This season, only Patrice Evra has started more games (27) than Michael Carrick, whilst Evra and Van Persie have both had more minutes on the pitch. Carrick has made 1843 accurate passes this season with an accuracy of 88%. Of those passes, 37% of them have gone forwards and just 8% backwards. In the opposition half, he has completed 1035 passes, with an accuracy of 82%. In the final third, he has been accurate with 429 passes (74%). Carrick has 4 assists this season, which is only bettered by Rooney (9) and Evra (5).
When you compare Carrick’s stats with other midfielders at the top clubs in the league, including those at United, Carrick comes out of it well. Only Scholes and Arteta have completed more passes per minute than him and only Gerrard has more assists than him.
In the the 24 games Carrick has played 90 minutes in this season, he has completed more passes than anyone else on the field 14 times (58% of the them). In 2/24 games only one player completed more passes and in 6/24 only two players completed more passes. In the remaining two games, he completed more passes than any United player against City, and three United players completed more passes than him against Everton.
vs Everton
61 passes completed (91%) – three players with more (Kagawa, Cleverley and Scholes)
vs Fulham
65 passes completed (97%) – two players with more (Cleverley and Rafael)
vs Southampton
115 passes completed (91%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Wigan
48 passes completed (84%) – two players with more (McCarthy and McArthur)
vs Liverpool
51 passes completed (85%) – two players with more (Gerrard and Allen)
vs Spurs
93 passes completed (86%) – only one player with more (Scholes)
vs Newcastle
66 passes completed (86%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Stoke
82 passes completed (87%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Chelsea
63 passes completed (90%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Arsenal
65 passes completed (84%) – two players with more (Mertesacker and Cazorla)
vs Villa
119 passes completed (89%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Norwich
98 passes completed (88%) – more than anyone on the field
vs West Ham
110 passes completed (95%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Reading
90 passes completed (84%) – more than anyone on the field
vs City
43 passes completed (74%) – more than any United player (Toure, Nastasic, Clichy and Silva with more)
vs Swansea
88 passes completed (94%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Newcastle
62 passes completed (79%) – more than anyone on the field
vs West Brom
60 passes completed (88%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Liverpool
56 passes completed (84%) – two players with more (Agger and Cleverley)
vs Spurs
39 passes complated (85%) – two players with more (Dembele and Phil Jones)
vs Southampton
45 passes completed (80%) – only one player with more (Jack Cork)
vs Fulham
62 passes completed (89%) – more than anyone on the field
vs QPR
52 passes completed (80%) – more than anyone on the field
vs Norwich
112 passes completed (94%) – more than anyone on the field
Man Utd News 24/7
Carrick is one of those enigmas. Brilliant player that some fans just didn’t get, well until this season for some. I have always been a top fan of his so you can mark me as biased, but I suspect similar stats would be revealed over the last 3-4 seasons at least.
Carricks problems were 2 fold, he came from Spurs for a phenomenal fee and never came close to his hype as an attacking mid. Problem is that label and the price, nothing else. Fans wanted another AMF especially after Ronaldo left. But that wasn’t ever the plan for Carrick. If the manager had been really vocal about it, that complementing and defining Carrick’s role as DMF/Sweeper then things might have improved for him sooner than later.
Resurrection to top spot in the league has FINALY allowed the ‘Negatorie’ (those fans who like to be negative) to give it a rest.
Great to hear his song sung again after several years in the wilderness.
Good on Michael Carrick, not everyones cuppa, but he will do fine for me. Hope he has a brilliant day tomorrow.
most under-rated player world
by far better than busquets
To be honest I don’t need see a bunch of stats to know what he brings to the team when he plays. Any UTD with half a brain knows he’s a top player but will never get the credit he deserves because of his laid back approach to the game.
For 5mn Dembele was worth it!
As Carrick noted this is his best season at United as SAF said, so he deserves that recognition.
My concern is that RM will crowd him out and under pressure unless he has another good CM support and threat beside him, he may struggle to get into the game attacking and playmaking wise and be pushed back into defending. This will be a real test of how far he has come on now, he is not pacey, but we need him to be at his quickest and sharpest tomorrow.
People to need to lay off fans who criticised Carrick in the past and recognise he was inconsistent and slow out of the blocks for several seasons with SAF benching him for the starting months due to his poor form. He has improved on that significantly, beginning last year and now this year is his best season for us and all the fans are giving him fair and due credit, he was not always this good, him and the manager have said that he has stepped up this season so what is the problem.
I also think Cleverly and Kagwa may have something to do with his form improving.
@ Scott – can you write you pre-Madrid thoughts please.
Carrick has been fucking brilliant imo, his discipline is incomparable he rarely commits a foul, now that for a defensive mid is massive, and believe me you.
partner him alongside a more energetic and technically sound mid and let him sit deep and spread those mouthwatering long rangers (its carrick you know), while the more advanced mid do his harassing/passing, carrick will do you the whole lot, he reads games like no other, as I said he’s soo disciplined he doesn’t need a gattuso like tackle to steal the ball off opponents
He’s by far our best mid at the moment he also added consistency to his game which will be needed as we approach business end of the season
ALL important – WEATHER FORECAST for tomorrow:
No rain expected, sunshine during day (what? In Manchester?).
Temperature should be about 8 degrees Celsius during the game and a bit cloudy. Not too bad at all. With the wind it will drop to 6/7 degrees, but there shouldn’t be much wind in the stadium.
Best midfielder in England. And not that he will win, but he should also be a candidate for player of the season.
@United till I die
Any United fan with half a brain mate? Given the amount of crap the guy got thrown his way the past 3 years, I’d say those types of fans are a rare species.
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/195931.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
bad news
Well you get the recognition when you do it at the highest level consistently, United fans are always fair that way and anyone here abusing United fans and picking fights can go fck themselves.
If Carrick performs as he can tomorrow in such a big game then in the press and the fans and the world will bow to that.
MF’s rarely get nominated for player of the year unless the are goal scorers or the type of player you would pay to watch. It is usually strikers, no surprise 2 strikers and a goal scoring winger on form this year. The surprise was when Parker got it, it was not a great year for strikers but I just don’t get that . Giggs won it as he had earned it for outstanding performance at his age.
