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 foundation of any title winning team is built firmly on the shoulders of a solid centre back pairing. From the early days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign it was evident that he also shared this philosophy.
Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister were the foundation for much of our early Premier League successes, while Ronny Johnsen and Jaap Stam starred in the famous treble winning side of 1999. More recently, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have forged arguably the best central defensive pairing in world football, propelling Manchester United to 3 consecutive Premier League titles and back to back Champions League finals.
That foundation has been rocked this season by the losses of both Vidic and Ferdinand for sustained periods. Vidic has played a part in 13 Premier League games this season, while England captain Ferdinand has managed just 6.
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes two goal Carlos Tevez should have been sent off in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi final last Tuesday.
The Argentine scored both of City’s goals in the 2-1 victory at the Eastlands stadium, but Ferguson believes he shouldn’t have been on the pitch after a shocking challenge on Wes Brown.
Going for the ball in a 50-50 challenge with Brown, Tevez raised his foot and raked his studs down Brown’s thigh. Amazingly the referee didn’t even see fit to brandish a yellow card, never mind a red.
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Sir Alex Ferguson could welcome Rio Ferdinand back into his Manchester United squad tomorrow as they take on Hull at Old Trafford.
His return will be a welcome boost for Manchester United after the major injury crisis they’ve gone through at the back.
Defensive partner Nemanja Vidic is still missing, and with Wes Brown and Jonny Evans seemingly unable to develop a competent partnership, Ferdinand will bring experience and leadership back to the defence.
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At the risk of sounding awfully Scouse, the referees are looking like they’re increasingly against us this season, ever since Sir Alex Ferguson criticized Alan Wiley and the referees union declared war on Sir Alex.
Now I’m not into conspiracy theories. I’ve always been of the opinion that bad decisions happen to every team sporadically throughout the season. And while decisions don’t ever even themselves out like the old wives tale suggests , they do seem to happen to most teams every now and again.
This season has been something different though. Since Fergie had a go at Wiley I can remember very few decisions that have gone in our favour, and many that have gone against us, not least two key decisions tonight.
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Manchester United defender Wes Brown admits his injury came at the wrong time this season because it coincided with so many others.
At one point United were without eight senior defenders, meaning Patrice Evra was the only recognized defender in the team for the away defeat to Fulham.
“I got injured at completely the wrong moment,” he told Sky Sports.
“There were no defenders going into Fulham, just Patrice (Evra) on his own, which was a bit disappointing to say the least.
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Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken about Manchester United’s recent injury crisis, insisting that he won’t be using the January transfer window to bolster united’ weakened defensive line.
United have struggled with eight first senior defenders injured at one point, along with first choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, but Sir Alex believes signing new players is not the answer to United’s problems.
Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic and the Da Silva twins have all returned to somewhat ease United’ injury woes, but with long term questions being asked of both Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea, speculation has been rife that the united boss would invest in a centre half this January.
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the win over Hull at the KC Stadium yesterday was a massive step forward for the reds.
Goals from Dimitar Berbatov as well as an own goal, were enough to see off Hull, but Ferguson also pointed to the returns of Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown to the defence as being important.
“Today is a step forward for us,” Sir Alex told MUTV. “We’ve got the win which is very important as we’re entering a crucial stage, and we’ve got two of our centre-backs back which will make a big difference to us. And they were absolutely magnificent.”
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Wes Brown has been hailed as the “best natural defender in the country” by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United defender has stepped in for the injured Rio Ferdinand and has formed a solid partnership with Nemanja Vidic.
“I must say that Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown have been absolutely fantastic in recent games,” said Ferguson.
“It just reminds you that when Wes Brown is fit, he is the best natural defender in the country. He’s a fantastic defender.
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Wes Brown has admitted that he needs to put in some impressive performances for Manchester United before he can think about getting a place in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.
The defender will get a chance to impress Capello this weekend as England take on Brazil. Glen Johnson has made the right back spot his own recently, but his absence through injury will give Brown crucial game time in his bid to make it to South Africa.
“Glen has come in and done brilliantly with England and that’s why he’s playing at the moment,” said Brown. “He has shown great ability and I think it was a great move for him to go to Liverpool and he has played well all season.
“He’s shown that, if you’re playing well, you’ll get picked, and I’ve got to follow that example and hopefully stay in this squad. For myself I need to stay 100% fit and, with that, I need to play well when I get a chance.
“That’s all I’m looking for this season. When I get my chance I’ve got to take it, and hopefully I can help the team as a result.”
