United had the money to buy a centre half for 30 mil. They then spent another £12m on a full and and £10m-ish on Vidic. That has nothing to do with with the fact that they are supposed to cope with Ibrahimovic & Adriano with a 5 foot 6 full back playing in the centre of defence!!

If City were to lose 3 midfielders to injury menaing that SWP and Martin Petrov end up playing in the middle, along with Robinho, they're going to struggle. It doesn't matter how much that midfield costs.



The one player is a pretty vital one mate. It's putting Evra in at centre half. Surely you're not saying because he cos £Xm he should ge able to play anywhere? That's like saying because Robinho cost £30 odd million he should be able to play at right back.



I dream of the day United produce players like Willo Flood, Dickson Etuhu, Lee Croft and Ched Evans. Unfortunatley, not all clubs can develop an amazing youth set up to match City.



That's where you went wrong mate. Full back is a position that makes you look better than what you are. Who in their right mind wants to play left back as a kid? The sh*t players, that's who, the ones who aren't good enough to play in midfield or up front. If you you can pass a bit and tackle at left back you're a superstar!

Factoid;

Mourinhos record against SAF - P12 W6 D5 L1

manchester united should be able to cope without vidic and evans tommorow night because its the away leg its not really as damaging to concede a goal cause we can always score at old trafford we have the attack to be able to get an away goal.

because its the away leg its a little bit easier for us to put evra at centre back without worrying too much.

Agreed with you starting 11 - Dossena's selection on Sunday was presumably on the basis he isn't playing against Madrid unless everyone gets the Craig Bellamys* on paella.

Real's 6 goal 'beat down' plays into Benitez's hands in my view. They'd be looking for goals anyway but they'll be practically assuming they'll get them after the weekend. Benitez will line them up nice and tight, frustrate and let the crowd become impatient. It's a cliche but that first goal will be huge.

This fixture was fascinating when it was drawn, even more so now following the way the 2 teams seasons have gone since it was. Liverpool have lost the initiate in the title race over here and Real are trying desperately to wrestle some momentum from Barca and are starting to do it. Plus, it's on Sky so no David 'I love crawling on Kerbs' Pleat to get in the way on the commentary. Splendid.

*shits

As long as it's not on Setanta, I think I'll cope

I've cancelled mine, bad enough coping with some of the mongs on here.

I remember Liverpool being in a similar situation last year, where you'd been in bad form and just lost an FA cup tie against Barnsley, you then went on to win your champions league game against Inter.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 905905.stm mr mourinho has started the mind games here i think i think he is trying to goad manchester united to go there and set up on the attacking side so inter can take advantage of the defensive reshuffle. anyone else think there may be some mind games involved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 905905.stm mr mourinho has started the mind games here i think i think he is trying to goad manchester united to go there and set up on the attacking side so inter can take advantage of the defensive reshuffle. anyone else think there may be some mind games involved.

Are you ready Mr Alex?

The Special One awaits you.

My team fantastic, I forsee a repeat of my touchline dash in 2004.

Great stuff.