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Rooney: We Let Ourselves Down

Manchester United lost 3-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao last week meaning they have a difficult task in the away leg tonight. Bilbao were the better side on the night and despite scoring one from an offside position and another from a bizarrely awarded freekick, they did deserve to win.

Wayne Rooney has acknowledged that we didn’t give a good enough account of ourselves in the first leg but is confident we can improve tonight.

“We have to be confident,” he told the official site. “They obviously played some great football at Old Trafford and deserved to win. We need to show better than what we did that night because we let ourselves down. We’ll be going out there to do our best to win and get through to the next round because this is a competition we want to win. It’ll be a difficult game but we all have the confidence and belief that we can do it.”






 

96 Comments

  1. Gotta hate Tiny Tears says:

    Its a 2 leg game, If you play 90 minutes and at half time you feel you’ve let yourself your team and the fans down then lift your self up dust yourself off and take control of the second half, Put Yourself in control . . . . . .But Not Like John Terry Does http://i.minus.com/iA2CYmMUE6wd2.gif

  2. zelh says:

    they can talk as much as they want.
    I never had the feeling that they were really interested in this shitty competition.
    Only backs it up that they focus on telling us how important it’s to them in every fucking interview.

    play the reserve and focus on the league.

  3. Gotta hate Tiny Tears says:

    No disrespect to people who say “Play the reserves” all the time at this competition, But log on to manutd.com of get MUTV once in a while , The reserves have an important match tomorrow

  4. CHICHARITO!!! 1nil Ya-Knighted says:

    Think the difference later today will be Ferdinand and Carrick. Those 2 play well and we most likely keep a clean sheet and with Rooney in the form he’s in I fancy us to score at least 2 away goals.
    Bilbao were good at OT but with better defending or Vidic lyk defending if you will, believe we could’ve drawn the match at the very least.

  5. Tannor says:

    Come guys, just go on and do it the United way, the hard way. Gud morning all reds around the world.

  6. Union Jack says:

    Bloody Hell GHTT its been a long time since I’ve seen that name.

  7. Union Jack says:

    Good god!!!!
    GHTT its been a long time since I’ve seen that name.

  8. Union Jack says:

    Good god!!!!
    “gotta hate tony tears”
    its been a long time since I’ve seen that name.

  9. Union Jack says:

    Good god!!!!
    “gotta hate tiny tears”
    its been a long time since I’ve seen that name.

  10. medumtum says:

    Have to say, its not so much as not being up for it that struck me but an inability to deal with teams playing possession football. And Bilbao played an outstanding ninety minutes of just that, thus as against Barca the players just seem to have no reply. It becomes increasingly clear that absent characters like Fletcher and Vidic, United struggle against sides playing technically superior footy as we appear unable to hold onto the ball while trying move forward through the middle. Especially when sides are pressing our midfielders, and absent our destroyers we are not breaking up possession in the center effectively either. So as soon as Scholes tires the center becomes the problem. Carrick does a brilliant job of screening but he is not a destroyer, and needs someone who will last the ninety alongside him. Dunno if Cleverley is the answer and he’ll need time to settle in anyways. Long term it seems more of a tactical/coaching issue. Sir Alex has shown time and again that we can win ugly in the league against sides playing expansive football, but it doesn’t work in europe. Perhaps the answer lies in our unproven academy youths, but i for one am also for a major rethink as regards to the type of football we are playing. We seem to be slowly gathering the personnel for that shift. For tonight though if Bilbao do reproduce the intensity of Old Trafford then we are up for a real fight. And that is all we can ask of our Lads: a Real Fight.

  11. Trydent says:

    As much as I dislike us losing any game I do not really care about a victory tonight. The only important prize is number 20! The winning of europa league will be forgotton before the summer begins! Lets focus on the PL and chalk this european campain up as experience.

  12. Union Jack says:

    Fucking phone

  13. Trydent says:

    @ mediumtum-I agree with your assessment of our lack of a “Keano”. I hear all the posts about an AM but it is the periods we spend without the ball that really hurt us. We gain posession and turn it over with no way to regain it. RK would never have allowed this and it is this type of player we have missed more than any other.An AM is useless without the ball no matter how brilliant.As for our style of football it is more about the type of players we have than anything else.This needs to be addressed in the summer. That filth in usa need to get their grubby paws off our purse strings!

