FA Cup 3rd Round

Manchester United 4:0 Reading

Old Trafford

Kick-off
Sat, 7 January 2017 @ 12:30pm GMT
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    Brightonian said:
    Surely if Rooney is fit Rashford should be in there anyway, instead of Lingard?
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    The combination on the field isnt so important to me, as the resting of the 5 key players mentioned. We absolutely need those 5 fit and ready for Liverpool; There's a number of combinations to use against Hull and Reading.
     
    Romero
    TFM
    Blind
    Smalling
    Rojo
    Fellaini
    Herrera
    Mata
    Rooney
    Rashford
    Martial

    I'd rest Pogba, I don't think he's a player that needs much rest but I'd let him have Reading off and then let Herrera have Hull off.
     
    I love the FA Cup but I'd take a risk with the selection here as we have a cup semi and the Liverpool game to follow and the players look tired.

     
    We'll play a near full strength side in this. You can forget about these mish mash line ups, Mourinho wants to win every single game.
     
    redNATION said:
    The combination on the field isnt so important to me, as the resting of the 5 key players mentioned. We absolutely need those 5 fit and ready for Liverpool; There's a number of combinations to use against Hull and Reading.
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    Fair enough, and yes agreed. Resting those five players is the one thing that really matters, line-up wise.
     
    bosnian_red said:
    Finally a great chance to rest a few. Unfortunately with our lack of competent mids apart from the starters, pogba and herrera have to play IMO but they should be fine as it's a week til that game (and then they can be rested vs hull).

    Romero
    TFM Smalling Blind Young
    Mata Herrera Pogba
    Rashford Rooney martial
    ​
    Hopefully Shaw to get some minutes off the bench as well. Rashford, Martial, Mata, Romero are 4 that I really hope play. Probably Young as well. Rest Rojo/Jones for the Hull and Liverpool game, or maybe play them in this and Smalling/blind against Hull. Either way, a nice couple of games to rotate and make sure everyone is fresh for Liverpool in 2 weeks.
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    I'd rather rest Herrera and Pogba in this game, put them on the bench if necessary. The Hull game is too near Wembley and a trophy to be messing about.
     
    Kag said:
    We'll play a near full strength side in this. You can forget about these mish mash line ups, Mourinho wants to win every single game.
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    Mourinho has made a point of talking about fatigue in his last three interviews. He is also not an idiot. I will be astonished if he doesn't rest at least two of the three central midfielders, and probably Valencia and Ibra too. Against Hull is slightly different because of how far into the competition we are, but the Reading game is still well within the realms of 'play a second string.'
     
    Not sure many people care about this one, should give game time to the squad players:
    Romero
    TFM, Smalling, Blind (If fit), Young
    Goss, Fellaini
    Lingard, Rooney, Mata
    Rashford
     
    Mourinho might be more interested in the League Cup than the FA Cup, since van Gaal won it last season.

    Who definitely needs rest? Valencia, Jones, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimović.

    I would start Carrick here, since there's no one who can give consistency to the team like him, and we might feature a lot of the less used players. I would then rest Carrick against Hull.
     
    Android1974 said:
    I was kind of accepting everything till Schweinsteiger, but Fosu-Mensah playing Pogba's position?
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    He can play there quite comfortably. Can run with the ball, tackle and pass. Its either there or play him in defense at the expense of Blind.
     
    Brightonian said:
    Mourinho has made a point of talking about fatigue in his last three interviews. He is also not an idiot. I will be astonished if he doesn't rest at least two of the three central midfielders, and probably Valencia and Ibra too. Against Hull is slightly different because of how far into the competition we are, but the Reading game is still well within the realms of 'play a second string.'
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    No more than a gut feeling, but I expect to see a stronger side against Reading than I do Hull. I also think Reading are the better side. Mourinho will make a few changes, but I'm not expecting anything like the wholesale changes some other people are expecting. It's not Mourinho's style.
     
    Kag said:
    No more than a gut feeling, but I expect to see a stronger side against Reading than I do Hull. I also think Reading are the better side. Mourinho will make a few changes, but I'm not expecting anything like the wholesale changes some other people are expecting. It's not Mourinho's style.
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    I guess the Reading/Hull thing depends on how he weighs the two different cups, which I have to admit I can't remember from his Chelsea stints.
     