@ iced earth – the press only see 15 mins of the training, it may be SAF playing games by holding him back. Then again, we have known he was injured for a while and I don’t think anyone was expecting him to start 100%, so they will have another plan.
Of interest Evans did light training away from the rest, maybe Vidic to start?
It’s funny how people who were saying the Ando-Cleverly MF combination, that was on fire last pre-season and start of last year, should replace Carrick are now pretending they always thought he was the best and world class. Funny that. I actually think seeing Ando-Cleverly potentially take his spot made him step up a level and we are now seeing the best of him.
NBI Red Onion
agree with you
Thing is with Carrick there’s nothing flash about him so most fans just not going to take notice he’s the polar opposite of Nani who has party tricks in him so in some eyes is ‘world class’ although the difference of importance the 2 players bring to the club cannot be measured
Just the way it is some fans will always be drawn to the flash and find others boring without understanding the importance those players are to the club
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9905838/Manchester-United-v-Real-Madrid-Old-Trafford-side-must-starve-Cristiano-Ronaldo-of-ball-by-cutting-off-supply-lines.html
about rafa
you always feel that there is a mistake in there somewhere. hansen
sir alex was right when he speak about idiot in the game
rafa is the best rb in the world right now
@ iced earth – he is paid to write crap and writing about United gets him more hits. There is a mistake in any player. This is the pundit whose comments on Torres and Liverpool generally are a joke, G.Nev wiped the floor with him and was a breath of fresh air. The man has nothing new or insightful to say, you can put lipstick on a pig and the pig may look quite cute, you put lipstick on a piece of shit it just looks like bloody shit and that’s Alan Hansen for you.
Very funny article on Ronnies clothes on arrival in Manchester when it was 4 degrees – http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4823481/Cristiano-Ronaldo-pictures-Real-Madrid-star-dresses-like-a-schoolboy.html
Yes I have decided not to do any work today or tomorrow and I will be on this blog and the internet all hours till match, once match is over, I will be back here bitching or out there celebrating. Hopefully the latter!
As omens go, Let me say this – you know the way you sometimes know a player is not going to score a penalty when the walk up to the ball, look at the pictures of Jose on arrival, bloated, confused, getting a double chin, messy, there is something about the way he walked into Manchester that just made me KNOW Madrid will lose. Call me a genius. Whatever. Note the time of this post.
Yeah its getting boring every Tom,Dick and Harry know Ronnie’s Madrid’s main man so all these articles are boring and redundant.ast week headliners. ”’Becks warns Utd of Ronaldo’ jeez Becks thanks for the tip
Fergie has confirmed no Jones tomorrow.
Shit.
This could mean one of two things. Either:
1. Anderson
or
2. Attack, attack, attack
Both of these things make me shit my pants.
@kanchelskis – surely not Anderson!
Maybe Evans in the middle ? Or not an appropriate time for experiments.
Well Jones was always a long shot. That injury too severe for him to be available in 2 weeks.
Not the end of the world. It’s not a certainity the trick we did in Madrid would have worked again. Jones’ injury was the reason why Cleverley didn’t start on Saturday. So I am guessing he will partner Carrick. The big question is who will be the 3rd person in that midfield area. Giggs with his experience, Kagawa who has momentum or Ando who can add some beef (literally and figuratively).
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/pictures-manchester-united-training-ahead-1717139
kanchelskis
for me tom should start alogside carrick
but i think sir alex will surprise everyone and play giggs in the middle
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2287851/Manchester-United-v-Real-Madrid-Ten-reasons-United-win-Champions-League-tie.html
Valencia can do the Jones role, he has the pace to make that work and defensive skills, so does Smalling. Its like waiting for Xmas to see the line up. Come on Santa SAF.
@ wayne – yeah not a single interesting article, the only interesting point was that Spanish paper say SAF has transformed RVP from a gifted technical player into a warrior which the RM defence we not expecting and that they were talking about after the match. This just goes to show how good the master boss is. They also note that it will be a game that may be won by pace of movement and play and the team that unlocks the maze to find space after bamboozling the other.
ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK !!!!!
@iced earth
Wouldn’t mind seeing all three in there actually. Seems cruel to drop Kagawa after Saturday, but I think Giggsy’s experience will be crucial.
DDG
Rafa
Rio
Evans
Evra
Welbeck
Giggs
Carrick
Cleverley
Rooney
RVP
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Mar/sir-alex-ferguson-delivers-team-news-for-real-madrid-tie.aspx?newsid=D481E805-F8BD-46FC-895F-9EA226069FDF
Giggs will be a sub. I am quite sure of that. SAF said he would be involved not start, so he could be involved by being on the bench, getting a great cheer and coming on when we need him.
For me if Jones is out – and who knew how important he would be to us in this way:
DDG
AV, RF, V, E
RD, MC, SK, DW
RVP
WR
Also happy to see Nani on LW, Danny leading line and RVP in No 10 slot.
@NBI
Your lineup is straight-up tactical suicide and I would bet my entire worldly possessions on it not happening.
kanchelskis
ddg
rafa rio vida evra
young carrick tom nani
rooney
rvp
young will help rafa and nani will cause trouble to arbeloa
rooney will help the middle when needed as he did against shitty band chelski
giggs will come on late
3-2 to us
come on
With Jones being out wouldn’t surprise me to see both Tony V and Young start just because of their defensive qualities,don’t see Ando starting.Giggs being rested seems to indicate a start could be Sir Alex playing games with Maureen.
Be interesting how Utd will go about this the emphasis is on Madrid but maybe Sir Alex will surprise everyone
Sir Alex presser;
pretty much said Jones is out and Giggs will come off the bench to support Evra, especially if we are ahead.
Also said he hasn’t picked his CBs or the MF.
Right, so that means its Jones to start
Just hope we put their guys off their feed and we play a blinder. Have no worried about the attack, but how the De Gea and the back 5 play a blinder.
