Lingard's not a bad player, just a bit 'meh'. Doubtless he'll have a decent career somewhere, just not convinced it'll be with us.

We have got a new advert out!

Rooney doing as usual his best acting, which is to say, his worst acting!

https://youtu.be/QTqgnUAnSxw

As a casual observer, I'd agree - Mata (3rd highest PL goal scorer and 2nd in assists) offers a whole lot more even when shoved out wide in comparison to Lingard. I'd move Mata to always play as the middle of an attacking three behind a solitary striker and replace Lingard with someone equally as fast but more creative. Rooney messes that up if you want to play Rashford as well unless Rooney plays in central midfield. I guess yoi could cash in on 28-year-old Mata but that's yet more creativity that you'd need to find. I don't believe United are set up for their traditional 4-4-2 with the current players - more 4-2-3-1.

We play a 4-3-3, these days. It seems to be the best set up, if Rooney's going to play in midfield.

The downside to that, is that there isn't a 'natural' position for Mata, hence him playing wide.

Playing Mata AND Rooney in the midfield 3 leaves us awfully vulnerable.

Surprised Mata is only 28....maybe just because he looks older... Lovely guy though!

There really is only a place out wide for Mata in the team, as Carrick/Schneiderlin/Fellini take up the more central roles, while Rooney now takes up the place where perhaps Mata could play.

If Memphis got himself sorted out, then maybe Mata might only be on the bench, but at the moment, that has not happened.

Rashford and Martial are automatic picks as our two best strikers, so then it is just a case of finding the best midfield to get the best out of them.

Memphis has been dropped from Final squad and Borthwick-Jackson also out for Rojo

That is disappointing to read, both could have contributed to the match.

Rojo in the team fills me with fear.

Don't understand what LVG sees in him.

We played a decent game on Tuesday. Would it kill him to keep the same team consecutively?

Leaving Memphis out seems like an odd one. Admittedly, he's been pretty awful recently, but what attacking options does that leave us on the bench? Januzaj and Pereira?

Pereira has not at all been used well by LvG, hopefully whomever the new manager is next season (if there is to be a new one), uses his talents more often.

The bench will be interesting for the final, as without Memphis, we will be a tad light on attacking options, even if he has been poor so far.

Neither of them have travelled meaning our options from the bench will be Young, Herrera and one of Mata/Lingard/Fellaini.

Pereira has been critical of Van Gaal in the press, apparently he wanted to go out on loan in January but got told to stay as he'd get time to play. Guessing he's banking on Van Gaal going...

Young I think will definitely get some game time, although he won't start, as this game has come to soon for that I would have thought.

Such a shame the way Pereira has been treated.

Another pogba me thinks

I like lingard but pereira should be given alot more minutes and prove he is the real deal.

In terms of the loan thing, I partly agree. The way it's gone with injuries this season, I wouldn't really blame Van Gaal for wanting to keep bodies around, but it's tough on the boy.

In terms of him not playing for us, I don't really agree. I know it's easy to say, but I wouldn't want him in the team unless he was regularly proving himself in training, which you can only assume he hasn't really done.

It's not like Van Gaal is afraid to stick younger players in the side.

Rojo has been awful, so much for this promotion of youth bollocks. CBJ more deserving of a place imo.

Rojo and jones in while B jackson and depay miss out? Is LVG taking the piss out of united fans!

He has shone brightly whenever he has been called upon by the Under 21's, so he clearly is far too good for that level, and needs games at a higher lever if he is not to stagnate, kind of like Januzaj has done.

I would have loved to have seen him in the team say for the Bournemouth, as it would have been a chance for him to get rid of some of the rust from not playing often.

Anyone remember when Jones last played for the first team?

I know he had a game for the under 21s a while back where he wasn't too great apparently.

Another award for De Gea, as he's been voted in the UEFA Europa League team of the season :-

https://twitter.com/ManUtdReport_/st...811266049?s=09

He has played a few games for the Under 21's, helping them to their league title, but I cannot remember his last first team appearance either sadly.

Precisely why I suggested 4-2-3-1. Rooney (reluctantly) as one of the two alongside a defensive midfielder and Mata in the middle of the three flanked by Martial and Lingard (or ideally an upgrade of him). Rashford up front as you need pace up there because Rooney slowed things down to much and opponents just filed back and snuffed attacks out easily earlier in the season. Personally I think accommodating Rooney now causes more issues than it solves.

Will be just the same for England unfortunately. Captain and all that jazz.

Yeah, hopefully it will be the last United game for both of them though.

Not arsed about Memphis, Borthwick-Jackson should be there though, in fact I'd be starting him ahead of the Argentinian bomb scare.