Mar 23
Man Utd v Liverpool: Preview
Our dear scouse friends appear fairly bullish ahead of today’s game and fair play to them — they have been knocking in more goals of late. Chelsea play Arsenal at the Bridge in the Grand Slam “Bang Thank You Ma’am For Such Over-Hyped Match Ups That Almost Always Produce Less of A Spectacle Than Was Promised By The Mugs At Sky” Sunday. I just can’t stand the hubris over such announcements by television people. But then, they have to make their living too and events such as this Sunday only serve to keep them going. Speaking of Sundays, a Happy Easter to all who celebrate this festival. Oh, and let me break a secret: the easter bunny is fictional. It does not exist. So wallow in your disappointment as I begin to preview the all important game against the ‘dippers. I also have a secret about Santa that I’d want to let in on, but I’ll leave it until Christmas.
Anderson is doing the talking ahead of his meeting with Steven Gerrard.
‘Names don’t matter to me. I am finding that I can raise my level and offer more when I am playing against the big stars and this is how it was when I played against Gerrard.
It would be great if he does, indeed, raise himself for the big games because otherwise talk would be cheap. Anderson has exceeded all expectations since his arrival, but he is still raw and needs to calm things down rather than going on a rampage. We did very well last time with a midfield of Hargreaves and Anderson, but it remains to be seen if SAF retains that midfield combination; the temptation to play Scholes would be high on his mind. Personally, from what I’ve seen of Carrick, he’s almost always up for it in the big games this season and with his rather impressive form he might feel hard done by at times. However, our team composition will hinge around one important player.
Rio Ferdinand remains a doubt and it will be a big blow if he doesn’t make it. Last time at Anfield, he had Torres in his back pocket, and with the form the Spaniard is in, Rio’s pace and reading of the game would be priceless. So if we assume he’s not playing then there is a good chance that we might go for a 4-3-3 to protect the defence. Hargreaves would be asked to do that job. My preference for the other two midfielders would be Anderson and Carrick, but then, Sir Alex could throw the form book out of the window and play Scholes for a game like this. Brown and Vidic would take up the centre back slots with O’Shea and Evra at full back. While Ronaldo and Rooney would certainly figure in the starting line-up, no one can be sure if it would be Nani, Giggs or Tevez for a start.
Either way we’d do well to avoid playing a high back line that might only serve to help Torres’ pace and power — neither Vidic nor Brown have that pace to play catch up.
On current form, pundits would love to pick Liverpool, but when did current form matter at Old Trafford, in these games? I would be infinitely more confident if Rio plays, but I’ll still be positive about my prediction.
1-0 to United.
Come on you Reds! (Of course, the Old Trafford ones!)
Edit: A mini-roundup post is also up with some articles linked for you perusal.
Update: Scott on the Republik of Mancunia interviewed me in the lead up to this game. Here’s the link to that interview in case you’re interested.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
I might be wrong but i feel fergi is trying to protect ferdinand from england game .
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SAF goes for local boys in such games.. Remember Fletch played both games against ‘pool last year… May just put Fletch at RB if ferdi is not fit
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I know mate, and in a way it worries me that Scholesy could play. I love him but I wouldn’t necessarily think of him as the right player given his current form. I’d actually not worry much about the team composition if we had Ferdinand. He is the key as far as I’m concerned.
If he doesn’t we will see more of Brown and O’Shea. Fletcher could even play in a three man midfield. To be honest, I couldn’t be too bothered, these games take so much excitement out of the game because of the amount of tension it’s played in.
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[Pratyush]
You’ve got to be kidding right? What could be more important than the Liverpool game? If United win this, it’s a big boost to our chances of retaining the title. Fergie would never do a thing as daft as resting his best defender for a big game.
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If Rio plays he will not finish… another back problem that will get worse!
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Tough calls. I’d honestly be worried if Rio didn’t start, he kept an out of form Torres at Anfield out of it, now with a very impressive Torres coming in we need Rio to be there up to it. I honestly can’t see anything else but a draw for this one!
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Anyone remember the away leg to Milan? Vidic was considered a risk but SAF played him anyway because that was a big game, and this could be even bigger. Even without Rio though our attackers have enough about themselves to outdo whatever tally Torres can put up. I’m assuming ofcourse that they take atleast 1% of the chances they are bound to get.
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I will not give predictions, I hate it when it doesnt come true and any team Fergie starts with is fine with me (as long as Giggs isnt playing)
Im not afraid of Torres you say he is in form I say most his goals and so called form were against lesser teams so we shouldnt be afraid of him
I hope I wish and I pray to win
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Doesnt the easter bunny exist?
Honestly, I am not that worried about this game. Its a big game and usually I feel worried, but something tells me that it will be an United win. 2-0. Rio should start, but I dont think he will finish, coming off after 75 minutes or so. VDS is fit after what Ive heard, he should also start with Brown, Vida and Evra in front of him. I think Fergie will opt for a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 with Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings, Rooney up front. Carrick and Scholes in cm with Anderson. Since he has gotten such praise these last couple of days it looks like he will start. Rooney and Ronaldo to score for us.
THE RED DEVILS WILL WIN!
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i would start saha(is he fit lol)
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Dan it’s Easter not April Fools day.
I think we can sneak this game one nil with Ronaldo scoring late in the game.
