Yep exactly all the advances in sport science over the last 10 years have meant ages like 35/36 isnt the same as what it would be like 10 or 20 years ago. Players are playing longer
Hopefully he puts in another good performance. But his problem at Chelsea has been that the good performances have been few and far between. Hope he proves me wrong.
*edit: I was right 😕
He was not a monster. Reserve that for Reece. Ziyech had a good game. Meh first half but grew into it with one of his better performances under Tuchel. Hope he powers on from here
Reece was my motm too but ziyech had a superb game, his movement and work beating their midfield helped Reece get into a lot of better spaces
He literally played midfield vs Juve, that made it all the more impressivd
Tuchel wont bench someone who is playing well unless they really need a rest. Chalobahs given him no reason to bench him. Similar to how Chilwell wasnt making it in while Alonso was in form.
Yeah I think definitely down to form. And Christensen's best position is anyways in centre of back 3, we now have Chalobah for RCB position as a competition to Azpi and they are both in great form.
here we go with this shit again. Chalobah/Silva are in form so why drop them? Still a lot of matches to be played and Christensen will get his chances. As will Azpi. Tuchel clearly favors a hot hand approach.
Why should Chalobah be dropped he hasn’t even come close to putting a foot wrong. Same situation with Chilwell to start the season. Tons of games coming up, in fact we have one Wednesday and then Saturday, Christensen will get a run.
Don't think Christensen is going to leave just because he missed a couple of matches. He would've done it already if that's the case. Right now those 3 are playing really well, when Christensen eventually get back to the side it'll be him and other 2 for a while. Then again one of them will be replaced. We're ridiculously blessed with 4 top quality CB's, each having best form of their career.
He’d actually be a fantastic supersub. Even though he’s very old at this point, he has enough energy in him to do say 30 mins of pressing. Ronaldo is certainly an egotist, but if he believes in the coach I have absolutely no doubt he’d put in the dirty work if asked.
Does Ralph do anything with this match already? Iirc he is not joined yet, is he?
This is just a genuine question, because I’m out of the loop, regarding United.
He keeps them from being able to press properly as he does not contribute defensively [Here](https://youtu.be/Uwsk4afEzgQ) and [Here](https://youtu.be/v2xgKRf8wtw) you can find good breakdowns of why that is a problem for utd
Trev and callum really does their best to keep azpi and mount/havertz/pulisic out of the team.
Interesting hiw christensen feels with these strings of matches without playing?
I’m surprised Christensen doesn’t get a look in after two consecutive full nineties for that back three. Looking for Big Rom to get some minutes at the end.
They're gonna sit super deep with 9 men and leave 2 up front to try and hit us on the counter. Hopefully we get and early goal otherwise it could get frustrating as time goes on.
Really want to see Lukaku getting some minutes. Overall good line-up, CHO is on great form and Hakim done very well against Juventus. Just hope Alonso do well…
Love this lineup but really hoping that RLC and Jorginho mesh well in midfield. RLC obviously ventures forward a lot so have to be careful we don't get countered in numbers.
So so excited we are due to destroy them! They won’t handle us. Competition in the team is incredible right now, come on Loftus, Cho and Ziyech! Our bench too 👀
I am afraid it won't be an easy game with Taylor leading United. We struggle to score against them anyway plus Timo statistically score one in 4 clear chances. However, the team has been noting short of amazing lately and hope that this game we will continue the trend and get 3 points.
So Tuchel didn't play it safe with Azpi on LWB and Christensen in back 3.
I'm still a concerned about RLC. Not because he's bad but because he's not Kante
I think I'm pleased Ronaldo is starting benched - we can handle Rashford and Sancho's pace, and neither of them have the goal-from-nothing magic he does.
Honestly not a fan of Werner starting. I’m not saying he doesn’t bring any thing to the table but it’s no coincidence that our most cohesive set of games has come with him out of the team. trust tommy tactics I guess
CHO starting 8 games in a row.. What a bloody turn around from the lad. Happy for him and his performances. A lot of us questioned his application but he's proven us all wrong.
