Manchester United 0:1 Southampton

Papii Grande · Jan 9, 2015

De Gea
Rafael Smalling Evans Shaw
Herrera Carrick Di Maria
Mata
Rooney - Falcao

- Its about time we play a back four.
- Rooney needs to go back to natural role, displacing RVP, who can come on later to replace whoever out the 3 is struggling.
- My midfield 3 is the best thing we have available, it maybe lightweight but Rooney will always help out with the physicality.

I'm hoping RVP doesn't start, his partnership with Wazza is not great, his partnership with falcao is disasterous, we all know Wazza can team up with anyone so there's not issue on that side plus Rooney prefers a No.9 rather than RVP who likes to roam around. If Wazza comes deep, it guarantee's Mata a place in the box or on the edge, Rooney can'y help it but to come deep to get involved that will definitely help out Falcao, when defenders are preocupied with a star studded midfield that is also trying to get in the box.

If RVP does start, Falcao and Mata both have to dropped in favour of a flat 4-4-1-1 stick Januzaj down the left, Di Maria down the right, Rooney in behind RVP.

lvg says he might not risk Rafael :nervous:

Back five

Papii Grande · Jan 9, 2015

DWelbz19 said:
Don't want to see it, but I think we'll play this.

De Gea
Jones - Smalling - Rojo
Valencia - Carrick - Rooney - Shaw
Mata
van Persie - Di Maria

I fear more like

DDG
Jones Smalling McNair
Valencia -Carrick - Herrera - Shaw
Rooney
Van Persie - Di Maria

Because If Valencia moves up, the defense can slide into a back 4.
Also, if width is needed, Di Maria can easily slide to the left, turning us into a 4-3-3 of sorts or known here at United as a 4-4-1-1 with Rooney in behind RVP.
Although the flexibility is a huge plus, at home it is not worth being so fearful, plus the back five is guaranteed to either lose Shaw + Valencia to deep position or in reverse leave the defense in no mans-land with 81 back passes to De Gea.

LVG's philosophy will be under the spotlight if we can carry on with back passes and long balls and with 2 strikers with no chemistry. This is not 1975, its 2015 and we are leading the table on back passes and long balls.

GDaly95 · Jan 9, 2015

Does anyone else think he might do this:

3-5-2
DDG

Rafael - Smalling - Carrick - Jones - Shaw/Rojo

Blind - Di Maria

Mata/Rooney

Rooney/Falcao - RvP

Carrick was excellent against Liverpool in that position. He brought some much needed composure to our defence. I think the only reason he hasn't played there since is because Fletcher wasn't able to do the job required, so Carrick had to move back into midfield. Now that Blind is back, he can do the job that Fletcher couldn't, therefore Carrick might be moved back into the defence.

NoPace · Jan 9, 2015

Semi off-topic, but I don't know why Nani isn't here and we didn't figure out some other incentive to complete the Rojo deal.

At home, this looks like our most balanced lineup to me:

-----RVP/Falcao-----
----Rooney/Mata---Nani
-DiMaria-----Herrera-
------Carrick--------
Shaw------------Rafael
----Smalling-Jones---
--------De Gea------

Everyone but the CB's is good on the ball and in their proper position. Might struggle not to concede too much away, but at home, we need wins.

NoPace · Jan 9, 2015

GDaly95 said:
Does anyone else think he might do this:

3-5-2
DDG

Rafael - Smalling - Carrick - Jones - Shaw/Rojo

Blind - Di Maria

Mata/Rooney

Rooney/Falcao - RvP

Carrick was excellent against Liverpool in that position. He brought some much needed composure to our defence. I think the only reason he hasn't played there since is because Fletcher wasn't able to do the job required, so Carrick had to move back into midfield. Now that Blind is back, he can do the job that Fletcher couldn't, therefore Carrick might be moved back into the defence.

My fear here would be that Pelle could post up on Carrick and it would be easy for Southampton to counter by hitting it long to him and playing off of that, as they did for Mane's goal against Chelsea. I was a bit surprised just how often they've been doing that in their games, but I guess I mostly watch them against good teams and it isn't ineffective.

In some ways, it's an argument to play 4 at the back, since only Smalling and Jones can be trusted not to get physically dominated by Pelle.

The Stain · Jan 9, 2015

Valdes with number 32, eh? To me it's a strikers number. See Christian Vieri (Tevez).

Anderson's Cat · Jan 9, 2015

The Stain said:
Valdes with number 32, eh? To me it's a strikers number. See Christian Vieri (Tevez).

I don't think it really matters

The Stain · Jan 9, 2015

Anderson's Cat said:
I don't think it really matters

Each to their own.

carlosp · Jan 9, 2015

So full team, who do you guys think will be in the team, including subs.

