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)
@EduardoDaVinci4: From what I’m reading, apparently not unless they are living in Manchester.
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@CraigMc:
Yes and I’m a mellow guy who never argues and has a an inferiority complex and low self esteem. 
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@Scotjimland: Mate, did you go to English school in Afghanistan or Nepal? Honestly, Ihate to get personal but i am tired of reading you jibberish. SPEAK ENGLISH ALREADY! How many times does Red Ranter have to tell you, or do you also not know how to read it?
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@Redrich: Spoken like a gentleman and a scholar. Well said Red.
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@EduardoDaVinci4: To quote Telly Savalas, “Who loves ya baby?”
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@Grognard: I would prefer the “fuck off” method, but he deserves the chance to improve and assimilate.
I’m getting there though!!
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Arsenal’s probable line up:
Fabianski
Sagna – Vermaelen – Djourou – Gibbs
Eboue – Merida – Diaby – Traore
Van Persie – Eduardo
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@Ab Kr: And who the fuck are you??
That line up is not only unlikely, it’s impossible!!
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@Ab Kr: And I care why?
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@Ab Kr: Brilliant line up.Well done mate.I will recommend you for Arsenal job after Mr. Wenger
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Calling Wenger Pedo is pathetic really! even if he is the Le Arse manager…it just shows the sickness of the mind of some of our fans!
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@Grognard: @Redrich:
What’s wrong with you two? Isn’t it obvious that was sarcastic?
Where’s your sense of humour?
Or am I missing something here?
@owen: I didn’t think you’ll get that anyway…
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@Red Ranter: Start some new post plz.This one is full of fights only.And you were not present when you were actually needed
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@Red Ranter: No not obvious at all!
The guy just laid out a starting line up with no other explanation or emoticon’s.
How do you know it’s sarcastic??
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@Redrich: Every single player in that list is currently injured. Coincidence?
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And pardon me if I’ve overlooked the obvious, but if if you look back you’ll see I said it was impossible.
The commentator, however, said nothing – he just typed a ridiculous Arsenal line up, and I responded to that.
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Guys be cool!!! I was joking and trying to make something to laugh on.
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@Ab Kr: You’re a very funny guy.
Fucking hahaha!
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@Redrich: Exactly. There’s no need for that kind of stuff.
(And “who the fuck are you?” Really?)
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@Red Ranter: I now think I am missing something!!
You got something to say to me??
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@Redrich: I was quoting you. Your response to him was “who the fuck are you?” Entirely unnecessary. Followed by another unnecessary jibe at him for “being funny.”
Look I have had no problems with you for as long as I can remember. You come here share your opinions, and are quite honest about your opinions. But I think these kind of things are rather uncalled for. Just because someone is a newbie here…
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@Red Ranter: Look, I’ll say this again.
A comment, out of the blue, with no context or preface, just a list of players – was ridiculous, and it sparked my response.
If I overstepped my bounds, I apoligise. However for you to jump on this seems petty to me, considering the unchecked flow of flowery language that we see here every day.
If Ab Kr had introduced his little joke, it would not have provoked that response.
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@Ab Kr: OK mate, accept my apoliges.
I had no idea you were jesting.
My bad.
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@Redrich: Just a snide remark and I might have let it slide. And you do know I hardly ever jump on you. It had to be outrightly out of character for me to spring. And yes there’s been a lot of flowery language here of late. And maybe I should jump into everything that I see. But I don’t sit refreshing this site during all my waking hours, even though I should be doing that if this is my day job. So when I see something I try to advice people.
This is a very minor incident, and I agree with you on that.
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@Grognard: Well that I can agree with – NOT
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@EduardoDaVinci4: Eddi mi man, I was just teasing you as I always do – but sorry I didn’t realise about your mum etc – I would have been more sensitive otherwise mate
.
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@Redrich: What’s wrong with drunken banter mate – not that I ever engage in it mind!
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@CraigMc: FUCK YOU!!!
Just kidding mate, would never say that to you in an honest opinion. I just love your teasing, Nani-obsessed, anti Rooney jests.
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@CraigMc: hey craig, heard in the summer that ando shagged an english girl, he couldn’t understand what she was saying so he called a translator and the translator was right there when they shagged and interpreted her language
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Just seen a clip from football focus on the bbc website and keith harris has said that he has been approached for a takeover bid utd. I know getting new owners might not necessarily solve our debt problems but the sooner those Glazier fucks go the better!!!
