FOCUS ON FC MIDTJYLLAND - UNITED'S EUROPA LEAGUE OPPONENTS

Manchester United will face FC Midtjylland for the first time ever after the clubs were paired together in Monday's Europa League draw. 

HOW THEY GOT HERE

The Danish SuperLiga side qualified for the knockout stages after finishing in second place in Group D behind Napoli but ahead of Club Brugge, United's opponents in the Champions League play-offs. In an earlier Europa League round this term, Midtjylland knocked Southampton out over two legs by drawing 1-1 at St Mary's and then winning 1-0 in Denmark. Jess Thorup's side currently sit in third place in their domestic table, four points behind leaders FC Copenhagen.

HISTORY

The club was only formed in 1999, four days before Sir Alex Ferguson's men beat Nottingham Forest 8-1 away and in the same year the Reds won the Treble, but they landed their domestic title for the first time in 2015. Midtjylland have already won in Manchester during their short history, beating City 1-0 in 2008/09 before going out of the UEFA Cup on penalties after losing by the same scoreline at home.

STADIUM

Midtjylland host their home matches at the MCH Arena in Herning, a city on the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. Opened in March 2004, it has a capacity of 11,800. United are scheduled to play there on Thursday 18 February with the return match at Old Trafford coming a week later on Thursday 25 February.

PLAYERS PAST AND PRESENT

West Ham United's New Zealand-born defender Winston Reid, who was arguably Man of the Match in the last fixture at Old Trafford, came through Midtjylland's academy after moving to Denmark with his family at the age of 10. Finland's Tim Sparv, who had a spell at Southampton, and ex-Hibernian defender Francis Dickoh are two of the best-known current players in the Danes' squad. Sparv tweeted after Monday's draw: "Unreal! I'm actually going to play against Manchester United. The club I've supported since I was a boy. @EuropaLeague @ManUtd."

UNITED V DANISH CLUBS

The Reds have previously faced three teams from Denmark, all in the Champions League - Aalborg (in 2008), Brondby (1998) and FC Copenhagen (2006). United have won four games, drawing once and losing on one occasion - 1-0 away to Copenhagen after a comfortable 3-0 win at Old Trafford.

homesteady:


Lies! Since Higuain left, he has been a sure 90 minutes player, till 2nd half of last season when Chacharito came and stole some few minutes and this season that Benitez has been trying to rotate the squad by bringing in Jese.

You are the one that is lying. Secondly, there is no other way at looking at minutes played. For the benefit of doubt I am going to prove you wrong that Benzema got substituted.

2013/2014 season
Benzema started 34(1) games.
34 X 90 minutes = 3060
Actual total minutes played that season by Benzema was 2798.


2014/15
Benzema played 29(0) matches.
29 X 90 = 2610
But he played 2312 minutes.
..............



Let me help you to understand a situation when a player is not or hardly substituted. An example is Van Persie 2011/12 and 2012/13

2011/12
Van Persie 37(1) starts.
37 X 90 = 3330
Actual minutes played by RVP 3334.

2012/13 season
Van Persie 35(3)
35 X 90 = 3150
Actual minutes played by RVP 3123








* I have not taken added time into consideration which could have been average of 2 mins each half, 4 minutes full time. I also left out the details of the one match he came on as substitute. These should have extended the gap between the possible minutes Benzema could have played and the Actual time he played. So now you understand Benzema was actually being taken off. Also, the details of matches are not far fetched

homesteady:


Lmaoooooooooooo!
Suarez did not score any PK, and I think the 1st time I saw him playing a freekick for Barcelona was this season!

You like analyzing things, I wonder whether it skipped your memory that Suarez would also suffer from lack of match fitness (he was even fat), he would have to acclimatize to the new league, he played for like over one month before getting his 1st goal for Barcelona.
Before the start of this year, which team was the best in the world? Madrid! Barcelona only became stronger in the 2nd half.

The records has it that Suarez scored a penalty in Laliga.

