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LIVE BLOG: United vs Wigan - Community Shield

  • August 11, 2013
Tom Coast

Follow @sardinetrawler on Twitter.

CONFIRMED LINE-UP: United vs Wigan
RvP: Rooney will come good

167 Comments

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soccerman August 11, 2013
Imo lingard, januzaj and zaha should replace young and valencia so we have nani, zaha, januzaj and lingard who can play wide.I think concerning transfers I would personally bring cabaye and fellaini as they both give something different and sell cleverley to a small club.
Keepers=degea and lindegaard
Right backs=rafael and fabio
Leftbacks=evra and buttner
Centre backs=vidic, rio, jones, evans, smalling
Central midfielders=carrick, cabaye, fellaini and anderson
Wide players/attacking midfielders=nani, zaha, lingard, januzaj, kagawa and sometimes giggs
Fowards=rvp, hernandez, welbeck and rooney?

Best first eleven imo

Degea
Rafael-vidic-jones-evra
Carrick-fellaini or cabaye
Zaha-kagawa-nani
Rvp
Subs:januzaj, hernandez, smailling, rio, fabio, giggs, anderson, lindergaard
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soccerisfootbal August 11, 2013
pleased for moyes and the team, it was a comfortable run out. giggs confirmed the main objective was a cleansheet, so job done. a bit concerned with all the injuries to attacking players (rafa couldn't play next week anyways due to his red vs chelsea last season, he had 1 more game to serve on ban) but i guess we should be used to that by now. for me the other key think is januzaj in the team. i hope it means he will stick around and get chances this season for the first team.
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greenman August 11, 2013
What was Carrick's pass completion rate in this game, 100%? It seemed impossible but I think he improved from last season, his confidence is just amazing right now. I second getting a beast to play him and letting him work the attack.
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Costas August 11, 2013
@IDWT

Professional performances are most welcome right now. Especially after Fergie's final game ever and the friendlies we saw the past month. Nice to see some balance back.

I just hope that United will have an extra gear in them when they take the lead against tougher opponents.
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soccerman August 11, 2013
I dont care wat anyone says cos carrick is world class.I mean wen was the last time he had a bad game?cosistent as fuck!!
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Marq August 11, 2013
Solid performance, Evra showing Moyes that we don't need Baines. And for all the talk about how important Rooney is, I'd say Carrick is the most important member in the team right now, not just because of his abilities, but because we have no one else even remotely close to what he brings to our team.

I believe fans are not greedy, most of us truely believe we are 1 solid midfielder away from being stand out favourites
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Marq August 11, 2013
Oh, and a note to Rooney about what it means to play for United

Rvp:"I believe in this team"

Enough said
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Rukky August 11, 2013
Nbi what dont you get about carrick playing deep? He is in his best role (deep lying playmaker/holding mf)and form of his life.
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ryan7 August 11, 2013
So I haven't commented in a while, but I felt the need to share this off topic comment...

I live in St. Louis, Missouri in the United States. We do not have a team of our own. In May of this year, Chelsea and City played at our baseball stadium. Given that we never have a game in town, I was tempted to go for the sake of supporting soccer in our city. That may sound strange, but when you are desperate for an MLS expansion team it makes more sense (yes, I realize this makes me sound sad). In the end, I chose to keep my dignity by not attending. When people see me wearing United gear, they always ask me if I went to that game. I have a correct them constantly, as they didn't know there was another team in Manchester. :-)

Fast forward to yesterday, when Real Madrid and Inter Milan played in our local (American) football stadium which happens to be indoor. Thankfully, they installed real grass beforehand. While the vast majority of fans wore Real Madrid jerseys, I saw easily three times as many United jerseys as I did Inter Milan jerseys. It made my day. In case you were wondering, I was wearing an old blue United away kit with Ronaldo on the back. I've never been complimented so much in public in my life.
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In David We Trust August 11, 2013
Marq - Rooney is key interms of being that third midfielder to link up play with RVP. That is allot of legs lost, and selling him to chelsea is a huge error.
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dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT August 11, 2013
Played some good football at times but the one thing i'll point out is that Zaha needs to keep things simple. You've beaten your man already. Put the cross in and stop trying to best him again. Other than that , everything else was fine. Carrick was brilliant yet again. He needs a fitting partner. Less than 7 days now till kickoff. Hope to God we can do something this week. Please.
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The Truth August 11, 2013
Happy that Moyes has got that monkey off his back. Decent win in which all our midfielders looked tidy. Get on here and people are whining about our need to sign a new midfielder. Some mugs are never happy.
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Marq August 11, 2013
@In David We Trust

