Europa League Play-off 2nd Leg

Manchester United 2:1 Barcelona

Old Trafford

Kick-off
Thu, 23 February 2023 @ 8:00pm GMT
Status

Closed

Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

  • Status
    Not open for further replies.
    De gea

    AWB
    Varane
    Martinez
    Shaw

    Casemiro
    Sabitzer
    Bruno

    Sancho
    Weghorst
    Rashford

    Antony and Martial off the bench maybe?
     
    Hope to see Martial and / or Antony back. But, if either are, can only see them starting on the bench. Same with McTominay after today's return.

    De Gea

    Wan-Bissaka
    Varane
    Martinez
    Shaw

    Casemiro
    Fred

    Bruno
    Sancho
    Rashford

    Weghorst
     
    I can’t help but feel the glamour goes down hill if we get past them. It’ll be a bunch of shithousey teams from here on which aren’t as fun.

    I can totally see Arsenal pulling the chute and exiting to focus on the league by playing their second string.
     
    Be interesting to see which two out of Sancho, Fred and Sabitzer he picks. He likes the Eriksen-type player (which suggests Sabitzer) but surely you also want Fred in midfield for such a game. If you want then both, with Fred pushed further forward, you slot Bruno on the right and you don’t have room for Sancho. Weghorst defo plays.
     
    TMDaines said:
    Be interesting to see which two out of Sancho, Fred and Sabitzer he picks. He likes the Eriksen-type player (which suggests Sabitzer) but surely you also want Fred in midfield for such a game. If you want then both, with Fred pushed further forward, you slot Bruno on the right and you don’t have room for Sancho.
    Click to expand...
    I’d play Sancho left, Bruno right and Rashford up front. Fred, Sabitzer and Casemiro midfield
     
    Adamsk7 said:
    I’d play Sancho left, Bruno right and Rashford up front. Fred, Sabitzer and Casemiro midfield
    Click to expand...
    Not a chance Weghorst doesn’t start. He has started every match since joining and works extremely hard.

    I can see why some might opt for it, but can’t see Ten Hag doing so. I think he will want both Weghorst and Fred to disrupt De Jong and Busquets.
     
    Fresh Casemiro can make a lot of difference. Unleash the beast. Frenkie for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
     
    Todd said:
    De Gea

    Shaw
    Martinez
    Varane
    Dalot

    Casemiro
    Sabitzer
    Fred

    Sancho
    Rashford
    Bruno

    Feeling pretty good about our chances.

    Hopefully we pound them and De Jong decides to come to United after all.
    Click to expand...

    Given our options, that’s what I’d like to see too.
     
    mu4c_20le said:
    Grew up in a favela and played football on the streets of Sao Paolo, he joined their youth setup aged 10 before being spotted by European scouts.
    Click to expand...

    Unfortunately lost the ability to use his right leg other than to stand on, only scores tap ins and on his spiritual journey to transcend into a fidget spinner.
     
    With Busquets back, it can, and will make a big difference for them. They will have the ball more and will try to slow our intensity.

    I see a similar outcome as the United vs Real of 10 years ago when Nani was sent off.

    We were better and confident and then have been out.

    Anyway, I want to win, but I want to win more the Carabao cup on Sunday.

    -------------------------------------------De Gea---------------------------------------------
    Dalot------------------------Varane-----------Martinez----------------------Shaw
    --------------------------------Casemiro-------Sabitzer--------------------------------
    Bruno-----------------------------------Fred-------------------------------------Sancho
    ------------------------------------------Rashford-------------------------------------------
     
    TMDaines said:
    Not a chance Weghorst doesn’t start. He has started every match since joining and works extremely hard.

    I can see why some might opt for it, but can’t see Ten Hag doing so. I think he will want both Weghorst and Fred to disrupt De Jong and Busquets.
    Click to expand...