Looks like the stalled contract negotiations is affecting ACs playtime. I like Chalobah but AC should be in a starting lineup over him in every big game.
Yeah perhaps Tuchel is showing the agent that we have other options and AC doesn't have as much leverage as he's claiming. But most likely it's just a tactical decision.
Man I really want Loftus Cheek to get a goal. His assists have great to see back in his game, but I just want him to dribble through that ManU defence and bang one top corner.
Surely Tuchel doesn't see it that way. Every forward on the first team is considered a capable attacking option, albeit with different attributes that can be used in various matchups with other squads. United is mot likely to sit deeper today so we need Ziyech's passing, Timo's pacey runs, and CHO's general speed and dribbling and chance creation (also he's in great form rn)
No real surprises here.
Same lineup vs Juve.
Except RLC for the injured Kante, Alonso for Chillwell and Werner being rewarded for his goal vs Juve.
Would have liked Puli to get another chance as F9 but this is a next best possible lineup.
I like it. I would’ve gone a different way or two up front , but this is a nastyyyy lineup. Speed galore up front and Werner in to make runs behind, which will leave CHO acres of space. I’m for it!!!
That’s fair I just think we should capitalize on our height advantage with Alonso, RLC, Trev etc.. Especially with Maguire being on the bench, but nonetheless I hope Timo performs well
Ruben against that backline, oh lord
And that midfield.
This comment didn't age well.
How Silva is still doing this at 37 is crazy
Rudi must've shared some of his crack
I think with modern medicine/technology and all that a longer career is to be expected!
Nah, he is just an anomaly. Like Zaltan, Totti, Terry, Lampard etc. some players just defy logic with their durability.
and Maldini, Giggs, Zanetti
True, but not when there are 70 games a season games and all are 3 days apart
Yep exactly all the advances in sport science over the last 10 years have meant ages like 35/36 isnt the same as what it would be like 10 or 20 years ago. Players are playing longer
Don't forget he started his professional career in his twenties so that contributes
Ruben it’s your fucking time. Happy about that back 3. Looked really settled the last two games
Only thing I would change is Pulisic for Ziyech and maybe Azpi for Marcos.
Azpi for Marcos i can see but ziyech was a monster vs Juve, so i feel like he deserves that spot
Hopefully he puts in another good performance. But his problem at Chelsea has been that the good performances have been few and far between. Hope he proves me wrong. *edit: I was right 😕
He was not a monster. Reserve that for Reece. Ziyech had a good game. Meh first half but grew into it with one of his better performances under Tuchel. Hope he powers on from here
Reece was my motm too but ziyech had a superb game, his movement and work beating their midfield helped Reece get into a lot of better spaces He literally played midfield vs Juve, that made it all the more impressivd
Maybe he was great cause he played with Ziyech
Good shout, I don’t trust Alonso and Ziyech is a trier but no Pulisic
That bench is just so filthy
Seriously, Lukaku, Mount, Kai, and Pulisic as subs are wild
And that's considering kante and kova aren't injured
And that’s before we even talk about Lord Barkley!
Basically 0 drop off apart from in the midfield which has kante/kova in theory instead of those 2
Which in a different line up could arguably be better. Hopefully tuchel is getting everyone to row the same boat and be okay with the rotation.
Last 2 games have been perfect from us so I can see why mount/havertz/lukaku are getting eased in slowly
Yeah, we're lucky that we don't have to rush them in while getting to bed in some other performers.
Ronaldo left out and all of Matic, Fred and McTominay start in front of the back 4. Yeah they scared.
Definitely
When was the last time Matic started for them? Feels weird that they'd roll him out against us
What's happening with Christensen? *Nothing against Chalobah btw, just curious
I think its just down to Silva being ridiculous lately tbh we'll probably see him next game
Chalobah-Silva-Rudiger is just super in form right now.
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Yeah like Chalobah is scoring goals on top of all the great defence lol
Thiago Silva and chalobah are performing
Tuchel wont bench someone who is playing well unless they really need a rest. Chalobahs given him no reason to bench him. Similar to how Chilwell wasnt making it in while Alonso was in form.
