Well O'Shea and Evans have travelled, but are still doubtful to play. Rafael has not travelled, so that's another one down.

Quote ="Enfield Exile"How much did that defence cost? Anyways, will Ronaldo be banned for three games, just like SWP was, for kicking out at the opposition? This is the sixth time that a United player has lashed out this season (4x Ronaldo and 2x Rooney) but no punishment has been handed out. Do United fans not even see this bias?'" United's defence cost tens of millions of pounds. Good footballers often cost a fair bit. Don't know if Ronaldo will be banned or not, I guess we'll see. He has been sent off, and suspended, for something similar in the past. I think he was lucky not to get sent off. He is very petulant in lots of things he does - diving - kicking out - saying stupid things in the press. He has a lot to learn. Mind you, his value as a footballer was demonstrated with his goal. Awesome strike. Nemanja Vidic has been sent off for violent conduct this season and subsequently suspended. On that occasion, it was good to see Fergie admitting that it was the correct decision: Quote "Vida is disappointed but he gave the referee no option," said Ferguson. "He didn't swing an elbow but he gave the referee no chance. He was correct to produce the red card. '" www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 08013.html I'm not sure it's actual bias e.g. he's a United player so let's not punish him but it is apparent bias e.g. Shaun Hype Phillips getting 3 matches compared with Ronaldo, if, as I suspect, he doesn't.

Quote ="Enfield Exile"How much did that defence cost? Anyways, will Ronaldo be banned for three games, just like SWP was, for kicking out at the opposition? This is the sixth time that a United player has lashed out this season (4x Ronaldo and 2x Rooney) but no punishment has been handed out. Do United fans not even see this bias?'" United's defence cost tens of millions of pounds. Good footballers often cost a fair bit. Don't know if Ronaldo will be banned or not, I guess we'll see. He has been sent off, and suspended, for something similar in the past. I think he was lucky not to get sent off. He is very petulant in lots of things he does - diving - kicking out - saying stupid things in the press. He has a lot to learn. Mind you, his value as a footballer was demonstrated with his goal. Awesome strike. Nemanja Vidic has been sent off for violent conduct this season and subsequently suspended. On that occasion, it was good to see Fergie admitting that it was the correct decision: Quote "Vida is disappointed but he gave the referee no option," said Ferguson. "He didn't swing an elbow but he gave the referee no chance. He was correct to produce the red card. '" www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 08013.html I'm not sure it's actual bias e.g. he's a United player so let's not punish him but it is apparent bias e.g. Shaun Hype Phillips getting 3 matches compared with Ronaldo, if, as I suspect, he doesn't.

Not sure how much we paid for the brothers, but I'd guess around £40million in total, with £28ish on Ferdinand.



Probably not. Not that I'm condoning it or anything, but it wasn't half as bad as SWP's lash out.



Do you really expect the FA to show any consistency at all when making these types of decision?

Just stating that it was all in the one incident, he kicked Ronaldo after the ball had gone and Ronaldo responded.

Either way Ronaldo should have been booked, however whether he would have dived later on or whether the ref would have given him a yellow for it is another matter.

Good to read some reasonable responses re SWP/Ronaldo incidents.

I still think both should be treated the same - yellow card maximum. The issue I have is that SWP was provoked. He was kicked, with a fair degree of force on two occasions with a couple of seconds. SWP's 'lashing out', although it was closer to a tickling motion, was justfied IMO and should not be worthy of any ban. Especially when you take into account his exemplary record.

It's not as if Ronaldo is scythed down any more than SWP. For example, United received 5 yellow cards for fouls against SWP in the Derby.


RE United's defence: I don't think many with have sympathy for United with the injuries to Evans and Ferdinand and the suspension of Vidic when they have £40m of talent available. You think that's bad we Sun Ji Hai, Elano, Ball and Garrido playing in one game. With two of them being unfit.

So if Liverpool win to go 4 points behind with 9 games left you are suggesting the title will have been decided?

I don't care how much that back 4 Nemanja quoted was, there were 3 fullbacks and a centre half in it! Rafael, Fabio and Evra could've cost £100m each, but never, in the memory of man could any of them play at centre back.

FWIW I think the twins were free, Evra about £12m and Rio £28m - so about £40m. However, Fergie could put Keith and EE in, in place of the twins and it would still cost the same!

Sorry, got a tight purse string, can't make it.

Is that a sexual reference Keith?

How are your lot going to get on tomorrow night then? Tailor made for a Benitez tactical masterclass. People can say what they like about the chubby goateed mentalcase (

) but he is the maestro when it comes to these big European games.

Why did Fergie rest Vidic on sat and play Evans when he knew Vidic wasn't playing this week?

I suspect it was to give Evans and Ferdinand another 90 minutes together. Clearly it backfired but it was the right call at the time.

