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Daily Manchester United - 137 - Man City Preview
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Cormac and Sam share their thoughts about the expectations for United, in this upcoming derby clash vs Man City.
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Transcript
Preview of the Manchester Derby
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to another episode of the daily Manchester United podcast. My name's Cormac and today's episode will be looking towards the Manchester Derby this weekend. I'm also joined by Sam today. Sam, how are you doing?
00:00:21
Sam Brady
Yeah, good, good. um Not bad. um Yeah, just obviously a bit midweek football this week and then we've got another another hard game on the weekend which we'll get on to. So, don't know if um i don't know if looking forward to is quite the right phrase. But um yeah, yeah, i'm not being too bad, mate.
Manchester United's Recent Performance Struggles
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not so bad. um Before we get into, you know, the city talk and looking towards that match, just some quick thoughts on our loss of Faris the other day.
00:00:47
Sam Brady
Yeah, I mean, i wasn't expecting much, to be honest. Obviously, Forrest are flying this year and it was at the City Grand as well. um So i always thought it was going to be a tough game for us see to even get a point out of it.
00:00:59
Sam Brady
And it was one of them where it was weird where... I saw us in in periods throughout the game where I've been seeing us the past couple of weeks, to be honest, get better and start of and understand Almere and system and the way he wants us to play. And I think on the ball, we looked okay.
00:01:19
Sam Brady
But it's just going forward, we just don't create anything. And I think even defensively, obviously, apart from that goal, um we were pretty solid as well. But I think going forward, we're we're just shocking, to be honest. And it's been the story of our season, and I think. I mean...
00:01:36
Sam Brady
as I said, we pop it about quite nicely and and and we keep possession well, but we just have no options going forward. I mean, I looked before this podcast and because ah the commentators said during ah during the game that Garnaccio had one goal in 24 games and I looked at his numbers and and he has four four goals in 29 games this season. And then you've got Hoyland who has three and 25 and you've got Zurch who has three and 30.
00:02:04
Sam Brady
And I mean, for for any club, never mind you United, that's shocking. So, I mean, when you have those options going forward, um I mean, it's just honestly, it's just hopeless really. And, and,
00:02:16
Sam Brady
Yeah, as I said there with Garnaccio, highlighted him because I think for me, it was one of the worst games I've seen him perform this season. I mean, every time he had the ball, that he looked like he just wanted to shoot and he was so predictable.
00:02:30
Sam Brady
But to be honest, all three of them up front, Hoyland and Xerchi as well, they just the you don't seem to be creating anything. And it's just, it is shocking really, to be honest.
00:02:41
Sam Brady
But as I said, Forest, that they're a well set-up side, well well defensively drilled into them. And then obviously on the counter, they can catch you out. And and and they did that in their longest goal. So, yeah, not great, to be honest, mate.
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I think that's good reason why Matt Sell leading the Golden Glove right now. You know, they're so hard to break down. And actually thought, you know, United responded well after that quick goal. And I thought, like, if you look at the stats, I think they had nearly three times the shots of Forrest in their dominated possession.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And yeah, as you said, like, I think you can start to see, like, developing under Amarim's system, they're starting to understand.
00:03:16
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just, you know, as you said, that final third, it's just lacking right now. And yeah, Garnacho, I mean, that performance was just, every time he got the ball, just shots, and like they're just brutal shots, really.
00:03:27
Sam Brady
yeah
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
A few did get blocked, to be fair, but like I think he had like seven shots or something. For a player, what we've seen he can do over the years, it's just an absolute
Issues with Manchester City's Current Form
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
joke. But overall, I thought, for us in third, obviously, you know a solid side, you can see why they're up there this season, but overall, I thought,
00:03:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wasn't ah actually a bad performance for me neither. I thought there's some promising signs and it looked a bit like how they were playing and before the break, but just wasn't a bare day. and yeah It's kind of a bit sad when we have to resort to throwing Harry Maguire as centre-back up top for the last few minutes.
00:03:59
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We'll put that match aside and look towards the City one now. um City have been interesting this season. you know Obviously, they've been so dominant for the last few years under Pep, but you know this season hasn't seem to be there at all with them. What what do you think is going on with them this season?
