Just to go back to this, Sassuolo v Genk had to be postponed and shockingly, the world didn't end. The other teams in their group played their final match and the other game will go ahead tomorrow. No huge drama, no UEFA pressure because they have to play the game for some dumb reason.



Agree with you both.

J St reading about that postponed match that you quite rightly bring up, it is being played today, well before the draw on Monday, if that had been done to our match then there might have been a few complaints, seeing as we have Spurs on the Sunday (in this case thank goodness for being selected for TV, rather than remaining on the Saturday).

As for our participation, and who we are to play next, well whomever it is, hopefully we continue to put out a strong team, as this is now a very important competition for us, and we should go into each match as favourites to win over two legs.

I am actually quite looking forward to Monday, and seeing who we get, even being unseeded as we are.

'Can we' win it? Sure, why not?

'Will we' win it? I've no idea, I'm not psychic.


Yes, I know. And I'm sure that we will. The line-ups selected by Mourinho in the competition thus far would indicate that he very much is taking it seriously.

In terms of the "will we win it question?" I wasn't asking you to be psychic, I was asking for your opinion, kind of like will we finish in the top four?
Person I don't think either will happen, now am I at all psychic, no, but that is just my own personal opinion, what is yours?

We're less likely to win it than win it.

Nice and cryptic, fair enough.

What's 'cryptic' about it?

Why don't you just say that you think that we won't win it, rather than coming across as hedging your bets somewhat? In my opinion we will not win the tournament, that is a bit more emphatic than your reply, a simple yes or no answer would even suffice, rather than the reply that you gave.

However if you feel like sticking with your previous reply, fair enough.

What does it bloody matter? What I say will have absolutely no bearing on the actual outcome, and will make no difference to anyone, apart from you apparently.

I'm not going to say, 'we won't win it', because we might. However, there's more chance that we won't.

That's why the bookies have us as one of the favourites, but still at odds against. If there was more chance of us winning it than not, we'd be odds on.

Fair enough, no worries, I understand what you are saying.

A lot of it depends on how seriously other teams take it as well.

Roma, for example, are second in a tight table in Serie A. With Champions League football seemingly assured for them next season, it's unlikely the Europa League will be prioritised. Spurs, likewise, showed their colours last year when the league was prioritised over the Europa League. While their CL spot isn't assured this year, I still think Pochettino favours the league as their most likely route to the top, which is probably fair for them tbh.

Conversely, a side like Athletic Bilbao or Celtic Vigo (7th and 9th in Ligue BBVA), or Schalke (8th in Bundesliga), are more dangerous. While they're not flying high in their leagues, they're still good enough to be there or thereabouts in terms of contenders, and are far more likely to take it seriously as it is their best chance of CL football next season.

I do honestly believe we are the strongest team in the competition (with Spurs and Roma alongside us) and so, if Mourinho can impress upon the players the importance of the EL as a route into the Champions League next season, then we stand a good chance of winning it. The real test will be when we come up against teams who want to win it for the same reasons as us (underperformance in the league) - who will want it more?

Specifically, at Betfair:

Man Utd 5/1
Tottenham 10/1
Roma 10/1
etc... and finally;
Kuban Krasnodar 150/1


So twice as likely to win as any other team but *someone else* is far more likely to win it than we are. Such are the vagaries of cup competitions - and I'd concur with the punters on that.

What would be really interesting, and I suppose great for the neutral would be Man United v Spurs final, especially if for example fourth place came down to either one of us going into the final match of the season.
So, whoever finishes fourth, might celebrate doing so, only to then get beat in the Europa League final, and then miss out on Champions League football after all!

But that is just me thinking outloud, not for one moment, do I think that this will be the situation.

wouldnt be great for european neutrals.

That would only happen if the CL was won by an English club who also missed out on the top 4.

Doh!

I didn't fully think that one through did?!

Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I can't help feeling a win against Spurs would be the start of a real drive for us to climb the league table. Probably be another draw though....

Yep either way we can't lose it, if we do I think our thin chances of a top four finish will be over

Where is everyone for such a big game??

Are people happy with the team put out?

Another draw or can we actually win a league game??

Suggest with citeh losing going for the win brings fourth place slightly into the horizon for you.

Top three are too far away though but a target of fourth keeps things possible.

Think it will be another draw for you though

Ever get the feeling there is a party going on elsewhere and you're the only one not invited?

Well well well, it sems that we've lost our goallie... to Spurs! From the BBC Live Reporting on the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/37679030

Spurs seemed to have a decent measure of control in the game but United have been more threatening and have been rewarded. Mkhitaryan is making a habit of scoring good goals, I hope it becomes an addiction.

Fine finish by Miki and so far so good, though 1-0 for us is almost the same as 0-0. Agree with Rednapp that Herrera is the most improved player this season.

Think thats down to being allowed to play his natural game rather than Van Gaal stifling the life out of him.