Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester United

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I actually have a good feeling we'll win out in Ukraine.

I do however also think we might lose next weekend up at Sunderland - more so if they get a new manager this week.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
I actually have a good feeling we'll win out in Ukraine.

I do however also think we might lose next weekend up at Sunderland - more so if they get a new manager this week.
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If this kind of run continues then we'll win all the cups, but will be relegated.
 
Didn't Shaktar lose the first game 0-2 at home to another team in our group? I can't recall who was that though
 
Rafael----Smalling----Vidic----Evra
---------------Fellaini---------------
-----Cleverley---------Kagawa------
----------<-----Nani------>---------
--------------------------------------
------RVP--------------Rooney------

Nani providing width and going for runs behind the defense from his position. RVP/Rooney in completely free roles. If we are in the lead with a lot we should get Januzaj in for Cleverley.
 
Bestie07 said:
The one good thing about football after a bad result is that there's always the next game. But why did this next game had to be in Ukraine? :annoyed:
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It's ideal. Get right away from everything and get back to basics, like actually playing your best team when not in form.
 
I remember after City beat us 6-1 we went on a run of dour 1-0s and we were getting criticised for playing so cautiously. I seriously wouldn't mind going back to that for a bit. Shutting up shop and being defensively solid, then after that's sorted we can think about bringing the flair and swashbuckling attacking play back. I just feel we need to get the foundations right first because at the moment were not solid, and when we go for it as we have been we're far too open and easily get hit on the break rather naively.
 
LR7 said:
I remember after City beat us 6-1 we went on a run of dour 1-0s and we were getting criticised for playing so cautiously. I seriously wouldn't mind going back to that for a bit. Shutting up shop and being defensively solid, then after that's sorted we can think about bringing the flair and swashbuckling attacking play back. I just feel we need to get the foundations right first because at the moment were not solid, and when we go for it as we have been we're far too open and easily get hit on the break rather naively.
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That's exactly what we need - Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra behind Fellaini and Carrick is a solid lineup

A 0-0 or 1-0 win on Wednesday, followed by a 1-0 at the weekend and the confidence will start ebbing back bit by bit

This period of adversity could galvanise the team in the long run - to quote Pacino we need to scrape and claw for that inch that makes the difference

Come on the lads!!!
 
LR7 said:
I remember after City beat us 6-1 we went on a run of dour 1-0s and we were getting criticised for playing so cautiously. I seriously wouldn't mind going back to that for a bit. Shutting up shop and being defensively solid, then after that's sorted we can think about bringing the flair and swashbuckling attacking play back. I just feel we need to get the foundations right first because at the moment were not solid, and when we go for it as we have been we're far too open and easily get hit on the break rather naively.
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It's funny, after that 0-0 v Chelsea I thought that's exactly how we were setting up!
 
It would make the lads more confident if they felt the team was impenetrable (I think that's why Fergie got us to play that way after that awful derby defeat), then we would at least have a platform to build from. The exciting bits can come later I feel but it wouldn't be a bad idea or take it step by step. Moyes has previously been known (rightly or wrongly) as quite a defensive manager, so making us more solid shouldn't beyond his capabilities. Yes people would moan that its not exciting enough to begin with, but if it's getting results, even ground out ones, most would be at least satisfied, then Moyes could experiment with being more expansive.
 
buckooo1978 said:
That's exactly what we need - Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra behind Fellaini and Carrick is a solid lineup

A 0-0 or 1-0 win on Wednesday, followed by a 1-0 at the weekend and the confidence will start ebbing back bit by bit

This period of adversity could galvanise the team in the long run - to quote Pacino we need to scrape and claw for that inch that makes the difference

Come on the lads!!!
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Yep. Plenty of options to play around with in front of that but this 6 should get a run now till everything settles down.
 
buckooo1978 said:
That's exactly what we need - Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra behind Fellaini and Carrick is a solid lineup

A 0-0 or 1-0 win on Wednesday, followed by a 1-0 at the weekend and the confidence will start ebbing back bit by bit

This period of adversity could galvanise the team in the long run - to quote Pacino we need to scrape and claw for that inch that makes the difference

Come on the lads!!!
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Carrick and Fellaini have been anything but solid so far, Vidic isn't sharp and neither is Evans. Shaktar have a very attacking quartet of tricky, pacey Brazilians who can cause real problems to teams who don't stand up well to pace and skill......mainly teams like United.

