Man Utd v AC Milan (agg 3 - 2) - RTE, ITV

Spud83

v

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Neville, De Laet, Park, Scholes, Obertan, Gibson, Valencia, Nani, Fletcher, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

Don't have the MIlan squad handy.

Biggest selection problem for United is midfield. With Carrick suspended, Anderson injured, and more than likely a three man midfield being deployed it does pose a problem.

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VDS

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Rafeal----Rio

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Vidic----Evra

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Fletcher-Scholes-Gibson----
Valencia

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Park

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Rooney

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Gone for Gibson because I believe he has been brought into the fold with this match in mind. He hadn't got a game for ages until Carrick got suspended.

Rooney more than likely to start but if there is any doubt about him I'd like Berbatov to come in.

Focus will be on keeping a clean sheet, and hitting them on the break. We don't need to score, they need to score two. Frustrate them for half an hour and their heads will start to drop.

United to win 2-1.

MagicMarker

Midfield fail :pac:

Mitch Connor

I think we could see Park in the middle, with Fletcher and Scholes sitting deeper behind him,also means Nani playing on the left.

I reckon Gibson sat an audition on Saturday night, and imo he failed. Maybe SAF feels differently, but i think Gibson did himself no favours on Saturday vs Wolves.

He could go with Berbatov up front and move Rooney out to the left, with Fletcher, Scholes and Park in the middle. I know it is not ideal for Rooney to be out on the left, especially given the form he is in at the moment playing through the centre, but it could be a needs/must situation tonight in this regard, and Rooney may need to sacrifice himself for the good of the team (like he has done on many occasions in the past). We also know that Rooney can do a job out there.

I reckon the backline will be Raf, Rio, Vidic, Evra.

Midfield 3 could be: Fletcher, Scholes, Park.

Forward 3 could be either Valencia, Rooney, Nani or Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney.

Will be interesting to see what way Fergie goes.

Another issue is that if Berbatov starts, we'd only have Diouf to turn to on the bench as a striking option to change our game plan, if needed. So maybe Fergie will hold Berbatov in reserve. who knows really.

Dave!

Manchester sports team win

JimsAlterEgo

Don't think Gibson will start, prob Park as forward of 3. Who knows with Fergie in Europe though!!:D

PHB

I think, with the midfield options open, we might see a 4-4-2, because Berbatov helps us retain possession so much. We might even see him either way to be honest.

However, I really have no idea what Fergie is going to do in this game. Key thing though is to score. We score, it should be over. 4-2 would need them scoring 3 goals to stay in, which I can't see them doing with Vidic and Ferdinand back.

Mitch Connor

PHB wrote: »

I think, with the midfield options open, we might see a 4-4-2, because Berbatov helps us retain possession so much. We might even see him either way to be honest.

However, I really have no idea what Fergie is going to do in this game. Key thing though is to score. We score, it should be over. 4-2 would need them scoring 3 goals to stay in, which I can't see them doing with Vidic and Ferdinand back.

This is it, picking the following players (as I have mentioned above) gives us the flexibility to switch between a 442 with Park our left and 451 with Rooney out left. It is certainly a good option for Fergie to have, and as you say Berbatov retains possession brilliantly and that will be important tonight.

VDS

Raf
Rio
Vidic
Evra

Valencia
Fletcher
Park
Scholes

Rooney
Berbatov

keane2097

Mitch Connor wrote: »

VDS

Raf
Rio
Vidic
Evra

Valencia
Fletcher
Park
Scholes

Rooney
Berbatov

This imo.

CR 7

Spud83 wrote: »

Biggest selection problem for United is midfield. With Carrick suspended, Anderson injured, and more than likely a three man midfield being deployed it does pose a problem.

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VDS

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Rafeal----Rio

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Vidic----Evra

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Carrick-Scholes-Gibson----
Valencia

---

Park

---

Rooney

---

:pac:

Headshot

1-1.

They to score 1st and we hit them on the counter attack at the 70 min stage.

Xavi6

I really hope Beckham scores a free kick and celebrates like it's Old Trafford 2001.

jaykay74

No Gibson please.

Dave!

Xavi6 wrote: »

I really hope Beckham scores a free kick and celebrates like it's Old Trafford 2001.

I don't

Draupnir

Xavi6 wrote: »

I really hope Beckham scores a free kick and celebrates like it's Old Trafford 2001.

Oddly, me too, and I'm a United fan! I'd love to see him score tonight as long as it doesn't put us out.

The_Kew_Tour

2-1 United, think Milan will score at OT though

_blank_

I just don't see Ferguson going 4-4-2, especially not in Europe against Milan.

I think Park is a certainty to start, he always does in this kind of game

Gibson, in my opinion, is the only viable option for the midfield really.

Keeper and back 4 pick themselves for me, so I agree that the most likely lineup is the one Spud posted in the OP

SilverFox261

The only problem is that if we play Gibson from the start, it will mean that Park will get the nod over Nani which would leave us with no central midfielder to bring on in the second half to keep leg's fresh. Considering Scholes played the full game at the weekend, i think its a big ask to get him to play 90 minutes again.

I'd rather see Park start in the centre with Nani out left. At least that way we would be able to bring on a fresh midfielder if there are any injuries or someone runs out of steam early.

_blank_

That's a good point actually.

Are there any central midfielders who have been overlooked here? What's the full CL Squad?

I'd a proponent of the argument that you start with your best available 11 and get the job done though.

Spud83

Des wrote: »

That's a good point actually.

Are there any central midfielders who have been overlooked here? What's the full CL Squad?

I'd a proponent of the argument that you start with your best available 11 and get the job done though.

The full list available is in the OP. Nobody has been omitted.

If Park starts on the left and we need extra legs in the middle then he will go in there, and either Nani brought on for the left, or Berbatov up front and Rooney moved to the left.

