Sunderland vs Manchester United

We're making a meal out of every single game at the momment. I don't care what anyone says, this won't be an easy game. Sunderland are going to be pumped and know that we're on the rocks at the momment. This is the game of the season for them remember.

It's going to be another nervy bastard of a game. We'll leak in another goal, I think we need 3 goals again to make sure of a win. I'm not confident in our defensive play at all at the momment.

Rio's out according to Sir Alex, so it's going to be O'Shea playing next to Vidic. With Neville and Evra. We need Fletcher in his natural position in the middle of the park, he's one of the few players in form at the momment. I predict Giggs to be placed next to him. With Park and Ronaldo on the wings. Then Rooney and Tevez upfront.

GK: VDS
FB: Evra
FB: Neville
CB: O'Shea
CB: Vidic
LM: Ronaldo
RM: Park
CM: Giggs
CM: Fletcher
FW: Rooney
FW: Tevez

The only issue i'd have with that team is that we'd look a bit defensively weak on the left of the pitch with Giggs/Ronnie/Evra. I'd be confident of that team getting a result tbh.
 
we really need to freshen up the team for the weekend i think - our players are looking very jaded and i hope its just because of the fact we played so soon after the villa game

VDS
Neville
O Shea
Vidic
Evra

Park
Fletcher
Giggs
Nani
Rooney
Tevez

think ronaldo and carrick need a rest and altho nani has been shit we need to rotate a little

get fit soon please ferdinand, brown, anderson, berbatov and rafael
 
------VDS-------
Brown--Vidic--Rio*-----Evra
----------Carrick-----------
----Fletcher------Giggs
-----------Tevez------
-----Ronaldo----Rooney----

In all honestly, we need to play like we did last season. I understand playing Rooney in his correct position is vital for his career, but United and Ronaldo need to get back on the confidence train and start banging goals like Fat Ronaldo bangs prostitutes.

With Brown back it gives us the width on the right wing to press into attack.

Rio Subject to injury.
 
MUFCgal said:
----------------VDS----------------
Nev-------O'Shea---Vidic-------Evra
Ronaldo---Fletch---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Tevez----------
Click to expand...

Agree with this, but given Ronaldo & Nani's disinterest in tracking back and covering our bizarrely shakey defence (of late), I'd go for Park ahead of Nani. Deffo think Giggs needs to start alongside Fletcher - they are our two in-form midfielders at the moment (WTF has happened to Carrick in recent weeks ??)

Sunderland will score, I have no doubt, but we will score more. 1-3 or 2-4 !
 
I would very much like to rest the likes of Ronaldo, Evra, Carrick, Fletcher. This is what I want to see:

VDS

Neville
Ferdinand
Vidic
Fabio

Welbeck
Anderson
Giggs
Nani

Rooney
Tevez

Bench:

PIG, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Scholes, Macheda

Taking off at least Rooney and Scholes by the 65 minute mark when we have a two goal lead.

Anyone with me?
 
dileno said:
I would very much like to rest the likes of Ronaldo, Evra, Carrick, Fletcher. This is what I want to see:

VDS

Neville
Ferdinand
Vidic
Fabio

Welbeck
Anderson
Giggs
Nani

Rooney
Tevez

Bench:

PIG, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Scholes, Macheda

Taking off at least Rooney and Scholes by the 65 minute mark when we have a two goal lead.

Anyone with me?
Click to expand...

I think you'll find o'shea and vidic in the centre. Unless Sir Alex is lying, Rio won't be fit - or will evans
 
rednev said:
The good thing is we have 3 full days rest as opposed to the 1 day of rest we had in the first leg. I'd be happy with Fletcher-Carrick. The last thing we want is to feck up in the league for the sake of the CL.
Click to expand...


Agree with that last sentence.

We won ECL last year and that was great but frankly the premiership title is vastly more important this year. We must keep liverpool from winning it.

Arse for the Champions league
 
Colly said:
Agree with this, but given Ronaldo & Nani's disinterest in tracking back and covering our bizarrely shakey defence (of late), I'd go for Park ahead of Nani. Deffo think Giggs needs to start alongside Fletcher - they are our two in-form midfielders at the moment (WTF has happened to Carrick in recent weeks ??)

Sunderland will score, I have no doubt, but we will score more. 1-3 or 2-4 !
Click to expand...

I actually think Nani would track more than Ronaldo. I've seen Nani lose the ball and he usually tries to win it back, unlike Ronaldo. I love Park, he never gives less than 100% but I would give the lad Nani a chance, plus it's fresh legs as Park has played more than him lately I think. Yeah definitely, Carrick's form has deserted him at the moment so definitely Fletch and Giggsy in the middle. I wouldn't be surprised if Sunderland score the way our defence is at the moment. A few things I want from Saturday: a great result, a great performance (where everybody pitches in and not just 2 or 3 players) and not to concede any goals.
 
dileno said:
I would very much like to rest the likes of Ronaldo, Evra, Carrick, Fletcher. This is what I want to see:

VDS

Neville
Ferdinand
Vidic
Fabio

Welbeck
Anderson
Giggs
Nani

Rooney
Tevez

Bench:

PIG, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Scholes, Macheda

Taking off at least Rooney and Scholes by the 65 minute mark when we have a two goal lead.

