Dec 08
Manchester United vs Vfl Wolfsburg: Preview
The final game in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League is almost upon us and we need one point to finish top of the group. With qualification to the second round already assured, the pressure will surely be off the Red Devils as they make their way to Germany to face Bundesliga champions, Vfl Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg are a team packed with immensely talented players — most familiar are Edin Dzeko and Grafite, the highest scoring strike partnership in German footballing history.
Most of the headlines in the previous meeting between the pair centred on these two but, in my opinion, the biggest danger to United is Zvjezdan Misimovic, the Bosnian playmaker. He pulls the strings in this Wolfsburg team and last season came away with 23 assists in 36 games, not to mention the 6 goals. This season he has managed 8 assists and 9 goals during the 22 games started.
Former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins will be unavailable as he has a shin injury that is expected to keep him out until at least the New Year. Other than that Veh has a fully fit squad to choose from.
While the attacking threat is well documented, remember the defensive players at Armin Veh’s disposal. Alexander Madlung, Ricardo Costa and Andrea Barzagli. They are a well-drilled unit and will prove difficult to break down, especially at the Volkswagen Arena.
Manchester United on the other hand have a number of issues, and they are mostly to do with defenders. As mentioned yesterday, we are in the midst of an almighty injury crisis. From defence to attack we are at less than half strength.
Just a reminder, in case you missed it: Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea, Jonny Evans, Fabio, Rafael, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Gary Neville, Edwin Van Der Sar and Owen Hargreaves.
That would leave Patrice Evra as our only recognised defender. It is tough times at Old Trafford. Tomasz Kuszczak will start in goal as he continues his fine form. It looks as if Michael Carrick will be used as a makeshift centre-half along side Oliver Gill, the 19-year-old son of chief executive David. This has nothing to do with his very close ties to the United hierarchy, apparently.
“It doesn’t concern me. If he is good enough, he plays,” Ferguson told reporters at a press conference.
“That is the name of the game at Manchester United. I had my own son in the squad for four or five years and he was treated exactly the same as any other member of the squad. It will be the same for Oliver.”
Darren Fletcher should deputise at right-back.
The shuffling of the defence will definitely have an effect on the midfield selection. Sir Alex Ferguson will have to pick his strongest side if he wants the valuable away point. Valencia, Gibson and Anderson will all start, with either Obertan or Ji-Sung Park given the left-wing berth. He may even decide to play a five-man midfield, as is so often the case in Europe. So Paul Scholes could keep his place in the side.
Up front there is not Rooney, Berbatov or Macheda, thus leaving Michael Owen or Danny Welbeck to fight it out for a lone striker spot, or try to forge a winning partnership.
The game looks very tough considering the Germans need to win to make sure of a second round spot, they will need no extra motivation and Fergie has already hinted they will be enjoying the injury crisis currently engulfing Old Trafford.
“Wolfsburg will be delighted we have so many injuries,” jested Ferguson.
“I know we might come second in the group but I am not sure whether it really makes much difference.”
It may not make a difference, but top spot would give an easier draw in the next stage and the first leg at home, but ultimately we may pay the price for our medical shortcomings.
Prediction: 2-0 Vfl Wolfsburg
United’s 19-man squad for the game in Wolfsburg: Tomasz Kuszczak, Ben Foster, Patrice Evra, Oliver Gill, Gabriel Obertan, Magnus Eikrem, Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Matty James, Darren Fletcher, Ji-sung Park, Anderson, Cameron Stewart, Nani, Oliver Norwood, Michael Owen, Danny Welbeck
Related items from Red Rants:
- Manchester United drawn with Besiktas, CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg
- Manchester United vs VfL Wolfsburg: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
- The Manchester United Pledge
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Grognard: It would already be known if Ronaldo had a football playing brother.
Anyway I liked the part when they mentioned putting young John on a specific diet fro him to get that “extra burst of pace in the first 10 yards” or whatever.
