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Daily Manchester United - 150 - Athletic Club (A) and Brentford (A) Previews
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Kieran and Tom look ahead to two fixtures to end the week, our Europa League Semi-Final trip to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club, and out Premier League trip to the Brentford Community Stadium to take on eleventh-placed Brentford.
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Overview
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Daily Manchester United to episode 150 and thank you so much for joining us on this milestone episode. I know you're definitely not here for the preview and here to celebrate here with us.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, my name's Kieran. I'm joined by Tom on this
Preview: Man United vs. Bilbao
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
episode. Tom, quite a bit to talk about today.
00:00:26
Tom Cairns
Yeah, i should think so. It's a big game on Thursday against Bilbao. Very much looking forward to it. Although our previous track record against the Spanish side doesn't tell a particular great story.
00:00:37
Tom Cairns
But putting that aside, none of that means anything. We're going into Bilbao aiming to get a positive result out of it to take back to Old Trafford the next week. And the yeah, it all rests on this.
00:00:50
Tom Cairns
It really does.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, semi-finals. I mean, I spoke yesterday about, you know, we've had some semi-final glories, some not so glorious. um You know, hark back to the Champions League. I think the last time we were in a Champions League semi-final ah back in 2010-11.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We managed to get through, um only to be beaten by Barcelona. We don't have to talk about it We don't have to talk about that at all. um What we do have to talk about is how tough a of a game that Athletic Club game is going to be in Bilbao.
Strategies and Team Analysis
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um As you've already said, Tom, they're not opponents that we've done particularly well at in recent years. ah But a semi-final, you know, two legs, anything could happen. it It really could. But one thing that can't happen is what happened against Lyon. We're not going to get away with that again.
00:01:34
Tom Cairns
No, I think if we get a repeat of what we had against Lyon, I don't think it's going to be the same scenario where we score three goals in eight minutes or whatever. So we've we've just got to we've got to be sensible.
00:01:46
Tom Cairns
We've got to be sensible with how we keep hold of the ball. And I i was watching... um someone I don't know if I'm allowed to mention his name, but he was sort of saying that the way you United are going to need to get a positive result is just by keeping hold of the ball and making Bilbao work for it.
00:02:01
Tom Cairns
um If we really stick it on them, you know, in the early stages, we're just going to end up having tired legs and that's when Bilbao will strike. So I think going into the game tomorrow in Bilbao, it's going to be more about just keeping hold of the ball in the early stages and making Bilbao have to really fight for it because we know how stubborn that defense is and they they usually are set up very, very well.
00:02:24
Tom Cairns
I don't know how they got on at the weekend because I didn't look at how they got on in La Liga, but I'd imagine because they are fourth place at the moment in La Liga are Bilbao.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:02:33
Tom Cairns
and You know, the this is probably the best Bilbao I've seen since the last time we played them in 2012 because I think they finished, I think they, did they finish it in the top four in the top five or something like that?
00:02:46
Tom Cairns
But they also made it to the Europa League final. before losing to Atletico Madrid.
00:02:53
Tom Cairns
It's going to be a hard game, Kieran. I can see it happening on Thursday, but we'll see.
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they managed to get past Rangers um in that quarterfinal. They managed to beat them 2-0 on aggregate. ah They had to do it at home to do it. It was only 2-0 on aggregate. Both goals coming in the return leg when Athletic Club hosted Rangers.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Their last two league games, they've lost 1-0 to Real Madrid. Not a bad result, especially at the Bernabeu. And a 1-0 victory against Las Palmas. So they come in into the game in pretty good form. You know, 13th of April, they won against Rayo Vallecano, 3-1.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
The last time they lost a game before the Real Madrid game, I'm just having ah a quick look back here, ah was the 1st of March against Atletico Madrid. So um maybe we should host the game in Madrid. We might have more of a chance, but...