Secondly, on his fatness, that was his headache. Afterall he would be fresh towards the end of the season when others were fagued out. Some players go on injury and return banging in goals.

elampiro:


The records has it that Suarez scored a penalty in Laliga.

Secondly, on his fatness, that was his headache. Afterall he would be fresh towards the end of the season when others were fagued out. Some players go on injury and return banging in goals.

leave dis arguement joor, dia's a reason a rich and powerfull team like real madrid still ve benzema in their team.

weedtaker:
leave dis arguement joor, dia's a reason a rich and powerfull team like real madrid still ve benzema in their team.

Higuain appeared to have far a better scoring rate than Benzema in Madrid. But Madrid retained Benzema. I might go to check out that stat when I am free.

Even though I'd love to see all EPL sides crash out, but for the sake of mitigating the insults on EPL and making sure EPL don't lose their UCL 4th spot to Italy, I'd support Assanal to win against Barca. Seriously, I dislike that club with the likes of Panthanky and EL-effeminate taunting us, but enough is enough. Barca have won enough EPL sides and I pray they crash this time around. I wish the 3 EPL sides can qualify for the quarter finals and then they can crash out if they like, but PSG, Barca and co should just leave.

homesteady,

You're right on penalty. Suarez penalty was this season against Villarreal. But that further puts Benzema above him this season.

Every other stat regarding to minutes played and goals per minutes stands. The second chart shows Suarez has taken one free kick in Laliga this season and another one in UCL. Benzema doesn't have this privileges. No single penalty since his arrival in Laliga.

adeyemi2015:
FOCUS ON FC MIDTJYLLAND - UNITED'S EUROPA LEAGUE OPPONENTS

Manchester United will face FC Midtjylland for the first time ever after the clubs were paired together in Monday's Europa League draw. 

HOW THEY GOT HERE

The Danish SuperLiga side qualified for the knockout stages after finishing in second place in Group D behind Napoli but ahead of Club Brugge, United's opponents in the Champions League play-offs. In an earlier Europa League round this term, Midtjylland knocked Southampton out over two legs by drawing 1-1 at St Mary's and then winning 1-0 in Denmark. Jess Thorup's side currently sit in third place in their domestic table, four points behind leaders FC Copenhagen.

HISTORY

The club was only formed in 1999, four days before Sir Alex Ferguson's men beat Nottingham Forest 8-1 away and in the same year the Reds won the Treble, but they landed their domestic title for the first time in 2015. Midtjylland have already won in Manchester during their short history, beating City 1-0 in 2008/09 before going out of the UEFA Cup on penalties after losing by the same scoreline at home.

STADIUM

Midtjylland host their home matches at the MCH Arena in Herning, a city on the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. Opened in March 2004, it has a capacity of 11,800. United are scheduled to play there on Thursday 18 February with the return match at Old Trafford coming a week later on Thursday 25 February.

PLAYERS PAST AND PRESENT

West Ham United's New Zealand-born defender Winston Reid, who was arguably Man of the Match in the last fixture at Old Trafford, came through Midtjylland's academy after moving to Denmark with his family at the age of 10. Finland's Tim Sparv, who had a spell at Southampton, and ex-Hibernian defender Francis Dickoh are two of the best-known current players in the Danes' squad. Sparv tweeted after Monday's draw: "Unreal! I'm actually going to play against Manchester United. The club I've supported since I was a boy. @EuropaLeague @ManUtd."

UNITED V DANISH CLUBS

The Reds have previously faced three teams from Denmark, all in the Champions League - Aalborg (in 2008), Brondby (1998) and FC Copenhagen (2006). United have won four games, drawing once and losing on one occasion - 1-0 away to Copenhagen after a comfortable 3-0 win at Old Trafford.

if man u doesnt win this club, den i will personally sack vangay

elampiro:
homesteady,

You're right on penalty. Suarez penalty was this season against Villarreal. But that further puts Benzema above him this season.