Did you see the number of quality passes that Carrick put in in the final 3rd? And Kagawa can do a job too if he gets a good run. I am not dismissing Rooney's quality, I am just saying if Rooney wants game time, he bloody well fight for it, not throw out his toys like he is doing right now.
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
The truth - you're a symbol for irony.
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Did I not say zaha has similarities to nani? Unpredictable, skilkful and confident. He'll frustrate but will win games.
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midfield-man August 11, 2013
Wish Wellbeck would take a few shots when in good position, instead of continuing his run, pulling back etc.. and I wish Cleverly never attempted to shoot and always passed. The boy just looks awkward.

Was hoping for Januzaj to start, but at least he saw a few mins. I rate him more than Zaha.
Zaha is good, but needs to be advised asap that there is a time to dribble and take on a man, and a time to pass. He's tried to dribble his way out of a situation where he's surrounded by 3/4 players when a simple pass would have left them in no-man's land.

As I mentioned yesterday, there was not a shadow of a doubt we'd win this game, but it has no relevance on how we'll do in the league, just as pre-season doesn't show you anything.
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bombay_devil August 11, 2013
@ We are united,

Cleverly kept things ticking and did not lose the ball.

Exactly my point. He did those things. Against Wigan. How is that enough? How?
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In David We Trust August 11, 2013
Marq - it is not just passing and getting forward, its variety. When we get pushed back, rooney has been a key player of helping the midfield become more compact. I feel we do not have enough players who consistently start week in week out, too many times is the side rotated because we have no players besides DDG jones ferdinand vidic evra carrick and RVP who we can say, yes they can start week in week out. Look at the 1994 side, 99 and 08 outfits. We had atleast 7 to 8 players who you could say, yea they would be guarantee starters. Yea I agree players should fight it out, but most of the time players are only fighting it out, because none of them are staying at a consistent level. After 2 games, 3 of the 4 midfielders, the striker and the defense are moved about. Moyes has got to start forming a solid spine that will play atleast 70% of games
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glory Glory Holy Trin August 11, 2013
Rvp again for man utd victory.
With him injured we can forget campaign for this year. Okayish performance against championship side...
Our midfield will be found against title contenders surely....
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spidey August 11, 2013
all you people talking about an injury to carrick please dont jinx it :P solid performance from the lads.. even though its a championship side felt good keep a clean sheet after the fumbles in pre-season.. someone here noted that we slowed down the tempo a bit after our first goal, that was probably owing to wigan putting 10 men in their own half.. performance will improve with time.. nice to see rvp open his account.. sad about rafa though hope its not serious.. bring on swansea.. :D
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
NBI - stick carrick forward where? He's always been a deep.lying playmaker, he controls games from there and is defensive awareness come to the fore, he doesn't have to move further forward, that's his best role.
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soccerman August 11, 2013
Cleverley is 24 now and I have never seen anything to suggest he will be good enough.with more confindence welbeck will be a top player.januzaj, zaha, powell and jones have the potential to be absolutely world class.Cleverley's ship has sailed imo
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Glory - let it go, you tedious blue cunt.
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Andromeda August 11, 2013
Janujaz is the real deal this season and in my opinion if we don't get any new signings we must seriously think about giving him all the chances he deserves, he never stops amazing me.he is just incredible kid.
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Coomy August 11, 2013
Simple but good performance from united, We completely shut down Wigan, apart some minor let off we didn't let them get in the game. IMO we are only one player away from being clear favorite for the title and my i think thing will get moving this week
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xyz August 11, 2013
Hate to bring this up but Carrick is already 32.......let's hope he's doing yoga lessons because we're going to need him pulling the strings for many years yet!
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slim August 11, 2013
most are starting to see the damage carrick could do further forward. we area CDM away fro addressing the balance issue we have as in midfield.
I may be off but i saw a 4231 set up today. if thats the case, i'd like to see danny and adnan fight i out for the left attacking slot with Kagawa and rooney battling for the CAM sslot and Zaha and Valencia for the right. RVP and Hernandez for the striker. The good thing about is that theses guy are all interchangeable. There's a lt of quality there, just needs a real deal CDM and we're in business
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Cleverley is a neat passing footballer, he's efficient and keeps ticking with those short passes. Don't think he'll ever be dominant but he'd still be key alongside more accomplished midfielders, especially in europe in a 3man midfield etc. People need to lower expectation on him, he'll be good without being spectacular.
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Andromeda August 11, 2013
Glory Glory holy Trin

