Manchester United 2:1 Leicester City

Offside · Aug 7, 2018

Surely there's some kid knocking about in the academy who's better than Darmian? Anything down to u14's.

Santoryo · Aug 7, 2018

Hopefully we start as we did last season. A thumping would be welcomed.

ErranMorad · Aug 7, 2018

Offside said:
Surely there's some kid knocking about in the academy who's better than Darmian? Anything down to u14's.

I don't about better but there is Fosu-Mensah who Jose mentions as a RB.

Riz · Aug 7, 2018

Not fussed about our style of play for this one. We need to get points on the board while we wait for our big players to get back.

Are there any Leicester fans who could give us an idea as to how likely Evans, Maguire and Vardy are to feature?

Inter Yer Nan · Aug 7, 2018

Rozay said:
Booked an impromptu trip to New York on Thursday. I imagine I will be able to watch the game in New York? I’m at the Ritz Carlton, hopefully I can watch it in my room on cable?

It's on NBC sports. I'd imagine that hotel will have this channel as it comes in the fairly basic tier package. Failing that ANY var will have the game.

Enjoy NYC!

Inter Yer Nan · Aug 7, 2018

littlepeasoup said:
I've got a sneaking suspicion Rom will start, based on nothing. He's an absolute unit.

I hope he does play from the start but suspect he'll be on the bench.

I'm going for a 2-0 win. I think we'll struggle a little and Lukaku will come off the bench to put it to bed late on.

De Gea
Darmian
Bailly
Smalling
Shaw

Fred
Herrera
Perreira

Mata
Sanchez
Rashford

Is what I think we'll start with.

pascell · Aug 7, 2018

Not sure if its been mentioned but theres new PL rules regarding yellow cards, they only apply to the PL now and not cup competitions.

There's also a similar thing for managers now too, they get touchline bans for a certain amount of warnings on the touchline.

JJ12 · Aug 7, 2018

pascell said:
Not sure if its been mentioned but theres new PL rules regarding yellow cards, they only apply to the PL now and not cup competitions.

There's also a similar thing for managers now too, they get touchline bans for a certain amount of warnings on the touchline.

Don't coaches get yellows and reds now?

Neo_Mufc · Aug 7, 2018

Really don't care how we play at this moment because it's the first game of the season. Just want to see us win and get off to a good start.

pascell · Aug 7, 2018

JJ12 said:
Don't coaches get yellows and reds now?

Technically yeah, they get warnings and I think they get a ban after 4,8,12 and 16 warnings

Roosney · Aug 7, 2018

Santoryo said:
Hopefully we start as we did last season. A thumping would be welcomed.

This. But I'm struggling to get my hopes up.

Random Task · Aug 7, 2018

Damien said:
De Gea

Darmian Bailly Lindelof Shaw
Pereira
Herrera Fred
Mata Sanchez Rashford

Bench: Grant, Alderweireld, Young, Pogba, Martial, Lukaku, Lingard

3-1 win. Not sure bench will have so many players without a pre-season but should be enough to get the 3 points. 50/50 on whether Bailly's partner will be Lindelof or Smalling. Smalling was preferred all last season but Lindelof started v Bayern. Not sure whether that was mainly to get some match fitness or whether it is because that is his planned side v Leicester.

I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

In the case that it does happen, I wouldn't be surprised to see us begin the game in a 3-5-2. Jose has dabbled with this formation on various occasions since he took over the club, so bringing in another central defender, particularly one of Alderweireld's ability and experience in said system during his time at Spurs, could result in a permanent change to the 3-5-2. I get the feeling this system was the long-term plan all along for Jose - I might be wrong of course.

We could begin the Leicester game in something like this:

----------------De Gea-----------------
----Bailly----Alderweireld----Smalling----
--------Fred---Herrera---Pereira--------
-Mata-------------------------Martial--
--------Sanchez---Rashford------------

The omission of both Pogba and Lukaku from that team makes it look rather weak, but they will return eventually. Along with the likes of Lingard, Mctominay, Young, Shaw and Fellaini, we would appear to be well stocked in all departments besides that right-wing position. Here's hoping Woody can pull off a miracle over the next couple of days.

willhse456 · Aug 7, 2018

Random Task said:
I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

In the case that it does happen, I wouldn't be surprised to see us begin the game in a 3-5-2. Jose has dabbled with this formation on various occasions since he took over the club, so bringing in another central defender, particularly one of Alderweireld's ability and experience in said system during his time at Spurs, could result in a permanent change to the 3-5-2. I get the feeling this system was the long-term plan all along for Jose - I might be wrong of course.

