea whether Pogba, Herrera, Zlatan will start.

Ibra, Pogba, Herrera and Valencia all are playing. Jose said so.

Camy89 · Jan 9, 2017

JustinC00 said:
Ibra, Pogba, Herrera and Valencia all are playing. Jose said so.

Well that clears that up then. Thanks.

NJM78 · Jan 9, 2017

-----------Ibra
---Rashford Rooney Micky
-------Pogba Herrera
Shaw Jones Smalling Valencia
----------De Gea

I think we will see Martial, Carrick and Blind back in for Rashford, Shaw and Rooney for the Liverpool game.

3-1 for our ninth win on the spin.

Chaky_Best · Jan 9, 2017

I think that Mourinho will play some of the big guns tomorrow in order to still have competition before Liverpool and not be stopped from football since the West Ham game.

With this rotation, almost all the team will play during these 2 games and probably the best way to make happy all of them.

The lads will have 5 days before the biggest game of the season, that'll be enough

Just hope that we'll be able to score at least 2 goals in order to avoid a nervy away games there.

They'll probably sit behind and play the counters but we're good enough to beat them.

----------------------------------------De Gea----------------------------------------
Valencia----------------------Smalling---------Blind----------------Shaw/Darmian
-------------------------------Pogba------------Herrera------------------------------
Mkhitaryan----------------------------Rooney-------------------------------Lingard
------------------------------------------Ibra-----------------------------------------

ijc · Jan 9, 2017

We should play a strong team and build momentum for the game vs Liverpool. Let's end this in the first leg. Also, there is ample time for recovery the game being on Tuesday and the next on Sunday.

Adam-Utd · Jan 9, 2017

As others have stated, go strong and go hard from the first minute. Let's get this done and dusted and make the 2nd leg a dead rubber.

We rested everybody against reading so 2 games in 5 days won't be an issue. I'm hoping for a strong 4-0 win here.

#07 · Jan 9, 2017

Marcelinho87 · Jan 9, 2017

It will be a strong side, why would you leave in form players out for more than a games rest.

Pogba, Zlatan etc all need to play to keep their momentum going.

There is plenty of rest days between this and the Liverpol game.

Android1974 · Jan 9, 2017

Of course, there's enough rest till the Liverpool game. But at least two players, maybe three, will have played Reading and Hull, one of them being the injury prone Jones.

BringNaniBack · Jan 9, 2017

Hopefully we can get a few goals early and kill off the game so we can take the likes of Zlatan and Valencia off to keep them fresh for the Liverpool game.

King.of.Red · Jan 9, 2017

from this press conference, he knows that we will play against Liverfool after Hull match and he doesnt hesitate to say that he will play our best players like Zlatan, Pogba, Herera, Valencia and I always love it when Jose is full of confidence with his team. from me, 3 - 0 win at least against hull. I only wish our players will stay injury free in this tough month and until end of this season.

Attila · Jan 9, 2017

I wish he would rest Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan and Pogba for this match too. Worried that they get a knock and miss the Liverpool match

I don't think we need them to beat a Hull with no CB at home. I would just play the majority of the team that beat Hull + Lingard etc

Revan · Jan 9, 2017

Still don't see the point of Ibra, Pogba, Herrera and other players who played so much this year to start this match. Would have preferred to give them 20 minutes or so just to be match fit for the Scousers, especially considering that we should be able to beat Hull even with the second team.

LuisNaniencia · Jan 9, 2017

I expect us to be pretty much full strength and aim to kill the tie. There's quite a long break before the Liverpool game on Sunday pm.

Oscie · Jan 9, 2017

Depending on how result of the 1st leg goes and who we get in the FA Cup there could be an opportunity to give players even more of a rest between 21/01 when we play Stoke and 01/05 when we play Hull in the league.

Christ that means we're playing Hull 3 times in 22 days. 4 times if we get them in the league.

dichinero · Jan 9, 2017

This could be our fixture list if we draw Hull in the next FA cup round - Hull Liverpool Stoke Hull Hull Hull.

Jacko21 · Jan 9, 2017

Antonio Valencia, Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all set to start.

Giant Midget · Jan 9, 2017

DDG

Valencia Smalling Jones Shaw

Herrera Pogba

Mkhitariyan Rooney/Mata Lingard

Ibrahimovic

Couldn't decide who would play the #10 role. Will probably be Rooney to give him another start before benching him against Liverpool again.

Sandikan · Jan 9, 2017

dichinero said:
This could be our fixture list if we draw Hull in the next FA cup round - Hull Liverpool Stoke Hull Hull Hull.

That would have been horrible!

I'd love it if we smash Hull tomorrow though.

Because we could rest players v Hull, to keep them fresh to face..Hull :lol:

Regulus Arcturus Black · Jan 9, 2017

Revan said:
Still don't see the point of Ibra, Pogba, Herrera and other players who played so much this year to start this match. Would have preferred to give them 20 minutes or so just to be match fit for the Scousers, especially considering that we should be able to beat Hull even with the second team.

Most of these players have had a nice long rest since WHU (EIGHT DAYS) @Revan and will be fully recharged and desperate for a game. Shouldn't be a problem for them to smash Hull & then have another 3 days to prepare for Liverpool.

DomesticTadpole · Jan 9, 2017

Regulus Arcturus Black said:
Most of these players have had a nice long rest since WHU (EIGHT DAYS) @Revan and will be fully recharged and desperate for a game. Shouldn't be a problem for them to smash Hull & then have another 3 days to prepare for Liverpool.

Liverpool will be in slightly worse boat than us. They are away from home at Southampton. Will need to play a strong side and have one less day to prepare for our game.

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