[The Red Thinker]

On the flip side these defensive injuries have come at a good time. All our players are in good form so we can objectively look at our squad and not think "If we were in goodform, he might work". We know who works and who doesn't.

This little injury section shows how we still need to add depth to the squad. Its a small little nudge to the club to say "We are doing well, but that doesnt mean you can't buy players, we need them".

In a way, this match wont decided who gets 4th but its a nice reminder to the club that we still need to spend. Ofcourse I would rather we had everyone fit and smash Chelsea, but just giving a different view.

Interesting perspective, but I wouldn't go as far as to say it comes at a "good time". It comes at the wrong time, I think. A win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge would give an incalculable boost the the team as a whole (Not that it needed any, but even more so).

However, it will be interesting to see if the squad as a whole has understood the philosophy or of it is only the starting eleven. Luke Shaw has not played a game in two months and I wonder if it is too much of an ask to make him step up against Chelsea. McNair was one of the first guys to actually comprehend the system, as Van Gaal played him ahead of Jones and Evans at times. He lacks composure, as he is still a kid. It will be interesting to see how he fares. To see if he's learned anything during his time out of the first team.

A huge test for the defence and a huge test for the squad's belief in philosophy. Im excited in a weird way.

 

[Neil67]

Going to be a lot tougher today with these injuries but let's hope that we can at least get a draw.

Your Lineup PredictionChelsea vs Manchester UnitedSat, 18 April 2015
Thanks for your prediction and good luck!
Results will be shown in the match lineup once the teams are announced.
Edit your lineup prediction

Starting XI

• 
  David de Gea
• 
  Luke Shaw
• 
  Chris Smalling
• 
  Paddy McNair
• 
  Angel Di Maria
• 
  Juan Mata
• 
  Ashley Young
• 
  Ander Herrera
• 
  Antonio Valencia
• 
  Marouane Fellaini
• 
  Wayne Rooney

Substitutes

• 
  Rafael
• 
  Tyler Blackett
• 
  Radamel Falcao

 

[Browniee]

Blind and Carrick?! Ouch. Confidence level has slightly dropped, just need to watch Hazard.

 

[RedRevongge]

Millen

I will not be happy with a draw; either we light up Stamford bridge of we get rekd like that star destroyer in the new Star Wars trailer. but I don't feel nervous for the boys; Philoshofie FTW!

Falcaooooo Hattrick

Millennium Falcao

 

[togg]

Blind and Carrick?! Ouch. Confidence level has slightly dropped, just need to watch Hazard.

yeah, confidence certainly dented...especially away from home. Losing Carrick is huge in my opinion.

 

[Dunk]

Unfortunately Chelsea will see you off without much bother.

Jeez Peter, a little optimism wouldn't hurt.

 

[Pexbo]

We should just go for it. Forget pragmatism, just press high and play fast.

6-5 United. Fuc'em

 

[NessunDorma]

--------------De Gea----------

Valencia---Smalling---McNair-------Shaw

----------------Fellaini-------

Mata------Herrera------Di Maria-----Young

--------------Rooney------

 

[Organic Potatoes]

Just realized Shaw wasn't even on the bench for the last match.

Has he ever filled in at CB for us?

 

[MUFCgal]

------------------De Gea------------------
Valencia-----Smalling----McNair-------Shaw
------------------Rooney------------------
--------Herrera--------------Fellaini--------
-----Mata---------Falcao-------Young------

Sub: Valdes, Rafael, Blackett, Di Maria, Januzaj, Wilson, Van Persie.

 

[ItsEssexRob]

Remy should be fit enough to tuck into that United side. Predicting 1-1 if we go ultra cautious or 2-0 if we do a last season type performance in a big game.

We are due a good performance and United are due a poor one so the stars are aligning!

 

[SirAF]

Remy should be fit enough to tuck into that United side. Predicting 1-1 if we go ultra cautious or 2-0 if we do a last season type performance in a big game.

We are due a good performance and United are due a poor one so the stars are aligning!

If we are talking about stars aligning then we are due giving you a beating at the Bridge!

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

David
Valencia - Smalling - Mc - Shaw
Rooney
Herrera - Felani
Mata - Van Persie - Young

Van Gaal said yesterday that RVP is not fit - muscle atrophy.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

------------------De Gea------------------
Valencia-----Smalling----McNair-------Shaw
------------------Rooney------------------
--------Herrera--------------Fellaini--------
-----Mata---------Falcao-------Young------

Sub: Valdes, Rafael, Blackett, Di Maria, Januzaj, Wilson, Van Persie.

That's the lineup I'm hoping for. Partly due to a forlorn hope that Falcao still has something to offer us, and moreso because it seems the least disruptive to the system. I really don't want Fellaini or Mata's roles to be changed too much, or Herrera's.