We could begin the Leicester game in something like this:

------------De Gea--------------
---Bailly--Alderweireld--Smalling---
-----------Herrera---------------
--------Fred---Pereira-----------
--Mata---Sanchez---Martial------

The omission of both Pogba and Lukaku from that team makes it look rather weak, but they will return eventually. Along with the likes of Lingard, Rashford, Mctominay, Young, Shaw and Fellaini, we would appear to be well stocked in all departments besides that right-wing position. Here's hoping Woody can pull off a miracle over the next couple of days.

Starting with 10 players would be a bit of a disadvantage

Hernandez - BFA · Aug 7, 2018

We need to win this game, this place will be toxic otherwise.

A win won't hide the fact that our squad isn't a title winning team, but hopefully it'll give us some promise that we'll make top 4.

Random Task · Aug 7, 2018

willhse456 said:
Starting with 10 players would be a bit of a disadvantage

I mean we're good and all that but not that good. Allow me to restructure.

Crashoutcassius · Aug 7, 2018

Please god a good win. Our starting 11 is nuts but hopefully we can overcome it

whatwha · Aug 7, 2018

Globule said:
Am I the only that could've done with an extra month before the season starts? I don't know if it's being over saturated with football with the WC, my inner transfer muppet being left unsatisfied or my fear that the worst parts of last season will repeat themselves, but I just haven't got spark of excitement that usually comes with a new season.

I know what you mean. It does feel like it's coming a little soon after the WC. And the transfer window closing early doesn't help, especially when we haven't made the signings we were hoping for. But most of all I think it's down to the fact that there's an usually low amount of excitement to be had as a fan under the current management. We have seen nothing to suggest that the football will be better than last season.

1-0 or 0-0.

sunama · Aug 7, 2018

I think Jose's plan will be to score 1 goal per game, until the established WC players return. We saw this during pre-season.
So: 1-0 or 0-0.

AlwaysRed66 · Aug 7, 2018

I am really unsure what to expect, with the exception of it will probably be dire football. We are reliably informed by members on these boards that Sanchez is back to his best, Pereira is the new midfield dynamo, & Fred is the missing link in midfield, so we should be winning at a canter. Why do I have doubts about this.

Shady · Aug 7, 2018

Bailly's injury nothing serious?

Seven Seas Sardines · Aug 8, 2018

Random Task said:
We could begin the Leicester game in something like this:

----------------De Gea-----------------
----Bailly----Alderweireld----Smalling----
--------Fred---Herrera---Pereira--------
-Mata-------------------------Martial--
--------Sanchez---Rashford------------

No way in hell (unfortunately) that Mourinho will play Mata and Martial as wing-backs. :lol:

Irish Jet · Aug 8, 2018

De Gea

Darmian Bailly Smalling Shaw

Herrera Pereira Fred

Mata Lukaku Sanchez

I just have a feeling Lukaku will start and expect to him at the very least feature. He will desperate to play and get off the mark regardless of his lack of match fitness.

Will be interesting to see who even makes the squad of the returning players. Mourinho has suggested they’re not available but given the injuries already decimating the squad I think a few may be there if needed. It would be quite damning if for example Fellaini and Lingard made the bench but Pogba didn’t. I doubt Martial will even feature.

It’s absolutely horrifying to know Darmian is still getting minutes here – with him and Shaw playing together I can’t see us keeping a clean sheet. They’re just too easily beaten.

It already feels like a huge game. The knives are out and we need to show something and bring back some good feeling – A loss will have the media screaming crisis already. A win will see everything calm down with big players still to come in.

Andreas needs to show off that early pre-season form, he seemed to drop off as the competition improved which is mildly concerning – His Utd career may hinge on these opening games as he could be buried down the pecking order when everyone’s fit, it’s his chance to show he belongs. Sanchez needs an early start too – he can galvanise the team with a return to form.

Prediction: 2-2 - And everyone loses their collective shit.

Seven Seas Sardines · Aug 8, 2018

Shady said:
Bailly's injury nothing serious?

Him and Herrera are slight doubts according to physioroom. My guess is both will play, we don't have too many options and they have been with us all through pre-season.

We sure did get lucky with the opposition though. No Mahrez, no Vardy, no Maguire, no Evans. We should be able get through a defence of Chillwell, Morgan, Benalouane and Amartey. This is how their starting lineup was like four days ago, supposedly very similar to what we will face..

