Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

Physio Room doesn't have a return date. Fergie originally said it wasn't serious. The fact he's completely slipped off the radar suggests to me that this isn't an injury...
30/11/2012:

"Nani and Valencia are still out," confirmed Sir Alex. "Nani will be out for four or five weeks. It's a hamstring injury and you have to take your time with it.

Fergie lies.
 
Allowing for heavy rotation, I'd like something like this:

De Gea
Jones---Smalling---Ferdinand---Buttner
Carrick
Fletcher---Giggs
Hernandez---Rooney---Welbeck​

Resting the goalkeeper is pointless; the centre-back pairing is there to be rotated given the absence of both Smalling and Ferdinand from the Swansea game; Buttner was on the bench, so might switch places with Evra for this (we can bring Evra on if we need a goal :angel:); Hernandez and Welbeck are pretty much guaranteed to start in my view; Rooney needs a game quickly to get over the Swansea game, and RVP will I think be rotated. Midfield is of course the problem area, but Giggs needs to start a game again as he hasn't been involved a lot; same for Fletcher, but Carrick is crucial so basically has to start, allowing Cleverley to rest. No Valencia (see the last 40 or so posts in his thread for the reason why) and Young has played a lot recently. I'm not expecting any returns from injury with the short time between games, but I'd like to have Kagawa available for this one (and also Nani, but that's unlikely).

Newcastle can't be taken lightly despite their terrible form this season, certainly not when they play against us, so keep the other big guns on the bench if the above team struggles to do the job.
 
Can't wait for this now! nothing better than only having to wait three days for us to bounce back. :)
 
Our last 10 home league matches against Newcastle: 7 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses.

26.11.2011 Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United
16.08.2010 Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United
17.08.2008 Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United
12.01.2008 Manchester United 6-0 Newcastle United
01.10.2006 Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle United
12.03.2006 Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle United
24.04.2005 Manchester United 2-1 Newcastle United

11.01.2004 Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle United
23.11.2002 Manchester United 5-3 Newcastle United
02.01.2002 Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United



Last 10 league matches against Necastle: 5 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss.

07.10.2012 Newcastle United 0-3 Manchester United
04.01.2012 Newcastle United 3-0 Manchester United
26.11.2011 Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United
19.04.2011 Newcastle United 0-0 Manchester United

16.08.2010 Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United
04.03.2009 Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester United

17.08.2008 Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United
23.02.2008 Newcastle United 1-5 Manchester United
12.01.2008 Manchester United 6-0 Newcastle United

01.01.2007 Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester United
 
One of my favorite United games since I started watching, United 6-0 Newcastle.

I'm convinced the tackle at the beginning by Smith is the one that injured Ronaldo, and required surgery at the end of the year. Ronnie responds by putting the freekick in the net.

 
Anyone reckons we might play a diamond in this one with Kagawa coming back? I certainly think so.

Don't think we'll throw Kagawa straight back in. SAF said he's due to start training today, something he's been saying for the last 2 weeks. He'll need time to get up to speed.
 
Don't think we'll throw Kagawa straight back in. SAF said he's due to start training today, something he's been saying for the last 2 weeks. He'll need time to get up to speed.

Today? I thought he was already back in training. :eek:

Anyway, with the indifferent form that Valencia has been in, I wonder if we might see the diamond again with Fletcher being a part as well.
 
Can I just say how the whole Nani situation is getting on my nerves.

The club should say something with regards to what is happening with him as if he is fit and we aren't using him as he is leaving, as much as I will be disappointed, tell us. It makes no difference to the situation.

If he is not playing as we are negotiating a contract, then that is bloody stupid and with Valencia playing so poorly he should be a shoe in on the right hand side during the festive season.
 
Can I just say how the whole Nani situation is getting on my nerves.

The club should say something with regards to what is happening with him as if he is fit and we aren't using him as he is leaving, as much as I will be disappointed, tell us. It makes no difference to the situation.

If he is not playing as we are negotiating a contract, then that is bloody stupid and with Valencia playing so poorly he should be a shoe in on the right hand side during the festive season.

They've said he's injured several times. Does that not qualify as "saying something"?
 

Seriously, what do you want us to say?

"We don't want him anymore, interested clubs can now start negotiations from this position of power".

Or "he's really injured, we're not making this up!"?
 
The club should say something with regards to what is happening with him.
30/11: Nani and Valencia are still out. Nani will be out for four or five weeks. It's a hamstring injury and you have to take your time with it.

07/12: Nani and Valencia are still out. It will be a few weeks with them.

14/12: Nani is still out.

21/12: Nani is still injured.

What's the difference between this and any other injury that we always have at Manchester United? Some people... :rolleyes:
 
30/11: Nani and Valencia are still out. Nani will be out for four or five weeks. It's a hamstring injury and you have to take your time with it.

07/12: Nani and Valencia are still out. It will be a few weeks with them.

14/12: Nani is still out.

21/12: Nani is still injured.

What's the differenct between this and any other injury that we always have at Manchester United? Some people... :rolleyes:

Thanks. Point proved.

I was just going to call him an idiotic cnut, but this is much more efficient.
 
Will be very interesting to see how Fergie deals with rotation.

You could make a case for resting anyone for the Newcastle game.

Centre midfield as always will be the most interesting area.
Giggs, Scholes and Fletcher presumably will need to see some action to keep them fit and up to speed.
But you probably can't get away with the Fletcher Scholes combo that worked so well a few years back.

Up front is tricky too. VP and Rooney rested together, or just one at a time.
And if just one, which one?
 
