Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur | Europa League final build-up thread (May 21st)

The Hilton said:
This Spurs team have already beaten us 3 times this season, and they're basically tailor made to beat us; they're physically dominant, press really high and rely on the pace of van de Ven to sweep up when the opposition do break. Given how far behind most of our squad is physically, we'll struggle with this and constantly turn over the ball, which will increase the pressure and the pattern will repeat. We could alleviate it if we were any good at taking our chances, but they'll most likely fall to Garnacho if he starts, and he'll inevitably make a mess of them, which will give Spurs even more confidence.

We need to start a team that can keep up physically, so when Spurs start to tire we haven't already been blown away.
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I was kinda semi joking with my comment. Post match giddiness

The truth is, this game is gonna be difficult. I’m worried about Kulasevski on the right hand side and I’m concerned about being bullied by another premier league team that will want to out muscle us, because they can.

It’s a final between two teams that have many vulnerabilities and I just hope we can score first. I’m excited, but I share everyone’s concerns. It’s been a while since we beat them.
 
.Phil1968 said:
The last time spurs beat us 3 times in a season 89/90 we ended up with a trophy, albeit the FA Cup. Clutching at straws maybe but I'm hanging on to this.
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Nice work!

I think Lineker put one in from about 25 yards against us at OT that season. Probably the only time he ever scored from outside the penalty area.
 
Feels like United’s run to the final has been as hard as it could possibly be. And we are undefeated

Spurs’s run seems to have been as easy as it could possibly have been
 
It's mad to think we have something of a selection headache for this game. There's been times this season where I wasn't bothered who played given how dreadful they've all been

Now though there's a question over whether we play Shaw, and if we do - where. If he goes in the 3 which of Yoro, H or MDL miss out

I'd like to play both Garna and Amad but that would impact on where we play Bruno and also leave little on the bench should we need to change it

The likes of Mainoo and Mount now being fit, I doubt they start but Ruben might go with one of them in the 10s for a bit more control

And then there's Rasmus, I know he's bundled a couple in lately but I'm still not convinced he's offering enough, if he has to be sacrificed so we can start Garna and Amad then maybe that's what we do
 
Red_Aaron said:
It's mad to think we have something of a selection headache for this game. There's been times this season where I wasn't bothered who played given how dreadful they've all been

Now though there's a question over whether we play Shaw, and if we do - where. If he goes in the 3 which of Yoro, H or MDL miss out

I'd like to play both Garna and Amad but that would impact on where we play Bruno and also leave little on the bench should we need to change it

The likes of Mainoo and Mount now being fit, I doubt they start but Ruben might go with one of them in the 10s for a bit more control

And then there's Rasmus, I know he's bundled a couple in lately but I'm still not convinced he's offering enough, if he has to be sacrificed so we can start Garna and Amad then maybe that's what we do
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He just does nothing to justify starting. Struggles holding the ball up despite his size, makes wrong decisions in passing, can’t win headers, poor finishing maybe due to lack of confidence.

Maybe we play with a false 9 to get in Bruno, Amad and Garnacho?
 
Spurs have so many out for this. Maddison, Dragusin, Bergvall and Son. We've just got to make sure we keep calm, should get it done.
 
.Phil1968 said:
The last time spurs beat us 3 times in a season 89/90 we ended up with a trophy, albeit the FA Cup. Clutching at straws maybe but I'm hanging on to this.
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Not as bad as Robbie from AFTV loosely connecting the fact that every time a Pope has died an English team has won the Champions League :lol:
 
It’s strange. I’m nervous and pessimistic because they seem to have our number.

Just got to hope Spurs so what Spurs love to do.
 
Red_Aaron said:
It's mad to think we have something of a selection headache for this game. There's been times this season where I wasn't bothered who played given how dreadful they've all been

Now though there's a question over whether we play Shaw, and if we do - where. If he goes in the 3 which of Yoro, H or MDL miss out

I'd like to play both Garna and Amad but that would impact on where we play Bruno and also leave little on the bench should we need to change it

The likes of Mainoo and Mount now being fit, I doubt they start but Ruben might go with one of them in the 10s for a bit more control

And then there's Rasmus, I know he's bundled a couple in lately but I'm still not convinced he's offering enough, if he has to be sacrificed so we can start Garna and Amad then maybe that's what we do
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Amad right wing back. Garnacho LAM.
I'd be tempted to go Fernandes and Casemiro as midfield two with Mainoo as the RAM.

