[Random Task]

http://www.skysports.com/share/12187526

Looks like Jason McAteer has done the team talk for us. Absolute numpty.

Standard baiting from an ex-player a few days before the derby. We should expect a retort from Scholes or the like very soon.

Something along the lines of: "the one universal truth in football is the table never lies. But you can't expect Jason McAteer, who was nicknamed 'Trigger' for how dumb he was, to understand that".

 

[SAFMUTD]

I dont quite understand this, when are teams (especially ours) settling for a draw? The aim will always be 3 points.

But you cant go gung-ho against Liverpool in any shape , way or form. The way to get 3 points here is (as against City) to play careful and calculated while hoping the front men click.

Because if you get a goal against, 3 points is practically impossible.

And if you are looking at a title challenge a draw here is good enough, because its one of the most difficult games all season.

When have we settled for a draw? We did against Chelsea and City in this season, I get we can't go all guns out kill or die approach but we must show urgency in winning.

I understand a draw in Anfield wouldn't be a world ending result but ultimately in a close race these games are what make the difference.

 

[Havak]

Love the feeling I get when thinking about the build up to this game.

Almost any result wouldn't surprise me, bar either side winning by a good 4-5 goals without a major incident such as a red card.

Bore draw 0-0? Goal fest 3-3? 2-1 either way? It really could be anything like that. Liverpool's home record is outrageous, similar to Jose's first stint at Chelsea. However, our away from is probably the best we have ever had in the Premier League era without fact-checking (maybe tail end of treble season was undefeated longer). Fixtures between us have actually been pretty mixed since Fergie days as well. Considerable amount of 1-1 & 0-0 draws which I think both managers would be content with, although I doubt they'd admit that

 

[Bulldog United]

We need to stop worrying about Liverpool, they've been dreadful all season. The bigger picture is we're in a title race with Man City, and we cannot afford to drop points against a Liverpool team battling it out for a top four finish.

I suspect Klopp is going to set them up in a negative way, play slow, lots of hoofballs from defence or the half way line, and hope one of our defenders drops a clanger. I'm confident Bailly and Maguire can deal with their Wimbledon-style tactics.

We have enough going forward to tear their injury-stricken defence to pieces. Bruno and Pogba are both capable of taking advantage of the sloppy passing we've seen often from Liverpool this season.

It would be a massive shot of confidence to end their Anfield fortress record, move six clear of them, and play them off the park. It could really give us so much momentum in the weeks ahead.

If we don't win, I'll be disappointed.

Prediction: Liverpool 0 Man Utd 1
Bruno 89 (Penalty)

 

[Gasolin]

My fear about this game is that Ole will go for 5 at the back using the wingbacks to counter their fullbacks. I seem to remember that he has played that formation before against Liverpool.

Ole has said in the past that James is a 'fantastic defensive winger' so he could put him at right wing-back (he played him there against Leicester where he was rubbish).

Please could somebody reassure me that this is not going to happen and then I can get back to looking forward to the game.

Whatever happens, isn’t it time to trust Ole?

 

[BFernandes]

http://www.skysports.com/share/12187526

Looks like Jason McAteer has done the team talk for us. Absolute numpty.

Can't stand that scouse gimp

 

[Gator Nate]

One thing about Ole: He understands the opposition and plans for them appropriately. I have no doubt he'll have a good set up for how he expects Pool to play. The result of this game will come down entirely to the players' execution of the plan and Klopp's reaction.

But I really think Klopp is getting antsy, and his team are a fair bit less mentally strong than last year. They're having their injuries this year, when they had so few last year. We're just the opposite.

This year's edition of Liverpool are extremely vulnerable. There's a reason they're second after 17 games.

 

[Alemar]

What are the chances we go super defensive and put Dan james as second attacker?

