Europa League SF Draw | United vs Roma

[Bobcat]

What the feck has Liverpool and City got to do with it?

When we drew Granada did you say “ it’s a quarter final FFS”

It’s amazing how some posters cant just say we are better than them we are favourites and we should be heading for a final bar a disaster .

It’s ok to say we are a good side .

Thats not the point though. Cup ties is a poor metric for progress and league form largely goes out the window.

Just ask Arsenal fans

 

[Cal?]

Yeah but Manchester United fans are widely known not be patriotic and actually hating the England national team, type "Manchester United fans hate England" on Google to see many articles on this.

I’m not like that, I love my country and I would take England winning the World Cup over Manchester United winning another Champions League if I had to pick.

I can understand Irish Manchester United fans (or any other nationality outside England) not wanting Premier League clubs to do well in Europe, why should they? But English Manchester United fans I don’t understand it what so ever!

I wouldn’t say it’s a generational thing, I’m in my late 30’s and as said everyone knows Gary Neville (patriotic Manchester United fan as they come) wants all PL clubs to do well in Europe, just as Jamie Carragher (Mr Liverpool), this is not because they work for Sky, its because when it comes to Europe you put your differences aside, you see PL clubs are flying the flag for English football and you want them to do well.

The view that if you are United fan you shouldn't want other English clubs (who are flying the flag for the PL) to do well in Europe when up against Spainish/German/Italian/French opposition, is like having the view that if you are a professional footballer and a Manchester United fan growing up, if you can't play for Manchester United, give it up and get a normal job.

If anyone here was a footballer and Liverpool wanted to sign you, no one in their right mind with give that opportunity up.

Crazy views, but each to their own I guess.

The England part I can understand (even though I do not agree), the other PL clubs I can never comprehend, how can the likes of City & Liverpool winning the CL, therefore getting more income, prestige to sign players be a good thing for any United fan?

The final part is a totally different situation, when you're a professional footballer, it's a job, and most people tend to go for the highest paying positions.

 

[tenpoless]

Now watch Smalldini and Dzeko turning into prime Inzaghi

 

[Cast5]

Now watch Smalldini and Dzeko turning into prime Inzaghi

I hope so, Inzaghi wasn’t a good defender.

 

[Pexbo]

Now watch Smalldini and Dzeko turning into prime Inzaghi

Smalling constantly offside would be quite a sight.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

This is a terrific draw for us. Arsenal, Villareal and Roma is a wank field whose squads pale in comparison to ours. Come on Ole, go get that first trophy.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I hope so, Inzaghi wasn’t a good defender.

 

[Jeppers7]

Let’s win this!

 

[Withnail]

I hope so, Inzaghi wasn’t a good defender.

 

[pascell]

Now watch Smalldini and Dzeko turning into prime Inzaghi

Smalling piggybacking Dzeko or Dzeko piggybacking Smalling?

 

[Penna]

Now watch Smalldini and Dzeko turning into prime Inzaghi

I think Dzeko may prove to be a real handful. Roma aren't going to be easy opponents in any way.

 

[Jeppers7]

Yeah but Manchester United fans are widely known not be patriotic and actually hating the England national team, type "Manchester United fans hate England" on Google to see many articles on this.

I’m not like that, I love my country and I would take England winning the World Cup over Manchester United winning another Champions League if I had to pick.

I can understand Irish Manchester United fans (or any other nationality outside England) not wanting Premier League clubs to do well in Europe, why should they? But English Manchester United fans I don’t understand it what so ever!

I wouldn’t say it’s a generational thing, I’m in my late 30’s and as said everyone knows Gary Neville (patriotic Manchester United fan as they come) wants all PL clubs to do well in Europe, just as Jamie Carragher (Mr Liverpool), this is not because they work for Sky, its because when it comes to Europe you put your differences aside, you see PL clubs are flying the flag for English football and you want them to do well.

The view that if you are United fan you shouldn't want other English clubs (who are flying the flag for the PL) to do well in Europe when up against Spainish/German/Italian/French opposition, is like having the view that if you are a professional footballer and a Manchester United fan growing up, if you can't play for Manchester United, give it up and get a normal job.

If anyone here was a footballer and Liverpool wanted to sign you, no one in their right mind with give that opportunity up.

