With Gary Neville and John O’Shea going off injured against Portsmouth, United were posed with the problem of who could play against Tottenham Hotspur.
Wes Brown had managed some time with the Reserves meaning he was rumoured to be available, but it seemed obvious that Rafael da Silva deserved the chance. After playing against Everton last weekend and Spurs this, that surely would be enough practice for him ahead of Arsenal, getting him prepared after spending so long out injured.
But after 90 minutes on Saturday, I’m starting to fret about who should start on Wednesday. John O’Shea? Surely not? Maybe? Yes?
Whilst Rafael was effective going forward, providing a few decent crosses for our forwards to latch on to, defensively he was not good enough. We all know that his positioning is not good enough with him being far more used to playing the attacking game in Brazil, with the full-backs playing nothing like the position they are expecting to in the Premiership, but on Saturday it was woeful. He was absolutely nowhere when Spurs went 2-0 up, wandering around carelessly in the box, not aware of where anyone was, and leaving his man totally unmarked to score. It will be Samir Nasri going down that wing on Wednesday, a player who already has two goals against us this season, leaving big question marks over Rafael’s suitability for the game.
The alternative then is John O’Shea, who at worst has been dreadful this season and at best, alright. He’s capable of putting a good tackle in and isn’t beaten on every occasion but with him carrying a bit of injury as well, I struggle to imagine how he would get the best of his Arsenal opponent.
Brown will be available but having not played since his substitute appearance back in January, it’s hard to argue that a European Cup semi-final against Arsenal is the ideal situation to bring him back in to!
Then on the other wing we have the problem of Theo Walcott, who has found some good form this season and plays remarkably like Aaron Lennon, Patrice’s kryptonite. Evra didn’t get near for Lennon for much of Saturday, foolishly backing off him time and again, allowing him all the time and space he needed to whip a cross in or skin him. It was just the same in the League Cup final.
Would it be worth having Fletcher and Park both on the field to sure up the flanks? Quite possibly. But this would certainly mean having Ronaldo sitting behind Rooney as a lone striker, dropping Berbatov to the bench, something I can’t imagine happening. You don’t spend £30 million on a striker then leave him out of a European Cup semi-final, do you? Well, I don’t think Ferguson would anyway.
So we’re just going to have to keep our fingers crossed that Ronaldo continues on with his new improved work-ethic and tracks back even more down his wing to help out O’Shea/Rafael, whilst Park will probably be given the nod on the left and can hassle Walcott all game to help Evra.
Whilst I do fancy us to get a result, I’m not filled with confidence over the strength of our full backs. They couldn’t cut it against Spurs so will have to raise their game massively to deal with Arsenal.
Can they do it?
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I guess we should start with O’Shea and Evra.
Rafael is a bit too young for a semi-final. He is often caught out of position.
Sub O’Shea for Brown when required.
If Evra has a good game against Walcott, we should win it.
Rooney was very effective on Saturday when he moved out in front of Evra. he stopped Lennon’s runs and he still ghosted in to score. he should start there on Wed. park should play on the other side in front d O’Shea or Rafael. Ronaldo up front with berbatove in behind and Anderson and Giggs in the middle. Carrick and Tevez ready to jump in if needed -s
Can anyone think of a instant that O’ Shea has really fucked up, in the way say Vidic did against Liverpool? Of course he’s limited, and because of that, people seem to expect he’ll do something stupid, but his main problem has been his attacking play. He’s had games where he couldn’t play a single pass to feet, but on the other hand, he’s had games where he’s done really well getting forward. Defensively though, I can’t think of a goal you could solely blame on him, and I think he’s reliable. Performance like the one against Porto away are usually the norm. I think he gets scapegoated a bit too often sometimes.
Beware! Theo, Nasri, Cesc, Ade, Eduardo and Song are coming for u.
Sheasy & Evra to start for me.but Evra needs help to deal with walcott
Big Goon, mate, I’d be more concerned of Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Ronaldo, Giggs and Carrick.
I aint scare nor worry abt Rafael playin i’ve confident in d lad whether its a semi or final,he wll do well if we got a steel midfield 2aid hm i’m rather worried abt Evra cos his form cud make d gaffer b concious on his tatics,i pray 4d midfield nt 2 allow d arseholes run play,some1 shud talk 2 Carrick 2close up plz,i’m optimistic we wll win 2:0 we’ar Manchester United!
Song is comming for us?, I am really scared.
Well you lot would have Ronaldo on our rookie Kieran Gibbs. So it balances out if you ask me.
