Sep 19
Sporting Lisbon vs Man Utd – Preview
Staying awake for 48 hours is really crap. It drains your brain to the extreme. That was the case with me, thanks to some truckloads of work that I spent yesterday asleep for over 12 hours. Hence some slacking off in the blog. I do have a real life too, apparently. So there.
So Sporting Lisbon hosts us today as we bring our hometown boys in Ronaldo and Nani. So let’s get to the preview before I run off to sleep, again!
Before the preview though, let’s share some news bytes related to the game.
Carlos Queiroz says that we will play a ‘cautious’ game but ‘play with ambition’. Now I don’t know how one can mix caution with ambition. You are either cautious – where you will be defensive or less certain of moving forward – or you are ambitious – where your players will be moving up the pitch trying to force the issue. Mixing caution with ambition? It’s like standing still with the ball at your feet, suddenly hoping that the ball comes to life and flies over into goal on its own volition.
Anyway, onto the game, as CQ said and with it being a European game, we cannot expect too much from a formation point of view. Although who would play upfront could be anyone’s guess. If I was forced to play a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation I would go with Tevez on the left, Ronaldo on the right and Saha up on his own. Rooney would be on the bench for sure. I doubt he’ll be started straightaway keeping Chelsea in mind. Giggs, Scholes and Carrick will play in the centre of the park. (Barring Gibson, that’s all the central midfield we have at present!)
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Chelsea played out bore draws. We hope there wouldn’t be a repeat of our league performances, simply because we seem more capable this year against teams that attack rather than park their bus – and Sporting will come at us. Ronaldo will, probably for the first time, be cheered by the opposing team fans. Nani will also receive a good welcome.
I would hope Fergie plays a 4-4-2 with Tevez and Saha together. Nevertheless, I expect a good performance from the lads. Arsenal take on Sevilla in the other game today and it would be interesting to see how they hold up against another very attacking side.
Anyway I’m off for now… See you after the game. Discuss away in the comments
Prediction: 2-1 to United. (Ronaldo, Tevez to score.)
Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- History Beckons As United Discover Their Group
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Man Utd: Local Boy Scores
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
September 19th, 2007 at 16:25
I just hope we dont play tevez and giggs uptop.as fergie always seems to put out the exact team u dont want to play.i also hope we dont play with that stupid 4 5 1 formation.its terrible.we look dull and uncreative.4 4 2 or 4 3 3(with 2 strikers)would be much better as when we have 1 striker he always seems to get drowned upfront by the opposition.i predict a 2 1 with scholes and vida scoring.
September 19th, 2007 at 16:28
Oh and what does CQ think he is doing?releasing those comments.does he want to get offered the united job?i for one do not want to see him replace fergie.he is too scared too put an attacking team.(he could actually be influencing fergie u know)
September 19th, 2007 at 16:43
In 1999 we played attacking football. We started the game on a high tempo with wave after wave of attacks.
We just don’t do that anymore. All we needed to do was tighten up at the back.
This formula could again win us the European cup but now we seem to play the patients pass and move game even when we’re drawing!
We should only be playing keep ball when we’re in a very tight game or trying to quieten the crowd.
When we play that defensive type game we invariably lose.
For example Arsenal away, Chelsea in the FA Cup Final. Why couldn’t we just attack?!
We showed what we could do at Old Trafford against Roma. That was a glimmer or 1999.
September 19th, 2007 at 16:44
lets hope at least 1 of saha or rooney starts with the other on the bench
September 19th, 2007 at 16:45
Fear a sending off is in the books…watch out Wes Brown and a quick moment of Rooney-Rage. Hope not, but if things are tihgt or we’re losing 1-0, fear the worst!
I worry Ronaldo is going to show boat a bit much, being home and all. We’ll have to see. I’d definitely play a 4-3-3, with Ronnie, Nani and Tevez as the front 3. While Tevez doesn’t get much joy in the prem, I really think he can lead a line in Europe, as it’s just a different style.
Also Tevez’s first trip to Europe…so here’s hoping for big things!
