2nd string against Chelsea? Or do we risk more tiredness

Jippy

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Romero
Dalot - Bailly - Lindelof- Williams
Fred - Mctomminay
Lingard
Mata - Ighalo- James

I think something like that has the ability to try win against Chelsea.

Maybe move Mata centrally, Lingard as a LW and James whipping crosses for Ighalo from the RW
Yeah I'd go for that with Jones in for Lindelof. Is Williams recovered? Then a strong bench.
It'll likely be a horrible watch, but it'd be bonkers to go full strength.
 

MrSingh2002

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I'd rotate as much as possible with the best 5 players on the bench.

Matic, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial and AWB.
 

Sparky Rhiwabon

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I’d say if we play a second string we need to be prepared to get knocked out as our second string is not as good as their second string. So it depends how bothered we are by the FA Cup versus the top 4 I guess.
 

Strelok

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Because that was our rest period. We were fresher for the Villa match.

Now we have played another match on Thursday and have 2 DAYS TO RECOVER.

Whatever happened previously is massively irrelevant. Have you ever exercised before? go and run 10 kilometres, then do it again 2 days later. then do it again, but this time leave it 5 days. I guarantee you'll feel fresher after 5.
Another problem none seem to notice yet that it's not only they have more time to rest, the game is in London as well.

Our last match was in London. I don't know if we'd stay there for the match on Sunday or have to travel back to Carrington after the last match. Probably the later imo. If that's the case then we should be at Carrington now I think. Then by Saturday or Sunday we'll have to travel back to London again. Which mean we have probably only one or maximum two full days to rest and prepare for this match. With a lot of travel back and forth, around 400 miles or 8 hours by train alone, not including additional travel time like bus, waiting etc.

Basically we'll have to spend a fecking day in our supposedly 3 rest days just to travel around. Then play a semi final. After having to play 8 matches in 27 days. Or a match per 3.375 days. That's fecking insane, don't know what's wrong with those FA guys tbh. They must think the players are all superman.
 

amolbhatia50k

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Top 4 has to be the priority. So I'd rest a few players for sure. We dont need to go mental and make 8 changes or something. Just freshen things up a bit.
 

Adam-Utd

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My point is as a whole we are complaining about rest days when it has been pretty even throughout this period.
You make a good point but let's take your point and spread it over a month with two individuals...equal rest days but taken at different times, at the end of the month they race, one has had 2 days to rest, the other 5, yet overall they have had the same rest periods, who wins?
Would it be the 2 day rest person who has probably had minimal training in the last day or two as the 10k they did two days ago is enough to keep their fitness topped up allowing for good recoup, or will it be the 5 day rest person who had to train intensively for a few days in order to maintain their peak fitness??
Baring in mind they have had the same rest period over the last month, I'd say it probably wouldn't make a lot of difference.
Also as a footballer myself training with two different teams three times a week, I know how to condition myself in order to maintain peak fitness.
The proof is just watching the matches.

Compare our performances against Brighton and Sheffield, then go watch Southampton and Palace. We are playing well below par, we got through the palace game with 2 moments of quality, that's it.

We also have a lot more travelling to do than Chelsea. They can sit at home comfortably while we spend 8 hours going up and down the country. It all adds up.

Make no mistake about it, Chelsea will be massively fresher.
 

eire-red

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This is when it matters the most. Think of end of April, you have a massive CL semi final coming up midweek, and potential title deciders every weekend in the Prem. This is what is expected of you when you play for Manchester United, you're expected to be playing high pressure, high stakes matches. That's why these guys are getting paid so much.

The last four/five games of the season should be huge. Ole will be learning a lot about his players right now, just as much as he would have learned during the dark days. Which players need a break, which players have the will to push through. Of course there needs to be man management, some rotation, but I just can't see Ole fielding a second string team in a FA Cup semi final against Chelsea in Wembley.

Think of it this way, you say to your squad; we've got another gruelling week ahead, but at the end of the line is CL Football and potentially two trophies on the horizon. Are you tired? Do you need a rest? Fair enough, he might know when to pull them out of the squad, but I sure as hell hope fatigue is the furthest thing from our players minds right now.
 

Strelok

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This is when it matters the most. Think of end of April, you have a massive CL semi final coming up midweek, and potential title deciders every weekend in the Prem. This is what is expected of you when you play for Manchester United, you're expected to be playing high pressure, high stakes matches. That's why these guys are getting paid so much.

The last four/five games of the season should be huge. Ole will be learning a lot about his players right now, just as much as he would have learned during the dark days. Which players need a break, which players have the will to push through. Of course there needs to be man management, some rotation, but I just can't see Ole fielding a second string team in a FA Cup semi final against Chelsea in Wembley.

Think of it this way, you say to your squad; we've got another gruelling week ahead, but at the end of the line is CL Football and potentially two trophies on the horizon. Are you tired? Do you need a rest? Fair enough, he might know when to pull them out of the squad, but I sure as hell hope fatigue is the furthest thing from our players minds right now.
The difference is, back then, we usually have a good if not great squad depth. And our backups usually stepped up when called. We could had rotation here and there and our quality didn't drop from a cliff like now ...

