Only a win will be good enough to take United back to the top of the table after Benayoun's last-gasp winner for Liverpool yesterday at Craven Cottage. A win for Aston Villa would see them go within 3 points of Arsenal and the final Champions League spot.
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 6 League games at home - the 4-1 thumping courtesy of Liverpool some weeks ago. More importantly, the Champions have lost their last 2 consecutive League games - they have not lost 3 in a row in the League for nearly 7 years. United have scored 31 and conceded just 9 in 14 home games this season - but their striking prowess has taken a blow with Wayne Rooney suspended and Dimitar Berbatov sidelined for 2 weeks with an ankle injury. Ever-reliable Carlos Tevez will be needed more than ever and will finally get a chance to prove himself in front of the Old Trafford crowd when it really counts. Gary Neville may be in contention for a start after coming through a reserve game - finally putting an end to the Red Devils' right back misery. Scholes and Vidic are both also suspended for this game meaning Evans may partner Ferdinand in defense, whilst Fletcher and Anderson may both play alongside Michael Carrick in a 4-5-1 into 4-3-3 formation. Ryan Giggs on Ji-Sung Park will likely be given the nod on the left hand side - both offering more stability to the formation than Nani.
Villa are still without Wilfred Bouma whilst Heskey picked up a fresh injury on International duty. This should see Agbonlahor reclaim his starting place up front alongside John Carew.
The Villains have taken 12 points from their last 6 away games (due to 2 defeats in their most recent 2 travels). They will look to bounce back from their heavy destruction at the hands of Liverpool and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Their is a lot riding on this game for both teams which should make for a cagey encounter. Both teams would have been grateful for the International break as their respective forms had started to deteriorate.
If there was ever a good time to face Manchester United, this is it. The Red Devils haven't been under this much pressure for a very long time and they are now without Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov. Add this to the fact that Ferguson may be tempted to rest some players ahead of a huge midweek Champions League tie and you have the makings of a giant killing. Aston Villa will look to Barry, Ashley Young and Agbonlahor to set this game off at a high tempo and to try to catch United off guard. Manchester United will need World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to step up to the plate and prove his titles to be just. Carlos Tevez will need to erase Argentina's 6-1 demolition from his memory and to take his chances if and when they come.
Aston Villa's best angle of attack will be down the flanks (more specifically, their left). If Ashley Young can get room and break at the short-of-match-practice Gary Neville (or the incompetent back-up full back Wes Brown), he will more than likely possess to much skill and pace. This will allow the young English winger to either angle a high ball into John Carew or pull the ball back for the explosive Agbonlahor (10 goals this season). Young Jonny Evans may struggle to live with the presence of Villa's number 11 - calling upon the help of Rio Ferdinad - freeing up John Carew. Gareth Barry will not be able to dictate play as he usually likes to as United will pack the midfield when defending. Michael Carrick will be responsible for preventing his opposite number spreading the play out wide.
Prediction
Manchester United 1 : 1 Aston Villa
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Manchester United vs Liverpool (1-4) Analysis
Long-ball Liverpool Lucky As Title Race Heats Up
"Manchester United were destroyed by Liverpool". That's what the score line suggests anyway. The truth of the matter is this was an evenly fought game in which the rub of the green and the bounce of the ball almost literally made the difference.
Manchester United took the lead in the first half when Carlos Tevez poked a majestic through ball in to Ji-Sung Park in the Liverpool area. The South Korean got a touch of the ball, a heavy touch, and was never going to keep the ball in play. This doesn't change the fact the Pepe Reina clattered into Park late and fouled him. A penalty was the right decision and Ronaldo dispatched coolly.
Liverpool then secured a most unflattering equalizer. A clearance turned assist from the Liverpool defense bounced awkwardly for Nemanja Vidic after he opted against a first time header away. This let Fernando Torres steal the ball away from the usually rock solid Serb and slot smartly past van der Sar - although the big Dutchman did get a touch sending the ball perilously close to the far post.
No complaints about Liverpool's 2nd goal. A through ball to Steven Gerrard was misjudged by Patrice Evra who was forced to dive in recklessly from behind on the Liverpool captain conceding a sloppy penalty. Gerrard stepped up and placed the ball into his less preferred right hand side of the net van der Sar again getting a touch.
