I could see the sense in keeping Berbatov for 1 more season then letting him leave for free, as during this season Welbeck and Macheda could get more experience and step it off to naturally take over his position in the pecking order. But its not looking that good if Welbeck is already the prefered option
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- Thread starter nemanja15
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Why would that matter at all? If anything, playing against your old team is a bad thing. (See Rooney and Everton...) I agree that it makes sense to start Berbatov, though.
Fergie "They are young, they don't have the experience of Ferdinand, Vidic and [Edwin] van der Sar, but they have the potential and they have the temperament and the courage to play."
If a manager like Fergie says something like that about you as a young player going in to a big game you will be feeling ten feet tall and wanting to do your absolute best for him.
Rooney-Welbeck is potentially what Rooney-Berba was meant to be. Danny's workrate, allied to his technique and pace, are the perfect match-up for Wayne... Even moreso than Rooney-Hernandez. If it is possible, I wouldn't mind seeing Rooney and Welbeck playing off Chicha as "9.5's" in a Xmas tree formation, but that would mean we have a midfield worth its salt :-/. Plus, we would be disregarding our wingers, which would be virtually impossible.
Generally Fergie seems to start players against their former clubs and Rooney aside it often helps them and gives them that extra bit of motivation to succeed (take Ronaldo vs Sporting or even Tevez vs us).
I don't really have much to base it on but I could understand why Welbeck started against West Brom, I don't see it as being as important against Spurs.
Frig sake I want this match now.
the pundits think spurs will win....
I fecking HATE monday night kick offs.
me too, especially after the first week of football. Just realised Rafaels not fit for this one, so we won't have his Bale in his back pocket antics of last season.
Channel 4's Michael Crick says everyone attending the game tomorrow will get a free CHAMP19NS scarf, anyone heard about this?
Not heard about this, but I'll be at the game tomorrow so it would be a bonus if it were true.
They will still be a handful even if he does not play with our shaky defense and GK. Hopefully we can win.
They supposedly did this for all the away fans against WBA, so maybe doing it now for the 1st home game of the season too.
I'd like to see this.
-----------De Gea
Fabio-Smalling-Jones/Evans-Evra
--Cleverley-Carrick-Anderson
Nani------Rooney-----Young
I think we'll play.
----------De Gea
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
Park-Carrick-Anderson-Young
----Rooney-Berbatov
-----------De Gea
Fabio-Smalling-Jones/Evans-Evra
--Cleverley-Carrick-Anderson
Nani------Rooney-----Young
I think we'll play.
----------De Gea
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
Park-Carrick-Anderson-Young
----Rooney-Berbatov
Great quote.
We didn't get anything at West Brom.
-----------De Gea
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
------Carrick-Giggs------
Nani----------------Young
--------Rooney--
---------Berba
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
------Carrick-Giggs------
Nani----------------Young
--------Rooney--
---------Berba
If Modric isn't playing, then it's a big disadvantage to Spurs.
........................DG........................
Fabio.......Evans......Smalling.......Evra (c)
Nani........Anderson...Cleverly.....Young
.....................Rooney.....................
......................Berba......................
Fabio.......Evans......Smalling.......Evra (c)
Nani........Anderson...Cleverly.....Young
.....................Rooney.....................
......................Berba......................
Won't be able to watch the match.
Did Fergie not already say that Jones, Evans and Smalling were all set to start? Or did I dream that?
I don't think Berba will start. SAF might stick with Welbeck.
I'd say Berbatov is almost guaranteed to start tbh. Having said that, I hope he doesn't. I think, because it's against such a high paced team, we need to be aggressive in attack, and playing Berbatov will not achieve that.
I must have missed that.
even without modric spurs have some very good midfielders, and it will be a very tough day for our midfielders.
hope crouch is not fit to play as well, i can imagine all the long balls de gea needs to deal with crouch in the starting line up.
hope crouch is not fit to play as well, i can imagine all the long balls de gea needs to deal with crouch in the starting line up.
Evans is very experienced already, and Smalling played a lot of big games last year. I think DeGea and Jones will be the only truely worrysome parts of the defense. DeGea for obvoius reasons and Jones because he new to the club.
I say we'll batter them. Far better players and we've two very competative games behind us. Spurs are going into this one cold.
I say we'll batter them. Far better players and we've two very competative games behind us. Spurs are going into this one cold.
Would enjoy seeing Spurs getting a real battering tonight.
They did have a nice warm-up at Hearts on Thursday night. Even allowing for the opposition Spurs looked quite sharp, I thought.
