Cech

Ivan

Bertrand

Luiz

Terry

Romeu

Essien

Lampard

Sturridge

Mata

Bosingwa

Yes, you heard me right. I would play Bossy on the right of a front three and play Sturridge up top. It won't happen though. Just as Bertrand won't happen.

Expect to see Bossy at left-back. Expect to see Torres up top. Expect to see Meireles in midfield ..

We win this we're 9 points behind Utd and the gloom lifts.

A penny for your thoughts .. ?

Howard Webb! Instant let down right there.

We are without Cole so I expect to see Bosingwa out there or Ferreira - no way in hell that Bertrand will get picked. (Bosingwa had one of his best games at LB when we played Barcelona away and actually handled Messi well). Anyway it does not matter who we pick at LB because they will need some back-up vs Valencia who has been one of their best players at late.

Lets hope Frank is fit for this one as we need the experience and also I think he should start Essien because he made such an impact coming on yesterday v Swansea - if hes fit enough he plays. End of.

----------------------Cech

Ivan---------Luiz-----------Terry--------Bosingwa

--------------------Romeu

---------Essien---------------Lampard

Sturridge----------------------------------Mata

--------------------Torres

Although I wouldnt mind a 4-2-3-1.

I think we'll see Bertrand play.

Surely AVB is smart enough to realize that Bosingwa at LB is a terrible defender, having to defend on his wrong side, against one of the best wingers in the league. It is a recipe for disaster and if I see him line up there, I would have lost the little faith I have left in AVB.

I think we'll see Bertrand play.

Surely AVB is smart enough to realize that Bosingwa at LB is a terrible defender, having to defend on his wrong side, against one of the best wingers in the league. It is a recipe for disaster and if I see him line up there, I would have lost the little faith I have left in AVB.

as far defending on his wrong side goes . . . right footed LBs actually do better against wingers who like to cut inside

I think we'll see Bertrand play.

Surely AVB is smart enough to realize that Bosingwa at LB is a terrible defender, having to defend on his wrong side, against one of the best wingers in the league. It is a recipe for disaster and if I see him line up there, I would have lost the little faith I have left in AVB.

It'll be a big test for bertrand, but if he plays and comes out of it well I reckon it could be the making of him.

In fact, I reckon this match, could be the making of our season. Hopefully in a positive way.

as far defending on his wrong side goes . . . right footed LBs actually do better against wingers who like to cut inside

I'm not sure how that is relevant here. Valencia is not a winger who cuts inside often.

United? Oh god.

I would not play Sturridge in the middle. I don't think he's good enough to be honest, and I think he's massively overrated. I would play a 4-2-3-1 like we did against United in the second half at OT. We played so well in the second half and could've bought it back if Torres didn't miss that chance.

Player/Player is based on injury availability.

My Team:

------------------------------------------------------Cech

----Ivanovic----------------------Luiz---------------------------Terry/Cahill------------------Bertrand

------------------------------------------Romeu-------------Essien

---------------------------Lampard/Merieles---------------------------Mata

---------------------------------------------------------------------Sturridge

------------------------------------------------Torres

AVB's Team:

------------------------------------------------------Cech

----Ivanovic----------------------Luiz-------------------------Terry/Cahill--------------Bosingwa

-----------------------------------------------------Romeu

--------------------------------Merieles----------------------Lampard/Malouda

------------Sturridge------------------------------------------------------------Mata

-----------------------------------------------Torres

Why not...

--------------------Cech------------------

Ivan------Cahill--------Terry-----Bertrand

------------Romeu---------Essien------

Sturridge---------Lamps-----------Mata

--------------------Torres--------------

No knock on Luiz, but definitely want that JT/Cahill partnership going. Plus, JT knows the importance of this match. He needs to be in the lineup.

4-2-3-1 with Romeu and the Bison dropping back or pushing up as the case dictates.

Webb reffing? I saw somewhere we have never beaten Utd when Webb is the ref. Great.

Webb reffing? I saw somewhere we have never beaten Utd when Webb is the ref. Great.

Lovely stat if true... Quite lovely indeed.

Lovely stat if true... Quite lovely indeed.

I think the passion in these players when they play Utd will pull us through....

Why not...

