Jase

Maybe so but then again, he's still arguably the most consistent one from the lot. As far as I remember, most of our goals from corners in past years seem to come when he takes them.

Mourinho's pre-match press conference from earlier today.. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x19udpi_manager-s-press-conference-pre-manchester-united_sport

Drogba: I want to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League and I can score at Stamford Bridge with my eyes closed

Yeah and with United being the major underdogs for this game, Moyes will thrive under it. It's in his nature to upset the apple carts when people least expect it. Has proved so at Everton and he did the same when they played Arsenal this season. Can't afford to take them lightly at all on Sunday, however average they have been.

Bertrand's interview at Aston Villa..

Saint Etienne coach Christophe Galtier has responded to Kurt Zouma's talk of joining Chelsea by stating the defender is going nowhere this January. The 19-year old defender told L'Equipe recently that Jose Mourinho contacted him last month and hinted at a move to West London and work under the charismatic Portuguese manager. However, Galtier was quick to play down any talks of the Frenchman leaving in the current transfer window as he aims to guide his side to achieve their ambitions this season by keeping their players together. "We're fourth, I don't know in which position we'll finish,” he told RMC. “What is sure is that our season isn't finished, and as I don't wish it to be finished, we're going to keep our best players and even if there are some who go and knock on the board's door, I don't see why we'd let those players we wish to keep now leave." “Because we were knocked out of the Coupe de France by Cannes? No. We're going to resist, the players are under contract and that's that." Saint Etienne are currently forth in Ligue 1 and they will face Lille - one place and six points ahead of them - at home later this evening. Click here to view article

As we get closer to this match, it's scarying me. Think this is the first time in ages that we are the overwhelming favorite to beat United and won't be a surprise if something silly happens on Sunday.

Bloody hell, of all people we want to get Ricardo Rodriguez?! We are doomed to fail!

Imagine that! Mourinho at Man United and Moyes at Chelsea Quite a funny piece.

Mikel and Anderson: victims of a distrust of creativity

Shhh. Don't jinx the jinx!

Ramires only played at RB once for us which was against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and even then, it was an enforced move with Terry sent off and Cahill went off injured.

Like you said, 'similarities' and not 'same-ness'. It may look similar on paper but the minute of details, tactical instructions etc could be a whole lot different between what Jorge Jesus and Mourinho want from their players. And funny thing with that defender is that he has played under our current manager for 6 1/2 months already and understands what he wants by now.

Luiz has played at LB before for Benfica but he hardly shone there IIRC and he even got torn to shreds once by Hulk against Porto in a match they lost 5-0. And not to mention, he has played at RB for us before against Stoke when RDM first took over and did nothing of note there. If you don't get the fuss of this situation, then it's your own problem and views. Others have their own and doesn't make it any less valid or concerning. Yes Bertrand hasn't played a lot this season - partly due to injuries - and has 2 players ahead of him but the issue here is the squad depth, which people are concerned about. We are left with only Cole, Azpi and Ivanovic for the FBs position and if nothing bad happens from now till end of the season, then good. However, if the worst case scenario happens, then what? We could be down to 2 or just 1 FB and flog them to death. Kalas and/or Luiz can play there and how convincing would they be there? It would suddenly leave us weak in that spot as compared to having a proper FB play in the position. As for being linked with Shaw, he's one bright prospect but who cares about it at this point? If we are getting him in now, then good. If not, then what's the point? Given what has happened, would have no problems letting Bertrand go in the summer and get Shaw in then but now? People are not worried about Mourinho's abilities to manage the squad. He can manage the squad but even he cannot predict when will injury(-ies), suspensions, out of form etc happen. The issue here is that people are concerned with our squad depth and the decision to loan him out.

Obviously Mourinho could start him if he wants to but like he said, he's not starting Matic out of respect for the other players mainly because they have been doing well in recent games and got us to where we are now. It's unfair for someone new, however good he is, to just come in and start as Mourinho said as well, it sends out the wrong message. There is no reason for Matic to just come in and play from the start but some think he should. Moreover, that is only one reason. Like some and Choulo - as I remember specifically - mentioned, Matic still need to familiarize himself with Mourinho's system, style of play and what he wants from the players as well as forming that understanding and/or partnership with others. Risky to do that when things could go wrong and be forcibly punished in a game like this.

Unless we are getting in another full back, loaning Bertrand out seems to be a rather risky move leaving us with only Cole, Azpi and Ivanovic. Just like now, if one is injured and we're stuck with just two. Right now, we are only playing one game a week and it's not much of a problem. However, if this situation occurs again in the remainder of the season but two get injured instead, then we are screwed. Even if only one then is out injured, playing the other 2 every 3-4 days when the games come thick and fast (assuming if we were to progress far into the Champions League and FA Cup) is suicidal. Can't expect them to be on-form every time when fatigue is bound to kick in especially when Ivanovic and Azpi have looked spent at times this season while Cole's performance level is seemingly up and down these days depending on his level of freshness. And that is not even taking potential suspensions into account yet. Have seen some suggesting Kalas will be the backup option replace Bertrand and while that may be a viable option, not sure how much Mourinho trusts his abilities to put him into the starting XI. If we are pushed to the dead end in this situation, then Mourinho would have to play him without any choice but right now, Kalas hasn't even played any games for us, not even in the League Cup and FA Cup.

That is like taking a needle and poke it on balloon for some after thinking Matic should just walk straight into the lineup...

Damn you @CHOULO19! Edited the article and already done preparing the images for it only to see you go and promote the article first!!

Would say around 5 million. Definitely not more than 10.

Name: Phil Driver Reason: Other Punishment: Content moderated permanentlyAbility to create content removed permanently.Suspended permanently Also move to Banned

I don't think you're gonna find a lot of, if any, bad comments on Terry, even if he makes mistakes. Take for example the one at Newcastle last season where his brainless tackle, which was very Luiz-esque, on the halfway line that led to Newcastle's equalizer. Hardly a word mentioned and all the focus then was on Benitez after the game because we lost and it's Benitez.

Nasri is only out for 2 months and I doubt his injury will affect City THAT badly if compared to Kompany, Toure, Aguero and/or Negredo getting injured.

I completely agreed with you there. All I said was the back 4 in front Cech helped him to achieve that, which cannot be denied. I didn't even play down Cech's own abilities in achieving in clean sheet record!

That's not much of a surprise when one consider the defence that plays in front of Cech and David James in helping him to get the amount of clean sheets.