[CLARiiON]

Who scores first wins?

 

[Sammyjunn]

Navas will start out right for them and Blind will struggle with his pace, Rojo at LB for this

Also, Any word on Ashley Youngs fitness?

Like he did last season or?

 

[Shark]

Who scores first wins?

City scored first last season and they still got battered.

 

[Natener]

Who scores first wins?

I find this city side more shaky than the one that came to OT last season. More dangerous too. I think they will score first again, but as long as they don't blitz us like Arsenal did, I'm confident this game is ours to win.

 

[Roman Bellic]

Not so confident about this.

 

[Adebesi]

De Bruyne is a concern, he's clearly a very capable replacement for Silva.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

They were opened up quite easy last night from the little I saw, so I am pretty sure if we approach it like the Everton game we will do OK.

Always have to watch the second phase of Yaya. He can be totally invisible first half, and then just come in to the game. Stop him and we are comfortable.

 

[GimmeAKitKat]

Cant make my mind up.

United are poor with Rooney on the pitch, but City dont look great without Aguero and Silva either.

Would take a draw and be fairly satisfied with a hard run of games being completed.

 

[LeChuck]

Who can we boo with them? Rooney?
white text

 

[NoPace]

If Young was healthy I'd probably be arguing for this:

-----Martial----
Young-----Mata
-----Herrera---
-Bastien-Morgan
Blind------Darmian
-Jones-Smalling
------De Gea----

since I don't think we can afford to carry Rooney while he's playing like this against a team this good. Martial is okay out wide, but not the same contributor.

Another option I could see a case for is playing Herrera out left and Fellaini as the 10.

One of Citeh's major weaknesses is their fullbacks, so you could also argue for just starting Memphis and hoping he gets in behind Sagna/Zabaleta once and that's enough to earn his place.

Lingard is less likely to score or create a goal, but if he's trusted defensively out left, he's tidy on the ball and could bring some of what Young would bring.

 

[eggwithsideburns]

I don't see why we cant win, we beat them last season and they are missing their best two players this time round.

A win would be so enjoyable. Whatever happens its gonna be a nervy game. I would love for BFS to blast one in from range.

 

[gooDevil]

Who can we boo with them? Rooney?
white text

We're going to sing the UEFA anthem and they boo it. Then we both cheer.

 

[The United Irishman]

I'd play Fellaini, they couldn't handle him last year.

 

[gooDevil]

 

[Manchester Dan]

de Gea
Darmian Jones Smalling Blind
Carrick Schneiderlin
Mata Herrera Martial
Rooney
---
Sterling Bony De Bruyne
Yaya Toure
Fernandinho Fernando
Sagna Mangala Kompany Zabaleta
Hart​

That's what I'm expecting, but I'd quite like to see Fellaini start over Carrick so we can play the same sort of style as last season. That'll probably be the Plan B though, with Schneiderlin and Mata/Martial replaced by Fellaini and Young (if fit).

No Silva, Aguero and Kolarov (possibly even Kompany not risked but I doubt that one) gives us a big chance to pull another one over them. Wouldn't be too displeased with a draw dependent on how the game actually goes, but I think they have bigger players missing than we do. The trip back from Russia may take its toll though!

Kolarov is back, I expect you'll see City in a 4-2-3-1:

Hart; Kolarov, Mangala, Kompany, Zabaleta; Toure, Fernandinho; Sterling, De Bruyne, Navas; Bony.

 

[Offside]

MCFC 1-0 MUFC
Same as last year.

Here's what I'd like to see, in my dreams:

De Gea
Darmian Smalling Blind Rooney*
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Herrera
Mata Martial Memphis**
​

*I've put Rooney as our LB, because he will obviously play, so I want him in a position where he will do least damage. In attack, he will prevent us from scoring/attacking, so keep him at the opposite end of the pitch.
**I'd prefer A.Young, but as he is injured, Memphis will have to do.

IMO, this is our most attacking formation. And I like attacking football.

​

That was the away game last year

 

[Tincanalley]

This is one of these weird through the Looking Glass seasons when literally anything can fecking happen on a given day. The form book means nada. Yes, De Bruyne is a class act. Yes, there is something fragile about United, but it's a squad with lots of class too. And there is something fragile about City. Not hedging my bets, but I think that either team could get a couple of early goals and kick on from there. I predicted United - it's a hunch, that's all - to win this three nil. We need a bit of luck early on, Fergie type breaks. And if we are going well, the fatigue of the long haul flight and tough Russian assignment in mightn't bite too hard.

