Manchester United vs. Marseille

I thought the fine (ridiculous and stupid in its own right) only applies to League games, because it creates "unfair advantages" to other teams? In Cup games, teams field their starting XI at their own risk of getting knocked out, so a fine does make sense, right?
 
How long is Carrick and Fletcher supposedly out for? I have a feeling SAF just said they were injured yesterday so he wouldn't be fined for not playing his strongest team available.

The FA haven't fined anyone for fielding a weakened side this season, they pointed that out recently after a team made several changes for an FA Cup tie.
 
How long is Carrick and Fletcher supposedly out for? I have a feeling SAF just said they were injured yesterday so he wouldn't be fined for not playing his strongest team available.

If either were anywhere near avaliable they would've made the bench. Having said that on the basis of the Liverpool game, Scholes, Giggs and Carrick could learn some discipline from the Hiberno/Brasilia midfield.
 
--------------------------Van Der Sar-----------------


---Rafael-----------Smalling-------Vidic--------Evra---



---Fabio----------Scholes------Gibson----------Giggs---



-------------------Berbatov---Rooney-------------------



Subs: Kuzczak,Brown, Valencia, Carrick, Hernandez, O Shea, Joshua King
Prediction:3-1 Rooney, Berbatov, Scholes
 
Presuming there's no surprise from players previously ruled out I'd like to see:

VDS
Brown Smalling Vidic Evra
Rafael O'Shea Scholes Giggs
Rooney Hernandez​
Which could easily become:

VDS
Brown Smalling Vidic Evra
O'Shea
Scholes Giggs
Rafael ----------- Rooney
Hernandez​
Should we need to.
 
I'd go with

van der Sar

Brown Smalling Vidic Evra

O'Shea
Scholes Giggs

Valencia Berbatov Rooney​

Brown over Rafael for the defensive stability he offers, with the somewhat weak midfield. O'Shea as the water carrier in CM with Scholes and Giggs providing the creativity. Valencia-Berbatov-Rooney out of necessity as much as anything else.
 
45 minutes against Arsenal is a big progress. I think he will start but will be subbed on the 60th min due to him tiring from lack of playing time.

Is one option, the other is to bring him on at HT again so he's facing a tiring defence, which imo would be a better option if he's not ready for a full 90 minutes (which he most likely won't be).
 
Is one option, the other is to bring him on at HT again so he's facing a tiring defence, which imo would be a better option if he's not ready for a full 90 minutes (which he most likely won't be).

I see your point but then what if it goes to extra time? Surely if he's not ready for 90 he wouldn't be ready for 75/80 mins either.

I'd personally leave him on the bench unless we need him or are cruising.
 
True but if SAF thinks he could make the difference in the second half I don't think the possibility of extra time should prevent him from being brought on.
 
Is one option, the other is to bring him on at HT again so he's facing a tiring defence, which imo would be a better option if he's not ready for a full 90 minutes (which he most likely won't be).

I suppose the problem with that is he might end up having to play extra time, or worse, be subbed as a sub if he was particularly out on his feet, depending on how tired he gets.

I have a feeling he'll get the nod to start and they'll see how he's running around 60 minutes.
 
Not sure how SAF will set the team up.

1) If Giggs/ Scholes start then its likely they will tire and need subbing.

2) Berba is better off starting than coming off the bench - his record of scoring when coming on as sub is poor.

3) If Berba starts then will we play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1?

4) I do not want to see Rooney shifted out to the left again. He was instrumental against Arsenal because he dropped deep to help out the midfield but has the energy to get into attack as well.

5) Hernandez movement and pace would force Marseille onto the back foot.

6) If Fletcher and Carrick are injured then O'shea should start in midfield.

7) I would keep Valencia on the bench - I think he has done brilliant to come back in six months and would be a shame if we pushed into a starting berth too soon.
 
7) I would keep Valencia on the bench - I think he has done brilliant to come back in six months and would be a shame if we pushed into a starting berth too soon.

Not sure it's too soon now. He did say that he was available for selection for quite some time before the Arsenal game.
 
Not sure it's too soon now. He did say that he was available for selection for quite some time before the Arsenal game.

After a long injury the chances of over extending yourself and getting a muscle pull are all to common.
 
After a long injury the chances of over extending yourself and getting a muscle pull are all to common.

I think they took that precaution already. If not, they wouldnt have given him the whole half in a very imporatant game against Arsenal.
 
Not sure how SAF will set the team up.

1) If Giggs/Scholes start then its likely they will tire and need subbing.

Perhaps Gibson will have a key role here, he could be a decent oprion

2) Berba is better off starting than coming off the bench - his record of scoring when coming on as sub is poor.

I think he should start.

3) If Berba starts then will we play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1?


Really have to scout the opposition for this one.