Every other stat regarding to minutes played and goals per minutes stands. The second chart shows Suarez has taken one free kick in Laliga this season and another one in UCL. Benzema doesn't have this privileges. No single penalty since his arrival in Laliga.

i have no problem with suarez aguero et all being a better scorer than benz.. But what benz does, no other striker comes close. The only striker similar to benz is rooney.

elampiro:


Higuain appeared to have far a better scoring rate than Benzema in Madrid. But Madrid retained Benzema. I might go to check out that stat when I am free.

The same Benzema who is notorious for missing sitters at critical moments??

Dude is a french-speaking Welbeck 1.5 abeg...

Chestar5:


if man u doesnt win this club, den i will personally sack vangay

The same was said against Bournemouth, though not by you, yet we lost!

Dadehmola:


The same Benzema who is notorious for missing sitters at critical moments??

Dude is a french-speaking Welbeck 1.5 abeg...

I am sure you watch Benzema last in 2012/2013.

sinizia:
Even though I'd love to see all EPL sides crash out, but for the sake of mitigating the insults on EPL and making sure EPL don't lose their UCL 4th spot to Italy, I'd support Assanal to win against Barca. Seriously, I dislike that club with the likes of Panthanky and EL-effeminate taunting us, but enough is enough. Barca have won enough EPL sides and I pray they crash this time around. I wish the 3 EPL sides can qualify for the quarter finals and then they can crash out if they like, but PSG, Barca and co should just leave.

Seconded!

elampiro:


I am sure you watch Benzema last in 2012/2013.

I wish i could convert these to Gifs..

Most of those misses happened within the last 18 months..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eTidrL96rs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM4EEtqaWWs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0s2mZWwM4

Watch those videos and confirm Benzema's status as an otu oshi

weedtaker:
i have no problem with suarez aguero et all being a better scorer than benz.. But what benz does, no other striker comes close. The only striker similar to benz is rooney.

This is my point too. Benzema is not overrated. Suarez is the best striker in the world. But Benzema is an all round player and even currently doing better than Suarez in goals per minutes played.

Dadehmola:


I wish i could convert these to Gifs..

Most of those misses happened within the last 18 months..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eTidrL96rs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM4EEtqaWWs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0s2mZWwM4

Watch those videos and confirm Benzema's status as an otu oshi

If you did same for Suarez, Aguero, Kane, Vardy, you will come out with same results.

Benzema has never taken (scored) a penalty.

Dadehmola:


I wish i could convert these to Gifs..

Most of those misses happened within the last 18 months..


Watch those videos and confirm Benzema's status as an otu oshi

Now dis is funny, even chicha dat is painting germany red missed clear sitters against barca and brugge. Which striker no de miss clear cut chance?

In 2012/14 Suarez conversion rate of Clear cut chances was below that of Welbeck and I think Sturridge too. Suarez also missed the highest number of Clear cut chances in the EPL as at February/March it was composed. But he was the best striker in the world.

So all these gifs and clips could also pass for Suarez.

Those videos are weak. Its like when those Chelsea tools posts a few gifs to disparage players like Busquets or Boateng

Which striker no dey miss chances? I am sure even Suarez has a low conversion rate even Lewandoski sef

What makes a striker in modern football goes beyond chance conversion atimes it means ability to linkup play with other players

If na by scoring alone, then Mario Gomez should still be a top ranked striker

sinizia:
Even though I'd love to see all EPL sides crash out, but for the sake of mitigating the insults on EPL and making sure EPL don't lose their UCL 4th spot to Italy, I'd support Assanal to win against Barca. Seriously, I dislike that club with the likes of Panthanky and EL-effeminate taunting us, but enough is enough. Barca have won enough EPL sides and I pray they crash this time around. I wish the 3 EPL sides can qualify for the quarter finals and then they can crash out if they like, but PSG, Barca and co should just leave.

Bwahahahahaha

elampiro:


If you did same for Suarez, Aguero, Kane, Vardy, you will come out with same results.

when i said..

