As we’ve already seen today, Paulinho is ruled out of the New Year’s Day game at Old Trafford and that leaves a big question mark in the centre of midfield. Tim Sherwood would have been tempted to go with the same XI that started the game against Stoke but he will now be forced into one change at the very least.

Does Tim go for a direct replacement in the centre or does Christian Eriksen come back in from the left with either Holtby or Sigurdsson covering on that side?

Roberto Soldado’s penalty in the Stoke game indicates the same personnel up front, unless Sherwood wants to dispense with 4-4-2 for such a tough away fixture.

This preview has been written a little early for any official confirmation regarding our missing first choice full backs so we’re going with this starting line up but what’s your view?

SHARE

31 COMMENTS

  1. looks bit lightweight to me, Capoue must play, plus Walker will definately come back (he was suspended not injured) and hopefully Rose too.

  4. Leave Walker in when he’s suspended, but take Walker out now the he’s back? Or does your note on fullbacks suggest that he too may be injured?

  6. Lloris 4-4-2

    Walker Chiriches Dawson Rose

    Lennon Dembele Bentaleb Eriksen

    Adebayour Soldado
    Please leave your starting xi , and opinions on this one.

  9. Dembele needs a defensive player next to him, would pick bentelab over capoue!! Eriksen not playing to good do lets have lamela, dembelee, bentelab and lennon in midfield. Give fredericks a chance as great pace on the left to supply ade and sol combo.

    • r u drunk?? fredericks left wing?? u lost ur mind

      lloris

      walker dawson chriches rose

      lennon demebele bentelab capoue erkisen

      adebayor

        • Also eriksen playin bad??? Aswsome free kick keeps the ball well, 1st season, just back from
          Bein injured… I could go on. He will be one if the best players in the prem in a few seasons IMO

  10. Keep Eriksen on the left side of midfield to solidify the middle of the pitch and ensure continuity and replace Paulinho with either Capoue or Bentaleb. Hopefully, both our first team fullbacks will be available. Bring it on, COYS!

  12. lol attack! 2-4-4 but* defend 4-4-2 first pls lloris – walker dawson chiriches rose – lamela capoue bentaleb lennon – soldado dembele ole’! subs on holtby sigurdsson eriksen & cashin replace old boys adebayor/defoe upgrades goals 4 glory 3pts happy days top four lol…

  13. The performance and (basic) concepts installed into a system will ALWAYS take president over the formation itself. Deploying one man upfront CAN be just as offensive as deploying two, depending on the instructions given to the team prior to kick-off…

    With that being said. My team would be…

    Lloris

    Walker Dawson Chiriches Rose

    Dembele Capoue

    Lennon Eriksen Sigurdsson

    Adebayor

    This would be a side where 5 players (without taking into consideration the full-backs, who would naturally be given license) would be available to push forward whilst in possession.

    The inclusion of Capoue would see Dembele ( who lets face it, on the form he is currently showing will count for 2 utd players) able to play his NATURAL game. The only REAL question I had before selecting this team/system would be whether to include Holtby or Sigurdsson, with BOTH men showing a capability, not only to put a shift in, but, to score a goal, as well.

    Sigurdsson would get the nod for me, PURELY on the basis of his ability to be (more) effective from set-plays, whilst also helping add some variety from corners/fk’s should Walker and Eriksen not deliver (excuse the pun).

    I would drop Soldado who hasn’t been in the best of form, mainly for tactical reasons, leaving Ade to fill the void (which he has shown he is MORE than capable of doing for this club in the past)

    Control the midfield, control the game, would be my message to a side that carries more than enough in that starting 11 to be able to do just that.

    As long as the manager DEMANDS quick passes, decisive movements off the ball *whilst in possession* and a unified pressing game, I see no reason why the team I have selected wouldn’t be able, NOT only to win the match but, to dominate the game for the vast majority of the encounter, too.

    We can always bring on a FRESH Soldado if we NEED to!

  15. You’ve gotta be kidding with that line up, we’d get another drubbing in Manchester. Like many others here my team would be :
    Lloris
    Walker, Dawson, Chiriches, Rose
    Lennon, Dembele, Capoue
    Holtby or Sigudrsson
    Adebayor, Soldado

    Which is 4-3-1-2, with either Sigurdsson or Holtby falling just in behind Adebayor & Soldado (it’s a partnership that seems to be working).

  19. What anyone see’s in Holtby, siggy is beyond me. Our youth team players are better. Please no more teams with these players included. Happy new year. COYS

  20. If say go 442 i honesty didn’t think it would work but I think I was wrong!!

    ……………lloris…………..
    ..walker…daws…vert….rose..

    ..Lennon….capoue..dembele..eriksen

    ……soldado……….ade……..

  21. Walker and Rose in if available. Bentaleb in for Paulinho. Otherwise the same team. If we look shaky early on bring on Capoue to shore things up. Lennon normally takes Evra apart so give him lots of the ball. Eriksen must tuck in when we don’t have the ball so we don’t get outnumbered in the centre.

LEAVE A REPLY

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.