Manchester United vs. Arsenal

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nahealai said:
Spot on, mate. As a United fan born in the late 80s, my abiding memory of a rivalry with United is of course the Arsenal one from 1997 - 2005. I hated them. I hated everything about them. Their arrogance. Their pompousness. Their supposed superior footballers. Their shithouse tackling. Their thuggery. Having to watch that curly-haired fecker celebrating Overmars' goal at Old Trafford every time we played them. The fact that the media and - it felt - the country hated us and loved their "Gallic flair".

Obviously, much like how Fergie's relationship with Wenger blossomed when they were no longer a threat, I grew to appreciate them a little more these past few years. The petrodollar outfits assumed the mantle of our rivals and Arsenal slipped into obscurity. We swatted them away with the minimum of fuss, and laughed at their pathetic attempts to cry at foul play much like an older brother does his younger sibling when any familial activity turns competitive.

I missed having that hatred between us, though. I missed these games having a meaning far beyond the three points at stake. I missed the teams lining up in the tunnel and not giving an inch. I couldn't believe my eyes when Santos asked van Persie for his t-shirt at half-time of our game last season. Was this really a United v Arsenal match?

I'm fecking made up now that Arsenal are resuming their brash, cocky selves and their supporters are getting giddy about being genuine contenders to take our crown. I am delighted that they are coming to Old Trafford in more expectation that hope. I am relieved that they believe their midfield is actually superior to ours in terms of technique and physique. I am thrilled that they think that their defensive problems are finally fixed. I am ecstatic that they think that Giroud is the complete centre-forward for their system and the man to pin their goal-scoring hopes on.

I hope to feck come 6 o'clock tomorrow that they regret the day they underestimated us. Old Trafford is going to be a bear pit. Let's see which XI really has the bottle for it.
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Couldn't have put it better meself. :cool:

I can't fecking wait.
 
Pexbo said:
Doesn't a high back like make beating the offside trap easier?
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Ok. Poorly worded. I was referring to the Dortmund game when they had many shots at the goal past the defenders but could not beat the trap. But I think Ramsey will be shifted out of position and maybe Rosciky dropped to accommodate both Arteta and Flamini against us. I think RvP Rooney combo will fare better.
 
Those have to be two of the best break away goals scored ever!
 
The year after Ronaldo left is still one of my favorites, as a United fan. Got knocked out of the FA Cup by Leeds, lost to Bayern in the CL in controversal circumstances (if Evra or Carrick would have properly tracked Olic in either leg United would have been in the final), lost the league to Chelsea (that Drogba goal!), beat Villa in the Carling Cup (those games against Man City were still the most competitive and tense CC games, probably ever!).

I know AC Milan was a shadowed of itself, but United destroying them at the San Siro was great, ditto Bayern at OT for about 43 minutes.

Even with the lost to Bayern, finishing 2nd (so goddamn spoiled), having to watch Anderson on the left wing against Burnley, outsed in the FA Cup by dirty Leeds, even after all that awful stuff, its still one of the my favorite seasons

4-3-3 with Nani, Rooney, and Valencia in attack was great. So much speed and skill, they could destroy teams on the counter
 
Why have Sky got Redknapp and Carragher at OT for this game?
Just WHY?
 
I can't remember the last time I was so nervous for a game. Possibly vs Real Madrid 2nd leg last season. Even the City game earlier this season, I knew we'd get tanked. Today, I feel like we should be winning, but they currently look better than us as a unit. I think we have the better individuals, but how we operate as a team isn't up to scratch.

Rooney's been bigging up himself and United all week. He sounds fired up. Hope it continued on the pitch.
 
Logic says we should go with carrick, cleverley and jones in midfield....Moyes will probably go with 2.

Could be a long afternoon
 
We'll win this one.

2-0.

With Adnan cutting in from the right wing, beating two defender and then curling one in the top left corner.
 
LonelyFire said:
Logic says we should go with carrick, cleverley and jones in midfield....Moyes will probably go with 2.

Could be a long afternoon
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I suppose we'll see what "logic" says come 6pm.

Personally I think it's your selection that's wrong. Carrick, Cleverley AND Jones at HOME? If Moyes set up as negative as that he'd get slaughtered.
 
Carl said:
I suppose we'll see what "logic" says come 6pm.

Personally I think it's your selection that's wrong. Carrick, Cleverley AND Jones at HOME? If Moyes set up as negative as that he'd get slaughtered.
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Sir Alex often went for three in midfield against good Arsenal sides.

Its not like Brendan and his 3 centre backs. Its merely a way to ensure they don't play their way through us.

But it won't happen anyway...we'll just have Rooney dropping off more than usual.
 
