Like I said, I’m not overly concerned with what happened in this game – but losing a long unbeaten record, and a long running record of scoring at OT does chafe a bit (last brain image – promise). Still, not going to dwell on it.

Two things to ponder:

My friend Rob remarked, as we were watching the game, “Why does Giggsy play in the most important position, if he’s “too old” for the wing?”

David (the silent Bifurcated partner) sent me a message this morning: “I’m shocked by how far Wazza has fallen. He’s content to spray balls around, not take on players & for the odd 6 yard side-footed finish. Boo”.

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 14^th 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

Iwan (@IwanLehnert):

No Carrick, Scholes or Giggs in the squad that flew out to Romania, then. Whatever Ferguson says in the press, he will have noticed what happened to that trio against Spurs and it would’ve hurt. I’d rather not pretend to know what goes on inside the boss man’s head but this is a good chance for Anderson, Fletcher and Cleverley to stake a claim for a place in a midfield that is crying out so hopelessly for some graft and energy that I feel like running on there myself. And I’m rubbish.

Simply put, Europe just isn’t scared of us anymore. United don’t overrun teams when we play in the Champions League these days and, Shalke aside, we rarely punish teams who are willing to play openly and attack us. I can’t claim to be a tactical genius, but the switch that flipped Ferguson into being more pragmatic in the knockout stages has turned United into a less potent side throughout the competition. Not that I’m suggesting that Cluj are just lambs for slaughter, but with the calibre we have up front, surely it’s worth really seeing what Cluj are made of? Also, get through that last sentence without a double take, and I’ll give you one English pound.

In sumination, if SAF really wants to improve in Europe, then choose a side that will attack, and not probe.

Prediction: Rooney remembers how to score, 3-0 stroll IF they genuinely got fearful from Fergie’s post-Spurs wrath.

Brett:

I was present at a talk on The Kluge a couple of years back, so am more than qualified to share my vast knowledge on the subject. What? It’s what? Oh … sorry, excuse me, I thought you said ‘Kluge’ – referring to the theory of the brain as a dysfunctional machine. I did wonder. There would certainly have been a few administrative difficulties in attempting to get a theory to put out a correctly licenced XI . You mean Cluj – the football team – of course!

(I had a thing planned with a brain analogy and that – but I’m too busy. Another time.)

I’ve said all the things I’ve wanted to say on the team recently, in previous posts. If I start repeating myself this early in the season, I’ll soon run out of words.

The second half of the Spurs game was enough to show me things are moving in the right direction. Most of the issues I have will not be addressed in this game. I just hope we win. Which we should. Probably a bit awkwardly.

More of Nick Powell and Fletcher please.

Prediction: 0-2

Goals: Two O.Gs