please log in to view this image Saturday 28th October 12.30pm Premier League Old Trafford A couple of good results undone by a shocking second half against West Ham in the League Cup. Two more big games coming up, then another London derby against a struggling side. Can we get back into the swing of things at Old Trafford? Harry Kane is out, so the goals will have to come from elsewhere, if we do. Mourinho's side bounced back from their shock loss to Huddersfield with a midweek win over Swansea. It will have cushioned the blow somewhat, as he always chases every trophy. The Man Utd fans might not have been quite as forgiving though, as they expect silverware and a league challenge. They'll be desperate for a win to try and close the gap to City, at least temporarily. It currently stands at 5 points and they're ahead of us on goal difference. Both sides have midweek Champions League games coming up, which may or may not be a distraction. Spurs can't afford any kind of slip up against Real Madrid, while Utd face their group's current whipping boys. It's an unexpected position for Benfica to be in, though and a win would put them back in contention. Will there be any rotation or unexpected starts for fringe players? It would take a brave manager. Last season's trip to Old Trafford saw us dominate possession and territory but create very little. Mkhitaryan's first goal for the Manchester side was enough to take all three points. A workmanlike performance from Mourinho's side in a big game, which suits him down to the ground. Not one that will live long in the memory, but job done, as far as he's concerned. The home game was the last ever game at the old White Hart Lane and was more of a competitive affair. It sealed our unbeaten home record in the league and ensured that United couldn't finish in the top four. Wanyama and Kane put us 2-0 up and it threatened to turn into more, as Utd struggled to stay in it. Rooney pulled one back for the visitors and made the last 20 minutes more interesting. The day wasn't going to be spoiled though, as we said goodbye to the ground with a deserved win. Both goalscorers from that game will be unavailable to us, as Wanyama and Kane miss out through injury. The former continues his rehabilitation, while the latter has a minor hamstring strain. Pogba and Fellaini miss out for the home side, while Bailly faces a late test. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Winks, Alli, Aurier; Eriksen, Son; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Rose, Davies, Dier, Sissoko, N'Koudou, Llorente. League form: WDWWWW. Man Utd: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Herrera, Matic; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Lukaku. Subs: Romero, Lindelof, Blind, Darmian, McTominay, Mkhitaryan, Rashford. League form: DWWWDL. Referee: Jonathan Moss. TV: Sky Sports. Who deserves to keep their place after the midweek capitulation? Who should replace Harry Kane up front and should we promote any young strikers to the bench? Should we stick with three at the back or switch to the four?
No Kane Hope we go with Llorente. If United sit back then he has the height and strength to get on the end of our crosses and if they go for it he still has the skill to link up with teammates, as we saw in the first half on Wednesday. Lloris Toby, Sanchez, Jan Trippier, Eriksen, Dier, Dembele, Davies Llorente, Alli
Son is more mobile, head down..he brings a different game to Llorente who is more direct and head up linking play etc. If United park the bus I preferred Llorente to start as he can get onto crosses and we still got the nippy players. United come at us and maybe Son being rapid with his movements will work better to split the defence
Great thread as always, PNP! Missing Harry these days is so significant - not only from our own side, but also the simple fact that he scares the **** out of the opposition. His absence will boost ManU for sure. I'm in two minds about selection after Wednesday's 2nd half. If we had replicated the first 45 minutes I would have said that bringing back Hugo, Verts, Aurier, Sanchez and Eriksen would be all the changes needed. In fact, maybe even keep Ben in and give Verts an extra rest. But much as I admire both of them, Llorente and Sonny offered so little after the break and our defence capitulated woefully. To be honest, at this moment I would take a draw, say thank you and walk away!
I might be on my own here, in fact I’m sure I am, but I honestly reckon Kane will be on the bench tomorrow. Part of me thinks he may even start. Why would Poch tell the media that Kane is definitely a no no? That just helps United tactically with plenty of notice to adapt their plans. I still believe it could be hiag-esque wummery.
Haha. It could be a moment of genius from Poch. Let Mourinho think that Kane isn’t playing, so he sets up united in a way to come at us, then at the 11th hour, the team sheet goes in and BOOM! United who’d planned to attack us, have to park the bus with players that perhaps mourinho wouldn’t have chosen.
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