[Browniee]

Has anything been said about Di Maria and why he hobbled off last night?

 

[bosnian_red]

Has anything been said about Di Maria and why he hobbled off last night?

Took a knee to the thigh so was a bit of a dead leg but he should be fine.

 

[Fahad Jawaid]

I am not sure if Valencia will be fit for this match, but i think we could do with him on sunday. He will help Rafael to combat with the threat of Hazard and help shore up defense along with Blind acting as a double pivot. I hope Herrera plays and he is fully fit, him harassing Matic or Fabregas will be important for us to snatch the ball and start attacks. Di Maria is Di Maria there is not much i can say about him, he will be our most important player, while i liked what i saw of Rvp and Falcao together, it seems like they really enjoy playing with each other, they link up well.

This lineup will be perfect for the Chelsea match.

DDG
Rafeal Jones Rojo Shaw
Blind
Valencia Di Maria
Herrera
Falcao Rvp

 

[SonnyTheHaloPro]

The thing that really annoys me right now is the fact that Van Persie will play 90mins again despite being in awful form while Falcao will probably be put on the bench again. I don't buy that jet lag excuse at all, and I'm really gonna question LVG's so called "balls" if RVP plays on Sunday. (Mind you, I do believe on form RVP is the best striker in the world, He's nowhere near his 2011-14 form right now). Anyway my team would be.....

---------------------------------De Gea------------------------------
--Rafael----------------Jones------------Rojo---------------Shaw--
---------------------------Fellaini---------Blind------------------------
-------------Valenica---------------Herrera--------------Di Maria-----
--------------------------------------Falcao-------------------------------

We need to match up physically against Chelsea, Fellaini had a great game so I'd stick with him, I'd replace Januzaj with Valencia for his defensive duties. Finally I would start Falcao as the lone striker, quite frankly RVP looks like he couldn't care less right now and was hardly even trying to get in the box on any Di Maria crosses, Falcao should do the opposite and attack that area giving Terry and Cahill a lot of problems.

I also dropped Mata, he's absolutely invisible when the going get's tough and we are pretty much playing with 10 men when he's on the pitch. Sorry but no place for him right now.

Also due to yesterdays dropped points, this is simply a must win game, losing 2 on the bounce and we could be hovering over relegation places, hopefully LVG surprises us all and we beat these, just like we did under Fergie.

 

[JakeC]

-----------------Falcao
Di Maria-----------------Valencia
-----------Herrera-Fellaini
----------------Blind
Rojo--Blackett--Jones--Rafael
----------------DDG

Shaw isn't fit enough.

 

[tentan]

I honestly think this is our best option, ample protection and ability to hit them on pace with the counter. Hopefully Luis is not yet adjusted to the game and we can catch him off guard.

What are Chelsea likely to play ?


-------------------Courtois
--Ivanovic------Terry-----Cahill-----Luis
-------------Matic------Fabregas
--Schurrle--------Oscar-----------Willian--
------------------Remy

-------------------Courtois
--Ivanovic------Terry-----Cahill-----Luis
-------------Matic------Fabregas
--Willian--------Oscar-----------Hazard--
------------------Schurlle

I remember Mourinho playing Schurlle upfront last year when they came to old trafford. With Remy and Costa out he could do this again.

 

[Rowem]

I think Van Gaal picked the starting XI and formation against West Brom that he intended to play against Chelsea. There might be a few changes that he'd be tempted to make in the wake of the West Brom game:

- Will he start Falcao ahead of the off colour Van Persie?
- Is Mata at risk of being dropped yet again, with Fellaini riding high after his last game?
- Will he drop Jones for Smalling (or even McNair!) after his rash decision contributed to Berahino's goal?
- Will he opt for experienced Valencia over an unimpressive Januzaj? (or even perhaps Young!)

I suspect he will stick with RVP, drop Mata, stick with Jones, and I'm gonna predict a surprise start for Young..

 

[D.D.]

I'd park the bus against Chelsea and hit them on the counter (like what they did v. Barca). So a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 is my ideal position. Bench RvP for Falcao, di Maria as a #10, Tony V and Young on the wings, Herrera and Carrick as defensive mids. That's the best chance we have on winning imo.