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hey-ho, it is
Player Fitness and Squad Rotation
00:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
what it is. um Hopefully, what might be a boost is news that's coming out today from Manchester United website themselves, is that Ahmad and Delict back in full training, although Amirim has already tempered the flames by saying they're not going to start, but they are part of the matchday squad.
00:04:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Especially having Ahmad back up in there is is going to be a massive boost. How much of a part he's going to play in the game, I don't know. But having him there, surely, if he's fit enough to start, say, 30 minutes, surely Amrim's going to throw him on.
00:04:15
Tom Cairns
Well, the question is, do you place him on the subs bench? Because I can't see him start him. If he does and gets some minutes, OK, great. Then we're seeing him coming back into full fitness.
00:04:27
Tom Cairns
And I wouldn't be at all surprised if he gets him yeah if he gets some minutes in the game against Brentford on Sunday before the return leg. But we just need to make sure we don't risk too much with him.
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:38
Tom Cairns
So how much do you have to play Ahmed to get him up to full fitness? That is the million pound question. Because if there's one game we need him so much, it's either tomorrow or Thursday next week.
00:04:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, it's true. It's true. And, you know, I wonder if the league game in between, you know, the Brentford game, which we'll talk on briefly in another part, whether he'll be used for that game as well. But ah you're absolutely right. You know, the fitness of a player is is so important and Amand's been so integral to our season. We've missed him since the 3-0 win, ah sorry, the FA Cup win against Leicester.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you know He's been injured since then. So we've missed him for a good chunk of time. It'll be great to have him back. But obviously, we don't want to rush him back too much. We don't want to aggravate the injury. um Interestingly, though, it's been reported that Obi is with the squad training in Bilbao, although he's ineligible.
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But surely he's getting some valuable experience being part of the first team and training with the first team.
00:05:38
Tom Cairns
And I should think so as well. I mean if you can train with the first team more often, I can see him getting a start because as much as Hoyland's been dreadful this campaign, he's the only recognised striker we've got.
00:05:49
Tom Cairns
So surely it would make more sense to start Cheetah Obi against Brentford because he's not had a start yet, has Obi.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:05:56
Tom Cairns
So why not start him for the game against Brentford on Sunday? And then how about the rest of the team? How much do you play the likes of Frederiksen?
00:06:07
Tom Cairns
Amas. I think Collier may still be injured at the moment, but it may be 50-50 with him.
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:06:16
Tom Cairns
I would be more tempted to try and start as many youngsters as possible for the Brentford game, but then you have to have a little bit of first team in there. um But I think it all really rests on how we do against Bilbao tomorrow night, or not ah Thursday, I should say.
00:06:34
Tom Cairns
Yeah, it's a really tricky one. But I think irrespective of what we get out of tomorrow, it has to be a completely rotated squad on Sunday.
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. And that's the only way we'll have a squad that's fit enough and hopefully at its strength to head to Old Trafford to try and get ourselves through into the final. And you're looking at the last four teams left in
Europa League Overview
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
this Europa League. I mean, let's face it, you've got two English teams in there who have been dreadful this season. and And if such the way that everything falls into line, that both United and Spurs get to the final, you a it's either going to be the worst European final ever, or it's going to be one of the most hectic things. No one will ever forget it.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Much like the Lyon game. I can't really decide. I don't, I don't think either side really deserve to make it to the, to the Europa League final, but it might happen. And that's something all have to be prepared for. But,
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Definitely United have got the tougher side. No disrespect to Bodo Glimm. They've done fantastic so far this campaign. It's the furthest, I believe, a Norwegian side has ever made it in any any European club competition. So big congratulations to them.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they've got to face Tottenham, who have proven in Europe, much like United, they can be a tough nut to crack.
00:07:45
Tom Cairns
They can be a tough nut to crack. And Bode Glimms, I have to give some praise to because they've gone a lot further than they could have expected. And bearing in mind, their domestic league campaign, their window for it is different to how most of the other leagues are.