  14. Bobby Charlton's combover says:

    “For tonight though if Bilbao do reproduce the intensity of Old Trafford then we are up for a real fight. And that is all we can ask of our Lads: a Real Fight.”

    I agree – it’s the least you expect – a real fight, desire and a will to win that carries you over the line.
    Chelski did it last night but it was a ‘one night only’ performance from the mercenaries. It was the golden oldies sticking two fingers up at AVB and saying we still got it but just weren’t arsed to it for you.

    Tonight will show if we really want to win the europa league. We can give them a good fight and we’ve won ugly a few times this season and we will have to do so again tonight if we’re going to have any chance. The midfield needs to up for it. We need a strong pairing in there not Giggs and Jones.

    Come on lads!

  15. The WitchKing of Angmar says:

    Wazza, less talking, more doing please. Go out there and show them why we are Manchester United.

  16. Costas says:

    Whatever we do, lets do it on regular time. The last thing we need is extra time.

  17. gaz says:

    anyone else think we have a serious problem against teams that “press us relentlessly” in recent seasons Barca aside we have had the problem against the dippers at Klanfield at least twice that i recall, Bilbao last week, Basel and Benfica this season in Europe? its something i have noticed it seems to be a problem for us

  18. Warwick says:

    GHTT!! Read the blog for a long time before I ever commented – and always loved your (sometimes) zany slant. How’s Emily? – finished uni, married with 3 kids (all united supporters, ofcourse), setting up her own media company now?!

  19. Warwick says:

    Am going to the reserve game tomorrow. Really enjoy the reserve games atmosphere, although because there’s lots of kids there you hear the rules being explained all the time and the crowd noise is 3 pitches higher! Hope they stuff em

  20. Touché says:

    Even if we go through it is still only the Europahh… Please, just no injuries. Everything else we can take on the chin.

  21. AntiScouser says:

    We’ll probably be eliminated with a defeat in regular time. It would be a perfect end to our European campaign this season.

  22. denton davey says:

    Warwick: @ 11:47: “Am going to the reserve game tomorrow. “”

    I envy you, BIG-TIME. Those reserve-games must be so much fun to watch, standing on the sideline, hunkered down against the wind and rain, and seeing up-close-and-personal, kids who are just names to those of us living so far away from Sir Matt Busby’s “heaven” and the Theater of Dreams. Enjoy it for me – and give us a resume on your impressions of those kids who are “just names” so we can dream a little dream, too.

  23. denton davey says:

    GHTT – welcome back. Last night’s match must have stuck in your craw, eh ? EBJT scoring a goal AND showing his “manager” how to run the team !

  24. Gotta hate Tiny Tears says:

    Hello to all, Im always here. I read everything I just dont comment too much due to the blah that is sometimes wrote, JEvans De Gea etc……..

    @warwick Emily is world class, She is nearly 6 and was interviewed for a korean dock on Park and all revolved around one of the chants she sang about him. Bit mad. Cheers for asking.

    Tonights game is very much do able

    I am just awaiting tomorrows game and Sundays match.. If United go through, Delighted, If they dont . Lesson learned to all at the club, and I mean all. Uniteds failure to replace Roy Keane is down to a bundle of people,

    If Sir Alex Ferguson was the City manager right now they’d take over the world. This season in Europe where ever and when ever it ends needs to be taken a step back, regroup , and sorted

  25. Gotta hate Tiny Tears says:

    @Denton Do I like John Terry ? Do I like the fact that Tevez signed for City, even thou I wasnt a fan of Tevez the man at United (or west Ham)

    Answers are No but do I enjoy watching poison going into the blood steam and spreading around the body of thier clubs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_lh8UtE0wg

  26. samuel - united WE stand says:

    i highly doubt United can keep a clean sheet at bilbao so we might as wel out-score them to turn the deficit on its head (easier said than done).

    Like i said, my expectations to go through is non existent. I won’t feel entirely pissed off because united have simply been poor in europe this season.