 

[Insanity]

I think Van Gaal picked the starting XI and formation against West Brom that he intended to play against Chelsea. There might be a few changes that he'd be tempted to make in the wake of the West Brom game:

- Will he start Falcao ahead of the off colour Van Persie?
- Is Mata at risk of being dropped yet again, with Fellaini riding high after his last game?
- Will he drop Jones for Smalling (or even McNair!) after his rash decision contributed to Berahino's goal?
- Will he opt for experienced Valencia over an unimpressive Januzaj? (or even perhaps Young!)

I suspect he will stick with RVP, drop Mata, stick with Jones, and I'm gonna predict a surprise start for Young..

I know I am coming across as a real bitch in this thread, but am I the only thinking how counter-productive that was? He decided to gamble with a formation with an eye on next week and lost points; to prepare for a game in which the probability of us getting anything is very low.

Got to agree with the rest of the stuff. I suspect that Young is going to start on the right if Valencia is not ready. Just hope Herrera and Di Maria are fit and on top of their games.

 

[bosnian_red]

I think Van Gaal picked the starting XI and formation against West Brom that he intended to play against Chelsea. There might be a few changes that he'd be tempted to make in the wake of the West Brom game:

- Will he start Falcao ahead of the off colour Van Persie?
- Is Mata at risk of being dropped yet again, with Fellaini riding high after his last game?
- Will he drop Jones for Smalling (or even McNair!) after his rash decision contributed to Berahino's goal?
- Will he opt for experienced Valencia over an unimpressive Januzaj? (or even perhaps Young!)

I suspect he will stick with RVP, drop Mata, stick with Jones, and I'm gonna predict a surprise start for Young..

I think Falcao's a cert to start next weekend, same with Van Persie though. Maybe he planned on using a similar system, but I don't think that he ever intended on using the same starting 11. Falcao simply flew over to north america during the international break, played 2 games and came back 2 days after our other striker. It may not seem like a big deal, but we have to remember he is still recovering from his ACL surgery. Most normal people don't go back to sports until a year after surgery at least, but athletes is 6-9 months. It's just about been 10 months so it's not like he's 100% yet, so no point risking over playing him.

I don't think he likes Mata too much personally, or at least doesn't trust him in bigger games. He had a 2 week break because he's not part of the Spain squad these days, but against Chelsea I would be very surprised if he started.
My guess would be something like:

RvP Falcao
Di Maria Herrera Valencia
Blind
Shaw Rojo Jones Rafael
De Gea
​

Young ahead of Valencia if he isn't fit enough. Still kind of the diamond (that can change to a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1), but with Herrera not as pushed up and more of a midfielder then a forward like Mata is. If Carrick is somehow fit enough to start, then he goes in for Valencia and everyone shifts around a bit so Carrick is at the base of the diamond. Pretty confident it'll be something like that. The only question mark being Valencia, Young or Carrick, depending on the fitness of them.

Also on RvP, while he has looked quite poor generally and I wouldn't mind to see him dropped, there has been quite a few moments where he looked to have an understanding with Falcao and there is potential there for a devastating partnership. Even against West Brom, Falcao came on, pushed RvP deeper as a #10 and played a lot better those last 15-20 minutes. Think that's something like what we'll go for.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

We have to pack the midfield. Fabregas will pick us apart if we set up like we have been lately. He is their key man.

 

[Magnus]

---------------------------------------------De Gea-------------------------------------------

Rafael-------------------McNair----------------------Rojo---------------------------Shaw--

Valencia----------------Herrera---------------------Blind-------------------------Di Maria-

--------------------------------------------Fellaini--------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------Falcao--------------------------------------------

Mata and RVP is totally off form so should max be on the bench. Januzajs poor performance is understandable due to lack of gametime but I´d prefer Valencia in this game.

 

[Sepukku]

If Costa and Remy are injured, we might get a draw. Falcao and RVP from start, id play Fellaini with Herera and Valencia at right wing. No Mata.

 

[OJKernow]

Making the trip up for this one, was actually feeling confident that we'd turn up for this and potentially pull off a bit of a shock result. The more I read this thread though the more that optimism is sucked out of me!

