Benfica S.L v Manchester United Wed 14/9/11 - (UEFA Champions League) 7.45 RTE2/ITV1

Carroller16

v

IT'S BACK !!

Yes, the greatest prize in European Club football is once again up for grabs.

Manchester United go into this game on the back of a 100% league start after 4 games and an 18 goal haul (PL record) to boot.

Arguably this is United's toughest game in the group, a group which looks a very kind one on paper.

I think Fergie will take this opportunity to give a few of this season's starters a rest for this one

So If thats the case i'd like to see this Line Up:

LINDEGAARD

SMALLING
FERDINAND
EVANS
FABIO

VALENCIA
CARRICK
GIGGS
PARK

CHICHARITO
BERBATOV

The_Kew_Tour

From watching Benfica few times, if United do put out strong side they should win it.

going 3-1 United, could be good game this.

Carroller16

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

From watching Benfica few times, if United do put out strong side they should win it.

going 3-1 United, could be good game this.

going 2-0 United

CorkMan

Why would Ferguson field a 2nd side for what is the other toughest side of the group?

Paul Tergat

is Rooney suspended or something?

curry-muff

CorkMan wrote: »

Why would Ferguson field a 2nd side for what is the other toughest side of the group?

We play Chelsea at the weekend.

double GG

CorkMan wrote: »

Why would Ferguson field a 2nd side for what is the other toughest side of the group?

If you're referring to the predicted team in the OP, and calling it a '2nd' side you'd be totally wrong.

That side contains 7 starters from last years final, last years top scorer, England's Right Back etc....

I wouldn't really call it a 2nd side myself.

ShooterSF

wrong thread

Paul Tergat

ShooterSF wrote: »

All I can say is praise allah for the internet because otherwise I'd be an alcoholic having to go out every Friday night.

change you sig mate. just got excited that he maybe back but its from March!

Cypher_sounds

Team prediction for Wednesday night.


Though Rooney might start I think he could be rested, decent experience at the back which is good away from home in the CL, but its really impossible to give a accurate prediction who will start this one.



2-1 United

Blatter

I'm not sure why Rio is being predicted in many teams, would have thought myself that he'd be a certainty to be wrapped up in cotton wool for the Chelsea game.

I can't see Ashley Young starting either. I thought he was a bit off the pace v. Bolton, maybe because he played twice for England last week. I can definitely see him being rested along with several other players that have been in the starting eleven thus far this season.

Cypher_sounds

Blatter wrote: »

I'm not sure why Rio is being predicted in many teams, would have thought myself that he'd be a certainty to be wrapped up in cotton wool for the Chelsea game.

I can't see Ashley Young starting either. I thought he was a bit off the pace v. Bolton, maybe because he played twice for England last week. I can definitely see him being rested along with several other players that have been in the starting eleven thus far this season.

You'll probably be right about Young, could do with a rest i guess, i put him in probably because i cant wait to see him in the CL, i think he will tear the full backs apart.
I put rio in because he gives us experience plus giving him game time, if he's fully fit i think he will start.

Blatter

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

You'll probably be right about Young, could do with a rest i guess, i put him in probably because i cant wait to see him in the CL, i think he will tear the full backs apart.
I put rio in because he gives us experience plus giving him game time, if he's fully fit i think he will start.

I think Rio has become too injury prone these days to risk him. He came back for the Chelsea game last season in the CL QF first leg and was brilliant. That was his first taste of action after two months out, so I don't think we should be worrying about his match fitness now, especially seeing as he played the 90 mins on Saturday.

Yes he would bring us experience, but I think a partnership with two of Jones/Smalling/Evans would be more than up to the job of handling the Benfica forwards. Save Rio for Cheslea imo.

I'd personally like to see:

---

de Gea

---

Fabio

---

Smalling

---

Jones

---

Evans



Valencia

---

Fletcher

---

Giggs

---

Park

---

Berbatov

---

---

Hernandez

---

MagicMarker

Wouldn't be surprised to see Owen start tbh.

Cill Dara Abu

Rooney will definetly start imo, probably alongside Berbatov

Carroller16

double GG wrote: »

CorkMan wrote: »

Why would Ferguson field a 2nd side for what is the other toughest side of the group?

If you're referring to the predicted team in the OP, and calling it a '2nd' side you'd be totally wrong.

That side contains 7 starters from last years final, last years top scorer, England's Right Back etc....

I wouldn't really call it a 2nd side myself.

As far as teams so far this season have been chosen... my side would be considered second string.

Jax Teller

Cill Dara Abu wrote: »

Rooney will definetly start imo, probably alongside Berbatov

I'd rest him for chelsea

Mars Bar

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

I'd rest him for chelsea

I would too. I'd have him on the bench with Berbatov and Owen starting.