    I see some calling it a “Shit” competition and in my view, that’s an arrogant statement. We deservedly got demoted to the second tier and the manager clearly felt we would do well but today will be when we say arriverderci to european football. With our poor record in spain and bilbao fantastic home record, i think going through is beyond our reach.

  27. samuel - united WE stand says:

    As if john terry hasn’t been running chelsea’s dressing room for years, he clearly has and every manager brought into the blues is just there for exhibition/Decoration to make things look normal.

    Those senior twats all hated AVB because he had a vision to eradicate them all, he had good plans to bring a different exciting kind of play and that required shifting out some useless wood but clearly JT has boarded roman’s ship to complain and the rest is history.

    I know chelsea used all their experience and nous to go through (basically over powering napoli) but the joys of this present moment could bring further repercussions down the line.

    They have no long term philosophy in terms of bringing youth through, terry and his clans will hold on to the club like a kangaroo holding on to its mama, roman will keep buying extravagantly in order to achieve european glory (hoping it never happens), he’ll chop and change managers when it goes wrong again, terry and co will slam their chests in an attempt to drag them through (but for how long). I can’t stand chelsea and this shambolic circle currently undergoing down there is a delight for me.

    Terry telling di matteo summed him up, he’s in control and still denies it. The man has the class of a goat suffering from acohol problems, what a cunt.

  28. denton davey says:

    Samuel @ 12:48: “I know chelsea used all their experience and nous to go through (basically over powering napoli) but the joys of this present moment could bring further repercussions down the line.”

    Undoubtedly. And we’ll all just smile and smile and smile some more.

    The “best scenario” would be for EBJT to be appointed player-manager – he is already but he doesn’t have the official designation – to carry on regardless, with all his aging buddies. First two years ago (choke !), second last year, third (?) this year and then …….. TheReckoning.

  29. denton davey says:

    By the way, how amazing was it to see TheLadyBoy miss ?

  30. lawman10 says:

    John Terry? Quite simple……………………hes a CUNT

  31. Redbilly says:

    Antiscouser- as far as European football is concerned the VL for me us the only one that matters . Financially without doubt. Always a high risk of injuries and I don’t think it’s worth the risk in the Europa . Great if they put in a top performance and progress but at what cost?. For me I just don’t want to see a sea of blue arseholes parading the PL trophy.

  32. Redbilly says:

    Denton- they need rafa to sort the lady boy out

  33. parryheid says:

    I thought Chelsea last night were great and will be full of confidence at the moment, just what I want as their next game is at City.

  34. King Eric says:

    Gotta hate – Hey up James. Hows things pal? GREAT to see you on here. Not being pedantic but its the academy tomorrow not reserves! As I say great seeing you .

  35. King Eric says:

    Gotta Hate – God. Cannot believe Emily is 6 already. Get back on here more bud,. Still got that I love John Terry top you sent me! Cunt.

  36. Redbilly says:

    By the way lads . I live in London and have been working up by the kings road. Blue shirts everywhere , swaggering around like they own the world. Hahahaha. Hope them mash shitty though

  37. King Eric says:

    samuel – Spot on at 12.48. The Rentboys have simply reverted to type. Hope we smash the bastards tomorrow night.

  38. ScholesForGoals says:

    @parryheid my sentiments exactly.. Here’s hoping that they take they same confidence (and arrogance) to put a further dent in City’s title hopes. I’d even want that wanker Torres getting a hat-trick against them. Drogba can dive all he likes if it gifts Chelscum an advantage.

  39. King Eric says:

    parryheid – Thats what I was thinking too. Put them in great confidence for next Wednesday.

  40. Redbilly says:

    AVB may replace mankini by the end of the season, who knows.

  41. Sandeep1878 says:

    Zelh,,

    I bet to differ mate,

    i in no way think that Sir Alex will let go off any competition without trying..

    lets not doubt the lads here..get behind them..

    @ Costas,

    Good point you make, if its extra time then we are fucked, physically :) ..

    Hello King Eric..

    hows u and family?

    Catch u during the game..cheers

  42. Hans says:

    Would not be the end of the world if we go out tonigh. Would trade 10 Europa League Cups for No20 anytime.