Dadehmola:

The same Benzema who is notorious for missing sitters at critical moments??
Dude is a french-speaking Welbeck 1.5 abeg...

Your response was..

elampiro:

I am sure you watch Benzema last in 2012/2013.

Which means that you agreed he was is synonymous with ridiculous misses..

Elampiro.. Nothing has changed. Benzema is still the same striker who is almost always certain to do something stupid in front of goal in at least every other game.

raumdeuter:
Those videos are weak. Its like when those Chelsea tools posts a few gifs to disparage players like Busquets or Boateng

Which striker no dey miss chances? I am sure even Suarez has a low conversion rate even Lewandoski sef

What makes a striker in modern football goes beyond chance conversion atimes it means ability to linkup play with other players

If na by scoring alone, then Mario Gomez should still be a top ranked striker

thank you, anyways, is Benzema overrated?? Is he world class or not?

And Welbeck is not a top striker

2012/2013 Last season before Higuain was sold

Laliga
Benzema 1803 11 goals 11 Assists
Higuain.. 1769 16 goals 5 Assists


UCL
Benzema 536 mins 5 goals 4 Assists
Higuain 487 mins 1 goal 2 Assists


2011/12 Higuain beat Benzema hands down in Laliga. But Benzema did far better in Champions League.






One can begin to ask why Benzema was retained. It could be he was better in bigger games. The stats wouldn't also tell us the quality of oppositions Higuain player against in Laliga. Whether Benzema was being pulled out once Madrid leads by two goals, whether he was also rested in small games.

weedtaker:
thank you, anyways, is Benzema overrated?? Is he world class or not?

Benzema is world class. How many 9 are better than him. You think its easy playing alongside a stat grabber like Ronaldo?

Let any of Suarez, lewandoski or Aguero go play beside Ronaldo and see how they fare

Enough of the Benzema talk na....

Anyways Sinizia, there's nothing i'd love more dan to see Arsenal knockout those pompous Spanish Prîcks. But let's be realistic. Its Barca. And then its Arsenal!!

elampiro:

One can begin to ask why Benzema was retained. It could be he was better in bigger games. The stats wouldn't also tell us the quality of oppositions Higuain player against in Laliga. Whether Benzema was being pulled out once Madrid leads by two goals, whether he was also rested in small games.

Benzema was retained because he plays and combines better with Ronaldo while Higuain is selfish and prefers to go alone

benzema doesnt mind Ronaldo taking the stage and in Madrid gelling with Ronaldo is the number 1 attribute expected of an attacking player

Dadehmola:


when i said..



Your response was..



Which means that you agreed he was is synonymous with ridiculous misses..

Elampiro.. Nothing has changed. Benzema is still the same striker who is almost always certain to do something stupid in front of goal in at least every other game.

I disagree with you Benzema is by far a better finisher now.

Imagine Benzema has 8 goals already in 700 minute this season. His link up play is superb.

raumdeuter:


Benzema was retained because he plays and combines better with Ronaldo while Higuain is selfish and prefers to go alone

benzema doesnt mind Ronaldo taking the stage and in Madrid gelling with Ronaldo is the number 1 attribute expected of an attacking player

This is reasonable enough.

elampiro:
In 2012/14 Suarez conversion rate of Clear cut chances was below that of Welbeck and I think Sturridge too. Suarez also missed the highest number of Clear cut chances in the EPL as at February/March it was composed. But he was the best striker in the world.

So all these gifs and clips could also pass for Suarez.

The only difference is that Suarez was making up for those misses with breath-taking moments of magic and single-handedly bailed his team out on numerous occasions...

Benzema on the other hand, would always guarantee a horrible miss even if he scores 2 consecutive hatricks...

raumdeuter:


Benzema is world class. How many 9 are better than him. You think its easy playing alongside a stat grabber like Ronaldo?

Let any of Suarez, lewandoski or Aguero go play beside Ronaldo and see how they fare

you know better.