Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that if Darren Fletcher can get match fit before the Champions League final, he will get the chance to play.
Fletch missed out on our last final in 2009 after a disgraceful decision to send him off in the semi-final against Arsenal when we were 3-0 up. He won the ball from Cesc Fabregas but the referee chose to give him a straight red card and award a penalty.
Whilst Fergie tries to avoid sentimentality, he did concede that Paul Scholes would get to play in the 2008 final after missing out through suspension in 1999. Scholes scored the goal that put us in the final that year though, with just the one goal over two legs against Barcelona enough to see us through, which cast aside any doubts that Scholes was playing for any reason other than his own merit.
“Darren has put the weight back on and is back in training, but he has a bit to do yet,” he said. “But, as far as the final is concerned, there is almost three weeks to achieve that. If he does reach the target, it will be a big boost to us as we all know he is big-game player. The 20 minutes he got against Schalke last week was certainly a step forward. His training, in terms of sharpness for such an important game, will be stepped up now.”
If Fletcher is fit for the final, it will certainly give the manager something to think about and could cost Chicharito his place in the starting line-up. I’m sure the manager would be happy with the strength of Park, Giggs, Carrick, Fletcher and Valencia in midfield, with Rooney up front. Without Fletch, it could mean Rooney played deeper with Chicharito up front.
Let’s hope Fletch get 90 minutes under his belt against Blackburn and Blackpool and then see what happens…
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Come on Fletch you can do it .
Simply hope he’s fit. We’ll surely need him to beat those diving thugs.
I hope he’s fit but then again… would I sacrifice Hernandez for him? Not so sure on current form. Looking at the games where Rooney has played with Hernandez and dropping deep our whole team has benefitted from that with Rooney’s vision and him dragging the defenders out of position leaving space for others to exploit. If we want to close the game throw Fletch in and he’ll keep a clean house no doubt.
Have a good feeling about that game!
But still want focus on the Blackburn game so we can really put the title in the bag and give som of the fringe players and Fletch some time on the field against Blackpool.
with all due respect to fletcher, i don’t want sir alex to change his team for the final( it should be the one that played against the rent boys)
but if SAF thinks that we should, then who the hell am i doubt him
As so often happens, a team comes together almost by default. Chico’s form, Fletch’s illness, Raphael getting injured, Tony V returning from injury…………..!
Right now the XI that played Chelsea are the form team – Fergie should start with them. I hope he doesn’t tinker with it as I believe those players offer us the best chance of beating Barca.
Have Fletch on the bench, bring him on & he can have his medal!! I am a massive Darren Fletcher fan but lets stick with whats working!!
I am not so sure whether to play Ando or Fletcher.
Ando is often playing very well in Europe, so is Carrick.
Should we take a risk and bring in Fletcher for this hugely important game? I am not too sure.
There is a chance Fergie really wants to take the game to them and
go with Chicharito, but if that doesnt pay off and we fail to bring him into
the game, it could really be fatal
We have got to play the team that beat Chelsea , let’s go for it . If we get beat we get beat but I think if we get at them we will win . Its a bit to soon for him .
Fielding an unfit Fletcher would be disastrous, people forget he’s had an average season this season outside of the injuries, but he does have what it takes and needs alot of matches to get back on track we’ve just run out of time.
What about attack, attack, attack???
I would like us to start with an extra midfielder and that will be obviously Fletcher given his experience over ando, As Barca isn’t chelsea and we won’t find so much time on the ball as we did against chelsea, so its better to go with five in midfield and Rooney upfront, chicharito can be used as a sub later if it ain’t working
Maybe Fletch will take Ryan’s place. The truth is that we need the Fletch of 08-10 for this game. However, his form hasn’t been the same this season and that was because he got the virus. Lets see how he does against Blackpool.
Hmmm this a bit of a conundrum for Sir Alex, as I said in a previous post IF Fletch was match-fit, I think he’d play alongside Carrick in the middle of the park with Tony V and Ji-Sung on the flanks and Sir Ryan would have that role in the hole behind Wayne.
I don’t think it is a negative move by dropping Chicha, if we need to change the game we can bring him, Berba or both into the game however Sir Alex wants to play it. But I can’t second guess the Messiah, he’ll have a plan A and a plan B and most likely a plan C! Saying all this, he’ll proabably suprise me and start Berba and Chicha with Wayne behind them!
I just thank God im not fergie who has some key decisions to make.
Fletch needs to play against Blackburn and Blackpool. He had a lacklutre season. these two matches will be a sort of test for him and a chance to prove if he is good enough for the starting 11 against Barca
I genuinely think we should play the same team as against Chelsea with the exception of a fit Fletcher replacing Carrick, therefore playing alongside Giggs in the middle, with Rooney behind Chicarito up front. Carrick has played really well recently and dictates the game, when he’s not being closed down and isn’t beaten for mobility like he was so badly against Arsenal. We all know that our midfield must break up there passing and press them, Fletch is just the man to do that. Giggs should be the man to set the tempo as with his quick feet and ability to turn in the middle and retain possesion he will avoid Barca’s constant pressing alot better than Carrick. If I knew that the Anderson that bossed Fabregas and Gerrard would turn up against Barca, I’d pick him along side Giggs and Fletch with just Rooney up top. Thats an energetic, strong and destructive midfield with the guile of Giggs and to a lesser extent Ando. May just be worth the gamble…
I’d be glad to see Fletch play the last two remaining games,to get that sharpness into his game back
I vouch for Fletcher to surprise everybody and come out like a hurricane !
He looked weak at the reserve v Asrenal two weeks ago, might go to Ewood and see how he looks.
I would deem it highly risky to play him in a game of this magnitude with just 2 full games under his belt. The major problem if we have to play him is who do we replace: We can go 4-5-1 but that would be inviting pressure on ourselves and will allow the Barca defense to hold a high line which they will enjoy without any threat behind them.
If we go 4-4-2, then either Giggs or Carrick would have to be sacrificed which is again not ideal on current form.
Although sentimentally, Feltcher should get a place, I don’t see any rational behind that happening given his current physical condition and the magnitude of the match in question.
Thing is SAF will not want to crush him by telling him he’s not starting, this will keep him motivated and he probably get a place on the bench.
Odd news:
Ben Foster has retired from international duty to focus on his club football.
Strange guy! He’s bottled it again!
Odd it being on here Kanchelskis
Chicarito has to start, I would think he is the one player Barcelona fear more than anyone. Its his pace that has defences shitting themselves, he’d take Puyol and Pique to the cleaners. Puyol is slower than a wet Carragher, and he showed when he was full back against Real in the second leg that he has no football in him at all, he’s a walking red card with Chicarito around – same for that rat Mascherano. If we get a strong ref (and the semis against Madrid will help us as Barca were shown up as moaners and divers, and mainly Macherano), Mascherano is a ticking timebomb, especially against us.
