Manchester United 1:2 Manchester City

Viggers · Sep 1, 2016

Oh yeah, well in fairness Kelechi is still a top player, and my point stands

I think a lot of our success will be to do with how well we can shut down the centre and force them wide, and with set pieces. Fellaini Pogba Ibra and Bailly is a lot of heading power and I don't see them being able to cope with us at set pieces or crosses as long as the delivery is good. They will undoubtedly try and play through the middle, as that suits there strengths but our defensive structure these past 4 games has been narrow, two banks of four. We will force them to cross the ball and Bailly and Fellaini will mop up with next to no competition from Kelechi, Sterling, KDB or Silva.

Thats the key battle for us. I am trying to think objectively about this, and see where our weakpoint is that Pep may try and exploit. I am coming up short.... anyone got any thoughts there?

Turnip · Sep 1, 2016

I've predicted 2-1 because I don't want to be called a pessimist. In reality I have no fecking clue. We haven't see the best of Pogba yet and both teams are changed quite a lot with new managers and playing systems. I'm giving us the edge, we seemed to have settled more into the new system while they have still have scary moments against much lower level oppos, when we've pretty much eased to victory in all games (ok, Hull was a bit last minute).

My biggest worry is defence by a mile though. Bailly has looked awesome, but this will definitely be his biggest test, and while Blind too has played well, he's not immune to stupid slip-ups, and City will capitalise on them for sure if he does it again. Really could go either way, but mistakes aside I'd expect us to win, hopefully with another last minute Rashford belter.

Adisa · Sep 1, 2016

In the last five years, I don think I've gone into a derby thinking we'd win.
To be honest I'd take a draw if it was offered now. Not because i don't think we can beat them but as we've seen with the Classicos in past years, losing the match early on in the season could be a huge psychological blow.

robinamicrowave · Sep 1, 2016

The first derby of the new season - no time more suitable to start posting again!

We're both building special sides but neither of us are quite there yet. We looked fantastic in the first half against West Ham but struggled to maintain the same kind of intensity after the break; you lot looked disjointed in the first half against Hull but turned the screw enough in the second, and played some great stuff when Mkhitaryan and Rashford came on, to nick the win. There's no way to call this.

We're missing Sergio Aguero, of course, but because of Guardiola's ability to somehow twist a problem into a solution (Stones off, Kolarov on at the weekend, for instance) I'm not too worried about him being absent. Nolito, Kelechi or even Sterling can slot in up front and we'll keep our shape, which is more important than the individual players we have out there in Pep's mind.

But while we have a tactical mastermind at our helm, you have skill and real game-breaking firepower in your team now. That's something you've not had since Van Persie was at his peak. Pogba and Zlatan are imposing figures who have height and ability in spades, and we'll find it very hard to deal with them. I'm hoping we drop Stones for this one and go with Kolarov next to Kompany (if fit) or Otamendi, just for the height. Mkhitaryan, Rashford and Martial are a handful too - it's safe to say your squad has moved on from the days of Ferguson - but I can't see all three of them starting.

I'm going to go right down the middle and say 1-1.

Ramshock · Sep 1, 2016

either a boring 0-0 or a thrillng 2-2

KiD MoYeS · Sep 1, 2016

I think we'll be too physical for City at times but see a draw.

Red Dreams · Sep 1, 2016

Ramshock said:
either a boring 0-0 or a thrillng 2-2

have faith mate.

Jose will not be boring...not with the players we have.
I think we will be very aggressive. A 3-1 win for us.

Ramshock · Sep 1, 2016

Red Dreams said:
have faith mate.

Jose will not be boring...not with the players we have.
I think we will be very aggressive. A 3-1 win for us.

Peps system will be hard to deal with. I think we will counter attack for the most part. We have to start Rashford.

Red Dreams · Sep 1, 2016

Ramshock said:
Peps system will be hard to deal with. I think we will counter attack for the most part. We have to start Rashford.

Midfield. Pogba will play a key part. I too predict Rashford to start..with Mikhi. Martial dropped.

Insanity · Sep 1, 2016

Red Dreams said:
have faith mate.

Jose will not be boring...not with the players we have.
I think we will be very aggressive. A 3-1 win for us.

It'll be boring as feck unless City get an early goal, bud.