You are mumbling non sense!why don't you go and read a book instead of all these wasting time.seriously I can suggest many for you, may be you can change your view on life in general.
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Marq August 11, 2013
@In David We Trust

Except that last season, Rooney didn't bother running too much, that was why he was dropped, his form wasn't particularly good, and the effort wasn't there as well. We played well enough without him last season, and it will stay the same unless he wakes up his idea. By now I think nobody truely believes there is nothing going on. Most of us just want to see a resolution to the silly Rooney saga. The club have made their stance, that he is not for sale, now the ball is in his court, and he is being a coward by not clarifying things.
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The One August 11, 2013
The Truth @16:53, seriously???
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Carrick is a xabi alonso-esque player, these players are more effective deep and pinging passes around and controlling the tempo, can't see carrick being effective further forward, he's not a number 10 but of course, another midfielder that is just as defensively aware would give him the license to get forward occasionally.
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Lawman10 August 11, 2013
Fellaini not in Everton squad for final pre season game talk of him on his way to united.
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Rukky August 11, 2013
Evra played really well against wigan. But It would be rather wise not to judge yet and say we dont need baines
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soccerman August 11, 2013
@samuel
But anyone can just pass a ball to someone who's 5 yards away from them.He needs to add to his game quickly or be prepared to get moved on wen utd bring in some midfielders.Also if januzaj ends up leaving us like pogba I will have to commit suicide.This lad is so good that I have a case of playing him in central midfield next to carrick cos he would offer more than cleverley in that position.
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The Truth August 11, 2013
@Lawman10

Interesting. His release clause expires in a few days supposedly. Looks like it's on!

Just seen that he's changed his Twitter bio. Last time I checked (a week ago) it read:

"Official twitter of Marouane Fellaini, Belgian football player, Everton FC, Red Devils"

But he's changed it to

"Official twitter of Marouane Fellaini, Belgian football player, Everton FC, Red Devils (National Belgian Team)"

Interesting that he felt the need to clarify that he didn't mean the "other" Red Devils! Looks very much like he'll be a United player very soon, as I broke on here two weeks ago.
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soccerman August 11, 2013
Fuck me. rafael is out for over a month.Hopefully this gives fabio a chance to kick on and make a name for himself.jones and smalling should not be playing at right back as our attacking incentive drops wen they play there so fabio should play there now deffo
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The Truth August 11, 2013
@soccerman

Agreed. Fabio all the way.
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Soccerman - anyone thinks they can do that but not everyone can accurately. Look, he isn't going to be outstandingly dominant, tom will be the first to admit and if that's what people are expecting him to be then they're clutching at straws. He's an efficient footballer, he recycles possession and keeps it ticking, he would better in 3man midfield in europe, he may not even be a Regular but he does bring something to the team, maybe not eye catching but efficient.