No, not Houllier. Answer, because we can't understand what you mean by :wenger:

30/11: Nani and Valencia are still out. Nani will be out for four or five weeks. It's a hamstring injury and you have to take your time with it.

07/12: Nani and Valencia are still out. It will be a few weeks with them.

14/12: Nani is still out.

21/12: Nani is still injured.

What's the difference between this and any other injury that we always have at Manchester United? Some people... :rolleyes:

Thanks. Point proved.

I was just going to call him an idiotic cnut, but this is much more efficient.

Well I was feeling rather festive but instead im going to have to say shut up you pair of bellends.

Ho ho ho.
 
No Tiote, Ben Arfa or Cabaye for this one. Arguably their best three players out. We really should win this.
 
Lots of players who need games in this but I'd be a bit wary of changing the side too much as well. Welbeck not getting on against Swansea probably points toward him starting on Boxing Day. Giggs impressed from the bench so has a chance of starting. While Cleverley was subbed, I think he's the most likely from the midfield to be rested, Carrick is our number one and he'll have to wait (or come off after an hour if we're winning). Ferdinand and Smalling will probably replace Vidic and Evans, while I think Jones and Evra will still start as well. Valencia and maybe Rooney dropped after average games at best.

de Gea
Jones Ferdinand Smalling Evra
Carrick Fletcher
Giggs
Young van Persie Welbeck
--
Lindegaard; Vidic; Cleverley, Scholes, Valencia; Rooney, Hernandez​

I fancy Kagawa to make the bench if he's fit, but I'm not sure over who... Possibly Scholes or Cleverley.
 
No Tiote, Ben Arfa or Cabaye for this one. Arguably their best three players out. We really should win this.

Not only that, but the boys will come back hungry after what by our standard is a defeat. So I'm not particularly concerned about who will start. Anyone on the first team is good enough to get the job done.
 
Well I was feeling rather festive but instead im going to have to say shut up you pair of bellends.

Ho ho ho.

Enter thread. Making a ridiculous untrue statement. When shown that this statement is incorrect, post houiller smily, hands over eyes, lalalalala, I CANT HEAR YOU. What's it like living in fecking Dreamland? You absolute moron.
 
You learn something new everyday. I had no idea that all similes and metaphors were 'figures of speech'.

They actually are. :)

But what the chap actually used was a hyperbole, not a simile or a metaphor.

And I bet he wishes he never bothered now!
 
Do we have a return date for Nani?

Don't think so. Apparently its a hamstring injury which they don't want to rush.

With Tiote, Cabaye and Ben Arfa out I'm pretty confident we'll walk away with the 3 points.

I'd go with

DDG
Jones Rio Smalling Evra

Fletcher Carrick
Valencia Rooney Welbeck
Hernandez

I think RVP will be rested for this one. No point running the risk of burning him out. I hope Smalling starts as well, whilst he was out I forgot how good he is!
 
Looking forward to the game. Newcastle have not been playing well this season and are in 14th place having won 5, drawn 5 and lost 8 games.

Their away form is dreadful with them not won a single away game so far this season. Out of their 8 away games, they have drawn 4 and lost 4 so them getting results away from home seems to be problem for them.

But they have been ridiculously unlucky with injuries and Tiote (suspension), Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor, Cabaye and Ryan Taylor all out injured and won't be taking part in the game against us so big misses for Newcastle.

Hopefully a comfortable United win considering we are facing a weakened Newcastle United side who have struggled this season.

As for us, Fergie has said that he will rotate the squad in every game in the festive period so will be interesting to see what kind of team Fergie goes for.
 
Did anyone else here catch Vida's post match MUTV interview?
I've watched it again to make sure but at the end of it he definitely says:
"Obviously we have a few players coming back from injury on Wednesday..."
I hope I'm not making too much out of a fleeting statement but I can't help remaining hopeful.
Even if one or two of our injured players are on the bench I will be over the moon.

Newcastle struggled badly with our midfield presence at SJP so even if we don't play the diamond I think 4-3-3 (depending on who is available) wouldnt be a bad option especially with Cabaye, Tiote and Ben Arfa all out.

SAF always says Rooney needs games so I can't see him being dropped because by that logic wouldn't it make his form worse? - but you never know because SAF didn't hesitate to drop him when his form was poor earlier in the season, and the squad is likely to be heavily rotated during this cluster of fixtures.
 
Did anyone else here catch Vida's post match MUTV interview?
I've watched it again to make sure but at the end of it he definitely says:
"Obviously we have a few players coming back from injury on Wednesday..."
I hope I'm not making too much out of a fleeting statement but I can't help remaining hopeful.
Even if one or two of our injured players are on the bench I will be over the moon.

Read today that Rafael will be facing a fitness test on his thigh injury and Kagawa has resumed first team training today so that is good news.
 
Enter thread. Making a ridiculous untrue statement. When shown that this statement is incorrect, post houiller smily, hands over eyes, lalalalala, I CANT HEAR YOU. What's it like living in fecking Dreamland? You absolute moron.

Sorry, wasn't listening again. Yawn.
 
I expect to see Rafael, Nani and kagawa back in the squad. if nani isn't injured, he needs to play.
 
We need to win by more than 4 goals. Or rather, I need us to do that. Miss that feeling.


I know Newcastle haven't been on top form and have a few players out, but you might want to reign that in mate!

They aren't chumps!
 
He was projected to be back for WBA, so it wouldn't be a shock to see him back 3 days earlier.

I'm just hoping one time this season we get to see a midfield 3 of Kagawa, Cleverley and Anderson, preferably with Rooney, Persie and Welbeck.