00:04:18
Sam Brady
Yeah, I just think maybe it's ah they've just run out of steam a little bit. and I think it's a combination of a lot of things where expectations so high now with City, where when they do drop off a little bit and have a season like that, they're having people sort of ah very surprised and taken aback by that because of obviously their their dominance in the past three or four years.
00:04:40
Sam Brady
I think some teams have have sort of figured that figured them out. I think City have also... defensively they've looked very frail this season as well. I think going forward, look, we know they can score goals. They have a lot of attacking options. um But I think defensively they've been caught on the break a lot by teams. Even we saw that um in the reverse fixture at the Etihad where they were 1-0 up against us with about five minutes to go. And we basically caught them on the counter or twice and and ended up winning that game. And that that's ah that's happened a lot with with City this year.
00:05:16
Sam Brady
I think, obviously, players aren't performing to what what we've come to expect of them. Obviously, Haaland's not bagging the goals that that he's been bagging. They have been so plagued with injuries as well.
00:05:31
Sam Brady
So, yeah, I just think it's one of those seasons where now... they Now they are sort going through ah another rebuild where I think under Pep they've sort of gone through waves where they've they've gone through two or three seasons of winning a lot. then Then maybe they've had a season where they've had to bring new players in and and maybe they've they've they've challenged for the league or they've not won the league and and then brought new players in as sort of a fresh restart. I think we saw that when obviously Aguero left. They brought Haaland in and David Silva and a lot of those players. and shipped down Mahrez and a lot of players have been brought in and and now left and I think you saw that um in January where they they brought in Kuzanov, they brought in Gonzalez so I think that they're trying now to sort of, well they tried in January to try and figure out what what was going on with City this year and I think for for City it's sort of
00:06:29
Sam Brady
um Obviously, they're still left in the FA Cup in the semi-finals, so that can be sort of like the silver lining of their season. Whereas you look at the the league and and and and ah Chelsea have just won, so they've pushed Man City out of the top four.
00:06:44
Sam Brady
and So maybe City can sort sort of still challenge for that fourth spot. But yeah, I think it's just a season where, yeah, they haven't been at their best. But I mean, player for player, they're still one of the best teams in England, of course.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you never really know, you know, a team, as you said, they have the quality, um you know, all the players. it's It's a weird one. You don't really know what's gone wrong, but I think, you know, one thing I was reading at start the year was, I forget who was saying it, but like kind of the age of the city players, like De Bruyne, Midfield, Kovacic, and then they bring in Gundogan in the summer, and you kind of, people are saying like a bit burned out, and then obviously, know, losing Rodri has affected them so much, you know, of all the best players of the world last year.
00:07:19
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:07:24
Sam Brady
yeah
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, obviously, you know, as you said, they had that recruitment in the summer, kind of seemed to patch things up a little bit. um If only we had that money in the summer, it would be nice.
00:07:36
Sam Brady
yeah
00:07:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, no, it's just a strange one. It's just weird to see City fall off after, it's not a huge fall off, obviously, but, you know, after so many years of domination, kind of slipping down a bit, and then even they're kind of having troubles with ourselves now. You've seen they had the protests with the tickets.
00:07:53
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as you said, the Edead was looking very much like the empty Edead, all right. ah um But no, you never know what City team you're going to get. and um It should be a tough match, definitely, this weekend.
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll go for a quick ad break. and When we come back, we'll look more at the an United game.
Derby Expectations and Tactical Analysis
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Sam, what are your expectations overall going into this derby?
00:09:12
Sam Brady
Yeah, I mean, it's a weird one because, i mean, it's funny because in these games, we've we've seen recently where we actually normally turn up. Obviously, this season, we've had some pretty big results against some big sides.
00:09:26
Sam Brady
As we mentioned in the reverse picture, beating City, draw at Anfield. won at Arsenal in the FA Cup, drew Arsenal a couple of weeks ago. But then you look at the performance ah against Forest and it just doesn't fill you with any confidence, to be honest.
00:09:42
Sam Brady
um going into it, I think yeah it is really hard. If we perform anything like we did against Forest, again, I just don't see us getting anything out of it, to be honest. and City obviously beat Leicester. Obviously, it's a poor Leicester side this season, but Nevertheless, City looked pretty decent. Jack Grealish getting on the score sheet and Marmouche as well, who's very dangerous. and Obviously, he's coming in for um for the injured Haaland.
