United (H) - Sun 2nd Oct, 14:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[willipp]

Belgium last played on Sunday pal.

Zero chance of Kev missing the derby based on him looking absolutely shattered during the international break.

I watched the Wales game and he was best player on the pitch so not sue why people say he looked shattered. As for him missing the derby cause he played a week before is just laughable. Truely bizarre take on Kev.

 

[KS55]

Can’t wait to see Thor completely mash them. 3-1.

 

[the blue panther]

I think we will have at least 80% ball possession so it’s all about the chances we create!

The rag scum be well confident with the beating of a Liverpool team with half there squad out and Arsenal where the rags had about 40% of the ball at home! So they have belief now and a good tactical manager they haven’t had for a long time!

Take Our chances we win by at least two clear goals we don’t and it could be any result.

I agree with most of that, save for good tactical manager part. The tactics are a block, fast counter attack, or hoofball. When he tried something else 'tactical' they got stuffed so they've reverted to their scum DNA - kick and rush.

They'll be shitting themselves about the game, with added bouts of diarrhoea right upto kick off inspired by the propsect of Thor tearing them a new one.

Scum.

 

[Mataniels]

Never confident going into a derby and they have had a few decent results against us in the past 3 or 4 years. Need to be at it from the off

 

[Hes the left back remember]

I think this’ll be a harder game than many anticipate, with United in decent form and coming straight after an international break.

Akanji has to start in Stones’ absence, rest of the team largely picks itself. Only question mark, I think, is whether Gundogan gets the nod in midfield with Bernardo on the right, or he plays Bernardo centrally with Grealish out wide. I’d probably go for the latter, but is a close call.

Ederson
Walker
Akanji
Dias
Cancelo
Rodri
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Grealish
Foden
Haaland

i agree it will be a tougher game than it was last season.
Above team is spot on but the dilemma is if Rodri is enough as holding midfield player and they flood the midfield. Tough one for Pep but i think they will be more worried about us! 2-1
Pep may play Gundo as well which may mean Jack sitting out but such a tough decision

 

[DruntBlunt]

They're always up for it vs us these days like it's their cup final. Foden, Bernie and Alvarez from start to kill off any possibility of them getting momentum. I'd be very happy to see Ake on the team sheet as well.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Except that sometimes, the football gods do have a way of humbling some people who don't respect their opponents.
I hope we win but to just predict a 4-0 or 5-0 victory is tempting fate.

That happens only if the team doesn't respect the opposition and that won't ever happen with a Pep team. If anything he goes overboard the other way.

 

[PinkFinal]

I can see a draw
But any result would not surprise me

 

[eyalluvitt]

They're always up for it vs us these days like it's their cup final. Foden, Bernie and Alvarez from start to kill off any possibility of them getting momentum. I'd be very happy to see Ake on the team sheet as well.

We did the double over them last season and I feel if Walker plays and controls their kick and rush pace we will do them again.

 

[alexmcity]

I'll put money on a big City win.

Usually, I'm against big-headed predictions before important games, e.g., the CL final and Madrid away last season. But I think that if we turn up on Sunday, we beat them by 3 goals or more. We have a phenomenal team with crazy creativity and an exceptional striker. Shit happens, but it's not likely to happen on Sunday.

 

[TheThirdDeano]

who's the **** they have at CB the short one who's really aggressive and violent but falls under the protected "letting them know he's there" territory of defender?

Whoever he is reckon he'll try to leave a mark on Haaland early doors and injure him

 

[domalino]

They're always up for it vs us these days like it's their cup final.

It is their cup final! Or the closest they've gotten to one in 5 years.

Worth remembering that if they do somehow cause an upset. We're going to finish above them for the 10th season in a row this season.

They might occasionally win a battle, but we won the war years ago.


Still pretty confident we'll win though, Haaland hattrick. 4-1.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

KDB looked absolutely shattered in these international games, most probably a non starter for the derby will be missed,will most probably come on if only neccessary Do we have to have an entire squad away on international duty

Looked more like he was walking through the games to protect himself than fatigue tbh.

 

[Spurs quarter 69]

Never expected to win a Derby yet guards against dissapointment. When we win feels soooo good

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

They've not kicked a proper ball in anger for about a month, no?

They might be fresher but they might also be short of proper match competitiveness.

I don't see them risking Rashford even if fit again from the start.

We will actually have a bit of pace about us at the back if both Walker and Akanji play.

 

[ancoats]

Derby day is always the same, media hype, shit talking in the press, they (SCUM) are still the biggest club in the world
Haaland has to stamp is class all over the game and score one for his dad,

I have a feeling this could be a high tempo game and tackles flying in and card being waved, united will want to show they can fight and play with the best and city will take the piss in keeping the ball

 

[asahartford1]

United will probably start without a forward. Sancho , Tony, fernandes, and Erikson providing the threat. Two defensive midfielders protecting a back four.
Hardly the greatest counter attacking outfit.
Just a normal home game with City trying to break down a back six on the edge of the 18 yd line.

 

[Withnail]

I think this’ll be a harder game than many anticipate, with United in decent form and coming straight after an international break.

Akanji has to start in Stones’ absence, rest of the team largely picks itself. Only question mark, I think, is whether Gundogan gets the nod in midfield with Bernardo on the right, or he plays Bernardo centrally with Grealish out wide. I’d probably go for the latter, but is a close call.

Ederson
Walker
Akanji
Dias
Cancelo
Rodri
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Grealish
Foden
Haaland

Grealish had a great game against the Rags last season and hopefully the Wolves game will have given him a bit confidence after a stop/start season so far. Hopefully Pep will select Bernardo centrally to assist Rodders as a Gundo/Rodri partnership leaves us a bit vulnerable to the Rags counter.

 

[Craig]

No way Pep will not play Rodri he is vital to our side.

Ederson
Walker Dias Akanji Cancelo
Rodders Bernardo Kdb
Alvarez Haaland Foden

Agreed. Wouldn’t mind us going 3 at the back at times now as we don’t have out and out wingers, some useful potential wing backs and it would allow us to get 2 upfront at times or get our 4 strongest midfielders in. However, i don’t think this is the game for it. Play Walker as a fucking defender not half back and with Akanji we’ve got pace at the back for their inevitable counters. I think that will be the team apart from i expect Grealish to start over Alvarez. Only other possible change might be Bernado on the right and Gundo in although personally i’d prefer Bernado in the middle.

 

[asahartford1]

Agreed. Wouldn’t mind us going 3 at the back at times now as we don’t have out and out wingers, some useful potential wing backs and it would allow us to get 2 upfront at times or get our 4 strongest midfielders in. However, i don’t think this is the game for it. Play Walker as a fucking defender not half back and with Akanji we’ve got pace at the back for their inevitable counters. I think that will be the team apart from i expect Grealish to start over Alvarez. Only other possible change might be Bernado on the right and Gundo in although personally i’d prefer Bernado in the middle.

Who do you think are their main dangers on the " inevitable counters" ?