00:08:02
Tom Cairns
So that it's very much a free hit for them, really, in regards to how they can go about qualifying even for the Champions League. I can't remember the last time a Norwegian side had qualified for the Champions League.
00:08:12
Tom Cairns
It might have been Mulder or Norse.
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably Molde.
00:08:15
Tom Cairns
Is it Neuschland? Because I think Neuschland are from Norway, aren't they?
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm trying to think now. But yes, definitely Molde is probably looking at one of the last ones. I'm trying to think if Norseland is Danish or if it's Norwegian.
00:08:27
Tom Cairns
It's Danish. Yeah, sorry. My my apologies. so
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was thinking, like, Norseland, it sounds Norwegian, but, you know, look, we're only offending the Nordic community. It's fine. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. We're not saying the language sounds the same at all. um Speaking of ah Great Danes, Hoyland picked up a ah goal in the last Premier League match.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It was a vital equaliser against Bournemouth, against ah a soft red card. Let's put it like that. A slip constitutes a red card. I'd be... aggrieved that that had happened. In fact, and Evan Ilsen's red card has since been rescinded, in fact, today.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
as we As we record this, it was announced today. what's the um you know What's the thinking? Obviously, he's going to start in the Europa League game. He's the only recognised striker. But I am hoping this is, ah you know, we've said this before, I'll probably say a hundred times more, I hope this is turning the corner for Hoyland because some of his positioning is good.
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Some of the surface is questionable. But as a striker, you've got to you know if you've only got two or three chances in a game, you've you've got to take at least one of them.
00:09:30
Tom Cairns
You would think so, but it's how much service is he going to provide? Because I was looking at stats about Garnaccio's involvement in the game against Bournemouth, which has done a lot of talking. Because he had about eight shots in the match, with only one being on target, the rest either being blocked or off target.
00:09:47
Tom Cairns
So the fact that Garnaccio is the one being doing the shots and Hoyland hasn't been, but yet Hoyland has got the goal, tells you about Garnaccio's performances at the moment. He's too greedy.
00:09:59
Tom Cairns
He's too greedy and he has and his conversion rate has been really, really, really poor. It doesn't matter about which side of attacking midfield he's doing it on because he played on the right-hand side of attacking midfield, which what I i demanded for that to be the case of.
00:10:13
Tom Cairns
But even so, Garnaccio has been exploiting that to his advantage where he just can't put shots away whenever he keeps taking them. And if you know you can't if you can't convert those shots into goals, then you need to provide...
00:10:28
Tom Cairns
the passes or key crosses or key passes over to someone like Rasmus Hoyland, and you would think he's going to be the one putting them away. But that's, I feel like I'm going off a little bit off topic here, but that that is the emphasis of Man United's killer instincts up front, the lack of it.
Brentford Game Preview
00:10:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Well, talk more about that and included the preview of the Brentford game when we come back after this quick break.
00:11:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Matchday 35 in the Premier League. I know, it's almost over. We are limping across the line. We have, what's it now, four games to go? Hang in there. One of them is Brentford coming up on Sunday, 2 o'clock.
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Don't think you can watch it anywhere, but, you know, wink, wink, nudge, nudge. um Obviously, Brentford 11th, Manchester United 14th. I'm still waiting for United to reach that magical 40-point barrier. I have my doubts against the Brentford side that have been, you know...
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
in and out of form recently, i mean, they've just walloped wrote a Brighton 4-2 as well and quite a topsy-turvy game. um How do you expect that sort of side to look in terms of Manchester United? Because we've talked already before and you've already said the Europa League should be the priority, is the main priority this season. and So is it going to be a completely refreshed and re-changed squad in in terms of prioritising youth?
00:12:39
Tom Cairns
ah You would think so. I would honestly start a number of youth as possible and because we know we're not going down and we're we're not going to be qualifying for Europe via a league position.
