Real Sociedad 0:4 Manchester United

DomesticTadpole · Feb 15, 2021

Lee565 said:
I can't see why we can't use diallo, we have thrown youth players into the first 11 in the premier league and europe before.
____________henderson
Williams_bailly-lindelof_telles
________tuanzebe-fred
______diallo---mata---vdb
___________martial

Mata has not been seen for ages, some have said they haven't even noticed him in training.

Asger · Feb 15, 2021

bsCallout said:
Sticking with Lindelof though? Our weakest CB?

Sadly he and Maguire are the best we have, but both should not be United starters.

bsCallout · Feb 15, 2021

Asger said:
Sadly he and Maguire are the best we have, but both should not be United starters.

Maguire would be fine next to someone better. Lindelof is too average all round to never be good enough imo. I'd like both replaced but Lindelof is too big a weakness.

Grande · Feb 15, 2021

horsechoker said:
I think the Spanish coaching will be too much for us. British and Norwegian coaching might show some viking spirit but it's very much stuck in that time. Whereas Spanish coaching is modern, we'll see some "patrones de juego", Carrick probably doesn't even know what that means.

Well, you know, Solskjær will implement his viking tactics with mushrooms, collective movements and scare tactics, dressed up with McKenna’s IRA inspired urban guerilla stratagems and Carrick’s D-day launches (‘we shall fight in the hills ...’), where they will meet with Real Sociedad’s blend of conquistador tiki-taka and Basque freedom fighting natinalist separatist zonal football.

No, I’m just kidding. They are probably not gonna look that different, seeing as they also fancy 4-2-3-1 and Alguacil likes them to attack quickly with ball in feet and try to open up spaces by combinations. They tend to attack more narrowly than United. But can have the same issues of struggling to break down a well established central defensive block. Their talent up top is awarded much freedom, as ours, and on form Oyarzabal, Silva, Januzaj and Isak (six goals in five now) are as good at that as our front four in tveir current form.

Marzo · Feb 15, 2021

Shane88 said:
Losing constantly in the latter stages of cups - "Ugh, who cares about this cup"

Will one of these brainboxes tell me where this team's winning mentality is supposed to come from other than trying fecking hard to, ya know, win something?

Best post on this thread, let us go and win this, I haven’t enjoyed a United season, such as this, in a very long while.
I am been “thrilled” by watching our football again, so enjoy the ride, I am!

Niall · Feb 15, 2021

Damien said:
It wasn't just the time you got wrong, it was the week as well (18th)

I know what happened - I was looking at the details of the second leg!

Yagami · Feb 15, 2021

Personally, I always want us to win whatever cup we can, which means I always want to win the Europa which, unfortunately, we're in more often than the CL these days, but I'm not confident here.

They're a good team, we're in poor form, and we generally get outplayed by Spanish sides as they're more technical than us.

All eyes will be on D.Silva and, due to past connections, Januzaj, but the one to watch is Mikel Merino. A very good central midfielder who, imo, will control the match.

FootballHQ · Feb 15, 2021

AgentSmith said:
Can any La Liga aficionados give a quick breakdown of Real Sociedad and their form/style of play?

Very passing orientated.

In last few weeks Imanol Alguacil has been putting out more experienced line ups compared to what they've been doing most of the season.

In midfield last few matches it's been Illarramendi back after a long 16 month injury lay off as the DM then Mikel Merino as the very underrated box to box midfielder and David Silva came back after his own injury problems to also start in midfield.

Upfront it's Isak, Oyarzabal and then one of Portu or Adan Januzaj who I'm sure you've heard of. Not sure which will start, I suspect Portu might be option for away league depending on scoreline as he's a real workhorse who can also chip in with goals.

Not sure what the back 4 will be but it dosen't keep a huge amount of clean sheets in recent times.

I would expect Man. United to go through due to La Real having effectively two away games now but both matches will be tight.

lex talionis · Feb 15, 2021

The shout for Hendo to start overlooks the opportunity to put De Gea is the shop window. Standout performances in this tie may encourage tempting bids.

always_hoping · Feb 15, 2021

FootballHQ said:
Very passing orientated.

In last few weeks Imanol Alguacil has been putting out more experienced line ups compared to what they've been doing most of the season.

In midfield last few matches it's been Illarramendi back after a long 16 month injury lay off as the DM then Mikel Merino as the very underrated box to box midfielder and David Silva came back after his own injury problems to also start in midfield.

Upfront it's Isak, Oyarzabal and then one of Portu or Adan Januzaj who I'm sure you've heard of. Not sure which will start, I suspect Portu might be option for away league depending on scoreline as he's a real workhorse who can also chip in with goals.

