Europa League Round of 32 1st Leg

Manchester United 3:0 AS Saint-Etienne

Old Trafford

Kick-off
Thu, 16 February 2017 @ 8:05pm GMT
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    Man-United said:
    Yes. Strongest team here, rest players against Blackburn and if we get a good result in the first leg, rest players in France too as Southampton will be without any game for 15 days. We need to be fresh for the final but at the same time do enough to go through against Saint Etienne.
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    That would be the ideal scenario and would make it easier on the 2nd game with important PL games coming up after
     
    KN5 said:
    Jose doesn't have to play Rooney at all, Mkhi is by far our most creative player, can dribble past players and make something out of nothing, we're not resting him in the EL just to play him vs Blackburn, if anything there's a bigger chance Mkhi plays both games. If Rooney comes into the lineup for anyone (doubt it), it'd be Martial.
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    I'm not seeing Mkhitaryan playing Blackburn at all. Rooney might have a chance Thursday, if… and a big if, in my opinion, Mourinho reverts to rotating mode, which he shouldn't. United should have the ambition to steamroll the adversary in this home game with the strongest possible team.
     
    Annihilate Now! said:
    We should go full first team on Thursday, half a first team on Sunday, full reserve team next Wednesday and back to first team for the final.
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    Full reserve team next Wednesday? We would have to win 4-0 in the first leg for Josè to even consider that. And we most likely won't.
     
    Floyd said:
    Full reserve team next Wednesday? We would have to win 4-0 in the first leg for Josè to even consider that. And we most likely won't.
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    Curiously, we're scoring a lot more in our home games in our various cup competitions. 8 goals in our last 2 Europa home games, 8 in our last 2 FA Cup home games, and 6 in our last 2 League Cup home games. For whatever reason, we seem to finish our chances in the cup games at home.
     
    It may not be CL but great to see us in Europe again, very excited for this tie. Not sure if we'll go for an attacking 4-2-3-1 or the more defensive 4-3-3 with Carrick, I'm leaning more towards the 4-3-3. Think we'd see Mata benched for Carrick if that were to happen. Will probably be a dull game considering the defensive records of both teams.
     
    LawCharltonBest said:
    I remember once when Jose was at Madrid, he purposefully got his players to get booked for a dead rubber 2nd leg, so they'd be clear for the next round. Then he got fined for it

    Personally I think it was a smart tactic and it was harsh to fine him
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    I remember that game. I think it was Ramos and Alonso. It was quite odd seeing the way they got booked with their obvious wasting time stunts.
     
    Android1974 said:
    I'm not seeing Mkhitaryan playing Blackburn at all. Rooney might have a chance Thursday, if… and a big if, in my opinion, Mourinho reverts to rotating mode, which he shouldn't. United should have the ambition to steamroll the adversary in this home game with the strongest possible team.
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    I agree, he probably won't play vs Blackburn, that's the game he should be starting Rooney in, squad depth problems :P
     
    I can see Lingard and Rashford being summoned for the France game, can't see much rotation beyond that.
     
    I
    AltiUn said:
    It may not be CL but great to see us in Europe again, very excited for this tie. Not sure if we'll go for an attacking 4-2-3-1 or the more defensive 4-3-3 with Carrick, I'm leaning more towards the 4-3-3. Think we'd see Mata benched for Carrick if that were to happen. Will probably be a dull game considering the defensive records of both teams.
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    I think it will be 4231. We will be looking to get a healthy lead. We can expect 433 in the 2nd leg.
     
    abhayselvan said:
    I

    I think it will be 4231. We will be looking to get a healthy lead. We can expect 433 in the 2nd leg.
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    This first leg is away and so the more defensive formation is likely - Jose is nothing if not a pragmatist. He'll be happy with an away draw and anything better is a bonus...
     
    Redguern said:
    This first leg is away and so the more defensive formation is likely - Jose is nothing if not a pragmatist. He'll be happy with an away draw and anything better is a bonus...
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    Fixtures are the other way around home game first. So same drill as against Hull try and get a 2-0. It appears st Etienne are a much better team than Hull, and could be very tricky so obviously strongest team possible. It might be prudent to bring in Carrick as European fixtures are different, push Pogba up the pitch and drop mata.
     
