Valencia CF v Manchester United

People have been going on about resting Rooney in the bench, however I think it's almost impossible with Giggs injured. Under the assumption Rooney will be fully fit for the Valencia game, he'll most likely play wide. If not, then it should be Hernandez playing wide with Owen in the bench.

---------Van Der Sar--------
-Brown-Vidic-Ferdinand-Evra-
-Fletcher-Scholes-Anderson-
--Nani--Berbatov--Rooney--

Subs: Kuz, Evans, O'shea, Gibson, Hernandez, Owen, Park
 
Sean_RedDevil said:
4-4-2 away from home in europe (especially against a team like Valencia) is suicide.
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Its amazing how they go from being "shit" on here, with David Villa, David Silva, Carlos Marchena and Alexis to a team that most posters on here fear after they sell them all.
 
Ekeke said:
Its amazing how they go from being "shit" on here, with David Villa, David Silva, Carlos Marchena and Alexis to a team that most posters on here fear after they sell them all.
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Dunno if you've heard it, but they're current leaders in La Liga. I take it you think La Liga is shit?
 
cloud218 said:
Dunno if you've heard it, but they're current leaders in La Liga. I take it you think La Liga is shit?
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They've led at the start of each la liga season for the past 3 seasons, including being the league leaders for the first half of Barcelona's treble winning season and setting the record points total for a start in la liga last season.

Being top of la liga after 5 games isnt new nor does it mean much other than they've managed to get some good results against half decent sides and in the one test against Atletico they dropped two points at home. They largely owe this start of the season to their own 39 year old goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez, if it wasnt for him saving them time and again with quality saves they'd have half their 13 points.

I happen to watch all their league matches and have done for many years. They have weaknesses just like last season and the season before.
 
Sean_RedDevil said:
Ehm they´re a top in La Liga and have beaten 4-0 the turkish champions.

A loss there and place 1 in the group is over.
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All the more reason to play to our strengths.

Right now, without Rooney in blistering form to play up front on his own, our strengths lie with Nani out wide and Berbatov up front next to a partner.
 
We're playing La Liga's leader away after a 2-2 draw at Bolton, with Giggs, Carrick, Valencia and Ferdinand injured and Rooney and Fletcher out of form. Great! We're also burning Scholesy out and Anderson's just coming back from injury.

2-3, Gibson and Owen (twice).

Yes, I'm hopeful.
 
Its got to be a 4-3-3 for this one, we've not defended well at all this season and I think thats got a lot to with the central midfield area being soft.

I'm assuming Carrick and Rio are fit and available for this one.

VDS

Fabio - Rio - Vida - Evra

Carrick - Scholes - Anderson

Nani - Berbatov - Rooney​

Carrick and Anderson in to add some protection and 'legs' to the midfield with Fletcher missing out as I don't think he's been up to scratch in recent weeks.
 
MUFC07 said:
We're playing La Liga's leader away after a 2-2 draw at Bolton, with Giggs, Carrick, Valencia and Ferdinand injured and Rooney and Fletcher out of form. Great! We're also burning Scholesy out and Anderson's just coming back from injury.

2-3, Gibson and Owen (twice).

Yes, I'm hopeful.
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Don't forget O'shea and Evra.
 
---------------------Berbatov-------------------


Rooney--------------Gibson---------------------Nani


------------Scholes--------------Fletcher-----------


Evra--------Evans--------- Vidic--------------Rafael


We lose the game 2-0


Edit: Gibson in for Giggs
 
MUFC07 said:
We're playing La Liga's leader away after a 2-2 draw at Bolton, with Giggs, Carrick, Valencia and Ferdinand injured and Rooney and Fletcher out of form. Great! We're also burning Scholesy out and Anderson's just coming back from injury.

2-3, Gibson and Owen (twice).

Yes, I'm hopeful.
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Eirik Raude said:
Don't forget O'shea and Evra.
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We normally turn up when our backs have been against the wall.

No need for negativity; we're Manchester United and we'll show why.
 
Pessimism in this thread, eh!

VDS

Brown Rio Vidic Evra

Nani Scholes Carrick Fletcher Rooney

Berbatov

1-0 win.
 
Feed Me said:
Pessimism in this thread, eh!

VDS

Brown Rio Vidic Evra

Nani Scholes Carrick Fletcher Rooney

Berbatov

1-0 win.
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I'd go with this team as well. Try Roo on the left, maybe he will be more useful there right now.
 