Jose parked the bus at the Bridge against VG the season they won the title. He came here and played without a striker against a David Moyes Manchester United.

We didn't play on the front foot against a S'ton team at home. This is a big game, we'll be parked inside our own half for majority of the game. Jose knows only one way.

Ramshock · Sep 1, 2016

Insanity said:
It'll be boring as feck unless City get an early goal, bud.

Jose parked the bus at the Bridge against VG the season they won the title. He came here and played without a striker against a David Moyes Manchester United.

We didn't play on the front foot against a S'ton team at home. This is a big game, we'll be parked inside our own half for majority of the game. Jose knows only one way.

With Rashford and Mik running of Zlatan passes and flicks id take that

Insanity · Sep 1, 2016

Ramshock said:
With Rashford and Mik running of Zlatan passes and flicks id take that

I'll take it too. A midfield of Fellaini and Pogba will be run over if try to be adventurous.

Going with 3 in the middle could be a solution, but I doubt Jose will drop Rooney or change from his preferred formation for this one game.

Some good counter-attacking football will be money. Remember the 3-2 game against City when VP scored a last minute free-kick? A performance like that would make me very happy.

Red Dreams · Sep 1, 2016

Insanity said:
It'll be boring as feck unless City get an early goal, bud.

Jose parked the bus at the Bridge against VG the season they won the title. He came here and played without a striker against a David Moyes Manchester United.

We didn't play on the front foot against a S'ton team at home. This is a big game, we'll be parked inside our own half for majority of the game. Jose knows only one way.

I honestly think Mourinho has had a mind set change since taking us over. He has gone for power/domination without sacrificing penetration.

This will be a good eye opener for all of us.

Though I have never gone for this tika-taka football, I respect Pep as much as I hate the blue shite.

Should be a very interesting clash of football ideas at the least.

Paolo Di Canio · Sep 1, 2016

Mkhitaryan is out with a knee injury sustained in a pointless international friendly

Insanity · Sep 1, 2016

Red Dreams said:
I honestly think Mourinho has had a mind set change since taking us over. He has gone for power/domination without sacrificing penetration.

This will be a good eye opener for all of us.

Though I have never gone for this tika-taka football, I respect Pep as much as I hate the blue shite.

Should be a very interesting clash of football ideas at the least.

Should be. I mentioned earlier that the performance in this game will decide for me if we'll challenge for the title or merely fight for the top 4. Really looking forward to it.

bosnian_red · Sep 1, 2016

Paolo Di Canio said:
Mkhitaryan is out with a knee injury sustained in a pointless international friendly

Apparently its more just a dead leg and it was a pre-caution and might make the next game for Armenia. Would assume he would be ok for this.

Insanity · Sep 1, 2016

Paolo Di Canio said:
Mkhitaryan is out with a knee injury sustained in a pointless international friendly

Have read conflicting reports. Read what you are mentioning, and also read that it's just a bump and he is keen to play Armenia's qualifier against Denmark.

Ramshock · Sep 1, 2016

Insanity said:
I'll take it too. A midfield of Fellaini and Pogba will be run over if try to be adventurous.

Going with 3 in the middle could be a solution, but I doubt Jose will drop Rooney or change from his preferred formation for this one game.

Some good counter-attacking football will be money. Remember the 3-2 game against City when VP scored a last minute free-kick? A performance like that would make me very happy.

Id go with 3 in the middle and drop Rooney. Fellaini, Pogba and Herrera

EyeInTheSky · Sep 1, 2016

DomesticTadpole said:
I am wondering if he will go three in midfield and three up front, which would put Mata's place in doubt. It won't be Rooney as although he hasn't been great he does bring industry to the side. He will not want City having the run of the midfield. I would have Mkhitaryan in that front 3 with Rooney and Zlatan. Would prefer Rashford in there for Rooney, but he could cause chaos as a sub.

yeah the pharmaceutical industry (sleeping pills)

Sorry lame I know but couldn't resist.

Ramshock · Sep 1, 2016

So how do you play against this 2 FB's tucked into midfield bullshit?

Xeno · Sep 1, 2016

Ramshock said:
So how do you play against this 2 FB's tucked into midfield bullshit?

Wide and fast. Like my sex life.