I think we need to sacrifice a striker and add a bit more to the midfield, I'd like to see Carrick sitting a bit deeper alongside Blind to add extra cover for the defence with Fellaini adding a physical presence but slightly more advanced. He should be full of confidence after his performance and goal on Monday. He was winning everything in the air in midfield and adds a bit of physicality and presence to attack some of the balls into the box from our wide men and from set pieces. We can also bring him back on defensive set pieces to add that same presence. I'm a big Herrera and Mata fan but I feel they could get bullied in this one and Mata isn't in great form and I'm not sure Herrera is 100% fit after his injury. It's a gamble throwing Carrick straight into this game after a long time out but if he's fit and has been looking sharp in training then he could be a massive boost, plenty of options on the bench depending on how the game is going so no need to force 90 out of him.

Falcao has to start over the out of form RVP, he's looked pacey, strong and hungry in his appearances so far and could prove to be a real handful for the Chelsea defence, with Fellaini there to try and hold the ball up in order to bring our front 3 in to the game then this could work.

We need to try and play the same back 4 for as many games as possible now, changing Jones for Smalling won't achieve anything but cause further confusion and Jones does love a big game, rash or not.



----------------De Gea----------------

Rafael-------Jones----Rojo--------Shaw

-------------Carrick---Blind------------
-----------------Fellaini----------------

---Valencia-----------------Di Maria---
----------------Falcao---------------

 

[MUFCgal]

----------------De Gea------------------
Rafael------Jones------Rojo---------Shaw
-------------Blind----Herrera-------------
-----Valencia----Fellaini------Di Maria-----
-----------------Falcao------------------

Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Carrick, Fletcher, Young, Mata, Van Persie.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

I am not a big fan of his but really want Valencia to play against Chelsea, think we will need to be solid and he has had some good performances against Chelsea in the past.

--------------------------De Gea-----------------------------

Rafael ---------Jones --------------Rojo--------------Shaw


----------------Blind -----------Herrera---------------------

Valencia----------------Mata/Fellaini---------------Di Maria

-----------------------RVP/Falcao

 

[Nessaja]

I am not a big fan of his but really want Valencia to play against Chelsea, think we will need to be solid and he has had some good performances against Chelsea in the past.

--------------------------De Gea-----------------------------

Rafael ---------Jones --------------Rojo--------------Shaw


----------------Blind -----------Herrera---------------------

Valencia----------------Mata/Fellaini---------------Di Maria

-----------------------RVP/Falcao

Either way, Valencia is twice the player when he has got Rafael on his side - I like this setup!

Would consider Carrick in the Herrara-spot, and then Herrera in the Mata-spot.
But a bit risky with a Carrick-comeback in a Chelsea-game

 

[DanNistelrooy]

Either way, Valencia is twice the player when he has got Rafael on his side - I like this setup!

Would consider Carrick in the Herrara-spot, and then Herrera in the Mata-spot.
But a bit risky with a Carrick-comeback in a Chelsea-game

Agreed, that would be my preference but not sure it is wise throwing Carrick straight into it, he hasn't played a competitive match for 5 months. Had he played against WBA I would be all for that though.

 

[Nessaja]

Agreed, that would be my preference but not sure it is wise throwing Carrick straight into it, he hasn't played a competitive match for 5 months. Had he played against WBA I would be all for that though.

It seems we have an agreement, good Sir!

 

[zenith]

-------------------------DDG------------------

-------Rafa -------Jones-----Rojo-----Shaw

------------------Carrick------Blind----------

---------Herrera-------------------Di Maria


-------------Falcao------------RVP-----------

I feel it's important we play with two forwards in order to put constant pressure on Cahill and Terry (who are not that great) , if we play with a lone forward then he will be double teamed and we'll be under pressure in midfield and defense owing to Chelsea pushing forward.



A Carrick - Blind Double pivot should bring much needed solidity as Blind has been basically doing the work of 2 midfielders. Both are also well capable of finding a key pass and keeping Fabergas and Oscar relatively quiet.

Herrera and Di Maria are our key source of creativity as they'll play the channels and feed the forward line with pace and tenacity.

Hopefully the full backs will be a bit more conservative and narrow the gaps that have been responsible for conceding too many goals off late and allow the 2 CB's to concentrate on Costa.