On a side note, I was surprised to receive an e-mail from the club offering open-sale tickets for tonight's game, as well as the upcoming Arsenal and Chelsea games.
I want us to play:
But I think we'll play:
I remember reading that Fergie said Smalling, Jones, and Evans would all play. He also mentioned Cleverley and Welbeck I believe, but we all know what Fergie is like. He could mean that they'll just be included in the squad, not that they'll start. I have confidence in all of those players, but I'd still prefer us to play a more experienced midfield three in front of that defence. Or at least, Carrick + Anderson further back with Cleverley further forward. Front three of Nani, Rooney, Young.
We'd have the likes of Giggs, Park, Berbatov, and Welbeck on the bench if that was the case, all of whom have what it takes the change the game. This is just one of the few times I'd prefer us to start with a 433 at Old Trafford.
No Modric is a definite plus if that's the case, though.
de Gea
Fábio Smalling Evans Evra
Carrick Anderson
Giggs
Nani Rooney Young
Fábio Smalling Evans Evra
Carrick Anderson
Giggs
Nani Rooney Young
But I think we'll play:
de Gea
Smalling Jones Evans Evra
Nani Cleverley Anderson Young
Rooney
Welbeck
Smalling Jones Evans Evra
Nani Cleverley Anderson Young
Rooney
Welbeck
I remember reading that Fergie said Smalling, Jones, and Evans would all play. He also mentioned Cleverley and Welbeck I believe, but we all know what Fergie is like. He could mean that they'll just be included in the squad, not that they'll start. I have confidence in all of those players, but I'd still prefer us to play a more experienced midfield three in front of that defence. Or at least, Carrick + Anderson further back with Cleverley further forward. Front three of Nani, Rooney, Young.
We'd have the likes of Giggs, Park, Berbatov, and Welbeck on the bench if that was the case, all of whom have what it takes the change the game. This is just one of the few times I'd prefer us to start with a 433 at Old Trafford.
No Modric is a definite plus if that's the case, though.
Friendlies are all well and good, but playing competative games against premiership opposition is totally different. The two games couldn't have went any better for us in terms of preparation for this one. We had to play till the final whistle in both games so our fitness should be getting near to 100%. We are at a big advantage thanks to Spurs being relativly cold.
That wasn't a friendly between Spurs & Hearts, but yeah, it's still nothing like playing a Premier League game. I'm still more confident of us winning tonight, but I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs pull something out of the bag either. It has the makings of an interesting game as they won't be parking the bus.
I missed that that was a Europa qualifier. Point still stands though. Two tough games we've had and been tested in Vs a 5-0 mauling of a Scottish side. No comparison.
You are right about the game though. I always enjoy playing Spurs as they will go to play football even at OT (madness really) so it usually makes for an interesting game. I can see goals at both ends so I'm going to predict 4-2.
DeGea making a clanger but also pulling off several good saves. Rooney baggin two, Nani getting a screamer and Young pumping in another close range ball for a OG/tap in.
You are right about the game though. I always enjoy playing Spurs as they will go to play football even at OT (madness really) so it usually makes for an interesting game. I can see goals at both ends so I'm going to predict 4-2.
DeGea making a clanger but also pulling off several good saves. Rooney baggin two, Nani getting a screamer and Young pumping in another close range ball for a OG/tap in.
Starting to get real excited about the game, and I've got nothing else planned for the day so I'm just tripping around the house waiting for the broadcasts to start.
Hope all the young'uns start. Think Welbeck will nick a goal tonight if he gets the chance.
Hope all the young'uns start. Think Welbeck will nick a goal tonight if he gets the chance.
they have several good midfielders - the problem is they are practically all injured! Kranjcar, Livermore and possibly Huddlestone are the only fit central midfielders Spurs have.
We could have a situation tonight (if Harry doesn't want to risk Huddlestone who has been injured so much over the last 6 months) - that Spurs have 2 defenders and 5 midfielders who are all a lot better going forward than defending (Walker, Essou-Akotto, Kranjcar, Livermore, Lennon, Van der Vaart and Bale)
Welbeck has to learn to keep hold of the ball with his back to goal! Rooney and Chicharito imo are a lot better match than Rooney and Welbeck. Chicharito allows Rooney to drop deep and look for that through-ball - Welbeck is a lot better when coming from a deeper position - in the same position where Rooney loves to be. Chicharito loves to be on the offside-line and that allows Rooney to play where he is at his best.
Modric out is a bonus I think we will nick it again 2-1.
I think we will nick it again 2-1.off this afternoon to watch the match
2 - 0.