PBP: USC - Real Madrid CF vs Manchester United FC - Aug 8, 2017 [R]

Ruud v.Nistelrooy 10 · Aug 2, 2017

vs

Competition: UEFA Super Cup
Venue: Philip II Arena
Time: 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EST)
Channels: BT Sport 4K UHD(UK), BT Sport 2(UK), MUTV(UK), Fox Sports 1 USA(US), Fox Soccer 2GO(US), fuboTV(US), ESPN Deportes USA(US), ESPN Deportes+ USA(US), TSN1(Canada), TSN3(Canada), TSN4(Canada), TSN5(Canada)

Real Madrid injuries: n/a
Manchester United injuries: Shaw (ankle), Young (hamstring), Bailly , Rojo (knee), Jones (2 game ban)

Real Madrid last 6: W-W-W-D-L-L
Manchester United last 6: W-W-D-L-W-W

Real Madrid last result: 2-3 loss against Barcelona
Manchester United last result: 2-1 win over Sampdoria

Last Encounter: 1-2 home loss at Old Trafford (2013), 1-1 in preseason (2017)

Real Madrid last starting XI (4-3-3):
Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modrić, Casemiro, Kovačić, Bale, Asensio, Benzema

Manchester United last starting XI (3-5-1-1):
de Gea, Lindelöf, Smalling, Blind, Valencia, Pereira, Matić, Pogba, Darmian, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku

=====================

well here it is. the first trophy up for grabs. fairly sure most have us as underdogs but you never know.

what do we expect here? a bunker + counter 3-5-1-1/3-5-2? not my preferred style but let's see what can happen.

also we'd expect another homecoming of one of our favourite sons in Ronaldo.

Mancunicons transform and attack!!

johno · Aug 3, 2017

Madrid haven't had the best of preseasons. If ever there were a time to get one over on them, it is now.

Midfield battle will be interesting and although Mkhi has had an excellent preseason, he isn't a lock for the second forward role. Martial, Rashford and Mata all provide something different. I'd guess Mata would be a sub at best, but it wouldn't surprise me if any of the others started.

Ashur · Aug 3, 2017

Exactly, they're going to be expected to step it up in that game (but so will we tbh) and Ronaldo will probably be back, but how sharp will he really be as well?
Very much believe that Real are there for the taking right now.

United 16 · Aug 3, 2017

Sadly, for our defense for this game CR7 could sleep walk and score.

jeff070 · Aug 3, 2017

The only player that had a great pre-season and could do damage is Kovacic.

MizzouMUFC · Aug 3, 2017

Been a big fan of Kovacic since his Inter days. His vision and passing in the midfield is incredible. The only reason he isn't a locked in starter is because that Madrid midfield is the best in the world.

Ashur · Aug 3, 2017

Still very young to boot (23/24 something like that): his time will come. Probably when Modric slows/steps down.

girrdib · Aug 3, 2017

Isco has been playing pretty good, however Bale and Benzema are no threat but could turn up. Marcelo and Carvajal will give us trouble.

Rooney20 · Aug 3, 2017

This game doesn't mean shit, will be nice to see Ronnie play against us again: No injuries please.

jeff070 · Aug 3, 2017

FYI this site is becoming slower and slower. That update didn't help. Maybe it is just me.

For this game, Mou will go with 3 at the back like the Samp game as our CB's are exposed. Had we had Jones and Bailly (that will be the recipe for this season) we would have started 4 CB's. The lineup I would go with:

De Gea

Lindelof
Smalling
Blind

Valencia
Darmian

Matic
Herrera
Pogba

Mkhi
Lukaku

johno · Aug 3, 2017

If we play 442 we should start TFM at RB. Bale wouldn't bother coming out the tunnel.

girrdib · Aug 3, 2017

I hope TFM plays instead of Valencia, he did much pretty good against Bale. We should also play rashford or martial because they like to run at players and we need that.

Ashur · Aug 3, 2017

Mata on this game coming up.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-madrid-super-cup-13427580

This game may be the most glorified friendly there is, but it's also a prestigious game. One that Jose and the boys will be desperate to win. If nothing else to start that winning habit, going into a new campaign.
Nothing better to win a trophy, any trophy to start the season to boot...

cr7torossi · Aug 3, 2017

The not quite a friendly but not a serious match either is almost upon eh. Would be good for early morale to win.

MizzouMUFC · Aug 3, 2017

Bale won't even start this game. He's been shit and Zidane will start phasing him out now. Asensio will start and will cause all kinds of problems.

johno · Aug 4, 2017

I think we want an up and down game, I think the best chance of that is the 3 man backline but we have 2 CBs out so unlikely.

I'd actually be ok with Tuanzebe starting alongside Smalling and Lindelof but I doubt that will happen though.

I'm super intrigued to see Pogba win two competent partners against this Madrid midfield.

Ugh... it has been a short off season, but MAN I cannot wait for football.

gatekeeper2 · Aug 4, 2017

Defend and counter. There's enough speed up front to make it work against Real, the better side...but a slower side.

United 16 · Aug 6, 2017

Oh no!

Look who’s back in Real Madrid training! 🔑 (📷 @realmadriden) pic.twitter.com/UDJgvEovKl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 5, 2017

Teso Dos Bichos · Aug 6, 2017

As UEFA have deliberately gimped our defence...

gatekeeper2 · Aug 6, 2017

It appears CR7 will not play.

Rooney20 · Aug 6, 2017

Jones apparently cleared to play as United will file the appeal Monday. He is eligible for selection until the appeal is heard.

johno · Aug 6, 2017

Sensible. Better to range him now than later if it comes to it. Mid season we can deal with his absence better than right now anyway.

United 16 · Aug 7, 2017

OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo named in Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup squad to face Manchester United pic.twitter.com/9rx1vWU4mm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 7, 2017

Ashur · Aug 7, 2017

Pretty confident CR7 will play no more than a half max. He probably has been training like a beast and is in good shape, yet he still had no preseason to speak of. And surely Zidane will be looking to ease him into things. Especially, with the conditions said to be pretty extreme at Skopje right now (temperatures believed to be hitting close to 40 degrees C).

Karloski · Aug 7, 2017

Be nice to win...but not the end of the world if we lose. As long as we don't get completely dominated...and create good chances.