Where:

 

Old Trafford

 

 

 

When:

 

26 August 2013, 19:45 BST

 

 

TV:

 

SKY

 

 

Who:

 

             vs            

 

 

 

 

Additional Info:

 

The Rooney Saga comes to a head as the early matchup between heavyweights has a little extra drama to it.

This will be rather interesting and this early in the season a win might give us an early way to let the pack chase us. I think we have a strong enough squad to come out on top, we just need to take away RVP as I see him as their only real threat.

 

I would probably go with the same squad that started against Hull, but would switch Mata for Oscar, Lukaku for Torress and bring in Luiz if available for Cahill.

 

Also for my Canadian friends, the game is playing at 2h30 pm EST on TSN and at 11h30 pm there is a replay :)

This will be rather interesting and this early in the season a win might give us an early way to let the pack chase us. I think we have a strong enough squad to come out on top, we just need to take away RVP as I see him as their only real threat.

 

I would probably go with the same squad that started against Hull, but would switch Mata for Oscar, Lukaku for Torress and bring in Luiz if available for Cahill.

 

Also for my Canadian friends, the game is playing at 2h30 pm EST on TSN and at 11h30 pm there is a replay :)

 

Another Canadian huh? I was just in Ottawa this May.

Lakaku must start. Don't think we will see mata, he looked off the pace tonight and I think Jose will want players that will work hard and press more.

My team would be

Cech

Dave Ivan luiz ash

Mikel Ramires

Kdb Oscar hazard

Lakaku

I want us to win this match so much,more than any other.Cant stand arrogant Utd fans.Lukaku must start i also want to see Schurrle start.

Will be a hard game especially if Vidic, Rvp and Rooney all start.

A win here would set the pace and put early pressure on Moyes.  We've outclassed them in every meeting recently because their central midfield is so weak, but their attack is not to be underestimated and neither is RVP.

 

---------- Cech ----------

 

Ivan - Cahil - Luiz - Cole

 

--- Ramires - MVG ---

 

KDB - Oscar - Hazard

 

-------- Lukaku --------

 

I hope Luiz is fit and firing because Terry would worry me up against RVP.  Same is true of Lampard.  While the two of them have been staples of this club forever, playing them in 3 games in the space of a week against United is asking for trouble.  Lukaku absolutely must start.  Torres and Ba have both been given starts and neither really impressed.  It's his turn now.  

 

I'd be very happy with a draw from OT, but I know we can win.

I particularly admire your choice of pictures for the respective managers.

As for the game, f**k United the self-entitled princesses, hope we send the fridge at them and he scores another hattrick, there is no team in the world (except maybe Barca) I enjoy us beating more, and I have little doubt we will, and I expect it will be easier than the game against Villa.

My only worry is if we put Cahill up against RVP, if Cahill drops off him at all you just know he's gonna put it in the corner, I wouldn't be opposed to a JT - Iva combo in the middle with Dave coming in on the right for that very reason.

Bench Lamps for this one and bring him on late if we need a goal. Bringing Mikel on for him at half-time last season was a game change (as obviously was the entrance of Hazard), so parnering one of Essien/Mikel/MvG with Ramires would be best, given that Mikel hasn't even come on as a sub yet I doubt it will be him though. I also doubt he'll throw MvG his first start at Old Trafford of all places, so I expect an Essien - Rami pairing.

Personally i'd go with all 3 of the amigo's to start, in a game like this where the other team isn't just going to sit on the 18 yard line is where they thrive together, give them that room and they'll eat them up. Schurrle and KDB are great super sub options to have.

Really hoping Lukaku starts this one but I think Torres will get the nod, Jose will be desperate to show his confidence in him in such a big game and I think he currently envisions Lukaku as a super sub that can come on when the defenders are tired and bulldoze through them, given the fitness of Vidic and Rio it could make for a good option.

Cech

Dave - Iva - JT - Ash

Ramires - Essien

Oscar - Mata - Hazard

Torres

Subs: Schwarzer, Cahill, Lampard, Mikel, KDB, Schurrle, Lukaku.

