Question now is, given Scholes is likely to be fit what shape does the midfield now take?
Manchester United v Arsenal
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Owen Hargreaves too???
It's a tough one, I remember Scholes having a poor start last season at the Emirates which forced Fergie to alter things slightly (Can't remember exactly what he did, mind). I'd hate for Anderson and Carrick to be dropped as I think they're slowly coming into form now and I think we need Fletcher in this game. Personally I'd go for;
van der Sar
Rafael Vidic Ferdinand Evra
..Carrick Anderson Fletcher
Nani Rooney Park
Rafael Vidic Ferdinand Evra
..Carrick Anderson Fletcher
Nani Rooney Park
It's really a toin coss between Anderson and Scholes. Glad I'm not a manager.
It is a tough decision, but it's a nice problem to have.
Elvis did your tickets arrive?
Elvis did your tickets arrive?
I did aye!
In normal circumstances I would agree but Fletcher is not in great form so I think he should be the 1 to miss out if Scholes plays.
It's not like Arsenal have got the outstanding central midfield they once had. Especially if Fabregas doesn't play.
kinell Ferguson doing the Wenger here - four days ago Scholes was out till the new year !
Just hope Fabregas is ready but doubt it
I'd like this
..............Flaps
Sagna Djourou Squillaci Clichy
.......Song ....Wilshere
.........Fabs
Arshavin......Nasri
...............Chamakh
Walcott, van Persie, Rosicky, Eboue
Obviously if Fabs is not ready then Walcott or van Persie coming with Arshavin dropping back. Obviously if vPersie were completely fit he'd get first choice. There is a case for dropping Arshav for vPers although I'd like the Russian to get a half to show he can still put in a performance like we were seeing over a year ago
I can see Wenger though not playing Wilshere
I'd really like to see Wilshere combatively in the thick of this game, do him a lot of good and he could do some damage too
Just hope Fabregas is ready but doubt it
I'd like this
..............Flaps
Sagna Djourou Squillaci Clichy
.......Song ....Wilshere
.........Fabs
Arshavin......Nasri
...............Chamakh
Walcott, van Persie, Rosicky, Eboue
Obviously if Fabs is not ready then Walcott or van Persie coming with Arshavin dropping back. Obviously if vPersie were completely fit he'd get first choice. There is a case for dropping Arshav for vPers although I'd like the Russian to get a half to show he can still put in a performance like we were seeing over a year ago
I can see Wenger though not playing Wilshere
I'd really like to see Wilshere combatively in the thick of this game, do him a lot of good and he could do some damage too
Suddenly feeling very nervous about this game. Arsenal have been clocking along very quietly this season, certainly under the radar so seeing them top of the table is abit of a jolt. They are bang in form and could easily rumble us.
I fear that in an open game, well I just dont have the confidence that our defence will hold out for a clean sheet.
Im hoping SAF goes all tactical, that we end up with a very boring and scratchy game with very few chances and that Rooney scores the only goal. That would do me fine.
With that in mind, Id play
VDS
Rafael, Vicic, Rio, Evra
Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson
Park, Berbatov, Rooney
I fear that in an open game, well I just dont have the confidence that our defence will hold out for a clean sheet.
Im hoping SAF goes all tactical, that we end up with a very boring and scratchy game with very few chances and that Rooney scores the only goal. That would do me fine.
With that in mind, Id play
VDS
Rafael, Vicic, Rio, Evra
Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson
Park, Berbatov, Rooney
I never heard him say that.
You really think? I'd like to think Anderson is our one central midfielder guaranteed to start on Monday, given that he's been arguably our best player in every one of the last 3 games. Theres no way we can justify playing Fletcher, Carrick or even Scholes ahead of him when you compare the way they've all played in recent weeks.
I also disagree with leaving a player out who scored 5 in his last Premier League match, but thats another story.
We're the most in form team in the league at the minute. Arsenal sit top purely because our game at Blackpool was postponed (We'd have won). Their last couple of performances haven't impressed me at all.