Prediction - United 1 - 0 Chelsea

 

[Chaky_Best]

-------------------------DDG------------------

-------Rafa -------Jones-----Rojo-----Shaw

------------------Carrick------Blind----------

---------Herrera-------------------Di Maria

-----------------------Mata----------------

-------------Falcao------------RVP-----------

I know that Mata is a ghost on the field, but we can't play with 12 players on the pitch

 

[Nessaja]

I know that Mata is a ghost on the field, but we can't play with 12 players on the pitch

It sure looked good, though!

 

[dichinero]

Just because Fellaini scored doesn't mean he should start. The goal didn't diminish that he has many flaws. At best an impact sub.

 

[Crackers]

Just because Fellaini scored doesn't mean he should start. The goal didn't diminish that he has many flaws. At best an impact sub.

He'd be perfect for the second half. Put him to work on Fabregas and hopefully Jones can concentrate on defending.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

-------------DeGea-----------
--Rafael-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw---
----------Carrick-Blind-----------
Valencia----------------Di Maria
-------------Herrera------------
--------------Falcao------------

Dunno if all these are ready, but it would be the most optimal having a hard working team out and hope Di Maria and Falcao can create some magic together.

 

[ItsEssexRob]

What happened the last time Joses Chelsea rolled up to yours with a 10 point lead? Start Fletcher!

 

[SirAF]

What happened the last time Joses Chelsea rolled up to yours with a 10 point lead? Start Fletcher!

And Smith He was possessed that night!

 

[Revan]

-------------DeGea-----------
--Rafael-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw---
----------Carrick-Blind-----------
Valencia----------------Di Maria
-------------Herrera------------
--------------Falcao------------

Dunno if all these are ready, but it would be the most optimal having a hard working team out and hope Di Maria and Falcao can create some magic together.

I would like to see this. Valencia would help Rafael to defend against Hazard.

It is a bit defensive but hey, Chelsea looks awesome at the moment so no harm to defend here.

 

[Crackers]

What happened the last time Joses Chelsea rolled up to yours with a 10 point lead? Start Fletcher!

Or start our new fitter better equivalent of him, Herrera.

 

[SirAF]

Has anything been said about Di Maria and why he hobbled off last night?

 

[Tom Van Persie]

----------------De Gea------------------
Rafael------Jones------Rojo---------Shaw
-------------Blind----Herrera-------------
-----Valencia----Fellaini------Di Maria-----
-----------------Falcao------------------

Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Carrick, Fletcher, Young, Mata, Van Persie.

This expect I would put Carrick in for Herrera and give him a rest. No doubt we need to be more defensive for this game.

 

[Crackers]

With Herrera out(and possibly Di Maria too), hopefully we line up like this.
----------------De Gea------------------
Rafael------Jones------Rojo---------Shaw
-----------Blind----Carrick----------
--Valencia------Fellaini-------Mata(Di Maria if avail)---------
------------ Falcao-------------

I don't like having to pick Mata for a game like this but we might have no choice.

 

[Glanville95]

I echo the sentiments of the majority.

de Gea
Rafael - Jones - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick (c) - Blind
Valencia - Herrera - di Maria
Falcao

Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Blackett, Fellaini, Januzaj, Mata, van Persie
​

We really do have to pack the midfield and make sure we have numbers centrally and protection on the flanks to subdue Hazard and Schurrle due to how dangerous they are in transition. That team in theory gives us some semblance of defensive shape and has three very hard workers behind the forward which is imperative.

Getting a result might hinge on whether Costa starts and personally I think Jose is playing it coy and he will be available. It's a worry, but we can't afford to play defenders who get bullied easily and Jones and Rojo are our most physical and in form centre backs, even if I don't think they compliment each other well.

As for Mata and van Persie. There's no question in my mind that both have to be dropped. I'm a Mata fan, but he will be a passenger in this type of game and RVP has been atrocious all season. When he inevitably does get dropped, because LVG isn't an idiot, it will be weeks overdue. Hopefully it will be this weekend and Falcao should perform better leading the line with the team centred around him.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

We're fecked.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Like every other United game this season, I don't know what to expect. This side is full of surprises.

