Arsenal v Manchester United

VDS

O'Shea----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

Carrick Fletcher Anderson
Ronaldo----------------------------Park

Tevez​


Subs - Foster, Brown, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Berbatov
 
DC1878 said:
--------VDS
O'Shea Rio Vidic Evra
---Carrick Fletcher
------Anderson
Ronaldo------Rooney
-------Tevez

Foster; Brown, Evans; Giggs, Scholes, Park; Berbatov
Click to expand...

With Scholes, Giggs, Park and Berbs all starting on Saturday I am
almost dead certain this will be it.
 
jrsenior said:
With Scholes, Giggs, Park and Berbs all starting on Saturday I am
almost dead certain this will be it.
Click to expand...

What makes you think rooney, who played all 90 mins and played the full 90 in the last leg and is on two yellows will start instead of berba?
 
dan_alex said:
VDS

O'Shea----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

Carrick Fletcher Anderson
Ronaldo----------------------------Park

Tevez​


Subs - Foster, Brown, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Berbatov
Click to expand...

I reckon this will be it, especially the Park shout, he looks like he's back to his ways.

Rooney & Giggs on the bench could change the demographic of the game.
 
no
Scholes will start, Carrick and Fletcher in midfield
Rooney will also be risked(he plays well when he's forced to keep his head), Tevez will miss out to Berba but will replace Rooney on 65mins when we have a comfortable 0-2 lead (Berbatov 9, Scholes 62) Giggs will come on also on 65mins to place Berbs, Tevez will lead the line, Giggs on the left Ronnie on the right. Final score 0-3 late Ronaldo free kick(0-4 agg):nervous:

VDS

O'Shea----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

Carrick Scholes Fletcher
Rooney--------------------------Ronaldo

Berba​
 
dan_alex said:
VDS

O'Shea----Ferdinand-----Vidic-----Evra

Carrick Fletcher Anderson
Ronaldo----------------------------Park

Tevez​


Subs - Foster, Brown, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Berbatov
Click to expand...

That line-up looks about right to me but I suspect Tevez will be asked to protect O'Shea on the right side, because Ronaldo is hopeless at tracking back. Ronaldo will be given a free role, in the hope that he can create or score for us.

Sir Alex has been very cautious in away matches in the Champions League for the last few years and it would be out of character for him to put out a side that left spaces for Arsenal to exploit. There is a strong case for playing an open match in the away leg of these ties yet every time Sir Alex plays looks to keep it tight. If he wasn't prepared to have a go at Barca last year, when they were short on confidence, he is hardly going to take on Arsenal unless forced to do so.

Looking at a few Arsenal forums, they all seem to be predicting Walcott on one wing and Nasri on the other with 2 strikers. So it is important that we protect our fullbacks as that would appear to be where the threat will come from, given that we have 3 central midfield players in front of Rio and Vidic.

With all the talk about the importance of freshness after the Porto game, you only have to look at the line-up against Mid and the substitutions, to get a good clue as to who will be starting.
 
We need a big performance from our boys. Personally I am torn between the energy of Tevez and the better ball retention abilities of Berbatov. My head says Berba for this one.
 
----------Vds---------
O'shea-Rio-Vidic--Evra
---Fletcher---Carrick---
Ronaldo-Anderson--Rooney
---------Tevez----------

Perhaps with the exception of Tevez (Berbatov), the team picks itself for this one. I reckon we will loose 2-1. Fingers crossed!
 
I can't see you losing htis game if you play with a middle 3 that were as successful as last week. Fabregas played behind them and they cut out everything before it got to him, daft by wenger not to bring him deeper.
 
Fergie is quoted as saying we "can" score a goal at the emirates but I interpret that as saying we "must" score a second goal. For all our dominance at OT the gooners are too dangerous at home to sit back a protect a 1 goal lead.

The "boy Rooney" must start (he's young & fit enough to play twice a week all season) He'll stay on until we get that away goal and then be replaced probably by Park or Berba. We have to hope he's smart enough to avoid a yellow by the time we score!

VDS
O'Shea Rio Vidic Evra
Fletcher Carrick
Anderson
Ronny Tevez Rooney


Park, Berba, Foster, Scholes, Giggs, Rafa, Brown?
 
----------------------Van Der Sar-------------------



--O Shea--------Rio----------Vidic----------Evra----



------------Fletcher--Carrick----Anderson----------



---Ronaldo-------------Berbatov------------Rooney--



Bench: Foster, Rafael, Scholes, Giggs, Tevez, Nani, Evans
Prediction:1-1 draw. Goal from Rooney
 
Looks like Van Persie will be involved. Big boost that.
 
I love games like this. do we go for an early goal to effectively kill the game off, or do we sit back and counter?
my heart says we should go for the early goal.

but if SAF says we'll be cautious then we'll attack, and vice versa.
 
Gemma Thompson is travelling with the Reds for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal. Return here for regular updates...

Monday 4 May

14:50 We were slightly delayed leaving Manchester but well on our way now. The weather seems to be getting brighter as we head further south. The players are currently relaxing and having a bite to eat. United legends Lou Macari and Paddy Crerand have also joined us on the train - they're both covering the game for MUTV.