    So fwiw I agree an 'attacking' 4-2-3-1', where the 2 is Pog-Herr, will be best and most likely.

    Now I am all excited that I don't have to wait til the weekend for a match.
     
    The opposition's manager had said earlier that Europa is their last priority so they might be fielding a slightly weaker team depending on their next league game. If they do, we should take full advantage and give them a proper thrashing.
     
    I'm never sure who will be LB but the only other possible change from the Watford game I can see, is Carrick in for either Mata or Martial.
     
    Giggs86 said:
    So are we taking this thing seriously this time?
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    I think we have to; I'm confident of top 4 but there's no guarantees

    MichaelRed said:
    We're 2 points outside the top 4, how is this our only chance for CL?
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    No, top 4 is actually our best chance of CL next year imho. But not a given; let's win both, that's defo possible, if improbable!

    TMDaines said:
    Same XI as today or possibly Carrick in for Mata. Will likely be a low scoring tie, so a 2-goal winning margin here would be crucial.
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    Yeah, Mou might do something like that to take advantage of Carrick's experience & savvy ... not sure that I would tho.

    RedMaestro said:
    Ibra against St. Etienne - 14 goals in 13 matches. Can we maybe see the big guy scoring his first hat-trick for Manchester United? I hope/believe so!
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    Let's not be greedy; I'll take two from the big guy including one penalty.

    LuisNaniencia said:
    We will go full strength here. Go full Schweinsteiger against Blackburn.
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    I like that idea. Ithink we have to keep Schweiny's "head in it" so the Rovers might be just right?

    Android1974 said:
    It's a pity Shaw seems out of the picture for now, unlike Martial, I suppose he hasn't convinced Mourinho in training, because he would be useful in these attacking home games. And Mourinho featured him twice alongside Valencia against City, so there doesn't seem to be the attacking/defensive full-back problem there.
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    He (Mou) seems to think Shaw is one dimensional, so unless he starts he won't be on the bench. I expect him to dress for Blackburn

    LawCharltonBest said:
    I remember once when Jose was at Madrid, he purposefully got his players to get booked for a dead rubber 2nd leg, so they'd be clear for the next round. Then he got fined for it
    Personally I think it was a smart tactic and it was harsh to fine him
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    And more importantly a stupid rule!

    abhayselvan said:
    The opposition's manager had said earlier that Europa is their last priority so they might be fielding a slightly weaker team depending on their next league game. If they do, we should take full advantage and give them a proper thrashing.
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    Don't believe everything you read; love the French, just don't trust 'em! (Unless they play for us 'course :smirk:)
     
    Galtier will park the bus tomorrow, something that they're pretty good at.

    They frustrated a lot of teams in recent years playing like that.

    I think that we'll someting we saw a lot at OT this year, an attack / defense all night.

    It's really important to close the tie tomorrow and scoring 2/3 goals something we can do.

    Their best players are Perrin (who is not very good this year), Ruffier (who was injured recently and didn't played), and Hamouma (who is a cheaper version of Lingard)
     
    Marcos Rojo back
    Here’s the Argentinian with teammates.

    On Rooney, Carrick and Jones, they might not even start if they are ultimately available.

    JS111918314.jpg
     
    Manchester United fan Ole Selnaes gearing up for 'special moment' as St Etienne prepare for Old Trafford test
    • Ole Selnaes, 22, grew up as a Manchester United fan in his native Norway
    • Game will see Florentin Pogba go up against Paul Pogba's Manchester United
    • United host St Etienne at Old Trafford in Europa League first leg encounter

    Ole Selnaes, like thousands of other Norwegians, is a Manchester United fan - but this one could be lining up against his idols at Old Trafford on Thursday.

    An intelligent midfielder, the 22-year-old is an important cog in the St Etienne side that this Thursday faces United in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash.

    Selnaes has become a growing influence with Les Verts since leaving hometown club Rosenborg at the start of last year in order to pit his wits against Ligue 1's best.

    The defensive-minded player is loving life at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard and the opportunities it affords him, such as Thursday's trip to Old Trafford.

    'English football and Manchester United is really, really big in Norway,' said Selnaes.

    'The Premier League is by far the most popular league in Norway and when I grew up we had some Norwegians at Manchester United, so obviously I followed them totally.

