01 Jan 2021 10:36:05
Hope to see McTominay and Fred back in the team tonight, although they are considered defensive, we do play with a more aggressive style and quicker tempo which suit us. Would love to see Greenwood through the middle too, but think Ole will stick with Martial.

1.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 10:44:47
Villa carry more threat up front than Wolves did so we cannot afford to be as lazy at the back as we were last game. Expect Greealish to spend a lot of time lying down looking for the ref's help!

2.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 11:00:55
I’d like to see the diamond. I don’t see the point in playing a 4-3-3 when we don’t really have any natural wingers besides Rashford maybe.

Fred mctominay donny and Bruno in the diamond behind split strikers Rashford and Martial.

3.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 12:02:15
Not sure McTominay is defensive, he scored twice in the first 5 minutes against Leeds.

4.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 12:16:44
Let’s hope he can do that again tonight AJH 😁.

5.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 13:18:46
Need that positive let's go for it attitude from the offhand for the players to realise how significant 3 points will be tonight -daft to talk about a title race until we hit 25 games but for confidence it could do wonders.

6.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 14:13:38
Are we in a title race? Yes clearly as the second placed team in the league with the ability to win our game in hand to draw equal on points with the top team. You can't deny that we are in a title race.

However, what is debatable is how long we stay in that title race. Can we last the distance? How many more points will Liverpool drop between now and the end of the season and can we make sure we drop less?

On paper Liverpool have a far better team than us, on the evidence of what we saw on the pitch last season Liverpool are a far better team than us. Liverpool also have the superior manager.

Making it plainly clear that we are at best second favourites. While club's like Chelsea, Man City, Spurs and even Leicester would argue to be equally as strong as ourselves.

This will be a long hard slog of a season, injuries will play a key part, as will the number of games played in other cups and the traveling involved. Keeping players fit and available for selection during a C.V., keeping them focused on football and not distracted by the global situation.

Many difficult hurdles yet to jump. I think if given free reign most United fans would make drastic changes to the starting 11, and probably the squad. Highlighting how most fans feel about the quality of our starting 11.

All that said the only way to win the title is to beat the team in front of you. Tonight that is a much improved Villa side. A team that only stayed in the EPL on the last day of last season. Yet this season they have kicked on, Dean Smith has massively improved them.
They made some great signings in the summer Martinez in goal is arguably the most in form keeper in the league. Matty Cash has been fantastic in the back line, while Konsa and Targett have stepped up. Watkins has given them a proper CF who can score and bring others into play. While the loan signing of Barkley has added depth and quality to an already strong looking midfield of Douglas Luiz, McGinn (whose injury last season derailed Villa) and of course Grealish who has continued his form from the end of last season which single handedly dragged Villa out of relegation.

This Villa side are above Chelsea, Man City, Spurs and Arsenal on merit despite in most cases having played a game or even two less.

Personally I think against Villa we need to play a high press, we can't allow players like Grealish and McGinn time on the ball near our box. They will punish us. I'd like to see Bailly continue alongside Maguire in the centre of defence. AWB if fully fit would be a bonus, and could be important in keeping Grealish quiet. I don't think this is a game for players like James, we can't afford to invite Villa on to us to create the space James needs in behind to take advantage of. I'd be tempted to play DvdB on the RW to give us a clever hard working player who can press high and hold onto the ball in their defensive third.

Tonight will be a big test of our credentials as title challengers. While we won't win or lose the title tonight, this game will be a big indicator as to whether we have the tactical intelligence and the mentality to challenge for the title into the final weeks of the season.

7.) 01 Jan 2021
01 Jan 2021 19:46:10
Jeez Shappy. Not long enough to live 😂.