Man Utd. (a) build up

[RedReet]

Aye, before Swansea and Southampton I thought he was playing very well. Hopefully he'll be refreshed after this short break.

[JohnDoe]

Mignolet
Johnson Skrtel Agger Cissokho
Gerrard
Henderson Coutinho
Sterling Sturridge Suarez

is what I'd play.

[Shaggy]

Mignolet
Johnson Skrtel Agger Cissokho
Gerrard
Henderson Coutinho
Sterling Sturridge Suarez

is what I'd play.

Likewise. Toughest choice for me is Cissokho or Flanno at LB.

[Pablo]

Mignolet
Johnson Skrtel Agger Cissokho
Gerrard
Henderson Coutinho
Sterling Sturridge Suarez

is what I'd play.

I think if you swap Cissokho for Flanaghan that'll be the starting 11 personally. Possibly Coutinho or Sterling will drop out to allow Allen to play, but I'm hoping not.

[meffin]

This is the last fixture that i'm actually terrified about- so important not to lose. Not sure if i'll be able to watch it without feeling sick for 90 minutes. Might just lock myself away for a few hours

[Tee]

Suarez is gonna rip the mancs a new one. I have never been so confident of us going to OT as I am now, not even in the 80s when we ruled the world.

[Fredo]

Suarez is gonna rip the mancs a new one. I have never been so confident of us going to OT as I am now, not even in the 80s when we ruled the world.

Hello grandpa.

[Rich]

Heart is saying we'll blitz them early on, race into a 2-0 lead. Soak up some uninspiring pressure for an hour and grab a killer late goal.

[JohnDoe]

Likewise. Toughest choice for me is Cissokho or Flanno at LB.

I picked Cissokho because Flanno has been struggling lately and I'd rather see Johnson in his RB spot and a more physical full back who can handle crosses to the far post. We don't need Cissokho to do anything useful beyond the halfway line in this match.

[meffin]

Flanno always brings his A game to big matches- so for me, and as he's scouser, he makes it into my 11

[JohnDoe]

I think if you swap Cissokho for Flanaghan that'll be the starting 11 personally. Possibly Coutinho or Sterling will drop out to allow Allen to play, but I'm hoping not.

Joe Allen should not start. Coutinho, on a decent outing, is superior offensively and defensively to Allen. His pressing is essential in this kind of game. We can't risk having to carry Allen if he has one of these "I can't win any 50/50 or close down my area" days.

Of course, Sterling must play. He's made for this game.

[Tee]

Hello grandpa.

Bukwaas bund kar gaandoo billeee.

[The Birdman]

Amazing how Coutinho has morphed into this amazing powerhouse of a box to box midfielder who does everything better than Joe Allen.

Can someone post the stat that proves Coutinho is only effective in home games? it was doing the rounds a week or so ago.

I'd play Allen to allow us to keep the ball better but its a personal preference, it wouldn't worry me if Coutinho starts ahead of him as Utd aren't as good in midfield areas as Southampton.

It also begins to show for the 1st time in ages that with Allen/Coutinho plus Sakho and Lucas back on the bench we have a stronger squad now.

Another reason I would start Allen is we have really struggled in games when Coutinho, Sterling, Suarez and Sturridge start and we find ourselves behind. We don't have anyone on the bench to come on and make a difference.
Picking Allen to start maybe slightly safety first but I'm pretty sure we're away to a side who are 12 points (inc GD) behind us, for Utd to have any chance of top 4 they have to beat us so the longer we stay level the more they have to push on, that's when Coutinho should cut them apart with the added space.

[Norbs]

Excellent analysis Mr Allen

[Fredo]

United will be attacking from the off, so I'd play Coutinho from the start to try and exploit that. Then bring on Allen if need be.