When Chicarito plays, Rooney drops deeper into the role that suits him, thats why he’s found his form over the last few months. Barcelona dont play an out and out striker, so our problem is what Rio and Vidic do when Barca have the ball. Villa out left on possibly Fabio, Pedro out right on Evra, Messi dropping deep doing what he does, and ghosting back in towards goal under tha radar when Barca are on the attack. Thats Fergies problem, it can sometimes end up with Messi / Xavi / Iniesta / Busquets against our two (or three) central midfielders and thats why they can over run teams around the middle, while Rio and Vidic look on 20 yards away from the play, waiting for Barca to come on to them at speed. After watching the way the game went 2 years ago in Rome, Ive no doubt Fergie will have something worked out for that.
But Id hate to see us start with Rooney up front and 5 across the middle, instead of inviting them on to us I think we could go for the jugular. Madrid shit themselves and sat back and let Barca play, and that played into Barcas hands.
Fergie will not be emotional about this… if he deems it too high of a risk he won’t play Fletch… simple as that. But soaking the pressure of Barca would be a colossal misstake I’d reckon. Go with the Chelsea lineup but with Pat on the left instead of O’Shea… keep Fabio on the right (if fit) ’cause he’s been great.
Whoever plays at left back for Barca will have to be on their toes ‘case Tony V will be such a danger and on our left there will be a huge hole behind Alves ’cause he can’t defend for shit (throws himself at the attacker and wins a freekick)
We need to think about Xavi/Iniesta/Messi… but I think that Three Lung Park will drop in from the wing when defending to help out with that and Rooney will take the left so we attack with a 4-4-1-1 and defend with a 4-5-1
Well whatever team he plays, in Sir Alex we trust.
Professional scouser Mickey Quinn is co-host of the ABU Weekend Sports Breakfast show on Talksport.
If we do win no. 19 l will be sending him a t-shirt with that written on it. I can only hope that Stoke beat Citeh in the final as he hates them as well.
It’s on the cards people!!!
sir alex won’t start fletch unless he’s fully fit and ready to do a job.playing a 5 man midfield to start with might not be that bad of a idea although i believe utd are a better team with 2 strikers think utd need to assign one person to mark messi could see it being park.
after such a long time out i’d be a little surprised but the next two games will tell,have to agree with a couple of other lads,barcas defense is pretty slow having little pea playing the line will cause them problems
We need Hernandez starting against Barca. I’d be very worried about Fletch playing in the final even if he does play in both Blackburn and Blackpool games, I love Fletch but think to expect him to boss midfield agaisnt Barca after all that time out is a bit much I think.
Why mess with the team at the moment to in my opinon accomodate Fletcher?
Rooney and Hernandez are playing well and should be given a chance.
Agree with @costas. Fletcher is not the player he has been this season. I am a firm believer, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Meaning, in my opinion, Sir Alex keeps the same line-up and formation that has gotten us here. … I know Barcelona is Beatable, but let’s hope Manchester United doesn’t beat themselves again.
Anyone reckon Ronaldo will be sitting in the stand at Wembley watching the Champions League Final wondering whether he should have stayed at United?
Whether Rooney will look up to him and give him a cheeky wink?! Ha.
I hope Fletch could have been in contention but I think he will be on the bench, incase we are still ahead by the 60th minute then he can come in and replace any tired legs, just thinking.
We have to trust ourselves, like Vidic said Barca have played the same way no matter the position so they dont have the suprise element that we have. My hope is that we should have shots from outside that are on target and Chicharito be ready to pounce on the lose balls.
Where is MG when you need inspiration
Sir Alex will already have played the final in his mind and the team will include Fletcher.He links superbly with Tony and the twin so if he comes through the Three games with fitness restored count on it he’s in and I for one wont question Sir Alex choice.
MY opinion, if Fletcher is fit he should be on the bench not starting the game, his form hasn’t been great this year, we know he’s a big game player but you have to look at his form, hopefully he can earn a place on the bench but to start him may not be such a good idea. Then again what do i know i’ve only been supporting United for 11 years, SAF has MANAGED United for well over a decade, if he wants to Djemba Djemba back for the game i’ll get behind him. lol
I dont think he’ll be ready to play from the start, because the quality of opposition in blackburn and blackpool just not good enough to get him back in the groove..
He’s got that god-forsaken Virus for the second time this year and his form dropped considerably after the first attack from which he wasn’t quite able to recover…and then the poor guy got a second one…
Unfortunately this game will come probably a bit too soon for him…although he could be a useful player on the bench if we decide to go 4-5-1 later on if leading Barca in the latter stages
Costas – Hello mate. Would be very surprised if Fletch replaces Giggsy mate. He has been the key. I love FLetch but fuck it, just go for it. They need to worry about us rather than us worrying about them.
Fletcher, with his form this season, in a champions league final? Fuck off. Just no way. He’s really let us down this season compared to how he has played for us in the past and sure, at times, the whole squad was kind of flaky, but we’ve seen better from him. This year he was really beneath the standards he showed he is capable of. A season or so ago if Fletcher was out injured we’d struggle, we’d be worried. This season he’s put out by a virus and we lock down the league and a Champions League final spot without too many dramas.
We know he is a brilliant player because he has been a brilliant player for us, but I think he needs to really sort himself out. Carrick has stepped up for the big occasions this season, Park on the big days has been incredible, Anderson has been up and down, but on his day he’s been great for us, and Giggs, what can you say about the man? But Fletcher, when we were ropey at the start of the season, when our midfield was lacking the steel he brings, where was he?
I’m not going to question his commitment to the club or his talent, because he has both of those in spades, but clearly something hasn’t been right with the guy this season and he needs to get back to his best. I hope he gets the last two games in the league to straighten himself out, but for me he’s not earned a place in the final over the other lads.
AlphaRS – to right he will , be careful for you wish for Ronaldo it may come true
Fletch’s form was poor before he got the virus. He won’t be fit enough for the final. We played players, who weren’t fit in 2009 and that cost us the final IMO. I don’t even think he’s certain for a place on the bench. I hope Fergie sticks to the same formation for this one. Got to keep the ball though. You give the ball to this lot, you don’t see it for a while. If Rooney and Hernandez can put pressure on Pique and whoever partners him, that’s were we can get joy. Barcelona build from the back. Don’t give them time to pass out from defense. Our 4 key players will be Hernandez, Rooney, Valencia and Park. If these 4 are on form, we can win this game.
@KIng Eric
Hi mate. I have to disagree there. The Chelsea midfield is not the same as the Barca one. They are more static and that allowed Giggsy to have his way with them. That’s why he only plays as a CM against them, lol. Anyway, I think we will need to someone that will hussle the likes of Xavi and Iniesta and that can only be Fletch or Ando from the current crop. But like I said above, that’s good in theory. We don’t know what form either one of them will be in. It’s an interesting dilemma and Fergie ideally would have fielded 12 players! Either way, I just hope Fergie doesn’t make the decision for sentimental reasons. We all want Darren to play in a final, but only if he is up for it.
