Topic: It's just a battle for the order of the first 4 spots now between 5 teams...

[Ma Vie en Rouge]

David Moyes may be many things but 'dream maker' and 'architect of miracles' are not on his CV...

Nonsense. He's making my dreams come true almost every week right now. And whilst his accomplishments at Untied are not yet miraculous, given time, they certainly will be.

[Hij]

Nonsense. He's making my dreams come true almost every week right now. And whilst his accomplishments at Untied are not yet miraculous, given time, they certainly will be.

[Gregory Vignal]

The United game is in the middle of a spell when they are playing 4 games in 9 days, should do us a favour.

I firmly believe though United will win the Champions League

[Samie]

I firmly believe though United will win the Champions League

on which planet because it certainty won't be on this?

[elpistolero7]

How good would it be to win it and then play United away first game of 14/15 ...cue guard of honour at OT

One slight caution .... what are the chances that FSG don't stump up mega money for signings, which we are going to need especially in defence, if we do get in the CL ?

I'd cream myself till it falls off.

They'll put up the dough. They've put it up so far, we've spent a fair amount under them. There clearly was 15 or so million available this winter too. I reckon they'll stump up at least 30-35 million plus player sales. We don't need mega money signings. We need smart buys. Center half, a fullback, a goalscoring midfielder, a winger. All of them should be good enough to start, though. No need to pad the squad with players who aren't good enough. Add 4 quality players to this squad, get Suso and Borini back and we'll be alright.

[The 5th Benitle]

I firmly believe though United will win the Champions League

On what possible basis?

[farawayred]

On what possible basis?

Doesn't belief imply a theological foundation? Hard to prove anything in any such debate... (Hard for me to accept that there is a PhD in theology too...)

[rocco]

The United game is in the middle of a spell when they are playing 4 games in 9 days, should do us a favour.

I firmly believe though United will win the Champions League

Utd have a 8 day rest before we play them on Sunday but champions league 3 days later at home

[Hij]

Utd have a 8 day rest before we play them on Sunday but champions league 3 days later at home

We have a 15 day rest

But yes, a draw for Olympiakos could be great for us tomorrow or Wednesday. With one eye on that game and CL winners qualification their more realistic chance now IMO, they may have a bigger eye on that game.

[rocco]

Hope not to much rest

[Hij]

Hope not to much rest

Fair comment. After that display against Swansea, it's a shame that 15 days doesn't come now, rather than after Southampton. Hopefully we can spend that time working on our back line, perhaps with some warm weather training or whatever other teams get up to in those periods without a game. Can be a positive, but understand it could ruin momentum.

I think it might come at a good time for us, consolidate what we have, and hopefully have a fresh squash for the final 10 games.

[Red_Rich]

How many times does it need to be said....FOR UNITED THERE IS NO "GOOD DRAW" IN THE QUARTERS...!

I think they would settle for this ...


Bayern v Madrid
Chelsea v Barca
PSG v Dortmund
Atletico v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Bayern v PSG
Chelsea v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

PSG v United

[Red_Rich]

On what possible basis?

The rule of spoz

[spider-neil]

The two week gap gives the likes of Sakho more recovery time.

[Po The Panda]

The United game is in the middle of a spell when they are playing 4 games in 9 days, should do us a favour.

I firmly believe though United will win the Champions League

What is this shit, They haven't even reached the final and even then they haven't got a prayer as Moyes would bottle It he's not a winner. If your so sure go put a £100 on it...

[rickardinho1]

Yeah, cause we're going to lose 4 of the next 11 and they're going on an 11 match winning streak.

I can barely see us losing 4 times, but even if we did 11 wins for United is impossible.

Listening to the Champions League theme song now as I write. Beautiful 

[the_red_pill]

The United game is in the middle of a spell when they are playing 4 games in 9 days, should do us a favour.

I firmly believe though United will win the Champions League

Can I lend a 1000 quid mate? I'll give it back, I swear! Hand on me heart!

[Alan_X]

I think they would settle for this ...