What Arsenal have to worry about is winning back possession in the first third of the field so we can start up attacks quickly. Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov are good at keeping the ball. Add Giggs and Scholes to the mix and you have a strong keep-ball crew. Then we have to worry about Silvestre’s form. He’s poor and is a weak link.
What your lot have to worry about is Rafael. I’d also be worried about Vidic. Vidic struggles to match pacy strikers, and Wenger would surely be aiming to attack the space behind him. That’s his weak point. The other thing is Carrick who is tired, and contrary to popular opinion is quite weak defensively.
I see a score draw or a 2-1 or 3-2 in your favour.
I think Fergie might opt for his 4-5-1.
VDS – O’Shea Rio Vidic Evra – Carrick Anderson – Ronaldo Giggs Rooney – Berbatov
Somehow I think Park will strart..
As an Arsenal fan, I think Rafeal is a very good player. Although you have watched him far more than I have.
Im also worried about Wayne Rooney or Ronaldo going on against Gibbs. Evra may not have been playing to his best recently, but I also believe he is probably one of the 2 best full backs in the prem.
Personally I still believe United will beat us, because we have no Arshavin and Defence.
I’ll feel equally nervous if I see Oshea or Da Silva in the starting line up in such a massive game. It’s taking a risk no-matter who we play. Brown is a solid player but has been out and will be too rusty for a game of this pace, so I don’t think he’s an option. Rafael is the more exciting player going forward and has already scored against Arsenal at the Emirates, it’s a risk either way, so why not take a chance on Rafeal? He’s an exciting player, and it could give him a chance to really make a name for himself.
I think he will start O’Shea in a game of this manner, I just hop he goes with Berba, Wazza, Carlos and Ronnie but I feel Park will start.
I think he will go with O’Shea and Pat and he will put Park and Rooney on the wings as their covers.Here is my predicted line up:
VDS-O’Shea,Rio,Vida,Evra-Park,Carrick,Anderson,Rooney-Ronaldo-Berbatov.
I could be wrong in this and Fletch and Giggs could start instead.Nice to see so many alternatives though.
Confoundedbridge, I agree with alot of that. We know OShea is limited, but he does a solid enough job for us, and we’ve been glad to have him available this season for cover across the back – he bailed Neville out against Villa when he went center back.
A worry for me is the loss of form of Evra lately, he doesnt seem right at all for some reason. We should have too much for them in the 1st leg though, hopefully we’ll win by enough to set up the 2nd leg nicely for us. But it hasnt been that type of straight forward season so far, so Im expecting high drama over the 2 legs…
Its should be arsoles that are worried ronaldo looks ripped to fuck and raring to go smash the gunners with ronnies missiles that will heal the hurt you inflicted on my spurs .
North Stand, High drama and United seem to go hand in glove mate, it will be two great games I feel but really believe we should start fast at OT and try and score early to calm all the fans nerve, I can barely take anymore of this!
I think now the dust has settled, it’s clear that Rafael isn’t ready for a game of such magnitude against a team so quick in attack.
He’d be out of position far too much and probably get a yellow card after 25 minutes.
John O’Shea is the obvious choice with Wes on the bench. JO has been fairly reliable so far this season and has played more games than most other United players.
It’s going to be intense on Wednesday night, but the worst we can do is concede and in my honest opinion I cannot see us keeping a clean sheet, the good news is that I can see us scoring more than them.
Actually whoever has the best stamina on Wednesday will go on to win. Should ManU start badly like it was on Saturday, and allow Arsenal to get a two goal lead, it could easily be the end of the tie.
I fancy Arsenal to nick a goal, therefore it’s important that ManU scores at least twice. Any team that has the advantage, however slim will go match on to the final.
Therefore the key is for ManU to take advantage of the slack defending that Arsenal almost always have.
@Oooodz
Carrick, Giggs, Berbatov dont worry me that much mate. I actually think Carrick and the 2 fullbacks the weakest links in that ManU squad. Without Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, the ManU attack is toothless. That beast named Vidic worries me the most. When it comes to set pieces, he is a ruthless monster.
Big Goon, Carrick has probably been one of our best players this season.
I’d like to see:
EDVS
OSHEA RIO VIDA EVRA
FLETCHER CARRICK GIGGS RONALDO
ROONEY TEVEZ
Giggs would be great going forward but also puts in so much effort to get back and cover Evra when Walcott is running at him. Fletcher would also be a great cover on the right for O’Shea who is solid enough, reliable as anyone but can take a touch too many every now and then.
