Mark Of Excellence

2012-10-26 16:30#68582 akash.vidyasagar : The beta lets us exploit the wings, have 2 wingers in every tactic to score more goals.

I think I might use the wingers a lot more but I think i will need a better left winger for consistent performance. The reason why i am limiting my wingers use is because i don't really trust ashley young to perform consistently and i don't have a very good replacement. I have kagawa and cleverley but i prefer to play them through the middle. Nani and valencia are quite good but in a busy schedule it might be a problem when resting them without proper backups. But thanks for the advice.

The first game of Champions League Group Stage at home against Udinese...

Udinese were touted as the only competition against United for the qualifying spot by the media but i rate Ajax higher than Udinese so here were the lineup...

Formation: 4-3-3 with 3 strikers
Lineup: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Evra, Scholes, Fletcher, Kagawa, Rooney, Van Persie, Welback
Subs used: Hernandez, Young, Rafael

Manchester United: 5-0 :Udinese
Welback(28,48)
Scholes(31)
Smalling(45)
Van Persie(80)

Here is the results...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/UdineseResult.jpg
As you can see, Fletcher and Rooney are available for the CL tie as they were still serving suspension and the next league match is important and is against Arsenal who are sitting on the top of the table and have gained maximum points just like us, so I tried to keep the team as fresh as i can. Still I managed to totally dominate Udinese, What a start to the european campaign and lucky to get a considerably easy group.

Injury News: Danny Welback is out for 2-3 months after suffering a broken ankle.

Here are the Player Ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/UdineseRatings.jpg
As you see, their gameplan was totally doomed and it showed in the ratings. Van persie was the man of the match and another clean sheet. However still disappointed with Wayne Rooney's performance. He can't get on the scoresheet right now. Van persie is scoring some goals though.

Next update after the all important Arsenal match... Podolski is firing some goals and Arsenal has spent some money to bring some good players.

Now is the time for the clash of the top 2 positioned teams...
Arsenal Vs Manchester United at the emirates... It's a mouth watering clash... at the emirates.

Formation:4-1-2-1-2
Lineup: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Rasmus Elm, Cleverley, Kagawa, Hernandez, Van Persie
Subs Used: Carrick, Young, Valencia

Arsenal: 0-2 :Manchester United
---------------Hernandez(3,65)
Here is the result....
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/ArsenalResults.jpg

It was a competitive match but it couldn't have got better with hernandez providing the early lead. Beating Arsenal in emirates was always going to be hard and they grew into the match. As you can see stats are almost identical except for the goals scored, Hernandez scored in the second half to seal the match. De Gea is having a good start to the season(he only conceded in the newcastle match when my ageing defense wasn't able to cope up with cisse.) Hernandez if continues this form he might get the nod ahead of Wayne Rooney as I'm not being able to get the best out of him at the moment. Well he's available from next match after completing his suspension.

Here are the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/ArsenalRatings.jpg

Nothing special to talk about here... Next match is the Capital One Cup round match with West Brom.
Injury update: Alexander Buttner is injured and will be out for 3 weeks. Might be time to use my purchase youngster Lucas Digne as he has a ton of potential.
Next update after the West Brom Match.

Capital One Cup 3rd Round Vs West Brom

West Brom vs Manchester United

Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Lineup: Lindegaard, Rafael, Evans, Jones, Digne, Emre Can, Scholes, Giggs, Pettrucci, Rooney, Henriquez
Subs used: Cleverley, Young, Smalling

West Brom: 0-2 :Manchester United
-------------------Rooney(7,28)

Here is the match result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/COC-WBrom-Results.jpg
In this match, i decided to rest a lot of starters and started the match with some very promising youngsters. Lindegaard made his first start. Lucas Digne, Emre Can, Pettrucci and Angelo Henriquez were all given first team oppurtunity and all did quite well. Lucas Digne was quite great. Angelo Henriquez connected really well with Rooney and Can played as DMC which I may consider him to use a lot in the future. Also Rooney was able to get on the scoresheet finally and I think he was quite influential in the outcome as he grabbed both the goals for the team.