At half time, I was annoyed to have seen Rio Ferdinand booked for a nothing tackle and Mascherano and Lucas evade booking despite 3 or 4 rash challenges each. They say referees are judged on the big decisions they make, I think Alan Wiley allowed the Liverpool holding midfielders to break up United attacks on many occasions - more of then not illegally. This took the fluidity out of the Champions game and never really allowed Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez to find their rhythm.
Manchester United began turning the screw in the second half and looked like they could secure a big draw. Skrtel and Mascherano had joined Carragher in Wiley's yellow card book and the Old Trafford crowd were coming alive. Liverpool still posed threats on the break through the pace of Torres but never really looked like scoring again. Sir Alex Ferguson brought on the experienced trio of Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov for Park, Carrick and Anderson but within minuites United were on ten men. Nemanja Vidic was adjudged to be the last man when he brough down Steven Gerrard just outside the United penalty area. At the time it looked like the right decision and I've seen nothing to change my mind since.
The worse was still to come for Manchester United as Fabio Aurelio stepped up to dispatch the free kick beautifully - van der Sar left rooted to the spot. It was an unstoppable strike but I can't help thinking United's keeper got his wall placing all wrong. Aurelio's ability to find the top corner rendered his wall's jumping useless and meant 25% of the goal was an open target. Perhaps United weren't aware of Aurelio's set piece abilities and had only prepared for Gerrard's free kicks?
The final insult to injury was added by Dossena in the 90th minuite when he elegantly looped a long ball over the advancing van der Sar with his first touch. The Italian rounded of a performance engineered solely towards winning a football match, neglecting the fluidity of football.
But the Liverpool fans seemed overjoyed with their long ball football and seemed to enjoy winning ugly.
"Manchester United were destroyed by Liverpool". That's what the score line suggests anyway. The truth of the matter is this was an evenly fought game in which the rub of the green and the bounce of the ball almost literally made the difference.
Manchester United took the lead in the first half when Carlos Tevez poked a majestic through ball in to Ji-Sung Park in the Liverpool area. The South Korean got a touch of the ball, a heavy touch, and was never going to keep the ball in play. This doesn't change the fact the Pepe Reina clattered into Park late and fouled him. A penalty was the right decision and Ronaldo dispatched coolly.
Liverpool then secured a most unflattering equalizer. A clearance turned assist from the Liverpool defense bounced awkwardly for Nemanja Vidic after he opted against a first time header away. This let Fernando Torres steal the ball away from the usually rock solid Serb and slot smartly past van der Sar - although the big Dutchman did get a touch sending the ball perilously close to the far post.
No complaints about Liverpool's 2nd goal. A through ball to Steven Gerrard was misjudged by Patrice Evra who was forced to dive in recklessly from behind on the Liverpool captain conceding a sloppy penalty. Gerrard stepped up and placed the ball into his less preferred right hand side of the net van der Sar again getting a touch.
At half time, I was annoyed to have seen Rio Ferdinand booked for a nothing tackle and Mascherano and Lucas evade booking despite 3 or 4 rash challenges each. They say referees are judged on the big decisions they make, I think Alan Wiley allowed the Liverpool holding midfielders to break up United attacks on many occasions - more of then not illegally. This took the fluidity out of the Champions game and never really allowed Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez to find their rhythm.
Manchester United began turning the screw in the second half and looked like they could secure a big draw. Skrtel and Mascherano had joined Carragher in Wiley's yellow card book and the Old Trafford crowd were coming alive. Liverpool still posed threats on the break through the pace of Torres but never really looked like scoring again. Sir Alex Ferguson brought on the experienced trio of Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov for Park, Carrick and Anderson but within minuites United were on ten men. Nemanja Vidic was adjudged to be the last man when he brough down Steven Gerrard just outside the United penalty area. At the time it looked like the right decision and I've seen nothing to change my mind since.
The worse was still to come for Manchester United as Fabio Aurelio stepped up to dispatch the free kick beautifully - van der Sar left rooted to the spot. It was an unstoppable strike but I can't help thinking United's keeper got his wall placing all wrong. Aurelio's ability to find the top corner rendered his wall's jumping useless and meant 25% of the goal was an open target. Perhaps United weren't aware of Aurelio's set piece abilities and had only prepared for Gerrard's free kicks?
