Wednesday 23rd October 2013
UEFA Champions League
Old Trafford
KO: 1945 BST
Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad | Live on Sky One
- Thread starter nemanja15
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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.
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Meh.
Once again I find myself thinking the next game can't come quick enough.
I can see the players that have been involved little in the last couple of matches playing - Valencia will probably start following his last European performance.
Should be an easy one this. 3-0 to Sociedad.
Will Cleverley be fit? If so,
De Gea
Rafael-Vidic-Evans-Evra
Carrick-Cleverley
Nani-Kagawa-Januzaj
Rooney/RVP
Please. Just give it a shot.
Oh and....... Play Kagawa in the #10 please Moyesy!!!!
De Gea
Rafael Jones Vidic Evra
Carrick Cleverley
Nani Kagawa Januzaj
van Persie
I like the cut of your jib BD...
No idea what to expect anymore. Sociedad have been average, to say the least, this season but if anything can turn their season around its a big performance at United. Fortunately, Old Trafford still holds some magic for visiting European sides so they may stand off us and give us space to play unlike say...Southampton and West Brom.
This except I would rather play Rooney instead of van Persie if Kagawa starts at all. I think there would be better chemistry between those two than van Persie and Kagawa. I also wouldn't mind seeing either Jones or Evans next to Vidic.
Anybody going to the game there is a march from BB and also Sam Platts. Singing section trial as well, lets hope its a good one.
Van Persie is a better striker than Rooney. I think he'd really reap the benefits of someone like Kagawa in behind him.
No Giggs please...
Fair enough, I was speaking with the Norwich game in mind if anything.
The CL just feels a bit weird now. We've been spoilt over recent years, with our league form always being so sound, so that the CL always seemed like a bonus (I know, we always expected to at least get out of our group, but you know what I mean). Now it feels a bit like this is an escape from a depressing league campaign so far, like we really need to play well and win.
Real getting into form just in time for this. 2-0 up at Valencia.
I've been watching carefully in the summer when they outclassed Lyon twice, they play the brand of football that Man Utd hates to face.
Hopefully we manage to win, although it's far from guaranteed. Hopefully Cleverley is fit too.
De Gea
Rafael Vidic Evans Evra
Carrick Cleverley
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Rooney
Think only one of RVP/Rooney should play this, and seeing as RVP is carrying a small injury, he should be rested. Please play Kagawa for fecks sake Moyes.
Januzaj I don't think should start this game. We don't want to start using him every game, and he played 90 minutes today.Would like to see more of Evans-Jones at center back. feck this sitting deep and inviting teams onto us. Play Rafael, rest Januzaj.
Let's get back to winning, shall we?
------------- DDG -----------
Rafael - Vidic - Smalling - Evra
------ Carrick - Cleverley ----
-- Nani - Kagawa - Januzaj --
------------- RVP -----------
Based on a combination of balance, current form, and potential, I think that this is our strongest team. Alternatively Evans in for Smalling, but my gut-feeling says that Smalling will be the better CB if he gets a nice run of games.
------------- DDG -----------
Rafael - Vidic - Smalling - Evra
------ Carrick - Cleverley ----
-- Nani - Kagawa - Januzaj --
------------- RVP -----------
Based on a combination of balance, current form, and potential, I think that this is our strongest team. Alternatively Evans in for Smalling, but my gut-feeling says that Smalling will be the better CB if he gets a nice run of games.
They press high and are technically good in midfield?
Yes, the good old Spanish jokes about them being doped re-surfaced when they destroyed Lyon home and away.
De Gea
Rafael--Evans--Vidic--Evra
Carrick--Cleverley
Valencia--Kagawa--Welbeck
Rooney
Prioritising the league so if Van Persie is suffering from that knock slightly rest him and bring in Kagawa. I'd also rest Januzaj and Nani so bring in Valencia + Welbeck.
If Cleverley is out injured start Fellaini.
Rafael--Evans--Vidic--Evra
Carrick--Cleverley
Valencia--Kagawa--Welbeck
Rooney
Prioritising the league so if Van Persie is suffering from that knock slightly rest him and bring in Kagawa. I'd also rest Januzaj and Nani so bring in Valencia + Welbeck.
If Cleverley is out injured start Fellaini.
Hopefully we wont be the punchline of said joke this Wednesday.
de Gea
Rafael
Evans
Vidic
Evra
Valencia
Carrick
Cleverley
Nani
Kagawa
van Persie
SUBS: Lindegaard, Smalling, Jones, Fellaini, Anderson, Rooney, Hernandez.
Think Rooney could do with a rest. Get RVP off after an hour or so as well. Hopefully Vidic and Cleverley will come straight back in.
Rafael
Evans
Vidic
Evra
Valencia
Carrick
Cleverley
Nani
Kagawa
van Persie
SUBS: Lindegaard, Smalling, Jones, Fellaini, Anderson, Rooney, Hernandez.
