Who has the best first starting XI?

[WhiskeyJar]

Bear in mind we still have Suarez, Spurs will be without Bale; and this only for the first team, not the overall squad.

[Brownie]

I'd say Spurs, without much debate as well. That doesn't mean they'll definitely finish above us of but it makes it more likely.

[Batigol]

Spurs and it's not even that close. Their squad will make even more of a difference over a long season.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Need to wait 'til deadline day.

[Ezekiel 25:17]

It's just not relevant at all, your squad is all that matters.

[Lario]

I was actually wondering the other day how many of United's first 11 would get into our team? Maybe Vidic, Valencia and Van Persie?

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I was actually wondering the other day how many of United's first 11 would get into our team? Maybe Vidic, Valencia and Van Persie?

 

Yeah, there might be a few close calls between some of the players, but they don't have many 'clearly better' players. What they do have is a clearly better team. The stability that has run through that club for decades and the demands of the manager kept them going. The trick now is for them to keep it going with 'winner' Moyes and players who are coming to the end of their shelf-life.

 

I actually think we're becoming a better team. We need some more quality in that team, but we're becoming a better unit. That's what wins leagues. Individuals within a team win in Europe, I find.

[Evil_Ways]

Spurs and it's not even that close. Their squad will make even more of a difference over a long season.

 

I certainly dont think so, i think it's very close as far as first choice 11's go. Would be around 5 from each side and then up in the air between the GK's i think.

[ODZ]

Spurs are so overrated it's not even funny.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Spurs are so overrated it's not even funny.

 

I'd have agreed at the beginning of the summer. If they add Willian and Lamela to Soldado, though. Well, that's pretty good. Assuming they adjust to the league, that is.

[ODZ]

I'd have agreed at the beginning of the summer. If they add Willian and Lamela to Soldado, though. Well, that's pretty good. Assuming they adjust to the league, that is.

 

Suarez and Sturridge are better than any strikers Spurs would be able to trot out this season. I also don't think they have any attacking midfielders at the level of Coutinho. Defensive personnel is a wash.

 

It's not that I think we are clearly better. I wouldn't be shocked if they finished above us, I wouldn't be shocked if we had a better season either. It's just that the assumption that Spurs are clearly better is lost on me.

[RazorBack]

If you go position to position, I'd say their best back 4 is: Walker, Vertonghen, Dawson and Rose, if I go with potential. Compare it to ours: Johnson, Agger, Toure/Skrtel and Enrique. Combined I'd go with Johnson-Agger-Vertonghen-Enrique. Central midfield would be Dembele-Gerrard-Paulinho. Attacking wise it's debatable, our best 3 - Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge to their (if they keep Bale) Bale-Soldado-Sigurddson/Chadli. If we mix it I'd go with Bale-Suarez-Coutinho. I'd go with Lloris as a GK so the starting XI would be in our favor by a player, but its due to personal preference.

 

If they lose Bale and get Conetrao, Willian and Lamela combined with what they already have it looks like a really strong team if all of them settle properly. Come end of season if we are ahead of them, I'm confident it will be enough to secure a CL spot.