Manchester United 3:1 Aston Villa

theyneverlearn · Mar 23, 2015

The issue's during the season with our team have not been the backline, it' been the midfield and attack, so I'd be inclined to start phasing in our best back 4, whilst maintaining the same midfield and attack. That being said; my personal preference for the starting XI is as follows:

de Gea
Rafael Jones Smalling Shaw
Carrick
Mata Herrera Fellaini Young
Rooney
____________________________

On form, Rafael and Shaw add more to the team than Valencia and Blind, especially at RB and LB.

A home game V Aston Villa is a perfect time to try the above team. Just having our best fullbacks in it makes it look a lot more fluid and flexible. The international break is ok as it gives Young some time to recover from his injury.

RedDevil@84 · Mar 23, 2015

On a sidenote can we have RvP rested for the rest of the season..

RedDevil@84 · Mar 23, 2015

Btw.. With Gerrard out and Skrtel probably out for 3 matches, will Pool be able to stop Arsenal at Emirates. I doubt that happening.

Adcuth · Mar 23, 2015

Barca84 · Mar 23, 2015

RedDevil@84 said:
Btw.. With Gerrard out and Skrtel probably out for 3 matches, will Pool be able to stop Arsenal at Emirates. I doubt that happening.

We'll beat them at OT

WyoManU · Mar 23, 2015

Gotta win this one. All the positive momentum from the last two games will be worth nothing if we even draw this match. I hope we actually hit a cricket score type win.

Turnip · Mar 23, 2015

Don't mock the 7 midfielder tactics so quickly RedCafe.

Going for exact same lineup as against Spurs and 'pool, can't see why he'd want to change anything unless there's an injury or someone needs rest, he's finally found a line-up that works.

The United Irishman · Mar 23, 2015

Pentame said:
Because he was poor today. His form over the last couple of games hasn't been anything special imo. He obviously scored that goal against Newcastle, but he doesn't create or score enough at the moment. He has had a great season, but most of his good performances came as a left wingback.

I thought he done alright on Sunday..Nothing special, but he's been one of our better players for the last 4 or 5 games. Rooney was poor at Anfield too, should he be left out also?...I don't think so!

Theonas · Mar 23, 2015

A win here and we'll be shoe in for the top 4 as I can't see Liverpool beating Arsenal. 7 or 8pts ahead of them should be enough with 7 games to go.

Gannicus · Mar 23, 2015

Rojo for Jones, to be sure. Jones did well but he's a red card waiting to happen.

Di Maria coming off the bench is a fantastic weapon to have.

Blind at left back, without any question.

BootsyCollins · Mar 23, 2015

Want to see this :
------------------DeGea-------------
Rafael----Smalling----Rojo----Blind
-----------------Carrick-------------
---------Herrera--------Fellaini-----
Mata---------------------------Young
-------------Rooney-----------------

soap · Mar 23, 2015

------------------De Gea-------------
Valencia----Smalling----Rojo----Shaw
-----------------Carrick-------------
---------Herrera--------Fellaini-----
Mata---------------------------Di Maria
-------------Rooney-----------------

Comfortable 2-0. Hopefully Pereira gets a run out.

paulscholes18 · Mar 23, 2015

Ddg
Valencia smalling rojo Shaw
Carrick
Herrera Fellaini
Mata rooney di maria

caisenma · Mar 23, 2015

only change i can see happening from V liverpool is di maria for young.

Red Devil BB · Mar 23, 2015

Carrick
Herrera
Fellaini
Mata
Young
Rooney

Carrick sits in front of the 2 CBs. Herrera and Fellaini are the main ball winners. They go where the ball is. Mata and Herrera are always together. One of Young or Rooney always moves away from where the ball is.
Example

Carrick
Herrera.....................................
Fellaini..............
Mata.......................
......................................Young
Rooney...............

The opponents have the ball somewhere near Herrera and Fellaini. We are pressing and fighting to win it back. If the ball switches to the other side, Young drops back to help the LB and Herrera, Fellaini and Mata move across. Rooney stays where he is, away from the ball.

