[Devil may care]

Could work well I guess, to quell the threat of Kolasinac going forward and to hopefully expose his defensive frailties..

I think it could really work for us on that side as Dalot has also looked a real threat in the final 3rd and it as you say it would mean they'd have to be careful how far up they push their LB.

 

[Thiagoal]

He'll get a chance soon enough i'm sure..

We've got to be patient with Gomes (and other youth prospects) and trust the managent! Refer to Lingard who was a late developer; he wasn't physically ready to play for us and a few loans later he was! Chong is similar I believe

 

[Rozay]

Seems Gomes is third choice behind Chong and Greenwood in the youth options for now, hope he takes it as a positive and changes things,

This is something that is beginning to become more obvious, game by game. He probably isn't impressing in the 11v11 training games. But time is still on his side, so hope to see him get a opportunity soon, because his natural ability is impressive.

I felt quite sad for him on Wednesday for some reason, there celebrating with Chong and Greenwood, but clearly having been overtaken by them in the pecking order, though at least we can be sure that if he is anything like good enough he will eventually be given a proper chance for us.

These players all have different roles, doesn’t work like that. His competition isn’t Mason Greenwood anymore than it is Romelu Lukaku.

 

[Bola]

Hope Rojo or Bailley sit this out, want to see both Chong and Greenwood in the matchday squad tomorrow

 

[Siorac]

So basically all we need to do is smash them by 6 goals and we go 3rd. Another 8-2? Easy

A mere 5 goals would be enough, as we scored more than Spurs.

(I'd take a draw if offered right now)

 

[Alemar]

Seems Gomes is third choice behind Chong and Greenwood in the youth options for now, hope he takes it as a positive and changes things,

Probably because the other two are playing better in training, don't you think? OGS is not yet known for favouring some players over others without merit...

 

[Adnan]

These players all have different roles, doesn’t work like that. His competition isn’t Mason Greenwood anymore than it is Romelu Lukaku.

His competition is players who play in a central role which is pretty obvious. Lukaku and Greenwood have no baring on his inclusion in the team, but Fred, McTominay etc do. So i'm assuming his displays in 11v11 training games must not be of the required standard yet. But he's still young and talented enough to improve further which is in his favour.

 

[tonnas]

Lads its Arsenal !! Dont know why people are worried especially after they got a beating in the EL. I am confident we will beat them and go joint 3rd!

 

[SalfordRed18]

Lads its Arsenal !! Dont know why people are worried especially after they got a beating in the EL. I am confident we will beat them and go joint 3rd!

Jinx

 

[Rozay]

His competition is players who play in a central role which is pretty obvious. Lukaku and Greenwood have no baring on his inclusion in the team, but Fred, McTominay etc do. So i'm assuming his displays in 11v11 training games must not be of the required standard yet. But he's still young and talented enough to improve further which is in his favour.

Yes but the likes of Greenwood and Chong are not ahead of Lukaku or any senior forwards, any more than Gomes is ahead of senior midfielders. The involvement of the younger forwards ahead of Gomes doesn’t indicate they have ‘moved ahead of Gones’, which was my point. Just means more senior forwards were unavailable than senior midfielders. We’ve had Mata, Lingard, Martial and Sanchez out, with every other more experienced forward on the pitch. Unfortunately for Gomes, we’ve had one more body in the middle I think, but I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily behind the other two.

 

[Alemar]

Unfortunately for Gomes, we’ve had one more body in the middle I think, but I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily behind the other two.

Does he have enough physical conditions to play in our midfield? I remember him playing at LW in one of his sub appearances, but would it be easy to imagine him instead of, say, McTominay or Fred against PSG? Not so sure

 

[Adnan]

Yes but the likes of Greenwood and Chong are not ahead of Lukaku or any senior forwards, any more than Gomes is ahead of senior midfielders. The involvement of the younger forwards ahead of Gomes doesn’t indicate they have ‘moved ahead of Gones’, which was my point. Just means more senior forwards were unavailable than senior midfielders. We’ve had Mata, Lingard, Martial and Sanchez out, with every other more experienced forward on the pitch. Unfortunately for Gomes, we’ve had one more body in the middle I think, but I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily behind the other two.