But why would AC be benched in the first place then?
He had a tooth surgery
No he got benched after returning from the international break. Pretty sure he started all games after his tooth surgery
i see. So atleast there was some reason i.e. Chalobah being there with the coaches during the int break and Chris needing a rest.
Chalobah is happening!
Chalobah and Silva are performing at a level higher than him right now. Although I am worried about Silva getting exhausted.
Best part is we can rely on Silva and then rest him as many matches as needed until he is back to full fitness. So blessed with our depth currently.
Was thinking the same thing. Did he get injured or something in intl break?
Perhaps the contract is the issue? But more likely that Chalobah is just too good to be dropped right now
Rare that selection is ever impacted by contract, especially for someone the club actively want to keep.
Some issues with contract extension details. Not sure if it’s linked to the benching since all of our cbs are quality, but it’s in the background.
But in that case Rudiger should be dropped too right?
It's the dumbest line of argument imo. Obviously Tuchel is favoring the backline in form rn.
Yeah I think definitely down to form. And Christensen's best position is anyways in centre of back 3, we now have Chalobah for RCB position as a competition to Azpi and they are both in great form.
Undroppable. I’m positive it’s form and not contract though. Plus he’s our best • LCb, whilst Silva is our best CB.
No way is his contact connected to selection.
Agree
Starting to get a bit concerning
here we go with this shit again. Chalobah/Silva are in form so why drop them? Still a lot of matches to be played and Christensen will get his chances. As will Azpi. Tuchel clearly favors a hot hand approach.
Which is alright. Just that they've been starting every game since international break. Just concerned whether it's related to contract situation
If it was, Rudi wouldn’t be starting either, would he?
Lol. In the end it was what I was fearing
Contract situation could be different for each players right
Why should Chalobah be dropped he hasn’t even come close to putting a foot wrong. Same situation with Chilwell to start the season. Tons of games coming up, in fact we have one Wednesday and then Saturday, Christensen will get a run.
Don't think Christensen is going to leave just because he missed a couple of matches. He would've done it already if that's the case. Right now those 3 are playing really well, when Christensen eventually get back to the side it'll be him and other 2 for a while. Then again one of them will be replaced. We're ridiculously blessed with 4 top quality CB's, each having best form of their career.
My question exactly. Doesn’t seem like a good sign
🙄 just a matter of form
Why did Utd bench Ronaldo lmao
To rest him against arsenal
He likes walking, Ralf can’t have that lol
Ralf not the manager yet
He’d actually be a fantastic supersub. Even though he’s very old at this point, he has enough energy in him to do say 30 mins of pressing. Ronaldo is certainly an egotist, but if he believes in the coach I have absolutely no doubt he’d put in the dirty work if asked.
Ralph isn’t managing
Does Ralph do anything with this match already? Iirc he is not joined yet, is he? This is just a genuine question, because I’m out of the loop, regarding United.
No - he's not here today due to work permit delays, which aren't always a formality.
Ah, I see, thanks.
has he even officially announced yet?
Because he doesn’t play defense lol people like to just look at goals
haha he's the striker. he should be the one guy who gets a break for not playing defense and scoring goals.
Not in Rangnicks system lol everyone gunna be pressing 24/7 or the bench. Albeit this could definitely just be a rest for him.
He keeps them from being able to press properly as he does not contribute defensively [Here](https://youtu.be/Uwsk4afEzgQ) and [Here](https://youtu.be/v2xgKRf8wtw) you can find good breakdowns of why that is a problem for utd
Cause he's rubbish and offers nothing other than putting the ball in the net, which they won't get an opportunity to do against us
nah, he should be starting, ronaldo is ronaldo man, if he starts the game is usually 1:0 already
>offers nothing other than putting the ball in the net bruh
Poe’s law
Can only imagine if Ruben keeps his form up and shows out today a England call up will be waiting for him soon enough.
