Manchester United v Arsenal

Some observations.

Firstly, Fletcher will start, form or not, this is exactly the type of game he will play in. He either starts ahead of Anderson or Berbatov IMO depending on how Fergie wants to line up. His track record against Arsenal is excellent.

Secondly, and as a follow on to the above, I reckon Fergie will pick close to the same side as last year's win at the Emirates, with Anderson in for Scholes and go like for like with Arsenal who will only play one striker. Tough on Berbatov but the formula has an excellent track record and it's the result which matters tonight.

I'd be tempted to then try the Berba/Roo combo against Chelsea next week in the formation which is carrying favour on here(Park coming in from the left) but against Arsenal the solution is very much a tried and tested one.

You will setup with 7 men compact behind the ball, maybe 8. Then have Nani out wide to launch your rediculous counters. Rooney up top to provide the initial runs off Nani, and break that way. I wouldn't be surprised to see rooney play deeper to do alot of harrassing with Berbatov up top. I would play Rooney behind Berbatov before Anderson behind Rooney.
 
There's a w a n k f e s t in Polish press, because Fabiański may not play due to his injury and as Wenger doesn't want Almunia, it's time for 20-year old Szczęsny.

Very smart move by Fabiański if it's true. He knows United will score some goals (and it may cost Arsenal one or three points), his opponent will lose a game for the Gunners and Fabiański will come back as a number one with no rivals at this position.
 
Bricking shits. I have a feeling we are going to feck this up
 
I just can't see us starting with Berbatov today. He was great against Liverpool but I think we're going to revert back to our tried and tested 1 striker formation vs the big teams.

Park Rooney Nani with Fletcher Carrick Anderson behind them.
 
Why are people so sure we will drop the league's top scorer and rely on a player who has scored a mere 2 (both penalties) all seaseon?

Berbatov must play.

I'm thinking the same thing, it's madness not to start with both strikers, they quite clearly need each other at the moment.
 
fecking hell, won't get much of my home exam done today. Bring on the gooners!!
 
Looking back on the infamous Keane-Vieira tunnel incident, it was all a bit embarrassing and poncey from all involved. Sure, I thought it was amazing when I was 16, but looking back now, if everyone was so angry, why didn't someone just lay an opposition player out? Ruggerby players know how to deal with such situations. Footballers just embarrassingly posture and jostle for a bit before continuing to play.

Fighting fail.

How would that have worked? You quite clearly can't lay someone out and then walk onto the pitch as if nothings happened, they would have had to serve a ban.

You can get angry, because someones pushed you that far, whatever, but just because you are angry doesn't mean you have to lay someone out, or that you can even lay someone out, it doesn't make any sense.
 
SAF can decide who starts but I just hope that if its not working out we don't leave it to subs in the 75 minute onwards.
 
We need to play both Rooney and Berbatov, their partnerships has became much better after that Rooney return, we can't have Berbatov on the bench in a game like this. Moreover, we play at home, we really don't need to look what Arsenal do, but we need to play this game in the way we like, not Arsenal.

Three from a group of Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher in the middle. It depends on Scholes' form after injury, if he's fit, let him play and Carrick on the bench. Rooney, Berbatov, Nani up front.

van der Sar
Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Fletcher - Scholes - Anderson
Nani - Berbatov - Rooney​
 
van der Sar
Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Fletcher - Scholes - Anderson
Nani - Berbatov - Rooney​

This is the lineup I would pick. But I would prefer Carrick instead of Fletcher to start. I just love the Carrick-Scholes combo. Plus Carrick is in a better form this season than Fletcher.
 
Seems like many want United to copy Arsenal 4-3-3 or play just one up front rather than 4-4-2.
 
Seems like many want United to copy Arsenal 4-3-3 or play just one up front rather than 4-4-2.
It's 4-3-3 in attack and 4-5-1 in defence. We need strong midfield and wings, so that's the best way to deal with Arsenal.
 
Seems like many want United to copy Arsenal 4-3-3 or play just one up front rather than 4-4-2.

I know we have been doing good when we play 4-4-2 with Berba and Rooney, but Arsenal is a really strong team and their midfield is exceptional. We need more help closing down players in their team so they have less time on the ball - the likes of Nasri, Arshavin, Farbegas, Wilshere and Rosicky.
 
When was the last time we played 4-4-2 against a top team?

Is Tottenham a top team ;)

To be honest I am struggling to decide what is the best formation and player selection.

I am sure SAF is having the same problem as it's not easy when your main players are all fit and in decent form.
 
I know we have been doing good when we play 4-4-2 with Berba and Rooney, but Arsenal is a really strong team and their midfield is exceptional. We need more help closing down players in their team so they have less time on the ball - the likes of Nasri, Arshavin, Farbegas and Rosicky.

No it isn't. Especially if they don't have Fabregas playing.
 
No it isn't. Especially if they don't have Fabregas playing.

If those guys play well, then on their day they are indeed exceptional. I have always respected Arsenal for their talent. Wishere has pretty taken over Fab, in the sense that he is their Fabregas when Cesc is not playing.
 
If those guys play well, then on their day they are indeed exceptional. I have always respected Arsenal for their talent. Wishere has pretty taken over Fab, in the sense that he is their Fabregas when Cesc is not playing.

The trick is not to allow them to play.
 
I know we have been doing good when we play 4-4-2 with Berba and Rooney, but Arsenal is a really strong team and their midfield is exceptional. We need more help closing down players in their team so they have less time on the ball - the likes of Nasri, Arshavin, Farbegas and Rosicky.

You have a point, but I would be surprised if SAF decided to drop Berba in the starting line up. They have played well with Rooney and I see no reason to change formation, especially at OT. If this was at the Emirates, maybe different. Also, he is not the best substitute efficiency wise. Much better when he starts a match.

I quite like the way Berba, Nani and Rooney have played in the last couple of matches, with constant interchange of positions.
With a midfield of Carrick, Scholes and Fletcher/Ando, we should be in good shape.
 
A couple of gooners i know have been banging on about how they always win at Old Trafford and it wont be any different this time.

I quickly told them Arsenal have only won 3 times at OT in the PL since 92/93, where we've won 10 - but I did agree things wont be any different this time.

Can't wait for tonight, going to be brilliant game and a good win for us to put us back at the top of the league. Get in.
 
4-3-3 The game will be won/lost in midfield. We will most likely push Berbatov upfront with Rooney and Nani making a lot of the runs supporting the Midfield.
 
It is a very tough decision for Fergie. He kinda has to play Rooney-Berba because of the way they have been playing the last two weeks. Park is another option who will run his lungs out and close down people. So it is like having an extra centrally midfielder in Park. He could play Giggs because of his experience and ability. I just hope Fergie does not pull a Ancelotti and leave Rooney or Berba on the bench.
 
Im pretty sure Berbatov will start this the more i think about it, the way he and Rooney have linked up in recent weeks wont have gone unnoticed by the management, its a partnership thats bringing the very best out of both at the moment it seems, Rooneys return to form has come in a deeper role playing off Berbatov and Berba is just off the back of scoring 5 in his last league game at OT, if hes not going to start now then he never will start in these games lets be honest.