Lets say you are SAF for these 2 games..
What would be your team against Sunderland and your team against Porto.
What would be your team against Sunderland and your team against Porto.
Your Team against Sunderland and Porto ?
- Thread starter The_Midfielder
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Sunderland
VDS
Neville O Shea Vidic Evra
Nani Fletcher Carrick Park
Tevez Rooney
Ronaldo to come on if needed, Eckersley/Fabio to come on if we're confortably ahead in the full back positions. Don't risk Evans or Ferdinand. This is presuming Rooney isn't out, otherwise Ronaldo for Rooney.
Porto
VDS
O Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Fletcher Scholes
Ronaldo
Tevez Rooney
Ronaldo with the free role so he can drift about the place.
VDS
Neville O Shea Vidic Evra
Nani Fletcher Carrick Park
Tevez Rooney
Ronaldo to come on if needed, Eckersley/Fabio to come on if we're confortably ahead in the full back positions. Don't risk Evans or Ferdinand. This is presuming Rooney isn't out, otherwise Ronaldo for Rooney.
Porto
VDS
O Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Fletcher Scholes
Ronaldo
Tevez Rooney
Ronaldo with the free role so he can drift about the place.
Sunderland
Neville Vidic Oshea Evra
Nani Fletcher Carrick Park
tevez
Marcheda/Welbeck
Rooney and Ronaldo in the bench
Neviile Rio Vidic Evra
Fletcher Carrick
Scholes/Giggs
Tevez Rooney Ronaldo
Neville Vidic Oshea Evra
Nani Fletcher Carrick Park
tevez
Marcheda/Welbeck
Rooney and Ronaldo in the bench
Neviile Rio Vidic Evra
Fletcher Carrick
Scholes/Giggs
Tevez Rooney Ronaldo
Against Sunderland
----------------------VDS-----------------------
--Neville-----Sheasy-------Vidic--------Evra---
--Wellbeck-----Carrick---Gibson--------Nani--
----------------Tevez----Rooney--------------
Against Porto
----------------------VDS-------------------
--Sheasy--------Rio-------Vidic--------Evra--
--Ronaldo-------Scholes---Fletcher----Giggs--
----------------Rooney----Berbatov-----------
Basically, we refresh the entire midfield for the Porto game and add Rio and Berbatov to the starting line-up. If we win these two games, it will give us great impetus to push on and finish the season very strongly.
----------------------VDS-----------------------
--Neville-----Sheasy-------Vidic--------Evra---
--Wellbeck-----Carrick---Gibson--------Nani--
----------------Tevez----Rooney--------------
Against Porto
----------------------VDS-------------------
--Sheasy--------Rio-------Vidic--------Evra--
--Ronaldo-------Scholes---Fletcher----Giggs--
----------------Rooney----Berbatov-----------
Basically, we refresh the entire midfield for the Porto game and add Rio and Berbatov to the starting line-up. If we win these two games, it will give us great impetus to push on and finish the season very strongly.
Seriously though, resting Rooney and Ronaldo in a crucial away Premier League game? I bloody well hope we don't.
Sunderland:
--------------VDS--------------
--Neville---O'Shea---Vidic--Evra--
--Park--Fletcher--Giggs-Ronaldo--
-------Tevez------Rooney-------
Porto:
--------------VDS--------------
---O'Shea---Rio---Vidic--Evra---
--Ronnie--Fletcher--Carrick--Nani--
-------Rooney----Berbatov-------
Scholes imo shouldn't be near the starting lineup against Porto. We need ballwinners in the middle of the park and then let our pace and skill on the wings supply Rooney and Berbatov. Go wide rather than through the middle.
We also need to put out a sensible team for Sunderland. Get the job done early then bring our replacements on. We can't be chasing the game with 60minutes played again. Otherwise our energy will be gone for Porto.
We'll then have Park/Tevez/Scholes/Giggs rested for Everton. With Brown, Evans and Rafael also available to freshen up our defense (hopefully).
--------------VDS--------------
--Neville---O'Shea---Vidic--Evra--
--Park--Fletcher--Giggs-Ronaldo--
-------Tevez------Rooney-------
Porto:
--------------VDS--------------
---O'Shea---Rio---Vidic--Evra---
--Ronnie--Fletcher--Carrick--Nani--
-------Rooney----Berbatov-------
Scholes imo shouldn't be near the starting lineup against Porto. We need ballwinners in the middle of the park and then let our pace and skill on the wings supply Rooney and Berbatov. Go wide rather than through the middle.
