PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Burnley FC - Jan 22, 2020 [R]

----------------------------------Dave
-----------Wan-Bissaka---Bailly---Maguire---Williams
------------------------------Fred---Matic
------------------Greenwood--Mata--James
----------------------------------Martial
Expect Shaw to resume his place at LB. Had himself a decent as the 3rd CB in the back 3 and him being played perhaps explained why he was good on the day. Williams, as stated before, needs to be our LB going forward.
Mata starts in AP's place for this one, as we'll be expected to have most of the ball and dictate the action and as such Mata is the better option on the day.
Another formation we can also look at for some games (not this one though), is the 4-4-2 w/diamond midfield, with Matic and Mata at each tip, with Fred and AP on the flanks. Something to consider if/when we want to give one of Greenwood, Martial or James a rest, as we can't expect them to play every single game for the remainder of the season.

 

We have to win this.

 

I read this upside down at first, and thought "Dave" was a random youth team striker I did not know about.

 

Even if we invert the formation, our most pressing area remains our midfield.

 

Likely outcome: 2-0 or 2-1 loss. We could also nick a close game 1-0 with a 2nd half goal as they tire and our changes have an impact. Only exception is if Martial plays a blinder and can bring everyone else in.

 

The provisional squad for today: De Gea, Romero, Grant, Wan-Bissaka, Dalot, Jones, Maguire, Bailly, Shaw, Williams, Matic, Fred, AP, Gomes, Mata, Lingard, Chong, Greenwood, Martial, James

 

More anti Glazers and especially Woodward chants hopefully on deck for today inside OT during the game.
That in itself does little to nothing of course, but if visible discontent keeps on growing and leads to something bigger, such as a massive and public walkout during a game for instance, then maybe that could be enough for them to take notice and move them to action one way or another.
Fully aware that the Glazers won't step down anytime soon, and they probably won't fire Woodward either but if they can be pressured into making some basic and simple changes, such as removing Woodward from football matters (with his sole focus on the business/commercial) side, coupled with the appointment of a top of the line guy in charge of all football related business, that would be a step in the right direction. Enough is enough at this point.

 

Jones and no Greenwood to start, great stuff... At least Williams is keeping his place.

Burnley's XI: Pope, Lowton, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor, Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Rodriguez

 

PHIL 'BIG DUNC' JONES.. IN THIS ECONOMY?! LMAO.

 

Mata starting on the wing, lol. God we’re pathetic.

 

Lindelof sent home sick, so I guess Jones is kinda forced on us as Bailly not had enough games.

Greenwood I guess being saved for later in the game when they are tired and to ration out his time as will be getting a lot more minutes over next few months.

This squad is bare bones.

 

Hopefully a 4-3-3. James will be our default LWF going forward I guess in the absence of Rash.

All our RWF options bar Greenwood are meh - but at least if 4-3-3 they wont be stinking up the #10 position and with a mid 3 we may be less garbage at progressing the ball.

We are well down on quality so need to find something better in shape.

 

Huh-oh, Martial down....

 

And now Martial is hurt. Pretty much ********ed if he’s down for any amount of time.

 

Twice now that AP has completely ignored Williams's overlapping run, which potentially had him in good position for a delivery into the box.

 

Tony looking okish for now..

 

Curious to see what the gate is? Seems to a lot of empty seats

 

Great hustle from Williams to keep the ball alive. Wan-Bissaka has put in a couple of good balls in so far. May it continue.

 

We're the masters of moving the ball from the edge of our opponents box back into our own half.

 

So I guess the plan is to let Mata run around and kill 60 minutes or so until we bring Greenwood on to give Martial some help.

 

I don’t understand how a club like United can have so many players who can’t do basic stuff like shooting and dribbling.