We're getting beat again.
Manchester United vs. Liverpool
- Thread starter SharkyMcShark
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I am always excited when we play Arsenal, I am always confident when we play Chelsea. Why am I always nervous when we play Liverpool? I hate the feeling
Because loosing to the cnuts brings weeks of misery with it.
Dude it could be worse, you could be like me an be nervous before every game. It sucks but the high when we win is so damn good
;D i think you forgot Reina's golden glove..
Not really, let's face it Scholes and Giggs are part-time players with all due respect, so they won't play every game. You look at it this way five from seven often becomes five from six and the real dilemna comes down to which wingers you pick. No Anderson or Hargreaves for the rest of the season in Europe means that for the most part all those players would be certain to make the bench at least with or without Berbatov on it. 4-4-2 and Diouf on the bench or Gibson being needed as backup DMF may be the only things that could cause one to drop out of the match squad.
Now compare it to the defence, where you have to pick three from Neville, Rafael, Fabio, Brown, Jonny Evans and O'Shea to leave out of the matchsquad all together and that's more of a dilemna. Neville probably has earnt his final place should they get that far, but it looks like Brown vs. Evans and Rafael vs. O'Shea at this stage, unless O'Shea is needed as backup cover for midfield.
You look at the European squad and ask without Anderson and Hargreaves, what is United's backup 4-5-1. For example let's suppose Valencia and Giggs don't get the nodge, and Neville is still first choice rightback:
-----------Van der Sar------------
--Neville--Vidic-Ferdinand--Evra---
Nani-Carrick-Fletcher-Scholes-Park
------------Rooney---------------
What is the backup 4-5-1 to that?
--------------Kuszczak----------------
-----Rafael-Brown-J. Evans-Fabio*-----
Valencia-Gibson-O'Shea*-Giggs-Obertan
--------------Berbatov----------------
* if fit
That's what the 4-5-1 lovers forget, without Anderson and Hargreaves (in Europe) United don't have the depth to play it every game.
In terms of strikers there's Kiko and The One, Goalkeepers you have two international keepers in the backup, in defence United could have Corry and DeLaet two international players to backup the nine defenders here. But in midfield, you need a half fit John O'Shea to make up anything resembling a backup five that have any competitiveness at European level.
One hell of a headache?
It's just a bit of competition for two or three first team positions. Less than there would be had Hargreaves and Anderson been fit.
3-1 for Manchester.
Not sure what you are on about. This is the first time this season that all those players I just mentioned are in good form, save for a fresh Giggs, and it's going to be a challenge to try and figure out which 3 to leave out.
Right now for the run-in - it's a good headache for the boss to have.
Well it's not as if any of them would get the same selection dilemna Park faced in the European final, Giggs ended up being a backup striker in that game so it's possible 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation won't effect any of them. Park wasn't terrible, but Nani took a place on the bench at his expense.
It doesn't seem that hard, only problem is overusing Carrick and Fletcher and Gibson or possibly O'Shea can come in at that case. I think it's just people scapegoating Berba and Nani never had it so bad.
------------------------Van Der Sar------------------------
---Rafael----------Rio-----------Vidic-----------Evra------
--Valencia-------Fletcher------Scholes------------Nani-----
----------------------------Park---------------------------
--------------------Rooney---------------------------------
Subs: Foster, Evans, Carrick, Berbatov, Giggs, Fabio, Diouf
Prediction:2-1. Park, Rooney
---Rafael----------Rio-----------Vidic-----------Evra------
--Valencia-------Fletcher------Scholes------------Nani-----
----------------------------Park---------------------------
--------------------Rooney---------------------------------
Subs: Foster, Evans, Carrick, Berbatov, Giggs, Fabio, Diouf
Prediction:2-1. Park, Rooney
Will SAF decide to go with young Rafael or Gazza at right back? I would think that vs. the Dippers, he will go with Gazza.
Also, Scholes, Valencia and Fletcher are pretty much a given , but who will be the other two out of Carrick, Nani and Park? Possibly Park instead of Nani to give more support to Evra and Carrick in the middle.
Same here. It's like a nervousness that makes me sick, especially having lost last 3 against them...the fear of it being a double double tomorrow is so worrying and making the wait til the game unbearable!
the fear of defeat against those dippers make it unbearable for us, we must win tomorrow.
Probably will be Gary Neville, particularly given Rafael's just back from injury and to face Bennyoun or Babel or Maxi for most of the game would be a problem.
I'd say focusing on the oposition Fletcher, Scholes and Carrick is a given, Park will probably play which means Valencia vs. Nani is the only midfield contest for a 4-3-3. That is unless it's 4-4-2, in which case you also may have Scholes vs. Carrick, unless Fletcher is moved to the right, which probably would mean that Park drops out.
is there anything big planned along the lines of protest at the game tomorrow?
VDS
NEVILLE
VIDIC
FERDINAND
EVRA
FLETCHER
SCHOLES
CARRICK
VALENCIA
GIGGS
ROONEY
VDS
NEVILLE
VIDIC
FERDINAND
EVRA
FLETCHER
SCHOLES
CARRICK
VALENCIA
GIGGS
ROONEY
dont see Giggs starting. Park will play and Giggs to come on. SAF may surprise everyone by starting Nani on the right ahead of Valencia.
they are coming into form at the right time. this will be a close cagey game with the odd goal deciding or a draw.
