Manchester Utd (A) Pre Match Thread

[supercity88]

Mourinho would rather hedge his bets than lose.

A draw will be fine for him and United, anything else is a bonus.

The gap would still be eight points but he knows we have Swansea and Spurs to come just a few days later. We still go to Arsenal and Liverpool, where they have already amassed four points and lost at Chelsea.

Makes more sense to play the percentages and know City have a few key players risking suspensions between now and the end of the month.

Coupled with possible injuries, Champions League and crap refereeing decisions, they must not lose on Sunday.

They would arguably be better set up coming to us at the Etihad on the counter attack if the gap is still around the same when we next play them.

The one factor you forget is fan pressure. The rag fans will not accept those tactics if we are playing poorly and will urge their team on. In derby games the manager can say all he wants, fan pressure and urgency will ruin a players composure at times. We have players who know what it is like to go there and win and manage that pressure. Mourinho will of course play for set pieces and on the counter. Get his players to look for fouls and get the fans to pressure the ref into awarding free kicks. I think Pep will have a masterclass game plan that sees us play deeper and force united up the pitch through fan pressure which leaves space for us to exploit.

Having said that Mourinho will have watched us against West Ham and knows if we play like that he can thrash us with the players he has. Kompany coming back in makes a difference as long as he plays the game not the occasion. He has looked a bit too eager to impress at times.

 

[Easy]

Rags starting 11 vs CSKA:
Romero...Valencia, Smalling,Lindelof,Shaw...
Pogba, Blind, Herrera...Rashford, Mata, Lukaku

Lingard, Martial, Young on the bench.

Looks like they rested some players and have some injuries as well.

 

[deano ou812]

Kanchelskis 94-95?

Cheers for that,hmmm 20 odd years although we have to take into account when we were not in the premier league on occasions,maybe not this one but hopefully our home game we might get someone bagging one sane possibly..

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

How do you know he will play?

Pep doesnt like arousing the suspicions of UEFA, he wants to show we are giving Shaktar a good game but at the same time resting his big gamers. I am actually expecting a win against Shaktar, I think we will field a weakened team but still strong enough. imo

 

[martinmcfc]

Not sure if i'm allowed to put this on here (sorry Ric), but i'm about to burst with excitement. Found out today that my son has won the junior cityzens competition to be the city mascot at the swamp on Sunday. He has been entering them for about 7 years and he's finally won one. Not sure i can wait the 5 days till the game never mind him!!!

 

[kaz7]

Not sure if i'm allowed to put this on here (sorry Ric), but i'm about to burst with excitement. Found out today that my son has won the junior cityzens competition to be the city mascot at the swamp on Sunday. He has been entering them for about 7 years and he's finally won one. Not sure i can wait the 5 days till the game never mind him!!!

Awww bless him,hope he has fun and take lots of pics

 

[martinmcfc]

Awww bless him,hope he has fun and take lots of pics

Thanks Karen7

 

[willipp]

Not sure if i'm allowed to put this on here (sorry Ric), but i'm about to burst with excitement. Found out today that my son has won the junior cityzens competition to be the city mascot at the swamp on Sunday. He has been entering them for about 7 years and he's finally won one. Not sure i can wait the 5 days till the game never mind him!!!

That’s awesome mate, he will absolutely love it. My son won one last season for a home game and I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, him or me. You will be bursting with pride.

 

[bluemonkey71]

Nice one

 

[Impeccable One]

Not sure if i'm allowed to put this on here (sorry Ric), but i'm about to burst with excitement. Found out today that my son has won the junior cityzens competition to be the city mascot at the swamp on Sunday. He has been entering them for about 7 years and he's finally won one. Not sure i can wait the 5 days till the game never mind him!!!

No thoughts of trying to pass yourself off as him ?