I think Fellaini will play.

------------- De Gea -------------
Valencia Jones Smalling Shaw
------------- Carrick -------------
------ Fellaini --- Di Maria ------
------------- Rooney -------------
---- Van Persie --- Falcao -----

Subs: Rafael, Rojo, Herrera, Wilson, Valdes, Blind, Mata

Note, I do think Rafael is better than Valencia as a RB but I think Valencia will get the nod. I think Shaw will start as LB over Rojo but it's possible that Rojo might start.

Against Southampton's tall players, I expect Fellaini to start. He is also good at disrupting gameplay in the middle. Di Maria will start and Rooney too while unfortunately Mata will be relegated to the bench.

Smalling and Jones to start as our CB pair.

paulscholes18 · Jan 9, 2015

caisenma said:
what i want to see:
---------------DDG
rafael - evans - jones - shaw
-------------federer
januzaj--mata-- herrera -- di maria
-------------rooney

Why do you want an ageing tennis player holding the the midfield?

caisenma · Jan 9, 2015

paulscholes18 said:
Why do you want an ageing tennis player holding the the midfield?

When I was newer, my posts never got noticed so I figured I'd throw that in there for fun. Now it's become a habit, albeit a really lame and shit one.

Although since it's a lineup I'd like to see, I'd still be happy to see Federer play even if it's not in tennis.

paulscholes18 · Jan 9, 2015

caisenma said:
When I was newer, my posts never got noticed so I figured I'd throw that in there for fun. Now it's become a habit, albeit a really lame and shit one.

Although since it's a lineup I'd like to see, I'd still be happy to see Federer play even if it's not in tennis.

Fair enough thought it was a autocorrect for Fellaini

sglowrider · Jan 10, 2015

caisenma said:
When I was newer, my posts never got noticed so I figured I'd throw that in there for fun. Now it's become a habit, albeit a really lame and shit one.

Although since it's a lineup I'd like to see, I'd still be happy to see Federer play even if it's not in tennis.

If successful it will prove once again that LVG is the best trainer-coach in the world. Out doing the bastian schweinsteiger conversion... Plus he would be on the free.
Fooking Genius.

caisenma · Jan 10, 2015

sunama · Jan 10, 2015

nemanja15 said:
Now all our defenders are fit LVG will be able to play his preferred system. And contrary to what a lot of people seem to think, I am of the opinion that is not 3-5-2.

We shall find out once and for all, in this game.
My gut feeling is that he prefers and will use 352, but we must wait and see.

sunama · Jan 10, 2015

paulscholes18 said:
Why do you want an ageing tennis player holding the the midfield?

Hey, He may be aging, but Federer is still one of the best.
World No.2 and possibly could regain World No.1 this year.

KiD MoYeS · Jan 10, 2015

de Gea
Valencia Smalling Jones Shaw
Carrick
Herrera di Maria
Mata
van Persie Rooney

Pretty please.

YouOnlyLiveTwice · Jan 10, 2015

This is what i would like to see:

--------------------DeGea--------------------
Rafael/Valencia-Smalling-Rojo/Jones-Shaw
--------------------Carrick--------------------
------------Fellaini--------Rooney------------
-------------------Herrera--------------------
-----------DiMaria--------vPersie------------

Since they probably will use Tadic and Long on the flanks i don't see our fullbacks getting exposed, Tadic drifts inside alot and Long is just inconsistent.

We need muscle in the middle against Wanyama and Schneiderlin, Herrera and Di Maria would get run over IMO.

2-1 United!

Hostekule · Jan 10, 2015

YouOnlyLiveTwice said:
This is what i would like to see:

--------------------DeGea--------------------
Rafael/Valencia-Smalling-Rojo/Jones-Shaw
--------------------Carrick--------------------
------------Fellaini--------Rooney------------
-------------------Herrera--------------------
-----------DiMaria--------vPersie------------

Since they probably will use Tadic and Long on the flanks i don't see our fullbacks getting exposed, Tadic drifts inside alot and Long is just inconsistent.

We need muscle in the middle against Wanyama and Schneiderlin, Herrera and Di Maria would get run over IMO.

2-1 United!

Why on earth would you play DiMaria and Rooney out of position when you could swap them and fix it? Agree that Fellaini should play though. Need muscle.

Señor · Jan 10, 2015

Hostekule said:
Why on earth would you play DiMaria and Rooney out of position when you could swap them and fix it? Agree that Fellaini should play though. Need muscle.

Ask Van Gaal.

Hostekule · Jan 10, 2015

Señor said:
Ask Van Gaal.

I'm pretty sure he will field Rooney as AMC tomorrow and DiMaria as left central midfielder. He hasn't played Rooney in central midfield when DiMaria has been available has he?