Imo our players are more than ready to play if Ole asks them, I wouldn't question their mentality. Problem is their body would allow that or not, they're human after all.
 

gerdm07

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In matches like this I often wonder if the managers, through 3rd parties, make an agreement to only play X number of first team players. It would make a lot of sense. I think both teams are served best by resting a number of players on Sunday. This would make it a fair match and give both clubs the best chance to make top 4.
 

Champ

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The proof is just watching the matches.

Compare our performances against Brighton and Sheffield, then go watch Southampton and Palace. We are playing well below par, we got through the palace game with 2 moments of quality, that's it.

We also have a lot more travelling to do than Chelsea. They can sit at home comfortably while we spend 8 hours going up and down the country. It all adds up.

Make no mistake about it, Chelsea will be massively fresher.
Once again, I'll reiterate my point, Southampton and Palace were in the same position as us, they had the same rest days, so surely we should have seen a dramatic decline in their performances too right? Well, not really, they both kept going til the end, in fact Palace performed better than they have been, which negates this whole thing.
I think you are using tiredness as an excuse already, you've prepared yourself to lose.

There will be changes made no question, but not wholesale changes.
 

USREDEVIL

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We don't have the luxury to go at this game full stop. Need wholesale changes unfortunately. It's the price we will have to pay for not having secured top four earlier:

Romero
Dalot Bailly FosuMensa Williams
Matic
Fred McTominay
Mata Ighalo James
 

USREDEVIL

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In matches like this I often wonder if the managers, through 3rd parties, make an agreement to only play X number of first team players. It would make a lot of sense. I think both teams are served best by resting a number of players on Sunday. This would make it a fair match and give both clubs the best chance to make top 4.
TIme for sir alex to break out the good bottle of wine eh?
 

SteveW

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Yeah 100% maybe we knick it

Focus on beating WH enough to get a GD lead somehow
 

Canucantona20

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We should have beat Spurs and Saints if we wanted to win the FA Cup. It’s time to rotate the the squad with James, Ighalo, Fred, Mata, Scott, Bailly, TFM, Williams, and Romero starting. Set that team up to keep us in the match and in the 70 minute bring on the big guns to win the match. I think it’s doable to be honest, Chelsea ain’t that good.
 

Adam-Utd

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Once again, I'll reiterate my point, Southampton and Palace were in the same position as us, they had the same rest days, so surely we should have seen a dramatic decline in their performances too right? Well, not really, they both kept going til the end, in fact Palace performed better than they have been, which negates this whole thing.
I think you are using tiredness as an excuse already, you've prepared yourself to lose.

There will be changes made no question, but not wholesale changes.
Yet now we are going to be playing another game, and another game again on Wednesday. Compare that to West Ham who play tonight.

So you don't think the team look tired? Bruno looks physically knackered and Wan Bissaka has dropped off a lot too. The concentration levels look worryingly low.

I know you are saying in theory we "should" be fine but the proof is on the pitch, we look very tired and I think going strong against Chelsea will be a mistake.
 

Offsideagain

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These are strange times we live in. In a normal season, I’d go for the strongest team possible in every game but this isn’t normal. Ole was tasked with finishing in the top four and qualifying for the CL, therefore he must play the squad players at Wembley. West Ham three days later and don’t forget Chelsea are away at Liverpool on the same night so they may not want to risk injuries or fatigue either. We shall see. BTW, West Ham will be no pushovers.
 

Foxbatt

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I don't think a team of the squad is that bad. Fred and McTominay in midfield with Odion up front with Mata in the number 10 position. Dalot can play in defense. I think Bailly and Mengi in defense if Jones is injured. TFM can play too and Lingard and even Greenwood can play as he has not played the full game. He needs to rest all the starting eleven. I forgot about James. So we can have a decent starting eleven.
 

Lj82

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I'm leaning towards resting players. The team looks tired. As much as I love to win the FA Cup, we need to make tradeoffs.
 

caid

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I'd mix things up. I wouldn't make wholesale changes but giving martial and rashford a half each would seem like a good plan. Maybe the same with Bruno and Pogba, probably not a bad choice to rest at least one this match. Chelsea aren't going to be parked inside their own box, it shouldn't be too hard to break them down.
I think theres a few positions you can swap around without a huge drop in quality. Particularly when the first choice is knackered. Fred and McTominay for instance.
 

reddevilchennai

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Romero
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams
McT Fred
James Pogba Rashford
Ighalo

Or

Romero
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams
James Pogba Fred Rashford
Ighalo Martial
 

RiqCantona

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This is when it matters the most. Think of end of April, you have a massive CL semi final coming up midweek, and potential title deciders every weekend in the Prem. This is what is expected of you when you play for Manchester United, you're expected to be playing high pressure, high stakes matches. That's why these guys are getting paid so much.

The last four/five games of the season should be huge. Ole will be learning a lot about his players right now, just as much as he would have learned during the dark days. Which players need a break, which players have the will to push through. Of course there needs to be man management, some rotation, but I just can't see Ole fielding a second string team in a FA Cup semi final against Chelsea in Wembley.

