PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Manchester City FC - Apr 24 , 2019 [R]

Bend over?

 

The one positive we can take for at this point from the hammering at Goodison, is that it's reasonable to expect some type of reaction at the Manchester Derby. Whether it's enough to beat them in the end remains to be seen, but we only need to remember last seasons' game at the Etihad, where we pretty much rolled them over, after they dominated the first half and delayed their title win (if only by a week).

 

Rumors the the players fell out with one another pretty heavy after the match. On top of that, another rumor that the players were lambasted again today while watching a breakdown of the game film.

 

Did you expect any different following a game where everyone was complete shit and got humiliated in the process? It's close to certain they were at each other's throats after the game.
It's not the worst thing and it shows they do care ultimately. And as long as they got it out of their systems and put it behind them, they can get back to work and get ready for City and basically 4 cup finals/must win games.

 

We couldn't beat Shiteh now even if we fcking tried, which sadly is a stretch at this point.

 

Don't agree.

There are 2 things I think we can say about this team for sure, both related.

There are soft. And they are manic.

It genuinely would not surprise me to actually see us show up on Wednesday and get a result.

We have our talent issues in certain areas, but on their day, this team can beat anyone. I truly believe that. But that's because it's all in attitude, application and consistency.

It's whether the players choose to show up is the question.

 

Play the yutes

 

It's been confirmed by Pep that KDB will be out injured for tomorrow's game.

 

Step the f*ck up.

 

Alright. My pick for the 11 tomorrow looks like this:

De Gea

Dalot (I'd risk him there)/Darmian
Lindelof
Jones
Shaw

Pogba (8)
McT (6)
Lingard (8)

Martial (LW)
Rash (CF)
Lukaku (RW)

 

Fred should play and your lineup is mostly shit

 

Pep: it’s important that the club is structured well, like here, but I won’t comment on what happens at United. This club in the last decade grew a lot, it’s not scary any more to go to Old Trafford but we have to play at our best #ManCity pic.twitter.com/rvQZ128nKE

— Ian Cheeseman (@IanCheeseman) April 23, 2019

Pep may be speaking some truth about the mystique of OT having lost some its potency in recent years, but that should be motivation for both the players and fans alike to bring it in tomorrow's game.

 

The XI for tomorrow needs to be as followed:
------------------------Dave
-----Darmian Smalling Lindelöf Shaw
-------Fred------McTominay-----Pogba
--------Lingard----Rashford-----Martial

Smalling and Lindelöf have been our best central defensive partnership. Not sure why on earth you'd break that up, particularly to bring Jones in. We've seen the results of it this past weekend and we're facing an incredible attack tomorrow, with viable threats all over the place.
That's why I chose to go with Darmian at RB: Dalot, as good as he is going forward, still is very mediocre defensively and whether it's vs Raz or Sane, he'll be in for a long game. We know about AY: won't be surprised to see Ole pick him, again but let's hope he's learned his lesson.
The front 6 really picks itself IMO: McTominay has done nothing wrong to be dropped and should have started vs Everton. With Herrera still not available, Fred is a clear choice to star as well in midfield with Pogs.
Upfront, none of our options are optimal at the moment or in great form, but I'd go with that 3, with hopes that their workrate, movement and especially pressing ability gives City's backline something to think about.
Calling once again for Greenwood, at the very least, to be on the bench in that game. Might have others as well, but he, at minimum, has to be available, as far as I'm concerned.

 

Fred yes. But Matic Lingard Young should not step foot on the field.

 

Why do people keep putting Darmian in their lineups? Dalot should start.

 

Dalot looks good going forward, but clearly has work to do defensively. Looks like the managers and coaches have come to that conclusion also given he has often started further forward.

He won't improve at RB without games, however City with Sterling at LWF in current form would not be the right place to start IMO.

But then don't know how much I care about winning this game given our likely top 4 chances and the fact it will help 'pool to the EPL title

 

Sterling has been playing RWF I thought?

 

Sterling has been playing on the left, with B. Silva primarily on the right... And if somehow, Pep was inclined to change and put Sterling back on the right, Sane comes in on the left. Either player would be a nightmare for a player currently as poor as Dalot is defensively.

 

You can say my name if you got something to say lol.

Dalot makes a lot of mistakes under pressure plus he is asked to provide attacking threat and defensive security, that takes a lot of experience on the pitch. Not the right scenario. He will be exposed.

 

Sane is wayy more of a nightmare than Sterling ....

 

I want no more dealings with you, sir. Good day.

 

Wtf??

 

It doesn’t really matter who’s in the starting 11. We are going to get smashed.

I have to say it’s pretty amazing how City is likely to win the league despite missing their best player for most of the season