Jan 27
Manchester United vs Manchester City: Preview
Only one week ago a Carlos Tevez brace gave Manchester City a slender 2-1 lead over Manchester United in the Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg, but as United strolled to a 4-0 victory over Hull at the weekend, they sent out a clear message. We are top dogs in Manchester and will not be giving cup the trophy without a fight, Wayne Rooney is in inspired form and Sir Alex Ferguson will be going all out for victory.
City have won the League Cup on two previous occasions and coincidently the Final comes exactly 34 years after the last won the trophy, their last trophy. So the fans, players and management will be well aware of what this game means, especially as it is against bitter rivals United.
In the first leg United dominated for long spells and will not look to let a lead slip at Old Trafford this time around and as we are out of the F.A. Cup, Fergie will make retaining the Carling Cup a priority, so a full strength line-up is expected.
Edwin van der Sar will continue in goal with Tomasz Kuszczak an able deputy.
Rio Ferdinand will continue his comeback from injury and partner Jonny Evans in central defence, Patrice Evra will also take up his usual spot at left-back and Rafael should keep his place at right-back. Nemanja Vidic is out with a calf strain along with long term absentee John O’Shea.
With Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia rested at the weekend, expect both to start on the left and right side of midfield respectively against City. Paul Scholes should drop to the bench with Michael Carrick returning to the starting line-up to partner Darren Fletcher.
It is inevitable Wayne Rooney will start against City after a four goal haul against Hull, but his strike partner is a different story. Dimitar Berbatov replaced Michael Owen against Hull and it is highly unlikely the former Liverpool striker will start two games in a row.
Sir Alex has called for discipline from his side after the spat between Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez threatens to boil over in the 2nd Leg.
“We have enough experience of playing in big games to know it is important to keep your head. It is always a key factor. We have had feisty games against the likes of Leeds and Liverpool since I have been here. Player behaviour has always been good. It has never been an issue.” Said the United manager.
Manchester City want to establish themselves as the best team in the world, and since the arrival of Roberto Mancini the Blues have won five wins with one defeat since his arrival just before Christmas.
Carlos Tevez is in imperious form netting 13 times in his last 11 games, so he will be a key member of the City arsenal. Emmanuel Adebayor could have a part to play after returning from compassionate leave. Kolo Toure is also available upon his arrival back form the African Cup of Nations. Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott are both out with knee injuries and United nemesis Patrick Vieira is sidelined with a calf strain along with Roque Santa Cruz. Robinho could also play a part as his move to Brazilian side Santos has not been completed as yet.
Roberto Mancini has set his stall out well in advance, he will attack United.
“We don’t want to go to Old Trafford only to defend,” said the Italian tactician.
“It is possible we will have to defend if United attack. Then we will need to defend very well because they have so many good players. But we want to win, not just the tie, but at Old Trafford. To do that we must attack.” He added.
United have only conceded nine goals in 15 domestic games at home so far this season. While Ferguson’s semi-final record is exemplary, he’s been at the helm for 42 last-four matches and, of those, United have lost just six, including last week’s first leg. Let’s hope Sir Alex and the Red Army can silence Carlos Tevez once and for all.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Evans, Ferdinand, Rafael; Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.
* * *
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)
@Redrich: Agreed.
Like?
0 
0
Chelski Just scored fuck fuck double fuck.Inelka
Like?
0 
0
@Scotjimland: Bikey stopped running and stood still after anelka passed him?? How poorly defended!
Like?
0 
0
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Exactly m8, did you hear the Clarets fans after Terry got the yellow card, fucking classic, same old Terry always cheating
Like?
0 
0
If Rooney gets the England captaincy, expect the United captaincy to follow. But Im not convinced it is for the best. Rooney already tries to do too much. Id rather he concentrated on his own game and scoring games rather than getting distracted with the captaincy responsibilities.
Personally I would LOVE LOVE LOVE Darren Fletcher to get the United captaincy. He is all heart, leads by example and a Scot to boot. Also United have a long tradition of midfield generals.
Chelsea have something rotten going on in their club. First Lampard. Now Terry.
As far as I know with the exception of Anderson…we do not have trouble with that sort of thing. Fergie gets them to marry young and he’d slaughter any of our players if they cheated on their wives. It is gratifying to see.
I fail to understand why anyone would take us over. There are few people in the world who could cover our debts, let alone meet the club’s valuation. Unless the Glazer’s were willing to sell for a nominal fee, and I do not see them doing that because they are enjoying milking us for all we are worth, I really cannot see a takeover going ahead.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Grognard… I finally figure it out.
You don’t live in CA. You are either Gill or Phelan in disguise. You curse tactics and finances and call the news before they are in the papers… Admit it now.
Like?
0 
0
@[OPTI]Madschester United: You mean he is not Anderson?!
Like?
0 
0
@colver: Agree whole heartedly with you regards Wayne, it is being muted though, but I belive Cappelo will leave it as it is.Its really a Chelscum problem.If there were to be a change expect to see the captainacy given to Gerrard.
Your point on our captain” leads bye example and a Scot to boot”can you enlarge upon that please.
Burnley have just scored, fucking great
Like?
0 
0
@colver: It’s a lot more likely that a group of ten to fifteen fabulously wealthy United fans, not just one or two, will come in with £50million each or something. Because they love United, and who wouldn’t want to own the club they love? They wouldn’t be in it to make money, they’d be in it for the love and the glory. Here’s hoping.
Like?
0 
0
@[OPTI]Madschester United: You got me. I’m Mike Phelan. I’m just tired of not getting a raise in pay and tired of getting all the blame for all the poor tactics we use. Truth is, I’m Fergie’s bitch.
Like?
0 
0
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jan/30/manchester-united-premier-league
atleast this guy isn’t hiding his agenda. It actually makes it readable.
Like?
0 
0
If anyone saw Terry not get red-carded for being last man, say: “AYE!”
The ref’s once again deserve no respect for their horrendous displays of inaptitude.
Like?
0 
0
@Johnsom33:
you reckon Daro O Brian is sane, oh please. Take a snippet of his words, he writes many words, as many do, but as with a lot, very anal thinking!
Quote”teams who have outplayed them include Sunderland Burnley and Fulham” Fulham I Will give you at the Cottage, outplayed us.Can that old twat recall the defense we had on that day.
If that is where you get your football, sense, perspective,good luck.
In my opinion he is a waste of space, as i said his words are long and many, but still hardly phosphorescent.
Like?
0 
1
Scotjimland, what I meant by my comment is that Fletcher gives 100% for the team, never has a bad game, and is a real warrior. I happen to be half Scottish so on a personal level Id love to see a Scot captaining United.
Like?
0 
0
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I will say Aye Oui Tha.
The point being the unclassy twat scored the winner.
Am getting so excited for tommorows match its gonna be fiery and frisky, a bit like how i like my curries and woman.
Like?
0 
0
@colver: yes m8 he does he plays a whole lot better for us than he does for the national team, bearing in mind he has better players around him at united.I think you are right tho.It makes sense young level headed no big ego.Good call.
Like?
0 
0
@Johnsom33: Dara O Briain is a quality comedian. Upsetting to find out he’s gooner scum
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: As i said, ANAL. why type a lot of words when 4 letters achieve intent.
Like?
0 
0
I jumped over to the next post — the betting one — as it was taking too long to load this site.
Like?
0 
0
@[OPTI]Madschester United: i jumped to arsenal blog, aint it cute
Like?
0 
0
Now come on lads we can do this lets get behind the team, u all know we are United right, lets fuck that pedo shit.
niters lads .
Like?
0 
0