    DomesticTadpole said:
    I'd rather rest Herrera and Pogba in this game, put them on the bench if necessary. The Hull game is too near Wembley and a trophy to be messing about.
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    Maybe it's better to use Carrick in the reading game and then Liverpool, being rested against hull, and only resting one of pogba/herrera this weekend and resting the other in midweek, that way all 3 get a tiny rest before Liverpool. The obvious important game of the next 3 is Liverpool at home. Reading and Hull we should be beating no matter the 11, but you don't want players to go off the boil so you can't do wholesale changes. A tiny rest is needed so I'd expect like half rotation in both games to keep everyone fresh for Liverpool.

    Actually, yeah Carrick didn't play a few days ago so he's definitely in for this then has a week off until Liverpool. Carrick, Pogba, Mata, Rashford, Rooney, Martial front 6 here. Lingard, Herrera, Mkhitaryan and Ibra starting against Hull instead of Carrick and the front 3.
     
    Brightonian said:
    Romero
    Riley Smalling Blind Darmian
    TFM Schweinsteiger
    Rashford Mata Martial
    Rooney
    ​
    Priorities, in order of importance:

    - Rest all three first choice midfielders.
    - Start Timmy. If not now, when? Ideally in CM (see first point), but given that he can also play FB there's no excuse.
    - Rest Valencia.
    - Start Rashford and Martial. Both just had games suggesting they're ready to hit form again. Test that here.
    - Rest Ibra. No signs of fatigue from him yet but despite his freak condition, he is 35 and has played almost every game.
    - Start Mata. With such hot competition in his position, especially Miki, he needs game time where he can get it.

    I know I've left Fellaini out. It always seems like starting someone like Fellaini is what buggers you in these games. You pick some kids and fringe players, sure, but they're all still gifted footballers looking to use their ability to outplay the opposition. But then they have to do it while also coping with Fellaini's incompetence. Carrick might be able to do that but it's a bit much to ask Timmy Fosu-Mensah to do it while he's also trying to handle the step up and generally prove himself.
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    This would seem ideal. Alternatively, I'd like to see Blind and Schweinsteiger in midfield and TFM at RB.
     
    Mourinho also knows it might be the last chance to bring some fringe players to the team, like Fosu-Mensah, Young, perhaps even Schweinsteiger?
     
    Raoul said:
    This would seem ideal. Alternatively, I'd like to see Blind and Schweinsteiger in midfield and TFM at RB.
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    I considered that, but Timmy seems to fill in Schweinsteiger's physical deficiencies better. One can be the brains, the other the brawn (and legs!) Plus if you're going to give TFM minutes, it might as well be in his best position, where he's so unlikely to find opportunities most of the time.
     
    Brightonian said:
    I guess the Reading/Hull thing depends on how he weighs the two different cups, which I have to admit I can't remember from his Chelsea stints.
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    I don't know either. I just think we need to be careful not to hurt our momentum, too. It's a fine balancing act, so I think we'll see three or four changes per game and try and maintain our winning form.
     
    Brightonian said:
    I considered that, but Timmy seems to fill in Schweinsteiger's physical deficiencies better. One can be the brains, the other the brawn (and legs!) Plus if you're going to give TFM minutes, it might as well be in his best position, where he's so unlikely to find opportunities most of the time.
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    Mourinho seems more interested in Fosu-Mensah's pace, not sure he would trust him such an influent central position on the pitch. Would be interesting to see it, though.
     
    I'd like to see:

    -------------DDG--------------
    TFM-Smalling-Blind-Darmian
    -------------BFS---------------
    ----Fellaini--------Mata-------
    Young--------------------Martial
    -----------Rashford------------
     
    Supposing Martial is certain to start on the left and Ibrahimović's to be rested; if Rooney's available, Rashford starts on the right (with Mata on the middle) or upfront?
     
    Last edited:
    Nice to have a break from the PL tbh, the stress of not being able to drop points is too much
     
    Rest basically everyone

    Romero

    Darmian
    Smalling
    Blind
    Young

    Fellaini
    TFM
    Rooney

    Rashford
    Martial
    Mata
     
    I would expect DDG, Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhi and zlatan to be rested for the next game, and even the game after that. Jose will want a full assault on liverpool with all his main weapons ready, can see the likes of mata, rashford, martial, maybe rooney starting. But Jose knows this comes at a great time to rest his main weapons, but he does want to win the trophy's to get his united haul underway
     
    Oneunited26 said:
    I would expect DDG, Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhi and zlatan to be rested for the next game, and even the game after that. Jose will want a full assault on liverpool with all his main weapons ready, can see the likes of mata, rashford, martial, maybe rooney starting. But Jose knows this comes at a great time to rest his main weapons, but he does want to win the trophy's to get his united haul underway
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    What sense does it make to ‘rest’ our best players for 13 days? The Hull game is a semi-final leg, and there's 5 days between the Liverpool game.
     
