[Samid]

"Are you sure you want to choose 6 midfielders?"

Under Fergie it would have said "Are you sure you only want to choose 2 midfielders?".

 

[Chuckazulu]

A huge meltdown awaits us in a few hours from now.

 

[Zoo]

It's a free hit really. The pressure is all on Chelsea.

 

[Pexbo]

A huge meltdown awaits us in a few hours from now.

I doubt it. There's very little expectation on this after a round trip to Russia 4 days ago and 3 1/4 strikers out while Chelsea stroll at 1 game a week.

 

[Drifter]

Resigned to a loss. Very much would love to be proven wrong

 

[golden_blunder]

our chances are low in this one, unless Chelsea field a weakened team

I'd like to see us kick Chelsea all over the pitch, make them work for it

 

[whatwha]

A huge meltdown awaits us in a few hours from now.

I don't think so, unless the players capitulate completely and we lose by 4-0 or worse. Expectations don't seem to be high.

 

[Fracture90]

Huh, so no striker available then?

 

[Drifter]

Huh, so no striker available then?

Fellaini

 

[jderbyshire]

Last time Chelsea lost was v Spurs - 2-0.

Both goals were headers.

So, I think it'll be Fellaini upfront, as oppose to Mickey playing false 9.

I'm not sure whether Carrick will play or not (He was rested for Rostov, so you'd think he will).

This is the line-up I've gone for:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Smalling Rojo Blind
Carrick
Herrera Pogba
Mata
Fellaini
​

I think we'll use the 5-4-1/3-4-3 to kinda match Chelsea (like we did v Rostov, and as Spurs did v Chelsea) - with Herrera, Pogba and Mata very fluid/interchangable, Carrick sitting back and Fellaini as the target man.

Lingard and Mickey to come on in the 2nd half to inject some pace.

Although I wouldn't be shocked if Mourinho threw a big surprise in the mix (e.g. starting Schweinsteiger)

 

[Fracture90]

Fellaini

Guess we're saved!

 

[Striker10]

This is the kind of game i'm optimistic about because in my experience when we see this kind of thing, we always show character. I think we one goal will win it.

 

[Mourinhonista]

.......................De Gea
Valencia.....Bailly..... Rojo..... Blind
......Herrera......Fellaini......Pogba
Mata..............Rashford..........Mkhi

Subs: Carrick, Smalling, Lingard

Personally i'd go with this one. I prefer Rojo instead of Smalling. From what i've seen so far Smalling is simply more prone to errors. Blind or Shaw as left back are a much better fit than Rojo, know better what to do without the ball and especially when running down the line.

Fellaini as a no.10, so we can play it long from time to time and he gives us the edge with his aerial threat. Moreover i'm not so sure that Carrick could cope for more than 60 minutes with Kanté breathing down his neck.

We'll see but Mourinho loves a good old mind game, doesn't he? So i'd be left very surprised not seeing Rashford. Maybe not as a starter because it's going to be a tough atmosphere at the Bridge for a young gun but i'm sure he'll be playing his part today.

I really think we can do them, so i put some money on getting us a result at the end of the day (odds 2.9). Can't wait!

 

[Sigma]

I'd like Young at RB and push up Valencia to RW doubling up on Hazard.

Shaw/Blind and Mkhi on the left.

Fellaini up top with Pogba in behind. 4-4-1-1

Carrick and Herrera in the middle.

Mata and Lingard on the bench.

Maybe Bailly over Smalling too.

The opposite would more likely happen. Valencia is our first choice right back. Young would surely be the one in the more advanced position.

 

[Special_One]

Could McTominay or Diedrick-Roberts make the bench?

 

[AN17]

The opposite would more likely happen. Valencia is our first choice right back. Young would surely be the one in the more advanced position.

You're probably right. But that's the combo I'd like us to try out. Both are hardworkers and diligent about defensive duties. And on their day, quite good going forward too. Hopefully some of their crosses is met by Fellaini eventually winning us the game.

 

[Cee90]

Not confident about this one at all really.

Is there REALLY nobody in our reserves that can make the step up? Rashford #2.