I would take a draw out there right now....a win would be terrific.
 
We should play defensively and on the counter anyway, Shakhtar are a very attacking team who could definitely be exposed at the back.

They are also a very small team. Wellington Nem, Bernard, Douglas Costa, all tiny little players who love to dribble but are not necessarily going to bust their balls in tracking back.
 
I still fancy us to play a 4231 at the moment, but with Valencia and Welbeck/Young/Giggs on the flanks to keep it more tight. Although, we could easily slot Giggs into the middle and play 433 if it's him who is chosen. Expecting RvP, Rooney, Carrick, Fellaini, Vidic, Evans, Evra, and de Gea to all make the 11. Probably Rafael too, though Smalling might warrant a start due to his good form.

So:

de Gea
Rafael Vidic Evans Evra
Carrick Fellaini
Valencia Rooney Giggs
van Persie

/

de Gea
Rafael Vidic Evans Evra
Carrick Giggs
Fellaini
Valencia van Persie Rooney​
 
Prefer the second line up, but for me I would be more defensive... I don't think we have played this yet...

DDG​
Rafael Smalling Vidic Fabio​
Fellaini Jones​
Carrick​
Nani_________Januzaj​
RVP

Slightly more defensive with 2 DM's, but it allows Carrick to dictate the supply rather than trying to cut off the oppositions, I can seem this allowing him the freedom to play...

My only variable was that I wanted Rooney in here, but didn't want to place him out wide or in place of a true CM..​
 
Januzaj isn't eligible yet.
edit: not that that is the only thing wrong with that line-up!
 
Will be great if we manage to keep a clean sheet there. It's unlikely though. Haven't watched Shakhtar this season but by all accounts they are quite good.A draw would be an excellent result for was.
 
I think we need to set up with a counter attacking mindset, to go over there and play 442 would be naive especially considering the hostile atmosphere and us coming off the back of a defeat where we exposed.

Our defence needs protection and we have to use the ball well and be incisive and progressive with the passing.

Van Persie is still easing his was back in and Rooney is our leader right now so I would start him on the bench.

I am also concerned that Johnny Evans appears to have adopted his passive standing off approach which he needs to shake off, Smalling has looked powerful and dominant this season.

DE GEA
RAFAEL SMALLING VIDIC EVRA
FELLANI CARRICK CLEVERLY
KAGAWA ROONEY NANI

Hopefully this is what we say however I fully expect the inclusion of Valencia/ Young or Giggs which will no doubt cause us to drop deeper and deeper and lose a grip on the game because of their inabilities, especially referring to Goung and Giggs here.
 
We're definitely going to see a pretty defensive setup in this. I don't expect Nani or Kagawa to start this one.
 
Fergies Formula said:
I think we need to set up with a counter attacking mindset, to go over there and play 442 would be naive especially considering the hostile atmosphere and us coming off the back of a defeat where we exposed.

Our defence needs protection and we have to use the ball well and be incisive and progression with the passing.

Van Persie is still easing his was back in and Rooney is our leader right now so I would start him on the bench.

I am also concerned that Johnny Evans appears to have adopted his passive standing off approach which he needs to shake off, Smalling has looked powerful and dominant this season.

DE GEA
RAFAEL SMALLING VIDIC EVRA
FELLANI CARRICK CLEVERLY
KAGAWA ROONEY NANI

Hopefully this is what we say however I fully expect the inclusion of Valencia/ Young or Giggs which will no doubt cause us to drop deeper and deeper and lose a grip on the game because of their inabilities, especially referring to Goung and Giggs here.
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Like that team. Doubt we'll get it though.
 