Mate, it does matter how much it cost. After all, why spend £30m on a CH, when you could get a very good FB and CH for a combined fee of £30m. Also, most teams would love to have Ferdinand and Evra joining their defence, even if it meant pairing them up with two full-backs.

The changes mean that only one player will be playing out position. It would be interesting to see how many teams played in the Prem this weekend with 11 players in their best position. I would guess that this could not be said for the vast majority.

Maybe United could promote someone from their Academy. Hopefully they have managed to develop someone who's second touch is not a tackle (such as Wellbeck and Campbell)






I was never asked to play full-back. That's the position of the clogger.

No was suggesting Liverpool lose to go 10 points behind and if that happens then yes am suggesting the title will have been decided.

Don't think you'd find many Utd fans saying it'd be over. If you want to throw the towel in though thats up to you.

Only if you want it to be.

Tomorrow, who knows!

Obviously he'll go out there with Torres up front and if fit, Gerrard behind him. I think we'll play another 4 in midfield, hopefully Alonso, Mascherano, Riera and Kuyt. Arbeloa and Aurelio at full back and Skrtel and Carra in the middle. If Gerrard's not fit to start, I would imagine he'd possible go Babel/Benayoun out on the right and Kuyt with Torres.

Madrid will have to come out and look for goals which could suit us, which may throw up a surprise in the above team/formation. He could go Babel instead of Riera to use his pace on the counter but I've a feeling he may save that for later in the game depending on what happens in the first 60.

A win would be excellent, a score draw great and a draw OK. Losing by only one would be salvageable but I wouldn't want to come away with needing 2 to draw level at home, that could be too much to ask considering our form of late. One thing has been steady, even in our poor form of late, we are very hard to beat, so you have to be optimistic.

As you say, in Europe things seem to come together better for us, but I'll suppose we'll just have to wait and see. I don't do score predictions and I'm not going to start now. It could be anything.

Before I log-out, I would just like to say best of luck to Hull tonight. I hope Spurs have at least two players sent-off this evening, and hopefully everything you try comes off.

If Spurs lose this game, I fancy them to get relegated.

Come on 'Ull.

I would say 85% 90% have already.

United had the money to buy a centre half for 30 mil. They then spent another £12m on a full and and £10m-ish on Vidic. That has nothing to do with with the fact that they are supposed to cope with Ibrahimovic & Adriano with a 5 foot 6 full back playing in the centre of defence!!

If City were to lose 3 midfielders to injury menaing that SWP and Martin Petrov end up playing in the middle, along with Robinho, they're going to struggle. It doesn't matter how much that midfield costs.



The one player is a pretty vital one mate. It's putting Evra in at centre half. Surely you're not saying because he cos £Xm he should ge able to play anywhere? That's like saying because Robinho cost £30 odd million he should be able to play at right back.



I dream of the day United produce players like Willo Flood, Dickson Etuhu, Lee Croft and Ched Evans. Unfortunatley, not all clubs can develop an amazing youth set up to match City.





That's where you went wrong mate. Full back is a position that makes you look better than what you are. Who in their right mind wants to play left back as a kid? The sh*t players, that's who, the ones who aren't good enough to play in midfield or up front. If you you can pass a bit and tackle at left back you're a superstar!

Factoid;

Mourinhos record against SAF - P12 W6 D5 L1

manchester united should be able to cope without vidic and evans tommorow night because its the away leg its not really as damaging to concede a goal cause we can always score at old trafford we have the attack to be able to get an away goal.

because its the away leg its a little bit easier for us to put evra at centre back without worrying too much.

Agreed with you starting 11 - Dossena's selection on Sunday was presumably on the basis he isn't playing against Madrid unless everyone gets the Craig Bellamys* on paella.

Real's 6 goal 'beat down' plays into Benitez's hands in my view. They'd be looking for goals anyway but they'll be practically assuming they'll get them after the weekend. Benitez will line them up nice and tight, frustrate and let the crowd become impatient. It's a cliche but that first goal will be huge.

This fixture was fascinating when it was drawn, even more so now following the way the 2 teams seasons have gone since it was. Liverpool have lost the initiate in the title race over here and Real are trying desperately to wrestle some momentum from Barca and are starting to do it. Plus, it's on Sky so no David 'I love crawling on Kerbs' Pleat to get in the way on the commentary. Splendid.

*s

As long as it's not on Setanta, I think I'll cope

I've cancelled mine, bad enough coping with some of the mongs on here.

I remember Liverpool being in a similar situation last year, where you'd been in bad form and just lost an FA cup tie against Barnsley, you then went on to win your champions league game against Inter.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 905905.stm mr mourinho has started the mind games here i think i think he is trying to goad manchester united to go there and set up on the attacking side so inter can take advantage of the defensive reshuffle. anyone else think there may be some mind games involved.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 905905.stm mr mourinho has started the mind games here i think i think he is trying to goad manchester united to go there and set up on the attacking side so inter can take advantage of the defensive reshuffle. anyone else think there may be some mind games involved.