We are unbeaten for some 20 odd games since the loss to Chelsea at Old Trafford last season. Does it really matter if you go without winning the away games and consequently, lose the title? We might set a new record but it would be the most worthless if our game play stays the same. The Villa game was a new low by any standards let alone United’s. So many of our players were so horrific that I cannot even begin to fathom how they got to where they are. Evra was the worst of the lot and did absolutely no backtracking when Albrighton managed to get past him in off-the-ball incidents. Berbatov seems to be in a place where strikers go when they are low in confidence, extremely irritable (his usual self), frustrated and frustrating in equal measure. Missed an absolute peach of a chance early in the game which he never looked like scoring. Hernandez started diving and giving away fouls when he did not get his way. I like both of them but only when they were gone did we make something of a match of it. Expect both of them to start the Wigan game but don’t be surprised if Macheda gets a chance by dropping one of them. He was the catalyst for us in the late charge at Aston Villa. Scholes should be back and partner Fletcher in the centre of midfield. Rafael is out with a dead leg (happens a lot with United players) and Brown should be on the right of defence. Rest of the back 4 should be the same as the one in Villa. Nani and Obertan could start on the wings given that Park was one of the main culprits in the last game and was barely moving.
Expected Starting line-up: Van Der Sar, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Obertan, Berbatov, Hernandez
Wigan are again stuck in the pack of teams fighting to stay out of relegation places. Under Martinez, they have oscillated from the sublime to comical football. On one hand, they are thrashed by 6-0, 8-0, 9-1 scorelines and on the other, they have the ability to eke to results like 1-0 at White Hart Lane. Against United, they have conceded 35 and scored just 4 and have lost each of their fixtures. Roberto Martinez believes that they can spring a surprise despite all that has previously happened. Teams that have been positive against us this season have reaped the rewards and Wigan will look to do the same. They have the pace in N’Zogbia, Rodallega and Moses upfront and the steel in Gomez, Diame and Thomas in midfield but rarely do they not concede.
Expected Starting line-up: Habsi, Alcarez, Caldwell, Stam, Gohouri, Thomas, Gomez, Diame, Moses, Rodallega, N’Zogbia
Player to watch (Manchester United): Nani in the scorching form that he has been in this season, could rip apart Wigan and moments of brilliance are expected.
Player to watch (Wigan Athletic): N’Zogbia can harass Evra big time especially when the latter seems disinterested in playing and one brilliant move could be our undoing.
Form Guide (Manchester United): DDWWWD
Form Guide (Wigan Athletic): WDLLDD
Rooney is back and his appearance as a substitute would give us an indicator if he has been forgiven by the fans (I know our blog owner will boo him in the privacy of his home forever). This is the match we know could be the return of the free scoring United and if this is not then nothing could ever be. Chelsea have luckily slipped up and we are still in the hunt for the title but Arsenal are looking ever more dangerous and are the dark horses. So, we have to up the ante now. I expect this is the game that we do and I predict a good win for us.
Prediction: 3-0
the two culprits of the villa game have contributed for the first goal!and the blues are giving a nightmare to chelsea at st.andrews!
ReplyDeleteWas Rooney booed today? I couldn't hear it among the noise. I don't think he was coz i didn't hear him saying "It's Great to be booed by your own fans!" while walking out of the pitch. May be he din't hear me thro' TV!
ReplyDeleteAnyway couple of wonderful Gary Nev crosses from Rafael. Loved it. To me, there is nothing much to judge from this game. :)
what a day! well done spurs, well done brum and well done wigan!
ReplyDeletegoing by our 'performance' in the first half, it could easily have been another upset. wigan were actually playing some good football (when they were not kicking park, that is); nzogbia and rodallega in particular were troubling our defence and looked like scoring every time they went forward. 2 suicidal tackles saved our day.
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ReplyDelete@ram: what a cross and what a header! evra has been as awesome as ever going forward. but he has already made too many mistakes this season that have directly led to goals. needs to do the job at the back. that's what he is in the team for.
ReplyDelete@MoB: totally! some of his crosses would have made GNev proud! now, rafael, do that for 10 more years and u'll be a legend as well. :)
thought rooney was booed. but commentator was saying otherwise. have to check reports to find out what really happened. but i hope it doesn't continue, it'll not help the team by any means. i hope fergie doesn't pick him, but if he does, the fans should show indifference to the FB. neither boo nor chant.
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/so-how-did-the-fans-react-to-wayne-rooney/
ReplyDeletelooks like the reaction was mixed.
Dropping Berba was a good idea. He needs to contribute a lot more, as he was doing in the first few games, where he looked a constant threat. Does anyone else think that our build-up play has really slowed down? There is something really missing in our play, no pace, no creativity. Maybe we just need to thrash one team and it will all come back. I really hope it does...
ReplyDeleteAgree about dropping Berba. He needs to find his form back and quickly. Two big games back to back in December.
ReplyDeleteLets not talk about our play. We were very poor against Villa and Wigan. Giggsy and his creativity will be back tonight. Hope we get to watch some quality football.