Micky quinn is a class A cunt, just thought i’d mention the fact
@ Slim – Agreed mate, heard his voice y’day on Talksport with that other Class A cunt Durham, I had to turn it off, the shit he was coming out with was outrageous. Says it’s going to be Liverfool’s year next season, more the fool him I say. Also calling Stoke a ‘pub team’ and saying that L’Arse dominated the game against them?! He must be on something Class A!
@Costas and others: I keep telling you, 3-5-2 is the way to go!
North Stand, Tier 3, Back Row said something about messi-xavi-iniesta-busquets swamping the mf while vidic and rio look at the action from 20 yards away. That’s exactly the problem you need to snuff out! Tell me, on how many occasions do you need 4 defenders at the same time, really? Not unless you are defending setpieces, not unless you are defending against a lot of high balls, or a fast opponent. And that’s not Barca.
I think I will write to fergie – you lot just cant appreciate a tactical genius when you see one!
@ jeet
do you think we will try a formation we have never tried
absolutely no chance
@Sachu: I know we wont – I am saying preferred, not predicted. IMO It’s the solution with the maximum likelihood of breaking the carousel.
Come to think of it, not many teams play 3-5-2 in football. Would be interesting to know whether its been tried against Barca before. As for Fletch, I think the next two games will tell us. Speaking to my friends who support Barcelona, they tell me that many of their goals have been conceded from Pique trying to dribble his way past the halfway line, getting caught, and Puyol left for pace by the attacker.
@jeet its agood point mate
but its just too much of a risk we have never ever done it
off topic mankini wants cesc fabregas
Talking about the Champions League final, from a how to we win it, point of view is pointless. You know how we win it? We turn up as we did against Chelsea, pray for a sound ref, and get a bit of luck.
United can win this game. Can win it easily if our forwards are sharp and our defence is solid, we don’t need much possession to get results. But it’s up to the players to do the job that we know they can do. If they play like they did against City in the FA Cup then we’ll be done and there’s nothing to discuss. All I want from the players at Wembley is that they put in a performance that makes us, and more importantly themselves proud. If they do that then the result will almost certainly follow, but if it doesn’t, so be it.
Good luck Fletch.
King Eric – Hello mate. Sent you replies on ‘ROM Reads’ and ‘Kiko’ threads.
Jeet, thats exactly what I was getting at, just didnt want to say it, its sounds ridiculous, but makes sense (if that makes sense? or does it sound ridiculous?).
If Vidic was left in the centre of the 3 man defence with Fabio and Evra either side who are quick enough to cover him, and Rio being the defensive midfielder who has licence to track Messi and push into the middle sector and block it up with Giggs and Carrick while also covering the 3 defenders behind him? Its so crazy it just might work?
Like Sachu said, it would be borderline madness to try a new formation in the biggest game in the world – but there is a fine line between madness and genius.
Fergie does need to think outside the box on it though, because what Barca do is flood the midfield and win the ball back high up the pitch by over running the oppositions central midfield, break at speed, and then the central defenders are left facing the play flat footed, with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Pedro and Alves charging forward.
I’m somewhat surprised by these comments – why must SAF play four at the back. Why?
The key to defending against Barcelona is not size/strength but speed/mobility allied with a harrassing midfield. SAFis a bit of a gambler so I’d not be surprised to see something like a 3-5-1-1 with a midfield three of MichaelCarrick/SirRyanGiggs/DarrenFletcherinho (hopefully in his “football genius” mode), flanked by ThreeLungPark and MrAntonioValencia, with WayneBoy given a free role to harry and press Biscuits and having Chicharito play on the shoulder of Pique/Puyol to “keep them honest”.
Most teams have trouble with Barcelona because of their high tempo/intensity – both with and without the ball. Last year, Maureen was able to thwart Barcelona over two legs with a rope-a-dope tactic based on an array of veteran defenders with the ability to counter quickly by Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito (who was in the form of his life). It worked – just ! This year he tried to go back to the same well again but was foiled by the red card to Pepe. Two years ago, the RentBoyz tried something similar but were thwarted by the fat Norwegian; three years ago, SAF did the rope-a-dope and TheLads beat Barcelona in the semi-final as a result of a magnificent strike from the GingerNinja. Obviously, therefore, the key to coping with their fast, intricate passing-game is to keep them on the periphery as well as pressurizing the ball while hitting them on the counter. It’s a big ask for any team but, then, this is going to be a big match for all the marbles.
My suggestion of a 3-5-1-1 is based on the idea that when it comes to a selection-crunch, the choice is going to be between Rafael/Fabio OR DarrenFletcherinho. Given what we’ve learned from Barcelona’s previous confrontations with the best teams in Europe – and their propensity to dive – I think that Rafael/Fabio could be a recipe for trouble. Second, most of their goals come from quick give-and-go/wall-passing which means it would make sense to compress the midfield both vertically and horizontally, as it were. Their left-sided attack is relatively weaker. even though it features David Villa ! – so, third, Messi plays on the right and cuts inside to create space for Dani Alves which means that the left-sided pairing of Patrice Evra/ThreeLungPark have to be disciplined and not wander.
My suggestion seeks to deny midfield space and close down the left side (i.e., Barcelona’s attacking-right side). We all detest their diving and play-acting BUT they are also a very, very highly-skilled collection of footballers and it would be disastrous to try to beat them by simply “playing our game”. The challenge that Barcelona pose is a very unique one – and, I think, it calls for a unique solution. Fortunately, UTD have the personnel to provide that solution which makes more sense to me.
Fletcher is a wonderful Man Utd player and when he missed the CL final it hurt the team because he was in the team playing great every game and he was a part of the shape that was so successful. After 9 mins into the game Eto changed the game and all the CR7 drama seemed to ketch up with the team all at once and well fuck they lost. Thats why he might be on the bench and come in as a sub? Dance with the ones who got you there.
Fletch IS The MAN!
Name on the Shirt, First name on the team sheet when fit, Namesake on ROM. What?!
Come on You Reds!!!
Jeet/North Stand – great minds think alike, eh ?
Man Utd’s 4-4-1-1 formation is fine when we attack with the fb’s it turns into a 3-5-1-1. The cave man is strong enough to play Rooney tough out left or in the 9 striker position. Rooney in the hole with Lil Pea on the last shoulder of the CB’S will keep Poulyo away from Rooney. The formation changes from offence to defense all the time. Rooney dropping deep on defense making a 5 man mf, Tony running the rw at times playing with 3 cf ECT…………….. They play total team football not only can players interchange with each other the shape of the team transforms inside the game as well. From a 4-4-1-1 to a 4-5-1 to a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-1-1 ect……………….
WHAT A CLUB !!!!!!!!! WHAT A TEAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Denton: you said it mate…think of it (sorry – I am sounding like a broken record):
VDS
OShea Rio Vida
Fletch Carrick
Valencia Giggs Park
Rooney Hernandez
Or you could have a variation on the same theme with OShea Vida Evra in the backline and Smalling (more energy) or Rio (better game reading) being the harrier instead of Fletch, with Carrick being the sweeper.
