Losing just doesn't bear thinking about.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
- Thread starter Raoul
- 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.
Everybody calm down, we'll win this match.
Giggs should be nowhere near the starting line-up. I feel ill.
It's gonna be an epic 3-3 draw with us scoring the equalizer in the 98th minute.
Previous Results away to City;
11/12
Man City 2-3 Man Utd - Rooney x2, Welbeck; Kolarov, Aguero
10/11
Man City 0-0 Man Utd
09/10
Man City 0-1 Man Utd - Scholes
Man City 2-1 Man Utd - Giggs; Tevez x2
08/09
Man City 0-1 Man Utd - Rooney
07/08
Man City 1-0 Man Utd - Geovanni
06/07
Man City 0-1 Man Utd - Ronaldo
I always think it's worth while looking at goal scorers with history in a fixture to try and judge how we may end up doing, goes without saying that looking at the above we'll be really relying on Rooney as apart from him the only other players with goals in this fixture is Giggs, Scholes and Welbeck. Nani has scored 3 in his last 4 against them as well but none of them at the Etihad.
Conversely looking at them Aguero has to be looked at as their main danger man with 2 in his last 2 against us, Dzeko & Balotelli also have goals against us but neither will probably start and then there's Tevez (3 career goals against us), surely the horrible little cnut doesn't have a script written for him whereby he wins City the title does he?
This season we've got a great record in the big games, overall domestically at least we tend to deliver when it matters but then I'm worried (as I was before the 1-6) about the over reliance on Rooney in this fixture as he can't always be our match winner.
I genuinely think we're looking at a stalemate or the pessimist in me says a City win
11/12
Man City 2-3 Man Utd - Rooney x2, Welbeck; Kolarov, Aguero
10/11
Man City 0-0 Man Utd
09/10
Man City 0-1 Man Utd - Scholes
Man City 2-1 Man Utd - Giggs; Tevez x2
08/09
Man City 0-1 Man Utd - Rooney
07/08
Man City 1-0 Man Utd - Geovanni
06/07
Man City 0-1 Man Utd - Ronaldo
I always think it's worth while looking at goal scorers with history in a fixture to try and judge how we may end up doing, goes without saying that looking at the above we'll be really relying on Rooney as apart from him the only other players with goals in this fixture is Giggs, Scholes and Welbeck. Nani has scored 3 in his last 4 against them as well but none of them at the Etihad.
Conversely looking at them Aguero has to be looked at as their main danger man with 2 in his last 2 against us, Dzeko & Balotelli also have goals against us but neither will probably start and then there's Tevez (3 career goals against us), surely the horrible little cnut doesn't have a script written for him whereby he wins City the title does he?
This season we've got a great record in the big games, overall domestically at least we tend to deliver when it matters but then I'm worried (as I was before the 1-6) about the over reliance on Rooney in this fixture as he can't always be our match winner.
I genuinely think we're looking at a stalemate or the pessimist in me says a City win
We had enough experience on the pitch against Everton (Scholes, Ferdinand, Rooney, Carrick, Evra or Nani).
I wonder if we'll play more defensively and on the counter given City need to win more than us.
We have never been in this situation where we are fighting for the premier league right till the last, its weird! But one of the best things is that if we lose, we are still level on points, city also have a very tough newcastle game the week after which is a potential point drop there so If we win swansea and sunderland we will win it. This isn't the be all and end all but it is very important.
I would like to see scholesy starting this, but I don't think he will, so I am expecting Jones or Cleverley. I just don't want Giggs to start this game.
I will either have to be high or drunk to survive kick-off. No clue how we should approach this game, at times like this I'm glad we have Ferguson at helm. Every single player needs to bring his A-game. Ironically, in these games where concentration needs to be at its highest level, we usually see some errors that are costly.
If we go looking for a draw, we will lose...guaranteed.
We have to press them and go for the win.
We have to press them and go for the win.
Drop Evra and play Evans there as a virtual CB, Smalling in the middle with Rio.
Jones nowhere near the 11 be it in defence or midfield. Same with giggsy.