Anyone with me?
Click to expand...

no
 
Pretty sure Nani will get a start for this one.
 
Easy 4-0 win, we will be back, fair enough it was hard against Villa but Rooney, Vidic and Scholes will all be back for this one, i know it wasnt brilliant last night but we only had 2 days rest remember.
 
Maciek's prediction of the game

547.gif

v Sunderland AFC
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 11th April 2009, 15:00
Stadium of Light, Sunderland​

How is it in the table?

Manchester United need t.o win this one. One point with one game in hand is not a huge advantage and we must say that Liverpool does not seem as a team which want to give up. Two games before international break was not good, defeat against Liverpool and a week later at Craven Cottage made seven-points lead to just one. United's last game in the league against Aston Villa was also played poor by players, but they scored the winner, thanks to 17 year old Federico Macheda. Sunderland is only three points above relegation zone and their every next game will be like cup final. They can make it hard for Manchester United. Sunderland have not played many games recenlty, they played only three times last month and their last game was played on Saturday, while Manchester United yesterday evening was fighting for Champions League semi-final. Thee days to rest for United, whole week for Sunderland

Last five meetings:

● 06/12/2008 - United v Sunderland - 1:0 - Vidic
● 26/12/2007 - Sunderland v United - 0:4 - Saha 2, Ronaldo, Rooney
● 01/09/2007 - United v Sunderland - 1:0 - Saha
● 14/04/2006 - United v Sunderland - 0:0
● 15/10/2005 - Sunderland v United - 1:3 - Rooney, Rossi, van Nistelrooy

United team:

Goalkeeper

I think there's nothing to write. He is our best goalie this season, he is injury free and he had a break two weeks ago, when majority of the team played for their countries in World Cup Qualification. I know the most important part of the season has just started, but we cannot give him rest at the moment, when our defence is really injuried and we have only Vidic in the centre.

Defenders

We do not have too many to choose from. Da Silva twins are injuried, but we still cannot find any true informations about them. Fabio was sitting on the bench when United played Villa, but he was missed yesterday. Rafael is injuried for a long time and even physioroom.com does not write anything new about him. Jonny Evans was injuried yesterday and Ferguson said in post-match interview that he needs one week to be fully fit and ready to play. With Ferdinand injuried, too, we are only with Nemanja Vidic, but alongside him will probably play John O'Shea. It does not look too bad on a paper, but in last matches we could see that O'Shea and Neville partnership is not the best in the world, definitely. I care about Evra, because he plays all the time and it can cost us later in this season.

Midfielders

Cristiano Ronaldo must play, however I know he can be very tired. We need him, because he scores goals even if he does not play magnificent football. I would give him a rest in FA Cup semi-final, hopefully other wingers will find their form. On the other wing I would pick Nani. He is totally out of form, but we need Park in Porto. Moreover, Nani will not play good again, if he does not play, so Fergie, choose him at Stadium of Light. I think experienced players should play in the centre, not because I want Carrick & Fletcher on Wednesday, but they have not played too much recently. They had break when there were internationals. Scholes did not played against Aston Villa and was replaced yesterday by Tevez after about 70 minutes. Giggs played against Villa, but he came at the end of the match yesterday. I would pick experienced midfield.

Strikers

I know, I know. But you have to agree - Carlos Tevez was poor in last two games, so I would give him time to rest and have him fully fit and ready for fight in Portugal on Wednesday. Federico Macheda was wonderful against Aston Villa, I do not write it only because he scored the winner. He was very dangerous through 30 minutes. Give the lad a chance.

For me it should be:

GK - Edwin van der Sar

RB - Gary Neville ©
CB - John O'Shea
CB - Nemanja Vidic
LB - Patrice Evra

RM - Cristiano Ronaldo
CM - Paul Scholes
CM - Ryan Giggs
LM - Nani

ST - Wayne Rooney
ST - Federico Macheda

Bench: Ben Foster, Richard Eckersley, Ji-sung Park, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck.

Injuried: Rafael da Silva, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Fabio da Silva, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov.
 
Maciek;6030491 GK - Edwin van der Sar RB - Gary Neville © CB - John O'Shea CB - Nemanja Vidic LB - Patrice Evra RM - Cristiano Ronaldo CM - Paul Scholes CM - Ryan Giggs LM - Nani ST - Wayne Rooney ST - Federico Macheda [U said:
Bench:[/U] Ben Foster, Richard Eckersley, Ji-sung Park, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck.

Injuried: Rafael da Silva, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Fabio da Silva, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov.
[/SIZE][/SIZE] [/FONT]
Click to expand...

You are surely taking the piss with Scholes and Giggs in midfield, who tackles there? We need a DM. With that midfield we would end in tears even if Vida and Rio play.

Fabio da Silva isnt injured, he was training with the lads on Monday.
 
This will be very tricky. They are in a dog fight and that will show in how they play. They may be out of form, but so were Villa.

I don't have any confidence in us to get a result against anyone at the moment. We're a shambles defensively and not looking particularly special in attack.