We also need to put out a sensible team for Sunderland. Get the job done early then bring our replacements on. We can't be chasing the game with 60minutes played again. Otherwise our energy will be gone for Porto.
We'll then have Park/Tevez/Scholes/Giggs rested for Everton. With Brown, Evans and Rafael also available to freshen up our defense (hopefully).
The same but with swapping Nani and Park around.
Hope Berbs is fit to come on at some point against Sunderland and prove his fitness for Porto. If not, then Giggs to play upfront against Porto.
Nani against Porto?!
When has Nani ever played well in a big game for us?
Park rarely lets us down in them.
When has Nani ever played well in a big game for us?
Park rarely lets us down in them.
We only have big games till the rest of the season so if some are willing to play Wellbeck/Macheda, Nani can surely contribute too even if I don't like him as a player
We have to go there to win, its all about risks at this point of the season. I think if you play Berbatov, you have to play our best crosser of the ball and thats Nani. Just like if you play Nani, then imo you need Berbatov on the pitch. They compliment one another very well.
Parks a battler and we'll need him for Everton.
Besides its Porto, Nani will be chomping at the bit to prove himself against a Portuguese side.
Why?
Berbatov's not a particularly good header of the ball and doesn't spend much time in the box.
At the moment, I'm definitely in favour of letting some of reserves have a go in the league, particularly Gibson. I think the Sunderland game could turn out to be a scrappy affair and I think Gibson could be well up for it and perform well in this fixture. As you have said, we would then have the advantage of being able to select a fresh midfield for the match against Porto.
On top of the 4-2-1-3, yes i was talking about no keepersHe has no goalkeepers!!
I know that's not was AS is on about btw... :-)
It's a very good shout to suggest (Even though I dont believe it) Foster may start v Sunderland.
It's your average 4-3-3 in the second match, and 4-4-1-1 in the first.On top of the 4-2-1-3, yes i was talking about no keepers
It's a very good shout to suggest (Even though I dont believe it) Foster may start v Sunderland.
Can't see what's wrong with it, other than the no keepers bit.
I think he's pretty good header of the ball tbh. His knock downs to other players are normally accurate. Infront of goal they can be a little irratic. I'd want him to play higher up the pitch anyway, thats where he does the most damage he needs to take more shots. But thats down to the management rather than the player. With Ronnie also playing higher up the pitch he can also latch onto Nanis crosses.
Thats my opinion though. Theres little point playing Nani when you've got short arses upfront of Tevez and Rooney.
I'm not a great believer of placing our best players on the bench. Play them then bring them off when we have a solid lead. It gives Sunderland a big boost if they know both Rooney and Ronaldo aren't playing, then if things do go wrong it puts more pressure on Rooney/Ronaldo to supply the goods with 30/20 minutes to play.
I think Nani's got loads of potential, but I think this season's pretty much a write off for him.
I don't trust him to play well in any more games this season, he's just not taken his chance time and again.
I don't trust him to play well in any more games this season, he's just not taken his chance time and again.
vs Sunderland
Van Der Saar
Neville
O Shea
Vidic
Evra
Park
Scholes
Fletcher
Nani
Tevez
Rooney
Subs
Foster
Eckersley
Carrick
Giggs
Ronaldo
Welbeck
Macheda
vs Porto
Van Der Saar
O Shea
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Park
Carrick
Fletcher
Ronaldo
Giggs
Rooney
Subs
Foster
Neville
Evans
Scholes
Gibson
Tevez
Macheda
maybe tevez for fletch against porto but wouldnt be surprised to see 5 in midfield (giggs furthest forward) or rooney wide and ronnie up top.
if berbatov's fit, berbs in for fletcher for porto with fletch on the bench instead of gibson.
Van Der Saar
Neville
O Shea
Vidic
Evra
Park
Scholes
Fletcher
Nani
Tevez
Rooney
Subs
Foster
Eckersley
Carrick
Giggs
Ronaldo
Welbeck
Macheda
vs Porto
Van Der Saar
O Shea
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Park
Carrick
Fletcher
Ronaldo
Giggs
Rooney
Subs
Foster
Neville
Evans
Scholes
Gibson
Tevez
Macheda
maybe tevez for fletch against porto but wouldnt be surprised to see 5 in midfield (giggs furthest forward) or rooney wide and ronnie up top.
if berbatov's fit, berbs in for fletcher for porto with fletch on the bench instead of gibson.
Sunderland
Centre midfield is bobbins with Carrick and Scholes looking hopeless at the moment but it's Sunderland for gods sake. Hopefully we can get a decent advantage and then sub off Rooney, Park and Ronaldo.