Close to nil. We need to capitalise on their defensive problems, hence need to have firepower upfront

 

[SirScholes]

The difference is - if we put James on the market today - we will easily get our Money back

I don’t think we do, and let’s not get carried away here, why should “well we’d get our money back” matter? It’s irrelevant because he isn’t good enough

He’s a below average player who we carry through games, he breaks up our attack with his lack of control.

The occasion always seems to have the better of him, he is so eager that everything happens at 100mph and loses the ball by running down blind channels

 

[TrustInOle]

We need to stop worrying about Liverpool, they've been dreadful all season. The bigger picture is we're in a title race with Man City, and we cannot afford to drop points against a Liverpool team battling it out for a top four finish.

I suspect Klopp is going to set them up in a negative way, play slow, lots of hoofballs from defence or the half way line, and hope one of our defenders drops a clanger. I'm confident Bailly and Maguire can deal with their Wimbledon-style tactics.

We have enough going forward to tear their injury-stricken defence to pieces. Bruno and Pogba are both capable of taking advantage of the sloppy passing we've seen often from Liverpool this season.

It would be a massive shot of confidence to end their Anfield fortress record, move six clear of them, and play them off the park. It could really give us so much momentum in the weeks ahead.

If we don't win, I'll be disappointed.

Prediction: Liverpool 0 Man Utd 1
Bruno 89 (Penalty)

Dubious foul, just to add to the meltdown.

 

[Adcuth]

100% id go with this

De Gea​

AWB Bailly Maguire Shaw​

McTominay Fred​

Pogba​

Bruno Cavani Rashford​

​

Pogba is in good form but needs to be further forward. Bruno can tend to float wide anyway and we tecnically dont use wingers as actual wingers anyway. If the front 3 play fluid then it will cause thier backline all sorts of problams. Especially given Cavani's experience. Back 4 with McTominay and Fred is sturdy enough and can allow AWB ans shaw to overlap letting Rashford and Bruno to cut inside. Thoughts?

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

http://www.skysports.com/share/12187526

Looks like Jason McAteer has done the team talk for us. Absolute numpty.

These cnuts are rattled! I fecking love it.

 

[Stookie]

Nah, not Liverpool. Old Trafford over Anfield any day of the week.

I know what you mean but Uniteds home form this season is appalling. Whilst Liverpool seem unbeatable at home recently I just think (hope) United are going to end that run. It shouldn’t be as intense, Especially without the crowd.

 

[Red00012]

We need to stop worrying about Liverpool, they've been dreadful all season. The bigger picture is we're in a title race with Man City, and we cannot afford to drop points against a Liverpool team battling it out for a top four finish.

I suspect Klopp is going to set them up in a negative way, play slow, lots of hoofballs from defence or the half way line, and hope one of our defenders drops a clanger. I'm confident Bailly and Maguire can deal with their Wimbledon-style tactics.

We have enough going forward to tear their injury-stricken defence to pieces. Bruno and Pogba are both capable of taking advantage of the sloppy passing we've seen often from Liverpool this season.

It would be a massive shot of confidence to end their Anfield fortress record, move six clear of them, and play them off the park. It could really give us so much momentum in the weeks ahead.

If we don't win, I'll be disappointed.

Dream Scenario : Liverpool 0 Man Utd 1
Bruno 89 (Penalty)

Fixed that for you

 

[Relevated]

[

We need to stop worrying about Liverpool, they've been dreadful all season. The bigger picture is we're in a title race with Man City, and we cannot afford to drop points against a Liverpool team battling it out for a top four finish.

I suspect Klopp is going to set them up in a negative way, play slow, lots of hoofballs from defence or the half way line, and hope one of our defenders drops a clanger. I'm confident Bailly and Maguire can deal with their Wimbledon-style tactics.

We have enough going forward to tear their injury-stricken defence to pieces. Bruno and Pogba are both capable of taking advantage of the sloppy passing we've seen often from Liverpool this season.

It would be a massive shot of confidence to end their Anfield fortress record, move six clear of them, and play them off the park. It could really give us so much momentum in the weeks ahead.