I'd take a win of any sorts. That's what we'll need after Blackburn perform their bending over at Anfield.

Please, please let Rio be fit.
 
Feed Me said:
This will be very tricky. They are in a dog fight and that will show in how they play. They may be out of form, but so were Villa.

I don't have any confidence in us to get a result against anyone at the moment. We're a shambles defensively and not looking particularly special in attack.

I'd take a win of any sorts. That's what we'll need after Blackburn perform their bending over at Anfield.

Please, please let Rio be fit.
Click to expand...

That's about the only thing you can count on.
 
Maciek said:
For me it should be:[/B]

GK - Edwin van der Sar

RB - Gary Neville ©
CB - John O'Shea
CB - Nemanja Vidic
LB - Patrice Evra

RM - Cristiano Ronaldo
CM - Paul Scholes
CM - Ryan Giggs
LM - Nani

ST - Wayne Rooney
ST - Federico Macheda

Bench: Ben Foster, Richard Eckersley, Ji-sung Park, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck.

Injuried: Rafael da Silva, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Fabio da Silva, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov.
 [/FONT]
Click to expand...

Why is Gary Neville the subject of copyright?
 
Our CM was so dreadful against Porto and probably in need of a rest, that I wouldnt mind seeing either Gibson or Possebon in the reckoning. Not that I think Sunderland will be an easy proposition - far from it - but I think that Gibson or Possebon in the middle might be exactly what we need. Fresh legs and a bit of confidence.

Anyhoot:

VDS

Nev - JOS - Vida - Evra

Gibson - Fletch
Nani - Giggs - Ron

Rooney​

That said Id still back Scholes to come in and do the business if required. Carrick needs to step down though. Rested, dropped, call it what you like.
 
Also, I hope Sunderland dont play 442. They have two quality strikers in Cisse and Jones who would cause a lot of trouble for our currently shaky, depleted backline.
 
I agree stick a couple of the kids in. Their Energy levels is what we need, plus it keeps some of the older heads fresh for Porto next week.

with that in mind I'd go with

--------------VDS----------------

Nev------Vida-------O'shea----Evra

---------Gibson----Fletch-----------

Nani----------Rooney-----------Park
------------Welbeck/Macheda
 
-----------VDS
---O'Shea Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Giggs Park
-------Rooney Tevez

Foster; Neville, Evans; Gibson, Carrick, Nani; Macheda

If Rio/Evans can't make it then O'shea in the centre, with Gazza on the right

Has to be said I've been awful with scorelines lately, all season in fact, so I won't give a predicition this time

Need some confidence and momentum going into the Porto game

Win and a clean fecking sheet.
 
Foster

Eckersley
Neville
Vidic
JOS

Fletcher
Carrick
Gibson

Park
Rooney
Tevez

Subs: Kuszy, Evra, Scholes, Ronaldo, Nani, Welbeck, Macheda


Time to get back on track fo' real
 
REd FUn DevIl said:
You are surely taking the piss with Scholes and Giggs in midfield, who tackles there? We need a DM. With that midfield we would end in tears even if Vida and Rio play.

Fabio da Silva isnt injured, he was training with the lads on Monday.
Click to expand...

Why?

Sunderland's midfielders are crap, in general.
 
Hehehe not done this before.

Foster

O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra

Ronaldo Gibson Giggs Nani

Rooney Tevez

Subs:
Park
Fletcher
Macheda
Wellbeck
Kuszczak
Neville
Possebon
 
Personally I would like to see Macheda start. I want tos ee how he links up with Rooney.
 
Brwned said:
Why?

Sunderland's midfielders are crap, in general.
Click to expand...

Well the same we could say about Fulham and look what happened.

I say lets not understimate a team that havent won for some time and are hungry for points. Dont know why some of you keep thinking we can beat anyone with the shit form we are in. Lets make the things right and get the points.
 
No fecking about, please. An early goal and we're set I reckon. Team:

Dutchman in Goal.

Neville. O'Shea. Vidic. Evra.

Fletcher. Scholes. Park.

Ronaldo. Tevez. Rooney.

feck off.
 
Foster
GNev
O'Shea
Vidic
Evra
Park
Fletch
Carrick
Giggs
Rooney
Ronaldo

PIG
Eckers
Gibson
Tev
Macheda

vds needs a break - he's let in a few soft ones lately

tempted to put in Gibson for Park and Tev for Giggs & Macheda chomping at the bit to come on
 
amir51 said:
Personally I would like to see Macheda start. I want tos ee how he links up with Rooney.
Click to expand...

Yeah, we're all itching to see how Kiko does starting a match but I can see SAF pairing Rooney & Tevez up front. Hopefully if we're a few goals ahead and in control then he might give the lad a chance in the last 20+ mins.
 
I think there is one or two players in need of a rest if I'm honest, the likes of Evra and Ronaldo spring to mind and also maybe Tevez who's looked labored in his last two games after his international duty, understandably.

I really hope Rio can get back for this one, not just for this game but to give him some playing time for the return leg at Porto.

Any news on Brown and Rafael as yet either? Haven't seen Brown play for what seems like ages!
 
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