The other alternative is to play 4-5-1, but then you lose Hernandez’s attacking edge. Seriously, I am having half a mind to write to Fergie – he will discount me for an idiot, but that’s something I already know! Or maybe he has already thought of it?
Barcelona have to defeat the team that have not conceded a goal on their travels in this years competition and we are playing away,tough ask for them.
Yeah Denton Davey, and fools seldom differ?!?!?! I said I would write it first before someone else did. No matter what happens, I cant wait for that game, cause even getting out of the groups in December I honestly didnt think we’d get near the final. The more we discuss it and run through formations and players in certain positions, the more confident I am we can do it.
Barcelona have won 3 European Cups, same as us, and we both won our first European Cups in Wembley.
The attack and midfield against Chelsealast weekend looked incredibly strong. Even tho I love Fletch, I’d hate for us to break that up with Rooney playing a bit deeper and Chico poaching.
Whether 451 or 442 My opinion is to attack them ceaselessly and wear them out! 451 vds, fabio, rio, vidic,evra,valencia,carrick,fletcher,giggs,park,rooney. 442 the team that played Chelsea on Sunday with evra in for o’shea
Doghouse – Bit harsh mate. Fletch aint been the same since his wife got fucking done over in that robbery. Not surprising really is it? On his day Fletch is a fucking beast and has been our top performer the last two seasons. Yes his form has suffered and I dont think he will play in the final but bit harsh to say he needs to sort himself out. The lad breathes United mate.
Doghouse – Sorry pal, I jumped in, You werent really infact being harsh at all. Understandable though his form has suffered.
Too many football manager addicts on here today. If Fergie plays 3 at the back, I’ll watch the champions league final in a Barcelona shirt. So, just to round this all off in my heed. If Fabregas signs for United(Slim) I’ll wear a Liverpool shirt, perish the thought. And, If the boss goes with 3 at the back, I’ll don a Barcelona shirt. I hope neither happens, or I’ll be out of pocket! And friends!
Ha. It makes me laugh. Fergie may well as just come on here for his tactics. Seems some know better than him what to do!!! Only joking. Its like the Des Kelly article though. You dont need to teach Fergie to suck eggs.
Willie – Ha. You beat me to it. They should all be managers!!!
@Willie – I dont play FM! I hate most computer/video games!
@King Eric: Nobody’s saying we know better than Fergie – it’s just a fan’s perspective and a fan’s unique priviledge od armchair debate w/o actually having to do it and then be answerable
Fergie is NOT gonna go with 3 at the back. Remember last time was Fulahm away. Look how that turned out. Admittedly with Carrick and Fletch in there!!
Jeet – I know mate, I said I was only joking!!
Jeet – I don’t support Barcelona or Liverpool, I hate them both!
Cool, KE – didn’t read your original post well enough. Cheers, mate!
Afternoon all true REDS and the morons of RoM (seems we have this nick name now!)
Whether Fletch plays in the final or not I am not bothered I just hope the lad gets his form back. We do need him and he is United through and through
Willie
Come now buddy, we all know you are a dipper in disguise!
King Eric, you talking about the horrific home invasion back in 09? That was really pathetic. Thought they had at least one of those lads in custody.
Carrick has been in good form, and I think he books one slot.
Park will be told to do the same thing he did against Chelsea, so he books another slot.
The other central midfield slot would probably go to Giggs, who remains ever so consistent. Unless he gets injured, then it’s possible Anderson would get the nod ahead of Scholes.
I really think Fletcher is a long shot – 2 weeks to get fit just doesn’t sound right, especially when it’s for a CL final!
But first, a point at BB with no injuries will do just fine for me. Or some fake injuries would be fine too, just to prevent any of the other relegation-threatened teams from stirring up shit about Utd playing a weakened team against Blackpool.
Good afternoon Cedars
Hows that heat keeping you in your part of the world
MG
Hi buddy, its been quite pleasant recently weather wise, early 20′s with a cool breeze…. Thanks for asking my friend
Expect some more complaints from the ABU cunts in the coming weeks as United will probably field a second string team for the game against Blackpool, in order to keep the big guns fresh for the European Cup Final. Noises will be made just like before the game at Hull on the last day of the 08/09 season.
Now now Cedars you know it’s a cardinal sin just referring to a true Red as you say being a bit dip chav or gooner – whatever takes ones fancy lol
On that last note could you have imagined SAF and Walter Smith at Arsenal as SAF put it last night in Walter Smiths match notes ?
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@Cedars: lucky you re: weather. We are baking @ 42 C here…
I also believe that the team that played against rent boys should play the CL final. Fletch has been bad the whole season. I still have my doubts about Giggs but I think he can do it. We should take an unexpected approach.
MG
I have always known about the fact that the gooners had approached SAF before he joined us, he was also linked with Spurs if I am not mistaken!
willierednut and King Eric – I agree with both of you, why the hell would fergie play 3 at the back. We have never played that formation since 96 for christ sake. Fergie will stick to the team, in the past 3 months that has helped the side win no19 and get to the CL final, why change now.
ancha – so fergie should play fletcher ahead of hernandez lose our fire power, who has not started a game since ferbuary. And bench hernandez who has been one of the biggest factors winning sunday, and almost sealing title no19. United play with rooney up top, we lose most of our goals and creativity, and have only 1 plan to break barca down, valencia crossing to rooney. PPL go on about xavi iniesta and messi, have barca faced the 5 combo of rooney park giggs hernandez and valencia who all have the energy and movement to put barca in a spin. Valencia park and rooney will make up fro the loss of fletcher, fergie is going to go for it in the final, no sitting back attack barca what the hell have united got to lose, we are underdogs anyway, so go out all guns blazing I say
PPL also go on about well fletcher missed the final, valencia also was not playing for united at the time. So while we missed fletcher, we missed the team work of someone like valencia who will give barca’s fullbacks a horrible time
Anyhow, anyway, anyday! Glory Glory MCU!!!¤
I think the best option is a team very much like the team played v Chelsea. Park and Valencia gave a really dynamic shape to the entire midfield and forward line. If we keep it their end, they will cave. But it is down to finishing. We destroyed Barca for the first 30 minutes in our last final. Only problem is the ball didn’t go in the back of the net and we completely lost our shape after they scored. Hope we do better at the finishing.
FITB
I agree with your point re the formation. I would want almost the same 11 as the one that started against Chelsea, perhaps Evra starting. We are almost playing 4 5 1 at the moment with Rooney dropping deep and for the life of me I cannot imagine not starting with Hernandez, with his form he will murder the Barca defense
r we playing blackpool home or away guys?
Cedars – Sitting in the sun, are we? Watching the lovely ladies go by? Good for you mate.
FletchTHEMAN
You are a genius! Well I say that because you had the same thought as I did! hahaha
How humble of me
Cedars
Spurs?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Could have been worse could have been Liverpool
!
Could have been worser still could have been city!!!
