Must say that the festive period is really a great time for footy fans. The games just don't stop coming, we always seem to be playing 'tomorrow'. Least it makes up for the shit August-October where internationals pop up every 3 games.
Wigan Athletic v Manchester United
- Thread starter Rado_N
- Start date
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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.
Well spotted, I hadn't thought of that. The cynical man in me almost wants Fergie to 'do a Mourinho' and tell him to get one so that he's free for 'pool. Of course, that would be highly immoral...
vs Wigan: de Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, van Persie, Hernandez.
Then -
vs West Ham: Lindegaard, Jones, Evans, Vidic, Buttner, Fletcher, Powell, Scholes, Young, Kagawa, Welbeck.
Then -
vs West Ham: Lindegaard, Jones, Evans, Vidic, Buttner, Fletcher, Powell, Scholes, Young, Kagawa, Welbeck.
Vidic doesnt need to play against West Ham. He can rest till the Liverpool game.
Do you not think getting games under his belt would be better than wrapping him in cotton wool?
I was under the impression that accumulated yellows are wiped off at the beggining of the year? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Presumably he means we should play him tomorrow and against Liverpool but not against West Ham. Which makes sense given that Vidic himself has said they're going to be careful with him to prevent a recurrence.
If he's saying we shouldn't play him at all until 'pool, I agree with you. We need to be cautious, but equally he needs games. And he seemed to make a real difference to our defence against West Brom.
Ban wise, you're right.
Rest DDG ! he had nothing to do in his last match, he could of sat in a deckchair for 90 mins and still kept a clean sheet.
I think the keeper is one position that should not be rested.
they are a point off the relegation zone...but we have not been totally convincing..usually coming back from a goal down.
if we don't have a New Years hangover...we should beat them handily.
if we don't have a New Years hangover...we should beat them handily.
Play Big Dave. Anders can get some minutes v West Ham.
Any team news for this? Most managers had a presser today but Fergie didn't. Probably because it was his birthday or summat.
Nah feck resting players for this, we have the FA cup next weekend id prefer we rested players for that. I don't want us dropping points here like we did last season.
Evra, Valencia and Carrick have played 5 straight games over the course of 3 weeks, so they're candidates for a rest.
Only Carrick has started more straight games, playing 6 straight to start the season, but over the course of 6 weeks.
De Gea has also started 6 straight, I wouldn't be surprised to see him rested either.
Though as others have said, the West Ham FA Cup game may be a better game for resting players. Perhaps we'll see two rested tomorrow and the other two rested for the Hammers.
Sounds like Vidic won't start, so Ferdinand and Evans are the obvious choice there.
Cleverley and Young were on the bench for the game before last, so they should be fresh.
With Hernandez pouring in the goals I suspect we'll see him partner Van Persie, and Welbeck is a good shout to come in on the left wing.
If Carrick is rested, the question is whether to pick Scholes or Fletcher, I'm leaning towards the former. Though Anderson may be thrown right back in, I think a sub appearance is more likely.
Only Carrick has started more straight games, playing 6 straight to start the season, but over the course of 6 weeks.
De Gea has also started 6 straight, I wouldn't be surprised to see him rested either.
Though as others have said, the West Ham FA Cup game may be a better game for resting players. Perhaps we'll see two rested tomorrow and the other two rested for the Hammers.
Sounds like Vidic won't start, so Ferdinand and Evans are the obvious choice there.
Cleverley and Young were on the bench for the game before last, so they should be fresh.
With Hernandez pouring in the goals I suspect we'll see him partner Van Persie, and Welbeck is a good shout to come in on the left wing.
If Carrick is rested, the question is whether to pick Scholes or Fletcher, I'm leaning towards the former. Though Anderson may be thrown right back in, I think a sub appearance is more likely.
Eternity doesn't last as long these days.
Carrick was apparently running on "memory" at the end of the last game, so may well sit it out.
Scholesy or Giggsy might come in, but will certainly need Cleverley next to them.