The final insult to injury was added by Dossena in the 90th minuite when he elegantly looped a long ball over the advancing van der Sar with his first touch. The Italian rounded of a performance engineered solely towards winning a football match, neglecting the fluidity of football.
But the Liverpool fans seemed overjoyed with their long ball football and seemed to enjoy winning ugly.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Preview
An unusually high amount of media mind-games has fueled what some are calling a top of the table 6 pointer, but most are calling the title decider. Not a title decider in the sense that the winner of the match will win the League, rather "decider" in the sense that if Liverpool lose, their race is over. Over-rated moan man Rafa Benitez himself has said "If we don't win it will be very difficult to win the title. If we want to be in the title race we have to win at Old Trafford". A win for Manchester United would see the Champions go 10 points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand. That's potentially a 13 point gap with 9 games to go. Perhaps a loss will do Rafa Benitez a favour and pre-vindicate the shocking team selections he is likely to make in the League next month ahead of Liverpool's Champions League games. A Liverpool win would put them 4 points behind United and would add pressure to the Red Devils' already tricky game-in-hand at Craven Cottage.
Both sides know that Chelsea play their weekend game tomorrow vs hit-and-miss Manchester City in what should be an unpredictable encounter. Points tomorrow are not guaranteed for the Blues so both Ferguson and Benitez would love to register 3 points today and put their feet up tomorrow.
Liverpool have dropped 14 points on the road this season whilst United have dropped just 2 at home. United have also only conceded 5 goals at home and have racked up 11 successive League wins.
Liverpool are without Agger and Benayoun though Gerrard and Torres are both match fit.
Manchester United have no new concerns but are still without Neville, Rafael, Brown and Hargreaves - O'Shea likely to keep his right back position.
Like I say in all big games - don't be surprised to see Ji-Sung Park in the starting lineup. His high work rate and defensive awareness has him in Sir Alex's good books. Carlos Tevez and Anderson are both being slated for starts, though I don't see why Ferguson would waver from the solid Carrick and Scholes partnership. Wayne "I hate Liverpool" Rooney seems fired up for this encounter and given his recent run of goals he is a must to start. Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic will join O'Shea at the back with van der Sar hoping to produce another clean sheet behind them. The final position will be taken by either Berbatov or Tevez - respectively the provider and scorer of United's goal vs. Liverpool earlier this season. I haven't seen enough from Berbatov of late to show that he will take his one chance if it falls to him - though his first touch and footwork midweek was immense. Carlos Tevez's West Ham saga is reportedly and finally over - allowing him to focus on his football and his new contract. This could be the perfect time for Sir Alex to show faith in the Argentine. Also, I believe Tevez will offer more wide support for Park (if picked), compared to Berbatov who is more inclined to stay central, hold up the ball and distribute out wide.
Throw your stat books out the window, anyone can win this. As far as United are concerned, Carrick will have to be at the top of his game to avoid being squeezed into a Gerrard-Alonso sandwich. He and Scholes will be key to keeping Manchester United's game flowing and to unleash the wide men.
Prediction
Manchester United 2 - 0 Liverpool
An unusually high amount of media mind-games has fueled what some are calling a top of the table 6 pointer, but most are calling the title decider. Not a title decider in the sense that the winner of the match will win the League, rather "decider" in the sense that if Liverpool lose, their race is over. Over-rated moan man Rafa Benitez himself has said "If we don't win it will be very difficult to win the title. If we want to be in the title race we have to win at Old Trafford". A win for Manchester United would see the Champions go 10 points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand. That's potentially a 13 point gap with 9 games to go. Perhaps a loss will do Rafa Benitez a favour and pre-vindicate the shocking team selections he is likely to make in the League next month ahead of Liverpool's Champions League games. A Liverpool win would put them 4 points behind United and would add pressure to the Red Devils' already tricky game-in-hand at Craven Cottage.
Both sides know that Chelsea play their weekend game tomorrow vs hit-and-miss Manchester City in what should be an unpredictable encounter. Points tomorrow are not guaranteed for the Blues so both Ferguson and Benitez would love to register 3 points today and put their feet up tomorrow.