September 19th, 2007 at 17:35
I thought Ronaldo was suspended, did he not get a yellow card in the Milan game second leg last season that meant he had reached the limit and misses next match which is against Sporting
September 19th, 2007 at 18:11
I think the side sud b. EVS, BROWN EVRA VIDIC FERDINAND, RONALDO NANI SCHOLES CARRICK, TEVEZ ROONEY. but i think it will b same defence but ronaldo giggs scholes and carrick, with tevez and saha up top. C MON U REDS!!!!!!!!!
September 19th, 2007 at 18:15
Fergie will probably start with Tevez and Giggs up front again. I don’t what the heck is wrong with Saha again but he never started on the weekend after coming and saving our collective backsides the previous week? As for Rooney, I doubt we will see him. If we do it will probably be as a sub late in the game. I’m sure Fergie wants to save him for Chelsea yet he fails to realize that Rooney will be useless against Chelsea unless he gets game fit and finds a bit of his form against Sporting.
I’ve had enough of this over pampering of players. Changing their diapers and breast feeding them. Players need to learn to play with injuries. Fine Rooney had a break, and apparently it has healed. Play him then. As for Saha, Neville, Hargreaves and the rest all I have to say is suck it up and show me you have some guts and a pair of balls. Learn to play with a little discomfort. If Neville isn’t better after over 6 months off, then forget about him and lay him out to pasture. If Saha can play 10 days ago and score a goal, he can start last weekend and tonight. As for Hargreaves, I love the kid but he calls for the medic as soon as a mosquito bites him. Enough! None of these guys are carrying Solksjaer style injuries. Suck it up and play already.
I don’t want to sound insensitive but this injury crap has frustrated me to no end. We need our players to act more like warriors and handle a little discomfort for the good of the team. Where are the Steve Bruce’s and Mark Hughes’ who would play limping and with a bandage on their heads? By April everybody on the team will be carrying injuries due to a long season. But at that point they are expected to play unless the injury is serious. Well, the games in April may mean nothing unless we wake up right now and play in games that could easily make or break our entire season. As for a prediction for tonight, 0-0.
September 19th, 2007 at 19:41
honestly grognard, you are quite negative towards united, it questions whether you sre a fan, but then again, your points are valid, however will you be happy if the lads
“sucked it up”, then faced a longer period of time on the sidelines then a few more matches,its along season as you said, so it wold be foolish if we pet our players get burnout before even chirstmas.
as for prediction, i havea feeling man u is going to wake up today
September 19th, 2007 at 20:13
finally, a match we can watch here in the states, but so far nothing noteworthy, except for the expected EVDS saves.
September 19th, 2007 at 21:07
RRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOO
were one nil up, i cant watch the game since im doing my As homework, plus my uncle has monopolised the tv watching arse-nal
September 19th, 2007 at 21:51
Wow! browns first good cross!t
September 19th, 2007 at 22:04
EVDS man of the match
September 19th, 2007 at 22:20
brown produced an almost neville like corss and its that man ronny again
September 19th, 2007 at 22:58
I may sound negative Adil only because I give a damn about the team winning and them playing attractive and attacking United style football. I am just as devoted and as loyal as you are but that doesn’t mean I cannot criticize the team when they suck. I don’t know if you are a parent but if you are, do you let your kids get way with murder or do you discipline them? If you love them you discipline them correct? As a long time United supporter I seek perfection even if it is a little unrealistic. I don’t settle for sloppy seconds.
Now about the game. I thought United were awful in the first half but then they were very strong in the second half. The main reason for the transformation was the real Ronaldo showed up after the half. He was absolutely electric in the second half and was doing all the things I was hoping for which was run with pace and at defenders. His goal was great but it was his runs and the close calls he created that really impressed me.
I was happy to see Rooney play even though he turned in a drab performance which was to be expected. He should be more fit and sharper against Chelsea. Giggsy and Scholes were very mediocre and lacked any pace in their game. The passing in general was horrible but it did improve in the last third of the game. I also was very pleased with Van Der Saar’s performance as he made three world class saves and looks a lot more focused and alert than last season.
