Chelsea vs. Manchester United

I really can't see Fergie deviating from the system that has made us the best away team in Europe.

I'm expecting 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 with Rooney flanked by Nani and Valencia.
 
will fabio keep his place at rb? oshea, brown and rafa are still out i think.

Regarding teh foramtion. I would not be surprised to c a 4 4 2 since the manager usually plays with 3 in midfield to match the opposition midfield.

Chelsea have been playing 4 4 2 lately so i would c not problem to play 4 4 2 aswell
 
MalteseRedDevil said:
will fabio keep his place at rb? oshea, brown and rafa are still out i think.

Regarding teh foramtion. I would not be surprised to c a 4 4 2 since the manager usually plays with 3 in midfield to match the opposition midfield.

Chelsea have been playing 4 4 2 lately so i would c not problem to play 4 4 2 aswell
Click to expand...

Why would he deviate from a system that has made us the best away team in Europe?
 
he wont necessararily deviate from 4 3 3 . but i think he should consider playing Rooney in behind the striker as he did against arsenal. Therefore whilst maintaining the 3 man midfield, it would greatly enhance our attacking options.

VDS

Fabio Smalling Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Rooney Nani
Hernandez
Looks good to me
 
SAF once put Giggs (after resting him several games before) and Fletcher(?) in the middle against Chelsea, or was it Arsenal, when everyone was expecting a midfield three, and most definitely not Giggs as a part of it. Wouldnt be surprised if he pulls one this time as well
 
-------------------VdS

Fabio------Smalling------Vidic-------Evra

------------Carrick-----Scholes

-----------------Anderson

Valencia---------------------------Nani

----------------Rooney


Couple of assumptions:

i) 4-5-1 IMO: I'd have had Rio and O'shea starting if they were fit. Assuming Anderson is fit. Very tempted to predict Giggs on the Left, Nani on the Right and bringing Valencia on as a impact player after 60 mins and changing the midfield around. (Giggs, Scholes or Anderson to make way).

ii) I would have loved a 4-4-2, because we played Chelsea "off the bridge" (at least in the first half) last month, but Scholes needs protection or we risk subbing him after 60 mins again in such a high paced match).

Prediction:

1-2 United. (Rooney, Carrick)
 
raisa84045 said:
-------------------VdS

Fabio------Smalling------Vidic-------Evra

------------Carrick-----Scholes

-----------------Anderson

Valencia---------------------------Nani

----------------Rooney


Couple of assumptions:

i) 4-5-1 IMO: I'd have had Rio and O'shea starting if they were fit. Assuming Anderson is fit. Very tempted to predict Giggs on the Left, Nani on the Right and bringing Valencia on as a impact player after 60 mins and changing the midfield around. (Giggs, Scholes or Anderson to make way).

ii) I would have loved a 4-4-2, because we played Chelsea "off the bridge" (at least in the first half) last month, but Scholes needs protection or we risk subbing him after 60 mins again in such a high paced match).

Prediction:

1-2 United. (Rooney, Carrick)
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That 4-4-2 at the birdge had a lot to do with Rooney playing very deep at times and helping the midfield two out whilst Hernandez pushed them back creating the pockets of space we exploited in the forst half.
 
Rio will play... time for some payback...

manchester_united_2.jpg
 
It's really hard to even think about what kind of team Fergie will play.

Rooney scored a hat-trick and popped one past Chelsea at the Bridge earlier this season, he's obviously the guaranteed starter, along with Vidic, Evra, and van der Sar if fit. Nani didn't play much at West Ham, so he's definitely starting.

Carrick probably has to play as part of our 3-man midfield. Giggs was awesome against West Ham, but having played all the game I'd expect to see him on the bench. Scholes has been rested due to his suspension and the internationals, so I think he has a good chance of starting in the midfield.

If Ferdinand somehow makes it, does he deserve to start ahead of Smalling for this game? I'm really not sure. Despite Fábio's good form, would Rafael, O'Shea, or Brown get in ahead of him if fit? Possibly.

Who gets the final central midfield spot? Anderson who's just returned from injury and had no game time? Fletcher if he's recovered from illness (but may be lacking in stamina even if he has), or would Park be dropped in here if he doesn't play on the wing. That would depend on Valencia starting. Valencia usually has Ashley Cole in his pocket, Nani not as much. This could be a factor but Valencia played the whole game against West Ham. He might be saved for a final onslaught in the last half an hour.

van der Sar
Fábio Smalling Vidic Evra

Nani Carrick Scholes Anderson Park
/
Valencia Carrick Scholes Anderson Nani
/
Valencia Carrick Sholes Nani
Park

Rooney​

Or, Fergie could throw a curveball and start Rooney on the left with Berbatov or Hernandez in the middle.

