Very true. And for me Rooney is core of the rot now for Man Utd and England.

I'd put Smalling in there aswell

So you wouldn't have played Rooney in the Chelsea match and that would have changed the result?

Oh but wait...

Bailly out for 2 months

Is there anyone who is actually looking forward to tomorrow's game?

What does everyone think to the news that mourinho is not liking life in Manchester?

Apparently he is still staying in a hotel in Manchester and his family in London.

Anyway... just seen a list of the squad for tonight...it looks strong enough to get a good result tonight......if city do put out their kids then we have no reason to not get a result

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.t...roid-orange-gb

Just read the link.....it must be hard not having the family and knowing you are stuck in the hotel room.

Even if he was with his work colleagues it's not like they are his family.

My initial reaction was that this will make it even harder for him to do well here, being away from his family in London. But then I remembered this time last season... having his family with him didn't help him much then! So we'll have to wait and see.

Yep. I was nervous before the Ski game but not this. We're at home and City are just as ripe for the taking as we are right now. Even if we get a right royal thrashing, it's probably the least important of the trophies we're chasing this season. Plus, I'm looking forward to seeing Martial/Rashford playing in Zlatan's role in their natural positions and there's even a hint that Miki will play.


Yeah it must be hard and it's the first time he's done it without family. And surprisingly, it sounds like the goldfish bowl of managing United and living in an accessible part of Manchester is more of a spotlight than he's ever been used to. But it is change that he knew was coming and he is being well paid to adjust to it. The sooner he moves to a suitable apartment or private estate the better.

Yep. Gated community of houses or luxury apartment block with permanently manned lobby, and handy for trains/planes/motorway for visits. Plus a damned good set of disguises and a few decoy cars.

Tonight literally anything could happen, I just hope that we don't get hammered as that would eat away at coinfidence and make Burnley more difficult.

I am sure others will agree with your comments but maybe we had it too good for too long after 26 years in the wilderness.

It is unfortunate that the apparently talented players with reputations seem unable to display it when it matters.

De Gea, Valencia, Rojo, Blind, Shaw, Herrera, Carrick, Mata, Pogba, Rashford, Ibrahimovic

subs: Romero, Darmian, Fellaini, Schneiderlin, Lingard, Memphis, Young

No Mkhitaryan again not looking good.

Well it was nice being in the cup this long, Rojo is starting, so I guess that might mean we might get beat tonight.

Something must be up there with him to be getting almost the same treatment as Schweinsteiger.

I wonder when or if we will see him again.

He was in the original 20 man squad but didn't make the final 18!

At least he got that close to the team, hopefully one day soon, he will actually make it into the final 18.

So has Smalling been dropped or is it down to an injury?

Smalling's injured/rested. Nearly didn't make it at the weekend, apparently.

That's actually good news, because it explains why he was so bad.

Talking of bad, just how disjointed are we tonight?

We are offerring nothing down the right
Zlatan's passing is off
Is Pogba playing?
There is a big Carrick-sized hole in midfield when we have to defend.
Shaw is getting skinned.

If Iheanacho didn't have a head like a cabbage, we'd be one down.

But I have the solution! Hook Zlatan, play Rash through the middle, Young in his place (he's the best defensive option) If that doesn't work, hook Carrick, drop Mata back in his place and bring on another speed merchant. Come on jose, you know it makes sense....

Have to agree with you on this, Zlatan for 6'5" has the great tactic of not jumping for headers and he's losing every one. I've become increasingly unhappy with his play over the last few weeks. I know people have complained about Rooney, but no one can say he's not tried to find some form when he's been played and he doesn't not put a shift in. Zlatan just doesn't seem to do this, and I'm a bit shocked nothing has been said before hand.

I want to say something else, but I fear I may jinx it. However, someone unexpected is doing OK again..

Compared to rooney, Zlatan's superior touch and distribution are what have stopped me criticising him. But he was poor in that half.

When you say someone unexpected, I can only guess you mean Herrera? He's been our MVP by miles today (and for the last couple of games) and even though he didn't touch the ball, should be credited with an assist for Mata's goal.

City going to put on the big guns now though, so we could do with getting another pronto....

Ahhhh Zlatan... that could have been that.


I've just realised, you mean Rojo don't you? I can see why you didn't want to jinx it

Yes, he and Blind did well in the middle tonight, nothing that could be complained about, defended well. Certainly didn't want to jinx it, had I said anything and we conceded you know he'd have been the one to make a mistake.

Credit to Zlatan for a better second half, still not performing at the levels he's set himself or proclaimed he can still play at.

Well, it was an ugly win, but it was just what we needed.

Credit to Zlatan and Pogba. Both were shocking in the first half - and not that much better in the second but niether let their heads drop and kept pushing for the team. Credit to Carrick too, I was surprised he lasted the pace and even the unexpected Rojo did well.

Also, there was a five or six pass move that ended with pogba's shot saved which was miles better than anything I remember seeing under Moyes or LVG and would have been an early contender for goal of the season if it had gone in.