Manchester United Banter Archive April 01 2014

 

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01 Apr 2014 23:52:19
Tonight was the first time for about about twenty four years that I was going to the game thinking we were going to get battered and it wasn't a nice feeling! However Atmosphere was fantastic again and moyes got his tactics right. We still have a chance - come on reds!

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Yes we still have a chance. But I am worried now since Evra is available

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I was thinking that myself last night.

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01 Apr 2014 23:24:29
Proud tonight! All I asked was a pride in the shirt! Tonight we battled like warriors, like I said it was the best team in the world against the best club! Can we go to Germany and win? Yes we can. We are Manchester United, one bad season does not remove the fact we are the best club in the world.
On to the game, he may have missed a sitter but Welbeck was phenomenal. He had them scared all night, his pace is frightening. Goal wrongly disallowed for me. The performance of jones was brilliant too, but for me our man of the match was Alex Buttner. Started the game a bit shaky, but he defended brilliantly, his game was summed up by the two challenges on robben were he won the decision too.
Tonight was a great performance! Would have preferred adnan to come on instead of Chicha as I feel he could hurt that bayern back 4. They aren't great at the back, we can get at them! Like tonight, in munich we must believe.

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Agree Caolan surprised and proud. Rooney's swan dive ( yes there was minimal contact) was the only thing I disliked.

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Grund it doesn't matter if you disliked it, Rooney was fouled and the German was rightfully sent off.
Do you not think if anyone would have breathed on Robben in the box he would have been rolling on the floor.

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It matters to me Carloto. While I know many, many players cheat by diving or pressurising the Ref to book or send off opposition players, I condemn it in them and our own players. Maybe its because I play Rugby (pretty badly but I enjoy it) and apart from the disgraceful behaviour of James Hook for Wales v Scotland 4 years ago I've never seen so called simulation in that sport.

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01 Apr 2014 23:03:59
Tactically interesting. Bayern were almost like an old 2-3-5 formation with Robben and Ribery acting as inside forwards trying to cut inside (as predicted by someone earlier today), drawing the fullbacks to them and leaving space on the outside for the full backs.

Here in the US the commentators kept going on about how we were being outplayed in the first half, but personally I thought the tactics were just about right. The only way to defend that style of football as played by such great players is to concede possession and get back in numbers. And then break quickly and precisely, which might have been even more effective if Fellaini had better control and awareness. Even then, in the end we had the best chance of the half.

I really hope we keep Kagawa. He's a great little player. I'm more convinced than ever that we should let RVP go and let Rooney play up top. Instead, if we can, we should try and keep Chicharito but that may now be impossible. The issue is not our forwards, it's lack of speed and creativity behind them, reckless full backs, and aging center backs. If we solve the midfield issues and speed up the back line, there is absolutely no reason why we should not score plenty goals next season.

I'm sure all of us were mighty relieved with the result and happy to witness the incredible effort the whole team put in this evening. It was a great performance - although it says something about our fragility that we feel so pleasantly buoyed be a home draw!

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{Ed004's Note - I would still rather RVP ahead of Rooney mate. Mata in behind and two quick wingers. But can't see two wingers signed this window maybe 1 if lucky other areas to address first}

Ed004, I would agree with you except that a) RVP is injured too often and is therefore unreliable, b) he is now in his 30s which may mean he spends even more time out, and c) Rooney is United through and through, whereas RVP still feels like an interloper to me, as it would to see Rooney in a Chelsea shirt. On his day though RVP is the better pure striker, but Rooney has the bigger heart.

I still put Rooney's negative issues down to SAF's failure to replace his midfield when it was crying out for improvement. And I think the club must have reassured him that reinforcements in that area are an absolute priority.

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01 Apr 2014 22:46:38
Just watching the replay and those saying Valencia should have been sent off. His yellow he actually hardly even touched lahm. Ribery actually slaps Valencia round the face when the red isn't looking, dirty gets.

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01 Apr 2014 22:30:15
Great atmosphere. Team played for their lives which is what I said and wanted yesterday.
Moyes got the tactics right and as I have given him a bit of stick, have to say he got it spot on. So credit where credit is due.
Bayern have schewni and martinez both suspended.
So we should go there with believe.

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01 Apr 2014 22:24:26
Given the opposition, we chose to park the bus especially in the first half and tried to hit them on the very occasional break. Bayern had a vast domination of possession yet we still achieved a respectable overall result. The away goal spoils the feeling a little but we are still in it even though I suspect they will be more incisive in the second leg especially as we need to come out to score.

Valencia was a very lucky guy not to be sent off and probably it made up a little for Nani last season. No doubt Bayern were by far the better team overall but it was death by a thousand passes whilst we stayed compact playing with determination and defensive steel and kept them out reasonably well. There were no gaps between defence and midfield for a change, likely because we set up so deep. We also denied Robben space to cut in most of the time and that restricted him.
At least we were not embarrassed as some thought we would be thanks to being compact and defending for our lives, however we will need at least one goal possibly more in the second leg and that will be tough.

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It was the only way to play them and glad we did.

The longer we keep it 0-0 at Bayern(much harder said than done) the better our chances and they will get very nervous the longer it goes. Don't really want to get into a scoring contest with them.

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GCU

We agreed the day before that staying compact and playing this was the only way despite a few saying all out attack. I would have liked a little more verve when we got the ball particularly in the first half.

It was very un Manchester United like particularly at home. We seemed like we parked a set of double deckers. Here is a stat that needs breaking, in 11 previous 1.1 draws in the first leg away Munich have progressed 11 times.

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I thought they both jumped in, either could have been booked. I think the ref was spot on. From one angle it looks like Valencia jumped in recklessly, but from the other angle they both did and if my memory serves me correct, didn't Valencia get a piece of the ball? I think 8/10 times Valencia would have been booked, but I thought in real time that they both jumped in.

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Sydney

I thought Boateng got the ball and Valencia didn't, for me he was lucky especially as there was contact and the Bayern player did at least 3 rolls a scream and a pained expression which usually brings a booking

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01 Apr 2014 22:22:46
Disney I have only just seen your reply from this afternoon. Yes you were playing better last year.
BUT as you say that was the McMoan factor - it was a case of shape up or ship out, whereas your lads know Moyes cannot do that at this stage of his tenure. I believe that your players are now playing to their potential.
Summarise - last year they were afraid of Ferguson's ability to be ruthless.
Last year they were all a year younger.
Last year several teams were much, much poorer
than they are this year.
Add those things together and do not be surprised at what you are witnessing this season.

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Mcmoan, ffs. I'm sure he played for liverpools midfield midfield in the 80's & 90's. Even mad a few appearances for England.
Why not revert back to mcbluster puzzled.

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Supasub - I interchnge McMoan and McBluster depending on the way things are going.It is all about being tactically aware

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01 Apr 2014 22:13:04
Good display by the lads today. Tactics where good and cancelled out a veyr fluid Bayern attack.

