FA Cup Final: United v City

Gentleman Jim

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Ederson is usually poor at saving penalties, so in this particular case a penalty shoot out is not something undesirable for us.
Moreno Ortega is likely to be City's GK in the final.
He's been really good except 1 crap game vs Southampton in LC.
No idea what his penalty record is like.
 

Mike Smalling

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DDG
AWB-Varane-Lindelöf-Shaw
Casemiro-Fred
Sancho-Bruno-Garnacho
Rashford

Eriksen and Martial have not been good enough recently. We could do with Fred’s energy. And Garnacho is due a start.
 

AlexiV

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- We could then consider this season for United a bigger success than City as United would be winning two cups.
Let’s not kid ourselves, we used to laugh at these mini-mouse cups..

Agree with all the rest though. Massive game which could swing the momentum of City’s season from an unforgettable one to a mediocre one.
 

Demon Barber

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I see no reason not to go with our strongest, most attacking team. Party time or bust ...

DdG

AWB Varane Lindelof. Shaw

Casemiro Eriksen

Sancho. Bruno. Rashford

Martial
 

Alemar

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Moreno Ortega is likely to be City's GK in the final.
He's been really good except 1 crap game vs Southampton in LC.
No idea what his penalty record is like.
Stefan Ortega maybe? It’s bad if so - Ortega has 21.4% penalty saving record
 

dal

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DdG

AWB Varane Lindelof. Shaw

Casemiro Fred
Ericksen
Bruno Garnacho
Rashford

Strangely enough our strongest attacking team excludes Sancho for this type of game and Martial.
 

Irwin99

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With Antony's injury I think we'll play Bruno wide right and it's a toss up between Sancho or Garnacho on the left. That way we can accommodate Eriksen in midfield with Fred and Casemiro, unless ETH goes full Ole and plays McTominay and Fred with Casemiro (I wouldn't be averse to it).

--------------------de Gea
AWB----Varane-------Lindelof---Shaw
-----------Casemiro----Fred
Bruno------------Eriksen-------Garnacho
-------------------Rashford
I just mentioned in the Bruno thread that it will probably upset everyone but him playing there guarantees workrate and hopefully the quick transition pass. I don't think Garnacho starts unless EtH springs a huge surprise and changes formation. 100% want EtH to flood that midfield and limit the space. Don't care how negative it seems, it's probably our best chance.

DDG
AWB Varane Lindelof Shaw
Casemiro Fred
Bruno Eriksen Rashford
Martial

I think i'd be fine with Mctominay in there over Fred and Martial dropped for Sancho and Rashford up top.
 

Siorac

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I think most fans think this, it means it's a free hit really. If we get bummed then who cares, it was expected.
Yeah, that's how I see it. It's basically our first pre-season game, just a little earlier than usual.
 

Shimo

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ETH needs to be realistic when choosing the line up. We can't start with Eriksen/Case/Bruno midfield or they are really going to overwhelm us. Think he needs to consider starting quite conservative with a midfield of Case/Fred/McT with Rashford/Martial and whomever else. If that means pushing Bruno wide because he must play, then so be it. But, goal should be to let them run rings around us to start, play on the counter and then as game progresses, bring in the likes of Garnacho, Sancho to have a go at them.
 

NoPace

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Looks like 2 of their last 3 Prem losses were against a 3-5-2 (Brentford and Spurs). So maybe try that for an hour.

--------------------Rashford----Martial-------------------
-------------Fred-------Casemiro-----Bruno------------
Malacia-Shaw-Lindelof-Varane-WanBissaka
 

RedCurry

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DDG
AWB——Varane——Lindelof——Shaw
Casemiro
Fred————————Eriksen
Bruno
Garnacho —— Rashford​

Have solid four man midfield. Allow Rashford and Garnacho to stay up without tracking back much. Bruno can join the attack when we have the ball. We will hit them on counter if we don’t completely lose control of the midfield.
 

Red in STL

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That's always a possibility, regardless of the composition of our team. You have a team in mind that guarantees against that?
Weghorst or McT in the 10 role, won't be pretty
 

Bastian

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Weghorst or McT in the 10 role, won't be pretty
I'm suggesting pretty similar, without Weghorst though. The question for me is whether to go with a midfield of Casemiro-Fred-Eriksen, or McTominay instead of Eriksen, with Bruno wide right. Weghorst doesn't offer an outlet, zero pace and no passing ability. At least McTominay has a shot on him and he can run. In this type of match I think that's important.

I just mentioned in the Bruno thread that it will probably upset everyone but him playing there guarantees workrate and hopefully the quick transition pass. I don't think Garnacho starts unless EtH springs a huge surprise and changes formation. 100% want EtH to flood that midfield and limit the space. Don't care how negative it seems, it's probably our best chance.

