Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that our result in Valencia will act a springboard ahead of our trip to Sunderland. After conceding lots of sloppy goals, United were able to keep out their opponents, who currently are top of La Liga.
“The most important part for me was not losing any goals because we’ve been frivolous in our defending this season,” said Sir Alex. “We’ve given teams opportunities they would never have had in the past and we’ve lost points because of that. So I was delighted with that zero against our name – it’s very important to us when we’re trying to win trophies.”
Sir Alex looked forward to the Sunderland game and concedes that today’s opposition look in good form.
“I watched the Sunderland-Arsenal game again yesterday – I’ve watched it two or three times now – and they played really well,” he continued. “They never gave in and that’s how we always remember Steve Bruce. We’re going to have a tough game. We have to recover physically from Wednesday but the encouragement from the performance will hopefully get us back on track.”
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Terrific.
Starting line up: VDS, O’shea, Vidic, Rio, Rafael, Fletch, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Macheda, Owen
It’ll be a tough game for sure but we’ll win if we don’t concede.
No Berba or Paddy Evra. What’s going on?
THanks arijc. Again I was way off the mark. Midfield looks strong.
Rafael at LB???
Where the hell is Fabio?
O’shea?? NO
Good to see Macheda starting but Owen
Why not go with Chicharito and Macheda?
bebe on the bench
Come on United!! I have a feeling that Mr Owen will do some damage today..
@dela
Maybe they were tired after the Valencia game. Berba in particular didn’t look too fresh towards the end.
@arijic is that official line up mate or ur prediction? Cheers
Who are the Subs?
Rafael will probaby play at right back with Sheasy on the left.
The Real AB
Why not Owen? He has been on good form lately and deserves a start. All strikers will have a part to play this season.
Also, it will be interesting to see if Fletch plays on the right, Ando plays on the left or Kiko plays on
the left in a 4-3-3 system…
I can truly say this is the 1st time I’ve seen a united line-up before a game and gone “what the hell?” in that its COMPLETELY unexpected personnel, but is that official? os there’s no line up yet on the official website. It says wait till 2.30.
Owen,Macheda in the starting line-up and Bebe on the bench. Wow!
Costas
Its a difficult task to match Fergie’s team selection.
Linvoy
Thats the official line up.
United Subs: Evra, Berbatov, Smalling, Chicharito, Gibson, Kuszczak, Bebe
@Costas
I have a feeling it will be 4-3-3 with Nani and Macheda playing just behind Owen- something like the system we used against Everton.
I really hope Sheasy has a good game. He has been ordinary this season but the lad has been receiving more stick than he deserves.
@Che Guevarist
I don’t think Owen offers enough as a starter. Good as a sub but as a starter i don’t think he offers enough to the team.
Macheda and owen now that is an interesting partnership.if i am correct they started last season champion’s league game against cska moscow together, owen scored but macheda missed a point blank range hearder
vidic and rio great, o’shea??!? please no!!!
Macheda off to Lazio??
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/10/02/2146859/lazio-manchester-united-agree-federico-macheda-loan-deal
No Brown or Evans on the bench…
@arijc
Yep. The closest I’ve ever come is get 10 out of 11 correct…
@dela
Probably that. This time, as opposed to the Everton game, I think the protection in front of the back 4 is better. Sol it will be interesting to see how the defence performs today. O’Shea should be getting help from one of the midfield 3. If he needs it.
One thing in our favour Gordon is still missing for Sunderland.
@arijc cheers bud… Was just checking as it was surprise to see sheasy and kiko and owen in!
I guess he’s put sheasy in for his height… Same as he did for Bolton game! Unfortunately He doesn’t offer as much going forward as rafa and evra and he is lacking composure on ball i think! But I’m not gonna slate him!
great fire power on the bench
@Chicharito14
Wasn’t that header in thedying moments against Besiktas? Unless I’ve forgotten something from the CSKA game. When we were playing our friendlies in Asia that summer, Kiko and Owen had some good moments as a partnership…
Carrick is also out of the squad. Just noticed that.
@Costas
I for one thought Carrick did okay against Valencia, considering it was his first competitive game in a while. His passing was shocking, I admit, but he did put in a few important tackles in midfield- something we have been lacking all season.
is this line up for real ? No berba and rafa at LB . What the hell ? Good ol Fergie, no one knows what he’s ever up to. Interesting to see how Kiko and owen get along, maybe a debut for Bebe. Obertan must be feeling gutted and to be honest i feel gutted for him too
@Costas yeah you right i remember now it was against besiktas.the 1-0 defeat
@slim
Rafa will probably play at RB. O’Shea has played at LB a lot more than him. The Berba thing surprised me too, but maybe his energy levels weren’t good enough to start the game.
@dela
Agreed, we have missed his composure too. Things are more calm when he is around. He played 90 minutes for the first time in 6 months, so maybe he is also given a rest.
I think SAF may just have put those Macheda loan rumors to bed…..
I am still surprised by the lineup, to be honest. We have an internationalbreak coming up right after this- do Berba and Evra really need a break this early in the season?
@dela, was thinking the same thing. Evra has not been on his game, but then O’shea?
Berba on the bench is an odd one, but he will be playing in the second half.
What the hell does Berba need to do to keep his place in the starting 11? He’s been bloody great all season, and no games in the next 2 weeks and he sits?
Might be excused…He’s been playin a lot eh?
Hey the macheda loan deal? Really?? And am i seein bebe on the bench?
So far our worst performance of the season. The worst part is that I simply can’t see how the gaffer can change things around. The only good thing about the game so far is the scoreline.
Yep… I can’t help but wonder they’re paid to do this… :-/ geez…
How can a win over Valencia springboard anything when you change half the personnel that was involved in that game? How is this team to gain any momentum, cohesion or teamwork when they dont even know who is going to be playing week to week. The club is full of injury prone, over the hill players, totally out of form players or players not ready for the level yet. The gaffer is equally out of form.
Wow…..we are shit. This is shit football. We dont turn this around quickly, we wont be getting any champions league football next season.
Its the 1st time in along while i was glad to see us going in at half time . I could rant on but whats the point . I couldnt of begrudged Sunderland a goal . We were virtually clueless .