*** Have no worries ***
NBI didn’t see that article mate but no denying RVP 100% committed to the cause
sir alex will surprise us nd surprise mourinho
but i am sure mourinho will start with this line up
lopez
arbeloa varane ramos contrao
khadira alonso
ozil
di maria higuin c ronaldo
rooney vs alonso will be the key
rooney will play the same role parck played against pirlo when we beat theme 4-0 a few years ago
park
I agree with my fellow reds here.he has been gorgeously consistent throughout this season, and let me add its not just this year, he has been also outstanding since he came from white heart lane but the lad didn’t gain too much recognition because of some infrequent lapse in our collective team performance or perhaps due to his humble nature”a Scholes version player”anyway adding to the comments, what I really like about Carrick’s game apart from his ability of reading the opponent’s mind is is quick straight forward decision, making the least of adventures yet not appear so conservative at many times, his decisive forward accurate passing, his soft stamina and his speed to recover positional play after giving the ball away.last but not the least his loyalty and passion, I bet he can be a soulmate for any united player currently on the team.I just simply love him.our next legend for sure.
@ kanchelskis – you may be right, but in case you are not how much are your worldly possessions worth on ebay?
@NBI
Probably about a tenner – lol!
Seriously though, you’ve got one central midfielder in there. How does that work?
Personally I wouldn’t give Anderson a run tomorrow, at least not from the start as I think he would be out of his depth.
Looking at a view videos aon caughtoffside earlier and carrick made the season so far first 11 so at least he’s getting some recognition. His pass into the channel for Rooney to cross for Shinji’s 2nd was beautiful.
My team to face Real madrid
De Gea
Rafa,Rio, Evans,Evra
Carrick,Cleverly
Tony,Wayne,Young
RVP
Dear Cristiano, Remember me?
=> I’m the same fan who was as excited as a kid in the playground when you made your debut ba…ck in 2003. I’m the same fan who cheered you every time you entered the
football field,
=> I’m the same fan who cheered for every goal you scored for us,
=> I’m the same fan who applauded your efforts every time you went off the field, no matter how you played,
=> I’m the same fan who stood by you when the whole England wanted you to be sold after that famous incident with Rooney in world cup 2006,
I’m the same fan who wanted you to stay at United for rest of your life.
=> I’m the same fan who on one rainy day of 1st July 2009 heard about the news that you’ve been
sold to Real Madrid and was heart broken.
=> I’m the same fan who couldn’t believe it, I was angry, I couldn’t believe that you left us, I couldn’t
believe that you joined a club which I hated the most,
=> I’m the same fan who tore your
posters apart, who threw all your jerseys away…
But as time passed by, I realized how naive I was to hate you, to swear at you for leaving us, to hope that you’ve a bad career at Real Madrid. Its your life, it was your dream to play for Real
Madrid.
* I realized that no player is bigger than the club. You gave us your magical 6 years at United and we’ll always be thankful for that !!!
Now, you’re coming back to Old Trafford, but as an opponent. You’re coming back to bite the hand which once fed you, to
knock United out of Europe
Tomorrow, I’m not going to cheer for you !!!
Forgive me if I boo you,
If I hope that you have a bad game, that you don’t score,
if only for those 90 mins.
And I hope that the next time you come back to Old Trafford,
it’ll be as an United player, back in the red shirt, playing for United again, not playing against us !!!!!!
_ Yours – A Manchester United fan
@ kanchelskis – ha – 2 CMF – Carrick and Kagwa, with one defender on LW and one striker on RW. I doubt SAF will do that, I think he will try to stick close to what worked in Madrid.
I agree with Bobby Charlton’s combover. I would not attempt to start Anderson in this kind of game. We cannot afford to play players who tend to drift in and out of games. Have to be fully concentrated for 90 minutes plus all the stoppage time given. I would just play Cleverley to be honest with you. Obviously it would have been nice to start Phil but he’s injured now and the next best thing in my opinion is Cleverley. I also would not start Giggs from the beginning (sorry
) He is much better coming off the bench like he did in Madrid. His impact will be much more felt when he comes off the bench in this kind of game. I would start Nani on one wing and Ashley Young/Valencia on the other wing.
My team to face Real madrid
De Gea
Rafa,Rio, Evans,Evra
Carrick,Cleverly
Tony,Ando/Ryan,Roo
RVP
or
De Gea
Rafa,Rio, Evans,Evra
Carrick,Cleverly
Tony,Rooney,Young
RVP
@NBI
I would never class Kagawa as a CM. Don’t think he’s played as one of a two, and don’t think he ever will.
I agree with some of you on not starting with Anderson, neither I fancy Giggsy to be on the starting lineup.don’t get of wrong I know he is a fantastic player but I prefer to keep him on the bench when needed for the crucial moment when we are ahead and we need to play wisely.I would love to stick with Shinji although the latter has played for the full 90minutes against Norwich, not sure if Fergie will used him him against Madrid.so final conclusion would be to depend on wingers as both defensive covers and offensive support, and both Tony and Young can play this role although its just a matter of prediction but its seems the case.
4 united players in top 7 midfielders in the country
Danny – I don’t think anderson has the engine or the intelligence to do what the boss needs, for me welbeck could easily fill jones spot as the one to give us energy, start welbeck on the left, valencia on the right, with rooney playing off RVP with cleverly and carrick starting in the middle. That for me is the best way to go, and then when the game is tight bring on giggs to give us more control, I do fear we will probably get a score draw just typical it would be
I can’t see Kagawa starting a game like this. He did great v Norwich….. Say it again… “Norwich”.
He is a tallent and fully expect him to become an integral part of the team. But not tomorrow.
The big decision is who marks Ronaldo, or if, a I suspect there really isn’t the same plan to handle him. If we get a grip of this game, we might not need someone doing what Jones was doing. Be very interesting if we play a Diamond. Expecting fluid, 442 with our personel but might be surprised.
I also think Welbeck for pace and industry will be in with Rooney are Robin (if fit). 3 strong goal threats will keep them guessing and Welbeck is skilled enough not to give away fouls.
One issue is cards. This ref is card happy. Not saying that will influence the play much from the off, but card trouble could play a role in this tie with this ref. Looking forward, Rafael and Robin could both miss the next game if they pick up another. Real also has 2 in card trouble.
