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BuzzJack Music Forum _ Sports and Fitness _ Europa League 2016/17
Posted by: Mack 13th July 2016, 07:01 PM
The 2017 final will be held at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden.
Odds (William Hill)
Man United 6-1f
Inter Milan 14-1
Schalke 04 16-1
Athletic Bilbao 20-1
Fiorentina 20-1
Southampton 20-1
West Ham United 20-1
Zenit St Petersburg 33-1
Beskitas 40-1
Celta Vigo 50-1
Mainz 66-1
Braga 66-1
Hertha Berlin 66-1
Feyenoord 66-1
Of course it will all change once the Champions League play-off losers/ group stage losers enter the competition.
Posted by: Hazza Chapman 13th July 2016, 11:55 PM
"Honey I'm home" say Manchester United after a six month absence from this competition by the time it starts fully in September.
In all seriousness I can't see us winning this competition but we should give it a go anyway. Any odds on Sevilla winning it for the 4th time in a row?
Posted by: Steve201 15th July 2016, 06:10 PM
Once you get through the group there isn't much difference from the champions league!!
Was at the second round game between cliftonville who were playing AEK Larnaca in Belfast last night - the amateur Irish club actually took a 2-0 lead but Larnaca scored 3 goals in the final half hour as their fitness showed through.
IF we somehow negotiate the 35 degree Cyprus heat next Thursday we will face Spartak Moscow in the third round!!
Posted by: ML Hammer95 26th July 2016, 07:39 AM
Got tickets to the home leg of West Ham's first Europa League tie!
Taking nothing for granted after our toils in Europe last summer.
Posted by: Silas 27th July 2016, 07:30 PM
I am 'opt in' for all our Europa league matches. Really looking forward to seeing us crash out of the shite european competition in pitiful fashion in Old Trafford itself!
Posted by: Steve201 28th July 2016, 07:43 AM
Really Im sure Jose will want to win it for 2nd time after Porto dived their way past Celtic in 2003!
You could play a reserve squad in the groups and squeeze through I reackon - the top team in the groups is usually like a 2nd or 3rd place champions league club then the other 2 teams are easily beatable.
Then in Feb its just a knockout comp with the possibility of playing decent sides - Liverpool got Man U in that stage last year remember!
Posted by: Mack 4th August 2016, 07:20 PM
And already West Ham are 2-0 up with Kouyate scoring both and scoring the first goal at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Posted by: Mack 5th August 2016, 11:56 AM
Repeat of last year for West Ham as they play Astra Girguiu in the third qualifying round.
Posted by: Mack 18th August 2016, 11:49 AM
How do people see West Ham doing tonight?
Posted by: Silas 18th August 2016, 03:33 PM
An easy win surely.
Posted by: Mack 25th August 2016, 08:47 PM
Deja vu for West Ham as they are knocked out of Europe again by Astra. I really thought West Ham would have an good run in this.
Posted by: Silas 25th August 2016, 08:58 PM
Posted by: Houdini 25th August 2016, 09:26 PM
lol, our FA Cup win has been wasted on West Ham 
Posted by: Mack 26th August 2016, 12:33 PM
Group Stages:
Group A: Man Utd, Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, Zorya Luhansk
Group B: Olympiacos, Apoel Nicosia, Young Boys, Astana
Group C: Anderlecht, St Etienne, Mainz, Qabala
Group D: Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dundalk
Group E: Plzen, Roma, Austria Vienna, FC Astra Giurgiu
Group F: Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Rapid Vienna, Sassuolo
Group G: Ajax, Standard Liege, Celta Vigo, Panathinaikos
Group H: Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Gent, Konyaspor
Group I: Schalke 04, FC Red Bull Salzburg, Krasnodar, Nice
Group J: Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, Liberec, Qarabag
Group K: Inter Milan, Sparta Prague, Southampton, Hapoel Beer Sheva
Group L: Villarreal, Steaua Bucharest, FC Zurich, Osmanlispor
Posted by: Silas 26th August 2016, 05:04 PM
Got an extra ticket for Feyenoord coz my mum, also a life long united fan, is going to come down for the match. 
Posted by: Ðøßßø 26th August 2016, 07:35 PM
Looks a promising draw, hope to see some of the players not getting a look-in the league given a runout, especially Rashford.
Posted by: Houdini 26th August 2016, 08:39 PM
Man United either have to get knocked out in the group stage or win the whole competition. There can't be any middle ground with the Europa League for the sake of the other competitions, most notably the Premier League which we have a very good chance of winning this time.
Posted by: Houdini 15th September 2016, 05:29 PM
Surprised to see Pogba starting this match against Feyenoord. I think the criticism directed at him is a bit unfair, people saying that we paid 89 million £ for a dabbing Sissoko or "all he's done so far is change his hairstyle" etc..... he's only played 3 games in the league so far and he was decent against Southampton. Pogba will definitely improve as the season goes on.
Posted by: Cassidy 15th September 2016, 08:30 PM
I only caught the last 20 minutes but it really highlighted how much deadwood we've still got in the squad. The likes of Rojo, Young and Depay were awful when they were playing week in week out. When played every couple of weeks they're naturally going to be even worse. From what I saw, there wasn't a single player who made a case for breaking in to (or indeed remaining) in the first team. Poor.
Posted by: Silas 15th September 2016, 09:24 PM
I'm just thankful that Jones wasn't in the squad or it could have been a lot worse. I was hoping tonight would prove we play better without Rooney. Alas 'twas not to be.
