[detinUnaM]

I think we should play the diamond for this match rather than the 4-1-4-1 formation as we can really dominate through the center with the personnel we have and if silva and toure are a doubt. Pellegrini will play navas and nasri and try to hit us on the flanks. Instead of trying to negate that, we should instead try to strengthen our team at the center and hit them through there. If we stay compact in defense we can be threatening and also keep possession.

Our attackers will have to split wide and occupy their fullbacks. But irrespective of the formation we use, we will have to show the hunger we showed against chelsea. We definitely should want it more and come back with a win. City are reeling and might even be slightly apprehensive without Silva.

 

[...aka Las Cortinas]

Just been on Bluemoon, and despite expecting a thousand variations of 'we'll twat the rag bastards', they are actually quite pessimistic about playing us.

I still reckon they'll raise their game and give us what's becoming the traditional season hammering, but hopefully they'll be as shit as their fans think they are.

 

[hundred_trillion]

Before I went to bed last night I thought we might have a chance in the derby if Silva got injured vs Newcastle.

I'm a terrible person.

 

[DatIrishFella]

Before I went to bed last night I thought we might have a chance in the derby if Silva got injured vs Newcastle.

I'm a terrible person.

Yaya Toure went off with groin strain also!

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

I can't see anything other than a City win, if i'm honest. Our record away from home isn't good, and City's at home is excellent. The odds are stacked against us, and for a good reason.

But we do have a team brimming with attacking talent. Players capable of heroics. We're not West Brom or Hull. So a win isn't totally of the question.

Games like this are why being a football fan is so brilliant though.

I don't buy this logic because we have only lost once away from home & that game was such a freak game because we should have won it, you should also take into account that we were royally fecked-over by Clattenburg in that game & it was not just the penalty call, but many other decision too which all went in Liecester's favour. They would have been ideally down to 10 Men in the first half itself.

Coming back to this game - we can surely take a point from Etihad if not a win, we have the quality & talent. We just need to show the desire & play with some conviction. We have still not played that perfect game yet (maybe agains QPR?), and when we do it would be spectacle to watch!! Let's hope we do it against Citeh at Etihad - Amen

 

[Berbasbullet]

Fellaini in ahead of Herrera??? I know the big fella has had a couple of decent games but come on!

Just my opinion my man, I think his strength will be vital to contain Yaya, he's hit a run of form and it would be unfair to just drop him. Is Herrera even fit?

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Think it would make more sense to go for a 4-3-3 again similar to against Chelsea but bring Di Maria back to a more CM position.

If Falcao is fit then I would start him over RVP as we have Rooney back to captain the side.

Would choose Januzaj as he can push wide with Di Maria and have Fellaini and Blind stay more central to make it more of a 4-2-3-1 when appropriate.

De Gea
Rafael Smalling Rojo Shaw
Fellaini Blind Di Maria
Januzaj Rooney
Falcao/RVP
​

Subs: Lindegaard, Blackett, Jones/McNair, Herrera, Mata, Carrick, Falcao/RVP

The only reason why i like this formation - because it looks like an inverted Christmas tree

 

[J-Stander]

There's nothing I'd love more than a Falcao last minute winner, nana Pellegrini to throw a hissy fit and get sacked, but that's probably a bit too much to ask. Im more confident than I was last week but I still think they'll have too much for us. Toure doesn't look arsed so far this season but if he turns up then it's nearly impossible to handle him. They can definitely be got at, but our defence can turn to shit at any minute and Aguero will punish any mistakes and we are making a couple every single game.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

So strong at home Newcastle put two past them.

Could have been 4-0 or 5-0 to Newcastle, had they taken their chances & the ref was not a moron & gave them their penalties.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Strong enough to put a total of 7 past us in the last two meetings or won 4 of the last 5 meetings.
Was it a full strength team tonight?

Yes it was, except the skinhead Kompany - all their big guns were in the squad.

 

[hubbuh]

Pressure is on City to get something. We're on a bit of an upper after denying Chelsea at the last, while they could be looking at four defeats on the bounce.

I'd have Fellaini down as one of the first names on the team sheet for Sunday. He can get into the likes of Fernandinho. Only fair to keep playing him while he's riding this wave of confidence and putting in great performances.

