Real Sociedad vs Manchester United

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Sorry man, my mistake. I thought when you said that I was being funny that you was taking the piss :lol: I haven't even had a drink yet either!

No problems, apology accepted.
 
Pretty decent line up. I had all right apart from Giggs for Kagawa in the line up thread. Everyone in their right position apart from Smalling who as much as I don't like seeing at right back will still gain experience with all these games he's been getting.

I'm going for a United win 1-2.
 
Based on what? Smalling has had some great games at RB. Fabio couldn't always get a game at QPR.


TBF, I'm pretty rational and calm about it and I'd much prefer to see Fabio getting a run in the team if the place is up for grabs. Smalling has good games from a defensive point of view, but playing him/Jones there hinders our attacking play so much!!
 
Based on what? Smalling has had some great games at RB. Fabio couldn't always get a game at QPR.

He played the majority of their games when fit at QPR, and I know that because I watched.
Smalling isn't great at all at RB. He has several glaringly obvious deficiencies playing there.
 
Again Fabio not getting a look in is weird. I know when Rooney is in this form it is best to keep playing him but I'm a bit worried about him burning out too soon. That and I wouldn't have minded us packing the midfield tonight.
 
How many times did Sir Alex play Young on the wing, how many times did he play Smalling at Right-back? Another thing, Valencia was playing terrible up until recently, even when he had Rafa behind him so, it doesn't matter who is right-back. So, just get behind your manager and stop whinging ffs. He has only been in the job 5 minutes, and I am sure that you were criticising Sir Alex back in 1986?

Actually Fergie loaned out Fabio and played Jones/Smalling at RB as well. Büttner is on the bench and had a decent game against Norwich I'd say so I don't understand the moaning here mate. Agree that Smalling is inept offensively but he's been one of our best players against Leverkusen in the CL.


Its more having a moan at the people who say playing Smalling at right back or Young on the wing is the safe option, because it really isn't. Safe option usually means that you know what you'll get and you'll usually get a solid performance, but nothing more. I think we can all agree that Smalling at right back more often then not looks lost, but is very good in the middle, where he should be usually. I know Sir Alex played them there, but he did stop doing that last season, didn't he? I can't remember him playing Smalling on the right more then 2 or 3 times all season maybe, and Young hardly got a look in, and rightfully so. Also, I'm behind Moyes, but I'm allowed to criticize him when he makes simple mistakes like Smalling behind Valencia at right back? It might work, but I can't see that being a good decision because Fabio is a better fullback whatever way you look at it and he needs games too.
Buttner always looks decent going forward, but it's defensively where he is clueless. We weren't exactly tested much against Norwich so he wasn't caught out, but away to Sociedad, I can't see what benefit it is to have him on the bench when Fabio would have been cover for both sides, and is a much better player.
 
TBF, I'm pretty rational and calm about it and I'd much prefer to see Fabio getting a run in the team if the place is up for grabs. Smalling has good games from a defensive point of view, but playing him/Jones there hinders our attacking play so much!!


I don't like seeing him there either for the same reason but Moyes, and Fergie who played Smalling at RB at times, obviously feel it's the lesser of two evils playing him there. Fabio just hasn't gained the trust needed for whatever reason; I'd give him a game in the League Cup, not in a game this important.
 
I reckon a really good performance from Fellaini tonight would get him in. Carrick may return?

Would be risky. Fellaini played like shit against City after a really good (first half) performance against Leverkusen a few days earlier.
I'd love Carrick to return but I thought the initial assessment given was that he would miss Arsenal?
 
I don't like seeing him there either for the same reason but Moyes, and Fergie who played Smalling at RB at times, obviously feel it's the lesser of two evils playing him there. Fabio just hasn't gained the trust needed for whatever reason; I'd give him a game in the League Cup, not in a game this important.


Can't argue with that man.
 
Based on what? Smalling has had some great games at RB. Fabio couldn't always get a game at QPR.

Erm, I can't remember him ever having a great game at RB. Might have had a decent one occasionally, but more often then not, he's not very good there, both offensively where he has no idea what he's doing, and defensively. Center backs aren't fullbacks. You can't just put them there expecting them to work the same, it's completely different. Look at the game against Stoke a few weeks back, pretty much every one of their attacks came from Smallings side from either Smalling getting beat easily or him falling asleep. I'm not really criticizing him as its unfair to judge him as he's completely out of position there and you can tell every time he plays there. Sociedad are a much better side then Stoke too. Why not play Fabio, someone who was first choice in the second half of 10/11 and was our best player in the champions league final, instead of him? It just makes no sense.
 
Would be risky. Fellaini played like shit against City after a really good (first half) performance against Leverkusen a few days earlier.
I'd love Carrick to return but I thought the initial assessment given was that he would miss Arsenal?

Yep, three games was the original line. I've just learnt never to believe this when it comes to big games.

Fellaini isn't the right man to play Arsenal really, but I'm sure nobody would begrudge him a place if he plays out of his skin tonight.
 