I'd be satisfied with a score draw if our usual luck at the Bridge continues. However, I'm still confident we can win if we have a few players back who don't under-perform after being out. Hopefully Torres doesn't turn it on against us.
 
MalteseRedDevil said:
he wont necessararily deviate from 4 3 3 . but i think he should consider playing Rooney in behind the striker as he did against arsenal. Therefore whilst maintaining the 3 man midfield, it would greatly enhance our attacking options.

VDS

Fabio Smalling Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Valencia Rooney Nani
Hernandez
Looks good to me
Click to expand...

This but swap hernandez for Berbatov and Brown if fit for Fabio and Rio for Smalling depending on his fitness.
 
If Scholes plays we will need some legs to compensate. Fletcher or Anderson must provide this.

We need to press these motherfeckers everywhere on the pitch. A midfield of Valencia - Carrick - Scholes - Anderson/Fletch - Nani with Park just ahead is capable of getting in Chelsea's faces, tracking back, and providing creativity.

I hope we go with something like this:

------------------VDS-----------------
Oshea-----Rio------Vidic-----Evra
-------------Carrick----Scholes----------
------------------Anderson---------------
Valencia---------Park------------Nani
-------------------Rooney--------------

I feel really sorry for Berbatov. I really do. But Rooney has played great against Chelsea for the last few games and he is great at leading the line with a packed midfield.
 
RedDevilCanuck said:
If Scholes plays we will need some legs to compensate. Fletcher or Anderson must provide this.

We need to press these motherfeckers everywhere on the pitch. A midfield of Valencia - Carrick - Scholes - Anderson/Fletch - Nani with Park just ahead is capable of getting in Chelsea's faces, tracking back, and providing creativity.

I hope we go with something like this:

------------------VDS-----------------
Oshea-----Rio------Vidic-----Evra
-------------Carrick----Scholes----------
------------------Anderson---------------
Valencia---------Park------------Nani
-------------------Rooney--------------

I feel really sorry for Berbatov. I really do. But Rooney has played great against Chelsea for the last few games and he is great at leading the line with a packed midfield.
Click to expand...

If only we were allowed 12 players.

I'd go for this myself:

------------VDS

Fabio---Ferdinand--Vidic--Evra

--------Carrick--Scholes

Valencia-----Park-----Nani

----------Rooney

If Anderson is fully fit he could challenge Park for a starting position, the same if one of our other RB options are fit.
 
MalteseRedDevil said:
will fabio keep his place at rb? oshea, brown and rafa are still out i think.

Regarding teh foramtion. I would not be surprised to c a 4 4 2 since the manager usually plays with 3 in midfield to match the opposition midfield.

Chelsea have been playing 4 4 2 lately so i would c not problem to play 4 4 2 aswell
Click to expand...

1. It's very unlikely that Brown, Rafael or O'Shea will play this one, at a strech the only other one you could see coming in is Jonny Evans at rightback, it's really a tactical decision there. Given Chelsea's physical nature, and the absence of O'Shea, Brown and Rio it's a likely one.

2. I agree, I see 4-4-2 too, Chelsea are likely to play that way. Difficult to call the center-midfield to face Lampard-Essien, last time it was Carrick-Scholes and they did fine. I'll guess Valencia and Nani for the wings, Giggs and Park must be exhausted after the Hammer's game.
 
RedDevilCanuck said:
I hope we go with something like this:

------------------VDS-----------------
Oshea-----Rio------Vidic-----Evra
-------------Carrick----Scholes----------
------------------Anderson---------------
Valencia---------Park------------Nani
-------------------Rooney--------------

I feel really sorry for Berbatov. I really do. But Rooney has played great against Chelsea for the last few games and he is great at leading the line with a packed midfield.
Click to expand...

Packed indeed...
 
Berlinknives said:
1. It's very unlikely that Brown, Rafael or O'Shea will play this one, at a strech the only other one you could see coming in is Jonny Evans at rightback, it's really a tactical decision there. Given Chelsea's physical nature, and the absence of O'Shea, Brown and Rio it's a likely one.