Welbeck, was a handful all night. He has all the capabilities to be a very good footballer, apart from the most important for a striker and that is to finish. He'll do ok in Germany though and could be a very important factor.

Tonight was a Manchester United and night I felt Moyes belonged. Seeing the Bayern players run around and desperately circle the ref, made me wonder about the influence of the manager.

Well played United

aaallj5

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01 Apr 2014 22:09:40
Well a ton of respect and credit to the players as this was a patched up defence and given the opposition they have made everyone proud.

We are still in the tie and looking forward to the return leg, even though I believe we will go out.

Schweini, Thiago and Martinez being out suddenly makes their midfield not as potent. I do realise martinez was playing cb tonight.

Maybe we will get a pleasant surprise and get a few players back for the return leg. Oh forgot Evra will also be is back:))

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It gives them a very thin centre of the park no matter were Martinez played, he probably would have covered Schweinsteiger for the next game but there both out so is Thiago, we have a real chance now and it makes you wonder who will play in the middle for them. I can see them being there for the taking, now it could be the luck we have not had at any time this season and if we are to be in champions league next season the best chance is to win and a big statement has gone out to every body else were not dead and buried like so many want and think we still in it we still United and were still the best

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Katef

In a funny way it evens up the game given our shortcoming in midfield.

Fletcher instead of fellaini in Munich maybe. They rely a lot on robben and ribbery creating havoc down the wings and cutting inside and fullbacks overlapping, which is nothing new but have a great squad to play that system.

If we nullify the wings and ribbery and robben in Munich, we could be in for an interesting evening or they might smash us 5-0 :)

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01 Apr 2014 21:59:01
Martinez, Tiago and schweinsteiger out of the 2nd leg. We have a fighting chance. We obviously need to get at least 1 goal wether bayern score first or not.

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01 Apr 2014 22:04:55
Happy with the Result, Players played very well and we frustrated the Bayern players throughout the match which I feel was key.

Our players pressed well and in particular when the bayern back line had possession Rooney and Welbeck chased them down.

Now the second leg will be very interesting especially with no Martinez (Unsure if he would have played anyway as Dante will be back for the game) and no Schweinsteiger. Hopefully we can grab 2 goals at the Allianz and keep Bayern from scoring more than us.

Also with Buttners Display tonight I would rather him than Evra in the team as I feel he offers more defensively and actually gets back into position.

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01 Apr 2014 21:55:08
Fair play to the lads tonight, especially the back four. We rode our luck at times but deserved a draw. I was really worried when I saw the back four before the game. But credit to them, they defended very well.
Its just a shame we haven't shown that desire and commitment for the rest of the season. If we had, we would be top 4.

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01 Apr 2014 21:54:50
Hats off to Moyes and the boys, a great display, can excuse the 1 mistake was a great result.

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01 Apr 2014 21:53:20
I know they have the away goal but I am chuffed thought it was a great performance against the undisputed best team on earth with a charity shop defence and midfield! well done lads I think we will score over there too, the season is still alive :)

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I think there is a bit of China in that charity shop

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Maybe the players have realised the only way they'll be in the CL next season is by winning it this season.

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01 Apr 2014 21:49:43
Pleased with the overall performance tonight, shame we couldn't have put this much effort into every game this season. I think Buttner did okay tonight, but clearly we need a much better LB than him for next season. I think we would have struggled with Evra playing tonight. I think Robben would have had a field day. I think it's the speed of Buttner that made the difference as we know he isn't a great defender. The speed did give Robben a few problems whereas he would have outran Ev. I think we did well tonight, but we will face a much better BM in Munchen. Pep and the media will say they were treated harshly and that will spur them on to play very well. Well bedtime for me, up very early tomorrow. Hope the betting lads won a few bob tonight.

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I bet a scored draw for both CL games and made a bundle. Should have done the accumulator too, damn.

Believe it or not I had Welbeck as first scorer and 1-1 score at 150-1 odds lol

Betting a scored draw and scored win PSG or PSG/chelsea game and scored win for Roma/parma tomm if you want a little excitement. Might even do the accumulator on those 2.

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Good luck GCU - high score draw in the second leg and we are all winners.

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01 Apr 2014 21:47:14
Well if we can do that, why don't we? Great performance. Shame Danny had time to think. Had that been Rooney or RVP it would gave been a goal!
But we'll all go to bed a lot happier tonight. The green shoots of recovery are showing, and maybe we are only a few players away from being a decent side. Nice to see Wayne go down and "out German" the Germans. Sweet!

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I was just hoping for Wayne to wink at Sweiny to make it even better :)

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01 Apr 2014 21:45:02
I'll happily be proved wrong every week if the team shows as much heart as they did tonight. I thought it would be very difficult to come away from this game with anything, and I was worried that they would kill the game off with their first half possession. In fact, the last time anyone ceded that much territory to the Germans, they declared Anschluss and occupied the Sudetenland. But credit where it's due, and we came out and gave it a real go in the second half. It paid off and if we could have held the lead for a bit longer I think we might have sneaked it.

There's still a long way to go in the tie, and it will be even more difficult to get anything in Munich. But the lads have proven that they can still play with passion and pride, even if they are a bit short on quality. Make no mistake, this is Moyes's biggest game. He got it right, and it very nearly paid off.

A side note. Buttner played better defensively tonight than Evra has all season. If the lad isn't injured he should get a chance to keep his position for the rest of the season.

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Agreed on buttner Danny. I know people haven't been impressed with him but I've always thought he was a decent defender. Hope he gets his chance.

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Spot on with Buttner, Evra is past it and we need to see how good Buttner could be with a run of games.

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01 Apr 2014 21:42:11
Mmmh, look at that. We might actually have a chance if we can find a way to get Welbeck scoring. Will Dante be back for the 2nd leg,? Hopefully he won't, and now they won't have Martinez and Schweini. That and RVP back, we may get a 2-2 at the Arena

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01 Apr 2014 21:39:02
Just a quick question guys. After the 1-1 draw against considerably the best team in the world would you rather us go for the win at the Allianz with Januzaj and Kagawa starting and a more attacking mentality or would you go for the same sort of tactic used today? I for one would definitely prefer us to lose actually going for it than lose sitting back on the counter . Also I think Januzaj could cause some damage against there back 4 as they aren't the most solid especially Rafinha.

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We can only win if score so it must be all out attack. The best decision would be to leave Moyes in Manchester.

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Everyone would prefer to lose giving it a go as apposed to losing and sitting back and it happening, but more would prefer to win it with defensive tactics than get beat however we play. I think we have a very good chance with key players missing for them let's hope Robben and doctor evil get injured and we get at um and Danny gets a few goals to make up for that howler

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I don't think so.

