FA Cup Semi-final

Manchester United 2:1 Tottenham Hotspur

Wembley

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Sat, 21 April 2018 @ 5:15pm BST
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Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

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    Actually not confident at all. It's basically an away game against a team who is in fantastic form (barring City, who in fairness beats everyone).

    Expecting to see a very frustrating game with Spurs having much more hunger than us and scoring first.

    Let's hope our very shaking defense of late has an excellent game.
     
    Play :
    -----------------DDG---------------
    -----Smalling---Bailly---Rojo-----
    Valencia--------------------Young
    ------------Matic--Herrera--------
    ---------------Pogba--------------
    -------Lukaku------Martial-------

    Or :
    -----------------DDG----------------
    Valencia---Smalling--Bailly--Young
    ---------------Matic-----------------
    --------Herrera----Pogba-----------
    Rashford-------Lukaku-------Martial
     
    We're on a good run against the top 6 in the last few weeks so I'm quietly confident we'll do it.
     
    It is a travesty that they get to play this game at Wembley, it should have been played somewhere else. The final... ok, we need the most people, but not the semis where it’s supposed to be neutral. Extremely poor planning by the FA, shockingly naive and annoying for United-fans. It would have taken ten seconds in the beginning of the season to plan this game at the Emirates or the Olympic stadium. Shame on you FA.

    If Spurs go on to win this tournament, it will be the most biased win in the history of the FA Cup.
     
    Lots of people with Bailly but I liked having Jones back in the team. Gonna go with:

    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Jones Young
    Matic Herrera
    Lingard Pogba Sanchez
    Lukaku

    The only real questions is Lingard and Jones. Think most of the rest pick themselves, the reason they were all rested against Bournemouth
     
    abdo99 said:
    Team should be:

    DDG
    Bailly Smalling Lindelof
    Lingard Herrera Pogba Shaw
    Rashford Lukaku Martial

    Tottenham play a high line so Rashford/Martial are a must. I really believe we can catch Spurs out with this line up. Lingard is nailed on to play. He is the ultimate big game player and Wembley is his 2nd home. He should definitely start. We need width from the wingbacks and then we can isolate Martial and Rashford 1 on 1. They should all play. No chance this will happen but this team is the team with the capability to play the best football we can. I'm fed up of our fullbacks not providing the width we need and stifling our attacking play. Better to not even go with fullbacks.​
    Click to expand...


    Credit where it's due, that has to be one of the strangest lineups ever suggested. 3-4-3 leaving Pogba in midfield two with Lingard and Shaw out of all people as wingbacks?
     
    manutd7 said:
    Lots of people with Bailly but I liked having Jones back in the team. Gonna go with:

    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Jones Young
    Matic Herrera
    Lingard Pogba Sanchez
    Lukaku

    The only real questions is Lingard and Jones. Think most of the rest pick themselves, the reason they were all rested against Bournemouth
    Click to expand...
    Almost the same as starting 11 vs Spurs last month. Herrera for Martial. I’d stick with Bailly Smalling duo.
     
    We can't beat Spurs away from OT. Spurs have a mental block in the cups.

    Basically a question of who cracks first. Interesting enough.
     
    Jim Beam said:
    Credit where it's due, that has to be one of the strangest lineups ever suggested. 3-4-3 leaving Pogba in midfield two with Lingard and Shaw out of all people as wingbacks?
    Click to expand...
    Yes. I've been thinking for a while about this and I really believe this is our most balanced team in defence and attack for this game. Lingard when we played away at Palace and were chasing the game moved to RB. He actually did very well because moved there and kept the width. In this system he's neither a RB nor a RW but in between. He has the energy to get up and down the pitch.

    I've gone with width from the wingbacks because Spurs like to attack narrow with Son and Alli and leave Trippier and Davies for the overlap. By playing Lingard and Shaw we can create space for Rashford and Martial to come infield and attack Spurs in more dangerous areas pushing their fullbacks backwards and giving us more control in the middle. They are the ones who can hurt Spurs when they push up and leave space behind Pogba stays deep but when we get the ball he has runners in all directions. This makes his job easier. Spurs can't get tight to him because if they do one ball over the top will catch them out.

