PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Arsenal FC - Dec 2, 2021 [R]

Manchester United n'a remporté aucun de ses 6 derniers matchs de Premier League contre Arsenal. [Opta] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/o02gxH12BT

— Manchester United (@MUnitedFR) December 1, 2021

United haven't won in their last 6 league games vs Arsenal.

Didn't realize it had been that long: a dubious record that really needs to end sooner rather than later.

 

The team I would go with for this game
-------------------------Dave
----------AWB---Bailly---Lindelof---Telles
-------------Donny--McTominay--Fred
------------Sancho-Ronaldo-Rashford
Kind of a bummer that Maguire is all but guaranteed to resume his place at the heart of the defense. I'd leave Bruno out of this game as well personally. He continued his poor league form vs Chelsea: there is a comp vid available and it really tells you everything you need to know.
He has performed better in Europe so far this season, but last time out he was left out vs Villareal, he was effective coming off the bench. I'd like to see more of this from time to time (until he fully recovers his form at least): his current one simply does not warrant him starting every single game..
And ftr, this is not me turning on Bruno. I fully realize what he's capable of when he's on his game. But it's clear that this season, for whatever reason, he's nowhere near that level. And his production (G/A specifically) is way down as well: only fair then that he's called to task on his form, the way it is for other players in the squad.

 

Carrick is so boring to watch and offers no insight. To me he sounds a bit resistant to Rangnick almost like he is not embracing him. He won't last long with that attitude. He is not passionate, he is not a thinker, and he is just your average footballer turned coach at best.

 

I think the Rangnick questions are tricky and something he will have been briefed on from the media / legal people.

Rangnick does not currently have a work permit and as he has only coached in 1 of the last 5 years, his application has to go via an FA exceptions panel.

It would not be a good look for the club to admit Rangnick is coaching via Carrick when still applying for a work permit - so not currently authorised to either work or coach.

So he is just stonewalling, probably as directed.

 

I'm not convinced Maguire gets back into the team for this one. Why change something when it's not broke? Bailly and Lindelof are a decent pairing. Probably the same eleven. Maybe Cristiano starts over Rashford. Arsenal are not the kind of team to sit back, so we can look to counter.

 

Perhaps Carrick will be different and continue with the duo of Bailly and Lindelof which worked so well vs Chelsea. Still seems like a longshot but we can only hope.
Don't see how we play the same XI, with Matic having played just a few days ago. Not likely to be effective if he starts again tomorrow in my estimation. If Carrick chooses to go with a diamond midfield, I'd sooner see Lingard at the forward tip behind the front 2 ahead of Bruno.
And I think that sitting back is exactly what we can expect from Arsenal. This team under Arteta puts the emphasis on being solid defensively.​

 

On second thought, Arsenal probably will go more cautious and we'll look to do the same. I think so long as Matic doesn't play the full 90 he could start.

 

Apparently, that would be the squad for today: De Gea, Heaton, Henderson; Bailly, Dalot, Jones, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; Fernandes, Fred, Mata, McTominay, Van de Beek; Amad, Greenwood, Lingard, Martial, Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho.

No AWB or Matic by the looks of it, which means Dalot would get the nod at RB (Bailly perhaps at a push?).

 

Throw Dalot into the wolves. Sink or swim.

 

Saka didn't take part in training yesterday and is said to be a doubt: whoever lines up at RB today could use the break, if he's out. He was one of Arsenal's main offensive threats last time out vs Newcastle.

Rangnick has arrived.

 

I agree. ******** it.

 

Dave, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Bruno, Rashford, Ronaldo.

 

Gooners XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Elneny, Partey, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli, Auba.

Shame that Bailly was dropped, but it was very much expected unfortunately. Martinelli starting for Arsenal is a worry for me: him up front alongside Auba is absolutely why Bailly should have been there for me.
Better hope that Bruno can step it up as well and we actually see one of his better games today.
Won't be that surprised if this ends up being a cagey (bordeline boring) game today: that seems to have been the norm between those 2 sides as of late. Need to win though, that much is very clear.

 

I guess Carrick wasn't so different from Ole after all.

 

💬 Michael Carrick gives insight into our line-up, including the reasons for @AWBissaka and @NemanjaMatic's absences...#MUFC | #MUNARS

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 2, 2021

 

Sacking Carrick should be the 1st thing Rangnick does. Great midfielder, shit coach.

 

If you cant play because you have a bruised hand, then you are a giant pussy. Period.

 

I'm not sure I buy it.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ws/united-arsenal-smith-rowe-bissaka-22335546

Maybe a price paid for the penalty conceded?

 

If this were really to be punitive somehow, why start with AWB, when there are more than enough players on the team who have been at least equally and even worse than he's been? Starting with our esteemed captain...

As far as Dalot and Telles are concerned, I would hope they'll be told that while they must remain mindful of their defensive duties, they're not be overly shy going forward either and do what they do best.
With a target like Ronaldo in the box, it's something that needs to be taken advantage of, especially when considering their crossing ability.

 

Lolol

 

That was careless from Sancho...

And from the resulting corner, Rash saves a header on the line.

 

Awful defending from a set piece. Huge surprise.