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A repeat of the second half real belief in the performance for a change

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To be honest I don't think Janauzaj offers enough defensively, If he did play then we would be in trouble defensively.
Bayern tonight demonstrated how they attack in numbers and their wingbacks bomb forward with Januzaj not tracking back more crosses and passes into a dangerous area.

Moyes Tactics were spot on tonight, We troubled the bayern defense with our counterattacks and pace. Their CBs don't seem too comfortable on the ball, which our attackers could see. If the tactics work why change them?

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Let Giggs manage the team in Munich.

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I said last night that we should go out and believe and give it a go and we did that more in 2nd half. We need to show more of that in the second leg. As much spirit as we have.
Bayern will be very strong but we have every chance.

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For second leg, I think it would be wise to keep things tight and ensure we don't lose a goal atleast until half time. Remember, we are playing Bayern at their home.
Maybe then we should go for all out attack as they will be little nervous on the possibility of losing a goal. It would also encourage our players to attack without much worry on defending and nothing to lose attitude would set in which might help to nick a goal!

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01 Apr 2014 20:41:38
Didn't see a lot wrong with welbeck a disallowed goal. Had it been at the other end the referee would have almost been swarmed by a pack of dogs. Bit like Valencia's yellow card.

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How valencia stay on

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He should of had a pen to when Martinez tugged on his shirt enough To put him of when clean through the ref missed it an Danny didn't even contest it Danny needs to get his head together for the next leg as bad as some say he is he is he can be a pain for the opposition he is very fast and he in my opinion will get better

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Shocking studs up by boeteng. If you have the benefit of replays as a referee then that would be a straight red.

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Saw that too Katef, was just inside the area. Some would consider Martinez to be a bit of a lucky boy to stay on the pitch. We've seen those given as straight reds.

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01 Apr 2014 20:41:28
Welbeck! Where do I start, when he acts on instinct he looks good but when he as time to think about shooting he's awful shocking miss that, we won't get a better chance over the 2 legs

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01 Apr 2014 20:40:24
Welbeck through 1 on 1 he's got to score!! Come on guys who actually thought this kid could score? Great positional as and speed but but the end product poor yet again.

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01 Apr 2014 20:39:06
That boys and girls in Welbeck in a nutshell and why he will never be a top class centre forward. Did anybody expect him to score? I didn't. I don't even think he did either.
Such a shame because his attitude is great, he is quick and makes great runs in behind. Could be a top top player if only he had some composure in front of goal.

He has all the attributes to be the new Andrew Cole. Or the new Emile Heskey!

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Abit I mean at least he can play football unlike Heskey. Playing very well tonight. So far but at least he steps up and try's unlike our so called better players

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Welbeck was an absolute handful for bayern tonight. If he could finish it would have been superb. If there was another position that existed in front of welbeck for him to pass to the. That would be ideal but unfortunately there isn't. Will be a slightly nervy bayern in the return leg. We need to build up their egos before the game. Putting the pressure on them.

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01 Apr 2014 20:38:24
Have to feel that if RVP was playing, we'd be ahead. Never mind, good performance so far!

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01 Apr 2014 20:36:45
I know it's sad to say I'm really impressed with our first half performance considering it's only 0-0 and we should always be looking to be leading no matter who it's against, but realistically speaking with the state of our team, the quality of Bayern's we've played very well.

Welbeck has played great except he really really should have scored. Fellaini has been the weak link for me, lost the ball countless times, too slow and predictable. Need to get giggs and Rooney involved more. Buttner and jones have done well considering the mammoth challenge they've faced so far.

Hopefully we nick a goal and win it 1-0, I'd be incredibly happy with that.

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01 Apr 2014 20:35:22
Welbeck could be a very good player if he just worked on his finishing. He has every other tool, just lacks the finishing touch when he has to think about it. When he goes with instinct he usually scores.

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Welbeck can only score when he has no time to make decision. He can score good goals with instant reaction otherwise he will hush of it. Great chance but lost it. Hope we can score

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Sydney

He will never have it mate. He is not some 18 year old and just a very poor player, when it comes to any class and composure when needed.

When he scores it is more a accident and I am not sure if he meant it or new what he was doing. One on one with a goalie and he does that, oh dear me.

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Shahram, Welbeck is not a "very poor player", behave yourself.

He's a far better players than Hernandez and you wouldn't describe Pea as a "very poor player".

He isn't good enough to be first choice for MU, but to say he's a very poor player is a very poor observation.

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Sydney

You seem to think being big and holding up the ball makes up for shocking finishing and decision making. Hernandez is twice the striker that Welbeck is.

Please tell me what is Babmi, because he is no winger, no midfielder and no striker. He is a utility player that does a job and nothing more.

His misses are unbelievably poor a lot of miseries started with that incredible miss of his against Everton at Home and big players take those chances when the team needs them most.

I am not going to hide the fact that I have never rated him and people around here defend them because they are from the academy.

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Shahram. To say welbeck is a poor player is ridiculous. He's excellent and he gave the bayern defence a torrid time. He can improve his finishing no doubt, but to call him a poor player is ridiculous.
2nd half we played with passion and good tempo which is wjat was required.

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Nomid

A striker who can't score and is neither great in creating goals for others, is a poor striker by definition. It is absolutely useless "to give them a hard time and then miss your opportunities and nothing to show for it".

He makes Forlan look like Maradona and Forlan was a much better player and he only lasted 3 years with us. In normal times Danny Welbeck is not a Manchester United quality Striker.

I do not deny he gave them a hard time but it also had to do with Bayern being quite arrogant and pushing players up and creating one on one situations for Welbeck.

He is a poor striker but a decent utility player for certain types of games due to our shortage of options at this point in time.

This is not about just one piece of play from tonight but something that we have seen over and over for a few years and not fixable IMO.

He has zero composure and not good enough for a top level team. Good/ great strikers at this level are predators and deadly because you get far and few chances.

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01 Apr 2014 20:29:57
Feliani off kagawa on let's not wait till they score

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01 Apr 2014 19:31:24
Looking at names I wonder Will fellaini be playing more advanced? I would agree with most opinions on here that kagawa should have started. as for the defence I don't think I would be completely comfortable with any combination of our current choices. Saying that I think I would have picked the same. bayern don't have electric pace through the middle so vidic and Ferdinand should cope, think playing Jones at rb is best option to counter ribery.

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Best chance of the game and sound defensively come on guys you can do it

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We have no midfield and not sure what giggs is doing as he has hardly had a touch. The only way to get some service to the advanced players is the long ball.

For all their possession Bayern have not had a real good chance but this will not last and they will get their chances the longer the game goes on and we get tired.

Needless to say we had the best chance, Bambi is good to show us something new that the average fan finds hard to comprehend and you wonder what goes on in between the ears with this boy, Wayne Rooney's reaction to his attempted finish said it all.

We need someone who can hold the ball up in midfield and allow us to transition from defence to offence.

