PBP: UCL - Manchester United FC vs PFC CSKA Moscow - Dec 5, 2017 [R]

Would be very nice if Carrick, Fellaini or preferably both could come back for this game and get some valuable minutes in their legs, with an eye towards the derby.
If Carrick is fit and good to go, he partially at least could be the answer for Pogba's absence: no one player on our squad is a replica of Pogs obviously and replacing him may fall on the combined efforts of a couple of players at least.

 

Pogba has to play this now.

 

Pogba playing does not necessarily preclude Carrick and/or Fellaini taking part if they are fit. Carrick especially, because his passing can go some way in mitigating Pogba's absence over the weekend.
There's no real need for Matic here: he can sit this one out.

 

Shaw?
Mkhitaryan?

 

------------------------------Romero
Darmian---Tuanzebe---Smalling---Blind---Shaw
---------------------Carrick----------Pogba
------------------------------Mata
------------------Rashford----------Martial


Have Rashford and Martial had the opportunity to play together as a 2 striker pairing before? I don't recall. Anyway, doubt we see anything like this especially with Carrick being out for so long. Maybe Herrera in his place and sub MC on for 30 mins.

 

The only players who need a rest, either this week or next, are Matic and Valencia. And maybe not even Valencia. Otherwise, there's no reason at all to go at anything less than full strength. Lukaku has to play to see if he can find form before we face City.

 

I don't think i said or implied that.

 

I never said you did. I'm simply stating that one has nothing to do with the other: it's got nothing to do with you in any way...

 

You get a rep for putting Shaw in.

I doubt Lukaku gets a rest as he needs a goal.

 

I understand he's young and athletic, and needs a goal. I just don't get the whole "play him until he scores himself out of this rut" thing though. He'll be run into the ground by January at this rate.

 

If my math is right, we just need to not lose by more than 6 goals to go through.

 

The fatigue element is not an issue for now necessarily, but I don't care how well conditioned an athlete is, you have him play 2 games of football almost every week for 3 months straight, there is bound to be a dip of some kind in performance levels.
Those guys are not cyborgs and when you think of a season nowadays for top teams, where players can easily play 50+ games a season, it's important to manage that properly, unless you want a bunch of players who will be burned out (or suffering injuries) when the business end of the season rolls around.
As far as Lukaku goes, I don't want to sit him for CSKA because I think he's tired: I simply believe that sitting him for a game like this is simply the best course of action prior to the Derby next weekend. He's not needed this week and there are other players who can do the job. Give him the game off, and hopefully that will help with his preparation ahead of a vital game coming up.

 

United press conference ahead of CSKA game.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-press-conference-live-13991980

 

Can we all just stop including Shaw in team predictions until he actually plays a game? Putting aside the FACT that he's done here and will never make it for United, but despite what some think he's clearly behind Young, Blind, and Damian for the LB spot. It's much more likely we see Blind there.

 

Jose appears to confirm the fact that none of the absentees from the Arsenal match will return. But when asked specifically about Carrick, he responded: "No, but I could make a surprise and the one that is not available, he plays."

Not exactly sure what that means, other than one of Jones, Bailly or Fellaini could possibly play after all? Matic is not playing either and Zlatan is not injured, but just doing extra gym work (as he's still rehabbing his knee) and he should be back for City.

 

This would be a perfect game to play Miki. He needs to get going again because we can't rely in Jesse to be our 10 rest of season. I'm liking the 352 as it plays to our strengths but the problem there is that in that formation the 10 is hugely important and it's arguably our weakest position.

We either need to get Miki going again and hope he finds some kind of form or we need to make a move for a 10 in January...Ozil maybe.

 

The team I would go with for tomorrow:

Romero
Lindelof. Smalling. Tuanzebe
Darmian. Herrera. Pogba. Blind
Miki
Rashford. Martial

As mentioned above, I'd sit Lukaku for this one, keeping fresher and hopefully fully ready to fire for the derby. Miki plays in Lingard's stead: Lingard definitely plays vs City, but his game and effectiveness is based on doing so much running, that I'd want to keep him in reserve as well. Plus, a European type game could be the spark required to get Miki going again.
Rojo has played plenty since returning and having just come back from a major knee injury, he could use the break as well. With no one else available at CB, Lindelof ad Smalling have to keep on playing. The other spots fill themselves: it's important to rotate as much as possible, in order to insure we get the team fully fit for the derby (and beyond, with games coming thick and fast), which still is must win, even with Pogs not available.

 

Rojo has played plenty since returning...

Which wasn't supposed to be possible in November according to our resident medical authority here.

 

Manchester United v CSKA Moscow preview

www.bbc.com/sport/football/42229382

 

Some of his best work the past few games was because he was back a little further and he was actually able to use his feet and lay off. Goals will come.

 

The squad for today's game: Romero, Pereira, Valencia, Darmian, Tuanzebe, Smalling, Lindelof, AY, Shaw, Herrera, McTominay, Pogba, Mata, Lingard, Martial, Rashford, Lukaku

 

Play Pogba and one of McT or Tuanzebe at CM. Rest Herrera for the weekend and pray that Matic or Fellaini are healthy enough to play. Without Pogba, City are going to destroy our midfield. If we're forced into play Herrera and a kid vs City, they are going to put 5 past us, park the bus or not.

 

rumours that shaw is going to get a start - his first in 7 months. this is his shot to change mourinho's mind before the january transfer window. it'd be nice if he played like he actually gave a shit, for once.