Nov 21
Manchester United vs Everton: Preview
Another international break has ended finally giving United the opportunity to avenge the 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. Willing victims, Everton, line up at Old Trafford in the day’s late kick-off, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s touchline ban not set to begin until after the match; he will surely demand a victory before he takes his seat in the stands.
In the terraces, for sure, will sit Gary Neville, who is suspended. Our defensive injury crisis worsened as John O’Shea picked up an ankle injury against France and remains doubtful for today’s game. Jonny Evans is touch and go with a calf strain and along with long-term absentee Rio Ferdinand, our defence will be stretched to its limits.
The good news is Nemanja Vidic — who has been out of action for three weeks with a calf problem — should return to marshal the defence after playing 70 minutes for Serbia against South Korea on Wednesday. Lining up beside him will no doubt be a jubilant Patrice Evra; Wes Brown, fresh from a woeful display against Brazil, and likely Rafael at right-back.
One thing you can probably guarantee is Nani won’t be getting on the pitch this weekend, despite his heroics for Portugal over the last week. His recent attack on Sir Alex will have not gone unnoticed by the manager. Paul Scholes, a lover of the much-maligned international break looks a certain starter; well rested and having missed out against Chelsea, he will surely be raring to go. For the other midfield slot, it is probably between Fletcher and Carrick, although since Carrick is carrying a slight thigh strain expect the Scot to start beside Scholesy.
Ryan Giggs, stuck on 99 Premier League goals, is expected to feature at some point as well in a bid to grab that all-important 100th goal. Gabriel Obertan will be pushing for a start, given his recent performances for both the first team and reserves, while Valencia will provide the attacking thrust down the right. Let’s hope he can deliver a few telling balls and carry on his recent run of good form.
Stand-in England captain, Wayne Rooney will no doubt lead the line against his former team. Dimitar Berbatov will look to carry forward his form with Bulgaria, as he bagged brace in the 4-1 thrashing of Malta to become Bulgaria’s all-time leading scorer with 48 goals in 74 appearances. He replaces Hristo Bonev, who held the record for 30 years.
The Toffees bring a number of ex-United stars back to Old Trafford. Louis Saha will be out to prove a point, if he manages to stay fit between now and kick-off. Tim Howard and, of course, the other Neville brother will be back, though the latter is out through injury.
Fergie clearly has a great amount of respect for Everton boss David Moyes, commenting on the injury crisis at Goodison and comparing it to our own. “Everton have had a tremendous run of injuries and David Moyes is facing much the same situation as myself at the moment. You can understand how difficult it is to win games when you don’t have your best team out. Once they get their full squad back they will soon come up the table again.”
Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov will definitely be out for Everton as he serves the second of his three-match suspension while Tim Cahill is doubtful with a groin injury. Among other absentees for the Merseysiders are Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe. Despite this Everton find themselves in exactly the same situation as last season, 12th on 15 points after 11 matches.
They are also bring a potential United star of the future, Jack Rodwell, recently linked with us for a staggering £20m fee, who will have the chance to show his potential employers what he is capable of. With a cool head and likened to Rio Ferdinand in style, it is easy to see why SAF is interested given the injury problems Rio has.
This season has been a tale of inconsistency for Everton but a run of 7 games without a win was ended with the 3-2 victory over West Ham two weeks ago. An injury ravaged Everton should provide a relatively simple test for us, especially after the injustice at Stamford Bridge. However, recent home results against Birmingham, Manchester City, Sunderland and Bolton do not exactly inspire confidence.
We can’t afford to drop any more points despite proclamations that the five point lead Chelsea hold isn’t ‘insurmountable’. Unbeaten at Old Trafford since 1992 against Everton, United have only lost once in the last 28 meetings between the sides.
Prediction: 3-1 United
Probable Line Up: Van der Sar; Evra, Vidic, Brown, Rafael; Obertan, Scholes, Fletcher, Valencia; Rooney, Berbatov
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
- The Manchester United Pledge
- Will United Leave It Late against Everton Again?
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
As always united, we shall conquer
Like?
0 
0
what time is kick off?
Like?
0 
0
5:30pm GMT
Like?