Let me rectify myself.Welbeck should start ahead of Young, his incredible pace will scare the heall out of Real defenders.
Disagree NBI. Carrick has been class from day one. Who was it who fed Ronnie for those seasons 06-09? Carrick. Always rated him it’s just now he is the senior player and not living in Scholesy’s shadow.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Danny starting either – let him get the Madrid defence on the back foot by running at them. His hold up play is also quite decent.
In the CM it’s hard to see Cleverly not starting as apart from Carrick he’s the only out and out CM we have Anderson apart but like I say I’d be nervous starting him.
Ddg
Rafa Johnny vida pat
Toni carrick young
Wazza Danny
Rvp
Toni and young help the fullbacks ,wazza and Danny run in midfield we want much safety because didn’t want to lose goal
King Eric – carrick has been an effective signing, and has opened the boss’s mind of getting away from the roy keane type player, and more controlled tactcial disciplined players, as we have seen with carrick cleverly, and before scholes, he kept trying with hargreaves, but realized the best way forward is the carrick type players
Seriously , not having a pop but what is the point of Anderson then? If he can’t be trusted for a game like tomorrow which IMO he can’t then he never will be ready. Fuck me he has been here 6 years now and should be getting more games. Its almost to me like he is taking up a squad place.
@Rd5454
Another batshit mental lineup.
We can’t play with one recognised central midfielder, guys!
Fletch – Alright mate. You REALLY underestimate Kagawa don’t you! In the German Cup Final against Munich last season he absolutely ran the show. He is a great little player.
Dear in David we trust :
Thanks s lot to u , u are the first one agree with me ,with the pace energy and body strength , Danny will be my midfield choice.
Bobby – I do not think carrick and anderson dove tail so well, they never seem to be comfortable, carrick prefures players like scholes and cleverly to play alongside him, while anderson is more suited to a hargreaves type player, it has to be carrick and cleverly tommorow
King Eric – I just think cleverly is a much better player than anderson, its a tough one, if we start kagwa does danny get left out? I do feel we do need width, so shall we go for the guile and craft of kagwa? Or the pace and strength of valencia?
King Eric, Cheers mate. You get me wrong. Don’t underestimate Kagawa at all. Fact is I rate him very highly. But he hasn’t played in a heck of alot of games. 15 starts is it and only managed a full 90 in 3, one of which was Everton on opening day. Fergie needs a team that will turn itself inside out on both sides of the ball. Just think Kags needs a few more games under him to be that player from the off. Maybe off the bench though. Have not problem with that.
Don’t have a problem with anything about him, only worry is fitness.
You still kicking me for noticing that his 3 goals were all off the same foot? You do me, and Shinji, a bit of a disservice son. I do rate him, but fitness is my major concern.
Well, also a bit worried about hight if I am honest. Think United are short for Madrids type of game and Fergie will be trying to get hight on the pitch where ever he can. Fair enough?
@Kanchelskis Sorry pls yr mind don’t so stubborn !only the position called midfielder can do the midfield job?
In my formation , wazza and Danny will be the midfielder ,use their energy and pace to stop virus attack,and in our team this time called central midfielder just had fat lazy robot ,do u want call back tunni or petrucci?
Fxxking crazy ,how come so many people’s think ando to start ,really blind ,anyone can see how he do at Norwich ,can’t perform vs Norwich then starting to virus , what is the logic?if start ando I prefer 10 man at least other one can run much to defense .
@Rd5454
Cleverley? Giggs? Both have played many times in a midfield two. Danny has never done that. Wazza maybe twice?
My ideal line-up:
—————DDG
Rafael—–Rioferdy—evans—-evra
Nani—–carrick—–tom—young
—————Rooney
————————–RVP
This imo is our best line-up, offensively we would tear them a new one but I’m not too sure about our defensive capabilities, tom cleverley and nani would get shrugged off quite easily by the likes of ronnie and oezil specially nani who could get upset and commit silly fouls in dangerous areas and you all know this isn’t a match to fuck about though he’s one winger in our current squad who could likely cause coentrao all sort of problems and on his day is capable of ripping off any team.
Madrid are renown for their fast counter attacking football and they are very effective at that with di maria and ronaldo they are very very quick, they can sprint from one box the other with just a blink of an eye tricky as you like they destroyed barca on their own in copa del rey, we just can’t afford to go out attack like ^ folks have said on the above comments, containing them and break though once an opportunity presents would be the biggest tactical nous the boss would be able to unfold
And the more suited line up to that is that one:
———–D D G
Rafael——Rio——envas—-evra
Valencia—-carrick—-cleverley/jones—welbeck
——–Rooney—-
—————————RVP
———
Because I want the players can fill the powerful and energy like jones,Tom can hold and pass but his power and height are not enough for this game the result we want, giggs s age u want him run and run ,I if he start i prefer put him on the left,but I think start Tom will be a normal choice but I just want much safely
@Rd5454
But you can’t select someone in central midfield JUST because they’ve got power and energy. They’ve got to have experience of playing there. On the most basic level, they need to be a skilled and consistent tackler and passer. Welbeck and Rooney do not tick even that most basic box.
Also you need your best finisher up top, vp on that game at the bernabeu was soo isolated the two opportunity he squandered (1) he had to. Skip challenges all the ways to forrcing a save which hit the cross bar
The other was from lose ball where he was quick to react and then scuffed the eventual shot
We didn’t push up enough to be able to create a chance in open play as a team, also this time we need to keep abit of possession madrid were all over us
@ King Eric – I always rated Carrick, save for 2 seasons where he took half a season to get in to his games I was thinking why the hell don’t we start his pre-season in June then. I actually always liked Carrick in the attacking MF role, he was great in attack the 7-1 against Roma, I think he has adapted well to being a more defensive MF post Fletch, Hargreaves and Keano, and he is now grown well into the role, but when you see the passes like he made for Kagwa goal, I just feel it is sometimes a bit of a waste when he is stuck at the back helping out the defence with that passing range. I think he is also capable of goals if he can get further up, he used to score a few. But presently he is doing great and his spraying passes over the field from CMF and getting forward more is something I am enjoying seeing – he is more box to box now and not afraid to get forward even against RM.