Usually feel that Rooney playing is essential with Scholes or Giggs in a 2 man centre mid, but clearly not an option tomorrow.
However, Wigan should fear us, we shouldn't have to pick a team to contain them by any means.
Scholesy or Giggsy might come in, but will certainly need Cleverley next to them.
Usually feel that Rooney playing is essential with Scholes or Giggs in a 2 man centre mid, but clearly not an option tomorrow.
However, Wigan should fear us, we shouldn't have to pick a team to contain them by any means.
Is Fletch not due a run-out. If we have to rest Carrick (and I'd rather we didn't), why not a midfield triangle of Fletcher and Cleverley behind Kagawa?
Can't see Kagawa starting again.
sure he can... would be nice to see Kagawa playing with Van Persie up front for this game.
try to rest just a few players in defense only. the rest keep the same and win the game by a good margin.
--------------------------DDG-------------------------
Rafael---------Ferdinand/Vidic-------Smalling---------Evra
-----------carrick-----------cleverley----------------
Valencia----------Shinji---------------------Young
---------------Van Persie-----------------------------
Carrick needs a rest.
In recent seasons i think we have perhaps mismanaged the return of injured players albeit with the pressure of the squad being overstretched, we have the luxury of taking or time with Kagawa so let's avail ourselves of the opportunity.
Fergie said in his post-match interview that Carrick was virtually dead on his feet toward the end of the last match, the question is who he replaces him with i think.
4-3-3 would make life easier for us, play Young with RVP and Hernandez and take Valencia out of the picture for the day but...
I think Fergie's going have to rotate abit today.
I can't see Carrick and Evra managing to get through another 90 minutes. I might be wrong but I think both have been ever present during the xmas period. Time for Fletcher and Buttner to start.
I don't know if Vidic can get through another 90 minutes so soon after WBA but if he can he should start. Hopefully Rafa is back. If not Smalling right back and one of Rio/Evans with Vidic. De Gea in goal.
I'd also go with a midfield three of Fletcher, Cleverley and Scholes. If Scholes has support like that he should be used to best effect. Due to Clev starting against WBA, Giggs may be used with Scholes. If Powell is fit, he should be considered for this game.
Personally I'd like to see front three of RVP, Hernandez and Welbeck/Young. Valencia deserves a rest.
This is going to be the game we are most likely to drop points in as I can't see how Fergie can not make some calculated gambles in this match as Carrick and Evra have been run into the ground.
I can't see Carrick and Evra managing to get through another 90 minutes. I might be wrong but I think both have been ever present during the xmas period. Time for Fletcher and Buttner to start.
I don't know if Vidic can get through another 90 minutes so soon after WBA but if he can he should start. Hopefully Rafa is back. If not Smalling right back and one of Rio/Evans with Vidic. De Gea in goal.
I'd also go with a midfield three of Fletcher, Cleverley and Scholes. If Scholes has support like that he should be used to best effect. Due to Clev starting against WBA, Giggs may be used with Scholes. If Powell is fit, he should be considered for this game.
Personally I'd like to see front three of RVP, Hernandez and Welbeck/Young. Valencia deserves a rest.
This is going to be the game we are most likely to drop points in as I can't see how Fergie can not make some calculated gambles in this match as Carrick and Evra have been run into the ground.
I am not very confident about our chances today. we have to win though. the next epl games we play are against pool @home and @spurs. it will be helpful to go into those two games with a 7 points lead.
but a rest for carrick and evra is necessary.
a midfield three of scholes clev and fletch seems to be the best option. but in that case, who starts with carrick against the hammers? when is ando due back?
anyway so my line up will be:
---------------DDG----------------------
-Rafa-----Rio------Evans---------Buttner
--------Fletch-------Scholes-------------
--------------Clev-----------------------
-RVP--------Chicha------------Welbeck--
but a rest for carrick and evra is necessary.
a midfield three of scholes clev and fletch seems to be the best option. but in that case, who starts with carrick against the hammers? when is ando due back?
anyway so my line up will be:
---------------DDG----------------------
-Rafa-----Rio------Evans---------Buttner
--------Fletch-------Scholes-------------
--------------Clev-----------------------
-RVP--------Chicha------------Welbeck--
Hope SAF rest Evra & Carrick. Would like to see Buttner clock some minutes this time.