DDG
AWB Varane Lindelof Shaw
Casemiro Fred
Bruno Eriksen Rashford
Martial

I think i'd be fine with Mctominay in there over Fred and Martial dropped for Sancho and Rashford up top.
The reason I'd go for Garnacho over Sancho is having two players capable of bursting through on the counter. Not dissimilar to how Ole played Rashford and James up top on the counter. Harder for them to track the pair of them and they are the only players we have blessed with pace.

I don't imagine this is a game for Martial.
 

Red in STL

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I'm suggesting pretty similar, without Weghorst though. The question for me is whether to go with a midfield of Casemiro-Fred-Eriksen, or McTominay instead of Eriksen, with Bruno wide right. Weghorst doesn't offer an outlet, zero pace and no passing ability. At least McTominay has a shot on him and he can run. In this type of match I think that's important.



The reason I'd go for Garnacho over Sancho is having two players capable of bursting through on the counter. Not dissimilar to how Ole played Rashford and James up top on the counter. Harder for them to track the pair of them and they are the only players we have blessed with pace.

I don't imagine this is a game for Martial.
It would be a mistake IMO to start Eriksen, Weghorst would be there solely to disrupt and hopefully force a mistake, I think one of him and McT will start, Martial, holding up the ball has been reasonably good this season, it's the rest that's bad, wouldn't discount him starting but I can't see Garnacho or Sancho starting, neither offer enough defensively and we're gonna need that
 

Bastian

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It would be a mistake IMO to start Eriksen, Weghorst would be there solely to disrupt and hopefully force a mistake, I think one of him and McT will start, Martial, holding up the ball has been reasonably good this season, it's the rest that's bad, wouldn't discount him starting but I can't see Garnacho or Sancho starting, neither offer enough defensively and we're gonna need that
It's not cut and dry for me, with Eriksen you get very ineffective defensive shield in the middle, but if he's partnered by both Fred and Casemiro, we have two people capable (even three with Casa) to find Garnacho and Rashford on the break. I'm not one of the loudest Weghorst detractors on here, he's had a role and sometimes executed to an acceptable level. I just don't think he offers more than the alternatives here. With Martial - a tougher question really - you have sort of an outlet, if he's not fallen to the ground hoping the ref blows for a foul. He's 50/50 playing with his back to goal. Doesn't have the pace to be forcing mistakes or causing panic, and he was really sloppy yesterday with his first touch when he probably should have had 2 or 3. I don't see any hunger in him whatsoever, something I think the lesser side will need to have in spades.

For me the biggest question is Eriksen or McTominay (leaning towards Eriksen if we're already as I say with Fred and Casa) and then it's a question of Garnacho, and I'd play him from the start given his pace.
 

Red in STL

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Is Eriksen injured? I don't mind 3 men MF, but Eriksen should start whenever available
It's not cut and dry for me, with Eriksen you get very ineffective defensive shield in the middle, but if he's partnered by both Fred and Casemiro, we have two people capable (even three with Casa) to find Garnacho and Rashford on the break. I'm not one of the loudest Weghorst detractors on here, he's had a role and sometimes executed to an acceptable level. I just don't think he offers more than the alternatives here. With Martial - a tougher question really - you have sort of an outlet, if he's not fallen to the ground hoping the ref blows for a foul. He's 50/50 playing with his back to goal. Doesn't have the pace to be forcing mistakes or causing panic, and he was really sloppy yesterday with his first touch when he probably should have had 2 or 3. I don't see any hunger in him whatsoever, something I think the lesser side will need to have in spades.

For me the biggest question is Eriksen or McTominay (leaning towards Eriksen if we're already as I say with Fred and Casa) and then it's a question of Garnacho, and I'd play him from the start given his pace.
It really depends on which Fred turns up, if it's good Fred then Eriksen is fine, if not the game's lost because that's basically a 1 man midfield of Casemiro

I don't see Garnacho starting, he's quick and exciting but he won't faze Walker, he's best as a sub
 

erikcred

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I think most fans think this, it means it's a free hit really. If we get bummed then who cares, it was expected.
When City and Liverpool thrashed us in second gear last season, it was expected. It still hurt. It'll be the same for the final.

We stopped the Liverpool juggernaut from doing a treble all those years ago. That should be our inspiration.
 

Irwin99

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There does seem to be some pessimism about our chances. Weirdly the Chelsea game and how fast we transitioned at times has made me feel more optimistic about our ability on the counter.

I wasn't around for the 77 final but the fans really got us over the line against Arsenal in the FA cup semi final in 04 (which virtually was the final as the winner played Millwall for the trophy) and I just hope that inspires the players.
 

Red in STL

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There does seem to be some pessimism about our chances. Weirdly the Chelsea game and how fast we transitioned at times has made me feel more optimistic about our ability on the counter.

I wasn't around for the 77 final but the fans really got us over the line against Arsenal in the FA cup semi final in 04 (which virtually was the final as the winner played Millwall for the trophy) and I just hope that inspires the players.
We transitioned well against Chelsea but City would have likely scored most of those chances that Chelsea didn't, if our midfield is bypassed like that we'll be lucky to keep in single figures!
 

