Greenwood or Rashford? Who starts the final?

[Garethw]

This question should really be asked closer to the game. Rashford could have a hattrick tomorrow night and then another hattrick against the Scousers on Thursday night and opinions will swing the other way.

 

[-Supreme-]

This question should really be asked closer to the game. Rashford could have a hattrick tomorrow night and then another hattrick against the Scousers on Thursday night and opinions will swing the other way.

Rashford has two games left to impress as whoever is picked against Wolves in the last game of the season will unlikely start the final.

 

[laughtersassassin]

Personally think Greenwood has to start. Our best RW and it's not even close.

With the type of team we are playing against I'd forgo playing the McFred combo and bring Pogba back.

They have been doing more harm than good the past month or two.

 

[Gandalf]

Neither. Dan James should start.

 

[antohan]

Rashford will start. What I don't understand is the persistence with starting him on the right, Pogba is fine there and no worse than on the left. Marcus though...

 

[laughtersassassin]

Rashford will start. What I don't understand is the persistence with starting him on the right, Pogba is fine there and no worse than on the left. Marcus though...

The sensible thing to do is not play McFred. They've costs us multiple goals this last month or two.

 

[Adnan]

I would start Mason ahead of Rashford even on the left, never mind on the right. Mason is comfortable on either foot and his supposed weaker foot is on a par with Rashford's strongest peg IMO. Mason gives us a two footed threat and tactical versatility which means he can interchange roles comfortably.

 

[Ali Dia]

I honestly think if we start with

Rashford Cavani Greenwood

Pogba Bruno Fred

We will win easily. I dislike Pogba in the middle but I think it would still be enough to score a few against them in a game where we have most of the ball. Recently we struggle to create in the latter stages so I would be slightly more aggressive. Bring James on for Rashford on at 55, 60 if there’s nothing doing. We should be winning this if we get at them. A Consolation prize that should be used more for youth debuts but hopefully a very welcome first trophy for Ole and the lads. We played some super stuff this season and it’s pretty clear where we need to improve. Balls in the owners court again…

 

[0le]

Rashford will start and score.

 

[charlenefan]

Rashford will start and score.

There's no one I'd rather see score in the final

 

[Teja]

We should try Pogba on the right and Rashford on the left in one of the next few matches and see how it goes. Experiment a little.

I think we've tried this a few times but he wasn't any good.

 

[-Supreme-]

I would start Mason ahead of Rashford even on the left, never mind on the right. Mason is comfortable on either foot and his supposed weaker foot is on a par with Rashford's strongest peg IMO. Mason gives us a two footed threat and tactical versatility which means he can interchange roles comfortably.

I agree.

But I think Ole will pick Rashford simply due to his pace particularly when we have relatively slow attackers.

 

[Bastian]

If Rashford is close enough to 100% I'd start them both, either side of Cavani. Drop either Fred/McTominay for Pogba in midfield (a bit risky, I know) and go full tilt.

 

[Adnan]

I agree.

But I think Ole will pick Rashford simply due to his pace particularly when we have relatively slow attackers.

I think he'll pick Rashford too. But I think things are gonna get very interesting next season, because I expect Mason to improve further along with Amad and the right sided forward role won't be a issue.

 

[Red00012]

Start Greenwood give Rashford that kick up the hope he badly needs

 

[Foxbatt]

Rashford will start for sure. My Rashy plays.

 

[antohan]

The sensible thing to do is not play McFred. They've costs us multiple goals this last month or two.

I'm not a fan of that combo but Pogba is a different animal in a midfield two. In fact, he goes from top player to average.

 

[el3mel]

Greenwood has to start. Rashford can barely even run these days.

 

[Nikelesh Reddy]

The sensible thing to do is not play McFred. They've costs us multiple goals this last month or two.

Ole doesn’t trust Pogba in midfield,especially in the big games..Ole doesn’t want Pogba in a midfield 2...

 

[Bobcat]

Rashford 100%.

Its probably the right call as well. Greenwood might be in better form currently, but a cup final can make anyone nervy so you need some experience to handle the pressure

 

[Rustyspider13]

Greenwood should start, but Rashford will. We'll get some ideas from the team against Fulham as I believe today's team+DDG for Dean will be our team for the final.

 

[flappyjay]

Rashford is our Mr big game there's no way he stays on the bench.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Rashford - Cavani - Greenwood

If Rashford, is not seeming sharp/is coming across tired inntrainin, Pogba to start over him. Greenwood has to play on the right for balance.