00:10:10
Sam Brady
and he's He's looking in a good form at the minute, so we'll after have to keep him quiet. but Old Trafford, i mean ah as I said, you never know. yeah As we've said all season with United, you don't you never really know what United team are really going to turn up.
00:10:26
Sam Brady
As we've said, in in the past couple of weeks, we're starting to see patterns of play and starting to see players maybe pick um a bit of what Almorin's trying to drill into them in the training ground.
00:10:40
Sam Brady
and That being said, I just think all our options going forward are so lacking at the minute. And I think Ahmad was such a big loss, actually. when you When you take him away, you look at who's going to score score as goals. And it's own you're only looking at about Bruno Fernandes, where you're You're looking at him for a bit of event inspiration to chip in with maybe a goal or an assist. um Whether weather got that that same front three starts, whether Garnaccio plays off the left. and and Obviously, we've got a big game against Lyon as well on Thursday. so
00:11:18
Sam Brady
Whether he decides maybe to rest some players, I don't think he will, obviously, if it was against maybe a team in the bottom half. and Maybe he would, but with it being a Manchester derby, I think it would be a pretty similar line-up to what it was against Forest. um But to be honest, I just don't really see... and I don't see us getting anything out of it, to be honest. I mean, as I said before, ah apart from the goal, which I think the defender was was pretty poor, how Alanga was just allowed to run from from his own box and score like that.
00:11:51
Sam Brady
I think after the goal, Forrest didn't really create many clear-cut chances. But that being said, I think Man City is at attack right now. Grealish is starting to look in form, as I've said, and Marmouche as well. And you've got Doku there, Savinho. I just think going forward, that they're going to cause us causes problems. And obviously, you're going to expect City are going to be the ones dominating possession, even though it's at Old Trafford.
00:12:17
Sam Brady
So it's whether we we can catch them on the break. But considering what I saw against Forest... that That being said, obviously Man City aren't as defensively solid as Nottingham Forest or they haven't been this season. and So maybe we we could catch them out on the break, especially Old Trafford.
00:12:35
Sam Brady
But that Forest game really doesn't fill me with with any kind confidence, to be honest.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, mean, I don't blame you for not being too optimistic about it. I mean, you'd think, yeah, looking on paper, know, this should be one City take. But the only thing really I'm thinking is for some reason against City, we always seem to put in a a good shift.
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, I think that revolves around, you know, that kind of counter-attack football. um But no, as you mentioned, like, no Diallo this time saved us the last time. And kind of worries me because, you know, we are going to sit back, which probably will happen in their dominating possession,
00:13:02
Sam Brady
yeah
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, we're going to have to look to counter-attack. And really, the only pacey players we have up front is Garnaccio and Hoyland, you know. You're going to have to play either Xerxes, Eriksen or Bruno in that other kind of attacking spot.
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it'll be tough, you know, to really counter. And obviously, they brought Kusinov in now, who's just like an absolute speedster. So, yeah, it's going to be a tough one for us. But I'm only thinking, you know, like we always do kind of show up. And, you know, when we beat them last time to one that was like during that terrible run.
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We kind of seem to pick things up right now. um So I'm kind of hoping and that, you know, um we can show up to Old Trafford, give the fans what we want. and And I kind of pull that magic.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
We i have been against them recently because, so you know, bare the community shield, we beat them the last few times in big enough matches.
00:13:50
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So who knows, third time might be the charm.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:58
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:13:58
Sam Brady
And the I was going to say it as well, it is a big week for us. I feel obviously we've got city, as I mentioned, we've got Leon and then we've got another tough game and against Newcastle, I believe on the Sunday and ah next weekend.
00:14:13
Sam Brady
So these three games ah really tough games and, and it, I think they're really going to define how how our season ends in terms of if we can get a result against City, if we can get a result against Lyon, I think it can really kick us on to to just just sort of and play out the rest of the season with a bit of optimism and ah not look at it as as sort of i'll just get the season sort of over and done with.