    Yeah, there's no away goals, so having Sabitzer come on after an hour for a potentially 120 minute game makes sense, whereas when/if the game gets stretched, having Sabitzer or Sancho come on as a #10 could decide it (or Antony on the right and Bruno moving in to play as a #10).

    I could see this from the start, though:

    ---Rashford---------------------------------
    ------------------Weghorst--------Bruno
    -----------Fred--------Sabitzer----------
    Shaw------------Casemiro--------------
    -----------Lisandro------Varane-------Dalot

    and we just live with Raphinha on Lisandro a fair amount and have Dalot tucking in to help Varane with Lewandowski.

    That's a tough team to play against and Barca won't sit back and park the bus so you still get space for Rashford to try to get in behind.

    2nd half, Weghorst off for Sancho as a #10 or Antony as a RW (with Bruno playing as a #10) as the game gets stretched, or Sancho on the left, Rashford up top proper and Bruno on the right.
     
    I think it could be interesting to see how Xavi goes with both Pedri and Gavi out. Busquets won’t be match fit, but you’d assume be starts alongside De Jong and either Roberto or Kessie

    He tinkered quite a bit in the away leg in defence with Araujo on the right and brought Alonso and Alba in. I suspect it’ll be Kounde, Araujo, Christensen and Balde at the back this time which seems a more solid defence for them.

    Thankfully we have much better squad options this time around, but I still think it’ll be a tight game.
     
    GregM40 said:
    I think it could be interesting to see how Xavi goes with both Pedri and Gavi out. Busquets won’t be match fit, but you’d assume be starts alongside De Jong and either Roberto or Kessie

    He tinkered quite a bit in the away leg in defence with Araujo on the right and brought Alonso and Alba in. I suspect it’ll be Kounde, Araujo, Christensen and Balde at the back this time which seems a more solid defence for them.

    Thankfully we have much better squad options this time around, but I still think it’ll be a tight game.
    Click to expand...
    I really don't know why he thought it was a good idea to play Alonso CB... but thanks a lot for that. And I agree, I think it will be Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde.

    They should be better on the ball with Busquets back but you can still get in behind him and I would back us at home. I'd be tempted to play Casemiro, Fred and Sabitzer, but at least we've got options this time. It should be a thrilling game and hopefully we get the win, but please no extra time.
     
    Full strength obviously although I'm not sure whether we should start sabitzer over Fred or not.

    They're significantly weakened in the midfield having lost both Gavin and pedri and with this being on our home turf I gave extremely high hopes of a comprehensive win.
     
    Red the Bear said:
    Full strength obviously although I'm not sure whether we should start sabitzer over Fred or not.

    They're significantly weakened in the midfield having lost both Gavin and pedri and with this being on our home turf I gave extremely high hopes of a comprehensive win.
    Click to expand...
    I'd be amazed if Fred doesn't start considering he was subbed by the hour mark against Leicester. If Sabitzer starts, it would be over Weghorst or Sancho IMO. I think we're more likely to just go with the more offensive line-up and let Weghorst press high up the pitch. The crowd will be up for this one and we'll have probably our strongest back-line whilst Barca are missing 2-3 of their more creative players.

    Ideal scenario is we can be winning the game and sub on Sabitzer, McTominay and Garnacho to see the game out but have also more pace on the counter.
     
    What is this bullshit, 2 days between this game and EFL final? that's not even enough for 1 training session!
     
    Havak said:
    I'd be amazed if Fred doesn't start considering he was subbed by the hour mark against Leicester. If Sabitzer starts, it would be over Weghorst or Sancho IMO. I think we're more likely to just go with the more offensive line-up and let Weghorst press high up the pitch. The crowd will be up for this one and we'll have probably our strongest back-line whilst Barca are missing 2-3 of their more creative players.

