Stoke City (A) Buildup (Sun May 24th)

[Phoenix07]

Southampton play Manchester City away.
Tottenham play Everton away.
Liverpool play Stoke away.

I can't see Southampton winning at City, so I think 6th will be worst case scenario.

[G]

No guarantee under Brendan of getting out of the group. Agree with playing the kids though. Need to avoid that qualifier unless the perfect scenario arises- West Ham win the fair play league( only one point in it), Villa win the cup and we finish 7th!

[McDermotX]

Can see it in just under a year from now.......


'We're going all the way in the EL !!!!!! Champions League spot up for grabs !!!!!'
'We should rest players in league matches etc etc etc'


Yis won't be dissin' the EL then boyos !

[danperkins]

We do need to finish 5th. Although the way the lads have played recently it doesn't seem like their too bothered.

[DannyMan2006]

No guarantee under Brendan of getting out of the group. Agree with playing the kids though. Need to avoid that qualifier unless the perfect scenario arises- West Ham win the fair play league( only one point in it), Villa win the cup and we finish 7th!

How is missing the Europa League a good thing?

That competition is still rated on the continent and not being in Europe in what is an important season would really harm our potential signings in the market.

Plus our players need experience in Europe, as does our manager. Need to get used to two games a week and need the points so when we get in the CL again we are not stuck in pot three / four forever and a day like City have been.

[danperkins]

Europe is essential IMO, regardless if it is the Europa League.

[G]

How is missing the Europa League a good thing?

That competition is still rated on the continent and not being in Europe in what is an important season would really harm our potential signings in the market.

Plus our players need experience in Europe, as does our manager. Need to get used to two games a week and need the points so when we get in the CL again we are not stuck in pot three / four forever and a day like City have been.

Cos we don't have a squad capable of competing in it, the league and 2 domestic cups and I have no faith that we would prioritise the league like we should be doing. Winning the league is the priority so getting into the CL regularly to get money to improve is paramount and anything that distracts from that is a hinderance.

[Phoenix07]

The squad and the management are a bunch of infants. They have to learn how to deal with the pressures of Europe and the league if they want to aspire to that level.

We win the league and then balls up the season after because we can't cope with all of the extra games. We need it, whether we like it or not.

[G]

Yes a squad needs European experience but it also has to be good enough or it can play in Europe all it wants and never do anything. Our squad isn't good enough so it needs to be improved and we can't improve it sufficiently on the money we get from EL while those ahead of us reap CL money on top of their already full bank balance's.Focus on the league, use the kids in everything else including EL and hopefully get CL so we can buy better players who already have the necessary experience. We have shown we won't prioritise in that way though so I'd rather not be in it.

United's young team spent many years competing for league's while learning their way in the CL each season. Took them a long time to compete in both.

[Montana]

Winning the Europa League might our best and only chance of getting back into the CL. Maybe a manager who can perform in Europe is the most important signing we make in the summer.

[BobTheCharmer]

Winning the Europa League might our best and only chance of getting back into the CL. Maybe a manager who can perform in Europe is the most important signing we make in the summer.

Hold on a sec. You want a manager who has a good record in Europe...cough...Rafa...cough...who as an outside bet might win us the Europa and get us in the CL to do what exactly? League is and always should be the bread and butter. If we can perform each season in the league than we will have a team good enough to take on Europe's best, squeezing in and making up the numbers is no good for anyone.

[frank the tank]

i find it hard to get excited about this game to be honest....

I would like to see a back 4 of Manquillo, Skrtel, Sakho and Moreno. Emre Can sitting in front of that lot with Henderson and Coutinho in centre midfield. And a front 3 of Markovic, Ibe and Sinclair.

[BigChief]

Would like to see Sinclair play a bit longer with Ibe. Sterling can have a rest, as can Hendo.

[Fierce]

Mignolet
McLaughlin - Skrtel - Sakho - Smith
Can - Henderson
Coutinho
Ibe - Sinclair - Markovic

Although if Sakho is only just back it might be silly to risk him

Also if Manquillo has been caught cheating with Rodgers girlfriend (there must be a reason he doesn't play) then could we not try one of the youngsters there?

Same for Brad Smith

[SK]

Need to win this, just in case. Can't rely on Everton and City to do us favours.

My team would be

Mig
Manquillo-Šktel-Sakho-Moreno
Lucas
Can-Hendo
Ibe-Sinclair/Lambert-Coutinho