Manchester United vs. Reading

It better not be !
It is an important Cup game and should be taken seriously or we will lose,

I hate the way cup games are treated has second class games.

Dont think its THAT weak. We have obligations on multiple fronts and there are players who need rest, who need game time and also need to managed for the stretch run that might be on three fronts. Like Sandikan suggested Fergie has been in good form with his team selections lately so feel good about the game.

I'd love to give the due respect it deserves however it is third in priorities BUT we have a deep squad and the players listed could be starting in other teams so its not a huge disrespect.

Hang on, let's not go too weak!?
Why rest too many players for this one, as it's QPR a week away, and THEN Real Madrid return

That said,a 5th round home game against a bottom 3 team is a top draw. Am sure Fergie will pick the right team.

Lindegaard
Smalling - Jones - Vidic - Buttner
Nani - Carrick - Anderson - Young
Welbeck - Hernandez

should be enough for a home tie v Reading and we can stock the bench with some extra power incase we run into a bit of trouble. Players like Rafael, Evra, Van Persie, Rooney could be excluded for rests/injury prevention while Lindegaard, Anderson, Nani, Young, Hernandez, Smalling need game time. I stuck Carrick out there because he has been getting rest and could be subbed off for Cleverley or Scholes around the hour mark. Evra on the bench incase buttner struggles. Finally Kagawa would be a sub if one of the strikers or wingers tire either going out onto the wing or moving welbeck to the wing and Kagawa in the hole.
 
Reds to rotate against Royals

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will rotate his squad for United’s FA Cup fifth round meeting with Reading at Old Trafford on Monday.

Speaking at his weekly press conference at Carrington, the Reds boss also revealed that everybody who featured against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday has returned to M16 in rude health and is in contention to start against the Royals.

However, with important fixtures in Europe and the Barclays Premier League on the horizon, Sir Alex admits he will utilise the strength-in-depth that is at his disposal - though he is not taking Brian McDermott's men lightly.

“We've come through Wednesday night's game with any injuries,” the boss told reporters. “That's the best thing, apart from the result of course.

“I'll make changes for Monday night. It's an incentive to get to the quarter-final. There's a good spirit in place and they're all contributing. Whatever side I pick I expect to qualify. That's United. We're always expected to win.

“Reading are showing plenty of fighting qualities at the moment. We'll take nothing for granted. In the FA Cup you always expect the unexpected. You just hope you're not a casualty or a shock. We've had a few over the years. But we can't do any more at the moment. The form and the spirit is good.

Sir Alex also revealed that Paul Scholes is struggling with a knee injury and the veteran midfielder could be out for a couple of weeks.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...ives-team-news-ahead-of-United-v-Reading.aspx
 
I can see Powell getting a game after Arsenal... Would suspect that Lindegaard, Anderson, Nani and Hernandez all get time as well... would predict something like

----------------Lindegaard------------------
Jones------Vidic-------Smalling----Buttner
------------Anderson--Carrick--------------
Nani---------Powell------------Young-------
------------Hernandez-----------------------
 
Rotate by all means. Just not the keeper.

DDG doesn't need to rest. Lindegaard doesn't HAVE to get a game.
 
I can see Powell getting a game after Arsenal... Would suspect that Lindegaard, Anderson, Nani and Hernandez all get time as well... would predict something like

----------------Lindegaard------------------
Jones------Vidic-------Smalling----Buttner
------------Anderson--Carrick--------------
Nani---------Powell------------Young-------
------------Hernandez-----------------------

Powell played 90 minutes for the u21s today so he won't start this one.
 
It better not be !
It is an important Cup game and should be taken seriously or we will lose,

I hate the way cup games are treated has second class games.

They're not. There are players that need the game time IMO. I wouldn't even call it a reserve eleven given our strength.
 
They're not. There are players that need the game time IMO. I wouldn't even call it a reserve eleven given our strength.

My comment was not made about any team, it was just my thoughts.
My fear is that Reading will be well up for this and want to impress the fans that have travelled on a Monday night, and if we put a team out with to many changes it may give them the edge.
I agree that we should win and with who ever we put out.
It has been 5 days since our last match and we should not go to weak.
 
My comment was not made about any team, it was just my thoughts.
My fear is that Reading will be well up for this and want to impress the fans that have travelled on a Monday night, and if we put a team out with to many changes it may give them the edge.
I agree that we should win and with who ever we put out.
It has been 5 days since our last match and we should not go to weak.