Wow.....ok but wow. Would never get that 99 feeling from England and the idea of being happy the Liverpool or City or anyone else wins the CL ? I’m. United fan who happens to be English...I’m not too sure what that has to do with me wanting Liverpool to win CLs at all.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

Crazy views, but each to their own I guess.

The England part I can understand (even though I do not agree), the other PL clubs I can never comprehend, how can the likes of City & Liverpool winning the CL, therefore getting more income, prestige to sign players be a good thing for any United fan?

The final part is a totally different situation, when you're a professional footballer, it's a job, and most people tend to go for the highest paying positions.

Couldn’t agree more, by supporting English teams in Europe you are actively supporting things that negatively affect Utd. I just can’t get behind that.

 

[Red00012]

Am I right in saying if Utd win EL , a 5th English club doesn’t go into the CL but if Arsenal win it , there would be ?

 

[G4stars]

Am I right in saying if Utd win EL , a 5th English club doesn’t go into the CL but if Arsenal win it , there would be ?

If a club wins EL and finishes in top 4, no extra CL places are given

 

[Red00012]

If a club wins EL and finishes in top 4, no extra CL places are given

And Arsenal?

 

[Summit]

And Arsenal?

Yes arsenal would get in the CL. Just like we did when we won it

 

[Dan_F]

I think it probably would have been better to get two legs to defeat Arsenal, as we’ve had a couple of weird results recently against them. Although it would definitely give the final something extra to be playing Arsenal, I can see it being one of those build ups where you’re excited about it all week, which is rare now for me.

 

[red_de_pologne]

let's be honest, bar some major feck up we will smash Roma comfortably over 2 legs.

 

[giorno]

I think Dzeko may prove to be a real handful. Roma aren't going to be easy opponents in any way.

I think they will honestly. They're just not very good. Weakest team left in the competition in fact.

Dzeko is great though, yeah, he's gonna be a handful, as he always is for any defender. As a great striker would

 

[Devil81]

let's be honest, bar some major feck up we will smash Roma comfortably over 2 legs.

That's a big statement that is, this isn't Grenada, this is a seasoned European team.

If Roma get half a chance then Dzeko scores, he's clinical. They will also be well set up, Italian sides aren't ever an easy ride.

 

[groovyalbert]

After managing to get past Milan despite being pretty terrible for 75% of the tie, this shouldn't be much of an issue as far as European semi-finals go.

Whoever we could get in the final is going to give us a real game, however. Definitely get Sevilla vibes from Villarreal, and Arsenal seem to have our number and will be even more desperate to get CL football/avoid potential UEFA Conference League.

We should be beating both, but it's never that simple.

 

[RkkMan]

After managing to get past Milan despite being pretty terrible for 75% of the tie, this shouldn't be much of an issue as far as European semi-finals go.

Whoever we could get in the final is going to give us a real game, however. Definitely get Sevilla vibes from Villarreal, and Arsenal seem to have our number and will be even more desperate to get CL football/avoid potential UEFA Conference League.

We should be beating both, but it's never that simple.

The last time Arsenal had to win the EL to get CL football they lost to Chelsea who finished 3rd ITL with Sarri who had zero trophies to his name. The circumstances may give them a bigger incentive but quality will prevail IMO. Plus we're due a win against them like Chelsea against us last season I'll be gobsmacked if we fail to beat them after SIX attempts.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

Yeah but Manchester United fans are widely known not be patriotic and actually hating the England national team, type "Manchester United fans hate England" on Google to see many articles on this.

I’m not like that, I love my country and I would take England winning the World Cup over Manchester United winning another Champions League if I had to pick.

I can understand Irish Manchester United fans (or any other nationality outside England) not wanting Premier League clubs to do well in Europe, why should they? But English Manchester United fans I don’t understand it what so ever!

I wouldn’t say it’s a generational thing, I’m in my late 30’s and as said everyone knows Gary Neville (patriotic Manchester United fan as they come) wants all PL clubs to do well in Europe, just as Jamie Carragher (Mr Liverpool), this is not because they work for Sky, its because when it comes to Europe you put your differences aside, you see PL clubs are flying the flag for English football and you want them to do well.