Their goal was f***ing miles offside tho
Posted by: Steve201 15th September 2016, 11:25 PM
Well done Dundalk with a credible draw in Holland - the better team throughout too!
Posted by: Silas 29th September 2016, 09:12 PM
Well that was as exciting as paint drying. Am no convinced we deserve all 3 points for that shit show.
Posted by: Houdini 29th September 2016, 10:28 PM
Did you go to the match?
Posted by: Silas 29th September 2016, 10:32 PM
Yeah! They closed my stand (Upper East) so I got a pretty decent seat for the night to see the shit display.
Posted by: Houdini 29th September 2016, 10:34 PM
Well at least we won so it wasn't totally in vain for you to be there
Posted by: Silas 29th September 2016, 10:36 PM
Yeah 3 points are 3 points and nowt to be sniffed at. Was just such a poor display compared to the weekend when we utterly dismantled and destroyed Leicester within 20 minutes.
Defo missed Blind and Herrara tonight. Hopefully this proved that Rojo and Fellani should never wear a United shirt ever again.
Posted by: Houdini 19th October 2016, 10:20 PM
Manchester United vs Fenerbache is on freeview BT Sport tomorrow so if you've got Sky Digital then you're in luck!
Posted by: Steve201 20th October 2016, 08:52 PM
To hell with that watching Dundalk vs Zenit on eirsport freeview - getting beat 2-1 but doing themselves proud as ever!
Posted by: Silas 20th October 2016, 09:26 PM
4-1 ya dancer!!! Good to get four goals in a match again. Couple of crackers an all
Posted by: Ðøßßø 20th October 2016, 09:44 PM
Never been happier to lose a clean sheet either. A touch of class from the fans there with a standing ovation for RVP.
Posted by: Steve201 20th October 2016, 10:20 PM
I see Big Sam and Fergie in the crowd together - two crooks together!!
Posted by: Houdini 20th October 2016, 10:47 PM
That was a good performance from Man United and good dance moves from Pogba & Lingard , really good reception for Robin Van Persie as well.
Posted by: Mack 3rd November 2016, 09:16 PM
We really need to improve if we are going to qualify for the knockout stages, Man United do.
Posted by: Rooney 3rd November 2016, 10:02 PM
I still expect Man Utd to qualify, but it just adds mountains and mountains of extra pressure on Man Utd and Mourinho, which is funny to watch.
Posted by: Dobbo 3rd November 2016, 10:16 PM
I would have been more surprised if we hadn't lost in truth, such is our form.
Never mind the £90M we shelled out for Pogba, the nothing we spent on Ibra looks like the crime of the century...
Posted by: Houdini 3rd November 2016, 10:21 PM
Liverpool going 27 years without winning a league will be even funnier to watch.
Posted by: Rooney 3rd November 2016, 10:44 PM
At least we look like we could be winning the league again!
Man Utd on the other hand, potentially could be the new Liverpool.
Posted by: ML Hammer95 3rd November 2016, 10:49 PM
Man United are the gift that keeps on giving at the moment...
Posted by: Houdini 3rd November 2016, 10:52 PM
So are relegation threatened West Ham..........
Posted by: Dobbo 3rd November 2016, 11:11 PM
I think it must be a José thing
Posted by: Houdini 3rd November 2016, 11:37 PM
That's how football is, every team goes through rough patches but those patches cant and wont go on forever. The same is true for the opposite end of the spectrum as well, teams that are winning every match right now will go through a blip at some point.
It's part of the buzz of football!
Posted by: Steve201 3rd November 2016, 11:45 PM
Lol Houdini I can feel your pain, so used to league title after league title and now a 4 year gap must seem a lifetime!
I've waited 27/33 years of my life to see Liverpool win a league (I obv can't remember before I was 6)! Don't think it will ever happen tho being a cynic!
Posted by: Silas 4th November 2016, 12:35 AM
It was a deserved loss. We were poor just about everywhere. Didn't seem to be able to adapt to their playing style either which was very disappointing. Only positive was that Mkhitaryan played and he looked good and very much match ready. Was a much sharper and more confident showing than the Derby.
Rooney remembering how to score would be a good thing, if he hadn't f***ed up a sitter with his woeful first touch and if he hadn't been shite for the absolute majority of the match.
All three goals were good quality. It's a shame the rest of the game couldn't match those standards. Too poor by us, too much theatrics in general, too much diving and too much time wasting by them.
Posted by: ML Hammer95 4th November 2016, 07:09 PM
Haha I know, especially with the Olympic Stadium drama... thing is West Ham are used to being a laughing stock, I've personally had years of it. Man United aren't supposed to be.
Add in Mourinho's meltdown too and you have a perfect storm of hilarity.
Posted by: Houdini 25th November 2016, 12:08 AM
Superb performance from Man United tonight against Feyernoord, Mkhitaryan was the man of the match in my opinion. I hope we can keep up these improved performances and I'm sure the results will get better.
Posted by: Silas 8th December 2016, 07:17 PM
Henrik Mkhitaryan 
Posted by: Cassidy 8th December 2016, 07:50 PM
0-2.
Fellaini on again. I swear no matter how comfortable a winning lead we have, Fellaini comes on and alarm bells start ringing everywhere. Deep down I still feel like he'll appear on my wedding day just as we're about to make it official.
