United (H) - Sun 6th March, 16:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[Blu1]

Zinc with a 95 minute winner will do.

 

[MadchesterCity]

23 games, 0 goals.

This with both the scousers and us.

Incredible how bad his record is considering his chances, he had at least 5 chances in the 3v2 loss

 

[waspish]

I don't want to jinx this, and I'm not saying it's going to happen, however...

IMO there is no team more vulnerable than a team that wants to press high and aggressively but isn't good enough to do it against us.

This is where United are IMO. They are trying to press like Rangnick wants them, but they're not very good at it, and they don't have the fitness. They are able to do it well for about 15-20 minutes in each half and the rest of the game there are big gaps everywhere where they give up loads of big chances.

They also haven't been absolutely slapped about yet and their confidence is rising a bit after getting to 4th and only losing 1 game under the new regime so Rangnick hasn't had the game that makes him think, "OK lets pause developing the team for this week and just park the bus".

I think they'll be told to go out and press, they'll be dangerous for periods, but if we are absolutely on it, this could be like Leeds.

We will have that much ball all they will have is in the break where we will sweep up like at there’s where they add around 3 touches in our pen box.

 

[DMA's]

Would fully expect Sterling to start after not playing any part Tuesday. Mahrez must start we need his goal threat

Ederson
walker
stones
laporte
cancelo
rodri
kdb
bernardo
sterling
mahrez
foden

 

[hammersmithlad]

League Cup semi at toilet couple years back?

My thinking is about the balance of the team, rather than any one individual.

If Sterling plays, same with Kev, it also exposes the risk of easier ball turnover, the whole risk reward thing...

United want a game of counters, something they are actually very good at.

My main concern as you've pointed out & I'm sure fellow Blues are equally concerned about are us losing the ball in the middle of the park & playing into United's hands who ultimately only do well against teams who come out & attack & struggle against teams who are structured & don't give them the opportunity to counter attack.

Of course Pep is well aware of this & acknowledges its a risk/weakness of playing our football. Most recent example of this stating after the Sporting Lisbon game how conscious he was of their fast transitions & how we had concentrated in preventing this & all after beating them 5-0.

I hope Walker starts in the derby as he's the only player who has pace to counter this as you can't expect Rodri to keep up with Rashford or Sancho as pace isn't one of his strengths. Would hope Bernie plays close to Rodders help him out & set the high energy tempo to encourage others. I do think Kev will start simply for the fear factor & big play capability but Pep needs to manage his gametime better. Its obvious he's playing too many games consecutively & its having an effect on his overall game. He was immense against Chelsea at home, but he put in a lot of energy for that game & wasn't the same the next game. Phil should be a lock in & Mahrez should start as he's been most consistent with the goals recently and have been impressed with his tracking back too. However, I have a feeling Pep won't start him for whatever reason/rotation.

 

[Love_Each_Day]

Ederson
Walker Stones Laporte Zinchenko
Bernardo Rodri Gundogan
Mahrez Foden Grealish

Most of our problems against them come from giving the ball away stupidly and being wide open in midfield.Keep it moving and chances will come, force it with silly crosses and dribbles will just lead to the counter. The "risky" players can come on when the game settles. Even 0-0 wouldn't be bad and improvement on results in this fixture last few years. Gundogan and De Bruyne again probably sees Pep gesticulating madly and wondering why Rodri is being overwhelmed in transition.

 

[Franny 1234]

My lads back from 2 months working for the forces in Kenya, just landed this morning down south. Fuck knows where he'll be in the future.

Really looking forward to seeing him and enjoying a game again (Mrs Moon bless her has been using his ticket, it's a different experience when she's there ;)) with him along with a few scoops.

Come on City, let's do this properly and rip them a new one.

Thank your son for his services RESPECT. don't let your wife know your glad to be dumping her Lol CTID

 

[richards30]

really dont want sterling anywhere near the starting 11 as hes poor against the rags and misses chances galore!

ederson
walker
stones
dias
cancelo
rodri
bernardo silva
gundogan
mahrez
foden
de bruyne

 

[Franny 1234]

Is this the game where Raz manages to get out of there rightbacks pocket.
Knowing pep he will start raz on the left to try and bury this ghost. CTID

 

[scarty10]

There is zero chance KDB won't start this match, so I am pretty sure he will be part of the midfield 3 alongside Rodri & Bernie. My guess is Pep will go with Sterling, Foden & Mahrez up top (with Foden playing centrally)....but wouldn't be surprised if he picks Gabby in the centre, with Foden & Sterling out wide.

We absolutely have to win, so come on you Blue Boys!!!!!!