13:20 Just boarded the train at Manchester Piccadily. Sat with United legends Denis Irwin and Mickey Thomas. Both are feeling confident about Tuesday night, although both acknowledge it will probably be much harder than a lot of people think. Scoring first would really put us in the driving seat. We're hearing that van Persie and Silvestre have both trained for Arsenal this morning which is a boost for the Gunners. At least we've got Rio available and hopefully Patrice will also be okay.

11:20 I'm just packing the last of my stuff before heading to the station to join the team on board their train to London. Sir Alex will be holding his pre-match press conference at the team HQ at around 17:00 BST and I'll be going along to see what the manager has to say. It'll be interesting to find out the team news from Arsenal later as well. Wenger confirmed on Saturday that former Red Mikael Silvestre and Robin van Persie (both groin) were still struggling to be fit for Tuesday's game, while there was also a doubt over Eduardo (groin - again!). Defenders Gael Clichy (back) and William Gallas (knee) are definitely out.

11:05 Just got back from Carrington - great news about Rio being fit. He looked extremely comfortable and sharp and showed no signs of any discomfort following the injury he sustained last week. The bad news is there was no Patrice Evra, while Wes Brown was also missing from the session. Evra picked up an ankle knock in the win at Middlesbrough on Saturday. He was taken off as precaution with Sir Alex hopeful he would be okay for Tuesday. Him not training may well be a precaution as well - we'll have to wait and see what the boss says at his press conference later.

09:00 It's May Day bank holiday here in the UK, but it's also training and travel day for the Reds ahead of Tuesday's massive game against Arsene Wenger's side. Sir Alex has decided to hold United's pre-match training session at Carrington rather than the Emirates. I'm just heading down there now to observe the opening 15 minutes - the big question is will Rio be out there? The defender was, of course, injured in the first leg win at Old Trafford last Wednesday. Thankfully there was no crack or break to his ribs, just some bruising on his lung and Sir Alex was hopeful of having him available for training this morning - I'll let you know if he is as soon I get there. Oh and by the way, I've got a good feeling about Tuesday night - we're certainly due a change in fortunes at the Emirates.
 
Neville trained but I think Rafael would come in if Evra is out.

I hope we can score but Arsenal had three 0-0s in a row at the Emirates recently. That would be a great result for us too. A disiplined performance is essential here as Arsenal will probably have most of the possession.

If players get suspended for the final so be it. Just get there.
 
Laphroaig said:
Nobody fancies Giggs to start?
Click to expand...
He definitely won't start.

I expect the same midfield as in first game at Old Trafford. There's a possibility Berbatov will replace Rooney, because he's one yellow card away from suspension, but only Fergie knows who play alongside Ronaldo and probably Tevez.

Giggs v Arsenal since first minute - no.
 
the tie is still way too close to drop rooney, esp in the form he is in at the moment.

i think the only decision to be made is if berba or tevez starts...depending if we want more defensive pressure from the front or if we need someone who can hold the ball better.
 
There is absolutely no point saving players on yellow card unless we're guaranteed to go through

I'd rather have no Rooney/Evra in the final than not going to the final

It's Arsenal away, European cup Semi Final, 1-0 is not a safe cushion, not at this stage.

Full speed all the way, only what? 4 games left?
 
Jacob's prediction

Line-up:

-----------------------VDS--------------------
O'Shea------Ferdinand-------Vidic---------Evra
---------Fletcher-----Carrick----Anderson------
Park------------------Rooney-----------Ronaldo

Score: Arsenal 1 - 1 Manchester United

Goals: Ronaldo

Player to watch: Rooney
 
I think it will be 1-1. We will score the first goal and get to 65 minutes and take of Rooney. Arsenal will score a consolation around the 80th minute but thats about it.

I think <_<
 
Grunge said:
Fergie is quoted as saying we "can" score a goal at the emirates but I interpret that as saying we "must" score a second goal. For all our dominance at OT the gooners are too dangerous at home to sit back a protect a 1 goal lead.

The "boy Rooney" must start (he's young & fit enough to play twice a week all season) He'll stay on until we get that away goal and then be replaced probably by Park or Berba. We have to hope he's smart enough to avoid a yellow by the time we score!
VDS
O'Shea Rio Vidic Evra
Fletcher Carrick
Anderson
Ronny Tevez Rooney





Park, Berba, Foster, Scholes, Giggs, Rafa, Brown?
Click to expand...

:nervous:
 
Team without those in danger of yellows

-----------------VDS
--Rafael--Rio--Vidic--O'shea
--Fletch-Carrick-Anderson
-Ronaldo-Berba--Park

:nervous: I dont think Sir Alex will start all 3
 
I'm very confident about this. Arsenal still have personnel and tactical issues and showed nothing last week to suggest that they can get the 2 goal win they probably need.
 
I'm not so confident as the closer it gets the less confident I get.
last week I was feeling great but these games bring out the nerves which are just starting.
be bricking it about 1 hour before kickoff.
 
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