 

[Treble_Winning]

About Time for Pogba to show what stuff he is made of. Big players show their prowess in big matches. Against Liverpool, Pogba was the reason for our failure. This game will show whether he is a big game player or not. His long range efforts has been missing targets often. If one goes in today, we have a game.

Pogba was not the "reason for our failure". We didn't actually lose the game, we just didn't win it, because we didn't score enough goals. There are 11 players on the pitch. Pogba doesn't have personal responsibility whenever we don't get an ideal result. I am confident he will have a good game against Chelsea, because he is one of our best players. End of story.

 

[Philadelphian]

Pogba was not the "reason for our failure". We didn't actually lose the game, we just didn't win it, because we didn't score enough goals. There are 11 players on the pitch. Pogba doesn't have personal responsibility whenever we don't get an ideal result. I am confident he will have a good game against Chelsea, because he is one of our best players. End of story.

None of our midfielders will have good games as Chelsea is built to neutralize them.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I think we will lose tonight with good reason but I hope that José doesn't set up to play the awful pragmatic stifle job we know he can do. If it's likely that we may lose, at least make it exciting, a little less predictable. Some poster was calling him a coward the other day, and I hope the man takes some disks today. Think outside the box José

I think he will play for the replay and given the circumstances regarding the striker situation, You cannot really blame him in this instance.

 

[OldTrevil]

I think we'll nick a very tactically close affair. Chelsea like to sit back and hit on the counter so I don't see Mourinho risking it with a open game. I'll go for 3-5-2

--------------DDG---------------
-----Bailly----Smalling---Rojo----
Valencia---------------------Shaw
-------------Carrick---------------
------Herrera---------Pogba------
--------Mkhi-----Lingard---------

Rashford for Lingard if fit.

 

[shield]

I think we should start with this

De Gea
Valencia Jones Rojo Blind
Herrera Pogba
Mata Mikhi Lingard
Fellaini
​

This is the closest to our usual formation. Herrera - Mata - Mikhi combination is very good so they won't be able to attack a lot.

And if they do then we can simply lump it to Fellaini. He is very good at bringing the ball down. After that Pogba, Mikhi and Mata can do the rest. If we start getting overrun in midfield then we can take off Fellaini and bring 'Carrick' on and move 'Mikhi' or 'Mata' ahead.

No need to overcomplicate things. We are not under any great pressure to win this, so would like to see some attacking intent.

 

[Chaky_Best]

I'm worried about what Mourinho said on the Europa League being more important than the FA Cup.

I also think that this EL should be our main priorities. There will only be one or two "dangerous" team to beat to get it, but if we're too tired playing Thursdays - Sundays, it'll dead for us.

But I just think that we've a squad big enough to play the three games this week and being very good.

We should play our best XI tonight and on Sunday, when we can rest one or two other players against Rostov.

Tonight 4-1-4-1 :
De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw, Carrick, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Young, Mkhitaryan

Against Rostov 4-2-3-1 : (if Martial and Rashford are ok meaning 8 fresh players)
Romero, Young, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Herrera, Pogba, Martial, Rashford, Mata, Ibra

Against Boro : 4-2-3-1 :
De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Blind, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Rashford

 

[Tincanalley]

DDG
Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Blind
Herrera - Carrick - Fellaini
Mata - Mkhitaryan - Pogba
​

It's not quite the Championship side everyone is reacting to but I wouldn't give us any better than 6/1.

We'll smash them.

 

[Tincanalley]

Under Fergie it would have said "Are you sure you only want to choose 2 midfielders?".

Under Moyes, "are you sure you want to start with two goalkeepers?"

 

[Treble_Winning]

None of our midfielders will have good games as Chelsea is built to neutralize them.

Nonsense, that's just defeatist. We have excellent players even without a traditional striker. Very talented players. It will be Kante and Fabregas who are neutralized by Carrick and Herrera.

 

[pilky02]

That would be reckless, though.
For example, I wouldn't put Smalling in there. In the 4-0 encounter Smalling was the worst defender I have seen ever by a MUFC player. On that day he was captain, too and that night he would not have slept well.
If he has a repeat, it could mentally scar him.
Bailly was also present during that hammering - he was really bad that day.

