Despite only being Monday, my thoughts are already drifting to this Sunday's away match at Old Trafford after the international break. I expect Harry to keep the team and formation very similar to the winning team against Sunderland (i.e. no return to three centre backs). With this assumption, it makes the team selection much simpler, although there are a few questions marks as always, plus room for the "Harry suprise factor". I would play the following team: --------------------Green---------------------- Isla-----Ferdinand----Caulker------Yun --------Barton------Fer-----Sandro--------- ----Vargas--------Austin-------Hoilett------ Three of the back four pick themselves. I have selected Yun as left back although I am not sure of his match fitness, and would not be surprised to see Hill or Traore in that position. However Yun is my player of choice if fit. In midfield, I expect Sandro to make his debut and join Barton and Fer, and hopefully form a formidable trio. In attack, I would play Vargas as one of the wingers, although there may be a temptation to stick with Hoillet and Philips. Although I have shown a 4-3-3 formation, I think it could be very fluid. It could be very easily 4-2-3-1 with Fer moving to the attacking midfield, and it is likely to be 4-5-1 in defensive mode with both wingers retreating. The key tactic I would employ is to have a solid defence and to play fast on the counter attack with wide players who can stretch United's three central defenders, and hopefully shoot or put in good crosses for Charlie. Sounds simple on paper, but much more difficult in reality. Any thought or comments?
I hope we close them down and put in a high energy performance. I reckon you're right that the LB will be a more experienced player and I'd start with Vargas on the bench. Like you, Ski, I can see Sandro starting in place of Mutch.
Would start 4 1 4 1. With Sandro holding in front of the back four. Yun in for Clint if fit. Barton and Fer holding and Junior and Philips wide and Charlie up top. That leaves Vargas and Mutch to come on. Can turn into a very attacking set up when we break and become 4 1 2 3.
--------------------Green------------------- Isla------------Rio--------Caulker-------Yun ---------------Barton-----Sandro----------- Hoillett---------------Fer-------------Traore --------------------Austin------------------
I think from tonights report that Yun played for the development squad means, he is pushing on the fitness front... So he will not playon Sunday...he will play at Stoke So my team --------------------Green------------------- Isla------------Rio--------Caulker-------Hill -------Barton-----Sandro---------Mutch ............Hoillett---------------Fer------------- --------------------Austin------------------
It's going to be hard for Rio. The pressure is on them since they are expected to win and we are expected to lose. If we come out of the traps as we did at home to Stoke, we have a whiff of a chance at the draw or even to.dream of a win! Somebody posted a few days ago that Isla might struggle to start due to travel back from the national team duties?
Will Redknapp have given up his 3-5-2 that easily, or will Hoddle have been incessantly drilling the defence and midfield it its operation? Maybe he will go with (playing the way Bob says it should be done) ------------------- Green ------------------ ---- Caulker ----- Ferdinand ----- Hill ---- --------- Barton -------- Sandro ----------- ------ Isla ------- Fer -------- Hoilett ------ -------- Vargas ---------- Austin ----------- which can swap to a 4-4-2 by Isla dropping to right back and Barton play on the right hand side of midfield when it starts to go wrong. Kranjcar for Vargas if he is not fit. It is not what I'd do, but it could work. Edit: I've just turned to watch England and seen Hoddle out in Basle and getting soaked by the sprinklers!! Get back to your day job Glenn.
Same team as last time unless Yun can manage the 90 Paddy Powers 'whats hot' bet at the moment is QPR at 12/1- Phil Jones injury can only help that. I've rolled my winnings from England game tonight onto the game
Everyone who played Vs Sunderland did well, so they all deserve their place. We chucked Fer and Isla in away to Spurs and it didn't work- why would we do that with Sandro and Vargas now!? Particularly when it means replacing Mutch and Phillips, who did well. Players need to earn their place, and be rewarded for positive performances by being re-selected. The only change I'd make is Hill for a faster LB. He won't mind, because he didn't even expect to get a cap this season
Grifter - you raise a very valid point. I can see Vargas making his debut as a sub to replace Phillips or Hoillet, especially due to his international break travel and lack of training with the R's. However, with the need to have a strong defence for this match, I would not be suprised to see Sandro make his debut from the start.
