Only a dead knee. He is even still going to the England U21 game.
FA Premier League
West Bromwich Albion 2:2 Manchester United
The Hawthorns
- Kick-off
- Mon, 20 October 2014 @ 8:00pm BST
- Status
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Closed
Discussion Live Updates 49 Your Lineup Prediction
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- Status
Only a dead knee. He is even still going to the England U21 game.
Shaw is fine
cheers mate.Please don't mention 5:3:2 again because i just get scared that we will really go back to that. We played very good attacking football with this diamond and i think this is the formations we have to keep working on. As LVG said we bought new players and changed to diamond because we can fit in most of best players in this formation.
Looking forward to this match, it will be a long waiting, but it is also good to go into international break with the win. Always hated it when we lose the game before international break because you have to waint so long to forget that loss.
My prediction:
...............De Gea
Rafael - Jones - Rojo - Shaw
-------------Blind
.....Herrera------Di Maria
-------------Mata
-------RVP-------Falcao
Pretty standard tbf, i just hope none of our players get injuried during the break.
thats a pretty good side. I wonder if Herrera and Jones will start straight away. Fitness?
Heard Jones is training...have not heard anything about Herrera.Is it fair to drop McNair though? I'm guessing he will stay in the team and van Gaal will use then 'excuse' that the other CB's are not fully fit yet. If he has another good game then he keeps playing as he deserves it.Monday KO is good in case any south americans or others are jet lagged.Hate Monday kick-offs. They're the worst IMO.
At least we have 14 days for some players to recover.
Pretty sure Jones should be fit by then so it'll be fine. McNair will know that he's still a u21 player only playing in the main team because of injuries, he might get there one day but once Jones/Evans/Smalling come back, they'll go right back in the team IMO. It's only been 2 games for McNair so it's not like he's shown undroppable form or anything, he's had 2 good solid games but you don't play him every week based on that now.
Seems weird to say it, but I actually think we will be beat Chelsea. Mourhino will be torn between opening up and attacking our 'weak' defence, and his 'choke' tactics, which should be interesting to see applied to our (hopefully fully fit) midfield and attack. As for WBA, think we win by 3 clear goals.Who'd have thought LvG would have a defensive headache regarding whether to drop a 19 year old for Jones, a few weeks ago?!
LVG said Herrera is fit but not match fit in his press-conference before EvertonWe’ll probably have two or three players back in the starting XI so hopefully they’re going to boost us for a game that’ll be very tough. Especially because it’s a Monday night and following an international break as well. We didn’t played that well recently and we must find a way to be consistent for a whole game. Last year we were great away and we managed to be very well organized and we kept possession well. This year it’s different as we try to attack opponent more… I really hope that we will win this one and gain some confidence before Chelsea and City
If fit :
-----------------------------De Gea----------------------------
Rafael------------Smalling------Jones----------------Rojo
------------------------------Blind-------------------------------
-------------------Herrera---------Di Maria-------------------
-------------------------------Mata-------------------------------
----------------------RVP-----------Falcao-----------------------
Or maybe trying to prepare Chelsea and City with a more defensive option
-----------------------------De Gea----------------------------
Rafael------------Smalling------Rojo----------------Shaw
------------------------------Blind------------------------------
-------------------Herrera---------Jones----------------------
Valencia----------------------RVP----------- ------Di MariaHaving to wait 2 weeks for United to play is the worst feeling. Time to waste time and twiddle your thumbs. International breaks suck.It would be a shame to see McNair dropped. One of our only defenders that has shown composure in tight spots to pass well (87% pass accuracy) and the ability to clear the ball efficiently (8.5 clearances per game). A type of player that we desperately needed, someone to stabilize that defence.
EDIT: And I understand those are just stats but honestly, any youth player that makes as few mistakes as he did over 2 full games, must be given another chance.Last edited:This is a game we have to win if we have any chance of getting into the top 4 this season.
Keep it consistent, don't rush people back into the first team who've been injured. Herrera is the only one i'd consider starting.
The defence is still wobbly but were getting better and winning games, no need to rock the boat by changing it up too soon.
