why? he played well against Stoke, I see no reason to drop him.
FA Premier League
Chelsea 1:1 Manchester United
Stamford Bridge
- Kick-off
- Sun, 7 February 2016 @ 4:00pm GMT
- Status
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Closed
Discussion Your Lineup Prediction
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- Status
Agreed, he was surprising calm and it's always good when we don't use him as address main source of attack. I think he can keep Matic busy and free up the front 4
Would happily take 3 points with a shit performance in this one thoughit is a bit frustrating when such a non-entity/frustrating player such as fellaini and to a lesser extent lingard, keep getting chances and eventually they have a decent game and all appears vindicated. even a broken clock is right twice a day, and all that...
I agree but players like Terry, Ivanovic, Cahill, Costa etc. are setpiece cnuts. Easily could get a smash and grab from a corner or a freekick, FWIW Fellaini does offer security in that sense as we have a shortish team and hopefully he'll be confident after his Stoke performance. Let's hope he can create a bit of havoc for their two holding midfielders.
Not sure if he's even fit to be honest, after walking straight into the tunnel.Damn!! It is Micheal Oliver once again. Don't prod your finger at him guys. Costa will definitely try to send one of us off especially with Oliver in charge.
I got the Stoke game result right and predicted 2 goals in the first half. Get me some likes and I'll drop you a few tips.
Agree about Schneiderlin 100%.
I feel the same way about him, people were raving when we picked him up in the summer, but I'm yet to see a £25M player.Is Fellatio fit for this one? He limped off in the last game.I was kinda like meh when we lost, because it increased the chances of getting a new manager. Now that it's almost certain to be Mourinho, I'm hoping for a winning streak more than ever.
That face should stay away from Old Trafford as far as possible.
As for the game, I think we'll beat them 3-1, with Martial giving Ivanovic an evening to remember.
no idea why I said him over Hiddink!
Disclaimer: it is Hiddink with that record!! I'm only half an idiot.Overall, we're better than them. The injuries make this more or less an even match-up though. I'll be content with a draw, considering we're away.I'm saying same as last game and I think I'd be ok with that. Would normally see someone (anyone) on instead of Fellaini, but he's been good in the air defensively the last couple games and there's a good chance we're gonna need that. And it's been a while since he's randomly nicked a goal, so probably about due to happen again. Think if we play like we have the last 2 games this should be interesting. They've raised their game recently too of course, but this is probably more important to us than them right now, even though they're gonna want to be saving face a little bit.I never understand why you'd pick the team until the press conference has happened and we all know who is fit.
I assume you felt we had a chance with Guardiola?
A lot of fans expected this, but the deal for Pep was done many months ago. My suspicion is that we have not even contacted Mourinho for reasons I have listed below.
We don't ever hire staff with advanced planning - we are not proactive.
The most recent example of this was selling DDG and getting a replacement. We all knew there was a problem. It was brewing. It was coming. And in the last few minutes of the transfer window, they dropped the price of DDG and tried to sell him.
As for the wild goose chases, in the last few months: Ramos, Bale, Neymar, Alves, Muller and now we add: Guardiola to that list.
This Summer, I predict that list is going to get very long, as top players will use us to get a better contract and fans will be fooled into thinking that we have a chance of signing top players...when we clearly don't.
Anyway...I digress. As you were gents.We are not winning this, we are not in a title race and this is not a come back.
Now team and LvG, prove it wrong... please.VS
Date - Sunday, February 07 2016.
Kickoff Time - 1600 Hrs GMT.
Venue - Stamford Bridge, London.
The recent wins over Derby in the FA Cup and at home to Stoke City in the league on Tuesday have certainly helped eased the immiediate pressure on Van Gaal. Rather than facing questions on whether he will be leaving the club, one week, two wins and two good performaces later he is being asked if United can compete for the title. The hysteria of football! On United’s title hopes Van Gaal said: "I feel that if we beat Chelsea - and that is not simple it is very difficult as they don't lose anymore with Guus Hiddink - then I think our competition and our league shall start again and that is very important. Michael Carrick said that to me today and I had the same feeling: the competition is still not finished. It is not finished for Manchester United and not for the other teams." I don’t think we can really make a judgement yet on if United are back in the title race. I think we can properly asses that at the end of the month. From the next 4 games I think we need to get at least 9 points which would mean beating either Arsenal or Chelsea and not dropping anything against Sunderland and Watford. This would give us a decent chance of at least competiting for a top four spot which the absolute minimium this club needs. Chelsea have picked things up under Hiddink andboast the Premier League's current longest unbeaten run - which started as soon as Jose Mourinho was sacked this won’t be an easy game, but another win of the back of two good performances will help United genetrate some good confidence and momentum again. Asked if United are beginning to click, van Gaal was reluctant to say yes but remained optimistic that his team can regain top form now that many of the injured players in key positions are returning to fitness. "Now the players are coming back and they are fit again so I can continue how I have started the season this season." Overall the team are doing a lot better than in December , the Southampton game aside. "We have the feeling because we are winning two times in a row and with sparkling football, goals and clean sheets. This against opponents in great form - Stoke City played Liverpool off the pitch in the Capital One Cup, for example, even though they lost with penalties... We have to show it though, in a row of games that you win because in this competition anything is possible." Van Gaal added.