My main concern will be combatting City's threat from the wings. Di Maria you'd hope feels a sense of making up to do after a less than impressive display in his last match. He'll most likely be directly up against Zabaleta so it should be interesting.

Is Mata the most likely to lose his place for Rooney? If not, how will we fit him, Rooney and Fellaini all into a slightly more advanced role?

 

[SonnyTheHaloPro]

------------------------------------De Gea--------------------------------
----Rafael--------------Smalling--------------Jones-------------Shaw---
--------------------------------------Blind----------------------------------
------------------------Herrera------------------Fellaini-----------------------
--------------------------------------Di Maria-----------------------------------
-------------------------Van Persie-----------------Falcao----------------------------

We can win this game, especially if Di Maria can carry the ball from a central position. With a solid midfield base, our attack can cause City a lot of problems, I just hope LVG won't try to play all 3 strikers and end up losing control of the midfield.

 

[Trizy]

De Gea
Rafael-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw
Fellaini-Blind-Herrera
Rooney-RVP/Falcao-Di-Maria

Not that exact formation but all those players have to start. Maybe a midfield Diamond with Fellaini up top with a striker and Rooney behind him? Would lose his presence in midfield though.

 

[Twigg]

Who is fit for this?

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

Who is fit for this?

Not sure about Falcao, but Rooney is fit & LVG has told him he would play (according to Ian Ladyman). McNair, Evan & Valencia should be back from injury too.

 

[Twigg]

Not sure about Falcao, but Rooney is fit & LVG has told him he would play (according to Ian Ladyman). McNair, Evan & Valencia should be back from injury too.

Nice. Thanks.

 

[tombombadil]

If Rooney, Falcao, Herrera make it back for this match, this really presents an interesting dilemma to LvG. Will he stick with the current formation or revert back to the 442diamond/433 that he has been using before that?

I think LvG will want the team to keep the physicality, especially with the monsters Toure and Kompany in the City lineup. So I think Fellaini and Smalling will stay.

----------------------- De Gea
Rafael ------ Smalling ------ Rojo ------ Shaw
-------------- Blind -------- Fellaini
---- Januzaj/Mata ------ Rooney ------- Di Maria
---------------------- RvP/Falcao

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Silva will play this weekend. As we've seen the last few seasons with Kompany and Aguero, no badly how injured they are before the Derby they'll always seemingly be ready in time to play it. Even if it does mean they usually pick up another injury a week later.

I want to play always against the best City team

But i don't think Silva will be risked by Pellegrini if he isn't 100% fit.
Pellegrini's future could be in doubt if they're going out of the CL......a draw against us is a decent result for them (and us)
They need Silva more against CSKA Moscow

 

[sullydnl]

De Gea
Rafael - X - Rojo - Shaw
X - Blind - Di Maria
X - RvP - Rooney

​

Forget the actual formation (it will obviously look nothing like that) but these are the players who are nailed on for a game right now imo.

The spot in defence is easily filled as only one of our other CBs is ever likely to be fit at any given time. The midfield spot really comes down to a choice between Herrera and Fellaini depending on whether you want to pick the better player or the physically stronger guy. The last spot is between Falcao, Mata and sometimes Januzaj (if someone isn't fit or we're really changing formation for a specific game).

I really don't see anything happening beyond those choices, certainly not for the City game.

 

[Brightonian]

You reckon RVP is nailed on? His form's been pretty indifferent. If Falcao's fit I'd definitely drop RVP for him.

And Smalling was much better than Rojo against Chelsea, you've got those two the wrong way round in my opinion.

 

[chriswt]

You reckon RVP is nailed on? His form's been pretty indifferent. If Falcao's fit I'd definitely drop RVP for him.

And Smalling was much better than Rojo against Chelsea, you've got those two the wrong way round in my opinion.

Might not be what you want, but probably true. Not a chance RVP is getting dropped after that goal last week, and that's before you even consider the fact that Rooney and Falcao are supposedly having fitness doubts. Also doubt that our next-choice LCB which is Blackett will be selected ahead of Rojo, given the nature of the game.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

De Gea
Rafael - X - Rojo - Shaw
X - Blind - Di Maria
X - RvP - Rooney

​

Forget the actual formation (it will obviously look nothing like that) but these are the players who are nailed on for a game right now imo.

