Comeback

It’s been a long time since we have had some activity here on this blog. The last time an article was written here, Chelsea were top of the table. That long! Now, with the hope that Chelsea continue the slump and That Night In Moscow doesn't, we restart on the eve of our trip to Marseille, the first leg of this UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Today, I’ll be previewing the game, among other stuff, with our regulars here, Ikam and Kunal (jusrooit).

Rajesh: Hello Ikam, Hello Kunal!

With United and Arsenal ahead of the 3^rd placed team, City, by 8 and 4 points respectively (with one game in hand each), it’s effectively a two-horse race now. Arsenal have relatively easier fixtures, but the experience our players have in actually ‘knowing how to win titles’ makes me feel confident that we’ll have No. 19, come May. Do you think the league fixture at the Emirates will decide the winner? And do you think Chelsea, City or Spurs can still spring a surprise?

Kunal: I see Chelsea concentrating on Champions league now, Spurs are doing pathetically away. It wouldn't surprise me if Liverpool finishes 4th. Emirates has recently been a favourite for united, we win that fixture and I see 19.

Ikampreet: I think City are done for this season. They had their chance at OT and they blew it. They will be fighting for the 2 remaining CL places amongst the 3 of them. More than the Emirates, I feel it'll be the upcoming fixtures at Stamford Bridge and Anfield that'll decide the title. Liverpool are on the rise and Chelsea are formidable opponents any day. We will need 1 win out of those 2 to win the title. And these fixtures come in the middle of 2 CL knockout legs, so these would be ones to make our season. We could render the Emirates game irrelevant if we get good results there. Though, if Arsenal continue their sizzling form, we would be in for a thriller in London.

Kunal: All is true, but Arsenal is known for blowing up things when it’s looking good for them. On the other hand United are known to rise up towards the end of season. 19!

Ikampreet: Yes. Arsenal are known for that but we are banking more on that rather than our form. Because our form scares me, we can do anything any day and are not dependable. Our season was blown in a matter of 7 days last year against Munich and Chelsea and I don't rule something like that out this season. I am a pessimist.

Kunal: Those 7 days started with Bayern and then Rooney’s injury happened. He has never got back since then.

Rajesh: Surprised to see both of you talk about Liverpool when the theme is about the League title. I can already see tabloids go on and on about how next season will be Liverpool’s. A good spanking is what I expect at Anfield. Kunal, you make an interesting point. “Arsenal is known for blowing up things when it’s looking good for them”. They are now in with a real chance in all four competitions. I was actually excited when I read that we’ll be facing them in the next round of the FA cup tie (that is, if they beat Leyton Orient) because it gives us a chance to deliver a psychological blow. If you remember, the 4-0 drubbing in the same competition in 2008 led to a string of poor results and they were out of the title race by March. Are you excited that we have drawn them or would you have preferred a weaker team?

Ikampreet: I love the fact that we have drawn them and that is in no small part due to the fact that it takes place in Manchester. It makes for a very exciting tie. I don't think it would be a psychological blow unless we completely blank them like in 2008. It would another to look forward to and I don't link it to the title race and neither, I expect, would Arsene Wenger. Or SAF.

Kunal: I will prefer Leyton. Not because they are an easy team but because they will overcome Arsenal to play us. On a serious note, with Chelsea, Spurs, Pool already out, I would prefer playing Arsenal at this stage especially at OT. Wenger can again blame the pitch.

Rajesh: Haha! For all their good football, Arsenal have usually come a cropper against the top teams. What did you make of their result against Barcelona? What made the difference that night?

Ikampreet: This season, they comprehensively beat Chelsea at home, took a draw at pool away, beat City and lost to Spurs. I would say that is a good record. It will be the performance against the other teams that will determine who wins, since the difference between the top 5-6 and others has decreased.

Kunal: All the post match reports say Wenger was superb with the strategy. I differ; they were a disaster in the first half. So up the line, time and again Barca was slipping through the defense, just could convert only 1. The match could have been over at half time. First 10 minutes, they didn't let Barca pass but you can't play with that energy throughout, Barca did pass and did get the better of them. I guess Kieta was a wrong move, made them more defensive and Arsenal got lucky on the breaks. I don't intend to undermine Arsenal here, but they didn't play like a team worthy of beating Barca. Song should have been shown a second yellow; Messi's goal was not offside. As they say - Shit Happens!