Posted by: Silas 8th December 2016, 08:11 PM
What and take out the minister?
I'm hoping we leave Fellaini in the Ukraine!! Poor first half but much better second half in tough conditions. Great to see Bailly back and another quality performance from Mkhitaryan.
Posted by: Cassidy 8th December 2016, 08:12 PM
I don't really know. He'll just do something. With his elbows or knees.
How did Bailly look this evening?
Posted by: Silas 8th December 2016, 08:23 PM
For someone who has had a knee injury coming onto a frozen pitch, f***ing remarkable. He did an overhead kick in the first half that was our best shot on goal from that half (was quite a kick!) and then he was a solid as always. Little sloppy at the end getting a card and then after being brought down at 92:30 was lucky not to get a red for a little kick on the opponent in full view of the ref (Scholes, pundit-ing for BT, loved it tho).
You'd think he played at the weekend, not 5/6weeks ago. He's going to be a cracking player for us.
Posted by: Cassidy 8th December 2016, 08:29 PM
Yeah the signs are there. I was amazed to see him in the squad v Everton if I'm being honest. It will be nice to see the De Gea/Bailly/Herrera/Pogba/Ibra spine get a real run of games over Christmas. If it's ever going to happen, it should be now.
Posted by: Houdini 8th December 2016, 10:19 PM
Now that we're into the knockout stages we need to win this competition now. No if's, and's or but's! We shouldn't do what Liverpool did last season.
Whatever happens at least Sevilla won't be winning it again this year
Posted by: Steve201 8th December 2016, 11:05 PM
Yeh I was gutted when Seville got into the champions league last 16, I wanted them in the Europa league!!
Unlucky for Dundalk - gave a great account of themselves even in 2-1 defeat tonight and when they weren't impressive they still could have came away with a draw - 4 points and the greatest run of any Irish side in Europe is Brillant though.
Bad news is that Horgan will be gone in January with Preston North End the likely destination - hope he doesn't just disappear like Ritchie Towell did when he joined Brighton last year.
Dundalk manager Steven Kenny is also being touted as the next Ireland manager too!
Posted by: Rooney 8th December 2016, 11:43 PM
The Europa League isn't half as strong as it was last year, if Man Utd or Spurs take it seriously then they will give it a good go. The danger being, there are some long trips in there potentially, and the stats show it effects league form. Certainly the best route in to the CL for Man Utd. Spurs are in a bit of a limbo.
Posted by: Silas 12th December 2016, 12:29 PM
Saint Etienne for us. Happy with that. Short trip against a side Zlatan is used to ripping apart. Good draw.
Posted by: Silas 12th December 2016, 12:30 PM
Spurs landed Gent
Gladbach have Fiorentina which could be tough for us.
Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack 12th December 2016, 12:57 PM
Last 32 Draw
Athletic Bilbao v Apoel Nicosia
Legia Warsaw v Ajax
Anderlecht v Zenit St Petersburg
Astra Giurgiu v Genk
Manchester United v Saint-Etienne
Villarreal v Roma
Ludogorets v FC Copenhagen
Celta Vigo v Shakhtar Donetsk
Olympiakos v Osmanlispor
Gent v Tottenham Hotspur
Rostov v Sparta Prague
Krasnodar v Fenerbahce
Borussia Monchengladbach v Fiorentina
AZ Alkmaar v Lyon
Hapoel Beer Sheva v Besiktas
PAOK v Schalke
Posted by: Houdini 12th December 2016, 01:47 PM
We should beat Saint-Étienne on paper but at the same time we can't take them lightly.
Posted by: Cassidy 12th December 2016, 05:55 PM
Not really too familiar with the goings-on in Ligue 1 but my initial reaction was that we've been handed a decent fixture. That being said, for this stage of the competition, the quality of teams in the mix isn't very high at all.
Posted by: Steve201 12th December 2016, 10:28 PM
United should beat St Ettiene but they are a hard team to play against in their ground (they have a old fashioned stadium with standing areas behind the goal creating a great atmosphere)!
Two Pogbas will be on the pitch - Pauls bro plays for them!
Posted by: Mack 16th February 2017, 12:56 PM
Should be wins tonight for Manchester United and Tottenham in their respective matches.
Posted by: Silas 16th February 2017, 02:17 PM
I'm doing a mad dash back from London tonight for the match
I expect the trains to be ranmed
Posted by: Mack 16th February 2017, 08:41 PM
Wrong there with a poor performance from Tottenham against Gent.
Posted by: Silas 16th February 2017, 10:24 PM
Zlatan getting his first hat trick for united was fab to see! Well worth the mad dash from London and the 6am train back down tomorrow
Posted by: Dobbo 16th February 2017, 10:40 PM
Fair play to Zlatan, no matter how many times people try & write him off he still keeps delivering the goods! Hope Jose is right about him staying another season.
Job done you would think, chance to rest some key players for the away leg in the busy schedule.
Posted by: Silas 16th February 2017, 10:41 PM
I can't see them putting 4 past us, but it's happened twice this season so far so I'm not gonna rule it out. I think there will be a few big hitters left at home for the return leg. Can see Rashford and Lingard both getting a start.
Posted by: Dobbo 16th February 2017, 10:44 PM
Hope so, with the amount of games coming up most players should get their fair share. It's the match before the League Cup Final too so will be interesting to see what he does.