To be fair to Smalling, he did have a broken toe. That being said his place in the squad is looking more and more lost by the game, this would be the perfect time for him to prove himself.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Last time Chelsea lost was v Spurs - 2-0.

Both goals were headers.

So, I think it'll be Fellaini upfront, as oppose to Mickey playing false 9.

I'm not sure whether Carrick will play or not (He was rested for Rostov, so you'd think he will).

This is the line-up I've gone for:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Smalling Rojo Blind
Carrick
Herrera Pogba
Mata
Fellaini
​

I think we'll use the 5-4-1/3-4-3 to kinda match Chelsea (like we did v Rostov, and as Spurs did v Chelsea) - with Herrera, Pogba and Mata very fluid/interchangable, Carrick sitting back and Fellaini as the target man.

Lingard and Mickey to come on in the 2nd half to inject some pace.

Although I wouldn't be shocked if Mourinho threw a big surprise in the mix (e.g. starting Schweinsteiger)

He is also injured

 

[MadDogg]

To be fair to Smalling, he did have a broken toe. That being said his place in the squad is looking more and more lost by the game, this would be the perfect time for him to prove himself.

lol, how? He's been comfortably outperforming Bailly and Jones recently. The constant negativity on here about him is completely out of whack with what is actually happening in the matches, which is the only thing that Mourinho will be caring about.

 

[Shuriken]

He is awful at finishing, not even very good at holding the ball up and has no pace. One of the worst options we could play up front.

You're right. Let's play Fellaini there instead!

No but joking aside. How about a 4-4-2 diamond. Carrick/Pog/Herrera as the midfield base of three and Mata as the 10, Fellaini and Mkhitaryan up top. Hoof balls up to Fellaini which he can flick forward in behind their backline or reverse them back down to Mata or our midfield.

 

[Organic Potatoes]

This has Fergie starting 7 defenders vs Arsenal writ all over it.

 

[Treble_Winning]

Another side plot - Will the classless and ungrateful Chelsea fans give Mourinho a more respectful reception this time around?

 

[Treble_Winning]

This has Fergie starting 7 defenders vs Arsenal writ all over it.

Parking the bus and playing defensively is just going to cause us to lose. It will backfire. We need to try and get an early goal to break their confidence. The first 20 minutes at least, we should be playing a high intensity attacking game and seeking to overwhelm them. Two goals in the first half, then sit back and hit them on the break in the second half.

 

[Jaybomb]

Unfortunately I think we're going to get hammered here. I have a bad feeling its going to be like before.

 

[stretford_oslo]

Unfortunately I think we're going to get hammered here. I have a bad feeling its going to be like before.

Same here. Gotta go for a miraculous 0-0 and win on pens.

 

[Sigma]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39224712

Fellaini really should start.

 

[m1y2]

I think We start with Fellaini in the hole and Young/Lingard up top, We will have enough strength in Pogba and Fellaini, The microphone can chest it down like Ibra when we are defending, Mata will get to the middle to help to keep the ball, Yougn making runs to that blank space and straight forward while Lingard will provide with grit and dynamic play on the the other wing. I don't think it will be a disaster..

 

[darko]

I think he will play for the replay and given the circumstances regarding the striker situation, You cannot really blame him in this instance.

There is no reply for QFs anymore. There is ET (an extra sub is allowed) and then if it's still tied, PKs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...-finals-four-subs-no-replays-guide-new-rules/

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

No idea on this one.

------------De Gea
Valencia--Jones--Rojo--Blind
Carrick--Pogba--Herrera
Mkhitaryan--Fellaini--Mata

-----------De Gea
-----Jones--Carrick--Rojo
Valencia--Herrera--Pogba--Young
Mata---Mkhitaryan---Lingard

I'd rather we played something like the second formation with Carrick at CB, and Mkhitaryan in the false 9 role, with Mata and Lingard working off the flanks. Fellaini is nailed on to play, but I don't think it's needed.

 

[darko]

I would go 4-3-1-2.

The 1-2 being Mata: Mkhiharyan, Lingard provided that Rashford is out.

My guess is that Carrick will sit. No doubt lineup choices will be affected by Thursday's match.