I'd like to see:

VDS
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Fletcher Scholes
Nani --- Gibson - Anderson
Berbatov​

Although I know Park and O'Shea will start instead of Rafael and Anderson.

I reckon Fergie will "rest" Rooney though.
 
Ekeke said:
They've led at the start of each la liga season for the past 3 seasons, including being the league leaders for the first half of Barcelona's treble winning season and setting the record points total for a start in la liga last season.

Being top of la liga after 5 games isnt new nor does it mean much other than they've managed to get some good results against half decent sides and in the one test against Atletico they dropped two points at home. They largely owe this start of the season to their own 39 year old goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez, if it wasnt for him saving them time and again with quality saves they'd have half their 13 points.

I happen to watch all their league matches and have done for many years. They have weaknesses just like last season and the season before.
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He right.....on this occasion ;)

I like Cesar myself, top class for ages now. Rarely gets a mention.

whats the story with Mata, was he injured at the start of the season or something? Dangerous player on form, very creative more so than any other winger in spain.
 
i can see berba up top on his own for this one...dont see us losing the game...maybe 1-1

id be happy with a draw
 
---------------------Berbatov-------------------
Park-------------------------------------------Nani
---------Anderson----Scholes------Fletcher------

Evra-----------Evans----------Vidic----------Rafael
------------------------VDS
 
Personally, I would go with the following:

...................VDS

Brown..Rio..Vidic..Evra

Nani..Fletcher..Scholes..(XXX)..Park

.............Berbatov

Rio could swap for Smalling, but I simply would not start Evans.

Carrick or Anderson for the 3 CM spot.

Would kinda like to see us go 442, with either Kiko or Owen partnering Berbatov, but if we do go 442 it will probably be Rooney and Berbatov up front. However, it is a big euro game so I see it being 451 and similar to what I have posted above. Of course we could go 451 and it be Rooney up top on his own, which I would be quite annoyed with.

If we do play the formation and team I have posted above, there would be massive responsibility on the midfielders to get forward and support Berbatov - cause as a lone forward he can be ineffective if there are not runners off and around him.

Whatever way we line out, I can see it being a very very tough game - i'd take a draw right now to be honest.
 
Decotron said:
He right.....on this occasion ;)

I like Cesar myself, top class for ages now. Rarely gets a mention.

whats the story with Mata, was he injured at the start of the season or something? Dangerous player on form, very creative more so than any other winger in spain.
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He's been tried in Silva's position behind the front man, whether thats the long term plan or just till Soldado is 100 % fit and match fit after his injury (which should be right about now) I dont know.

I'm not sure its really working for him right now, as with in the past when he's played a striker role his general play isnt as good as when he plays wide, but it hasnt stopped him creating a couple of goals mostly from crosses. He's top of the assists chart in la liga with 3 created, and has also got 1 league goal. Valencia dont have anyone who has scored more than 2 so far.

A bunch of times Valencia have abandoned the system of playing a player in the hole (Mata or Chori Dominguez) usually bringing Mata back onto the wing. And going to 2 up front with Aduriz and Soldado. When they have played that way in a 4-4-2 its when they've looked the most dangerous as they are two good targets in the box.
 
Two sources claiming Rooney has been left out of the squad. Have to wait and see if it's true. So far Mirror and Sun reporting it.
 
kundalini said:
Two sources claiming Rooney has been left out of the squad. Have to wait and see if it's true. So far Mirror and Sun reporting it.
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I said earlier that if we are not planning to start the fella we may as well leave him at home to give him to some to sort his shit out. There's no point in taking him to Spain and let him brood on the bench.
 
BBC Confirming Rooney not to travel to Valencia.Guess maybe SAF wants him to sort it out.
 
Rooney out, so..

van der Sar
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Fletcher Scholes
Gibson
Nani Berbatov Park
--
Kuszczak; O'Shea, Evans; Anderson, Obertan; Owen, Hernandez​
 
How can anyone be suggesting Gibson over Anderson, who's workrate will be vital, is beyond me. Or carrick of course. One is box to box, one controls the tempo and one shoots a lot and plods around.
 
@Ekeke will Banega be playing for Valencia?

I would start with:

-------------------VDS-------------------
Brown--------Rio-----Vida----------Evra
-----------------Anderson----------------
Nani-------Fletch----Scholes-----Obertan
-----------------Berbatov----------------
 
-------------------VDS-------------------
Brown--------Rio-----Vida----------Evra
-----------------Anderson----------------
Nani--------Fletch-----Scholes------Park
-----------------Berbatov----------------
 
Average Joe said:
@Ekeke will Banega be playing for Valencia?

