Really looking forward to this tie. I love the knockout stages (when we're actually in them). A bit of team news first - Cavani hasn't travelled so looks like Ronaldo starts again. I was listening to the manager press conference and then an interview with Terry Gibson. A few years back when I was really into La Liga, I always thought Gibson knew his Spanish football. He'd commentate on a lot of matches and his punditry was usually spot on. So it was interesting to see him again on TV and his take on this tie. He commented that had this match been 3 months ago he wouldn't have known who to pick because both teams looked equally bad. But since then, whilst Atletico have continued to look lacklustre and poor, United have improved and he is of the opinion we should be winning both legs of this tie. He pinpointed the Atletico full-backs as their weakest link. In his words they can't defend and can't attack so pose no threat. He expects they'll play with 5 at the back to compensate for how **** they are. Add to that, Cunha is out, Koke is unlikely to start and Carrasco is suspended. Joao Felix has hardly played in recent months. I'm feeling quite positive. I think we have the minerals to beat them tbh and on that basis I'm predicting 1-2 to United
Simeone just hasn't played him, no explanation given. Atletico have been badly hit with Covid and haven't been able to put together a settled side for quite some time, hence their poor form in La Liga, but they will be ready for a fight tonight.
The question is: will we be? We need that resilience we’ve had in abundance in the Fergie times and which we seem to have lost since. If we find Atletico in incredible form, have we got the spirit to keep it together and not fall apart? Can we stay in the tie ? Of course I’d like nothing better than to get a good lead to take back to OT but realistically a draw wouldn’t be a bad result.
Lindelof at RB? Very strange considering Atletico's full-backs are the weakest links. Thought we'd have Dalot there going at them. Have to say I'm a bit surprised why he's not played either of our RB's.
Maybe he's going back three, with Sancho as wing back? I did also think it weird to have two right backs and play neither.
That did cross my mind but it leaves us light further up? Although as Scholes is saying Bruno may be linking up with him on the right side.
Dunno; Pogba, Fred and Bruno is a decent midfield three, with Rashford partnering Ronaldo up front. I've long thought this could work. *am in France just noticed match has now kicked off so will watch on phone and stfu!
Poor start . Listening on 5live. The commentators saying that Utd looked like startled rabbits. Are we going to respond?
Which I can't do. Because I'm in France! What's the point in having Virgin Go if I can't use the ****er? I thought the clue was in the name ffs.
MASSIVE mistake playing Lindelof at RB. We completely lack any attacking threat down the right and the midfield is being easily covered by Atletico.
Every time Lindelof gets the ball on the right on the half way line, he just passes it back to the cb
Am not able to actually watch, so is this the case? Or are we playing back four, with Lindelof at right back? Because, duh, sounds like our defense is a bit of a ****ing mess at the minute?