A.C. Milan v Manchester United

van der Sar
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick
Fletcher Scholes
Valencia Rooney Park Ji-Sung
--
Subs: Kuszczak; Rafael, Evans; Anderson, Nani; Owen, Berbatov​

Despite Rafael playing in a lot of big games lately, I'm unsure if he'd be thrown into a game of this magnitude. I'd probably be fine with trusting him, but I wouldn't mind seeing Wes Brown dumped in at Right Back, or Gary Neville if fit. Depending on whether Vidic is fit, could mean whether Brown starts at Right Back at Centre Back. Carrick, Fletcher, and Scholes has to be the midfield three. If Giggs is fit he'll make at least the bench if not the starting line up, while if unfit, Park starts and Anderson or another midfielder comes in. I think Valencia might start this one over Nani, but Nani will still be in the match day squad. That's basically it, we all know a similar team set-up is coming. If we really want to push for a goal, we have three quality attacking players waiting.

I think if we score at least one goal in Italy, we'll win the tie overall.
 
scholesy legend said:
A score draw will be very good for me. However, I expect Fergie to pack the midfield to not concede more than 1 goal.

.....................VDS.........................
..Rafael....Vidic (Evans)...Rio....Evra....
......Carrick...Scholes....Fletcher........
.........Park.................Giggs.............
..................Rooney........................

That would make our midfield solid IMO. We need experienced head first and foremost. And I dont think Nani will play as he hasnt proved himself in Europe. Nani is an exciting player and is on form in creating chances esp, but his main weakness is that he loses the ball quite often.
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I'd almost agree with this, but unlike others on here I have faith in Wes Brown to do a good job for us at either right back or centre back. He's a big game player is Wes, and has put in some storming performances in some of the toughest games. Rafael looks a great prospect but I'm hoping he won't be needed for the away leg.
 
-----------------------VDS----------------------
---Rafa-------Rio-----------Vida/Evans---Evra---
-------------------Carrick-----------------------
---------Fletcher-----------Scholes--------------
-Valencia----------------------------------Nani--
----------Wayne(Mother feckin')Rooney----------

Bench:
Pig
Owen
Berba
Brown
Ando
Park
Evans/Vidic

I think that would do the job. I chose Nani and Valencia on the Wing because the speed would cause their defense alot of trouble and allow Wayne to get into spaces for them to feed him
 
RedDevil [NC] said:
-----------------------VDS----------------------
---Rafa-------Rio-----------Vida/Evans---Evra---
-------------------Carrick-----------------------
---------Fletcher-----------Scholes--------------
-Valencia----------------------------------Nani--
----------Wayne(Mother feckin')Rooney----------

Bench:
Pig
Owen
Berba
Brown
Ando
Park
Evans/Vidic

I think that would do the job. I chose Nani and Valencia on the Wing because the speed would cause their defense alot of trouble and allow Wayne to get into spaces for them to feed him
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It'll be 451 so I'm hoping for that. Park will probably start on the left wing though. Just depends on who Fergie prefers on the right...
 
esmufc10 said:
I really fancy us, Milan have been shite these past few weeks. And Nesta and Pato are both doubts, their 2 key players.

VDS

Brown
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra

Nani
Scholes
Carrick
Fletcher
Park

Rooney

I think we will win 2-0.
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Nah, I would't want Vidic back for his first game in this one.