00:12:51
Tom Cairns
So I would probably say you could throw a few senior players in there, but I want to see a lot of the youngsters get in there and get some minutes so that at least it can provide some options for Ruben Amrim for the summer and decide whether the the players he's fielding could be potential picks for next season.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, it's almost like an experiment, this see this latter half. you You have it presented on a plate that you could now play the youth prospects and give them a chance. you know There's no better time. where You've got nothing to play for in the league.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Might as well go for it. I'm just looking at the reverse fixture and you know how much has changed since then. ah Reverse fixture being 19th of October what You know, what how time flies when you're not having fun.
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, a 4-2-3-1 we were playing all the way back then. Johnny Evans ah was playing, you know, starting. He's injured now. Rashford's still in the side. ah You had Hoyland up top, who actually did get a goal in this game. Garnaccio scored as well.
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You know, a much, well, I'm not even going to much different side. It's mostly the same players, but the the system is vastly different from what it was. so
00:13:59
Tom Cairns
It was. And I would probably say that United are going to be a different team to what they had over in Brentford. But hopefully it's not going to be anything like the 4-0 threshing a couple of seasons you ago.
00:14:10
Tom Cairns
and Which, yeah, well, that was only when Eriksen Haar came in and it was his second game um before we put on that run of form afterwards.
00:14:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't remind me.
00:14:21
Tom Cairns
I think we just, it it feels like ah a dead rubber of a game for Manchester United on Sunday against Brentford. I'm not expecting ah fireworks, but what I want to see is brilliant build-up play involving the youth and just give a little bit more of a different dynamic for Reuben Amarim.
00:14:39
Tom Cairns
And then there's not many of them that are in that registered squad for the Europa League anyway.
00:14:47
Tom Cairns
I don't know.
Remaining Fixtures and League Standings
00:14:48
Tom Cairns
i think what we do against Bilbao will be irrelevant for Sunday and even the remainder of the games um because we've got Brentford.
00:14:58
Tom Cairns
And who have we got in our remaining games? Because I know we play Aston Villa on the final.
00:15:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
We played Chelsea, I think.
00:15:05
Tom Cairns
Yeah, Chelsea on the penultimate weekend. And then who's the other one? West Ham. West Ham at home.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
West Ham, yeah.
00:15:11
Tom Cairns
Yeah, because I know that West Ham are the last team this season that could complete a league double over us.
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's terrible.
00:15:19
Tom Cairns
know.
00:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's terrible. That is terrible. I mean, um the only good news I can really come up with is we could rise as high as 13th with a win against Brentford, although we could fall as low as 16th.
00:15:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, that's... Really? Really?
00:15:36
Tom Cairns
yeah
00:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, the only reason we can't fall to 17 is because Tottenham and West Ham play each other this game week. So that's the only reason we can't fall as low as 17. Whether you consider that blessing, I certainly do. um But what are you expecting from the game, Tom? how do you How do you sort of see it going? And give us some sort of a prediction for a scoreline, if you dare.
00:15:56
Tom Cairns
Is this for the Brentford one?
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is, yeah.
00:15:58
Tom Cairns
Yeah, okay.
00:16:04
Tom Cairns
I'm going to go for one one
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, talk talk me through Who's it is?
00:16:06
Tom Cairns
Yeah. i mean i mean I mean, to be fair, it's Brentford away, isn't it? Because we played them.
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:11
Tom Cairns
Yeah, yeah. um Yeah, I could probably see a similar performance to what we had against Bournemouth in all honesty. So I'd probably go for a 1-1 draw. um But I think it's going to be a really, really drab game, I think.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, ah Thomas Frank is a manager that lives rent-free in my head. and And I will absolutely admit that to everybody. um I can see Brentford being a tough place to be. yeah The Brentford Community Stadium, great stadium, being there to watch a yeah women's World Cup game, I want to say. Might have been the Euros, actually.
