Manchester United (h) pre-match thread

[ChicagoBlue]

This is one of those games where it depends who shows up. If City show up, the result is a no brained. If United show up and City are not at their best, then the result can go either way. There are always nerves associated with these games, so keeping those in check will also help the players...and fans.

Even after spending over £100M on fullbacks, it is our only weak spot, because they are technically the least quality in the field and Walker and Mendy are both prone to a brain fart, stupid foul, or getting caught ball watching or getting too far upfield when we lose the ball, and United’s only hope is the fast counterattack and the hoof ball up to Fellaini. If we can keep the wings tight and cause them to defend their flanks, rather than attacking ours, that could be springboard for an historic day.

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Laporte (Kompany)
Mendy (Laporte)

Bernardo
Fernandinho
Silva

Mahrez
Aguero
Sterling

 

[kun]

Ederson;
Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy;
Fernandinho,
Bernardo, Silva;
Sterling, Agüero, Sané

I'm going 3-0 City!! CTID come on you blues!

 

[GeorgeHeslop'sTackle.]

Yes with that team you're probably right with going for a 1-1 but who the hell wants a score draw when we've just scored 12 goals in a matter of days. We're not exactly playing a title contender. Where's Sane, Sergio, Bernardo or Mahrez ?

Chill mate. Love each day’s about as blue as Dennis Skinner, He’s either a rag or red dipper on the wind up.

 

[super_city_si]

Hope pep doesn’t disrupt the Silva’s and put gundogan in there. He seems to like him in the big games.

 

[deegee33]

They have beaten Bournemouth and Newcastle with last minute goals in order to sustain their "magnificent " run. If we stick in an early goal AND keep the pressure on them we will leave with a 4-1 victory. It's going to take more than an alty fan to allow them a sniff. Can't wait till Sunday.

 

[TheThirdDeano]

You’ve all seen the outrage from the press about Sterling’s weird penalty that wasn’t his fault.

I am 100% convinced Taylor will give us a really dodgy decision in our favor to stoke the hatred further

City victory; 3-1 (or as the sun would do it) 3 2-1

 

[citytilllidie]

Our biggest weakness is at full back. So is theirs. Pep will go with Walker and Mendy

 

[Love_Each_Day]

Well, I'm glad you're not the manager.


So defensive and reactionary to their tactics.

Dropping the leagues top goalscorer and moving away from the midfield setup that has worked so well (Fern sitting, Merlin and Kev/Bernardo further forward) is quite frankly mental.

Maybe it's too defensive but I think we need a more measured approach to the previous games vs them under Pep. In both league away derbies and last season's at Etihad we blitzed them in the first half but Guardiola decided to sit off them and try for counters in the second. Didn't work at all because the team wasn't set up for that. In both Old Trafford wins we stood up to the bombardment because our centre backs and Otamendi in particular had great games. In the 3-2 comeback we didn't get away with it because our centre backs and Otamendi in particular had poor games.

If we line up with Silva x2 and a selection of our usual front 3 I can see the game following a very similar pattern. We'll probably run rings around them first half and had better be a few goals ahead or they'll come back into it when we drop off.

Aguero might be top scorer but I don't think he does enough in tight games to give us an advantage, a non factor against Liverpool and Tottenham. Their defenders can be a bit dozy and would be more worried by the pace/movement and selflessness of Sterling and/or Jesus. They're also better dropping back to receive the ball in the spaces either side of the lumbering Matic.

Yes with that team you're probably right with going for a 1-1 but who the hell wants a score draw when we've just scored 12 goals in a matter of days. We're not exactly playing a title contender. Where's Sane, Sergio, Bernardo or Mahrez ?

Predicting 1-1 is more of a superstition thing for me but in this case I don't think it would be a bad result. No they aren't title challengers but since Guardiola came in it's been 2 wins, 2 defeats and a draw, all very close games decided by a single goal.

As for leaving out the wide players; I feel their fullbacks are not the most intelligent and could easily be drawn out of position with no winger to mark, Sterling and Jesus can utilise the space they leave. Failing that they're not bad options off the bench.

 

[kinky's boots]

_______________Ederson

_____Walker______Stones________Laporte

Danilo____________Delph______________Mendy

________Fernandinho________Silva

_________Jesus___________Sterling

As erratic as he is Pogba is their only real link between defence and attack so Fernandinho pushed forward to hound him every time he gets it. Danilo getting forward to drag Martial back and maybe get in behind Shaw, they've conceded a few from that this season. Sterling ripped through them as striker last time, Jesus up there to link up with him.

1-1

Ha ha ha.... wtf is that?? Who do you support usually?

 

[Indaparkside]

Ha ha ha.... wtf is that?? Who do you support usually?

Altrincham