The reds face German giants Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals. The current holders are set to present David Moyes with his toughest test as Manchester United manager to date, and the Germans will go into the game brimming with confidence after securing the Bundesliga title on the weekend. Most bookies have United’s odds on at 7/1 to win the game, evoking the mammoth task ahead for the reds.
The big team news ahead of tomorrow’s much anticipated game is that Rafael Da Silva missed Monday morning’s training session. United’s other first choice full back Patrice Evra is also suspended for the first leg. Robin Van Persie is also unavailable of course due to his long term knee injury and Juan Mata is sadly cup tied. The big boost for the reds however is that defenders Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans all trained on Monday morning following missing out on the weekend. With all this taken into consideration, here is the side David Moyes may pick for tomorrow’s huge game:
Goalkeeper
United’s number one, David De Gea is a certain to start tomorrow. He has been on good form as of late although his positioning was questionable for Aston Villa’s goal on Saturday. The spaniard will have to be on top form tomorrow night and will undoubtedly be kept busy by the German side.
Defence
Alexander Buttner looks almost guaranteed to start at left back with Patrice evra being suspended. The Dutchman has looked solid throughout his recent game time but this is a different cup of tea for the full back. With Rafael a doubt after missing Monday’s training session, Chris Smalling could more than likely come back into the team in the right back position. as for the heart of the defence, Phil Jones would expect to keep his place in the side after a good run of form, and the club captain Nemanja Vidic could retain his place alongside him with his leadership skills and experience likely to be vital.
Midfield
After sitting out against Aston Villa on Saturday, Michael Carrick should be expected to come back into the centre of midfield. His midfield partner is a big decision for Moyes, and it is likely that Ryan Giggs could get the nod following his world class performance in the last round against Olympiakos. On the flanks I fully expect Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck to start. The pair’s pace on the counter attack could be crucial for United, and their workrate will also be vital as they will have an important job in helping out the full backs against the threat of Robben and Ribery. United’s wide men will be key tomorrow.
Attack
Wayne Rooney is a certain to start up top, and he needs to put in a world class display if United are going to take anything from this game. I then expect Shinji kagawa to play in behind the Englishman, with the role of dropping into the heart of United’s midfield for most of the game when Bayern are in possession. Moyes has started to give the Japanese international more game time of late, more likely than not so that he has had plenty of match practice ahead of this huge game. If one player knows how to hurt the Germans it is Kagawa.
Predicted Starting XI
De Gea;
Smalling, Jones, Vidic, Buttner;
Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Welbeck;
Kagawa;
Rooney.
Who do you think will be in Manchester United’s starting XI? Comment in the section below.
26 replies on “Manchester United vs Bayern Munich: United's starting XI?”
If Rafael is available, I’d go with him left full, Valencia rb, Vidic and Jones CB and then Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs in midfield with Rooney and Januzaj behind Welbeck (CF). Thinking behind that is the front three will provide pace that could threaten Bayern’s high line. There’s no point playing our usual system. We’re better off having a go. Or else Raf (RB), Buttner (LB) and Valencia instead of Adnan.
4 5 1
De Gea;
Smalling/rafa, Jones, Vidic, Buttner;
Fuzz Head
Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Welbeck;
Rooney.
HERNANDEZ IF YOU WANT GOALS!!!!!!!!!!
If Evans is fit I’d play him alongside vidic and jones beside carrick.need legs if were going to get about them.kagawa behind Rooney and janzuj welbeck on the wings.
De gea,right full back I prefer jones,on the left we don’t ve an option rather than use buttner,central defence shud be evans and vidic,carrick and giggs in the midfield,valencia and welbeck,in the whole shinji and rooney
I think they should play januzaj
De gea
Jones Evens Smalling. Buttner
Fellani
Valancia Giggs Carrick Kagawa
Rooney
Rafeal/smalling,jones,evans,buttner,carick,giggs,valencia,nani,kagawa and rooney. The reason 4 nani is rear, he dominated baryern during utd last metting and he was utd man of the match.