Posted by: Rooney 16th February 2017, 10:51 PM
I think he will play a strong side still (rest a few players like Ibra), see the game out for 60 minutes then make any changes.
Posted by: Silas 16th February 2017, 11:07 PM
If we score I can see Bastian coming on and there being some serious bus parking to grind out the match and pull off some of our guys quite early.
Romero will defo start and De Gea will be left at home. 6 consecutive clean sheets now for Romero (5 for United) and not a single goal conceded at home in the Europa run so far.
Posted by: Houdini 17th February 2017, 01:27 AM
Pogba vs Pogba was interesting to see, Paul definitely outshone Florentin! I really hope we go on to win this competition and to be honest I would prefer getting into next season's Champions League this way rather than finishing 2nd - 4th and not getting a trophy for it.
The 2001 Liverpool treble is on! 
Posted by: Steve201 21st February 2017, 12:39 AM
Look what yous have been reduced too 
Posted by: Silas 22nd February 2017, 06:23 PM
That was never a red for Bailly. This lot are a bunch of cheating shites. Going to ground the second we come within half a mile of them
Posted by: Silas 22nd February 2017, 07:20 PM
Solid job for United. Injury to Mkhitaryan is a worry for Sunday but otherwise we were in complete control and was never really worried when they went forward that we'd concede.
Very solid for us. But wasteful still in front of goal but Blind, Mata and Mkhitaryan came together wonderfully for the goal. Think Blind earned his place for Sunday.
Posted by: Houdini 22nd February 2017, 10:12 PM
This might come across cocky and that definitely isn't the intention, but looking at the teams that are left in the competition I would find it very hard to see anything other than a Man United triumph in the Europa League in May.
Posted by: Dobbo 22nd February 2017, 10:14 PM
We were BIG favourites in 2011/12 (well both Manc teams were) yet lost in the Last 16 then, can't take anything for granted especially given how packed our fixture list is.
But we have a superb chance this season definitely, have to take it very seriously as top 4 will be difficult with all the games in hand we'll have to win.
Posted by: Rooney 22nd February 2017, 10:19 PM
Bar Spurs, Roma & Villareal (of which one is getting knocked out) the standard in the Europa League is the worst it has been in donkeys. The past few years you have had a few teams in it who would not look out of place in the latter stages of the Champions League. Thing is you just don't know, it depends what takes priority as your fixture list is going to be absolutely horrendous. But a great chance of winning for sure.
Posted by: Steve201 22nd February 2017, 10:53 PM
Shakthar won't be far off either imo. United have been favs since the start surely anyway?!
Posted by: Silas 22nd February 2017, 11:10 PM
I think we've got a good chance of going all the way. As long as we continue to respect each opponent then we will continue to do well. I think April is going to be a very tough month if we're still fighting on three fronts. Losing to Chelsea in FA cup wouldn't be the worst thing for our Europa campaign. At some post if we want to win i think we might need to sacrifice the league. Missing the top 4 won't be bad if we win the Europa league
Posted by: Silas 22nd February 2017, 11:12 PM
Yeah we have.
These are some quality teams flying high in their respective leagues. I think it's wrong to discount anyone tbh. Gladbach look like going out tomorrow to Fiorentina and they were third in the Bundesliga last year! (Although are drowning this year)
Posted by: Houdini 22nd February 2017, 11:14 PM
It's just really hard to see any of the teams left beating us over two legs, in a one-off match anything could happen though. I would still have this opinion even if I wasn't a United fan!
Posted by: Silas 23rd February 2017, 10:04 PM
Spurs out
Gladbach going down 2-0 on the night, 3-0 on aggregate, away from home and then winning 2-4!!! Worked so late I missed a chance to watch it. Hoping to catch the highlights now on BT Sport 2
Chuffed as f*** at that!
Now just hoping we don't draw Gladbach in the R16 as I'm away for the game and I'll cry a lot
Posted by: Rooney 23rd February 2017, 10:19 PM
Spurs 
They are going to really struggle playing at Wembley next season imo.
Posted by: Silas 23rd February 2017, 10:30 PM
Just seen the highlights from the Spurs game. I'm pure howling. That Harry Kane goal might just be my favourite goal of 2017!!!
It couldn't have happened to a more deserving team
Posted by: Mack 23rd February 2017, 11:16 PM
Why why our Spurs.
Well done Gent though.
Posted by: Mack 24th February 2017, 01:00 PM
Last 16 Draw
Celta Vigo (Spa) v FC Krasnodar (Rus)
Apoel Nicosia (Cyp) v Anderlecht (Bel)
Schalke (Ger) v Borussia Monchengladbach (Ger)
Lyon (Fra) v Roma (Ita)
FC Rostov (Rus) v Manchester United (Eng)
Olympiakos (Gre) v Besiktas (Tur)
Gent (Bel) v Genk (Bel)
FC Copenhagen (Den) v Ajax (Net)
A good draw for Man United.
Posted by: Silas 24th February 2017, 04:40 PM
Is it shite. That's the second furthest possible away leg of all the combinations. Only saving grace is that it's away first. If we'd had that with a home draw first it would have been an unmitigated disaster scheduling wise. Only silver lining is that the shit show scheduling by the BBC for a Monday night quarter final actually works well for us given we're traveling back from deepest Russia around Ukraine rather than over it.
Not a fab draw for Gladbach either. Not pleased with drawing Schalke. There's a serious threat of us going out there.
