Manchester United vs Arsenal

Jopub said:
For me I'd rest Hleb, Addy Fabregas even Toure - don't need you lot making cripples of them for the run in :D
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Hope they play and get suspended for launching pizza towards the dugout (in protest to the penalty / goal decisions we're due)
 
arse injury news

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=585291

Theo Walcott has been having round-the-clock treatment on a thigh strain in a desperate attempt to get him fit in time to face Manchester United in the FA Cup this weekend.

The striker had been tipped by some to start the match as injuries and a hectic fixture schedule take their toll on Arsenal, who must face European and World Champions AC Milan on Wednesday at the Emirates as the Champions League resumes.

Fellow Gunners striker Robin Van Persie is also injured, while wide players Eboué and Abou Diaby are also missing.

England U-21 man Walcott was scheduled to line up against Blackburn on Monday night but had to be withdrawn from the game prior to kick-off.

Speaking on Wednesday, Arsene Wenger also conceded that his plan to rest overworked players like Cesc Fabregas at United on Saturday would now not be possile.

"Cesc has had a recurrence of a throat infection and Manuel Almunia has a stomach bug," revealed the Frenchman, who nevertheless expects at least the former to start at Old Trafford.

"At least Tomas Rosicky is looking better, as is Van Persie. But he is still a few weeks away.”
 
This 'who to play in CM' problem is starting to hurt us. Carrick and Scholes starts for me in most games, but this is a game where Hargreaves would actually be useful. Still, Carricks form has been too good to drop (as opposed to Scholes) yet I don't want to see that Hagreaves/Carrick combination. Then theres Anderson as well, who I think has earned his place in the starting XI, but as a number of people have suggested, he should be experimented in Giggs role as a left roaming attacking player.

Personally, I think with Carrick, Scholes and Anderson playing, we have the right balance against Arsenal. They can all track back as well as support the attack, and Hargreaves can be brought on later on to close the game (or save him for the Lyon match altogether)

------Carrick---Scholes------
-----------------Anderson---
----Ronaldo-----------------
-------------Tevez----------
------Rooney----------------


In reality though, I fully expect to see Giggs playing in a 433 tucking into midfield with Tevez on the left flank. Hargreaves will also probably start.
 
I think Carrick and Scholes will start, the rest of the team will be the strongest one.
 
Bape said:
This 'who to play in CM' problem is starting to hurt us. Carrick and Scholes starts for me in most games, but this is a game where Hargreaves would actually be useful. Still, Carricks form has been too good to drop (as opposed to Scholes) yet I don't want to see that Hagreaves/Carrick combination. Then theres Anderson as well, who I think has earned his place in the starting XI, but as a number of people have suggested, he should be experimented in Giggs role as a left roaming attacking player.

Personally, I think with Carrick, Scholes and Anderson playing, we have the right balance against Arsenal. They can all track back as well as support the attack, and Hargreaves can be brought on later on to close the game (or save him for the Lyon match altogether)

------Carrick---Scholes------
-----------------Anderson---
----Ronaldo-----------------
-------------Tevez----------
------Rooney----------------


In reality though, I fully expect to see Giggs playing in a 433 tucking into midfield with Tevez on the left flank. Hargreaves will also probably start.
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I like that actually, just ordered it on PPV for $19.95, could see this one being well worth that price though
 
we're buggered, screwed, fooked, doomed, however you want to put it:
Arsène Wenger may have lost two, even three, more players for the FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Manchester United on Saturday but at least he will be able to call on Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue once again.

The two Ivorians are back from the Africa Cup of Nations and will be drafted into the squad for Old Trafford. However Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (personal reasons) are highly likely to miss out while Philippe Senderos (thigh/knee) can be considered doubtful.

If all three are missing then the list of Arsenal absentees will have reached double figures. [....]

All this begs the question of which type of side the Frenchman will field at Old Trafford, especially as Arsenal entertain AC Milan at Emirates next Wednesday.

"It will be as strong as possible so we have a good chance to win the game without putting the rest of the season into jeopardy by risking injuries," he said.

"But I will have a busy night thinking about what I'll do and how I will do it."

For the record the full injury list is: Johan Djourou (groin), Robin van Persie (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Manuel Almunia (sick), Denilson (hamstring), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Walcott (thigh), Clichy (hamstring), Sagna (personal reasons) and Senderos (knee/thigh).
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Neither fullback? And Christiano Ronaldo? Geez ....

