[Mciahel Goodman]

After this, three games in a week. I'm expecting rotation as this group is all but won.

-------------de Gea
Darmian--Smalling--Lindelof--Blind
-----Herrera--Pogba--Fellaini
-Mkhitaryan--Lukaku--Mata

 

[SaradM]

I think it will be 4 at the back. Gone for Valencia Smalling Lindelof and Blind at the back. Pogba / Herrera in the middle and then Lingard Mkhi and Martial behind Lukakku.

Ibra to come in for Kaku for the last 15-20 mins.

 

[TheSwedeFromSweden]

Do you guys really think Zlatan is ready physically?

 

[Pexbo]

Do you guys really think Zlatan is ready physically?

For the last 20 minutes at most.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Do you guys really think Zlatan is ready physically?

He was for the last game, again I think he will come of the bench for the last 20-15 mins.

 

[VP89]

Do you guys really think Zlatan is ready physically?

Mourinho said he will bring him on if we are winning for a bit longer than the 10 or so minutes he played in the earlier game. So yeah probably 20-25 mins if we are winning the game.

 

[Havak]

After the presser,

I think it will be 4 at the back. Gone for Valencia Smalling Lindelof and Blind at the back. Pogba / Herrera in the middle and then Lingard Mkhi and Martial behind Lukakku.

Ibra to come in for Kaku for the last 15-20 mins.

Valencia hasn't traveled, just FYI. He will rarely play Cup Games this season, until we reach the Knock Out Stages here and potentially get to the last eight in the FA Cup.

 

[AngliaRed]

I literally have no clue whos gonna play tonight, very hard to read how Jose is gonna go. The only real certainties are:
DDG
Darmian
smalling
matic
pogba
Rashford and/or Martial
Lukaku

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Do you guys really think Zlatan is ready physically?

Jose has said he won't start, so not completely ready. They really do have to tread carefully with him.

 

[Player Red]

I think it will be 4 at the back. Gone for Valencia Smalling Lindelof and Blind at the back. Pogba / Herrera in the middle and then Lingard Mkhi and Martial behind Lukakku.

Ibra to come in for Kaku for the last 15-20 mins.

I will be nice and let you know that Valencia isn't in the squad.

 

[BusbyMalone]

Play Pogba for another 60 mins then sub him. Game time is important. Would also bring Ibra on for the last 20 minutes or so.

Perhaps Rojo is he's fit enough.

 

[OldTrevil]

Smalling, Pogba and Lukaku all confirmed as starting.

I think Mourinho will go pretty much as strong as possible essentially as we're not qualified yet - and he'll be able to get away with resting some vs Brighton because of who they are and the depth of the squad again now. Romero/Shaw/Tuanzebe/McTominay etc can play in the final group game at home against that ropey Moscow side.

When did Mou confirm him as starting? Unless I've missed something, he last said Pogba needed to be carefully assessed for tonight's game, there was no certainties of him starting at all.

 

[Havak]

Players I think are likely to start given the presser and traveling squad:

de Gea - If he isn't starting, I'm not sure why he'd go. Same with Valencia, if he travels he's almost guaranteed to start. Romero's chance will be the CSKA game where de Gea will probably be left out of the squad entirely.

Smalling - Did the presser and Bailly & Jones are both out and thus haven't traveled. Not quite sure how ready Rojo is, but you have to assume it's a similar level to Ibrahimovic wherein he's probably only going to play half an hour at best? I know he played 45 minutes in the reserves so there is a chance he starts though. However, with the shakiness of Lindelof and fitness of Rojo, Smalling has to play (again, he's another who will probably miss the final group game).

Matic - I don't think he'll be rested just yet, Jose will want to be hard to beat here and provide the best protection to either Lindelof or Rojo.

Lukaku - Ibrahimovic not ready to start, it'll probably be one of Rashford / Martial on the left. Romelu got his goal after a dry spell, hopefully we can keep him scoring.

That's probably our current best 'spine'. Best goalkeeper, and our biggest, most powerful, most fit and in form players in the other respective positions down the centre of the team. Go with that and then fill in the rest of the gaps with players more akin to squad players. I think that's the way Jose is likely to go tonight.

The rest, I'm not quite as sure. Young or Darmian at RB? Blind, Shaw, or Rojo at LB? Fellaini or Herrea? Or Both? A lot of that depends on whether it is three in midfield or three at the back, as I really think it will be one of those and not a 4231 of some kind with a proper no.10.

I think both of these are likely:

de Gea
Lindelof Smalling Rojo
Young Herrera Matic Shaw
Mkhitaryan
Lukaku Rashford

de Gea
Darmian Smalling Lindelof Blind
Herrera Matic Fellaini
Lingard Lukaku Martial​

Probably gonna roll with one of these as my line-up picks, coin flip time...

 

[Android1974]

Mourinho said he will bring him on if we are winning for a bit longer than the 10 or so minutes he played in the earlier game. So yeah probably 20-25 mins if we are winning the game.

He actually said he's useful if we are winning and if we are losing, meaning, he will feature in every game.

 

[M Bison]

No way i'd be starting Pogba. As the last few weeks have shown, we cant afford an injury to him. Wrap him in cotton wool and keep him warm and cosy.

Cant believe im about to say it but i'd have Fellaini in CM (hurts to type that) along with Herrera and McTominay. Mikhi and Lingard off Zlatan.

I'd be giving Shaw a start too, unlikely i know but i would.