Ikampreet: Against Barcelona, Arsenal decided to beat Barca at their own game but with a few changes. They held a high line and pressed a lot. It was risky and had Barca taken their chances, it could have been all over. Arsenal's change was to move the ball quickly to the front 3 rather than patient build-up Barca-style. Yeah, and Keita was a defensive move at the same time as Wenger took off Song. Wilshere and Fabregas were brilliant. Fabregas for that brilliant chip for RVP's attempt early in the game and his through ball for Nasri during the build up for the second goal.

Kunal: Wilshere, just 18, has the right attitude, played brilliantly that night, bright prospect for England.

Rajesh: Yes, I thought the Villa substitution turned suicidal. He was the only forward player showing some urgency. Barca never looked liked scoring after he left the pitch. But, Barca didn’t deserve to win it either for their performance in the second half. Completely agree about Wilshere. Not sure about Fabregas though. Wilshere was ready to take on Xavi and that augurs well for Arsenal since mental fragility has been the usual complaint against this team. Fabregas and Messi were good, but far from their best.

Ikampreet: Messi, I thought was the best player for Barca that night.

Kunal: Fab lost the ball at quite a few occasions with that in mind he didn't create enough for his stature.

Rajesh: Fabregas, Wilshere and Nasri. What a midfield! And that brings us to the topic we can discuss all night. The central midfield at United! Fletcher and Carrick have not been up to their best and Scholes is probably in his last season, we are desperate for a new signing. But, I would still want Fergie to persist with Anderson, Gibson and Cleverley for another season before making any big money signings. Do you think they are good enough to do the job? If not, who do u fancy joining us this summer?

Kunal: When was the last time we saw a through ball from midfield and a goal? I think our strikers badly miss supply from midfield; our play always comes from the wings. Fletcher and Carrick are the hard working souls but not good enough to break down defenses. Somehow I don't see a United player in Gibson, he can't pass the ball, good only with his shots. Anderson has shown a recent spark, does good running with the ball, but that final ball is often missing. With Scholes gone I think we need someone who can control the game, and I don't see that in Fletch, Carrick, Ando or Gibson. I would love to see someone like Modric or Sneijder play behind Rooney & Berba.

Ikampreet: You know I am not a fan of some of the names you mentioned there. I feel that Scholes can be played only in a 3 man midfield to cover for him in terms of running or against teams who lack pace. Since we have been moving more and more towards playing 2 strikers, it is getting harder to see Scholes get many games other than as a substitute. Fletcher has been full of energy as always but has not had a good touch since eternity. Carrick, who for some time seemed to have found his form of old, has quite regrettably returned to his error prone self and can't be depended on for creative purposes. I won't even speak about Gibson. No, I will. He has never seemed nearly good enough to be a United player. No vision or creativity. Neither the legs to offset the lack of those qualities. We need a new midfield maestro. I would go for even Charlie Adam.

Kunal: Charlie Adams, Rodwell are realistically possible considering Modric, Sneider would be over priced.

Rajesh: To be fair to Carrick, his role has been to protect the two central defenders all of this season. He has hardly ventured into the final third. I think he is a victim of the new system Fergie is playing where the two wingers cut in (instead of running till the byline and cross like in usual 4-4-2s) and the fullbacks overlap. That still doesn’t explain is erratic passing though.

Ikampreet: I can't be fair to Carrick. He still has to pass well wherever he plays. He doesn't do that. And a bit of forward passing never hurt anyone except when Carrick does it.

Rajesh: Anyway he is automatic choice for tonight's game with Fletcher and Scholes in midfield. We are seriously hurt in the left wing with Park, Giggs & Valencia all out injured. It was a wonderful opportunity for Obertan to do well against Crawley Town and grab that vacant spot. Both Obertan and Bebe were poor, so Fergie might be forced to play something like a 4-4-2 tonight. Do u think we have a different option?

Kunal: 4-4-2 in an away match in Champions league? I don't think so. Rooney playing on the left, Fletch making daring runs.

Ikampreet: I bet on a 4-4-2 since Fergie has shown an inclination to start with Rooney and Berba.

Kunal: Who do you expect to play on the left?

Rajesh: Fletcher. Not like the usual winger though. He played in that position last season at the San Siro versus Milan in the first leg.

Ikampreet: Rooney on the left would not be conducive for anything other than a 0-0. And I don't have much confidence on the defence to keep a clean sheet. Outscore them, I say.

Rajesh: I’ll go for the same defence as in the City game. O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic and Evra

Kunal: I haven't seen Marseille play much, other than Fifa 11. And there it’s always Gignac who scores, good he is injured tonight!

Ikampreet: I saw them play against Pool and Chelsea and they have a very good player in Velbuena. Small, quick and deceptive. Gignac is their main striker but is injured. So are 2 more of their strikers. They will have a make shift front line. They try to move the ball quickly from back to front and like the game to be open. Not the best passers and lose possession a lot.