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01 Apr 2014 19:11:51
Well that's the team, difficult to say what formation it will be still though. Could be 442, 4411, 4231 or even 4321 with Fellaini allowed to go forward to support the front three leaving Carrick and Giggs to look after CM but means we will have 3 in the middle when defending. Let's wait and see. defence pretty much picked itself too due to Injuries. I'm no more or less confident than I was before anyway.

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Hoping for the best, fearing the worst. As much as I've tried I can't find any positives in this game. The boys owe us a performance and let's hope it's tonight! C'mon United!

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01 Apr 2014 19:11:19
Line up is pretty much as expected. Three man midfield with Giggs, presumably the furthest forward, and Welbeck and Valencia on the wings to add extra defensive cover. The major critical point is not playing Kagawa, which I expected. We have been at our best this season when playing a bona fide number 10 behind Rooney. But Giggs was obviously chosen for a more defensively stable side.

The irony of it all is that injury has forced us to play Rio and Vidic in central defence so I don't think we're going to be able to park any sort of bus, more like parking a moped without a wheel lock. As I said, I think it will be near impossible for us to get anything out of this game, but has once again gone defensive in a big game. City took less than a minute to foil his clever plan, how long do you think Robben Ribery and Muller will take?

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I agree that we will lose this game but do not agree with your statement about being defensive, more like putting what on paper looks like the best team available.

If we lose badly, maybe some here including yourself will finally realise there might be a gap in terms of player quality compared to top teams be it for age or talent.

Must keep a clean sheet in the first 25 minutes.

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A moped Danny? Against this lot our back 4 looks like a f@#king skateboard :(

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To be fair it's pretty much the team I suspected would play. I did think Smalling would play ahead of Ferdinand with Jones partnering Vidic, but with Smalling and Evans just returning from injury it's not surprising Ferdinand has started. We have been okay thus far, but I still think we will be better in the second leg. Kagawa on for Giggs, could be interesting.

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Well done Danny you have proved yet again your way off the Mark lol

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01 Apr 2014 19:10:19
looking at this line up, I hope Welbz plays on the left and Fellaini plays behind Rooney. its probably our best shot at this

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01 Apr 2014 18:48:12
Oh no Fellaini starts, kags on the bench, going to be a long night.
He doesn't know the right team this far into the season, if he had the pick of bayerns I wonder where he would play them!

Anyway fingers crossed.

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For some strange reason, Moyes said this week that he see's himself playing against Bayern and Pep many times in the future!God knows why.The team he has picked tonight is so slow.So negative and obviously a damage limitation job which will backfire.Why on earth Kagawa doesn't start, I really don't know.Feel bad for him, what does he have to do? Anyway, looks like a side that will be chasing shadows all night

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I think Moyes may have his eye on a job for one of the lesser German teams when he inevitably gets the sack. That's the only way I can make sense of his comments.

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01 Apr 2014 18:47:44
Fletcher must start tonight imo, everything seems to be a bit more mobile and one touch when he plays :)

Thoughts?

RD

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01 Apr 2014 18:46:37
fellaini starts omg is david moyes having a laugh. I would have had fletch every day of the week and as for leaving kagawa out I meam how negative at home.

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01 Apr 2014 18:43:45
Very risky ( as in overly safe ) lineup from Moyes. A big loss tonight, and he is pretty sure to lose a lot of support. Let's see how our tactics hold up.

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01 Apr 2014 18:33:32
Aakrozz Strestha. let me stress not saying we playing better football in general. just that I've seen pockets of the kind of football I'd like to see us play than last season. there was some good football but to be honest it wasn't inspiring. glimpses I'm saying leverkusen olympiakos ect. hope that makes sense. I have a hell of a way of explaining sometimes. And yeah smaller teams . But its nice to see where we are heading. it'll translate to the bigger teams I'm sure. I'm not In the camp that thinks Moyes is clueless. It's up to the club to rub our winning mentality on him. he is in good hands. an Example being giggsy saying " we ARE Manchester United."

really looking forward to this game

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Constantine, very admirable post, but don't you think it is up to Moyes to be saying "we're Manchester united" instead of Giggs!
You want the players to rub the winning feeling on Moyes?! Shouldn't it be the manager who should be ensuring the players have the winning feeling?!
As for positives, there has been very few and very little direction from our manager. Against olympiacos, we allowed them 4 clear cut chances and they didn't take any, if we do the same against Bayern, the game will be over by halftime.

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01 Apr 2014 18:19:46
Just wanted to add to the moyes debate. I did not think he was the man at the start I still do not and this time next year will still say the same. He had no qualifications and had won nothing. Imo he is not a Manchester United manager. He seems grateful for the job where as we needed a man who would walk in and say i'm here. We all know the football at ot this year has been the worst since the big ron era his tactics and teeam selections have been horrific and media interviews embarrassing and humiliating. I could not trust dm with 100 million because I do not feel he would buy the right players and feel he would fail to attract the big names we need and also he would not play these players in the right way. To be honest I think he is a negative manager who is better suited to middle of the road teams. I mean look at everton who under rm are a breath of fresh air and very exciting to watch and they were negative under dm. moyes didn't play barkley or coleman when he was there and would never have got lukaku. From moyes took over we have seen no improvement infact we have got worse. I honestly believe job is 2big and we need a nem man with new approach. Who iam not sure. perhaps klopp simeone or van gaal in that order. I do not hate moyes but I just do not think he will be able to have us play the utd way.

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He has all his coaching badges, they are qualifications.

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01 Apr 2014 18:06:20
Think tonight's team has to be de gea, buttner, jones, smalling, Rafael, fletch carrick wellbeck Valencia kagawa and rooney. adnan to come of the bench. we will need pace to get up and down the pitch and help our fullbacks and we need to keep the ball in midfield. Fellaini would be a liability and I think rio and vida are to slow. Kagawa will give us creativity and help rooney. wellbeck always puts in a shift as does Valencia. Knowing moyes strange selections he will probably start rio and vidic with smalling right back and cleverly and fellaini along with young and nani. Would not surprise me tbh. have to believe though c'mon the lads

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We will have to pack the midfield tonight. 5across the middle with Rooney up front. Fellaini and Carrick will play and either Giggs or Cleverley in there too. Valencia on the right. Maybe Young on the left, but probably Welbeck. We need to compete in midfield tonight or we will get slaughtered. 451 in my opinion is the way to go against Bayern. Pa k the midfield, with Young/Welbeck and Valencia breaking forward in the wide areas, while still offering cover to the full backs.
Go out and do yourselves and the club proud lads, whatever the score.

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01 Apr 2014 16:21:45
Team choices for tonight are either:

De Gea, rafael, vidic, jones, buttner, valencia, carrick, giggs, fletcher, januzaj, rooney

OR

De Gea, smalling, vidic, jones, buttner, valencia, carrick, kagawa, fletcher, januzaj, rooney.