Posted by: Dobbo 24th February 2017, 09:56 PM
Not ideal at all but yeah at least we're home for the second leg. Gonna have to think carefully who he takes with ahead of that huge game against Chelsea.
Posted by: Mack 3rd March 2017, 07:23 PM
Looking now yes it is a shit draw with the first leg for Man United.
Posted by: Mack 13th March 2017, 01:00 PM
It was good that we got the away goal in the first leg against FC Rostov.
Posted by: Steve201 15th March 2017, 12:33 AM
The Lyon Roma game was fantastic!
Posted by: Cabaye 17th March 2017, 12:20 PM
Quarter Final Draw:
Anderlecht v Manchester United
Celta Vigo v Genk
Ajax v Schalke
Lyon v Besiktas
Posted by: Houdini 17th March 2017, 06:26 PM
Anderlecht is quite a decent draw although I would have preferred Genk instead, hopefully we'll get the winner of the Celta Vigo vs Genk match in the semi final if we get past Anderlecht.
Rostov played well yesterday against us but Juan Mata's goal killed off the tie and their momentum. I find it quite funny and weird when Marcus Rojo was given a banana to eat while the match was still in progress, especially as it was a peeled banana with the germs from Jose Mourinho & Ashley Young's hands on it
Posted by: Mack 17th March 2017, 11:20 PM
Should be a comfortable draw for Man United in Anderlecht there.
Posted by: Mack 13th April 2017, 11:51 AM
I can see it being a draw tonight between Anderlecht and Man United hoping that the football side is remembered at the end of the day.
Posted by: Mack 20th April 2017, 07:44 AM
How do people see tonight's second-leg match between Man United and Anderlecht going?
Posted by: Houdini 20th April 2017, 09:40 PM
A very nerve-wracking match but I'm glad that we got through in the end, hopefully we'll get Celta Vigo in the semi final.
Posted by: Steve201 20th April 2017, 10:21 PM
Scraped through that one! Really isn't many decent sides - Anderlect seemed a decent grouping!
Posted by: Rooney 20th April 2017, 11:16 PM
Best possible result really 
Man Utd were very average, yet BT made it seem like Rashford was the best player on the planet Ibra is going to be out for the season and they have to play every 3-4 days with a depleted squad.
I think they could struggle against Ajax/Lyon. No doubt they will play Celta Vigo though.
Posted by: Mack 21st April 2017, 12:24 PM
Man Utd were very average, yet BT made it seem like Rashford was the best player on the planet Ibra is going to be out for the season and they have to play every 3-4 days with a depleted squad.I think they could struggle against Ajax/Lyon. No doubt they will play Celta Vigo though.
You are right there, Rooney
Man Utd play Celta Vigo, with Lyon and Ajax facing each other in the other semi-final.
Posted by: Steve201 21st April 2017, 10:05 PM
Aspas to score the winner 😘
Posted by: Emperor Silas 21st April 2017, 11:09 PM
I was at a gig so didn't see it but am thrilled to be in the Semi-finals and I am keeping my fingers crossed for Stockholm. We are playing better without Ibra at the moment so while it's a loss, we'll live. Rojo however is a huge loss. 12 months ago I was calling for him to get his P45, his turn around has been remarkable.
Posted by: Steve201 21st April 2017, 11:31 PM
He's quality Rojo thought so since the 2014 World Cup!
Posted by: Emperor Silas 21st April 2017, 11:37 PM
Yeah but he's been woeful in a United shirt up until this season. Last season he was so poor, I cringed whenever I saw him on the team sheet.
Now I've been having minor heart palpitations when he's not on the team sheet. Jose has been so good for him, he's just come alive. He works really well with Bailly - they both compliment each other rather nicely. I'm praying to every deity ever created that he'll be fine for the Derby or at least the Europa Semi's.
Posted by: Mack 4th May 2017, 07:57 AM
Ajax with one foot in the final with a 4-1 win over Lyon.
How do we see tonight's match between Man United and Celta Vigo going?
Posted by: Dobbo 4th May 2017, 06:25 PM
Probably very dull & uneventful like most of our EL matches this season. Another 1-1 draw or possibly even a narrow Celta win I reckon.
Posted by: Mack 4th May 2017, 06:31 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 1-1 draw. Another dull drab match I reckon.
Posted by: Silas 4th May 2017, 07:23 PM
I'll take a 1-1 it gives us an away goal. If we have to play with 10 defenders at home then so be it. f*** style we just need to be in the final
Posted by: Silas 4th May 2017, 09:20 PM
Get in!! Only saw second half as I was in a late train back from Birmingham but happy with an away goal and what a quality free kick that was. Absolute class!!
No need for a new keeper. Romero is more than capable if De Gea leaves
Posted by: Houdini 4th May 2017, 11:30 PM
I'm happy that we got the win but it would have been better if we scored more than one away goal. We should hopefully hold onto the aggregate lead or extend it in the 2nd leg to make it through to the final against Ajax.
Posted by: Rooney 5th May 2017, 04:58 PM
You played really well, arguably should have scored more goals. Dull AF game though. Celta were really poor, but they had a couple of good chances too (some horrendous finishing by those guys).
0-1 you would take all day long, but it serves a bit of a problem. Mourinho will play not to lose, but Celta Vigo have to score. It will be an interesting game for sure.