Bayern v Madrid
Chelsea v Barca
PSG v Dortmund
Atletico v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Bayern v PSG
Chelsea v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

PSG v United

Assuming United get past Olympiakos (far from certain)  and that was the draw I can't see them winning any of those ties. Atletico are level on points with Barca and 3 behind Real Madrid - far better than United. Chelsea have already drawn at OT and beaten United pretty easily at Stamford Bridge, and PSG would piss all over the current United team under Moyes.

[Solomon Grundy]

I think it might come at a good time for us, consolidate what we have, and hopefully have a fresh squash for the final 10 games.

I think that all depends if we beat Southampton or not. 15 days is a long time to stew after a defeat.

Lose to the Saints and it's possible they could only be 5 points behind us by time we play them. Albeit we will have a game in hand on them.

Saturdays game is massive!

[JG-7]

United aren't winning the Champions league. Not on this planet anyway.

They will narrowly scrape past Olympiakos, probably on away goals, before crashing out in the Quarters. 

[JG-7]

I think they would settle for this ...


Bayern v Madrid
Chelsea v Barca
PSG v Dortmund
Atletico v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Bayern v PSG
Chelsea v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

PSG v United

Atletico would absolutely destroy United..

[Hij]

I think that all depends if we beat Southampton or not. 15 days is a long time to stew after a defeat.

What about a draw?

Like the poster says above, its a lot of time to hopefully get Sakho back, and to work on a coherent defence.

If we DO LOSE to Southampton. Then the game that we watch Spurs play will be Chelsea vs Tottenham (and West Brom vs Man United)- if Tottenham lose that, we would remain 3/4/5/6 (that's the entire range I think) ahead of them, but we'd also have a game in hand. Quite a boost?

Lose to the Saints and it's possible they could only be 5 points behind us by time we play them. Albeit we will have a game in hand on them.

If you mean the Mancs, then no they can't - they miss a game when we play Southampton because of the Carling Cup Final. If we lose to Southampton and they beat West Brom (a week apart), they could be within 8.

They would have a game in hand on the rest of the league against Man City at home, yet we'd have one as well, against Sunderland.

[Red_Rich]

Atletico ... far better than United

But far less experienced over a two-legged CL tie.  OT would see them through.

Chelsea have already drawn at OT and beaten United pretty easily at Stamford Bridge

Means nothing.  We played them 4 times in 2005 without a win before beating them 1-0 in the 2nd leg.

PSG would piss all over the current United team under Moyes.

If United got to the final they would win it.  Lost the last two.  Law of averages etc

[Chakan]

I think they would settle for this ...


Bayern v Madrid
Chelsea v Barca
PSG v Dortmund
Atletico v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Bayern v PSG
Chelsea v United

- - - - - - - - - - - -

PSG v United

If and it's a big IF United scrape past Olympiakos ,  Atletico Madrid who are on par with Barcelona in points will absolutely destroy them.

[Red_Rich]

Anyway, like I've said, I think we should get 3rd with a bit of luck so no need to worry.

And as an extra back-up I've jinxed them to death by lobbing a little bit on them each week for about the last 4 months at odds of between 14 and 16-1.

At this moment I stand to win nearly 2 grand if they fluke it.

[Alan_X]

But far less experienced over a two-legged CL tie.  OT would see them through.

Huh? Moyes is far less experienced. Simeone won the Europa League with Atletico in 2012 and beat Chelsea in the Super Cup. He beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to win the Copa Del Rey. He's also won the Argentinian League with two different clubs.

Means nothing.  We played them 4 times in 2005 without a win before beating them 1-0 in the 2nd leg.

It doesn't mean 'nothing'. It means you need an exceptional tactician to outplay a team that is better than you in most areas.

If United got to the final they would win it.  Lost the last two.  Law of averages etc

No offence but 'law of averages' is a load of bollocks. If you mean 'probability' then the probability is that the best team will win most of the time and a significantly better team will probably win every time. If the 'law of averages' really meant anything then United would have beaten Barcelona in 2011... instead of getting taken apart just as comprehensively second time around.

