Europa League Play-off 2nd Leg

Manchester United 2:1 Barcelona

Old Trafford

Kick-off
Thu, 23 February 2023 @ 8:00pm GMT
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Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

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    Going to be a very tough game, just like the first one. They really are a serious side at the moment, as are we. Brian Kerr said it very well on Irish TV last night, that the first leg was very much a CL quality game happening in the EL. We should be favourites with them missing Dembele, Gavi and Pedri but you can never write a team of their quality off ever. Hoping for a very good game with us shading it enough to go through. For ages I was against going through in the EL but at this point I want us to win as the Carling Cup will be out of the way on Sunday so we'll have less games to play with that anyway. Plus I'd love for us to have a statement win and knock the leaders of La Liga out of European competition.
     
    MadMike said:
    Indeed he wasn't. But I wouldn't call what Weghorst has been in as good form or confidence, either. Antony is a bit of right wing specialist in terms of tactics, whenever he's been available he was ETH's first choice there. We'll see I guess.
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    What I like about ETH is how well he knows his players to be able to maximise them despite playing them ''out of position'' -- a phrase that used to be a criticism of managers in the past.
    Bruno as effective as he is on the RW. Who knew.

    ETH's a genius at that. Fergie was a genius at man management but tactically not the greatest.

    ETH's at a different level. Best we have had so far.
     
    Strelok said:
    It's really hard to tell imo.

    WW as a #10 is effectively a DM there which imo is a bit redundant when we have Case back. Might sound crazy but imo McT or Fred would be even better there. After all the whole point of this tactic is our #10 trying to be the most annoying possible to their midfield. And both McT and Fred are actually a lot faster and are better on the ball than WW. And both have enough stamina to play the role.

    WW as a true #9 would simply kill most of our attacks as he's so off the pace and he could't even finish his chances as shown in the previous matches. So imo not this.

    Imo if Antony is fit enough he'll start, Bruno will be back to the #10. If not we'll see one of WW/McT/Fred as the #10. Garnacho has been better from the bench and Elanga has been poor.
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    It is hard to tell, indeed.

    I also believe Fred can be better at #10 than Weghorst, certainly a much quicker player to have in transition. My only problem is Fred's starts are atrocious and he can be as disruptive to our play as to the opposition's. He thrives with more space, which tends to open up in the second half.

    Also, Bruno presses as much as Weghorst but their contribution in the final 3rd is just... galaxies apart. If Antony is fit, I would also prefer to see him start with Bruno at #10 and Rashford up top.
     
    Something about seeing them at the Nou Camp and their deficiencies makes me think we can really put a score on them tonight.
    I'm going for a surprisingly dominant 2-0 win. Bruno and someone random like Varane.
     
    MadMike said:
    It is hard to tell, indeed.

    I also believe Fred can be better at #10 than Weghorst, certainly a much quicker player to have in transition. My only problem is Fred's starts are atrocious and he can be as disruptive to our play as to the opposition's. He thrives with more space, which tends to open up in the second half.

    Also, Bruno presses as much as Weghorst but their contribution in the final 3rd is just... galaxies apart. If Antony is fit, I would also prefer to see him start with Bruno at #10 and Rashford up top.
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    Would have a lineup taking into account the cup final this Sunday? Three days is not exactly a full recovery cycle for the players esp the older ones like Casimiro.
     
    We were really iffy in dealing with crosses in the last game, needs to do better there and I think we would win.
     
    MadMike said:
    My only problem is Fred's starts are atrocious and he can be as disruptive to our play as to the opposition's.
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    Agree. So probably McT I think. McT can finish a bit as well and he also has a better physical presence than Fred. But whoever ETH put there I'd be totally fine with. Not a big difference anyway imo.
     
    Strelok said:
    Agree. So probably McT I think. McT can finish a bit as well and he also has a better physical presence than Fred. But whoever ETH put there I'd be totally fine with. Not a big difference anyway imo.
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    There's next to no chance of McTominay starting tonight, and thank the supernatural entity of your preference for that.
     
    It’s Bruno, Shaw, Rashford and Fred who’s fitness needs to be managed right now. Tremendous amount of football they’ve played if I’m not mistaken without much rest. Especially Bruno.
     
    sglowrider said:
    30ish.
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    I think difference is footballers used to do zero recovery, when Giggs was playing it was still a period of transition from the boozy British football culture to what we consider professional today. Giggs started doing yoga late one to help him continue at the top level but I feel today's footballers get so much physio it's not an issue unless they're 35+ (you could see how bad Ronaldo looked at times earlier this season for us and he's peak physical fitness for his age).
     
    Rockets Redglare said:
    That was when he was fecking 40, not 31.
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    But also, it doesn't matter because a European tie against fecking Barcelona is not the time to rest players. After the excellent performance at the Camp Nou, it would be stupid to hamstring ourselves with unnecessary tinkering as a defeat could be a blow to the team's confidence.
     
    Sadly, I think something might have to give here. This match and the cup final are both pretty massive, but the cup final is more important. However, you aren't going to rest big players for a second leg match against Barca, so I'm concerned. If we're missing Casemiro for whatever reason on Sunday, we should still be able to do the business, but I'd be worried about it.
     
    sglowrider said:
    What I like about ETH is how well he knows his players to be able to maximise them despite playing them ''out of position'' -- a phrase that used to be a criticism of managers in the past.
    Bruno as effective as he is on the RW. Who knew.

