FAYC Final 2nd Leg: MUFC v Sheffield United – Preview

So? What did we learn at Bramall Lane last Tuesday night? Well, I think we learnt that after disposing of Aston Villa in the semi-final we were right not to underestimate Sheffield United’s young Blades. Did United’s players underestimate them? I don’t think so. But, I do believe they were a tad shocked when they woke up from the dead after thirty five minutes! With a record crowd at Bramall Lane last Tuesday, and the outcome still finely in the balance, this Monday’s 2^nd leg promises to be another fascinating tussle. Both teams will go into the game high in confidence but with the utmost respect for the opposition. I’m predicting a crowd upwards of 20,000 at Old Trafford but I’m optimistic there may be many more in attendance to watch the conclusion of this year’s FA Youth Cup.

One thing is for sure on Monday night, Ravel Morrison will provide a much greater influence on the game than he did at Bramall Lane. A major reason why this game is still finely balanced is in no small part down to the almost tireless efforts of Whitehouse, McFadzean and Harriot who hounded Morrison and suffocated his space and time. I cannot see Morrison failing for a second time to get the space he craves, especially on a comparatively sprawling Old Trafford pitch that will also provide a much slicker surface than that of Bramall Lane.

The likelihood is, that Morrison will continue where he left off from his last Old Trafford appearance versus Chelsea in the semi-final. When you analyse Tuesday night’s game you see that Morrison was afforded more space and time in the last ten minutes due to the players mentioned finally running out of gas. It’s my opinion that Sheffield United will deploy a similar tactic to deal with Morrison but will get much less success doing it and therefore have to think again when half time arrives.

With the expected return of Larnell Cole, someone looks set to miss out on their starting place. Cole will certainly offer pace and skill wide on the right, and he certainly has the energy to help his midfield out when he’s needed. It’s this width that makes me confident Morrison will have a greater influence. On Tuesday night, with the exception of Van Velzen down the left, United had very little width and struggled to create chances against the wall of eight men on the edge of the box, I think the players and the management will address this on Monday and we will see a more balanced formation.

That brings me to news that Jesse Lingard is the likely loser and will drop to the bench if Cole is considered fit enough to start. ‘Is this what you would do, Rimmers?’……NO. But I think it’s what will happen. Lingard for me will have more than just reason to be upset if he is overlooked and Van Velzen keeps his place on the left. The fact of the matter is, if we trawl back through the games United have played in the Youth Cup this season we see that Lingard has had a finite influence on us getting to this final in the first place. Take Stamford Bridge just for an example, he’s physically sick on the pitch, probably through nerves as we know he suffers from, but then puts in the kind of performance that see’s Ji-Sung Park praised for at the highest levels. He scored United’s first on that day (long after his sickness) and then went on to provide the cross for Pogba to score the second. Then there’s Bramall Lane only five days ago. Again he was on the scoresheet and, regardless of how fortuitous it may have been, he was there where it mattered and he got United on the way. Later in the game he squared a ball across the box for United’s second, had Pogba, Tunnicliffe or Morrison delivered the ball with such accurate and slick technique we would’ve been waxing lyrical about how ‘this guy should be in the first team’. However, we are not, and rightly so. Jesse has a long way to go before he’s talked about like that but, where’s Van Velzens goals? Where’s his assists? Where’s his influence? Where’s his productivity? No one can justify to me that Van Velzen deserves a starting berth above Lingard and hopefully it won’t happen, but I think it will.

I hope Van Velzen proves me wrong if he plays and perhaps bags a goal and an assist for his efforts, if he doesn’t he will no doubt figure heavily in my report after the match regardless of the outcome. Surely Paul McGuiness can see that Lingard not only has a right to expect to be in the starting eleven, he’s earned it. He must also see that Van Velzen has given the team absolutely nothing other than occupying the opposition’s right back for the majority of his appearances. I guess we won’t find out until thirty minutes before kick-off.

During United’s cup run there’s been several players out for fairly prolonged periods including John Cofie, Will Keane and Larnell Cole. All three could be considered as ‘starting XI’ regulars. Now they’re all fit and available McGuiness also has to make a decision on who occupies his bench, again with someone possibly unlucky to miss out.

United have already won the Youth Cup more times than any other team and will be favourites to lift it once again. Sheffield United will not lie down and die on Monday, but, with Tom Thorpe getting through the ninety minutes without aggravating his calf, I expect United to be strong at the back, creative in midfield and deadly in attack.

Prediction: MUFC 3-1 SUFC

Team: Johnstone / M Keane, Fornasier, Thorpe, McGinty / Van Velzen, Pogba, Tunnicliffe, Cole / Morrison / W Keane (4-4-1-1)

Subs: Coll, Lingard, Cofie, (and then from, in order of my opinion) Lawrence, Blackett, Massacci, Ekangamene, Fryers.

** TICKET NEWS **

The match was originally an all-ticket affair but United have now confirmed that fans will be able to ‘pay on the gate’ to gain entrance. Prices are:

£5.00 Adult Non-Member, £2.00 Under 16 + Over 65’s.

The night promises to be a fantastic occassion, if you can get to Old Trafford for the 7:30 kickoff then you really should…….you won’t be disappointed.

Good luck lads……..

Remember, you can follow me on Twitter @Rimmerstweets for live updates during the game.

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Category: Manchester United