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

[Indaparkside]

Pep is light years ahead of everyone

Buzz says hello

 

[blueabdi]

It's such a shame Stones is not fit for this, his calmness on the ball would've been so helpful in dealing with United's press. That's why I think Laporte has to start and I'm guessing Akanji will be alongside him as he's our only available right footed centre half.

Normally I would say Walker is nailed on to start to deal with Rashford but if he's the full-back dropping in to the back three whilst we're in possession, then that leaves Cancelo as our best option for the inverted full-back role on the other side and given his lack of form it seems unlikely he'll start. It also seems harsh to leave Ake out as he's been really good this season. However, if we play Ake at left-back then Lewis is more likely to play at right-back as he's more comfortable moving in to midfield but then you lose Walker's pace. It's a difficult decision for Pep to make but I think those are the only two full-back combinations we can play.

Midfield is slightly easier. Surely it will be Rodri, De Bruyne and Bernardo. The only way Gundogan plays is if we drop KDB which is never going to happen in a game of this magnitude, we drop Bernardo which would be suicide as we need his energy and ball retention in midfield or we play Bernardo on the right wing which is possible but seems pointless given Mahrez's current form.

The forward line is more difficult. Haaland obviously starts but I'm not sure who plays either side of him, I guess it depends on how we approach the game. I get that we've gone ultra conservative this season with our wingers taking less risks because Pep is worried about our vulnerability now we have one less man in midfield but what is the point in having the best striker in the world and then having our two other forwards constantly passing backwards, it just seems so counter productive. I think Pep just needs to accept that we're not going to have quite as much control with Haaland in the team and just embrace it and let the opposition worry about us rather than trying to eliminate any possible chance of conceding a goal because it's stifling our attacking play in my opinion. If he's more worried about United's threats than imposing our own game then I think he'll go cautious and pick Grealish. Personally I would go with Mahrez & Foden and give them more licence to run at their full-back as we know they're both capable of beating them. I feel like the team needs to rediscover the joy we played with in previous seasons and even earlier this season, hopefully this game is the perfect catalyst.

Great analysis.
Ederson
Walker- akanji-Laporte- cancelo
Kdb- rodri- bernardo
Mahrez- haaland- foden

Hope we win.

 

[madloaf]

Any 11 we like with the instruction of playing through balls occasionally.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

That performance sniffed of someone who knew they wouldn’t start at weekend for me; may be wrong and we’ll see when the team sheet is released; however, what he did against the right channel in the 6-3, regardless of form, he plays, he dragged their back line all over, they didn’t have a scooby to combat it and it afforded Thor more space than a partially sighted person parking a Winnebago; not advocating the attitude, and certainly see why he may be benched (if not predetermined), but as a manc lad, knowing the importance to the fan base, the natural enthusiasm and levels would increase in such games; this being said, I see Mahrez and Bernie on the flanks, with Rodders, KDB and Gundogan central

The entire first half against Southampton said to me that this was a group of players that realised they would in all likelihood not be starting against the rags because they were used for the cup game - pissed off to be in the 'b-team'.

 

[jonah62]

Ederson

Walker Akanji. LaPorte. Ake

Rodri
KdB. Silva

Mahrez. Haaland. Foden

 

[Indaparkside]

The entire first half against Southampton said to me that this was a group of players that realised they would in all likelihood not be starting against the rags because they were used for the cup game - pissed off to be in the 'b-team'.

But didn’t give a fuck about the fans travelling and spending hard earned dough in these times

 

[FantasyIreland]

The entire first half against Southampton said to me that this was a group of players that realised they would in all likelihood not be starting against the rags because they were used for the cup game - pissed off to be in the 'b-team'.

There seemed an element of such,but also it screamed 11 players who had never played together and a team built on a chocolate foundation/defence.
It was madness to think such an outfit would fair well against a pumped up well drilled team with a home advantage and a huge point to prove.

Fucking shambles.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

There seemed an element of such,but also it screamed 11 players who had never played together and a team built on a chocolate foundation/defence.
It was madness to think such an outfit would fair well against a pumped up well drilled team with a home advantage and a huge point to prove.

Fucking shambles.

Curse of being champions - no easy games. The opposition either play like it's a cup final or with 11 players in the box.

 

[Irishblue93]

Anyone see a sort of back 3 of walker, akanji and ake with Lewis and rodri in front?

Why did he not play Lewis after 3 good games to rest him for the next 2 cup games. Must be in contention to start

 

[FantasyIreland]

Curse of being champions - no easy games. The opposition either play like it's a cup final or with 11 players in the box.

Indeed,so zero need to give them a leg up.