Would go with all bar Young on the left. He will be playing Sunday so 3 games in 8 days is a lot at his age.
Would probably bring in Jones and put Rojo or Williams on the left.
Also give McTominay 60 mins then bring on Garner would be good to see

You, like me will disagree with the formation, Rosso.

Would put Jones (if he is actually fit) in for Rojo. Would give Matic another game instead of McT.

As much as I can’t stand him we need to start Matic. He’s bad enough as it is but he’s even worse when he’s not getting regular minutes so we need him match sharp for when he has to start in meaningful games.

Easy easy win. If Astana get anything will be a monumental upset.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 25 minutes ago
As much as I can’t stand him we need to start Matic. He’s bad enough as it is but he’s even worse when he’s not getting regular minutes so we need him match sharp for when he has to start in meaningful games.
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Sad but spot on.

Greenwood and Gomes have to start, Ole talks the talk but is he willing to walk the walk? He can’t push out statements like Greenwood being a better finisher than Martial and Rashford and then not play him.

Hopefully they start against Rochdale at OT next week as well.

I have no doubt in my mind Tuanzebe will start, let’s hope he can take Lindelof out of the starting 11 permanently.

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 27 minutes ago
You, like me will disagree with the formation, Rosso.
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Normally, I’d agree with you 100%

I don’t think there’ll be any kind of midfield battle though, and don’t expect Astana to venture outside their half other than throwing a couple of players at the odd counter attack.

I expect they’ll stay deep, compact, and only start harrying is when the ball approaches their defensive third.

When we came up against this preseason, we basically played with one DM, one AM and a front four. It might well end up like that on Thurs, with one of Matic or McT mopping up any unlikely danger.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 26 minutes ago
As much as I can’t stand him we need to start Matic. He’s bad enough as it is but he’s even worse when he’s not getting regular minutes so we need him match sharp for when he has to start in meaningful games.
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Can’t believe you just put the words ‘Matic’ and ‘sharp’ in the same sentence

Just delete your account Dazza, it’s the right thing to do.

Celtic beat them 5-0. With our resources I expect a goalfest.

You know what I mean.

I’m looking forward to the meltdown when Gomes is on the bench, by the way.

Dalot has become a forgotten man in this team. I liked him playing on the right side of midfield. Certainly offered more from there than Pereira.

Just want to see Gomes and Greenwood get 90 mins.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 6 minutes ago
You know what I mean.

I’m looking forward to the meltdown when Gomes is on the bench, by the way.
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Kung Fu will have an embolism.

Yep

I’m hoping Ole’s brave in the Europa with the youngsters. Garner, Chong, Greenwood and Gomes can all really offer the first team something that many of the seniors can’t.

Obviously translating it from youth level to senior level is bloody hard - especially in the premier league - but we’ve got a decent enough group to give them the opportunity.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 29 minutes ago
Yep

I’m hoping Ole’s brave in the Europa with the youngsters. Garner, Chong, Greenwood and Gomes can all really offer the first team something that many of the seniors can’t.

Obviously translating it from youth level to senior level is bloody hard - especially in the premier league - but we’ve got a decent enough group to give them the opportunity.
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Absolutely.

I don’t think it’s unfair to suggest that we’ll learn quite a bit about Ole on Thursday.

Yep I think so. To be honest, if he doesn’t throw them in I can actually understand it. We have a big squad and the senior players need matches as well, and we need to get some rhythm going in attack with a lot of these senior players. It’s the first game of the group stages, away from home and we need to get off to a winning start as they’re the weakest team in the group.

He’s got quite a few reason not to get them all massively in love. But it’d be a shame, especially given how he’s talked them all up since he’s been here.

I get the impression he doesn’t trust them quite as much as he’s letting on, and he’s just paying lip service to the fans that are desperate for the academy players to play in any circumstances.

*massively involved

comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 6 minutes ago
You know what I mean.

I’m looking forward to the meltdown when Gomes is on the bench, by the way.
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Kung Fu will have an embolism.
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I’m one step away.

What will tip me over the edge is if he plays, has a bad game, then all the fans call him crap and Ole doesn’t play him until the new year and/or out of position.

Anybody watching Ansu Fati for Barca? 16 years old and lighting it up. Sometimes you just needs the confidence of youth and the arrogance it brings. Gomes has that about him Greenwood can seem unsure at times, he just needs to transfer that U23 swagger to the Prem.

comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 25 minutes ago
Anybody watching Ansu Fati for Barca? 16 years old and lighting it up. Sometimes you just needs the confidence of youth and the arrogance it brings. Gomes has that about him Greenwood can seem unsure at times, he just needs to transfer that U23 swagger to the Prem.
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It’s difficult with the physicality of the PL. Fati does look very good. Should be an amazing game against Dortmund tonight

comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 1 minute ago
Anybody watching Ansu Fati for Barca? 16 years old and lighting it up. Sometimes you just needs the confidence of youth and the arrogance it brings. Gomes has that about him Greenwood can seem unsure at times, he just needs to transfer that U23 swagger to the Prem.
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Always helps when you are surrounded by Messi, Dembele, Suarez, Griezmann etc etc
Gomes on the other hand well....

It helps more when all your forwards are injured. Once they are fit it’s unlikely he’ll even make the bench.

It’s the first game of the group stages, away from home and we need to get off to a winning start as they’re the weakest team in the group.

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We're at home on Thursday which doesn't actually make much sense given our away game is at the end of November when temperatures are below zero.

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I get the impression he doesn’t trust them quite as much as he’s letting on

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Well at least we'll have a better idea one way or another in a few weeks time.

If we're gonna be making 8 or 9 changes featuring players that haven't played together very often maybe we shouldn't expect the most coherent performance overall...

Very eager to see the youngsters like most of us...

Astana were in the CL a few years back and acquitted themselves quite well back then... They must have regressed based on the comments in this thread...

If Dalot is fit I'd like to see him further up the pitch