Mancs build up

[Parr_Zee]

Expect Kuyt to start and see plenty of cross field balls from Agger, and long balls from Pepe to make use of his height advantage over Evra.

We ALWAYS try this tactic against shorter full-backs and they always get the better of Kuyt in the air. The number of times I have seen Evra, Clichy and Ashley Cole beat Kuyt in the air is huge.

[RedReet]

Fair enough good point. Do you think Yossi will have a role to play on sunday? I get the feeling he hasn't fully recovered from his injury but Rafa still wants a 90% Yossi to be part of the squad.

I think LW is the only position up for grabs at the minute, with Babel, Benni and Maxi all in with a shout. Rafa seems very keen on Maxi though, coupled with the fact that he didn’t play last night, I’d have him as favourite to start. Benni will no doubt be on the bench, but as he’s quite similar to Maxi in that he’s small and technically very good, I’d expect Babel to be the change (injuries permitting), as it would offer a completely different threat to the United defence. It all depends on how the game pans out, but I’d be surprised if he got more than a few minutes towards the end of the game.

[Shaggy]

We ALWAYS try this tactic against shorter full-backs and they always get the better of Kuyt in the air. The number of times I have seen Evra, Clichy and Ashley Cole beat Kuyt in the air is huge.

I must say I find it a bit odd. It's not as if Dirk is a towering presence in the air. I've scrutinised a lot of these balls and they're usually pointless. Either the pass misses its target, or Dirk loses out in the air, or, when he does win it, he heads it inside to nobody. I think the use of this tactic is massively overrated.

[The_weatherman]

I must say I find it a bit odd. It's not as if Dirk is a towering presence in the air. I've scrutinised a lot of these balls and they're usually pointless. Either the pass misses its target, or Dirk loses out in the air, or, when he does win it, he heads it inside to nobody. I think the use of this tactic is massively overrated.

OK, I haven't scrutinesed this tactic a lot but I agree, the only player in our team who wins meaningful flickons or knockdowns is Torres IMO. We need to pass the ball more, when we move it forward on the deck it pays off.

[Exiled_red]

I expect Lucas will play, hopefully in his more attacking role, I'm guessing Aquilani hasn't trained all week so would be unlikely to start. I would like to see Maxi start but I think Kuyt will, he's a big game player so will hopefully put in a good performance if he does start. Babel deserves to continue on the left side but I have a feeling we might go with someone who will back up Insua more often

I really hope we continue playing like we have in the last couple of games and take the game to the scum, and let Torres tear them a new one

[RedReet]

I fully expect to see play loads long balls from all of the back five. It's what we've done consistently this season against organised defenses when it's obvious we have no plan B. Even last night, we spend a good 25 mins of the second half avoiding using our midfield. We just have to stop it and Gerrard running a bit more and looking for the ball would be a big help.

Knew that would soon follow.

I’m hoping that after two decent performances, we’ll have the confidence to try and keep the ball on the deck a bit. If we constantly rely on long balls, Ferdinand and Vidic will have a field day. Vidic is already probably having nightmares about Torres running at him, he can’t handle players who play on the shoulder turning him (how the c*nt isn’t sent off more often I’ll never know) so we should be playing the ball into feet at every given opportunity.

[Exiled_red]

Knew that would soon follow.

I’m hoping that after two decent performances, we’ll have the confidence to try and keep the ball on the deck a bit. If we constantly rely on long balls, Ferdinand and Vidic will have a field day. Vidic is already probably having nightmares about Torres running at him, he can’t handle players who play on the shoulder turning him (how the c*nt isn’t sent off more often I’ll never know) so we should be playing the ball into feet at every given opportunity.

Playing for the scum probably has something to do with it...

[Shaggy]

Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Football Association of running a "dysfunctional" disciplinary system.

Less than two months after Rio Ferdinand was eventually banned for four games following a video review of his attack on Hull striker Craig Fagan at Old Trafford, Manchester United find they must face Steven Gerrard during Sunday's encounter with Liverpool, even though the Reds skipper appeared to commit two indiscretions recently that could have resulted in further action.

Instead, both an alleged V-sign to referee Andre Marriner in the recent defeat to Wigan and a nasty-looking challenge on Portsmouth's Michael Brown at Anfield on Monday have both gone unpunished.

United manager Ferguson said today: "I didn't expect anything to happen to Steven Gerrard. I knew it. It (the disciplinary panel) is a dysfunctional unit. I don't know what they are doing."

Ferguson has long held the view that his side are disadvantaged in their dealings with the FA.

The latest events will not have altered that opinion given Ferdinand had an additional match added to what would have been a three-game suspension for what was deemed to be a "frivolous" appeal over the Fagan incident.

At the time, Ferguson highlighted what he felt was a similar incident involving another Liverpool player, Javier Mascherano, at Leeds during a Carling Cup tie earlier in the campaign which, like the Gerrard situations, did not warrant any further attention.

"There is no consistency for a start and I didn't expect to get any," continued Ferguson.

"I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down there. It is crazy at times."

[Craig_H]

This cunt's trying to get into the ref's head before sunday. It's so ****ing obvious.

Rafa should come out and say so, redress the balance a little.

[lickedlollipop]

with Torres fit I'm not afraid of anything!

[Exiled_red]

This cunt's trying to get into the ref's head before sunday. It's so ****ing obvious.

Rafa should come out and say so, redress the balance a little.

[Bender]

Man Utd v Liverpool (1330 GMT)

Prediction: 1-1
As the season draws towards the finale they get stronger and stronger. I tipped Chelsea at the start of the season, but if someone would let me change to Man Utd I would be very happy.
I expect Benitez will play a flat back eight! The thing for Liverpool is that Torres is starting to look really sharp and dangerous and he frightens United.

[SK]

i hope babel and maxi start, but like the majority i feel rafa will put babel on the bench and start with maxi on the left, kuyt on the right and lucas in midfield

so the only question that remains, is vidić going to finish the game?

[Shaggy]

Man Utd v Liverpool (1330 GMT)

Prediction: 1-1
As the season draws towards the finale they get stronger and stronger. I tipped Chelsea at the start of the season, but if someone would let me change to Man Utd I would be very happy.
I expect Benitez will play a flat back eight! The thing for Liverpool is that Torres is starting to look really sharp and dangerous and he frightens United.

He predicts 1-1 for every single game between 'the big four' and has Chelsea to win home games 2-0 every single week.

[red g]

He predicts 1-1 for every single game between 'the big four' and has Chelsea to win home games 2-0 every single week.

or his ghost predictor does