00:14:41
Sam Brady
But on the other hand, if we lose a derby and then go to Lyon away and and don't get a result there, especially when we've got the second leg coming up the week after, I really think it's going to pile on even more pressure on on the squad and Alma in it if this week does go badly, to be honest. And and it feels like every weekend's bigger that big at the minute with with the pressure and stuff. So,
00:15:05
Sam Brady
Yeah, I just hope, that as you said, in these big games, I just hope they they sort of do switch on and and and give the funds give the fans a good game. And look, Arsenal came to Old Trafford two weeks ago and ah none of us thought we we could get any anything ah out of that game. And yeah, Arsenal weren't at their best, but I actually thought we we put in a shift and you saw players putting bodies on the line. And and that's what we didn't see enough of um against Forest.
00:15:35
Sam Brady
on Wednesday, where you just saw, even for the Alanga goal, someone's got to either take him out or put your body in the line. Everyone was just running away from Alanga until he shot. Whereas, but go rewind two weeks ago against Arsenal and against Leicester, I remember I was on the pod talking to Kieran and I gave De Ligtman a match because he was jumping in front of balls and he was blocking everything. and it's just It just seems to flip-flop week in, week out at the minute. it and I just hope on Sunday flip-flops the other way and and and they turn up for the derby. So we'll have to see. We'll have to see.
Key Players and Line-up Discussions
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, hopefully the pass be there. And yeah, shout out to De Ligt. I mean, even in the first game there, he went down and, you know, i was right back up. And I think a lot of our other players would have stayed down and kind of milked it a bit.
00:16:22
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no, he's just an absolute warrior of a defender. um Yeah, no, absolutely love him for United. Great player.
00:16:28
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll go for another quick ad break. And then when we come back, to me and Sam will wrap up with a predicted lineup and then our score predictions for the match.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Sam, I feel like might as well just skip goalkeeper. I think we kind of all know, oh, no, it's going to be in goal, kind of being an easy, easy pick over the last few weeks.
00:17:35
Sam Brady
Yeah, of course. course.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But moving into, you know, I'll start with the back three. um Who do you think will be there?
00:17:46
Sam Brady
Yeah, see, I think the the sort of vibe is going to be similar where what I want and what I think is going to goingnna play out is is going to be slightly different. i think And I think the back three will probably stay the same, ah i think, maybe with Masraoui, Delict and Joro.
00:18:07
Sam Brady
But what I personally would like to see, I would like to see, I don't know, can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'd actually like to see Maguire come in, to be honest, and and take Maserawi's spot at at that centre-half position. Because, I mean, look, since Almorens came in, and and to be honest, maybe even before, Maguire's actually played pretty solid. I mean, i mean we've all said that that he's not not good enough to to play for us, but this season he has played...
00:18:33
Sam Brady
pretty solid at the back there. And ah as you mentioned, when he came on for that 10 minutes, he actually created probably two of our best chances are in that game. So I'd like to see him come in there next to De Ligt and Jouro, but I think Masraoui might stay at centre-off.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I think I'm on the same pages as well. I think overall we defended pretty well. and The back line was solid enough. As you said, Boris didn't really create much at all. I think Onana had to make <unk>s maybe one or two saves whole match. But yeah, no I think Yarov was very good. He had brilliant slide tackle um and then obviously De Ligt and you know had a great game and Maseroui didn't really do anything wrong.
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, wouldn't be opposed having Maguire in there.
00:19:16
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's really come on leaps and bounds really until a couple years ago. And I think where a lot of us were calling for him to be sold.
00:19:23
Sam Brady
yeah
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, I'd really be fine with Maguire coming in for Maseroui. But Maseroui is very reliable. I can see Amarim just sticking with it but the same back three.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then you know i'm moving on to the fullbacks.
00:19:38
Sam Brady
Yeah, so full-backs, this is where I think Masra, we should shift over to the right. I think the lot against Forrest, I mean, both full-backs, to be honest, and I'll get on to Dorgue in a minute, but I think the lot doesn't really ah didn't really offer as much going forward against Forrest. I mean, he put in a few crosses, but but that that was about it.