 

[VP89]

He actually said he's useful if we are winning and if we are losing, meaning, he will feature in every game.

Oh really, apologies must have misinterpreted him.

 

[ZAGREB RED]

Finding it hard to predict a lineup tonight, must have been through at least 10 permutations...

 

[whatwha]

No way i'd be starting Pogba. As the last few weeks have shown, we cant afford an injury to him. Wrap him in cotton wool and keep him warm and cosy.

Cant believe im about to say it but i'd have Fellaini in CM (hurts to type that) along with Herrera and McTominay. Mikhi and Lingard off Zlatan.

I'd be giving Shaw a start too, unlikely i know but i would.

Pogba needs game time though. He should be okay with 45 or 60 minutes.

 

[SachinJ22]

Mchitarjan? At least they could have googled him to get the correct spelling, are they living in the stone age?

 

[villain]

Think Rojo will start personally, alongside Smalling, Darmian & Blind.

Then on the weekend, Smalling will be rested in favour of Bailly.

Mhiki will come back in the squad, and Lingard will take the place of Rashford.

Midfield, I hope Matic is rested but if so, I don't think Jose trusts Herrera in a 2-man midfield, which could also mean Fellaini playing.

 

[Kant-ona]

Mchitarjan? At least they could have googled him to get the correct spelling, are they living in the stone age?

As far as I know is Mchitarjan a correct spelling. The english transcription is Mkhitaryan, isn't it?

More precisely, as far as I know, that guy is called Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան. Right? And now you have to translate this name. In German, the correct translation is Mchitarjan. So... no stone age at all.

 

[villain]

As far as I know is Mchitarjan a correct spelling. The english transcription is Mkhitaryan, isn't it?

More precisely, as far as I know, that guy is called Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան. Right? And now you have to translate this name. In German, the correct translation is Mchitarjan. So... no stone age at all.

Great post.

 

[Tincanalley]

As far as I know is Mchitarjan a correct spelling. The english transcription is Mkhitaryan, isn't it?

More precisely, as far as I know, that guy is called Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան. Right? And now you have to translate this name. In German, the correct translation is Mchitarjan. So... no stone age at all.

I believe you. Still think Miki will come good,

 

[GM K]

I literally have no clue whos gonna play tonight, very hard to read how Jose is gonna go. The only real certainties are:
DDG
Darmian
smalling
matic
pogba
Rashford and/or Martial
Lukaku

Matic needs to be wrapped warmly, kept safe somewhere and unleashed against Brighton. That's our most important player this season

 

[Android1974]

Mchitarjan? At least they could have googled him to get the correct spelling, are they living in the stone age?

So glad you know Armenian: Մխիթարյան.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I'd start Shaw tonight. If he can't be trusted to start this game then when will he be?

I think he will play Lindelof tonight to try and build his confidence a bit. Expecting Lingard and Fellaini to come in aswell, possibly Blind.

 

[Android1974]

Matic needs to be wrapped warmly, kept safe somewhere and unleashed against Brighton. That's our most important player this season

After two weeks not playing, maybe he's more close to being rusty.

 

[M Bison]

Pogba needs game time though. He should be okay with 45 or 60 minutes.

Imagine if he gets injured though in whats almost a nothing game

 

[peridigm]

I'd start Shaw tonight. If he can't be trusted to start this game then when will he be?

I think he will play Lindelof tonight to try and build his confidence a bit. Expecting Lingard and Fellaini to come in aswell, possibly Blind.

This is not a match for a bunch of un-fits and reserves. Basel will want to win this and will be up for it. We'll start a strong squad.

 

[villain]

Imagine if he gets injured though in whats almost a nothing game

Definitely not a nothing game. If Basel lose but CSKA win or draw, then they're out.
They will go for the win.

 

[prtk0811]

This is not a match for a bunch of un-fits and reserves. Basel will want to win this and will be up for it. We'll start a strong squad.

These kind of statements are depresssing.

 

[AngliaRed]

Matic needs to be wrapped warmly, kept safe somewhere and unleashed against Brighton. That's our most important player this season

I strongly agree with this! Rest him and bring Herrera or Fellani in

 

[MThomas]

I'll be gutted if Mkhi is back in the starting lineup again.

 

[Vanya]

I'll be gutted if Mkhi is back in the starting lineup again.

Why? Doesnt he deserve a chance to play himself into form, especially in time for the arsenal and city games?

 

[christinaa]

How is the score in Moscow effecting our game right now??

We still need a draw methinks.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

How is the score in Moscow effecting our game right now??

We still need a draw methinks.

Yes. Nothing has changed. Think it would have changed if Benfica won. We would be qualified already.

 

[MThomas]

Why? Doesnt he deserve a chance to play himself into form, especially in time for the arsenal and city games?

Considering the amount of time he's been given to play himself into form, while being utter useless, I'd rather see someone else being given that chance for the time being.

 

[christinaa]

Yes. Nothing has changed. Think it would have changed if Benfica won. We would be qualified already.

Thanks DT

 

[Hansa]

How is the score in Moscow effecting our game right now??

We still need a draw methinks.

Even two defeats (and Basel beating Benfica to make 3 teams finish on 12 points) will probably see us through, unless we lose heavily.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Even two defeats (and Basel beating Benfica to make 3 teams finish on 12 points) will probably see us through, unless we lose heavily.

Yes. We would need to ship a load of goals. Cannot see us not winning in the last game.