Offside · Sep 1, 2016

I feel certain Mata will not start.

VP89 · Sep 2, 2016

Wonder if this is a game for Lingard..

SwansonsTache · Sep 2, 2016

The tactical duel between Pep and Jose will be very interesting to watch. Very much two different schools of football that goes up against each other.

VP89 · Sep 2, 2016

Ramshock said:
So how do you play against this 2 FB's tucked into midfield bullshit?

Play with wider men in midfield - Lingard/Martial or Mkhitaryan/Martial. It won't be a game for Mata imo.

Stretford End Phil · Sep 2, 2016

Red Dreams said:
I honestly think Mourinho has had a mind set change since taking us over. He has gone for power/domination without sacrificing penetration.

This will be a good eye opener for all of us.

Though I have never gone for this tika-taka football, I respect Pep as much as I hate the blue shite.

Should be a very interesting clash of football ideas at the least.

Pretty much covers it. Should be a fascinating duel if both sides play to their strengths.

I want Aguero to play to test our defence. Now is the best stage of the season to find out weaknesses so they can be addressed.

They are going to be our biggest rivals over the next 5 years along with Chelski.

Viggers · Sep 2, 2016

VP89 said:
Play with wider men in midfield - Lingard/Martial or Mkhitaryan/Martial. It won't be a game for Mata imo.

Yes and No... playing like that we will be overrun in midfield. They basically play an aggressive 4-3-3 but with the FB tuck inside thats 5 men in the center, we can't have our wide players sitting out wide the whole time and leave fellaini pogba and rooney to try and compete against there 5, we won't get a look in. The only way I can see is basically to soak up pressure and hit hard, fast and wide on the counter, and hope that our wide players can get forwards faster than there FB can get back into position when they lose possession. It will certainly be very interesting, and I feel almost certain that Mata won't play for this reason.

I still think that long balls to Ibra will be our best shot, bypassing there midfield and giving there relatively small squad significant physical presence to try and cope with.

VP89 · Sep 2, 2016

Viggers said:
Yes and No... playing like that we will be overrun in midfield. They basically play an aggressive 4-3-3 but with the FB tuck inside thats 5 men in the center, we can't have our wide players sitting out wide the whole time and leave fellaini pogba and rooney to try and compete against there 5, we won't get a look in. The only way I can see is basically to soak up pressure and hit hard, fast and wide on the counter, and hope that our wide players can get forwards faster than there FB can get back into position when they lose possession. It will certainly be very interesting, and I feel almost certain that Mata won't play for this reason.

I still think that long balls to Ibra will be our best shot, bypassing there midfield and giving there relatively small squad significant physical presence to try and cope with.

Oh I agree, without the ball we have to stay compact, with Valencia/Shaw following the wide players.

I'd be happy enough with letting them attack us playing a counter against them. Much like SAF would against Arsenal.

cyberman · Sep 2, 2016

Viggers said:
Yes and No... playing like that we will be overrun in midfield. They basically play an aggressive 4-3-3 but with the FB tuck inside thats 5 men in the center, we can't have our wide players sitting out wide the whole time and leave fellaini pogba and rooney to try and compete against there 5, we won't get a look in. The only way I can see is basically to soak up pressure and hit hard, fast and wide on the counter, and hope that our wide players can get forwards faster than there FB can get back into position when they lose possession. It will certainly be very interesting, and I feel almost certain that Mata won't play for this reason.

I still think that long balls to Ibra will be our best shot, bypassing there midfield and giving there relatively small squad significant physical presence to try and cope with.

We play a high line at the back due to our pace so Bailly or Blind will step up into midfield to nick the ball and stop us from being overrun.
We will keep the width and hopefully kill them with it. It's been our strongest form of attack thus far so why change it? Especially when it seems to be the perfect counter to the way City have played so far.

EyeInTheSky · Sep 2, 2016

Devil may care said:
I think the key areas in Jose's selection for this match are the 2 wide forward roles and the DM. Guardiola's use of Zabaleta and Clichy as almost extra CM's needs shutting down by our wide players, we can't let Shaw and Valencia get outnumbered.

With that in mind I hope Lingard is ready for this game, he was excellent in the last derby and his workrate on the right would be very useful. I'd also start Rashford on the left as he presses hard and is a huge threat in behind which will force Zabaleta back, plus two local lads in the team for a derby has it's benefits IMO. Of course we know Rooney will play and I think he'll get the left side job.