The spot in defence is easily filled as only one of our other CBs is ever likely to be fit at any given time. The midfield spot really comes down to a choice between Herrera and Fellaini depending on whether you want to pick the better player or the physically stronger guy. The last spot is between Falcao, Mata and sometimes Januzaj (if someone isn't fit or we're really changing formation for a specific game).

I really don't see anything happening beyond those choices, certainly not for the City game.

I think you are correct with your prediction. I would like to see Fellaini retain his place because a) He is in a good form & deserves it. b) He brings a Big guy in the team, who rattles the opposition. We have nobody except him with a towering presence & teams do not like to play against physically imposing players. They can deal with the technical players by shrugging them off by Cheeky fouls (Chelsea way), but it's hard to deal with giants who can play football.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

You reckon RVP is nailed on? His form's been pretty indifferent. If Falcao's fit I'd definitely drop RVP for him.

And Smalling was much better than Rojo against Chelsea, you've got those two the wrong way round in my opinion.

RVP is going to start unless he has a niggle. However, If Falcao is fit and available on the bench, i would like to see him introduced earlier than 65th or 70th minute in the game - depending on how RVP is performing. Maybe at the start of the 2nd half itself.

 

[sullydnl]

You reckon RVP is nailed on? His form's been pretty indifferent. If Falcao's fit I'd definitely drop RVP for him.

And Smalling was much better than Rojo against Chelsea, you've got those two the wrong way round in my opinion.

RvP has been poor all season and still kept his place. His last game was his best so far under LvG and he did score the winning goal (making him our joint top scorer this season, I think). Beyond that he's obviously a LvG favourite. With all that I don't see him being dropped any time soon.

As for Rojo, LvG has said on several occasions that he doesn't like playing a right footed player at LCB which essentially means Rojo is nailed on at the moment too given the lack of alternatives.

 

[MrMancunianRed]

I don't think Silva and Yaya Toure injuries are serious. I watched the way they got injured and didn't seem like a big one. But we need to up for it no matter what. I am very excited about LVG tactics and 'Philosophy' after watching Chelsea game 3 or 4 times.

 

[Theafonis]

Please beat City

 

[WR10]

No way we'll take anything from this. A quick reminder by Pellegrini to his team that they're the champions and they've lost the last 2 games should be enough to get them to perform. If they are to lose this game they are pretty much psychologically buried.

 

[Everest Red]

The back five is settled. It'll be one of Jones, Evans, and Smalling alongside Shaw, Rafael, Rojo and DDG.

I'd play Rooney and RVP, and as the poster above suggested, ask them to occupy their fullbacks.

Blind is a certainty, rest of the midfielders are trickier.

We have Di Maria, Mata, Hererra, Januzaj and Fellaini for three spots, and Di Maria will start, it just a matter of his position.

So our options are:

• If LvG wants to control the center, he'd include both Herrera and one of Fellain and Mata. Herrera on the right and either AdM between midfield and attack and Fellaini as a LM. Or Di Maria on left to combine with Shaw and Fellaini (or Mata) as the most advanced midfielder.
• If he wants to dominate through the wings. A variation with AdM and Januzaj on wings, Rooney and RVP through the middle and one of Hererra and Fellaini as Blind's partner.

I bet LvG has a lot of scenarios and contingency plan which counter opposition tactics whilst adhering to his core principles(keep the ball, pass it around, press, defend as a unit etc)

 

[ManUtd1999]

Is Mata the most likely to lose his place for Rooney? If not, how will we fit him, Rooney and Fellaini all into a slightly more advanced role?

I hope so. His contribution is very limited.

 

[ants7]

City is under a big pressure to get a good result. This might be a good thing (they'll collapse) or a bad thing (game-raising basterds). I don't dare to think that it's the first one, it's just too good to believe.

 

[Ole Gunner Scholes]

City is under a big pressure to get a good result. This might be a good thing (they'll collapse) or a bad thing (game-raising basterds). I don't dare to think that it's the first one, it's just too good to believe.

Which also means they would be a little cautious in approach & won't go Gung-Ho on us, as they normally would have done at home playing against us. It gives us a chance to settle down & set the tempo of the game.

