Manchester United 1:0 Aston Villa

VidaRed · Jan 8, 2022

We get smashed 3 nil, if not for ddg it would have been 5 or 6 nil.

2 own goals were scored by lingard and rashford and the villa goal deflected off maguires arse into the bottom left corner.

UTD_Since_1978 · Jan 9, 2022

Just watched MOTD & saw lowly Cambridge put in a better performance against Newcastle than our star studded team did the other week, which is depressing & alarming.

dpansheth · Jan 9, 2022

UNITED ACADEMY said:
I will rest DDG Ronaldo and Cavani actually. We will have weekend and midweek games after this. But the rest of players should not be rested.

Rashford Greenwood
Bruno Sancho
Fred VDB
Telles Varane whoever fit Dalot
Dean

Cavano, Ronaldo , DDG and Shaw most likely to miss this game. It will be bruno, Fred, Matic midfield with Jones, Varane, Telles & Dalot.
For me, I am very much interested to see what kind of game Rashford, VDB, Henderson decide to play. They all were part (may be targeted) of this media circus so lets see how they respond

McGrathsipan · Jan 9, 2022

dpansheth said:
Cavano, Ronaldo , DDG and Shaw most likely to miss this game. It will be bruno, Fred, Matic midfield with Jones, Varane, Telles & Dalot.
For me, I am very much interested to see what kind of game Rashford, VDB, Henderson decide to play. They all were part (may be targeted) of this media circus so lets see how they respond

Why would you play Rashford?

Forevergiggs1 · Jan 9, 2022

ForeverRed1 said:
top 4 above all us. Can’t be dealing with Thursday night football.

If something doesn't change soon then you won't have to worry about Thursday night football, never mind Tuesday and Wednesday.

Minkaro · Jan 9, 2022

Gerrard in his first managerial game against us? Coutinho making his return to English football?

It's almost written in the stars that we're getting dumped out of the cup.

Swedish_Plumber · Jan 9, 2022

Why are we playing on a Monday night? State of those in charge of fixtures :houllier:

goptun · Jan 9, 2022

Swedish_Plumber said:
Why are we playing on a Monday night? State of those in charge of fixtures

Our last four games have all been on Monday and Thursday nights. Proper crap.

Deery · Jan 9, 2022

Swedish_Plumber said:
Why are we playing on a Monday night? State of those in charge of fixtures

Really should have had it today the football this weekend has been pretty poor to say the least.

Revaulx · Jan 9, 2022

Going to this!

Might miss kick off as I’ll be coming from a gig in Bradford. I won’t be complaining if we’re three up when I arrive though.

PoTMS · Jan 9, 2022

Swedish_Plumber said:
Why are we playing on a Monday night? State of those in charge of fixtures

United have quite kindly decided to stop ruining our weekends.

Offsideagain · Jan 9, 2022

Gerrard will give the Villa players an motivational team talk just before kick off. I suspect Ralf will show our lads a few charts. Villa have nothing to lose and I suspect another poor effort from us. Villa will high press from the off and cause us all sorts of trouble. Could go either way but I am not optimistic.

FootballHQ · Jan 9, 2022

Can see you putting Ronaldo on the bench for this.

Front 3 of Sancho-Cavani-Greenwood would probably cause more issues.

Tough one to call. You need to avoid penalties otherwise more black magic from Emi.

Cathy Ferguson · Jan 9, 2022

Offsideagain said:
Gerrard will give the Villa players an motivational team talk just before kick off. I suspect Ralf will show our lads a few charts. Villa have nothing to lose and I suspect another poor effort from us. Villa will high press from the off and cause us all sorts of trouble. Could go either way but I am not optimistic.

All our games could go either way also against low quality teams. Ralf talks about control but it is mostly talk so far. We are not in control of anything.

mitchmouse · Jan 9, 2022

I felt confident up until the game against Wolves. I reckon we'll lose 1-0. All the hype regarding the Burnley win was put into perspective by Huddesfield yeserterday!

SonyaCross493 · Jan 9, 2022

FootballHQ said:
Can see you putting Ronaldo on the bench for this.

Front 3 of Sancho-Cavani-Greenwood would probably cause more issues.

Tough one to call. You need to avoid penalties otherwise more black magic from Emi.