We'll do them and comfortably.
I think so to, as long as we go for the throat and attack what i think is a pretty mediocre backline, which is why id start Nani,Rooney and Berbatov for this.
Great to hear Rio will be fine, dont see Arsenal getting much change out of our first choice backline.
Jeez, why's everyone being so negative. We'd be top of the league if it wasn't for the snow last weekend. We're unbeaten playing a team who's already lost 3 times (i think) (EDIT: 4 TIMES) this season. We're home and we put 7 past a team in our last premier league game.
I'd play this team if we were away to a european super power like Madrid or Barca, but we're at home, to Arsenal. Leaving Nani out is absurd btw. He's been our most effective attacking player this season, scoring and assisting goals by the bucketload. I pray that we dont go into the game as negatively as you would.
Hope so! Dunno why Im suddenly feeling abit weird.
Sure I get the Blackpool bit (doh!) but even then, they would still be virtually top and I think thats an amazing achievement by them, given their goalkeeping and defensive issues.
I think my uneasiness is Rooney. He needs to start scoring. He has done a fantastic job so far in his comeback and one can literally see his class and form returning as every ten minutes of match time passes! But he has been unlucky with regards to scoring (in open play). As soon as he starts scoring, we can be confident going into games that goals are in the team and we dont have to rely on what side of bed Berbasex gets out of on that particular morning.
Arsenal have lost 4 times in the league this season.
Newcastle
WBA
Spurs
Chelsea
Newcastle
WBA
Spurs
Chelsea
Totally fair comment. As is your point about Berbasex's demolition job last week. Its just that this season, we have not always been able to play the open way we know we can when things are good. My fear is that if we misfire, like we have done a few times already, Arsenal attacking prowess is good enough to do us serious damage.
Yes, if we could guarantee our form, then yes, Id love to go gangbusters and know we'd tear them a new arse, but our form is still erratic.
My personal priority this season is to get no 19 in the bag and I don't really care how we go about doing that. We are a team in transition so its too much to expect the true Manchester United way every game. Everything so far indicates that it will be one the the most squeaky bum time leagues ever this year, so every point is vital. Just get the points in that bag, Im not that fussed how they come.
Anyway, just opinions, will be interesting to see how SAF reads it.
Wow, 4 times already. Thats even more reason to have a go at them then. If we line up with 5 in midfield i would worry that it could go the same way as the City match, with us finding it difficult to support our lone frontman, sitting too deep in midfield. If we play 2 up top, with both players in form, we retain possession higher up the pitch, defend from the front, and we will score goals against that defence.
Fair enough. I do understand your thinking too by the way. If we approach the game like we would an away European tie, perhaps we would be more likely to get a result, whereas the 4-4-2 could perhaps leave us more vulnerable to the counter. But i think at times we do worry too much about the opposition. Arsenal certainly wouldnt overly worry me, and i think whatever way we line up we're more than capable of getting a result. My preference would be to pick the players in form, rather than the players to do a job. I'd hate to think what it'd do to Berba's or Andersons confidence being left out of this one, the way they've both been playing.
I think Fletcher needs a big performance in a game like this to kick start his season.
Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher for me. Bundles of energy, take the game to them. Scholes on the bench.
Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher for me. Bundles of energy, take the game to them. Scholes on the bench.
3-0, Rooney brace and either Nani or Anderson for the third to seal it.
Still think this is the best way to go.
...............Van Der Sar
Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
...........Fletcher - Scholes
.................Anderson
...Nani........Berbatov......Rooney
Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
...........Fletcher - Scholes
.................Anderson
...Nani........Berbatov......Rooney
I'm going for a 1-1 draw
Nah. There's more goals in this game.
ths
We'll win 2-0
these games are usually tight, right? apart from that 6-0 or was it 6-1 drubbing we gave them years back, so 2-1 to us.
van der Sar, Kuszczak
Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, O'Shea, Smalling/Brown
Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Park, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs
Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez
I'd be surprised if this isn't the match day squad for Arsenal and Chelsea (if everyone really is fit). I'm torn between us playing a 442 or a 433, though it's likely that basically the same players would start. Park could be used on the wing or in the middle with Rooney on the left or up top - I don't think it matters as Evra would be our entire left side as usual anyway - allowing Park & Rooney to both cut inside and do damage. The only way this won't happen is if Berbatov is on the bench. If that's so, I'm starting to think it'd be Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Park, and Rooney.