Tactically I am expecting a tight game. United have looked better in attack in recent weeks because there seems to be a better balance to the side in attack. Jesse Lingard may not be the most technically gifted winger around, but his extra dynamism and clever runs on the right-hand side has given United extra threat and pace going in behind the opposition defence on the outside. It has also allowed Juan Mata nowto play in a central position where he seems more comfortable. United have also seemed to give up the ball more, less possession which has allowed United to counter-attack more and move the ball quicker because the opposition are leaving space in-behind to play and move into. This approach suits United much more, we don’t have the individual quality in attack for Van Gaal’s preffeered possession style football to work. This is what he did with Holland during the 2014 World Cup. In charge of an unusually poor group of players, Van Gaal played a cautious counterattacking game, generally sacrificing possession and encouraging his players to use the ball as quickly as possible. Arjen Robben was unquestionably the main man. It would be infuriating if he altered the balance and the recent style of side significantly after two good performances against Derby and Stoke. I think we will see a tight game with few chances because both sides will be well organised and naturally geared to play on the break.
This means the most intriguing battles will probably come down the flanks. 40% of United’s attacks come down the left which means United’s biggest threat will be Anthony Martial. His battle against Ivanovic could be key. He gave Ivanovic a tough time in the 0-0 draw and it’s been clear this season Ivanovic doesn’t like facing pace. He has recovered from his early-season struggles but remains a weak link. He's taken up very defensive positions in recent weeks, and is likely to be pinned back. Chelsea biggest threat will also come from their left-flank. I expect Eden Hazard to come back into the side. Chelsea instantly looked better when he came on against Watford on Wednesday night and he will be able to test Matteo Darmian in one-against-one situations out wide - Darmian hasn't looked entirely comfortable against quick wingers this season.
Both managers have selection dilema’s in midfield. Hiddink has to deceide the format of his midfield and where to play Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas will probably start in the number 10 role. He's looked better in a deeper position under Hiddink, but his tactical indiscipline would be a risk against United who are technically impressive side. Hiddink must be determined to deny Juan Mata space between the lines. So I expect Nemanja Matic starting alongside John Obi Mikel deep in midfield to provide a solid shield for the backline. This will make it hard for Mata to have much of influence, but with Carrick now back in the side United have a playmaker who can provide quality passing from deeper and he has made a big difference to United’s play in recent matches. He should get time on the ball with Matic and Mikel sitting deep rather than pressing higher up the pitch and could be key. The most likely potential change would see Morgan Schneiderlin coming into the side, possibly in place of Marouane Fellaini.United pay great attention to the opposition in midfield, almost man-marking at times. Opposition playmakers struggle to find room in that zone, because the positioning, communication and decision-making of the holding midfielders has been excellent. So I expect little creativity from this zone. I think the battles in the wide area’s will be key in this game.
Subs - Romero, Jones, Varela, Fellani, Herrera, Memphis, Januzaj
The major selection for Van Gaal for me is between Schneiderlin and Fellani. For me Schneiderlin is a vital player. He doesn't offer great passing quality from midfield, but he is one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the league. He is a great all-rounder, but Fellaini offers height and this this could be a decisive area in a tight game. Chelsea will field lots of good headers: John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa - which makes them a great threat from set-pieces. United only really have Chris Smalling and arguably Carrick in this respect, which means the use of Fellaini might be necessary. It would harm United in open play, but help them at set-pieces. In light of how well we have played in open play in the last two games I would prefer Fellani.
It's possible that we were never in for Pep. The romantic side in me kept believing that history, tradition and fanbase would weigh heavier than money but it's not like that in most cases.
