Manchester United take on Besiktas tonight in a bid to claim top spot in the group. As it stands, that would mean missing the likes of Barcelona, Bordeaux, Sevilla and Milan for the time being, although a lot can change before the places are set in stone.
United will play a young team tonight, with Darron Gibson confirmed as a starting player. Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a shine to the lad and after the bitter disappointment of World Cup failure, he could do with a bit of cheering up! He’s barely featured this season, making two sub appearances in the league as well as one 90 minute stint in the League Cup, so will surely be up for this. He has a hell of a shot on him and he’s strong, but it’s time now for him to develop other areas of his game, which I suppose can only happen with playing.
Gabriel Obertan might be give a chance from the start in a bid to get him up to speed to replace Nani. Ahead of the Everton game I said the unpopular Portuguese winger needed to be played but after not even making the bench you have to wonder whether his career with United is over. If Diego Forlan can get sold for wearing the wrong studs, then there’s no reason why Nani won’t be shown the exit door. I honestly believe he could have done more with our club, but obviously the manager knows best.
Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda are also likely to get a game, although with Dimitar Berbatov returning from injury and maybe needing a game before the weekend, as well as wanting to give Michael Owen as much time as possible, Welbeck might see himself starting on the right wing with Kiko waiting on the bench.
You’d have to fancy Anderson to partner Gibson after remaining on the bench on Saturday. He put in a good shift against Chelsea all those weeks ago and it would be good to see him given the opportunity to build on this.
After missing out on training, Edwin Van der Sar is in the squad, although Tomasz Kuczczak is likely to start. Despite the manager’s repeated claims that Foster will replace Van der Sar, Ben doesn’t seem to be getting any closer to the first team. Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Gary Neville, John O’Shea and Fabio are all out, meaning we’re likely to see a back four of Rafael – Wes – Vidic – Evra. On the upside, Park Ji-Sung is back in the squad and might get a run out later on.
After the dramatics against CSKA Moscow, clawing back to 3-3 from a losing position of 3-1, it would be nice to get a composed and confident performance out of the lads tonight. Despite the huge injuries, the back four look solid enough, meaning it is up to the rest of the team to go out and play. I want to see Obertan bombing down the left wing with Evra, Anderson driving the ball through the centre of midfield and Gibson having a go from distance. As we’re approaching the busy Christmas period, I really want to see how capable our squad is and just how far the depth goes. Tonight is a real opportunity for the fringe players to stake their claim as a regular, but essentially, nothing is more important than the three points and getting the group wrapped up.
I will be running a live blog for the game so if you show up on the blog around half an hour before kick off I should hopefully be about.
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After a good night in football last night
micheal owen scoring in europe and kissing the badge on his chest would make me do a backflip
Shame about Nani, I really feel he has so much to offer, but just does not quite deliver. Ah well, as you say, Sir Alex knows best. I would wager we will see him do well at a spanish or Italian clud, ala Forlan. That said, am pleased with what Obertan how shown so far, with him, Evra and Valencia down the other wing, I think good times ahead.
Team for tonight
Foster
Rafael vidic Brown Fabio
Nani Gibson anderson Obertan
Welbeck berbatov/owen.
i would love to see evra play but he has ahd too much football of late including the 120 minutes against the irish. He needs a break for sure.ALso park should come for the last 15-20 minutes.
I think this would be a perfect match for Nani to show he still has a desire to succeed at United and prove doubters wrong.
Anyway, should take the match seriously enough to ensure that we take the top spot in the group.
A good performance and two goals for owen please!
Whats the crack with Tosic? he got a couple of goals for the reserves again, why is he not considered?
nice summary..
my team:
kuzhazck (i knew how to spell it some time ago)
rafael brown vidic evra
obertan gibson ando welbeck
owen macheda
Evra’s biggest fan
he’s not registered to play european football this season
Tosic’s goals were very well taken last night. He is getting better and better and stronger. Developing into a real talent. Great dibbler, pace, got stronger and a wicked shot. Looking forward to this lad trying to stake his claim on the left.
Reckon you are bang on with tonight’s selection Scott .
Lets show the scouser’s how its done in Europe with a second string team.
liverpool where favourites to top there group by the way at the start
GHTT… That explains it then! I definatly think he deserves a chance though, everyone is talking about obertan and nani, but tosic i feel deserves a look in?
@ Gotta hate tiny tears
however Tosic can be added to the squad after new year ?
Wellbeck on the left wing ?