De Gea
Raf/jones Carrick Vidic Buttner
Fellaini Giggs
Janujaz Kagawa Valencia
Wazza
Either that or evans in cb with vidic, and fellaini alongside carrick, with gigs starting in place of januzaj, and sub januzaj on later… carrick in CB seems to be working ok, good calm distribution from the back
if moyes want 2 get sumting out of diz game, he has 2 play Degea defence, rafeal ferdinand jones butner, midfield, valencia januzaj kagawa nd carrick, attack, rooney!!
4 4 2
goal keeper :de gea
RB: Smalling CB: Phil Jones CB: Ferdinand LB: Buttner
DM: Carrick MF: Fellaini RF: Valencia LF: Nani
SF: Kagawa FW: Rooney
De gea raf if hes fit if not jones at rb buttner lb Evans or Jones if raf fit at cb with vidic Carrick and giggs cm young rm welbeck lm and Kagawa and Rooney up front or you could play young lm Valencia rm with Rooney behind welbeck jqnuzi is to weak defensively Valencia has been poor recently young has did ok and he good at helping in df and that’s hard to say as in not a fan of young’s for me we need to go at them arsenal and city both showed that Bayern are there for the taking if you go at them arsenal should have been up a couple of goals early on in there first match but for some poor finishing Bayern aren’t used to having teams having a go and they aren’t used to being harassed on the ball we need to get in there face stay compact at the back and hit them on the break i can see us getting a one nil win but we cant let them score welbecks pace will be key as well as Rooney and kagawas passing they need to be able to retain possession
DDG
Valencia/Rafael-Smalling-Carrick/Evans-Buttner
Jones-Cleverley
Nani-Kagawa-Januzaj
Welbeck
Have a ball playing defender
have fullbacks who can push high up and swing crosses
CMs who are mobile and have steel
Wingers with pace and trickery
a creative No.10 for playmaking, but can also employ gegenpressing and help the CMs
A striker who is tall, quick, strong and also technical.
ROFL! you’ll leave out Rooney and play Jones and Cleverley in midfield? You are surely Moyes’ clone. No one else can suggest such a team. I’d suggest watch football properly and get some idea of the game. The only thing this team can do is shock Bayern and then they will try to score so many that the tie in Munich will be a practice match for them.
Y no januzaj
De Gea
Jones Evans Vidic Büttner
Carrick Giggs
Januzaj Kagawa Welbeck
Rooney
De Gea
Rafael,Jones,vidic,Büttner
Valencia,Carrick,Giggs,Nani
Rooney,Hernandez.!
As long as it,s not Ferdinand.If Moyes really learned anything playing ManC,he would press them off the ball from the start and go for counter attack.United will all need to run their socks off getting back in defence.
Giggsy might get overun.Bayern train to run in Spaces.United really should have a go at them.
The line up which have mention the author is right i share the same thought. Januzaj,chicharito henandez and mata come
De Gea
Rafael Jones Vidic Buttner
Valencia-Carrick-Clev/fletch-Welbeck
Kagawa
Rooney
those saying Carrick in defense are just crazy- putting a guy whose played 1 and a half games there against bayern is just mad!
We need legs in the team hence why i’ve gone for Clev or Fletch, we won’t see much of the ball..need someone who will do a lot of running around chasing the ball.
when we do get the ball we need to counter so need a lot of pace- provided by Valencia and Welbeck
Giggs is good to play when we have the ball but in reality they will have close to 70% poss in the game and the old fella doesn’t have the legs to keep chasing the ball
Man utd XI :de gea,jones,vidic,smalling, valencia,carrick,buttner(flechter), rooney, giggs, nani(kagawa), welback.
3-1 for man utd
i would prefer this as man uniteds best for today
degea,
smalling, butner, vidic and ferdinand
carrick, jones and giggs
valencia, rooney and kagawa
Kagawa and Januzaj will probably get a 15min stint.
If Man U is interested in goals…play JAVIER HARNANDEZ or else,,,,,
de gea
rafael, vidic, jones, buttner
giggsy/fletcher, carrick
januzaj, kagawa/rooney, nani/kagawa
rooney/hernandez