My God thank God that SAF came to United – the rest is of course history
willierednut
Mate I would like to sit in the sun and watch lovely ladies walk by
deftones
We came back from 2 nil down to beat Blackpool away, so to answer your question the game is at OT and thats where the trophy will be presented
Relax there lads, we’re having a bit of a laugh picking a team is all, helps pass the working day.
Anyway, instead of some of ye attacking some of the suggestions, and stating that we MUST play a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1 (its like listening to Mike Bassett), what I was sugeesting was that instead of Rio and Vidic being on lookers as Barcas engine ferrets around the middle sector of the pitch over running our central midfielders and then breaking at speed, that Rio could push up a little and close off some of the space betwen midfield and defence, leaving Vidic behind (both roles would suit Rio more than Vidic, but no point pushing Nemanja up). It still leaves us with a 4 man defence, just that instead of Rio and Nemanja being side by side, Rio is playing front of Nemanja and behind the midfield. With Carrick and Giggs in front of him, and Park and Valencia tucking in, it should be nice and compact, and still leaves us with Rooney and Hernandez up top (Rooney dropping into the middle at times to further frustrate them). Its more a 3-1-4-1-1 than a 3-5-1-1. To label it as 3 at the back, yeah it sounds suicidal, to say its a standard back 4 but Rio is to push up and close the space when Messi drops back, it doesnt sound that crazy.
Anyway, we’re just having a laugh like I said, so go easy on the put downs (constructive criticism always welcome though), I doubt Fergie will be reading through here for ideas.
MG
I know mate, the mere thought is scary….. Here is the link, its a great write up about the great man. Also notice his goal per game ratio…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Ferguson
since stevie g is injured he can watch owen get his 1st premiership medal….boohooooooo!
deftones
At Home buddy.
Willie
Cheers mate…. If you ever to decide to make it out to these parts than it would be a pleasure to be your host my fellow RED
Damn Im Still Scarred from 2009
I was dead silent the whole game, after 90 mins got up and hit the bed early even so though i was up the whole night.
I hit rock bottom, couldn’t talk about the game for a year, avoided all newspapers, pics & videos.
It Was Horrible, I hope we Destroy Uefarcelona & get Pep sacked & this WorldWide Orgasm about Barca ends Once & For all.
Because From a Neutral POV (not really im wearing red tinted lenses)…We Have Been Consistantly been the best team in europe for the last 4 years in terms of Ranking, annual tournament postions of 1st,2nd, quarter finals, semi finals etc.
Cant Wait Till We Hammer Those slimy spaniards
FletchTHEMAN – we had one clear chance and barca player was lucky it came off him. We did play one upfront and we had 2 players out of position, ronaldo and rooney because ronaldo refushing to track back. I did a rant on ronaldo on a phew topics down, I am still angry with ronaldo’s overall pethetic performce in the final, his refusal to work for the team. I have to rhow some of the rant I have done on ronaldo
2 reasons why we have an excelent chance in the final is 2 things
1 – there is no ronaldo. He was one reason why we lost the final. Not tracking back, taking rooney out of the game to cover ronaldo’s rear ass on the left. Seeing him last night shows thank fuck he is gone. Ronaldo for me brings the worst out of some of the best forward players united had and still have, because they do not have their part to play. It is all about him shooting, trying to win free kicks etc and his assist record stinks, that players llike rooney have to be shafted in positions that do not suit them because he that lazy has a team player. What we have learned now when we look back, is players like valencia park giggs nani, bring the best out of players like rooney hernandez berbatov. He is nothing but a self centred player who just wants the personal glory, and not bring other players into the game
2 – we have team players who all give their part to the team, and none of them will take away other players contribution to the team. Valencia balancing united out and keeping rooney central and tonyV will track back, it is no coincidence rooneys best football has collided with the departure of ronaldo and the arrival of valencia. When we add park and hernandez we have more players who can do damage than 2 years ago. And valencia park giggs rooney and hernandez we can cause barca just has much problems has barca will do to united
Hernandez should and will start against barca and so should fabio or rafael.We have to play Manchester united way and not according to the opposition.Our team is very good enough to beat anyone including Uefalona.
I said in december that we will do well in the championsleague but some laughed at that comment.See our only flaw this season has been our away form in the league and every one is pin pointing the same thing.Our mid field isnt that great agreed but its neither that bad.Cmonn if you compare the midfield with barcas mid field then every team will fail in that comparison.
We have to be positive and have FAITH in our team.We can do it.Remember no one expected us to be in the final and now we are so lets enjoy this moment and hope for the best.Who knows.
BELIEVE
I’m relaxed. Didn’t attack anyone either. Just disagreed with that formation. I didn’t say we must play 442/4411. I Think we’ll go with 4411, or maybe the 451 formation. Don’t mind either way. Whatever Fergie goes with, I’ll be happy. In any case, It don’t really matter what formation we play. The lads will have to very well to beat this lot. I’ve always thought, the players make the formations, not the other way round. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fergie plays with Rooney and Hernandez from the start. The flip side of that, I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes with Rooney up on his own. There is all sorts of permutations for the final. Fergie might yet, throw a surprise in there, you never know with the manager. Just as long as O’Shea isn’t in nets, that would be taking the piss!
UEFALONA – Not sure who came up with that but its pure genius, bloody love it….. We have a number 19 to celebrate first lads, lets focus on that, the CL final comes later
@ash and cedarsdevil
whoever starts whether its chicharito or berba or rooney we are going to teach barcelona a lesson
wemberley wemberley here we come
4th european cup here we come
Ash – united have to go for it, we sit back they will win. Pique and puyel do not want anyone pressing them. I do believe we can let hernandez and rooney press their backline, when barca have the ball let valencia rooney and park play narrow press their midfield and giggs can find the space to find rooney and hernandez, rooney will drop deep his passing range will get valencia park evra and fabio into the game out wide, and with valencia’s crossing he can find rooney vidic and hernandez.
when barca have the ball, valencia rooney and park can treble team xavi and iniesta. It is like an ambush really, they will not know what will hit them. When ever united have played giggs in the middle, we have always played well
@cedarsdevil
uefalona is fucking hilarious
also there is luckalona fuckalona messilona
loserpool fuckerpool
O’Shea in goal? Think he had to at the Lane a few years back, did not do badly either! Blimey JOS can really play everywhere! And some still come on here and bash the lad, what a shame
I think Ben Foster has just illustrated why he never made it at United. Hasn’t got the heart for the battle.
folks, how about this theory,
why cant we use FLETCH as RB against Uefalona on 28th may??
its a funny world, u never know, fletch might pip Oshea and rafa for that spot..his energy might prove to be the trump card along with break up play, plus therez always Tony V to back up the RB..doesnt he?
this just came to my mind..very slim chances though
interesting, armstrong has said de gea fee has been agreed, just waiting on the kid
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/7368/5/exclusive-armstrong-‘man-united-have-agreed-fee-de-gea
the best formation against those cunts should be 1-5-1-3.