On the plus side, it means Rooney gets some minutes in October
Having him demolish the international equivalent of Cheadle Town should keep his confidence high.I think the break comes at a decent time for us, however annoying it is to wait 14 days for another United game to watch. Rooney will get to play some minutes so he isn't short of match fitness when he comes back from his suspension. It also gives us a chance to get Jones, Smalling, Carrick, Herrera, and Evans back. I think Shaw will probably be out by the looks of things, but that hopefully won't matter too much unless Rojo or Blackett suddenly pick up injuries. Young and Lingard will probably still be out, but they're not really going to make a difference to be honest.
I reckon we're likely to see Rafael, Rojo, and Blackett all stay in the side with one of Jones/Smalling coming in, even though I think McNair deserves to keep his place. Reason being that we need to improve the fitness of Jones/Smalling in preparation for the games against Chelsea and City, as I don't think it'd be fair to keep McNair in against the two best teams in the League. However, he had Lukaku in his pocket and did well in other physical battles... But Aguero and Costa are something else.
de Gea
Rafael Jones Blackett Rojo
Blind
Valencia Di Maria
Mata
van Persie Falcao
Hoping to see Carrick and Smalling come off the bench if we're comfortable in the game, probably Januzaj too. My main issue with the side missing Rooney and playing both Falcao & RvP from the start is that we lack a way to change it much if for whatever reason the line-up/formation isn't working. It's literally down to Januzaj and Wilson to offer something different, which doesn't throw as much fear into the side. It's one reason why I'd like us to try a more stable 4231 in some away games, with Januzaj/Valencia on one wing, and Di Maria on the other. It means leaving RvP/Falcao on the bench, but it's one game and they know they'll get to come on in the second half. The downside is it means playing Fletcher or Fellaini with Blind in the midfield, but the creativity of the players mentioned already should be enough. Ideally Carrick would start, but I think he's more likely to come off the bench here to get his first minutes.
Have to win it to keep in the mix, as it's very likely we'll drop points in the two games after. Winning here and hopefully picking up a couple of points against Chelsea & City will likely leave us around level pegging with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Spurs.
You couldn't make this up. It's getting farcical.
This is a fecking joke.Well if he's going to miss football for 3 weeks better to have it during the 2 week international break. Hopefully Jones is back for West Brom.Is something wrong with the pitch at Old Trafford?
You expect Mata not to be dropped, yet he's...erm dropped in your lineup!?I would use this game to change tactic slightly, we have got a fortnight to practice in training to try to create another versatile first 11.
As we still have yet to field what I consider to be our strongest side, both in formation and players, this seems a good time to go for it.
Subs: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Mata, Fellaini, Valencia, Van Persie
De Gea
Rafael Jones Rojo Shaw
Carrick (C) Blind
Januzaj Herrera Di Maria
Falcao
Use Carrick and blind to keep things tidy at the back and to be always be open to receive the ball. I think with Carrick in there we would see Blind get forward a little bit more, but still with defensive duties. This allows the attacking players to be creative and not worry as much about tracking back.
Bit of a risk putting Januzaj to start due to lack of first team mins thus far, but I think he is a quality player and could easily cause trouble to WBA.
I would also put Falcao in as the main man and see what he can do..
If he cant last the full game RVP to replace late on.
FFS!!! That's so unfortunate for him. He's been brilliant! Smalling and Jones will probably be back though.One Hour Behind
Below is an extract from Juan Mata's latest blog entry. You can read it in full here, follow Juan Mata on Twitter here or like him on Facebook here.
Hi everyone,
What an important win this weekend against Everton! And for many reasons: it is one more consecutive victory in Old Trafford; it means three points to climb to the top four of the table; winning is the best possible way to face an international break; and many other things. It was a key game but we know there is still a long way ahead. Because we won the match but once again we suffered until the last minute, and perhaps we should have controlled the game better. We took the lead thanks to Ángel and then David started his amazing performance. First he saved Baines’ penalty. In the second half they tied the game and later on Radamel scored (I am very happy for you, the first one of many more goals, I’m sure). And then David did several extraordinary saves to keep the three points at home. What a superb performance! It seems his new haircut brought him luck…!
As the manager said we know we have to improve, but little by little we are climbing the table and I’m sure we will keep doing that with your support, always fantastic in Old Trafford.Marvellous
If there is one thing you watch during the international break, let this be it. Fantastic biopic of the true and inspirational story of Neil Baldwin, a man who refused to accept the label of learning difficulties, and who has led an extraordinary life.