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But it's a great stadium. um And I just, I think it's going to be tough. I really do. It all it all depends, really, morale-wise, how it goes against Athletic Club.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I have to say, i think a draw is optimistic. I really do. If Amram is going to change up the system like he's going to, like we think he's going to and prioritise the youth, it's going to be a tough game because Brentford are going to be playing a full-strength side.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
no they're They're still going to approach this game as any other. They're not going to no put some rotation of ah squad players in. there They can not... rise any higher than what they are right now. They could drop a couple of places if results go there against them.
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they're 11th right now. They're trying to push for a place in the top 10. I don't see them rotating as heavily as United will. i I could see Brentford sneaking a result here. I say sneaking.
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll probably be a deserved result.
00:17:39
Tom Cairns
Well, I was thinking of going for a Brentford win as well, but it's not going be a convincing one.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
no Well, i yeah. I think it is going to be a convincing one because I think Brentford, you know, four goals against Brighton is not not an easy feat to do at the best of times. Yeah, Brighton have had some haywire scorelines so far this season. So have many other of the Premier League teams. You think Nottingham Forest lost, was it seven? Was it 5-0 to Brighton, wasn't it? They lost this season.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Am I right in thinking that?
00:18:07
Tom Cairns
No, it was I think it was Forest, wasn't it?
00:18:10
Tom Cairns
Was it Forest?
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, Forest lost to, they lost to a team 5-0 this season.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure they did. I can't don't remember which team it was.
00:18:15
Tom Cairns
ah
00:18:17
Tom Cairns
I'm just looking through the results of Brentford. um
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm talking about a forest lost.
00:18:24
Tom Cairns
Oh, Forest lost. Yeah, so Forest lost, I think, 5-0 to Bournemouth.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:27
Tom Cairns
think it was Bournemouth they lost.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth was it?
00:18:28
Tom Cairns
but Yeah, it was 5-0 to Bournemouth that Forest lost to, but then Forest won 7-0 against Brighton.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Yeah.
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was it, yeah. It just freaked the results like that. It's just made this Premier League this season so unpredictable. If only Liverpool weren't so good this season, it would have been just one of the craziest Premier Leagues we'd ever seen. But hey-ho, i I'm going to be the pessimist in this one.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's going to be a Brentford win, but we shall see. Going to go Brentford, sadly, but there we go. Are you sticking with the draw, Tom, are you going to join me on the pessimism side?
00:18:58
Tom Cairns
Well, I thought Bournemouth were going to come away with all three points against us last weekend, but we somehow got a 96th minute equaliser through the unlikeliest of sources of Rasmus Hyland.
00:19:09
Tom Cairns
um Yeah, I'm going to stick with a 1-1 draw. Yeah.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough. Fair enough. Right, let's see then. In our next part, we'll have a preview of the Europa League yeah semi-final first leg against Atletic Cup and a predicted
Europa League Semi-Final Preview
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
XI. Join us after this.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencastr came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be a tough one. It's, I believe, fourth versus 14th in their respective leagues. And we have to go to Bilbao if we want to go and get a result on TNT Sports 1 HD. Yes, we are ah somehow on TNT Sports 1, but there you go.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Your way for rankings separate these sides. Apparently, Manchester United are ranked Athletic Club are ranked 75th. The league tables could not show that more differently and could not show the opposite more clearly.
00:20:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and Very few injury concerns for Athletic Club going into this game. Quite a few for Manchester United. But ah want to start before we get into our predicted 11. How do you think the game is going to go, Tom?
00:20:46
Tom Cairns
I can see it be a possession-based type of football. I think United will keep hold of the ball for as much as they can, and so they should, because they won't want to go all out. I think if they try to do a counter-attack on this Bilbao side, I don't think it will work.
00:21:02
Tom Cairns
So I think it's going to come down to how the set pieces for us will go. If we nail our set pieces, we'll really turn it on them, I think.
