I'll start by stating the obvious: defensively we have been a horror show this season, there's no escaping that fact no matter how we try to excuse it by listing our injuries or arguing that some players take time to settle.
I think LvG should - and probably will - opt for functionality at the expense of flair against Chelsea. I'm anticipating a physical test which will leave little room for luxury players like Januzaj and Mata.
This - coupled with our defensive frailties - leads me to believe that the key player against Chelsea could be Michael Carrick. It's no secret that I'm not his biggest fan, but I'm convinced that his nous and experience in front of the back 4 is could have a significant influence on this game.
If I were LvG I would recall Smalling and Fellaini at the expense of Rafael and Mata to ensure that we have some physically imposing players in the team. I would also drop RvP for Falcao because Falcao offers pace and physicality and will stretch the Chelsea defence more than RvP.
Without Evans back (if he was I would put him CB and push Rojo to LB) I would go for the following:
------------------------------------De Gea
--------------Jones------Smalling------Rojo------Shaw
------------------------------Carrick------Blind
--------------------------------------Fellaini
------------------------Valencia---------------Di Maria
---------------------------------------Falcao
Obviously i'm expecting some opposition to this team:
> Fellaini over Mata
> Valencia over RvP
> No Herrera
> No Rafael
Let's av' it!
Tactics against Chelsea
posted on 23/10/14
comment by He's French, He's Flash... (U9335)
posted 31 minutes ago
Good, because for a moment there I thought you were implying that O'Shea was something more than a relatively useful squad player.
.................
He was. That still isn't me rating him. Unless you call that rating against him being a shirt carrier, which were your original words.
Or are you going to be intent on making yourself look even more silly.
posted on 23/10/14
His best game for United was as a GK.
posted on 23/10/14
What's there to think about of this game? Park the bus and go for damage control else the moral of the team will be -12 after the game even with Drogba upfront.
LVG pride won't allow any of this I believe, so go for it and entertain while Cesc hammers on
posted on 23/10/14
If we park the bus this will be a hell of a boring game. 95% of the play in midfield
posted on 23/10/14
Boring game equal a one goal loss or a draw (if Cesc fail to make it lively)
Entertaining game equal a chelsea bashing and the United team go home more depress and fan head down after 90min.
Your choice
The key to the bus is still very much available if needed
posted on 23/10/14
Boring game equal a one goal loss or a draw
----------------------------------------------------
or a United win
Agree with your post though, we will get destroyed if we try to outplay Chelsea
posted on 23/10/14
I hope LVG goes the United way 'Total Football' and gets a proper welcome to the EPL by one of the big boys
posted on 23/10/14
comment by Bluemungopark#In Jose I Trust# (U10279)
posted 31 minutes ago
I hope LVG goes the United way 'Total Football' and gets a proper welcome to the EPL by one of the big boys
....................
I hope that next time you sit on the bog for a crap a porcupine comes out.
posted on 23/10/14
One of the big boys! A billionaires play thing. Doesn't come much smaller than that.
posted on 23/10/14
comment by He's French, He's Flash... (U9335)
posted 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
One of the big boys! A billionaires play thing. Doesn't come much smaller than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously Chelsea aren't a small club. What a ridiculous comment to make, even for a United fan.