 

[simonhch]

It should be Fred, Pogba and Bruno in the middle. Rashford left, Cavani up front, Greenwood right. I don’t understand the thinking that we are better with McFred than Pogba plus one.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It should be Fred, Pogba and Bruno in the middle. Rashford left, Cavani up front, Greenwood right. I don’t understand the thinking that we are better with McFred than Pogba plus one.

Pogba is crap defensively so it does create an issue against competent midfields.

 

[SER19]

If rashford starts on the right id have genuine concerns about ole continuing as manager. You have to make the tough calls and Greenwood is far far better there. Rashford is also far better on the left and losing his link with Shaw is just shooting ourselves in the foot

 

[red_de_pologne]

It should be Fred, Pogba and Bruno in the middle. Rashford left, Cavani up front, Greenwood right. I don’t understand the thinking that we are better with McFred than Pogba plus one.

this, hope we see it today as well.

 

[Havak]

If it had to be one or the other, Ole would start Rashford.

However, particularly with Maguire out, we have seen our shortcomings. I think having to play two CBs who probably aren't quite good enough + McFred is going to hinder us too much. I hope we just take a chance and play all of Pogba, Bruno, Rashford, Cavani and Greenwood from the start.

If Maguire is fit for the final then we might go with McFred to start and Mason on the bench though.

 

[Ludens the Red]

Interestingly Villarreal play a 442.... to me that becomes a no brainer to then start with a more adventurous line up.

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

My question is how do Villarreal play? I have not watched them, do they press high & aggressively? or do they standoff and play a low block?

if the former (press high & aggressively), then we will need McFred, and Pogba goes into the left, and most likely Rashford on the right, if the later (low block), then Pogba in midfield, and a front 3 of Greenwood, Cavani, Rashford

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

Interestingly Villarreal play a 442.... to me that becomes a no brainer to then start with a more adventurous line up.

The problem with that though is you have 2 strikers right up against the centre backs with little protection. If Maguire was playing I’d feel play but it’s asking for trouble against Lindelof plus one.

 

[laughtersassassin]

Pogba is crap defensively so it does create an issue against competent midfields.

Pogba is crap defensively so it does create an issue against competent midfields.

While true are we just going to pretend Fred hasn't been gifting the opposition goal after goal for the last two months?

And McTominay has been in hiding. Both are in their worst form of the season.

We shouldn't be afraid of Villarreal. Play the lad who is good on the ball imo. We saw in the second leg versus AC for example how bad McFred was doing in the first half. We had to drop Pogba into midfield to gain control.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

While true are we just going to pretend Fred hasn't been gifting the opposition goal after goal for the last two months?

And McTominay has been in hiding. Both are in their worst form of the season.

We shouldn't be afraid of Villarreal. Play the lad who is good on the ball imo. We saw in the second leg versus AC for example how bad McFred was doing in the first half. We had to drop Pogba into midfield to gain control.

I agree that McFred is bang average but I don't trust the manager, CBs or Pogba's midfield play enough to go for that. Obviously it depends on how Villareal set up. Against a 442 we could be braver. But by default I'd keep the two clumsies in midfield

 

[Ludens the Red]

The problem with that though is you have 2 strikers right up against the centre backs with little protection. If Maguire was playing I’d feel play but it’s asking for trouble against Lindelof plus one.

True....
It’s a tough one but I just feel and want Ole to have some balls and us to play with the impetus.

 

[bsCallout]

True....
It’s a tough one but I just feel and want Ole to have some balls and us to play with the impetus.

No, it's for Ole to do the right thing and not leave us exposed, just to prove he has balls.

Without Maguire we HAVE to play two defensive minded CMs.

I would start Rashford to be honest, Greenwood has proven he can come on and change a game, he's also a better sub if we are protecting the lead as he's more composed with the ball.

 

[20le_Solskjaer]

Greenwood - Cavani - Rashford, with McT - Pogba as the pivot

 

[Oranges038]

Both with Cavani up top.

I don't see any reason why the two of them can't interchange sides during a game.

 

[laughtersassassin]

Greenwood - Cavani - Rashford, with McT - Pogba as the pivot

I'd be good with this. Try to physically bully them.

Freds given away so many goals I'd drop him in a heartbeat

 

[laughtersassassin]

No, it's for Ole to do the right thing and not leave us exposed, just to prove he has balls.

Without Maguire we HAVE to play two defensive minded CMs.

I would start Rashford to be honest, Greenwood has proven he can come on and change a game, he's also a better sub if we are protecting the lead as he's more composed with the ball.

It's not been confirmed Maguire is out.

And let's be honest it's not like McFred has been solid defensively these two past months.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Start both, put Pogba in midfield, bench McT.

Cavani
Rashford Bruno Greenwood
Pogba Fred
Shaw Maguire Lindelöf AWB
deGea​