00:21:14
Tom Cairns
That is what I think will be the emphasis. And for someone like Lenny Oro, from what we saw in the game against Lyon away, I think he's going to play a pivotal role in how we get through 90 minutes ah in the um in the first leg.
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and just looking back at their previous couple of games, I mean, yeah obviously under siege would be the term to use it burnt at the Burnabout. And they came away with a 1-0 loss. Not too bad.
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
They come against Las Palmas at home, they're evens in possession. ah But yeah, Atletic Club making the better chances over the game. So it's it's kind of a, you know, Atletic Club seem as comfortable on the ball as off it.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, only losing to 1-0 to Real Madrid, especially when you're fighting for a place in Europe in the Liga. It's not a bad result at all, especially because it's Real Madrid. And I think that sort of resilience from Bilbao will be our undoing if we're not careful.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So let's let's have a look at our predicted 11 then. Just ah a quick word on Dallo. He is out with a calf injury. It may not be a available for selection, easy he for me to say.
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
He could be fit for the return leg, but it's still a doubt either way. With that in mind then, Tom, let's have a look at the squad. Then let's start with the three centre-backs. What are we thinking?
00:22:30
Tom Cairns
think it's going to be De Ligt, Maguire and Jorou. Those are the three i would probably throw in there. ah Yeah, yeah.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree if De Ligt is fit to start the match. If he's not, I think Lindelof starts in his place. and But I think that's that's pretty much the the back three we're expecting. Obviously, we've skipped past Inanna because I think we're both in agreement that Inanna is starting.
00:22:50
Tom Cairns
yeah
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like how we got that. Got through that nice quickly. That's four players down, the rest to go. Let's have a look at wing-backs then. Dallow, who's been... I thought he he's he's come into a decent bit of form recently down that right-hand side. Now he's he's got injured.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm expecting Masraoui to start on that right-hand side and Dorgo on the left. If Dallow was fit, Masraoui would be on the right-hand side of the centre-back. I was going to say partnership, but the trio, you could call them.
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you see it the same way?
00:23:17
Tom Cairns
Yes. Yes, do. Yeah. Although Dorgo struggled at the weekend because he softly gave the ball away for Bournemouth's goal in the first half.
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perfect.
00:23:25
Tom Cairns
But bearing in mind, we've still got Luke Shaw as well, but I would still start Dorgo and maybe bring Luke Shaw on in the second half.
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully he doesn't give away another penalty. Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed.
00:23:36
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Holding midfield then. This is probably going to be not not an easy one, but I think this is where the variance could start to to show. I think... Yeah, I think Agathe...
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agathe and Fernandes, I think, there, because I'm thinking of pushing someone a little bit further up. and
00:23:56
Tom Cairns
Thank
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've always preferred, in this system, Fernandes playing a little bit deeper. And I feel like in a game like this, where if we're talking about possession, it's all going to be possessing it in the midfield and doing good things with the ball. And I think if you drop Fernandes a bit deeper, so he's a bit more involved in that midfield battle...
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's able to unlock the passes. He's able to find those players. And hopefully, if he if he has a fantastic game, he'll do just that. Alongside Agata, who i consider a bit of a destroyer, he's been quite okay this season.
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think um i think that's that would be a good partnership for that midfield. But what what's your thinking, Tom?
00:24:29
Tom Cairns
I think it would be Casemiro and Ugarte in the CDMs, Kieran.
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:24:33
Tom Cairns
I think I would probably stick Bruno in his usual position, but i think Casemiro and Ugarte are two, which I would feel more comfortable to be starting in that. I do agree that Fernandes will probably play in that role at some point in the match, but to begin with, I would say stick Casemiro and Ugarte in that.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Castamira has found bit of fun but of form recently as well, I think. So I think we have to give him props for that as well. and Showing you know you know snippets and previews of what what was a world-class player. And obviously now, not so much, but still flashes are are there.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um See, now when I get to attacking midfield, I was thinking of putting Maynou up there. Now, this is all dependent on how fit he actually is. You know, he's been making some appearances and whatnot. But if he's fit, why not playing alongside Garnaccio?
