Chelsea vs Manchester United

Allforone said:
...........................Rooney

..Giggs...........................................Valencia

.............Anderson..............Fletcher

...........................Carrick

..Evra...........Evans...........Vidic.........O'Shea

........................Van Der Sar


Subs: Berbatov/Owen/Scholes/Nani/Fabio/Brown/Foster


Thats probably the most likely line up....
Click to expand...

i think he will also go with this......though i think wes will play.....either in place of evans to offer a bit of pace or in favour of o'shea (who would be unlucky to miss out)

also wouldnt be suprised if berbs started and rooney played (or atleast starts from the left) in place of either giggs or fletcher (with giggs moving inside)
 
And that's why I hate our 4-5-1 when Rooney is in shite form, but he always starts...
 
We could well be in for a thrashing if they are on form and we play like we have the past few games, drogba when he can be arsed is absolutely unplayable.

Does anyone else really love that our most important midfielder and the one we all wanted back is darren fletcher?
 
away to stamford bridge .. any result would be great..

not really looking forward to this match :/
 
VDS
O'Shea--Vidic-Evans--Evra
---------Carrick----------
--Fletcher-----Anderson--
---------Giggs-----------
-----Rooney-Berbatov----​
 
Honestly, I'll be quite surprised if it isn't this:

Chelsea

Hilario; Alex, Ferreira, Belletti; Malouda, J.Cole; Kalou
--
Cech
Ivanovic Carvalho Terry A.Cole
Essien
Ballack Lampard
Deco
Anelka Drogba

-|-

Rooney Berbatov Valencia
Giggs Carrick Fletcher
Evra Evans Vidic O'Shea
van der Sar
--
Foster; Fábio, Brown; Anderson, Scholes, Obertan; Owen

Manchester United​

The team is probably going to be that - making it look like we're going 442 with the usual players, but actually making it 433. Debating whether Sir Alex will decide to go with yet another body in the centre with Anderson replacing Berbatov to combat Chelsea's midfield more. However, I think this could be Berbatov's game, so I'd like to see him start and have us have a go at Chelsea a bit.

Playing 442 is just asking for it, as Essien will simply sit on whoever drops off between Rooney and Berbatov. Although, if we keep alternating with those two, it could confuse Essien and allow us to create some space.

If we can stretch the play with Evra, Giggs, Rooney, Valencia, we might be able to expose Chelsea somewhat through the middle, but with a lack of a goal threat from midfield we might struggle to finish something off. This is why I think Berbatov must play if we want a way to nick a goal after we've spread the play a bit and opened Chelsea up. We're also lacking height to compete in the air if we can construct some crosses, which is why I hope Berbatov plays - Carrick probably won't get in the box often enough.

Down our left is where we should be exposing them. Ivanovic might be quite solid, but with Evra, Rooney, and Giggs being able to gang up on him we might have a way through. Ballack and Anelka probably won't track back, and if they don't, Essien has to come out of position which will hopefully let us at the centrebacks.

Can't see us winning this, but I think we'll draw and move onto the rest of our fixtures leading up to Christmas and through January, where we should take a lot of points. Hopefully we'll get our win at the Bridge though, we're due one.
 
Surprised people thinking Berbatov should not play

If you're to get something from the game you have surely got to have Berbatov in there

If you line up trying not to get beat you probably will

Should you lose, its got to be better having had a go at them rather than just spreading yourselves thick across the midfield waiting for the inevitable

They will expect to be on the front foot - better you lot tactically try to attack them and keep them on their toes and with Berbatov about you could do that
 
Jopub said:
Surprised people thinking Berbatov should not play

If you're to get something from the game you have surely got to have Berbatov in there

If you line up trying not to get beat you probably will

Should you lose, its got to be better having had a go at them rather than just spreading yourselves thick across the midfield waiting for the inevitable

They will expect to be on the front foot - better you lot tactically try to attack them and keep them on their toes and with Berbatov about you could do that
Click to expand...

I dont think that can be done in big away games anymore. We tried that against Liverpool. Away games against the big four have to approached the same way as Europe away. Sneak in a win or get away with a draw.
 
Berbatov, Rooney, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson, Vidic, Evra are guaranteed to play imo.
 
Jopub said:
Surprised people thinking Berbatov should not play

If you're to get something from the game you have surely got to have Berbatov in there

If you line up trying not to get beat you probably will

Should you lose, its got to be better having had a go at them rather than just spreading yourselves thick across the midfield waiting for the inevitable
Click to expand...

