Edited by Goldfiinger (12 Dec 2016 5.39pm)

These are the players he'll play apart from Speroni who Pardew would rather he forgot his boots or had the wrong kick off time.

Their limitations going forward might just help us get a result if big head can grasp it.

COYP

Just looked at manures bench yesterday.....
Bailly mata rooney blind rashford fellainI

Not really fair, Do you think they'd let us borrow a couple?

I agree but Ledley is a player that could do with a bit more pace, also the higher press that teams are beginning to play more and more these days means that at least a bit of athleticism is needed from your DM. Jedinak struggled too when teams pressed him on the ball. McArthur is our best midfielder defensively but also useful to play a more advanced role to do that pressing job.

A bit of speed is needed to recover against a counter attack and quickly mop up any loose balls, that's what Kante does, McArthur can do and what Derry was capable of doing more so than Ledley or Cabaye. Puncheon is actually better at this than Cabaye or Ledley and IMO has better defensive intelligence than either.

Jedinak wasn't quick but he had the defensive intelligence that Ledley and Cabaye don't have. Cabaye wins tackles and makes interceptions but his positioning and awareness of that role is lacking. Ledley is error prone and players seem to catch him off guard if they're playing between the lines. Being able to recover your position from a mistake or able to win the ball back quickly does give players like McArthur and even Puncheon an edge.

The problem is that super-skilful players like Rooney, Pogba, Herrera and Pogba have the capacity to rip through our midfield and defence where lack of pace is a big issue.

For that reason, I would include speedy players such as Lee and possibly Mutch (if fit) to do plenty of harrying in midfield. It's a pity Johnny Williams is out on loan - he'd do a good job, even if only man-marking.

Oh for the days of Bobby Kellard!

IMO, we can't risk Lesley and Cabaye against Man U - they're just not quick enough

Incidentally, anyone guess how Man U will seek to counter the threat of Wilf?

Happy with that - so long as they do it in their own penalty box.