United vs Cluj
We’re inviting some of our Twitter friends, and now resident thought sharer Iwan Lenhert, to share some of their ‘Pre and Post Match’ thoughts with us from now on. You can still enjoy my nonsensical, confusing punctuation buffets below their proper good ones…
Iwan (@IwanLehnert):
To be honest, even if tonight is our second consecutive Champions League dead rubber, I’m still finding myself looking forward to it. Not a particularly bold statement, I know. Football fans tend to look forward to watching football matches with their football team playing football. In this case, it’s another chance to see players who haven’t got many minutes under their belt get another needed run-out. This means that the likes of Jones, Smalling, Buttner and maybe Fletcher all get a game and increase their fitness ahead of that lovely Christmas period. Considering that City graciously bowed out of all European competition last night, giving them a nice clear run at defending their league title baring any FA Cup aspirations, we can’t overlook the importance of having a fit squad that can be rotated. Yes, City have been poor in Europe, but you’d be a mug to write them off for the league based purely on that. Staying on top will only get more difficult if City don’t have Europe to distract them. Even if Chelsea have slipped dramatically off the pace recently, it’s hardly a great thing for United if they also bow out of the Champions League so early, either. So the key for tonight is looking at players that need fitness and resisting the temptation to throw reserve players in that won’t be of much use to the squad come May.
That night in Basle still feels savagely raw even twelve months on. Without question, it was a terrible night, and whilst the performances haven’t been quite as commanding in response to last year’s shambolic European campaign, at least the results have improved. I don’t think we’re striking fear into anyone’s heart with our defence the way it is, but at the very least, we’re scoring lots of nice goals and winning more often than not. It’s very much a case of taking the rough with the smooth for United at the moment, but let’s just take stock of our current position; three points clear at the top of the league with the derby on Sunday and already through to the Champions League knockout stages having been knocked out of the last 16 of that Godless backup competition by a team currently ranked 14th in La Liga. I’ll leave it at that, shall I?
Prediction: 2-1 Probably concede first, Rooney to orchestrate a response. Cluj are fighting for qualification against Galatasaray, and they’ll produce a performance or my middle name isn’t John (and it is).
Hopes: Buttner gives a solid performance, Smalling and Jones remember how good they are
Brett:
I’m sticking with what I said last game – we’re through, so I’m just going to enjoy that situation without getting too caught up in what result may come. No terrible brain “jokes” you’ll be pleased to hear – but may aswell re-use the picture.
Prediction: 2-1
Goals: O.g, Danny
