We have arrived early this season for one of our biggest games. We certainly owe them one but we have been saying that since Rafa took over (and even before that). Yet to beat them in the league under Rafa this is certainly a huge challenge. Will Stevie and Nando be fit? Will Riera start? If gerrard is fit where will he play, will alonso be dropped? Not to mention the added fun of berbatov making his début.
Torres won't be fit, I hope Stevie will. I dunno about starting Riera in what is effectively a derby (atmosphere-wise). I really rate Evra but look what happened when slur Alex started him in the Manc derby, he had a mare and looked awful. Stevie (if he's fit) and Mash in the centre, Alonso to the bench for me.
With all the internationals coming up there could me a lot more injuries (for both teams) so it's too early to know what line-up either manager will be able to put out. I'm just praying we don't get any more important players crocked.
Hi mate Thats true, but no doubt both managers will be ensuring any of their players with even a headache, will be kept back and not released for international duty ahead of this one ... personally, I fear Torres won't be fit, at best we'll see him on the bench and maybe a 15-20 min run out near the end, I fear. I think Stevie will be fit, or as close as he can be and no doubt, he'll be determined to get on the pitch to nail this lot. I'd imagine, if he plays, it'll be: Ngog & Keane up front Stevie G & Masch centre, with Riera & Kuyt either side
really worried about this game. There will be loads of hype as usual, esp about berbatov. I think we have to take it Torres won't be fit enough for 90 mins, and Stevie should be ok. I've heard nothing about his operation, has anyone else? Under GH, we had the better of it v the evil empire, but whatever the reason under Rafa we just dont perform. Now is the time to stand up and be counted, or else it will be another long season. With no major physical presence up front, ferdinand and vidic will clean up, no point in getting high balls in the box. If we are going to attack them from wide, Kuyt is a real no no. For me Riera has to start, he made his city debut against this shower and it worked ok. Constantly in these games our midfield is overrun, so if Stevie plays, he really needs to be at his best. Hopefully Masch will stay on the pitch long enough this time to make a real difference.
I honestly think we can beat them this year its a long time in coming!! Gerrard will hopefully be back in full swing and him and Mach in midfield will dominate i think if he plays Riera on the left and Babel on the right it could give us the width we need so we can get the ball into Keane and hopefully Torres hopefully see Keane get his first goal then!
I'm really worried about this one I have to say. Even with a full squad we always seem to underperform against the sc*m and the way we have been playing lately, I can't see this game going our way at all. No Nando and possibly no Stevie G - things aren't looking good. Sorry to be negative, I really hope I am wrong and we hammer the f*ckers but I'm not confident!
Yeah, this tie is always a difficult one for us in recent years, fans and players alike and the tension will be palpable on the day. It is far from a relaxed or ideal situation that we come into this game. This home tie comes at the wrong time for us. Just after internationals so some players will be feeling the effects of that. But perhaps more importantly with Torres seemingly definitely out and Stevie G likely to either be out or at least feeling the effects of his operation, we are far from a perfect set-up in terms of personnel available. Also, the way several of the players have been under-performing is not a good lead-in. Its not as if we have been playing well. Players in several positions are just not doing it. If we take the worst case scenario, with Stevie out, I would guess Rafa would go 4-4-2, something like: ----------- Reina ------------ Arbeloa - Carra - Skrtel - Dossena Kuyt - Masch - Alonso - Babel ------ Keane - Ngog ------ An alternative would be Babel on the right, Riera for a baptism of fire debut on the left (or Aurelio) and Kuyt and Keane up front. Kuyt of course covering back a lot which he is good at: ----------- Reina ------------ Arbeloa - Carra - Skrtel - Dossena Babel - Masch - Alonso - Riera/Aurelio ------ Kuyt - Keane ------ Even if we had Gerrard on song and Torres too, this would always be a tough game for us, so without them I think Rafa would play more cautiously and even just think that getting a point is satisfactory. In recent seasons we have 'won' the games on 'points' (if it was akin to a boxing match), as we had more attempts at goal, etc, but Man Utd have sneaked the wins more than they should. That left the results even with a more bitter taste. Rafa will want to turn that aspect around, even if we play ugly. Redspider
Official Site: Benitez says the midfielder is making good progress in his recovery and is hopeful he will be back in time for the Anfield meeting. "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon," Benitez told the club's official website.
That shouldn't be a problem for Riera, He played for City in 2006 when they beat the scum 3-1 with GOD scoring the third
I think we've had about 3 shots on goal in the last 3 games we've played so I'm not expecting a win here unless we dramatically improve our form. After watching Kuyt , Arbeloa and Benionion in the flesh last week I now know that all they are is donkeys that come up with a goal or 2 every now and again, they are no way near as good as any of the wingers of full backs that the Mancs and chavski have. Sorry for being so negative but every time we play the mancs at home I'm all up for it and believe we're going to win this one so this time i'm going to use reverse psychology and say that we'll batter them for 89mins only to get a 0-0. Please this time let us beat them .
In this match the last few years we have deserved a win but got caught silly , O'Shea for gods sake. This has to be our year, A win here would nearly be as good as winning the Premiership
Riena Sketel Carra Agger Dossena Mascha-- Olonso Gerrard--keane-- Riera Torres/ Kyut If Torrse Is Out
United Are Feck All Without Ronaldo I Think Anyway So If Rafa Can Put Out An Attacking Formation With Players In Proper Postions I Think We Have A Greater Chance Than Last Year Of Beating Them ****s. But I Soppose United V Lfc Is Always A 50/50 Game To Call Its Like A Final Really
i wouldn't be confident at all going in to this Game at the mo,that might change if SG and Torres end up Playing. i was very confident 2 Yrs ago the Lpool would beat them and i was convinced they would beat them last Year but both times they lost,wouldn't surprise me at all if Lpool beat them this time...
I fancy us to get something even without Torres and Gerrard. I think a 0-0 is on the cards, but a bit of luck, you never know. Now Mr Reira, if you want to know all about getting the fans on your side I suggest you call Danny Murphy in the next week. Emulate him on Sept 13 and you are away in a hack.
if we do get a win and they lose the following week vs chelski (we have stoke at home) there's a 10 pt gap albeit with a game in hand for them - nice bit it of a cushion
buddy i think we all know rafa won't play that team.he is too cautious and negative.would love to see it myself.just go at the mancs and see what we are made off and them.but rafa is too afraid to open things up.