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Match Day Thread Manchester United v Anderlecht

Discussion in 'Manchester United' started by Matth_2014, Apr 20, 2017.

  1. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    I think we dodged a bullet a little last night, with all the chances we had over the 2 games this should have been a straightforward victory, but we made things tough for ourselves.

    I think it still goes to show that as a team we still need to improve a lot, if we are wanting to play Champions League football next year. Any half decent CL side would roll over Anderlecht with ease, so it is worrying that we made such hard work of things.

    Most seem to think that we are heavy favourites for this Europa League, but I don't see it that way, I think we are being massively overrated and our opposition is very underrated. We can do it, but I'm not thinking its the full gone conclusion some would have us believe.

    Celta Vigo is going to be tough, as all Spanish teams are these days. Iago Aspas is scoring for fun this season so could cause us problems. He's a lot better than when he was playing for the dippers.

    I am glad though that we avoided Lyon as I think they are a very strong side this season.

    I also don't understand why we are resting De Gea, in a tournament that now holds huge importance to us. Don't get me wrong I like Romero, and he's a good number 2 but I just don't understand the logic of resting De Gea. We have to play our best players in every game.
     
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  2. Christiansmith

    Christiansmith Well-Known Member

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    Definitely made life harder for ourselves. With the clear cut chances created we should have had the game sewn up by half time. Like we should have had the first leg wrapped up.

    With the number of games all them important we can't always play Degea although he is the no 1. Romero is good enough deputy.

    Celta is a good draw. They are experienced but not quite at the level of the top Spanish sides like Sevilla or Athletico so that they are well within our reach. Hopefully this time if we are dominating we will make it count.

    And if we reach the final we've got as good a chance as any to win it. The Europa should clearly be our priority but that should not mean we just let the premiership matches go.
     
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  3. seabreeze

    seabreeze Well-Known Member

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    I think the best part of United's 2016-2017 season is about to take place myself . I think they will both qualify for Champions League and win Europa in their last 10 games .
     
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  4. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    Why can't we play De Gea every game? He's a 26 year old keeper, I'm sure he can handle the physically demanding task of standing in our goal and making the odd save twice a week. It's not a position that needs rotating. As tiredness and fatigue shouldn't affect a goalkeeper especially one so young.

    Considering how important this tournament has become for us, I just feel there should be no room for sentiment when it comes to team selection.
     
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  5. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    I agree with you Roofie, I think we'll get both 4th and end up winning the EL, although in no way do I take that for granted. I just suspect we'll learn from the Anderlecht tie and realise that every European tie is difficult. Hopefully.

    I don't subscribe that Zlatan being injured is a blessing of some sorts either as we'll need him with the games we have left. Yes, Rashford should get a run. No doubt.

    But Zlatan being out means Fellaini or Rooney become our plan B and I'd much rather Zlatan than either of those two.

    I reckon Ibra has played his last game for us, sadly. Can't see him playing again this season and I then doubt he'll get another year.
     
    #45
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  6. seabreeze

    seabreeze Well-Known Member

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    I just think Mourinho has you just at the edge of your best and the breakthrough game was against Chelsea . It will be tough to get points from Man U in any completion from here , you may play a part in sending us spiraling into the Championship after the City game . Woe is me
     
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  7. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Agree on De Gea too. He should play every game.
    I've seen Romeo play in the flesh twice and while this season he does look far more comfortable when I saw him last season he had dodgy keeper written all over him.

    No need to take the risk.
     
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  8. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Don't fret, Swansea at home is the type of game we draw with ease.

    I'm going to Swansea v Stoke tomorrow, I'll give you a post match run down!
     
    #48
  9. Christiansmith

    Christiansmith Well-Known Member

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    I understand that Degea should be able to physically play twice a week. But realistically you have to give your second keeper especially the No 1 for a top international team like Argentina some games. What happens if Degea is injured? We will have a rusty gk for the next few matches. I remember England suffered significantly when their number 1 got injured.
     
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  10. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    I think De Gea is definitely on the way to RM and Jose wants to bed in Romero in case he has to play for the rest of the season. Now that we are stronger in defence he is not so critical that we must keep him at all costs - there are a few decent keepers out there that we could buy with the money RM would have to pay but then again, there are persistent rumours that we would be happy with a De Gea/Kroos swap deal.
     
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  11. Christiansmith

    Christiansmith Well-Known Member

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    With Moyes and LVG, Degea saved the team so many times that it seemed that the world would collapse around united if he left. Same with Zlatan a few months ago.

    Now, although we would want to keep them both, if it did happen there would be no need to go into a huge depression. We will try to make the best deal possible. And I understand there is no release clause so that United could be asking for 66m or money plus Kroos. So let's see if the Spanish put their money where their mouth is.
     
    #51
  12. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Romero isn't on the same planet as De Gea quality wise. Not even close.

    If we sell De Gea we'd need to replace him and that would cost money so almost defeats the object. We're just as well keeping De Gea if it's only a cash deal. Unless we get £100 million.

    Throw Kroos in though and it makes more sense.
     
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  13. BigFox

    BigFox Well-Known Member

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    £60M is the magic number apparently and you are linked with Oblak from Athletico for £20M as replacement.
     
    #53
  14. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    OK, spend the spare £40 million on Kroos and that's ok! He's worth more in today's market though. I suppose, no idea how long his contract has left.

    Going slightly off on a tangent, I'd love to see Juve win the CL and Chiellini decide he fancies a couple of years in the prem at the end of his career. Best centre half in the world, an utterly brilliant player and I don't care how old he is. I'd love to see him at United for a couple of years.
     
    #54
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  15. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    I still don't think that is a valid reason to play the number 2, in a competition that is now our number 1 priority. Yes we can still get top 4 but it's out of our hands, where as the Europa League isn't.
     
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  16. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    He's worth a lot more than that to us. You think about the price players are going for these days, 80 million Pogba, 75 Higuain. I know attacking players go for more, but saving a goal is just as important as scoring one. I think we should be saying to RM that we want 80+ or there is no deal.

    I honestly wouldn't swap De Gea for any other keeper in the world, I even think he's significantly better than Neuer. So we should make anyone who wants him pay mega money, as there isn't anyone better IMO
     
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  17. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Not really.
    If we win our games in hand by a couple of goals we go into top four and if we carry on winning we stay there so still very much in our hands.

    EL still a clearer route though.
     
    #57
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2017
  18. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    Yeah he's a great defender. I remember Rio saying on BT Sport a few weeks ago that there isn't 1 exceptional centre half in world football these days. Well there is certainly 2 in that Juventus side. Even though it was Barcelona, you always felt confident that Juventus where a step ahead of them defensively in both ties.

    The one area I think Juventus are weak in is attack. Dybala is great, but Higuain just goes missing in big games, and if he's leading the line I would worry about it, as against the likes of RM you might only get the one chance and you need someone who will take it. He's a great flat track bully in Serie A but in big WC and CL games he doesn't deliver.

    I'd like to see Juve win it, for Buffon aswell, but I still favour Real, pretty much because they have Ronaldo. Even Juves defence will struggle to keep him quiet.
     
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  19. King Shergar

    King Shergar Well-Known Member

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    So it's not completely out of our hands, but we'll probably have to win at both City and Spurs. So it's a tougher task.
     
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  20. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Yeah, we've got to win all our games really, will be very difficult. If we beat Burnley and City in our next two games then we are properly in business. If we don't then it's EL as the only realistic target.

    Another big week ahead.
     
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