Manchester City vs. Manchester United

Well then your only option is Carrick/Fletcher with Scholes, or starting Powell, along with playing Rooney in midfield and Welbeck and Young either side of van Persie.

I'd much rather just go with Fletcher, Carrick, and Scholes. Anything else is idiotic :/

I would go with Carrick, Jones and Scholes. Jones making the dirty work.

Not the best possible scenario, but with Fletch not being fully fit and Scholes not having ability to run anymore I can't see us getting something there.
 
I would go with Carrick, Jones and Scholes. Jones making the dirty work.

Not the best possible scenario, but with Fletch not being fully fit and Scholes not having ability to run anymore I can't see us getting something there.
I think Jones will be even more unfit than Fletcher, he's played 2 games in 9 months (and he played the whole game on Wednesday night).

I'd start Fletcher and replace him with Jones after 60-70 minutes if we're not losing.
 
I think Jones will be even more unfit than Fletcher, he's played 2 games in 9 months (and he played the whole game on Wednesday night).

I'd start Fletcher and replace him with Jones after 60-70 minutes if we're not losing.

Not entirely correct. He has played 4 matches this season, and I think that he played some games in the end of last season, SAF just said that without being precise.

Anyway, it didn't look to me that he was more unfit that Fletch when he played.
 
Not entirely correct. He has played 4 matches this season, and I think that he played some games in the end of last season, SAF just said that without being precise.

Anyway, it didn't look to me that he was more unfit that Fletch when he played.
Well, they were two sub appearances.

I just think such few game time (and next to none at the competitive level this game will be at) is not enough to start him. Due to both of them being somewhat unfit, I'd have one play 60 and one play 30 - my preference would be Fletcher starting.
 
Jones and Scholes in CM. Instructions to Jones. 1) Chase the ball down and win it. 2) Pass to Scholes ONLY.
 
De Gea
Rafael - Ferdinand - Evans - Evra
Carrick - Jones
Rooney
Young - Van Persie - Welbeck

Gives us plenty of legs I think, not ideal but the most mobile we can offer right now and as long as we don't let them run on us we know we have the striker to do the business at the other end.
 
Is it about legs though or is it about keeping possession and not losing it under pressure? (i.e. Jones will be prone to that)

I think Scholes will get destroyed defensively in the middle especially as City tend to attack quite central. So Jones is the best of the bunch (of rather poor options available)
 
I think Scholes is the big question mark for this game. I was certain he would start, but after his horror showing midweek, I'm not that sure any more. If he doesn't start then we need to drop Rooney deeper to make up for the lack of creativity in midfield. If he does start then I can see us going with Rooney out wide.
 
---------DDG

Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
-----Carrick Scholes
--------Rooney
RVP ------------Young
------Chicarito

Have a feeling SAF will spring Vidic for this one and play a really fluid formation that can defend and attack. He will have to be creative with the players we have out atm.
 
I have a good feeling about this. Tight 1-0 win for us.
 
I am not usually on a down about a Derby game but I am for this.
City having not been beat in the PL at home for nearly 2 years and our own failings , this could be the worse Derby for a while.
God I hope I am wrong.
 
With Cleverley and Anderson fit, we would have won this. Without them, I don't think we have a hope in hell. We basically don't have a midfield.
 
--------------DDG----------------
Rafael--Evans--Ferdinand--Evra
---------Carrick--Fletcher--------
-------------Rooney--------------
---RVP----Hernandez----Young--

Something like this. It's not going to end well.
 
Feeling terribly pessimistic leading up to it ..with Anderson, Clev, Valencia, Nani all out; Scholesy not exactly in inspiring form, and our defence the way it is.. Not hoping for more than a draw.. :(
 
feck, just found out I'm playing a game at 1pm so I'll have to record the game and watch it when I get home. So I'll have to avoid the radio, any TVs on the way and stay away from my mobile. Every time I've tried to watch a game not live, somehow someone managed to spoil it for me, I'd be gutted if it happened in this case.

And Cutch's team is the one I suspect as well, although I fear for Fletch in a game that will probably be incredibly intense.
 
Fletcherinho isn't ready for an opponent of this quality. Shit in your pants if he does get the start Sunday. We have other options, despite the situation in the physio room.
 
The more I think about it the more I see Jones playing in midfield. Surely not the best solution but he would bring some energy into our midfield and doesnt looks as much off the pace as Fletch does.
A midfield combo of carrick-Scholes and a deep dropping Rooney would cost us badly I'm sure.

So I'd probably go with:

-------------------DDG------------------

Rafael--------Rio--------Evans------Evra

-----------Carrick-----Jones------------
-------------Scholes/Kagawa if ready)--

Young----------RvP---------------Rooney
 
The only thing giving me any hope that our shit team can get anything from this match is that their team is also shit. What a game it should be!
 
I have no doubt that Rooney would be part of a midfield three.

Given our relative strength in depth in the striker positions, if Anderson and Cleverley are both out, I'd agree. But only if these those 2 are unavailable.

A front 3 of Young, RVP and Hernandez in a 433 with Rooney in midfield is good enough to win.