I am seeing a 3-0 on the scoreboard..
Morning everyone. Here’s my guess for today:
Kuszczak-Rafael,Vida,Brown,Evra-Obertan,Gibbo,Ando,Welbeck-Berba,Kiko.
One week ago i would have put Nani in that team, but onle God knows where his mind is now.
Costa
what in your mind is worse
wearing the wrong studs
or talking like a big man to the media about how you know better than the Manager of Manchester United
Would like to see De Latt play at some stage soon. Forget Nani, Obertan needs some more games to settle in, give him 90 mins.
Definitely give Evra some rest as he is in great form. Give Gibson the chance to pummel the goal from distance.
Great opportunity for many player to show they can step up!
@GHTT:
No doubt about it mate. What Nani did is far worse. Especially in light of the Ronaldo and Tevez antics from last season. Fergie himself has said that he won’t tolerate stuff like that anymore.
However i don’t think he is done just yet. I heard a quote from Fergie last Friday about Nani and Foster and how they are falling into the trap of making stupid comments while they are on international duty. That led me to believe that Fergie might give him one final
chance
This will be a tough game we shouldnt start too many “kids” and give the competition the respect it deserves unlike the carling cup. Hopefully we will have a few clear goals by the 70th minute tinker time and rest a defender!
My team i would go for tonight:
FOSTER
RAFAEL WES VIDA DA LAET
WELLBECK GIBSON ANDO OBERTAN
MACHEDA OWEN
SUBS: Kuczcza, Berba, Giggs, Scholes, Fletch, Carrick, AN Other
@Costas & ghtt
Hi mate.
I still feel nani can do well at United but my patience is on the borderline now.He should start down the right wing today and lets see what he can do since many people said he was brilliant in the WC games vs Bosnia when he played on the right. I think he was misquoted and i would wantdesperate to keep more him than foster if at all i had to keep one. Foster is a rubbish goalkeeper.Cant believe he said he was first choice for England. Probably he forgot that James was injured and green was suspended.cant kick the ball, has no confidence.If these basics are lacking whats the use of having quick reflexes and making brilliant saves every 2nd or 3rd game. Look at VDS in the last few games. The man just oozes confidence.Foster makes me nervous whenever he gets the ball.
The daily mail is an ABU newspaper but i agree with the writer on this article. Alan Green is a YSB CUNT.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1230643/Will-Five-Lives-Alan-Green-shut-BBC-commentator-remains-self-important-patronising-infuriating-voice-radio.html
Dunno if anyone have seen Keano’s rant on video about FAI.
That’s why he’s a legend to me!
We MISS YOU!!
http://www.tribalfootball.com/video-special-see-roy-keane-irish-rant-full-463151
(P.S. anyone knows what happened to Possebon?)
@MUFC1RELIGION
Thats the team in my book..
Macheda deserved a goal in the last game he played so i wish he will get it today.
All this stuff about Vida and Nani are bugging the crap out of me…
I would love a good game tonight:
3-2 for United; Macheda, Obertan and Gibson with the goals. (Owen with 3 assists)
aig – Alright mate. Have to disagree about Foster. He isn’t “rubbish”. Lets not forget that when he was making those howlers the back four weren’t exactly filling him full of confidence. His kicking used to be so good and his distribution. Reckon he can still make it as a top keeper. Just maybe not at United.
hope zoran gets minutes tonight
nani deserves his chance in the coming weeks but if he fails to make an impression then a january exit is on the cards; it’s not as if we are lacking on the wings. he’s good enough for portugal, so he should be able to produce for us. he needs to stamp his authority on games, mainly by improving his decision making. the problem is that he never has a massive impact; he has scored very few important goals, usually getting the thrid or fourth in a home rout. other than his first, that winner vs spurs, he’s not winning games for us, and that is what United need and always have had, individuals who when the team isn’t performing, are able to pull something out of the hat.
Nani played particularly well on portugal’s right wing during the internationals he really should be starting tonight imo, give his confidence a lift.
Hey guys good to back on ROM:-)!
Guys i feel nani deserves a chance.
my starting 11
kusczak
brown evans vida de laet
nani gibson ando obertan
berba owen
subs
foster rafael scholesy welbeck kiko wazza valencia
@Macedonia- United
tosic is’nt registered.:-( hopefully he will be come the knock out phase!
guys i think the vida rumours are being blown out of proportion!