A somewhat ugly and gritty win but for the Champions League where points are vital, it was a fine win. The second half did give hope as I saw signs of them breaking out of their funk. I think the key is for them to score early and then counter attack which seems to work well for them. Saha was terrible but then again, match fitness and lack of sharpness will come with time. He just needs to play more
I just wished the team could play the way Arsenal did today. I despise Arsenal almost as much as Chelski but I have to admit their pace and beautiful one touch passing is the way the game should be played. The humbled a very good Sevilla team by running at them and penetrating their defenses using well timed runs and one touch passes. Boy what I would give for Fabregas on United.
September 20th, 2007 at 0:26
Overall, a decent performance from United tonight. Rooney looked pretty good for his first time back, but he would have looked a lot better if the team supported him, especially in the first half. Giggs and Scholes were almost nonexistent and Nani did not do much in the first half. Carrick is looking better but he didn’t do anything until the second half either. My feeling is that once the squad strings together some nice touches, Carrick becomes a much more positive factor. Truth be told, not until the 2nd half did any of the Man U players play well. Saha did not look good when he came in and I wanted to see Rooney, Ronaldo, and Tevez play together desperately.
Still, I think we are one solid 90 minute performance away from last year’s form. We would be at this point sooner if not for the injuries. Who knows? Maybe Owen and Neville’s return will bring this about.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:04
Giggs was pissing me off, I wished Tevez started in his stead. He lost the ball a few times in our third that caused some palpitations. If Chelsea wasn’t in such bad shape, I would be worried about this Saturday. As far as I can tell its a toss up this Saturday unless we can come out like 2 years ago where we brought our A game after a mediocre start at Chelsea. Everyone remember that…Fletcher’s head, that was SOLID GOLD.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:15
Three weeks ago I would have been terrified over our chances against Chelski but I think that is a team in major internal turmoil, not to mention injury depleted. I think Mourinho’s time may be running out unless he does two things. Opens the game up tactically into more of an attacking scheme, and also he must play two strikers up front. Shevchenko must get an opportunity to prove himself. Mourinho clearly can’t stand him and I think this is tearing the club apart. Abramovich loves Sheva and I think he may be reaching his boiling point with the Special One. I think United will find a way to win 1-0 or even possibly 2-0.
Even with our offensive woes, we have looked better defensively and as far as injuries go, we are in far better shape than them. This game may be easier than we think. We can only hope so.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:45
Mourinho has apparently quit….thats interesting!
September 20th, 2007 at 2:24
Great to see Ronny get off the mark for the season! Hope it kickstarts a stream of goals like last season
The first half was quite boring, but we were in control all the way and beginning to assert ourselves more towards the end of the first half.
Good that Rooney got 71 minutes of matchplay in, and Saha another 20 minutes. Gradually inching towards the squad getting healthier and gelling together.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:33
Mourinho is gone from Chelsea! :O
September 20th, 2007 at 2:46
Wow…
September 20th, 2007 at 3:11
Yes it’s official. The Special One is gone from Chelski. Now is that good news for this Sunday or bad? I was kind of looking forward to his negative defensive tactics as I was pretty sure they wouldn’t score against us. Now they may change things and open their offensive tanks. I hope not. One final comment regarding Mourinho. GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH! His tactical style of managing has been the cancer of football ever since his crappy Porto side won the Champions League.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:01
yea agreeded but i will miss his post match interviews. always worth a good listen/laugh. he gave a bit of entertainment to the some times drab off field enviornment in the premiership. and his slap on puyol is one of the great moments of the champions league foreplay!!