Play clev carrick and scholesy in midfield with Nani and Valencia on the flanks. Rooney on top on his own.
Jones nowhere near the 11 be it in defence or midfield. Same with giggsy.
Play clev carrick and scholesy in midfield with Nani and Valencia on the flanks. Rooney on top on his own.
I'm torn between the team we played today, whose 4 goals should have been more than enough, and the 433 we haven't played enough of this year for me to be very confident with.
Giggs isn't a possession midfielder, so he wouldn't slot into a 3 man midfield with Scholes that well, and Cleverley hasn't played much, so for that reason we may see our usual 4231.
Though if Giggs wants to I think he can be a very good possession midfielder, but he loves to play high risk high reward passes. His close control is great, he's very hard to get the ball from.
Giggs isn't a possession midfielder, so he wouldn't slot into a 3 man midfield with Scholes that well, and Cleverley hasn't played much, so for that reason we may see our usual 4231.
Though if Giggs wants to I think he can be a very good possession midfielder, but he loves to play high risk high reward passes. His close control is great, he's very hard to get the ball from.
What will be worse ? Actually waiting for a fecking week before the game with all the build-up it takes into account (specially for the Manchester based caftards) or watching that match and all the stress it'll implicate ?
As long as there's no score we'll be happy, I think the pressure will be on them once the game starts. Until then, I think we'll be the more nervous supporters, considering our recent results.
And I thought the bright side of being out of assorted cups is that I'd be spared cup final lead up nerves this year.
Rooney to score a hattrick. Scholes and Evans to get one each. I'm going for 5 - 3 to United.
----------------------DDG---------------------
--Rafael----Evans----Rio----------*sigh..Evra--
----------------Carrick------------------------
--------------------Scholes------------------
--Valencia-------Rooney-----------Nani------
---------------Wellbeck----------------
I know it's the Etihad but last time we played them Rooney took the piss out of Yaya toure or whoever their DM was. feck the negativity.. Time to summon the spirit of the community shield game
--Rafael----Evans----Rio----------*sigh..Evra--
----------------Carrick------------------------
--------------------Scholes------------------
--Valencia-------Rooney-----------Nani------
---------------Wellbeck----------------
I know it's the Etihad but last time we played them Rooney took the piss out of Yaya toure or whoever their DM was. feck the negativity.. Time to summon the spirit of the community shield game
I wonder could we sneak Ronaldo back on loan for one game!
Two big questions: whether to play Scholes and whether to play Welbeck.
Scholes has been great for us this season but I'm not sure that he has the legs for such a high intensity game. He isn't very useful defensively wise. Welbeck had a terrific game vs Everton but could we afford to play with two strikers at the Etihad?
If Fergie wants to play with both Scholes and Welbeck from the start, then Rooney has to play more in midfield than in attack. Not sure that would be a good decision, he could be wasted in midfield.
It's likely that we are going to start with Rooney up top in order to make room for Scholes who is very important to our possession game.
Scholes has been great for us this season but I'm not sure that he has the legs for such a high intensity game. He isn't very useful defensively wise. Welbeck had a terrific game vs Everton but could we afford to play with two strikers at the Etihad?
If Fergie wants to play with both Scholes and Welbeck from the start, then Rooney has to play more in midfield than in attack. Not sure that would be a good decision, he could be wasted in midfield.
It's likely that we are going to start with Rooney up top in order to make room for Scholes who is very important to our possession game.
1-6 please
Only big question for me is do we drop Rafael for an out of form Jones or a rusty Smalling. Welbeck has earned himself a starting spot after his performance yesterday. Not to mention the fact that he's lead the line admirably away to Liverpool, City and Arsenal (?) already this season.
Would have liked to see Nani vs Clichy but don't think that will happen.
Would have liked to see Nani vs Clichy but don't think that will happen.
Owen has to be on the bench!!!!!