Januzaj is a superb talent but his creativity and class is best from the wide right but given the license to roam into pocket of spaces or as a number 10, he's a matz type. He isn't going to be a full central midfielder unless he develops and sits deeper but think he's better further forward as an attacking playmaker. I can't see what happened to pogba repeating itself with adnan, januzaj has the right temprament for the club and will get a new long contract soon, can only see moyes pushing for that
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NBI Red Moyesy August 11, 2013
Carrick is not a holding player, he is a MF playmaker, always has been. He is an all round box to box MF. He has just been pushed back as a defensive mid and sometime a CD as no one else does that job and since Fletcher got injured and because our other MF players have no defensive skills to speak of. The reason he had a great season last year is he began stepping forward, dictating play, showing his passing range and joining and initiating attacks more. He could do this partly as he played with Scholes who stays back and covers when he went forward. He began really taking games by the scruff of the neck last year.

Even today second half after RVP's goal Carrick began to move forward and play higher up that was when United really clicked and his passing range was used, also we began to keen possession better and create more chances.

Cleverly cannot be a starter for United if all he is going to go is short passes on the ground, none of which are assists or lead to a goal scoring opportunity. He is far too limited and what he does players like Welbeck, Januzaj, Lingard could do and more. Ando at least has a wider skill base.
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soccerman August 11, 2013
Young and valencia need to be replaced by young talent with more hunger and the great thing is we have these players in zaha and januzaj.I seriously think its the right time to part ways and build something special for the future like we did wen we had a young rooney and ronaldo.I sigh whenever i see them on the team sheet.Who can remember a time wen they said young and valencia played well today? Exactly
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Red4ever August 11, 2013
Now anyone still thinking that ronnie is not comming back ,,,, he will come to take which was his welcome back cr7
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spidey August 11, 2013
@soccerman

You are right but to be frank the youngsters don't have the experience to play in big games yet where slight tactical tweaking of their games is required.. Young had good games last season in some big matches against Chelsea City etc. So he can be a squad player.. Valencia has had his first and only bad season at united.. It wouldn't be fair to him if we kick him out now.. Give him one more year... He also is adequate at right back so can cover sometimes
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NBI Red Moyesy August 11, 2013
Zaha and Januzaj are not ready to start every game. But they have probably shown enough to be given a chance to bed in. Valencia is needed. Young tbh, swap him for Fellani.

It is disappointing there is no news on Januzaj's contract, less than a year left and they have been waiting on United since March, surely Woodward can get this sorted out. He made a dumb statement that he wasn't dealing with any renewals at start of transfer period. It was a stupid thing to say publicly and it is stupid as he should have been dealing with renewals for players like Januzaj. An update on his contract situation would be great.
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NBI Red Moyesy August 11, 2013
Ronnie is nor coming back. Valencia just wanted No. 25 back as he did not play well with No. 7.
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Carrick is not playing as a defensivd midfielder, that's a water carrier with barely quality on the ball. Carrick sits deep but he playmakes from there, his position has never affected him and he's played there since he joined united, fergie never played with a defensive mid, it was either a box to box or deep playmaker, so i'm baffled as to how he's been pushed there he's just a complete central midfielder that can defend and dictate play he's best from deep. I will accept cleverley is limited but he does have a role to play, I think if a,signing of huge quality arrives then he won't see as much game time but as for carrick, he's a deep playmaker.
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NBI Red Moyesy August 11, 2013
Its a big loss Rafael out for key games. He had the experience against City. Liverpool and Chelsea that we needed. Definately weaker for his absence.
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samuel - united WE stand August 11, 2013
Not worried about januzaj in my opinion. I can't see the club letting him leave, I can imagine the negotiations is well under way. He's got the right mentality required and talent.
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NBI Red Moyesy August 11, 2013
@ samuel - its not a case of not worrying, it's just foolish to not tie up contracts, look at Arsenal. It's just bad policy and bad management. And there are no guarantees players will stay. Januzaj has said he will go where his father and agent decides and his father has already expressed concern that no contract has been offered.
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soccerman August 11, 2013
We can't be sure if zaha and januzaj are ready as they havn't played 1 premier league game yet.I go by the saying that if they're good enough they're old enough. Yes they will make mistakes but thats part of the learning process.I would rather see us finish 3rd and and try and build a special team.Wen rooney and ronaldo first arrived utd were finishing 3rd for 2 seasons think but once they beacame conistent we enjoyed our most success.Anyway I believe they will have a better impact than the current wingers who imo slowdown the team and have a negative impact
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