I think Berbatov is world class but the fluidity in our play is more evident with Tev and Roo up top, Ronaldo will have more or less a free rein and I am sure we’ll see him and Rooney swap sides often should they both start where I think they should!
Carrick is one of our best ball winners and apart from Scholes is the best ball distributor…. and he shits on Fabregas.
Carrick has been fantastic for most parts of this season.The problem is that at the moment Fletcher and Ando are performing better than him.I think that Fergie might play all 3 of them, with Ronaldo,Rooney and Giggs in front.Anything is possible.One thing i know for sure.We can’t affod to open up the game like we did against Porto.This is our home and we need to preserve the clean sheet at the back at any cost.In that case,even if we don’t score, a score draw at the Emirates will be enough.
Big Goon – is Arsenal’s attack also toothless without Fabregas, RvP and Adebayor? I don’t understand your point about Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez. Take away Drogba and Lampard from Chelsea, or Torres and Gerrard from Liverpool. Isn’t it all a bit too obvious?
Michael Carrick is quality. I find it odd that anyone would single him out as a weak spot. I can only imagine you don’t watch United very often.
big goon does not watch football to often scott, an imbecile…
rafael just signed a 2 year contract extension.. until 2013.. good recognition for the lad
I hope Sir Alex goes with this line up.
——–Van der Sar———-
Oshear-Vidic-Ferdinand-Evra
Park-Carrick-Fletch-Ronaldo
—-Rooney—–Berbatov—-
We will hopefully counter that with:
———-Almunia———–
Eboue-Toure-Djourou-Sagna
——Cesc——-Song——-
————Nasri————-
Theo——-Ade—–Eduardo
3-1 in our favour.
I think we should adopt a 4-3-3 system.
VDS – Evra – Vidic – Rio – Rafael – Carrick – Park – Scholes – Rooney – Berba – Ronaldo.
Park can operate on the right of the middle 3 and provide cove for Rafael.
Simple as that!
@ Scott
Without, RvP, Cesc and Ade? Well, we scored 4 goals away at Anfield without Ade and RvP. So no, we wont be toothless. And i watch ManU games almost every week, i just think ur CM and full back possitions are the weakest in ur team. I didnt mean to offend u, thats just my opinion.
I’m a Gooner. I think we will probably be attacking your right back with Nicklas Bendtner. He did pretty well there at home against Roma but he is no Andrey Arshavin. Eduardo wasn’t in the squad against Boro, Arsenal.com doesn’t say anything about injury but physioroom.com state that he has a groin problem but should return on Wednesday. He is still to feature in a league game this season. If Eduardo is fit he might very well start on the left as Wenger is most certain to play 4-5-1. So the team should be (Eduardo possibly starting over Nick):
————–Almunia—————
Sagna—Toure—Djourou—Gibbs
————-Nasri—Song————
Walcott——–Cesc———Bendtner
————Adebayor——————–
Nasri played with Denilson in midfield against Boro and did a really fine job. He hustles back really well and I think Wenger will do the same against you to win the midfield battle. Song, Nasri and Fabregas should form a solid foundation which could give you some serious troubles if you opt for a 2 man midfield of Carrick and Scholes, for example. I agree with the readers who worry about Walcott. He is on form, and although he didn’t have the best of games against Boro, he can give Evra a hard time all day. It’s also great to see when he temporarily switched to the center, often providing great runs in behind the defence. He could be the key man and if Eduardo plays we will have a very clever man on the left and you don’t want an inexperienced player like Rafael dealing with that. Dudu could make a big difference if he plays.
Also, why are you all getting on O’Shea’s back? From what I’ve seen, he has done quite a good job all season and often getting forward very well.
@Big Goon
the guy who played out of his skin setting up your 2 on saturday
is also the guy who scored the 4 goals against liverpool
cant play against united . He’s been the xfactor for arsenal with out injured players.
@stone
fair play for the words on oshea
I also feel the same about O’Shea.He can be relaiable.I think the clash that decides the game, will be Walcott vs Evra. We will be threatening regardless but i think that our composure in attack will depend a lot on how confident we are at the back.