    Off toppic, is this what we allways knew and said: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17382896?!!!!

  43. NBI Red Onion says:

    Just no injuries please. But win.

  44. daemondada says:

    I didn’t quite know that drogba could render an absolutely convincing ‘busquets’ encore.terry for england cos terry > redknapp.blues are now sufficiently ‘fired up’ for wednesday.definitely will do one over citeh.gotta keep our focus here on end in d prem and europe.D double is doable.GGMU!

  45. zhukov43 says:

    I think we won’t go through tonight and i hate thinking that, I think although we have played in two finals since Moscow (that we got hammered in) United have failed to move on since then, to win #20 will be awesome but as fans we want to see a United side be dominant in Europe too don’t we. Do I think the current side could do that to be honest no, our midfield is dire compared to Barca, and Real, Has Fergie got the money to truly put that right I doubt it, as I feel the amount of money needed is obscene, I hate to say this the only way we can hope to win the European cup in the next five years is for other teams to hit melt down or even the Spanish economy to break beyond repair and for them to tax their sportsmen properly seeing an exodus abroad. I love the fact our wonderful club has dominated the Premier League and taken down countless opponents through the years, but for the Babes and Sir. Matt, I want our team to dominate Europe its what they deserve, and as fans we should demand it, I thought Fergie may have won more than two in twenty years of trying as I see him as the football management equivalent as Master Yoda, I just want him and the squad to develop and dominate in Europe! Sorry for ranting RoM, but over the years our European form has been like a bear biting my ear off….

  46. napstar says:

    Would gladly swap the Europa cup for #20 any day!!

  47. You Just Gotta Love This Team says:

    The way I see it the team defensive system is zonal marking. The aim is to cut out attacking passes and shots then quickly counter attack. Even now we are quite successful with this in the Premiership. We struggle against the better possession sides because they have the quality to dribble or pass through the zones.
    Watching Barca, I notice they hunt in packs whenever they lose the ball with up to 3 players crowding out the opponent in possession. They can do this because this current team is good enough to maintain the ball long enough that these periods of rushing around are quite limited.
    As fans we need to remember that during our most dominant recent years we had awesome players throughout the team. Just watch MUTV archives to see some of those incredible line ups. Today we have a good functional team that will struggle to live up to past glories but to their credit, they are giving it a good go.
    I trust SAF. He believes in the importance and power of the team. I also feel he still views the UCL as the holy grail as we probably all do. As fans we need patience because it takes time (for players to develop), availability of the right players and most importantly luck to be successful and win the big ones.
    Me…I’m here for the duration. Long live United.

  48. MG says:

    More CL wins?

    Yep – we should have had at least three more but they were never to be

    Initially 97 we deserved it but could never bloody score against the Germans

    I thought we should have gone onto win it in 03 – but had a situation with Becks and let Real boss us too easily home and away – of course still must applaud Ronaldo for his hat trick – some bloody hat trick that was

    07 – ravaged with injuries – a full squad would have beaten a Kaka inspired Milan hands down and I still believe it – but we couldn’t

    09 – Lost to Barca no game plan

    10 – No words can describe the Bayern games – bad luck injury to Rooney then stupid goal given away – ref being an asshole against Raf

    11 – Lost to Barca no game plan again!

    We’ve done well but yes we should have done better – no doubt – can the gaffer achieve his CL dream again?

    Only time will tell, but no need to feel aggrieved about it – the whole point is that we’ve tried and we’ll try again – that is the nature of our club and we shouldn’t stop under any circumstances.

    As far as signing players are concerned – that has always been a problem – famously when Cantona told SAF to sign Zidane before Juventus got him – just imagine had we had got him and ok he moved on to Madrid – wouldn’t it have been exciting to know where we could have got to?

    All ifs buts and maybes – thats what football is all about – we should have been at least a couple of more titles in front from 19 – but are not – we are privileged to have witnessed what we have – wether we have won or have lost – no matter what as well – this years CL loss has hurt – but you must think that it will create an attitude to win the damn thing again.

    19

  49. MG says:

    To clarify signing players being a problem:

    In the context that they used to see Madrid and Barca as the dream transfer

    Lately chelsea, now city because of the money.

