I think he'll start with the side that came out after HT vs Liverpool.

Casemiro to come on mid way into the second half maybe?

Eriksen looked very tired in the second half of the Liverpool game. I wouldn't be surprised if he's given a rest. I'd really like it if we could use him as the classy player who comes on and provides the killer blow against tiring opponents rather than relying on him as the main progressive passer in our midfield. Ideally, that would be because we pull Frenkie out of the hat. In the absence of that, it remains to be seen how Casemiro fits into the team and how ETH sets up the side around him.

Agree with that RR, Eriksen looked fcked towards the end but not every game will be as manic as that, I would expect us to have more of the ball vs Southampton than we did Monday.

If we were to start Casemiro from the off tomorrow, I'd probably put him in the middle with Fred just so he has that familiarity from playing for Brazil until he's fully settled and used to the rest of the team. Bruno ahead of them if Eriksen is rested. Harsh on McT after a good though.

Do you think Verane is fit enough to play 2 games in a week just yet?

All for continuity, especially at CB, but he looked fecked at the end of the game versus Liverpool.

Get in a top ball player in CM, CF and a RB and that’s starting to look like a team.

FDJ would be fckin great in that midfield now we have Casemiro. FFS.

I'd be happy wth that line up, though being us, I'm sure Casemiro will come off the bench second half once we're one or two nil down

If Varane can’t handle 2 games in a row then we should have never bought him. I know he has his niggled but I’m assuming he can play if he’s fit.

With Casemiro I guess it all depends how well he’s adapted in training? He could definitely start if EtH likes what he’s seen.

Saints have a lot of energy which I doubt we can match so may be about better control which is where Eriksen has to start.

Hopefully Martial is fit to start too otherwise keep Elanga out wide.

“ If Varane can’t handle 2 games in a row then we should have never bought him. I know he has his niggled but I’m assuming he can play if he’s fit.”

ETH did seem to suggest he won’t overplay Varane early in the season during his interview with Neville and Carragher. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is rested tomorrow or the following game.

Personally I’d like to see us continue with the same side for the time being to build some momentum.

Varane doesn't need to play in the League cup games or any of the Europa Group games. I'd play him in every PL game when he's fit to play.

Yeah I get that we have to be careful with Varane and monitor him but not being able to play 2 games in 6 days would be stupid if true.

Fernandez has to be benched/sold. Don’t follow why he gets to play poorly every game and is still an automatic starter.

Against liverpool he blatantly dives, tries to score an own goal and continues his irritating arm waving and constant moaning to the ref.

What message does it send to the rest of the team that he is still in the squad?

Have to say I thought we'd have made another signing by now after the Liverpool game tbh.

comment by aroon1 (U7949)
posted 6 minutes ago
Fernandez has to be benched/sold. Don’t follow why he gets to play poorly every game and is still an automatic starter.

Against liverpool he blatantly dives, tries to score an own goal and continues his irritating arm waving and constant moaning to the ref.

What message does it send to the rest of the team that he is still in the squad?
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I guess the fact that he has been one of the most productive players in the league since he has joined the club, while also playing with commitment and being probably the most effective player in the press might be why he plays a lot.

Are we going to promote Donny at this point on the basis that he has more introverted body language and hasn't lost possession once during his extended period on the bench?

Not sure how it came across on TV as the camera obviously follows the ball but Bruno was fckin insane on Monday in terms of effort levels. Made every attempt to press the ball or cut the nearest pass out, he was relentless. No chance ETH drops him at the moment.

comment by FFS Mike. (U1170)
posted 13 minutes ago
Not sure how it came across on TV as the camera obviously follows the ball but Bruno was fckin insane on Monday in terms of effort levels. Made every attempt to press the ball or cut the nearest pass out, he was relentless. No chance ETH drops him at the moment.
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That's what I thought watching it on TV too... Thought he had a good game and set up some good attacking moves too.

I think some folk just focus on the headline blunder (lost the ball in a dangerous area once and the almost own goal) and just think, "he's been terrible".

Far easier to see mistakes than see the more intricate stuff, i guess.

comment by aroon1 (U7949)
posted 30 minutes ago
Fernandez has to be benched/sold. Don’t follow why he gets to play poorly every game and is still an automatic starter.