Arsenal woll be threatening without Arshavin.One question to Arsenal fans.Is Walcott expected to start?Is he a regular starter?
i would go for 4:3:3 Vds. Evra,Rio,Vida & Oshea Anderson, Carrick & Fletcher Rooney,Berbatov & Cristiano Subs Tevez, Macheda, Rafael, Giggs, Evans and Park may be Scholes. this team will play with possession, energy in the middle of the park ala Anderson and Fletcher. the forward partnership of Rooney on the left forawd, Berbatov central and Cristiano right side forward play. the 3 should continously change position which will be a nightmare to the Gunners. The usualback 4 will be a pain to Arsenal. i would look forward to 2:0 in our favour. MAN UNITED FOREVER
costas
walcott has great potentil no doubt, but i think he is so unaresnal like. he flatters to decieve very often.. his final ball can be dreadful, see yeaterdays match… i do not think he will ever be top drawer really.. his technique can be absymal… thank God the russian cannot play.. he is a serious player..
walcott is so quick thou
i hope he doesnt do a “lennon” on evra
cause that boys speed rattled evra twice in so many months
costas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRy5SA4cCoU
I think Walcott would start. Adebayor- Walcott is a very potent combination in the Champions League. Both are very very quick players. Watch out for Walcott tearing up and down the right and Adebayor matching his pace through the middle.
I think we should start with Rooney playing out wide on the left hand side, berbatov and Tevez in front and Ronaldo at the right hand side.
Giggs and Fletcher in the middle and Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, O`Shea + VDS.
Everybody is focusing on our defense, remember that this is an Europena night at OT. We are playing at home and let us tear up Arsenal so that it is Walcott and Nasri that has to work hard running back to stop us.
We are famous for our attackin football, so i think that we should show everybody that we still got it.
I think Rooney does a good job defensively, so at least on one of the wings the threat would be nullified. Ronaldo is not so great at tracking back – so a rookie fullback would have to cope it all alone, which isnt ideal. I think you guys will field Wes brown who at least will match in physical tussles and kick the ball out at every given opportunity.
Both Rooney and Berbatov also drop deeper to collect the passes and I think Alex Song+ a defender will have his hands full trying to nullify that threat.
Prediction – 2-1 to Manchester United, but I expect our goalpost to be peppered a fair bit.
I am pleased Arsharvin is illegible, as he seems to be a top player, I do have concerns with regards Walcott running at left back Pat, as his form has dropped.
Ole Gunner that’s what i feel. I think Wenger will be tempted with Theo.DOes he use him against Evra or does he use him through the middle?
gotta hate tiny tears nice one.As ever very responsible Red Devil parenting!I think you should try to get her to go to one of the games and hold one of the players’ hand as they walk out.They would definitely pick her.
keanesmagichat Said,April 27th, 2009 @13:11
walcott has great potentil no doubt, but i think he is so unaresnal like. he flatters to decieve very often.. his final ball can be dreadful, see yeaterdays match… i do not think he will ever be top drawer really.. his technique can be absymal… thank God the russian cannot play.. he is a serious player..
the boy plays for a top 4 and top 5 teams in europe, has been to a world cup, one of 5(handfull) players to ever score a hatrick for england, certain starter for his national team, played in cup semis,finals domestic and abroad and is still only 20-21.
And you think he will never be top draw really, Also his technique is abysmal – you having a bath? try running at 40 mph with a ball in close control and see how easy it is!!!
how do you get a kid on the list to be a masgot
can anyone help??
Scott??
I think it will be a big occasion for her but consult her mother as well!!
confoundedbridge- here here. since xmas oshea has been as consistent as anyone in our backline. evras form is worrying and rafael is still learning the position.
however, i think oshea struggles most when hes being ran at by direct pacy wingers. if he gets isolated he has to back off, and back off some more! rafaels positioning and concentration is not there, but put up against someone like nasri i think can help in concentrate better for ninety mins. modric at the weekend was a slightly different thing because for me, he wanders out of position a lot more for spurs than nasri will for arsenal.
i dont like sitting on the fence but, this time i,l just back the boss whoever plays, after all, he knows them both better than all of us!
costas- i,l eat my hat if our best player this year doesnt start, especially after not playing the weekend!
tomf- good to see u back on here. a sane view is always welcome! ;s
also, rafael was our best player in the second half at the emirates this season. imo.
costas your a fact man
do you know how to get the mascot thing?
Giggs will definitely start, as he has most of the big games this season.
VDS, Sheasy, Rio, Vida, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Fletcher, Rooney, Berba & Ron.
Rafael is my preferd right back any day,apart from the goal modric scored,the young brazillian was able to hold him down,all the through the game,unlike what happened during the carling cup final,where modric was the chief tormentor of oshea,I believe in that young lad,he is man utd’s future right back,his positioning,i know too well is not is not good,but he can learn from veteran like gary nevile,evra for sure can take care of walcot,we can all go to bed because we are home and dry against arsenal,as for my prediction,we are winning by two goal…
No sorry GHTT. I am a fact man(yeah right!) but i don’t know anything on this.I would suggest an e mail or something like that to the club asking for info?