Posted by: Silas 6th May 2017, 12:32 PM
It's something you can say about 20 of our games this season and in all of our draws. We are failing to convert dominance or quality into actual goals - even where we have plenty of attempts. We had something like 60 attempts against Burnley H&A this year!
Usually you'd say a smaller team coming to a stadium like Old Trafford would be intimidated by the sheer size of their surroundings but Celta play regularly at the two club grounds that trounce us on capacity. So we're not likely to see a shellshocked performance by them but the only thing that makes me fractionally confident about going through is that on home turf they weren't particularly strong.
Posted by: Rooney 6th May 2017, 01:41 PM
Usually you'd say a smaller team coming to a stadium like Old Trafford would be intimidated by the sheer size of their surroundings but Celta play regularly at the two club grounds that trounce us on capacity. So we're not likely to see a shellshocked performance by them but the only thing that makes me fractionally confident about going through is that on home turf they weren't particularly strong.
But imo that's a problem with Mourinho tactically. It's so much like Liverpool circa 2011-2012 under Kenny Dalglish. We would batter teams and have plenty of chances, but we would never score. Some of it is down to poor finishing, but another part is Mourinho never overcommits players when you go forward. So there is little chance for a rebound etc. compare how many players you get in to the box compared to Liverpool/Man City. But obviously this can make you susceptible to the counter attack.
On the flip side, I think Celta Vigo are undefeated away from home in Europe this season. Be interested to see how Mourinho plays it, personally I think he will just sit back and defend and look for the counter attack.
Posted by: Silas 6th May 2017, 01:52 PM
I think it's also a problem with the squad. They've not scored or really gone forwards at all for the three years prior to Jose's arrival. We're going forwards again and that's been a huge shift in mentality and quality. The revival of players like Rojo and Valencia has been outstanding and Rojo's has only happened since December! There are signs that we are getting better, against Chelsea at home we were more clinical. I'm not sure I'd write it off as Mourinho's tactics just yet if we're still in this position next year of talking about missed chances then yes it's him but for now I'm willing to chalk it up to the rebuilding.
United haven't lost at home since September and haven't lost at home in Europe all year. It may be the theatre of draws but we're bloody tough to beat. I've only watched one defeat at home all year to city. (of all people)
There's no doubt that there will be all eyes on the final. I'd agree with your thoughts. I can see 5 across the back with Rashford and Lingard ready to sprint with Pogba as the link. We have the pace to be devastating on the counter. Unfortunately, like every match he plays, we would be remarkably better without the presence of Fellaini who will 100% play because of the ban in the league so he's "fresher"
Posted by: Steve201 7th May 2017, 09:02 PM
Def think United will challenge for the title next year imo!
Posted by: Silas 9th May 2017, 04:26 PM
I'm not sure. I'll commit to deciding if we're a title challenger in April 2018
United have released the final ticket allocation process and have put the most bullshit set of rules on it. Any executive club member who has applied for or been to a European away since 2015/16 season gets in ballot and any Season Ticket holder wanting to go has to satisfy that requirement and have a 100% home cup record.
I've bought extra tickets to 4 of our home cup games giving me a like 125% record but because my category of ST is barred from the ballot for away games for 3 years I can't apply. Bullshit.
I've been looking forward to Stockholm all year. Why the f*** else would I turn up to see some of the utter dregs we've played this year?
Posted by: Houdini 9th May 2017, 04:49 PM
The ticketing at Man Utd seems to be a bit f***ed up lately, when the ballot got opened for tickets to the Arsenal away match I phoned the ticketing department to put my name forward as a ballot entry and the woman who I spoke to told me that I would be notified if I'm successful or not by email or text. I didn't get either of those things so she must have forgotten to process my application or something, in hindsight it was a good thing that I wasn't successful or it would have been £30 wasted to go and watch us lose
Posted by: Silas 9th May 2017, 04:56 PM
You're a member aren't you? I assume after so many years of membership you get access to the ballot for away tickets?
Posted by: Houdini 9th May 2017, 05:06 PM
Yes I am a member, it's very strange what happened. I phoned on the day that the ballot got opened as well which is what makes it even more weird!
Posted by: Silas 9th May 2017, 05:45 PM
Dats bull. I have to wait three years to apply for domestic away and the club already makes a grand a year outta me.
So apparently I could have applied for European away tickets all year. The club just never said this or hinted at it so because I didn't apply for a ballot I'd never have got a ticket in I can't apply for a ballot for the final. Feeling a bit hacked off with the ticketing office as it is. They charged me full price for a second ticket despite the price table they gave to season ticket holders on Europa prices not making any mention of the semi being priced at full price for additional tickets.
Posted by: Houdini 9th May 2017, 07:43 PM
Wow three years?! that is really bad. The thing that annoys me most is that they're quick to take the £32 membership fee before pre-season has even started and it's non refundable which means that there is a risk of squandering money away to them for no reason if you don't end up attending a match during the season which is what has happened to me this season.
Posted by: Silas 9th May 2017, 09:35 PM
Auto-renew is June 1st and June 8th according to my account when I was on the opt out section earlier
Posted by: Houdini 9th May 2017, 11:43 PM
I got sent a letter about that a few weeks ago, another membership pack with stationery and a key ring is coming my way
Posted by: Mack 11th May 2017, 11:45 AM
If anyone watching on Freeview, chances are you won't be able to watch Lyon v Ajax because they changed the channel on BT Sport Showcase to HD.
