PBP: UEL - Manchester United FC vs FK Partizan - Nov 7, 2019 [R]

The priority here is to rest as many regulars for the game vs Brighton over the weekend, which is a must win.
With that in mind, the team I'd go with for tomorrow, based on who trained today:
-------------------Romero
-------Laird---Jones---Rojo---Williams
-----------McTominay---Garner
------Greenwood--Mata--Chong
-------------------Martial
Going with the 4-2-3-1 since we don't have the midfielders to play 3 in midfield, plus if Mata has to start, he's just best suited to the playmaker/10 role. AY will probably start at RB but I would give Laird his first senior start: he's just as good as Williams and it would be a good game to give him his shot.
Hate to have to play McTominay again but who else is there in midfield (except for Fred)? Front 4 is pretty straightforward: Gomes did not train today either, otherwise he'd be my selection ahead of Mata in the hole.
Bottom line, no Rashford, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, AP or James for this one unless absolutely necessary.

 

Provisional squad for today's game: Sergio Romero, Lee Grant, Matej Kovar, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, AY, Brandon Williams, Fred, James Garner, Scott McTominay, AP, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial

Disappointing that Laird and Chong did not make the cut: both looked very good in their recent U21-23 appearances. Great opportunity today to give them a look vs stronger oppo.

 

Great job on Ole's part to give some key players who have played a lot recently a much needed rest.

 

Hello, anyone else there?

 

That was some daring play from Maguire (cool under pressure though), with Sadiq right on him.

 

Rashford misses a sitter from 6 yards out. Typical clinical finishing from him.

 

And another miss by Rash from inside the 6. This is why he can never be our 9. Nothing about his finishing is clinical. He just hits it hard towards the goal. He'll always be a scorer of great goals but never a great goalscorer.

 

A hattrick of chances for Rashford. Gotta do better.

 

Rashford with another chance to at least test the keeper, but unable to keep his volley down. Good work and cross from Wan-Bissaka on the right.

 

Greenwood, 1-0! Well done from Rashford to find him and a very clean finish on his part.

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This Sadiq guy is a little bitch. AWB barely touches him, he waits until we break on the counter to go down like he’s hurt, and then the ref tells him he needs to go off he pops up and complains that he’s fine.

 

Greenwood shows Rashford what a finisher looks like.

 

Another wasted chance from Partizan, but just like in the game over there, we look to be susceptible to their counter.

Nice play from Rashford and Martial at the other end, but Tony shoots wide.

 

Well done Martial. We should have 5 goals.

 

Martial just undressed a few player on that goal. Great close control and finish.

 

Another wasted chance!!!

 

It should be 5-0 at this point. They’re barely putting up a fight. We just can’t finish.

 

Class from Martial, but also well done Mason for chasing and blocking the clearance which gave us the ball.

One of the big differences so far for me is Mata. Am one of his critics (he still has many deficiencies) but he is making runs in behind which even if he doesn't get the ball drags defenders around and creates space for the others. Watch and learn AP and Lingard given we will have to keep suffering you guys at #10.

 

Partizan looks to have all but given up already defensively. Provided they don't score, Ole really needs to look into making some changes early in the 2nd half.
We're winning, creating chances and that is good, but nonetheless it is a bit annoying to see important players spending so much energy, knowing it will be needed vs Brighton over the weekend (and them ultimately being gassed in the 2nd period).

HT: 2-0.

 

Rashford 1 vs 1 .................. and misses

 

Those last 2 or e attacks were awesome.

 

Martial is really a difference maker for us up top. Even Mata is having a good game today, which does prove how poor Belgrade's defense is today. We're literally cutting them apart.

Let's hope that Ole will have the presence of mind of making a couple of subs early, especially if we can still hold them at bay. Would look to take both McTominay and Rashford off, with an eye towards Brighton. They both worked hard as usual, but it's pretty obvious also that they're missing that little zip in them also. Pretty understandable when they've had to play twice a week non stop as of late.

 

BT just did montage of Rashford misses today ..