No way that fellaini should be anywhere near the team. if he is then we will get destroyed as he is too slow alongside giggs and carrick. fletcher gets around a bit more.

any thoughts?

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My thoughts are your two team choices are wrong. Mr Welbeck will play tonight.

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01 Apr 2014 17:39:06
I would play Fellani
I would play him right up top with rooney welbeck and Januzaj behind him giggs and carrick in midfield. We will need an outlet and he holds the ball up very well with his back to goal.
Ken

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Uh, Rafael is injured bro;)

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Ngiak thinks we will be slaughtered with giggs and carrick in the center
Zero speed and zero power against a fast and powerful team
gsn

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Nozzla what's with the hate to fellaini?

I echo thoughts of a few posters an see him as a great shout higher up the pitch tonight, him fletch and giggs centre mid with Carrick cb is a good shout, Valencia and welbeck on the wings gives us energy and physicality.

Look past the wig fella he is a good player still finding his feet, I know he should have already but not all fault his own, injuries and lack of regular playing time in a team ever been swapped and chopped. He's got a big game in him I hope and feel tonight is just that.

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Sorry pal, he looks lost.He is lacking in many areas:skill, pace, awareness.He gets in the way more often than not.And he just doesn't look right in the shirt.Sorry but he just doesn't.A total waste of money.

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If you like fellaini up top and want to play like Everton did then fine. But moyes bought him as a defensive midfield player and that's where he is tonight. So I don't see your argument?!

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01 Apr 2014 16:04:58
I agree, pretty much, with what Shappy has had to say regarding the Bayern tie, and it being the safest way to go into this, but I just don't see us getting to the semi's no matter how we set up. Therefore, I would love to see us go all out against them and go down fighting. Let's attack with Welbeck, Kagawa and Valencia behind Rooney. We have sat and watched so many poor games this season, and previous ones, where it was stale and we didn't really turn up. Let's go down in a blaze of glory and not with a wimper like Arsenal. Let's have an end to end game of chances and goals, I'd rather go out 8-4 on aggregate having seen two great games than 1-0 or 2-0 having been bored to tears again.

Come on reds, let's have a quarter final to remember, win or lose.

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01 Apr 2014 16:27:09
it will be 4 or 5 nil to Bayern if not more, they beat Barcelona 4-0 so I can't see them losing to a mediocre premier league side.

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That is a romantic notion, but the sad reality is against this Bayern side if we went for it then its unlikely we'll see enough of the ball to score many goals either way, all we would do is leave gapping holes open at the back for them to pick us off with, Bayern are the far more clinical side and in all likelihood if we went for them in a gung ho sort of manner then we are likely to be knocked out by the largest goal margin in history. I could easily see them getting 5/6 goals in each game if not more, and we'd be lucky to get 2/3.

Like I said its a lovely romantic notion, but it could completely destroy any confidence our team has left. It could put the rebuild of our team back another year or two. Imagine if we ended up losing the tie 14-2 on aggregate? how would our young players every recover from such a beating.

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Shappy agree fully on your point of confidence but under Moyes we have tried to defend first and conceded too many early goals and lost to many games. Remember our team is full of Internationals an CL experience. This should be another classic night at OT let hope we play like a true united team

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01 Apr 2014 17:18:31
I am looking forward to seeing if rooney giggs and jones and to a lesser extent welbeck can pull the others through this game. I know for sure whatever the outcome these guys will have nothing left to give at the end. they need the others to follow their example in terms of effort and never say die attitude.

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You boys are not very optimistic. i'm backing Utd to win. To be honest its the 11/2 price that attracts me but you never know. Wellbeck has to start I think.

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Confidence for what? These are the last two games of our season, and the team that starts tonight won't resemble the first team that kicks off next season, so it won't affect that either. Let's just go out and play.

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Rooney and 1:0 for the 100/1 price.
Very silly bet

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There are several younger player who may well start tonight who will be in and around the first team for years to come, DDG, Jones, Smalling, Rafael, and Welbeck are all likely to be key parts of the team next year, Fellaini Kagawa and Evans are likely to be too and they could also start. I wouldn't expect a poor result to effect the mentality of the more seasoned players in our team such as Rooney, Vidic, Rio, Carrick or Giggs but in saying that only Rooney is likely to be here of those players next year.

When we spanked Roma a few seasons back their coach admitted it took them several seasons to get over it. And their only just getting back to challenging now.

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It won't affect next season as we will have at least 4 new first team players and Mata will be In there too. If done right, this summer will add huge amounts of belief and confidence going into next season. Can't compare United now with Roma either.

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Jred

I bet this game 16 different ways.

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01 Apr 2014 15:51:53
C.T.R.

Only just seen the picture of you and Jack.
Looks like all is going well.
Your story touched me so much and even though I am a Pool fan spent quite a few night's praying for your little guy.
Rivalries get put aside at times like this and I am so happy he is making such a great recovery.
My heartfelt best wishes to you and your family.
Hope the little bundle of joy gives you many happy times in the coming years.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

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Bless ya mate, thanks buddy. Not the best pic tbh I will be putting another up soon :-)

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01 Apr 2014 15:45:16
It has to be a 4-4-1-1 today
Kagawa behind Rooney, Janujaz and Valencia on the wings.
I won't even care about suggesting the midfield and defense.

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01 Apr 2014 15:36:18
Srestha all respects mate. dare I say it. I've actually seen glimpses of better football to come this season than last. pockets of it. all it takes is the confidence. what better than this match to get the andrenalin going?

I'm sure I'm not the only one to see it. And that this season has gone pretty much as expected.
Rafael if he's playing Jones Rooney De Gea Vidic all top Quality players Welbeck was great against Madrid buttner could be a suprise if he playing? Januzai Fellaini Valencia and even Young are capable of better. I keep in mind that Sir Alex built squads buying players with sound principles behind that. whether they work out or not. they are capable. I'm quietly confident.

play well, bit of luck.you never know.

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01 Apr 2014 16:53:03
I definitely agree that our players are capable of winning against Bayern but all I am saying is that our players are not playing at their best. They have more inside them which we have not been able to watch.They just need to bring out that quality they have, the same quality that made them champions.
I don't think that we are playing better football this season, maybe recently against small teams but no way against big teams but I hope next season we will see the best football we ever going to see .

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I do believe that we can win this tie but for that our players have to give more than 100 percent . They are capable but not if we play like we have been playing
I don't think that our football is better this season. We have been ripped apart by big teams, a single win against top 9 teams. Rafael is playing comparatively very poor this season, vidic is having a disaster. Valencia, young? I prefer remaining silent. Welbeck and Rooney have definitely improved (btw welbeck against madrid was last season not this season ) .