........Carrick
...Herrera
..........................................Young
...............Fellaini
............Mata
Rooney............................

Once Herrera and Fellaini are in position, Young is relieved of covering duties and moves back into forward area. If ball was switched again Rooney does the same cover job Young did and Young is the one who stays away from the ball. If Di Maria was to play it could only be for Mata or Young. They are the 2 players he is fighting against. I think stick with same 11 once again and give Di Maria 30 minutes in second half doing the Young role.

Herrera and Mata should always be relatively close to each and never have them on opposite sides of the pitch. Fellaini sticks with them too, like a bodyguard

Browniee · Mar 23, 2015

First time in a while I've actually put a United win in the score prediction, it actually feels good to be a United fan again. Long may it continue

Sandikan · Mar 23, 2015

caisenma said:
only change i can see happening from V liverpool is di maria for young.

Agree with this.
Little harsh on Young who has been good, but you don't really want to be leaving a 60m man out for too long.
I prefer him on that left wing to be honest. Gives the ball away a lot in midfield which is a lot more dangerous.

Jaap · Mar 23, 2015

Keep Blind at left-back.

Same time as Sunday; di María in for Young though. Think Rojo's in with a shout for Jones too.

Señor · Mar 23, 2015

It's crazy to think that a win here lifts us above City.

Browniee · Mar 23, 2015

Señor said:
It's crazy to think that a win here lifts us above City.

Yep, have to keep the pressure on them before our game at OT. Seems like City can't realky handle the pressure this season

darko · Mar 24, 2015

At the moment, I think Young looks doubt by the way he limped off, therefore, I made one change. DiMaria on for Young. I can't see LVG playing Shaw over Blind at LB. The only reason why he'd make the switch is if he felt Villa's athleticism would be a problem and Shaw would be a better option than Blind. But since he has stuck with Blind throughout the season, I can't see him playing MF and replacing Herrera they way the team has played the last two matches.

bosnian_red · Mar 24, 2015

darko said:
At the moment, I think Young looks doubt by the way he limped off, therefore, I made one change. DiMaria on for Young. I can't see LVG playing Shaw over Blind at LB. The only reason why he'd make the switch is if he felt Villa's athleticism would be a problem and Shaw would be a better option than Blind. But since he has stuck with Blind throughout the season, I can't see him playing MF and replacing Herrera they way the team has played the last two matches.

If it happens, with our expected domination of possession in that game it will probably be for the better too. Even off form Di Maria creates a ton of chances so it could be a game where we finally boost our scoring numbers a bit too.

marukomu · Mar 24, 2015

I just hope we treat them as a threat (Spurs and Scouse) and don't play it slowly because they're a weaker side.

darko · Mar 24, 2015

marukomu said:
I just hope we treat them as a threat (Spurs and Scouse) and don't play it slowly because they're a weaker side.

I'd like to think that United will benefit by Villa's new manger. Before, they'd just try to jam up everything. Now, I think they play more open then they used to. Well they couldn't certainly more defensively.

RedDevil@84 · Mar 24, 2015

Barca84 said:
We'll beat them at OT

I definitely believe that we could beat them at OT.
If we dont have any brainfeck moments in the match.

ricky-romeo · Mar 24, 2015

-----------------------de gea------------------------
valencia------smalling-----jones-----------blind
-----------------------carrick-------------------
----------------herrera--------fellaini------------
--------mata----------rooney------------di maria--

YzWayne · Mar 24, 2015

Any idea who is going for international duties from side?

Sean_RedDevil · Mar 24, 2015

YzWayne said:
Any idea who is going for international duties from side?

Rooney, Carrick, De Gea, Di Maria, Falcao, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Rojo, McNair, Valencia, Blind & Fellaini

Injured: Van Persie, Shaw & Wilson

Mata, Herrera, Januzaj, Young, Valdes, Rafael, Lindegaard & Blackett have a few days off

ChaddyP · Mar 24, 2015

____________Ddg____________
_Valencia Smalling Jones blind
____Herrera Carrick Fellaini____
______Mata Rooney Young____

"Why change a winning fecking team" - lvg

Time to go Mourinho on this league and just stick the winning side every week. We've played the least amount of games in top 4, and have been rotation the most mostly due to injury. We should be able to field this side as much as possible with minor changes.