 

[Ixion]

I'd be tempted to stick Young at LB and Di Maria on the left. Shaw hasn't played enough for a game like this and Di Maria has been lively coming on, Falcao hasn't been too bad either in his cameos so if Blind is missing then Rooney in midfield and Falcao up top.

Without the injuries I was sure this would be a draw, not so sure now.

 

[Brightonian]

Remy should be fit enough to tuck into that United side. Predicting 1-1 if we go ultra cautious or 2-0 if we do a last season type performance in a big game.

We are due a good performance and United are due a poor one so the stars are aligning!

Yep, in the queue outside our medical suite.

 

[Brightonian]

We should just go for it. Forget pragmatism, just press high and play fast.

Close the car window, 'arry, you're holding up traffic.

 

[Pexbo]

We are also much, much better off playing Di Maria as a striker over Falcao.


I'm really interested to see how Van Gaal approaches this.

Pragmatism:

• A point at the bridge would be an important one.
• Having a loss right now could hurt confidence.
• Mourinho would likely also take a draw which could make it more attainable.

Attack:

• Chelsea's play hasn't been great recently, 3 points is gettable.
• The attackers we have to come into the team are better than the defenders.
• 3 points today would be a huge step towards UCL qualification.

 

[Pexbo]

Close the car window, 'arry, you're holding up traffic.

*twitch*

 

[van Persie]

I feel so strangely optimistic ahead of every big game again. I love it.

 

[LitterBug]

I am confident we will do them. I have bet £250 squid on us to win. Come on UNITED!

 

[do9]

I wish to falcao starts today and that could be his final test. But i think that adm will play false 9 and rooney will go in midfield.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Not sure why I'm not nervous. Whether it's because I'm confident that our play recently will shine through regardless of who we're missing and do the job today, or that I'm actually expecting to lose.

Never before will I be chuffed to see a 0-0.

 

[Mr.Kaya]

I will not be happy with a draw; either we light up Stamford bridge of we get rekd like that star destroyer in the new Star Wars trailer. but I don't feel nervous for the boys; Philoshofie FTW!

Falcaooooo Hattrick

I'd like to see that happen!

 

[mitchmouse]

In all honesty, I cannot see us getting anything out of the game today - espcially with the injuries we've got (again!). To me, Blind will be a big loss. He has brought stability - and a good reading of situations - to the back four. If he was a CB, I'd say he reminds me a bit of the great Martin Buchan

 

[unchanged_lineup]

If Falcao plays today, I hope the resident photoshoppers are following up on this

Millennium Falcao

 

[SirAF]

Seriously, I hate Saturday 5.30 Kick offs. Still five and a half hour to go!

 

[Blue always red]

I can't help but think it's game over without Carrick. Brings too much and nobody can replace that level of calm and composure.

 

[rover]

a similar game plan of our recent run. young to replace blind, rooney to carrick, mcNair, adm & rvp in:

ddg, valencia, smalling, mcNair, young, rooney, mata, herrera, fellaini, adm, rvp

subs: shaw, januzaj, wilson

 

[Ixion]

I think Mourinho would settle for a draw today and at Arsenal, only way he could lose the title now is to lose those two games and he's not stupid. Without the injuries I'd have said 0-0 or 1-1. Hopefully we can still get something.

 

[Spiersey]

Thought we would win before All the injuries so I'm more confident now, assuming Remy is fit.
I'd quite like to see Cahill dropped for Ivanovic, azpilicueta to rb and Luis lb but it won't happen.

 

[unchanged_lineup]

Millenium Falcao

 

[sunama]

We have 2 key players missing (Blind/Carrick) and you guys are pinning your hopes on Falcao?
The last game he started in was in the U21s game and he was so bad, he got subbed.
Is there any logical reason why you believe Falcao will be our saviour? Perhaps I am missing something.

 

[unchanged_lineup]

 

[Damien]

Last time we beat Chelsea, these were those who played:

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Spoiler: for those who can't see twitter

Teams for both today likely to be very different.

 

[jetlee]

After those injuries I'd try a 3-5-2 of sorts: DDG;McNair, Smalling, Blackett; Tony, Mata, Herrera, Rooney, Young; di Maria, Fellaini.
I think these players are our best options right now. Fellaini stays as a target man while di Maria can try a Robbenesque free role behind him. I'd put the three I mentioned in CM because they use the ball well.
Physically we're a bit behind with that lineup but I think it can surprise Chelsea and that way we don't have to play Falcao from the beginning.

 

[KM]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

So Falcao starts.

 

[RedMachine03]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Morpheus 7]

Jeff Stelling said on Soccer Saturday 10 minutes ago that close sources to him have confirmed Paddy McNair will start today....

 

[prarek]

Rooney in midfield then.