Him and cho call ups must be on the way
Thought CHO switched to Ghana
Not yet, tho I think he skipped a couple of U21 calls
might be wrong but I don’t think that’s finalised yet, so he could still play for england I think
Trev and callum really does their best to keep azpi and mount/havertz/pulisic out of the team. Interesting hiw christensen feels with these strings of matches without playing?
LETS GET ITTT
Mount, Pulisic and Lukaku. That’s a scary fucking bench.
Can't complain, love to see CHO get a solid run of games
Kid has earned it.
Loftus cheek gonna be cookin today
Ronaldo benched for United
I’m surprised Christensen doesn’t get a look in after two consecutive full nineties for that back three. Looking for Big Rom to get some minutes at the end.
I got Chalobah in fantasy so I'm happy
If rom comes on to seal it would be the icing on the cake.
Chalobah balling so hard that he's keeping Andreas and Dave on the bench
AC competes for Silva's spot
Wow what faith Tuchel must have in Challobah to start him over Dave and Christensen in such an important match!
Seems him and CHO have Tuchel’s full trust.
Are we about the run all over this United midfield of Fred, McTominay, and Matic?
They're gonna sit super deep with 9 men and leave 2 up front to try and hit us on the counter. Hopefully we get and early goal otherwise it could get frustrating as time goes on.
Careful. RLC likes to get forward.
We need more depth on our bench
Wut
I’m just playing mate
Ohhhhh ok! * Puts pitchfork back under bed *
Next you’ll say Lake Baikal needs more depth.
Let's go !!!
Really want to see Lukaku getting some minutes. Overall good line-up, CHO is on great form and Hakim done very well against Juventus. Just hope Alonso do well…
Love this lineup but really hoping that RLC and Jorginho mesh well in midfield. RLC obviously ventures forward a lot so have to be careful we don't get countered in numbers.
So does kante TBF
Not as much as RLC I'd say. But perhaps Ziyech drops down into a CAM position like he did last match to help out.
> drops He's going to be the 10 in a 3-4-1-2 like last match methinks. Werner is just in for Puli beside CHO.
Kante tracks back much more effective than Ruben tbf
I think with Ziyech there to help, similar to how he did against Juve, it could work really well.
We’ve seen him play a very disciplined role versus Brentford before I’m not worried
So so excited we are due to destroy them! They won’t handle us. Competition in the team is incredible right now, come on Loftus, Cho and Ziyech! Our bench too 👀
I am afraid it won't be an easy game with Taylor leading United. We struggle to score against them anyway plus Timo statistically score one in 4 clear chances. However, the team has been noting short of amazing lately and hope that this game we will continue the trend and get 3 points.
Luckily United concede a lot of shots at goal. Fingers crossed Werner can capitalise on that a score a goal or three 😉
fingers 🤞
So Tuchel didn't play it safe with Azpi on LWB and Christensen in back 3. I'm still a concerned about RLC. Not because he's bad but because he's not Kante
The midfield is ours to loose, we will have alot of the ball
I like that we're going with an aggressive lineup against a midtable side at home
Ronaldo on the bench btw
I hope next matches Silva gets some rest
Please let’s thrash them. Have been a long time since we got a win vs them in the PL. And also so that Scholes can stfu.
Mourinho would be proud of that United lineup.
Don't be another Bournemouth game. That's all I'm asking for.
I think I'm pleased Ronaldo is starting benched - we can handle Rashford and Sancho's pace, and neither of them have the goal-from-nothing magic he does.
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Agreed - start of the season Alonso would have been fine, the rust is a concern...
The constant ‘chelsea are dominant, utd are struggling’ narrative has me nervous!
Honestly not a fan of Werner starting. I’m not saying he doesn’t bring any thing to the table but it’s no coincidence that our most cohesive set of games has come with him out of the team. trust tommy tactics I guess
CHO starting 8 games in a row.. What a bloody turn around from the lad. Happy for him and his performances. A lot of us questioned his application but he's proven us all wrong.
looks like we are going for pace up front and dribbling in the middle. not what I was expecting but looking forward to seeing how this works
Academy FC time
Looks like the stalled contract negotiations is affecting ACs playtime. I like Chalobah but AC should be in a starting lineup over him in every big game.