If we don't win, I'll be disappointed.

Prediction: Liverpool 0 Man Utd 1
Bruno 89 (Penalty)

How can you say they've been dreadful but they're still 2nd. They shouldn't be taken lightly.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Interesting.

 

[Bulldog United]

[
How can you say they've been dreadful but they're still 2nd. They shouldn't be taken lightly.

They are still second because everyone has been dropping points like crazy.

I've watched a lot of their games this season, and they have been unimpressive going forward, defensively awful (Allison when fit has been great for them), and they look slow, tired and lethargic for big chunks of games.

The one warning sign is they have raised their game against the so-called big teams this season. A bit like the Liverpool of old when next season was always going to be their year.

 

[Bulldog United]

Interesting.

Very cool. I can't wait to see him in action in the first team, whenever that opportunity comes.

 

[Statue of Limitations]

Diallo to announce himself Martial style at Anfield?

Yes please

 

[croadyman]

Diallo to announce himself Martial style at Anfield?

Yes please

I would rather him than Mata/James on the bench but know that is completely wacky idea and Ole is never gonna do it in a million years. The trouble is it has been that long since we have seen a tricky RW I am desperate to see if Diallo could be that and it clouds my judgement.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

We could get an absolute hammering here. If we play like we have been of late, (i.e. conceding early and then coming back to win) I think we are in real trouble. I'd play Matic over Fred because Matic drops back as an auxiliary centerback at times and I'd opt for defense over attack. Fred is too loose with the ball and pushed off it too easily.

 

[dev1l]

 

[sunama]

We haven't won at Anfield, for 5 seasons.
Last win at Anfield was in the 15/06 season.

Given that it's a derby of sorts, I can't call this one.
On the one hand, statistically, we don't win in Liverpool. But on the other hand we know that our players do raise their game against good teams.

I think a draw would be a decent result here, because it will preserve our position in the league.

 

[sunama]

Close to nil. We need to capitalise on their defensive problems, hence need to have firepower upfront

A draw would be good for us, but terrible for them.
Going defensive wouldn't be a bad plan.

 

[Alemar]

A draw would be good for us, but terrible for them.
Going defensive wouldn't be a bad plan.

A draw would result in City taking the lead in the table - that’s not what we want. Of course one may accept a draw against Liverpool, but that’s not what we shall aim for currently (while they have defence problems)

 

[Andersons Dietician]

I remember when Liverpool were in terrible form and Jose took us there and we had been playing well up to this game. If we’d gone there and taken the game to them we’d have beaten them most likely battered their confidence whilst adding to ours.

Instead Jose just shut shop and never intended to do anything other than get a draw. Turns out after that we started to crumble and they went from strength to strength.

We should try to go there and put a fecking marker down and not play it safe.

Makes me think of two qoutes from Niccolò Machiavelli

“Never was anything great achieved without danger.”

“If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.”

Go out put a beating on them and hope they crumble for the remainder of the season.

 

[always_hoping]

First time since 2011 that Man United go to Anfield top of the table.

April 2017 since Liverpool lost a league game in Anfield. 1 goal on average is what Liverpool have conceded in their games in Anfield this season. The opposition get on average 3 shots on target and have on average 35% possession of the ball against them against them.

Plenty of pundits and punters will be predicting a Liverpool win but with Uniteds away form I think a 1-1 draw looks the most likely result.

 

[lysglimt]

I don’t think we do, and let’s not get carried away here, why should “well we’d get our money back” matter? It’s irrelevant because he isn’t good enough

He’s a below average player who we carry through games, he breaks up our attack with his lack of control.

The occasion always seems to have the better of him, he is so eager that everything happens at 100mph and loses the ball by running down blind channels

Of course it makes a difference. Signing a talented 21 year old for less than £20 million was a risk worth taking - and I am pretty certain clubs at the bottom half of the table would want him for £20 million.

