30 Sep 2022 07:59:04
Well its only a couple of days now before we get a real test of where we are in terms of progress. so many interesting things to look for.
How do we defend against halaand, especially now that his dad can't shut his mouth and talking talking talking.
I would assume MC gets the nod over casamero and that.
Finally, a game for anthony to make a statement.
30 Sep 2022 09:15:52
I go with no expectations for this game.
Man City this year are on another level with haaland, their defense may not be the best, but going forward haaland has been unbelievable.
Hearing rash and martial are not fully fit, so we can play our quicker forwards, and away at Etihad, I'm not too optimistic of a win, maybe a draw but Most likely we would lose by 1 or 2 goals.
Though I'd love a win no matter how we play or how we win.
30 Sep 2022 09:30:45
I expect us to lose but would like a competitive game. They are like a machine. I was wondering if we may see both cas and mc play at the expense of Bruno or Erickson. Need to shut down De Bruyne and Silva/ Gundogan. Trade off is offensively we lose a lot setting up that way.
If we can choke the service to Halaand then I think we will be competitive and keep him fairly quite.
30 Sep 2022 10:20:21
Did I read that McTominay was injured and out of Scotland's game earlier this week?
Did he play or not? If not then I'd imagine he'll be a doubt for the derby this weekend.
City will rightly be favourites, but then both Liverpool and Arsenal were also favourites when we played them earlier this season.
It's a derby game and could go either way. Just sit back and try to enjoy it.
30 Sep 2022 11:00:58
I believe McT played the full game for Scotland Shappy.
It's the ultimate test and we are up against the most in-form player in Europe. Martinez has a great leap, but even that might be a step too far against the man-beast. Hopefully Varane is up to it. Hopefully Maguire is no-where near the first XI.
Midfield is the question-mark for me. Would love to see Casemiro start but McT tends to start these epics and it would be a shame to take Eriksen out who's been brilliant in this run. Stopping the City strikers is enough of a problem so if we can't do that then cutting off the supply is the solution. Nullifying the root of the trouble.
30 Sep 2022 11:14:16
Man City are not on another level with nearly 20% of the season gone they are not even top of the league.
Sure they will in all probability go on to win the league but they are not unbeatable and they are not miles ahead of everybody else at this point.
I don't have any expectations of winning but equally don't have any fear of losing this one. Win and we are 2 points behind them with a game in hand.
Haaland is scoring lots of goals but we have faced better players over the years.
Imo we are still developing and learning as a team. It's a good test at a good point in the season.
Looking forward to it.
30 Sep 2022 12:22:41
I’m going to stick my neck out and say we’ll win this
2-1 or 2-0.
Casemiro should be starting this one. He’s had enough time to adapt to the PL and he’s a big game player. I’d definitely keep Eriksen in too, he’s by far our best player from set pieces.
30 Sep 2022 15:33:13
Glad McTominay is fit. I remember hearing something on the radio that he might be a doubt for the game against Ireland.
This might sound crazy but I'd consider dropping Bruno for Casemiro in this game.
We aren't the finished article and I'm not sure we are ready to try and go toe to toe with City and try and have the majority of the ball.
If City will likely have the majority of the ball then we need to make sure we are careful with it when we have it. Bruno has a tendency to give it away too easily.
Have Casemiro sitting with McTominay and Eriksen either side of him in a 433 shape means we have the numbers and defensive quality to limit City to a few (hopefully) half chances.
While we still have Eriksen to progress the ball forward through midfield.
Play Rashford if fit to play balls in behind. Keep Ronaldo on the bench.
30 Sep 2022 16:41:41
I’m the last 10 derbies there’s been 2 draws and 4 wins a piece.
We’re arguably in better shape than in the last 3-4 seasons. There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t win this game. Of course there’s also the possibility of losing miserably because we’ve got it in us.
It’s a Derby, anything can happen. Ten Hag will have been doing his homework over the long break so the team that goes out there will be prepared for this City team.
30 Sep 2022 17:16:42
Think Scott was suspended on Wednesday Shaps so came back to United to train.
30 Sep 2022 17:34:20
I’ve seen a youtube vid whereby Martinez had Haaland in his pocket. Hopefully he can do the same on Sunday. ?
30 Sep 2022 21:30:03
Big test, but I'm slightly optimistic. Win lose or draw if we give them a game I'll be happy.
01 Oct 2022 10:28:40
I'm with Ken and other optimistic posters. City were terrorised by Newcastle recently and were very lucky to get a draw. Haaland is incredible and he wants to beat United more than any other team (thanks to Keane), but he's only one player. We have to go there with a plan and that has to include an attacking plan. If Haaland scores, good for him, as long as we score two.
01 Oct 2022 11:06:03
AAA, Haaland is an absolute menace no doubt. Yet his contribution to City is mostly being on the end of good attacking moves.
If we can cut those moves out before the ball gets to him he is pretty much a passenger.
01 Oct 2022 13:54:34
Shappy we have to go there with attacking intent. Can't defend for 90 mins. I think ETH will set them up to hit City on the break.
This used to be an easy 3 pointer for us, how times have changed!
01 Oct 2022 21:25:30
I think we will see Bruno as false 9 and sancho and Antony on the wings. Eriksen, McT and Casemiro in midfield.
02 Oct 2022 05:37:01
Hoping for a perfect derby performance, where other fans wonder how we did it again.
Hopefully the break hasn't caused too many cobwebs.
02 Oct 2022 07:02:03
Both Martial and Rashford are fit.
02 Oct 2022 11:48:19
The false 9 was a disaster a few weeks ago. Hopefully we have a fit CF.
02 Oct 2022 14:54:29
Playing golf and just saw the score. Unfortunately a bit of what i was worried about. I wanted a competitive game which looks like by the scoreline its one way traffic.
02 Oct 2022 17:53:13
Yeah, and that’s why I’m not a betting man. I was way off the mark, we got destroyed Haaland is an absolute animal.
Time for Ten Hag to get them back on the training pitch and go again.
Surely Casemiro has got to come into this midfield soon.