TBH it is difficult but I do believe that we have what it takes to win this match but only if each and every player in the pitch give more than 100 percent

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01 Apr 2014 15:24:35
Having just read Shappys war and peace and recent post about regarding preventing city or Liverpool winning the title there seems to many on here have forgot less than 10 months ago we were a top team not some mid table wanna be.
If we lose tonight let's at least play like united with pride and style and not worry about always goals etc

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At no point in my last post did I mention anything to do with City or Liverpool. My post was purely about how we get past the beast that is the current Bayern Munich side.

In my mind there are only two teams in world football who could stand toe to toe with this Bayern side and feel that they could come away with the win and they are Real Madrid who are probably man for man as good as Bayern although they lack some of the team spirit Bayern have, and Barcelona who man for man are probably slightly inferior but have a much tighter team play and focus.

Other than them every other team will have to box clever to have any chance of beating Bayern.

There is no point in being gung ho and throwing our place in the competition away just so we can stick true to playing the "United" way, our current squad and confidence has put a stop to us playing in that manner.

We have next to no chance of getting a UCL place next season by finishing in forth place or higher in the league, but we still have an outside chance of qualifying by being the reigning champions of Europe. let's no throw that away.

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Worse teams than us have got points from Bayern Barcelona Madrid Atletico let's go down fighting guys or at least be in it going to Munich

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Shappys I did say recent post refer to city and Liverpool not your post. I don't disagree with your tactics my point is we are one of the biggest clubs in Europe but in 10 months we now look on big matches as a face saving exercise such as been the decline in our club in that time.

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My post wasn't about saving face either, it was a sensible view on how to give ourselves the best chance of getting through the tie with a positive result.

I'd rather win the tie 1-0 on aggregate then lose it 5/6-0 by being to gungho.

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Shappy

You missed PSG, they can match up man to man better than the teams you mentioned.

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01 Apr 2014 14:42:02
Banter please ed.

So here we are the day of the big match and we are left with the task of beating the seemingly unbeatable Bayern Munich.

Now normally my instincts say the best form of defence is attack, and normally this is true, but there are several very important points to remember about this game tonight.

First off we keep saying its the big one, its not it's the prelude to the big one. The decisive game will be in Munich and not Manchester. We can't win the tie tonight, but we can lose it.

Every goal we score is worth one tonight, yet every goal Bayern score is effectively worth two. So its twice as important tonight to stop Bayern scoring than it is to score ourselves. That's just mathematics.

Its also important to evaluate your opposition properly, if we do this with Bayern then it becomes apparent that they have a better keeper than us, a better defence, far better midfielders and better wingers, in fact the only area we are stronger than them is in the striker department, but we have to bear in mind we will be without RvP for the whole tie.

So with them superior to us in just about every way then it becomes obvious that standing toe to toe with them is not going to end well for us, you wouldn't advise a middle weight boxer to go blow for blow with a heavy weight boxer as he'd be annihilated, you'd say use your speed, box clever try and win on points rather than going for the KO.

We are a middle weight boxer atm and Bayern are heavy weights, we need to box clever to have any chance of causing an upset.

So with this in mind what should be our game plan? Well tonight should be about making sure Bayern don't score, and maybe try and get a goal from a set piece if possible, but a 0-0 tonight would be a good result. Then we should go for them in Munich, Bayern if there is a chink in there armour is that they sometimes buckle under pressure, and our best form this season has come away from the pressure pot of Old Trafford. A 0-0 at home and a 1-1 or a 2-2 away will see us through and into the semi final.

So if that's our game plan then how do we go about stopping Bayern from scoring?

Well where does there treat come from? the first thought is the flanks with Robben and Ribery, and they are a hard duo to look past. Some people would say we need to double up on the flanks against these two, play defensive wingers. But to me this is fool hardy and near suicide, yes they are dangerous but if you double up on them then Bayern will have an extra man or two in the middle.

So how would I deal with Robben and Ribery? quite simple I would isolate them and cut them out of the game. They play more as inside forwards playing on the opposite flank and cutting in onto their stronger foot, when they do this then the full backs are effectively cut out of the game. Meaning now you have a situation where you have Robben Ribery Mandzukic and Muller against your two centre backs. Bayern win games by over loading the box with attacking players and out numbering the defence.

So we need our full backs to cut off the route inside and force them wide, make them cross on their weaker foot. That way you've limited their impact on the game without sacrificing four players to try and do so.

Goals aren't scored from the sideline but are scored through the centre, we need to make our core strong and give them no space to opporate in, let them have the flanks and let them cross into a crowded box, Mandzukic is the only player they have who is good in the air, get Vidic to man mark him and they will have very little threat from crossing into the box.

With Thiago out injured then Kroos will certainly play and be their main play maker in the middle, we need to shut him off. If he doesn't play well then Bayern won't play well, he is the conductor of all their attacks. I would follow a tactic that was laid down by Sir Alex in his last season with us and I would play Welbeck in the exact same role that he played for us against Real Madrid last season. I would get him to shadow and mark Kroos out of the game like he did to Alonso last season. Some would want Fellaini to do it but he is too clumsy and would more than likely see red if you asked him to do such a task.

I would line up in a 4321 formation for this game, with DDG, Jones, Evans, Vidic, Buttner, Fellaini, Carrick, Giggs, Kagawa, Welbeck and Rooney.

Kagawa and Welbeck playing behind Rooney, Kagawa to have a creative out let and Welbeck to sit on Kroos. Fellaini Carrick and Giggs sitting in front of the defence, Fellaini and Giggs would also be able to move slightly wider and help the full backs cover if needed to totally shut off the route inside for Robben and Ribery. Later on in the game I would take off Kagawa and replace him with Hernandez, Rooney would drop back and Hernandez would be our main striker using his pace to hit Bayern on the counter once their defence has tired. This would give us a good chance of getting a goal to take to Munich with us.

Its not pretty but we need to appreciate our limitations, This is more or less what Jose Mourinho did when at Inter Milan against Barcelona. His Inter team beat the superior Barca team that night and his Inter team went on to lift the UCL that year. So I can safely say that if Mourinho was our manager now like many wanted then this is probably how he would set up tonight. And who hear could argue with Jose? lol.

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Agree pretty much with the whole lot Shappy, the only thing I would disagree with is the DeGea/Neuer thing. DeGea is as good as Neuer as far as I am concerned, less experienced but not inferior. Other than that, a very good read again.

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Deep back 4, 2 cm in front of them, a quick 3 to make the midfield a 5 but enough pace to hit them on the break and Rooney up top.
Pack the middle of the pitch and around the box, almost give them the wings and leave no space inside and hit them on the break.
Get all the players to cross there fingers and hope the Munich bus breaks down .

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Brendan I feel De Gea will be better than Neuer but I don't think he's quite there yet. Bloody close mind you. I feel Neuer just has a bit more authority in his box than DDG and is stronger when challenging for a high ball.