Evra
Valencia Carrick Fletcher Giggs Park
Rooney
Vida Chicharito Rio
what I mean is,defenders making sure space opens for Chicharito.hahahahahahaha
sandeep1878
Pass them drugs on mate! hahaha just kidding mate
Wildie
Why give the bottler a mention buddy?
@ CEDARSDEVILS..
dont know who came up with Uefalona..
but i used it here first..:)
i think i deserve a pat on the back for transferring that from somewhere to ROM..dont i?
Lol
coming to the point,
whats ur view on Fletch at RB? not the first time, but may be not the right time, the may 28th….. ?
Danizizu – what kind of formation is that, evra uptop, rooney has a defensive midfielder, hernandez at CB. What next fletcher in goal
@ danizizu..
fucking funny ha
mate, with ur formation, we dont need a goalie, so take evra out and put him somewhere else
@FITB
yes thats pretty much a done deal people are saying he is too young well i think thats a pile of shit if he is good he is good whether he is 20 or 30
casillas started keeeping for madrid at a very young age
ajax had avery young vds wen they won the european cup
and its about time we signed a spanish player
i hope we sign italians chileans dutch etc
Cedars – Cheers for that mate
FITB – Spot on – I’d be really worried accommodating Ronaldo again against Barca – it was for all to see – even when we beat them the year we won the CL Ronaldo had to be slotted in – and he fluffed his chances – much unlike him – but I guess his head had begun to turn
I will as King Eric always says respect Ronaldo for what he done for United – but at Madrid he is light years ahead of everyone and no one is close to him – but that isn’t our problem anymore – he chose his wish and so good luck to him but in all honesty I don’t care anymore about Ronaldo – and the final in Rome is hard to take Ronaldo just had to be baby sat – the wrong version turned up after the first 10 minutes – the right one was only present for so little time.
Oh well that’s why I hope every one is in the right positions and we will go for it – and I know and I feel that Barca will not only get beat but they will be thrashed – bold claim – but sometimes you just have to believe your instincts.
Let’s just put the nail in the coffin and win this title first
Cedars – Ha ha wildie.
FITB. Spot on about CR7. We play better without, save the freekicks. Only thing to be said about the freekicks is they look like they were designed by the physics department at some middling college. Lots of vectors and movement, but the finish is lost in a page of differential equations.
Hi Sandeep – Then credit should be yours buddy re UEFALONA…. As for Fletch at RB, very doubtful mate, yes he can do it with ease but I would think its either Rafa, Fabio or JOS
DANIZIZU
why dont u put fergie instead of evra how abt 0 0 10 10 attackers just enjoy
FITB – Armstrong is just going over old ground. It depends on the lad.
@ MG
Hope u doin good mate..
good line that,
” Let’s just put the nail in the coffin and win this title first”"
superlikes….
sachu – de gea I would not blame him if he turned united own, moving to england at age 20 and spanish is a huge decision to make. Especially he is a GK. The one key factor I want from de gea he must domminate his area. He is my height of 6 ft 4 so we are buying a huge precence between the sticks
@cedarsdevil
do u think rafa or fabio could start
i think we need the experience and more importantly calmness of oshea and its certainly not the time to try fletcher at RB
Just saying that…..those cunts are no match if we get fair officiating….4td 4eva
sandeep1878
Fine mate and yourself?
Thanks for the superlikes
I wont take credit for something I havent done.I saw someone say uefalona In ROM so now I call them Uefalona.
I competely agree with you FITB we have to attack them if we have to win but i am confident we will beat the.Maybe i am wrong but I have a feeling barca are underestimating us and that will cost them.
Lets defeat barca and i guarentee after that their decline will start.I still rate barca with ronaldinho than this barca.
BELIEVE.
@FITB
ithink he has to move mate he is spanish so i am pretty sure he would prefer the virus or barca
but barca and real dont need GOAL KEEPERS for 5-6years so i dont think this chance will arrive again
he has to come to the THEATRE OF DREAMS
sachu – I do rather fabio to RB than rafeal. He does not give away to many free kicks his brother gives, and he defends just has well has rafeal. My team for the final def is
VDS
fabio ferdinand vidic evra
carrick giggs
valencia rooney park
hernandez
The irony of the team, there is more bite out wide than the central 2
Sachu
Mate i hope one of the twin starts.O shea has been a agreat servany but fabio and rafael have been improving with every single game.They are the future and will be star players.One of them maybe fabio as he looks a bit more matured should start.Lets kill them.
BELIEVE
Servant*
@ Cedarsdevil..
yeah mate even i doubt about fletch at RB..
@ Sachu..
we need the calmness and experience, accpeted, at the same time we need some pace and dribbling skills there..
we gotta attack from all ends, as of now if JOS starts at RB, then we cant have that much pace there, with all due respect to JOS, has he got the legs to run..
but sometimes i feel, JOS would be the first choice because of the excellent form of Tony V on the right flank and our MF formation,
so sticking with JOS who is very good at basics of the game would be a better choice..
but SAF will have different plans, surely he will consider rafaz a lil bit rough game, especially considering the magnitude of the game and the impact of the opposition..
so fingers crossed just like you guys…
I call the ambush, in valencia rooney and park, who will cover carrick and giggs
danzizu,going gaga,lets jus da formation we played against da rentboy.Cmon united.
sachu
Not sure how to answer your question re the RB position mate…. I will just go for whoever the boss picks! Thank God I do not have his job!
@ ASH ilove the twins i hope they are here for 20 years but just little worried about their rash tackling at times
@ MG..
i m doin good mate, waiting for the saturday
.. time to knock off the sad memory of last season Ewood park..
welcome
@ Ash..
yeah i do agree with ur point regarding Fabio..
he is more matured of the two.. certainly a bit more calm and composed than Rafa.. bur Rafa is more experienced and i think he has a tad better pace and dribble plus that an eye for an eye attitude..
all of a sudden our RB spot is become the hot debate
Costas – I totaly disagree playing fletcher or anderson for the final. Non of them have been in good form this season. Adding the fact united are not going to hold onto the ball enough with fletcher or anderson in the team and they will only sit deep making it easy for xavi and iniesta to exploit space in the middle. Anderson’s ability to close teams down is not has good has it once was a phew years ago, he was poor against arenal. Giggs is the cable guy of the team, he will link the play from midfield and attack, and we function better with his guile in the centre of giggs. There is also the energetic trio, valencia right side, park left side, and rooney central who will play deep play narrow, and can burst barca on the break, you add hernandez will pressure barca’s backline it can work. Valancia park and rooney will be a midfield trio anyway
@ FITB..
i m with ur AMBUSH thing..
will be a quite class formation..
and we always atack from the side positions..looks good that ambush..
but then we should have something energetic in the middle of the park against xavi-Iniesta.. provided they play there rather than one of them in wide psotion..
wat u think mate?