The last three I remember at Old Trafford with Arsenal were 2-1, 2-1, and 0-0.. All were basically in our favour as the draw secured us the title and the other games were wins. I could be wrong though - I think Arsenal scored first both times as well. I'll take any win.. I wouldn't be devastated at a draw either if Spurs hold up Chelsea and we can do something at Stamford Bridge.
Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, O'Shea, Smalling/Brown
Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Park, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs
Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez
I'd be surprised if this isn't the match day squad for Arsenal and Chelsea (if everyone really is fit). I'm torn between us playing a 442 or a 433, though it's likely that basically the same players would start. Park could be used on the wing or in the middle with Rooney on the left or up top - I don't think it matters as Evra would be our entire left side as usual anyway - allowing Park & Rooney to both cut inside and do damage. The only way this won't happen is if Berbatov is on the bench. If that's so, I'm starting to think it'd be Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Park, and Rooney.
The last three I remember at Old Trafford with Arsenal were 2-1, 2-1, and 0-0.. All were basically in our favour as the draw secured us the title and the other games were wins. I could be wrong though - I think Arsenal scored first both times as well. I'll take any win.. I wouldn't be devastated at a draw either if Spurs hold up Chelsea and we can do something at Stamford Bridge.
If Ferdinand doesn't make it for Monday, although he will hopefully be fit, should we play the experience of, say, Brown alongside Vidic or go for Smalling who is undoubtedly a real talent for the future and a shoe in for Ferdinand long term?
We'd go for Smalling i'd like to think. He's been pretty much our 3rd choice centre half all season so i dont see why he shouldn't be next in line. I'm not sure if Brown has played centre half at all this season, and every game he has played he's looked ropey as feck.
I can't decide
1) Fletcher Carrick Anderson
Park Rooney Nani
2) Scholes Carrick Anderson
Park Rooney Nani
3) Fletcher Scholes Anderson
Park Rooney Nani
etc.....
Thats even before we look at 4-4-2 formations.
1) Fletcher Carrick Anderson
Park Rooney Nani
2) Scholes Carrick Anderson
Park Rooney Nani
3) Fletcher Scholes Anderson
Park Rooney Nani
etc.....
Thats even before we look at 4-4-2 formations.
Scholes is injured is'nt he?
Fletch seems kinda off form...though this could be the match to come back.
Think it will be Anderson and Carrick in the middle.
Rooney and Berb up front.
nani of course .
Is Giggs injured too?
Fletch seems kinda off form...though this could be the match to come back.
Think it will be Anderson and Carrick in the middle.
Rooney and Berb up front.
nani of course .
Is Giggs injured too?
Played in the last 2 matches, so I'd say not...
We will win 3-0
Think Scholes won't start this. It'll be Carrick, Fletch and Anderson. I want to see Berbatov start ahead of Park though
I got the last Valencia result right, so i'm going 3-2 United on Monday
I got the last Valencia result right, so i'm going 3-2 United on Monday
Typical your injury crisis evaporates just before our game, but fair enough, we'll just have to beat you full strength. I fully imagine the game to be a decent one, they're rarely bad - but should it get to 75 minutes as a draw, I don't think either side will go hammer and tong for the win. I'd take a point right now, and depending on circumstances, I think you would too.
Think the way the PL has shaped up even a point against the top 4/5 clubs is vital, home or away. For the 1st time in a long time wins and losses against lower opposition could be the key here
Don't get the reasoning why Park should always be the makeweight in games of this stature. He's proved vital against Arsenal before and is now playing well...