Chong was brought on against PSG in a midfield role, when Ole had the option of Gomes who is considered a specialist in that role. It's also not beyond the realms of possibility that Gomes isn't impressing in training hence he's been overlooked thus far.

 

[bosnian_red]

Honestly I think I'd take a draw here. Realistically, nobody is going to win away to every big team like we have under Ole, and a loss to Arsenal would hurt our bid (and it wouldnt reflect poorly on Ole - losses happen to everyone eventually). Obviously a win would be massive but a draw would still be very good, close the gap on Spurs with them going away to Liverpool next, while we stay above Arsenal and make them drop points at home where they have been very good.

 

[Zlatattack]

We have to win. 3 points tomorrow and we'll be level on points with Spurs. They'll crumble under the pressure. Unfortunately the season is only 10 more games, otherwise we could have put pressure on the other two.

 

[Rozay]

Chong was brought on against PSG in a midfield role, when Ole had the option of Gomes who is considered a specialist in that role. It's also not beyond the realms of possibility that Gomes isn't impressing in training hence he's been overlooked thus far.

Well of course, ‘impossible’ would be a strong word. I just don’t see the link personally, and as much as we harp on about tradition and youth, some people would do well to remember this is not our primary purpose - to put kids on the pitch. I just think we have a group of young players who we want to involve, and we’re not a charity that we’ll just play all of them. Gomes has had some chances, others have different chances. Greenwood has played once! But much to say he’s surpassed Gomes I think. Then there’s also the issue of role. He was on the bench in Paris, now Matic and Pogba are back, so he didn’t go to London. Don’t think there’s any story here personally.

 

[Adnan]

Well of course, ‘impossible’ would be a strong word. I just don’t see the link personally, and as much as we harp on about tradition and youth, some people would do well to remember this is not our primary purpose - to put kids on the pitch. I just think we have a group of young players who we want to involve, and we’re not a charity that we’ll just play all of them. Gomes has had some chances, others have different chances. Greenwood has played once! But much to say he’s surpassed Gomes I think. Then there’s also the issue of role. He was on the bench in Paris, now Matic and Pogba are back, so he didn’t go to London. Don’t think there’s any story here personally.

That's fair enough bro..

 

[Catt]

So..., positivity and all.

The Dave
Young (ish)
Smallz
Jørgen Nilsson
Hotty McShaw
Mc.T
Fredge
BMITW
Marty
Lukaku
Rash

 

[PoTMS]

A win here is just being greedy considering what transpired on Wednesday. I'll be happy with a draw.

 

[yo@Kirk]

United won @ PSG 1-3 on Wednesday night, get a well rested Pogba back and may have well rested Matic and Martial back as well. Arsenal lost @ Rennes 3-1 on Thursday night, had to play 50' with 10 men, and will be without suspended DM Torreira. I like United's chances to get the win.

 

[ChaddyP]

A rested pogba with a front 3 of Lukaku martial rashford ... Oh man the counter attacks will be amazing

 

[Trizy]

No big man Herrera. No point complaining about it though, I'm exciting to see if Fred can push on from the great game vs PSG.

 

[lex talionis]

I'll stop short of calling this one a must-win, but if we want to lock down a place at the top four table at the end of the season a win of Arsenal tomorrow would just about drive the stake through their heart.

4 clubs are competing for the final 2 Top 4 spots with 8 matches left after tomorrow. A United win tomorrow would give us this:

Spurs 61
United 61 (unless we blow Arsenal out 6-0, in which case we go to third)
Arsenal 57
Chelsea 56

We still won't be done and dusted, but being 4 points up on Arsenal with 8 matches left is a much better place to be than being 1 point up with 8 matches left to play.

With a win Top Four is just about, but not quite and dusted and we'd even have a decent shout at 3rd place. But a draw or defeat to Arsenal keeps up in a dogfight right to the last match of the season.

Best to give everything we've got to beating Arsenal and put them out of our misery. A draw or defeat to them won't be catastrophic, but it would be a disappointment.

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

Complete presser, embargoed part starts at 10:45

"If you consider PSG home and away is just one game"
*little wink*
"So that was half time at OT"

 

[ManUnitedCanuck]

Just hope our players are not dwelling on the PSG win and are ready for this match. I believe if we play to our potential we can win this, but a bit concerned of the hangover. Glad to hear we will have some players back.

