Sep 17
Man Utd v Villarreal: Preview
We return to Old Trafford after the misadventure in Anfield to meet the Yellow Submarines (as they are called) with several points to prove. It’s a strange thing — having to prove points that is — when we are the defending English and European champions.
But let that not mask the fact that whilst we still are a very good side, there are still quite a few concerns that need to be addressed.
But we may not yet have to face that today, what with Berbatov ‘unlikely to play’. This development is in itself rather curious because I recall the Mail publishing training pictures from yesterday where Berba was present.
We also had Manucho in training as well as some boy that goes by the name Cristiano Ronaldo. Fergie said that the United fans will warm up to that boy. I don’t know honestly if everyone will warm up to him, but considering the situation we’re in, it is sort of ironic to see that most United fans could shed a sigh of relief at his return ahead of Chelsea because of the way we got off the blocks this season.
Make no mistake, Ronaldo’s return is very significant. I just hope the boy doesn’t succumb to impatience in rushing his comeback and thus subject his ankle to a longer term injury.
In team news, Scholes is suspended for his volleyball antics against Zenit. Anderson, Hargreaves, Possebon and Fletcher remain our midfield options. I can’t really be sure of Hargreaves’ fitness — so we’ll have to wait and see.
If Berba doesn’t play then our tactics should be straightforward. We’ll play a flat 4-4-2 with Tevez and Rooney playing upfront. SAF could play Giggs on the left (because he loves Giggs) and Nani on the right. Ronaldo could always come off the bench if Giggs doesn’t impress. Personally, I’d take a fit Park over Giggs.
In midfield I would play Anderson and Hargreaves (if he’s fit). If Evra’s absent, then O’Shea would play there with Fergie surely going for experience by playing Brown and Rio in the centre. The right back would be a big question mark. I don’t think Fergie rates Neville that high anymore. It’s sad that his United career is taking such a path, but such is the game and if he’s not up to it, then even Fergie’s loyalty to his old charges won’t help him.
EDIT: Still hungover from the Liverpool defeat, I somehow thought Vidic would be absent from today. He’s not, and I suppose we’ll play a back four of O’Shea, Rio, Vidic and Brown.
About the opposition, Rossi is ruled out which is a shame because I was looking forward to seeing him play against us. Other than that, familiar foe Bobby Pires is back for them. They cannot be underestimated because they play very well as a unit. Rooney was red carded in an encounter in the ill fated 05/06 season and it would be some thing he’d want to set right.
Right, on to my predictions for the day: United to win 2-0.
Come on you reds!!!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: UEFA Champions' League
Opti (542)
Stephen (492)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
I hear you Craig, but i firmly BELIEVE that things are gonna get better including Rooney
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Good game, massive improvement over the Liverpool game, it was just sad that i think we the way we played today, Berbatov would have made such a massive difference today cus the midfield for once in the games we’ve played this season was actually flowing and It’d have worked better with him in the team. Anyone know if he’ll be fit for Sunday?
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Good game today… created chances, which is important. Pre-ronaldo, we played decent, passed the ball about well, but there was no spark to ignite the Roovez partnership. Ronaldo was evidently missing from the holy trinity…
As soon as he came on, it was evident Roovez was back in business, the crisp passes, flicks and opportunities started to flow, unfortunately we had no time left to take advantage. Ronaldo is the spark that gets our attack going, Rooney has missed him – an attacker with great vision and positioning – and i think Berba is of that mould too, so only good things can come off the ‘Berney’™ ® partnership…
Our midfield is still of concern.. Anderson hasn’t found his niche yet, Carrick is injured, scholes, gibson, hargo and fletch are not attack minded enough, which leaves one unsure option, the inexperienced Rodrigo. Should we try him out or is he still too inexperienced at this level?
The reason we haven’t ever noticed our lack of attacking midfeilders was because of our fluid attack, where we pretty much played 4-2-4. However, early on his season, when we had no wingers, it was evident our midfield was not up to standard.
