Manchester United v Real Madrid (agg 1-1) Champions league last 16 2nd leg

The problem with setting up for a 0-0 is this guy by the name of Ronaldo. You may have heard of him, I hear he's actually a decent player. He can get a goal out of absolutely nothing, and if we sit back its going to be scary. Real scary.

 

Were going to have to score twice and defend like champions.

 

exactly .. he scored a goal out of nothing in the first game
but i expect it to be scary .. hope we catch them on the break or gonna be so nervy
but will be a great game anyway

 

Hope to god we don`t try to play for the draw, we just don`t look the same team. Remember last season when we tried for a draw against City and it bit us on the arse.
I am one of those fans who doesn`t get too upset if we lose, as long as i am ok with the fact the team have tried their best to win, and given their all to a man.
We are Man Utd, we are at home and if we play well as a team we are capable of beating anybody.
Come on Man Utd let`s do it!!!!!!

 

You should play your normal game. Aren't you man United? You should not defer to Real.

You are at home too. Why play like an intimidated Championship side.

Real didn't at their place

You are one of the best three or four teams in Europe. Stop being scared

 

I can see us keeping a clean sheet tonight, 1-0 win

My thinking for tonight's match:

Fergie rested Rio, Rafael and Cleverley so I think we can assume they are all likely to play, especially Rio & Rafa.

So our back 5 is pretty settled except for Rio's partner. De Gea, Rafael, Rio, Vidic/Evans, Evra.

I won't stress whoever plays out of Evans and Vidic, Evans has been great this season.

I can't see us playing 4-4-2, we'll have to flood the midfield a bit.

Carrick, Cleverley, Rooney and RVP are all likely to start, so there are two more places available.

After Welbeck's first leg performance I think he may well start out wide, so I believe Fergie will either play Rooney out wide and play Kagawa in the centre, or play Nani wide with Rooney behind RVP. Obviously that second choice is more risky as it's a less defensive option.

After Kagawa's hattrick and the added defensive advantage, I think SAF will go for that second option, and keep Nani on the bench for a second half impact. (although personally I believe that Nani wide gives us a much better chance of scoring the required goals in the tie).

My preferred team:
De Gea
Rafael, Rio, Vidic/Evans, Evra
Carrick Cleverley
Nani Rooney Welbeck
RVP

What I think Fergie will pick:
De Gea
Rafael, Rio, Vidic/Evans, Evra
Carrick Cleverley
Rooney Kagawa Welbeck
RVP

Looking at that team I have the sneaky suspicion Fergie might opt for the added experience of Giggs, either out wide on the left, or in the midfield three (Kagawa out, Giggs deep to break up play and pass it around, and Cleverley further forward)...

Can't wait for tonight


EDIT: Made an oopsie.

 

I think playing to not concede a goal would be a disaster for us, it just isn't our natural way. I'd like us to come out of the blocks right from the start and try to get a couple of goals in the first 20 minutes to half an hour, I know this leaves us open to the counter but maybe so be it.

The alternative is that we play keep ball for the first half hour to see if it sniffs them out then him them on the counter.

Either way, I really think both teams will score so it'll be a case of winning this match, the first leg becomes irrelevant. I'm not 100% confident if I'm honest, I don't fear them I just see an open game between two good sides and it can go either way. Looking forward to it.

 

Fergie has got the team to start quickly in the big games this season ie Chelsea and City away. Perhaps he'll do the same tonight.

 

Two of the best counter attacking teams in world football.

What a prospect.

 

Yes, Vidic played so well in the first game he wasn't even in the squad.

 

Damn, I just read an article that stated he didn't play, I'm losing my mind! Must've been one of our other big games recently that him and Ferdinand played so well in... I'll edit out my mistake.

 

They do say defenders are at their best when you don't even notice they are there

 

Shouldn't you be supporting DL's theory that we were lucky to come away from Spain with a draw and will barely get a touch of the ball tonight because we are ****?

 

No. You are a superb team. Real were a little better in Spain. And United are the better team this season.

 

Interesting argument when Jose had pretty much made his entire career out of deferring to other teams. Every game he sets his side up purely to counter his opponents' strengths and exploit their weaknesses - he's admitted he plans to do the same thing tonight. And Chelsea fans worship him for it.

I never realised all this time he was just an intimidated Championship manager.

That's how badly Rafa has affected Chelsea. The cracks aren't just appearing in the squad...they've spread to the fans too

 

I'll go for a 2-2 draw . Both Ronaldo and Rooney scores 2 each .







From the IOW .

 

Just another few hours to go till the game. Really am bricking it as we get closer to kick off.

 

You have tickets for tonight's match .

 

Nope, only occasionally go nowadays due to work commitments. Sadly some fans will pay touts hundreds to get a ticket to this game and some of the prices i have seen banded about are absurd.

 

Wonder if Vidic or Evans will get the nod. Evans was fantastic in the first leg and deserves to start this game, however Vidic is just Vidic and he does Vidic things.