Giggsy11

I think Rooney will start, the form he is in it would be hard to rest him. This is the first mid week game and players can easily cope with 3 games in a week. Had it been in Feb, March then it would have been different.

Lindegaard

Smalling Rio Jones Fabio

Valencia Fletcher Giggs Park

Berbatov Rooney

Corvo

Theres no way I'd start Rooney in this game to be honest. I'd go with Owen up front with whoever else needs a game to get a bit of sharpness i.e. Berbatov.

Same with Rio. I'd be very surprised if he starts.


Id go:

---

De Gea

---

Fabio--Evans--Jones---Evra

Valencia--Carrick--Fletcher--Park

----Berbatov---Owen----


Wont be the most attacking side around, and there could be doubts over Valencia's fitness levels, but if it got a draw, then would you be that upset? We should pick up another 9 points throughout the games with a similar side, because with the greatest respect to the others, they are no where near the level that we should expect to come up against, even in these early stages.

On another note, just reading Gary Neville's autobiography and with the Wes Brown case in mind on last years summer tour, do you think the reason Berbatov cant even get one minute on the pitch is due to a
disciplinary matter? For instance in the book, Neville said he told the manager to go F-off, and was dropped for various games and we know something similar happened with Brown, who saw his chances very limited and eventually sold.

Anyone think it could be something similar with the big Bulgarian? Maybe the rumoured "walk out" after the team was named for the CL Final?

Jax Teller

Same team as above but with smalling instead of evra with fabio at lb

jaykay74

Utd travelling squad

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Sep/players-fly-out-to-lisbon-for-champions-league-game-vs-benfica.aspx

Rio misses trip to Lisbon

United will travel to Portugal without Rio Ferdinand for Wednesday night's opening Champions League Group C clash against Benfica in Lisbon.

The Reds are scheduled to fly from Manchester Airport at 10:00 BST, but defender Ferdinand was not part of the 19-man squad that checked in early this morning.

Ferdinand missed the Reds' recent games against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal with a hamstring injury picked up in the win at West Bromwich Albion on 14 August, but did play 90 minutes three days ago against Bolton Wanderers.

Ferdinand's regular centre-back partner Nemanja Vidic will also miss the trip (calf), as expected, along with Tom Cleverley (foot), Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Rafael (shoulder). There was also no space for strikers Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf, who both featured for the Reserves in last night's 2-1 win against Fulham.

The news wasn't all bad in the defensive ranks, though: both Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra, who picked up minor knocks in Saturday's 5-0 win at Bolton, will travel.

United: De Gea, Lindegaard; Evans, Evra, Fabio, Jones, Smalling; Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani, Park, Valencia, Young; Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen, Rooney

flahavaj

If you'd told me last season we'd be going to an intimidating away arena like Estadio de la Luz without Vidic and Rio I'd have been very worried. This season I'm not the slightest bit concerned. Will be a great experience and test for Smalling and Jones, hopefully they both play.

TheBunk1

flahavaj wrote: »

If you'd told me last season we'd be going to an intimidating away arena like Estadio de la Luz without Vidic and Rio I'd have been very worried. This season I'm not the slightest bit concerned. Will be a great experience and test for Smalling and Jones, hopefully they both play.

Very true. And I was giving out when we sold O'Shea I think they'll both play with possibly Fabio at LB. I'd love to see Fletcher start too.

I see us lining up something like this;

De Gea
Smalling Jones Evans Fabio
Valencia Carrick Fletcher Giggs
Owen Berbatov

flahavaj

TheBunk1 wrote: »

Very true. And I was giving out when we sold O'Shea I think they'll both play with possibly Fabio at LB. I'd love to see Fletcher start too.

I see us lining up something like this;

De Gea
Smalling Jones Evans Fabio
Valencia Carrick Fletcher Giggs
Owen Berbatov

I was unhappy about JOS leaving myself. I doubt even Fergie could have envisioned that Smalling and Jones would look so good at RB though in fairness.

SK1979

TheBunk1 wrote: »

I see us lining up something like this;

De Gea
Smalling Jones Evans Fabio
Valencia Carrick Fletcher Giggs
Owen Berbatov

I'd agree with that team mostly, I think he might put Rooney in for Owen though and then use Owen off the bench.

He could take Evans out as well (if he's not 100%) and play Fabio at RB and put Evra in at LB for some experience.

Actually, just thinking, Park will definitely start so that could be at Fletchers expense with Giggs moving inside.

Fletch and Owen will definitely get brought on though.

TheBunk1

flahavaj wrote: »

I was unhappy about JOS leaving myself. I doubt even Fergie could have envisioned that Smalling and Jones would look so good at RB though in fairness.

I don't think anyone did. Good complaint to have!

