Closed Chelsea v Man United

[lionsden 4,689]

The overall discussion and tone on redcafe mirrors that of this thread i.e how we are going to stop them at the bridge and the overall tone just seems to indicates that we are essentially the underdogs and shittin g our pants at the prospect of facing utd or should I say felliani fc. I was made to believe man utd are average at best and we are the best team in the league, someone must have lied to me.

[WhatsTheMatic? 28]

It's true.

But look, we really only have Hazard, Fabregas and Diego/Remy who are a threat. They don't have to worry about Willian - he's not a danger. They don't have to worry about Matic and Mikel/Zouma - they're defensive midfielder. They don't have to worry about our full-backs in Azpilicueta and Ivanovic who are highly ineffective.

The only solution is to put Filipe in the side and then they have another one to deal with.

While we have to keep an eye on their both full-backs, Young, Mata, Fellaini, Herrera, Rooney ...

Can anyone remind me how the hell we're first since August with such minimal danger in our side ?

You go on to rival pages and it exactly the same thing. They will be talking about 5-6 players on their forum that they think can do them damage, that we don't even think about. Nature of a football fan we can be quite negative when we analyse our own teams.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

You go on to rival pages and it exactly the same thing. They will be talking about 5-6 players on their forum that they think can do them damage, that we don't even think about. Nature of a football fan we can be quite negative when we analyse our own teams.

Personally I don't even fear any of their players. But I am wary of what Louis van Gaal has turned this ManUtd side into. Bar Blind and Herrera, the Utd team that won 4-2 vs City is almost the same like the one that was lucky to only lose 3-1 at Stamford Bridge last season.

Their outfield players are not special. Falcao, Di maria are out of form and not even playing, Rvp is aging (and injured?), Rooney IMO has not been the force he used to be since 2010. Yes he has been decent, great technician, but this second striker/free role BS has taken the sting out of him. He once combined the statue, strength and the fearless running of a rugby player with an excellent skillset, the latter is everything he has left. The rest is decent but not much more than average. Individually they are on the exact same level as City but the difference was their motivation and tacitics.

LVG approached this game really unconventionally, without a proper striker, but 8 midfielders. He did not go through the middle. Neither did he make the game wide and exploited the flanks. He went in between. He loaded the half positions, 10-20 yards just in front of the corners of the penalty box, There were always at least 2 or 3 players per side against City's out of form fullbacks, moving the ball within a tight space, City always had a player less than Utd just in front of their own fucking box, which allowed the Reds the space to either bring in a perfect cross for fellaini or have Young or Mata dribble inside to cause danger. That way they scored their first three goals.

[bluephoenix 1,131]

I can't help myself but to be pessimistic about this match. The way united have been defeating all the top 4 teams, I am really scared. Especially because we don't have Costa and we are uncertain about Remy.

But at the same time can't take any other result other than a win at Bridge.

Please please please please play good football and lets get the PL cup.

[Manu 8]

What about Swansea away?

Exactly. Whenever Chelsea plays with big clubs like Man U, they always step up their game.

I say if Chelsea controls the tempo of the game and somehow mange to sneak in a goal early in the game, it'd be really really hard for Man U to comeback. Chelsea will park their bus and they'll just play on counter...

[Manu 8]

I can't help myself but to be pessimistic about this match. The way united have been defeating all the top 4 teams, I am really scared. Especially because we don't have Costa and we are uncertain about Remy.

But at the same time can't take any other result other than a win at Bridge.

Please please please please play good football and lets get the PL cup.

I think Jose will play for divide in this game. United must win to secure their Top 2 spot and all Chelsea has to do is get 11 points from their next 7 matches.

Chelsea definitely has less pressure on them and I just don't see them over-committing on too many attacks because that would leave their defense more venerable.

I say if Chelsea gets a draw from United and Arsenal then there's no freking way they won't become the champions.

[Special Juan 28,133]

Jose has got this.

[KevinAshburner 1,270]

This Match Means to Much to Me. My Team CFC -versus- My Brother's Team MUFC. The Winner of This Match Gets The Bragging Rights.

[POPEYE 2]

I think it's best if the players think we 'need' the 3 points. If we play for a draw we'll be beaten.

[chrismada9 1,948]

This Match Means to Much to Me. My Team CFC -versus- My Brother's Team MUFC. The Winner of This Match Gets The Bragging Rights.

You think that's bad??

I've got to go up against 3 of my family members when we go up against Arsenal next weekend!

[Parky 739]

This Match Means to Much to Me. My Team CFC -versus- My Brother's Team MUFC. The Winner of This Match Gets The Bragging Rights.

Same here...

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Jose has this, imo.

Don't care if we win ugly. Just win, as always.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Delighted that Carrick isn't playing, makes things a lot easier for us. The fact that Blind isn't available either helps a lot too because he's essentially Carrick's replacement.

This forces LVG to change United's usual approach quite significantly.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Delighted that Carrick isn't playing, makes things a lot easier for us. The fact that Blind isn't available either helps a lot too because he's essentially Carrick's replacement.

This forces LVG to change United's usual approach quite significantly.

Massive, massive result for us. That leaves their sole playmaker being Herrera and we can smother him how other teams smother Cesc.

More confident now - as long as Remy returns from injury, of course.

[ILoveLamp 270]

Well that's great news!

Who will partner Smalling at CB with Rojo out and Evans suspended?

Who will play LB? Shaw?

Who will replace Carrick?

I'm not that up to speed on the MU squad....!