    This 11 is based on what I saw from the Spurs- City game. City found a lot of success by stretching the pitch and making it as wide as possible creating space for Sane and Sterling. Unfortunately we don't have fullbacks capable of doing this so I've opted for Lingard and Shaw to create this space. It eases the defensive workload on Martial and Rashford and allows them to stay in advanced areas. What use are Martial and Rashford if they aren't getting support from wide? It's not possible with the likes of Young, Valencia and Sanchez in the team.

    It's a team which is built on understanding all around the pitch which is key to playing good football. Ofcourse this will never happen in a million years but IMO it's the team that can play our best football for now.
     
    @abdo99 you gave a lot of thought in it, I'll give you that, but you can't say that it's a team built on understanding all around the pitch when you have zero evidence on that in reality.
     
    Havak said:
    Only dead certs to start IMO are;

    De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Young, Matic, Pogba, and Lukaku.

    From today's game, I think only Herrera has almost definitely played himself into the starting XI at Wembley (though he was probably 90% sure to start anyway).

    Lingard gave the ball away a bit too much against Bournemouth, while Darmian, Jones, and Shaw were all pretty average or poor, IMO. Rashford and Martial did reasonably well bar finishing and finding that last half a yard. The attacking positions (either side of Lukaku) are very much up for grabs, I wouldn't be surprised at any combination (bar the ridiculous Mata + Lingard).

    I think Bailly is favourite to partner Smalling, but Lindelof is realistic as well. Jones has played himself out of the side after tonight and Rojo won't be thrown in.
    Click to expand...
    He will pick Lingard almost certainly, but I think it should be one of Martial/Rashford
     
    Jim Beam said:
    @abdo99 you gave a lot of thought in it, I'll give you that, but you can't say that it's a team built on understanding all around the pitch when you have zero evidence on that in reality.
    Click to expand...
    This game plan is based on what I've already seen from Spurs and United and the players that I would go with are the ones that are the best suited to the game plan. You may disagree with it but I'd like to hear what you would change from that. Shaw, Pogba and Martial have good understanding. Martial links up better with Lukaku than any other player we have as shown on a graphic on this forum. Herrera is better as the sole DM and plays better with Pogba than he does with Matic. Lingard has experience at playing out wide. Sanchez doesn't deserve to play. Neither does Valencia or Young. So it's not really a controversial team is it? Mourinho will obviously stick with his trusted guys but atm they aren't being effective and if dropping them means we can start to play as a team than so be it. This will never happen in a million years on Saturday like I said. Just a thought going forward. I've gone with movement and freshness over experience.
     
    Last edited:
    manutd7 said:
    Lots of people with Bailly but I liked having Jones back in the team. Gonna go with:

    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Jones Young
    Matic Herrera
    Lingard Pogba Sanchez
    Lukaku

    The only real questions is Lingard and Jones. Think most of the rest pick themselves, the reason they were all rested against Bournemouth
    Click to expand...
    He literally scored an own goal and played poorly in this fixture in the league, there is no way we should pick him again. :lol:

    Bailly is a warrior and has the ability to raise his game for the big occasion, Id play him alongside Smalling.

    I have no confidence going into this game, I think Spurs name is on the trophy this year; they've had the easiest run so far, they have played at Wembley all season (we will bemoan the FA's decision to allow this for years after losing this game), no major trophy since 1991, they arguably are better than us and finally we never play well at Wembley.

    I expect another no show from United and a painful defeat, similar to the league fixture.

    Come on you reds :devil:
     
    I feel uncomfortable selecting a team that is even remotely close to the line-up that lost the one-sided contest away at Spurs in the PL this season. Kane bullied our defence, especially Jones, but also Smalling to an extent. Valencia and Young seemed confused as to whether they should be marking Spurs' wide forwards or their full-backs. Matic and Pogba were completely out-played. Sanchez, Martial, Lingard and Lukaku largely invisible apart from a 15 min spell after Eriksen's early goal.
     
