Manchester United (h) build up

[Shaggy]

If they load Fellaini on to Can, I'd just swap him and Sakho. Sakho wins everything in the air.

[captainfog]

Sturridge will and should start. He's only going to find his form by playing and anyway, I'm not a fan of when we play without a striker on the pitch.

If United are going 433 then I'd match them, but I'd imagine Rodgers will stick to 3 at the back. Hopefully he'll continue to show the flexibility in his in game management that he showed yesterday.

[The_weatherman]

If they load Fellaini on to Can, I'd just swap him and Sakho. Sakho wins everything in the air.

Can Sakho play on the right side?

[captainfog]

If they load Fellaini on to Can, I'd just swap him and Sakho. Sakho wins everything in the air.

You'd move Sakho to the right side of the three? With that right foot?!

I'm not worried about Can, he's a tough ****er who'll be able to hold him own against Fellaini.

[brightred]

Hendo bossed Yaya in the city game. Fellaini doesn't standard chance!

[Shaggy]

Can Sakho play on the right side?

Don't see why not. *If* that's their tactic everything will be in the air anyway.

You'd move Sakho to the right side of the three? With that right foot?!

Yep.

[captainfog]

IMO that would be a disaster. But I don't think that is something we'll need to entertain anyway.

[Pablo]

I think Can's weakness is players with good acceleration. I think he'll hold his own against Fellaini.

[Shaggy]

They will definitely go long to Fellaini, I'm sure of it. Just need to make sure we can deal with it. Skrtel's been dominant in the air lately too so we could maybe switch Can and Skrtel, as we've done a couple of times recently.

Praying they start with Jones and Smalling at CB.

[The_weatherman]

They will definitely go long to Fellaini, I'm sure of it. Just need to make sure we can deal with it. Skrtel's been dominant in the air lately too so we could maybe switch Can and Skrtel, as we've done a couple of times recently.

Praying they start with Jones and Smalling at CB.

West Ham tried that approach and failed, I think the fact that we have three central defenders and a defensive midfielder will make it difficult for them, besides maybe setpieces. We have enough bodies in there to make it difficult for them to get on any knock downs or loose balls.

[The_weatherman]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31901145

Interesting from P.Neville. If the keep the same formation we'll have Fellaini on Can and Mata on Sakho. Big tests for both.

Wonder if we should put Sterling on Carrick? Close him down at all times.

Edit: maybe the pitch will help them though? Being long ball merchants of course.

[Daffy Duck]

I'm worried because we're not really creating that many clear chances lately, and when we do we're sometimes not very clinical with them. It will be tough to beat De Gea, so hopefully Sturridge raises his game a bit.
At least we're now much better defensively... **** I'm nervous already.

[BigChief]

I'm not worried about this game, a little nervous but its not do or die. We need to win one and draw one of the next two games (Utd/Arsenal).

Sturridge has to play, his linkup and shielding of the ball is getting much better. He's now allowing others to get into the game or find the pockets of space that Dan's just vacated. Sterling and Moreno found those spaces really well. As did Hendo with that goal. I'd go with the same team but a higher tempo from the start.

Fellaini is their ONLY threat. Sakho will chew up Mata and not have enough pieces left to spit out. If Elboflaily is playing on Can then they need right footers to kick the ball diagonally long to him. That means Smalling and Carrick because Valencia will be crap at it. Coutinho and Lallana can stop that happening while Hendo/Allen wait for the second balls that drop off his head.

Fellaini on Can is also good for us as it means it negates the need for Young. All Young is there for is to cross to Fellaini, who'll be standing 5 yards from him. Tactics over.

[BobTheCharmer]

I'm worried because we're not really creating that many clear chances lately, and when we do we're sometimes not very clinical with them. It will be tough to beat De Gea, so hopefully Sturridge raises his game a bit.
At least we're now much better defensively... **** I'm nervous already.

I hear you. I think we create very little. Its either a quality goal or a bit of luck like last night. Its a worry. The chance at the end for sturridge is where we have to be clinical. Who thought goal? Rooney is a clinical ******* at times. He goes on runs of goals and he's on one now. I hope the boys have some great goals in their lockers for sunday, history suggests we rarely score those type goals againgat utd. Riise and Gerrard are the only two I can remember. Coutinho special please!

[frank the tank]

If we play to our potential, then we are going to win this. No question.....

Regarding line ups, if I was asked this time yesterday then there is no way I would have suggested that we start Gerrard. However, when Stevie came on last night, then it brought a real sense of control to the middle of the park. Considering that United will likely play a 4-3-3 that is in actual fact a 4-5-1 then we might need an extra body in midfield.

I wouldnt mind seeing:

----------------------------MIGNOLET---------------------------

-----EMRE CAN--------------SKRTEL--------------SAKHO-------

----------------------------GERRARD----------------------------

------------------HENDERSON--------ALLEN--------------------
STERLING------------------COUTINHO----------------MORENO

----------------------------STURRIDGE-------------------------


That will give us a lot of control of the middle of the park,