Liverpool have dropped 14 points on the road this season whilst United have dropped just 2 at home. United have also only conceded 5 goals at home and have racked up 11 successive League wins.
Liverpool are without Agger and Benayoun though Gerrard and Torres are both match fit.
Manchester United have no new concerns but are still without Neville, Rafael, Brown and Hargreaves - O'Shea likely to keep his right back position.
Like I say in all big games - don't be surprised to see Ji-Sung Park in the starting lineup. His high work rate and defensive awareness has him in Sir Alex's good books. Carlos Tevez and Anderson are both being slated for starts, though I don't see why Ferguson would waver from the solid Carrick and Scholes partnership. Wayne "I hate Liverpool" Rooney seems fired up for this encounter and given his recent run of goals he is a must to start. Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic will join O'Shea at the back with van der Sar hoping to produce another clean sheet behind them. The final position will be taken by either Berbatov or Tevez - respectively the provider and scorer of United's goal vs. Liverpool earlier this season. I haven't seen enough from Berbatov of late to show that he will take his one chance if it falls to him - though his first touch and footwork midweek was immense. Carlos Tevez's West Ham saga is reportedly and finally over - allowing him to focus on his football and his new contract. This could be the perfect time for Sir Alex to show faith in the Argentine. Also, I believe Tevez will offer more wide support for Park (if picked), compared to Berbatov who is more inclined to stay central, hold up the ball and distribute out wide.
Throw your stat books out the window, anyone can win this. As far as United are concerned, Carrick will have to be at the top of his game to avoid being squeezed into a Gerrard-Alonso sandwich. He and Scholes will be key to keeping Manchester United's game flowing and to unleash the wide men.
Prediction
Manchester United 2 - 0 Liverpool
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Champions League : Final 16 Review
English dominate as Italians fail
The final 16 saw holders Manchester United follow Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea into a Quarter Final draw which includes underdogs Villareal and Porto as well as attacking maestros Bayern Munich and Villareal. And don't forget, the draw is now open - meaning anyone can face anyone. We may at last see the dream re-match between Manchester United and Barcelona or we could even see a goalless extravaganza between Villareal and Liverpool (who would use more holding midfielders?)
The two teams who stood out most to me had to be Bayern Munich and Barcelona. They are the teams to avoid. Bayern, in my humble opinion, have the quickest, most incisive side in Europe. This, added to the quality of Ribery, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Klose, Toni and Lahm, completes a phenomenally under-rated line-up.
Barcelona showed yesterday that they are something like their best again after a few stutter in La Liga. Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o are back to their explosive best and Lionel Messi (undoubtedly the greatest footballer of our time) will only get better. The vision and passing of Xavi and Iniesta is also aided by the attacking prowess of the now legendary full back Dani Alves.
Bayern and Barca are the teams to avoid in the final 8. Porto, Villareal and (dare I say) Arsenal are the teams you want to draw. The draw will be made on the 20th March.
Last 16 Highlights
Manchester United vs Inter Milan (2-0) (2-0 agg.)
Barcelona vs Lyon (5-2) (6-3 agg.)
Bayern Munich vs Sporting Lisbon (7-1) (12-1 agg.)
Roma vs Arsenal (1-0) (1-1 agg.)
(No highlights in 120 minutes. Penalties below)
Porto vs Atletico Madrid (0-0) (2-2 agg.)
(No highlights at all.)
Juventus vs Chelsea (2-2) (2-3 agg.)
Liverpool vs Real Madrid (4-0) (5-0)
The final 16 saw holders Manchester United follow Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea into a Quarter Final draw which includes underdogs Villareal and Porto as well as attacking maestros Bayern Munich and Villareal. And don't forget, the draw is now open - meaning anyone can face anyone. We may at last see the dream re-match between Manchester United and Barcelona or we could even see a goalless extravaganza between Villareal and Liverpool (who would use more holding midfielders?)
The two teams who stood out most to me had to be Bayern Munich and Barcelona. They are the teams to avoid. Bayern, in my humble opinion, have the quickest, most incisive side in Europe. This, added to the quality of Ribery, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Klose, Toni and Lahm, completes a phenomenally under-rated line-up.
