[OmarUnited4ever]

Dias & Laporte on the bench.

Are they not fit to start?

 

[NewGlory]

Come on now, our full-back's aren't better than theirs.

Separately, they are not, I agree, but as a whole, our defense is still better. Malacia and Dalot are formidable and Varane/Martinez are mouthwateringly good. Hope De Gea is not in one of his "gonna shit the bed" moods, today. We need him to be his best.

 

[bosnian_red]

Casemiro situation is becoming very strange for me.

Nothing strange, McTominay has been excellent and doesn't deserve to be dropped and that's it. It sends the wrong message to drop him when he's been excellent in every game since Casemiro joined. He'll get his time.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Still think City will have too much for us, but do think we will give them a game. Nervous excitement, come on the reds!

 

[wangyu]

I have really underestimated Ten Hag’s resolve again. I was sure Ronaldo would start especially since both Martial and Rashford were minor doubts. I just love how he sticks to his opinion, he is a strong willed guy!
We really have to stick behind him, we cannot let the media attack him when things go badly agai. I really think this is the manager we need going forward!

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

We've got a chance against that City defence.

 

[Devil81]

Casemiro situation is becoming very strange for me.

If he'd come to us from a lesser side I would just say he's got to bide his time but I seriously doubt he was sold the dream based on being on our bench.

I'm with you, it's a bit of a worry.

 

[croadyman]

First time in years we face City without any injuries just days before games

 

[Dan_F]

BM more nervous than we are

Hilarious considering I don’t think there’s a pundit out there who has picked up to win.

 

[ChorltonReds]

Think Casemiro was definitely signed by the board and Ten Hag only agreed once he realised de Jong wasn't coming. Similar to the van de beek and Fred signings. Especially as Spanish reports say Perez was touting him around for sale all summer.

Still plenty of time for him to become an important player though.

Glad Ronaldo is only on the bench.

 

[croadyman]

If he'd come to us from a lesser side I would just say he's got to bide his time but I seriously doubt he was sold the dream based on being on our bench.

I'm with you, it's a bit of a worry.

I don't think Erik expected Scott to step up so much when he came in,really think it's caught him by surprise and can't argue with that.

 

[cyberman]

Casemiro situation is becoming very strange for me.

Playing the man on white hot form. It would be a crime to drop Scott and he’s rightfully in the starting line up

 

[NewGlory]

Rob Dawson has already reported that Casemiro was the only signing that was initiated by the recruitment team and not ETH. That’s understandable as we know ETH wanted FDJ but it wasn’t attainable.

Dawson also said ETH was wary of disrupting team spirit by dropping a player who’s been playing really well (Mctominay) just to replace him for a big name. He said ETH wants players to know you’ll get rewarded and punished based on performances and not names.

Makes sense (re: McT) and I respect that a lot, even if I think McT can never be half the player that Casemiro is at his best Also, not sure Casemiro is his best yet in this new league, but either way - rewarding McT for a good form makes sense and EtH is fully in his right to make such decisions. He's the boss.

 

[Prodigy24]

How have Ake and Akanji been playin together? Seems like it's their weak link today considering it's not their starting CB's.

 

[Giggsy13]

No real holding midfielder for city and nice Dias and Laporte are not starting. There should be some space behind the city line that could be exploited

 

[Tom Van Persie]

'Malicia' ffs Neville.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Rashford brace.

 

[hellhunter]

Rashford brace.

FFS my stream is behind again

 

[Catt]

Think City will have too much for United today, but still feeling rather optimistic about the season.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Rob Dawson has already reported that Casemiro was the only signing that was initiated by the recruitment team and not ETH. That’s understandable as we know ETH wanted FDJ but it wasn’t attainable.

Dawson also said ETH was wary of disrupting team spirit by dropping a player who’s been playing really well (Mctominay) just to replace him for a big name. He said ETH wants players to know you’ll get rewarded and punished based on performances and not names.

