Dec 15
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Preview
Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register. Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted). So, give this a run if you’re up for it.
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The greatest tonic for a shock defeat is a relatively straightforward fixture as soon as possible. That’s what Manchester United have when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Old Trafford later on this evening. After two straight wins, the first time that has happened in the top flight for 26 years, Wolves will not be short on belief especially after the 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, and United will be looking to bounce back in emphatic fashion against the newly promoted side.
Mick McCarthy will be bringing his men up the M6 for just under 100 miles, in high spirits the victory at the weekend coupled with United’s defeat will have Wolves believing they have travelled to face United at the perfect time. The well-publicised injury crisis has ravaged the Manchester United squad, and it looks like there will be the usual 50 absentees for the game this evening.
Tomasz Kuszczak will continue in goal as Edwin van der Sar is still out with a knee injury.
The defence against Aston Villa saw Wes Brown rushed back from his latest setback and he never looked comfortable. He should continue to partner Vidic at the back despite this. Rafael could make the bench, as Darren Fletcher will reprise his role at right-back. The left side is, as always, taken by the magnificent Patrice Evra.
The latest recipient of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ryan Giggs will not be risked after tweaking his hamstring against Villa. I would expect Obertan to be given another start, alongside Carrick, Anderson and Valencia. Though Gibson will be looking for a recall to the team.
Michael Owen must wonder what he has to do to earn his place in the team, dropped after scoring a European hat-trick, but he should be restored to the first team against Wolves. Partnered by the ever-present Wayne Rooney, who will be looking to make amends for his horrendous attempt at diving during the game on Saturday.
Mick McCarthy was in jovial mood when asked about the game,
“They must be thinking ‘Wolves are coming and we have just been beaten by Villa… If ever there is a chance to get yourself back on track it is to slap these insolent little so and so’s coming up from the Black Country and we are going to give them the biggest doing they have ever had.”
Despite this Wolves will be without Michael Kightly and Andrew Keogh, out with ankle injuries, David Edwards will also join them on the sidelines. Former United youth player Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, will again be looking to impress his former employers, while United must be wary of Wolves’ record signing Kevin Doyle, who got the early winner against Tottenham at the weekend.
A win against Wolves would take Sir Alex Ferguson’s side level on points with Premier League leaders Chelsea for 24 hours at least. Wolves’ last win away to Manchester United came on 9 February 1980. The match will also be Sir Alex Ferguson’s 900th league match in charge of the Red Devils.
United should bounce back as they always do after a defeat and this will be no different, as in the Carling Cup match earlier on in the season where United triumphed 1-0.
Prediction: 3-0 United
Probable Line Up: Kuszczak; Fletcher, Brown, Vidic, Evra; Obertan, Carrick, Anderson, Valencia; Owen, Rooney
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Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at RR have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register. Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place betswhen the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted). So, give this a run if you’re up for it.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Match Preview
- Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Match Preview
- Manchester United 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Park Provides Inspiration To A Poor United Side
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United: Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@CraigMc: See this is exactly what I have been saying for months now mate. It’s taken you so long to realize that I was right well before the season started. Remember all the Optimist vs pessimist talk and all the talk last summer of me being Mr Doom and Gloomer? Hell last summer you got fed up with my negativity and left for a while. All I was saying back then is what you are now saying in full force. And yet, to Fergie’s credit as bad as I saw things and as accurate as I was about how we would look and how poor we would play, we have lucked out result after result this year and have a good record despite all the negative stuff. So as much as i really want to get on the team it’s hard because believe it or not, Fergie has done an outstanding coaching job this year. Why? Because frankly, this club is total shote without him.
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@vanderberg: It’s quite the situation and really, the fact is that as much as I and others can predict or come up with scenarios, the reality is we know nothing about what is really going on at the club. They are a mystery and they do everything behind closed doors. Does he have 60 million to spend or does he have to plugged nickels like I am claiming? We just don’t really know. What I do know though is that the Glazer family is truly in a world of financial hurt and something has to give.
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@Grognard:I think saf is saving glazers from the press like he does when he blames the ref when utd have played poorly.we have struggled to replace ronaldo but where can we get a true legend like giggs who is purely devoted to man utd. It is really amazing for ryan to go on like that this is a video of ryan’s story . Man if we can get another one like that!!!
coming to champions league draw i think we should get acmilan now and real next and we have to beat them in true united fashion and show becks and ronnie that united is the best club in the world.