Porto
Giggs and Fletcher are our only CMs I trust to play well at the moment and if Berbatov and Ferdinand are both properly fit that team should be fine.
Code:
Rooney Tevez
Park Carrick Scholes Ronaldo
Evra Vidic O'Shea Neville
VdSPorto
Code:
Rooney Berbatov
Park Giggs Fletcher Ronaldo
Evra Vidic Ferdinand Neville
VdSFor Sunderland
VDS
Neville-Oshea-Vida-Evra
Ronaldo-Carrick-Giggs-Park
Rooney-Tevez
For Porto
VDS
Oshea-Rio-Vida-Evra
Carrick-Fletcher
Ronaldo-Tevez-Nani
Rooney
VDS
Neville-Oshea-Vida-Evra
Ronaldo-Carrick-Giggs-Park
Rooney-Tevez
For Porto
VDS
Oshea-Rio-Vida-Evra
Carrick-Fletcher
Ronaldo-Tevez-Nani
Rooney
Manchester United 4 - 0 Arsenal
For Sunderland:
--------------VDS--------------
--Neville---O'Shea---Vidic--?Fabio?-
--Nani--Fletcher--Gibson-Ronaldo
-------Tevez------Rooney-------
For Porto:
--------------VDS---------------
---O'Shea---Rio---Vidic--Evra----
--Ronaldo--Fletcher--Carrick--Park-
-------Rooney----Berbatov-------
I see Scholes and Giggs having some involvement in both games but it would only come from the bench, the other changes speak for themselves really:
Nani for the Sunderland game because surely he can do something against that quality of team!
I dropped Evra for Sunderland because the guy looks like he needs a break and if Fabio is fit i reckon hes worth the risk!
Gibson is a bit of a risk against Sunderland but Carrick needs a break and just play a few games, i dont think its any coincidence that once he started to dip in form we started to let in goals and play badly. I reckon this could be a good change because Gibson does try for the difficult probing ball and if he can play anything like he did against Derby in the cup then we should have enough to win the game - it will put more responsibility on Fletcher in terms of defending but i think hes up for it.
Finally Tevez has to play tomorrow because he looks like he has a goal in him when playing alongside someone and we play better when we are a 442! However if Berba fit for Porto hes going to play because Tevez has surely got to be nackered after the Internations and almost 120 minutes of football in the last 2 days!
--------------VDS--------------
--Neville---O'Shea---Vidic--?Fabio?-
--Nani--Fletcher--Gibson-Ronaldo
-------Tevez------Rooney-------
For Porto:
--------------VDS---------------
---O'Shea---Rio---Vidic--Evra----
--Ronaldo--Fletcher--Carrick--Park-
-------Rooney----Berbatov-------
I see Scholes and Giggs having some involvement in both games but it would only come from the bench, the other changes speak for themselves really:
Nani for the Sunderland game because surely he can do something against that quality of team!
I dropped Evra for Sunderland because the guy looks like he needs a break and if Fabio is fit i reckon hes worth the risk!
Gibson is a bit of a risk against Sunderland but Carrick needs a break and just play a few games, i dont think its any coincidence that once he started to dip in form we started to let in goals and play badly. I reckon this could be a good change because Gibson does try for the difficult probing ball and if he can play anything like he did against Derby in the cup then we should have enough to win the game - it will put more responsibility on Fletcher in terms of defending but i think hes up for it.
Finally Tevez has to play tomorrow because he looks like he has a goal in him when playing alongside someone and we play better when we are a 442! However if Berba fit for Porto hes going to play because Tevez has surely got to be nackered after the Internations and almost 120 minutes of football in the last 2 days!
After that game i remember saying to a friend "Nani is going to become better then Ronaldo you just watch!" Now i am just glad my friend was too drunk to remember i told him that!
Fair point.
Not sure why but I had the feeling we didn't take that game seriously, and it really wasn't a big game.
Had a quick look at the team sheet and well, how wrong was I.
Pretty much our full team minus Ronaldo(and maybe Tevez).
Copied this code malarky from Lot 49 cos i thought it looked really cool
Sunderland
Porto
Do we know Evans is out for both games?
Sunderland
Code:
VDS
Neville Vidic O Shea Fabio
Ronaldo Fletcher Scholes Nani
Rooney Tevez
Code:
VDS
Neville Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Carrick Giggs
Rooney BerbatovDo we know Evans is out for both games?