@King Eric
hi mate.agree “rubbish” was a bit too harsh but ben has not consistently proved that he deserves a chance at united. i mean he had run of 6-8 games continuous where he should have done much better and was given preference over kusczak.same when i think of howard,maybe they are good but the pressure affects them too much when they play for United and they end up making mistakes.The back 4 have a good understanding with edwin becasue they know that in 50-50 situations they can trust edwin.The same cant be said of ben as goals against shitty and sunderland showed.he is very indecisive and shaky when under pressure
for everyone saying fabio his out
foster
rafael brown vidic evra
park gibson anderson obertan
welbeck macheda/berbatov
shame really, was hopeing evra would get a rest.
da laets not in the cl squad i dont think so we have no choice but to use evra
glad to see 3 lung park back in the squad. he doesn’t usually get the greatest respect by the supporters, and his finishing is regularly lacking, but the lad works his boots off, and does the job of complimenting the superstars around him.
he is a great squad player for united and when his engine is running he chases down every ball that’s in his area. he is the antithesis of nani, who has greater technical skill but who’s poor decision making usually kills a united attack. unlike nani, when park is on the pitch he links up the attack, makes proper runs and helps it become more free flowing.
to be fair, i wouldn’t want to see him starting a cl final again, but in a long season with the number of games that united play, park is a valuable squad player to have.
anyway, it would be nice to see him get some minutes against besiktas.
Da Laet and Tosic aren’t registered for the group stages. Neither could be added to the “B” squad. Tosic lost out on getting on the “A” squad for the hopes that Hargo would be fit to try get a couple of games in for fitness – didn’t work out
That said hopefully Tosic gets a shot at least in the CC.
Hoping the lads really take the opportunity. Beskitas is on a 6 game run and like CSKA when they came to play us, were really up for it. We can’t take them too lightly.
Don’t forget your wristbans for tonight
http://www.lfc-endofseasonparty.com/
On tonights game I think Nani shoul be given one more chance but I don’t think he will. I think his ay are numbered an saly we won’t get back as much as we paid for him!
Depending on the result in the earlier Moscow game Fergie might just pick from the first 11 in the crowd to put their hand up!
In fact, I best get there early!
hahaha apparently Valencia could’ve made it the Jackson 6
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/man_utd/11162/shit-lookalikes-luis-antonio-valencia-and-jermaine-jackson.html
how in the hell is this news
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8376713.stm
They just try and drag anything up to write about Sir Alex
Write about rafa been an ego filled arsehole
If you can’t watch this game you can try Manchester United vs. Besiktas live streams
Goin to OT for this one, hopefully, we will put in a good performance!
I hope SAF hands more chances to macheda, welbeck & some other youngsters. He keeps hyping them up but he rarely gives them games, even in the league cup against lesser teams. If he doesnt have faith in them, he shouldnt make us believe otherwise. As united fans we luv seeing young players come through. if owen doesnt start scoring, then kiko, welbeck or even king should be given more 1st team opportunities to aid their development. Tosic too.
Nani’s interview was misinterpreted, but trust the media to add fuel to fire. I am starting to think that the best thing now is for him to go somewhere else. I still believe though, that he should be given more chances, I know of a certain player who was regarder as Manchester United’s worst player for sometime and now is the first name on the teamsheet…
Hopefully today we win 3-0, a hat trick from Owen and my night will be perfect.
Team:
Foster
Rafael Brown Vidic Evra
Park Anderson Gibson Obertan
Owen Welbeck.
6-2 will do today for my liking.
Fenerbahce 2004. Yeah!!!
I know its off topic but i seen no one has mentioned George Best. 4 Years today…RIP
a song for phil dowd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqFN5CshLEk
I HOPE SOMETHING YOU LOVE CATCHES ON FIRE ,PHIL
Starting line up:
Foster-Neville,Brown,Vida,Rafael(presumably at left back)-Obertan,Gibbo,Ando,Park-Welbeck,Macheda
Bench:Kuszczak,Evra,Owen,Carrick,Nani,Scholes,Fletch.
No Rooney or Berba in the squad.
i m sorry but Foster is unlucky for United, call me superstitous but whenver he plays we lose more than we win – I hope he leaves, good luck to him elsewhere. He just has the wrong nervous energy for United, he should not e playing in major games, Carling cup max I prefer Kuzack
Paucity of goals are a bit worrying. Evra was amazing when he came on. Obertan looked good, Gibson like one for the future. Carrick like furniture.