4) I do not want to see Rooney shifted out to the left again. He was instrumental against Arsenal because he dropped deep to help out the midfield but has the energy to get into attack as well.

Needs must of course, Rooney's hard work on the left wasn't in vain.

5) Hernandez movement and pace would force Marseille onto the back foot.

Probably but Berbatov holding the ball up will probably suit Scholes and Giggs better.

6) If Fletcher and Carrick are injured then O'Shea should start in midfield.


Wise option, you can't expect Gibson to do his tackling here.

7) I would keep Valencia on the bench - I think he has done brilliant to come back in six months and would be a shame if we pushed into a starting berth too soon.

Again a wise option, question has to be whether Fergie has confidence in a da Silva on the flank.
 
I suppose the problem with that is he might end up having to play extra time, or worse, be subbed as a sub if he was particularly out on his feet, depending on how tired he gets.

I have a feeling he'll get the nod to start and they'll see how he's running around 60 minutes.

Yea the more I think about it I think you and cw1984 might be right, starting him might make the most sense.
 
I think if we play a fast dynamic game like we did against Arsenal then Marseillie will not be able to cope but if we play a slow cagey game then the longer it remains 0-0 the more hair I will be pulling out.

Lets get a 3-0 lead!
 
I think if we play a fast dynamic game like we did against Arsenal then Marseillie will not be able to cope but if we play a slow cagey game then the longer it remains 0-0 the more hair I will be pulling out.

Lets get a 3-0 lead!

Yes, because the last time you had a 3-0 lead in a knock out game ended with great success.
 
if 7 defenders worked against arsenal, i say we go with 11 defenders, The Cat in goal
 
So carrick and Fletcher are injured?

So that leaves us with Scholes and Gibson. And Giggs and Valencia ?
 
Yes, because the last time you had a 3-0 lead in a knock out game ended with great success.

Ummmm, I think Bayern had two goals from the first leg, which pretty much gave them a big help on the return leg at OT.

If we go 3-0 up, the game would pretty much be dead and buried. And also, we aren't Arsenal who'd let that type of big lead slip in 20 mins ;)
 
All i know is, the lineup tomorrow would be one of the weakest I've seen in quite sometime... Compare the line ups to the one we had when we had Ronaldo and Tevez...

If feels sad...

Anyhow, I have full confidence that we'll go through, 2-0 again plz with another Clean sheet. Hernandez and Berba to score.
 
I am afraid 4-4-2 is longer a option for us now that Carrick and Fletcher are injured. We are going to start with Rooney up top with Valencia and Giggs on the wings. Midfield is going to have Scholes and Gibson for sure but I m not sure who the third midfielder could be.

Or Fergie might start Berbatov up top and Rooney on the left with Giggs playing in the middle besides Scholes. Man these injuries are really hitting us hard during crunch time.
 
-----------VDS

Rafael--Smalling--Vidic---Evra

Valencia--Scholes--O'Shea--Fabio

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

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

I don't really like the idea of playing both Scholes and Giggs in the same midfield, especially if its in a 4-4-2. We did it at Anfield and were torn apart. Hopefully Valencia can last an hour as Giggs could come on after that. It's a bit of a shame to drop Hernandez especially as his partnership with Rooney is starting to blossom but Berbatov needs a game desperately.
 
...................VDS....................

Rafael...Vidic.......Smalling....Evra

.......Scholes..O'Shea..Giggs.......

Valencia......Berbatov.......Rooney

Not enough dynamism in that midfield.

Rooney out wide is a waste.

Berbatov as a lone forward does not suit him.
 
Why are people choosing O'Shea over Gibson? I thought Gibson had a rather decent game yesterday. Kept things nice and tidy and made space for himself when needed.
 
-----------VDS

Rafael--Smalling--Vidic---Evra

Valencia--Scholes--O'Shea--Fabio

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

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

I don't really like the idea of playing both Scholes and Giggs in the same midfield, especially if its in a 4-4-2. We did it at Anfield and were torn apart. Hopefully Valencia can last an hour as Giggs could come on after that. It's a bit of a shame to drop Hernandez especially as his partnership with Rooney is starting to blossom but Berbatov needs a game desperately.

3-0 United if we start with that lineup
 
Why are people choosing O'Shea over Gibson? I thought Gibson had a rather decent game yesterday. Kept things nice and tidy and made space for himself when needed.

Because Gibson doesnt have a defensive bone in his body.
But more importantly, because you have to have a water-carrier behind Scholes, and Gibson is not a water carrier. O'Shea is.
 
Carrick and Nani training. Park training separately. Hargreaves training !


Having Carrick would make a big difference. Nani on the bench if we are in trouble perhaps?
 
The prospect of having Nani and Valencia both on the pitch tomorrow night, even if remote, is making me drool.
 
Michael Owen also in training too. If anyone actually cares! :)