Match Day Thread Manchester United v Chelsea

May as well have a thread, eh?

So here it is, the massively premature return of the behemoth premier league that we've all been allegedly waiting for, after the press ram the idea we've had a 'poor' window (TM TalkSport) down our throats.

As it goes, I think we've addressed what we need, more or less;
centre half, right back, wing.

Could have maybe replaced Lukaku but it at least gives our home grown strikers a proper opportunity and also gives Sanchez the chance to become the senior old head forward.

Really need a tune out of Pogba though.

The team should be this;

De Gea
Wan Bissaka
Maguire
Lindelof
Shaw
McTominey
Pogba
Mata
James
Martial
Rashford.

James on left, Martial CF, Rashford on right for me but it could be Martial left, Rashford CF, James on the right.

OGS will likely play Lingard instead of Dan James and Matic instead of McTominay to play 'safe' but I think this would be a mistake myself.

We'll see.

I think we'll win, but it's probably more important to not.lose this game.

If we lose, the press will absolutely ****ing crucify Ole and their main aim will be to have him out by Christmas.

Win and he shuts the ****s right up.

 

I am very excited for this game.

I would hate to see Matic over McTominay tomorrow. Matic has become a low energy player which will not benefit the front three. McTominay will be more in tune with fast transition that will be needed in games such as this one.

It will be interesting to see if James starts ahead of Lingard but I will put my money on Lingard to start given his experience.

Chelsea have lost key players this summer and given we are playing at home, anything short of a victory will be deflating for the team.

 

So, possible team for tomorrow. I think the back five and front three are fixed for the first game but who fills the middle?

.............................................................de Gea

............AWB ,.................Maguire , ...................................Lindelof ,.....................Shaw


............................................... ?......................?.......................?

.................Rashford,......................................Martial,...............................James



Who fills the middle three from (alphabetically)

Fred, Lingard, Mata, Matic, McTomminay, Pereira, Pogba

I think Pogba is a must so there is really only two to pick, I think this is our weak spot and possible downfall.

 

McTominay, Pogba and Pereira for those midfield berths

 

I don't think Pereira should be anywhere near the starting eleven.

Personally I'd go with Mata, otherwise Fred.

 

He's done well tucked in there during pre-season, he adds pace in support of Shaw and James - we'll see.

 

Was completely ****e last weekend and that's the only basis I have to be absolutely honest.

Both him and Matic were dire in the first half of that match.

Mata and Fred both played well when they came on.

 

Team news -

 

A tad disappointed that Chong or Gomes haven't got a place on the bench. Other than that, quite happy but James' absence from the starting line-up is a mystery.

 

He's gone for Lingard's experience I suppose.

Other than that I'd only take issue with Pereira ahead of Mata or Fred but that's a good young side.

 

Absolutely delighted he's gone for Tuanzebe as the centre half sub.

Bang on.

 

The force is strong with this one

 

Martial's feet are still ten seconds behind his brain - hopefully he will move left to let Rashford have a crack as CF and then Greenwood can come on for Lingard at some point.

 

I like what I have seen so far from him. However, defensively, most of Chelsea's decent play have come from the right side of the park. Aaron is too far up the field that he's left the right side open.

 

Yeah, he looks very assured.

Rashford and Martial are in each other's space all the time at the moment. Probably better that we've gone to 4 4 2 but I would personally bomb Lingard out and get Dan James on the left hand side of the pitch.

Stick Rashford out right.

 

Agreed! They are way too out of sync at the front.

 

Can't see them ever being a partnership in a 4 4 2.

They're way too similar.

 

WOOOW! Just like that!

 

One each too so maybe I was talking bollocks.

 

Overall, I think that the performance was somewhat patchy. We lost the ball too quickly due to poor composure across the park and Pogba was falling all over the place (still rusty, I hope). But I quickly remind myself that we are playing Chelsea and you can see their quality in the way they move the ball around. Yes, they've lost Hazard, but the is still full of seasoned characters and this is easily the toughest fixture on paper of all the ten in W1. If this finishes 3-0, it will be a huge bonus for the team.