Manchester United Thread

well if that's the case, they're as deluded as the fans! here's a few facts for u rafa!! we're 7 points clear and you keep drawing, take it on board, there's always next year!!
 
UJSupanova said:
Why isn't Rafa praised for getting so many great results without his key men this season, rather than just constantly criticised?
Cuz his overall shitness overshadows this.

Why isn't Ferguson accused of being lucky or relying on Rooney and Ronaldo to get him out of trouble?
Cuz Sir Alex has a great track record going back way before he signed both of those players and he was still successful.
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Yes the stats show we don't play as well without them but what would you expect to happen when you take the best player in the world away from its team?
No offence to Gerrard, he's a great player and everything but he's not exactly in the same league as Ronaldo so its natural to ask yourself questions when you rely on a player like Gerrard. I mean, I can easily name atleast 10 players I'd rather have over Gerrard. I think maybe Messi is the only player in the world I'd trade Ronaldo for. And I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible here.
 
Yeh Messi is the only player I'd trade Ronaldo for and even then I wouldn't be so sure Messi could have the same understanding Rooney and Ronaldo have.

7 Clear. Hopefully we can rest a few now.
 
The way Liverpool play they could probably beat us to be honest. We have struggled against teams that have a go at a high tempo (Everton 2nd half, Blackburn). They remind me of the way Stockport used to play. Very direct and try to get the ball into the box as often and as quick as possible.
 
yeah i suppose its mainly the fergie diss, maybe a little rooney berbatov but its all probably taken out of context. little trash talkin at the end too.
 
I wonder if being the world's bestest player is going to result in Ronaldo getting a suspension for his 'violent, career threatening kick out' against gentle, innocent Dunn. Not because it warrants it, that kind of thing happens half a dozen times a match, but because he is held to a higher standard, i.e., if he sneezes wrong the press will highlight and it'll be headline news. I think it would be a disgrace to do anything after this one, particularly as his few earlier in the season were significantly worse.

What I love is that fans of other teams honestly believe it to be an issue. I mean, if that had been Pederson, or Evans, or Berba, hell any other player on the pitch except Ronaldo (and maybe Rooney) we wouldn't even know it happened.

The English deserve to fail at football just because of their terrible persecuting attitude. I know the premiership is where the money is right now, but if that ever shifts (and with the plummeting pound...) if I were a player I'd be fast on a plane out of there. Instead of respecting the athletes as imperfect people doing their jobs, the press seek to villify and ruin them, one slanderous article at a time. I think the new standard should be that if the press make up a completely untrue story about a player (which they do each and every day - seriously how do these people sleep at night?!) and it is proven, that player should be given six free penalty shots at that reporter from the spot. Maybe they'll miss him a few times...but odds are...
 
Wow, after being so up for and excited about the Inter match, I'm having visions of the San Siro of 2 years ago again. Rafael is the latest defender to be injured, he's not even going to Italy. Nor Gary, Wes or obviously Vidic. Evans and O'Shea are major doubts. Only Ferdinand and Evra remain. Eckersley might get his first start... :(!
 
I'd prefer Fabio at RB (if he's fit), and maybe Carrick or Fletcher partnering Rio. Hopefully Evans and / or O'Shea will make it though.

If not, it could well be another interesting line up (like the Chelsea game). I wouldn't be suprised to see something like this:

----------VDS----------
--Fabio Rio Carrick Evra
Ronaldo Scholes Giggs Park
-----Berbatov
---------Rooney

Hopefully shades of '99 will show and we can get a result (or at least a score draw)...
 
Surely it'd be more sensible playing Fabio in his natural position and moving Evra to the other side considering he's not even played a full game yet and it's a massive game to throw an 18 year old into at all let alone out of position.
 
True, though I thought he was a right footed left back, so he'd be more suited to playing on the right than Pat. Fingers crossed Evans & O'Shea are able to play so that we don't need to risk either of them there

Anderson may be back for the CC Final this week as well.
 
Yeah I put Fabio on the right as he is right footed, and as far as I can tell Evra doesn't actually have a right foot.