 

[Gerald G]

One game really does change the optimism of some around here...

Anyway I think we will win this one. You can get at their defence but admittedly they're good going forward. Without Aguero and Silva though I think that advantage is gone plus we're at home.

2-1 United.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

If your happy with a draw you've got no ambition, must win end of!

 

[RustyS]

City with no Aguero and no Silva are not the force people think they are. They are still slightly better than us, mind. Especially going forward.

De gea, Smalling, Jones, Schneiderlin, Rooney, Martial, Mata are almost certain to start.

At LB, I would go with Blind over Rojo. He will have to deal with Navas' pace but 9/10 times he will better positioned defensively than Rojo.

Toss up at RB between Valencia and Darmian. Slightly leaning for Darmian.

Herrera and Carrick with Schneiderlin in midfield for me with Schweini coming on for Carrick later on in the game.

 

[Polite Poster]

As a City fan I think it all comes down to how Pellegrini sets up the team.

In my opinion even without Aguero and Silva we have the better players. Of course many of you will disagree.

But if Pellegrini persists with his unbalanced attacking formation I think the chances are United will win.

If however Pellegrini adopts a more balanced pragmatic approach then the day will belong to City.

Sadly for us Pellegrini seems hellbent on attack above all else and so I think we will lose :-(

Ps I would also like to see Iheanacho start ahead of Bony.

 

[Sereques]

I forgot Rojo at LB, Memphis could still be benched.

Memphis getting benched means Rooney starts upfront and that scares me more than Memphis starting.

 

[Sereques]

My preferred lineup will be

DDG

Darmian Jones Mike Rojo

Bastian Morgan

Mata Herrera Wayne

Martial.


If only his highness Rooney will be willing to play on the wing

 

[Theonas]

We are more organized, better set up and more capable of controlling a football game than they are. They are however much better than us when it comes to creativity and creating chances because they possess more game changers than us. This obvious strength they have over everyone else in the league is severely compromised because of Silva and Agüero however which is why I think we are favourites for this one. If we can get our noses up front, I really don't think they will come back from it, we are very good at seeing games out and controlling them.

 

[Water Melon]

Will be a tough game, and I am afraid that City will be more fresh and follow the steps of Arsenal playing against us. They will play with high tempo and clever pressing to try to get an early goal, hopefully van Gaal has some proper plan to counter that.

 

[suheilsworld]

Despite them being a complete squad they're leading by just 2 points in the table.

Point table can be deceptive sometimes.



Said every Pool supporter!

 

[11101]

Their two beat players are out. Without Silva they have far less creativity. De Bruyne and Sterling are capable but nowhere near that level. Without Aguero who is going to finish their chances?

At times this season they have been dire and Silva/Aguero have torn teams apart on their own. This is the weakest City team we will have played in years.

 

[Castia]

Their two beat players are out. Without Silva they have far less creativity. De Bruyne and Sterling are capable but nowhere near that level. Without Aguero who is going to finish their chances?

At times this season they have been dire and Silva/Aguero have torn teams apart on their own. This is the weakest City team we will have played in years.

De Bruyne, Sterling and Bony is a scary attack force, that's about £130m worth of players.

 

[11101]

De Bruyne, Sterling and Bony is a scary attack force, that's about £130m worth of players.

Relatively yes, but id far rather face those three than Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne and Aguero.

 

[ants7]

De Bruyne is a concern, he's clearly a very capable replacement for Silva.

Yep. He's one of them players who can make a real difference. Brilliant signing for them. If we can close him down, I think we actually might have a decent chance. We can control games at home, yes, but we must be ready for counter attacks.

Anyway, I'm never too optimistic about this fixture (home or away). This would be a fantastic chance for Rooney to silence some of his doubters and show that he still can deliver. Hopefully we can gather ourselves and put in a performance.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

I would be tempted to play one DM

 

[Gentleman Jim]

Ps I would also like to see Iheanacho start ahead of Bony.

Don't be daft lad

We've been saying for ages that Bony needs a run in the team to get the best out of him and now he's looking something like what we thought we were getting you want to bench him for a kid who's only made sub appearances in this of all games?
Nacho is a nice option to bring off the bench but not ready for this.

Yet.

 

[Polite Poster]

Don't be daft lad

We've been saying for ages that Bony needs a run in the team to get the best out of him and now he's looking something like what we thought we were getting you want to bench him for a kid who's only made sub appearances in this of all games?
Nacho is a nice option to bring off the bench but not ready for this.