I think this is what we'll go with today:

De Gea​
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Vidic --------- Evans​
Smalling -------------------------------- Evra​
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Jones​
Carrick ---------- Fellaini​
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Valencia -------------------------- Rooney​
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van Persie​
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That will give us numbers in midfield and also enough firepower up front. Jones will probably be tasked with keeping an eye on Ramsey's runs from the midfield and also offer protection to our back four. Carrick and Fellaini are excellent at intercepting the ball and that will be vital today as Arsenal's attack is often very narrow.​
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Valencia, Rooney and van Persie (as well as the likes of Nani, Kagawa and Nani from the bench) is arguably the best attack Arsenal will have faced this year. Throw in the negative complex Arsenal's defence has when it comes to United, I think they'll be very cagey today. Rooney and Valencia will drop into midfield as and when required, and I can see that middle third being a real war of attrition today. Arsenal will not have the space they enjoy to operate in and we can break with pace with Rooney and Valencia pouring forward.​
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If I had one little concern, it would be playing Smalling at right-back. That scares me a little as I think he's never entirely comfortable when playing there, and he doesn't offer anything in attack. Rafael, if unselected today, will be a huge loss as his and Valencia's understanding is an important facet of our play. Valencia should bully Gibbs at left-back and I see us profiting down this flank, especially as Cazorla isn't the bravest nor most disciplined of wide players and Gibbs will be exposed quite a bit.​
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Either way, I expect a victory today. Arsenal are looking impressive but you have to take into consideration who they have faced. Last season, out of the six games against United, City and Chelsea, they lost four and drew two. They haven't played any of those three yet. Arsenal fans can point to Dortmund, Napoli, Spurs and Liverpool all they want, but the real tests have yet to come.​
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It starts today for them.​
 
Carl said:
I suppose we'll see what "logic" says come 6pm.

Personally I think it's your selection that's wrong. Carrick, Cleverley AND Jones at HOME? If Moyes set up as negative as that he'd get slaughtered.
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Eh?

SAF regularly went with 3 in midfield at home against arsenal. It's only negative if you sit back with that set up.

Having those 3 in midfield is our best chance of winning this game in my opinion
 
LonelyFire said:
Eh?

SAF regularly went with 3 in midfield at home against arsenal. It's only negative if you sit back with that set up.

Having those 3 in midfield is our best chance of winning this game in my opinion
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I ask again, you'd drop one of Rooney or rVP? Or Rooney left?
 
Varun_Utd said:
I ask again, you'd drop one of Rooney or rVP? Or Rooney left?
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I'd have Rooney left but it won't happen anyway.

He'll set up with Rooney and rvp up top. I just happen to think our best chance of winning this game is to have 3 in midfield.

Hope I'm wrong!
 
ISSYNAZAR said:
Sir Alex often went for three in midfield against good Arsenal sides.

Its not like Brendan and his 3 centre backs. Its merely a way to ensure they don't play their way through us.

But it won't happen anyway...we'll just have Rooney dropping off more than usual.
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LonelyFire said:
Eh?

SAF regularly went with 3 in midfield at home against arsenal. It's only negative if you sit back with that set up.

Having those 3 in midfield is our best chance of winning this game in my opinion
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It's not going with 3 in midfield that's negative, it's those particular 3. Very negative. If we're gunna have 3 in the middle then Shinji should be one of them.

Interval Level said:
We'll lose 3-1
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Is this sarcasm or are you actually being that defeatist?
 
Carl said:
It's not going with 3 in midfield that's negative, it's those particular 3. Very negative. If we're gunna have 3 in the middle then Shinji should be one of them.



Is this sarcasm or are you actually being that defeatist?
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Neither. I think they're too strong for us based on current form. I'll be happy with a draw.
 
Carl said:
It's not going with 3 in midfield that's negative, it's those particular 3. Very negative. If we're gunna have 3 in the middle then Shinji should be one of them.



Is this sarcasm or are you actually being that defeatist?
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I'd love to see Kagawa in a midfield 3 - but Moyes will never do that.

Anyway, I don't see that 3 as negative if we play with a high tempo. I actually think the combination could be very effective
 
LonelyFire said:
I'd love to see Kagawa in a midfield 3 - but Moyes will never do that.

Anyway, I don't see that 3 as negative if we play with a high tempo. I actually think the combination could be very effective
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I disagree. It basically means either Cleverley or Jones as the link man to the forwards and neither are good enough for that.
 
Interval Level said:
Plainly - just on merit. If it were two teams you were neutral towards, who would you bet on?
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It's obviously impossible to detache myself completely but if I try to be an outsider looking in whilst Arsenal are the form side in Europe it's at OT and the game will mean more to the United players.

United win or draw. We won't lose.
 
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