We have gotten so used to playing two CMF’s that we even turned Ando (an AMF) into one. Scholes too. We need to rectify that asap, cause whenever our fluid attack breaks down, we need to rely on our midfield for attack playmaking (something only Carrick does).
All in all, was a positive performance, we looked very lively when the trinity came to life. With Berba, Ronnie, Scholes, and Brown getting back into the 1st team this weekend, I can see a result at the bridge.
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I like our “Checking” line that we used tonight, including Fletch, Hargo and Park!!! Maybe they all dont have Zidane skills, but man they run themselves to fucking death and work so hard for the team at breaking up play and winning back possession! It was great to just see some effort and some heart from the lads.
Hargo looked infinitely better tonight than his cameo against Pool. Anyone else think he should be assigned to cover fat frank on sunday and to prevent that shit talking bastard from scoring any of his cheap rebound goals? And i honestly think we should assign someone to shadow Deco as well. Maybe Fletch?
I thought Park was outstanding tonight. As was Evra.
And it was great to see the whole spirit of the place lifted when a certain someone was introduced late. The players came to life and all seemed like they were saying to themselves, “right, now its time to kick some ass!” And they almost pulled it off. I think Ronny would have buried his header if little Carlos hadn’t had visions of LeBron James and jumped right in front of him.
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Overall….I think its safe to say our season starts now!! Lets set the league alight by winning at the Bridge, then its game on for the title. Come on lads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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@Gabriel: I prefer Roonatov
I thought Neville played ok today, but like the rest of the team there was no end product. I think his presence could be valuable to lift the team on Sunday. I think Fergie will play Evans though. I think Vidic should have played today. They were there for the taking at set pieces and he could have scored
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Quick observations, Giggs and Neville are done at this level. They have been great servants and top class quality but there time has come. Sadly I know he didnt play today but it is time to put scholes in that box too. I know I will get killed for this, because scholes is an untouchable but it was time last year. The problem with extending the careers of these gentlemen is that it delays the development of Nani and Anderson. I feel the inconsistency of these players is only due to the fact that they never get extended run outs. they get a string of games then nothing for a while, its kind of hard to gel with the team when your constantly in and out. As for all of you who are hard on anderson, remember that he has been played out of position his entire united career so give him a little slack for over extending himself.
Also back off of rooney, he was fine today. It s funny when I am the guy defending rooney cause I was one of the few to question him during last season (and got SLATED).
As for the greasy one… words cant describe how I felt to see him warm up on the side line. I admit that I was gutted when the Real moved looked like a foregone conclusion but I never went over board. He is the best player on the planet and I am overjoyed to see him wearing red.
finally, why didnt Vidic play?
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I thought this was the best game of our season, which doesn’t say much, but honestly even without Ronaldo some guys like Nani, Park, showed what they can do. When Ronaldo came back we were back to our last year style. Neville shuld be droped no doubt in my mind, Giggs only as a sub and the sam same with Scholes. I know he hasn’t played today, but I think we should let our guys Nani and Andy to take the responsibilies. Not sure what will happen at the Bridge, but if Ronaldo playes everything is possible.
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bit concerned about our result …ok agree that we were up against the runner up in la liga..but come on we were at home…shud have won it….sad to say this ..but giggs is past it..even as impact sub… so is nevilee…doubt whether Nani can make to top flight ….Anderson must work on his shooting…his energy in midfield helped us a lot in second half…but still we are yet to define a position for him
fletcher was good ..park lookd bit rusty adn gave away many passes…how many chances did we create ? is that only me who noticed their keeper was loosing the ball quite often…but we cudnt exploit that
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i think it was an excellent performance, i think every played well. i was really impressed by nani and park, but i also feel that park has lost his control. i honestly think everyone had a good game, and we didnt even miss vidic that much, like the power of youth explode i guess. if berbatov was playing, or ronaldo was on form,, you wouldnt bet against us scoring. that match was perfect for berbatov, all those inch perfect crosses nani was putting in all those through balls andy was putting in, all thoses tackles tevez putting in, for him to sweep up, it would of been a perfect match for him. I pray that berbatov will be fit for chelsea, where saf will have to make thte decision, rooney or tevez.
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