Jan 31
Man Utd v Everton: Preview
Tricky fixture although history suggests otherwise. Everton’s history at Old Trafford over the past 10 years has been dismal, but their recent form leading up to this game suggests it will not be a cakewalk. David Moyes deserves plenty of credit for making his patched up, strikerless squad achieve what it has so far. Goes to show you can do a lot with a good stable management structure — Tottenham, kindly take note.
United’s pace setting has unruffled some previously well-oiled feathers. First there was Rafa Benitez, whose mood swings have become a case study for aspiring psychologists. Now it’s the turn of Luiz Felipe Scolari — a manager who started his managerial campaign in England by charming everyone with his balanced press briefings and blazing a trail at the start of the season. Defeat, injuries, poor football and comical defending has weighed far too heavy on the man to retain his charm. So now it’s a case of ‘we don’t get penalties’, ‘the opposition doesn’t get red cards’, ‘we fall victims to fire hoaxes in training grounds’ and such like. Indeed uneasy lies the head, whose team run the risk of losing ground to Aston Villa.
A Liverpool-Chelsea draw would suit us best. But, then we have to win the Everton game too.
Meanwhile Daniel Taylor spins a yarn on Tevez’s possible move to another club — Man City, quite likely — if murmurs in ‘close footballing circles’ are to be believed on his perceived frustrations with negotiations with United. The thing with Tevez is this: he is the quintessential United player under Fergie. Gives everything on the pitch, is adored by fans, and keeps going even when he’s not sure of his place in the side. Recent form has been outstanding and, in the offensive third of our game, he, along with Giggs, Carrick and Berbatov, have been among our best performers over the past month. I’d say sign him. A lot of the OT faithful would say sign him. But so much delay hints at something that doesn’t readily meet the eye. I don’t expect anything to come of this till May. So watch this space.
In team news, Tevez-Berbatov should continue their partnership in the absence of Rooney. Ronaldo should be on the wing, and there is a possibility of Nani either starting or on the bench. Carrick would be an automatic choice in my book, while Giggs — having played in midweek might be benched in favour of Fletcher or Scholes. Rio and Vidic would be the central midfield pairing, and since Neville played in midweek, I think Brown might get a start at right back. O’Shea would be our left back.
Predictions: I think it’ll be tight, 1-0 to United.
Also, I plan to live blog this game, live streams permitting (and technical glitches on the live blogging software not harming it). So fingers crossed on this new experiment.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Porto it is then…
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
This is a must win so we hopefully open up a good points lead on the rest of the table….
Like?
0 
0
nani is still out injured.
so park will start, with tosic hopefully on the bench(but he has played 2 games in the week)
Like?
0 
0
as i live in england, i can watch the match on setanta live, but next time i hope i can watch it here.
question, when we watch the stream, we cant really comment can we? because when we comment the page will refresh its self…
is it a justin.tv/ustream type of stream, or sopcast TVU type of stream?
Like?
0 
0
Oh Boy! Live blog would be great for people like me with slow internet connections. I read every single comment on here. But since it is impossible to get onto redrants every single time and refresh it and also because I can’t have a feed because, well slow internet connection, I comment usually like once or twice to subscribe to comments to my mail, which is intranet and so is instantaneous. Looking forward to this experiment of yours RR, would be great if you could pull it off even reasonably well for the first time.
My team for tonight would be:
Brown-Rio-Vidic-O’Shea
Ronaldo-Fletch-Carrick-Park
Tevez-Berba
This is our “strongest” team. My prediction is 2-1 to us, however. The goaless streak is too good to last for this long, it has to break some time. Berba and Tevez to score for us.
Like?
0 
0
We must win today! There is no other possibility
Man Utd v Everton live streams (will be available 15 minute before match)
Like?
0 
0
Would love to see Evra and Ronaldo partnering on our left side of field. A great combination of attack and defense so hopefully Evra can make it today.
———EVDS———
O’Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Park Fletcher Carrick Ronaldo
Tevez Berbatov
Can see us winning 2-0..hoho
Like?
0 
0
to be honest brown should not start. him in our starting 11 is not our strongest 11, its actually quite weak and im surprised at the amount of people who want in the starting 11 right now let alone at all!
brown has been out for more or less half the season, and has next to no match fitness.
with neville regaining form, and rafael impressing, i ask you, why do you want brown to start? is it not better to have a proper right back that goes forward and can cross rather then a make shift right back that cant?
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: “with neville regaining form, and rafael impressing, i ask you, why do you want brown to start? is it not better to have a proper right back that goes forward and can cross rather then a make shift right back that cant?”
Like?
0 
0
Gotta make it short as Im writing from an internet cafe in mid-Norway. I think this will be our team:
VDS
Brown-Rio-Vidic-Oshea
Park-Scholes-Carrick-Ronaldo
Tevez-Berbatov
Score prediction: 2-0 to United, Ronaldo and Berba to score.
Like?
0 
0
@Gabriel: no, he was great, but what people need to realise is that he has just come back from injury that has kept him our for half the season, and has no match fitness. but yea apart from that, he should start
fact is, when rafael is fit, he and neville are my first and second choice right backs.
