Decision time for Frank this game. Play his winning team or give the "fringe" players a run?? Tough call, we don't want to risk a loss but all players need to play, and others need a break. Pulisic and CHO should start, as should Giroud or Michy, rest Tammy who's been slightly off last 2 games. Kante and Barkley plus RLC apparently still not fit, so midfield ought to be Kovacic, Jorghino and Mount, with Gilmour as mid field sub. Reece James in for Dave, Zouma and Tomori start with Alonso and Willy. On the bigger picture, I can see us letting Pedro, Giroud and Barkley go, plus maybe Alonso, Willian and Christensen. We would need a new left back, new striker, and CD. We look pretty well sorted for mid field to me, plus Conner Gallagher and at least 3 other youngsters close to becoming squad players. Bit silly thinking about next season actually, as this one is still developing and throwing up potential good players all the time from our own ranks. Who'd have thought it 10 weeks ago??
I certainly think some rotation is in order, especially where we have players of similar ability fighting for one spot. So I'd pick Pedro tonight with a view to Willian playing at the weekend, and pick one of CHO / Pulisic and the other play at the weekend. Giroud or Bats up front. Reece James should start, probably Emerson as well. But play a strong spine of Azpi, our best CBs and best CMs.
We should go for this big time.Realistic chance of getting to the final,would be great for Frank and the youngsters.
I’d play Caballero James Zouma Guehi Emerson Gilmour kova Mount Pedro Bats Odoi Would probably make more changes but there are still a lot of players missing. They’ll have some kids in too so it should be a decent game.
Poor display, worst game since the last Utd one. We lacked zip all over the pitch, and our passing was bog ordinary. Gave the ball away all night. CHO was as slow as a wet week, Pulisic and Alonso very scratchy, though the back 4 looked pretty good. Guehry did nothing wrong, Zouma and James were among our best. Michy plays, Michy scores. The usual help from the Ref for Uniteds' soft as a feather penalty. Billy Gilmour struggled to get into this game, Kovacic and Jorghino did a mountain of work to no avail, and our midfield finished in 2nd place this time. United were no great shakes either, just a bit more energetic than us, with one great free kick for their 2nd goal from a dumb as tackle by Pedro.Summed up the game really. Had to happen sooner or later, forget it and look towards probably more important fixtures to come. Lots of effort, no cigars.
On my way home from the game and can't see how we played so badly against a bad team. As you say on to Watford on Saturday
I thought we did alright...a lot of changes so we were never going to be as fluent. They did have a fair bit more experience than us but we held our own and none of Gilmour, Guehi or James looked out of place. It was just an unbelievable goal that won what was a fairly even game!
Man U manager likens Rashford to Cristiano Ronaldo. His goal was very well taken, but Ronaldo is about 30 times a better player !
Exactly mate! Can't go shouting up about playing youth then moan when they are not quite there. Though all played well, Gilmour needs more time elsewhere but a great prospect. Pretty dull game tbh. Highlight being Bats goal.
Quite right it was a goal and a half, but Willian can do that too. Michys' goal in it's own way was up there as well, and he first beat ,then beat again, Utds' record defensive signing. It was a funny old game, several of our players were below recent form, and Utd actually didn't look all that threatening. Neither of their goals came from open play, and we took all day to get off a shot on target. Most odd.
Shame. But they put out a more experienced side and still needed a soft as hell pen and a worldie free kick to beat us. Our home form generally is becoming a bit of a concern though. But there is always going to be ups and downs this year.
Not going to lose much sleep over this one - the League cup is a useful exercise for resting players and trying out new things; the competition has long lost its prestige since the mid 80’s, hopefully this is a blip and we can get back to winning ways at Watford.