Jan 19
Manchester City vs Manchester United: Preview
The Carling Cup semi final first leg is here, its Manchester United versus Manchester City, and it promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. City are in decent form, whereas United are in a crisis according to the media, but who will come out on top? Will Carlos Tevez score against his former team? Or will we prove that there is only one team in Manchester?
Not having won any silverware for 34 years the city’s other team will be out with something to prove and Sir Alex Ferguson is not taking them lightly, “You have to recognise they (Manchester City) are a competitor now. They are making a much better fist of their league programme this year than they have done in the past. We have had to wait a long time for it to be like that. It’s a popular argument that the match means more to City. As far as I am concerned it is a semi-final,” stated Ferguson.
A semi final indeed, in 34 years City have seen United lift 25 major trophies, and Sir Alex as seen 13 City managers come and go. Newly appointed Roberto Mancini realises the importance of winning that elusive trophy, “I am new in Manchester City, so the trophy is important to me. But the same is true for the players and the club because when you start to win trophies, you change your mentality, we want the Carling Cup. But it must only be the start,” said the Italian.
The team selection could be interesting on United’s part. Sir Alex did say before the first attempt to play the fixture he would stick with the kids and there should be no reason to doubt him, or should there. We have been in terrible form and a settled line up could well be just what we need.
Edwin van der Sar should continue in goal, making his 200th appearance for United, as it would be unproductive to leave him out after one game. Tomasz Kuszczak will likely be keeping the bench warm as Ben Foster has a back complaint.
In defence, Nemanja Vidic could make a return to the first team, along side either Wes Brown or Jonny Evans, more likely the latter given Brown’s lack of form recently. Patrice Evra at left back is a no-brainer and Gary Neville, our Club Captain should keep his place, despite the lackluster performance against Burnley. Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea are still out.
Being away from home, Sir Alex would likely field a five-man midfield. In the centre, Michael Carrick and Anderson accompanied by Darren Fletcher, who returns from suspension. Antonio Valencia has been in sparkling form of late and will look to terrorize the City defence. On the left either Gabriel Obertan or Ji-Sung Park, considering Park’s lack of playing time, he will probably get the nod. Giggs is being rested for this one.
Wayne Rooney cannot be looked past for the lone striker role. Michael Owen or Mame Biram Diouf will make a cameo at some point in the game. Dimitar Bebatov has a dead leg.
City go into the tie missing a number of players, obviously Adebayor is on compassionate leave. Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott are out with knee injuries, Santa Cruz and Patrick Vieira are out with calf injuries and Kolo Toure is on African Cup of Nations duty.
One player who is itching to play is Carlos Tevez, I want to play in this match for many reasons,” Tevez said. “The squad is confident, morale is high and if we get a victory over United it will be sensational.” It remains to be seen if the Argentine can score. Something he failed to do in the 4-3 game earlier this season.
Interestingly enough the last three Manchester derbies at Eastlands have ended 1-0, twice in United’s favour and under Sir Alex Ferguson United have contested seven League Cup semi-finals, reaching the final on six occasions.
It promises to be an intriguing tie, but a difficult one. Lets hope we can take an advantage to Old Trafford next week and finish them off on our own patch.
Prediction: 2-1 City
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Evans, Vidic, Neville, Park, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney.
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Also see: Manchester United v Manchester City preview.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
- The Manchester United Pledge
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Derby County v Man Utd: Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (542)
Stephen (493)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Grognard: The frustrating thing about fergie banging on about lack of value in the transfer market is that he could of really raped Madrid over the ronaldo money. 80m is cool but not when you have the money grubbing glazers salivating over the transfer fee. Madrid had a host of Dutch players that they didn’t want and we could have used. I would rather we walk away with 40-50m and a few players.
I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but I’m starting to think that fergie knew the Whole time that the Ronaldo money was going toward the debt.
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@Johnsom33: Any manager worth his weight in gold would have raped Madrid of two or three players in a swap and cash deal. The reason players like Sneijder, Huntelaar and others never made it here is because of the strict directive from the Glazer’s that they wanted the money to balance the books. Even one player from Madrid and money would have shown us to be a lot smarter than what we showed.