Quoted for when Ronny knocks you out the cup!

seriously though I think Ronny will play as Ralf said it will be a strong side with only a few changes (you expect Henderson will be one and maybe Maguire the other).

if Ronny either starts or comes off the bench tomorrow he will break another record; It will be the longest gap between FA Cup Appearances I believe. Longevity is amazing even if at 37 years old he's not in his pomp (which is expected) he's still the GOAT goal-scorer if we create chances for him he will score. But he needs and relies on service at 37 years old (shouldn't be a shock!) which is where the team is failing him. Ronaldo is doing his job.. the team are failing him. No crosses in the box, no decent corners to give him a chance etc he's doing the graveyard shift.. if he was getting loads of goal-scoring chances and missing you could blame him but he's barely getting half-chances during games..

the young lads in the team like Rashford and Greenwood should be Ronny's legs to get the best out of him. But they are lazy and selfish. They'll be lucky to have a quarter of the career Ronaldo has had. They need to work much harder to become top players. Maybe they think they've already made it I don't know.. but they should be running around all game at the age they are.

Antisocial · Jan 9, 2022

FootballHQ said:
Can see you putting Ronaldo on the bench for this.

Front 3 of Sancho-Cavani-Greenwood would probably cause more issues.

Tough one to call. You need to avoid penalties otherwise more black magic from Emi.

I just hope we can make it difficult for you… :nervous:

Irwin99 · Jan 9, 2022

The Gerrard factor should get the fans going, and hopefully spur the players on. Can see it getting ugly if we lose to that pr*ck.

Hester_manc · Jan 9, 2022

...................Henderson................
Dalot....Varane....Maguire.......Telles
..............Matic.......Fred...................
............Bruno................Lingard......
...............Rashford...Greenwood.....

SonyaCross493 · Jan 9, 2022

They was saying on commentary in the match today that even though players recover from Covid it still effects them in training etc so it might explain the last few results and why the players don't have any energy to implement Ralfs tactics. As it's strange how we haven't replicated how we played against Crystal Palace before the players got Covid after more training.

not making excuses, but could be a factor as we are trying to implement a high energy tactical change with a new manager. As why haven't we pressed like we did against Crystal Palace or play the high line with the defenders? Would explain a lot if Covid has played a part.

United in sin · Jan 9, 2022

SonyaCross493 said:
They was saying on commentary in the match today that even though players recover from Covid it still effects them in training etc so it might explain the last few results and why the players don't have any energy to implement Ralfs tactics. As it's strange how we haven't replicated how we played against Crystal Palace before the players got Covid after more training.

not making excuses, but could be a factor as we are trying to implement a high energy tactical change with a new manager. As why haven't we pressed like we did against Crystal Palace or play the high line with the defenders? Would explain a lot if Covid has played a part.

You could have a point. It was particularly bad with the Delta variant. However, Omicron cases have been mostly mild especially for the fully vaccinated.

VidaRed · Jan 9, 2022

SonyaCross493 said:
They was saying on commentary in the match today that even though players recover from Covid it still effects them in training etc so it might explain the last few results and why the players don't have any energy to implement Ralfs tactics. As it's strange how we haven't replicated how we played against Crystal Palace before the players got Covid after more training.

not making excuses, but could be a factor as we are trying to implement a high energy tactical change with a new manager. As why haven't we pressed like we did against Crystal Palace or play the high line with the defenders? Would explain a lot if Covid has played a part.

Yes only utd has suffered with covid cases.

Next time rasford runs into a brick wall we can blame the flying cows over old trafford!

The simpler explanation is that the players are throwing the manager under the bus like they did the previous one.

RuudTom83 · Jan 9, 2022

Let’s not go with the Cavani/Ronaldo combo upfront please.

McFred are pretty much the only option in midfield but attacking wise they are so many different options to try.

Change it up Ralf!

The Brown Bull · Jan 9, 2022

Surprised to see so many posters picking Henderson for this game?
Are ye alright in the head or what!

pauldyson1uk · Jan 9, 2022

The Brown Bull said:
Surprised to see so many posters picking Henderson for this game?
Are ye alright in the head or what!

I never understand this, for me the basic of a stable team starts at the keeper and DDG has been in outstanding form, for me one position you dont swap around is the keeper.

The Brown Bull · Jan 9, 2022

pauldyson1uk said:
I never understand this, for me the basic of a stable team starts at the keeper and DDG has been in outstanding form, for me one position you dont swap around is the keeper.

Too right.

Deery · Jan 10, 2022

The Brown Bull said:
Surprised to see so many posters picking Henderson for this game?
Are ye alright in the head or what!

pauldyson1uk said:
I never understand this, for me the basic of a stable team starts at the keeper and DDG has been in outstanding form, for me one position you dont swap around is the keeper.

I think many have him in to do with team harmony rather than sound football logic, with all the reports of players being unhappy at not getting game time and so on..

SonyaCross493 · Jan 10, 2022

VidaRed said:
Yes only utd has suffered with covid cases.

Next time rasford runs into a brick wall we can blame the flying cows over old trafford!

The simpler explanation is that the players are throwing the manager under the bus like they did the previous one.