I will never understand the mindset of a United fan cheering Liverpool on in Europe. They are literally our fiercest rivals - if you've ever been to a United-Liverpool game you would have seen the hatred between the two clubs with Liverpool fans mocking Munich etc etc. I just cannot fathom how it is possible to cheer them on - but each to their own. You will very much be in the minority with that opinion and rightly so - football is about these rivalries!

The bit I don't understand is you suggesting Gary Neville wants Liverpool to do well in Europe (and the same for Carragher). This part of your post makes me think this could be a wind up and we are all biting! This the same Gary Neville who received a £10k fine for his celebrations against Liverpool? Or the same Neville who posted this after their loss to Madrid in the 2008 final?

 

[AjaxNL]

Over two matches, I have been very underwhelmed by AS Roma. How Ajax didn’t go through, despite being the far better team is baffling. Actually, it is not, we simply missed far too many chances. That doesn’t take away from the fact that Roma created very little over 180 mins and 2 of their 3 goals scored where absolute flukes. I expect United to progress comfortably.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

The last time Arsenal had to win the EL to get CL football they lost to Chelsea who finished 3rd ITL with Sarri who had zero trophies to his name. The circumstances may give them a bigger incentive but quality will prevail IMO. Plus we're due a win against them like Chelsea against us last season I'll be gobsmacked if we fail to beat them after SIX attempts.

It doesn't really work that way but yeah, it will be great to get a win over them.

 

[Kostov]

That's a big statement that is, this isn't Grenada, this is a seasoned European team.

If Roma get half a chance then Dzeko scores, he's clinical. They will also be well set up, Italian sides aren't ever an easy ride.

We should worry about ourselves really, that's the only factor that can kick us out. If we show up and not be shocking, like we have a habit to do, we cab sail through Roma with ease.

 

[tomaldinho1]

What the feck has Liverpool and City got to do with it?

When we drew Granada did you say “ it’s a quarter final FFS”

It’s amazing how some posters cant just say we are better than them we are favourites and we should be heading for a final bar a disaster .

It’s ok to say we are a good side .

I’ve never understood this dual world view on the caf. People will talk about how Sociedad, Granada and Roma are tough games...even how Arsenal will be a final matchup they’d rather avoid, Arsenal are so average and struggling to stay in the top 10.

United are not the dominant force we were but, feck me, we didn’t suddenly turn into a mid table PL team. We are and always have been a team who should be top four as a minimum and we should be heavy favourites for the EL now. Have a bit of confidence in the side - we could lose, it’s always possible, but it’s completely fine to admit we’re favourites and that’s a good thing.

 

[RkkMan]

It doesn't really work that way but yeah, it will be great to get a win over them.

It's Law of Averages it always works like that. Pep failed to get past 4 CL quarter finals back to back till this week. We've failed to get past semis 5 times we're due a win there too just like how we're due a win against Arsenal after failing to beat them five times. I just don't see how we fail to beat them after SIX attempts even statistically it seems extremely difficult to happen especially for Ole who always seems to have a game plan for big managers.

 

[RonaldoVII]

It's Law of Averages it always works like that. Pep failed to get past 4 CL quarter finals back to back till this week. We've failed to get past semis 5 times we're due a win there too just like how we're due a win against Arsenal after failing to beat them five times. I just don't see how we fail to beat them after SIX attempts even statistically it seems extremely difficult to happen especially for Ole who always seems to have a game plan for big managers.

It's football, not probability.

 

[thegregster]

It's Law of Averages it always works like that. Pep failed to get past 4 CL quarter finals back to back till this week. We've failed to get past semis 5 times we're due a win there too just like how we're due a win against Arsenal after failing to beat them five times. I just don't see how we fail to beat them after SIX attempts even statistically it seems extremely difficult to happen especially for Ole who always seems to have a game plan for big managers.

There's the problem. Arsenal or Arteta arent big. They are midtable. 2 seasons in a row.

 

[RkkMan]

It's football, not probability.

There's ALWAYS probabilities involved in football, hence why there is predictions and analysis. Throw enough mud at a wall and it will eventually stick. After 5 failed attempts to beat them we will eventually get a win we're Man Utd for fecks sake.
Even outside football quality wise we are above them plus Tierney/Odegaard out for the season. If we somehow lost to them in the final it will be because of our own doing not because they are this formidable force people here are making them out to be

 

[RkkMan]

There's the problem. Arsenal or Arteta arent big. They are midtable. 2 seasons in a row.