    One last point whilst my chesty cough bats me down.

    Good luck to chelsea – if they can make it all the way fair enough – John Terry may be a cunt or now a laughing stock being the real manager of chelsea but hey they are still in it so good luck.

    Of course before they win the CL they have to beat city ;)

    19

  50. Jeet says:

    @MG: Don’t think we could have done anything in 2003, to be honest. The word “Beast” is much abused, a lot like the ubiquitious “legend”, but if there was one footballer who ever deserved it, it was The Original Ronaldo. The best chance we’ve had was 2010, in my opinion. The squad and form we had, I would have fancied our chances against Inter. Let’s see where this goes. I have no doubt that Fergie will devote considerable attention and resources to Europe before he rides out into the sunset. At the very least, if Father Time dictates that he leaves the job half finsihed, well, he will make sure that the goal is not very far away.

  51. dannysoya LOVES SIAN MASSEY says:

    Just put in MORE effort than Bilbao and we will win this game. They are not better than us. They just put in FAR MORE EFFORT and that is why i applaud them. They will NEVER lie down. They are THAT determined. If we put in a bilbao kind of effort tonight then you will see a changed united. Hopefully we do so. COME ON UNITED.

  52. MG says:

    Further explaining my transfer point

    For example Ronaldo – had to leave United for a dream

    Players we were about to sign but then saw the light:

    Robben
    Mikel (that wasn’t so bad)
    Drogba
    Silva
    Tevez (of course we did have him on loan for 2 years!)
    Benzema

    If anyone can think up of any others then feel free – my point is this – we do go for players – it doesn’t mean they are going to come – and they don’t through financial measures elsewhere dictating greed or moving on for dream measures – whatever that is…

    Highly true that the Glazers have had deep implications on the way we buy no doubt – but we are not in the negative financial position that we were years ago.

    In simplicity we are a changing team that most def. needs to consider midfielders to win the CL – it will be interesting to see after 3 years and no major midfield signing what we are going to do

    I’m sorry – I really am still ill – but wasn’t Carrick the last proper midfielder we bought?

    It’s just time to give the team a lift and some help – Giggsy and Scholsey can’t do it forever

    One last thing – Scholes should have started last years CL final

    That about covers it for now.

    19

  53. ahjs says:

    I think the 2003 team was one of the best of the decade but we were outplayed that year by a very good team before the galacitos got out of hand. They still had Makelele and Hierro to balance out the superstars and Del Bosque was a good manager. But then in ’04 we were a poorer team but might have won if we had beaten Porto. Scholes’ disallowed “offside” goal in the second leg would’ve made it 2-0 on the night and I think we would have gone on to win 4-0 or something. The draw would have really opened up, I forget who the QF was but Porto played Deportivo in the semi and Monaco in the final.

    2010 hurts as we were cheated against Bayern, would’ve had Lyon and then a beatable Inter in the final. Maybe we could’ve beaten Dortmund in 1997, and Leverkusen in 2001, and we might have done better if not for the foreigner rule in the early 90′s. We should have a few more but we’ve got one fewer than the biggest club in Germany and one more than the biggest club in Italy, which isn’t too shabby. But I’ll be very happy when we equal, then eclipse Liverpool.

    “As far as signing players are concerned – that has always been a problem – famously when Cantona told SAF to sign Zidane before Juventus got him – just imagine had we had got him and ok he moved on to Madrid – wouldn’t it have been exciting to know where we could have got to?”

    I have wondered this myself, and what United would’ve been like if they’d signed Zidane and Shearer. But thankfully ZZ never went to Blackburn, who wanted him, but apparently the chairman said Who needs Zidane when you’ve got Tim Sherwood?

  54. D-wazza says:

    On the subject of John terry; I am an Irishman currently living in Oz, I work with a man from the same town as Kevin Doyle (wolves striker) back in Ireland. he was chatting Doyle in a pub at Christmas, he quizzed him about who was the worst tramp to play against. He replied John Terry, he apparently will abuse you from the first whistle to the last, on subjects such as your shagging your mother, your sister, nipping you etc. a true hero of the English game, who can only get ahead by being a cock head! I think though the rent boys will make the CL final, only for barca/ real to leave our friend jt crying his frog eyes out again!