Against liverpool he blatantly dives, tries to score an own goal and continues his irritating arm waving and constant moaning to the ref.

What message does it send to the rest of the team that he is still in the squad?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

It's 'Fernandes' mate. He's not Spanish.

Also i don't think he was that bad Monday night. He ran his ballacks off and us fans in the Stretty were singing his name when he came off the pitch at FT.

Miles better captain than slabhead.

Bruno puts in a shift that very few others do. Even if he isn’t scoring or assisting his work rate helps the team a lot.

I agree you can't fault his effort almost ever. I think he'll get himself back into form soon too with hopefully Ronaldo leaving.

comment by FFS Mike. (U1170)
posted 31 minutes ago
Not sure how it came across on TV as the camera obviously follows the ball but Bruno was fckin insane on Monday in terms of effort levels. Made every attempt to press the ball or cut the nearest pass out, he was relentless. No chance ETH drops him at the moment.
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More pressures (17) and as many interceptions (3) as any other player on the pitch against Liverpool.

Also, as usual, more key passes (5) than any other player on the pitch.

Having a fluid pacey front 3 all switching positions with any combination of Rashford, Martial, Sancho, Elanga (or Antony/Gakpo) combined with a CB like Martinez who will generally play the ball through the lines to Bruno quicker than our previous CB's, I can see Bruno playing no end of defence splitting passes through to our forwards as the season progresses.

Obviously some of these won't come off and will go down as another loss of possession but thems the breaks

Bruno played well on Monday as well and even appeared in his own box at times to snuff out danger. Barring the odd wtf moment he was pretty disciplined too and ran himself into the ground.

I also don't mind some of his 'histrionics' either. I think it's important to have good players in the team who can also recognise you can gain something by putting the opposition off their game. The more sh**houses we have the better I say.

comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 35 minutes ago
comment by FFS Mike. (U1170)
posted 31 minutes ago
Not sure how it came across on TV as the camera obviously follows the ball but Bruno was fckin insane on Monday in terms of effort levels. Made every attempt to press the ball or cut the nearest pass out, he was relentless. No chance ETH drops him at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
More pressures (17) and as many interceptions (3) as any other player on the pitch against Liverpool.

Also, as usual, more key passes (5) than any other player on the pitch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

What I find annoying about these stats is that Bruno could be such a better overall player with some very minor tweaks to his game. For example, in injury time on Monday we were on the break, it's 2-1, we've got space to just retain the ball and kill the game but instead he tries a really difficult killer pass from the left in behind the Liverpool defence which was easily cut out and put Liverpool on the attack. To his credit, he scampered back and actually won the ball back. But if he could combine his productivity with a little more care and restraint at the right times, he'd be a much, much better player.

comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 35 minutes ago
comment by FFS Mike. (U1170)
posted 31 minutes ago
Not sure how it came across on TV as the camera obviously follows the ball but Bruno was fckin insane on Monday in terms of effort levels. Made every attempt to press the ball or cut the nearest pass out, he was relentless. No chance ETH drops him at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
More pressures (17) and as many interceptions (3) as any other player on the pitch against Liverpool.

Also, as usual, more key passes (5) than any other player on the pitch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

What I find annoying about these stats is that Bruno could be such a better overall player with some very minor tweaks to his game. For example, in injury time on Monday we were on the break, it's 2-1, we've got space to just retain the ball and kill the game but instead he tries a really difficult killer pass from the left in behind the Liverpool defence which was easily cut out and put Liverpool on the attack. To his credit, he scampered back and actually won the ball back. But if he could combine his productivity with a little more care and restraint at the right times, he'd be a much, much better player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Outwith the context of the discussion about whether he should be playing the next game (which he certainly should, IMO), yeah, you’re absolutely right.

He certainly can be a frustrating player, even at the best of times; but - bottom-line - he’s still devastatingly productive and incredibly useful in the press and counterpress.

Being reported that Martial is injured, so I'd expect Ronaldo/Elanga to replace him.

That would be annoying, and should speed up the recruitment for another forward.

Would expect Elanga to start on the left with Rashford up front if true.