Cheers Bossdem… have you changed your screen name from something else?
I have had an absolute nightmare with BT trying to get a phone line connected to the new place I moved in to since Feb! They are a joke really, so I have not been on here at all.
Should hopefully be back on here full time by the end of the week!
Arsenal fan here, personally I can see it being a game of a lot of goals.
Big difference between the two teams is Man U’s defence play really well in a crowded box, whereas Arsenals defence crumbles when crowded out.
Also in attack Man u, like liverpool, score goals by the sheer number of attempts they produce, Arsenal on the otherhand get far fewer attempts on goal but have been lucky lately to have the majority of those go in (only 4 shots on target against liverpool HaHa, you’re welcome!)
I feel Arsenal can win because at our best we can beat anyone and we do really well against positive attacking teams like united.
People talk a lot about Walcotts pace but in sprint tests Nasri is equal to him, Nasri has better technical ability too, better vision and as shown against middlesboro he can track back really well. Saying that when Walcotts on form he can be devestating. 3-2 Arsenal is my prediction and I have a feeling there will be sendings off and controversial penalties too. Both teams are gonna need a bit if luck and no mistakes to win.
“costas- i,l eat my hat if our best player this year doesnt start, especially after not playing the weekend!”
good point. Giggs must play.
anything else very tough to call.
but i will opt for Rafael at RB. don’t know why but i think he will make it. he is young and has a lot of desire and energy.
but on the other hand O’Shea just merits the chance to play in the CL SM and i think SAF will play him. Don’t you know Fergie ?
Arsenal weakest link is defence. So fuck off as long as we score 2 more goals than them. Not conceding will be a bonus.
Walcott, Nasri and Fabregas have been devastating recently. With Adebayor and Song coming back as well Arsenal should grab a couple of goals, its just a case of how the defence copes. I’d prefer Djourou to Silvestre, him and Toure make a good pairing. Should be an awesome game of football.
tomf- no i havent changed my screen name. ive not really spoke to u that much on here, its just that i,d noticed in the past ur posts seem to be spot on almost everytime, compared to way off most of the time, which is how i seem to view most posts! :s
:3
up until a few years ago united had aresenal totally susst!
we played 4-5-1 with all our work horses on the field and won on every occasion. Then fergie for some reason went back to playing arse at their own passing attacking game e.g the emirates
we need to start with
o’shea –rio–vidic–evra
ron-carrick–ando–fletch-park
rooney
anderson to man mark cesc(same job essien was on gerrard in anfield) fabregas is everything to them, everything good they do goes through him and hes like being in ando’s pocket
i’m not sayin we couldnt match them if we went man for man in a 4-4-2 system but it would be high scoring and we don’t want that in a eouropean semi at home!! 4-5-1 and get at arse be tough and firm in the tackle stop their pretty passing and get their shitty defence on the break!!!
oh and wen we beat them 4-0 in the cup we played 4-5-1
Got to be Sheasy at right back on Wednesday. I don’t trust Rafael enough just yet and Brown not match fit.
deathorvictory-mufc
i think it is a possibility and i won’t be surprised if it happens. but it’s Arsenal, premier league opossition. it’s different to other european teams we faced during the last 2-3 years.
i wish to see -
VDS
JOS RF NV PE
DF MC RG
CR WR
DB
I would personally go with something similar to the formation we ended with at spurs.
———- Berba – Tevez ————
Rooney ——————– Ronaldo
——- Carrick — Scholes ———-
Evra —— Vidic – Rio ——- Rafael
————— Edwin ——————
The front 4 showed what they can do together in the second half with the swapping of positions and the workrate from Tevez and Rooney coupled with the skills of Ronaldo and Berbatov (Ok Rooney showed some good skills to)
I’m unsure over Scholes, you might want someone who gets stuck in more so Fletcher may be a better choice or go for Anderson who can do scholes vision and passing side (sadly not the shooting) coupled with the workrate and desire to get stuck in.
I would go with Rafael at Right Back. O’Shea never looks comfortable there and imho shows gives the least at Right Back than anywhere else he plays due to this. Shame Wes hasn’t had more football as he would have been an obvious choice
corea – know its synical but arsenal dont like being kicked
I had a dream last night that Giggs scored a replica of that 99 Fa Cup replay goal at OT.
What a dream.
Wasn’t johnny substituted to take rafaels place?