Like?
0 
0
I think Evra will start and Rooney will be on the bench.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: first of all, how is he supposed to get match fitness if he doesn’t play
… that’s beside the point tho, the part of ur initial comment that I found strange was the one I quoted, where u said he can’t attack or cross. That, IMO, was totally inaccurate and I just felt I had to remind you of his exploits, esp last season, in which he was attacking and providing decent crosses into the box from right back.
Besides, when all three are fit, I’d prefer Brown, Neville and Rafael as my 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice respectively.
Like?
0 
0
@Gabriel: you get match fitness by playing in the reserves and coming on late in games.
not in games where a lost can cost us the premier league title
he cant attack or cross because he wasnt trained to. he is a CB, not a RB. 1 good cross doesnt mean you are good at crossing.
Like?
0 
0
gotta love the stoke fans for their fervor…. one man sent off and they jeered and cheered their way into a one nil lead against shitty.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: oh my, someone give me strength
Right now, Rafael is out, Gaz is pushing it at two games a week and Brown got a run out in the last game. Do you not think that isn’t sufficient for him to start? maybe on ur reasoning, Rio shouldn’t start too, afterall he has missed a lot of games for us since his back spasm, he should go play for the reserves to get his fitness up 
Brown is a 1st team starter and more importantly, he is not a liability in any way, so him starting – half or fully fit – is not in any way going to be to the detriment of the team. Do you send Rooney, Ronaldo or Rio to play in the reserves when returning from injury? … If we had sufficient and fully fit cover in RB, maybe he might have to play with the reserves for a bit, but we don’t, hence he is entitled to start.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: He may not be a natural crosser but he is vastly improved from where he was. Good athleticism and decent passing can still allow a full back to play a valuable part in an attacking sense.
Interestingly he has set up more goals that Evra in the previous two seasons. Neither he of Neville have an assist this season however they have created the same number of chances (in 300 minutes less time for Brown).
One good cross might not make you a good crosser but two seasons of consistently good performances, mostly at RB, does make you at good full back.
Like?
0 
0
Here’s hoping the 10men Stoke will continue beating those overpaid fellaz from manchester, I’d love it
Like?
0 
0
@JB: mate, u really are the stats man aren’t u? I have a feeling u work for United cuz u also get the line-ups way before everyone else.. ‘fess up mate, do u work for the Red devils?
True about Brown, it’s easy to forget that his contribution to the team is immense at RB. He is great there and I’m not surprised at his assist record. He might not be the pacy, dribbling type, but he is very efficient and productive at that spot.
Like?
0 
0
Massive club City lose to ten men, waal
Like?
0 
0
Agree with you on the team, but I think the score’ll be 3-1 united and that the game will be a lot closer than that. Should be really good; potentially troublesome but a great chance to develop a lead.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: By live blog I mean I will be blogging the game live. Not streaming it.
Like?
0 
0
wens the game being shown in India >>>?
reply asap.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: I wouldn’t call that playing two games in a week. More like twenty minutes standing around dumbstruck by the whole things. He’s as fresh as a daisy in my opinion and it’s time he showed us something.
Like?
0 
0
2-1 prediction. We will finally give up a goal on a Tim Cahill garbage collection from a corner. Berbatov and Tevez to score our goals and Carlito to win it late, just before being subbed off.
Like?
0 
0
@Gabriel: ferdinand played because he was more or less our only option at CB. if evans was fit he would of started over ferdinand. ferdinand was out for a few weeks, brown was out for half the season and you expect hm to walk back into the starting 11?
neville played a game midweek and last week so what? he is a professional footballer, its his job. giggs is older then him and he was playing consistently last season, why cant neville?
sorry that argument means nothing, neville is fit and should start over brown in my opinion.
Please stop using internet lauguage like ur instead of your and u instead of you. its not english and im sure some older people(not me though
) dont really appreciate it.
Like?
0 
0
As many of you already know, I have been a loud and supportive fan of David Beckham and his resurgence with Milan. I would also like to add a dose of reality. I think David Beckham playing well for Milan is also indicative of what I have been saying about Italian football for a while now. It’s slow and plodding and you do not have to be as physical or as fast and as conditioned to play there as you do in the EPL. If Becks had to play in England, he wouldn’t last 6 games due to the pace and physical requirements needed to survive and play well in this league. Italy’s slow continental pace is perfect for a player who has no pace and who can get away with a good shot and the ability to make long passes or crosses while just standing around. That said, I still support him and wish him well because unlike some, my name is not Judas. I remember and respect our past legends.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: fair point, but considering the liverpool game was a thursday, dont you think it might be too soon to play today. He is still getting use to england also.
Like?
0 
0
@adie: 11pm i hope…though i’m still not 100% sure, cos espnstar’s tv timings don’t mention it…
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: “He is a professional footballer, its his job” springs to mind
Like?
0 
0
@JB</a.
the difference is, neville is fit and in good form where as, brown is unfit, hasnt played for about 5 or 6 months, and has no form…
Like?