Honestly, at this point, my only minor desire to win this game has dwindled down to total and utter apathy. I'm just afraid we won't be able to field a fresh first team against Milan at Ashburton on Wed. That's our home leg. We need to do well. (It's in y'all's interests, too, that we advance.)
 
okay, given the arse list of casualties, this is a lineup I'd "like" to see:

-Lehman-------------
--Hoyte---Toure-- Song-- Gallas
--Eboue----Gilberto-----Flamini----Hleb
---------Bendtner----Eduardo------

Bench: Fabianski, Traore, Adebayor, Cesc, and one of the Emirates Tea Ladies, whichever one brings the most quality in attack
 
Jens' Face said:
we're buggered, screwed, fooked, doomed, however you want to put it:

Neither fullback? And Christiano Ronaldo? Geez ....

Honestly, at this point, my only minor desire to win this game has dwindled down to total and utter apathy. I'm just afraid we won't be able to field a fresh first team against Milan at Ashburton on Wed. That's our home leg. We need to do well. (It's in y'all's interests, too, that we advance.)
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We're not falling for that one. I wouldnt be suprised to see some miracle recoveries on match day. You have nothing to worry about. Ronaldo apparently doesnt perform in the big games anyway.
 
Jens' Face said:
well, that's a relief.



but -- wait! This isn't a big game! It's a third-priority trophy in the early knockout stages! Darn, we really are doomed. Hattrick for Ronaldo ...
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Not buying that. Your just shit scared...:D
 
Rio/Vidic
Carrick/Anderson
Rooney/Tevez

through the middle, is the shizzle.
 
Jens' Face said:
okay, given the arse list of casualties, this is a lineup I'd "like" to see:

-Lehman-------------
--Hoyte---Toure-- Song-- Gallas
--Eboue----Gilberto-----Flamini----Hleb
---------Bendtner----Eduardo------

Bench: Fabianski, Traore, Adebayor, Cesc, and one of the Emirates Tea Ladies, whichever one brings the most quality in attack
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Replace Song with Gallas and put Traore on left back. Cesc will start and the same with Adebayor. Bendtner on bench. I think Wenger will put his best team available.
 
REd FUn DevIl said:
Replace Song with Gallas and put Traore on left back. Cesc will start and the same with Adebayor. Bendtner on bench. I think Wenger will put his best team available.
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I completely agree Cesc and Adebayor will more than likely be on the pitch from the get go
 
Alex said:
I completely agree Cesc and Adebayor will more than likely be on the pitch from the get go
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It's not quite as straightforward as whether or not Arsene will play his crucial players. Well, in the case of Ade it is. But in the case of Fabregas, there are some real fitness questions. Apparently he has been sick as a dog. He got up to play for the Blackburn match (a more important one than this upcoming cup game) but what his status now is remains unclear.

But I, at least, should be clear: the above lineup was what I hope we play, rather than a prediction of whom AW will play.
 
I would go with the same line-up as when we already played them. I know it's maybe unfair to Carrick (and I'd prefer him to Hargreaves normally) but I think the combo Anderson-Hargreaves would do well.

-------------VDS--------------
Brown---Rio---Vida---Evra
Ronaldo-Anderson-Hargreaves-Giggs
-----Tevez-------Rooney----
 
Pique and Eagles

Both substituted at half-time for the reserves last night (after impressive performances)

I think they will both be in the squad on Sunday. I have my doubts about Eagles but he's been our best reserve player for a while now and Fergie obviously rates him, after starting him a few times, earlier in the season.

It's a long shot, I know, but I think he might just be in with a shout of a place in the starting XI :nervous:

As for Pique, it will be interesting to see how much Fergie reads into Rio's woeful display against City. It wouldn't be the first time he's thrown a curve-ball with his team selections and you can't ignore the CL games next week and the fact that the gooners are unlikely to field their strongest line-up.
 
Edwin

Back 4 (I'm delighted Patrice is back)

Hargreaves

Carrick Scholes

Ronaldo Tevez

Wayne

Start at a high tempo, attack them straight from the start, give them a sign of what is to be coming and kick them off the pitch. We'll win.
 