Barcelona showed yesterday that they are something like their best again after a few stutter in La Liga. Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o are back to their explosive best and Lionel Messi (undoubtedly the greatest footballer of our time) will only get better. The vision and passing of Xavi and Iniesta is also aided by the attacking prowess of the now legendary full back Dani Alves.
Bayern and Barca are the teams to avoid in the final 8. Porto, Villareal and (dare I say) Arsenal are the teams you want to draw. The draw will be made on the 20th March.
Last 16 Highlights
Manchester United vs Inter Milan (2-0) (2-0 agg.)
Barcelona vs Lyon (5-2) (6-3 agg.)
Bayern Munich vs Sporting Lisbon (7-1) (12-1 agg.)
Roma vs Arsenal (1-0) (1-1 agg.)
(No highlights in 120 minutes. Penalties below)
Porto vs Atletico Madrid (0-0) (2-2 agg.)
(No highlights at all.)
Juventus vs Chelsea (2-2) (2-3 agg.)
Liverpool vs Real Madrid (4-0) (5-0)
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Champions League Predictions (11/03/09)
FC Porto vs Atletico Madrid
The first leg saw Atletico twice squander leads to gift Porto the away goals advantage (2-2). Despite this, Atletico still have to be the fancied side to progress in what is sure to be a cagey affair. Much pressure will be on El Comandate (the commander) Lucho Gonzalez to not only drive his team forward mentally, but to try and pick the lock of Atletico's defence. Madrid (the red one) are now known for their "you score 6, we'll score 7" attitude which served them well in the first half of the season. They are now however leaking too many goals for hit-and-miss legend in the making Sergio Aguero and his familiar partner in crime Diego Forlan to convert.
It's all about the Argentines in this game - they'll decide the result. In the blue corner, Lucho Gonzalez and Lisandro Lopez. In the red and white, Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio Aguero. Quality players on show, a tough one to call.
Prediction
1:2 (3:4 agg.)
Atletico Madrid go through
Barcelona vs Lyon
"Attack is the best form of defense" - these the words of Pep Guardiola ahead of a tricky 2nd leg against flamboyant opposition. Lyon played their hearts out in leg 1 and were more than a match for the much favoured Barcelona for the majority of the game. There has been a lot of talk about Barcelona's recent form - two losses in three League games possibly indicating the wheels are wobbly (if not falling off).
Never before has there been so much panic over set-pieces but Guardiola thinks Juninho "has all the time in the world to decide where to put the ball and enough talent to pull it off". I agree. Juninho Pernambucano that is - in case any Middlesbrough fans were wondering. The same Juninho who once said free kicks were "like penalties" for him.
Lyon will be brave but any mistakes and the Nou Camp will swallow them whole. Barcelona may be about to click into gear and give us a masterclass reminiscent of those seen months ago in the group stages.
Prediction
2:0 (3:1 agg.)
Barcelona go through
Roma vs Arsenal
Toure, Nasri, Denilson, Eduardo and Walcott may all feature for Arsenal - though Adebayor misses out. Many experts are giving this game to Roma. They think the Italian outfit are too strong and the hostile Italian crowd will be too imposing. Then again, they said that this time last year when Arsenal faced Milan. Could Theo Walcott's explosive pace off the bench be a critical factor? Eduardo has looked majestic since his return and will be eager to reannounce himself on such a grand stage. Arsenal are resigned to a top 4 shootout in the League this season which has given the Champions League even greater importance. This could be just what the "can't hit the back of a barn door" Arsenal of recent weeks need to shock their season back into life. Remember, Arsenal just have to avoid defeat.
Prediction
1:1 (1:2 agg.)
Arsenal go through
Manchester United vs Inter Milan
5 years and two days ago at Old Trafford. A little known Portugese manager broke United hearts and wasn't afraid to celebrate. Now, Jose Mourinho has become one of Alex Ferguson's greatest rivals. The Scot has only gotten the better of Mourinho once, though he insists that isn't important.
United will regret not securing an away goals advantage after an impressive San Siro display, and a score draw will now put Mourinho's Inter through.
Both teams have defensive worries - though Manchester United have been aided by Rio Ferdinand's passing of a fitness test. O'Shea is set to start in the troubled right-back spot. Inter are without Christian Chivu, Walter Samuel, Marco Materazzi and Nicolas Burdisso. We may then see an Inter back four of Santon, Rivas and Maicon with either Zanetti, Maxwell or Cambiasso filling the final defensive spot (not as weak as Mourinho will have you believe).