I don't like the idea of Carrick in the middle. Yes he's tall, but he's rubbish in the air, slow and hesitant in the tackle. He'd be an invitation for Adriano to run at him the whole time. I'm thinking O'Shea is fit enough to play. At least that's what I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for...

Random side thought, as the matchup between Fergie and Jose makes headlines, there are lots talking his chances of succeeding Fergie. If he did join in 2 years time, say, and Ronaldo was still there, surely he could convince him to stay, and motivate him to become better? I hated the way he lied outright while at Chelsea and some of his crap, but there's no denying his ability as a manager. Could be a silver lining...
 
Im pretty confident after looking at the travelling squad, Im sure O'Shea and Evans will play. Not sure if we'll go for it or we'll look to get a away goal.

Attacking Side
-----------VDS-----------
O'Shea--Rio--Evans-Evra-
--Giggs-Carrick-Scholes-
--Ronaldo--Rooney--Tevez

Or Cautious Side (More Likely)
----------VDS-------------
O'Shea--Rio--Evans--Evra
------Giggs-Carrick-Park/Fletcher
-------Tevez/Park-Rooney----
-----------Ronaldo-----------

Either Park in the 3 or Park Alongside Rooney and Fletch in the middle.
 
I think the best way to beat Inter is by playing down the wings then cutting in. Their team is incredibly physical and technical. They will try to shut out players like Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes with their defensive midfielders.

You can also prevent Inter scoring by marking Maicon hard and by blocking all long balls to Zlatan... but the problem is that both of them are extremely athletic and fast, with great shots. COME ON UNITED!

They will also be playing 18 year old Santon in his first CL game.... big responsibility for him, but he's extremely composed in big Serie A games.

-----Julio Cesar----
Maicon-?---?--Santon
---Camb--Munt---
Zanetti-------Stankovic
----Adri--Zlat-----

I'd guess the CBs will be Cordoba and Chivu.
 
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O'Shea will probably make it but Evans is all but out I think, especially as he has strained his ankle, so he hasn't even been able to do light training like O'Shea has. In that case, the back four could be either:

Fletcher--Rio--O'Shea--Evra

or

Fabio--Rio--O'Shea--Evra

Rafael is also out as well and I know that Fabio's natural position is down the left but he is right footed and could slot in easily as a like for like for Rafael but I expect Fletcher to be moved back as SAF might decide not to risk throwing in an inexperienced youngster into the side, despite the fact Fabio is not shy to get forward and join our attacks.
 
YoungGun_UK said:
Im pretty confident after looking at the travelling squad, Im sure O'Shea and Evans will play. Not sure if we'll go for it or we'll look to get a away goal.

Attacking Side
-----------VDS-----------
O'Shea--Rio--Evans-Evra-
--Giggs-Carrick-Scholes-
--Ronaldo--Rooney--Tevez

Or Cautious Side (More Likely)
----------VDS-------------
O'Shea--Rio--Evans--Evra
------Giggs-Carrick-Park/Fletcher
-------Tevez/Park-Rooney----
-----------Ronaldo-----------

Either Park in the 3 or Park Alongside Rooney and Fletch in the middle.
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No Berba ?
 
Hmm I'm planning to fly out tomorrow to the game looking at the fact Rafael's injured I'm seeing a hard fought draw happening here... If so we can take them at OT
 
I hope the makeshift backline will hold the fort for tonight...Fletcher,O'Shea,Ferdinand and Evra will be good enough.The rest of the team will fall in place.Really hoping for a draw...aside from that loss to Milan a couple of seasons ago,we have done quite well in Italy.
 
phrase said:
I hope the makeshift backline will hold the fort for tonight...Fletcher,O'Shea,Ferdinand and Evra will be good enough.The rest of the team will fall in place.Really hoping for a draw...aside from that loss to Milan a couple of seasons ago,we have done quite well in Italy.
Click to expand...

Thats the same backline I'm expecting too. Anything else seems too fragile right now.
 
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