Think of it this way, you say to your squad; we've got another gruelling week ahead, but at the end of the line is CL Football and potentially two trophies on the horizon. Are you tired? Do you need a rest? Fair enough, he might know when to pull them out of the squad, but I sure as hell hope fatigue is the furthest thing from our players minds right now.
Not really mate.. I disagree. You forget the squad we had back then. I'll tell you what our second XI would've been like around 2010-11.
Kusczcak
Brown Evans Smalling O'Shea
Valencia Scholes Anderson Park
Hernandez Owen

In addition to that, here are the players who played very little during the season:
Welbeck, Hargreaves, de Light, G. Neville, Fabio, Gibson

SAF might win another title with that team. Compare that with the second string we have now! The fact that its Man United, and we will have massive games towards the back end means that we have to have an insane backup squad. The First XI won't ever play all the games.
 

DRJosh

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This is Ighalo's match to sign off on a high. Chelsea have a better second string team so adopting a defensive approach might work and use Daniel James' speed for those counter attacks. If we win, I don't think it will be pretty.
 

sugar_kane

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Romero
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams
McT Fred
James Pogba Rashford
Ighalo

Or

Romero
Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams
James Pogba Fred Rashford
Ighalo Martial
Would go for line up #1 and swap Pogba for Mata, Paul looks goosed at the moment and we need him as fresh as possible for the last two league games.

Would also probably go for TFM over Dalot if he can do another 90 mins (and Williams is available.

He was decent against Palace and Dalot is a liability.
 

Champ

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Yet now we are going to be playing another game, and another game again on Wednesday. Compare that to West Ham who play tonight.

So you don't think the team look tired? Bruno looks physically knackered and Wan Bissaka has dropped off a lot too. The concentration levels look worryingly low.

I know you are saying in theory we "should" be fine but the proof is on the pitch, we look very tired and I think going strong against Chelsea will be a mistake.
I think certain players, Bruno and AWB do look to be in need of some conditioning, but no I don't think the team as a whole look tired.
I think our squad was miles ahead of most in terms of fitness when the league was restarted, hence the brilliant performances for the first few games, but now everyone has caught up and we are now at an even platform.
Ole has eluded to this in recent interviews also.
 

-Supreme-

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I'd play the entire 2nd team.

However, I can understand if Ole choose to play a few first team players, but I'd be very disappointed if the likes of McT and Fred aren't starting the game tomorrow since both have played really well this season before lockdown.

Ole has shown he's overplayed the first team this season, and there shouldn't be an excuse this time.
 

Flying high

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This is Ighalo's match to sign off on a high. Chelsea have a better second string team so adopting a defensive approach might work and use Daniel James' speed for those counter attacks. If we win, I don't think it will be pretty.
I thought he was here until January?
 

TrustInOle

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I'd probably go for something like this,

Romero
AWB....Bailly....Maguire....TFM(Williams)
Fred.....Scott
Lingard.....Bruno.....James
Ighalo​

Plenty of fresh legs with enough quality to hit on the counter. Then you have the stars on the bench for the last 20mins if needed.
 

RazorOz

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There should be a few changes based on the players who need resting, but some of these 11 changes line ups look crazy to me, we should still play a team strong enough to actually win the game, it's a semi-final not the Carabao Cup 3rd round.
 

Shiva87

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It will be one of the toughest line ups for Ole to put out. There is no clear answer on which way we should go.

I would say that Marcus + Martial should be on the bench and we should get Ighalo and James in. Mason can start.

Scott + Fred + one of Bruno/ Pogba should be okay (based on which one is less tired). Defence will probably have Bailly + Maguire + Brandon + Dalot (AWB looked knackered). Romero is a shoe in. I would play Shaw if he is fit.

Plan should be to get to 60-70 mins without going down on the scorelines, and then get Martial + Rashford + Pogba/Bruno + Matic on to get the winner.
 

Snow

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Rotate a bit but obviously try to win it. Players are in good shape, no need to get fitness panics yet. They've been playing for about a month after a long break. None of them has had this long of a break in their professional career before so they should be fit and fine. Training will just be less intense between games is all.
 

Glorio

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It's weird because while the midfield and one or two defenders have particularly looked jaded recently, Martial and Rashford have looked in prime condition throughout. So apart from Ole guarding against the risk of injury, one or probably both will be starting I feel.
 

hellhunter

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Think AWB, Bruno and Mason could do with some rest.

While I'm generally in favour if resting up and saving energy for the league finish, I'm also sceptical if keeping momentum might be even more benefitial than rested legs.
 

Carl

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feck this. We should be full strength. 1 win away from a major cup final.

A bit of rotation is fair enough (like we saw against Palace) but a 2nd string team is not acceptable for an FA Cup semifinal. Especially when our next game is at home against a team as shit as West Ham.
 

Mcking

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Still as strong as possible for me. Maybe rest only the players with good backups.
Perhaps Bailly for Lindelof, Ighalo for Martial and Mata for Greenwood.