    ETH's a genius at that. Fergie was a genius at man management but tactically not the greatest.

    ETH's at a different level. Best we have had so far.
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    During Fergie era players played effectively out of position lots of times.
     
    theyneverlearn said:
    The final is on Sunday at 4.30pm, if this match finishes at 10.30pm tonight, then that is only 2 days 18 hours rest.
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    Yes, my bad. Got the calculations wrong. It should still be enough. Obsession with resting in this place is strange.
     
    Real Name said:
    Yes, my bad. Got the calculations wrong. It should still be enough. Obsession with resting in this place is strange.
    Click to expand...
    It's because they can't do it so they assume pro footballers can't either
     
    kidbob said:
    Going to be a very tough game, just like the first one. They really are a serious side at the moment, as are we. Brian Kerr said it very well on Irish TV last night, that the first leg was very much a CL quality game happening in the EL. We should be favourites with them missing Dembele, Gavi and Pedri but you can never write a team of their quality off ever. Hoping for a very good game with us shading it enough to go through. For ages I was against going through in the EL but at this point I want us to win as the Carling Cup will be out of the way on Sunday so we'll have less games to play with that anyway. Plus I'd love for us to have a statement win and knock the leaders of La Liga out of European competition.
    Click to expand...

    Their attack is still very good: Raphinha and Lewandowski and they have a world class goalie. It's not going to be easy, even with the absentees.
    We need to convert our chances as we will create plenty of chances tonight. One mistake or a little lapse of concentration and Barcelona will punish us. Top clubs do just that.
     
    If we can defend well and not lose too many times in midfield with quick transition to our forward, then we can hurst them.

    Busquets will be there to manage the tempo of the game and Kessie + De Jong it will be a bit tough to get the ball off them, so I would rather pass their midfield quickly and expose their defenders.
     
    In my mind we're 60% favourites to win this, all things considered

    I expect to see:

    DDG
    AWB Varane Martinez Shaw
    Casemiro Sabitzer
    Bruno
    Sancho Weghorst Rashford

    Subs: Fred, Garnacho, Antony

    2-1 Sancho, Rashford​
     
    Real Name said:
    You mean the one in front of the Kop? :)
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    Yeah that one I think. Everyone simply went crazy :lol: But his best goal must be that legendary loft against Arsenal I think. Can't be sure though it's been ages.
     
    Strelok said:
    Yeah that one I think. Everyone simply went crazy :lol: But his best goal must be that legendary loft against Arsenal I think. Can't be sure though it's been ages.
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    It was against Arsenal
     
    Chaky_Best said:
    If we can defend well and not lose too many times in midfield with quick transition to our forward, then we can hurst them.

    Busquets will be there to manage the tempo of the game and Kessie + De Jong it will be a bit tough to get the ball off them, so I would rather pass their midfield quickly and expose their defenders.
    Click to expand...
    Isnt Biscuits out too?
     
    Strelok said:
    Agree. So probably McT I think. McT can finish a bit as well and he also has a better physical presence than Fred. But whoever ETH put there I'd be totally fine with. Not a big difference anyway imo.
    Click to expand...
    I’d much rather have Fred than McT. Although the latter can sometimes be good, I think Fred is more reliable- despite his much discussed inconsistency. His best is way better than McT.’s.
     
    Strelok said:
    Yeah that one I think. Everyone simply went crazy :lol: But his best goal must be that legendary loft against Arsenal I think. Can't be sure though it's been ages.
    Click to expand...
    Remember that one too, even he himself was surprised with that. :D

    Also remember Fergie putting Park brothers in midfield against Arsenal and we of course won.
     
    I've got this sick feeling in my stomach that Barca will be out to get Rashford and/or Bruno. And that the referee will amazingly turn a blind eye to it. Hope I'm wrong but somethings gonna happen.
     
    OleTheGreat said:
    I don't think us Man Utd fans know full well what EtH is going to field up against Barcelona tonight in the EL. I just wish he doesn't play Fred in midfield because that's plan for disaster. He gives the ball away too many times and we struggle. Especially when he is deep and De Gea chooses to find him, he immediately looses possession and we are under threat. We need a midfield 3 of Sancho, Sabitzer and Casemiro with Bruno on the right. It seems to be working and Bruno tracks back a lot which is fantastic. Barcelona have a few key players missing but that wouldn't make a huge difference anyway. We need to keep the morale high as it is and start attacking from minute 1. Aaaahhhh how happy it feels for once to wait for such a huge game expecting us to do well. Thanks you Erik Ten Hag. Long may you continue as a Man Utd manager.
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    Fred will start: his energy/pressing is needed in midfield. Barça are not that dangerous in transition.
     
    Red in STL said:
    It was against Arsenal
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    Yeah thanks.
    Lost bear said:
    I’d much rather have Fred than McT. Although the latter can sometimes be good, I think Fred is more reliable- despite his much discussed inconsistency. His best is way better than McT.’s.
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    That's quite disputable imo. McT had the match of his life when he scored two goals against Leeds couple seasons ago I think. What a finish that was any striker would be proud of imo.
    Real Name said:
    Remember that one too, even he himself was surprised with that. :D

    Also remember Fergie putting Park brothers in midfield against Arsenal and we of course won.
    Click to expand...
    Agree that match against Arsenal as well. And not the the Park brothers but the Silva ones I think mate. We've never had more than one Park here I think :D
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Fred image Fred 50% of 410 votes

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Player Ratings

7.0 Total Average Rating

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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.
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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

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