[Relfy]

Need a good performance and win to take the confidence into the citeh game. I'm feeling a 2-0 united win.

 

[Hawks2008]

This is must win, put some more space between us and them, keep pace with city, and get momentum going into the derby. If that scouse mob can smash these cnuts we can too.

 

[frank lee madeer..]

Good result last night. We've gotta go to Arsenal to win if we are to truly build some momentum & make a statement. Let's make it a race again

 

[Chaky_Best]

Big game means parking the bus, playing 5-3-2, boring game.

We need a win before the derby, City would be 11 points ahead (with possibly 14 after the derby), Chelsea and Arsenal would be level I guess with Spurs and Pool just 1 point.

So yes this is a critical period for us, and I'm not sure that we will go after the 3 points, Mourinho being too frightened by the idea of loosing.

With a bit of luck Jones,Bailly and Fellaini will be back.

De Gea

Valencia
Bailly
Smalling
Jones
Young

Herrera
Lingard
Pogba

Martial
Lukaku

 

[Havak]

Same team as against Watford last night is most likely, provided Matic is fit and José doesn't rotate Martial/Rashford. The changes will come in against CSKA, then we'll probably revert back to this for City. If City drop points tonight, then a draw at Arsenal isn't the end of the world as long as we beat them next weekend. I know some would see it as a missed opportunity if that scenario came to light, but we're very much in a title race as long as we beat City. The rest of December is a lot kinder to us fixture wise.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Jose has a score to settle with Wenger. He was finally beaten there last season.

 

[WackyWengerWorld]

Well as a pesimistic Arsenal fan I'm not too confident even though we've beat you at the last 2 at ours I'd take a draw right now. You've got an extra days rest too.

Looks like we'll be without Matic, which is a huge blow.

Is that right? Hmm

 

[groovyalbert]

Feels like years since we put in a decent performance away to them. Even when we won there with LVG it was hardly convincing. Probably have to go back to 11/12 for our last good away performance v Arsenal. Set it right Jose.

 

[roonster09]

Well as a pesimistic Arsenal fan I'm not too confident even though we've beat you at the last 2 at ours I'd take a draw right now. You've got an extra days rest too.

Not sure how much of an advantage is that considering we will play 2 away games so extra travelling, whereas Arsenal play 2 games at Home.

 

[Bestietom]

We will need Matic for this game. Herrera is not good enough.

 

[Bwuk]

How are Arsenal likely to line up?

Cech
Mustafi - Koscienly - Monreal
Bellerin - Ramsey - Xhaka - Kolasniac
Ozil - Lacazette - Sanchez​

?

If thats the side I can see us getting a lot of joy down the left against Bellerin and Mustafi.

 

[minoo-utd]

Can Fellaini do a Matic?

 

[sunama]

Welbeck coming back to fitness at the right time

He always seems to do well against us, but then goes missing for the rest of the season.

 

[Android1974]

Team should be...

---------------De Gea---------------
---Lindelof---Smalling---Rojo---
Valencia--Pogba--Matic--Young
----------Lingard---Martial----------
---------------Lukaku---------------

Subs: Romero, Darmian, Blind, Herrera, Mata, Ibrahimovic, Rashford

Sorry to be picky, but… Also think it's more Lingard in the #10 with Martial and Lukaku upfront.

 

[Android1974]

I'd play same team as tonight but can see Rashford coming in ahead of Martial.

Martial coming off so early (64') hints he could start him, as he should.

 

[Turnip]

I kinda feel like playing for a draw at this point would be as bad as losing, at some point in the season we have to take a chance to have any way of catching Man City and need some momentum going into the game with them.

 

[Android1974]

David
Lindelof - Smalling - Bailly
Valencia - Matic - Fellaini - Pogba - Young
Martial
Lukaku​

Think Bailly will be back for this. If we can hunt them on the counter we can win.

Hope for a classic Jose's 1-0 win on Arsenal.

Pretty sure if Bailly comes he will displace Lindelöf, not Rojo. Also, he always starts on the rightcenterback position, shifting Lindelöf to the left.

 

[Darkhorsez]

Looking forward to this game. Hope we can keep the run going. These games are often a bit of a toss up. A break here or there. A moment of magic from someone. A big goal from Pogba or Lukaku? Hope so.

 

[Android1974]

Pretty disappointed people don't want Lingard to start as #10, after his last night performance. I know he's inconsistent, but…

 

[Darkhorsez]

Pretty disappointed people don't want Lingard to start as #10, after his last night performance. I know he's inconsistent, but…

I think he’ll start Mata. I know he has not been great but he brings that big game mentality and ability to keep the ball. I’ll be fine with Lingard too - should be on a high after that performance.

 

[Android1974]

Big game means parking the bus, playing 5-3-2, boring game.

We need a win before the derby, City would be 11 points ahead (with possibly 14 after the derby), Chelsea and Arsenal would be level I guess with Spurs and Pool just 1 point.

So yes this is a critical period for us, and I'm not sure that we will go after the 3 points, Mourinho being too frightened by the idea of loosing.

With a bit of luck Jones,Bailly and Fellaini will be back.

De Gea

Valencia
Bailly
Smalling
Jones
Young

Herrera
Lingard
Pogba

Martial
Lukaku

That 5-3-2 is bullshit. Valencia and Young are both wingers who play very advanced in the pitch.

