It's that time of year. The sheer overwhelming excitement of the FA Cup Third Round where the minnows slay giants left, right and centre, are immortalized forever and remain in the lower levels of the pyramid in perpetuity and out of pocket. No matter what sides the so called big clubs put out one can with confidence predict that the finalists for the showpiece event whenever that is will not be us or indeed any side outside of the super six clubs who seem intent as they have been over the last three decades of controlling the domestic game for their sole benefit. This applies to Newton Heath. I am sure the original founders of the club would be horrified to see their game turned into the soulless, corporate, dull affair it has become. Little to do with sport everything to do with finance. No longer can a club with a clever manager or tactics win anything or establish a cycle of dominance. Clubs are now limited to glass ceilings. Even former giants of the game are subservient to the whims of the Super Six. From losing their star player(s), to having their academies raided while the smaller clubs do not even have the luxury of having money pouring in from a replay. The super six as journalists call them but should be called the scummy six have done everything they can to denigrate what used to be a wonderful tournament. Despite continual moans about playing too many games that do not apply to flying out to all corners of the globe to collect cash boxes, the enormous squads these clubs wield with impunity (any legislation attempting to curb the power of these teams is continually mocked and derided by the lawyers employed at these entities) means we have no chance next week. Defeatism ? Pragmatism ? The playing field is so biased and tilted in favour of these teams and their plastic fans and flags (so no long queues on the motorways north or so called fans of this team wondering who Bill Foulkes was with a tepid minutes applause) one has to ask the question what is the point ? Our sole aim is to try somehow despite the shambles on and off the pitch to get promoted. I for one would happily field the under twenty three side. Stuff the regulations. Get Pedro and Perica fit. Zinckernagel integrated into the side, find a new centre forward and midfielder and for the love of God get Deeney and Gray out of the door. Break up the cabal. One member is gone the others need to go as well. Boringly predictable. Note how the occupants of the Emptyhad have suddenly become a force in the game solely down to petrodollars. What a wonderful sport it is. 2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City 2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool 2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City 2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa 2015–16 Newton Heath 2–1 * Crystal Palace 2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea 2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Newton Heath 2018–19 Manchester City 6–0 Watford 2019–20 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Opposition forum: https://www.redcafe.net/ A masterclass in entitlement, parochialism, self righteousness and lack of self awareness like their cousins at Bluemoon, RAWK, Goonermania, TheFightingCock and Chavsea.
How strong a team will we put out? We've had a fair few first teamers who have got injured but who are on the verge of getting back to full fitness (WTE, JP, Masina, Hughes) plus guys like Perica (who for some reason hasn't got much of a look in ahead of Deeney and Gray) and Zinckernagel who could be in a position to start, so hopefully we'll avoid a battering at least
An absolutely horrible tie, even if we play our strongest team and play to our maximum, their youngsters are going to cruise past us, I just hope we can keep it below 6 tbf
Realistically the FA Cup is our last chance of picking up some silverware this season. Hopefully The Kid knows that this competition is hugely important to all English football fans and will put out our strongest XI. Get a draw at Old Trafford and get back them back to Vicarage Road for a replay under the lights.
Good opportunity to see their heroes for those on our forum who moonlight as Watford fans when Man Utd aren’t playing.
Well a good Saturday night out annoying the masses of Norwegian Mancs to look forward to. ******* them off by informing them that I've been to Old Trafford more than their pathetic collective and I've only been three times. I'd be extremely happy if we can get to halftime level, that's when I'm usually asked to leave. So gives me time to hunt the rest of the pack out during the break.
Always a surprise when this comes around. I think subconsciously I usually just assume we are already out.
Play the young lads and rest the senior players, two massive league games coming up that I think may define our season.
Isn't Ganymede the cup bearer to Zeus? Can't see the captain genuflecting to any other god bar "Troy Deeney". He's a big boy now you know.
Will be going to my half and half scarf wardrobe and picking the ManUtd-Watford one from my vast selection . Am hoping one day we qualify for Europe as I might get to take my Barca-Watford scarf out the packet.
I'm really not all that bothered about the Cup this season, so as long as we don't suffer a complete humiliation I'll be happy with any result, though I suppose a win would be nice, just because it's Man U.
Play the under 12's. Might give Pogba and Co. a game. Give the gloves to Buchanan, put coats down for goal posts and use a plastic figure of a ref in charge. Mark Goldridge is one of the most insufferable Manure fans on the Internet, so watching him squirm if we do actually win could be entertaining. Just get it over with so we can all forget about it for twelve months. 1-3
Thankfully we’ve recalled Cucho from his loan and Dahlberg is back. Fully expect us to line up like this; Dahlberg Ngakia Ekong Wilmot Estupinan Capoue Hughes Sarr Zinckernagel Cucho Suarez With that starting 11 we should batter them.
An ideal game for Zinckernagel to make his debut. He can get it out of the way without any pressure on the result, play with freedom and the enthusiasm he seems to have, with the bonus that Man U won’t know much about him.
Time to make some money - auction off the starting 11 places to our players who would benefit from playing United for their media careers.
I will watch this as it will be the first appearance of the season of our joint saviours Isaac Success and Philip Zinckernagel.
Hope we lose this one. We're back in the title race for the first time since Sir Alex and we need to focus.
Success has been doing well on my 5 games of FIFA 21. That's probably puts me equally as qualified to have an input as the rest of the club's management experience.