 

[DWelbz19]

I think we should play Smalling. Whether they start Remy, Drogba or even Costa, things will be direct and physically scrappy - Smalling is the best of the lot for that. Jones and Rojo are also a little on the short side and look a bit nervous in aerial duels, which Smalling tends to - I say tends to - deal with fairly well. Think back to West Ham (H)(?) last season. I'm not convinced on Jones very much and haven't really ever been, and I think Smalling may be the best of a bad bunch.

 

[He Comes From Serbia]

Took a knee to the thigh so was a bit of a dead leg but he should be fine.

An arrow to the knee? Is that still a thing? We need Di Maria, I don't care what kind of voodoo we use but he needs to play. He is a big game player.

Clocks go back on sunday morning, forced to wait an additional hour, the agony! This is how I would like us to line up,

-------Falcao--------RVP------
-------------Fellaini-----------
---Di Maria---------Valencia---
-------------Blind-------------
-Rojo--Jones--Smalling--Rafael-
------------De Gea------------

My reasoning is relationships and physical presence, the diamond has also produced some good results for us. I'd like to see Rojo moved back out to the left, he has a better understanding with Di Maria at an international level, Shaw is a young lad and one for the future, much like Januzaj (who could fill in if Valencia is unavailable, seems to have a good relationship with Fellaini, certainly an option from the bench, but I do feel a Rafael-Januzaj combo would leave us too exposed, might need to play Smalling at right back if we go with Januzaj). Rafael and Valencia have worked well in the past, iirc. Jones and Smalling have a fairly decent relationship, if they get their act together they could be the permanent centre back pairing for both United and England. They are also big lads. Falcao and RVP are building a nice partnership, as showed when he came on against West Brom. Blind and RVP are two Dutch internationals, and Carrick is only just coming back from surgery so I'd stick with Blind for the moment, especially as he's just scored a vital point saving goal. I have my doubts too, but he's probably the best option in that role for now.

Fellaini's instruction (apart from continuing to be a big hunk of man meat with silly hair) should be to give the ball to Di Maria as soon as humanly possible, hell I'd probably give that instruction to Valencia too even out there on the right. The only problem with that is Mourinho knows Di Maria, but putting more men on Di Maria would hopefully open up more space and with space finders like Falcao and RVP, that might work in our favour if Di Maria is still carrying that niggling injury. Normally, Rooney would play in this role, but Mata hasn't stepped up to the plate (if anything he's taken a massive dump on the plate and stunk the place out), and although a week ago I never wanted to see Fellaini in a United shirt ever again, he has shown he can be of some use in the final third (also showed that pre-season too).

Time for some players to step up, and for the team to start clicking together. The physical presence should stop us getting bullied, and the relationships should help the team overall. I hate Chelsea, they've only gone and found themselves a new Drogba (after years of Torres based comedy), will probably terrorise defences for years. Hopefully we've found our new Ronaldo, but if Costa plays, we are in trouble. If we gel and play some good football, we may just do the impossible though, and nick... a draw. Let's hope Mourinho still respects the club, SAF, and LVG enough to revert to boring ways.

 

[Shane88]

Hazard and Fabregas? We're getting effed in the a on Sunday.

 

[Exxxcalibur]

​

We really do have to pack the midfield and make sure we have numbers centrally and protection on the flanks to subdue Hazard and Schurrle due to how dangerous they are in transition.

Schurrle wouldn't start this game besides he's injured at the moment. Willian will start.

 

[2cents]

----------------De Gea----------------

Rafael-------Jones----Rojo--------Shaw

-------------Carrick---Blind------------
-----------------Fellaini----------------

---Valencia-----------------Di Maria---
----------------Falcao---------------

I'm thinking along the same lines. Have never enjoyed the thought of using Fellaini in the role he enjoyed such success in at Everton, but at least having Blind and Carrick behind him minimizes his weaknesses in midfield while giving him license to get in a few faces a rattle a few cages in the Chelsea midfield. In any case, with Herrera injured and the likes of Mata and Van Persie so flat lately, I'm not really bothered by the prospect of a more direct game based around, let's face it, Fellaini's chest control. Worked wonders for Everton at times.