Anderson, Darren Gibson, Johnny Evans, Rio Ferdinand, Federico Macheda, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves are not in Turkey at the moment. The first two starting in a 2 man central midfield would be, for me, a sign from the Gods to switch off my TV. Let’s leave them be, I will probably write some choice words about them another day. So, we are carrying a very limited squad to an away game which we do not need to win but would virtually guarantee us qualification if we do and enable us to concentrate on the league for the next 3 months. We only have 2 strikers, Berba and Hernandez, and 2 central defenders, Vidic and Smalling,available and by my reckoning, only 1 in the former and both in the latter category will play. The Bulgarian could be the one given that he was subbed in the Tottenham game relatively early and Chicharito put on the bench to give playing time to Obertan or Bebe. Carrick is slowly finding his feet again and should join Scholes and Fletcher to form a trio in the centre of midfield. After a fabulous game at the weekend, our player of the season so far is expected to start on the right and we can look forward to some more sparks of brilliance from Nani to put us in the knock out rounds. John O’Shea, unfortunately, may be seen on the right side of defence owing to Sir Alex’s tendency to give everyone a chance and Evra on the left. Kusczak will be hoping he gets a run out in this game though he knows his days are numbered at Old Trafford especially when Amos gets a game and he does not.
I have nothing to say about Bursaspor. Erm, I have something to say about Bursaspor after reading what Sir Alex had to say to the press. He is still going on with comments about Rooney when he usually shuts the door to the journalists in similar cases and I do not remember him being so open about any affair related to the club. I forgot, Bursaspor then. Their stadium is located somewhere in the mountainous areas in north-west Turkey. The visiting fans at OT would have been seriously pissed off by their team’s insipid performance and aversion to giving any trouble to the home defence on match day 3. They only hope that it is better tonight. That’s it about Bursaspor. Sorry.
The previous game between these 2 teams was played in the shadow of one Wayne Rooney and lacked any sort of momentum after the early goal was taken beautifully by Nani. United, in previous years, in these sort of away games with a depleted set of players has lacked the energy levels we are used to seeing, and usually huffed and puffed their way to one goal margin victories which is great from the point of this tournament. And that is what I expect will happen tonight in a 1-0 victory for us.
Probable Team(Manchester United): Kusczak, O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Obertan, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani, Berbatov
Probable Team(Bursaspor): 11 people, I know none of their names
Man to watch(Manchester United): Brilliant goal scoring and assists run should continue for Nani
Man to watch(Bursaspor): The keeper, who hopefully should be kept busy
Prediction: 0-1
Interesting Manchester United connection to Turkey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=aqTcL1A3fNM
LOL!
ReplyDeleteLovely Preview! And I am reading this after the game got over. You got 9 out of 11 players right. Well done! I don't think even Fergie's assistants can manage as many.
Would love to hear your views on Anderson & Gibson. :D Do that soon.
Amazing performance by the lads even though the opponents were listless creating doubts whether the 11 in the Bursaspor team had turned up to watch united play along with the home crowd.Heart warming performance by Gabre,Smalling reinforcing Sir Alex confidence in young blood with a cameo by Bebe which was the icing on the cake.Performance of Fletch and Carrick couldnt have come at a better moment with both combining for what could be said as a vintage united goal.Not too much should be read from this performance with tougher opponents anticipated but this kind of performance is what usually kick starts united season and takes them into next level.Good to go with loads of confidence and back to back wins with important away games coming up.
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