The old Man Utd Thread

[aidey6]

Nani didn't do too bad down the left side did he, I can't believe how much he's come on these past few months, as for Berbas finish for his second goal....

[Poppalarge]

I thought we laboured it until the second went in. And then Bolton Capitulated. Nani was good, he terrorised their right back who was piss poor, I was was a little worried that always had to cut back to his right foot.

Berbatov is frustrating to watch, he does some great stuff but you always feel he could do more, but then he goes and delivers the goods anyway.

[phresh]

After Villa's drubbing we have now conceded less league goals than any other team!

[fatbob]

Quite something considering the unbelievable state of our defensive setup throughout the season.

[DC Lemon]

I've checked with the latest buzz words and have to say that Berbatov is 'beast' at the moment. He'd have got a hat-trick if it weren't for losing his boot.

Chelsea's 7-1 doesn't bother me in the slightest. Arsenal dropping points was more important. Now a win next weekend will go a long way to securing the title with ease.

[Guest]

Yeah, a win would be a treat. My only concern is that the Chelsea game is surrounded by both Champions League legs, which could make it quite difficult.

Fingers crossed though eh?

[ckny]

The real bonus from yesterday was Birmingham snatching a draw. That allows us to pick up a point next week and not fear losing top spot.

[Baring]

i'd settle for a draw next weekend and progressing through the CL. Or lets just give Bayern a tonking on tuesday to go all out against chelsea and play a weak side for the 2nd leg if its already over

[fatbob]

Yep, the Chelsea scorline aside, its been another good week for us, Rooney fresh for this week hopefully too.

[Liamness]

The real bonus from yesterday was Birmingham snatching a draw. That allows us to pick up a point next week and not fear losing top spot.

Oh for, sure. Arsenal are one less thing to worry about. On saturday the situation will be ideal; a title rival coming to visit needing a win, when all we need is a draw. I don't know what more we could ask for... apart from it not being sandwiched between the Bayern ties.

[Gabzy]

Nani was bloody fabulous yesterday. His set-up for Berbatov's second

[phresh]

The great thing about Nani yesterday was that the 'easy' games were quite often the ones where he would just put his head down and lose the ball every time. His assists were excellent and he caused them massive problems.

My only slight concern for the Bayern game is Ribery or Robben going up against Neville as I can't see him being dropped at the moment. Maybe i'm wrong and he'll go for pace with Rafael but I just can't see it. If we can beat them away then it should give us a load of confidence going into the Chelsea game and if we can win that (by a couple of goals preferably to help GD) we will be well on course for the title.

[BigShimmeryWall]

I've heard that Robben's injured at the moment

[Baring]

I've heard that Robben's injured at the moment

Doubtful

[MojoChin]

I don't usually have a look at 606 debates but it is shocking how ill informed people seem to be. The one that has prompted me to post here was a Chelsea fan with:

"If Ribery and Robben play, they have plenty of craft to unlock Man U's defence, which has not been at it's best."

Not at its best? Having to play half a season with 1 or 2 out and out defenders? Playing a match with three midfielders in the back 4. And yet still ending up with the best defensive record in the league. We have dealt with many threats this season and coped admirably, I can't see Robben and Ribery causing us as much hassle as people would think...unless, as said here earlier, Neville plays. I'd rather see Fletcher in the RB position. But if Robben isn't playing, and with Schweinsteiger suspended, I can see a fairly comfortable time of it.

[The Fox]

Schweinsteiger plays as a holding midfielder for them now so I dunno how much he contributes in an attacking sense. I guess they'll play everyone's favourite Dakota Fanning lookalike, Timochuk (spelling that phonetically thanks) in his stead.

edit: Tymoschuk apparently! or Тимощук if we're being picky.

[phresh]

The problem with Robben is that despite being an oustanding attacking player his defense is poor and if his ankle isn't perfect he won't put in a tackle. I don't expect Bayern to leave us with as much space as Milan did but i'd be more than happy for Bayern to leave their fullbacks exposed to our wingers (not literally of course).

I expect Park and Fletcher to cover Robben/Ribery with Nani and Valencia playing in front of them.

[fatbob]

I expect Park and Fletcher to cover Robben/Ribery with Nani and Valencia playing in front of them.

Good call, Park has turned into somewhat of a specialist player now, being deployed against strong opposition's play makers.

[Liamness]

O'Shea is out for the season, right? Neville cannot play if Robben is on the pitch. Rafael can at least keep up with him, and has a chance to recover if he does pass him. However, we can be sure that whoever plays at right back, our wingers all track back fabulously so they will get plenty of help.

If they're so keen on stopping Rooney above all else, he will do a brilliant job of occupying them, and they will leave masses of space for the rest of the team to exploit.

[MojoChin]

I would hope the team would be something like:

VDS

FLECTHER - RIO - VIDIC - EVRA

VALENCIA - CARRICK - SCHOLES/GIGGS - NANI

PARK

ROONEY

Or Berbatov in for Park/Scholes/Giggs but I can't see him starting with 2 up top. But I just know he's going to play Neville...Isn't he?!

[phresh]

I can't see Scholes or Giggs playing in midfield for the away leg, at least not with the way Park has been playing. Having Evra/Park and Neville(or Rafael)/Fletcher covering the threat from out wide should be pretty good, I expect the real danger will come form them cutting iside and shooting so that is where we will have to press them.

[fatbob]

I think it will be this:

--------------VDS

Neville---- Rio --Vidic------Pat

-------------Carrick

Valencia--Fletcher--- Park

-------------------Nani

-----------Rooney

Or some combo of that. He might even stick Gibson in as some stage. Giggs and Scholes played the majority of the Bolton game so I'm not sure they will start.

[Liamness]

I agree, the old guard will be rested for Chelsea. I would like to see Berbatov start (probably instead of Park or Valencia) as I can see him picking Bayern apart with his passing, and holding up the ball well if Rooney's unavailable.

Why would anyone want Fletcher at right back? We have Rafael, and I actually wouldn't be too bothered by Neville if Robben doesn't play, he will be covered well by the rest of the team. I don't think we need Park playing 'in the hole' like he did against Liverpool, constantly looking for space, we will have more options on the ball against Bayern. Especially if they're all marking Rooney.

[fatbob]

Doesn't Robben play of the right the majority of the time for Bayern though? With Ribery on the left?

With Schweinsteiger playing as a defensive midfielder they seem to like to play a lot of their top players out of position.

[Guest]

Are you all ready for this?

Well, I'm really looking forward to tonight's game*!

*as long as Neville doesn't play.

[fatbob]

Yeah, should be good, show Ribery what he will be missing when he goes to Spain.

[oli]

Are you all ready for this?

Well, I'm really looking forward to tonight's game*!

*as long as Neville doesn't play.

No, but only because when I really look forward to a game it ends up being shit.

[Liamness]

Doesn't Robben play of the right the majority of the time for Bayern though? With Ribery on the left?

Oh, okay. The last time I saw him play was at the Euros. Either way, Neville would be a liability anywhere in defence against Robben, as I'm sure he will try to run at us from all angles. That's if he sees much of the ball, or even plays.

It probably won't be a brilliant game, with hard work as opposed to skill that wins the day, but I think we'll get something out of it.

[fatbob]

[famous last words] I actually think Neville will be ok tonight, hes an old head and will have Rio and Vidic beside him and Valencia in front of him.

As much as I like the twins, experience can really count in these types of games. [/famous last words]

[BigShimmeryWall]

Maybe we can disguise the twins as novelty oversized football boots and have them run up and down the wing carrying Nev and he can just tell them where to go.