0 
0
Who are you and what have you done with redranter
Like?
0 
0
Paul Scholes is among my favourite players overall. However I’d prefer if he won’t start today. He will start obviously, but as an advocate of fluency and consistency I’d much favor Fletcher and Anderson in that midfield. Yes I’m also a big fan of the latter, but I think it’s time this combination got a reasonable run of games together. They bring energy and drive to the team. We’re facing a desperate Everton team and lately everyone has been getting the feeling that they could get a result against us at OT. It’s a not a good thing at all and Paul Scholes is not the type to get physical without costing us by being sent off. Champions League yes. He’s still a master, but in the league we can’t afford these luxuries. Unless Giggs is injured, Obertan or Nani will not start. It’s simple and clear. Even then, I don’t see Obertan starting ahead of Nani. Ferguson is unpredictable and can even start both players with Tony benchwise.
Like?
0 
0
This David Schiavone… Who is this? If you are a new writer, then welcome. If you have killed RedRanter, I will be mad at you. Anyways, good first article and hopefully you are not the murdurer/kidnapper we fear you are.
Its gonna be a hard game, Everton are a good side. Their injuries to Saha, Neville and Jagielka may help us a long way, but lest not forget that we will, AGAIN, play/experiment with a new makeshift back four.
I hope we win, and I hope Rooney rocks the baby.
Like?
0 
0
I hope Nani is in the doghouse because I cant stand the shit he puts on show every week. Obertan to start please. Perfect game at home against mid table opposition to get him his first start.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: When did they get injuries?
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Or atleast I didnt hear Saha was injured…
Like?
0 
0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbcctWbC8Q0
Like?
0 
0
@Taehr: Skysports reported that Saha was out of the game, and had other doubtful players. Tim Howard included…
Like?
0 
0
@Jay wire: I agree to some degree with that mate, but with Anderson who I am not a fan of at all and Fletch we would lack creativity in the centre of the park, maybe Fletch and Carrick.
Like?
0 
0
Giggs and Fletch in central midfield would do me just fine.
Like?
0 
0
@Jay wire: As long as giggs and scholes aren’t on the same pitch together we’ll have plenty of energy. Hopefully its Fletch and Anderson or Fletch and Carrick(injury?) and that either are given a run of games together – get some consistency and familiarity in our team play.
Liverpool are pants! I was sure with stevie me back it would have been a huge boost. And I’ve been slighty concerned because with their shambolic season so far, they weren’t that far behind us considering. Fortunately my fears have now been quashed.
Like?
0 
0
David Schiavone?
Like?
0 
0
Nani will start imho.
Like?
0 
0
Is redranter’s actual name David Schiavone
Like?
0 
0
Sir Alex Ferguson is in charge of his 1000th domestic match of his career.
I too think that playing scholes and giggs from the start is really bad option coz we have been poor in games in which they two have started. I expect nani from the start and obertan as a sub in a cameo role. I don’t think obertan has really got that much matchtime experience before SAF gives him a start.
SAF would go for a 4-4-2 formation but please say what do u guys think on this formation
————–VDS————-
rafael – brown – vidic – evra
——– fletcher ———–
valencia —————- giggs
———– berbatov ———
——- owen —— rooney —
Like?
0 
0
I would love Berba, Rooney and Owen to play together…Would be a great with Berba and Rooney feeding Owen but don’t think we’ll see it
Like?
0 
0
Hi Guys,
I am not Red Ranter, I could not dream of replacing him, Im a new writer to the site and hopefully you’ll enjoy my previews.
Cheers
David
Like?
0 
0
Red Ranter is the pidgeons ass
Like?
0 
0
@vanderberg: I’d love to see rooney, owen and berbatov up front together as well but I doubt it will happen. Have they all played together yet? Maybe they have.
We need a glorious thrashing of Everton today cos our goal difference is pathetic compared to Arsenal and Chelsea – never know, we might need it!
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy:
Like?
0 
0
@jpg: No they haven’t played together yet but may be someday. I really like that formation and love to see hargreaves in that dmf position than fletcher commanding the game
ya, manutd need to improve goal difference we r on 11, che- 21 and ars -22
Like?