    --------------------DDG----------------------
    Valencia----Smalling--Bailly---------Young
    ------------Herrera---Matic----------------
    ----------------Pogba----------------------
    Lingard-------------------------Sanchez
    -----------------Lukaku--------------------

    SUBS - Martial (Sanchez), Rashford (Lingard), Fellaini (Herrera)

    Spurs 3 - 2 Man United
    Eriksen x 2, Kane.
    Lingard, Lukaku.
     
    To add, Spurs are winning their first Pochettino trophy this year I reckon. They have our number at their place.
     
    manutd7 said:
    Lots of people with Bailly but I liked having Jones back in the team. Gonna go with:

    De Gea
    Valencia Smalling Jones Young
    Matic Herrera
    Lingard Pogba Sanchez
    Lukaku

    The only real questions is Lingard and Jones. Think most of the rest pick themselves, the reason they were all rested against Bournemouth
    Click to expand...

    Last time we played this CB pairing against Spurs it didn't go well...
     
    I actually predicted a 1-2 loss, but hopefully I'll turn out wrong.
     
    People selecting the Smalling & Jones partnership need to give their heads a wobble. They have never played well as a pair and to add insult to injury they were the reason we lost the last game against spurs. I think we will need Bailly's aggression for this game, because if Kane gets that much time and space again its game over.
     
    TrustInJanuzaj said:
    People selecting the Smalling & Jones partnership need to give their heads a wobble. They have never played well as a pair and to add insult to injury they were the reason we lost the last game against spurs. I think we will need Bailly's aggression for this game, because if Kane gets that much time and space again its game over.
    Click to expand...

    Agreed. I think we’ll see Smalling and Bailly - Smalling to deal with the aerial balls and Bailly to provide the aggression.
     
    Jig1234 said:
    I would be shocked if Sanchez starts on Saturday. Pogba-Sanchez want to occupy the same space on the left. Not sure it works. Sanchez will give the ball away a dozen times.

    Martial, Lukaku, Rashford and Lingard would be my front 4 vs Spurs
    Click to expand...

    Almost everyone had a poor game against West Brom so I wouldn't single out Sanchez. Prior to then, he had been picking up form pretty well. Also, against Spurs at Wembley the last time, he was one of our few players who showed commitment in the pitch. I will start him and get Lingard ready to replace him if he has a bad game.

    If Jose can somehow get all our big name players during on Saturday, we will have a good chance of winning. The problem has recently been some players simply not coming to the party. We can't afford off days for any player, especially the top ones, in Saturday.
     
    Last edited:
    edgar allan said:
    Has to be Martial for Sanchez for this game.
    Click to expand...

    No way. Sanchez starts for me over Martial. I have read a lot of baffling comments about Martial's performance against Bournmouth. I think it was average. I think he lost the ball too many times and his final balls were generally poor. He did show a few sparks now and then though. Sanchez tends to lose the ball too lately but a player like Sanchez is tricky to shut out. If he has a good day, he can give United the game.
     
    abdo99 said:
    This game plan is based on what I've already seen from Spurs and United and the players that I would go with are the ones that are the best suited to the game plan. You may disagree with it but I'd like to hear what you would change from that. Shaw, Pogba and Martial have good understanding. Martial links up better with Lukaku than any other player we have as shown on a graphic on this forum. Herrera is better as the sole DM and plays better with Pogba than he does with Matic. Lingard has experience at playing out wide. Sanchez doesn't deserve to play. Neither does Valencia or Young. So it's not really a controversial team is it? Mourinho will obviously stick with his trusted guys but atm they aren't being effective and if dropping them means we can start to play as a team than so be it. This will never happen in a million years on Saturday like I said. Just a thought going forward. I've gone with movement and freshness over experience.
    Click to expand...

    I wouldn't play the formation which we never played. Lingard can play on a wing, but isn't that effective, let alone as a wingback. He is number 10, best suited in coming between the lines and dragging defence with his movement. Shaw crossing isn't his best strength (to put it politely) and he barely played. Herrera is better with Pogba alone, but Pogba can't play in midfield two against Spurs pressing.
    So, basically, I don't think we have the players that suit your formation.

