By John Moncur
Yes it’s gonna be tough but I don’t think things are as hopeless as many may think in Manchester tomorrow.
Ok, we know all about the injured players and it will do us no good here to keep droning on about out so instead let me give you a team that I believe can come away with something from Old Trafford tomorrow.
First and foremost we have to be entirely solid at the back and my team includes SEVEN at the back with one who can break to make sure we keep a clean sheet at last.
I’d go with the back four from last week – Jenkinson, Reid, Ogbonna and Cresswell – reinforced with three strong defensive players in front of them.
I’d have Mark Noble sitting alongside Pedro Obiang and Cheik Kouyate whilst giving the all-action midfielder licence to get forward and join in.
Then in front we could play Manu Lanzini in a free role with Mauro Zarate and Andy Carroll as the main strikers. Given the circumstances I think that can work although it means leaving Victor Moses on the bench.
Frankly I don’t share the view many have of Big Andy. He leads the line well, holds the ball up and is good in the air. My issue at the moment is whether he is fully fit.
The problem with my formation is that we have nobody other than the full backs available to provide the sort of crosses we need for him so they will have to take that job on when we do get forward.
United are not a team that plays that free flowing game of old and I think they would find that set up very hard to break down and so long as we do nothing silly the longer it goes on score-less, the better chance we have of nicking it!
COYI
Just going on body language Carol ,IMO will not be match fit until next year the latest,
The extent of his injury was big time !!! Obviously like every one of us we want a fit carol back but my eyes tell me its no time soon !! It will be a slow process !!!
I would love to be proved wrong !!!!
Saturday is another day ! And I hope Bilic gets it right !!!
I also wouldn’t start jenks and noble ? I can see the pair of them having a mare if the mancs
Come at us full pelt and if the butcher fellani starts he will be out to cripple someone !!!
Nasty piece of work !!!! Young to dive if not going their way for penalty and clattenberg to give it ???
For a conciliation goal with us winning 7-1 !!!!! What !!!!!! I can dream can’t I !!!
COYI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!S
Absolutely spot on team selection. Carroll will be more effective with Zarate in and around him rather than being isolated up on his own.
Bubs, fair point, I think you could start Zarate up front. The only reason I left him out is that I don’t think you can play both in behind the striker. If Bilic plays Carroll again as a lone striker, well I am sorry we have another manager who cannot see the obvious. If he plays him with Zarate with Lanzini tucked in behind then I can see the logic. If he plays Jenks again he is certainly going down the wrong road with the fans – he needs to be sent back to Arsenal asap.
Not bad John but Zarate deserves a start bring Antonio on if one of them does not do the job,
Forget Carroll and Jelavictomorrow, surely Bilic is not stupid enough to start Carroll. My team for tomorrow is, Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbanna, Cresswell, Obiang, Oxford, Kouayte, Moses, Lanzini and Antonio (up top).
Antonio to make his first start at OT and Biljc not to play Carroll, sorry but can’t see that or Oxford starting either.
Looks like he will be starting Carroll.
Since when has Noble been a strong defensive player ?
But is Song not good enough put Oxford in there like the beginning of the season,
If it does not work change Carroll and Moses at half time,
But Jenkinson will never cope with Lingard and Young we will be torn apart,
Tomkins would be stronger with Kouyate in front of him same with Obiang in front of Cressie and Song to link up with the 3 forwards
We can win this but Carroll must hold the ball up to relieve the defence
Song for noble surely ??
Why play a unfit CF at man u ??? Give Antonio a trot !! Use carol late on if needed as an impact !!!!
I like it, 4-3-3 with the front line being a bit narrow and interchanging. Come on you Irons!!!