Makes me think about things…
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Good stuff… I am just happy I have Giggs on the back of my shirt and not Ronaldo and/or Tevez
Like?
0 
0
Ladies(?) and gentlemen…
Guillem Balague
Like?
0 
0
@[OPTI]Madschester United: I never argued against his success. It’s the technical side of the game that is not his thing. Okay to say he is one of the least competent is an exaggeration but he definitely isn’t among the best. In fact if anything the most he could be in my opinion is average. Take note that I specified from the 21st century’s commencement. Before then tactics were not really the focus in England,and it showed,but it was evident in our poor European form. The Champions League is highly technical and you will be shown up if you are not strong in that dept. It is not a mystery that SAF is not really at home with tactics and we all saw the effect CQ had on our game. He made the team organised and efficient. Now we are in an era were the team is playing a negative form of football and to make matters worse it’s disorganised and disjointed. It is a clear sign that we are lacking technical direction and it’s the one thing we need to become that fluent machine we saw between 2006-May 2008.
Like?
0 
0
@Jay wire: You are really scratching the bottom of the barrel, mate.
Like?
0 
0
@colver: The likely hood is that we won’t… Fergie must have his Wenger glasses on… refusing to believe we need to do something everyone thinks we should!
@Grognard: Well yeah, Krasic would come in January, and Nani would go out on loan to Italy or something, and then be sold after the World Cup.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: I generally think Bellague is so full of shit he should be working for the National Inquirer in the US, the king of tabloid sleaze papers. However, I have to admit that I think this rumor has a lot of merit to it. Benzema is not as happy at Madrid as he thought he would be, he isn’t starting all the time and Madrid are not that pleased with his performance. And lets face it, they desperately want Villa because he is Spanish and Ribery because he’s ugly enough to play for them and also because he’s got his ugly mug embedded up Zidane’s backside.
We could end up getting Benzema for 20 to to 24 million in January. Problem is I still don’t believe United has the money to buy him. Which means somebody with deeper pockets may show up. I have believed all along that Benzema was nothing more than a smokescreen and a bluff played by Fergie to make us fans believe that United have the money to spend but choose to spend it wisely. We shall see if I am wrong or not.
Like?
0 
0
I just happened to run across this. Some priceless gems by the boss!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/6779640/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-famous-quotes-and-greatest-rants.html
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Since you brought it up, I must boast that I’d made a better compilation of quotes than that right here on RR. Here.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: Well he said in the summer that all the top players are overpriced. Unless there has been a significant depreciation in their value, why would he do a 180 on this??
I think he may get a GK and possibly a free-agent to bail us out of our injury crisis, and thats it!!
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Indeed, much better RR.
I just get stuck on #9, …..#9, …..#9, …..#9, …..#9,…….
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Brilliant compilation RR… And Red said NINTH one is just awesome I read that at least 50 times so far…
“
“knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch……
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter:Quote 55 about PS and 60 Roy Kean just signifies the character that we had in that team. Fucking awesome…
I wish we had that character in the even today… I miss it so much…
@Footy4Eddy: Hey bro, you seem to be as mad about ROY as I am… Just check the Quote no. 60 in that list from… Its fucking great… I miss him so much…
Like?
0 
0
Can somebody please provide some link for the quotes from our KING. I read few but i would be happy if some one can share compilation if available…
Like?
0 
0
@Footy4Eddy: Hey bro…
Giant spiral UFO over Norway baffles experts
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20091210/959/tod-giant-spiral-ufo-over-norway-baffles.html
What this news is all about???? I hope no team from Alien’s Territory is tracking your performance and improvement……Or is it???
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich:
I’m just laughing my head off just thinking about how many who are reading this who do not get what you are on about with #9…..#9…….#9. Sometimes it feels good to be old an experienced.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Hey.. Don’t don’t keep your proclaimed internet son in darkness… What are you talking about
Like?
0 
0
In good news, Fegie has ruled out signing Sol Campbell. Thank fuck for that.
Like?