Fair enough, just seems a waste of money (not unusual for our recruitment team) - if you pay that sort of money and wages on a player, they should be a first choice player.

 

[DJ_21]

City back line is pretty fast. They’ve got tons of creativity.

 

[Chief123]

How have Ake and Akanji been playin together? Seems like it's their weak link today considering it's not their starting CB's.

They haven’t. It’s their first game together.

 

[Chief123]

Fair enough, just seems a waste of money (not unusual for our recruitment team) - if you pay that sort of money and wages on a player, they should be a first choice player.

It’s still too early because he’s not been bad whenever he’s been brought on. I’ve got full confidence Casemiro will be a key player for us this season. We’ll see him start in the next couple of games for sure.

 

[The_Midfielder]

The first goal is the key

 

[Dan_F]

City back line is pretty fast. They’ve got tons of creativity.

It’s a team designed to have about 75% possession for sure.

 

[DJ_21]

It’s a team designed to have about 75% possession for sure.

Also trying to cut out our counter attacks with there defence. Not much defence in there midfield though.

 

[-Supreme-]

Nothing strange, McTominay has been excellent and doesn't deserve to be dropped and that's it. It sends the wrong message to drop him when he's been excellent in every game since Casemiro joined. He'll get his time.

Agreed. Particularly when Ole always played his favourites regardless of form and it sends the wrong message when this was a huge issue that needed addressing by the current head coach.

 

[Catt]

I don't like Fjørtoft. Yikes!

 

[bosnian_red]

Agreed. Particularly when Ole always played his favourites regardless of form and it sends the wrong message when this was a huge issue that needed addressing by the current head coach.

Yep. Later on it'll be different, but early in Ten Hags career i think he wants to make it clear that if you perform, you'll play regardless of the fixture.

 

[croadyman]

Fair enough, just seems a waste of money (not unusual for our recruitment team) - if you pay that sort of money and wages on a player, they should be a first choice player.

Yeah will admit I am surprised,if Erik wasn't convinced then should have put foot down unlike Ole with Donny. However convinced De Jong boat has sailed so needs to look elsewhere now.

 

[marktan]

Hmm that lineup looks a bit too attacking for me. Ole showed the way was to sit back and counter. Hopefully the rest outside Mctominay also come back and defend.

Would've liked Martial for his hold up play too.

 

[dinostar77]

Dias & Laporte on the bench.

Are they not fit to start?

I wondered that. Seems madness not to start them.

 

[Catt]

I can't bother with Haaland tv.

 

[DJ_21]

Haaland is huge isn’t he. Never realised how big he was

 

[croadyman]

Hmm that lineup looks a bit too attacking for me. Ole showed the way was to sit back and counter. Hopefully the rest outside Mctominay also come back and defend.

Would've liked Martial for his hold up play too.

He made the bench which is a huge bonus,wasn't going to be ready to start

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Stones, Diaz, Laporte out?

 

[JuriM]

Seeing how results have gone this weekend and how tough October will be for all - if things stand at a draw by the 75th min I guess both sides are rather pleased with it rather than lose the whole 3 points.

Calling it a 1-1.

 

[-Supreme-]

Yep. Later on it'll be different, but early in Ten Hags career i think he wants to make it clear that if you perform, you'll play regardless of the fixture.

And this will only going to make us stronger as everyone needs to fight to play regularly.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Agreed. Particularly when Ole always played his favourites regardless of form and it sends the wrong message when this was a huge issue that needed addressing by the current head coach.

Ole always played what he felt was his best team and ended up running them into the ground. Arteta is doing the same right now and eventually Ten Hag will have to rotate as well.

 

[Dan_F]

Also trying to cut out our counter attacks with there defence. Not much defence in there midfield though.

Speed or no speed, I’d say it’s their two worst centre backs playing, and they probably haven’t played together much. If Bruno has a good day with his passing then we’ll have some joy, especially if we nick the first goal.