Off topic lads, but the ballot results for Wembley are available when you phone the ticket office. I got one. Fuckin nice one
I do hope Flether is fit but I certainly don’t hope he starts the final. This is absolutely nothing against Fletcher but I’d be a little disappointed if we didn’t start with the same team that absolutely battered Chelsea (with the exception of maybe Evra for O’Shea). Likewise this is nothing against O’Shea. To start Fletcher would probably mean that Hernandez doesn’t start. Our recent outstanding form has come to life with the return to form of Rooney which was brought about by his partnership with Hernandez, the return from injury of Valencia, the energy from Park, and by playing that young Welsh fella in the middle of the pitch.
This is not to forget the contributions of Nani, Smalling, Berbatov, Scholes and everyone else (can’t name them all or I’ll be here all night) that’s chipped in. I couldn’t admire or respect them all more for the way they’ve all gone about their job when called up and not caused a fuss when not in the team. They will not be forgotten when the trophies are handed out. We will all celebrate as a club and we will lose as a club if it comes to that.
Just my opinion but I believe that with the exception of the full backs (we’re blessed with many excellent full backs) our strongest team (on current form I might add) played against Chelsea and should play against Barcelona.
sandeep1878 – park never plays wide, he plays more narrow and goes right left and central he is always on the move. The other 4 in the team have more established positions in the team. obvious the back 5 goes without saying. I look at barca, they like teams siting back that is how they play from back to front,. now if united are pressing their backline say 2 or 3 players, they aint gonna have the comfort zone to start their attacks. Pique has had to much of a good time for far to long now, get rooney valencia and hernandez to press their backline and they will be tied in knots
@ FITB..
i do accept your idea of pressing the back four of barca, yes they havent been tested to the core so far..
we might just suprise them by doing it..that will open up the game, we know they are good at attack but the same cant be said about their back..
on the contrary our back 4 has the best record so far, that confidence is there..
yes we should use the ambush and i m sure it will trouble pique and puyol..
i want to see that sad face of that caveman..
attacking them in the 3rd quarter will make barca think twice and change their tactics, which they havent had the chance to do so far i feel..
they aint any fucking invincibles..
we have the power and flow in attack..
its time we played our natural UTD attacking game..
as RIO said, this time barca will see the real UTD..way to go..
attack we will and perish they will..
Park’s really a floater. He darts all over pitch. That gives him freedom to go and close the likes Xavi and Iniesta down. Valencia is a different case. He will need to stick to the right hand side, to prevent Dani(the diver) Alves bombing up and down the wing. I fancy Tony V to give the diver nightmares.
Just remembered that Valencia won’t be playing on Alves side. Park will have to stop him bombing up and down the wing. Tony V will be up against Puyol.
North Stand – Hello mate. I for one wasnt attacking anyone for talking tactics. I said I was only messing. Anyway fella, tactics aint my strong point. I dont even like getting bogged down in 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 talk!!
willierednut – puyol could be in danger of card or 2
fergie should just go with the same formation that beat chelsea
Someone made a good call. Could Fletcher play at right back a la the energy of Hargreaves when he has played there? Fletch can get up and down, is strong, tactically astute and defends well. Not a bad shout. I do think it will be one of the twins though.
FITB – Hello mate. “Giggs the cable guy” I love that name you gave him!
@ King Eric..
yup i made that call mate as it came suddenly to my mind..
due to the never ending injury cycle we had with our defenders last season, we had seen fletch at RB and CB..
but i dont think saf will take that risk unless there is no second choice…
King Eric – yea hahahaha, anyone else call giggs that and it sticks, remmber I nicknamed giggs the cable guy
We have the leagues top scorer and the top assists player. Neither likely to start the champions league final. What other club could get away with that? lol. I’m hoping Berbatov and Nani will make a difference coming off the bench. If we need them, of course. Sometimes, what you have on the bench, can win you games.
I don’t think there’s any need to fuck around with formations and players in different positions. We’ve got this far, playing this way, why change It now? Especially against Bartha! We might as well roll the dice and go with these players and this formation. We’re being written off in all quarters. We’ve got fuck all to lose, lets go for It.
Can you imagine the discussions around the dinner table of the Hernadez house 2 years ago.
Dad, well son, you can go to United and see what happens or stay and become a legend for Chivas like your Grandfather.
Javier, well Dad, I’d like to give it a go with those aves frias. I have always had a dream to play in europe so let’s see.
Now he is a shoe in for the starting 11 in the Champions League final v Barca. Might say he has done alright. Cheers to his mum and da for letting the dream unfold. Mega kudos to Javier for making something of it that could only have been dreamed of.
Come on you reds. Get behind this team!
@ willie
we are going to thrash these barca cunts NO DOUBT
@ willierednut – i agree. the football365 mailbox was filled with suggestions of what tactics Utd should use against Barca. suggestions of 3-5-2….wtf? the team isn’t used to playing with just 3 centerbacks, and last season when we did due to injuries, we got fucked. oh and to man mark messi with Giggsy…what tripe. LOL. Barca playing Levante away now btw, needing a point to be La Liga champs. the backline in total disarray…hopefully Utd will be exploit that.
jellybean – we have not played 352 since the 1996/97 season
byron 1970 @ 17:27: ” To start Fletcher would probably mean that Hernandez doesn’t start. ”
That’s called “cutting off your nose to spite your face”.
Anyhow, the key remains that Barcelona present a different kind of challenge and that probably means a different use of resources. I explained my thoughts on this earlier – @ 14:20 – so there’s no need to re-hash them.
My point-of-departure had to do with the notion of rigid formations – basically, I don’t think that the game is played that way nowadays. And, besides, with a large – and very fleixible squad – SAF has a great many options in the way in which his team lines up. Someone earlier suggested playing Fletcherinho at “right back” but that’s just a way of dressing up a new formation in old jargon. Besides, the Barcelona left side is not their preferred route even though David Villa plays on that side – talk about an embarrassment of riches !
If Fletcherinho does get a starting assignment then he will be deployed centrally – he will have had to prove his fitness to be playing ahead of a defensive “diamond” with a very attacking-defensive role (it’s not as confusing as it sounds !). Giggs will get the same kind of assignment but he won’t be expected to be so aggressive defensively and more aggressive in attack.
WillieRedNut @ 18:27: ” don’t think there’s any need to fuck around with formations and players in different positions. We’ve got this far, playing this way, why change It now?”
Here we go again – I’m going to disagree with you ! again !
The fact of the matter is that UTD have not “got this far, playing this way”. There have been major changes in the personnel and shape of the attack and playing Giggs in midfield is another evolution in tactics/personnel. SAF has cut his cloth to fit his suit – or whatever that saying is. He is much more flexible than you give him credit for.
jellybean @ 18:47: “the team isn’t used to playing with just 3 centerbacks”
I disagree – “third centerback” is exactly the description of MchaelCarrick’s game/postioning.