0 
0
Presumabely now CSKA are through to the next round they will want to hang on to Krasic until they get knocked out of the Champions League.
The Benzema rumour is ridiculous. Real do not have any money problems and are not a selling club. New signings do take a while to settle in and Im sure he will get his chances.
Like?
0 
0
@colver: Just like Huntelaar did….
Benzema is done at Madrid. He’s been slagging off Raul in the press, which is an absolute no no. He’s 100% right… how is Raul getting a game when I’m twice as good as he is. Unfortunately Raul IS Real Madrid. Balague seems to get things right more often than wrong with spanish football, but what he has wrong is the price tag. If we weren’t willing to pay that to Lyon why would we be willing to pay that to Madrid?
Watching the latest academy game… Pogba is the reason we pulled the plug on Ljajic. He is light years ahead of the academy team. Running the show at a canter.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: What a beautiful tribute you did there.
What’s even more funnier is the number of comments/responses to it: a massive 2!
Doubt it would be the case today, and its a credit to the great job you’ve done throughout the few years you’ve launched this site!
Props to you, RR!
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: @Grognard: Hey I’m (rather) young and I get the joke!
Like?
0 
0
I say:
ROFL LMAO
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Hey I still don’t get the joke… You people are making ass out of me….
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: Hey Trav.. You were discussing about the Darijo Srna and see its in the RUMOR MILL today. Daily mail has reported it….
Chelsea set to make £10m bid for Shakhtar Donetsk’s rampaging right-back Darijo Srna
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1235028/Chelsea-set-make-10m-bid-Shakhtar-Donetsks-rampaging-right-Darijo-Srna.html#ixzz0ZNjQva28
Seems to have good goal scoring record at international level. And seems to be a Dead Ball expert….
Like?
0 
0
@Onkar: I am a day ahead of the game. He is a propper propper player. If we’ve saved £10mil on Ljajic, go and get Srna!
Like?
0 
0
And Fergie says he has the money..
“It has been said I do not have the money, but the money is there if I wanted to use it.
“I didn’t see any value in the summer and I don’t see any value at the moment either. I am happy with the players I already have at the club.”
Like?
0 
0
He sounds like Wenger.
Like?
0 
0
@Onkar: here u go
Like?
0 
0
@Onkar: It’s a famous piece of confusion in the Beatles White Album. I wouldn’t call it a song, it’s just a break between two songs where you hear John Lennon say over and over “#9….#9…..#9…..etc”. Considering the greatness of the Beatles, it was a confusing, controversial and mysterious addition to a great album. And above all, very weird.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: I mean seriously, why sign Sol Campbell when Carrick and Fletcher can play the CB position better than him?
Like?
0 
0
@colver: It’s not as silly as you may think because he was always Plan B if they could not get Villa. Well if they were to unload Benzema, they would not only have more money to play with but the room would be cleared to make Villa their number one striker. Lets not forget that Villa is rated higher by Madrid than Benzema and that he is Spanish to boot. This means more to Real than you might think. I do see it as a possibility now that Villa has claimed that playing in the Prem is a possibility. They will want to get him now or they will lose him for good. And despite what you say, they do have financial problems because they are badly extended by loans and so any other major purchases to be made within the next few seasons can only come about by selling players. By selling some of their surplus and Benzema, they would be able to afford Villa.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: I agree. I have mentioned many times that you are either in or out in Madrid based on your relationship with one Raul. If he accepts you into his cult or clique, then you are Real Madrid for life. If he doesn’t, then you are toast. Benzema is toast. And you are right that they will have to take a loss to sell him to United at least because Fergie will not pay unrealistic money for him and certainly will not pay what Lyon were asking last summer.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: It was a very artistic statement by John (Paul hated it) which, while controversial (especially for the time) and not making the album easier to listen as a whole; undoubtedly strengthens the whole experience and artistic value of the record.
Just don’t listen to it more than once.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Uhhh …. To have someone in the squad named Ivanhoe?
