Man Utd Thread:

[beer baron]

I've not noticed a lot of praise for Rooney on the current run to be honest?

Not a huge admirer of his ever since he tried to force a transfer but he's by far Uniteds best attacking option at present and the most likely of the 3 to be still in situ next year.

On strikers there's rumbling on Twitter today of United seeking permission from Burnley to speak to Danny Ings? Worth a punt?

Worth a punt if he's a reasonable price and is being purchased in view to being a squad player or future 1st teamer, not worth a punt if he's overpriced and our main target

[Boycey]

I've not noticed a lot of praise for Rooney on the current run to be honest?

Not a huge admirer of his ever since he tried to force a transfer but he's by far Uniteds best attacking option at present and the most likely of the 3 to be still in situ next year.

On strikers there's rumbling on Twitter today of United seeking permission from Burnley to speak to Danny Ings? Worth a punt?

Worth a punt if he's a reasonable price and is being purchased in view to being a squad player or future 1st teamer, not worth a punt if he's overpriced and our main target

He's out of contract in the Summer but cause of his age, 22 I think, Burnley will be due compensation. Probably will only want 50-60k a week, only  . I seen him linked with other clubs including Liverpool too.   

The thought appears to be that Burnley will try and broker a deal with some club pre-summer rather than go to a trbunal where they mightn't do as well..

[ballinaman]

I've not noticed a lot of praise for Rooney on the current run to be honest?

Not a huge admirer of his ever since he tried to force a transfer but he's by far Uniteds best attacking option at present and the most likely of the 3 to be still in situ next year.

On strikers there's rumbling on Twitter today of United seeking permission from Burnley to speak to Danny Ings? Worth a punt?

Worth a punt if he's a reasonable price and is being purchased in view to being a squad player or future 1st teamer, not worth a punt if he's overpriced and our main target

He's out of contract in the Summer but cause of his age, 22 I think, Burnley will be due compensation. Probably will only want 50-60k a week, only  . I seen him linked with other clubs including Liverpool too.   

The thought appears to be that Burnley will try and broker a deal with some club pre-summer rather than go to a trbunal where they mightn't do as well..

When is the "home grown player" quota due to kick in....might be part of United thinking too.

[heganboy]

Those definitions are both from the FIFA guidelines on the laws of the game and were repeated by the FA a few years back after the Jonny Evans og when Ba was behind him. Distracting an opponent when in an offside position does not render you offside. The distraction must prevent the opponent playing the ball or being able to play the ball.

Interesting David! Always a good man to go to for the letter of the law!

so the youngster was saying that when the ball is being crossed by Mata, Hart moves towards Rooney and then belatedly back over towards Fallaini. He says that makes him offside but your definition would seem that he was wrong (I'll enjoy this)
Am I right then in saying, that for the ref to give offside Rooney would actually have to actively prevent Hart being able to play the ball, and that the for want of a better word  any "distraction" caused by Rooney would not even come close to meeting that criterion?

[GJL]

[magpie seanie]

Chelsea's next two games are home to United and away to Arsenal. Is it possible they lose both? I think it is possible. That would leave things a little more interesting. Arsenal currently 25/1 and United 33/1. I know it's highly unlikely but is it THAT unlikely?

[mb80b60]

Chelsea's next two games are home to United and away to Arsenal. Is it possible they lose both? I think it is possible. That would leave things a little more interesting. Arsenal currently 25/1 and United 33/1. I know it's highly unlikely but is it THAT unlikely?

Can't see Jose losing both games to be honest.  He should pick up at least a point.  I guess if United were to win at Stamford Bridge it would be interesting to see how Chelsea react to the pressure.

However, I think Mourinho will get a draw in a forgettable game this Saturday.

[Boycey]

Chelsea's next two games are home to United and away to Arsenal. Is it possible they lose both? I think it is possible. That would leave things a little more interesting. Arsenal currently 25/1 and United 33/1. I know it's highly unlikely but is it THAT unlikely?

Can't see Jose losing both games to be honest.  He should pick up at least a point.  I guess if United were to win at Stamford Bridge it would be interesting to see how Chelsea react to the pressure.

However, I think Mourinho will get a draw in a forgettable game this Saturday.

Lets face it Chelsea don't need to win this weekend and United wouldn't exactly turn down a draw either.

José's modus operandi is to set himself up in a game like not to lose and he'll know he has enough quality in the middle of the park and forward line even without Costa to nick a goal and win 1-0. A dull draw is a possibility, a lot will depend on whether United decide to have a good go at it or not..

