Vålerenga vs. United [Preseason Friendly]

I imagine the gap allows us to start to integrate the players that were at the Euro's.
 
I'd like us one year soon to do a brazil summer tour. The teams would be in the middle of the season and match fit and would be class all around.

The problem with that is the Brazilian sides would be well within their right to field their B teams. Or at the very least rest their top players.
 
We seemed okay with playing Shanghai's B team, who managed to hold their own, in the middle of their season, couldn't be any worse in Brazil.
 
With the current state of their economy, don't be surprised if every top club is heading to Brasil for pre-season in the coming years.
 
We didn't play their B-team.

Only their CB, the Brazillian guy, was the only player from their squad that played in the league. Rest were all players that hardly get a kick normally.
 
Lindegaard
Jones Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Rooney​

I'd like to see how this does and I expect this to be the team that faces Everton on August 20th as well (de Gea over Lindegaard, maybe Welbeck over Kagawa and Rafael over Jones though against the toffees).

Not sure who else we'll want to give some game time too.. But I would expect Vidic to get subbed, maybe Rooney, Scholes.. End up something like this:

Lindegaard
Valencia Jones Ferdinand Evra
Carrick Powell
Nani Kagawa Young
Welbeck​
 
This was a really crappy pre-season in terms of our first teamers getting action. Expecting a slow start.
 
Was always going to be the case with an international tournament and then another U23s during off season.
 
Lindegaard
Jones---Vidic---Ferdinand---Evra
Valencia---Carrick---Anderson---Nani
---Rooney
Chicharito---

Pretty close to the first-choice team; only De Gea and Scholes would likely start in their positions, and the frontman is debatable, but otherwise that's where I think we'll be on the 20th. Anderson and Rooney will need minutes to run the fat off, and Chicharito needs a goal IMHO. Welbeck, Young and Kagawa to get minutes later on, so my only worry would be about there not being a substitute for Vidic when he gets tired - Carrick would likely drop back I suppose, or of course Jones moving over, maybe with Valencia dropping to right-back.
 
This was a really crappy pre-season in terms of our first teamers getting action. Expecting a slow start.

I agree, very disjointed and travel heavy. I am not expecting a big start in the league. But I found that we tapered off a little before Christmas and lulled a little bit maybe due to the good start we had.
 
Mike Phelan will take charge of the team in Oslo, with Sir Alex on "other club business". SAF to join in Gothenburg.

"Other club business" :drool::drool::drool:
 
Tour squad: De Gea, Lindegaard; Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, M Keane, Vidic; Anderson, Carrick, Nani, Powell, Lingard, Scholes, Valencia, Young; Berbatov, Hernandez, Kagawa, Macheda, Rooney, Welbeck
 
Shame about Bebe and Tunni.. Delighted for Lingard.
Michael Keane was always going to be there considering the lack of defensive cover.
No Brady either...
 
Nice to see Lingard making the squad again, he was the stand out youngster.
 
Shame about Bebe and Tunni.. Delighted for Lingard.
Michael Keane was always going to be there considering the lack of defensive cover.

I feel the same. Thought Bebe and Tunnicliffe did well but with the number of players coming back they probably won't have got much game time anyway. Still, it's great for Lingard.

Even with Keane coming along we're a bit light in defence but we should be ok. I thought that Brady or Blackett would have been on the tour as well. A bit strange that they're not - particularly Brady who was said to be in the first team plans next season.
 
I know this is pre-season, but I want to see as much of the team that will face Everton as possible. Literally starting all three and using lots of subs would be great. Good to see de Gea back already.

de Gea
Jones Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Rooney​

I just really want to see this and wouldn't be surprised if this was also the starting line-up against Everton in two weeks~. I'm sure we'll see a lot of Young, Anderson, Powell, Welbeck, Hernandez, Berbatov, and Macheda though.
 
Making Phelan the manager for this game will hopefully give him the much needed kick up the backside...
 
Has he shown too much complacency for you?

Complacency is too strong of a word but on occassions he seems disinterested and bored, i could be wrong but that is my impression of him.
 
I know this is pre-season, but I want to see as much of the team that will face Everton as possible. Literally starting all three and using lots of subs would be great. Good to see de Gea back already.

de Gea
Jones Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Rooney​

I just really want to see this and wouldn't be surprised if this was also the starting line-up against Everton in two weeks~. I'm sure we'll see a lot of Young, Anderson, Powell, Welbeck, Hernandez, Berbatov, and Macheda though.

Cleverley?
 
It's been a lovely summer's day all day in Oslo - until United arrived. Hopefully the weather will give Phelan the much needed kick up the backside.