Alternative is maybe play Fernandes as a false nine with Amad and Garnacho either side. Similar to how we played the cup final last year.
 
We have already seen Newcastle end their trophy drought this season.. we cant let Spurs win something..

That said, I have no faith in our players.. they can lose to anyone..
 
LordSpud said:
Spurs have so many out for this. Maddison, Dragusin, Bergvall and Son. We've just got to make sure we keep calm, should get it done.
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Think Son is back training but they're being cautious with him , I would expect him to play in the final, he's too important to them. Hopefully he's well off it
 
KStandBarmyArmy1993 said:
Amad right wing back. Garnacho LAM.
I'd be tempted to go Fernandes and Casemiro as midfield two with Mainoo as the RAM.

Alternative is maybe play Fernandes as a false nine with Amad and Garnacho either side. Similar to how we played the cup final last year.
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I don't like Amad at WB, I want him in that final 3rd as much as possible but it's certainly an option. Dalot is another question mark too as he's been ever present when fit, if he's back that's another selection consideration

I don't see Amorim going away from Case and Ugarte as the 2 - that's nailed on in my mind

Bruno at false 9 is the question, he was brilliant in the lyon 2nd leg spinning in behind and he holds the ball up better than anyone else in the squad but it would mean losing his influence deeper

I guess at very least we should have a strong bench for a change
 
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It really would be a nightmare losing to this Spurs side. Not only is it Spurs, who are the notorious bottlers, but there is the history on the site with Glaston and of course our favourite mate, Ange.
 
Garnacho - Mount - Bruno
Dorgu - ugarte - Cas - Amad
Yoro - Harry - Maz
Onana

Mount and Bruno interchanging. I dont think Rasmus offers much up front and Mount is scoring again so should start
 
Red_Aaron said:
It's mad to think we have something of a selection headache for this game. There's been times this season where I wasn't bothered who played given how dreadful they've all been

Now though there's a question over whether we play Shaw, and if we do - where. If he goes in the 3 which of Yoro, H or MDL miss out

I'd like to play both Garna and Amad but that would impact on where we play Bruno and also leave little on the bench should we need to change it

The likes of Mainoo and Mount now being fit, I doubt they start but Ruben might go with one of them in the 10s for a bit more control

And then there's Rasmus, I know he's bundled a couple in lately but I'm still not convinced he's offering enough, if he has to be sacrificed so we can start Garna and Amad then maybe that's what we do
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I would use Garnacho off the bench. That's when he seems best. Start Armad. Torn between starting Ugarte or Mount. Hojlund has to play as he's the only fit striker.
 
LordSpud said:
Spurs have so many out for this. Maddison, Dragusin, Bergvall and Son. We've just got to make sure we keep calm, should get it done.
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Are they definitely out for the final?

Anyway, I think their key players are available, i.e kulusevksi who will tear dorgu a new one and van Der ven who just mops up everything at the back.
 
groovyalbert said:
Onana

Yoro
Maguire
Shaw

Maz
Casemiro
Bruno (c)
Dorgu

Amad
Mount

Hojlund
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Agree 100% Bruno to start next to Case, read somewhere that he is in top 10 for defensive mid stats this season as well as all the goals and assists he picks up, think Ugarte is too unpredictable at present.

Maddison and Son being out is a bonus

I know Spuds have beaten us 3 times this season, but 2 of those games we could and should have won, if we can get one game where we can finish decently we are in with a shout
 
I can see a feck up from any of the Lindelof, Dorgu or Onana. Other than that I think we can field a strong team which should beat them.
 
I hope we stop the experiment of too many defenders and defensive players in general for the final and start our most technical players. Spurs will press and hound us with their high line, good attacking teams with good technical players will annihilate them (like Liverpool did recently). Whereas the reason for our losses is because we play our defensive players who are technically also shit and they provide a trigger to press and eventually you give them the opportunities in good positions, one thing spurs don't lack is goal scorers and finishers. In most matches against them this season, when given chances they have taken them i would trust the likes of Son, Solanke, Johnsen as against Hojlund, Zhirkee, Garnacho etc.

So its critical we start with this team. I would try to put Lindelof, Dorgu, Ugarte and Hojlund as far away from the team possible. They will keep losing them at critical areas for them to attack us and create chances.