Name wise they are and even then so what? Means there's more pressure on them to win it just like 2019 when they faced Chelsea with a EL specialist in Emery and they still lost to a manager who never ever won a major trophy. There shouldn't be such a ridiculously high fear of losing to freaking Arsenal. Desire to win should be much much bigger

 

[Dave Smith]

I’ve never understood this dual world view on the caf. People will talk about how Sociedad, Granada and Roma are tough games...even how Arsenal will be a final matchup they’d rather avoid, Arsenal are so average and struggling to stay in the top 10.

United are not the dominant force we were but, feck me, we didn’t suddenly turn into a mid table PL team. We are and always have been a team who should be top four as a minimum and we should be heavy favourites for the EL now. Have a bit of confidence in the side - we could lose, it’s always possible, but it’s completely fine to admit we’re favourites and that’s a good thing.

Indeed. Only possible way Utd should accept not winning the EL is if the Dippers finish 4th and a Le Arse and Chelsea win in the EL/CL relegates them to the EL for next season.

 

[GoonerBear]

There's ALWAYS probabilities involved in football, hence why there is predictions and analysis. Throw enough mud at a wall and it will eventually stick. After 5 failed attempts to beat them we will eventually get a win we're Man Utd for fecks sake.
Even outside football quality wise we are above them plus Tierney/Odegaard out for the season. If we somehow lost to them in the final it will be because of our own doing not because they are this formidable force people here are making them out to be

Don't think it's been announced that Odegaard is out for season?

 

[sewey89]

Just imagine beating Arsenal in the final though, while AFTV watch it.

At least if they beat us, we could just not watch it?

 

[TMDaines]

I’ve never understood this dual world view on the caf. People will talk about how Sociedad, Granada and Roma are tough games...even how Arsenal will be a final matchup they’d rather avoid, Arsenal are so average and struggling to stay in the top 10.

United are not the dominant force we were but, feck me, we didn’t suddenly turn into a mid table PL team. We are and always have been a team who should be top four as a minimum and we should be heavy favourites for the EL now. Have a bit of confidence in the side - we could lose, it’s always possible, but it’s completely fine to admit we’re favourites and that’s a good thing.

People put too much emphasis on the league table for assessing how good a side are. 31 games isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. Arsenal are a better side than being 9th in the Premier League suggests. Their European performances have been really good all season, even when they haven't got the result. United will start as favourites against them if they both make the final, but they won't be massive favourites.

Just looking at some of the well-known statistically driven methods for ranking European football clubs:

• 538's "xG plus" approach ranks United 5th and Arsenal 11th
• The Football Club Elo Ratings, which is an Elo system, have United 4th and Arsenal 12th.
• The European Club Index, which is similar to an Elo system, ranks United 7th and Arsenal 14th.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Think I'd rather face Arsenal in the final than Villareal, despite Ole's record against the former. Emery is an Europa League master, he'll win another final by all accounts if he gets there.

In terms of Roma - I am optimistic. Home leg first so a dull 1-0 win will do nicely.

 

[André Dominguez]

Easiest team of the pack. Their squad is not that good, is basically a squad made of patches and excendetary players from another teams.

 

[GoonerBear]

People put too much emphasis on the league table for assessing how good a side are. 31 games isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. Arsenal are a better side than being 9th in the Premier League suggests. Their European performances have been really good all season, even when they haven't got the result. United will start as favourites against them if they both make the final, but they won't be massive favourites.

Just looking at some of the well-known statistically driven methods for ranking European football clubs:

• 538's "xG plus" approach ranks United 5th and Arsenal 11th
• The Football Club Elo Ratings, which is an Elo system, have United 4th and Arsenal 12th.
• The European Club Index, which is similar to an Elo system, ranks United 7th and Arsenal 14th.

The league table is all that matters at the end of the season. I can accept that, you finish in a league where you deserve to finish.

However, people are quick to dismiss Arsenal without looking at other factors. Like the fact we've improved a fair bit from our early season catastrophe, so much so our form since Xmas would actually have us in the top 4.

Don't think anyone should fear Arsenal by any stretch of the imagination, but not sure we should be written off just because of our league position.