Tomorrow brings with it what could be one of the most important derby days in the long rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United. As United Rant put it, we may have blown the title with a whimper at Ewood Park last week, but if results go our way tomorrow we could have renewed hope that title number 19 could still be heading to Old Trafford.
What’s clear is that a much improved performance is needed if we’re to go into City’s back yard and come away with three valuable points. A dominating performance didn’t hide the fact that we were frustratingly clueless in the final third and hardly tested Paul Robinson in the Blackburn goal. The absence of Rooney didn’t help, but his return tomorrow could send us into the game full of confidence. World Cup 2010 betting odds place Rooney amongst the favourites to win the Golden Boot in South Africa following his incredible scoring rate this term, and with him leading the line at Eastlands tomorrow we’ll certainly look a much more dangerous outfit.
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Manchester United play Host to West Ham this evening after a crushing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Everton in their last Premier League outing.
The Champions will be hoping to bounce back in style after the disappointing result at Goodison Park, by beating a West Ham side currently just 4 points above the relegation zone.
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The day is finally upon is. Manchester United face Manchester City in what is billed as one of the most important derby matches for decades. The media hype surrounding the tie started when the draw was made and it will build to a climax tonight as we prepare for the all important second leg with City bringing with them the 2-1 advantage that they were so fortunate to receive from the first leg.
For Manchester United it’s a chance to show their noisy neighbours that they’re still the top dogs in Manchester, despite the huge sums of money spent this Summer. The added value of a win will also mean another year is added onto the famous banner in the Stretford End that records the number of years since City last won a trophy.
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Venue: Craven Cottage
Date: Saturday, 19 December 2009
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Manchester United are still struggling in defence ahead of their trip to Fulham today.
Nemanja Vidic limped off during the midweek win against Wolves, but Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful the Serb can recover in time for the trip to Craven Cottage.
Long term absentees include Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, John O’Shea and Wes Brown, so it would be a huge boost for Sir Alex if he could play a natural defender at the back alongside Michael Carrick, who is expected to continue in the heart of the back four.
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Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Tueday, 15December 2009
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Sir Alex Ferguson will be demanding a more ruthless attacking performance than was shown against Aston Villa for the visit of Wolverhampton at Old Trafford.
Last weekend Chelsea’s draw with Everton provided Manchester United with the chance to draw level at the top of the table, but profligacy in front of goal saw them succumb to a 0-1 defeat against Villa, which now leaves them 3 points behind their rivals.
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Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Saturday, 12 December 2009
Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Nemanja Vidic returns to the starting line up for the visit of Aston Villa tomorrow, as the defensive injury crisis at Manchester United looks to be showing signs of easing.
Vidic will be partnered in defence by midfielder Michael Carrick, who performed so well in the trips to West Ham and Wolfsburg.
Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs are all available for Sir Alex fergsuon, so his options are slowly getting better as the players recover from their respective injuries.
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Venue: Volkswagen Arena
Date: Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Manchester United face Wolfsburg in Germany tonight facing the worst injury crisis they have had in recent memory. One which Sir Alex believes will delight their opponents.
“Wolfsburg will be delighted that we have so many injuries because it’s a big game for them,” the boss in Germany on Monday. “My main concern is getting players back from injury. I have to look at the bigger picture and that means looking to Saturday and future league games,” he told manutd.com.
Wes Brown, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, Jonny Evans and John O’shea are all missing from United’s defence, meaning the only fit defender is left back Patrice Evra, although Oliver Gill as been drafted in from the reserves to provide cover.
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Venue: Upton Park
Date: Saturday, 5 December 2009
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Edwin van der Sar returns for Manchester united as they head to Upton Park to take on Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham.
Tomasz Kuszczak has deputised well since van der Sar injured his knee in a collision with Tim Cahill a fortnight ago, but is set to revert back to his bench role for tomorrow’s clash.
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Venue: Old Trafford
Date:Saturday, 21 November 2009
Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Team news
Nemanja Vidic should return, but United’s defensive troubles are far from over. Rio Ferdinand is out, and John O’Shea and Jonny Evans are doubtful with respective ankle and calf injuries. Gary Neville misses out through suspension.
Everton have problems of their own. Jo, Howard, Neville, Osman, Roodwell, Pienaar and Saha are all doubtful with various injuries, while Arteta, Jagielka, Vaughan and Anichebe definitely miss out, all with knee injuries. Bilyaletdinov starts a two match suspension.
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Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Sunday, 8 November 2009
Kick-off: 1600 GMT
Manchester United will take on league leaders Chelsea this Sunday in a mouth watering encounter at Stamford bridge.
The Champions have problems in defence and will be hopeful Nemanja Vidic recovers in time to partner Jonny Evans in the middle.
The injury list includes Rio Ferdinand and Danny Welbeck, as well as long term absentees Owen Hargreaves and Park Ji Sung.
Those doubtful for the match are Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic.
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