Players like Carrick, RVP and Evra have played so many games this season. If you think about it playing Anderson and Cleverley in central midfield is not too weak at all and Hernandez needs game time. You got to trust your players. You cant expect the same 11 to go out every night just because we have to win every game and every trophy we compete for.
 
Would be a bit stupid to play our strongest team considering we got by far the best squad in England and of course we should use it against Reading at home in the FA Cup.
 
Having fa cup games on a Monday sucks, at least we are in 1/4 final draw I guess

All that'll mean is if Reading beat us, then they'll have to play another Premier League team in the next round due to being coupled with us in the draw.
 
Finding it tough to get excited about this match. Would have much rather preferred a lower league team at home or something so there was a more chance of a few U21's getting a run out.
 
It seems that QPR will have 14 days rest before we play them, Perhaps they are the bottom team but they are playing at home & have a good manager who can get the best of his players, and world class GK, rest players for Reading & Norwich, play the best team against QPR.
 
Finding it tough to get excited about this match. Would have much rather preferred a lower league team at home or something so there was a more chance of a few U21's getting a run out.

We've got such a big squad that there's no chance of that happening. Enough players can and need a game before we turn to youngsters.
 
It seems that QPR will have 14 days rest before we play them, Perhaps they are the bottom team but they are playing at home & have a good manager who can get the best of his players, and world class GK, rest players for Reading & Norwich, play the best team against QPR.


Them being fresh is one way of looking at it, but on the other hand they haven't had a game for so long they won't be in game mode, and won't be in good form.

That's why despite people fearing too many games when you get deeper into different competitions, it can often work in your favour of building momentum, and getting a head of steam.
 
I concur with the De Gea analysis. It isn't fundamental that he gets a rest and it would be a good opportunity to build on his recent fantastic form. As for the rest of the team, those who played in Madrid - or specifically those who played 90 minutes - should get the night off.

I'd expect to see something similar to this:

De Gea

Jones - Smalling - Vidic - Buttner

Cleverley - Anderson

Valencia - Kagawa - Nani

Hernandez​

Amazing to think that that front four is probably our second choice attack.

Scary, really.

*EDIT: Looking at that line-up, I think, what is essentially our second-string, would finish in the Champions League places in the Premier League.
 
I'd go with:

Lindegaard
Jones Smalling Vidic Buttner
Cleverley Anderson
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Hernandez

De Gea has earned a rest and is deservedly our number one. I'd like to see Smalling/Vidic paired together because I think they've got a lot of potential as combo. Smalling pace compliments Vidic's more robust game nicely. I'd also go with Kagawa behind Hernandez in a number ten role because I think that's his best position and part of the reason we haven't seen the best of him because he hasn't really played there, Madrid game aside.
 
We've got such a big squad that there's no chance of that happening. Enough players can and need a game before we turn to youngsters.

Plus quite a few of the better youngsters have been loaned out.
 
I want Evans to start and Vidic rested for this game to see how Rio and Vidic do together against QPR.
 
Januzaj for the bench, anyone? Or Powell?

Could see Powell making the bench and maybe making an appearance if we are comfortable. We'll see some that need gametime like Hernandez, Buttner, Smalling etc but I reckon Fergie will pick a few big guns on the bench just in case.
 
Rotate by all means. Just not the keeper.

DDG doesn't need to rest. Lindegaard doesn't HAVE to get a game.

I'd agree with that, I don't care who else is fielded either way we should have a good strength squad out there, but keeping DDG in there is essential for me. He's getting better all the time and he deserves to retain his place.
 
I would. This isn't a lower league side and we're taking the cup seriously. We may make changes, but make sure we have a full insurance policy on the bench.
 
I'd agree with that, I don't care who else is fielded either way we should have a good strength squad out there, but keeping DDG in there is essential for me. He's getting better all the time and he deserves to retain his place.

I also agree, for me the goal keeper is for me the only team place that does not need rotating.
Having a inform keeper is essential and can only give the team a lift.
 
I would. This isn't a lower league side and we're taking the cup seriously. We may make changes, but make sure we have a full insurance policy on the bench.

Well whats to stop a bench of De Gea, Ferdinand, Evra, Youngster, Carrick, Rooney, Rvp
 
The fact we have room for another senior who may just be the player we end up needing. Say, looking at the six seniors you've selected, a winger. If we were to go with a full strength side, then there's no problem there, but if we make quite a few changes, might as well have all the seniors we can have on the bench.
 
We may have Powell on the bench at a push but no chance will we see Januzaj there, he is no where near ready this season.
 
Why would we lose Giggs? He's been our best player in cup competitions.