Neither Young or Nani played v Norwich – I am assuming one or both will start?
Fletch – Oh I know what you mean mate but all 3 goals fell on his right foot! I know where you are coming from though.
In David We Trust – Absolutely has to be Carrick and Clevs tomorrow, they have played in all the big games except for Madrid away. Danny HAS to start he wreaked havoc out there.
NBI – Yes mate I know what you are saying. Ever since Rome and that pen miss at Burnley his form DID suffer a bit. I remember when we signed him a Spurs fan said he always starts off slow and then gets better and better as the season wears on. How true he was.
“We must trust the players,” Sir Alex stressed. “That’s what we always do and they must trust each other. That’s why we’ve had continued success for a long period. The continuity of management helps – myself and the coaching staff are very acquainted with all the things that are needed to relate to footballers whether it be on the physical side, the nutritional side or the tactical side.
“We have the equipment to deal with all things. I’ve made up my mind for tomorrow what the theme of my motivation will be and my tactics talk. Certainly part of it will be about trusting themselves.”
“My biggest concern is that Ronaldo turns up!” joked Sir Alex. “What do you expect when you play against a team with Ronaldo in it? You expect problems during the night. We have to try and curtail that as best we can. It won’t be easy because he does it every week, it’s not an accident about the lad. The experience young Rafael had in the first half in Madrid hopefully helps him because he’ll be getting the same task again. I don’t think it’s one we should fear. If we go in worrying about the damage Cristiano can do then we’ll forget some of the things that we can do ourselves.”
@ In David We Trust – SAF did not realise Carrick was better in the Hargreaves role, he waited and waited for Hargreaves but the bugger just stayed injured and then showed us two fingers and where is he now? I think you underestimate how good Hargreaves was when fit, set pieces, passing, tackling, he was perfect if he had just bloody been fit and not pissed us off afterwards. Carrick IMO has adapted to a role that Hargreaves was just a natural at.
@ kanchelskis – Kagwa is an attacking MF mate. He is lethal there.
I have to say given Cleverly has not been played now for what 3/4 games – I would expect him on the bench.
@ In David We Trust – With you there bud – we need clevs in beside carrick. He has a better football brain than anderson who can be very dynamic but doesn’t have the positional sense or natural instincts of a central midfielder and tomorrow with Madrids pace that is a prerequisite
The only thing is that tom hasn’t played so much recently and I’m expecting a ferocious pace to the game so hopefully he’ll be able for that.
I was never truly impressed with hargreaves, good player but he was just not dependable.
Rd5454 – I never said play welbeck in CM, I said tucked in on the left, and power is not needed, its composer and ball control,. And no way can you play rooney and welbeck in midfield, when they lack the special gifts of what a CM has. great positional sense, passing, when to stop and go, playing a disciplined role, that is why rooney and welbeck are forwards, and carrick and cleverly are midfielders. You would never play carrick and cleverly upfront, same has you would not stick welbeck and.rooney in midfield, unless you want united to lose
@kanchelskis – I had the same discussion with someone about Danny in midfield – it makes no sense putting a striker into CM for this match or any match for that matter.
Reply to Hansens article which made me laugh:
Well, I hope that SAF has read this article. Talk about teaching grandmother to suck eggs. My grandmother could teach Hansen a bit about football.
Now what have I learnt?
You could man-mark him, but be absolutely sure that whoever you give the job to can do it!
The main thing is to keep him facing away from your goal. He’s not as good at shooting when he’s facing that way.
You should play on his weaknesses, but he hasn’t got any. Now, get out of that!
You could try to stop him getting the ball, and because he’s good in the air, you should cut out crosses! Wow, this is revolutionary!
Be very, very careful – he may move away from the touchline. He might even swap wings! Holy cow!
Grannie and Alex will be pleased with this information.
Scott
Nice article as always BUT maybe you can tell me the relevant stat for zonal defensive cover. Standing in front of the man with the ball and blocking any forward through pass forcing the man with the ball to pass back or wide. That is what makes Carrick so good. Look at the other cretins you compared Carrick to and you will see that they dont do that. So in essence Carrick is very competent at all things related midfield – except maybe the scoring.
Mourinho press conference. Live video http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1202774640617/RuedaDePrensa/1202774640617.htm
Funny how people telling us how to stop Ronaldo when we actually have more details about his body than anyone else. Its like telling your neighbour that his wife has a mole on her chest that you figured
Michael Carrick is a weird player. No doubt the best central midfielder at OT. He just doesn’t use the gifts he has. The guy is tall but doesn’t challenge in the air, quick but doesn’t make forward runs and can strike a ball on both feet better than most but doesn’t shoot. For three years he did nothing but pass backwards … oh yeah … that’s why you are playing well this season Michael because you are passing forward again. I will take away the thought of ” if only ” from Michael’s career at OT which is incredible because he has won so much.
… vs Madrid
De Gea
Rafael Evans Vidic Evra
Cleverley Carrick
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Van Persie
Rd5454 has been mentioning welbz as a midfielder for ages now and comparing him to yaya toure. No offence intended here but im guessing it happens on his fifa and he wins matches, bit of a difference though between that and real life. If we are talking about batshit crazy formations we have never done before id go for a 1-2-1-2-1-2-1
Ddg
—————-Vida
——-Ferdinand – evans
—————Carrick
Rafael ——————— evra
—————-Kags
———-Rooney – nani
—————–Rvp
On the attack -
You’ve got triangles all over the pitch which will serve well to keep possession.
All width supplied by rafael and evra so we have the top diamond of 4 to run their 2 cb’s ragged (you could argue that this would mean that rafael and evra will be outnumbered by their fullbacks and wingers but very rarely will you see cr7 defend!)
This allows kags to play centrally, which was confirmed on saturday how valuable he is there.
You constantly have teams of 2 all over the pitch which will be difficult for real to play against (rafael, rooney when trying to get the ball in from the right/ evra, nani when trying to bring ball in from left/ kags and either rooney,nani when central.
