Who will play against the scum?

[SB]

I know it's ages off but I can't help thinking about who will start against the scum next week.

I'm assuming that Stevie and Torres won't be fit. So who would you go with to start and would you be happy with a point?

I'd expect to see

Pepe

Arbeloa Carra Skittles Dossena or Aurelio ( can't make up my mind)

Masher Xabi

Kuyt Benny Babel

Keane

Subs from
Keeper
Riera
Ngog
Plesis
Agger or Sami
Dossena or Aurelio
El Zhar
Pennant

[Fubar]

------------------------pepe----------------------
arbeloa----------carra---------skittles-------aurelio
-----------mascher----------------xabi------------
---------------------???????????-------------------
----babel-------------------------------albert-----
------------------------keane---------------------

ben onion could fill that role but think he would be too light weight in such a big game.

i think rafa will go for

------------------------pepe----------------------
arbeloa----------carra---------skittles-------aurelio
------------mascher-------------plessis------------
------------------------xabi-----------------------
-----kuyt--------------------------------riera------
------------------------keane----------------------

[rudedog]

yeah - I wouldn't start with Babel either, it seems he's always had more joy coming off the bench when the opposition are more tired.

[rage]

as long as lucas isn't in our midfield i don't really care. it'd be too much to ask to play 4231

reina
arbeloa skertl carra dossena
gerrard masch
babel keane riera
torres

if torres and gerrard are still out we're in trouble.

[The_weatherman]

------------Reina
Carra - Sktrel - Agger - Aurelio
-----Mascher---Alonso------
Pennant-----Kuyt------Riera
------------Keane------------

This team should offer plenty of width and leave Babel and Benni as attacking subs with Arbeloa and Dossena on the bench as well. Could go for 4-4-2 with Aurelio in place of Riera and Dossena at FB.

[dww]

I would like to see:

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Dossena
Mascher Alonso
Lucas
Kuyt -------------------------Reira
Keane

[Fierce]

I would like to see:

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Dossena
Mascher Alonso
Lucas
Kuyt -------------------------Reira
Keane

Yep I'd go with that too

The old 4-3-3 when attacking, 4-5-1 when defending

Although I think that Alonso and Lucas would also play the roles of centre mids, slightly in front of as opposed to alongside the defensive mid of Masher.

And god forbid, but its playing people in their correct positions!!

Babel and/or Benny as impact subs

[BobTheCharmer]

whatever we think it'll be it won't. i'm sure rafa has a surprise or two up his sleeve for this game. his record against the big boys and utd in particular is very good. i fully expect us to get close to scoring this time round.

[hamshanks]

as long as lucas isn't in our midfield i don't really care. it'd be too much to ask to play 4231

reina
arbeloa skertl carra dossena
gerrard masch
babel keane riera
torres

if torres and gerrard are still out we're in trouble.

Gerrard agreed but Ferdinand has Torres in his pocket, so it might work in our favour.

[dww]

I don't think the Ferdiand/Torres thing is true. The fact is that Torres needs service and against United we have given him **** all, absolutely nothing to feed on and no one has got close to him to give him options. An isolated striker with little service will pretty much always struggle.

[Vermilion]

I'm hoping it'll be Reira's day, for once a signing is going to have a massive impact on his debut, i'm hoping they wont be able to handle him in the same way teams have trouble handling Ronaldo, it will be a sublime, explosive performance.

[SB]

I'm hoping it'll be Reira's day, for once a signing is going to have a massive impact on his debut, i'm hoping they wont be able to handle him in the same way teams have trouble handling Ronaldo, it will be a sublime, explosive performance.

Do you really think that Rafa will start him though?

I'd have expected him off the bench for such a big match. And what is it saying to the other players on the left?

Babel to start on the left for me and either subbed or moved up front with Keane if he is isolated and bring Riera on then.

[JohnDoe]

I think both Gerrard and Torres will play. Gut feeling is we've exaggerated their injuries.

[SB]

I think both Gerrard and Torres will play. Gut feeling is we've exaggerated their injuries.

I for one would rather them rested if there is any doubt over them at all. It's only 3 points at the end of the day and weeks and weeks on the treatment table if were wrong

[dww]

I think both Gerrard and Torres will play. Gut feeling is we've exaggerated their injuries.

I've had that feeling for a while but it never turns out the way I hope with these sorts of things.