YouOnlyLiveTwice · Jan 10, 2015

Hostekule said:
Why on earth would you play DiMaria and Rooney out of position when you could swap them and fix it? Agree that Fellaini should play though. Need muscle.

I just think he adds some much needed pace to our attack, but he can also do that from midfield so i wouldn't be unhappy with that

Hamadovich86 · Jan 10, 2015

FFS it feels like its been forever since we played a game cant wait for tomorrow!

The squad is pretty much full but I think fitness will play a factor into the selection. Hopefully we'll be more dominant than we were away.

Samid · Jan 10, 2015

Hostekule said:
I'm pretty sure he will field Rooney as AMC tomorrow and DiMaria as left central midfielder. He hasn't played Rooney in central midfield when DiMaria has been available has he?

Against the ten men of Villa?

Hed Zitin · Jan 10, 2015

Could get a spanking, could be very close and we could play extremely well continuing our good home form. I cannot predict this game and certainly wouldn't bet on it, but they're definitely top four contenders. It wasn't a purple patch, they're a good team.

We need four at the back for an extra CM to match them up. Schneiderlin and Wanyama, with either Cork, or Ward Prowse is more than capable of dominating the CM area if we allow it.

DDG
Valencia Smalling Jones Shaw
Carrick
ADM Blind
Herrera
RvP Rooney

Sied · Jan 10, 2015

Just me who doesn't expect di Maria to start tomorrow? He's only had 30mins vs Yeovil since his injury and with LVG's strict policy for players coming back from injury, I think it'll be another sub appearance for him.

ottosec · Jan 10, 2015

I expect to see: DDG - Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Shaw - Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Herrera - RVP, Di Maria

If we're playing 3-5-2, Carrick in defense and Herrera deeper.

Organic Potatoes · Jan 10, 2015

Sied said:
Just me who doesn't expect di Maria to start tomorrow? He's only had 30mins vs Yeovil since his injury and with LVG's strict policy for players coming back from injury, I think it'll be another sub appearance for him.

So long as his leg is still attached to his pelvis correctly, he needs to start.

LeftyBlaster · Jan 10, 2015

Organic Potatoes said:
So long as his leg is still attached to his pelvis correctly, he needs to start.

Yeap. We need his drive. But in midfield. Not that crap straight swap at Yeovil where he played up front and Rooney stayed in the middle.

Donut · Jan 10, 2015

Be interesting to see if we stop with the 3-5-2 now that our highest performing player in that formation is injured, and everyone else is fit.

Let's fecking hope so.

Cantonas Dad · Jan 10, 2015

Just Young injured and at home so no excuses, and for gods sake can we have 4 at the back.

Chuckazulu · Jan 10, 2015

It'll be a back four. I'm sure of that. We'll probably play narrow because the wide players we have at the moment are not particularly efficient in attack. I hope I'm wrong though because mixing it up always helps. If Luke Shaw ups his attack then we are safe. We'll probably play the 4-3-1-2 as some have suggested but I'm not too sure about how we'll line up our midfield and attack.

WyoManU · Jan 10, 2015

big game for us. At home against a capable side which has the merits to push us out of the top 4. Gotta put our stake in the ground and prove we are good enough.

Tim Henman · Jan 10, 2015

Missing tomorrow's game because of a flight. Anyone know how soon these games are uploaded to certain sites (so I can report them of course)? If it's soon after the game is over, will just stay away from all scores and watch the whole thing without knowing the score. But if it's the next day, then forget it.

Ixion · Jan 10, 2015

Would be a massive game to win but I get the feeling it'll be a score draw. We have most players back but quite a few arent match-fit yet so its still going to be a make-shift team.

Hernandez - BFA · Jan 10, 2015

Snatch and grab 1-0 win for us.

Cypriot · Jan 10, 2015

De Gea
Valencia Smalling Jones Shaw
Carrick
Herrera Di Maria
Mata
Rooney van Persie

Bench: Valdes, Rojo, McNair, Blind, Januzaj, Wilson, Falcao.

Fingers Crossed for 4 at the back ey.

Sean_RedDevil · Jan 10, 2015

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Jaxa · Jan 11, 2015

We really need to win this tomorrow (today)

Other clubs are slowly catching up and we were dross away at the moment so need to win every home game, I think we will but also think they will score so hopefully we score more, a back 4 of Rafa/Val, Jones, Smalling and Shaw with carrick just in front please

Sam · Jan 11, 2015

There's going to be so much moaning in here tomorrow when its a 3-5-2 and none of Rafael, Rojo, Blind, Herrera or Di Maria start.

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Manchester United 0:1 Southampton

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