Manchester United vs Arsenal

Berbatov and Rooney will start, I'm sure of it. You can't drop either of them after their performance yesterday. I don't think we'll play 4-3-3 as much this year as that formation was designed to get the best out of Ronaldo's talents (sometimes at the expense of Rooney's).

Now we need to get the best out of Rooney, which is undoubtedly in a 4-4-2. I don't think we'll lose any of our defensive stability because our wingers will track back and help out more. Valencia has shown some tenacity in his games so far, and I've noticed better tracking back from Nani as well.
 
Fabregas has been looking in absolutely imperious form, maybe Anderson will need to start and just shadow him the whole game? Provided he pulls up for the match (he'll surely be rested in the Celtic game as a precaution).

I'd like to see Eduardo start too, though I think he most likely will come on as an 'impact' sub. Though if he did start it'd probably be at the expense of Bendtner, who I think has earnt his starting spot for the near future as he certainly provides a headache or two playing wide-right.

Would really prefer to see him play centrally with van Persie out on the right (so he can cut in on his left), though he's been dropping back to provide space and delivering excellent through-balls into the box these last few games. And Bendtner will certainly work harder going back than van Persie, so maybe it must be a specific tactic.

Song and Fletcher will have a fantastic battle in the middle. If our Defence and Midfield hold up I think we'll have you.
 
Kraftwerker said:
Berbatov and Rooney will start, I'm sure of it. You can't drop either of them after their performance yesterday. I don't think we'll play 4-3-3 as much this year as that formation was designed to get the best out of Ronaldo's talents (sometimes at the expense of Rooney's).

Now we need to get the best out of Rooney, which is undoubtedly in a 4-4-2. I don't think we'll lose any of our defensive stability because our wingers will track back and help out more. Valencia has shown some tenacity in his games so far, and I've noticed better tracking back from Nani as well.
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very true IMO
 
same team as the wigans , darren plays better then carrick ,and nobody can match scholes at the current time , rooney and berbatov up front
 
botond said:
same team as the wigans , darren plays better then carrick ,and nobody can match scholes at the current time , rooney and berbatov up front
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And O'Shea for Neville.

But I still don't know who would be the best to play alongisde Fletcher. Scholes is good on current form, Carrick always plays good against Arsenal (but he's shite recently) and we still have Giggsy.
 
-----------Foster-------------
O'shea--Vidic---Evans--Evra
-----------Fletcher-----------
Valencia--Carrick----Giggs
------------Rooney------------
-----------Berbatov-----------

With Giggs switching between playing as a winger and a central midfielder, and Rooney to move out wide when Giggsy plays center.
 
Feed Me said:
I'm going to the match - first time in absolutely ages to Old Trafford and I'm excited as hell. I'm sat in the NW Quadrant.

Foster
O'Shea-Evans-Vidic-Evra
Valencia-Fletcher-Giggs-Nani
Rooney-Berbatov

I've got a sneaky feeling he'll plump for the same midfield duo that put Chelsea to the sword.

United win!
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Yeah same 11 for me as well. That win against Wigan should give us confidence and we're at home, so hopefully that'll push us on. I'll say 3-1 to us with Rooney, Berbatov and Nani getting the goals.
 
I'd worry about playing Giggs in centre midfield against an Arsenal side who pass the ball as quickly as Arsenal do.

Fletcher and Carrick for me.
 
Can't see us switching to 4-3-3 or variations again. I expect pretty much the same side that started against Wigan, with the only change being Carrick for Scholes.
 
feck this, we're at home.

Foster
O'Shea Vidic Evans Evra
Valencia Fletcher Giggs Nani
Berbatov Rooney​
 
Doevle said:
-----------Foster-------------
O'shea--Vidic---Evans--Evra
-----------Fletcher-----------
Valencia--Carrick----Giggs
------------Rooney------------
-----------Berbatov-----------

With Giggs switching between playing as a winger and a central midfielder, and Rooney to move out wide when Giggsy plays center.
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interesting idea that - playing Giggs and Valencia both as semi wingers, semi CMs. Give them the freedom to make runs down the flanks whilst also the options to remain infield moreso than a traditional winger.

i like the sound of it, when i think about it.


the team CW posted seems like the most likely lineup though, and one i dont have any complaints about.
 
