Seen a lot of articles about the future, but we have a more pressing matter in the form of Messi and Barcelona.
Have we got any chance against these lot? Messi has turned it on this year(weird to say as he turns it on nearly every year) but he has been very impressive, even more so than his usual standards.
I would start McTominay over Matic. I think that is a must. We need an agile midfield, not one that is slow and cumbersome(which is exactly what Matic is).
Lingard hasn't looked impressive, neither has Martial(but both are coming back from injuries)
I'd be tempted to start Lukaku RW Rashford ST Martial LW. Give Barca something else to think about. I think it's almost nailed on that Lingard will start, however. He seems to do well in 'big' games.
Our defence is my main worry. Ashley Young should be another who shouldn't be playing, but that leaves us with an inexperienced RB in Dalot.
Anything can happen in football and I'm not writing us off completely, but it's the toughest task we have faced. Mountains are there to be climbed.
Barcelona
posted on 8/4/19
I'd probably go 3-5-2 in both games
------------------DDG---------------------
------Lindelof, Smalling, Jones------
Dalot------------McT-------------Shaw
----------Herrera--------Pogba--------
------------Lukaku--Rashy-------------
posted on 8/4/19
Don't expect us to go through but you always have to hope don't you?
What have we got to lose? Nobody really expects us to do it really. Hope the players use that as extra motivation and really put themselves on the world stage and give them a real game.
posted on 8/4/19
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Ole's joy squids (U2958)
posted 1 minute ago
I'd probably go 3-5-2 in both games
------------------DDG---------------------
------Lindelof, Smalling, Jones------
Dalot------------McT-------------Shaw
----------Herrera--------Pogba--------
------------Lukaku--Rashy-------------
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I like that, i mean i still fancy Barcelona but that on paper gives you a better chance of causing problems.
Defend for your lives and boot it up the pitch and see if Lukaku can bulldoze his way through or Rashford can cause problems with his directness.
posted on 8/4/19
comment by Andrew Nelson (U1734)
posted 59 minutes ago
comment by Robbing_Hoody - as a rule I don't trust a man who doesn't drink but I do trust James Milner (U6374)
posted 7 minutes ago
Alba is mince going backwards and Im of the opinion that Roberto aint great either.
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He is rubbish going backwards but he could just turn around and run forwards but in the opposition direction. That could solve it.
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You'd think they'd practice stuff like that in training wouldn't you,
posted on 8/4/19
We will get stuffed, probably both legs.
posted on 8/4/19
Problem is, we’ve been poor at home under Ole and can see that continuing on Weds. hopefully Lukaku turns up like he did against PSG and Pogba has the game of his United career
posted on 8/4/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 8/4/19
I think what we should do depends on who plays for Barcelona.
If Dembele's fit, then I'd play somebody in front of Young who can help with the threat of Dembele and Alba, so Dalot maybe or Rashford even though it's not his best position because he does have the legs to get back and defend and get forward quickly on the counter and take advantage of any space left by Alba. Problem then is we lose a certain amount of movement up front.
If Dembele isn't fit, I think they'll look to have even more of a numerical advantage in midfield although they'll still probably outnumber us in the middle anyway.
It's going to be tough no matter what we do, obviously.
posted on 8/4/19
comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
We will get stuffed, probably both legs.
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It's the hope that kills you, '52
posted on 9/4/19
Robb we have not been poor at home under OGS. Expected goals shows us deserving to win every game except PSG at home. Funnily enough our last 2 away defeats were 2 of our best away games expected goals wise and we lost. Before we were playing worse and winning.