Winrar

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We transitioned well against Chelsea but City would have likely scored most of those chances that Chelsea didn't, if our midfield is bypassed like that we'll be lucky to keep in single figures!
Yeah, if we start the final like we did against Chelsea it'll be a repeat of the 6-3 earlier in the season.
 

croadyman

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Where would people rank us in terms of famous FA Cup Final underdogs out of interest
 

always_hoping

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Where would people rank us in terms of famous FA Cup Final underdogs out of interest
Lower than these five wins.


1973 Sunderland not a top flight team at the time finished 6th in the old Div 2 and beating Leeds the defending champions who had one of their strongest ever teams and was managed by Don Revie.

1976 Southampton like Sunderland finished 6th in Div 2 and beat Man United who finished 3rd in Div 1

1980 West Ham another Div 2 team beating defending champions Arsenal

1988 Wimbledon same Division as Liverpool but had been world’s apart in terms of their performances in the league and all Liverpool was winning at the time in England and Europe, can still remember the pundits before the game whereby the margin of victory for Liverpool was the main debate.

2013 Wigan, The Latics were relegated and Man City the new force expected to hammer them, Wigan’s first ever major trophy and that result got
Mancini sacked.
 

croadyman

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We transitioned well against Chelsea but City would have likely scored most of those chances that Chelsea didn't, if our midfield is bypassed like that we'll be lucky to keep in single figures!
Yeah that's why the pessimism is merited
 

Mr Smith

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I see no reason not to go with our strongest, most attacking team. Party time or bust ...

DdG

AWB Varane Lindelof. Shaw

Casemiro Eriksen

Sancho. Bruno. Rashford

Martial
While I admire your attitude, we know from experience this season that if we play Eriksen alongside Casemiro against City we'll get slaughtered. He just doesn't have the legs to play in midfield at their pace. Also hes been out of form. Pop Fred in there as a disruptor and hope we get the good version of him.
 

redmanx

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DDG
AWB-Varane-Lindelöf-Shaw
Casemiro-Fred
Sancho-Bruno-Garnacho
Rashford

Eriksen and Martial have not been good enough recently. We could do with Fred’s energy. And Garnacho is due a start.
I agree with this, Rashford as the main striker with Sancho and Garnacho wide. Pace will be our most potent weapon and we have to capitalize on that. Id have Eriksen on the bench but Id leave Martial out of the team altogether; we'll need every player to give 100% for every minute theyre on the pitch and Martial seems incapable of doing that and has a bad tendency to disappear during hard matches. If Shaw plays Haaland as well as did previously and Bruno, DDG, Varane, Casemiro all have good games we'll have as good a chance of winning as any other team, but any lack of total commitment will see City give us a real drubbing.
 

redcucumber

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While I admire your attitude, we know from experience this season that if we play Eriksen alongside Casemiro against City we'll get slaughtered. He just doesn't have the legs to play in midfield at their pace. Also hes been out of form. Pop Fred in there as a disruptor and hope we get the good version of him.
Agreed. Eriksen and Garnacho would also be super useful weapons late in the game to find openings.
 

dutchred

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KdB is ineffective when man marked. We have seen this in WC and EC. Put Fred to man mark him the whole game. I agree we cannot start with Eriksen, we can use him if the game is even in the last half hour.
I would play 433
AWB Lindelol Varane Shaw
Bruno Casemiro Fred
Sancho Martial Marcus

Use Garnacho, Eriksen and Pelestri as attacking subs
 

Dr Foo

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DDG
AWB——Varane——Lindelof——Shaw
Casemiro
Fred————————Eriksen
Bruno
Garnacho —— Rashford​

Have solid four man midfield. Allow Rashford and Garnacho to stay up without tracking back much. Bruno can join the attack when we have the ball. We will hit them on counter if we don’t completely lose control of the midfield.
I would go for this too. Only way to accommodate Eriksen in midfield. Not sure whether to save Garnacho for tiring legs in second half
 

Bubz27

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City have pretty much rested all starters today, bar probably Walker and maybe Ake. And from memory, rested a lot/everyone against Chelsea too. Let's hope they won't be fully sharp for the final, and have had a lot of time to think about it as well.
 

bringbackbebe

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I’m looking forward to seeing the chuckle brothers reunited for one last gig, passing the ball between each other, getting caught out, causing the keeper or AWB to have palpitations. Wooo should be good
You have your wish. Let it not be so again next week. :wenger:
 

Irwin99

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David de Gea saved a penalty today. He. Actually. Saved. A. Penalty. :eek: :eek: :eek:

If it goes to a shoot out against City then maybe there is hope :drool:
 

RedCurry

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I would go for this too. Only way to accommodate Eriksen in midfield. Not sure whether to save Garnacho for tiring legs in second half
I considered that. But Walker will likely be on the bench for City and I would rather see Garnacho up against a CB than a proper fullback who can match him for pace.