PBP: UEL - Manchester United FC vs Real Sociedad de Fútbol - Feb 25, 2021 [R]

Asked if Shoretire & Diallo would start for #MUFC v Sociedad, Solskjaer said: "Probably not Shola & Amad, no. I'm not sure if that would be fair on them. They'll be in the squad. Donny, Edinson, Scott, I don't know. Maybe they'll be available, I'm not sure. I hope (they will be)"

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) February 21, 2021

 

My guess is that a lot will depend on fitness. We don't necessarily want Matic playing 3 games in a week, but we also don't want to rush anyone back.

I think Tony gets the start up top (he needs confidence and he's 2nd choice striker now so he can play while Edi is brought back from injury.

I'd expect Dan James to get another start (sigh) and Mason as well. Telles and Brandon and maybe even Bailly.

My hope is that we can either keep it tight for an hour at worst. If we get a goal or two lead in the first half, we need to give the kids as much time as possible.

It would be great if we could leave Bruno and Rashford out of this entirely.

 

I think Axel needs a run of games. He's our most rounded defender and the one who could best partner any of our CBs without us being overly exposed. His injuries have come at the wrong time but I think it makes no sense to persist with Victor. We know what his level is. He's fine as depth, but at the club right now, he shouldn't be starting unless there are injuries.

 

Januzaj on his return to OT: "Obviously, it's going to be a bit weird because I spent many years there. That is where is all started for me as a footballer. I have great memories of this club"

Januzaj sur son retour à Old Trafford : "Ça va être un peu bizarre, évidemment, parce que j'ai passé beaucoup d'années là-bas. C'est là que tout a commencé pour moi en tant que footballeur. J'ai de très bons souvenirs dans ce club." #MUFC pic.twitter.com/udznnQUrwH

— Manchester United (@MUnitedFR) February 23, 2021

This is a case where it's a shame no crowd will be there: curious as to the reception he would have gotten at OT.

 

Ethan Galbraith has been added to our Europa League squad apparently (following a good U23 performance Monday) - maybe a place on the bench and a cameo as per Shoretire?

 

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I'd love it if he (along with the other youngsters) were to get significant time Thursday. Can understand Ole's reluctance to start too weak of a team to start with but if it looks to be in the bag by HT, that's when I'd start making changes. And with 5 available to us, there is room to maneuver for Ole.

 

If we're winning and Ole doesn't use all 5 subs, he's a twat.

 

The only argument I'm willing to accept against starting Amad is that you plan to play Mata at RW/10 while Donny plays in the 'Bruno, but not really Bruno' role.

Regardless of who starts and how many minutes are played, Bruno and Marcus shouldn't even be in the squad. They will be, but they shouldn't.

 

Donny is out for this one according to Ole.

 

Donny can't catch a break...

 

#mufc squad to face Real Sociedad: De Gea, Henderson, Grant, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Tuanzebe, Lindelöf, Bailly, Shaw, Telles, Williams, Fred, Matić, Galbraith, Shoretire, Bruno Fernandes, Amad, James, Rashford, Martial #mulive [men] pic.twitter.com/6ljN5ahXNL

— utdreport (@utdreport) February 25, 2021

 

Henderson, AWB, Bailly, Lindelof, Telles, Matic, Fred, Bruno, Mase, James, Martial

 

He needs a rest but who else if no Mata and no Donnie. What happened to Mata anyway?

 

Sociedad XI: Remiro, Zubeldia, Merino, Oyarzabal, Januzaj, Aihen, Sagnan, Guevara, Gorosabel, Zubimendi, Isak

A ridiculously strong XI from Ole. If we don't lose any of our advantage by halftime, hopefully it will prompt him to ring the changes early.
There is a game vs Chelsea to think about, one where they'll be fresher than us with 2 extra days available to them...

 

Why is it ridiculous? The only person who needs to sit is Bruno. Everyone else is who we were expecting/asking for.

 

🗣 A quick word from the boss, as the Reds look to finish what we started last week in the #UEL

🔴 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/hgpvZbxDjl

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 25, 2021

 

So, the cbs app is playing not United on the United game.

 

it's on the Milan match stream...

 

That was a nicely weighted ball from Bailly for Bruno who couldn't catch it clean unfortunately to trouble the keeper.

Sociedad get a penalty...