0 
0
well my comment just messed up
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Please stop using internet lauguage like ur instead of your and u instead of you. its not english and im sure some older people(not me though
) dont really appreciate it.
says the one who uses ‘lol’
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter:
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: I was referring to your comment about Tosic.
Like?
0 
0
According to uniteds official website evra and nani are out so i guess we wont be seeing them today. A tough game in store for us today, but i dont see everton providing much attacking threat, especially if fellaini and cahill are missing which is expected. I think ferdinand may be rested for the game today, with neville moving to CB and oshea to RB with fabio coming in at LB. I think hes back from injury now isnt he unless im mistaken. I also think we will see the unfortuant return of the love child fletcher in the midfield. God i really hate seeing this guy in tough home games like this when the opposition park the bus. A 35 year old giggs offers more there so him or scholes must start, but i feel knowing fergie he cannot leave him out for consecutive games so we will see him back. I reckon we will line up like this:
vds
oshea nev vidic fabio
park carrick fletcher ronaldo
tevez berba
Prediction- well its gonna be tough, i reckon everton will park every1 behind the ball and will hold us for some time. I expect a win but maybe a 1-0, nothing more, would be nice to actually see a team come to our yard and actually give it a go.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: By live blogging this are you suggesting that my past live blogs of horrible one-liners and thoughtless critiques need improving?
Like?
0 
0
@JB: hes just moved from serbia to england! its like a whole other world to him. he has a nickname of babmi because of his, or lack of, physique… but yea, lets star him anyway
i think people want brown to start because they are hoping he will be as good as last season, im not going to let hope cloud my judgement, i know how brown will play if he starts.
Like?
0 
0
If O’Shea starts we’re certain to win. Remember his turn in the box last week? Unstoppable. I loved how the commentator said, “Great composition in the area from O’Shea.” I was thinking, “that’s not composed, that’s as fast as he can move.”
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Mate, it is obvious that Neville will struggle playing two intense games in a week. Fergie has said so and has rotated as such. Right now, we only have Neville and Brown fit at RB, so it isn’t a stretch saying Fergie might prefer to start Brown if Neville isn’t fully recovered. However, that is not my main argument tho, my point was that you said brown can’t attack or cross and on evidence from last season and stats provided by JB, u r wrong.
Also, stop attempting to take snide shots when u can’t put forth a winning argument… besides, it’s not like the ‘English’ in ur comment is even perfect.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Is your judgment going to be as exceptional as it was on Neville earlier in the season
I’m not asking to start Tosic but you gave a list of reasons why he shouldn’t start i.e. played two games in a week, played on Thursday etc. Yet you are happy to ignore the reasons why people may be reluctant to start Neville three times in a week, given his age and fact he missed the best part of 18 months of football not that long ago.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: I love all the sentimentality surrounding Brown and his performances last year. If anything has been made apparent this season it’s that you could start my grandfather at right back and we’re not going to concede many goals. I’m all for giving him credit for a serviceable job last season, but the lad is hardly all-world. It’s easy to look good at fullback when you have two of the best CB’s in the world supporting you, two central midfielders who never go forward and the world’s best footballer insuring that opposing fullbacks are always pinned back in their own area.
Like?
0 
0
@Gabriel: how was it a snide comment? you keep using slang instead of real words, its not about perfect english its about the use of slang.
and those stats mean nothing when you have the worlds greediest and best player in front of you.
if it was park on the right and ronaldo on the left who do you think would have more assists?
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: No one likes a grammarian: fact.
Like?
0 
0
@JB: but the fact is, neville is experienced, and should be capable of playing at least 4 games straight.
tosic isnt, he has just move to england, and needs to get use to the game first.
you cant compare neville to tosic, its 2 different situations. if tosic came from the spanish, italian or german league then yes, he should start, but he is coming from the serbian league, so shouldnt.
Like?
0 
0
@Patrick: im not being a gramer whore at all. my grammar isnt great i know that, but what saying is that this is a site where we should try to use proper english instead of internet slang…
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: It doesn’t matter if he is eperienced, the question is whether he has the legs to start four games in a row. I wouldn’t bet on Giggs or Scholes being able to manage it.
Like?
0 
0
spurs getting thrashed by bolton…good riddance i say…how can Harry Redknapp ever start Bent who has been extraordinarily crap off late repeatedly over Campbell?
as for the brown debate…it might be a bit early to start him but he should be our starting full-back
Like?
0 
0
do people know how important this game is? a draw/loss could eventually have disastrous effects on our title chances. why not bring him on for 20 minutes today, 30 minutes against west ham and start him again derby/forrest? would that not be more safe?
Like?
0 
0
@JB: scholes can and has proved he can. giggs cant, but proved he could last season.
so why cant neville?
Like?
0 
0
I could be sadly mistaken, but I’ve hardly been more optimistic about a match than I am about today’s. Two reasons:
-We haven’t allowed a goal in over 1000 minutes and we are playing a side with no attackers.
-We’re Manchester United so we always find a way to steal one.
Like?
0 
0