Closed Chelsea v Man United

[Sheva. 5,373]

It's almost telling in some ways that whenever we play the big teams, we can pick out like 5-7 players who are a threat to us. But when we try to see which of our players can be a threat to them, there are only like 2-3 players to choose from - e.g. Hazard, Fabregas and Costa.

So true, so annoying. And Oscar who is more of a threat than Willian is unreliable, and will never play.

[edetarod 2,155]

we're going to win the league

[The Mak 4,459]

Annoying because this is a game for Costa, not Stoke.

If we had Costa, we would win; but because we don't and because we don't need to win, it will be a big fat draw (with Ramires and Willian starting).

[Laugh1ngMan 393]

I don't know why everyone thinks Matic is the guy to deal with Fellaini?

When we played QPR's 4-4-2 was it Matic dealing with Zamora and Austin or was it Cahill and Terry?

Fellaini lines up like a midfielder but plays as their target man. My worry is him peeling off to the back post and having an aerial duel with Cesar.

Fellaini is a target man but he definetly resides most of the time in midfield. That's why you need a midfielder to take care of him.

If you watched the analysis on MNF it's clear what kind of problems it creates when one of our CB needs to pick him up, it drags alot of people out of position and creates space for other players to run into. The Mata goal was a good example of that

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Fellaini is a target man but he definetly resides most of the time in midfield. That's why you need a midfielder to take care of him.

If you watched the analysis on MNF it's clear what kind of problems it creates when one of our CB needs to pick him up, it drags alot of people out of position and creates space for other players to run into. The Mata goal was a good example of that

I disagree. That goal was a result of the high line City kept playing.

What I'm talking about is his aerial threat, when they use him as a target man it won't be a midfielder responsible for ensuring he doesn't win them it will be our CB's. Fellaini's goal best illustrates the threat he poses. Utd have been all about the diagonal crosses to the back post, its been that way throughout Van Gaal's reign and now that Fellaini is playing as a striker its coming off better than when it was RVP.

If we leave Fellaini for Azpi to deal with we could be in for a long night.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Not really. Whatever else he has to his game, Zouma can easily deal with.

Fellaini has really good off the ball movement and knows how to find gaps between midfield and defence. Mikel is an expert at patrolling that area. Plus Mikel is far more comfortable in possession than Zouma and just offers more in midfield for us.

[The Skipper 20,609]

The problem with playing Mikel is that he's been out for god knows how long. The pace of the game might be too fast for him to handle considering his last minutes haven't been for some time. In that respect, zouma would be the better option

Mikel can go months without playing and just slot into the team seamlessly. I would risk it.

Tbh, I would play both but Cahill has been decent recently.

[Laugh1ngMan 393]

I disagree. That goal was a result of the high line City kept playing.

What I'm talking about is his aerial threat, when they use him as a target man it won't be a midfielder responsible for ensuring he doesn't win them it will be our CB's. Fellaini's goal best illustrates the threat he poses. Utd have been all about the diagonal crosses to the back post, its been that way throughout Van Gaal's reign and now that Fellaini is playing as a striker its coming off better than when it was RVP.

If we leave Fellaini for Azpi to deal with we could be in for a long night.

You are only talking about the fact when he is in the box and trying to score a goal (and agree with you on that part), but I am talking when he is not in the box because he poses a problem in midfield as well with constantly bringing other people into play and you can't let your CB's try to deal with him since it will create huge gaps in our defence as there are many examples of that in the Tottenham/City game

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Moyes brought Fellaini and Mata. I guess he was genius after all

[Amblève. 4,995]

Fellaini has really good off the ball movement and knows how to find gaps between midfield and defence. Mikel is an expert at patrolling that area. Plus Mikel is far more comfortable in possession than Zouma and just offers more in midfield for us.

One thing that baffles me while reading through this forum is that people want Zouma to play in midfield vs United and completely ignore that we somehow have to generate offense ourselves as well. For what it's worth, I'd expect the same people to criticize Jose for his "negative approach" if we played Zouma while getting completely outplayed. Playing Zouma in midfield simply to have someone to deal with Fellaini (whose danger after a few good games I think is overblown to some extent anyway) would basically mean giving up the game for United to dictate and us sitting deep. Not to mention that we'd restrict our counterattacking game, too. But that's just me talking rational things so who cares.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I could see this could become a Swansea like game back then when they are second and unbeaten. What's missing is just Costa. But we have Remy.

[Viper22 2,418]

If Remy is fit, I reckon it'll be a tight 2-1 or 1-0 win.

If he isn't and we play Didier up top.... 0-0 all day, and tbh i'll be happy with that.

I'm actually happy to start Ivan in this game, think we need his aerial prowess.

-------------------Courtois---------------------

--Ivanovic--Zouma--Terry--Azpiliceuta--

---------------------Mikel-----------------------

----------Matic------------Fabregas----------

-Willian-------------------------------Hazard-

-------------------Remy/DD-------------------

Subs: Cech, Luis, Cahill, Ramires, Oscar, Cuadrado, DD/Solanke.

For me.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

It's almost telling in some ways that whenever we play the big teams, we can pick out like 5-7 players who are a threat to us. But when we try to see which of our players can be a threat to them, there are only like 2-3 players to choose from - e.g. Hazard, Fabregas and Costa.

And then we win anyway!

[Parky 739]

What about this ?

[xPetrCechx 13,578]

-------------------Courtois---------------------

--Ivanovic--Cahill--Terry--Azpiliceuta--

------------------Mikel/Zouma--------------------

----------Matic------------Fabregas----------

-Willian-------------------------------Hazard-

-------------------Remy----------------------

[kellzfresh 7,229]

We should play 4-3-3 like we did against tottenham in the final

But with mikel-Matic-fabregas in midfield 3

[Kezza 1,965]

A Young is shite. He had the game of his life against City, he'll dissappear against us. Id much rather have Willian any day of the week!.

Fellaini, meh we can deal with him, he's pretty predictable. If our holding midfielders aren't lazy like Yaya then we should be okay.

Only player I'm worried about is Rooney.

[Styles 9,790]

Ashley Young almost always embarrasses Ivanovic who has no idea how to mark him.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Ashley Young almost always embarrasses Ivanovic who has no idea how to mark him.

I'm dreading it. Plus Fellaini attaching himself to Azpi from his crosses.

[Styles 9,790]

I'm dreading it. Plus Fellaini attaching himself to Azpi from his crosses.

Might as well play Azpi RB so he can give Young a much harder game and Ivanovic LB to combat Fellani.

It's not as if we'd be losing anything by making them switch sides; they're both black holes offensively.