If you're in the UK, watch the 90 minute TV movie on BBC iPlayer.Read somewhere that Mcnair's out for 3 weeks due to hamstring injury. So Jones will replace him in the lineup. Herrera will ba back in his position. Shaw is also fit. Carrick might get a few minutes.
Oh I feel stupid now, I edited the lineup prediction right after I posted the comment, my bad, he is obviously in the starting eleven instead of herrera who will be probably still out injured...A broken rib takes more than three weeks to heal surely? I had problems running for over 60 days.Falcao - van PersieI was surprisingly happy with Valencia in CM v Everton if Herrera is out I'd definitely like to see him there again, brings great energy in Ander's absence.
Mata
Di Maria --- Herrera/Valencia
Blind
Shaw -- Rojo -- Jones -- Rafael
De Gea
I genuinely can't wait for every weeks games now, even though there is no guarantee of us winning I actually have some hope that we'll do great things, never felt that at all last season.I feel this is going to be a difficult test for the team, away game against a team we have always found it difficult to play against. Hopefully it won't go down the Leicester game route of going 2 goals up before surrendering completely or Burnley game where we hardly threatened. We need to play our game and take the initiative, goals will come. A 1-0 confident win would be better than a high-scoring affair with plenty of defensive errors this time.
For once I'd like to see us control the game for full 90 minutes which would provide a good confidence boost ahead of Chelsea game that will be crucial for our title chances.Two weeks to wait?
God I hate international break.Away form has been poor which is strangely the opposite to last season. We should be beating these: 3-1 United - Falcao, Mata, RVPFalcao RvP
Mata
Di Maria Hererra
Blind
Shaw Rojo Jones Rafael
DeGea
Watched Albion's game at Pool, I think it is impossible to drop points against this lot. 5-0 United Falcao hatrick.I reckon we'll go 0-2 up very early on and end up winning 2-3 or something. It'll be a nervy game as usual.
What makes it worse, is it's on a Monday night, which we traditionally feck up.Hopefully Jones/Smalling, Carrick and Herrera are back for this one. I think we could do with giving Carrick the minutes before the Chelsea match in which I'd play him. Jones or Smalling to partner Rojo and we should be fairly settled for the upcoming games. You just pray that the likes of Di Maria, Shaw, Blind, Rojo and Falcao make it through the international break.We should start with this formation:
Falcao RvP
Mata
Di Maria Hererra
Blind
Shaw Rojo Jones Rafael
DeGea
If we go up we should switch to this in the second half:
RvP
Mata
Di Maria Hererra
Blind Carrick
Shaw Rojo Jones Rafael
DeGea
This should be a little practice for the Chelsea game. I believe we should go 4-2-3-1 against Chelsea.- Status
Player Ratings
Total Average Rating
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Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 432 ratings.
Score Predictions
858,59,51
- Man Utd win
- West Brom win
- Draw
Detailed Results
- 30% West Brom 1:3 Man Utd
- 15% West Brom 0:3 Man Utd
- 11% West Brom 1:2 Man Utd
- 10% West Brom 0:2 Man Utd
- 8% West Brom 1:4 Man Utd
- 4% West Brom 2:3 Man Utd
- 3% West Brom 0:4 Man Utd
- 3% West Brom 0:5 Man Utd
- 2% West Brom 2:2 Man Utd
- 2% West Brom 2:4 Man Utd
- 2% West Brom 5:0 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 0:1 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 1:1 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 2:1 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 0:0 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 3:1 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 2:5 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 2:0 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 5:5 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 4:0 Man Utd
- 1% West Brom 1:5 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 3:2 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 4:1 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 3:0 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 1:0 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 4:5 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 3:3 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 3:5 Man Utd
- 0% West Brom 4:2 Man Utd
Match Stats
- West Brom
- Man Utd
- Possession
- 37% 63%
- Shots
- 8 22
- Shots on Target
- 2 7
- Corners
- 0 11
- Fouls
- 6 8
Referee
Mike Dean
Man Utd Lineup
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replaced by Ashley Young
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replaced by Radamel Falcao
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replaced by Marouane Fellaini
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