Money means chances, can't blame him.
However, my post was more anti-Mou than pro-Pep.
Whoever it may be, he needs class to guide this football club IMO.
SAF was egocentric, arrogant, hated by most but he had class. Mourinho doesn't. I don't care about past success when your Manager is known for cheap shots, childish behaviour, organized injuries and cheating.
I'd honestly feel better with Giggs on the sideline.
Then I hope your disappointment when we bring in Jose eats you up inside for being so naïve.
Yeah my friend said the same thing. He much rather Giggsy took charge.
My friend is a Liverpool fan.Chelsea were horrible against Watford...we might win
They'll raise their game. They always do.I think this game will have goals. 3-2 United.If we win we may actually be able to do something in the league this year. But Van Gaal is the king of false dawns.What a crazy season. Who'd have thought after the shite we've been served some would predict us winning away at Chelsea? Even SAF teams struggled there.
Something like that, we win.That as well. Think we could probably do with the protetion Schneiderlin and Carrick would offer however, if we were at home I would be fully on board.
Morgan has to play with Carrick. Ander needs to sit like last season to get his form back. Fellaini has played really well, but he could leave Carrick exposed if he goes marauding up the field. I think Morgan will sit and let Michael make his passes.Add Herrera instead and we win.
That would be my formation too. It would be nice to have someone better than Lingard as right winger.
Something like that, we win.
Can Memphis play in that position? I just remember the best version of Memphis playing as a left wide forward in a 433 at PSV. In my opinion, he is more a finisher than a creator. But I would like to watch him play once as RW instead of Lingard.Chelsea won't win.Either gonna be a 0-0 or United win by a couple. I had Chelsea down for a win earlier as thought they were improving but after seeing them against Watford, they're there for the taking...which means we're going to lose!
I'm confused!!
Schneiderlin's shite! I'm hoping he doesn't play as he will ruin the momentum we seem to be gaining. van Gaal can put him on the bench and bring him on when the game's won!There's a lot of over confidence here after wins against Stoke and Derby. Chelsea beat Arsenal away just two games ago while we were terrible against Southampton at home. Chelsea clear favourites for this in my opinion.A tremendous preview of the game:
We must win this or our chances to a top 4 finish will be very-very slim.I think we can get our first comfortable win at SB for some time tomorrow. 1-3 United.A tremendous preview of the game:
Oh FFS, that is fecking brilliant.We need to win tomorrow at all costs. The Gap at the top can not be allowed to widen. As it is Southampton are 1-0 up with 10 men and a win puts us 4 points off city in 4th, 4 above west ham in 6th still only 5 off second.
Its going to be a long hard slog. All we can do is hope to win all our games and keep the pressure on.
Ok back to my nail biting at st marys- Status
Man of the Match
Runners-up
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4%
Anthony Martial
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3%
Michael Carrick
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1%
Chris Smalling
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1%
Daley Blind
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1%
Marouane Fellaini
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1%
Wayne Rooney
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1%
Memphis Depay
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 536 ratings.
Score Predictions
349,98,218
- Man Utd win
- Chelsea win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 20% Chelsea 1:2 Man Utd
- 16% Chelsea 1:1 Man Utd
- 13% Chelsea 0:0 Man Utd
- 11% Chelsea 0:2 Man Utd
- 10% Chelsea 0:1 Man Utd
- 5% Chelsea 1:3 Man Utd
- 5% Chelsea 1:0 Man Utd
- 5% Chelsea 2:1 Man Utd
- 3% Chelsea 2:0 Man Utd
- 3% Chelsea 2:2 Man Utd
- 2% Chelsea 0:3 Man Utd
- 2% Chelsea 0:5 Man Utd
- 1% Chelsea 0:4 Man Utd
- 1% Chelsea 2:3 Man Utd
- 1% Chelsea 3:0 Man Utd
- 1% Chelsea 3:1 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 1:4 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 5:0 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 3:2 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 3:4 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 4:5 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 2:4 Man Utd
- 0% Chelsea 1:5 Man Utd
Match Stats
- Chelsea
- Man Utd
- Possession
- 49% 51%
- Shots
- 16 17
- Shots on Target
- 5 7
- Corners
- 10 11
- Fouls
- 6 9
Referee
Michael Oliver
Man Utd Lineup
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replaced by Ander Herrera
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replaced by Memphis Depay
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replaced by Morgan Schneiderlin
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