Posted by: Houdini 11th May 2017, 09:49 PM
That was a very nervy last 10 minutes but I'm relieved that we've made it to the final. My heart froze when Celta Vigo had that chance with the last kick of the match, I hope we play a lot better against Ajax in the final.
Eric Bailey will be a huge miss in the final, as soon as John Guidetti went down I knew that a red card was going to be shown. He shouldn't have fallen for their tricks like Fellaini did a few weeks ago.
Posted by: Dobbo 11th May 2017, 10:07 PM
PHEW. I just knew despite the great result last week this was gonna be an absolute slug. The final is gonna be mega, very daft that from Bailly.
Posted by: Steve201 11th May 2017, 10:32 PM
Celta performed much better than I thought - gave united a good game but a lot of teams have at OT this year. Jose does so well in Europe because the away leg is where he wins the ties! Another home draw for united!
Posted by: Steve201 11th May 2017, 10:36 PM
That happened me last night with the Madrid game - I went to the HD channel and the BT Showcase ad was on and no game - think they've done it on purpose cos it's the semi finals!!
Posted by: Rooney 11th May 2017, 11:14 PM
I think Ajax are a better side than Man Utd, but I expect Man Utd to win the final. For all their attacking talent Ajax can't defend. I can see Mourinho doing a bus parking job and the Ajax team getting frustrated. Think Liverpool vs Chelsea 2014. Inexperience will shine through.
Posted by: Houdini 11th May 2017, 11:56 PM
I would not want to be the team that finishes in 5th place in the Premier League if Man Utd win the final, out of the top six teams they will be the odd one for playing in next season's Champions League.
Posted by: Mack 12th May 2017, 07:38 AM
Valencia was lucky to stay on the pitch as well.
It could be one of those 1-0 wins for Man United between Ajax in the final.
Posted by: Steve201 12th May 2017, 08:45 AM
Just from memory but didn't the young Ajax side in the 90s win the UEFA cup a season or two before winning the European cup?
Posted by: Silas 12th May 2017, 08:54 AM
Some major squeaky bum moments in that match. Also some very bloody frustrating moments too. Bit too Van Gaal at moments with the relentless back passing and a lack of pressing them and urgency to reclaim the ball yet again.
Yeah I saw the replay on BT just as I got in from the match and it looks like Bailly was unlucky and Valencia is the one that should have got the card. For them to boil over and for it to erupt in such a brawl I'm wondering if there is something more to it than we could hear.
They deserved to lose, cheats never prosper. Diving about all over the shop you'd think there was a bloody sniper on the roof of OT the way they went down whenever they got near a united player. Took the ref far to long to start ignoring their acting.
The amount of egg on the face of that city reject this morning tho. mouthing off about how Manchester is blue to miss a f***ing sitter with the last kick. The schadenfreude is real people.
At the end when they all like collapsed in unison (mystery snipers of OT to blame again????) after Romero had done his immediate celebration he started picking them up off the floor. One face down literally got hauled to his feet and given a wee shove towards the tunnel while he moved on to the next one. I was howling. They'd been diving and then harassing him while takin goal kicks so it was good to see him at the end of the match just be like "right, up you get. Get the f*** off my pitch"
Posted by: OutstandingMixer 12th May 2017, 01:28 PM
Yeah I saw the replay on BT just as I got in from the match and it looks like Bailly was unlucky and Valencia is the one that should have got the card. For them to boil over and for it to erupt in such a brawl I'm wondering if there is something more to it than we could hear.
They deserved to lose, cheats never prosper. Diving about all over the shop you'd think there was a bloody sniper on the roof of OT the way they went down whenever they got near a united player. Took the ref far to long to start ignoring their acting.
The amount of egg on the face of that city reject this morning tho.
mouthing off about how Manchester is blue to miss a f***ing sitter with the last kick. The schadenfreude is real people. At the end when they all like collapsed in unison (mystery snipers of OT to blame again????) after Romero had done his immediate celebration he started picking them up off the floor. One face down literally got hauled to his feet and given a wee shove towards the tunnel while he moved on to the next one.
I was howling. They'd been diving and then harassing him while takin goal kicks so it was good to see him at the end of the match just be like "right, up you get. Get the f*** off my pitch"You should have seen the Birmingham players on Sunday, diving and time wasting for the whole second half. That idiot Lee Mason fell for their diving antics every time. He also decided to finally book their keeper in the 90th minute for time wasting despite doing it from the 16th minute onwards.
Posted by: Steve201 12th May 2017, 06:14 PM
No harm but a team managed by Jose Mourinho should be complaining about diving - il never forget the Porto be Celtic UEFA Cup final in 2003!
Posted by: Silas 12th May 2017, 09:22 PM
(or Rashford v Swansea?)
To be fair to United Fans, the reaction to the dive on United Twitter was a pretty heavy backlash.
Posted by: TroyTempest 12th May 2017, 10:23 PM
Ridiculous the amount of tickets corporate sponsors get for the final in Stockholm.
Posted by: Steve201 13th May 2017, 09:14 AM
Agreed and the UEFA Cup final is always in a small stadium - maybe 35k max!
Remember last years trouble!
Posted by: Silas 13th May 2017, 10:12 AM
Last year both teams got ~10,250 tickets in a 35k arena. This year's stadium, the Friends Arena, is a 50k seater and United and Ajax are getting ~9,250 tickets!!!!
