MyOnlySolskjaer
Creator of Player Performance threads
Off topic but really good job on the OP.
I say we rest players in Champions League matches to focus on matches where we potentially can secure qualification for the Champions League.
Martial is the only one I wouldn't start. It's unreasonable to play him every single game, and the City game is one we'll need him 100% fresh for.
Memphis has had his best displays arguably in Europe, so makes sense to do a switcheroo there
Martial is the only one I wouldn't start. It's unreasonable to play him every single game, and the City game is one we'll need him 100% fresh for.
Memphis has had his best displays arguably in Europe, so makes sense to do a switcheroo there
Pre-Match Pressers
Louis Van Gaal
Leonid Slutsky
This. I thought this was so obvious but clearly had to be said.Firstly, I don't think this is a must win game. A win would put us in pole position, but a draw would be a decent result too and even a loss wouldn't be a complete disaster, because we could still qualify even if we lose in Moscow. So people who say it's a must win game must have different definition for what a must win game is. On the other hand the game against City is not a must win game either. However when I compare the importance of both games, I think that the City game should have a higher priority, because a loss to City would be more damaging to our title credentials, than a loss to CSKA would be to our chances to qualify for the next stage of the CL.
Secondly, City is a stronger opponent and the game is a local derby, so I expect the CSKA game to be the easier of the two (no disrespect or underestimating).
With that in mind I think that if we need to rotate, we should aim to rotate in such a manner as to have our strongest side against City. Luckily we are in a pretty good position, because most of our players got a bit of rest during the international break - correct me if I'm wrong, but only Blind and Memphis played two full 90 minutes for their national team, however both of them were rested against Everton, so they should be fresh enough too. I think only Mata, Schneiderlin and Martial played twice for their national side and then played against Everton, but again - none of them played the full 90 minutes during the week and Mata got subbed on the weekend too. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced this international break was very beneficial to us in terms of refreshing and giving some much needed rest to our players - especially Smalling, who otherwise never gets a break.
So in short, I think we need to have only a minor rotation for this game - maybe Valencia and Blind starting for Darmian and Rojo; Memphis/Martial, Mata/Lingard and Herrera/Fellaini sharing minutes on the left wing, right wing and #10 respectively.
With a huge game vs City coming up I would definitely rest a few of our stars.
DdG
Rojo
Jones
Smalling
Darmian
Schweini
Schneidi
Depay
Herrera
Mata
Martial
Please LvG!
Yea, possibly. I think he could 70 odd minutes with Carrick coming on to shore things up, and be fit and firing for Man City. He's can be rested following this clutch of games that are all equally important.Schweinsteiger is not going to play 2 games in 3 days, may be come on in the last few minutes to manage a result but that'd be all LvG would ask of him. I'd prefer him kept fresh to start vs City over the weekend anyways.
DdG
Rojo
Jones
Smalling
Darmian
Schweini
Schneidi
Depay
Herrera
Mata
Martial
Please LvG!
This game is much more important than City at the weekend.
This game is much more important than City at the weekend.
Carlos Velasco Carballo