i'd go with that
Manchester United vs. Benfica
- Thread starter VidaRed
- 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.
i'd go with that
Where can I watch the game in Oslo?
3-1. We really don't look convincing at the moment scoring but I think Ferguson will take a very attacking approach first half and settle defensively second because we will want to top the group.
Gibbo and Berba to start 
Rooney missed training today according to Sky
evans and anderson also misses training as well.
He is just not there yet.
Where in Oslo are you? How expensive beer would you like?
Checking in at Parkveien tonight. Don't think things would be more expensive than here(?)
Wayne Rooney was a notable absentee for the open section of Manchester United training ahead of their Champions League encounter with Benfica.
The England striker was part of the Red Devils side that won at Swansea on Saturday and was expected to feature at Old Trafford on Tuesday in a game United need to win to maintain hopes of topping Group C.
However, Rooney was missing when the United squad were put through their paces at Carrington, raising obvious fears about whether he will be fit to play.
There was no immediate word from United about whether Rooney was injured, with Sir Alex Ferguson likely to offer an update during Monday afternoon's routine pre-match press conference.
Also absent was Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans.
Defender Chris Smalling and striker Danny Welbeck, who both missed the weekend trip to south Wales because of injury, trained in a small group away from the main session, although previously Ferguson had indicated Smalling might be fit for Tuesday's game.
Long-term absentees Michael Owen and Tom Cleverley were not present but there was some good news with defender Patrice Evra, who has been suffering from a virus, part of the 21-man group which trained normally.
The England striker was part of the Red Devils side that won at Swansea on Saturday and was expected to feature at Old Trafford on Tuesday in a game United need to win to maintain hopes of topping Group C.
However, Rooney was missing when the United squad were put through their paces at Carrington, raising obvious fears about whether he will be fit to play.
There was no immediate word from United about whether Rooney was injured, with Sir Alex Ferguson likely to offer an update during Monday afternoon's routine pre-match press conference.
Also absent was Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans.
Defender Chris Smalling and striker Danny Welbeck, who both missed the weekend trip to south Wales because of injury, trained in a small group away from the main session, although previously Ferguson had indicated Smalling might be fit for Tuesday's game.
Long-term absentees Michael Owen and Tom Cleverley were not present but there was some good news with defender Patrice Evra, who has been suffering from a virus, part of the 21-man group which trained normally.
There's a place in Parkveien 13 called Katedralen. I've never been there, but it's supposed to be cool. The Benfica game isn't listed on their website, but I assume they'll show it. A safe bet would be Bohemen, a proper football pub.
I see. Thanks a lot! I take it you're not there atm? Or anyone else? Would love to watch a game with a fellow caftard
we need 4 points to be really sure of qualifying, I expect Basel to beat Otelul Galati.
Please, please, please a good performance for this one. We have been dig shite to watch recently. Not the usual.
I live in Oslo, but not in that area. We'll see how far my mates are willing to get dragged! (And now one of said mates tells me Bohemen is terrible when it's crowded. I've only been there once, for the middle-of-the-night friendly against Barca, when there were about 15 people. I have no idea how many will turn up for a game like this.)
I suspect your mate is just making up things in order to avoid public transport.
But if you're a bunch of people I think you'll have to there relatively early.
But if you're a bunch of people I think you'll have to there relatively early.
Pogba is a part of the European squad right?
Level of performance is not that important providing we win. Yes we played some wonderful football early on in the season but as long as we have won the Group tomorrow night I'll be delighted regardless of the performance.
Code:
De Gea
Fabio Ferdinand Jones Evra
Valencia Carrick Fletcher Young
Berbatov Hernandez
SUBS:
Lindegaard, Smalling, Fryers, Nani, Park, Morrison, RooneyWhat if we murder you today? Then your birthday tomorrow won't matter.
Yeah yeah Fergie 4 central midfielders aren't enough.
And Benfica are unbeaten since May.
Wow, wanted to call you out on this, but it's true! Unbeaten since May 5th!
Gibbo and Berba to start
Could see both and Rafael on the bench.
My guess ...
Lindegaard
Fabio
Evans
Ferdinand
Evra
Giggs/Young
Fletcher
Carrick
Valencia
Rooney
Hernandez
Subs:
De Gea
Rafael
Jones - needs a rest
Giggs/Young
Nani
Gibson
Berbatov
———————De Gea———————
Fabio—————Jones—————Evra
Nani——Valencia——Park——Young
——Berbatov——————Rooney——
——————Hernandez——————
Fabio—————Jones—————Evra
Nani——Valencia——Park——Young
——Berbatov——————Rooney——
——————Hernandez——————
No goals in that team.
We never play with just 3 at the back and nver will.
Well you've fecked up here haven't you?
Ok, Sir Alex, thanks for correcting me!
Had you done your research you'd know that Benfica are slow on the break and have precious little height up front. They've only dropped points three times in the league this season and each time it's been to a team playing three at the back; they've had their defence overloaded with attacking midfielders and strikers and have been unable to switch from defensive to attacking phase with enough pace to punish the opposition. When they do attack it's been invariably down the flanks, usually their left; but their wingers lack a decent cross between them. They've categorically battered teams who've shown them too much respect; Benfica's strength has been in breaking down stubborn defences with persistence, it's bread and butter to them; whenever they've come up against a team with only three defensive players and seven attackers though they've come unstuck.
I'm surprised you aren't already aware of this, Sir Alex.
Whilst you may be correct re Benfica's flaws (I have no idea personally) that doesn't change the fact there is zero chance of going with the lineup you have posted and I'd say an equally unlikely chance we'd play 3 at the back.
Fergie has only ever done that once or twice before in my memory and only in times of crisis/desperation.
I full expect we'll go with our usual 433/4231.
Erm United have of course ...playing Wolfsburg away being a prime example.
Clarify what you mean by just.
Jesus Christ. Even though United may have once played with three at the back, in the midst of an unprecedented injury crisis, there's not a team on the planet that would line up with a back three consisting of one 5' 11" centre-half and two short-arse full-backs.
I mean, come on.
I mean, come on.
Going by our provisional squad, I expect something like this:
Lindegaard
Jones - Ferdinand - Evans - Evra
Valencia - Carrick - Fletcher - Young
Rooney - Hernandez
With Rooney playing behind Hernandez.
Lindegaard
Jones - Ferdinand - Evans - Evra
Valencia - Carrick - Fletcher - Young
Rooney - Hernandez
With Rooney playing behind Hernandez.
Sounds about right. That's a strong team and Fergie will want to lay down a marker.
Maybe Nani in for either Young or Valencia but if his poor showing at the weekend was down to being jaded after the internationals Fergie might give him the night off.
Mind you, Park is a real European specialist, so he might feature somehow.
It could very easily be Park and Nani on the wings - perhaps starting both Young and Valencia would be a bit risky seeing that neither have played that much recently. SAF may also try use Nani's extra motivation against a Portuguese side to maybe get him back towards a bit of form.
feck knows really on the wings, but I'd expect a strong starting side regardless.
Early start for me this, struggling to get my body clock adjusted to Australian time for United games.
ciderman clearly on a WUM, friendlytramp style.
You moved to Aus from England?
There's a great highlights show once a week which kept me sane when I did the same. Don't think I ever caught any live matches though. Far too lazy.
It was a joke, Pogue, calm down. I posted a silly line-up, wrote out some tactical notes which I made up as I went along, and somehow all you gimps seem to have taken it seriously.
On a serious note though; I can't believe you Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime fell for those fake tactical notes, shows how much you know about Benfica before you post your line-ups