VDS
Evra Evans Rio Brown
Carrick Fletcher
Giggs Berbatov Park
Rooney

Think we will win 2-1
 
..................Van der Sar
Brown - Ferdinand --- Evans -- Evra
.....................Carrick
.........Fletcher--------Scholes
Valencia......... Rooney............Nani​

Bench: Berbatov/Owen/Park/Anderson/Rafael/Vidic/Kuzza

Think thats how we'll go for this one, dependant on Giggs injury of course assuming his arm injury is a worst case scenario the above is probably most likely, If Giggs is fit then i expect Nani on the right and Giggs left much like last night as fergie makes no secret of his favour for experiance in these fixtures making Giggs a shoe in if fit......with Nani now facing a 3 game domestic ban after last nights red it makes his inclusion almost certain for this one in my view for the very simple reason given hes in such great form and will miss the next 3 domestic fixtures not playing him here would be pretty strange given obvious circumstances, as well as the fact wed want atleast one fresh winger for the Everton match which obviously Nani will now play no part in unfortunatly, hence him missing this one on top of the next 3 domestic matches would almost certainly see his recent form disrupted and make little sense, after waiting so long to see these kind of performances from him im sure Fergie will want to include him as much as possible.

As for the defence i really dont know whats going on with Vidic, keep hearing hes 'trained well' and is 'in contention to play' blah blah keep seeing pictures of him training with the rest of the squad but as usual come match day hes nowhere to be seen :confused:, somethings odd there and quite frankly i cant see him starting a huge game like this with absolutely no match fitness for the best part of 2 months now (last time he played was back on december 30th against Wigan), Rio Ferdinand will obviously be available and is certain to start as his domestic ban dosnt affect his availability in Europe, id keep Evans there and shift Brown to right back...That Midfield trio has been in fine form recently so i doubt Fergie will change those 3 unless he has to for fitness reasons.
 
Park - Rooney - Nani , for sure. Park hardly lets us down in europe and Nani creates our most dangerous openings from the right. Even picked out Giggs' volley before he got sent off, to continue his run of very good crosses and involvement in all our recent OGs. Needless to say we're reliant on Rooney to finish our chances so he has to be in the middle. Valencia can come on in the later parts of the match when the old men are stuggling to keep pace.
 
VDS

Wesleh - Rio - Evans - Evra

Fletch - Carrick - Scholes

Nani - Rooney - Park
​


A few weeks ago I'd be advocating playing Rooney on the left due to the averageness of Oddo/Favalli at full-back, but he's pretty much established himself as the leading striker now. He won't get much joy out of Nesta though. Park always seems to play well in these games.

That midfield three was anonymous in 2007, but Fletcher and Carrick have moved on a lot since then, and Milan's mighty midfield has regressed. Plus you want an experienced head in there with Scholes, now that Lord Gigg has busted his arm.

Ronaldinho wide-left is one of the few attacking players in Europe with a unique talent for making defenders look utterly stupid. Wesley is the definition of solid, and I would take his big-match experience over anything. So long as 'Dinho is forced inside then one of Carrick, Fletcher or Rio can nick it off him.

Rafael is 18, and probably a little intimidated by a Brazilian legend facing him in that atmosphere, in a game like this. It's a whole different scale to a misfiring Robinho at Eastlands. I just trust Wes to defend better than Rafael in enormous games.
 
What I will say is, Ronaldinho isnt going to track Rafael coming forward. He and Nani on the same wing could be too much for Milan to handle. Afterall their left back is likely to be Antoninini and he's not that good. If we choose to play on the front foot, Nani and Rafael can dominate that flank and keep Ronaldinho out of the game. We did something similar to Messi a few years ago when we played Ronaldo and Evra on the left against Messi and Zambrotta.

Also I dont like Wes's habit of turning his back to his opponent, and the long way round, which he's started to do again in recent games. You lose a player like Ronaldinho while you're fecking about turning round and you'll leave space for him to play a killer pass.
 
sammsky1 said:
Cheers, a sane voice amongst the madhouse.

All this bollox about some old boy returning ... who gives a feck. He plays for the opposition. An early red card, them down to 10 men and supposed United fans side with GoldenBlocks. fecking hell!!!
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Ditto.

The amount of man-love for Mr. Golden Balls is insane. A true United Legend, but he is trying to knock US out of the Champions League now.
 
