Tuesday 25 November 2008

United v Villareal Preview, and Apologies

First off, apologies for being on the missing list for the last week. My job is such that it gets busy very suddenly, and when it's busy it is life-consuming. I didn't even see the Villa game, so can't comment on it. I am a bit quieter for the next couple of days, and will definitely be watching tonight and publishing ratings tomorrow.

We go into the Villareal game in a strong but not unassailable position in our group, and level with the Yellow Submarines. We know the value of finishing top of our group, which usually sets up a slightly easier last 16 game, and so it is vital we don't lose tonight. Even better, a win would guarantee qualification and all but guarantee top spot, which would allow Fergie to give some of our promising kids some European experience in the final group game at home to Aalborg.

On the subject of promising kids, our former starlet Guiseppe Rossi will start for Villareal, and rumour is rife that we still have an active buy-back clause over him, whuich could be very useful if his development continues as strongly as reports from Spain suggest. Also look our for Marcos Senna, the player of the tournament at Euro 08 and a former transfer target (who we ditched in favour of Hargreaves...).

Team news

Van der Sar, Neville, Berbatov and Welbeck have all failed to make the trip. This is no great loss, except for Berba who is a massive miss. Tevez will partner Rooney again with the aim of playing himself out of this horrible slump of form, goals and confidence(all linked, of course). Rooney could also do with a decent display, since he has dropped a level from the stellar performances he was putting in in October and is doing little to dispel the idea that he is a very streaky player.

Ronaldo may start despite Fergie's comments after Saturday's draw. I would also expect to see a reversion to the 4-3-2-1 shape that Fergie favours away from home in Europe, with Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher all involved. If Ronaldo is out, expect Nani to deputise if we play three in midfield, and Park if we start with only two in the centre. Rafael and O'Shea fight it out for the right back slot, with Rafael tipped to win the race. Kuszscak replaces EVDS in goal Fergie continues to allow both him and Foster to compete for the number one jersey next season.

Predicted team: Kuszscak; Evra, Vidic, Rio, Rafael; Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher; Ronaldo, Tevez; Rooney.

Predicted score: 2-1 United (Rooney, Carrick)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

ur lucky that u dint watch the villa match...

rooney is back to his form in missing sitters....tevez s worst game..in his united career...ronaldo..was pushed out for most of the game with numerous tackles....park..was k..he got in to good positions at some times...but aweful...to get the ball..when it is there to take...
so overall...worst attacking display by far..in this season...
some fans may argue the villa s defence was good...but they were nt gr8...
the most worrying fact...is that two of our reliable forwards..rooney and tevez..esp. tevez...are in a nightmare mode....
berba is out for around 10 days..
the first part of the season we got loads of troubles in midfield due to injuries and lack of form ...now..coming in to mid stage of the season...its looking like we are goin to witness the same situation with our attacking options....hope im wrong.....
and far more worse thing...is that...we hav got...
away villareal..
manchester derby...
rejuvenetd spurs...
god!!!!...hope we get back to our attacking best soon...

Anonymous said...

I real felt last night that SAF shoulda brought on Rafael. TO prvide some tooth to the attack. Nani was shit. Carrick and Fletch werent doing anything offensive. Ronaldo and Rooey didnt link up a lot. Anderson wasnt providing enough defense splitting passes. Overall it was just boring boring football. Tevez should leave and Nani should threaten the gaffer that if he doesnt get enough gsmes he would consider leaving OT maybe that will make SAF play him more and hence improve him.

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