Europa League 2022/23: Second Round - Man Utd vs Barcelona ~ Thu 23rd 8pm KO

jsp

Well-Known Member
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 15, 2012
Messages
28,182
2-2 after the first leg we go again at Old Trafford.

Barcelona will be without Dembele, Gavi and Pedri but may have Busquets back from injury. That's 3 maybe 4 of their starting XI missing which will be music to ETH's ears.

Barca I assume will still try to press high up the pitch and leave all that space in behind which is great for us.

For Utd Sabitzer and Martinez return from their bans in the first leg and injury wise it looks like Anthony and Martial will still be missing. Haven't seen anything about Maguire who missed the game at the weekend and how serious that injury was.

There's a cup final Sunday but I don't think we can really focus on that until this one is out of the way, so it's strongest XI from the start and hopefully get through.

DDG

AWB Varane Martinez Shaw

Casemiro Sabitzer

Bruno Weghorst Sancho

Rashford
 
I’m expecting Barca to take a much more cautious approach to this and be looking more at smash and grab tactics.
I have a feeling Weghorst will be benched for this and Garnacho will play left.
If we are struggling to break them down in the last 30-20 mins on comes Weghorst in and a advanced position to provide ariel threat alongside Rashford
 
I dunno Barca are what they are they don't adapt their tactics to others. I haven't seen much of them this season but whenever I have they've played a ridiculously high line which teams have exploited, the keeper seems to bail them out a lot when I watch them.

I can see it being very similar to the first leg both teams just trading blows and seeing who can score the most.
 
Na, Barca will be shitting themselves, will want to win this, and wont be playing to our strengths. If they play the high line you suggest we will walk this.
 
Is Sabitzer a number 10?

He looks to me like someone we want to get on the ball deeper.

Maguire and Anthony may make the squad both trained with the full squad today but Martial isn’t ready yet.
 
Do Barca have a plan B? I'd expect them to come out and play like they did in the first leg. From their perspective, had they taken a few of their early chances, it'd have been a very different outcome. We should be doing them at OT, but our record against Spanish sides in general, and Barca in particular suggests expectations should be tempered.

A Scholes shinner into the top corner, anyone?
 
Despite their tender years, Gavi and Pedri have been brilliant for them so are huge losses. Dembele being out is also good for us - he’s inconsistent as hell but if he had one of his better nights he could have hurt us.

This game really could go either way because Barca still have some wonderful players but I’m feeling pretty confident. They could not deal with Rashford in the first leg so I’m expecting another Rashy masterclass.
 
Raphina was the one who seemed to give us the biggest headache in the first game, to me he's the danger man for them.

If you can limit the supply to Lewendowski I don't think he really hurts you but if he gets a sniff at goal he's lethal.

Be interesting to see how De Jong does he wasn't really a big factor in the first leg, will he have a bit more influence in the second.

Hopefully Old Trafford will be bouncing tonight as I think the team might need that extra lift that can give.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
Huge chance for Bruno right at the start
 
Another stupidly soft penalty goes against us at home to a Spanish side.

That player has totally bought that penalty.
 
Another stupidly soft penalty goes against us at home to a Spanish side.

That player has totally bought that penalty.
I guess Bruno gave the chance for the ref to make a decision. That wouldn’t have been given in the EPL for me.

Overall we have been very poor and so sloppy. ETH has to make changes at half time, even if it’s just tactical. Bruno needed to take that early chance.

Barcelona have been very comfortable indeed, we have to get amongst them.
 
Well, Barca getting by with a little help from their friends. I'm shocked. Across the two legs, the refereeing has been the deciding factor. Cue the diving and time wasting and barrel rolling down the side of the pitch at the slightest contact.
 
Think ETH needs to change it at half time, he has got a good habit of doing this.

Weghorst is a waste of time in this game get Rashford up top and Anthony out on the wing.
 
Think ETH needs to change it at half time, he has got a good habit of doing this.

Weghorst is a waste of time in this game get Rashford up top and Anthony out on the wing.
Yeah Rashford needs to through the middle because Barca do play a pretty high line. It is a waste having Weghorst up there.
 
Yup the right call. Hopefully Antony can get up to speed nice and early after being out for a few weeks.
 
The Great Dane said it was a pen, and stupidity by bruno

Scholes said similar but I think the way the refs are told to let things go now I don’t think they should be giving that.

Yes he has his arm but he hasn’t pulled him and the player has thrown himself to the floor.

Silly by Bruno don’t give refs decisions to make in big games.
 
I’ve got tickets. Can’t wait, buzzing for it.
I got called out by work during the first half so had to leave the game. Managed to sort issue at work and turned the TV to see Antony score. Absolutely gutted to miss the game. Delighted with win.
 
First half we were pants, too scared.

Second half was much better and the subs were great.

Lovely finish from Anthony.

Long live ETH!
 
I got called out by work during the first half so had to leave the game. Managed to sort issue at work and turned the TV to see Antony score. Absolutely gutted to miss the game. Delighted with win.
Sounded like the stadium was bouncing and about to take off! Shame you couldn’t see through to the end.
 
Brilliant second half once again ETH sorted it out and changed the games.

Honestly never felt the win was in doubt after that Fred goal, Barca never came back into it second half.
 
The front three of Rashford, Garnacho and Antony is a nightmare for any defence. We have seen from the last few games that Weghorst should not start many games.

A great team performance in the second half. The connection is back between the fans and players, OT was rocking.
 
Sancho was poor. Hopefully just a blip.

Thought AWB did well and, as ever, Dave kept us in it.

I am really worried about Sancho I think he lacks the aggression required to be a top player, Martial was the same they are great at the fancy stuff but they don’t do the ugly stuff.

Anthony scraps for every ball, Garnacho is the same they go in where it hurts and I just don’t see Sancho doing that. He is to timid and unless he sorts that out he will never reach the very top.
 
I got called out by work during the first half so had to leave the game. Managed to sort issue at work and turned the TV to see Antony score. Absolutely gutted to miss the game. Delighted with win.
Don't answer the phone..

Great result, bit worried about Rashford, needs a rest. But it sounded awesome
 

Login or Register

Forgot your password?
or Log in using
Don't have an account? Register now
Back
Top