 

[BenjaminP]

This would be my first time attending United game!! Finally!!!!!!
My friend got me a ticket, but I'm worried since we will be sitting together on Arsenal stands, not away side stands.
Would it be okay to wear United jersey? or should I just keep quiet the whole game?

Also, I'm trying to get United v City game for 12/10. Where would be the best bet to buy one?
I can wait all night long at ticket booth, if thats where I can get one.

United is strong against Arsenal. I'm going for 0-3 United.

 

[Android1974]

How are Arsenal likely to line up?

Cech
Mustafi - Koscienly - Monreal
Bellerin - Ramsey - Xhaka - Kolasniac
Ozil - Lacazette - Sanchez​

?

If thats the side I can see us getting a lot of joy down the left against Bellerin and Mustafi.

Yes, that's pretty much their best team, and the one which has been playing more. We'll see them tonight.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Arsenal don't lose at the Emirates to big sides often if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Android1974]

I kinda feel like playing for a draw at this point would be as bad as losing, at some point in the season we have to take a chance to have any way of catching Man City and need some momentum going into the game with them.

We're not going to play for a draw, but we are certainly not going to match them on possession. Probably similar to Watford, losing a bit of control in midfield, but challenging with quick counterattacks.

 

[Android1974]

I think he’ll start Mata. I know he has not been great but he brings that big game mentality and ability to keep the ball. I’ll be fine with Lingard too - should be on a high after that performance.

I think Mata might not even make the bench, actually. He doesn't seem to fit with 3 at the back, hasn't started one game in it yet, even less so in a away game. Although with Mkhitaryan being ostracised, he might get into the squad and be helpful if we are chasing a result and need to keep the ball.

 

[Frank Grimes]

We have an extra days rest, hopefully Arsenal have a tough game tonight. Matic out would be a big blow though.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Pretty disappointed people don't want Lingard to start as #10, after his last night performance. I know he's inconsistent, but…

Ah but if you know he's inconsistent, then surely you shouldn't want him to start either?!

 

[Android1974]

Ah but if you know he's inconsistent, then surely you shouldn't want him to start either?!

With Fellaini probably injured, Mkhitaryan out of it and Mata not adequate for this game, who are we going to play? Unless people want to start again Rashford without any connection between midfield and the attack…

 

[Sassy Colin]

 

[Mibabalou]

Any update on matic?

 

[Toad]

Team should be...

---------------De Gea---------------
---Lindelof---Smalling---Rojo---
Valencia--Matic--Pogba--Young
----------Lingard---Martial----------
---------------Lukaku---------------

Subs: Romero, Darmian, Blind, Herrera, Mata, Ibrahimovic, Rashford

I would have liked To push Pogba forward and play Fellaini and Matic together, but sounds like he has a knee injury. Fellaini would have been key for breaking up play and making us a little less isolated in midfield like we did against Watford at times. Unfortunate really.

 

[RedDevil@84]

We should score 3 or 4. Because 2 things are guaranteed for Arsenal - a goal for Welbeck and Giroud 92nd min header..

 

[charlenefan]

I would have liked To push Pogba forward and play Fellaini and Matic together, but sounds like he has a knee injury. Fellaini would have been key for breaking up play and making us a little less isolated in midfield like we did against Watford at times. Unfortunate really.

Not sure Arsenal away is a game for Fellaini even if he is fit

 

[Toad]

Not sure Arsenal away is a game for Fellaini even if he is fit

I may just be one of the rare few that enjoys Fellaini getting game time then

 

[Reiver]

Similar formation and personnel to the Watford game. I'd like to see if Lingard can play as well in a bigger game.
The main problem I have is that we will surrender a lot of possession if we don't go with three CMs. Worked ok against Watford but Arsenal might be able to hurt us more.

 

[cyberman]

Similar formation and personnel to the Watford game. I'd like to see if Lingard can play as well in a bigger game.
The main problem I have is that we will surrender a lot of possession if we don't go with three CMs. Worked ok against Watford but Arsenal might be able to hurt us more.

Arsenal don't really keep the ball through the middle though. They seem to use it wide via Sanchez etc and bring Ozil in that way.
Sitting deep and saying to Ramsey and Xhaka that they're not good enough to get through our midfield and watch out for Pogbas runs / passes and to to take care of Martial qnd Lingard who will be drifting here, there and everywhere behind them

 

[charlenefan]

I may just be one of the rare few that enjoys Fellaini getting game time then

Last night on paper was a good game for him, again not sure Arsenal is

 

[ivaldo]

We will need Matic for this game. Herrera is not good enough.

Matic has been well below par the last 3/4 games, in the first half he was comfortably our worst player. He’ll be no great loss in his current form.

 

[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

We'd better turn up for this. I'm getting tired of never expecting to win at the Emirates/Etihad/Anfield/Stamford Bridge. It's almost become accepted that a point is the most we'll get in these away games against rivals. I'd like to see us be brave again, as at Watford, but fear we'll go more defensive and play with a negative mindset. I want to see the shackles come off in these big away games. It will be interesting to see whether he persists with a back three; it's tricky when our best two centre backs are out. Is there any news on Jones and Bailly? I'm sure Lingard will start, due to his performance last night. Hopefully Matic will be okay.

Feck it, I'm going Arsenal 1-3 United on the predictor