    Ideal scenario is we can be winning the game and sub on Sabitzer, McTominay and Garnacho to see the game out but have also more pace on the counter.
    Click to expand...
    I agree, Fred's been pretty decent recently and that's probably what Eric intends to do, having Martinez back should be a blessing as well.
     
    tenpoless said:
    What is this bullshit, 2 days between this game and EFL final? that's not even enough for 1 training session!
    Click to expand...
    They're playing all the time so probably don't have time for training sessions anyways. My main hope is this game vs Barcelona doesn't go to extra time.
     
    I think Maguire might be ideal for this game, in the last match we struggled with dealing with the influx of aerial balls into the box in the second half for Lewandowski and Maguire is probably our best defender for dealing with this
     
    Lee565 said:
    I think Maguire might be ideal for this game, in the last match we struggled with dealing with the influx of aerial balls into the box in the second half for Lewandowski and Maguire is probably our best defender for dealing with this
    Click to expand...

    Maguire up against the speed and swiftness of a Barcelona team......what could go wrong?
     
    jimmyb2000 said:
    Maguire up against the speed and swiftness of a Barcelona team......what could go wrong?
    Click to expand...

    I would definitely not play Maguire, to me he is the 4th cb in the pecking order. But this Barca with the injuries and suspensions is quite slow actually, in my opinion.
     
    Levi1 said:
    5th, behind Shaw
    Click to expand...

    True, forgot him as a CB, he's been very solid there. If I remember correctly Southgate used him as a LCB for England at one or two games, perhaps even at the last Euros. Was very good there for them as well.
     
    Let’s hope the game is concluded in 90 minutes. Could really do without extra-time and penalties.

    We are yet to see a midfield of Casemiro and Sabitzer so it will be interesting to see what EtH goes with.
     
    As long as we keep Rashford and Casemiro fit for the final against Newcastle I’ll be happy. The Barca game will be a good test but ultimately it is the game against Newcastle that matters more in the medium term with a potential first trophy under ETH. Even if we get past Barca it’s unlikely we will go all the way.
     
    evil_geko said:
    I feel very confident for this game and I don't like that at all.
    Click to expand...
    I don't think your confidence affects the result in any way but here's something to dent it if that's what you're looking for:

    The last three times we drew away from home against a Spanish team in the first leg of a European knockout competition, we went on to lose at home: Atlético Madrid 2022, Sevilla 2018, Real Madrid 2013.
     
    Really excited for this one. Hoping for a Roma style thrashing but expecting a nailbiter where the momentum changes frequently. 3-2 United, please no extra time.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.
Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Fred image Fred 50% of 410 votes

Runners-up

Show more results

Player Ratings

7.0 Total Average Rating

Highest Rated Player

Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 373 ratings.
Submit your ratings
View full results

Score Predictions

195,21,15
  • Man Utd win
  • Barcelona win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 42% Man Utd 2:1 Barcelona
  • 14% Man Utd 3:1 Barcelona
  • 13% Man Utd 2:0 Barcelona
  • 6% Man Utd 3:2 Barcelona
  • 5% Man Utd 1:2 Barcelona
  • 4% Man Utd 1:0 Barcelona
  • 3% Man Utd 1:1 Barcelona
  • 3% Man Utd 3:0 Barcelona
  • 3% Man Utd 2:2 Barcelona
  • 1% Man Utd 5:0 Barcelona
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 Barcelona
  • 1% Man Utd 0:2 Barcelona
  • 1% Man Utd 4:2 Barcelona
  • 1% Man Utd 2:3 Barcelona
  • 0% Man Utd 6:0 Barcelona
  • 0% Man Utd 0:0 Barcelona
  • 0% Man Utd 1:3 Barcelona
  • 0% Man Utd 0:3 Barcelona
  • 0% Man Utd 4:1 Barcelona
  • 0% Man Utd 0:5 Barcelona
Compiled from 231 predictions.
Show more results Score Predictions League Table

Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Barcelona
Possession
42% 58%
Shots
12 6
Shots on Target
5 3
Corners
1 2
Fouls
13 12

Referee

Clement Turpin

Man Utd Lineup

Substitutes

Lineup Predictions League Table View your Lineup Prediction