Manchester United VS Chelsea

van der Sar
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Fletcher Carrick
Park
Valencia Berbatov Giggs
--
Kuszczak; Neville, Evans; Scholes, Gibson, Nani; Macheda​

Maybe Giggs would start in the middle and Park out wide? But I don't see much of a reason, as Chelsea don't have much of a threat down the right IMO. Giggs won't have to track back too much and I'm sure Park and Carrick would provide some cover if Evra goes forward. I think Valencia could have a fun time against Zhirkov, who does have some pace, but if he gets forward too much I can see Valencia exploiting that space, more so than Nani, so he should start on the right. However, Nani could well start too, with Park or Giggs dropping to the bench. Back five picks itself, but I went for Rafael just to freshen it up as I think Gary has played five in a row now? And a mid-week followed by an early weekend might just tire him out a bit. I think we'll at least take him off in the second half for Rafael as I expect Neville to start against Bayern again. Berbatov really needs to stay high up the pitch for us to be effective. I know he's been putting in more work-rate lately, but I think he should be a bit more selfish and stay in position for this game. Hopefully our midfield can drag away Mikel to open up that space.

As for Chelsea, I wonder what they'll do. My friend, who is a Chelsea fan, brought up a good point actually. Why change a team that beats Aston Villa 7-1? Drogba has only scored once against United, albeit in a FA Cup Final, but maybe he'll be on the bench? (I also hear he got a knock in training anyway).

We can afford to draw this, but it's a must not lose and I don't doubt that we'll go for a win. I don't care how it comes, it can be as stuffy as Chelsea's win over us at the Bridge earlier this season for all I care.
 
I was super excited when I managed to get tickets for this game in the ballot, but now that Rooney is missing and Chelsea are well rested and in splendid form, I don't know what I should expect from this game. I don't know about everyone else but I will still be there singing my heart out. All I can hope for is Berba to finally show everyone why we paid what we paid for him.
 
Baby Faced Assassin said:
I was super excited when I managed to get tickets for this game in the ballot, but now that Rooney is missing and Chelsea are well rested and in splendid form, I don't know what I should expect from this game. I don't know about everyone else but I will still be there singing my heart out. All I can hope for is Berba to finally show everyone why we paid what we paid for him.
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We'll beat them. I don't know what all the panic is about.
 
VDS
Neville Rio Vidic Evra
Carrick Fletcher
Valencia - Giggs - Nani
Berbatov​

1-0

The midfield need to make sure they provide Berbatov with good support.
 
In the shower this morning I though .... hmm wonder if Hargo gets the nod at starting right back for the game. Nev's been playing a lot and probably one of the biggest pressure games of the season, maybe SAF takes a gamble on Hargo.

Long shot but, perhaps.
 
Shimo said:
In the shower this morning I though .... hmm wonder if Hargo gets the nod at starting right back for the game. Nev's been playing a lot and probably one of the biggest pressure games of the season, maybe SAF takes a gamble on Hargo.

Long shot but, perhaps.
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:lol:
 
Shimo said:
In the shower this morning I though .... hmm wonder if Hargo gets the nod at starting right back for the game. Nev's been playing a lot and probably one of the biggest pressure games of the season, maybe SAF takes a gamble on Hargo.

Long shot but, perhaps.
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I'd say there is a bigger chance of you sprouting wings and flying.
 
we need a big game from valencia - his form has dropped the last few games and he's one of our main creative influences

i think he'll play giggs behind berbatov with nani and valencia wide

looking forward to this
 
Remember when ancelloti was claiming that rooney is the best in the world....well the lucky bastard now can use rooney's injury to rally his troops..

Just hope that Berba gives him a nasty surprise
 
It won't happen, but I'd love Macheda to start this one, up top with Berba.

Scholes and Fletcher in the centre, with Valencia and Nani on the wings.
 
---------------------VDS----------------------

Rafael---------Rio---------Vidic----------Evra

Valencia-----Hargo-----Fletcher--------Nani

------------------Park/Giggs------------------

-----------------Berbatov-----------------


Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Carrick, Gibson, Macheda, Obertan

:) A mixture of what I would like and what I think Fergie will play. Ideally I would like to try Obertan in place of Giggs/Park. The pace of Nani, Valencia and Obertan would certainly be a bit of a handful for the Chelsea midfield and defence.
 
Shimo said:
In the shower this morning I though .... hmm wonder if Hargo gets the nod at starting right back for the game. Nev's been playing a lot and probably one of the biggest pressure games of the season, maybe SAF takes a gamble on Hargo.

Long shot but, perhaps.
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Hargo is what you were thinking about while showering? :nervous:;)
 
Red Dreams said:
Hargreaves??

I know he has had a couple of reserve matches. But is he really in contention?
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It's only 45mins of 1 reserve game isnt it?

Not a chance he'll be on the bench let alone start!
 
CentreForward said:
Hargo is what you were thinking about while showering? :nervous:;)
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Oi now ... No wasn't thinking of him in particular. If I was going down that path it would be Nani or Paddy with their chiseled abs. :lol:

More so was thinking what if ... especially since the last game he played for us was against the Rent Boys.
 
Shimo said:
Oi now ... No wasn't thinking of him in particular. If I was going down that path it would be Nani or Paddy with their chiseled abs. :lol:

More so was thinking what if ... especially since the last game he played for us was against the Rent Boys.
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But what about Hargo's lurvly curly locks?
 
cw1984 said:
But what about Hargo's lurvly curly locks?
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See, I've missed them so much that I some how forgotten about them. Guess I have something to think about in the shower tomorrow.
 