you may have been a bastard, but thanks for the laughs Mr. Special One
September 20th, 2007 at 6:18
I think you lot are a bit harsh on the Special One, no doubt in my mind that he is one of the Greats of our era, on par with say Rafa Benitez. I don’t think he measures up to Wenger and of course SAF is leagues above anyone in Management. I will definitely miss him and will be looking to append him to my FM staff. The only problem Mourinho had was he stopped using his wings. IF you want to play football, your wingers have to be ON POINT period. Full backs and Wingers, if Brown wants to step up his game he has to learn to cross and run like Evra.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:57
Grognard, this is a blog. Go and write a novel elsewhere. We need short sensible clips not long boring criticisms of Man U. Nobody forces you to support Man U. You can go and support any other club you like! I am fed up with your behaviour of writing all negative things about our club. We are winning. Last night was our fourtyh straight win. If you are not satisfied, go to hell!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:37
Abu I agree with you. Jose might have played defensive football but that worked for them and he won trophies. His best season was his first one when he played 433 with Duff and Robben instrumental. All went pear shaped after that. His record against Man Utd is amazing and with the quality of Chelskis squad, a new manager coming in wont be looking for any new players but will probably change the system to 442 and I expect Chelski to be stronger. As a Man Utd supporter I for one never wanted them to win anything and that is down to the football they play.-Boring shite.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:02
Jose was a very good manager for chelsea. He had the x factor that 99 percent managers lack. I for one will want to see him stay in the premier league. Those who still castigate him (when he has left) don’t have a penny’s worth of footballing knowledge.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:14
jol must be shitting him self
September 20th, 2007 at 8:19
And what if “they open their offensive tanks?”(by gongon, chapter: 35, line: 150)- they are going to get slaughtered at old trafford. Without organisation, attack is a call for death against a good opponent. They better waite for a klinsman or something.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:30
chances or replacing jol at spurs???? chances are 50 – 50
September 20th, 2007 at 8:36
Will be jose’s decision to make; surely.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:03
What does Giggs have to do to get dropped? I realise experience is important and all that, but what did he add to the team last night? He didn’t track back and guard the defense (see loads of 25 yard strikes, dangeours policy letting those go – I’m looking at yo uas well Mr. Carrick!) and he certainly didn’t provide anything to the attack. It seemed to me he actually just made it 10 v 11.
I loved the commentary at one point last night: “Well United have lined up with the 4-5-1 again in Europe away, something we’ve seen them do consistently over the past few seasons.” then a few mins later, “In their last 14 away performances in Europe, United have only won 2.”
Hang. My tactical brilliance may have stumbled on something…
September 20th, 2007 at 9:40
holy fuk i wonder what the odds of that one was at the start of the season, mourinho been sacked first in the prem!
September 20th, 2007 at 10:35
[Hiram Gakembu]
You have a problem with Grognard’s opinions feel free to disagree by reasoning with him. Telling him to go elsewhere won’t help you. It’s a fan blog, and he is entitled to rant and feel frustrated/negative about the team. At least he takes the pain to write long arguments supporting his point, and does not personally attack fellow commenters. It would be advisable if you refrained from any personal attacks on fellow fans.
Point is if I know for sure if someone is writing stuff just to wind others up I will ban that person, till then ignore those you don’t like!
September 20th, 2007 at 14:12
[Beachryan]
“My tactical brilliance may have stumbled on something…”
I didn’t realise this statistic. I DO believe that you might have stumbled upon something. I wonder if SAF knows this?
If there is one thing I have against our manager, then it is the fact that he is very stubbourn (sometimes its a good thing). When it becomes a bad thing for him is when he takes ‘a while’ to change something. He does not realise that in modern football, things move much faster than what it did a couple of years ago.
Another example is his stubbourn loyalty towards ‘certain’ players. Some players get played over-and-over, now matter how bad their performance (eg. Giggs this season), whereas others make one mistake and they’re out for the next few games.
September 20th, 2007 at 17:03
Red Ranter, Thanks for the vote of support. I actually feel I have been far more positive of late and from what I have been reading there have been many who have entered far more negative comments over the last couple of games. I think some find me long winded but then again I’m the one who has the ability to organize my thoughts and offer a paragraph on a subject that interests me. I’m not going to apologize for that. If the length is too much for some peoples A.D.D. to handle, then skip it and move on. I’m certainly not going to knuckle under to some who want to intimidate those who either write better than them or don’t agree with them. Personally I find people like that rather sad and pathetic. Thanks again for your support. I love your blog and the articles you write as well as the views of most of your members, even if they don’t always agree with me. Unlike some, I respect the views of others. Even if I don’t agree with those views.