Obviously none of us want to see Becks 'perform' against us , but show a little more respect please, cus when you cut through the bullshit he was a brilliant servant to the club and in some ways still is!
 
olesmyhero said:
Beckham is one of my favorite players, but if he gets a red or has a shit game I won't be upset. United>individual players.
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Yeah but hoping he is sent off is a bit harsh. I hope Milan lose and Beckham has a bad game but Beckham does deserve a decent reception and a dignified exit from OT. Not a shameful walk down the tunnel after a red.
 
What formation is Milan playing these days? 4-3-3, I think?
If that's the case, a 4-5-1 is inevitable.
However, I can't help but think Berba may be a surprise starter
If we have Park on the left, we'll have a midfilder with lots of energy and defending qualities, Valencia, who works well with Rafael Da Silva on the right, is also good defending and Berba-Wayne to lead the line.
I don't know much about Milan, but I watched them 2 games this year. My impression is..Meh...one word - slow.

Anyways, my choice would be

----back-------four----

Fletcher-Scholes-Carrick

Nani-Rooney-Park
 
For me, the question is who to bench between Evans and Brown who both have done well recently. Also who to play between Nani and Valencia as Park is a guaranteed starter.
 
Jacob said:
For me, the question is who to bench between Evans and Brown who both have done well recently. Also who to play between Nani and Valencia as Park is a guaranteed starter.
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No brainer, If Rio comes back fit and Vidic is still out, I'd bench Rafael and play Brown at rightback, keep Evans at centreback. Need a defensive defender for this one. If Vidic returns to full fitness Evans and Rafael on the bench.

Simple.
 
Jacob said:
For me, the question is who to bench between Evans and Brown who both have done well recently. Also who to play between Nani and Valencia as Park is a guaranteed starter.
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Evans and nani please. Seems strange given wes's experience but evans just seems to have an old head, nothing fazes him, which is an invaluable asset for a defender in these big games. Wes is probably better in some respects atm but still is prone to the odd moment that we cant afford. Nani because he is in better form, and with him being banned from pl action seems the logical choice for that particular game with valencia coming in for league matches.
 
Berlinknives said:
No brainer, If Rio comes back fit and Vidic is still out, I'd bench Rafael and play Brown at rightback, keep Evans at centreback. Need a defensive defender for this one. If Vidic returns to full fitness Evans and Rafael on the bench.

Simple.
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i would have thought that a few weeks ago but when was the last time wes played at right back? Also i have been impressed with rafaels performances on the whole. I really dont think we should throw rio and vida into this game, i still have nightmares about the last time when vida had pretty much his first game back in the san siro and got raped. Rio at least has some game time under his belt, rio and evans please.
 
MarylandMUFan said:
Ditto.

The amount of man-love for Mr. Golden Balls is insane. A true United Legend, but he is trying to knock US out of the Champions League now.
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Yup. A legend of our past and someone who clearly has real affection toward the club. But he's on the other team now!
 
Could be a tough game, but a 3-0 win

Nani
Rooney
and a Berbagoal
 
A 3-0 win at San Siro? Wake up.. a draw at best.

2-1 to Milan then we'll batter them at home.
 
On paper we should be all over them, and maybe grab a 2-0 win. Yet somehow, im sure its gonna be tighter that most people expect, i can see 1-1 draw, or a 2-1 either way.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
Yeah but hoping he is sent off is a bit harsh. I hope Milan lose and Beckham has a bad game but Beckham does deserve a decent reception and a dignified exit from OT. Not a shameful walk down the tunnel after a red.
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This.

Hoping for a former player to get a red card is as irritating as hoping he scores a hatrick.

i want united to win and i dont care how its done or whos involved in it.
 
Berlinknives said:
No brainer, If Rio comes back fit and Vidic is still out, I'd bench Rafael and play Brown at rightback, keep Evans at centreback. Need a defensive defender for this one. If Vidic returns to full fitness Evans and Rafael on the bench.

Simple.
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Evans and Rafael are both doing well. They deserve to start.
 
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