Im convinced that is our best line up for the occasion. As I said above I can see Moyes going for something more along the lines of -
DE GEA
JONES SMALLING VIDIC EVRA
FELLANI CARRICK CLEVERLY
VALENCIA ROONEY WELBECK

However I see Jones as a weakness in our attacks and the one dimensional play of valenica not really suited to this system as he doesnt come inside well. Welbeck looks good in possession but doesnt really do a lot with it.
 
Fergies Formula said:
Im convinced that is our best line up for the occasion. As I said above I can see Moyes going for something more along the lines of -
DE GEA
JONES SMALLING VIDIC EVRA
FELLANI CARRICK CLEVERLY
VALENCIA ROONEY WELBECK

However I see Jones as a weakness in our attacks and the one dimensional play of valenica not really suited to this system as he doesnt come inside well. Welbeck looks good in possession but doesnt really do a lot with it.
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Well I can see that a 3 would be good but I think that team has very little creativity with players as they are. I think swap out one of those wide guys for nani definitely unless fitness is an issue.
 
Oh I would love us to get Nani in there as he offers something completely different with his turn of pace, eye for a penetrative pass and his ability to take on a man, see a few posts up for my preferred team. But I think moyes might prefer to sacrifice that bit of quality over the extra legs and energy(Valencia, welbeck over nani kagawa), which is understandable on a shallow basis however playing a counter attacking game we need to be decisive and crucial with our use of the ball in the final third which gives nani and Kagawa the advantage. I guess we'll see. Its obvious to me though that having a natural right back in rafael is a lot more balanced and gives us an attacking outlet also, too often we are seeing moves break down through jones. Not his fault being played out of position mind.
 
If we can get the back four sorted and remove as much risk of comedy defending then we have a great chance of getting a clean sheet. If you have that base then you have a good chance of nicking a win.

If we have;

DDG
Raf - Vidic - Evans - Evra

...at the back then I feel that we will get something from the game. Moyes needs to stop fecking about with the back line and get us defending properly as a unit like we used to and like his teams have been able to over the years.
 
Fergies Formula said:
However I see Jones as a weakness in our attacks and the one dimensional play of valenica not really suited to this system as he doesnt come inside well. Welbeck looks good in possession but doesnt really do a lot with it.
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Jones inability to offer anything going forward from right back is one of the main reasons we've been shite recently when he's played.
 
Irwinwastheking said:
If we can get the back four sorted and remove as much risk of comedy defending then we have a great chance of getting a clean sheet. If you have that base then you have a good chance of nicking a win.

If we have;

DDG
Raf - Vidic - Evans - Evra

...at the back then I feel that we will get something from the game. Moyes needs to stop fecking about with the back line and get us defending properly as a unit like we used to and like his teams have been able to over the years.
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I agree about a strong base, however right now I dont think Evans is in any real form and was far too passive against west brom. I think the strength in defence would come from Smalling who is in form and would provide a better foil to vidic.
 
Fergies Formula said:
I agree about a strong base, however right now I dont think Evans is in any real form and was far too passive against west from. I think the strength in defence would come from Smalling who is in form and would provide a better foil to vidic.
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Whilst you're entitled to view the West Brom game like that I think you are miles off the mark. He was fecked every way with Rio one side of him and Buttner the other. He was the only part of our defence that came out of that game with any credit and he won MOTM in his previous game. How he can be considered in bad form after two games like that is beyond me.
 
It is easy to say it was all Rio's fault but Evans wasnt exactly playing an impressive game, granted Rio and Buttner looked like fools out there I just dont think Evans did enough in that game to come away with any credit, the whole defence was a mess. Missing evra, vidic and rafael. Everytime I have seen smalling this season I have been impressed. I do believe that he has a good future now, he just needs to regain some form and consistency. The same can be said for a lot of our players though.

Didnt know that he got MOM though.
 
Lets just go crazy!!

---------------- DDG ---------------

------ Smalling - Vidic - Evans -------

Rafael -------------------------- Evra

---------- Carrick - Fellaini -----------

--------------Kagawa ----------------

---------- Rooney - RVP -------------

We've got the ideal players for this system - excellent attacking 'wing backs' and our wingers are so out of form!

Know it won't happen but would like to see us train to play this way sometimes.
 
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