On the defence -
You have 3 cb’s guarded by carrick handling the real top 4 of ronaldo, benzema, ozil and di maria (as both wingers like to cut in), aswell as rafael and evra to supply more problems for the real wingers
Kagawa, rooney and nani closing down alonso and khedira therefore stopping the supply to cr7
Carrick keeping ozil quiet
Rvp can then be kept slightly higher up the pitch meaning an outlet when were on the back foot rather then just smashing it up field and just giving them another opportunity to come at us
Considering our front 4 are all narrow it means counter attacks will mostly be through the middle but the real fullbacks all push up so thats not a problem making it more of a rvp,rooney,nani,kags vs ramos,varane(pepe?),khedira,alonso which sounds very in our favour. And whilst you will argue their fullbacks will try to make it back, evra and rafael could also push forwards therefore keeping the numbers even on the counter.
In that formation i would have had jones instead of ferdinand as he could then push up as a holding midfielder to help carrick aswell as help keep ronaldo quiet
As far as batshit crazy formations go that one makes sense but were clearly not going to go for a formation we have never used and definately wont put players into positions they never play in
Daniel88 – stop with your antii rooney BS, he is going to start end of.
Ha Ha. Well I never. Daniel at it again with his backhanded compliments!!
In David We Trust – He is unbelivable this Daniel fella isn’t he. Only yesterday I asked him if he fancied meeting for a pint tomorrow, still no answer but he is a bigger fan as he has had rucks with riot police in Rome.
King Eric – if he thinks the boss will drop rooney and welbeck, he really is deluded, There is a reason why he is on here, and the reason why the boss has the job of picking the team
@ In David We Trust
I never mentioned Rooney.
I know what you are going to say “well, you didn’t put him in the team to play Madrid”.
So what ?.
Not everybody can play.
I am also anti Smalling, Ferdinand and Hernandez too ?.
@ King Eric
What did I say about Michael Carrick that wasn’t true ?.
I missed your invite.
I decline because you reply to my comments but REFUSE to address any arguments instead you just whine like a fucking baby.
There is a statement floating around that Cassillas travelled but will not play. Can anyone confirm this.
In anycase, Cassillas is a great player. Not thinking he would make the difference but he could do.
@ In David We Trust
I wasn’t predicting what team Sir Alex would play but the team that I would play.
What about Buttner doing Jones job? I think he could do it, he is also good in attack, he just has not played there much.
Right, The news about Iker Cassillas seem to be from Jose Mourinho’s news conference.
Nick Coppack of MUTV just tweeted it.
This could be massive. Don’t want them to have any excuses, but this could be a big call. Big game player.
@ Fletch – Maureen said he would not play, whatever that means, but he may be on the bench. So same keeper as we got last time likely, hopefully the occasion will get to him.
Also let me say a contrast in pictures from each teams training, SAF on the pitch, laughing and smiling with other coaches and players, Maureen, untidy, standing alone in the stands, hands in pockets of a weird looking puffa jacket, looking miserable and unhappy to be there.
Maureen hates RM, it’s obvious.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Mar/video-of-jose-mourinho-interview-on-paddy-crerand-mutv-show.aspx
Jose on Paddy Crerand show HAHAHA
Daniel88 – no we are not stupid, Christ we saw your idiotic comment on rooney after the Norwich game, which shows you are anti Rooney..smallen Ferdinand and Hernandez have competition off rafeal evans vidic rooney and RVP, and they are not certain starters, and in huge games like Madrid, rooney wont be dropped end of, Yea that is the team you would choose is a none starter, despite the fact players like nani do not track back, letting the space of ronaldo to by pass nani, and blitz evra. Kagwa put in some great finishes, but rooney set the 2 goals up didn’t he, so your just once again talking out of your ass, has usual
Please write how he played against Real Madrid. Carrick is a decent player for us and a good player in the league but against real class competition he can not perform
Ive got a good feeling bout this villa match tonight. Villa have started good. Along way 2 go, but a draw would do nicely..
Hahaha cunt Rodwell serves u right for talking shit
Aguero is a big miss for City by far their best player, Unlike those other Rent Boy cunts always puts a shift in
Anyone hear Collymore before the game going nuts about the European competitions fucking funny even his co host told him to clam down.Whatever he believes is true that’s it and everyone else is wrong
OI SCOTT – pre match write up please. Cheers.
Apparently Maradonna is telling Aguero to go to Virus.
OI SCOTT! View from the Enemy?! HA
15 odd posts in 2 days and feels he deserves a break is it?
CRACK!
@ David
The anti Rooney comment that NOBODY refuted.
I said Rooney sucked hard in the first half … he did.
I said if that was any other player he would be taken off … he would.
GAME SET AND MATCH.
I dont think anyone should be a certain starter especially when they spend 45 minutes at OT against a poor team doing a decent impression of Emile Heskey.
I deliberately put Nani (our most potent winger) on the left so he would be against Arbeloa matching Valencia against Ronaldo on our right which is their left. You can also just tell Nani to track back but its Arbeloa not Roberto Carlos.
Rooney did set up the two goals and played really well in the second half which is the problem. He can go from retard to destroyer in two halves of football.
Loose cannon.
That’s why I would omit him.
You are wrong but at least you had a go at the arguments instead of whining although you did plenty of that too !!!.
Seriously Aston Villa is a fucking gobshite team. They deserve to be where they are. Just fucking terrible all round. Ciaran Clark may just be the absolute worst of them all. UGH.
@Danny
Don’t tell me you were expecting anything from Villa mate? Like I said on Sunday. No point in getting our hopes up about a 15 point gap with City having this game in hand.
LOL @Costas
I thought that since Villa are desperate for points to get themselves out of the relegation battle they would be ready to at least give this their best shot. Alas, I was stupid for giving them any chance in this one. Everton will do the business next week.
@Daniel88
Agreed Roo had a poor first half which I believe Scott mentioned in his reactions thread.
I can see you’re thinking putting Nani on Arbeloa which would make him think twice about running up the wing supporting Di Maria and therefore overloading Evra. SAF likes the err on the side of caution so I think Young is more likely to start on the left.