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Hope we face Milan
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They take hell of lot of time to get on with the draw… I mean they just go and on and on with their blah.. Blah.. Blah… Blah…. I am already pissed…..Get on with the draw….
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@Footy4Eddy: I would like to see Stuttgart…
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Its almost 17 mins now and that blah… blah… blah… continues…
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Barca are basically through…
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shit, barca got easy draw against Stuggart
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Inter vs Chelsea!!!
Mourinho back at the Bridge!
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Stuttgart v Barcelona…..
(No Stuttgart is available)…. 
Easy one for the defending champs
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Olympiakos v Bordeaux… Ahh another potentially easy opponents is gone….
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WE GOT MILAN!!!!!!!
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So Milan it is…
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Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
Inter Milan v CHELSEA…..
CSKA Moscow v Sevilla
Lyon v Real Madrid…Looks interesting….
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wow milan o.O
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Porto v ARSENAL….
AC Milan v MAN UTD…..Ahhhhh as anticipated by you EDDY…. You got your wish… Interesting to see what reception Becks will get at OT… Already a talking point…
I am definitely not disappointed but, it could have been easy….Bring’em on…
I mean Barca V/s Stuttgart.. Fucking easiest tie of the round by miles….
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Yeah bitch, this is my time!
Can`t fucking wait for February, my God this is immense! Not only because my family are Milan supporters, or because I`m going there this Christmas, or because Becks plays there, or because I want revenge for 2007. No, it`s because some of my best mates are AC Milan fans. I`m seriously looking forward to this, this is gonna be so awesome. Bring on Milan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
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It was so annoying to see all of the easier teams go one by one. Oh well, at least we can whoop Milan when they’re not so hot anymore like in ’07. The whole Becks spin will make some great press as well.
On to the Europa League Draw for me…want to see who Kanarya and Cim Bom face in the round of 32.
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@Footy4Eddy: Your excitement encourages me about our draw mate! If our team would go into the two legs with half as much excitement and energy, it would be in the bag.
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When’s the Europa league draw, btw?
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@AndyCR7: europa league draw is also today it starts right after the champions league draw
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Not the worst possible draw but not the best either. We should have enough over two legs to get past Milan, but in a cup competition anything can happen and when the chips are down we do not have a saviour in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo. Thank God they no longer have Kaka after what he did to us in 2007, but I think Ronaldinho could rise to the occasion and cause us some problems and if Fletcher is out, I think we could struggle against a midfield of Pirlo and Gattuso. But we seem to be a lot more savvy in Europe and I think we will scrape through!
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@colver: I fancy us to win us against most of the teams in Europe over two leg decider.. Its only when the ONE match tie comes ala CL Finals I am not comfortable…. So, I don’t it will be an easy match due to just the kind of experinced head they have in there team, but I think we should be able win it albeit in UGLY way or should I say UNITED way now…..
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@Footy4Eddy: If u are going to train with becks and co. in milan. then may be u can kick him in the ankle or just throw a boot at him
so that he doesn’t play aganist his old club and his wish of milan winning the ucl is spoiled.
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Hopefully now we can show greedy fame whoring Beckham what he is missing.
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@TurkishRED: liverpool face unirea urziceni,easy match for them. tough one for everton they face sporting lisbon.
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@Stephen: absolutely agreed. what do u think utd fans would do?should they boo him?
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No mate I will definatly go but he will be expecting a hero’s welcome poncing around the pitch, the worse insult anyone can do to Beckham is ignore him and that is what I wil do.
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Oh shit.
Now we will be going to Milan in 4-5-1 on the 1st leg, hope not to get beaten, and play the second leg in 4-5-1 and hope for a 1-0 victory.
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Hopefully we can patch up our defence by then and ensure either Hargreaves or Fletcher will be fit to give us a presence in midfield. We tend to improve as the season goes on so I think we will be able to negotiate this fixture. But with players like Ronaldinho, Pirlo and Pato you cannot write Milan off….they have more potential matchwinners than we have, even though our team in the aggregate is superior.
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Personally I would like to see us have a go like the Gooners, their pace and youth tore them a new on and we really could and should do the same, but as Nico said it will be 4-5-1 Wazza up top on his own.
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@Grognard: Lets hope he does an Obertan then!
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@CraigMc: they dont count have to spend now if they want anyone for the next two yrs.
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Ok, surprise surprise! New post up, finally. Move on there now, will you.