It's not not trying to get beat rather keeping ourselves sufficient on a par with Chelsea to be able to pounce when the opportunity arrives. The midfield also has to be spot on for the sake of a defence that is shakier than a jelly mountain on a lilo in a wave machine.

As to Berbatov, well most accept that we must go with a front three, however the only player who gives you genuine confidence in doing so is Rooney and to a lesser extent Giggs. Valencia, Nani and Berba all carry question marks [in that order of conern] and it will be partly hope on the day.

Midfield looks sorted mind you. We have to accept Chelsea's strength in that department, but Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher are up to the task IMO.

I'm not as gloomy as some about our prospects, just have to be smart and alm enough on the day.
 
van der Sar

O'Shea
Evans
Vidic
Evra

Fletcher
Carrick
Anderson

Rooney
Berbatov
Giggs

SUBS: Foster, Rafael, Brown, Scholes, Valencia, Nani, Owen.
 
With the form of our centre backs and the form of Drogba and Anelka it's the fist time in a long long time i genuinely fear the worst.

I'll be delighted with a draw.
 
We will pack the midfield.

Evra will be the ex factor here. He is the only one capable of providing width and Ivanovich won't be able to deal with his pace. Evra and Rooney should be able to create openings on the left.

Carrick,Anderson,and Fletch will have to be able to negate Chelsea's strength. If these things happen (along with no defensive blunders) we can win.

Regardless of the result, the league will not be decided. Frankly L'Arse are for real and if they stay healthy, they can fight for the title until May.
 
Jopub said:
Surprised people thinking Berbatov should not play

If you're to get something from the game you have surely got to have Berbatov in there

If you line up trying not to get beat you probably will

Should you lose, its got to be better having had a go at them rather than just spreading yourselves thick across the midfield waiting for the inevitable

They will expect to be on the front foot - better you lot tactically try to attack them and keep them on their toes and with Berbatov about you could do that
Click to expand...

That, allied to the fact that he is in good form. He has been getting a lot of goals the last month or so. And he tends to play will against Chelsea.
 
United injury crisis ahead of Chelsea clash
Published Date: 05 November 2009
Manchester United have been left reeling from a double injury blow to defender Rio Ferdinand and midfielder Darren Fletcher ahead of Sunday's trip to Chelsea.
It has emerged that Ferdinand's continued absence is actually down to his long-standing back problem, rather than a calf injury as claimed by Sir Alex Ferguson.

And Fletcher, described this week by Fergie as one of United's most influential player s, revealed he will need an operation to address an ongoing ankle problem, The Daily Mirror reported.

The full extent of Ferdinand's back problem was revealed by United defender Wes Brown, who suggested the 30-year-old could be sidelined for a considerable period of time.

"Rio's been injured for a very long time and he's been getting a lot of pain in his back," said Brown.

"I'm not sure how many months it's been going on but he's come to the stage where he's sorting it out now.

"When he comes back I'm sure he'll be a lot stronger. But if you're not fully fit and you try to play it's very hard.

"Believe me, I know, especially because of how fast the Premier League is now. If you carry on playing with the same injury, week-in, week-out, it makes things even harder. That's what's happened and Rio's decided to sort it out."

Although Fletcher will play against Chelsea after returning from injury in Tuesday's 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow, he revealed he will need to undergo surgery at some stage.

"I injured my ankle in the Sunderland game," said Fletcher. "A bit of bone has broken off the back of my ankle and stuck about an inch.

"So every time I bend it's causing a bit of pain. I've had an injection to clear it up for a while.

"Eventually it's going to need to be cleaned out. I have had it for a couple of years now and the build-up of whatever has been constantly aggravating it.

"There's been a build-up of fluid as well and other medical things that the doctors know more about.

"I'll have to get something done but the injections will see me through a few months. It should be okay until the end of the season.

"That is the plan - to get me through to the summer and then do something about it.

"Striking a ball or bending the ankle does hurt. It got to the point where it was too sore to train and play, so something had to be done and I had the injection."

United also have injury concerns over Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea.
United injury crisis ahead of Chelsea clash - Blackpool Today
 
something should've been done about rio and fletch's problems this summer, not during the season
 
FreakyJim said:
something should've been done about rio and fletch's problems this summer, not during the season
Click to expand...

bout to say that

How can they be saying this now - especially the Rio back injury - not something you can really in any sense 'play through'. Surely they should have started treatment at the end of last season and let him have the whole summer and early season to get fully healthy again and then get back for the end of this year.