It would be a disastrous move for us to move away from the team that beat the rent boys. Its unquestionably our best team. Yes we need to think about Barca, but we have to remember that we have a brilliant defence, and Barca dont, so we must attack them as well. If we sit back, and start playing players out of position to purely stop Barca, just like we did in Rome, the game will pass us by. Fergie said he knew the mistakes he made in Rome, and I’m certain that Rooney wide right, Park very wide left, and Ronaldo isolated upfront on his own were the errors. We have to get at their defence, Pique and Puyol, whilst strong, are a bit dozy, and I’m certain Chicharito can go missing amongst their defence, and nick a goal.
@ fitb- we did some game last yr- Park, Evra, Delaet which we lost. Think it was against Fulham?
@ Denton Davey- well he have a very tactically flexible squad, but that’s not Utd’s style to play only 3 defenders. We’d need our fullbacks for the game- Alves, Maxwell, Adriano all like bombing forward a lot, and that’s something Utd will need to keep in check…aside from the obvious threat of Messi, Pedro, Villa who swap positions during the games a lot.
denton davey – do not forget united played 1 upfront against shitty and united lost. No question united have played their best football is when valencia giggs rooney and hernandez have started
jellybean – excactly that means if we play 353, we lose numbers at the back, lack of width has valencia and park cannot stretch sides. Why anyone wants united to play a formation that has not been used in ages I dont know. United are flexible, but it still requires united playing 4 at the back.
So is fergie says one things and does another, I do not think Hernandez is not … and another was a Mexican Rafa Marquez at Barcelona in 2009 and now has another but in the United so you have to win the United he he. : )
denton davey – Just out of curiosity mate, where did I say Sir Alex isn’t flexible enough? Of course he is. My point is, that you’ve missed, I don’t think he’ll suddenly go 3 at the back. The shape of team has rarely changed that much. We’ve either played a 442, or the 4411, with Rooney playing deeper and Hernandez spearheading the attack. I just don’t see why he would drastically change the formation to 3 in defense, at this stage. If I’m wrong and you’re right, kudos to you. I won’t hold my breath. Carrick plays in front of Vidic and Rio. That’s how I see It. The third center half, as you put it, is your opinion. Great debate, none the less. We all agree, whatever the boss goes with, just win the bloody game lads!
Oh yeah, playing a 352/3511 could confuse and frustrate Barcelona. The problem with that, It could confuse our players as well. Square pegs and round holes, springs to mind. Didn’t SAF say playing 3 central defenders is out of date, after Steve Mclaren famously played that formation away to Croatia? Worked out well that night, didn’t It?
yikes, lots of pressure. I would like to see Fergie make it back out in time. I guess we will see what happens
Jellybean @ 19:32: “Alves, Maxwell, Adriano all like bombing forward a lot, and that’s something Utd will need to keep in check…”
Maxwell and Adriano are both hurt – not sure if they’re going to play at all; probably they will use Mascherano or Abidal, neither of whom is an attacking player. Alves is a pure attacker – not much of a defender – and an outrageous diver. Alves is always part of their attack so, in reality, they mostly play with three at the back.
WillieRedNut @ 20:59: “playing a 352/3511 could confuse and frustrate Barcelona. The problem with that, It could confuse our players as well. ”
I disagree – again ! I can’t see how our players would be confused since the only guy whose role would be “different” in the 3-5-1-1 would be DarrenFletcherinho – and he has often player at right back as well as on the right side of central midfield.
I guess that I haven’t made my point clear enough so let me try one last time. Barcelona present three problems – first, Lionel Messi/Dani Alves (and also Pedro) are on the right side of their attack and they tend to work the ball to them and through them so it is necessary to have a “solution” to this problem; second, their central midfielders – Xavi/Iniesta/Biscuits – are all good on the ball but tend to play fairly deep (behind the “D”) so a pressing two-man midfield with a deeper-lying “sweeper” (i.e., MichaelCarrich as the third center back)) would seem to what’s required to address this problem; and, third, due to the imbalance caused by Barcelona’s tilt towards the right side, their left-sided players are less likely to be their pivot and, what’s more, their left-sided fullback is not given the same attacking responsibilities as Alves on the right side. Furthermore, what they really like to do is play tippy-tappy and then execute a quick one-two/wall pass to cut into the heart of the defence to walk the ball into the net so Rio/Vidic have to maintain discipline and stay on their feet, pushing them outside.
Of course, to win the game UTD have to score and this is where I can’t see Chichario being benched because he can effectively pin down both Puyol and Pique. This should give WayneBoy plenty of freedom to roam between their lines – unless Biscutis is employed to man-mark him. The outside threat from Valencia will pn back their left back – same as with Ca$hley ‘ole on Sunday – which relates back to one of the pointo about their “tilt” which I made in the previous paragraph. ThreeLungPark/Patrice Evra are going to have HUGE responsibility in controlling Alves’ runs and forcing Messi to go to the outside (on his weaker right foot).
That’s the way I see it – maybe it’s provocative to call this game plan a 3-5-2 but I really don’t see how a conventional 4-4-2 effectively deals with the problems Barcelona create for their opponents – as I said in my earlier post.
Of course, what I think doesn’t matter – nor does your opinion count. But the fun of Scott’s blog is that it enables us to think “out loud” and see if we make any sense whatsoever.
where’s StateSideAussie ? he’s usually an interestsing contributor on these issues
calling StateSideAussie, calling StateSideAussie
Again, that’s all in your opinion. We haven’t got no credentials on formations and picking players, just opinions. It don’t really don’t matter what formation we go with, Barcelona will be a tough team to stop. Sit too deep and they will eventually break us down. Try the gung ho approach and get caught on the counter attack. Man mark Messi and some other player will do us damage. I suppose I’m going on the fact, that Fergie hasn’t played the formation being suggested. It’s just sounds as fantasy, he would revert to that system. Mourinho got some success against this lot and Fergie has apparently been sounding out the preening peacock about how to tackle Bartha. In all honesty, I don’t think you can totally stop the lad Messi. Bar knocking him out, that is. I said a few weeks ago, that our best chance, could be them thinking they’ve already won the final. One things for sure, our players will need to play the game of the their lives. Hopefully Barcelona will not be 100% on their game. Wishful thinking, I know.
agree with earlier posters that we should stick with the form players. i think with hernandez’s pace creating room for valencia against their weak defence, we have a shot at an early goal. we can bring fletcher on in the second half to shore things up. we just need to be on point with our passing. cant afford to give the ball away. thats another reason why i hope we stick with this team because with rooney dropping deep and sharing passing duties, carrick is under less pressure and he looks the better player for it.
denton davey – By the way, we don’t have to score in the alloted time to win the cup. Draw 0 0 and win on penalties. I don’t think we could take the drama of another penalty shoot out!
I hope that Berbatov can get on at some stage and get a medal.
Ferguson Knows That Barcelona Are Beatable
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2011/05/ferguson-knows-that-barcelona-is.html
Fingers crossed for Fletch. We know that he will be imperative to breaking the X-I-M triangle, and certainly missed his presence on the field in 2009 *a lot*