Not sure what the back 4 will be but it dosen't keep a huge amount of clean sheets in recent times.

I would expect Man. United to go through due to La Real having effectively two away games now but both matches will be tight.

One away game and one game in a neutral venue. The Old Trafford advantage doesn't count for a lot without supporters.

Real Sociedad last 10 games

W4 D4 L2 F16 A12

Man United last 10 games

W5 D4 L1 F21 A9

DRJosh · Feb 15, 2021

travelling to Turin for European night football. Like the good old days. Oh wait...

el3mel · Feb 15, 2021

Thank God it's not on their pitch.

With this mind I think we'll manage to get through them.

always_hoping · Feb 16, 2021

el3mel said:
Thank God it's not on their pitch.

With this mind I think we'll manage to get through them.

Why thank God?

La Liga this season.

Home points 17
Away points 21

Europa league this season

At home they drew with Rijeka, lost to Napoli and their only home win was against AZ Alkmaar 1-0

Away they beat Rijeka and drew with AZ, Napoli.

Dr. Dwayne · Feb 16, 2021

Niall said:
I know what happened - I was looking at the details of the second leg!

As expected! :lol:

Bertie Wooster · Feb 16, 2021

This is going to be a tough two legs against strong opposition, and I really hope we put out strong teams otherwise there's no chance we'll get through.

I really don't get people mocking the EL, as if it's beneath us. Maybe it was when Fergie's reign of dominance was in full flow. But at the moment, it's our level - we've no chance of winning the CL. When we're in the EL, we compete better, getting to the later stages, but still with absolutely no guarantee of winning it (same with the FA Cup and League Cup at the moment).

We need to start winning trophies with this group of players, and with Ole as manager. It's clearly going to be City's title again, and so we really should be trying to win the EL or the FA Cup this season. Once we're capable of winning those types of trophies, then we can start realistically thinking of future league / CL success.

lex talionis · Feb 16, 2021

If he’s fit, we must go with Bailly. No fecking around with Lindelof.

AFC NimbleThumb · Feb 16, 2021

Bertie Wooster said:
This is going to be a tough two legs against strong opposition, and I really hope we put out strong teams otherwise there's no chance we'll get through.

I really don't get people mocking the EL, as if it's beneath us. Maybe it was when Fergie's reign of dominance was in full flow. But at the moment, it's our level - we've no chance of winning the CL. When we're in the EL, we compete better, getting to the later stages, but still with absolutely no guarantee of winning it (same with the FA Cup and League Cup at the moment).

We need to start winning trophies with this group of players, and with Ole as manager. It's clearly going to be City's title again, and so we really should be trying to win the EL or the FA Cup this season. Once we're capable of winning those types of trophies, then we can start realistically thinking of future league / CL success.

This.

Manchester United is a club about collecting trophies; giving the players & manager a free pass because it’s not the EPL or UCL is ridiculous.

Why finish Top 4 to not truly compete in the UCL, then give up on the EUL so you can finish Top 4 to do it all over again.

We aren’t the best team in England anymore by some measure, cup runs & steady progress in the league should be the focus - we need to win something.

prateik · Feb 16, 2021

Yep. In previous year, we had to concentrate on the league because unfortunately, not finishing in the top 4 does hamper the hopes of signing players we would want to.. (and the club loses money).

This season, we can afford to give this a proper shot.. We should.

Devil may care · Feb 16, 2021

I can't see Ole venturing far from his favourites for this one as Real Sociedad are no mugs, they've had a good season in La Liga even if the status quo has resumed.

Cavani is likely due a rest and surely it's time Bailly came in after the last 2 PL disaster classes at CB. With midfield I think Van de Beek looks shorn of confidence and Ole appears to be phasing Matic out so I can't see past McFred.

Judas · Feb 16, 2021

Which of our kids are registered for the Europa League?

OleGunnar20 · Feb 16, 2021

Devil may care said:
I can't see Ole venturing far from his favourites for this one as Real Sociedad are no mugs, they've had a good season in La Liga even if the status quo has resumed.

Cavani is likely due a rest and surely it's time Bailly came in after the last 2 PL disaster classes at CB. With midfield I think Van de Beek looks shorn of confidence and Ole appears to be phasing Matic out so I can't see past McFred.

Good lineup. I think that should and probably will be what we go with.

I think we'll sneak through.

Drz · Feb 16, 2021

For fun, I'd like to see the below over the top line-up:

Hendo

Williams Tuanzebe Bailly Telles

Matic Mebjri

Van De Beek

Diallo James

Greenwood

pascell · Feb 16, 2021

When will the travelling squad likely be announced, tomorrow?