@Danny
Yep, March 16th is definitely a better chance for us to increase the lead. While they’ll be going to Everton, we’ll be hosting Reading. And lets not forget that a former red relishes facing them:
http://www.balls.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/gibson.gif
LOL yeah. Top Class Gibbo.
While it’s 1-0 Villa always in with a chance
Villa are woeful! Seriously like. Wtf lol. And benteki looks like mike tysons love child..
Interesting comments on team selection. Personally would like to see at least one of either Nani or cleverley play. Unlikely though, given the limited opportunities both have had recently. Just glad we have the gaffer to sort it out.
On a different note just couldn’t help checking what was out there regarding the last time we hosted Madrid. What a scintillating match with so many stories simmering in the background. Remember wondering at the time whether it would be Beckham’s last european match in a United shirt. That Real Madrid team underachieved for the players they had assembled, but they had this lazy arrogance about them. Certainly could undo any team on their day. Have United become stronger since then? We have certainly evolved and the squad as a whole is definitely stronger. Also take away Ronaldo and this Madrid team for me is certainly weaker. Cristiano though is a beast as the older one was. Just hope this time we keep the Ronaldo well shackled. Also couldnt help thinking if it was DeGea, let alone Van der Sar, in place of Barthez we might have conceded fewer and gotten one over Madrid. Well now is our chance.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/interactive/2013/mar/04/manchester-united-real-madrid-stories?CMP=twt_gu
http://beautifullyred.co.uk/2013/03/04/man-utd-4-real-madrid-3-best-united-gif-moments-from-the-2003-cl-tie/
Dare i say this but ths is better by villa. I kept thinking all day theres a draw on the cards tonight..
Fuckme that was a clear pen!
Fergie was already said earlier that City will win this game, but can they survive Everton and Tottenham?hell no.
Hiya reds, don’t get chance to come on here much these days. I’m buzzing about tomorrow, really hope we can put in a performance. Not sure if you’re all aware but channel 5 have a documentary on at 10 about Munich.
Aston Villa is a worse team than the Derby county team that finished the league season with 11 points.
How can a professional footballer not be able to take a corner that stays on the pitch? A pub team, that’s what Aston villa look like.
City goal shouldn’t been allowed, it was a freekick. And Villa should’ve had a pen. Yeah Manchini, United is only lucky to be 12p ahead, you’re fucking lucky it’s ONLY 12 points.
poor performance from city but they got away with it due to a poor poor villa team. can definitely see city dropping some points before the derby, where united will dish up an ice cold serving of revenge!!
in the mean time Madrid tomorrow…would love to see Kagawa play but fear that lack of cover for left back will be a worry with playing him. definitely would prove useful in maintaining possession and building up attacks with RVP and Rooney.
perhaps a better shout maybe rooney on the left and Kagawa behind RVP, but Rooney wasted out there.
City lucky again. I hate how people call us lucky when we manage to turn around results late in the day, esp when you can actually see the pressure United put on an opponent at the end of a game when we badly need to. But City, with them this season they went through a period of penalties galore, and now again tonight they managed to walk out with a 1-0 win from Villa Park after Ciaran Clarke gift wrapped a goal for them. Oh well, 12 points is still 12 points. We expect another 3 when we host Reading… but Villa are NOT Everton!
As for far more important matters…. got that sickly nervy feeling about tomorrow’s game. I haven’t felt that way for a while
Going into matches against enemies from overseas that you don’t get to meet every season, a massive clash of history, supreme talent and two of the best coaches in the world face to face. It’s all out WAR 
Wayne. Yes mate I heard Stan. Fucking mouthy cunt pipe down.
Villa are a fucking joke. City even made hard work of that and gifted a goal by that fucking clown. Ha. Bitters calling talksport saying United will crack again. Will they fuck. City have the air of a team that know it’s all over. ” we will beat them 6 1 again” Thick cunts.
Come on lads, FOCUS. Who cares about villa or city. We keep our form and we are champions. Simple as! I can almost predict a couple of reserve lads are going to get run outs in the last 2 weeks if we are still in the Cup and CL.
We truly owe ourselves to focus on one game at a time. Right now, we need to put a hurt on the ladies from Madrid! Comeon United!
Diego. Yes pal Villa do resemble a pub side. Utter shit.
Does RVP not have 12 assists Scott?
Daniel88 – all you do is give negative feedback on the team, King Eric is the first to pick up on this shit
FletchTHEMAN – I actually think getting knocked out of Europe could potentially see us go into a bit of a bad run, I feel if we knock Madrid out, united could just blow away the competition.in the next month.
@ David
Back to ignoring the argument and whining instead. Great. At least you know I was right and you were wrong. FACT.
Daniel88 – you are not right, no you highlight rooney, when no one truly played well first half, esp when Norwich parked the bus, its not the boss’s style to take players off at half time, or the boss would have benched RVP, kagwa, valencia, carrick, need I go on. Nani has done basically nothing for over a year, just tiny bits of moments, nothing sensational, and he is not going to start, when he does not track back, he has 1 good game a month, and he will leave evra exposed against ronaldo, who will destroy evra if nani starts
and why would nani start ahead of rooney? and not only bench rooney against Madrid, who is united’s inform striker,, play someone like nani who does not track back, who is a very moody player, no offense to kagwa, he scored a hatrick, but against Madrid different ball game, who was easily pushed off the ball against Madrid. That means there is not a hunter of the ball, which welbeck and rooney are, RVP who has been off color in the past month, yea that is a good idea. You say rooney was poor first half, what did RVP do against Norwich? that says, yea he has been sensational. I think PPL have not really questioned RVP’s recent form, who has not been at the races the past few games, not rooney
Nani can track back. He links better with Evra than Young and I would not be surprised if SAF used him as we are playing counter attack.
@ David, RVP got an assist against Norwich mate.
I meant to put that in, I forgot, but I feel rooney gets a much harder time from the fans, no question RVP has been off the boil the past month
I never said play young, has I feel welbeck will be used on the left, not nani as the boss looks for hunters of the ball This type of game is not for a nani, who goes walkabouts real have some deadly weapons on the wings, and I feel guys like valencia welbeck and rooney are crucial for this role against Madrid, who will use the width to get to the fullbacks, I feel the fullbacks will be more of the width, not the wingers themselves
I just checked RVP’s stats and in his last 7 games he has 1 goal and 2 assists
Before this drought he had in his last 7 games 7 goals.