10,000 to sponsors and corporate partners. 17,000 to 'neutrals'
That is such a disgrace. I know Ajax fans have a truly terrible reputation but how can you justify such a small allocation??? United alone have 55,000 season ticket holders! Tens of thousands of fans for both teams who have loyally supported both sides throughout the journey missing out so UEFA can let their sponsors have a bunch of tickets they won't use.
United usually take all their employees to these events but have had to cancel that for the first time and have severely restrict tickets given to friends&Fam of the players etc because the allocation is just that small.
Posted by: Steve201 13th May 2017, 12:28 PM
I agree it's ridiculous, The Friends arena is a lovely new stadium least there's 55k seats compared to last year.
I hear a lot of untied fans are buying up corporate seats. UEFA and their family are jokers!
Posted by: Silas 13th May 2017, 12:36 PM
I've heard a small number got tickets in the neutral zone as well. But there are people from that zone now selling tickets to United and Ajax fans for £2,000 a seat!!!
Posted by: Houdini 13th May 2017, 01:48 PM
I read on Sky Sports News that they're not going to show the match in Stockholm on large screens like in a fan park, so any supporters that do not have a ticket for the final have been advised not to travel to Stockholm.
Posted by: Houdini 19th May 2017, 12:52 PM
The Europa League final is going to be shown for free on BT Sport so you don't need to be a subscriber to watch the match on TV. This is a good sign for the Champions League final as well!
Posted by: Steve201 19th May 2017, 06:45 PM
Happy days! Was able to watch Liverpool last year and I assume that was on bt!
Posted by: Mack 22nd May 2017, 12:11 PM
For anyone who doesn't have Freeview HD, channel 59 which showed BT Sport Showcase has been switched off and is unavaliable to watch.
Posted by: Houdini 22nd May 2017, 02:03 PM
BT Sport 2 is going to show the match live for free. I read this on my Sky Digital T.V guide a few days ago.
Posted by: Mack 23rd May 2017, 11:40 AM
Match still going ahead following last night's horrific events in Manchester. I'm sure both teams will wear black armbands.
Posted by: Mack 24th May 2017, 12:25 PM
It'll be a very strange atmosphere tonight in light of the horrific events from Monday night.
Posted by: Mack 24th May 2017, 06:54 PM
http://sport.bt.com/free-europa-league- For anyone who doesn't have BT Sport- (UK Users only)
Posted by: Mack 24th May 2017, 07:07 PM
Yes!!! Pogba. 1-0 to Man United.
Posted by: Silas 24th May 2017, 07:38 PM
Excellent goal from Pogba. It really was wonderful. Exactly what Manchester needed.
If Ajax can continue to be spirited without actually getting a shot off that'd be nice. They can go back with their heads held high and we can go back with a result this city very badly needs
Posted by: TroyTempest 24th May 2017, 07:42 PM
It would be what the country and Manchester would need if Man United win it.
Posted by: Silas 24th May 2017, 07:54 PM
Magic Mkhi comes through again
Actually crying now. Fab overhead kick. It may only be football but my god I needed this
Posted by: Mack 24th May 2017, 08:41 PM
Manchester United have done Manchester proud.
Posted by: Rooney 24th May 2017, 08:51 PM
Fair play, will be good to see 5 teams in the Champions League (hopefully) next year.
Still think you're a poor team, but 2 trophies is great (I'm sure I did say last year I thought of this current Man Utd side as a cup side).
The game sort of feels irrelevant tho right now.
Posted by: Silas 24th May 2017, 09:02 PM
They have that.
Really really really needed that win. It's been a f***ing awful 48 hours for Manchester.
Posted by: Mack 24th May 2017, 09:03 PM
The game felt irrelevant I agree.
If the match had been postponed, the terrorists have won. People might not agree with me on that.
Posted by: Silas 24th May 2017, 09:07 PM
Postponing is not what we needed. Winning is
Posted by: OutstandingMixer 24th May 2017, 09:25 PM
It's a result the country and the city of Manchester wanted and needed in this week of darkness.
Posted by: Dobbo 24th May 2017, 09:59 PM
So happy with that. Obviously the match itself wasn't as significant as other events but the importance of winning that couldn't be underestimated, literally the difference between a great or poor season. 5 English teams in the CL again too!
It seemed the pressure may have got to Ajax, Romero didn't really have to do anything. Proud of the team for a professional performance in difficult circumstances.
Posted by: Houdini 24th May 2017, 10:29 PM
A very good victory for Man United and a fitting tribute to the victims of the attack in Manchester, I think the occasion was too much for Ajax's young players and they were never really in the game. Glad to see us back in the Champions League next season, I never cared too much about the battle for top 4 because I always believed that we would win this competition which gives you the same reward as finishing 2nd-4th. I actually prefer getting Champions League football this way rather than winning nothing.
It felt weird watching the match, it was almost like watching a pre season friendly as the events of this week took the edge off the match. Nonetheless I'm happy with the result and hopefully it would have brightened things a little bit for the people of Manchester. It's also an opportunity to banter all of the Arsenal fans that have been chatting shit throughout the season about being in 6th and playing in the Europa League.
Posted by: Silas 25th May 2017, 12:44 AM
2nd & 3rd. Liverpool have to go through qualifiers but we join City, Spurs and Chelsea in the group stages.
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