Stevondo8 · Feb 16, 2021

Henderson
AWB Bailly Maguire Telles
VDB Fred
Amad Mata James
Greenwood

Mata still plays football, right?

Pexbo · Feb 16, 2021

lex talionis said:
The shout for Hendo to start overlooks the opportunity to put De Gea is the shop window. Standout performances in this tie may encourage tempting bids.

That unknown entity David De Gea, would be great if he caught the eye of some scouts.

JakeC · Feb 16, 2021

Hendo, AWB, Bailly, Maguire, Telles, Matic, Donny, Bruno, Rashford, Martial, Greenwood.

Be nice if AWB, Maguire, Bruno, and Rashford could get rested, but unlikely. Scott may be rested.

SER19 · Feb 16, 2021

Probably our only real chance at a trophy this season. Finishing strongly in the league from here and winning a trophy would be a successful season. Bundling along for 14 more games and getting dumped out of Europe's second tier would be stagnation

I'd actually revisit the 352, we need a change.

Henderson

Awb

Maguire
Tuanzebe
Shaw

Telles

Mctominay
VDB
Bruno

Cavani
Rashford

Andersonson · Feb 16, 2021

lex talionis said:
If he’s fit, we must go with Bailly. No fecking around with Lindelof.

Yes, we should rest Lindelof. Bailly and Telles should start. We need to rest some of the first picks

AgentSmith · Feb 16, 2021

FootballHQ said:
Very passing orientated.

In last few weeks Imanol Alguacil has been putting out more experienced line ups compared to what they've been doing most of the season.

In midfield last few matches it's been Illarramendi back after a long 16 month injury lay off as the DM then Mikel Merino as the very underrated box to box midfielder and David Silva came back after his own injury problems to also start in midfield.

Upfront it's Isak, Oyarzabal and then one of Portu or Adan Januzaj who I'm sure you've heard of. Not sure which will start, I suspect Portu might be option for away league depending on scoreline as he's a real workhorse who can also chip in with goals.

Not sure what the back 4 will be but it dosen't keep a huge amount of clean sheets in recent times.

I would expect Man. United to go through due to La Real having effectively two away games now but both matches will be tight.

Excellent break down, thanks a lot.

Will they pressure us or stand off when we have the ball?

I imagine Ole would be very content allowing them to have the ball then looking to spring quick counters with Rashford and Greenwood if they’re quite a proactive team.

Judas · Feb 16, 2021

Pexbo said:
That unknown entity David De Gea, would be great if he caught the eye of some scouts.

exactly.

Pretty sure the most watched league in the world is a better shop window than some second rate European competition anyway.

TMDaines · Feb 16, 2021

Who really cares about this shit (says everyone desperate to share their thoughts about "this shit" within hours of the thread opening? We need to rest everyone for our title tilt in the 2023/24 season. We need to play the U16s for that reason.

Annihilate Now! · Feb 16, 2021

Looking forward to seeing Mikel Oyarzabal play for them.

Hope he has a blinder, scores a couple of goals (but we still win) and we go and slap a bid down on Sociedad's table after the game.

The Urban Goose · Feb 16, 2021

I can't face another evening of the same old shite from DDG, Lindelof and Martial. I'm sitting this one out.

Samid · Feb 16, 2021

Annihilate Now! said:
Looking forward to seeing Mikel Oyarzabal play for them.

Hope he has a blinder, scores a couple of goals (but we still win) and we go and slap a bid down on Sociedad's table after the game.

He'll play as much part as Pogba in this tie.

TwoSheds · Feb 16, 2021

abailey123 said:
Have to rotate the lads looked gassed today.

Henderson
Williams
Bailly
Maguire
Telles

Matic
Van de Beek

Diallo
Mata
James

Martial

I'd love to see this.

Annihilate Now! · Feb 16, 2021

Samid said:
He'll play as much part as Pogba in this tie.

He's played vs. Getafe on the weekend and hasn't missed a game for them when he's been fit, he'll almost certainly play.

Samid · Feb 16, 2021

Annihilate Now! said:
He's played vs. Getafe on the weekend and hasn't missed a game for them when he's been fit, he'll almost certainly play.

Shit, didn't know that. The lying cnuts said he'd be out for weeks a few days ago.

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Red_toad · Feb 16, 2021

When's the presser for this one?

mitchmouse · Feb 16, 2021

Suddenly occurred to me that I can't remember the last time I saw Sociedad play... it could be years, so have absolutely no idea how this will go other than we'll start slowly and only begin to play after we've given them a soft goal...

Nicoseth · Feb 16, 2021

The slump is real. 1-1.

Europa League Round of 32 1st Leg

Real Sociedad 0:4 Manchester United

Juventus Stadium

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