Carrick & Scholes in mf if we want to win - or rest them if we don't.

The best pairing - with Carrick no 1 starter out of 4/5 main contenders. Scholes isn't sharp enough yet or has lost a bit. Think it's the former though.
 
Rooney & Evra back can only be good news. The former will be raring to go - let's hope his enthusiasm stays the right side of the line. Combined they'll give us much more in the way of outlets and attacking options.

Hargreaves played well against them at the Emirates so, since it's probably one of 'his' games, I'd expect to see him in there.

Would like to see R & R both produce fine performances. We need to get the show back on the road.
 
I'd prefer to lose this than lose our home match against them later in the league. What is it about Wenger who always seems to out-wit Ferguson...well, more often than not he does. I'm worried our confidence has been a bit dented. I reckon that if we are losing at half time some other players eyebrow will be slashed!!!!! Ferguson really hates losing against Wenger...
 
Would love to see this:

---------------VDS
Brown ---- Rio ----- Vida --- Evra
Ronaldo-Carrick-Scholes-Anderson/Nani
----------Tevez----Rooney---------


All front for interchanging.

I think we have to
 
Or Dropping Tevez and playing with those five in midfield, and having the two wingers without much defensive duties.
 
Fergie said he will make changes.

"I don’t think either side will play the team that everyone expects. We’ll make a couple of changes. My view is that with massive games like Arsenal and then Lyon on Wednesday, you have to give a lot of consideration to how you balance out your teams. Hopefully I get it right.”

So, both Giggs and Scholes will probably be on the bench I think. two from Hargreaves, Carrick and Anderson to start. Tevez-Rooney upfront.
 
Man-United said:
Fergie said he will make changes.

"I don’t think either side will play the team that everyone expects. We’ll make a couple of changes. My view is that with massive games like Arsenal and then Lyon on Wednesday, you have to give a lot of consideration to how you balance out your teams. Hopefully I get it right.”

So, both Giggs and Scholes will probably be on the bench I think. two from Hargreaves, Carrick and Anderson to start. Tevez-Rooney upfront.
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I wouldn't be surprised at all if Tevez sits this one out. Rooney and Saha up front. They haven't started a game together in ages but they formed a great partnership last season.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
I wouldn't be surprised at all if Tevez sits this one out. Rooney and Saha up front. They haven't started a game together in ages but they formed a great partnership last season.
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If Saha is fit enough to start I agree. Tevez needs a rest and as you said Saha-Rooney last season was great.
 
Man-United said:
Fergie said he will make changes.

"I don’t think either side will play the team that everyone expects. We’ll make a couple of changes. My view is that with massive games like Arsenal and then Lyon on Wednesday, you have to give a lot of consideration to how you balance out your teams. Hopefully I get it right.”
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Can I just say that I find that very charming, very human?

(I noticed it because normally I regard SAF with the same fear and loathing as Sarah Connor viewed the Terminator.)
 
So Sir Alex said he will make a couple of changes. In that case I would pick this team.

-------------------------------Van Der Sar---------------------------

---Brown------------Ferdinand------------Vidic-------------------Evra

---Ronaldo------------Carrick------------Anderson----------------Nani

-----------------------Rooney------------Saha------------------------


Not sure about the Subs though. We have Kuszczak, Scholes, Giggs, Tevez, Fletcher, O'Shea, Simpson, Pique, etc to select from.
 
Kuscscak
Simpson Brown Vidic Evra
Nani Carrick Hargreaves Park
Rooney Saha


We should rest Tevez, Ronaldo and Rio. The Lyon game is way more important.

Can't really call this game at all. The team is certainly good enough to win, but the bad vibe around the club after the last game makes you wonder if things are going to go against us again.
 
All I can say is - if we go into this game thinking it's unimportant, even remotely, as a few on here think we should then we may as well not bother at all. When Fergie makes more than just a couple of changes, which I hope he doesn't, then we know what happens. IMO this game is as important as any other so far this season.
 
I posted my team because I think it's got potential and could help us win on Saturday. I wasn't resting the likes of Brown and Giggs, they're just not in the team I would pick.
 
Gazza said:
VDS

Hargreaves - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra

Ronaldo - Scholes - Carrick - Anderson

Saha - Rooney
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Finally someone sees it as well. Anderson is no central midfielder.
 
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