Man U in the cup, 2 down, 5 to go !!!!

[Blue and White Toucan]

BBC site confirms that Van der Saar will miss the FA Cup game.

So thats Van der Saar , and Rooney definatley out.

Just need Sir Alex to rest Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo (maybe Ferdinand and Vidic as well for good measure) and I think we have a chance

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6330111.stm

[Big Ern]

He woulnd't have played even if he was fit.

[brendywendy]

i reckon we can do em, i really do

who is their champions league game against the week after?

[zac naloen]

He woulnd't have played even if he was fit.

He played their last game, why not against us?

[jm_cooper]

i reckon we can do em, i really do

who is their champions league game against the week after?

lille

[Blue and White Toucan]

Lille - Away.

They will def not want to lose that one.

To go out of the Champion league would be a disaster for them.

To put a 'weakened' team out and go out in the FA Cup would be a case of 'other games have more importance'

Also with Doyle back available, Convey desperate to get in the team, Bennett available, and the current run of form of the squad, it just might be our time to beat Man U !!!!

[biscuitsrus]

Caution; Warning Danger Ahead!

[strap]

I actually thought we could nick a 1-0 at Old Trafford in the battle of the reserves. I mean, our team could easily be something like:

Federici
De La Cruz, Sodje, Duberry, Golbourne (if not at Wycombe?)
Seol, Oster, Gunnarsson (if fit?), Convey
Kitson, Doyle (if fit?)

I've left Halford out on purpose as he could fit in pretty much anywhere to cover for the question marks. I mean, our record signing not even in the 2nd XI?!?!?!

The above could quite conceivably be a 1st XI pick for a Premiership game later in the seaosn - and there was me whinging about the wafer thin squad at the start of the season.

[Daniella]

Won't halford be cup tied?

[SpaceCruiser]

Has Halford and Duberry already played in the FA Cup for Colchester and Stoke respectively?

[eaststandbird]

I'm sure they would have played and Bennet is still unfit as he had about a week of pre-season training at Cork

[Scarface]

Has Halford and Duberry already played in the FA Cup for Colchester and Stoke respectively?

I'm sure I read on the O/S that both Halford and Duberry were unavaliable for the FA Cup.

Win, draw or lose, I just hope we have a bl00dy good go at United and earn more plaudits.

However it would be great to see BBC Man Utd squirm as Lineker and Co have to comment on their favourites getting knocked out.

[strap]

Won't halford be cup tied?

Sorry, yes both Duberry and Halford are cuptied. So Bikey in for Duberry then, and still a pretty useful 2nd XI!

Federici
De La Cruz, Sodje, Bikey, Golbourne (if not at Wycombe?)
Seol, Oster, Gunnarsson (if fit?), Convey
Kitson, Doyle (if fit?)

[rabidbee]

Golbourne is at Wycombe, and I suspect that this might be a bit early for Boris.

How about:

Federici;
Murty, Sodje, Bikey, DLC;
Seol, Oster, Harper, Convey;
Doyle, Kitson.

Personally, I'd like to see us name our strongest squad. I know people are saying we should allow the guys who got us into the round a go at them, but are we therefore going to play the above line-up if we go all the way to the final? I don't think that the above team is strong enough to win at OT, personally; I'm not convinced that our stongest team could, but I'd still like to see us give it our best shot. There is supposed to be no sentimentality in football management...

[Cookie]

Leroy Lita WILL play.

[tink]

I don't think that the above team is strong enough to win at OT, personally; I'm not convinced that our stongest team could, but I'd still like to see us give it our best shot

but this is coppell's point - if our first time couldnt win, may as well save them the risk of injury/suspension and let the fringe players have some big match experience. any way, im sure this has been said before.

and fergie has played kusczak in the cup so far, so van der sar would probably have been rested in any event

[SWLR]

Go for it:

Federici

Murty; Inga; Spiderman, England
Seol; Harper/ Oster Sidwell Convey
Lita (a returning) Doyle/ Kits

[rabidbee]

I don't think that the above team is strong enough to win at OT, personally; I'm not convinced that our stongest team could, but I'd still like to see us give it our best shot

but this is coppell's point - if our first time couldnt win, may as well save them the risk of injury/suspension and let the fringe players have some big match experience. any way, im sure this has been said before.

I'd rather go for might win than won't win, any day.

[Stranded]

The thing is our "reserve" team are not actually that far off the quality of the first 11.

Striker wise all four have shown (if only in glimpses) that they can play comfortably at the top level. And the likely starters - Lita and Doyle are our two top scorers.

If Convey hadn't been injured he'd probably be first choice on the left, Seol was first choice for a long time on the right and Oster is more than capable in the middle as is Gunna if fit.

Federici has shown fine form in goal and Bikey is starting to look composed in defence. DLC is an experience Prem player who is looking settled now and Sodje has had some good/some bad games.

The other two spots will probably be taken by first teamers. So hardly a weak team at all.

[Woodcote Royal]

I'd rather go for might win than won't win, any day.

I'd rather stick with the manager we've got, ANY DAY!!!