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@vanderberg: “True United Fashion” I see what you are saying mate but let me be the one to burst your bubble a bit by telling you that the one thing United do not do anymore is play with true United fashion. Can we beat Milan? Yes we can because they are amazingly older and over the hill than we are. But, I still believe that when it comes to a starting eleven, they might actually have more talent up front and in midfield. It depends on the health of our back four by then. If healthy, we will beat them by boring them more than they bore us. 1-0 and 0-0 should do it.
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@Onkar: No only the Barca’s are lucky enough to get the likes of Stuttgart. In fact I am truly disgusted by the easy draws both Barca and Sevilla got as well as Bordeaux and Arsenal. All good opponents but easier than what we, Chelsea, Madrid and inter have to face. I am glad however that we never got Inter again or Lyon. Those were the two I feared the most.
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@Stephen: Rooney up front on his own – we’ve lost that one then – 3 more points down the pan
.
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@Footy4Eddy: And Ancelotti back at the San Siro. Classic matchup.
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@Onkar: In fairness to Barca if this was a seeding system like tennis, they deserved to get Stuttgart or Olympiacos because they are the best team in the tournament and defending champions. As daunting as our task may seem, make no mistakes, this is not your dad’s AC Milan. They are old and pretty useless. Certainly they are capable of beating us but I still think we will take care of them, but just.
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@vanderberg: SHAME on every single United fan who turns on Becks! He was a legend in his time with us. Anybody on the terraces near me who boos Becks, I will knock their fucking head off in one foul deadly swoop – tossers. This should be the game we show shit face Tevez what it is to see a legend return and get a rousing OT welcome.
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@Stephen: Don’t stand near me on the terraces, you ungrateful whatnot! I swear United fans are getting bloody worse!
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@Onkar: We will LOSE this one mate!
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@Grognard: We’ll see, I’d go for experienced Dads army against naive United team. Especially with the king of SLOW, PEDESTRIAN, DEAD LEGGED football we play in Europe – will suit the Dads great!
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@Grognard: Errr Fergie just did his press conference and SAID to all the press – Nani injured his ankle in Wolfsburg, and is not improving at the moment. Don’t see any reason for the lies, and I don’t think SAF’s lying, because usually when Nani is fit and left out, SAF says it is because Valencia, Obertan are having a good spell etc. I think he is injured, but I also think even if he wasn’t SAF would still play numpty stumpy, Obi and Valencia
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@colver: The secret to our success vs Milan is a healthy back four and above all, Darren Fletcher in the midfield. His youthful exuberance and tenacity will neutralize Milan’s attack. And adding a Hargo would be so sweet too. I believe it will be a low scoring affair but then again you just never know. I think Milan has too many old legs to compete with us if we are fully healthy. If fully healthy we should have little problem with them although I can see us having a hard time scoring goals too. Pirlo and Gattuso will struggle against us. Fletcher will make their lives miserable.
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@Stephen: For me Beckham is a legend and a legend who was cast out of the Kingdom unfairly. If I was there I would give him a standing ovation and would pull for him to do really well. But at the end, of course I want United to win. If we do lose however, I think it would be sweet justice if Beckham scores or sets up the winning goal. Sort of like when Dennis Law’s goal sunk United in 1974 and forced them into relegation. I am a die hard supporter of United but to this day I harbor great bitterness over the way Fergie treated Beckham, Keane, Stam and RVN. All of them deserved better but especially Becks and Keano.
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@Traverse: If he would cost us what Obertan cost, then yes, lets take the risk, but I can think of an awful lot of great players who could be bought for ten million.
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@CraigMc: No we won’t mate. Milan have a lot of quality but they also are incredibly old. Perhapos their fountain of youth withc doctors can conjure up something but I do not believe that their manager has the bottle or the skill to out manage Fergie. If Ancelotti was in charge of Milan, I would be more concerned. As long as Fergie does not start Neville and Scholes and injects Fletcher and Carrick in the middle, we should be able to neutralize their attack. Hopefully Hargo will be fit by then because putting him on the right side to be a menace to Ronaldinho should take care of things away from home. At home, it is important that we play with two forwards up front. Just watch Fergie start 4-5-1 in both ties.
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@CraigMc: Milan plays just as slow a game as us mate. In fact everything you see Fergie do with united these days, he has picked up from AC Milan. This will be a slow ball control series of games where waiting for a break will be the MO for both teams. Where is Ronaldo when you need him?
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