Think Rooney could do with a rest. Get RVP off after an hour or so as well. Hopefully Vidic and Cleverley will come straight back in.
Just have a funny feeling we will click in Europe this season. Not saying we will be better than other teams but I just feel Kagawa will be used more and that we are due a little luck in Europe. Really looking forward to this one, hopefully the atmosphere is there.
Probably another mediocre performance with the players or Moyes afterwards saying we will look to improve the next game.
Be good to see Hernandez get a game
Be good to see Hernandez get a game
I know I shouldn't laugh, but it's kind of funny how the whole club seem to be saying after every game, "oh well, we'll look to go on a run, starting with the next game."
Kagawa has to start this. pls dolan
De Gea
Rafael - Jones - Evans - Evra
Carrick
Kagawa ---- Cleverley
Valencia - RvP - Nani
If Cleverley isn't fit then Anderson.
No 4-4-2 please. Start either RvP or Rooney up front with Kagawa behind. Nani and Val on the wings.
de Gea
Rafael - Evans - Vidic - Evra
Valencia - Carrick - Fellaini - Nani
Kagawa
van Persie
Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Jones, Anderson, Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez
This is assuming Cleverley is still injured otherwise I'd definitely have him in the side instead of Fellaini and also assuming Vidic is returning from injury. Januzaj is also still ineligible, but can play on matchday four. I agree with a poster above, the Champions League has for a long time felt like a bit on the sides with the Premier League the main focus. This season however, feels completely different; the CL feels like a quick reprieve from a horrendous Premier League campaign. I'm not looking forward to this game and I can't see us progressing past the Quarter-Finals and it'll probably be an ordeal getting out of the group stage and then last sixteen. Nonetheless, I just want to see some good performances and results.
Goalkeeper and fullbacks pretty much pick themselves, then I think it's Evans and one other after his performance against Southampton. His distribution and composure from the back improves us tenfold when we are in possession or trying to play our way out of danger from deep. That's such a massive asset, given our shaky and unconfident defence, that should bring the best out of Vidic who I still believe is our best defender despite his form.
Carrick is obviously a constant in the team and despite Fellaini being shocking yesterday, I'd opt for him as we see the effects a forty year-old man can have on the team and Anderson inspires little confidence. I would want Cleverley to play, but I imagine he will still be out with a calf injury. Could make a case for Jones who probably wouldn't do much worse than Fellaini (possibly better), but what does that say about a midfielder who has been spent so lavishly on. I just hope he puts in more of an effort, instead of the half-hearted attempts at a tackling, failing to track back and actually imposing his physicality on the opposition.
The wings are a slight worry with Januzaj unavailable. Nani is playing his way into form and was quite good against Southampton, but Welbeck is largely ineffective playing wide and pretty much offers just energy and legs. Valencia is predictable and void of creativity, we play with far less dynamism with him in the team and Young is a stocking of shite who should be nowhere near the first team. Nani's a given really and I suppose it has to be Valencia also.
Rooney and van Persie aren't exactly working in tandem and our attacking play often breaks down as we struggle to link the midfield and attack, while relying so much on mostly failed wingplay (although Januzaj and Nani have impressed recently). With Kagawa playing in his favoured role, our football should be slicker, more incisive and played with a better tempo, although I'm not expecting miracles from him.
De Gea
Rafa Jones Evans Evra
Carrick
Anderson Cleverley
Nani ---------------- Kagawa
Rooney
Pack the midfield. They will dance through a two man midfield like the Harlem fecking Globetrotters.
Alternatively, Kagawa could play where Anderson is, and we could put Welbeck on the left, for some graft. But I'd rather go with technique for this one.
I think it'd be daft to not go with 4-3-3/4-5-1 against a team who are very good with the ball on the ground. Meaning Fellani's chest and elbows aren't suited for this one.
I was impressed with the Jones and Evans partnership on Saturday. Both are quick. Jones' acceleration is often quite surprising, and his anticipation for dangerous passes improves all the time. Evans is probably our best ball playing centre back. He gave our midfield a bit of opportunity to push on since he's so good at bringing the ball out.
I think Robin could do with a rest. If we need another striker to come on, I'd bring on Hernandez.
Sociedad are decent, though don't look as good so far as they did last season. Then again - They're probably saying the same thing about us!
ditto!!!!!
Good line up that! I'd be tempted to swap Ando for Janujaz in the 2nd half if things aren't going so well for our fat brazilian
Seen nothing to suggest Cleverley might be back for this. That means Carrick and Fellaini will both have to start. So if we want to play 3 in midfield, that probably means Giggs will join them. That's a pretty shit midfield 3. Better off just playing two up front.
So I can't be arsed looking it up... how are Sociedad doing this season? Are they any good?
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