Manchester United Forum

[stretford-end]

All team news, banter, post and pre match reaction in here for the first home game of the season.
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[Mitch Connor]

will certainly be interesting to see what the backline looks like for this game.

Rio and Rafael are certainly out, and there have to be question marks on Vidic and Evra. If all 4 are out, the backline will have to be Smalling, Jones, Evans and Fabio; though exactly which positions they play in the back line is another issue altogether!

Although it is a home game, I would also think we should go with a 5 man midfield, as much to protect our backline as to combat the Spurs midfield. So I am hoping Carrick is back fit for this one, as I would like to see him line up with Ando and Cleverley in midfield - with Young and Nani on the wings and Rooney up top.

Also, I would stick with De Gea in goals, I think it would be a poor move to drop him so soon.
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[ruslandiesel]

May be Fletch will be back.
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[Mitch Connor]

[Fletcherinho.]

I don't think we should even be considering de Gea. The majority of the backlash seems to have come Southern based media outlets. Umpteenth times on Sunday v WBA the commentary team called him out, saying he looks uncomfortable and wasn't catching the ball in mid air or demanding it like he should, when in essence twice he barged into and had no chance to get the ball.

Goalkeepers as a whole sometimes need some extra protection in that sense, he is 20 and will learn a lot from this first year. As good as Lindegaard is and did well in the minutes he played in pre-season, de Gea is going to be the one for the foreseeable future therefore we can't knock his confidence.

In addition, he needs a lot more support from the defence who have played in the Premier League already, Vidic didn't close down as quick as de Gea may have anticipated.

With the injuries, we will undoubtedly see a very different back line, although I do hope we see more of Cleverley. I feel the type of game Spurs play, expansive and often on the wing will suit Cleverley down the middle, especially if there is no Modric in the midfield.

Be interesting to see if this Adebayor sale goes through and whether he has clearance to play. Seems likely there will be no Modric. A big season for Defoe as well. A stand out player for Spurs I think will be Sandro this season as he increases his first team appearances and looks to make a real impression.
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[incomplete]

Spurs will be a serious threat, at least as far as this match is concerned.

[Mitch Connor]

[Mitch Connor]

according to the presser this morning, Rio, Rafael and Vidic are out of this game.

Will make for an interesting selection in the back line. As I see it, there are three options.

1. Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra.
2. Fabio, Jones, Smalling, Evra.
3. Fabio, Smalling, Evans, Evra.

Personally I reckon it will be one of the first two options; with the first one being most likely (to combat the aerial threat of Crouch).
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[Bricki]

Always great the first game at home.

My team to start is
De Gea
Smalling
Evans
Jones
Evra
Carrick
Anderson
Nani
Young
Park
Rooney

Sacrificed Welbeck and Cleverley as we may need Carrick to protect the back four and Parks industry may be vital against a strong Spurs midfield.

Scoreline I think will be 3-1 after a good open game.
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[Mitch Connor]

My team prediction.

Fergie has said the backline is going to be Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra, and I think it is safe to assume De Gea will be in goals, so 6 of the 11 select easily - Rooney being the 6th. Beyond that, it is more up for grabs.

-----------De Gea
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
------------Carrick
------Anderson--Cleverley
Park------------------Young
------------Rooney

The reason I think we will go with a 5 man midfield is that we have a backline that hasn't played competitively for United before, protecting a keeper who needs a bit of protection at the moment. I have Park on the right to help Smalling out vs Bale, but I could see Nani started here as Smalling is more defensive than Fabio would be so a combo of Park and Smalling could be lacking in creativity on the right side of the pitch. The other possible change I can see to that is Giggs for Cleverley, for some more experience in midfield.

Score prediction - 2-1 victory for United.
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[nameonthetrophy]

Here's my XI:



Score prediction: 3-1 to United
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[herzog's child]

Team: De Gea; Smalling; Jones; Evans; Evra - Nani; Carrick; Anderson; Cleverley; Young - Rooney.

Prediction: 2-1 United.

[coletrickle88]

-----------De Gea
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
--------Carrick Anderson--
Nani ---------------------Young
------Welbeck Rooney

or this i woud prefer the first one though
-----------De Gea
Smalling-Jones-Evans-Evra
------------Carrick
------Anderson--Cleverley
Nani------------------Young
------------Rooney

want nani starting here .

[Bricki]

I think Nani starting with Young on other side should be a given right now. Both in great form and creating goals or chances
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[Mitch Connor]