[CraigDS]

It's like some people haven't watched United this season and are buying into the 'well they are United' bullshit which a lot of the main stream media are still liking to peddle.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

In answer to the new question in the thread title, no. Spurs are not in the race for 1st place.

[Red_Rich]

Huh? Moyes is far less experienced. Simeone won the Europa League with Atletico in 2012 and beat Chelsea in the Super Cup. He beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to win the Copa Del Rey. He's also won the Argentinian League with two different clubs.

And here was me thinking it was his actual team that won.

Far too much being made of the managers invloved.

They affect games, yes.  But its players that raise themsleves and put the effort in.  Otherwise, how do you explain Di Matteo winning it?!!!

You just know that United will be on full power in this comp because they know its all or nothing regarding getting into it again next year,

With Rooney RVP etc they always have a chance.

[Chakan]

And here was me thinking it was his actual team that won.

Far too much being made of the managers invloved.

They affect games, yes.  But its players that raise themsleves and put the effort in.  Otherwise, how do you explain Di Matteo winning it?!!!

You just know that United will be on full power in this comp because they know its all or nothing regarding getting into it again next year,

With Rooney RVP etc they always have a chance.

So how do you explain United being in 6th with pretty much the same squad as last year?

[L666KOP]

And here was me thinking it was his actual team that won.

Far too much being made of the managers invloved.

They affect games, yes.  But its players that raise themsleves and put the effort in.  Otherwise, how do you explain Di Matteo winning it?!!!

You just know that United will be on full power in this comp because they know its all or nothing regarding getting into it again next year,

With Rooney RVP etc they always have a chance.

Surely the easiest way to make sure they're in it is to beat the WBA's, Fulhams, Evertons and Cardiffs than the PSG, Barca etc ?

[CraigDS]

And here was me thinking it was his actual team that won.

Far too much being made of the managers invloved.

They affect games, yes.  But its players that raise themsleves and put the effort in.  Otherwise, how do you explain Di Matteo winning it?!!!

You just know that United will be on full power in this comp because they know its all or nothing regarding getting into it again next year,

With Rooney RVP etc they always have a chance.

Really? So you never noticed any master tactical decisions by Rafa during his time here when we were in the CL?

[Samie]

And here was me thinking it was his actual team that won.

Far too much being made of the managers invloved.

They affect games, yes.  But its players that raise themsleves and put the effort in.  Otherwise, how do you explain Di Matteo winning it?!!!

You just know that United will be on full power in this comp because they know its all or nothing regarding getting into it again next year,

With Rooney RVP etc they always have a chance.

Rich so  the big boys don't have better players than Rooney and Van Persie?.

BAyern would maul them.

[bigbear]

And here was me thinking it was his actual team that won.

Far too much being made of the managers invloved.

They affect games, yes.  But its players that raise themsleves and put the effort in.  Otherwise, how do you explain Di Matteo winning it?!!!

You just know that United will be on full power in this comp because they know its all or nothing regarding getting into it again next year,

With Rooney RVP etc they always have a chance.

Ridiculous.

Top managers impact big games. Benitez in 2004/5 was simply stunning the way he prepared an injury ravaged side to deservedly get to that Final.

Moyes has shown that he cannot do that. He does not win big games and never has.

[Pistolero]

Three words - Di Matt eo

[farawayred]

I can't believe that people are talking about United-Atletico when they haven't got past Olympiakos yet!...

[Chakan]

I can't believe that people are talking about United-Atletico when they haven't got past Olympiakos yet!...

We're responding to the post which showed a 'favorable' draw for United.

[farawayred]

We're responding to the post which showed a 'favorable' draw for United.

I know, but as you pointed out yourself (in a previous post) and others did as well, they may not be in the draw... And that topic has gained steam since then...

[Chakan]

I know, but as you pointed out yourself (in a previous post) and others did as well, they may not be in the draw... And that topic has gained steam since then...

I don't think they will get past Olympiakos honestly, but if they did, and they did play Atletico, they would lose.

[farawayred]

I don't think they will get past Olympiakos honestly, but if they did, and they did play Atletico, they would lose.

Same here.