  55. James21 says:

    Pogba’s Birthday Today. Happy Birthday Paul. Now get that bloody contract signed.

  56. FletchTHEMAN says:

    Just to confirm Fernando Llorente has passed a fitness test and is available.
    Thought that was a far fetched story that he would miss the game. Has to be a big one for their club.

    Bilbao starting to grow on me. Only basque lads, worked their socks off for the team. What’s there not to like? Bet someone will tell me ;)

    http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2012/03/14/2967529/athletic-bilbaos-llorente-passed-fit-for-manchester-united

  57. King Eric says:

    Sandeep – Very good thanks my friend. How are you? Sorry . I read that you had texted during the game but I have a new number as my work phone bill this month was 158 quid!! So now I have to keep my bills down. Will provide my email when I am in work tomorrow mate.

  58. King Eric says:

    Hans – Ha. Ooh. The scousers will be fucking seething with that report. Can of worms pal.

  59. King Eric says:

    Always knew Llorente was going to play. It was a smokescreen.

    The Barca dominance will NOT last forever as we can already see in La Liga with them being ten
    points off madrid. As Fergie said Football goes in 4 year cycles and he isn’t far wrong again. In terms of European Cups, Yes we probably should have more but I am fucking grateful to have witnessed nights like the Nou Camp and Moscow. Anyway we should have played Chelsea in 09 and I stand by that. The Rentboys were fucked over at the Bridge that night with three stonewall penalties not being given. The irony is I cheered like mad when Iniesta slotted that equaliser into the top corner as I didn’t fear that Barca side at all and was glad Chelsea went out. In hindsight however………………………..

  60. King Eric says:

    Fletch – No I agree mate , its very good of them to only play Basque lads and they are a damn fine side. However it isnt quite what it appears. They are the richest of the Basque sides like Osasuna etc and cherry pick the best players. Still comendable nonetheless.

  61. Clint-Iamyourpapii says:

    FletchTHEMAN -

    Whats not to like you say?

    ITS RACIST PAL :lol:
    Poor Old Lionel + Cristiano would get rejected from their Youth system. No chance of making it in the Basquet region as a “foreigner”.

  62. FletchTHEMAN says:

    Off topic:
    Happy Birthday Paul Pogba: Please hire Gary Neville as your agent, say 7 mea culpas, and sign your %&$@?! contract. There’s a good lad! :cool:

  63. King Eric says:

    ahjs – Milan have seven European Cups mate!

  64. FletchTHEMAN says:

    Clint. Point taken mate, but think of it like Oldham, has a business plan, rely on local produced lads, and see how far ya go. Guess success always will be the death of the family owned small business model. I just like the work ethic personally. But agree there is probably a dark side if you look far enough.

  65. James21 says:

    King Eric
    Hi mate. We played well in the first half and Rooneys goal was fantastic however we started to fade in the second half and Barca punished us. I can’t remeber much else but that was the Alcohol. :D
    I can remember giving as good as I got to a Scouser that was mouthing it all through the game.

    I think it plays on SAF mind that we didn’t win more Champions leagues after 99 but like you say I’ll always be greatful for the two we won and here’s to more.

  66. Costas says:

    @KIng Eric

    Hi mate. How’s the fam? I was thinking the same about Emily recently! Can’t believe she’s 6 now. Time flies by. The only person that never seems to grow up is boogeyman. He’s stuck on 14 or 15 I think. :lol:

    @dannysoya

    You need to get out mate. :lol:

  67. james21 says:

    @Costas

    ‘You need to get out more’
    Thats Racist against Hermits. :D

  68. Costas says:

    De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Park, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Young; Rooney

    subs: Amos, Fabio, Smalling, Pogba, Scholes, Hernandez, Welbeck

  69. Costas says:

    @James

    No, they should stay in more. :P I am just concerned about danny’s crush on a certain lineswoman. :lol:

  70. WillieRedNut says:

    451!

  71. Costas says:

    I don’t get this line up personally. On one hand, we are starting players that should be rested (Carrick, Rio and Rooney). On the other hand, we are not playing an attacking formation. So what are we tiring them out for?

