06 Sep 2016 12:20:59
Anybody agree that Rashford has to start against City? I think his pace and power along with his willingness to take players on will really trouble the city defence which in my opinion is there weak spot.
Now for the big talking point. he's obviously not going to drop Rooney so if Rashford plays up top with Zlatan where does Rooney go?
Or another option is to put Rashford on the right instead of Mata?
Another big decision Jose is going to have to make is who plays next to Pogba now Fellaini is out. my pick would be Schneiderlin to play behind Pobga to try and break play up so pogba can get forward. What do we think?

1.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 12:56:05
Fellaini is fit to play for Belgium, so unlikely to be out at the weekend.

I would like to see Rashford play but as your post states it is difficult to know where he plays and who drops out, so not sure he HAS to start, coming on as an impact sub would also be an option if Jose wants to control the game more with Mata on the right.

I think this early in the season both teams would be fairly happy with a draw, but I would love to see us go for it and try and get the win, it will be an interesting game to see how we both set up, winning would be awesome but not losing is fine for both teams and that could affect how the game is played.

2.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 13:04:28
Not sure I'd pick Rashford for the derby myself.

In the past both City and Pep have packed the midfield when Aguero (or Lewandowski/ Villa) has been out and played with a false 9. Playing two up top would leave us very light in midfield (especially with the City fullbacks coming into the middle of the pitch) and very vulnerable to Sterling's pace if he's able to get in behind.

Jose will definitely be looking to exploit the wing-back positions if Pep persists with pulling them into the center of the pitch during spells of possession and so I can see Lingard and Martial starting out wide for their pace. There's no way Zlatan or Pogba will be dropped - and as you say - Rooney looks incredibly likely to start too.

The only real question about our lineup is who will take Fellaini's place. Morgan and Ander are the obvious choices (Ander in particular) - but I can see Jose picking Carrick for his experience.

3.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 13:07:12
Simmo is fellaini out. I saw a post here yesterday saying he would be fit?
I agree on rashford I'd love to see him start this one.
Miki is a big doubt so playing him on the right is a real option but Jessie is fit too so we might see him there.
I think its unlikely he will drop Rooney for this one.

4.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 13:14:07
Rashford will be good to have on the bench and bring on as sub if we need him. We need the experience of Mata in this match.

5.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 13:20:43
GDS2 - I think I would rather go with Schneiderlin as he is a bit more mobile than Fellaini. All though Fellaini isn't my favourite player has done ok in the first 3 games.
I think Martial has to step up to the plate on Saturday, he's been very disappointing so far.
I agree with you, I would love to see us go for it, we have the players to win it.
Just reading that Mkhitaryan still has a chance of being fit as well. He's going to be a class player for us over the season.

6.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 13:32:35
I think we have to go for the win given that we are at home and Aguero is out.

Would love us to go all out attack and really put their defence under pressure I think if we do that we may concede but we would outscore them.

Perhaps start Rashford instead of Martial. Would love to see Miki on the right with Mata at 10 but I think we will see the same starting 11 again with Fellaini told to get in De Bruynes face and not let him get on the ball.

7.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 13:36:01
It's a difficult one. When Rashford came off the bench against Hull he was very effective and won us the game. He would cause all sorts of trouble for them over 90 minutes.

Alternatively bringing him on off the bench against a tired back four could also be very effective.

Both Guardiola and Mourinho will perhaps set their teams out to defend first and play for a draw with either side hoping to get the winner. We've certainly seen this happen before.

Pogba could be key for us on Saturday. If anyone was to take control of the game it would be him. It would be great to see him destroy Toure if he plays.

8.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 15:12:47
Always better to have a tricky pacy player run at a defence after they have tired out a bit. So i agree with the impact sub quip.
Redseven u really think Lingard has pace?

9.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 15:49:43
there is a risk both teams will cancle each other out .
draw wouldn't be a bad result for either.

10.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 16:31:24
I think this is a game crying out for Lingard.

City will play a pressing game, Mata would be a real danger of being caught in possession. He also doesn't have the pace or the work rate to match City's running. Also their system of getting the full backs to tuck infield will smother out the space he uses.

I would be tempted to go 433 in this one, pack the midfield, and have pace and work rate out wide. But I doubt that will happen. I expect us to play 4231 with Pogba and Fellaini holding the midfield with Rooney playing at No.10. I definately expect to see Lingard though if he's fit.

11.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 16:38:46
shaps
good shout that, lingard makes sense.

12.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 16:55:51
It will be interesting to see if Jose goes for it. History suggests he will try not to lose but it would be good to see him play for the win.

13.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 17:54:06
Fellaini trained with Belgium. He should be fit.

14.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 17:57:37
I would start Rashford, Stones is an accident waiting to happen. We need pace around them to capitalize, especially as it's going to be City with the ball. No point trying to counter attack with Rooney, Ibra and Mata all starting imo.

15.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 17:53:45
I think Fellaini is fit and i can see JM starting him on Saturday.

16.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 18:09:14
History says he wins more of these top v top games than he draws or loses in the epl.
A draw would not be a good result imo this is our home fixture we should be going all out to win it. They are missing arguably their best defender and best forward so for me a draw would not be a good result.

17.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 18:22:57
Rashford just scored for u21's. I wouldn't say he "has" to start against City but I definitely want to see him and Ibra start together at some stage, I believe it could be a devastating combination. In terms of balance any 2 out of Martial, Mickey and Lingard would be good either side.

18.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 18:30:36
A point might suit both teams as has been mentioned. I also agree that Rashford as an impact sub is a option that may have merit. Keep things tight for an hour then bring him on?

19.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 18:48:10
I'd go Ibra top, Rashford right, Martial left and Rooney behind Ibra. Mata would be sub for me. Not sure Mkhitaryan will make it. But Lingard and Rashford would be well up for this being local lads and fearless. Both should play a part.

I'd play Schneiderlin with Pogba.

20.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 19:10:58
"Fellaini has done ok in the first three games" lol

This is what I mean by people not being able to say he's played well, just because it's Fellaini.

IMO, he's only been behind Bailly and Toni, in his all round performances so far.

21.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 21:18:44
Mbd - when compared with Mata, most certainly.

22.) 06 Sep 2016
06 Sep 2016 21:55:06
Ken,

A draw would be better for city obviously because they are away from home, but unless you are assuming United and city will win every single game and only drop points against each other then a point wouldn't be a great result. I think in the scheme of the season a point in a big game this early on is absolutely fine.

23.) 07 Sep 2016
07 Sep 2016 12:50:16
And Zlatan Noucamp99.

24.) 07 Sep 2016
07 Sep 2016 13:19:20
fellaini played 84 minutes for belgium last night so should definately play on sat.

25.) 07 Sep 2016
07 Sep 2016 09:31:32
RedSeven,
Then most certainly yes! Was thinking along the line of other wingers we have.