Sunderland:
----------------VDS----------------
Nev-------O'Shea---Vidic-------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletch---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Tevez----------
Porto:
----------------VDS----------------
O'Shea-----Rio-------Vidic------Evra
Ronaldo---Carrick----Scholes----Park
----------Rooney---Berbatov--------
----------------VDS----------------
Nev-------O'Shea---Vidic-------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletch---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Tevez----------
Porto:
----------------VDS----------------
O'Shea-----Rio-------Vidic------Evra
Ronaldo---Carrick----Scholes----Park
----------Rooney---Berbatov--------
According to SAF he will be out for a week so i think he can make the Porto game
I don't like how some people assume Sunderland will roll over, didn't they proper park the bus last time we played them?
My priority would be the league, champions league would be a bonus, but as it stands Liverpool look out of the champion league (unless they destroy Chelsea at the bridge), and it's up to us to prevent them from winning the league really.
My team vs Sunderland would be
Foster
Neville - Evans - Vidic - Evra
Ronaldo - Carrick - Fletcher - Giggs
Rooney - Macheda
Subs - Kuszchak, O'Shea, Park, Nani, Scholes, Welbeck, Tevez
My Porto team would have to be selected closer to the time, looking at fitness / injuries.
My priority would be the league, champions league would be a bonus, but as it stands Liverpool look out of the champion league (unless they destroy Chelsea at the bridge), and it's up to us to prevent them from winning the league really.
My team vs Sunderland would be
Foster
Neville - Evans - Vidic - Evra
Ronaldo - Carrick - Fletcher - Giggs
Rooney - Macheda
Subs - Kuszchak, O'Shea, Park, Nani, Scholes, Welbeck, Tevez
My Porto team would have to be selected closer to the time, looking at fitness / injuries.
Sunderland
Neville Vidic Evans Oshea
Nani Possebon Gibson Park
tevez Berbatov
Porto
Neville Rio Vidic Evra
Carrick anderson
Scholes
Tevez Ronaldo Rooney
Neville Vidic Evans Oshea
Nani Possebon Gibson Park
tevez Berbatov
Porto
Neville Rio Vidic Evra
Carrick anderson
Scholes
Tevez Ronaldo Rooney
Sunderland
----------------VDS----------------
Nev-------O'Shea---Vidic-------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletcher---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Tevez----------
Porto
----------------VDS----------------
O'Shea-----Rio-------Vidic------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletcher----Carrick----Park
----------Rooney---Berbatov--------
----------------VDS----------------
Nev-------O'Shea---Vidic-------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletcher---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Tevez----------
Porto
----------------VDS----------------
O'Shea-----Rio-------Vidic------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletcher----Carrick----Park
----------Rooney---Berbatov--------
Sunderland
van der Sar
Neville O'Shea Vidic Evra
Nani Scholes Fletcher Giggs
Tevez Rooney
Rest any of Giggs, Tevez, Rooney or Evra if we're comfortable. Just hope that Fergie won't do a Benitez and only bring on the big guns when it's too late
Porto
van der Sar
O'Shea Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Fletcher Park
Rooney Tevez
van der Sar
Neville O'Shea Vidic Evra
Nani Scholes Fletcher Giggs
Tevez Rooney
Rest any of Giggs, Tevez, Rooney or Evra if we're comfortable. Just hope that Fergie won't do a Benitez and only bring on the big guns when it's too late
Porto
van der Sar
O'Shea Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Fletcher Park
Rooney Tevez
I would play Nani against Porto tbh just because we need some width and the way their rb and lb go forward, it could provide him with a lot of space, something we could have exploited at OT.
Sunderland
----------VDS
.Neville O'Shea Vida Evra
Nani Carrick Scholes Park
------Rooney Tevez
Revised team from my matchday line-up. Hoping to get a couple of goals in the first half so we can rest some players for Porto. Was tempted to put Fabio in there aswell to give Evra a rest, hmm, maybe Foster too. Whack Ronaldo on if need be and praying Nani has a good game, the lad needs a confidence boost
Porto
-----------VDS
--O'Shea Rio Vida Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Giggs Park
-------Rooney Berba
----------VDS
.Neville O'Shea Vida Evra
Nani Carrick Scholes Park
------Rooney Tevez
Revised team from my matchday line-up. Hoping to get a couple of goals in the first half so we can rest some players for Porto. Was tempted to put Fabio in there aswell to give Evra a rest, hmm, maybe Foster too. Whack Ronaldo on if need be and praying Nani has a good game, the lad needs a confidence boost
Porto
-----------VDS
--O'Shea Rio Vida Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Giggs Park
-------Rooney Berba