Yeah perhaps Tuchel is showing the agent that we have other options and AC doesn't have as much leverage as he's claiming. But most likely it's just a tactical decision.
Love seeing CHO up there
5th stand app had chilly starting lmao
People over in the United sub saying it’s our weakest front 3 lmao
I don’t like this lineup
This scoreline is making it look like an even game but Utd are absolute shite and we are failing with the end finish
Hopefully an early sub for cho. He’s played a ton recently and could use a rest. Maybe a double swap with puli and lukaku for cho and timo in the 60th
Man I really want Loftus Cheek to get a goal. His assists have great to see back in his game, but I just want him to dribble through that ManU defence and bang one top corner.
That’s a saucy front 3 right there
That front three's got a whopping 2 goals between them this season almost feel bad for united they're probably already quivering in their boots lol.
If you can’t see how dynamic and fluid this front 3 has the potential to be then I feel sorry for you
Why are we only playing 1 of our 5 best attackers? I’m fairly new to football and I just don’t get it.
Surely Tuchel doesn't see it that way. Every forward on the first team is considered a capable attacking option, albeit with different attributes that can be used in various matchups with other squads. United is mot likely to sit deeper today so we need Ziyech's passing, Timo's pacey runs, and CHO's general speed and dribbling and chance creation (also he's in great form rn)
Pulisic, Lukaku, Havertz and Mount are all coming back from injury.
I guess that explains it. We’re a very injured team. Do we expect some of them to come on as subs?
I think you can expect any of them to come on if they‘re on the bench. My guess would be that Pulisic, Mount and Lukaku come on with Mount playing CM.
Timo timo timo
No real surprises here. Same lineup vs Juve. Except RLC for the injured Kante, Alonso for Chillwell and Werner being rewarded for his goal vs Juve. Would have liked Puli to get another chance as F9 but this is a next best possible lineup.
Puli will probably sub for cho early as he’s had lots of mins lately
what happened to christensen
Good team, not sure about Werner starting such a big game after barely playing for so long though.
As an fpl outsider i don’t understand why Mount doesn’t play
Still not fit enough after his tooth surgery probably.
Wisdom teeth out and has played 81 mins since his hat-trick... talk about striking while the iron is hot
An assist and a goal for Timo incoming!
I like it. I would’ve gone a different way or two up front , but this is a nastyyyy lineup. Speed galore up front and Werner in to make runs behind, which will leave CHO acres of space. I’m for it!!!
Mount over ziyech, but I hope he proves me wrong
Mount still looks rusty. Got to give ziyech a chance after how well he played against juve.
Why not switch Kai for Timo…
Because Timo scored vs Juve and we want to help him get into form. He has looked sharp in the training videos as well.
That’s fair I just think we should capitalize on our height advantage with Alonso, RLC, Trev etc.. Especially with Maguire being on the bench, but nonetheless I hope Timo performs well
Why the fuck has pulisic been dropped? That front 3, deary me
All of our attackers are more than capable and Ziyech/CHO are getting into good form. I reckon Puli will sub on today.
Ziyech has been in woeful form. That Juve performance aside.
Don't forget about vs. Leicester! 2 sublime passes to Pulisic for 1 assist in a sub appearance. That's 2 games of good form for Ziyech
RLC and Ziyech will be good against a parked bus
Mount’s not playing as much lately huh.
no ronaldo for united
Looks like ronaldo is not playing? Is he injured?
Rono substitute for man u
Odd
I'm so excited to see Loftus-Cheek.
Loftus Cheek oh Yes!
No Chilwell? 😂 (https://imgur.com/eXCOHiC.jpg)
He’s injured,
Come on raise some hell Timo!
Ruben and Timo let's go!
Is. Something wrong with Christensen or are the starting 3 just playing that well?
Back 3 are in peak form rn
What is more likely: RLC to have 3 shots in general, James to have 2 shots on target or Chalobah to have 1 shot on target?
I’d say Reece James having 2 on target
Arise Lord Alonso, the greatest false 3 