But in seeing how far DDG has come over the last couple of seasons in a year or two's time he will be the best keeper in the world.

Jred, I feel the back four not only have to be deep but be narrow as well, and I would opt for an extra body in the middle as well. Bayern will play Lahm Kroos/Schweinsteiger and probably Muller dropping off the front man, we can't match their quality so we need to have at least three players in there to mark them man to man and limit them.

Thats why i'd have Welbeck marking Kroos/Schweinstieger out of the game then have Carrick Fellaini and Giggs in the middle to out number Lahm and Muller thus giving them no choice but to play it wide to Robban and Ribery, by then forcing them wide and to cross on their weaker foot we cut off their goal threat.

It will then be down to Pep to come up with a plan B which he has struggled to do in the past.

It is far more important in this leg that we don't concede than it is we score.

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Jred, would you use Welbeck as one of the wingers due to his energy and defending qualities? I noticed Pep mentioned Welbeck when mentioning "good MU players". I think he is expecting him to play.

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Welbeck Valencia and Kagawa all have to play Giggs and Carrick also Rooney is up top back four is anyones guess

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Syd
I can't make my mind up . He could definitely do a job there for the reasons you mentioned but there is a danger he ends up playing to deep and I think his pace getting behind the Munich defence would be limited.
Or moyes might give him a similar role to what fergy did against Madrid.
If I had to guess I would say he will play out wide as I think Carrick and fellaini will start with Giggs just in front of them, Tony and welbeck out wide .
Shappy
I think lahm will play rb and gotze instead of Muller

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Very similar to my 2nd team on the team page Jred. I forgot about Giggs seems he's hardly played recently and I thought Vidic was injured, but he isn't apparently. I have it as a 4-3-3 with Giggs on the left hand side of the three, playing a similar role to what Anderson used to play in a 3-man midfield. IE the one who gets forward most, but defends the left-back position when defending. Either that or like you said, more like a 4213. Giggs being the one.

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Good post snappy and pretty much my team selection. There is an argument for Young instead of Kagawa as that would allow roomy to play in the hole and welbeck with his size to keep Bayern honest.

To be honest either will work and it will come down to players performing.

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01 Apr 2014 13:44:11
Eds, Is Alex Buttner injured as well?

thanks

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{Ed007's Note - No.}

01 Apr 2014 13:31:56
Honestly feel this is what comes a define a season as words like transition, management change, decline, failure etc are used to describe us today we stand in front of a mammoth challenge which shall show the watching world that this is Manchester and we are United.
I have a feeling tonight is going to be magical and the "underdogs" are going to nick the tie.
Cheers to eds for the good work.
UNITEDABHISHEK

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01 Apr 2014 12:04:58
Just been reading that Bebe has been recalled from his loan. He is expected to be in the squad tonight.
After all the criticism, he will probably come on and score!

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Brendan got in b4 u betty, nice try thou :-)

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Yeah I saw that. I did post it before Brendan was "outed", but too late. Try again next year I suppose :)

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01 Apr 2014 03:20:02
Eds please say the story in the mirror of moving Powell on in the summer isn't true?that would be yet another stupid move by moyes if this is true.thanks

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{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of plans to move him on.}

Yes I read that he'll be sold to Swansea.


Its just a rumour and I'm hoping it isn't right. Nick Powell is going to be a brilliant player with a fantastic attitude.

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Can't see Powell going anywhere.

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No Chance.

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01 Apr 2014 11:37:26
To be logical, on basis of performance , we will be ripped apart tonight but a small boy inside me ( just like rvp one ;) ) is screaming that we can do a Chelsea . I hope he is right and we can grind good results

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I honestly believe this. that our squad is capable of much better. that what Sir Alex left behind was much better than what's being perceived. I think it's fair to think otherwise but that's what I believe. I think we have a good chance if we play to our best.

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01 Apr 2014 13:24:00
"playing our best " that's the thing we are sadly lacking this whole season mate

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Srestha - the problem is you ARE playing your best. You are nowhere near good enough.Accept it and move on to rebuiling in the summer (and the one after).

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Puzzled, last season we were playing our best. We have vastly under-performed this season. SAF got the best out of us last season, Moyes isn't even getting 70% out of this squad.

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01 Apr 2014 11:19:37
well, well, well. ! Todays IS the day guys! but, who are we.The one, the only Manchester 'f'ing' United, let's show the world no we are not in decline, haven't picked the wrong manager and go out and show 'the real' MUFC'.! Today is all about PMA. positive mental attitude! sure they have neuer, who do we have David De Gea! and remember we have Rooney who I bet now will score! Come on you red devils!!

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01 Apr 2014 10:49:42
Cavani doesn't sound happy from what he has said recently, could be grounds for some discussions.

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01 Apr 2014 10:37:02
Had some unbelievable transfer news and put it on a post which has ended up on the teams page, thanks ed :-)

Let me know your views guys.

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Sounds too good to be true unfortunately.

Just give me Vidal and Shaw and I would be happy

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Tbh I dnt believe any transfers till malaga gooner says it lol.

Really 9 players mate, after u heard this did u wake up lol?

I would love those mate but sounds to good to be true.

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I can see why it was put on the teams page!

We've got no chance of signing Ramos or Oscar. There's a slim chance we could sign one of Vidal or Pogba - but no way we'll sign both. Isco, Lallana, Ox, Shaw and Falcao could happen - but I'd be surprised to see us in for Isco, Ox or Falcao.

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01 Apr 2014 11:29:19
Wow Bren 81. Another couple of no 10s, I can't believe you posted this rubbish. You normally have some good points and they are usually well made but posts like this leaves people wondering if you have any credability at all.
Ken

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What date is it again?

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Aprils fools day guys, come on!

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Ha ha come on guys, look at the first letter of each name :-)

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Oh dear! Brendan, I bet you never thought you would get that many "bites" did you?

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Damn it Brendan! Hook line and sinker, I knew there was something behind it but totally forgot the date!
Bravo my friend bravo

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Brendan81, what have you been smoking?

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No Betty, thought I would get found out straight away on that one. CTR you are excused as you are probably still delirious from lack of sleep :-)

Redfaith, same question to you fella :-)

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There serious gullible people on here lol well done Brendan ya made o fool of a few on here on the day of fools let's hope tonight we make a fool of the critics

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Here here Katef, I may have to watch it with one eye at first though, until I see which United turns up. Excited but a little apprehensive now.

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Got a bite on the Everton banter page too, even ed025 has bitten :-)

You got to love April 1st

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I thought the point of Aprils Fools Day was to fool people? Judging from the replies - nobody bought it!

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@Brendan81

Cut me some slack. The thought of Buttner being up against Robben has been traumatizing me.

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Fair enough redfaith :-), although I wouldn't be any happier if it was Evra tbh.