I would start with:

-------------------VDS-------------------
Brown--------Rio-----Vida----------Evra
-----------------Anderson----------------
Nani-------Fletch----Scholes-----Obertan
-----------------Berbatov----------------
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No he's been injured for weeks and isnt back yet.

With Rooney out we surely will play one up front now. Not that I would. But now I'm expecting a draw, which is dissappointing when they need not have been a massive challenge for us.
 
RedRichio said:
How can anyone be suggesting Gibson over Anderson, who's workrate will be vital, is beyond me. Or carrick of course. One is box to box, one controls the tempo and one shoots a lot and plods around.
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Well, if you watched the game against Scunthorpe, Anderson was poor for the majority of the game. After such a long time out, he's not match fit yet. If he wasn't up to par against Scunthorpe, I doubt he will be against Valencia.

Anderson needs games and I don't think this is one we should be throwing him into - although I wouldn't really be surprised if he starts.
 
Valencia will likely go :

--------Cesar Sanchez

Miguel Navarro Costa Mathieu

Joaquin Topal Tino Costa Pablo

------------Mata

-----------Soldado



Could be Albelda coming in for Topal or Costa. Or even Manuel Fernandez who tends to be out of favour but was one of their best players at the weekend.

Bruno is another option they alternate in at right back. He's the same error prone player Miguel is.

And Maduro could come in to replace Ricardo Costa at CB. Costa is the guy who was drafted in to play RB at the world cup for Portugal and got sent off against Ronaldo I think it was. He was also playing when we did Wolfsburg away last season in our injury crisis. His partner David Navarro was the main one involved with Inter players in that big brawl a few seasons ago. He was sent out on loan for a season or two as punishment and now he's the captain :lol: He too is limited, but compared to the other options Valencia have at the back he does his job relatively well. That just isnt saying much...

The other option is Soldado and Aduriz up front with Mata on the left and Pablo or Joaquin missing out. Whichever one starts would then play on the right.
 
Actually, Obertan is starting for the reserves tonight apparently.. I'd be surprised if he travels to Spain as well as playing tonight. Bebé might make the bench in Valencia, that could be interesting.
 
Ekeke said:
Valencia will likely go :

--------Cesar Sanchez

Miguel Navarro Costa Mathieu

Joaquin Topal Tino Costa Pablo

------------Mata

-----------Soldado



Could be Albelda coming in for Topal or Costa. Or even Manuel Fernandez who tends to be out of favour but was one of their best players at the weekend.

Bruno is another option they alternate in at right back. He's the same error prone player Miguel is.

And Maduro could come in to replace Ricardo Costa at CB. Costa is the guy who was drafted in to play RB at the world cup for Portugal and got sent off against Ronaldo I think it was. He was also playing when we did Wolfsburg away last season in our injury crisis. His partner David Navarro was the main one involved with Inter players in that big brawl a few seasons ago. He was sent out on loan for a season or two as punishment and now he's the captain :lol: He too is limited, but compared to the other options Valencia have at the back he does his job relatively well. That just isnt saying much...

The other option is Soldado and Aduriz up front with Mata on the left and Pablo or Joaquin missing out. Whichever one starts would then play on the right.
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Thanks for the info Ekeke. I have little knowledge about this Valencia side. You make it look like as if they are not as strong as it appears

Knowing SAF though, 4-5-1 is the way he will play, unless we play them at home

I am torn between putting an extremely defensive side and playing safe, or playing to our strengths.

I'd go defensive. FFS we played 4-5-1 against Everton, who like Valencia play 4-4-2, so...

--------------VDS-------------
Brown-------Rio----Vidic--------Evra
Nani--Fletcher--Scholes---Carrick--Anderson
------------Berbatov----------

That's right, the only way Rooney gets a go, if he plays strictly left
If not him, Park or even Anderson on the left

EDIT: Rooney is out, so Anderson in for me
 
Havak said:
Actually, Obertan is starting for the reserves tonight apparently.. I'd be surprised if he travels to Spain as well as playing tonight. Bebé might make the bench in Valencia, that could be interesting.
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surprised by that

if obertan can't make the bench against valencia with the injuries we have it isn't a great endorsement of the player
 
Rooney is definitely out. Not in the squad for the Valencia match. Also, since Obertan is starting for the reserves tonight, I don't expect him to play a role in the match on Wednesday neither.
 
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