United away - pre-match thread

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Ray Wilkins thought Stones would be ok with Kompany along side of him but thought he would struggle with Big Nose if MDM was playing along side him.
Pathetic, let's get an expert on the radio....yeh what expertise
 
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Will be surprised if Gundo starts, esp after being out for so long. Think he may get 30-odd minutes in the 2nd half? But if Pep thinks he is ready, then so be it. It will be exciting to see Gundo & Sane play for the 1st time.

Looking forward to Pep doing his thing. Bigger the game, greater the risk Pep takes. It will be some sight to see 7 offensive-minded players starting, if it happens. United will be at a disadvantage if they play Ibra. Pep will hv city playing at such an intensity, it will be too much for Ibra to get a grip, atleast that has always been his game's weakness. He was always playing catch-up to his Barca teammates when he was in Barcelona. And at that time, he was 6 years younger!

The West Ham game was a very good sample of what to expect from United. Combination of tall-physical players always looking for balls over-the-top to their mobile forward (a la Rashford) and fast wide players attacking the space and crossing. MU will use midfield only to destory the play, no play-making. Again, not suited for Pogba. But MU wont start with 5 at the back like West Ham did. But they will hv to adjust to our offensive fire-power. Mou will think neutralising Silva will affect most of our creativity. But I expect Kola, Dinho to compensate with more balls breaking the lines. With Gundo in the starting line-up though, Mou will need one more midfield, forward worker to neutralise Gundo.

I still believe Pep's game has evolved over the years, compared to Mou's stale tactics, that MU scoring will be more a result of our defensive lapse or luck, while we will be constantly attacking them. A game we will dominate, win or lose. Old Trafford audience will be witness to an Elite modern coach and a glorified Tony Pulis playing the United way. With world audience watching, not many better stages to play the elite way!
 
I think there's a good chance that Sane will start and we'll move Sterling inside or put Silva or De Bruyne in a deep-lying forward role. Is Kelechi ready to start as centre-forward in an Old Trafford Derby? It's a huge responsibility.

I think I would play Sane right, Nolito left and play without a centre-forward but give De Bruyne the freedom to get forward. We need to control possession in this game. If we play as we have been doing, then Fernandinho is going to be under massive pressure to hold Pogba and Fellaini. We need to be careful to ensure we can physically compete with Utd in midfield.
 
I can't see Pep playing Bravo, Gundogan and Sane from the start. I expect all 3 to be on the bench.
 
Marvin said:
I think there's a good chance that Sane will start and we'll move Sterling inside or put Silva or De Bruyne in a deep-lying forward role. Is Kelechi ready to start as centre-forward in an Old Trafford Derby? It's a huge responsibility.

I think I would play Sane right, Nolito left and play without a centre-forward but give De Bruyne the freedom to get forward. We need to control possession in this game. If we play as we have been doing, then Fernandinho is going to be under massive pressure to hold Pogba and Fellaini. We need to be careful to ensure we can physically compete with Utd in midfield.
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So you wouldn't play Sterling?
 
Pablo1 said:
That's how I read it. I can't see Nacho starting myself though I'd be surprised if Sane goes straight in. Same as Gundogan but for different reasons. I do see Bravo starting.
Like you have said in the thread though, second guessing Pep is a fools game. I'm going to just sit back and wait to be pleasantly surprised by whatever he comes up with.
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Sane is more comfortable moving out wide than Kelechi, I think. So that could be the reason he might use him.

If both Sane & Gundogan were to play then another has to go, so that's an interesting one. No way has Mourinho got a fucking clue who plays, that's for sure.

Looking from his point of view, he can't try to 2nd guess Pep, so he has to set up solid & play to their own plan. That must surely involve aerial stuff, & set pieces, including direct free kicks, as they have several takers. And probably fouling/working on Clattenburg.

This game may determine Pep's future planning. If we can deal with them aerially, then we can deal with most in the league. If we get turned over, then everyone is going to try it.

Obviously, the best way is to not let them have the ball, but if we don't score several goals, then we all know that a team with complete aerial supremecy has got from minute one to minute 97 to just get one ball which lands in the right place, a puncher's chance for a knockout blow, either straight in, or a flick on. It was largely the aerial stuff which did for us when Manuel got turned over there.

If we can find a way to win without succumbing to that, then Pep is really in business. But if we can't, he may have to think about the physical attributes of future signings, rather than just ability & the same for the academy kids involved.
 
richards30 said:
dan who runs the mcfcjustsayin facebook page says he`s been told that bravo, gundogan and sane will all start! not sure of the formation as he reckons sane will play in front of nacho?!?
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So Pep has picked his team and rung the guy up for him to leak the team??
 
I don't see Bravo not starting, gundogan n Sane are different prospects though, big risk involve with starting either or both of those but this is why we have the best manager in the world to make these decisions.

Personally i'd like to see Gundogan come in for Aguero, more for tactical reasons than anything, would give us a bit more control in midfield and push KDB further forward. Would have no issue with Kelechi coming in though he's shown himself capable and if he''s not ready for a game like this he wouldn't be our second striker.
 
Eds said:
So Pep has picked his team and rung the guy up for him to leak the team??
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I'm not saying the guy is telling the truth but Pep does usually train with his starting 11 for a couple of days for shape.

So anyone watching training could leak it. Would be annoying if they have.
 
SWP's back said:
I'm not saying the guy is telling the truth but Pep does usually train with his starting 11 for a couple of days for shape.

So anyone watching training could leak it. Would be annoying if they have.
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Not annoying, bloody stupid. Always irritated me when MP would tell the press who was injured and out for a match. Why reveal your hand so early and let other teams plan accordingly.
 
I hope Bravo does start, simply because WC doesn't inspire me with confidence. He always seems to be one misplaced pass from disaster.
Bravo though has come from a totally dominant team and won't be used to being put under so much pressure with the ball .
 
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