DDG
Rafael Rio Evans Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Rooney Nani
Welbeck
Re the backline - don't fix what (generally) ain't broken. The one area the defence has struggled this season is against aerially dominant forwards. Without Vidic (or Smalling) we really struggle in that part of the game. Rio has never been aggressive in the air and Evans is on the small side for a centre back. Fortunately, it's not a threat we'll encounter against City. Generally, the back line has been strong during the run-in, save a spasticated performance yesterday and there's little point in over tinkering now. The back five named above is the best we have at the moment in terms of familiarity and balance.
Scholes-Carrick is a no brainer but it's going to necessitate a big effort from ALL of the front four. It's not about just Rooney dropping deep to give us an extra body; Nani, Valencia and Welbeck will all have to pitch in from the front and close City high up the pitch. We're going to get overrun if we allow City to get a foothold and start controlling the match. If we can win the ball high up, we'll have the players to cause them damage.
It's going to be killer to watch, but we'll find out about character. Whatever happens, it's not going to be done simply by us.
1-2.
Rafael Rio Evans Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Rooney Nani
Welbeck
Re the backline - don't fix what (generally) ain't broken. The one area the defence has struggled this season is against aerially dominant forwards. Without Vidic (or Smalling) we really struggle in that part of the game. Rio has never been aggressive in the air and Evans is on the small side for a centre back. Fortunately, it's not a threat we'll encounter against City. Generally, the back line has been strong during the run-in, save a spasticated performance yesterday and there's little point in over tinkering now. The back five named above is the best we have at the moment in terms of familiarity and balance.
Scholes-Carrick is a no brainer but it's going to necessitate a big effort from ALL of the front four. It's not about just Rooney dropping deep to give us an extra body; Nani, Valencia and Welbeck will all have to pitch in from the front and close City high up the pitch. We're going to get overrun if we allow City to get a foothold and start controlling the match. If we can win the ball high up, we'll have the players to cause them damage.
It's going to be killer to watch, but we'll find out about character. Whatever happens, it's not going to be done simply by us.
1-2.
Would like to see that if he's fit. Can't be any worse than Hernandez in this form.
When the going gets tough, United get going. I think we will win.
I said the same. I hope he's fit for the bench. I love Chicharito but his form lately is horrible. Owen can't be any worse.
You feel like Owen has a big goal in him, and he's done it before against City.
Except that this season when the going gets tough we turn to shite.
If Jones starts this game I might have to devote my summer to hunting down SAF and having a serious word with him.
Agree. Talented as Jones is:
1) He's never a midfielder; and
2) His form in 2012 has been patchy, at best.
Poor as Giggs has been, I wouldn't be gutted to see him start alongside Scholes and Carrick.
That said, our front players are in good form, so we may as well leverage that. Which means Welbeck to start and Giggs on the bench.
Same as yesterday but Rooney playing deeper to support the midfield. Carrick to not step foot beyond the half way line. I'd also consider Smalling for his height over Rafael.
I'd go with something like this. Play a disiplined game with strong counter attack opportunities. Agree with you, I'd keep Owen on thge bench.
Owen instead of Hernandez ? Come on now.
With so much being at stake, I feel it may well be advantageous to us that it's at the Etihad. A home crowd is no good to the players when it's full of nerves.
Hate to say it, but this has all the hallmarks of a bad night...City with the momentum, us frittering away 8 point lead in 2 weeks, City fans and players bang up for it with a big atmosphere at COMS, and that little gobshite Tevez with a point to prove by scoring the decisive goal of the season...Hope I'm wrong but my feelings about this game and the title race are horrible
eh? we've given up 5 pts. still a 3 pt lead.
oh, and I'm travelling during game time, coming back from feckin Nebraska so won't see it live.
We'll win 2-1 or 3-2.
I'm confident.
I'm confident.
Scholes and Carrick aren't mobile enough. IMO, Scholes doesn't have the legs to play in such a game unless we change the formation and put another midfielder next to him and Carrick, which would reflect on our attack as we wouldn't be able to play both Rooney and Welbeck who showed great mutual understanding yesterday.
Playing both Scholes and Welbeck would be very risky, that was my point. I wouldn't say that Scholes is bound to start if we intend to play with 2 strikers.