ManU build-up thread

[bobbyfallon]

finnan right back arbeloa left back, happy days

[breffniboy]

Sigh, unfortunately that's true, Rafa looks on each game as a unique proposition for which he must make different and intricate preparations. Generally, his team selections for top 4 matches aren't prone to moments of madness like those against brum or Reading, so I think he'll by and large stick by Tuesday's side and go 4-4-2. Heaven help him if he doesn't and we play poorly and lose.

He has had the measure of Fergie in the last few games but got no luck, so for both reasons I think we're going to do these *******s at the weekend.

I remember Bellamy dragging Vidic all over the place last year, I wonder if Babel might do something similar to unlock them at the back? And I think Crouch can cause them problems so I'd start him ahead of Kuyt.

Reina; Finnan, Hyypia, Carra, Arbeloa
Beni, Masher, Gerrard, Kewell/Babel (start either, bring the other on later)
Crouch ElNineteenio

[Tom]

I don't often say or feel this. But I think we'll **** the arrogant cnuts this weekend.
They're long overdue, Gerrard is playing out of his skin, we've got Torres, Kewell is getting fitter and better every week.

I'm going to stick my neck out 3 - 1 to the tricky reds.

[Pacman]

I don't often say or feel this. But I think we'll **** the arrogant cnuts this weekend.
They're long overdue, Gerrard is playing out of his skin, we've got Torres, Kewell is getting fitter and better every week.

I'm going to stick my neck out 3 - 1 to the tricky reds.

Jesus christ

[Mattimetal]

------------Reina--------------

-Finnan--Carra--Sami---Arbeloa-

-Benni---Gerrard--Mascher---Kewell-

----------Kuyt--Torres----------

You have to have Kuyt playing in this one - his link up play in the hole is what gets Gerrard and Torres into space. I f no one believes me take a look at this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...112.xml&page=2 - and click on player stats, take a look at his passes compared to Torres.

Secondly Vidic and Ferdinand are fairly comfortable dealing with the ball in the air. When we've played to feet we've been impressive.

We could see Babel starting on the right altho I like his pace in the last 20, and Evra is no slouch either so he'd be hard pressed to keep Babel at bay. So best to keep the surprise package for later.

Crouch on the bench for me and give him 20mins if we need a goal.

I'd like to add that I can't see it being good for the Mancs resting their players, they'll be a bit rusty me thinks if they haven't played for 7 days.

[DeeTheDog]

Possibly.

I worry that Kuyt's hard working performance might've put himself into sunday's starting XI...in which case, we may as well play with 10 men because ferdinand and vidic will have him for sunday lunch.

Kuyt was excellent last night, to deride it as a "hard working performance" is showing that your own views of Kuyt have prejudiced your view of the game.

In my opinion, Kuyt and Torres are our best forward ‘partnership.’ Their combined workrate is phenomenal, it was no surprise that Givet went off, he was run into the ground, with Torres breaking on the left whilst Kuyt was working the right. Neither gave the back four any time on the ball at all.

United’s recent game against Bolton is a good pointer; Bolton went at them from the start; the physical present of the team, Kevin Davies in particular worried United. I think they would be more vulnerable to the constant movement of Kuyt and Torres, than the height and touch of Crouch. Whilst Babel has done much more coming on as an impact player from the bench, than when starting, so I would inclined to keep him on the bench and unleash on tiring United defence.

Two goals in his last two games, coupled with good performances, merits I feel a starting place for Kuyt.

Frankly I would be inclined to keep the team from last night, that was our best performance of the season.

[Dirk07]

Only change I see is maybe finnan coming in, that said Kewell and JAR played very well together, that said I still think JAR will find himself on the bench.

Babel at the moment is an excellent option on the bench to bring on if we are leading for fast breaks.... this is really looking like a key option

The only way we will see a significant change is that if Rafa has spotted a real weakness in "them" which he will be trying to exploit

[blacky]

I hate making predictions in these games cause united generally sneak a ****in jammy win but this weekend my gut is telling me they wont know what hit them. I won't predict a scoreline but we will be victorious!!

[Pacman]

I would play:

----------Reina---------
-Finnan--Carra-Sami--Arbeloa
-Yossi---Gerrard--Mascher--HK
---------Torres-Kuyt--------


I think Rafa will play

---------Reina----------
-Arbeloa-Carra-Sami--JAR
-----Momo--Mascher----
-Yossi----Stevie-----Babel
---------Torres

[Chris]

Cant see Sissoko starting even if Masch is injured I think he'd start Lucas.

Chelsea h - No Momo
Porto away - No Momo
Arsenal h - No Momo
Besiktas h - No Momo
Porto h - No Momo
Marseille away - No Momo.

Quite telling that he's left out against big domestic teams and must wins in the CL really. Probably ties in with Bascombe saying Rafa wants rid.

[Tee]

Reina,

Finnan, Carra, Agger(?)/Sami, Arbeloa

Benni, Gerrard, Mascher, Lucas, HK,

Torres

[Nic83]

Is that what you think or what you'd pick?

I think Vidic and Ferdinand would outmuscle and outpace him with their eyes shut. Cant see him being too effective if picked. Much prefer the explosive pace of Torres and the power & pace of Babel, ruffle their feathers and not give them a second of peace.

Ferdinand is a poooooove in the air. i remember Jan Venegooooooooor of Hesselink of all people made him look like a soft touch! At OT too

[Nic83]

For the record, i cant believe we'll play two 'attacking' wide players. One attacking and one defensive IMO.

Maybe i'd consider Aurelio at LM instead of Riise, purely for the quality of his delivery from set pieces. But then Riise's more of a goal threat. Horses for courses.

I'm thnking: (Rafa's pick)

----------------------Reina--------------------------


Arbeloa---------Hyypia-----Carra-------------Aurelio



Babel------------Masher------Gerrard----------Riise



-----------------Crouch-------Torres

[lfcruleus]

Kuyt was excellent last night, to deride it as a "hard working performance" is showing that your own views of Kuyt have prejudiced your view of the game.

In my opinion, Kuyt and Torres are our best forward ‘partnership.’ Their combined workrate is phenomenal, it was no surprise that Givet went off, he was run into the ground, with Torres breaking on the left whilst Kuyt was working the right. Neither gave the back four any time on the ball at all.

United’s recent game against Bolton is a good pointer; Bolton went at them from the start; the physical present of the team, Kevin Davies in particular worried United. I think they would be more vulnerable to the constant movement of Kuyt and Torres, than the height and touch of Crouch. Whilst Babel has done much more coming on as an impact player from the bench, than when starting, so I would inclined to keep him on the bench and unleash on tiring United defence.

Two goals in his last two games, coupled with good performances, merits I feel a starting place for Kuyt.

Frankly I would be inclined to keep the team from last night, that was our best performance of the season.

Crouch will be nullified by Vidic as he is one of the best players in the air in the league and frankley given his height Peter isnt.

Dirk must play with Torres as often as possible for me, the HARDWORK he does also enables Stevie to play with more freedom, oh and he has scored 7 times this season already. Tends to score in big games too.

Same as last night except Finnan in and Arbeloa to left back. I wouldnt risk Dagger or Xabi in such a big one, play em against Chelsea.

[memzey]

------------------reina----------------------
finnan----carra--------sami----arbeloa
yossi----masch-------gerrard----kewell
----------torres------Kuyt-----------


Almost an unchanged lineup