00:20:00
Sam Brady
So for me, I'd actually put Masrawi on that right wing back. And then Dorgou, I mean, I thought Dorgou was shocking, to be honest, against Forrest. I mean, it's even it's even the basics when it comes to sort of just five-yard passes.
00:20:16
Sam Brady
I'd see the ball be shifted. I remember one play, the ball broken. beautifully switched over to the left to Dorgou by Bruno, got into a good attacking position. Dorgou tried to just a five-yard pass to Ericsson in the middle, and he misplaced it, and then Forrest were on the counter.
00:20:31
Sam Brady
And it's like basics like that really frustrate you. I mean, Dorgou, since he's come in, I thought has been pretty decent. But this game against Forrest, I think...
00:20:42
Sam Brady
well While our wingers and striker weren't giving us much options, you think, OK, maybe our full-backs can support. But i think also our full-backs were offering nothing against Forrest. But, yeah, I think Masraoui to the right and, well, left wing-back, we don't really have many options there. So, Dogo probably on the left.
00:21:01
Sam Brady
Although I'll be keeping an eye on Dogo.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I think definitely Dorgan left. But yeah, that was really um a tough game for
00:21:09
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Coming back from the international break, hopefully he's just you know getting a bit of rust off and can come back for that City game. and Because he was playing phenomenal, I thought, before the break. um But yeah, no, he just looked off and he said passes. He couldn't even get right. He didn't look at threat really going forward at all.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even like the headers he was attempting looked like they weren't ready yet or just going up in the air way off.
00:21:26
Sam Brady
yeah
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, hopefully he can turn things around. He'll definitely be left wing back. And then, um yeah, I think, ah feel I feel like he's just going to keep Dallow there, to be honest. um But ah again, I wouldn't mind Masraoui playing there or centre back because, you know, he's so reliable.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he's going to probably have a decent game. I'm just, I'm thinking that counter attack and threat, I think Dallow might offer a bit more. So yeah, I'll go with those two wing backs and then might get a bit more interesting up in the midfield. We'll start with the two holders.
00:22:00
Sam Brady
Yeah, I mean, in the past couple of weeks, I think I've made up my mind on on what position's best for Bruno. And I do think it is the number eight position. I just think, and and this is where I think I would probably drop Bruno ah down into the number eight against City. Obviously, he played further forward against Forest. But I just think Bruno offers you so much more in that number eight position. He can pick the ball up on the half turn or he can pick it up and spread those balls and create chances. I think when he's further up the pitch, he doesn't get the ball as much. And then when he does, he he looks forward, but there's so no one really ah no one really ahead of him because he's sometimes the furthest forward player. So, yeah, I'd like to see Bruno but back into that number eight position, to be honest. And then next to him...
00:22:50
Sam Brady
I mean, you could flip-flop between Agata and Casemiro, but I'd actually stick by Casemiro, to be honest. I mean, the past couple of weeks, I think he's been pretty solid. He is one of those players, like Maguire, I think, where we almost wrote him off. But I think he has had a bit of a bit of a resurgence since Almorin's come in.
00:23:11
Sam Brady
So, yeah, I wouldn't mind either Agate or Casemiro, but I think Casemiro is maybe just slightly a little bit more defensively solid than Agate. So, yeah, I'd like to see Casemiro and Bruno, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is Casemiro and Agate, to be honest, again.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he hit the nail on the head there. I mean, I think Bruno against Forrest, know, back in that advanced role, he didn't have a great game really at all. um Just didn't look as it's effective as he's sitting deeper. So yeah, I'd love to see him drop a bit deeper. I think it will happen.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, yeah, I'd actually like to see Castemiro be there again. As you said, he's a bit more defensively solid and would be ideally probably sitting back more. And even his pass in the last few games has been um Especially against Sassi, he played some beautiful balls through, so um you know I think for playing counter-attack and ball, he he can release with some good passes.
00:23:59
Sam Brady
yes
00:24:04
Sam Brady
yeah
00:24:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
saw But again, yeah as you said, I wouldn't mind Nguerda there, I said Casemiro, but Bruno and Casemiro would be my two, um I'd like to see there. And then i'm going up to the the two above them.
00:24:14
Sam Brady
Yeah, um going on the the sort of two above them and and the striker, I mean, i've said I've said my piece on on what I thought ah think about Garnaccio, and I think Garnaccio will start on the left.