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01 Apr 2014 17:01:45
Thought you had turned into another fifa 14 fottie pleb Bren. Nice one made me laugh all the way home!

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Red seven, the point of April FOOLS day is to make someone look foolish, hence the name. Therefore, someone seriously answering a silly post that actually spells out 'April Fool' has been made to look foolish, objective complete. Some people make themselves look foolish in other ways though eh!

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01 Apr 2014 10:01:32
Call me negative but the problem I see tonight is that we need to have that edge to our game to beat bayern. If we get a foothold in the game or say a 1-0 lead I can then see us getting a player sent off. I posted a couple of days ago with a slight tongue in cheek attitude but I honestly feel its a strong possibility of how it could play out.

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01 Apr 2014 09:50:20
To be honest I don't have any faith in moyes and seeing City and Liverpool doing well depresses me even more. Gary Neville summed up the situation perfectly ;)
I just think as long as Moyes is incharge, after every game against a good team this site is going to bebombarded with anti moyes brigade and whenever we win against some average team others will try to keep their points across about how it needs time rebuilding. Meanwhile I'll keep on supporting the team and pray that moyes sorts this out . But if I have to be realistic then I don't think he'll last long.

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01 Apr 2014 09:49:41
Great, a Spanish referee tonight whos dished out a few dodgy red cards. I wonder if he's a Barca supporter?

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In the return leg we'll probably get an Austrian or Swiss referee whos got german grandparents.
Call me cynical ;)

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Hopefully he is a Barca supporter. Then he might want the perceived weaker team to get through to give Barca an 'easy' game in the final ;)

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Cynical,

If he supports Barca perhaps he will want us to win so that they won't have to play Bayern in the next round?

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01 Apr 2014 09:26:29
Not been as excited for a European game since we played Madrid last season - genuinley cannot wait for tonight to come round. As long as the team selection is right then I think we are in with a fighting chance if we work hard and never give up - getting in these team faces is the way to go about it.

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So you've not been this excited for a whole 6 games then? Hardly a generation is it? :)

Just messing Fresh!, I know what you mean. Despite our poor season, Manchester United v Bayern Munich in QF of the CL is a massive game. I can't see us going through over the 2 games, but I just hope we give a good account of ourselves and if we do go down, at least go down with a fight.

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01 Apr 2014 09:10:17
what do people think about the potential of selling the naming rights of old trafford. according to richard keys (yeah I know what he's like) nike would be willing to stump up £500 mil. to me even if it's called the nike old trafford stadium or even just the nike stadium, we would still refer to it as old trafford and we'd get £500 mil for it to hopefully spend on signing some top quality players. or line the glazer's pockets.

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Well bayern muncih have done it and they are supposed to be the commercial model to follow. And yes it would still be referred to as old Trafford by all of us and if they don't want to upset people too much then it should be in the name of the stadium commercially too along with the sponsor.

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Old Trafford. Just do it. Sounds like a porn movie but hey atleast attendances would keep on rising. Lol

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There has to be a balancing act between maximising your profit and staying true to the values set out by the club.

Our history and tradition are just as important as our trophy cabinet, and that's not just coming from a fan but also from a commercial point of view, lots of teams win titles but what makes a person choose to become a fan of our club also runs a little deeper, people like and associate themselves with our club and a big part of that is our traditions and our values. If we sell off those parts of the club in the name of making a quick buck then we will start down a slippery slope with could lead to us alienating those fans and cost us much more in the long run.

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I would be disgusted if that happened. Old Trafford is probably the most famous club football stadium in the world, and is synonymous with United's history and tradition. The club generate plenty of revenue already, so the only reason to do it would be to fill the Glazers pockets even more.
The Bayern Munich situation is different as the Allianz Arena is a new stadium that they share with 1860 Munich. I'm pretty sure that Allianz bought the naming right to the stadium before it was even finished being built.

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01 Apr 2014 08:53:33
To beat Bayern we have to have guts.

Playing 'defensive' wingers isn't being brave, its fearing the worst. WE ARE MANCHESTER UNITED! the biggest club in the world, the most supported club in the world!

I presume we are all believe in our team yes?

To beat Bayern I'd play obv DDG with a cb pairing of Rio and Vidic, they have been here before and know how to handle this type of game, Jones on the right because he is more disciplined than Rafa, and sadly Buttner on the left.

CDMs i'd have Fellaini, so we don't get bullied. He may not be the most technically gifted but I do get a good kick outa him barging people who are trying to be silky. Other CDM i'd play gigs, our knight with a shining Zimmer frame, he was fantastic vs Olympiakos and he is positive! always forward (what we need vs Bayern)

The three behind Rooney, because Rooney is an obvious choice, would be Januzaj, Kagz and Welbz.

Januzaj to add something different, bit of skill, plus because if Bayern are going to wave Kroos under our noses, i'd quite like to do it to them with Adnan.

Kagz because he has played so well in our last few games, even from the subs bench. He has a quality record vs Bayern and is one of our only players who will know their weaknesses in and out. Also I read somewhere that every game kagawa has started we haven't lost? I dunno if its true or not? Nice stat tho.

Welbz because dear lord do I love welbz, he is one of the biggest Manchester United fans in football, he adds a much needed pace to get behind players and sometimes, yes I know only sometimes, but he scores! If rafinha is playing then welbz can exploit him, and if it isn't working like than then bring januzaj on welbz side and sub welbz for Valencia, to keep the pace up.

Lastly I feel sorry for Robben, having to be against Buttner? I would wish it on any attacker. #Pray4Robben

Well lemme know what you guys think :)

HarryUTD

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01 Apr 2014 08:41:14
Was just on --

on Alan Brazil

Nike to pay 500 million to buy the naming rights off Old Trafford

Wow. With the new shirt deal and this potentialy would this make the club debt free. Leaving us as potentially the largest debt free club in the world with one off the largest turn overs. WOW .

How do you guys feel about this, Personally if Nike bought Old Traffords name . I'd still call it Old Trafford

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I'm not sure what to make of it, people will always continue to call it Old Trafford and Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, City etc will all be doing the same thing. If we could get naming rights to the tune of half a billion, then I think I would go for it. It will always be Old Trafford to us and will probably still have Old Trafford in the title anyway. We could always go back to Old Trafford after the debt is cleared. As long as the money is used to improve the team, training ground and stadium, then it could be more beneficial than not.

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01 Apr 2014 00:17:59
Tonight we play easily the best team in the world. Personally I believe we just have to go for it! All I want to see is a Manchester United performance, with fight, passion and a pride in the shirt. This is what we've lacked at times this season, and with 76,000 roaring us on who knows what can happen.
Do I think we will win? My mind is telling me know but my heart is screaming yes. No matter what it will be a great game between the best team and in the world and the best club in the world!

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I cannot decide whether or not it will be 5.1 on aggregate or 6.2. Personally I think we will do better away than at home.

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