Manchester United will look to kill this game off early with a view to possibly resting one of two big guns ahead of the clash vs Liverpool. We may therefore see starts or special guest appearances from Ji-Sung Park, Darren Fletcher, Carlos Tevez, Johnny Evans, Nani and Anderson.
Prediction
1:0 (1:0 agg.)
Manchester United go through
The first leg saw Atletico twice squander leads to gift Porto the away goals advantage (2-2). Despite this, Atletico still have to be the fancied side to progress in what is sure to be a cagey affair. Much pressure will be on El Comandate (the commander) Lucho Gonzalez to not only drive his team forward mentally, but to try and pick the lock of Atletico's defence. Madrid (the red one) are now known for their "you score 6, we'll score 7" attitude which served them well in the first half of the season. They are now however leaking too many goals for hit-and-miss legend in the making Sergio Aguero and his familiar partner in crime Diego Forlan to convert.
It's all about the Argentines in this game - they'll decide the result. In the blue corner, Lucho Gonzalez and Lisandro Lopez. In the red and white, Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio Aguero. Quality players on show, a tough one to call.
Prediction
1:2 (3:4 agg.)
Atletico Madrid go through
Barcelona vs Lyon
"Attack is the best form of defense" - these the words of Pep Guardiola ahead of a tricky 2nd leg against flamboyant opposition. Lyon played their hearts out in leg 1 and were more than a match for the much favoured Barcelona for the majority of the game. There has been a lot of talk about Barcelona's recent form - two losses in three League games possibly indicating the wheels are wobbly (if not falling off).
Never before has there been so much panic over set-pieces but Guardiola thinks Juninho "has all the time in the world to decide where to put the ball and enough talent to pull it off". I agree. Juninho Pernambucano that is - in case any Middlesbrough fans were wondering. The same Juninho who once said free kicks were "like penalties" for him.
Lyon will be brave but any mistakes and the Nou Camp will swallow them whole. Barcelona may be about to click into gear and give us a masterclass reminiscent of those seen months ago in the group stages.
Prediction
2:0 (3:1 agg.)
Barcelona go through
Roma vs Arsenal
Toure, Nasri, Denilson, Eduardo and Walcott may all feature for Arsenal - though Adebayor misses out. Many experts are giving this game to Roma. They think the Italian outfit are too strong and the hostile Italian crowd will be too imposing. Then again, they said that this time last year when Arsenal faced Milan. Could Theo Walcott's explosive pace off the bench be a critical factor? Eduardo has looked majestic since his return and will be eager to reannounce himself on such a grand stage. Arsenal are resigned to a top 4 shootout in the League this season which has given the Champions League even greater importance. This could be just what the "can't hit the back of a barn door" Arsenal of recent weeks need to shock their season back into life. Remember, Arsenal just have to avoid defeat.
Prediction
1:1 (1:2 agg.)
Arsenal go through
Manchester United vs Inter Milan
5 years and two days ago at Old Trafford. A little known Portugese manager broke United hearts and wasn't afraid to celebrate. Now, Jose Mourinho has become one of Alex Ferguson's greatest rivals. The Scot has only gotten the better of Mourinho once, though he insists that isn't important.
United will regret not securing an away goals advantage after an impressive San Siro display, and a score draw will now put Mourinho's Inter through.
Both teams have defensive worries - though Manchester United have been aided by Rio Ferdinand's passing of a fitness test. O'Shea is set to start in the troubled right-back spot. Inter are without Christian Chivu, Walter Samuel, Marco Materazzi and Nicolas Burdisso. We may then see an Inter back four of Santon, Rivas and Maicon with either Zanetti, Maxwell or Cambiasso filling the final defensive spot (not as weak as Mourinho will have you believe).
Manchester United will look to kill this game off early with a view to possibly resting one of two big guns ahead of the clash vs Liverpool. We may therefore see starts or special guest appearances from Ji-Sung Park, Darren Fletcher, Carlos Tevez, Johnny Evans, Nani and Anderson.
Prediction
1:0 (1:0 agg.)
Manchester United go through
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)