00:24:27
Sam Brady
um But for me, this is where it gets interesting because I'd actually like to see Mason Mount come in. ah ah on that right-hand side and maybe put Xerchi on the left-hand side. Obviously, those two can rotate throughout the game. But ah thought I thought Mount did pray pretty decent when he came on for for those couple minutes. and And I'd like to see him back. Obviously, he's been out for a while with injury. And I think, yeah, it's tough maybe throwing him in the deep end in a Manchester derby.
00:25:01
Sam Brady
But I think, as I said, our attacking options going forward against Forrest were shocking, to be honest. I mean, i was I was quite surprised that Hoyland didn't start against Forrest, considering he scored against Leicester and then scored against Portugal in the international break. So I actually would start Hoyland up top. I'd have Zerchi on the left, Hoyland up top and Mount on the right.
00:25:22
Sam Brady
And Hoyland made a few decent runs against Forest, but I'm still not fully convinced that he's back to the Hoyland maybe maybe of last season. And obviously he scored against a shocking Leicester side. So well I'm still yet to be fully convinced with him, but he's now against Leicester and against Sociedad and against Forest. I'm seeing Hoyland now, instead of having his back to play and trying to hold off defenders, he is.
00:25:51
Sam Brady
I'm seeing more of what he did last season and making those runs in behind and and that's where I believe he is best. so Making the runs in behind and getting onto those balls um and and sort of staying in in in the 18-yard, 6-yard area and in front of goal.
00:26:08
Sam Brady
um so yeah I'd like to see sort sort of that front three but it all depends on on whether he sticks by Garnaccio and whether he yeah likes Bruno in that more advanced position. But yeah, I'd like to see Xerchi on the left. And the thing is with Xerchi, I think obviously we've mentioned in previous episodes that since he got dragged off at Newcastle and and scored the winning penalty against Arsenal, that yaa ah he has he has been one of those players that has sort of sort of kicked into a bit of form. And I think Xerchi...
00:26:40
Sam Brady
Now, I think fans are sort of clocking on to him. I think he's sort realising that he's actually more of maybe a number 10, not a number nine out-and-out striker. So, I think if you are going to play Zurchie, it's either going to be on the right or or the left.
00:26:55
Sam Brady
So, yeah, I'd like to see him out on the left. But I think against Forrest, he didn't do much for the first time in in a couple of weeks. So, we'll have to see how he gets on as well. So, Dorgo and Zurchie the ones I'm keeping an eye on, to be honest.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, as Eric said, really, that was kind of the first poor game in a while, to be fair. But um I'm actually going to go a bit different. I'm going to say Garnaccio, even though if it was against anyone else and we weren't kind of sitting back, I would not have him in the team at all.
00:27:24
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was He's dreadful. And as you said, you know, his goals, right? He's just not really giving us much. But I think just with that pace, I think I'd like to see him there. I think Amarim will stick by him. And then, yeah, I'm actually going to go with you. I'd like to see Mount there on the right hand.
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
forgot about him at Stairdap, so I'd always be forgetting about him. But yeah, he nearly scored that goal against Forrest, and he he looked decent for the few minutes he got, so it would be nice to see him get 90 in. um And yeah, offers a bit more pace than the other lads there.
00:27:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then opt up top, I'm going to go Hyland as well. and Yeah, surprising, as you said, he didn't stare. He knows in good form um prior to the Forrest game. But yeah, no, just so he had bags of pace, and I think if we want to catch him on the counter, those three can could be effective with balls from Bruno and Casemiro coming to them. um But yeah, no, Xerxe, definitely, i wouldn't I wouldn't really mind him there instead of Mount, because as a 10, definitely, I don't really want to see him as a striker again, to be honest, because you know it didn't look great against Farris at all, and I think even if he was to go up there against City, and I just think he'd have a tough time with the likes of Kusenov up against them.
00:28:28
Sam Brady
yeah
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, I'll go Garnaccio, Mount, and Hoyland for my front three.
00:28:32
Sam Brady
what is um I just want to get your opinion on Mount because obviously he's been plagued with injuries coming into United but how have you sort of assessed him in the sort of games he has played for us?