    Tempted to say I want to play RoJones here just to keep their momentum going, but we'll need them against Liverpool

    Deffo need to see TFM here either as one of the B2bs or RB, with Mkhi - Rashford - Martial up front
     
    Android1974 said:
    What sense does it make to ‘rest’ our best players for 13 days? The Hull game is a semi-final leg, and there's 5 days between the Liverpool game.
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    Considering how many games they have played, I can see Jose resting them. Pogba and Herrera have played none stop, and the fixtures will pile up has the Europa league returns. Think its a good chance to see the rest of the squad, that top 4 is there for the grabs
     
    MounchesterUtd said:
    Tempted to say I want to play RoJones here just to keep their momentum going, but we'll need them against Liverpool

    Deffo need to see TFM here either as one of the B2bs or RB, with Mkhi - Rashford - Martial up front
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    they rested the game before.. rojo looks fit nad Jonesy seem to keep up going too, maybe rest one of them for Smalling to get him in the form..
     
    Romero
    Darmian Smalling Blind Shaw
    Fellaini
    Herrera Pogba
    Mata Rashford Martial
     
    m1y2 said:
    they rested the game before.. rojo looks fit nad Jonesy seem to keep up going too, maybe rest one of them for Smalling to get him in the form..
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    Good point on Smalling getting back to form, also forgot that these two got plenty of rest before the injuries to Bailly and Smalling so they should still have some left in the tank.

    Now that you mention it, maybe we can line up Smalling and Rojo together with Jones shielding them.
     
    paulscholes18 said:
    Don't really have anyone else, he doesn't rate Schneiderlin or Bastian and TFM can't make the bench
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    A midfield of Schweinsteiger and Fellaini, with Rooney ahead, won't be stellar, but might cut it.
     
    I imagine we'll see Pogba still as he'll still have a nice long break before our really important match, would quite like to see TFM and Shaw if back fit to get some minutes under his belt. Expect Rooney to also play if he's fit, think we'll definitely see Lingard, Rashford and Martial at some point.
     
    AndyJ1985 said:
    That midfield is stuff of nightmares.
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    Agree. Could be Fosu-Mensah instead of Schweinsteiger, although the former is the closest we've got to Carrick.

    But even scarier is imagining losing Pogba or Herrera to injury due to too many games. Herrera tonight looked like a lost puppy sometimes, his head going one way, his body another.
     
    MounchesterUtd said:
    Good point on Smalling getting back to form, also forgot that these two got plenty of rest before the injuries to Bailly and Smalling so they should still have some left in the tank.

    Now that you mention it, maybe we can line up Smalling and Rojo together with Jones shielding them.
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    Smalling and Rojo could be interesting as Smalling seem to be able work with anyone and adjust well, Jones in midfield? wouldn't be so sure, but I think Jose not so long time ago used Bailly there, something what he did with Zouma at Chelsea.

    It will probably be Fellaini even though I'd love to see TFM there but central defenders don't need to rest much, we are mostly attacking everyone
     
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Man of the Match

Marcus Rashford image Marcus Rashford 31% of 684 votes

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6.8 Total Average Rating

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Score Predictions

578,15,15
  • Man Utd win
  • Reading win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 36% Man Utd 3:0 Reading
  • 25% Man Utd 2:0 Reading
  • 10% Man Utd 3:1 Reading
  • 8% Man Utd 4:0 Reading
  • 7% Man Utd 2:1 Reading
  • 5% Man Utd 1:0 Reading
  • 3% Man Utd 5:0 Reading
  • 2% Man Utd 4:1 Reading
  • 1% Man Utd 0:0 Reading
  • 1% Man Utd 1:1 Reading
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 0:2 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 0:5 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 4:2 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 5:1 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 1:2 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 5:4 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 3:5 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 1:3 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 0:3 Reading
  • 0% Man Utd 2:2 Reading
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Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Reading
Possession
45% 55%
Shots
27 7
Shots on Target
12 1
Corners
7 4
Fouls
7 10

Referee

Andre Marriner

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