Here are the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/COC-WBrom-ratings.jpg

So it was quite a great match and my youngsters didn't let me down. Next match is against west ham and i will update after the match... Give me your thoughts on these youngsters... what do you think of these young players... Henriquez, Digne, Emre Can and Pettrucci.... Leave your thoughts below...

Back to the premier League.

Manchester United Vs West Ham

Formation: 4-3-3 with wingers
Lineup: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Digne, Rasmus Elm, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Young, Van Persie
Subs used: Rooney, Valencia, Jones

Manchester United: 1-0 :West Ham
Young(7)

Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-WestHamResult.jpg

Pretty disappointing result when you compare the total shots to shots on target. This was quite disappointing even though the domination. we were unable to score more. Young was quite good but he was quite a failure in front of the goal as he could have easily scored a hattrick. Van Persie is injured and is out for 3 to 4 weeks which is quite disappointing.

Here is the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-WestHamRatings.jpg

With Welback and Van Persie sidelined for some time, I have only hernandez and Rooney as senior strikers. Might as well try Henriquez paired with a senior striker. and I gave Lucas Digne his PL start in this game, he was quite good compared to his age. Rasmus Elm has been quite satisfactory but is getting better quickly, he will be my cover for scholes. He's good in the air and is quite good defensively as well. Give your opinions folks...

Back to the Champions League Group stage.
Next match is away to M. Haifa...

Formation:4-3-3 with wingers
Lineup: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Rasmus Elm, Fletcher, Kagawa, Valencia, Young, Hernandez
Subs Used: Scholes, Jones, Rooney

M.Haifa: 0-5 :Manchester United
---------------Hernandez (25,67)
---------------Blayberg own goal(47)
---------------Rasmus Elm (50)
---------------Evans (76)

Here is the result of the total domination.
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/CL-HaifaResult.jpg
As you see it was always going to be a easy fixture against the weakest team in the group and Hernandez grabbed a couple of goals and Rasmus Elm grabbed a goal for him. He's starting to show why i bought him. All and all its a good win and its 2 in 2 in europe, a great start.

Here are the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/CL-HaifaRatings.jpg

Now much to explain here, but my team has gone 6 games without conceding a single goal which is a new club record as a newsletter popped up in my inbox. The next match is against SWANSEA who are surprisingly 2nd in the league at this time. Now It's time for the Hernandez and Rooney partnership upfront for the swansea game.

Leave your thought folks...

Back to premier league and it is the battle of the top two yet again... Swansea are surprisingly 2nd in the league right now. And yet again its away from home...

Swansea vs Manchester United
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Lineup: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Digne, Carrick, Rasmus Elm, Cleverley, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez.
Subs Used: Nani, Scholes, Pettrucci

Swansea: 0-4 :Manchester United
----------------Rooney(pen 3)
----------------Rafael Sent off 53
----------------Rasmus Elm (68)
----------------Hernandez (84)
----------------Kagawa (89)
Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-Swansearesult.jpg
Well you can see here how much possession swansea had. No wonder they were 2nd when they could control such a large portion of possession. They gave away a penalty early in the game and my struggling forward rooney converted it to give us some momentum. However Rafael got sent off for his tackle and i had to turn my tactics to counter attacking football as they were having a lion's share of possession and were continuously attacking and it worked wonders. Rasmus Elm, scored a peach of a goal. Hernandez and Kagawa scored after 80 mins and totally the game was over for swansea. Now I think Valencia and Smalling will be moved to rightback position for the next 3 games as rafael serves his suspension and yeah another cleansheet.

Here is the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-Swansearatings.jpg
Well its time for the international break so I will have Van Persie nearly fit and Buttner will be fit to play till then. Welback will still be over a month away from returning. I just hope my players don't get injured badly for their trip with their country's friendlies...
Give me your thoughts everybody. Just How am I doing????

