Of course Mourinho is more concerned about it than Fergie. Mourinho has nothing to play for anymore this season other than the Champions League. This, of course, provides some unwelcome pressure on Mourinho's team, which would benefit us greatly.
Real Madrid vs Manchester United
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Of course Mourinho is more concerned about it than Fergie. Mourinho has nothing to play for anymore this season other than the Champions League. This, of course, provides some unwelcome pressure on Mourinho's team, which would benefit us greatly.
Was thinking more in terms of Mourinho being worried about the way we play not being ideal for his team, but good point. He's under a lot more pressure, as are his players.
Ah, sorry for the misunderstanding.
The way we play is definitely not ideal to his team, how many teams really rely on counter attacking tactics in Spain? I'm sure he's been training his team for counter attacking tactics defensively these past few days.
Why do the majority of pundits think we are in big trouble.
They are having one of there worst seasons for a while, beaten plenty of times, well off the pace in the league. Disgruntled fans.
We are 12 points clear at the top, finding our best form and finally getting all our players back. Disgruntled fans....
Has the EPL sunk that much?
They are having one of there worst seasons for a while, beaten plenty of times, well off the pace in the league. Disgruntled fans.
We are 12 points clear at the top, finding our best form and finally getting all our players back. Disgruntled fans....
Has the EPL sunk that much?
It may be a cliché, but form goes out the window in knockout competitions. Just look at Athletic Bilbao last season and compare their performances in cup competitions and the league.
Interestingly, I don't really have any clue how this would shape up if it were to be an open, attacking game. In the past RM would be more closely associated with labels like "attacking threat" and "defensive insecurity", which seem to apply more to Utd this season. (RM have actually not been that bad defensively [2nd least goals conceded after Málaga] considering the mid-term disruption to their backline; Pepe and Marcelo's injuries, Ramos' five game suspension, etc.).
Another point of interest, Utd's frontmen are in terrific shape (RVP, Rooney, Hernández) whereas for RM it's only Cristiano (and to a lesser extent, Özil) hitting form.
Looking at the training photos from this mornings session the entire squad is fit (touch wood!) When was the last time that happened?!
All season the pundits have been harping on that we will be "found out" in Europe. I'm guessing that want to prove themselves right
Possibly. I cant see Arsenal beating BM. At best the PL will have one team in the last eight.
Real will play 4-2-3-1
Alonso / Kedira
Ronaldo Ozil Di Maria
Benz
I think we should go with a 4-3-3 or diamond
Jones Carrick Cleverly
Rooney Kagawa
Rvp
With Jones tasked to pick up Ronaldo. With Kagawa and Rooney to pick up the fullbacks when Real attack.
Alonso / Kedira
Ronaldo Ozil Di Maria
Benz
I think we should go with a 4-3-3 or diamond
Jones Carrick Cleverly
Rooney Kagawa
Rvp
With Jones tasked to pick up Ronaldo. With Kagawa and Rooney to pick up the fullbacks when Real attack.
Agree.
One concern I have in terms of Real attacking us, is if Madrid manage to get at, or in behind Evra. Rooney helps out but maybe playing Welbeck or Young for the away leg could be wise.
ramos and pepe are available?
Will it be a mistake for Fergie to assign Jones to a man marking role?
Not really, it'll be the thing singled out probably, but it would if he didn't do it too, such is football.
It'll mean he can drift from the middle to cover Ronaldo so that Rafael and Valencia so exposure the weakness that having Ronaldo and Coentrao on the left gift us. Kagawa and RVP sounds good for that, but then Kagawa on Alonso Tough one.
It'll mean he can drift from the middle to cover Ronaldo so that Rafael and Valencia so exposure the weakness that having Ronaldo and Coentrao on the left gift us. Kagawa and RVP sounds good for that, but then Kagawa on Alonso Tough one.
Everyone has traveled to Spain except for Scholes.
Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard;Büttner,Evans, Evra,Ferdinand, Jones,Rafael,Smalling, Vidic; Anderson,Carrick,Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Valencia,Young;Hernandez, Kagawa, Rooney,RVP,Welbeck.
Nailed on starters
De Gea
Evra
Carrick
Rooney
RVP
Almost definites
Rafael
Vidic
Cleverely
The rest of the team is up for grabs
De Gea
Evra
Carrick
Rooney
RVP
Almost definites
Rafael
Vidic
Cleverely
The rest of the team is up for grabs
“We don’t have to wind him up before this game because when he is angry he is at his best,” he says, before joking: “So, let’s just be nice. We can say, ‘Welcome home, Ronny. It’s so nice to have you back, we love you, you are the best player’. We can kill him with love!”
Like Evra's strategy..
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...al-madrid-and-cristiano-ronaldo.aspx?pageNo=2
Like Evra's strategy..
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...al-madrid-and-cristiano-ronaldo.aspx?pageNo=2
I would add Kagawa to that list.
I wouldn't. I'm not saying he shouldn't play but he's no definite.
You can forget about Vidic playing after the 90 mins against Everton. No chance.
Who comes up with this stuff? here is their flight, apparently: http://www.flightradar24.com/MON9246
I'm not
Scholes left out of the squad. He had trained with the team today,but maybe carrying a injury.
