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Match Day Thread FA Cup 1/4 final, Chelsea v United

Discussion in 'Manchester United' started by Chief, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Zlatan suspended, Martial, Rashford & Rooney injured or Ill.

    We have no striker's so expect no goals.

    I would take nil nil right now.

    <ok>
     
    #1
  2. Diego

    Diego Lone Ranger

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    Can't be nil nil, there has to be a winner on the night. We have Mykhi, Mata and Herrera though so no problem <ok>
     
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  3. Stan

    Stan Stalker

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    Fellaini up front.

    Brilliant.
     
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  4. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    Well, it can be.

    Nil nil then out on penalties.
     
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  5. Bodinki

    Bodinki You're welcome
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    Do quarter finals not go to Replays?
    I thought you had replays all the way up until the semis?

    I said earlier this week I had a sinking feeling we would lose.
    But what with all your attacking players out, I may need to revise my prediction.
     
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  6. Stan

    Stan Stalker

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    We have a special gift of having all of the payers in one position unavailable at the same time. It's usually centre halves.

    Play Mata up top and go long. Get Jones to whip in the corners. Philosophy.
     
    #6
  7. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    The way Jones is playing the wind would take it and whip it past De Gea. If he plays, we're out.
     
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  8. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    I thought that too but seemingly not, it changed for this season so the tie will be settled tonight.

    It's very likely to be agricultural football with dandelion head up top and the rest feeding off his scraps. If he provides any.

    It could well work but it's not going to be easy on the eye!!
     
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  9. CFC: Champs £launderx17

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    Long ball to Fellaini could exploit Azpi's lack of height. Worked for Spurs earlier this season
     
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  10. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    This is a good opportunity for Jose to show how good he is. He needs to think of a plan and implement it so we'll see.

    I'm genuinely more concerned by fixture pile up though and we could do without having to rearrange yet another league game on semi final weekend so I won't be overly bothered if we get knocked out.
     
    #10

  11. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    The more I read/hear about this situation, the more convinced I am that this is JM more or less conceding the FA Cup as being an irrelevance (given the context of our season). By not fielding a single 'recognised' striker he is setting us up to be seen to give it a go - but nobody will be too surprised if we lose and we can then focus on those targets that provide financial returns. While the FA Cup has cachet - it does not satisfy the demands of Adidas in terms of playing CL football next season. Bottom line, I think he is concerned that were we to field a full-strength side and lose, the negative effect might impact on our form.
     
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  12. Chief

    Chief Northern Simpleton
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    You'll be pleased to know that it's Jonesey who knobbled Rooney for this game!!
     
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  13. Stan

    Stan Stalker

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    I think he could play Lingard up front.
     
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  14. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    Mikki and Lingard together and the rag-doll behind
     
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  15. Bodinki

    Bodinki You're welcome
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    FA Cup should definitely be the bottom of your priority list.
    The PL and Europa League can both lead to CL qualification.
    You have a pretty decent shot of winning the EL, and are still in with a shot at Top 4.

    Personally I would prioritise the EL, you get CL AND a trophy that way. PL you just get CL qualification.
    We are able to field a strong team in the FA Cup because we have no Europe this season, otherwise our fixtures would be piling up like yours.
     
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  16. glazerfodder

    glazerfodder Well-Known Member

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    How dare you not include our famous EFL painty cup trophy thingy !
     
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  17. Bodinki

    Bodinki You're welcome
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    Only because it gives you EL qualification, which you are likely to get from your league standing anyway.
    A club like United wants to be in the CL, not the EL.
    EL is a nice trophy to win if you find yourself in it, but its not the ideal, what with the Thursday night games in Eastern Europe and the like.
     
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  18. Treble

    Treble Keyser Söze

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    It's a tricky one tbh. Given the choice on paper I would rather we go for the FA Cup and EL. That's two trophies and CL footy next season. I'm almost tempted to say fck off to the league and the Top 4. It's obvious we lack the mentality atm to push for it. We're probably still too fragile from Van Gaal's debacle. BUT the danger with that is we put all our eggs in one basket with our aim of qualifying for CL footy. However if everyone seems so confident about us winning the EL we shouldnt be too worried about fcking off the league should we?
     
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  19. Bodinki

    Bodinki You're welcome
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    Well your main threats in the EL are likely Ajax and Lyon right?
    Both decent sides, but I would expect Jose and your lads to triumph, provided you have some strikers of course :p
     
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  20. Treble

    Treble Keyser Söze

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    Schalke and Roma as well. And at least one other but cant remember. I have said before that we have an inherent problem scoring and that's been evident all season in the league against opposition far worse than all 4 of those teams in the EL. And I really cant see us breaking down those sides to put 2 or 3 past them when we need to.
     
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