 

[Lennon]

I think we need to terrorise their defensive line with all our striking power. With RVP and Falcao (if fit) upfront, Rooney and Di Maria behind we've got a chance. They look shaky and vulnerable as ours. So , tbh I'm more confident than the Chelsea game. And if really Silva and Toure are out, that would be great. Fellaini need to start to take his momentum within the game and to bring up his physical presence against the strong players of City.

 

[hundred_trillion]

I am confident about the season in general but I'm wavering back and forth between thinking we'll win comfortably and thinking we'll be on the end of a heavy backlash. It'll probably end up a low-scoring draw haven't had one of those in the derby for a little while. Since 2010!

 

[RedMachine03]

 

[Jacob]

I've come to realize RvP will always play as long as he has two legs with LvG at helm.

 

[Alex Styles]

I'd like to reiterate a previous poster in saying that I really hope our players are more confident going into this game than some people on these forums.

That being said, unless Rooney is injured there is no way he won't play on Sunday. He holds the record for most goals in this particular derby game and it would be crazy not to play him.

RVP and Afroman definitely start due to the recent bout of confidence they must be carrying and Afroman also for his physicality.

Of course City will be up for it, moreso than other games but yea so will we. And if anything it would be embarrassing should they bounce back against US of all teams. So we should look to add to their woes. This is what any rival would do in this situation.

We're flooding the midfield again 4-5-1

-----------DDG-----------
Rafa-Smalling*-Rojo-Shaw
------Blind----Fellaini------
Januzaj---Rooney----ADM
-----------RVP------------

Januzaj and ADM to switch sides on occasion

I would prefer Herrera in place of Januzaj though if fully fit.

*if fit then I would play him for his height and physical presence, though Jones could also do a good job

 

[hundred_trillion]

I've come to realize RVP will always play as long as he has two legs with LvG at helm.

I think it's because we have a very small number of outfield leaders right now. It's basically Rooney, Fletcher, RVP and maybe Carrick. Fletcher won't play much for us, Carrick is still in the process of coming back and Rooney has been suspended for the last 3.5 games. I think/hope when Rooney comes back we won't always be seeing RVP if he's out of form because LVG will have another leader on the pitch.

 

[hayleyb]

The back five is settled. It'll be one of Jones, Evans, and Smalling alongside Shaw, Rafael, Rojo and DDG.

I'd play Rooney and RVP, and as the poster above suggested, ask them to occupy their fullbacks.

Blind is a certainty, rest of the midfielders are trickier.

We have Di Maria, Mata, Hererra, Januzaj and Fellaini for three spots, and Di Maria will start, it just a matter of his position.

So our options are:

• If LvG wants to control the center, he'd include both Herrera and one of Fellain and Mata. Herrera on the right and either AdM between midfield and attack and Fellaini as a LM. Or Di Maria on left to combine with Shaw and Fellaini (or Mata) as the most advanced midfielder.
• If he wants to dominate through the wings. A variation with AdM and Januzaj on wings, Rooney and RVP through the middle and one of Hererra and Fellaini as Blind's partner.

I bet LvG has a lot of scenarios and contingency plan which counter opposition tactics whilst adhering to his core principles(keep the ball, pass it around, press, defend as a unit etc)

So many midfield options, and none that involve Cleverley or Fletcher 

 

[WR10]

I hate stuff like this. Just because fancy colours and shapes are used doesn't make a point valid They're comparing 17 games to 3...

 

[villain]

If Silva is out for the derby on Sunday then Thank you BasedGod Taylor!

Silva is a Brilliant player though, and he scares the feck out of me, so hope recovers fairy quickly, but not in time for the Derby of course!

Haven't heard BasedGod in a long time!



Think we can get a result out of this.
I don't expect us to beat them, purely because they're very unlikely to lose three games in a row. It would be incredible if we did of course but I just can't see it. I would take a 1-1 in a heartbeat.

------------------DDG
Rafael----Smalling---Rojo---Shaw
----------------Blind
-------Herrera-----Fellaini
-----------Di Maria
--------RVP--------Rooney

That would be my team.
Falcao coming on for RVP, Carrick on for Herrera.