I hear Inter might have to play Sneijder in defense tonight due to injuries :eek: SAF must have had him lined up as a new defender but backed out with the emergence of Smalling & Jones :pac:

SK1979 wrote: »

I'd agree with that team mostly, I think he might put Rooney in for Owen though and then use Owen off the bench.

He could take Evans out as well (if he's not 100%) and play Fabio at RB and put Evra in at LB for some experience.

Actually, just thinking, Park will definitely start so that could be at Fletchers expense with Giggs moving inside.

Fletch and Owen will definitely get brought on though.

I hadn't heard about Evans not being 100%. You could be right about Fletcher though. Although he played two full games for Scotland last week so he could be ready.

NUTZZ

The match is in HD tonight on RTE 2 for anyone who has Saorview!

JP Liz V1

Another hat-trick for Wayne Rooney

Blatter

United: Lindegaard, Evra, Evans, Smalling, Fabio, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney.

Confirmed.

Bench: de Gea, Jones, Anderson, Nani, Owen, Berbatov, Chicharito.

MagicMarker

Blatter wrote: »

United: Lindegaard, Evra, Evans, Smalling, Fabio, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney.

Confirmed.

I'd be happy with that.

If that team can put in a performance even close to what we've seen already then I will be delighted.

Jax Teller

Roy Keane is in the itv studio tonight

flahavaj

United

---

Lindegaard

---

Fabio

---

Smalling---Evans

---

Evra

---

Carrick

---

---

Fletcher

---

Giggs

---

Valencia

---

Park

---

Rooney

---

Good solid experienced side.

Blatter

0-1 or 0-0 written all over this game.

mike65

Bench?

Blatter

mike65 wrote: »

Bench?

Bench: de Gea, Jones, Anderson, Nani, Owen, Berbatov, Chicharito.

Raskolnikov

Looks like Fergie is playing for a draw with that team.

MagicMarker

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Looks like Fergie is playing for a draw with that team.

Errr... sure. Half that team started the CL final, but yeah, just playing for the draw.

Blatter

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Looks like Fergie is playing for a draw with that team.

Team is more than good enough to win tbf.

Your Airbag

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Looks like Fergie is playing for a draw with that team.

Fergie never plays for a draw.

TheTownie

Blatter wrote: »

United: Lindegaard, Evra, Evans, Smalling, Fabio, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney.

Confirmed.

Bench: de Gea, Jones, Anderson, Nani, Owen, Berbatov, Chicharito.

Kind of ironic we're not playing the 'Latino' in a European match! :pac:

Raskolnikov

MagicMarker wrote: »

Errr... sure. Half that team started the CL final, but yeah, just playing for the draw.

Here was me thinking that benching 5 players who would ordinarily be in the first 11 and playing a 451 formation could be construed as going for a draw. Silly me, United to win 5-0 with Benfica getting played off the park so badly they don't come out after half-time :rolleyes:

TheTownie

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Here was me thinking that benching 5 players who would ordinarily be in the first 11 and playing a 451 formation could be construed as going for a draw. Silly me, United to win 5-0 with Benfica getting played off the park so badly they don't come out after half-time :rolleyes:

Did you not hear Fergie talking about not getting overrun in midfield by Benfica's 3?

It was a nail on certainty he would be playing with one up top.

MagicMarker

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Here was me thinking that benching 5 players who would ordinarily be in the first 11 and playing a 451 formation could be construed as going for a draw. Silly me, United to win 5-0 with Benfica getting played off the park so badly they don't come out after half-time :rolleyes:

It's called squad rotation, and UTD always play 451 in Europe.

Your Airbag

Most of the team Fergie has started the league games with will be fresh come Sunday. A lot of the experienced guys getting there first start this season. Should be fresh also if needed Sunday.

Common sense team selection by Fergie.

Lets see how composed Lindegaard is compared to DDG also.

Raskolnikov

MagicMarker wrote: »

UTD always play 451 in Europe.

I must have been imagining it then when I saw United play with Rooney and Hernandez upfront during the Champions League final last year.

MagicMarker

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I must have been imagining it then when I saw United play with Rooney and Hernandez upfront during the Champions League final last year.

Well done you.

flahavaj

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I must have been imagining it then when I saw United play with Rooney and Hernandez upfront during the Champions League final last year.

What exactly is your point?

Playing an extra man in midfield doesn't automatically mean playing for a draw, it could be seen just as uch as a 4-3-3 as a 4-5-1.

djfattony2000

Whats the story with Berba this season?

Has he upset Fergie or something?

flahavaj

djfattony2000 wrote: »

Whats the story with Berba this season?

Has he upset Fergie or something?

A combination of his rubbish form at the end of the season, the fact that he doesn't really suit the high tempo game e have employed this season and that fact that Chico and Welbeck are brilliant.

MagicMarker

Stadium looks great! I've been looking forward to this all day, hopefully I'm not disappointed!!