    'I have been to some games when I was a little kid, but that's a long time ago now.

    'Of course it is going to be a special moment. It's one of the most special stadiums in the world - a great history, a special stadium.'

    Ronny Johnsen and Henning Berg were among the Norwegians to enjoy success at Old Trafford, but for a young boy called Ole his favourite United player was obvious.

    'One of my favourites was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,' Selnaes said.

    'When I grew up, he was maybe in his prime and did really well. He was maybe the greatest player in Norway at that time.'

    Such stars are lacking from the national side nowadays, but the current crop are beginning to again play regularly at a higher level.

    Selnaes - currently unavailable for his country due to a FIFA ban for insulting a match official - has certainly enjoyed the challenges presented by moving to St Etienne, with his transition to life in France aided by Rosenborg team-mate Alexander Soderlund joining around the same time.

    The pair spend a lot of time together away from the pitch and embrace life in a city where the club is core to people's identity.

    'We have fantastic fans, a great atmosphere,' Selnaes said. 'I feel like the football and the club is really, really important in the city.

    'If you win and do well, everyone in the city is happy and if you don't do well it sucks a bit.

    'It's very important here and I think when you live in St Etienne, you have a relationship to the club and understand that the club is really important there. It's a special city.'

    St Etienne are not the force they once were, but remain one of France's grandest clubs, having won 10 league titles and finished runners-up in the 1976 European Cup.

    The team currently sit fifth in Ligue 1 - a point off bitter rivals Lyon despite beating them at the start of February - as they enjoy a decent season under long-serving manager Christophe Galtier.

    St Etienne certainly look likely to prove tougher opponents than odds of 9-2 on their progress suggest, especially as Jose Mourinho's side head to the intimidating Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for the second leg.

    'I think we have the best fans in France and have fans all over the country,' Selnaes said. 'I can feel it's a big club.

    'I think it's good for us to start away and finish at home.

    'Obviously it's going to be a really tough match, but for sure I know that the atmosphere is going to be very, very good every time we play at home.

    'We will try to play our way. We have to try to respect their strengths and everything, but we're not that kind of team who just plays defensively 90 minutes.'

    It will be a special tie for Selnaes and several others, no more so than the Pogba brothers, Paul and Florentin, as they prepare to face one another.

    'I think he thinks it's fun,' Selnaes said. 'I talked to Florentin a little bit and he said, 'It's once in a lifetime to play against your brother'.

    'It's a fun thing. I can imagine if I was playing my brother in a big game, of course it's a funny thing.

    'When the game starts, maybe they forget about it. Afterwards, they will remember it for a long time.'

    It is unlikely Selnaes will forget the tie against United any time soon either.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...d-fan-Ole-Selnaes-gearing-special-moment.html
     
    Just hope Mourinho lets Martial have a go at Saint-Étienne, but something tells me he'll might reinstate Rashford. Also, if we trash them, Bailly and Herrera to force yellows?
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Zlatan Ibrahimovic image Zlatan Ibrahimovic 51% of 783 votes

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Player Ratings

6.5 Total Average Rating

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Score Predictions

595,10,26
  • Man Utd win
  • St. Etienne win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 32% Man Utd 2:0 St. Etienne
  • 28% Man Utd 3:0 St. Etienne
  • 9% Man Utd 3:1 St. Etienne
  • 8% Man Utd 2:1 St. Etienne
  • 7% Man Utd 1:0 St. Etienne
  • 6% Man Utd 4:0 St. Etienne
  • 3% Man Utd 5:0 St. Etienne
  • 2% Man Utd 4:1 St. Etienne
  • 2% Man Utd 0:0 St. Etienne
  • 2% Man Utd 1:1 St. Etienne
  • 1% Man Utd 0:5 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 0:1 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 0:3 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 5:5 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 3:2 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 1:3 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 0:4 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 2:2 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 5:1 St. Etienne
  • 0% Man Utd 5:4 St. Etienne
Compiled from 631 predictions.
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Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. St. Etienne
Possession
62% 38%
Shots
21 14
Shots on Target
8 0
Corners
5 1
Fouls
15 16

Referee

Pavel Kralovec

Man Utd Lineup

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