FA Premier League

Manchester United 2:1 Middlesbrough

Old Trafford

Kick-off
Sat, 31 December 2016 @ 3:00pm GMT
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Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

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    DJ Jeff said:
    Don't have a good feeling about any game where Carrick isn't playing.
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    I agree.
    And this is why I am worried that he may miss the WHU game, as well.
    We all knew he could play only 1 of the 2 games, but it looks like he won't play any of the games.
     
    witchtrials said:
    Not sure you can really say his hands are tied with Schweinsteiger, (for better or worse) the decision to leave him on the bench rather than start him is entirely Mourinho's choice. But even if we do say he has no choice but to leave Schweinsteiger out he still had the option of starting Blind in midfield.
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    Blind in midfield means Darmian in the team.

    Darmian isn't very good.
     
    Inigo Montoya said:
    When you think that Bailly and Smalling were first choice, Blind has played at LB,Fellaini in midfield. It's hardly a radical change.

    The one that JM would have put in is Rooney but I don't suppose many on here are lamenting his absence
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    I realise that, but Smalling hasn't played in a while, and Bailly hasn't had much playing time, they could be rusty. Jones and Rojo have been superb, they haven't given other teams any space and they're a big reason for the good run we are on
     
    NoLookPasser said:
    Great that we are rotating today. West Ham have named an unchanged line up today which is their strongest possible team. They are bound to be tired for our match against them.
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    Agreed. Our team should be too strong for Boro to handle.
     
    don't mind fellaini in for this game. we should have enough to win the game regardless.
     
    All of Jose's four signings starting today in there best positions, hoping for a great result. Fellaini will be fine.
     
    Had a blossoming central partnership in Rojo and Jones. Although Smalling and Bailly are not shabby,can't help but feel it may disrupt things . Still sticking with 2-0 United though.
     
    It's worrying that without Carrick we have to rely on Fellaini. That's like putting Rooney up front when Zlatan gets injured. The drop in quality is immense.
     
    Have a bad feeling this will end 1-1.
     
    sunama said:
    Rojo has been great as a CB.
    He remains terrible as a LB.
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    I agree he's often been pretty poor there, but the gap in quality between Blind and Darmian or Rojo at left back is smaller than that between Fellaini and Blind as midfielders.
     
    PlayerOne said:
    I realise that, but Smalling hasn't played in a while, and Bailly hasn't had much playing time, they could be rusty. Jones and Rojo have been superb, they haven't given other teams any space and they're a big reason for the good run we are on
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    More worried by this than Fellaini. Neither fully sharp especially Smalling.
     
    Rather fellaini today than against West Ham. Team makes sense given were playing in 2 days.
    Expecting 4 or maybe 5 changes for the WHU game which is away. We should dominate the ball today so defence shouldnt be the biggest worry.
     
    RedNed77 said:
    Fellaini is overdue a red card as well. I don't mind if he's just his usual crappy self but he needs to watch the elbows today.
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    Literally EVERY. SINGLE. MATCH... people say Fellaini is going to get a red card. He's had 3 in his entire career since coming to England. Over the same period, Herrera has had 6 and Zlatan has had 7. The latter two are more likely to be sent off.

    If ever there were a case of a player's reputation going before him, it's with Fellaini.
     
    Please no dropping points on SAF's birthday! And no ruining our New Year's Eve! Come on lads any win will do!
     
    Leroy The Red said:
    Not sure why Fellaini is playing. Middlesbrough don't offer a height threat nor rely on set pieces .
    We'll be attacking most of the game, he's not going to unlock their defence with a pass.
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    I think Felliani (and Smalling to a lesser extent) play because Middlesbrough look vulnerable on set pieces. Valdes is a small keeper who struggles badly with crosses.
     
    sunama said:
    I agree.
    And this is why I am worried that he may miss the WHU game, as well.
    We all knew he could play only 1 of the 2 games, but it looks like he won't play any of the games.
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    feck :mad: :(

    We're dropping points in one of these games. I would be so much more confident with Carrick starting.
     
    Why do we need a 3rd CM there when it's not Carrick? Just put Mata with Herrera and pogba and let the juices flow!
     
    Don't see why people are concerned with Smalling. He was going to be our next Rio. Bailly was also very solid at the beginning of the year. I rate both of them above Rojo-Jones partnership. BUT I do have a problem that both of them coming in cold, having not played in a while. Why not only bring in one of them today?
     
    I am disappointed that Mata is not in the starting XI.

    But let's get behind the team and support the players, and that includes Smalling and Fellaini. They are our players and we will need them to play well and earn 3 points for the club.
     
    I'm worried about smalling or bailly at left cb also. Smalling is pretty poor that side at passing, don't think we've ever seen bailly play lcb?

    Hopefully it goes smoothly but they've not partnered before I don't think.
     
    Varun said:
    Why do we need a 3rd CM there when it's not Carrick? Just put Mata with Herrera and pogba and let the juices flow!
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    Because giving Pogba and Herrera the chance get forward and press high has worked well for us. I'm guessing Jose wants to keep that going
     
    Dante said:
    Literally EVERY. SINGLE. MATCH... people say Fellaini is going to get a red card. He's had 3 in his entire career since coming to England. Over the same period, Herrera has had 6 and Zlatan has had 7. The latter two are more likely to be sent off.

    If ever there were a case of a player's reputation going before him, it's with Fellaini.
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    Agreed, his reputation and the fact he elbows somebody in the face pretty much every time he goes out to play for us.
     
    Varun said:
    Why do we need a 3rd CM there when it's not Carrick? Just put Mata with Herrera and pogba and let the juices flow!
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    Yeh, I think this is fair. Boro at home, 4231 would have been acceptable. Think its harsh on Mata not starting this game (dont expect him to start WHU either)/
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Anthony Martial image Anthony Martial 75% of 654 votes

Runners-up

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Player Ratings

6.6 Total Average Rating

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Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 510 ratings.
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Score Predictions

584,9,24
  • Man Utd win
  • Middlesbrough win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 31% Man Utd 2:0 Middlesbrough
  • 29% Man Utd 3:0 Middlesbrough
  • 9% Man Utd 4:0 Middlesbrough
  • 6% Man Utd 2:1 Middlesbrough
  • 6% Man Utd 1:0 Middlesbrough
  • 5% Man Utd 3:1 Middlesbrough
  • 4% Man Utd 5:0 Middlesbrough
  • 2% Man Utd 4:1 Middlesbrough
  • 2% Man Utd 1:1 Middlesbrough
  • 1% Man Utd 0:0 Middlesbrough
  • 1% Man Utd 4:2 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 5:1 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 0:5 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 2:2 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 1:2 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 3:2 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 5:4 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 5:2 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 0:1 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 1:3 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 0:2 Middlesbrough
  • 0% Man Utd 0:4 Middlesbrough
Compiled from 617 predictions.
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Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Middlesbrough
Possession
66% 34%
Shots
32 9
Shots on Target
12 2
Corners
12 2
Fouls
9 14

Referee

Lee Mason

Man Utd Lineup

Substitutes

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