Manchester United vs. Manchester City – Match Preview

Posted by Matthew Galea on Jan 27th, 2010 | no comments

Manchester United vs. Manchester City

Carling Cup Semi Final Leg #2

27. 01. 10

Match Preview:
With a terrific 4-0 win against Hull last Saturday, United will come into this important second leg of the Carling Cup semi finals with renewed vigor as they look to overcome a one goal deficit and book their place in a second consecutive Carling Cup final. Despite eventually succumbing to two Tevez goals and losing 2-1, United will feel that they deserved more from the game, particularly considering the vital part the referee played in both goals. In addition, United will surely expect a little more luck in front of goal after some fantastic saves from Given and goal line clearances denied them their equalizer.

This match also represents City’s return to Old Trafford after their dramatic 4-3 loss to United earlier in the season in the first league meeting between the sides, and there has been no shortage of words between the two sides. Tevez in particular has been very vocal, expressing his unhappiness with Neville’s one fingered salute, going as far to state that he was now at the “right club”. Fergie too has chipped in with his own two cents, suggesting Tevez ought to have been sent off in the first leg after a very high tackle on Wes Brown.

All that talk will end on Wednesday night however, when both these teams will take to the Old Trafford turf to battle out the second leg of this fiercely contested semi final. The match should be a gripping encounter with all that one would expect from a local derby: fiery passion, hard tackles, and a few goals to boot.

Team News:
United – In: N/A. Out: Nemanja Vidic (large doubt), John O’Shea, Owen Hargreaves
City – In: N/A Out: Roque Santa Cruz, Patrick Vieira, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge

Sir Alex has declared United are at full strength, with Nemanja Vidic nearing his comeback, leaving long term injury worries John O’Shea and Owen Hargreaves as United’s only injury concerns:

City on the other hand continues to struggle with defensive injuries of their own, with Santa Cruz, Vieira, Lescott and Bridge all ruled out.

Mg91’s Prediction:
This one really needs no introduction folks. But we all know how much I love to babble, so it’s getting one anyway. To say I was disappointed with the result in the first leg would be a massive understatement. I was gutted essentially. Disgusted by the refereeing. Devastated at the unjustness of the result. Frustrated with the brilliant Given. However, my despair was not all consuming. That boy Giggsy gave us all a cause for hope with his away goal which could prove priceless in the second leg. Furthermore, I took a bit of pride from the performance. City got lucky once, but we’ll see if they do again at Old Trafford.

What is of vital importance is that United don’t concede, and if they do, it’s important they don’t concede first. With Rio Ferdinand back I like our chances of a clean sheet. Van Der Sar has barely missed a beat and with Jonny Evans in good form, it will be good to have two out and out centre backs and an experienced goalkeeper in the backline. Evra will provide all the consistency he has done all season for us at left back. It will be interesting to see if Rafael will be given the chance to put his rash challenge (even though it WAS outside the box) behind him. Fergie, however, may opt for the experience of Wes Brown at right back. Also helping United’s likelihood of a clean is the small chance of City being given a penalty kick for a foul which occurs outside the box and a corner for a misplaced pass again.

Valencia should return to the starting lineup after being rested against Hull, whilst Nani’s impressive performance could merit him a spot on the left flank. In the middle the rested Anderson and Fletcher should return, however rumors of an Anderson/Fergie bust up could mean that Carrick will retain his place in the starting lineup. The physicality of Fletcher will be vital in breaking up City’s attack. His mobility will also help to ensure that United can get the ball from defense to the attacking line quite quickly.

Up front, Rooney will hardly be dropped after bagging a quadruple against Hull at the weekend, however Owen, who spurned quite a few chances against Hull, could see himself dropped for Berbatov, who produced a lovely assist in his brief cameo on Saturday night. Mame Briam Diouf also offers United a different option with his height, pace and finishing ability, and Fergie could potentially look to have him involved from the start.

Predicted Line Up:
Van Der Sar
Brown —————————– Ferdinand ———————– Evans ———————————- Evra
Valencia ———————- Fletcher ————————- Anderson ————————- Nani
Berbatov —————- Rooney

That team has all the necessary attributes to produce a high quality performance which should ensure a positive result. Forever the optimist, I predict:

United – 3
City – 1

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