How Will Manchester United Play?
Monday, 21 April 08, 10:35 PM · Comments (29)
While everyone knows which formation Barça will use on Wednesday night, it is a little bit more difficult to guess how United will play. Sir Alex Ferguson has used variations of 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 this season but despite declarations that United will attack, I imagine the formation he chooses will be more conservative than usual.
Edwin Van Der Sar will return in goal after missing United 1-1 draw at Blackburn, and the back four will almost certainly be Wes Brown at right back, Ferdinand and Vidic in the middle and Patrice Evra on the right. Ferguson knows that to stop Barça, United need to stop Xavi and Iniesta, I also think he will be worried about Leo Messi. For this reason I can see a defensive looking midfield with Carrick and Scholes in the centre and perhaps Hargreaves and Park on the flanks to support the full backs. He will leave Carlos Tevez on the bench and play Cristiano Ronaldo in a free role behind Wayne Rooney in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Ferguson will hope that the speed and mobility of these two will be enough to earn United an away goal or two.
Ok, what the hell do I know? So come on all you experts ;-) what team and formation do you see United starting with?
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he is gonna play similar like against roma in italy. pack the midfield to minimize space. i think ur line up could be spot on.
I think you got it spot on Nick. Ferguson is too smart to fall for all the media hype writing us off and he will know how dangerous we can be if we are given space. I therefore believe, like you, that he will take a more conservative approach....your formation seems about right and I dont think Tevez will start either.
Who do you think Frank will start? Apparently Henry has come down with a fever so he might not be able to start (could be a blessing in disguise). I think Bojan should start at the Nou Camp and Henry should start at old trafford. I also hope he does not start Deco who would definitely not be ready for this game. I think Xavi at home and Gudjohnson away. Also Sylvinho instead of Abidal, i reckon he's earned it.
anderson instead of scholes
what about our own front three?
bojan-eto'o-henry
I think as mentioned already a 4-3-3 formation with the defence as is, 3 man midfield of anderson, hargreaves and and park ji sung, ronaldo, tevez and rooney in a triangular shape up front rotating their positions and pulling wide to receive the ball from time to time and pull defenders out wide, and have 1 of them remain central(again rotating from time to time)
Hopefully scholes and giggs will not start as they don't have the legs where as anderson, hargreaves, tevez, rooney and park's workrate will be essential to nullify barcelona's attacks and produce quick counter attacks of their own.
Layi i think u might have left somebody out of our front 3..........
dont u like my formation????
lol...i heard the odd player(henry) i s even injured....i pray so
29 Comments · Add yours
I personally disagree with you about the united lineup. I think Ferguson will go for a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation. I expect Rooney to start on the left like he did against Roma away and Ji Sung Park or hargreaves on the right. Ronaldo will then play up front. Carrick and Scholes will almost certainly be in the middle of the park with Anderson or Hargreaves depending on their fitness.
Even Fergie doesn't know his best XI to be honest. But I hope he doesn't play Scholes. Anderson, Carrick and Hargreaves would be the best bet in a midfield three.
The back four is as you said. And Ronaldo, Rooney and Park/Giggs/Nani (depending on Fergie's mood) would play in a front three.
Again I think Giggs played in the weekend and he may not have the legs like Scholes -- I have a feeling he will go with Park because he did very well against Roma and is well rested.