Starting XI: Schmeichel, Amartey, Morgan, Benalouane, Chilwell, Ndidi, Iborra, Pereira, Maddison, Albrighton, Iheanacho
Subs: Ward, Knight, Elder, Johnson, Fuchs, Silva, Diabate, Ndukwu, Gordon

Catt · Aug 8, 2018

Are you guys not excited about the season opener?

Tbh it could be great but it'd also be interesting to see the mood at Old Trafford if United don't start the season well.

Djemba-Djemba · Aug 8, 2018

sunama said:
I think Jose's plan will be to score 1 goal per game, until the established WC players return. We saw this during pre-season.
So: 1-0 or 0-0.

fecking hell.

That's probably true too, more dogshit football then.

Spirit of Solskjaer · Aug 8, 2018

Finally some actual football, bring it the feck on! I'm pumped for the new season

I think we'll win this one quite comfortably, Leicester haven't really replaced Mahrez have they, plus they will probably be missing Maguire and Vardy as well. 3-0 to United (Sanchez, Mata, Herrera)

ZlatMan · Aug 8, 2018

This should be an easy win. Leicester are practically playing their reserves. Sanchez and Mata's increasingly telepathic understanding should cause their makeshift defence real havoc.

3-0 (Sanchez two, Mata one)

Wayne's World · Aug 8, 2018

I just have a feeling this could be a disaster. We need an early goal because I can see a toxic atmosphere the longer the game goes on at 0-0 or god forbid Leicester take the lead.

Any win will do

Irish Jet · Aug 8, 2018

Red Katie said:
Are you guys not excited about the season opener?

Tbh it could be great but it'd also be interesting to see the mood at Old Trafford if United don't start the season well.

I’m excited more for this hellish window to be closed regardless of does/doesn't happen.

I’m not hugely optimistic for the season but at least there’ll be some actual football to judge rather than speculation and interviews. I’ve never seen such bizarre negativity around a club without anything meaningful actually happening on the pitch. Arsenal have had a few summers like that but this is another level – Just open season on everything United related right now before the actual season.

Mourinhonista · Aug 8, 2018

Me thinks a 1:1 could pan out. I think there's at least one defensive howler in every game and the attack has been very poor. Overall it depends on what players Puel can field. Mou could go ballistic in the post match interview, can see him coming after Mr. Woodward again.

Hoping for a 3:0, but can't see it atm.

groovyalbert · Aug 8, 2018

Let me see that Chong.

Chong Ch-Chong Chong Chong.

Momochiru · Aug 8, 2018

We need a win, 90% sure we will get it.

RedEM10 · Aug 8, 2018

hoping for the best, fearing the worst. I'll go 1-1 draw or even a 1-0 Leicester win

NJM78 · Aug 8, 2018

Hopefully Pereira will start ahead of McT and play Bayern line up.
Can't see more than a draw though as we will probably only muster 2 efforts on target and I do see them scoring.

1-1

AlwaysRed66 · Aug 8, 2018

This will be a very dire affair with the two managers favourites to leave their clubs. Both will be petrified conceding.

Canagel · Aug 8, 2018

We should just go all out attack and see what happens.

DDG
Darmian Bailly Lindelof Shaw
Periera Fred
Rashford Mata Martial
Sanchez

No need for 3 central midfielders at home. It's not like we dominate the midfield anyway. We need goals. The extra attacking player is key. The team can score goals if we set up to attack. There still options like Lukaku and Lingard if we need it. Bring on Herrera if we are winning in the last 20 minutes or so.

Catt · Aug 8, 2018

AlwaysRed66 said:
This will be a very dire affair with the two managers favourites to leave their clubs. Both will be petrified conceding.

Sorry, but who's leaving?

Cantonaaa! · Aug 8, 2018

1-0 Darmian

worldinmotion66 · Aug 8, 2018

De Gea
Bailly - Smalling - Lindelof
Darmian ---------------------- Shaw
Fred - Pereira - Herrera

Mata -----
----- Sanchez

sunama · Aug 8, 2018

Red Katie said:
Sorry, but who's leaving?

Well, whichever manager loses will immediately be under serious pressure.
And if they go on to draw or lose the next match, the press will be on that manager's back.
I remember when the press "sacked" LVG at Christmas time. It was not a good time for LVG and LVG even said as much (not good for him or his family members).

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