Injury Update

Striker Crisis...
Rooney Injured while on international duty... out for 3 weeks but expect him to regain fitness earlier
Van Persie still a week away from returning...
Only Javier Hernandez is a senior striker who is available
Backup is now angelo henriquez... He might get some playing time against Norwich...

Away match vs Norwich

Norwich vs Manchester United

Formation: 4-3-3 with wingers
Lineup: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Rasmus Elm, Fletcher, Kagawa, Nani, Young, Hernandez
Subs Used: Scholes, Valencia, Henriquez

Norwich:----------- 1-2 ----------:Manchester United
Missed Penalty-Surman(23)--- Ferdinand(14)
Johnson(31)-----------------Nani(pen 42)
Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-Norwichresult.jpg
It's a away victory to keep the 100% record intact. However same cannot be said of the performance against a weaker team. Maybe a lack of established striker led to less goals but my team should have been able to finish the game off earlier. It may be the rustiness after the international break. De Gea finally conceded a goal since the brace that he conceded against newcastle. He was instrumental and he did saved a penalty from Surman. Not the best performance still its a win.

Here is the Player Ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-Norwichratings.jpg
Nani is not consistent enough and that's the reason why I'm thinking of selling Nani in the January transfer window. Chelsea is interested. Should I sell Nani???
Next match is against Ajax in the Champions League... That will be in the next update...

So A little late to update today but here is the CL Ajax match...

Van Persie was fit to play but has the condition of just 70% so he would be able to play only a little part in the game so at home against the toughest opponent in the group...

Manchester United Vs Ajax

Formation: 4-3-3 with wingers
Lineup: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Evra, Rasmus Elm, Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia, Young, Hernandez
Subs Used: Van Persie, Giggs, Nani

Manchester United: 1-0 :Ajax
Jones (90+3)

Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/CL-HomeAjaxResult.jpg
Here is the harsh reality of football, you can dominate the game from top to bottom and you will not win you will need the end product called goals... But fortunately i had a real Manchester United like result with Jones providing the goal with virtually the last header of the game. Ajax were pretty underwhelming as I expected a tough game but they didn't even managed a shot till halftime and you can see them in the results. However I was impressed with their goalie who kept all the shots away. Virtually it was My players against the goalie... However I am happy with the win and next time its a trip to Ajax in the CL match so they know what they are messing against...


Here is the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/CL-HomeAjaxRatings.jpg
So i think the team is playing well in this winger formation but with Van Persie fit and Rooney just a couple of days away, I might switch to my preferred formation after the next match which is against WIGAN at home. So I'm expecting another good win.

Leave your thoughts folks. Was that a good result????

It may not have been pretty, and you may even call it pretty ugly. End of the day, a win is a win is a win and the object is, and always will be, to score more than the opposition.

Take the points and be happy with the win.

2012-10-28 16:11#68836 marc07ex : Leave your thoughts folks. Was that a good result????

Back to the Premier League...

News: Alan Pardew has been sacked by Newcastle.

Manchester United Vs Wigan Athletic

Formation: 4-3-3 with wingers
Lineup: De Gea, Valencia, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani, Kagawa, Hernandez
Subs Used: Buttner, Rasmus Elm, Young

Manchester United: 3-0 :Wigan
Hernandez(15,45,48) Watson(33)
Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-WiganResult.jpg
As you can see a very good result. If it wasn't for Nani(who missed quite a few great chances) I would have score more than just 3 goals. Hats off to Javier Hernandez who scored the hattrick for me. Pretty good result.

Here is the ratings.
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-WiganRatings.jpg

So next stop is the Capital one cup round against a not so good team and then its the manchester derby against noisy neighbours.

The 4-3-3 tactics with wingers have been monumental but Nani has been pretty disappointing for me so far so with rooney just a couple of days away and Van Persie able to start for me I might change to the 4-3-3 with 3 strikers... Give me your thoughts...