Yet.

I'm not a lad and I'm far from daft. Bony lacks mobility which will suit United down to the ground.

Iheanacho has the mobility and innate confidence that Bony lacks. I want City to win but unfortunately I think the team Pellegrini will send out is likely to struggle against a limited but well organised Utd side.

Iheanacho could make a big difference but sadly he's unlikely to get the chance.

I respect your right to disagree with me but please cut out the condescension.

 

[Annahnomoss]

I hope we don't defend in a 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 formation against them, that is the main worry I have. Apart from that it is the perfect timing to play them even if they have to be the favorites anyhow.

 

[DWelbz19]

Kolarov is back, I expect you'll see City in a 4-2-3-1:

Hart; Kolarov, Mangala, Kompany, Zabaleta; Toure, Fernandinho; Sterling, De Bruyne, Navas; Bony.

Yaya so deep? Would be an incredible ballsy move. I just pray we play Schneiderlin to keep some legs against that pacey three behind the striker.

 

[2 man midfield]

City always seem to look deadly every time they come forward against us. Have a bad feeling we'll shit ourselves and not have the quality going forward to create enough ourselves. That said, anything could happen. I'm always pessimistic going into this fixture.

 

[Rednotdead]

Draw written all over this, it would probably suit both managers. 1-1.

 

[Gentleman Jim]

I'm not a lad and I'm far from daft. Bony lacks mobility which will suit United down to the ground.

Iheanacho has the mobility and innate confidence that Bony lacks. I want City to win but unfortunately I think the team Pellegrini will send out is likely to struggle against a limited but well organised Utd side.

Iheanacho could make a big difference but sadly he's unlikely to get the chance.

I respect your right to disagree with me but please cut out the condescension.

Does your screen not display wink emoticons? Just messing with you but apologies if you took offence.

Anyway let's deal in facts.
Bony has a near 1 in 2 goal record when with Swansea and has flourished v United.
While his return has dropped at City he has had to battle much adversity. He went straight to ACON after signing for us (winners medal) and on return got injured.
Had to compete with Aguero and Dzeko for playing time when fit and a formation change to 4-5-1 to shore up leaky midfield. Guess who the "1" was?
In the summer contracted malaria and missed most of preseason/early games.
City changed Dzeko and Jovetic for the more robust and versatile Sterling and de Bruyne so again more competition.
In last couple of games Bony has scored or been involved in several goals and with sharper finishing could have had more, so he's getting in the right positions to score.
Bony is also very useful in defending set pieces with his strength and aerial ability.
Other than the fact that he's an unknown quantity I can't think of any other reasons why Nacho should start over Bony.
Having said that I rate Kelechi highly and think he has a good chance to make the grade at City but this is just too soon to be handing him a starting role when Bony is available.

 

[SirFergie]

As a City fan I think it all comes down to how Pellegrini sets up the team.

In my opinion even without Aguero and Silva we have the better players. Of course many of you will disagree.

But if Pellegrini persists with his unbalanced attacking formation I think the chances are United will win.

If however Pellegrini adopts a more balanced pragmatic approach then the day will belong to City.

Sadly for us Pellegrini seems hellbent on attack above all else and so I think we will lose :-(

Ps I would also like to see Iheanacho start ahead of Bony.

I don't think so.

We're far better at playing a game out like that than you are. If you play like that, we'll win.

However, you're far better at the counter-attack than we are. It'll be a tight game either way.

It'll be interesting to see what we do if you do attack us.

 

[Oneunited26]

As a City fan I think it all comes down to how Pellegrini sets up the team.

In my opinion even without Aguero and Silva we have the better players. Of course many of you will disagree.

But if Pellegrini persists with his unbalanced attacking formation I think the chances are United will win.

If however Pellegrini adopts a more balanced pragmatic approach then the day will belong to City.

Sadly for us Pellegrini seems hellbent on attack above all else and so I think we will lose :-(

Ps I would also like to see Iheanacho start ahead of Bony.

I think it's the complete opposite, I think it's how VG sets United up will define who will win. If he sets United up like against Everton, or how we ripped you apart last season, I think we will win this one. It's all down to VG, he plays bastian and carrick together, city will win. If VG sets United up and plays the exact same team against Everton, it could be a long day for you guys

The midfield United have has the ability to not only out number city, but do it with shear quality by passing city to death, yaya Fernandinho against bastian Morgan and Herrera I don't like your chances against those 3