United (A) - Sat 14th Jan, 12:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[Tbilisi]

Ever since we lost to Brentford mid week before the 5 -1 I have always been happiest going into a derby under pressure.

Great believer in the law of averages as well, united have won a lot recently, it has to end at some point and will City lose 2 on the bounce?

That said, I also never predict a City win as thats tempting the football gods too much.

 

[Roachy]

The choice between Cancelo and Ake at left back is not as straightforward as it looks in my opinion, albeit yes Cancelo is way out of form, and when Ake plays then yes we are more solid defensively, but we may aswell forget attacking down our left side as it mostly leaves Grealish/Foden isolated hence why they have struggled for form too, when Cancelo is on form it enhances our left sided attack, bit of a catch 22 really.

Agree, but at this moment in time we more or less know what Ake brings. Cancelo, massive gamble imo.

 

[Bluewars]

This team is what i want to see, what we'll probably see is Lewis starting as inverted RB, Bernardo and Rodri as a double-pivot, KDB playing as SS with free role. Phil and Mahrez hugging the touchline. Sideways back rinse and repeat.

Bernardo will play within his shell because of Kdb presence, Mahrez will be scapegoated, and Kdb will lose possession five times before actually making a decent pass.


Ederson
Walker RB
Stones RCB
Laporte LCB
Ake LB
Rodri CDM
Gundogan LCM
Bernardo RCM
Mahrez RWF
Foden LWF
Haaland CF

 

[jaiguruKun]

Depends on what Pep thinks will work best on the day. Control or directness. Either way, neither are on top form

Grealish has 3 assists in his past 3 league games!
Not sure he's ever been on "top form" for us though.

 

[jaiguruKun]

This team is what i want to see, what we'll probably see is Lewis starting as inverted RB, Bernardo and Rodri as a double-pivot, KDB playing as SS with free role. Phil and Mahrez hugging the touchline. Sideways back rinse and repeat.

Bernardo will play within his shell because of Kdb presence, Mahrez will be scapegoated, and Kdb will lose possession five times before actually making a decent pass.


Ederson
Walker RB
Stones RCB
Laporte LCB
Ake LB
Rodri CDM
Gundogan LCM
Bernardo RCM
Mahrez RWF
Foden LWF
Haaland CF

If Laporte and Stones are fully fit that is the team he should go with
Maybe Akanji at RB as Walker looks out of sorts at the moment
However, it seems likely he will go with Lewis

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

It's going to be interesting to see how the rags approach this. I'd be surprised if they go after us with the same intensity as Southampton did. Given our side will likely be a lot stronger than the one that lost in the league cup, that would almost certainly play in to our hands.

As ever with the rags, if we can keep their counter attacks to a minimum I think we'll have too much for them. I just hope Bernardo starts in the middle, not out wide. His intensity in these games often ensures we win the midfield battle.

 

[theres only one carlito]

We don't have a decent left fullback who can defend and overlap though. It's a long standing problem.

Agreed but Cancelo, even though out of form, performs that role better than Ake who is not a left wing back full stop. And as others have alluded, Cancelo will deal better with Anthony’s cutting in onto his right foot.

 

[mosssideblue]

Grealish has 3 assists in his past 3 league games!
Not sure he's ever been on "top form" for us though.

Only tomorrow to wait and see. My bet would be Grealish gets the nod

 

[Bluewars]

If Laporte and Stones are fully fit that is the team he should go with
Maybe Akanji at RB as Walker looks out of sorts at the moment
However, it seems likely he will go with Lewis

Akanji at right back is a good bet too, Walker just edges it offensively, probably Pep will go with Lewis.

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

IMO There’s a distinct possibility that this could be grim.

We’ve got a great record at the swamp in recent years but iirc we’ve scored only 5 goals in our last 7 away games and 3 of them were against Leeds.

We really need to get our act together and take the rest of the season by the scruff of the neck and I hope we do that in fine style tomorrow.
For the first time in a long time I’m not particularly confident about beating them and the celebration will be all the more enthusiastic if we get a result.