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was, when he came on against Lyon, he was a game changer at that point.
00:25:26
Tom Cairns
He was.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Got us the goal. i You know, he's a fantastic player. We should be using him. And as a creative player, as a finisher, it makes sense to start him further up the pitch.
00:25:36
Tom Cairns
I'd agree with that. And I'm going to put Fernandes alongside him. I think those two would be excellent in in the cams, which is very yeah unexpected, really, of Meinho being in that position. But because he's been deadly um in that, you know, playing there from what we saw when he came as a sub against Lyon in the second leg...
00:25:55
Tom Cairns
I would want to see more of that from when he starts. So I would probably put Mainou alongside Fernandes in the attacking midfield. um I think we're probably going to agree what we're going to put on now number nine, aren't we?
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah We've only got one choice. So I think let's say in unison, I guess. Hoyland.
00:26:11
Tom Cairns
Hoyland, yes.
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yay, there you go. and i think that's the quickest predicted XI we've ever gone through, ah to be honest with you. I think because we're so short on players, it kind of has it. I think the only differences were if De Ligt is fit, he's starting for you. I think Lindelof is starting um and we have some differences in the midfield. Other than that, it's pretty much what we're expecting. So the only thing that's left, Tom, is the dreaded score prediction.
Final Predictions and Closing Remarks
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think is going to happen? How is it going to end after 90 minutes in Bilbao?
00:26:41
Tom Cairns
Well, it doesn't matter if it's a score draw or a scoreless draw because away goals don't count. But I think it will be a draw. I think if we come away, do risk a 0-0?
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, does he? Do you, Tom? Do you? Do I give you a little nudge in that direction?
00:26:58
Tom Cairns
I'm going to go for a Yeah.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, boo.
00:27:01
Tom Cairns
yeah
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wasn't going to go nil-nil anyway, so it's fine. I was thinking 2-2. um I think, you know, there's something about United and the Europa League that just somehow they score more goals and somehow get more confidence. But at the same time, I think they can leave themselves a little bit open. We saw that against Lyon.
00:27:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think two too if If a draw happens away from home, that's not a bad result at all. Let's let's put it that way. um Even a slender loss is not the end of the world. But...
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
the more the better we can The better position we can put ourselves in Bilbao, hopefully the better time we'll have at Old Trafford. Then again, we did say that against Lyon. We blew a 2-0 lead very very much, very easily when we went to Old Trafford. Nevertheless, ah we have our score prediction in for two score predictions as well. Don't forget the Brentford game, which we're less optimistic about.
00:27:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what do you think? Let us know on all the social medias. We're at GSPN on Twitter and X. We're on Instagram. We're on Facebook and we're on TikTok as well. Let us know your score predictions for the match. And if you're listening on Spotify or Apple, don't forget you can now watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel. It's at GSPN, Daily Manchester United Podcast. It's so long, so you have to remember it.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the difference. ah Thank you so much for joining me, Tom. I'm hoping and maybe probably going cower behind the sofa to watch these two games.
00:28:20
Tom Cairns
Yeah, well, well and i think tomorrow's game most certainly. um i Even though I think Sunday's game isn't exactly televised, is it? so um But best of luck to us tomorrow. If we can come away with a strong performance, if we can align that performance with a good result, even if it's a draw, then I'll happily take that.
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. So if you're listening to this, don't forget it's tonight, eight o'clock on TNT Sports 1 if you are watching in the UK. And let's hope, get behind the Red Devils for a push, hopefully, towards that Europa League title. In the meantime, have a great rest of your Thursday.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's get up for the match and hopefully we'll have a podcast for you right after match as a reaction. Until then, have a great rest of your day. Take care of yourselves. We'll talk to you soon. Bye-bye.