Preview, injury news and expected line-up vs Manchester Utd

I am one of many that believe Manchester United are there for the taking this weekend.

They are by no means an efficient, coherent unit, like the teams we have struggled against this season in the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, who have very talented players who play for each other and the team, instead United's team is based entirely on the front foot, with the likes of Rooney, the injured Van Persie, the suspended Di Maria and the lackluster Falcao, who made no impression against our u21s when the two sides met last week.

Play our own game

This game is unlike Arsenal, City, or Liverpool away, in that the best way to set up is to force them to break the team down, and hit them on the counter. This would be a very negative approach and in all honesty it wouldn't give us the result we need.

We need to go out and play this as if it were a home tie, and by that I mean we need to attack the United back four. They are weak, and Harry Kane will surely be relishing the chance to attack the likes of Smalling, Jones, and possibly Blind in their central defensive midfield role. The suspension of Jonny Evans will disrupt the United back four, and might see the inexperienced Tyler Blackett start - which should only mean good things for our attack.

Previous encounters

We have won our last two at Old Trafford, both by the score of 2-1, last season a Christian Eriksen header gave us all three points. Our home game against them finished 1-1, although either side could have emerged with the win and we can consider ourselves unfortunate not to given the chances spurned in the second half.

We should be confident going into this one, despite United being around us in the League table, as they are able to grind out results - however a positive display from us should see a win.

Good run of form after Chelsea defeat to continue?

After our League Cup final defeat, the blow was somewhat weakened by two wins from two after that game, against QPR and Swansea.

This run of form should give us huge confidence going into this game, and a win would be huge for our younger boys.

The defensive form of Vertonghen, Dier, Rose, and Walker has definitely improved of late and hopefully that will continue, not to mention the prowess of Eriksen and Kane.

Team news

“All players are fit,” said Mauricio Pochettino.
“It’s difficult to select the squad but this is my job.”

Predicted starting XI

Lloris, Rose, Vertonghen, Dier, Walker, Mason, Bentaleb, Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend, Kane.

 

Three points are vital tomorrow. A good time to play Utd and we must impose ourselves from the start - quick tempo, high pressing with meaningful possession. COYS.

 

Ditto! As of now that's our best line-up. Prefer Townsend over Lamela, Townsend will take shots on goal and stretch the field more by attacking the wing. 3 points, COYS!!

 

Utd had a good 1st half when we last played them and couldv been easily out of sight by half time,
they also had a good 1st half v Le Scum
They have quality its just individually not as a team. Our defence must be switched on at all times today, if we keep it tight at the back our superior team ethic and graft should see us over the line latter stages.
Massive game if we are to be serious about top 4.

COYS!!

 

“ The defence has deff improved of late ”

???????? What have you been watching .. Are some of our fans really that blind .. 2 gifts in cup final , last minute wonder save against Swansea to win 3 - 2 , 2 pens not given against Qpr and allready 3 conceded against the mancs .. In the 50 or so games played by us this year our defence has not improved one little bit ..Its one thing been blindly optimistic about the future but stating nonsense as fact is just wrong ....

 

Our 'defence' is an utter shambles Poch hasn't got this right all season, no organisation no leadership no responsibility.

 

Only 1 team had superior team ethic today we were shocking.

 

I know Felon , we,re saying it for months .. So frustrating ..