Silva pulls the strings for City and I think he's a mismatch with Fellaini as the mop will struggle with getting close to him without giving foul after foul away as Silva is a skillful and smart player. Part of me thinks Blind there would make sense and put Smalling in with Bailly, but breaking up a back 4 that is playing well is never a great thing, it's just I worry that Herrera is a bit rash so while he's not impressed much in a United shirt I'd start Schneiderlin.

Good post. I would be worried about throwing smalling in there for his first game and in such a high-pressure game as he is likely to make a rash decision at the best of times. What do you think we should do or not do about De Bruyne?

CM · Sep 2, 2016

The United said:
The point of the first is that if a team need to play certain way, some if not all players will have to waste 'their talent' to do the job for the team. If we want to use his attacking talent while Rooney will play in the team, it is simple. Play attacking against city.

Oh, btw, who created the most goals in our team this season?

Or we could drop Rooney, build around Pogba and leave the defending to those who are better at it.

Rooney and Martial. It's worth considering though that while Rooney got the assist against Hull, that shouldn't cover for the fact that his overall performance was wholly underwhelming.

Ramshock · Sep 2, 2016

VP89 said:
Play with wider men in midfield - Lingard/Martial or Mkhitaryan/Martial. It won't be a game for Mata imo.

The key would be to keep the ball out of the middle then.

Uncle Bunkle · Sep 2, 2016

It's an intriguing match-up that's for sure & one which can unsettle either team if they lose - wreck the momentum that has been built under new managerial tenures etc.

I think an area where we can nick this game is from set-pieces. We've so many good headers of the ball & we need to utilise that a helluva lot more than we have done.

I can picture the scenes of either Pogba or Bailly thunder-bolting a header in from a corner. Very tasty!

I'll take a win by any means necessary though - even a hollywood dive in the box & winning a peno, will do the trick. I couldnt give a monkey's how we do do it for this game.

Who gives a crap what negative comments come about - City will do the same if given the opportunity to.

Game on i say!

Salfordlad70 · Sep 2, 2016

I'm gonna be in a rainforest in Madagascar. I'll need a miracle to hear anything about this game

Uncle Bunkle · Sep 2, 2016

Salfordlad70 said:
I'm gonna be in a rainforest in Madagascar. I'll need a miracle to hear anything about this game

That's so shit-cool Sal & think of the bigger picture man.

I was trekin in the jungles of Indonesia in 2002 & missed Ireland's 1st 2 group games at the World Cup. Plus i'd no idea that Keano had left the camp until a french bloke rammed it down my throat in a bar in Bajawa, on the island of Flores. He didnt like the Irish at all for some reason & i was nice as pie to him too..

Make the most of your travels & life experiences - because when you get older, you mostly do less of it!

NK86 · Sep 2, 2016

Ramshock said:
The key would be to keep the ball out of the middle then.

I fully expect Pep to absolutely flood the center of midfield. If we play with Rooney, we will see the whole game pass us by with just 2 players as CM so we need to utilize the wider areas more effectively.

Sigma · Sep 2, 2016

Salfordlad70 said:
I'm gonna be in a rainforest in Madagascar. I'll need a miracle to hear anything about this game

I've heard crazy things about Madagascar rainforests. There are talking Lemurs and Zebras

NK86 · Sep 2, 2016

Ramshock said:
Id go with 3 in the middle and drop Rooney. Fellaini, Pogba and Herrera

Fat chance that's happening though. If that happens, I expect Rooney to play on the left with Martial/Mkhitariyan playing on the right.

SirAnderson · Sep 2, 2016

Hearing there is a chance Valencia will not play as he is coming back Friday, the day before the match, jet lag and all. Who from City's Argentinians were on duty?

Uncle Bunkle · Sep 2, 2016

Sigma said:
I've heard crazy things about Madagascar rainforests. There are talking Lemurs and Zebras

There's tree's & rain there aswell. Feck that scary-ass shit..

Back to the game. I reckon Rooney will get dropped after this one if he's true to form. Jose has just been biding his time with dropping him in my opinion & doesnt want to kick up a fuss benching our captain!

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