Maciek said:
O'Shea deserved it after last season.

Brown and Neville are just after injuries.
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To be honest if everyone was fully fit i'd go for Brown but as you pointed out, Brown missed the last game through injury and Neville just played 90 mins so is probably fecked.
 
cw1984 said:
To be honest if everyone was fully fit i'd go for Brown but as you pointed out, Brown missed the last game through injury and Neville just played 90 mins so is probably fecked.
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If Neville is good enough he may play (even after 90 minutes v Wigan), but he's not, so it's O'Shea or Brown (I'd like to see Fabio, but Arsenal may be too much for him). However, Brown was injuried and he played only about 80 minutes this season, I'd pick O'Shea.
 
I reckon we'll see the best of Berba in this game. Double for him and we win 2-0.
 
Apparantly Fabregas is injured.
 
He'll make a miracle recovery, just like Henry always did against us.
 
Bollocks, if Fabregas doesn't play I'll post a pic of myself naked with Redcafe written across my chest in lipstick!
 
GE said:
He'll make a miracle recovery, just like Henry always did against us.
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Probably.

I remember we used to do this as well. Keane was always as good as dead just before meeting Liverpool and Arsenal.
 
Eyepopper said:
Bollocks, if Fabregas doesn't play I'll post a pic of myself naked with Redcafe written across my chest in lipstick!
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Christ, I hope he plays now.

Get well son!
 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is still waiting on news of Cesc Fabregas’ hamstring injury after the player was substituted during the Gunners’ 4-1 home win against Portsmouth. With important matches against Celtic, Manchester United and Manchester City on the horizon, the Emirates faithful will no doubt be hoping that the player’s own assessment of the injury will be correct.

Speaking in the aftermath of the game, Wenger revealed that the Spanish club captain felt it was ‘not too bad.’

“He has a hamstring problem,” said the manager. “I think he will be short for Wednesday, certainly.

“He is not definitely out, he thinks it is not [too bad]. If it is a little pull he will be out for three weeks, if it is just tightness maybe he can get away for Wednesday. But we will see. In 48 hours we will have a better view.”
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He'll play. Wenger is always at this!
 
I shall take the team against wigan, the main thing i want to see is Nani and Valencia both start as both are looking decent and we need as much width as possible.
 
Lads, Fabregas was taken off over the half-time break during the Portsmouth match.

Precautionary obviously, but they wouldn't have done it if there wasn't a chance that he was actually injured. Apparently he went into the Celtic game pretty tight too.

Make of it what you will.
 
Maybe he might be injured but until it is 100% confirmed i would expect him to start.
 
Feck, I just realised I'm way up in the mountains this weekend, hiking and rafting and stuff. Sky+ it is then.
 
cesc's_mullet said:
Lads, Fabregas was taken off over the half-time break during the Portsmouth match.

Precautionary obviously, but they wouldn't have done it if there wasn't a chance that he was actually injured. Apparently he went into the Celtic game pretty tight too.

Make of it what you will.
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No wonder Wenger wont sell him...


BOOMTISH!
 
I'm not concerned in the slightest with whether or not Fabregas plays. I'm expecting Arsenal to beat us in the possesion stakes regardless.

I'd be much more worried about Van Persie and Arshavin.
 
rednev said:
I'm not concerned in the slightest with whether or not Fabregas plays. I'm expecting Arsenal to beat us in the possesion stakes regardless.

I'd be much more worried about Van Persie and Arshavin.
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You do realise he's one of the best midfielders in the Prem right? Van Persie has been firing blanks for months and has never done anything against us at Old Trafford. Seriously, what are you talking about?
 
Arshavin and Van Persie are good players but Fabregas is crucial for them.
 
Foster

O'Shea
Evans
Vidic
Evra

Valencia
Fletcher
Giggs
Nani

Rooney
Berbatov

SUBS: Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Owen.
 
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