2. I agree, I see 4-4-2 too, Chelsea are likely to play that way. Difficult to call the center-midfield to face Lampard-Essien, last time it was Carrick-Scholes and they did fine. I'll guess Valencia and Nani for the wings, Giggs and Park must be exhausted after the Hammer's game.
Click to expand...

Theres not a chance we're going to drop Fabio to play Jonny Evans at right back
 
RedDevilCanuck said:
But Rooney has played great against Chelsea for the last few games and he is great at leading the line with a packed midfield.
Click to expand...
Didn't Rooney really turn it on on Saturday when Chicharito came on and partnered him up front? He has played well in recent weeks, playing off another striker - mainly Chicharito - and I'm hoping we will see him in the same position on Wednesday.
 
-----------------VDS----------------
O'Shea-----Rio--Vidic--Smalling--Evra
Fabio----Carrick---Scholes----Giggs--
Valencia---Park---Anderson-----Nani
----------Berbatov----Rooney-------
-------------Chicharito--------------

Job done. Nothing beats the old 5-4-4-2-1.
 
All of our players vs all of Chelsea's. Battle Royale.
 
If Scholes and Carrick were on fire I would have no qualms in going 442

Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Valencia - Scholes - Carrick - Nani
Rooney - Hernandez

We know they arent so possibly, the trusted 451 away from home european formula:


Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Scholes - Carrick
Valencia - Park - Rooney
Berbatov

I went for Rafael for the added threat that we need with only 1 striker in this formation and also the 2 fairly passive midfielders in scholes and Carrick so the extra bite from the back wouldn't go a miss so we can squeeze in tight on them feckers.
 
Bryan_Munich said:
How the fcuk are Chelsea favourites to progess with the bookies?
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This has baffled me for the last few years. Time and again Chelsea are more highly rated for winning the tournament, whether by pundits or bookies. Obviously on paper this is a close one to call, but having the home leg second is surely a slight advantage to United, even putting aside our clearly superior record in the competition.
 
Crustanoid said:
Their record against us is why they are favourites
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Yep, obviously recent times they beat us at Old Trafford last season help overturn the league and just beat us at Stamford bridge a few weeks back which is fresh in mind. Massive game this, hope to god we spank them out. 2-2 would be a decent result for the first leg but would love a win, we deserve one.

Don't think we should go 4-4-2 for this.
 
Working and posting don't work.

With Park getting some minutes on the weekend I think he should feature over Anderson or Fletch with Scholes and Carrick partnering.
 
Northstand said:
This has baffled me for the last few years. Time and again Chelsea are more highly rated for winning the tournament, whether by pundits or bookies. Obviously on paper this is a close one to call, but having the home leg second is surely a slight advantage to United, even putting aside our clearly superior record in the competition.
Click to expand...

That depends on the score in the first leg. If it is close, then yes we have an advantage. But if we lose 3-0, then it is not really an advantage, is it?
 
RDCR07 said:
That depends on the score in the first leg. If it is close, then yes we have an advantage. But if we lose 3-0, then it is not really an advantage, is it?
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Put it this way, in advance of the tie, would you prefer to play the home leg first or second?
 
Park was pretty shit at the weekend. Play Rooney in the middle.
 
holdsteady said:
Park was pretty shit at the weekend. Play Rooney in the middle.
Click to expand...

not bad for his first game back tbf. Hernandez really does open up space for Wayne to maximize his talents and with Ivanovic partnering Terry, Hernandez really could expose them with their pace.

I wouldnt be opposed to Wayne playing at the tip of the midfield three.
 
SharkyMcShark said:
It was his first game back. Park recapturing his form for us before he left for the Asian Cup is key to us challenging in three fronts.
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Actually Sharky I think getting our defense sorted is first priority/ the biggest key for all three fronts. Rio, Oshea, Brown, Evans will help stabilize our backline because Smalling and Fabio may do a cracking job but they are pretty fresh and could be opened up as press on against good teams/in form teams. If Rio does make a comeback, his experience will tilt things in our favour.

Next is the midfield but I feel its coming on. Carrick is looking better, Scholes had a good rest. Getting fletcher and Anderson back into sync would be a massive boost.

With Nani, Valencia and Giggs playing well Park will have plenty of chances to get back into the swing and while no doubt play a big role, I just think its not top priority. Thought he looked fine for his first game back and understandably tired around the hour mark.
 
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