I'd say there is a fairly hefty chance that our best defender will be playing in a game where we will be on the back-foot more then the front...
I think Fergie will have ensured that he will be able to play in both games before putting him on the pitch against Everton...
I'm not saying it's a definite, it might well be Rio and Smalling, but there is definitely a chance he will play, and a good one at that.
I think he is. It's stupid to predict what Fergie will do but let me have a go anyways.
De Gea
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia() Carrick Clev Kagawa
Rooney
RVP
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia(
) Carrick Clev KagawaRooney
RVP
Madrid will have most of the possesion in this game and will be on the front foot most of the time. We will set up like we always do in recent Euro aways and that is to keep it tight and attack on the counter. Our full backs and central midfielders are the areas where we will need to be at our best to stop their attacks. Benzema is RVP like in finding pockets of space while Ronaldo and Di Maria will go up against Rafael and Evra(
)Kagawa addresses both those concerns. His pressing will help unsettle Ozil and Alonso while also helping out Evra.
I'm confident he will be the difference maker in this tie.
Evans was subbed for Smalling so I'd actually be inclined to go with Rio-Evans. That partnership has played together a lot this season and while we have been conceding we have still won so I think Fergie has faith in them
True, I don't think they are all that, but I don't like the historical precedent against them and Fergie's head-to-head with Jose. I think Fergie may overcook things.
I'd be very surprised if our best defender, and arguably the best defender in the world, does not play against Real Madrid, who features the indisputable second best footballer on the planet.
But Fergie continues to confound expectations day after day.
He just came off an amazing performance. Of course he has a chance, he's our best defender.
I won't be trying to guess our team. But we've had a big-game formula which has worked all season long. I'd be happy for us to continue with that.
Yes Madrid are a different animal altogether, but our record in the big games this season has been very good. The work ethic and concentration, as well as the ability to bounce-back has been nothing short of brilliant.
Yes Madrid are a different animal altogether, but our record in the big games this season has been very good. The work ethic and concentration, as well as the ability to bounce-back has been nothing short of brilliant.
Could this be the first time in a long time that no English team goes past the Knock out stages? I sure hope not. All the hope rests on our shoulders because we have a better chance of beating Madrid than Arsenal have of beating Bayern.
This tie will be a catalyst for United dominating the CL again!
I'm worried about us maintaining possession while under severe pressing, which will come. Real will press like they press Barcelona, and even the Blaugrana have trouble dealing with that pressure (at least initially, then their passing takes over and Real are left chasing shadows). We don't have anywhere the passing proficiency of Barcelona, that's why I see trouble.
Forget about defending, I'm more worried about keeping the ball. That's why I want Nani and Kagawa starting and Phil Jones nowhere near the starting 11.
I could see Real scoring an early goal, after us losing possession cheaply. Then Real will be defending and seeking to hit us on the counter. It could get ugly.
I think the first 15-20 minutes are key.
Forget about defending, I'm more worried about keeping the ball. That's why I want Nani and Kagawa starting and Phil Jones nowhere near the starting 11.
I could see Real scoring an early goal, after us losing possession cheaply. Then Real will be defending and seeking to hit us on the counter. It could get ugly.
I think the first 15-20 minutes are key.
I wouldn't be surprised if Fergie decides to throw Young on for this one.
Not sure how I feel not having atleast one of Welbeck/Jones in the line-up in the away tie.
Like it or not, we need to defend and those 2 make a world of difference with their constant pressing/man marking (in Jones' case).
Yes Welbeck's finishing is a liability, as is Jones' ability to keep the ball under pressure, but you have to pick your poison, as you might be better off in regards to keeping the ball or scoring from one chance with someone else on the field instead of them, but then the others don't necessarily share their attributes and what they bring to the field either.
Either have Jones in midfield to help out at the back, or have Welbeck on the left/right putting pressure on Madrid high up the pitch, or both.
And the only reason I'm saying we "could afford" to start those players even though they've got certain problematic areas is because I believe we're good enough to create and score without being too reliant on them to do much of it, while I also believe Madrid are more than good enough to cause us problems too.
In any case, I just hope Ferguson gets them going like he has done this year in big games. Doesn't have to be pretty, just effective
Essien attended the presser with Maureen today. Interesting.
Called him "daddy" time and again, btw.
Called him "daddy" time and again, btw.
Rio and Vidic have to be the centre backs in my eyes. Their big game experience together is just so immense and they know each other's game inside out.
-----------DDG---------
Rafael----Rio-Vidic-----Evra
Nani-Cleverley-Carrick-Rooney-Kagawa
-------------RVP--------------------
Or Jones for Cleverley to mark Ronaldo.
RVP will be isolated but he has the touch and discipline to remain dangerous with fewer touches than he is used to. This is why he is so good and so important.
Expect Rooney to be in demon-mode running back to be a second LB.
Rafael----Rio-Vidic-----Evra
Nani-Cleverley-Carrick-Rooney-Kagawa
-------------RVP--------------------
Or Jones for Cleverley to mark Ronaldo.
RVP will be isolated but he has the touch and discipline to remain dangerous with fewer touches than he is used to. This is why he is so good and so important.
Expect Rooney to be in demon-mode running back to be a second LB.