I'm not saying that. But it's weird that we have completely abandoned the tactics that worked so well in the Crystal Palace game. It's not a big step to say maybe Covid played a part.

it's not just the pressing, we don't play a high line with the defence in the games after Christmas either. All the positive things we was buzzing about after the Crystal Palace game are abandoned it seems for tactics players are use to.. Ole ball.

or maybe the players are just ignoring the manager that's why they haven't continued the same tactics from the Palace game. Which I would hope is not the case but they are already leaking stuff out about his dinosaur approach to football with training, graphs etc.

one thing is for sure.. Gerrard will deliver a rousing motivational speech to the Aston Villa players before the game saying they have a chance to make headlines all over the World and be heroes.. What will Rangnick deliver? We need to match them in desire. I just think Villa players and Gerrard will be more up for it hence I can only see one winner. They already beat us and that's without the Gerrard factor.

i expect a 1-3 or 1-2 loss.. it just seems written in the stars. Coutinho will apparently play too so his first game, the Gerrard factor, Ashley Young returning, United players morale on the floor looking disinterested etc

I'm not looking forward to Stevie G giving it the big un' at full time or during the game.. wildly overly celebrating after every goal perhaps even kissing the camera just to rub salt into the wounds more..

allen7 · Jan 10, 2022

We’ll play 3 at the back and will be defending more balanced.
Will win 1-0 tomorrow and draw the next premier league tie.

Harry190 · Jan 10, 2022

In the past, I knew that every time we played Villa, we were gonna win. We always won against them. Not anymore.

Wing Attack Plan R · Jan 10, 2022

We have to play our strongest team. The FA Cup is the only hope of silverware, faint as that hope may be. Anyone know what our strongest XI is? DeGea in goal, that's about it. RR has said he's not making wholesale changes from the last game, we'll see how accurate that turns out to be. I'd expect Lindelof to come in. I think our last match showed what happens if all our creative players are being rested at once, so Bruno should start this one. Might have to forego the gegenpresse in this one and just keep it simple.

1-0 United.

Bastian · Jan 10, 2022

I'll be surprised if it's 4222 against a team that has been winning the midfield battle against us for some time now.

MUFC OK · Jan 10, 2022

I’ll be in the air on a flight to New York. Can’t wait to land and see we’ve been beat at home by Stevie G..

KGBhoy · Jan 10, 2022

After the latest performances, I have no reason to think we will beat them. I guess the most we can hope for is that Villa won't turn up. I will be supporting us as always, but not looking forward to watching another underwhelming game from us. I am feeling worse than LVG and Jose era in terms of how much I'm looking forward to the games.

Marcus · Jan 10, 2022

I have a good feeling about this one. Spotlight will now be on those who don't put in the effort. Pull together with the new tactics. There are no half measures. Players may think they look better in other styles, but they should just suck it up and adapt. If they don't, expect to be subbed early in the game. I expect a good performance.

Longshanks · Jan 10, 2022

A full week on the training field to work with the players. We should hopefully see some improvement from the wolves game.

The line up will be interesting to see after the rumours circulating around squad disharmony and players allegedly being told by ralf that they will be getting moved on.

Henderson
Dalot varane maguire telles
Mctom Fred
Bruno V.D.B
Greenwood rashford

I'm probably miles off with that team, it's difficult to predict because its a cup game.

Nou_Camp99 · Jan 10, 2022

This is arguably the biggest game of the season for me. If we were to get knocked out tonight then I would really fear for the rest of the season and for Ralf trying to get any kind of togetherness from the squad going forwards.

The trouble though is if we play anything like we have done in any game under Ralf so far then a defeat is likely as Villa are decent and we all know will be licking their lips at the thought of playing us.

Just win tonight you useless rabble of overpaid primadonnas

Levenstein · Jan 10, 2022

——————De Gea
Dalot—Jones—Varane—Shaw
Van de Beek - Bruno - Fred
Sancho - Cavani - Ronaldo

Dazzmondo · Jan 10, 2022

After all the criticism the players have gotten for their lack of effort I would hope they'd give their all in this game. Certainly not getting my hopes up but this is probably our only chance for a trophy this season so hope we perform. Would like to see a formation change but nothing to suggest that will happen. Henderson sounds like he's being a bitch and wants to leave so don't see any point in giving him gametime. If we do rotate de Gea, give the mins to Heaton. 5 days between this and next game so no real need for rotation. Don't want Greenwood dropped but seems the most likely of the front 4 to drop out. Predicted Lineup:

De Gea

Dalot Lindelof Varane Shaw

McTominay Matic

Fernandes Sancho

Ronaldo Cavani

Statue of Limitations · Jan 10, 2022

The Magic of the FA Cup!

Eh, prob a drab game until they score then we win 3-1

FA Cup 3rd Round

Manchester United 1:0 Aston Villa

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