The Telegraph (who are usually surprisingly accurate) have us playing a 442 with Nani and Valencia on the wings. Honestly I hope this isn't true I'd feel far more comfortable with a 451, at least that way we won't lose.
I just cant wait this game to start... Whoever is on the field I know that he will be up for the fight.... Same goes to Livershmull players.... I doubt that they will lack a motivation on preventing United to win the league... I also think that they will let Chelsea win it easily against them just to put us on a backpadel
300th post ...
Think Liverpool will probably opt for Maxi and I could possibly see Bennyoun for Kuyt too. Aqualani's probably unlikely to start after the Lucas inspired Revolution midweek, won't sacrifice Mascherano.
Team is fairly predictable, with Babel injured with a niggle and Riera suspended
Cavalieri, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Aquilani, Kuyt, Babel, Ngog
compared to:
Kuszczak, Rafael, Evans, Gibson, Giggs, Nani/Valencia, Berbatov
United might have more options on the bench in an attacking sense.
Think Liverpool will probably opt for Maxi and I could possibly see Bennyoun for Kuyt too. Aqualani's probably unlikely to start after the Lucas inspired Revolution midweek, won't sacrifice Mascherano.
Team is fairly predictable, with Babel injured with a niggle and Riera suspended
Cavalieri, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Aquilani, Kuyt, Babel, Ngog
compared to:
Kuszczak, Rafael, Evans, Gibson, Giggs, Nani/Valencia, Berbatov
United might have more options on the bench in an attacking sense.
------------------------------ VDS ----------------------------------
Neville -------------- Rio ------------- Vidic ------------------- Evra
--------- Fletcher ---------- Scholes ---------- Carrick -------------
Valencia ------------------ Rooney -------------------------- Park
That will be the starting 11 tomorrow, I got the Milan one spot-on, I'll get this one spot on.
With that formation we can keep things tight but will always have chances up-front with Valencia's pace and Rooney's movement.
Neville -------------- Rio ------------- Vidic ------------------- Evra
--------- Fletcher ---------- Scholes ---------- Carrick -------------
Valencia ------------------ Rooney -------------------------- Park
That will be the starting 11 tomorrow, I got the Milan one spot-on, I'll get this one spot on.
With that formation we can keep things tight but will always have chances up-front with Valencia's pace and Rooney's movement.
Aquilani will definately start the game.
Source?
Is Scholes fit? Could be Park CAM with Nani left.
Shit I forgot about Scholes' injury 
There's the winning team
Thanks Evra
I hope you have another cracking game tomorrow!
I hope you have another cracking game tomorrow!
Watched the Liverpool game midweek, Lucas actually played well, Aquilani scored earlier in the week so it could be a problem here.
Think Lucas will get the nudge.
They don't need two defensive midfielders for this game as United bar Rooney don't usually threaten from the centre, he is a good passer and tackler of the ball though and more a part of the system than Aquilani is, but he doesn't pose Aquilani's threat it has to be said. Unfortunately for Aqualani, a certain Steven Gerrard occupies the role he craves, and if Stevie G does go I believe Aquilani will improve dramatically as a result for Liverpool (if he stays fit)
Basically they could keep it open from the start with Aquilani, try to make an impact on the counterattack and shut up shop with Lucas later, or go with Lucas and Mascherano to try to keep the ball in advanced areas and bring on Aquilani to change the game, for Gerrard defending the game, for Lucas or Mascherano when attacking the game.
No source. Thought the flu midweek against Lille was too convienient and we all know how stingy Rafa is in using him. Just think he was saving him for us.
Aquilani is a far more creative player than Lucas can ever be. Only a legit injury would keep aquilani out for tommorow imo.
Thanks Evra
I hope you have another cracking game tomorrow!
Never gets old, although the image of Patrice taking time out from training to chat on the caf and approve of squads he's included in does have a certain charm.
He can create, but he needs the freedom to do so. Rafa knows United with Carrick and Fletcher won't necessarily give him that ... unless they flop the way they did at Goodison. With Lucas and Mascherano, United are forced to commit more players forward and Liverpool either hoof the long ball to Torres or try to attack the wide areas. That strategy has worked for them.
If Aquilani is to get the nodge, he'll have to show that he has the workrate to win the ball in the midfield battle, keep Liverpool in poccession, show the same defensive common sense that Alonso did and be creative under pressure. Something Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's main creative player has struggled with too. There will be enough movement from United across the pitch that would mean that they cannot rely soley on Mascherano to break up the play from the centre.
Rafa will use Lucas other than Aquaman for this match - he always puts defence first unless necessary.
When do you lot change for daylight savings? Tomorrow?
I thought it was the same everywhere. Or are you time traveling.
They change next Sunday - March 28th.
In the US we changed first Sunday of March, it used to be first Sunday of April.
I think England maybe last Sunday of March.
Must - win game tomorrow or Arse will have the advantage over us
Imagine Liverpool ending our Title hopes tommorrow.
They would celebrate more than they would for a league title.
They would celebrate more than they would for a league title.
I dont see how our title hopes could be ended tommorow regardless of the result.
I too think we could put a 4-4-2 out there contrary to most seem to think. In that case, I pray Park is on the left. Valencia is a better choice for the right wing
I expect us to push from the beginning and spend most of the time in their half, so we need bodies in the final third