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.
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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 (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Wes Brown at rightback?
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great preview David Schiavone but u missed a point, ferdinand can only play if he appeals aganist the ban imposed to him by the FA. And if he appeals and fails to revoke ban aganist him which will be reviewed tomorrow he get another match ban added to the 3 game ban.
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Nani boosted his chances of selection with his display over the weekend. Would like to see him for the first half, might just prove his worth.
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Nani should start. Valencia is good but Nani is better in current form.
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@Ab Kr: What is current form ??
Nani has been good for last match only but Valencia is through out the season.Nani will be used as substitute in 2nd half for Giggs.I want Neville to play today.It will really add a lot of entertainment .
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3-0 to Man Utd with goals from Rooney,Berba and Neville
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its OT throw nani and valencia in there
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@Don Pablo: i second that.
we give the citizens some beatin tonite. stong squad daivd, lets hope fergy doenst coward and play 451
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attack attack attack
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I’m really angry with Rio. We needed him so much for tonight and Sunday, and he goes and loses the plot against Hull. We may end up paying for that.
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How does the away game rule work in the Carling Cup? This is the sort of game I could easily see going to penalties. I have no doubt we can beat them, but with our tendency towards caution I doubt we will win by a two goal margin and you can always see City sneaking a goal. So Im going to predict we will beat them 2-1 and watch them crack under the pressure of a penalty shootout with Tevez missing a penalty and Rooney scoring.
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@colver: I think away goals only count after extra time. If we win 3-2 then it goes to extra time, and if that’s still the result at the end of ET they’d go through. I’m hoping for a 3-1. It’ll be 2-1 and we’ll hit them on the break late on as they look for an equalizer.
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Anyone else nervous, because I sure as fuck am
.
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@Munish Gupta: I don’t think Nani will feature. I have a feeling that he played to give others a rest for tonight’s game in mind
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I hope Tevez scores a hat-trick
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@Karl: I hope you get banned from Red Ranter
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@owen: NANI is good end of mate – live with it eh?
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@CraigMc: Nani is the best but to say that he is in good form when he has just played one game in 3 months is not justified.Nani should start today and will be by any Manager in the world but i doubt Fergie.I am sure he will show his Giggs love.
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does united or any club fine players for red cards?? I know the FA gives fine but what about clubs?
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@Karl: So do I, but in City’s net – so 3 own goals
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@Karl: More fucking fool Fergie then, because if he plays Dad’s army again, bye bye Wembley, and hello hello Man Untd fans barracking from everyone else in the country
. Fergie on his own can cost us this game!
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@CraigMc: I also want nani to be played in this match but i doubt saf will play him on the left ahead of giggs. i want nani from start as left winger and giggs as sub.
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@CraigMc:
Fergie will cost us this game.Team selection is going to be a huge factor today.
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@owen: Rooney will not score tonight mate – they will be around his every move like flies on a jam pot. IF Nani plays, he will be double marked AS ALWAYS because he is dangerous if unmarked getting those oppenent costly balls into the box for our forwards. Nani should have had at least 6 assists, if Little Mikey Owen and sad, sad, sad, Park on his arse – would have not missed sitters
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@CraigMc: Today is a great chance for Berba and Nani to establish themselves and prove Fergie wrong.I dont know how but i am feeling that Berba will score a hatrick .But Fergie can ruin my dream by playing his favourite 4-5-1
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check this argie does not know anything….. http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2010/01/27/tevez-shocked-to-hear-semi-final-has-two-legs.aspx and he has also won the carling cup with united.
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@ wtf is this defeatist attitude lads? “Fergie will cost us”!!!!!! Cost us how exactly? Train fares to Wembley?!!! We need to be positive here, we’ll trounce the Bitters tonight. I’m sure of it, 3-0 Rooney 2 Berba 1
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I’m sooooo worried we’re going to beat down the door, but not score, then get picked off in like the 75th minute on the break. We’ll score a late goal, but end up loosing with a draw. And of course it’ll be that boy Teveth.
Tosic to Cologne, Anderson somewhere, Smalling deal not yet done…what happened to our damn management team…
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@Beachryan: yes anderson is a problem. remember the community shield spat between fergi and ando. then ando not attending training after fergi scolded him for his poor performance in cc 1st SF and then missed training and dropped for hull game. now this appears http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-utd-rebel-anderson-spotted-brazil-vasco-da-gama-603271?
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@vanderberg: I’d be amazed if he and Fletcher didn’t start tonight.
I’d go with…
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic(if fit, otherwise Evans) Evra
Valencia Fletcher Anderson Nani
Rooney Berbatov
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@Karl: Why do you now support City?
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@vanderberg: Er, you do realize that article was sarcastic now, don’t you?
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@Traverse: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.Plz start Red Nev today.
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@owen: Why? So he can clatter Tevez and get sent off? So Bellamy can beat him for pace all day long?
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@Red Ranter: I know red ranter but it was so funnily written couldn’t resist making a point out of it on poor argie.
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@Karl: of og’s
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According to Ben Hibbs, Norwegian midfielder Etzaz Hussain has signed professional forms with United. He’s 17. Eddy might be knowing more about him…
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Dont know which other competition does this now but the away goal rule only comes into play after the end of extra time…if its still a draw on away goals, then its penners…expect a long night.
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somebody answer my question please
does united or any club fine players for red cards?? I know the FA gives fine but what about clubs?
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@Traverse:
No.Because HE IS RED.He is the only one who can give Tevez,The bastard , proper answer.Win or loose but end the career of Tevez today.
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Any idea about telecast in India???
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Nani quoted in the news today
“”I’ve heard all the rumors, but my mission is to stay and help the club win more titles.”LINK
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@owen: You mean by kicking him and getting sent off. What’s the point of that? Cause it’ll be easier to win with 10 men yeah?
I’d rather play a team hat can (and should) win.
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Start with
VDS
Brown, Rio, Evans, Evra
Valencia, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani
Berbatov, Rooney
Hit them hard, put the game away early and then rest players for Sunday.
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I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
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@Grognard: We’re all worried, because the dogs abuse we’ll get from Citeh fans and the ABU media about some shift of power bullshit we’ll get heaped upon us. Layered nicely on top of our debt.
BUT……
……it’s only a worst case scenario. We have enough to beat them, and I think we will. If we start 4-4-2 and go for them with the atmosphere electric and score early we can properly do them. And put them back in their rightful place. Noisy neighbours at most.
BELIEVE.
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@ Grognard – yeah I feel that too. The pain of losing is potentially so much worse than the thrill of winning.
City knocking us out of a semi-final, leveraging one of our ex players…ouch…
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@Beachryan: that is a loosing mentality. and loosing is simply not on the table today
UNITED UNITED UNITED
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@ Gator – neither is drawing
!
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HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE.
ATTACK. ATTACK.
ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK.
Can you tell I’m a little excited?
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