I'm starting to feel unusually bullish about our prospects Saturday. Don't know why--I just think that, with all the adversity that's been thrown our way since Tuesday, the players are going to respond with a massive performance. Just a feeling, but I can't bloody wait for kick-off.
 
Basically, this is the one, the one I've been waiting for for over 20 years.

Ever since I can remember, Scousers have rammed their 18-4(5) thing down our throats and this is the match that can potentially end it once and for all.

We win this and I'm almost certain we'd win no.19. It's time for all our players to step up and show that we're not a one man team. Chelsea's away record this season is mediocre at best, we can beat them on Saturday and I'm really looking forward to it.

What Sir Alex set out to do all those years ago is within touching distance and we shall not fail at the last hurdle.

Sir Alex: Veni Vidi Vici
 
------VDS-------
Gaz-Rio-Vidic-Evra
-----Fletch------
Park--------Giggs
Nani---------Valencia
-----Berbatov------

Play that formation, with that personnel, and I'll be a happy bunny. Park and Fletch in midfield to hassle and harry Ballack and Lampard. Giggs pushed further up to support Berbatov, and most importantly of all, Nani and Valencia to provide the width and stretch Chelsea backline and midfield to breaking point. We should be good for a 2-1 I reckon
 
1) A win would be massive......a draw isn´t the worst result to be honest.
2) Carrick is in bad form atm -> Bench
3) Come on Dimitar
4) Rooney, Owen, Hargreaves, Anderson, Brown + O`Shea all out but still we´ve a great eleven + a very good bench.

Starting XI: ------------ Van Der Sar --------------------
Rafael ------ Ferdinand ---------------- Vidic ------- Evra
-------------------------- Fletcher ----------------------
Valencia ----- Scholes ---------------- Giggs ------- Park
-------------------------- Berbatov ---------------------

Bench: Kuszczak, Neville, J.Evans, Carrick, Nani, Macheda, Diouf
 
Allforone said:
.................Van Der Sar

Rafael - Ferdinand -- Vidic -- Evra

..........Fletcher -- -- Carrick
......................Giggs
Valencia - - - - - - - - - - -- Nani
...................Berbatov​

Bench: Macheda/Park/Scholes/Gibson/Neville/Evans/Kuszazck

:drool:
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This.

And we must go at them. Everytime we attack them we seem to do well (CL final first half,Last year's 3-0 win at Old Trafford).

They won't be able to handle our wingers and Fletcher will be all over the place with Carrick behind to give Giggsy some freedome to get into good positions and create.

A tight game will cater more to Chelsea. They can lump balls up to Drogba and he can bring others into play. He must go at them and get them on the back foot. Lets run them ragged and they will not be able to cope.
 
Im begginning to think that Giggsy should be on the bench. He could change the game in an instant especially with tired defenders.
I think Scholes behind Berbatov could work. With Scholes up further he wouldn't have to run around as much as Carrick and Fletcher could handle that. I think Scholes can fill Giggs' role and he is the better finisher.
 
Crerand Legend said:
Like that Bahama
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Even though its all still on paper, I'd be very concerned going into this game if it was Chelsea who were a point ahead. As it stands its a must not lose for Chelsea. They will know that. Should make for an interesting game. Either of us could catch up 2 points on the other but I believe with only five games left after this it would be a big call to catch up 4 points.
 
Red Dreams said:
Hargreaves??

I know he has had a couple of reserve matches. But is he really in contention?
Click to expand...

Both Hargreaves and O'Shea are apparently injury free, it's just that both lack match-fitness.

If there's any surprise here, it'll be that one of these two make the bench.
 
Shimo said:
In the shower this morning I though .... hmm wonder if Hargo gets the nod at starting right back for the game. Nev's been playing a lot and probably one of the biggest pressure games of the season, maybe SAF takes a gamble on Hargo.

Long shot but, perhaps.
Click to expand...

Stop thinking.

There's a better chance of Fergie becoming Liverpools next manager then Hargreaves playing against the chavs.
 
RedDevilCanuck said:
Im begginning to think that Giggsy should be on the bench. He could change the game in an instant especially with tired defenders.
I think Scholes behind Berbatov could work. With Scholes up further he wouldn't have to run around as much as Carrick and Fletcher could handle that. I think Scholes can fill Giggs' role and he is the better finisher.
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Good point. Someone like Scholes would be excellent to control possession and tempo. If Carrick brings his A game alongside Fletcher, Scholes should be able to push forward and he could be the X factor. Giggs comes on after the hour to provide that extra dimension.

4-2-3-1
 
Scholes doesn't have the legs to manage Lampard/Ballack et al, Carrick has been utterly woeful, Giggs hasn't exactly been inspirational, Fletch and Park have both however have not been sub-par.

Fletch isn't a defensive mid, and neither are the other 2 though. So playing those three in a triangle won't work. Having Zhirkov and Malouda on the same side is a bit dangerous, so maybe put Park as the right winger, play Fletch and Giggs a bit more deep lying, with Valencia in the hole behind Berba and leave Nani on the left. And no more Gary Nevillle, Evans at RB would be a much better idea than having Zhirkov and Malouda marauding Gaz.
 
People don't believe there will be any man management here which is shocking

to put out a team of:

Van der Sar
Neville
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra
Nani
Scholes
Fletcher
Park
Valencia
Berbatov

With Rafael, Carrick and Giggs being fresh, is simply like mimicing the mistakes that cost United the game against Everton.

I think all three might play, people won't like it, but it will be for the best. Carrick at 80% is better than Scholes at 20%.
 
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