This is bad shit really as I can see Rio not making the world cup squad unless he's had a good 4/5 months regular first team appearances for Utd
 
How about 4-5-1 with Rooney on the left?

-------------Berbatov------------------
Rooney Anderson Carrick Fletcher Valencia
------Evra Evans Vidic O'Shea-----------
-----------Van der Sar------------------
--
Foster; Park, Brown; Giggs, Scholes, Obertan; Owen
 
2-0 or 2-1 win to Chelsea. can't see this going our way, since Chelsea is playing a pretty well and we are not that good these days.
 
Pessimistic cnuts.

Just got my ticket sorted :cool:

1-3 Utd.
 
VDS
Oshea vidic evans evra
valencia anderson carrick fletch giggs
rooney

or berba in for giggs
just park the bus .. 10-0-0 formation .. whatever it takes to get something from the game
 
prateik said:
VDS
Oshea vidic evans evra
valencia anderson carrick fletch giggs
rooney

or berba in for giggs
just park the bus .. 10-0-0 formation .. whatever it takes to get something from the game
Click to expand...

With the way our defence have been playing of late, I'd rather want us to go out there trying to play attacking football.
 
------------------------Van Der Sar---------------------



---O Shea---------Vidic----------Evans---------Evra-----



---------------Anderson-------Carrick-------------------



---------Fletcher--------------------------Giggs-------



-------------------Berbatov--------Rooney----------------


Subs: Kuzczak, Fabio, Brown,Macheda, Obertan, Scholes, Owen
Formation: 4-2-2-2 (Very compact in the centre to combat Chelski's diamond; that means Giggs and Fletcher has to constantly tuck into the centre to help out in the midfield battle.
Game: Will be an ugly match to watch with loads of scruffy midfield play, nudges, elbows, dives,lots of tackles dished out, cards,do not expect smooth passing football
Prediction:1-1 with a goal from Giggsy
 
Magnus said:
As long as Rooney is not played on the wing I´ll be happy
Click to expand...

What I feel will happen. Unless SAF does a motivational miracle, we will get thumped if we go with a 4-4-2. Our midfield, though playing better, gives far too much space and time for players to do their thing. We'll get punished if we don't start with a 5 man midfield. To complicate things, Berbatov is playing better than any of our strikers and is definately more equipped to play the lone man role. IE-> Rooney is played but on the wings.
 
I think we should go with

-------- Van Der Sar --------
Brown - Vidic- Evans - Evra
fletcher - Anderson - Giggsy
Valencia - Berbatov - Rooney

(also converts into 442 nicely)

Its either this or swtich berbatov for carrick with rooney playing through the middle, giggs on the left, with carrick slotting in the middle, however, i just feel berbatov has to play to bring a cool to our game, when the tackles are coming in thick and fast, he can help set us up on the counter. Rooney up top alone often leaves him isolated and we concede possession far too easy.

Ivanovic is a weak link and with the above formation rooney giggs and evra can all get at him and create some chances.

It looks pretty solid throughout, maybe a tab harsh on carrick but its fair to say he hasn't really earnt starting in this match, where as the others have.

Its not a game that is impossible to win as some seem to be thinking. The midfield is key as has been discussed, this is where anderson, fletcher and giggsy can win the game with their energy and quality.
 
If we are to come away with a result for this game, I think the midfield three of Carrick, Fletcher, and Anderson will be vital. They are our most balanced and effective three man midfield and we've seen them completely dominate the likes of Arsenal in the past.
Berbatov is in great form and suits the lone striker role better than Rooney, so we may have to see Rooney pushed out wide. It's not his favoured position, but he can do a damn good job out there, again, as our performances in the Champions League against Arsenal shows.
Valencia, also, should be a certainty to start. He's been in terrific form.
Vidic should return from injury and replace Brown. Giggs should be fit, I think, so I'd have him on the bench to come on late on if we're in need of an impact substitute... Obviously the same goes for Owen, and perhaps even Obertan.

van der Sar
O'Shea .......Vidic .......Evans .......Evra
Fletcher Carrick Anderson
Valencia.................................Rooney
Berbatov

Substitutes: Foster; Brown; Scholes; Giggs; Nani; Obertan; Owen​

I think we might just miss out on this one, unfortunately... 2-1 Chelsea. Berbatov to score for us.
 
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