  72. booandman says:

    Could be 4-4-1-1 with young/giggs/park in behind wazza

  73. keano99 says:

    Well said costas but when can any of us figure out saf’s thinking?

  74. jeet says:

    Happy with the formation, though would have preferred welbz to park.ando being injured was a bit of a blow, would have preferred him to clevs beside carrick. COME ON YOU REDS!!!

  75. Costas says:

    @keano99

    True that. My guess would be that Giggs or Young will support Rooney and the Carrick/Tom duo is used to maintain possession (something we were lacking last week). At the same time, their defence is more vulnerable when they have someone like Welbeck among them.

  76. Alom says:

    Man Utd: De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Rafael, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Young, Cleverley, Rooney

  77. Alom says:

    Nani injured?? :|

    Was hoping Scholes and Welbeck started to help hold the ball better..
    Hopefully Cleverley will show what he can do out tonight!!

  78. Clint-Iamyourpapii says:

    4-6-0 :roll:

    Rooney will always drop back leaving no strikers. Plus usually Park will not get into the final quarter for the link up play around the box/inside the box.

    Scholes for Clevs probably in 65min, to anchor and control the game,this is what I think SAF is up to.
    Also……
    Welbeck to freshen up the side, Park will probably make way late on.
    Chicha thrown on in desperation to steal a goal ?

    Dangerous line up before the key Wolves games !
    Im nervous even if it is a Europa game.

  79. Sandeep1878 says:

    King Eric,

    no worries pal,

    drop me an email tomorrow..

  80. Mahesh says:

    Perplexed at the selection and approach to the game on paper – lets see how that translates on the pitch!

  81. Sandeep1878 says:

    here is the line up

    De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Park, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Young; Rooney

    Giggsy breaks the record of Maldini with his 903rd appearance for us tonyt!!!

  82. Sandeep1878 says:

    Bench: Amos, Smalling, Hernandez, Fabio, Scholes, Pogba, Welbeck

    Valencia not there :(

  83. Saad says:

    Costas

    I believe SAF thinks that as long as play a compact formation, we’ll be able to keep a clean sheet against Bilbao. And if we dominate possession, there are enough playmakers in this line-up to score two goals against them within 90 minutes. Like I staid last week, Bilbao are quite impressive going forward but very ordinary in defense and I think we can open them easily as long as we hold on to the ball.

  84. Zemmamma777 says:

    @Sandeep1878

    In all fairness to Tony V, he JUST came back from an injury, and this was maybe a little big of an ask to come right back in for this game. He’ll most likely play some part or another at Wolves on Sunday…

  85. Sandeep1878 says:

    Zemmamma777

    yeah mate i understand that..

  86. Saad says:

    Why is Chris on the bench? He shouldnt be in the squad in the first place. You cant tell me those stitches have closed up fully by now.

    Let’s hope he doesn’t have to come on tonight.

  87. Touché says:

    Great. A decent looking team and then there’s always Park who we all can blame after the game if we don’t win. Saf has thought about everything I see… Just no injuries, thanks.

  88. ahjs says:

    King Eric – Aye, but Juventus have two :P

  89. jeet says:

    @sandeep: mate, any thoughts on this fat alcoholic village idiot going by the name of burridge? :lol:

  90. Colbert says:

    All I want is a better performance than last time. The players selected are certainly capable of beating Bilbao, but I’m not expecting us to go through. That is a really big ask, but anything is possible.

  91. Costas says:

    @Saad

    Yeah, I think it’s a good plan in order to protect to avoid any pressure from them. It just feels like we are light up front. Bilbao are indeed shaky at the back, but you need someone with physical presence to cause problems.

  92. Sandeep1878 says:

    Jeet,

    I m sorry pal i dint get you….?

  93. Clint-Iamyourpapii says:

    Costas;

    Physical presence? Super-Danny to the rescue :D

  94. Zibbie says:

    Come on lads, play with pride and hustle as well as smarts! Play like a Man Utd player!!!!

  95. Zibbie says:

    Papii Dan is turning into a MAN!!!!

    Happy B-Day PP. 19 now and traveling for an European tie, nice.

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