Some good news is that Hernandez is likely out for this one.  So at least he won't get his obligatory goal against us. 

Has the referee been announced for this one yet? Even if Hernandez is out it won't be hard for them to score if United are immune to the offside rule, or for that matter are allowed to take out players as the last man and it get called a dive and a sending off for the striker.

A win here would set the pace and put early pressure on Moyes.  We've outclassed them in every meeting recently because their central midfield is so weak, but their attack is not to be underestimated and neither is RVP.

 

---------- Cech ----------

 

Ivan - Cahil - Luiz - Cole

 

--- Ramires - MVG ---

 

KDB - Oscar - Hazard

 

-------- Lukaku --------

 

 Gonna go with this.

Almost a no-brainer to start Lukaku, at minimum he will work over their defence for the whole 90 and free up space for the others. I believe Jose is slowly moving him into the starting 11 with 2 cameos so far. Let's not focus on the referee just yet, we need to concentrate on scoring goals.

Martin Atkinson is the ref. 

Martin Atkinson is the ref.

I was curious and browsed the redcafe thread about this fixture, and apparantley Martin Atkinson is the world's biggest Chelsea fan, apparantley he was the ref for that offside Drogba goal we're all so sick of hearing about.

I've got to say it would be hilarious if we benefit from a poor ref performance at Old Trafford, would be some proper karma.

Cue the Atkinson - Referee, Leader, Legend banners.

I was curious and browsed the redcafe thread about this fixture, and apparantley Martin Atkinson is the world's biggest Chelsea fan, apparantley he was the ref for that offside Drogba goal we're all so sick of hearing about.

I've got to say it would be hilarious if we benefit from a poor ref performance at Old Trafford, would be some proper karma.

Cue the Atkinson - Referee, Leader, Legend banners.

 

Atkinson wasn't even involved in that game (Drogba's offside).  Those mugs on redcafe don't live in the same world as the rest of us.  Years of entitlement does that to people. 

Atkinson wasn't even involved in that game (Drogba's offside).  Those mugs on redcafe don't live in the same world as the rest of us.  Years of entitlement does that to people.

ah ok not sure why I believed what I read there, what it lacks in delusion compared to RAWK it makes up for in arrogance and as you said, entitlement.

Let's hope we don't concede early, can see the spoils being shared for this game although a loss would not be catastrophic so early on.  Utd have a bigger attacking threat than us right now but the midfield will be dominated with blue shirts, 2-2.

Need to stop RVP.

Also for my Canadian friends, the game is playing at 2h30 pm EST on TSN and at 11h30 pm there is a replay :)

 

Should be a great one - from watching the game earlier in the week I think TSN are picking up the NBC coverage of the games which I like.  I think it will have to be an extended lunchbreak with the boss who is a Manc.

 

Don't know who we're going to be starting with on Monday - should be a very interesting game though.  The thought of going 6 points ahead of United already, is pretty exciting!

Lukaku must start surely, but I think Torres will get the nod.

 

 

Very tough game, especially with Mata out of form and Luiz out injured.

 

I predict a draw.

I would be content with a draw at Old Trafford personally. 

If were lucky not to be 2 0 down in the first half this is likely to be a 1 1 draw taking into consideration we up our games slightly after the break...this will sort the good from the chaff for sure

With the game against United coming up on Monday its what people would call our first big test of the season. My question is who do you think will start? Not who you would like to start!!!

I think it will be

Cech

Brana

JT

Cahill

Cole

Ramie

Lamps

Mata

KDB

Hazard

Torres

                Cech

 

Ivan - Cahill - JT - Cole

 

  van Ginkel - Ramires

 

Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard

 

              Lukaku

 

 

 

I expect something like that, the pace of Schurrle and Hazard on the wings to cause United problems on the counter attack and van Ginkel in for Lampard to give us a bit more mobility in the middle. 

Do you not think that Jose might go for Lamps to have an old head on the pitch?