PBP: UCL - Manchester United FC vs FC Barcelona - Apr 10, 2019 [R]

A draw would be a good result , win = excellent and clean sheet = extraordinary...

 

ALL parties involved need a good showing. If we get rolled (like I think we will), this could be a mindfck and kill off the rest of the season.

 

Never dreaded a game as much as I have this one...

How will our midfield cope? How will our defense contain and absorb pressure? Will we sustain enough pressure to have a go at their defense?

The last few games haven't filled me with confidence.

 

Really? In the grand scheme of things, this match means nothing. Why dread something when there should be so little expectation?

 

Why? This game means nothing. We're supposed to lose. The worst that can happen is what everyone already expects to happen.

If youre going to fear something this season, fear us beating City and handing Pool the title.

 

It's the fact there's so little expectation that worries me, I don't want to get absolutely smashed ala Germany vs Brazil 2014, in terms of a scoreline

 

After the complete and utter shit we've been subjected to the last few matches, it could get that ugly. A lot will be said about professional pride. Barcelona by no means is a perfect side this year, but they ain't fcking Wolves either.

 

This deep into the competition against this type of oppo and with our current form, any result that still leaves us in with any kind of chance/half-chance would be a good one.

 

We're playing with house money when it comes to the CL and I have no real illusions when it comes to facing Barca. Just want us to go and give it our all: things happen as we saw vs PSG.
Barca are favorites obviously and if they win, then so be it but I'm not looking to get pummeled either. In the end, if we win somehow, then great but if we end up going down, hopefully it will be with some dignity all the same.

 

Do any of you know where I can get tickets to the Barcelona-Manchester in Bercelona?

 

No.

 

We're massive underdogs and all the pressure is on Barca now with Real out. I'd be happy with a 0-0 in this one with a chance to sneak a goal over there.

 

"Manchester is very strong and are very confident right now. Good in strategy, powerful physically and in good rhythm, even though they lost recent games. They press very well. I was told that Barça have never won at Old Trafford and we’ll look to change that. It’s a classic game of European football"

From the very complimentary Ernesto Valverde, who obviously has seen our results of late, but surely didn't witness those games firsthand. Although we performed ok in our loss vs Arsenal and in our recent loss vs Wolves, we had good periods and ultimately shot ourselves in the foot with mistakes of our own making. Both games however still did not match the output and efficiency we've displayed in previous weeks neither. That's what we'll need desperately this coming week (along with a vociferous crowd as well).

 

Id like to assume the our chances of making the top four are marginally better than us winning the CL at this point.

 

Imagine Messi running at Smalling ...

 

Dembele, who has been out with a hamstring injury, is back in training and should be good to go for Wednesday according to reports.

 

🤣🤣👏👏 pic.twitter.com/0UY08ctz3n

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 8, 2019

 

I'm really hoping martial law will be declared.

 

In light of today's news, the team we should go with tomorrow would be:
Dave
AY Smalling Lindelöf Shaw
Fred McTominay Pogba
Lingard Lukaku Martial
Really not ideal going against Barca at anything less than 100% (especially when they appear to be). Rashford would start obviously, but if he's not fully fit, he might be more useful off the bench. Even if he was fit, would still go with McTominay over Matic: he'll try his hardest, if nothing else.
Actually am comfortable having Fred start in this game: a European type game, against an opponent like Barca should suit him well. While you do not want to throw caution to the wind, they can't be overly defensive either: Barca will shred them apart. Have to go after them and attack Barca's defense whenever possible and if everyone does their job, then who knows what can happen.

 

I'd rather Dalot get run ragged than play Young again. I'm so sick of him.

 

Isn’t Jones fit? I could see Ole going with 3 at the back with Dalot/Young and Shaw as wing backs.

 

What advantages do you think we'd get by playing this system vs Barca?