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So what did Carlos Tevez really say about his former Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville in a South American radio interview? He’s a “moron” (Daily Mirror and Daily Express), “idiot and creep” (Daily Star and Daily Mail), “stupid bootlicker” (The Sun) and a “bootlicking moron” (Guardian, Independent and The Times) are the general themes
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@Grognard: Judging from Fergie’s dealings in the “horse-market” I think it is fair to assume that he is not the best financial business man… however, I am sure that the board told Gill who told Fergie that he would have around 80 million for transfers after the ronaldo deal.
If the bonds work out, then he *supposedly* gets 75 million for transfers… not far off 80 million.
And I agreed with him last summer… there was no one worth their price in the market – ask RM and City. Seriously, is any player worth 80 million, Kaka 56?, Benzema 35, Tevez 40, Ade 25, Toure 20, lescott 20???? Not even a world cup creates such inflation.
I think now we have a chance to get some good players at more realistic prices such as Di Maria, Neuer, and Kjær.
Fergie of course is the reason for injuries, Foster, Carrick, Nani (OK, he is for that one), Rooney, Berba, Rafael, Park, etc…
@Karl: You’re right, we are not well-managed anymore… b/c our supposed crap team is “over-achieving” in 3rd place and we have our annual year-long injury-fest.
Fergie is doing very well I think with the form of players and injuries in the squad. We are still in every competition besides FA Cup. We have exciting young players in Diouf, Macheda, Wellbeck, Obertan, Rafael, and Fabio.
All I see on this site now is a bunch of chicken-littles — the sky is not falling as long as Fergie is steering us — 23 years should stand for something. Sure, we might have a year of rebuilding in the wake of the world’s best player leaving us, but I can take one year at a time.
Adieu and goodnight and Glory glory Man United
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: “23 years should stand for something”
That’s what Liverpool also claim about their 20 year legacy.
I admire your blind faith, but trust me, The sky has fallen already. If you manage to get a peep out of his – you know what – maybe then you’ll notice too.
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@Karl: We are in the league title race, still in the Champions league and still in the semi final of the league cup we are the current premier league champions and carling cup winners and were in the Champions league final. Looks like we have been somewhat spoilt if the the “sky has fallen already”
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: Brilliant post m8, and all I can say is well done.Top man.
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@[OPTI]Madschester United:
We are out of FA Cup bcoz we lost to a 3rd division side.We have scored 2 goals (not sure though) in the 8 games we have lost which is sure a record in our glorious history.We have converted OT,a fort till last season,into a park where teams come , enjoy and win.We play with 4-5-1 against sides which are not worth to be discussed.
These are also some valid points which should be considered.
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@Stephen:
Comment#556 vs Comment#558
That’s why I say, our position is flattering. I think that is the main reason for our current situation because it gives the illusion that all is well. Am I being unrealistic? A chicken-little? Remember when I complained about this last season, I stated, give me just 2 or 3 good entertaining performances in a row and I will remain quiet for the rest of the season. I re-iterated that at the start of the season. Well, so far NOTHING!
I used to agree with the fact that we are spoilt. But, on pondering on this, are we really? We are nothing more than paying consumers. WE provide the profits that the Glazers intend to make. Why should we not expect the best? I’m sorry if you might be satisfied with mediocrity. I’m not. It is impossible for me to change my club, therefore I will stand on the rooftops and shout my lungs out (literally speaking) until things change. If people don’t like what I have to say, they don’t have to read it. I don’t mind people disagreeing with me. Gotten used to it over the years. In most cases I like it because it forces ME to think and see things from a different perspective.
But, I don’t appreciate sarcasm or sarcastic responses from people not even bothered to read or even trying to comprehend what it is that I have to say. (don’t worry, this is not you).
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@Karl: We have 23 years of success, Liverpool have 20 years of missed opportunities and failure (except for their Mickey Mouse treble)… I cannot see your point that we have failed? I understand that we have lower expectations this year b/c Ronaldo is gone and b/c we are not playing like Barca or Arsenal but the sky is still there but may have a couple dark clouds somewhere… nonetheless, I think with Fergie at the manager helm, he would never let us fail.
23 years of success should allow for 1 year of trust when things go awry.
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: well said m8, to many fans on here fergie bash at the drop of hat, we would not be the club we are without him, and he cant win us the league every year, although he trys too. well daid again. its a while since i read a comment like that on here. MUFC
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@Stephen: +1 I cant believe that people are this scared of the future. We are not done with this season and with the bond issue done we have wiggle room in the cash department (fingers crossed that this means a new face or two soon). the end of this season and beginning of next will tell the tale of the club. I see no reason to freak out now.
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