Manchester United vs. FC Schalke 04

So the line up is what it is.

I hope that we control the ball and are able to attack with pace. An early goal by us will really make things better for us. I don't want us to start off passively and then have to try get things on track if they happen to score. As much as we can make things happen when we are against it - it's always better to not put ourselves into that situation in the first place.

Valencia/Nani/Anderson will have to provide good support to Berba and Berba will have to work well to hold up play and let us build up our attacks.

I trust the squad - here is to hoping we aren't talking about the lineup at the end of the game.
 
We've been able to keep Van Der Sar and Valencia constant from the team that thrashed Schalke away.

9 changes otherwise. A bit risky but justified given that the weekend game is the priority.

Also there's great quality on the bench if we have to use it, so i'm not too worried.
 
Gibson is a big worry tbh.

We will be playing this match with 10 men then.
 
In an interview on Norwegian tv, the Schalke physio, which happens to be Norwegian, said that the Schalke players really responded and were provoked when they saw the team United are putting out. The players really saw the opportunity to get a result against this team. Psychological boost for the Germans of course, but I think they need more than that to do us over at Old Trafford.
 
I've a feeling Gibson will score...mind you, I've a feeling Anderson will get a hattrick :angel:
 
jrsenior said:
Norwegian TV just interviewed Schalkes norwegian physio. He was in the wardrobe when they got Uniteds team sheet. He said the players felt provoked by the weak team and really want to have a go.
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Really? If they can do it, fair fecks to them. Can't quite see that happening though
 
Eirik Raude said:
In an interview on Norwegian tv, the Schalke physio, which happens to be Norwegian, said that the Schalke players really responded and were provoked when they saw the team United are putting out. The players really saw the opportunity to get a result against this team. Psychological boost for the Germans of course, but I think they need more than that to do us over at Old Trafford.
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This could be disastrous.

Especially the defense.
 
Good luck Mr. Evans. I hope you are in the same mood you were in when you had a blinder against Liverpool.

I think Gibson will do the pretty good job he normally does.
 
I've give up on lineups. I thought the lineup vs Arse in the cup was bad and we played with complete control. I thought the recent lineups vs Newcastle and Arsenal were awesome and we looked flat, lifeless and wouldn't have scored if the game had lasted an extra 90
 
Eirik Raude said:
In an interview on Norwegian tv, the Schalke physio, which happens to be Norwegian, said that the Schalke players really responded and were provoked when they saw the team United are putting out. The players really saw the opportunity to get a result against this team. Psychological boost for the Germans of course, but I think they need more than that to do us over at Old Trafford.
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With the confidence they gained from battering Inter, they have every chance of overturning this unless we defend very well.

The defence we picked is capable of seeing it out, they just need to put the work in on the day
 
I liek this line up,good to see rafael back and fletcher will get some minutes.We have a 2 goal lead in this tie and at home we should have enough to get through this and even beat them again.The midfield is solid and the wings dangerous.
 
jrsenior said:
Norwegian TV just interviewed Schalkes norwegian physio. He was in the wardrobe when they got Uniteds team sheet. He said the players felt provoked by the weak team and really want to have a go.
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SAF's surely anticipated this and addressed it accordingly.

Speaking of foreign broadcasts, the US pre-game show is pretty spiffy. They're giving it a very 'big' look.
 
Cutch said:
Agree with that, but i think Gibson, Scholes and Anderson will all perform better in a 3 rather than a 2
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That's why I was hoping Fletcher would play, there isn't much goal threat in that trio to help out an isolated Berbatov.
 
Ekeke said:
With the confidence they gained from battering Inter, they have every chance of overturning this unless we defend very well.

The defence we picked is capable of seeing it out, they just need to put the work in on the day
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I know Inter Milan won the champions league recently but I think we're in a different league to them all together. Obviously defensively we're not as strong as we can be but we have an additional body in midfield and I think we maybe doing our own psychology on Shalke here. Berbatov/Nani coming back into it will strengthen our attack and if they switch off, we'll get at them.
 
The defence and midfield will really have to perform tonight. We've made a lot of changes and I hope the players can perform as a proven unit. Don't even give Schalke a chance out there.

If Valencia and Nani push up to support Berbatov then the attack should be potent. Get stuck in!
 
Great opportunity and experience for all that have been chosen to play, ESP fringe players like Smalling, Evans, Gibson. Not everyday you get the chance in a home leg champions league semi final for Manchester United. Kind of games all the players selected this evening have dreamed of their entire careers.
 
madhed said:
Were not giving these men the credit they deserve and should pay a price for it Im afraid to say.
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This is Sir Alexs team talk. He should get the team reading the thread and reading how Shalke have grown in confidence. You got to admire the mans balls but then again Sir Alex watches the lads in training, and maybe there's knocks in the squad we're not aware of.
 
The 'experts' on Ten sports think Rafael and Fabio are rubbish and cant understand why they are getting games at United

Hilariously bad.. why cant EspnStar get CL coverage back :(
 
I like this music on the build up what is it?
 
Striker10 said:
This is Sir Alexs team talk. He should get the team reading the thread and reading how Shalke have grown in confidence. You got to admire the mans balls but then again Sir Alex watches the lads in training, and maybe there's knocks in the squad we're not aware of.
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Yes he should show them a Redcafe thread in the dressing room ;)
 
I think the last time Smalling and Evans started together was at Upton Park?
 
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