Roller - you have suprised and slighlty perplexed me with this post. I do not think that Harry and Glen with have given up with the concept of playing 3-5-2, and I do see them returning to this formation. However, after a clear lobby and pressure from some players, Harry changed the system and achieved a positive result. I personally would keep the core of that winning team and formation. However, Harry is a maverick of a manager. He would certainly suprise everyone if he reverted to 3-5-2 for the United match, but it would be a very brave decision. You are correct that it would be relatively easy to revert to four at the back if it goes wrong. But I would certainly make minimum changes to a successful set up. Based on this discussion, I would advocate a reverse corollary: - start with a similar formation and similar team to Sunderland - change the formation, possibily to 3-5-2, should the initial formation start to go wrong
I think Rio is looking forward to his first return to Old Trafford where he is a true "legend". I would optimise this to maximum discomfort for United by making him our captain for the day. I think it may have an unnerving effect upon United. It will certainly make Rio's day and hopefully will raise his game and motiviation even higher.
Ok, Id prob go with the team that Roller put out but Traore instead of Hill Ive got 2 questions though 1. Where is Ned? Is he injured or what? 2. On the subject of yun, what has he done that makes people imagine he can cut it in the Prem, away at Old Trafford? I like the guy and looks like he could be a decent player, AND Im definately all for getting the youth in the squad. I'd very much like to see him in our team at some stage but Im not totally convinced that away at United is the best one for his Prem debut? I suppose there could be 2 views. Firstly that we dont really expect to win this one so why not give him a run out on one of the biggest stages he'll probably ever play on. if we lose and he doesnt cut it then we've lost nothing. Couple that with the fact that we really need to be beating the likes of Hull, Sunderland and others around us, and maybe the management team didnt want to risk it and possibly drop realistic potential wins/draws. OR Get him in the team now and if he isnt up to it we'll soon find out. A couple of loses at this stage of the season isnt going to be as bad as at the other end. One thing Im sure of though is we really cant base his abilities from the few games he played against NPC opposition. Last time we did that ...well......! Personally Id be introducing him against stoke, Hull, Sunderland etc (no disrespect to those teams) to see if he has got it and can do it at this level. just my opinion
Will Sandro play? Based on what Boy's own comic scripts? Is he fit? I expect a match up looking for a point from Harold United will be right up for this match make no mistake Heard on the radio the stories the brainwashers feed us that It's now a massive mistake to sell Wellbeck and they should have got rid of Van Persie… only in the UK First name of my sheet away to united would be of no surprise: Henry I think a back four plus Henry sitting for a start and players up front that can hurt them The beast may turn out to be a Samba I think we all need to suck it and see for a few games at least
With Luke Shaw being passed as fit, here's a thought. If we both go 352 we could see Shaw and Isla match up against each other. Will be interesting who comes out on top in that one.
I thought about keeping the bulk of the team that got us 3 points. Good principle but, that team only scraped a very close home win to a relegation candidate. We need a much better team to get anything at Manure. So I hope Arry gives it a go with probably something like our best team: --------------------Green---------------------- Isla-----Ferdinand----Caulker------Traore --------------Barton----------Sandro--------- ---Vargas----------Fer-----------Adel--------- -------------------------Charlie------------------- I think the new Keeper must be close, as Yun who I gather isn't fully fit yet. These plus Ned, Mutch, BZ, Phillips and Hoilett on the Bench. Edit: Forgot we have Niko back, he's worth a place on the Bench. Go out aggressive for 3 points, and maybe get 1.
Interesting team which could potentially be our strongest team, and one that should create chances. Old Trafford would be a great stage for Adel to put on a show, which I would welcome, however I personally can only see him coming on as a sub. Traore should be the left back as he has the added value of putting in good crosses, but I have a few doubts after his giveaways at WHL. I really do hope that Harry does put some creativity and energy in the team as United will probably make three debuts and play 3-5-2 which is still very much work in progress. Add to this home supporter pressure for a win, the Rio effect and there could be a suprise.... one way or another.