0 
0
@vanderberg: Chelsea are thrashing Wolves so theirs has improved again, better than arsenals at the moment.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: Fletcher and Carrick would always be my choice. The less I see of Anderson the better. And although Scholes has his moments, they are to few and far between for me to be risking playing time and points on him. It’s time he gives way for the others to find their form and consistency. He’s not only holding them back, he’s holding the team back. He should do the honorable thing and retire for all concerned.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I do find it odd that you dont wanna see our second best form player in our team… Apart from Evra, nobody has been better than Anderson lately.
Not a bias, many fans agree with me on this one.
Like?
0 
0
why are Wolves fans showing their shoes?
Like?
0 
0
got this from cafe
Van der Sar
Rafael Vidic Brown Evra
Valencia Fletcher Carrick Giggs
Rooney Owen
Subs:Kuszczak, De Laet, Anderson, Scholes, Welbeck, Obertan, Gibson.
Berba not even on the bench?
Like?
0 
0
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Owen. Subs: Kuszczak, Anderson, Scholes, Welbeck, Obertan, Gibson, De Laet.
Everton: Howard, Neill, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Gosling, Rodwell, Heitinga, Cahill, Fellaini, Saha. Subs: Nash, Hibbert, Jo, Yakubu, Coleman, Duffy, Baxter.
Like?
0 
0
@AndyCR7: Giggs on the wing? For fuck sake!!! Its not a bad team selection apart from that actually.
Like?
0 
0
We have been handed a golden opportunity. Liverpool and Citeh draw. Arsenal loose.
A win here and we go 3 clear of Arsenal, and 8 clear of Liverpool. We’ll also close the gap to Chelsea back to 5. They play Arsenal next week.
COME ON BOYS.
Like?
0 
0
Oh God Nani, goodbye… Cant even make the bench when we have many players injured.
Like?
0 
0
@jpg: I would play:
——vds——-
—brown–via—
Rafel———-evra
——-fletcher—–
—-carrick–giggs—-
——-valencia——-
—-rooney—owen—–
Rafael and evra provide support from the wing.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Everton playing with two defenders in central midfield…
Like?
0 
0
The writer needs to introduce himself. Does anyone know who he is?
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Doesn’t look good unfortunately for him.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: @Dan: Yeah hopefully it plays that way but I can see rafael getting caught out when he comes forward. I really like him but he’s just a bit of a live wire at times.
Like?
0 
0
@jpg: I think Nani and Berba might have been rested just because they played in midweek. I know Evra did too, but well our defense is already running on empty.
Like?
0 
0
@jpg: It doesnt mate, too bad, he had potensial…
I feel for the lad, its difficult to deny that he was mistreated. Sad to see him leave, I am sure he will now. Maybe this opens the way for a new winger though?
Like?
0 
0
Oh, our Goal-Difference is just sickening. Chelsea-25, Arsenal-21 and us just 11? Just winning games is not enough, though that’s what we’ve all seemed to settle for recently – including the players and Fergie!
Like?
0 
0
well berbs is injured and nani doesn’t even make the bench, so bye bye nani..he had some good international games,would have done his confidence a lot if he played…as much as i like giggs he shouldn’t start against these physical teams…obertan dosent start either..wow everton playing 7 defensive players and thats not counting the keeper
Like?
0 
0
LOUIS SAHA 3 – MANCHESTER UNITED 0 –
, but very true – 
.
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: I didn’t see the Portugal match but apparently he had a great game so he does have it to succeed. So did Berbatov and he ain’t playing either so maybe Antsboy is right and they are being rested.
Like?
0 
0
I am playing today
Like?
0 
0
Thank God he didn’t start scholes today. I would have preferred Fletcher and Andy, but I can live with fergie. Other than that I like this lineup.
Like?
0 
0
COME ON UNITED!!!
Like?
0 
0
i wish macheda was on the bench ahead of welbeck….
Like?
0 
0
@owen: So am I!
Like?
0 
0
@Johnsom33: It makes sense to pick Carrick for his passing as we have 2 midget strikers who’ll need it to feet. and they have a midfield that will sit off him.
Like?
0 
0