This may seem controversial but here we go. Thankfully Neville is disqualified for the 2nd leg, but it does present something of a problem in the back four. 1) I would definitely start O'Shea; he had a great game for the time he was in and handled Raul and Figo coming down the side. He also came forward to some effect and was a constant presence along the left side. 2) Keane was practically invisible the whole game and I don't think is suited for the role they had him in. The whole team was nervous the first half, but other than a stop or two he didn't make his presence known. I would use him like they did at the Juventus game and pair him in the back four with Ferdinand. 3) I didn't think Silvestre had a particularly good game, and he made several mental errors that almost cost Man U. even more. Regardless of the fact that he came forward several times in the first half, I would not start him. 4) Although I don't think the right back is Brown's natural position I think he had a solid game on Tue. and could be effective. Real Madrid had the most success along their left flank and didn't seem to get deep in the Man U. left side very often. I attribute this partially to Brown. Even though he had an okay night in the left back, I think O'Shea is more of a threat from that side and Wes is experienced enough to handle the new position. I think it is important that Veron be healthy for the game. Regardless of his Premiership performance, he has done very well in the Champs league and is more suited for the pace. If he is healthy i would use him in the same deep midfield role they had him in the Juventus game. Someone needs to control Zidane because he was doing whatever he wanted on Tue, and I think Veron has the skill to do it. The ball distribution was also atrocious in the first leg and I think Veron can contribute a lot to that as well. I would start Beckham on the right and Butt on the left, with Giggs holding down the middle. Van Nistelrooy had a great game in the first leg and was really hustling for the ball the whole time. He sometimes seemed stranded forward though; the long balls would reach him but he could only head them forward and have no-one to play off of. To try to counteract this I would have him playing forward with Forlan behind him in an advance midfield role. Ole Gunnar is most effective as a sub I think, and they need someone fresh for near the end of the game. The whole formation would be a 4-1-3-1-1 and wouyld look like this: -Barthez- -Brown- -Keane- -Ferdinand- -O'Shea- -Veron- -Beckham- -Giggs- -Butt- -Forlan- -van Nisterlooy-
Ferguson definitely needs to get Solskjaer in there. He always comes up in big situations, but there is a better chance of him making a difference if he plays for more than 5 minutes.
O'Shea-Ferdinand-Brown-Silvestre Beckham-Veron-Keane-Solskjaer Giggs Ruud Ole's been fantastic in every game he's played in the outside of midfield. Butt isnt back to himself yet. Kill the Nevilles.
Solskjaer replace Scholes O'Shea replace G.Neville We need at least two goals so I have three forwards -----------Ruud------Forlan ---------------Solskjaer --Giggs-----------------------Beckham --------------P. Neville Silvestre---Ferdinand---Keane---O'Shea ---------------Barthez Use Subs: Brown Veron
this all depends on if veron is fit or not, so here are my two lineups: w/o veron barthez (R to L)o'shea rio wes sylvestre beckham keane butt solkjaer ruud giggs i think solkjaer has been very effective as a winger this year and i'd keep him there and let giggs use his speed up top. o'shea and sylvestre have to play as outside backs b/c they can contribute to the attack the most out of any other defenders we have. they have to push up alot and overlap w/ the wingers w/ veron barthez (R to L)o'shea rio keane sylvestre beckham butt veron solkjaer ruud giggs we play a 4-4-2 either way and attack from the start. keane wasnt effective last game but hes our captain so he needs a spot on the field so move him to center back to replace wes who i thought was very poor, along with rio. i think this is a more offensive lineup and would be my first choice. no matter who plays, if were still down 2 at half time, or if theyve scored, then forlan comes in immediately and replaces a defender and we go all out attacking the rest of the game.
o yea one more thing, our bench has to have forlan along with one or two other attackers, even if their youth players. its very possible were going to have to attack allout to score late in the second and it wouldnt hurt to have plenty of attacking options to throw onto the filed in the last 10 or 15 minutes
I think that it's two periods of extra time - golden goal, then PK's. Although I think this changes next year...
i like whoever posted first here's lineup. my key for the game: O'shea and Solkjaer have to come up big.
Here is what the midfield and forwards should be: Ruud Forlan Giggs Veron Solskjar Keane This line-up has speed and is capable of scoring many goals. United played their best football in the past two years when they had Veron, Ruud, Forlan and Solskjar on at the same time.