Come on, need the 3 points !

 

[DLE]

Just hope our players are not dwelling on the PSG win and are ready for this match. I believe if we play to our potential we can win this, but a bit concerned of the hangover. Glad to hear we will have some players back.

Come on, need the 3 points !

Agree. I’m worried about this too. Arsenal will not be unterestimating us the way PSG did and it’s a do or die match for them too. Even more so than for us. Hope we win but nervous.

 

[Bastian]

Just hope our players are not dwelling on the PSG win and are ready for this match. I believe if we play to our potential we can win this, but a bit concerned of the hangover. Glad to hear we will have some players back.

Come on, need the 3 points !

We'll probably have a brand new midfield for this game so they'll be fresh and not basking in any glory.

Just hope Jesse is fit enough for this game.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

4-4-2 diamond system again

Starting XI
De Gea - Dalot, Smalling, Lindelöf, Shaw - Matic; Fred, Pogba; Pereira - Lukaku, Rashford

Bench
Romero, Young, Bailly, McTominay, Chong, Greenwood, Martial

 

[Suedesi]

Remember our last 4-2 win over them? One of my favourite games ever!

Of course, a classic.

 

[Eric7C]

Yay, my first contribution to match day threads (thanks lord @SteveJ for the like!).

I am going for another 1-3 win for United. I think it's a good thing that Arsenal will come into this game wanting to prove a point. It means that they will attack, and when they attack, there will be spaces for Pogba, Rash, Martial and Lukaku to do their thing. We will be conservative and we will pick them off on the break.

It will still be a close game that will be played at a high intensity in the beginning, with some mistakes later in the game, and the result won't be secure almost till the last few minutes.

Goals: Lukaku brace (again!), Martial off the bench / Lacazette

Come on United!

 

[Eric7C]

Of course, a classic.

Classic indeed.

This game had everything.
Neville's stare at Vieira who isn't even looking at him.
A goal and two assists from Giggs.
Ronaldo's teeth.
A worldie from O'Shea.
Andy Gray saying that Henry "hit it too well."

And I don't remember, did Keane and Vieira shake hands after the match?

 

[Ban]

Been up since 5:30 cause my baby boy decided so. Right now singing Ole at the wheel while washing dishes. Safe to say I'm ready for the game.

 

[FootyGirl88]

Been up since 5:30 cause my baby boy decided so. Right now singing Ole at the wheel while washing dishes. Safe to say I'm ready for the game.

Awe so cute! What's his name?

 

[Jacob]

What a twat recommending him to watch Roma on Netflix

 

[Ban]

Awe so cute! What's his name?

Sven.

 

[VJ1762]

A question to UK reds. Do Arsenal really have the biggest fanbase there? For a club of their size, there seem to be a lot of them running their mouth on social media and on the internet in general, all the fecking time.

 

[Ducklegs]

A question to UK reds. Do Arsenal really have the biggest fanbase there? For a club of their size, there seem to be a lot of them running their mouth on social media and on the internet in general, all the fecking time.

They have the second or third largest fanbase of any football club in the Uk, if you use social media followers and such its around 50% the size of the United fanbase.

 

[Champ]

Just hope our players are not dwelling on the PSG win and are ready for this match. I believe if we play to our potential we can win this, but a bit concerned of the hangover. Glad to hear we will have some players back.

Come on, need the 3 points !

This.
Just hope it's not a case of after the lord mayor's show and all that.
Need to be up for this, need to be focused and ready. I'm sure Ole will have drummed this into them.
I'm ready!

 

[KennyBurner]

Fred seems like he does well in the bigger games. Also we like counter attacking against arsenal so it’s what I expect with ole. Fred has the eye for a killer ball so that should also be a plus.

My biggest concern is their overload on our right back. We have to deal with it somehow because it’s coming. Thinking about it that’s how they attack when ozil isn’t playing. Iwobi plus kolisinac bombing down the left shouldn’t be a problem but they have annoying strikers who love a good tap in.

 

[Maxin]

Been up since 5:30 cause my baby boy decided so. Right now singing Ole at the wheel while washing dishes. Safe to say I'm ready for the game.

5:30! That’s late mate. I’ve been up since 4.00 with my son

 

[FootyGirl88]

Sven.

Awe