Result 3-1 United. Team: Da Gea Fabio Smalling Rio/Jones Evra Young Carrick Nani Anderson Rooney Hernandez Thoughts??
Result: Napoli 2-1 AC Milan De Sanctis Campagnaro Cannavaro Aronica Maggio Inler Gargano Pandev Hamsik Lavezzi Cavani
As long as we go 4-4-2, I think we will be alright. Not saying that I think we will turn them over and score 4 goals, but judging just how sucessful we were against Chelsea last season by playing 4-4-2 then I think we have a good chance of winning. Anderson is a must in midfield, Young and Nani were rested (even though the latter got a runout midweek) against Benfica, question lies in who will partner Anderson. Normally I'd say Fletcher but he has hardly played much and still looked a bit off the boil against Benfica but hopefully the game on Sunday will suit him better just with a bit more space in midfield and a higher tempo. Carrick played very well against Chelsea last season but their midfield played into his hands by not being particularly mobile or having brilliant movement, might be a bit different if they play Mata and/or Sturridge. Personally I'd plump for Fletcher and avoid the temptation of 4-5-1.
De Gea will play in goal, it's hard to say if Fabio will go in at RB or if Fergie will use Smalling or Jones there (both look dangerous and go forward well but I think Jones is better going forward than Smalling) and then the other one of Smalling or Jones in the centre with Ferdinand, Evra will play at LB as always. I think Fergie will play Carrick and Anderson in CM and Nani and Young on the wings with Rooney and Hernandez up front.
If Luiz plays, then Chich must start. Luiz has as bad positional sense as any defender I have ever seen, leading to frequent bookings when the attacker gets goal side of him. If Chicharito can get goal side of him again on Sunday, Luiz won't be able catch him to bring him down.
De Gea to start in goal otherwise if he was dropped after watching Lindegaard I don't think he would ever get back in to the team. At least not for a while anyway. Hopefully he will see he has a fight on his hands so it should spur him on. Defence is a tough one. Ferdinand must start for me. His experience is vital. Jones at RB again and my choice to partner Ferdinand would be Smalling. Though I think he may well go with Evans. Evra at left back. Nani and Young to start back on the wings wiith Anderson and Carrick in the middle. Would have prefered Fletcher but Carrick's recent form against Chelsea will probably win him the spot. Rooney and Hernandez up front with Rooney playing off Hernandez. I feel both will get a goal as Rooney is in outstanding form. I just think they will click as as well as they did last year and both should have a good game. For subs I would like to see Valencia come on if we are chasing a goal in the second half, Nani would switch to the left if he come on for Young. Berbatov could do a job if we need to keep hold of the ball in their half if we are leading and I think we may see Fabio or Smalling/Evans come off the bench depending on whether we are winning or chasing the game. Chelsea will score in my opinion. I think the two wide men, Mata and Sturridge are the dangermen. I think though Anelka may start in place of Sturridge for the experience he brings. Drogba is out which is a massive plus but I think elsewhere Luiz coming back will be a huge boost to them. United 2-1 Chelsea
De Gea in goal. Rio should start since he has been rested. Evra on the left and I think Evans will be rested as he has played in every game so far. So I'd go with Smalling at CB and Jones at RB. Nani, Carrick, Anderson, and Young in the midfield. Carrick played extremely well against Chelsea last season, and had a pretty good game against Bolton last week. We also know the Carrick-Ando partnershiper works, where as the Fletcher-Anderson partnership hasn't been tested. Rooney and Chicharito up top. United 2-1. Torres to score a late consolation goal, and then everyone will start talking about how much better Torres is than Vidic.
I'm slightly worried that SAF will start Jonny to have him face up and gain self-confidence. Carrick and Ando is a must, as well as ROO/CHICH