Also good to see John Terry getting ripped to pieces in the press!
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8488910.stm
Will this happen? I sure hope so.
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@EduardoDaVinci4:
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@vanderberg:
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@jpg: If you didn’t know already, John Terry is a all around bad person. I couldn’t dislike him anymore. And giving him the English armband made me sick, and I couldn’t give a toss about the English national team.
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@vanderberg: ?what’s difficult to understand about”fuck me harder”
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This takeover bid sounds nice, but the cynic in me won’t allow me to take it serious.
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All people who are strong to the cause of Manchester United say “Red Knights!”
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Red Knights!
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@Red Ranter: Sorry mate but I do not get the joke. I’ve never even heard of this guy so how am I supposed to gauge his sense of humor. Besides, I found nothing funny in his lineup.
Sorry.
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@Redrich: I agree. I am mystified by RR’s reaction.
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Red Knights
Danny Welbeck just scored for Preston. Good on you son.
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@Red Ranter: Am I expected to know that mate? Also, I could swear that some of those players were in the last game Arsenal played so I am completely unaware of their injury status. Besides, putting out an injured Arsenal lineup on a United blog is far from funny nor is it entertaining or witty.
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@Ab Kr: Fair enough but I didn’t find it funny because I do not follow the inner goings on at Arsenal enough to know or care who is injured and who is not. I just found it strange that anyone would post a lineup for Arsenal on here without a comment or reason why.
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@Red Ranter: I’m sorry RR, but I am with Red on this. There was no context or preface with the lineup and this newbie had no track record on this blog like others which would have helped us both gauge what he was on about. He came on here and posted something for the first time and I immediately thought Arsenal Troll when I read it. I now realize I was wrong in my assumption but I was not wrong in my reaction based on the little information I and Red were given. Consider a case of friendly fire because of bad directions and no warning. And to be honest, you have let others get away with a lot of murder of late. To jump all over me and Red for an innocent, yet understandable misunderstanding is just petty. Isn’t the Internet fun?
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@Redrich: I am more than man enough to apologize but for this, I really see no crime committed despite what RR may think. My response was a sarcastic question and it still stands based on the pretext or lack of info I was given. Red, if anyone should apologize, it should be the individual who got our feathers all flustered, don’t you think?
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@Red Ranter: Actually RR, this little incident proves a point I have tried to make to you privately many times. RedRich and I are probably the two oldest members on this blog and as you know, I have always complained to you about how I do not like modern Internet language and the lack of proper grammar, over use of abbreviations and generally poor use of English which is too often allowed and accepted on the world wide web. This incident lacked an introduction or pretext and because of that, we overreacted, simply because both of us are old school blokes who although more than computer savvy, still adhere to some old fashioned ideas, rules and beliefs when it comes to writing and using the Queen’s english. I think what happened here had more to do with a generation gap because where RedRich and I come from, we like people to communicate their thoughts clearly and concisely, not vaguely or in many cases, in an abbreviated lazy manner. Just my thought on things. Red may disagree with my assumption.
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@Grognard: It’s over!!
I didn’t agree with the ref, but best to shake hands and just move on!
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@Sir Red: WOW! Just a few weeks ago I was saying this very thing needs to start happening. That rich investors needed to get together with somebody who could start a trust fund and put together a proposal that would not only pay off the debt United owe, but have the power to buy out the owners. I am encouraged because there seem to be signs with these “Red Knights” that my wishes and my predictions for wealthy fans taking charge of the situation and leading a takeover has potential. I have no doubt that showing the strength to pay off the debt is one thing, but finding enough money to convince the Glazer’s to part with this dividend making machine is going to still be tough. Bully tactics and a promise to make their ownership untenable and destructive will help this group of investors free our club from the stranglehold it presently finds itself. Great news and hopeful too.
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@Johnsom33: There seems to be a lot of pressure now on Capello to strip him of his captaincy because apparently, enough players are disgusted with Terry as well. Problem now is that Rio’s injuries and recent form not only threaten his comeback to England, but his starting position and it also probably ruins his chance to get the captaincy. Look for Wayne Rooney to be named captain of England very soon.
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@EduardoDaVinci4: RED KNIGHTS!
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