    Think we have to go with 4-3-3. The question for me would be should we drop Sanchez. If not dropped, he should go to RW imo.
     
    Inter Yer Nan said:
    Luckily Romero's injury means De Gea starts.

    I'd like to see
    DDG

    Valencia
    Bailly
    Smalling
    Young

    Matic
    Herrera
    Pogba

    Sanchez
    Martial
    Lukaku
    Click to expand...

    Not sure we'd have played Romero anyway!

    If we can survive the first 10 seconds this time we have a chance!
     
    Spurs tend to tire after 60 minutes, especially at home where they like to press. If we can stay in the game until then, I don't think we should be down if we haven't played well up until that point. But perhaps the tactics for the FA Cup game will be different from them and they won't be so aggressive.
     
    Valenica
    Smalling
    Bailly
    Young

    Matic
    Herrera
    Pogba

    Sanchez
    Lingard
    Lukaku

    Pretty obvious team to be honest.
     
    jem said:
    It's like comparing having a nasty cold to having the flu. One is obviously worse than the other, but they are both pretty damn miserable.
    Click to expand...

    Sandikan said:
    You must be in the 0.01% of United fans who wouldn't start Matic.
    Click to expand...

    Spurs are strong down the middle and Matic is slow and gets caught in possession also Herrera and Pogba can move the ball quickly. I prefer natural footed players in their positions where possible and feel Young may give us better quality going forward.
     
    manichester said:
    Spurs are strong down the middle and Matic is slow and gets caught in possession also Herrera and Pogba can move the ball quickly. I prefer natural footed players in their positions where possible and feel Young may give us better quality going forward.
    Click to expand...
    Matic is really good at shrugging off pressure, as well as keeping possession with his calmness. I think that is valuable, even tho he is not quick. I don't think he gets caught out much neither
     
    As much as I think that Bailly and Jones are our best two CB's, the wheels really came off for Jones last time we played Spurs. I know he was injured (again) but has barely played since. After going the full 90 yesterday, I can't imagine he would play again Saturday.
     
    They're not in great form, this is a good time to play them and we've been able to rotate and rest some players.

    Shame about the Wembley disadvantage, it will absolutely feel like an away game.

    I'm going to say 2-1 United.
     
    GM K said:
    No way. Sanchez starts for me over Martial. I have read a lot of baffling comments about Martial's performance against Bournmouth. I think it was average. I think he lost the ball too many times and his final balls were generally poor. He did show a few sparks now and then though. Sanchez tends to lose the ball too lately but a player like Sanchez is tricky to shut out. If he has a good day, he can give United the game.
    Click to expand...
    We have different opinions on this. I have mixed feelings about Martials performances this year but I see precious little evidence of Sanchez fitting in to the team so far. I think we will set up to counter on Sat and Martial could well be a threat.
     
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Man of the Match

Alexis Sanchez image Alexis Sanchez 44% of 750 votes

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Score Predictions

262,118,35
  • Man Utd win
  • Tottenham win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 32% Man Utd 2:1 Tottenham
  • 14% Man Utd 1:2 Tottenham
  • 9% Man Utd 2:0 Tottenham
  • 9% Man Utd 1:0 Tottenham
  • 6% Man Utd 0:2 Tottenham
  • 6% Man Utd 1:1 Tottenham
  • 4% Man Utd 3:2 Tottenham
  • 4% Man Utd 3:1 Tottenham
  • 4% Man Utd 1:3 Tottenham
  • 2% Man Utd 3:0 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 0:3 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 0:5 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 2:2 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 0:0 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 5:0 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 4:1 Tottenham
  • 1% Man Utd 2:3 Tottenham
  • 0% Man Utd 4:2 Tottenham
  • 0% Man Utd 5:5 Tottenham
  • 0% Man Utd 1:5 Tottenham
  • 0% Man Utd 4:0 Tottenham
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Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Tottenham
Possession
36% 64%
Shots
12 13
Shots on Target
5 2
Corners
5 5
Fouls
18 10

Referee

Anthony Taylor

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