NoPace · Mar 24, 2015

I don't think Blind will get dropped for Shaw yet, unless Van Gaal wants to rest Carrick, but I don't think that's necessary at this point.

Di Maria looked far more dangerous than Young against Liverpool, but he also gave the ball away too often and while that is somewhat mitigated by playing him down the left-wing, it might concern Van Gaal enough to give Young another start and have Di Maria come on at the hour.

theyneverlearn · Mar 24, 2015

ChaddyP said:
____________Ddg____________
_Valencia Smalling Jones blind
____Herrera Carrick Fellaini____
______Mata Rooney Young____

"Why change a winning fecking team" - lvg

Time to go Mourinho on this league and just stick the winning side every week. We've played the least amount of games in top 4, and have been rotation the most mostly due to injury. We should be able to field this side as much as possible with minor changes.

I don't agree with not changing the defence. Valencia and Blind both looked dodgy at times Sunday which could have resulted in a goal against.

I agree that we should keep midfield and attack, but I only see positives should be restore Shaw, or bring in Rafael in defence.

ChaddyP · Mar 24, 2015

theyneverlearn said:
I don't agree with not changing the defence. Valencia and Blind both looked dodgy at times Sunday which could have resulted in a goal against.

I agree that we should keep midfield and attack, but I only see positives should be restore Shaw, or bring in Rafael in defence.

I dont actually think Rafael is a better option than valencia at this moment. I trust valencia much more than Rafael, Shaw now,its fine either way, though I like that we have an extra good passer with Blind at left back and he's also a brilliant crosser. Shaw offers more drive, pace and directness which is also good. Either way I'm happy.

vidic blood & sand · Mar 24, 2015

Beat Villa. Liverpool draw with Arsenal

We are then above Arsenal, and 7 in front of liverpool

We then beat city and go above them, and then beat chelsea and go within 5 points of them

RedDevil@84 · Mar 24, 2015

vidic blood & sand said:
Beat Villa. Liverpool draw with Arsenal
We are then above Arsenal, and 7 in front of liverpool
We then beat city and go above them, and then beat chelsea and go within 5 points of them

Chelsea get completely brain fecked in the last matches and lose everything.. We win the last matches and take the cup

Sandikan · Mar 24, 2015

Get Villa beat, then see how the land lies with Arsenal and Pool.

5 points lead can very easily turn into no lead with City and Chelsea as a double header.
Think we've lost at home to City the last 3 years now is it?

RDCR07 · Mar 24, 2015

Cant wait for this game to come any quicker. Got to keep the momentum going.

Al-T · Mar 24, 2015

Bloody International break has come at the wrong time for us. The team will be on a high after two excellent wins in matches where the prevailing press commentary was that the opposition only had to turn up to win. Just hope no one gets injured and we don't lose the momentum the last fortnight has built up. LvG will need to get the mindset right again quickly. Other managers are probably worried about their England players being injured in training by Jones.

Of the games we have left, three look tough (Chelsea, Arsenal and City), two are tricky (Palace and Everton away) and the last three look eminently winnable (Villa, WBA, Hull). Hopefully we'll see a professional job done on Villa to consolidate our position before the two toughest ones.

Browniee · Mar 24, 2015

I'm so glad we are playing Aston Villa after the shitty England break, if it was Chelsea or City id be shitting it.
We can regain confidence and form against Villa, I hope

ChaddyP · Mar 24, 2015

Sandikan said:
Think we've lost at home to City the last 3 years now is it?

Yup, had a meltdown and got a whalloping, then we already won the league and couldn't give a feck, then we had Moyes...

Shark · Mar 24, 2015

We've been working towards what we've seen vs Spurs and Liverpool all season. An International break isn't going to disrupt all of that work.

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