Mitch Connor

this is the full United squad.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/club=52682/squad/index.html

Midfielders:

Ando
Giggs
Park
Nani
Carrick
Scholes
Fletcher
Valencia
Obertan
Gibson
Evans
Eikrem
Norwood.

From that, I would say only the following are available: Nani, Park, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Valencia and Obertan.

Evans and Norwood are fit, but completely untested in reality and played vs Stockport reserves on Monday night, so I would be surprised if they were even considered. Eikrem, another completely untested player (but quite promising) is only just coming back from injury so there is no chance of him being available.

I do think there is the option of Starting Park, Rooney and Berbatov and flowing between 442 and 451 as needed. Gibson could then be started on the bench to come on if needed. Main problem with that is that he is not really all that good at anything, so what we would need to bring him on for is a mystery - injury would be most likely. If we need to go defensive, Rooney could be asked to do a job. Maybe valencia too - but i'd have my doubts.

Headshot

the one can play any position

JimsAlterEgo

Rio has played there before but IMO would only be considered if there was an injury to 2 CMs, has J Evans ever played there? I also seem to remeber Valencia playing CM for Wigan a few times.

_blank_

I certainly wouldn't move Valencia from the RW.

SlickRic

Rooney CM.

you all know you want to see it.

_blank_

SlickRic wrote: »

Rooney CM.

you all know you want to see it.

Rooney in CM with Berba and The One up front, and Velencia supplying crosses.

I don't think the football world is ready for it tbh.

antod

i reckon this will be the line up 2nite.
vds
Rafael
Vidic
Rio
Evra
Valencia
Park
Fletcher
Nani
Scholes
Rooney

GavRedKing

Im going go for a 1-1 draw with Milan getting a 75 min + equlaiser.

gustavo

2-0 to Manchester United

event

only team i could see him playing is

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VDS

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Rafael

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Rio--Vidic

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Evra

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Scholes--Fletcher--Gibson/Park----

----Valencia

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Nani/Park

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Rooney

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2-1 to united

ShiverinEskimo

I think there should be a good stuffin on the cards tonight. We were stunned by the noise in the san siro and that led to the franetic opening period where we were put under serious pressure.

I don't think Milan will score tonight - I'll go 3-0 United.

paddyismaddy

i am worried for man u

Smegball

If we score Milan need 4, we should go out and attack from the start and get that goal.

Mitch Connor

Smegball wrote: »

If we score Milan need 4, we should go out and attack from the start and get that goal.

no, if we score milan need 3, not 4.

pickarooney

At the risking of setting mysefl up, who's "The One"?

Mitch Connor

Diouf - and before Alan gets some sand down there, its just a bit of fun.

Just read on twitter that Nesta, Pato and Antonini are all out of the game tonight (no udea how true it is)

event

if thats true, milan have no chance

PHB

Pato is defo meant to be out. Nesta out would be a big boost to United.

Pro. F

Valencia Scholes Fletcher Park Nani

That would be my midfield. The energy in the middle would soon squeeze Milan out of the game and the pace out wide always threatens to tear them apart when they get tired / give up.

Gibson has no right to get a start imo. He could be brought on when Scholes gets tired and/or the fight has gone out of Milan.

Mitch Connor

PHB wrote: »

Pato is defo meant to be out. Nesta out would be a big boost to United.

from looking around some forums, it does appear that it is indeed true that Nesta and Pato are out, and that Antonini is a major doubt.

Liam O

Berba already plays as basically an advanced midfielder so I think playing him would be grand. If he plays like he did on Saturday he could easily set up a goal. At least playing him in midfield would give him an excuse for never being in the box :rolleyes:

Smegball

Another pre United game, another Berba bashing. Oh the joys!

I don't think he will start however. Carrying an injury aswell, will play the five in midfield and save him for future league games.

Nani and Valencia on the wings should be enough service for Rooney, with Park providing some link up play with Rooney.

Gibson will be a worry though, unless he bangs in a 25 yard screamer lol.

redout

Aye, Galiani done an interview last night and said it definitely looked like Pato wouldnt start at least.

Liam O

Smegball wrote: »

Another pre United game, another Berba bashing. Oh the joys!

I don't think he will start however. Carrying an injury aswell, will play the five in midfield and save him for future league games.

Nani and Valencia on the wings should be enough service for Rooney, with Park providing some link up play with Rooney.

Gibson will be a worry though, unless he bangs in a 25 yard screamer lol.

he deserves to be bashed, he was played as a lone striker on Saturday and was never in the box, he is more suited to being an attacking mid imo

anonymous_joe

Are Nesta, Pato et al definitely out?

Was wondering if Galliani was trying to mislead us with the Pato comments.

Gonzovision

Milan don't have a hope..... Can see United beating them comfortably by a few goals

Iang87

any news on rooney does anyone know i've been working all day so didnt catch much on whats going on



ignore that. ssn just said he's playing

Boggles

Match is on ITV1 and RTE 2. Not Sky Sports.

Iang87

http://www.patohome.com/2010/03/10/pato-still-feels-pain-and-is-out-of-the-game-against-manchester/

according to this pato will definitely not play. story broke 2 hours ago supposedly.

ShiverinEskimo

Boggles wrote: »

Match is on ITV1 and RTE 2. Not Sky Sports.

Dammit. Poxy commentators and SD quality picture is ahead so.

This game deserves better.

Headshot

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Dammit. Poxy commentators and SD quality picture is ahead so.

This game deserves better.

what's the betting RTE commentary will be ahead of the game again

IrishIrish

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Dammit. Poxy commentators and SD quality picture is ahead so.

This game deserves better.

Watch it on ITV HD Its even better quality than Sky Sports HD imo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuVq6thvBDQ