Onana
Maz De Ligt Maguire Yoro Shaw
Casemiro Maino
Amad Bruno
Mount/Garnacho
 
Fahad Jawaid said:
I hope we stop the experiment of too many defenders and defensive players in general for the final and start our most technical players. Spurs will press and hound us with their high line, good attacking teams with good technical players will annihilate them (like Liverpool did recently). Whereas the reason for our losses is because we play our defensive players who are technically also shit and they provide a trigger to press and eventually you give them the opportunities in good positions, one thing spurs don't lack is goal scorers and finishers. In most matches against them this season, when given chances they have taken them i would trust the likes of Son, Solanke, Johnsen as against Hojlund, Zhirkee, Garnacho etc.

So its critical we start with this team. I would try to put Lindelof, Dorgu, Ugarte and Hojlund as far away from the team possible. They will keep losing them at critical areas for them to attack us and create chances.

Onana
Maz De Ligt Maguire Yoro Shaw
Casemiro Maino
Amad Bruno
Mount/Garnacho
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Ugarte wasn't good tonight but think you are being harsh here, the whole team was panicked and he still won the ball back a fair bit as well I think I would ask him to keep it more simple but his energy is absolutely vital.

I feel similar in regards to Rasmus but I don't see how Mount or Garnacho are going to win the duels physically or battle in the air? I think Hojlund has to start but again Mount from the bench is a dangerous option.
 
LawCharltonBest said:
Feels like United’s run to the final has been as hard as it could possibly be. And we are undefeated

Spurs’s run seems to have been as easy as it could possibly have been
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Agreed. We've had a lot of tough away fixtures this campaign. Porto, Fenerbace, Bilbao, Lyon, Sociedad...
 
Maureen-yo said:
Me too. If he is available, who would you swap out from that back 3, Maguire?
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Maguire, yeah. I think we only need one of the heavier and less mobile CBs. I put De Ligt and Maguire in the same category there.

I do like De Ligt a bit better, but it's not a huge difference. Maguire has been fine lately (besides his misplaced passes yesterday).
 
Play like we have against Bilbao in both legs and we’ve got a chance. Play like we have against Spurs themselves twice in the league and we’re fecked.

We’re improving, but still losing against Wolves and the like. Will be a very difficult game

Would also look for ways to drop Hojlund and Garnacho. Need to pay attention to how much better we were in the second half yesterday after some subs, Mount was class and Garnacho was shite yet again. Hojlund offers absolutely nothing - but we have no alternative?
 
IF we lose to spurs in a final, I might give up football for a while.

Christ i'm nervous already!
 
We should have more "big game" players (Yoro, Mazraoui, Maguire, Case, Bruno, Amad) with great mentality to win this. Mount finding form is also a great plus. It's gonna be tough but I have trust in the team and manager!
 
I've just looked into these 3 games we've played against them this season.

The most recent was a tight 1-0 affair with Spurs scoring early at home.

The cup game was a similarly "tight" game which Spurs won 4-3 in the end.

The first one was the one Bruno got sent off in the first half and they won 3-0 scoring once before the red and twice after.

So these two teams are very close as the results (and table) shows. But I think this crazy run of not beating them since October 2022 surely HAS to end somewhen right? And this being their first final since the CL game against Liverpool, they will feel enormous pressure.
 
LordSpud said:
I've just looked into these 3 games we've played against them this season.

The most recent was a tight 1-0 affair with Spurs scoring early at home.

The cup game was a similarly "tight" game which Spurs won 4-3 in the end.

The first one was the one Bruno got sent off in the first half and they won 3-0 scoring once before the red and twice after.

So these two teams are very close as the results (and table) shows. But I think this crazy run of not beating them since October 2022 surely HAS to end somewhen right? And this being their first final since the CL game against Liverpool, they will feel enormous pressure.
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The cup game wasn't tight at all, we were terrible and they were 3-0 up at some point. We managed some goals at the end the last one coming before the final whistle.
 
So sad to see Bodø/Glimt did not slice them up. Also, they might have done a 1-off against United on a bad day with the United-fans feeling even more unhappy. I think it will be a 3-2 after being 0-1 down at half time.
About 3 at the back. Does anyone remember this trio?
BBC Juventus
 
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