As long as smalling defends well i am ok with that. Im a little concerned aboot the return of rio and am nervous about fellaini. I really want him to perform. I know he can but he is probably feeling some pressure
 
Erm, I can't remember him ever having a great game at RB. Might have had a decent one occasionally, but more often then not, he's not very good there, both offensively where he has no idea what he's doing, and defensively. Center backs aren't fullbacks. You can't just put them there expecting them to work the same, it's completely different. Look at the game against Stoke a few weeks back, pretty much every one of their attacks came from Smallings side from either Smalling getting beat easily or him falling asleep. I'm not really criticizing him as its unfair to judge him as he's completely out of position there and you can tell every time he plays there. Sociedad are a much better side then Stoke too. Why not play Fabio, someone who was first choice in the second half of 10/11 and was our best player in the champions league final, instead of him? It just makes no sense.


One suggestion is that he could be trying to give Smalling games as he sees that as being more important for the future.

Not saying I agree, just throwin it out there.
 
Erm, I can't remember him ever having a great game at RB. Might have had a decent one occasionally, but more often then not, he's not very good there, both offensively where he has no idea what he's doing, and defensively. Center backs aren't fullbacks. You can't just put them there expecting them to work the same, it's completely different. Look at the game against Stoke a few weeks back, pretty much every one of their attacks came from Smallings side from either Smalling getting beat easily or him falling asleep. I'm not really criticizing him as its unfair to judge him as he's completely out of position there and you can tell every time he plays there. Sociedad are a much better side then Stoke too. Why not play Fabio, someone who was first choice in the second half of 10/11 and was our best player in the champions league final, instead of him? It just makes no sense.


Look, Smalling is solid at the back and that will do for tonight. There's obviously a reason Fabio isn't starting, and hasn't in a long time. Let's just be thankful Rafael is our regular RB.
 
Its more having a moan at the people who say playing Smalling at right back or Young on the wing is the safe option, because it really isn't. Safe option usually means that you know what you'll get and you'll usually get a solid performance, but nothing more. I think we can all agree that Smalling at right back more often then not looks lost, but is very good in the middle, where he should be usually. I know Sir Alex played them there, but he did stop doing that last season, didn't he? I can't remember him playing Smalling on the right more then 2 or 3 times all season maybe, and Young hardly got a look in, and rightfully so. Also, I'm behind Moyes, but I'm allowed to criticize him when he makes simple mistakes like Smalling behind Valencia at right back? It might work, but I can't see that being a good decision because Fabio is a better fullback whatever way you look at it and he needs games too.
Buttner always looks decent going forward, but it's defensively where he is clueless. We weren't exactly tested much against Norwich so he wasn't caught out, but away to Sociedad, I can't see what benefit it is to have him on the bench when Fabio would have been cover for both sides, and is a much better player.


8 out of 20 matches ( FA + PL ) Smalling has played as a RB in 2012/13, that's quite a lot if you ask me. I completly agree with you that he offers nothing going forward but we can't tell what's up with Fabio because it seems that Fergie didn't fancy him too much the last season as well, so something must be going on behind the scenes.

I don't think that anybody's talking here about the 'safer options' mate, we should be glad that Young's simply not in the squad but on the bench. Moyes has to put them on the bench/in the squad from time to time I guess, to either attract potential buyers or fulfill some clauses in their contracts. Rather see them on the bench than in the squad.
 
Love Real Sociedad's pitch. Kagawa and Rooney to win the game for us.
 
Yep, three games was the original line. I've just learnt never to believe this when it comes to big games.

Fellaini isn't the right man to play Arsenal really, but I'm sure nobody would begrudge him a place if he plays out of his skin tonight.

Personally with their fast passing in midfield is say he wasn't suited but we will see. I got criticised for suggesting Jones over him vs Fulham and it seemed Moyes went that way too.

I know what you mean, but does Moyes have previous in regard to trying to pull the wool re injuries like Fergie did? Last season before our game vs City away, Cleverley and Valencia were "a few weeks away" yet they both started! Loved that mischievousness!
 
Turned TV3 off already. Idiots.
 
Ed Woodwards there, hopefully tying up a few deals.....
 
I'd love Kagawa and Fellaini to get on the scoresheet.
 
United will lose. Moyes just said Sociedad finished 3rd in La Liga last season, obviously hasn't done any research on them. Close game, with RVP bailing out United in my opinion. Griezmann will cause issues.
 
8 out of 20 matches ( FA + PL ) Smalling has played as a RB in 2012/13, that's quite a lot if you ask me. I completly agree with you that he offers nothing going forward but we can't tell what's up with Fabio because it seems that Fergie didn't fancy him too much the last season as well, so something must be going on behind the scenes.

I don't think that anybody's talking here about the 'safer options' mate, we should be glad that Young's simply not in the squad but on the bench. Moyes has to put them on the bench/in the squad from time to time I guess, to either attract potential buyers or fulfill some clauses in their contracts. Rather see them on the bench than in the squad.

Fair enough. And I always see people defending decisions like Young starting by saying it's the safe option instead of Nani or Kagawa which is apparently risky, and I saw somebody put Smalling at right back is the safer decision which isn't really true in my opinion.
 
:lol: Childs is screaming down the mic and Keane just talking normally
 
Fair enough. And I always see people defending decisions like Young starting by saying it's the safe option instead of Nani or Kagawa which is apparently risky, and I saw somebody put Smalling at right back is the safer decision which isn't really true in my opinion.


Defensively it probably is.
 
Yeah. Above all now I'd love Fellaini to have a stormer and score.

Yeah, I'm not that keen on him personally but he's a United player now so I want him to do well. A goal and good performance would do his confidence a world of good I think.
 
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