--------------------Cech------------------

Ivan------Cahill--------Terry-----Bertrand

------------Romeu---------Essien------

Sturridge---------Lamps-----------Mata

--------------------Torres--------------

No knock on Luiz, but definitely want that JT/Cahill partnership going. Plus, JT knows the importance of this match. He needs to be in the lineup.

-Luiz has been our best player the last few games and looks solid even to me(one of his biggest doubters). Plus he won us this fixture last season

-We'd have Bertrand making his first league start(incredible isn't it), and Cahill who hasn't played a minute for us.

-United have real pace upfront with Rooney(if fit)/Wellbeck+Chicharito, and that would be our slowest backline.

Edited February 1, 201213 yr by footballoholic

I want the rest of the season to just skip forward quickly now.

....................................Cech

Ivan...................Cahill............JT..................Bertrand ..........................

....................Essien.......................Luiz .......................................

...................................Lampard .......................................

...................................Torres .............................

........................Lukaku ..........Sturridge

Plan A

Torres, with the freedom to roam, positioned in behind Lukaku and Sturridge. Lukaku instructed to hold that central position at all costs. Sturridge also central when we have possession with instructions to play close off Lukaku, and with strict orders to fill the space out wide left when United have the ball. This would offer an added level of protection to Bertrand.

Advantages: complete freedom for Torres, Sturridge gets a try out centrally, two man screen in front of the back four.

Disadvantages: No Mata, little natural width, untried formation.

Plan B (attacking)

if Strurridge/Lukaku pairing isn't working or Sturridge isn't offering protection wide left, sub for Mata who moves into Torres position and Torres assumes Sturridge's spot.

There you go AVB, all done for you. Get the chalkboard and I'll draw it out.

Edited February 1, 201213 yr by just

If he plays that formation I'll regret not having any Man Utd full-backs in my Fantasy Football team.

Got to say I'm stunned people want luiz to be dropped when we have looked much better at the back recently and he has been great. For me he along with jt is the first name on the teamsheet at the moment.

As for this game I can tell you if we play a 4-3-3 we lose this game I have no doubts about. Get two up top with mata in behind and we have a chance. Torres seems to raise his game against united so let's hope for the same sunday!

Edited February 1, 201213 yr by Bluehatter

While I desperately want Bertrand to play at LB, one plus vote Bosingwa has is that he did have Lionel Messi in his pocket at the Nou Camp under Hiddink....just saying.

If Malouda gets anywhere near the starting line-up for this one I will accept defeat right there. Essien should be starting, a midfield three of Romeu/Essien/Lampard or Meireles/Essien/Lampard would be my ideal choice, and the front three of Sturridge/Torres/Mata.

-----------------------Cech

--Ivanovic-----Luiz--------Terry-----Bertrand

-----------------------Romeu

------------Essien--------------Lampard

--Sturridge---------Torres------------Mata

Webb reffing? I saw somewhere we have never beaten Utd when Webb is the ref. Great.

how many times have we drew? thats the best we could hope for

f**king Howard Webb. Great.

Heard it's gonna snow on Saturday, surely not 2 years in a row.....

I have zero confidence for this one.

With the players available I expect us to lose and be given a bit of a lesson, sorry to be negative but thats the way I feel!

Hopefully I'm massively wrong!

This is my best attempt to substitute like for like, what Newcastle put out against United. I got the idea looking at Coloccini ;)

-------------------Cech

Ivan ----- Luiz ----- JT ------ Bertrand

Bosingwa - Essien - Romeu - Mata

----------Sturridge - Torres

I have always wondered why we've never played Bosingwa at RM, given we've never had a proper right winger in ages, and Bossy is only good(occasionally) at attacking.

I think we'll see Bertrand play.

Surely AVB is smart enough to realize that Bosingwa at LB is a terrible defender, having to defend on his wrong side, against one of the best wingers in the league. It is a recipe for disaster and if I see him line up there, I would have lost the little faith I have left in AVB.

Disagree. I think we'll see Bossy there and I think it will be the right decision.

Remember, Hiddink played Bossy there against Messi, when Cole was out, and he did well. He also did well this season in Leverkuson. In fact he was our best player. Also remember White Hart Lane, where he was drafted in as an emergency centre-half and he did exceedingly well.

No way is Bertrand being drafted in for this game. Not a chance. If AVB has been reluctant to play him before, he certainly will be reluctant to play him here, IMO.

Howard Webb is the best referee in this country by a mile. He is completely fair. Very happy he's officiating this game.