Amazing, I haven’t noticed that, yes he’s been a bit off.
At the other hand Wayne Rooney in his last 7 games has 5 goals and 3 assists.
Hernandez has in his last 7 games 3 goals and 2 assists .
And @InDavidWeTrust mate, sayign Nani doesn’t track etc is too much, won’t go again into a Nani argument, but now when he’s back on form, well he has tracked back like he ALWAYS used to when he was on form and has managed to be very good. In his last 2 games he has 1 goal and 2 assists, and still doesn’t get games. Which is amazing when you consider how good he tracked back against QPR, QPR being his previous game.
You will say, it is QPR and not Madrid, well if I recall for example against Bayern he tracked really well and scored 2, so it’s not that he can’t play against big teams.
Anyway, I don’t believe that he will play from the starts but it’s Valencia and Young or Valencia and Kagawa OR SAF will put the same line-up with Welbeck and Rooney and Kagawa behind RVP.
@David –> I think Nani could play a huge role if he features against Madrid. He does often go on walkabouts and his form on the balance of the season has been poor, but at the same time he can have boat loads of impact when he gets into the swing of things. In recent seasons he has been extremely important in terms of assists, and when we have the likes of RvP waiting up there for service, an in-form Nani could be devastating against any opponent.
I have no idea who Fergie will play tomorrow night outside of the DEAD obvious lol I think dropping Rooney would be insanity, the lad has had a lousy first touch most of his career, but nobody can doubt his work rate. You’ll find him all over the pitch, he’ll follow the ball right back to trying to clear it off his own line if he has to. So ye, I agree with you he must play. We always have a scapegoat these days, unfortunately.
Shebangsthedrums. Hi love. Nice to see you on here. How have you been keeping?
Dela and WeAreUnited – despite how poor real madrid have been this season, but seeing how devastating they can be when attacking with numbers, esp out wide, its one move that is too risky playing nani, esp when a game like Norwich was a great chance to see how match sharpness nani has got, once again he did not start. I cannot see the boss playing rooney in the hole, and nani on the left. United cannot make one mistake tomorrow, no one giving Madrid an inch, especially on the flanks, if nani starts and he lets the door open for a ronaldo, or adi maria, they can punish us, look at how rooney was not tight enough for the goal. And with no jones, its up to welbeck to do a job on the left of midfield, and his performance in Madrid has warranted him starting
Anyone say, well its fear, that is natural. I think big lessons have been learnt from barca final 2011, playing too much of an attacking side esp with a side like barca back then, tore us apart, especially when we did not have the tools to combat that side. We got to think realistically,our wide boys have not been up to scratch, even though young’s injury has been a massive blow, as he has been the best of a bad bunch of off form wide players this season. Great managers have too sometimes tweak in formation, and in this case it has to be applied., We cannot go into this side gun ho, play all our attacking options, and if we have rooney and RVP in their right positions, and with perhaps a welbeck and valencia out wide, that is an attacking enough side to go against Madrid. But never forget, we cannot go gun Ho, not against the way ronaldo and di maria have stepped it up the past month
Analysis by the captain – http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4824587/Nemanja-Vidic-Real-Madrid-could-run-out-of-ideas-at-Man-Utd.html
@IDWT
no I totally get it, I just didn’t “approve” your explanation of Nani. You make it sound, like he has never tracked back and like this is his first season and tracking back is the key to be the best. In his last 3 seasons no matter how great or bad he has played he has managed to usually put the like of stats with over 5 goals and over 10 assists a season, only the likes of Ribery’s and Silva’s managing to do that and also Valencia, so not bad for a player that don’t “track” back. This tells us that our best option is to play those two together, but knowing their recent form, it’s hard to decide.
Anyway, like I said, it’s one of those choices and Nani is not part of that, unfortunately. But we can cope without him, it’s a team effort today! I said ealier that this Madrid game will show us the way this Nani-saga will turn, if he starts, SAF has faith on him and he will sign. IF he doesn’t starts, SAF has lost his faith, and he will be off, UNLESS he comes as a sub and scores a brace or a winner.
Main thing is, WE HAVE TO WIN!
berba does harlem shake with Fulham..he’s so cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=irXLQtXEHts
About Carrick, yes he is the best our MF this season but don’t forget he has no competitors in his position since Fletcher illness make it he shine brightly.
I still miss Keano figure in our midfield.
@Daniel88
Sometimes you right but unfortunately some poeple on here has marked you as a looser..
Its not a matter of what will be the starting lineup in my opinion, its rather who should not make the starting team.Anderson, Nani, Giggsy,Chica and even Young are among the candidates in whom Fergie could depend as a substitute.Nothing is personal and its not of out prejudice its just a matter tactic and match fitness.Perhaps Young is one of my favorite player to be involved but he lacks the incredible power and pace of Danny.I am not making any literal prediction,its totally an awful situation as I would love to see the likes of Chica and Anderson but hopefully Fergie will get it right again.whatever the team let us just make that damn quarter final.
@RedBorneo:
Keano days has gone in modern football, there’s no way he’s gonna last 10 minutes in todays game.
U see footballers became softer these days, heck! 10 or 5 years ago i would never ever imagine a centre back or defensive midfield dive just like Sergio Ramos or Biscuit did.
Oh Daniel88 is WUM, pure WUM, if u read his comments from days before u’ll understand why people here keep blasting him..
I’m so nervous yet so excited about madrid game tonight. I think its going to be EPIC just like 2003…
But it is about the starting lineup yet your right about who should not be involved in the game at any cost and imo you have nailed two in Nani and Anderson.I am of in half an hour and will be in the ground when the team and subs are named and I will be on a downer if that pair have any involvement.But we are going to be playing to qualify tonight so they wont be.
“This is what everyone will be talking about tomorrow!”
Brilliant teaser for Manchester United vs Real Madrid from Anton!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlld1EadTP0
@ RedBorneo
LOL. Definitely. It certainly is true the other way around.