[mb80b60]

Chelsea's next two games are home to United and away to Arsenal. Is it possible they lose both? I think it is possible. That would leave things a little more interesting. Arsenal currently 25/1 and United 33/1. I know it's highly unlikely but is it THAT unlikely?

Can't see Jose losing both games to be honest.  He should pick up at least a point.  I guess if United were to win at Stamford Bridge it would be interesting to see how Chelsea react to the pressure.

However, I think Mourinho will get a draw in a forgettable game this Saturday.

Lets face it Chelsea don't need to win this weekend and United wouldn't exactly turn down a draw either.

José's modus operandi is to set himself up in a game like not to lose and he'll know he has enough quality in the middle of the park and forward line even without Costa to nick a goal and win 1-0. A dull draw is a possibility, a lot will depend on whether United decide to have a good go at it or not..

I think United will have a go at it - they don't really have anything to lose.  Regardless of this result top 4 should still be assured. 

A defeat for Chelsea could really put the jitters on them so I think Mourinho will disrupt the game as much as possible.  Hope I'm wrong, but I can't see it being a great game.

[nrico2006]

Chelsea aren't a great side and have not been overly impressive this past while.  I would still put my money on them winning the league but two defeats against United and Arsenal is not out of the question.  Chelsea finished last season pretty poorly too.

[Boycey]

Chelsea's next two games are home to United and away to Arsenal. Is it possible they lose both? I think it is possible. That would leave things a little more interesting. Arsenal currently 25/1 and United 33/1. I know it's highly unlikely but is it THAT unlikely?

Can't see Jose losing both games to be honest.  He should pick up at least a point.  I guess if United were to win at Stamford Bridge it would be interesting to see how Chelsea react to the pressure.

However, I think Mourinho will get a draw in a forgettable game this Saturday.

Lets face it Chelsea don't need to win this weekend and United wouldn't exactly turn down a draw either.

José's modus operandi is to set himself up in a game like not to lose and he'll know he has enough quality in the middle of the park and forward line even without Costa to nick a goal and win 1-0. A dull draw is a possibility, a lot will depend on whether United decide to have a good go at it or not..

I think United will have a go at it - they don't really have anything to lose.  Regardless of this result top 4 should still be assured. 

A defeat for Chelsea could really put the jitters on them so I think Mourinho will disrupt the game as much as possible.  Hope I'm wrong, but I can't see it being a great game.

Uniteds grip on fourth (or better) is roughly the same as Chelsea's on 1st? Two defeats for United would give them the jitters not forgetting its Everton away next week

[Boycey]

Carrick, Rojo, Jones and Blind all out of tomorrows game, with Evans still suspended we're down to the bare bones at the back again. Shaw presumably in for Blind with McNair partnering Smalling in the centre.

[magpie seanie]

That's disappointing. Hope he moves Herrera into Carrick's slot and starts Di Maria rather than moving Rooney out and starting Falcao or RVP.

[GJL]

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is facing a major injury crisis ahead of tomorrow's trip to Chelsea.

Van Gaal is without four key men for the visit to Stamford Bridge, with United looking for a seventh straight win in the Premier League.

Michael Carrick and Marcos Rojo have  both been ruled out, while Daley Blind and Phil Jones are also struggling to make it.

Jonny Evans remains suspended to leave Van Gaal short on defensive cover, with skipper Wayne Rooney likely to drop back into midfield with Carrick out.

Carrick has a calf injury, Rojo an aductor muscle problem, while Blind and Jones both have ankle issues, the former suffering his in a reckless challenge by Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany in United's 4-2 derby win last Sunday.

Van Gaal said: "We have four players injured from the last match, so that is not so good.

"I hope that we can recover two of them (Blind and Jones) but Carrick and Rojo are out.

"That's the worst scenario, because Rojo and Jones can both play on the left side of central defence. Evans is also suspended, so I have a puzzle for tomorrow.

"Blind and Carrick can play the holding midfield position, so I don't have any option there.

"So maybe I will have to play Rooney there. Other players can profit from the situation now."

[Boycey]

That's disappointing. Hope he moves Herrera into Carrick's slot and starts Di Maria rather than moving Rooney out and starting Falcao or RVP.

Van Gaal doesn't trust Herrera in that position which is why he's left him out so much this season, he doesn't think he disciplined enough defensively.