Capital one Cup Round 4 vs Brentford

Since Brentford are plying their trade in the League 1. Third tier of English Football, I thought I'd use a host of young players and reserves for the game and check out my squad.

Brentford vs Manchester United
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
Lineup: Lindegaard, Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Digne, Crisetig, Emre Can, Daehli, Petrucci, Ongenda, Henriquez
Subs Used: Young, Evans, Rasmus Elm

Brentford: 2-5 :Manchester United
Craig(29) Petrucci(pen 6,18)
Donaldson(90) Henriquez(9)
Eger sent off(53) Ongenda(61,70)
Here is the results...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/COC-Brentfordresults.jpg
If you know what clinical goal-scoring is, then my team didn't manage it rather it was brentford who were clinical, 2 goals in 2 shots on target... But as you see, I fielded the lineup which had youngsters like Digne, Crisetig, Emre can, Daehli, Petrucci, Henriquez and Ongenda. But they really owned the whole show. For such a young team it was really great considering the opponents are from L1. However I am disappointed with my goalie Lindegaard, he let in 2 goals which is untolerable against a L1 team and considering both came from set pieces.

Here is the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/COC-Brentfordratings.jpg

Now its time for the manchester derby and then a tough schedule to follow... Ajax (away) and then Everton in the League...
What do you think of these youngsters??? Give me your thoughts...

Back to the premier league where the next match is the manchester derby at home. The biggest game for me as the manager of Manchester United....

PL News: Alan Shearer hired as Newcastle manager.
Rooney fully fit to play again.

Manchester United vs Manchester City
Formation: 4-3-3 with 3 strikers... (When my striking team are fit they can rip apart any defense)
Lineup: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Rasmus Elm, Fletcher, Cleverley, Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie
Subs Used: Kagawa, Jones, Buttner

Manchester United: 6-1 :Manchester City
Van Persie(pen 35)---Nastasic(28)
Rooney(40,73,90)
Rasmus Elm(49)
Smalling(67)
Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-MancityResults.jpg
Here it is just as the fixture last year... but this time, the noisy neighbors are silenced and The Red Devils have marched on standing tall. And you know whats the most funny part?? Even the Ref was same... Mr. Mark Clattenburg. Nastasic gave City the lead in the 28th minute but after then it was just red devils who made City look like a bunch of amateurs. This is the best result I have had in the biggest match so far in this save.

Here is the player ratings...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/PL-MancityRatings.jpg
How effective is this wingless formation using 3 strikers... well the ratings shows that...
Joe Hart...4.9
Maicon...2.8
Clichy...4.9
Kompany...5.6
Lescott...5.1
I honestly say that I have never seen these type of ratings even of those mediocre teams whom i beat 11 or 12 nil. So I am pretty pleased with this result. What do you guys think of this result??? Next match against Ajax and away.
Leave your comments guys...

Champions League Group B
Ajax vs Manchester United
Formation:4-3-3 with 3 strikers
Lineup: De Gea, Valencia, Ferdinand, Evans, Buttner, Rasmus Elm, Jones, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie
Subs used: Nani, Young Scholes

Ajax: 1-2 :Manchester United
Eriksen(82)--Hernandez(52)
--------------------Jones(67)
--------------------De Gea
Here is the result...
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/CL-Ajaxawayresult.jpg
Well it wasn't as easy as the one at home. But it could have been so much good result as my team hit the wood work an amazing 4 times and my strikers missing quite a few sitters. Anyway its a win and it was quite good. De Gea was quite brilliant, he kept ajax away when Eriksen had started a remarkable comeback by scoring a goal which came from a tight angle, he showed he has a class when he scored an unbelievable goal, however this time its De Gea who has to be thanked.

Here is the match ratings.
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/Nabin_Shahi/Manager%20story/CL-Ajaxawayratings.jpg
So the next match is against Everton...
Leave your thoughts folks...