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, honestly a bit underwhelming and I think that has to do with like kind of injuries and the fact he hasn't got a long stretch of games in. um because you know I thought he was brilliant player at Chelsea and I was ah very excited when we signed him.
00:28:56
Sam Brady
Hmm
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was a marquee signing that summer. um you know He's very technical gifted footballer. We see the free kicks he can score. um but yeah I do want it to work out with him but I feel like time is ticking and You know, it's been here two years, about over two years.
00:29:13
Sam Brady
Mm-hmm.
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, yeah, I would love for to kick on and do things, but I do think he has the ability. I just think he has to get a stretch of games and and really have faith from a manager because, you know, he hasn't really, I feel like, been shown that, although it is mostly down due to injuries.
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:29:28
Sam Brady
Yeah, see, that's the thing. I really do think Mount is a really talented player and I think a lot of managers see that in him. I think even Almorin, obviously he hasn't seen much of Mount, but even he's been praising praise and Mount in press conferences. And I think i think if you can get, ah ah as you said, a stretch of games with Mount and a run of games with without being plagued with injury, I think he can be a really good player. I mean,
00:29:54
Sam Brady
That Champions League run when Chelsea went on to win it in 2021 against City in that final, Mount was ah was an instrumental figure in in that run.
00:30:06
Sam Brady
um But I just hope it it's not a it's not a same old story where it's one of those players where bags of ability, but is his career sort of peters off because of because of injury. so yeah we'll We'll see now now that he's back and and hopefully you can get a run of games into the the end of the season here. so yeah um I'm hoping he gets a ah start, if not some minutes against City.
00:30:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah absolutely. I think we're all begging for him to succeed. and Before we go, we'll get a quick score prediction for the match for me, Sam.
Score Predictions and Importance of the Derby
00:30:42
Sam Brady
Yeah, see, I'm tossing it up between do I go positive or do I go negative? And you know what? i've ah we've We've had a lot of negativity um from me and from a lot of us, obviously, this this season.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:57
Sam Brady
But you know what? I'm going to shed a bit of light on this Sunday and I'm going to go 1-1. I'm feeling we we can we can get at least a point out of this, I think. So, yeah, 1-1. one one
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair, fair. um I'm actually going to go one better. um I have a feeling just against City, you know, we're going to turn up for this one and might get some. So I'm going to go 2-1.
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
United win, Derby win for us, three in a row in FA Cup in the league. um Yeah, why not? Why not?
00:31:27
Sam Brady
Imagine
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Any final thoughts, Sam, before we go up?
00:31:30
Sam Brady
um Yeah, well, I was just going to say, I can't remember the last time we did the double over City. So, I mean, that that would literally sum up our season, though. Losing a disappointing loss to Forest and then beating City on Sunday. I mean, you can't get more contrasting results to that. So, yeah, we'll see you come Monday morning whether we're happy. yeah And what I will say is going back to this week for United, I think,
00:32:00
Sam Brady
So it is really important that at least we don't lose against City going into that Lyon game, because I think most of us now have sort of written off written off the league and we're heavily focusing on the Europa League. And I think that should be the the priority for Almorin at this stage.
00:32:18
Sam Brady
So I really hope that we at least get something out of the City game so we go into Lyon away with a bit of positivity, feeling like we can get something. Because I feel like we're all sitting here now a bit worried about Lyon because it is Lyon away as well. it's ah It's a tough place to go even even though they've not had the best of seasons.
00:32:39
Sam Brady
But... I think still it will be a very hard night for us. But if we can get result against City and go into that game with a bit of positivity and and players sort of play in playing in a better form, than then hopefully we can get a good result on Thursday thursday night as well. But yeah, hoping hoping that we we do the double over Pleasure.
00:33:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. No, a massive week for United. And yeah, please, God, we'll be two from two. Anyway, Sam, thanks for joining
Conclusion and Social Media Plugs
00:33:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
me. And thanks to all you for listening. Make sure tune in right after the City match. We'll have an episode right out with reactions from the lads.
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And make sure to follow us on X. We're on Insta, YouTube, TikTok. um Catch all updates about the channel and when our next episodes are. um So yeah, thank very much for listening.