Reckon Fergie will go with RVP, Giggs, Young, Kagawa, Scholes, Fletcher
Maybe Hernandez/Welbeck for Kagawa depending on fitness
Maybe Hernandez/Welbeck for Kagawa depending on fitness
Carrick can have the FA cup weekend off; he's vital to our midfield and after how we played in the corresponding fixture last year we should be starting Cleverley as well. I'd go with Young on the right, Giggs on the left and Kagawa in behind van Persie.
Evra and Carrick can rest for the West Ham game because Fletcher cant play two games in a week. So most likely we will start Buttner, Scholes and Fletcher against West Ham while Carrick and Cleverley start in midfield against Wigan.
Yeah. The league is more important for me.
Fergie wants it back.. must more than the FA Cup.
If we dont tinker too much, we should be winning this.
Fergie wants it back.. must more than the FA Cup.
If we dont tinker too much, we should be winning this.
This isn't on tv either? Streams do my fecking head in.
If Buttner doesn't start this one, and Evra will have started 4 games over 10days you really do have to question the point of having him around!
Carrick will surely get rested, as he was utterly wrecked near the end of the last game. If he doesn't again, with Fletcher, you start asking about his role. He's been a good servant, and high in Fergie's estimation, and done well to come back from the illness etc, but not starting once over this intense period asks questions...
Carrick will surely get rested, as he was utterly wrecked near the end of the last game. If he doesn't again, with Fletcher, you start asking about his role. He's been a good servant, and high in Fergie's estimation, and done well to come back from the illness etc, but not starting once over this intense period asks questions...
Have we ever had a squad full of so many players who can't play 2 games in a week?
Scholes & Giggs
Fletcher
Ferdinand
Vidic these days
Makes you wonder how we pretty much coped with a 15man squad in 93/94!
Did players just play through more stuff/get injections back then, or was the pace of the game/demands not quite so great?
You'd think as time got on players would be able to deal with more, not with less.
Ive heard Keano, Robbo and Cantona are out for this one :-(
Need to avoid a repeat of last season. Think we will. 0-2
age and injuries play it's part here
giggs and scholes are 39 and 38 respectively,
fletcher got health problem
ferdinand is 34 and got injury problems over the last 2 or 3 years
vidic just returned from a long layoff
in 2 or 3 years time evra and carrick are going to join this group as well.
giggs and scholes are 39 and 38 respectively,
fletcher got health problem
ferdinand is 34 and got injury problems over the last 2 or 3 years
vidic just returned from a long layoff
in 2 or 3 years time evra and carrick are going to join this group as well.
Strongest team possible, only doubt is Carrick who, as Sandikan, said looked wrecked at the end of the West Brom game.
After this, send Carrick, Evra and RvP for a week holiday, no need to use them against West Ham, let them rest and then be ready for Liverpool and Spurs.
After this, send Carrick, Evra and RvP for a week holiday, no need to use them against West Ham, let them rest and then be ready for Liverpool and Spurs.
We can afford a good bit of rotation v West Ham, as it's only the 3rd round, and we're miles away from winning the thing.
The Liverpool/Spurs double header is so important it can't be understated. Without looking stupidly ahead, if we had the same margin lead over City after the Spurs game we'd be really sitting pretty.
However, Wigan first, and looking forward to seeing Rafael back. Definitely need to get him back to speed pretty quickly, as we need him really on it versus Bale in a few weeks.
What a good hangover tonic this game will be! Can't wait!
Keepers don't get rested, they get rotated
Agreed. Was surprised that a couple of players were not rested at home against WBA as this will be a much harder match.