Closed Man United v Chelsea

[Jase 43,479]

Manchester United vs Chelsea
PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT

English Premier League Matchday 3
26th August, Monday, 2013
Old Trafford
20:00 Kick Off (UK time)

[Spike 12,049]

Hopefully Luiz pulls a Carvalho.

IF you know what I mean.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I hope Demba Ba is nowhere near Old Trafford for this one. Would also love Lampard to be on the bench he looks knacked already

[Tomo 21,733]

Lampard and Ba on the bench, Torres to remain in the stands.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/21/rio-ferdinand-manchester-united-chelsea

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United matches against Liverpool and Manchester City are bigger occasions than those against Chelsea, whom the champions play on Monday at Old Trafford.

The match will be David Moyes's first home Premier League outing as manager since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, with United and Chelsea having won their opening fixtures. Ferdinand played down the importance of meetings with Chelsea. "I wouldn't say it was one of my favourites," said the defender, who was speaking at United's launch of a commercial partnership with Apollo Tyres.

"You look forward to playing every time you step out at Old Trafford. It is a special place to play. We all appreciate playing there in front of our home fans and we try to put on a show. I wouldn't say we take anyone more seriously or enjoy playing against anyone more.

"The Liverpool and Manchester City games are usually hyped up a bit more than anyone else. The feeling after winning one of those games is probably the biggest of the season."

[Symbol123 175]

Have to go all out for this one, the question is which one will start on the right- Mata or KDB

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

That's a beautiful picture in the OP.

I think Mata had a chance to showcase how fit he was today but couldn't so I can see KDB returning for this one. Mata just needs more game time to regain his fitness and the sharpness will come back so most likely a sub. But if he's fit enough won't mind him starting in the middle either.

Think Azpi will start, Luiz maybe if he's declared fit.

Cech

Azpi - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Ramires - Essien

KDB - Oscar - Hazard

Lukaku

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Torres or Lukaku will start in this match. Both will have their chances, I think. I have a feeling Lukaku will start, Torres on the bench. Torres in for Lukaku at around the 2nd half. Hope we're not in behind when Torres in.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I hope Demba Ba is nowhere near Old Trafford for this one. Would also love Lampard to be on the bench he looks knacked already

How soon we forget.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYDxllDjTkc

[chopchop 68]

That's a beautiful picture in the OP.

I think Mata had a chance to showcase how fit he was today but couldn't so I can see KDB returning for this one. Mata just needs more game time to regain his fitness and the sharpness will come back so most likely a sub. But if he's fit enough won't mind him starting in the middle either.

Think Azpi will start, Luiz maybe if he's declared fit.

Cech

Azpi - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Ramires - Essien

KDB - Oscar - Hazard

Lukaku

I think your assessment of Mata and KDB is spot on. However, I don't see the back 4 changing from what we've seen in the first two matches. Cahill and Ivanovic stay in the starting 11.

Lukaku deserves his shot.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I'm gonna go with a nervy 2-1 with Hazard and Lukaku scoring

I start Mata mainly because we need his genius in the final 3rd more than we need Oscar's ability to win the ball. Utd's midfielders don't scare me, Mata gets another 60mins and Oscar comes in to kill it off.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Expected our defensive players will be the same, too risky to be changed at the moment.

[Barbara 15,149]

Cech

Ivan - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Ramires - Lampard

KDB - Oscar - Hazard

Torres

This is what I think Mourinho will bring to the table. Anything else will surprise me - except Luiz who might not be completely fit and Mourinho knows that with van Persie against us we need to have the best fit defenders.

[JRK180895 2]

well lets sure hope that mou will put de bruyne in the right wing with mata/oscar in the amf position, because when mata & oscar played together, its like seeing lamps and gerrard play in the same team

[Chelsea? 892]

Mazcar is not looking good.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

Let's beat those fuckers

[Nero 1,838]

Cech - Azpi, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole - Van Ginkel, Mikel - Schürrle, De Bruyne, Hazard - Torres

or Schürrle for Torres and Oscar with KdB and Hazard.

[Reddish-Blue 2,344]

Cech

Ivan - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Ramires - Lampard

KDB - Oscar - Hazard

Torres

This is what I think Mourinho will bring to the table. Anything else will surprise me - except Luiz who might not be completely fit and Mourinho knows that with van Persie against us we need to have the best fit defenders.

Not sure if we should be starting Lampard for 3 matches in a row...he looks kinda tired already. Agree with the rest of your lineup

I'd like to see Ramires - Essien or Ramires - Mikel as the two midfielders...then if we need some inspiration and/or a goal, Lampard can come off the bench for a cameo.