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: That’s because despite your youth you had the incredible good taste to listen to The Beatles instead of or along with Linkin Park, Lady Ga Ga or Snoop Dog. And speaking of dogs, today’s music is for the dogs I’m afraid.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: Srna is alright but there are better RB’s available. My God, I’d go after Philip Lahm over any of them and that includes Maicon and Alves. Lahm is equally adept at LB too.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: This is where the relationship between Fergie and Grognard gets so strained. I do not believe a word of it. He has no money and there are several players he wished he had because even he is not so stubbornly stupid to not see the weaknesses on this team. Why he protects the Glazer’s like he does will always be a mystery to me. Instead he loves to perpetrate this myth or lie and have us believe such a lame excuse for not signing players. Sell to Liverpool fans Fergie, not United fans, because I for one am not buying it.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: And what if he spends in January… Or next summer by the very latest? Will you say sorry then?
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: It was the Scouser in them that was unleashed.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Fuck me, Ivanhoe is actually Heskey.
Campbell is a Jeremiah…
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Yes I am familiar with the history but for me it was a momentary brain drain by Lennon. I consider myself a major Beatles fanatic but i have to say, that little entry never ever did a thing for me.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB:
Like?
0 
0
@Darth Red Diablo: Nope. I’ll just say it’s bloody well about time. I fully expect them to buy players. They need to do it to shut up the likes of me. I’ll gladly shut up if they can prove me wrong but I do not think it deserves an apology. All I have to say to Fergie is “SHOW ME THE MONEY”.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I’m not that old, but even I got that reference.
And I’m not even a Beatles fan. (Despite their mass fan following to me they sound like a boy band of the 60s. But that’s just me. 
)
Most of the music I listen to originated before my time. The Beatles are the anomaly.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Sound like a boy band. Boy oh boy mate if you said that to me face to face I’d punch you.
That’s more blasphemous then my tirades against Fergie. The Beatles are sublime perfection and were musical geniuses. Their music transcends every generation and even parents of the day loved them because their music spoke to all age groups. Above all, their music had beautiful melodies and hooks I have not found in an act ever since.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: As I said, to me they never did anything out of the world. While a lot of other bands of the late 60s and 70s and 80s did. There are a select few songs of the Beatles I liked, but nothing more. And I’ve given them several proper listens.
Like?
0 
0
I’m sick of hearing Martin O’Niel, ex shitty player Dunne, Luke Young, and every other Tom, Dick and Harry spouting in very LOUD MOUTHY UNISON, how they are going to thump Man United and beat us for the 1st time in 23 years is it?
. Dunne wants to do Man shitty a favour – all their players have been on the blower to him, telling him to gee up Villa players to do us. So Man United, make sure you do some harm to Dunne 1st, before tackling the other Villa players, and then ALL SING IN LOUD UNISON at Marting O’Niel when Villa lose again. SAF should play a proper full back on the right, and put Fletch in midfield where he will be needed!
Like?
0 
0
By the way – anybody know what DIPSTICK ref we have been allocated for the game tomorrow???
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: OK, now you need to be flogged, put on the rack shot and then tortured again. And that’s just for starters. Such heresy.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: The way I refer to the Beatles is that I always say the Beatles are on a pedestal of holiness and god-like stature and then there is the rest of them. In my not so humble opinion they are so far above everyone else that there should never even be a debate. Of course everyone who has the right to have their own tastes but to all of them who do not see them as the greatest I say……YOU ARE WRONG.
What’s kind of funny about me is that the rest of my taste is so far removed from what the Beatles were. Other than them my favorite band is a Gothic New Wave band from the late 80′s called “The Sisters of Mercy”. A 180 degree opposite of the Beatles. Add to that Depeche Mode, Guns N Roses, and numerous other acts that I love and you wonder why I am not more in agreement with you on the Beatles? I also love “Queen” with great passion. My tastes are all over the place although I will never like Hip Hop, Disco or anything that comes out these days.
Like?
0 
0