 

[DeGea]

This is like a Champions League final for us. Every single player in the team should feel like this is the biggest game of their life.
Beat Liverpool and beat them well, and we are looking at sky high levels of confidence and it will put us in good stead for the remainder of the season. It's all about the mental side of the game now, I don't think Liverpool are that far ahead of us this season in terms of ability but mentally they are used to wining now and know how to do it. We have to get to that level, and the only way to do it is to win these big games.
There will be a little element of fear/doubt in the United's players minds but they have to get this out of the system if they want to reach the top. Need to be in utter control from the first minute and concentrate.

 

[USREDEVIL]

We need to stop worrying about Liverpool, they've been dreadful all season. The bigger picture is we're in a title race with Man City, and we cannot afford to drop points against a Liverpool team battling it out for a top four finish.

I suspect Klopp is going to set them up in a negative way, play slow, lots of hoofballs from defence or the half way line, and hope one of our defenders drops a clanger. I'm confident Bailly and Maguire can deal with their Wimbledon-style tactics.

We have enough going forward to tear their injury-stricken defence to pieces. Bruno and Pogba are both capable of taking advantage of the sloppy passing we've seen often from Liverpool this season.

It would be a massive shot of confidence to end their Anfield fortress record, move six clear of them, and play them off the park. It could really give us so much momentum in the weeks ahead.

If we don't win, I'll be disappointed.

Prediction: Liverpool 0 Man Utd 1
Bruno 89 (Penalty)

Klopps head explodes. Schnitzel comes out.

 

[VivaRonaldo85]

DDG (GK)

AWB (RB)
Bailly (RCB)
Maguire (LCB)
Shaw (LB)

McTominay (RM)
Fred (CM)
Pogba (LM)

Fernandes (ACM)

Rashford (LCF)
Cavani (RCF)

Play a 4-3-1-2 system. It gets an in form Pogba still in the team working with Shaw and Rashford to destroy TAA on their right side. It plays Rashford more left of centre rather than that right sided position. It has McTominay teaming up with AWB to nullify Robertson their most dangerous attacking threat. I think this could work well for us.

1-2 (Bruno & McTominay with the goals)

 

[SirScholes]

Of course it makes a difference. Signing a talented 21 year old for less than £20 million was a risk worth taking - and I am pretty certain clubs at the bottom half of the table would want him for £20 million.

Forget about whether or not we should sign him, we already have, and I agree a worthy risk at the time but hindsight shows it’s a waste of money

I’m talking about him playing in one of our biggest games since fergie retired, and he should be absolutely f***ing nowhere near the first team because whilst he might run about, we need people who actually contribute to our attacking play. he is a kick and run merchant who has no thought process other than “I must run”

 

[TMDaines]

Hate to say it, but we have been so, so poor in these big domestic games recently. I just cannot see us scoring, unless Liverpool concede a penalty.

 

[Maxii]

Hate to say it, but we have been so, so poor in these big domestic games recently. I just cannot see us scoring, unless Liverpool concede a penalty.

A 95th minute penalty to win 1-0 would be beautiful

 

[ayushreddevil9]

A 95th minute penalty to win 1-0 would be beautiful

And when total added time was 3 minutes

 

[Maxii]

And when total added time was 3 minutes

 

[Irwin99]

Could be a really feisty game as we're meeting more or less as equals in terms of how close we are in the league. Seems a long time since we could say that. Also got to play them again in a weeks time

I still think it's intriguing how both managers approach this. I hope Ole isn't over cautious as I don't think there's a better time to play them than now.

 

[PoTMS]

Got a feeling this will end up being a really boring draw followed by a cracker in the cup a week later. I'll take it.

 

[RuudTom83]

Overly cautious has been Ole’s approach so far in games against the big boys...and you can’t really knock it, when he has gotten the team to first place in the league.

But I hope he goes for it! I will forgive him if it fails miserably.

C’mon United!

 

[Shane88]

Has the ref been announced yet? Presumably it's Oliver.