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I def don’t think much of our chances if Hargo is not in front of our back four, especially if Rio is missing. Anderson great as he is, has lacked a little in the last couple of matches, and I would play to start with – Hargo, Carrick, and a.n. other. We need to win this match.
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I want to see fletcher,anderson and carrick in the middle.I think they would run the midfield pretty nicely.Ronaldo and nani on the wings and rooney upfront on his own.
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RR- I just read your interview on The Republic of Mancunia site. Good one!
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any team news?
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as much as i hate to say it, i think giggs will start.
fergie loves playing him in the big games, and he does tend to do well v. the pool
much rather nani though..
jb, any team news yet? im so nervous bout not having ferd- vidic/brown is a disaster patnership, cf milan last year, and their struggles with the monumental derby attack
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evds-wes-rio-vida-evra-ronaldo-scholes-carrick-andy-giggs-rooney
RIO STARTS!
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Thats the line-up or what you hope for James?
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It’s the line-up. I checked it on Sportinglife.
bench: PIG, Hargo, Nani, JOS, Tevez
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I except a great match from Carrick. He will be fresh as he has been rested from the two previous games
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[RedDevil]
Cheers mate, here’s the link to the interview for those interested.
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that’s what on manutd.com website
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JB, you’ve been usurped!
Nice options from the bench, I suppose, but I think we could have afforded to go 4-4-2 at home…
he’s obviously confident about anderson shackling gerrard- that’s not what scholes or carrick are there to do!
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United—————–Pool
VDS———————-Reina
Brown——————–Arbeloa
Rio———————-Skrtel
Vidic——————–Carragher
Evra———————Aurelio
Ronaldo——————Kuyt
Carrick——————Mascherano
Anderson—————–Alonso
Scholes——————Gerrard
Giggs——————–Babel
Rooney——————-Torres
subs:
PIG, Sheasy, Owen, Tevez and Nani
Heey, first time I got my line-up prediction right
Lets hope I predicted the scoreline right too.
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[sam]
thats not a 4-3-3, its a 4-4-2, you can tell because ronaldo is the first name from the midfield, and he wouldnt play centre mid! LOL
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Would’ve preferred Hargo over Scholes, but I think we’ll eventually see him come on for Scholes anyways. Hopefully Tevez and Nani can come on and impact the game greatly!
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I never really got my game going against either United or Liverpool during my time in Leeds, but I do know that this game will be decided by a moment of brilliance. A great example of this was when I scored against England after a beautiful one-two with Martin Dahlin. So now you know what a moment of brilliance is and can easily figure out that Ronaldo will be the most likely to provide it for United. However, I think Rooney will do it today and with Scholes as the brain behind the attack!
Ok, that is my contribution to the preview. Enjoy!
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red-devil; I believe it’s a 4-3-3, Ronaldo’s name being first would mean he is on that side of midfield. So actually it’s more of a 4-5-1 as shown by the line-up.
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R-D. I dont think thats got anything to do with the formation. Fletcher was put as right back against Bolton, but he played cm with Andy. If its a 4-3-3, Ronaldo, Giggs and Rooney would be top three!
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Why no Tevez? He really does well in big games… Its a 4-3-3 in attack and a 4-5-1 in defence.. My only fear is that it may turn out to be a 4-6-0 with noone really staying up front.. But we’ll win easy…
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[Tomas]
Right.
You are really modest, aren’t you?
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These are the games for Rooney! Come on Man Utd!!!!
Do you recokn it could be a 4-4-2 with Ronaldo on the wings and Giggs helping Rooney in attack? Maybe Anderson could fill in a part of the unoccupied wing. I’ll be damed if I understand Ferguson.
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Red Ranter,
you are right but can you believe the guys on The Sun who claim that I am the worst import ever in England!?
Well, well, enough about me and here is to a superb United victory!
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Come on United! May the best team win (as long as it’s us).
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i think it is 4-5-1 formation.the midfield is going to be very crucial in this game.have to stop macherano and gerrad who feed torres.
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2-0 or 6-2 to united.
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rooney just showed what could cost us a game!
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Anyone have a working SopCast for the game?
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sop://202.190.75.149:3912/3606
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Isn’t the old man Giggs pplaying just fine. Scholes is also looking good. And so far it seems like even ronnie has turned up. But Rooney’s the man.
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Brown… My god… Its WES
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ahh fuck it saf give brown the pay raise
1-0 united.
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And who was the one crossing the ball? Yes, it was Rooney, the man who is to blame for everything going wrong at United. Except that nothing goes wrong at United. Rooney for captain!
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DAVID GILL AND GLAZERS OPEN THE WALLET BROWN YES BROWN
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good half, looks like there is only 1 clean argie in the world.
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DOWN AND ALMOST OUT scourers lets go for the kill goals galore IN the second half expected
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That was a good ref decision
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what a STUPID move by Mascheranom, i think thats going to cost Liverpool the game! haha, sooo happy when he went to argue with the ref, the commentator was going crazy telling him to get away from the ref, haha, stupidest red card i have seen in a while.
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What is it with defenders scoring against Liverpool? In the last 4 years, Silvestre, Ferdinand, Sheasy and now BROWN(!) has scored against them! Anderson has been 1 half mom. Love it!
And Mascherano is stupid, great for us.
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Looks like the ‘pool Argie came into the game just after a bust-up with Mr.Bennett in the tunnel
He totally lost it! This game is not over tho, just not over.
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