Rajesh: "Like the game to be open"! Good! Let’s hope we are not too defensive tonight. Our usual trend is to control possession and silence the crowd in the first half and go for the kill in the second. Given Marseille's injury problems, I am hoping for a 1 nil in our favour. What do you think should be our approach tonight?

Kunal: Given our injury problems I think we should be cautious, especially with attack coming from only 1 wing. Evra has a big job to today. 1-0 in our favour.

Ikampreet: Possession has been our downfall many a time. We start knocking the ball around and forget to create anything. Go into a kind of stupor. We have needed to inject a bit of pace into the game some times this season and that has not happened. The opposition can sting exactly during these times. Besides, our set piece delivery and defending has been atrocious and I fear the corners more than anything. 1-1.

Rajesh: Quite strangely, unlike in the league, we have done well in away games in Europe. We won all our away games at the group stage. In fact, we had as many wins in three Champions League group stage away matches as we’ve had in four times as many away matches in the Premier League. Let’s hope for a repeat tonight! Come on, you Reds!

Thanks Ikam and Kunal for your thoughts. Looking forward to doing this more often.

Some Fergie Worship, Some Rooney Bashing and a Little Preview

Sir Alex Ferguson returns to his hometown for the Champions League encounter against Rangers, the club he grew up supporting. The turning point of Sir Alex’s playing career is said to be his hat trick against Rangers while he was a part time footballer with minnows St. Johnstone. The result came at a time when he was complaining about lack of playing time and was contemplating emigration to Canada to take up a position he had been offered in toolmaking, which was then a great trade. Had he taken up the job, no professional football à no managerial career à no Manchester United! And no That Night In Moscow. So, thank god for that hat trick! He became a professional footballer the following season and later realized his dream of playing for Rangers. In the two seasons with his boyhood club, he had an incredible return of 25 goals from 41 appearances.

Having had such strong connections with the club, one would have expected him to grab the opportunity of managing Rangers with both hands and legs. But, according to Alex McLeish,

"Alex declined the chance to manage Rangers – but that was only for one reason. Even then he had this big vision of going to England and managing Manchester United. Rangers weren't the only club he declined at that time. There was Arsenal and Tottenham too. In my opinion, the boss was waiting for one club and one club only – United. The rest is history."

If only every player valued the club as much as him.

“Sir Alex still has a soft spot for Rangers after all these years. He loves walking into Ibrox and being inside.”

So, Sir Alex still has a soft spot for the club. Maybe he will want them to win tonight? He has confirmed that Rooney will start today.

That brings us to Rooney’s farcical, clearly scripted interview with MUTV. He claims that, “I’ve always made people aware that I want to be at this club”. Does he honestly believe that we’ll still buy this shit? And he also declares that his “long-term future is at Manchester United”. It’s not in his control anymore, is it? And despite audible jeers from the crowd on his return against Wigan, he says, “Overall I thought the reception was brilliant”. Bizarre! By the way, where is the fucking apology?

Walter Smith, in his second spell now with Rangers, was assistant to Sir Alex twice; with Scotland during the 1986 World Cup and a short spell with United towards the end of the 2003-04 season. Sir Alex commented on Smith, saying, “There are few people in the game with his experience, knowledge and technical ability.” Smith will take on his former boss’s side with one eye on the Valencia-Bursaspor game. Rangers have to beat United to stay in the competition if Valencia beat Bursaspor at home. United, though, need only a point to qualify to the knock out stages. Rangers will be looking up to their star striker Kenny Miller to do the job for them. Miller is in sensational form with 18 goals from 14 games in the SPL this season. He scored his second hat trick of the season on Saturday and should be quite a handful to United’s young defenders.

United are without first team regulars Rio, Vida and Fletch. Smalling and Evans will play in the centre of defence alongside Rafael and Evra. I would have gone with a three man midfield had Fletch been in the squad. Since Gibson is unavailable and Anderson is coming back after a month, Fergie may be forced to play a 4-4-2 with Chicharito partnering Rooney up front; Giggs and Nani in the wings. But, Fergie hardly leaves Park out of European games, so it could be a 4-3-3 with Park featuring in the narrow midfield and Chicharito playing wide. I wish Fergie starts Giggsy though. Can’t wait to see him in action again!

Expected Lineups

Rangers(4-5-1): McGregor; Weir, Broadfoot, Foster, Whittaker; McCulloch, Davis, Fleck, Lafferty, Naismith; Miller

United (4-4-2): Vandy; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs; Chicharito, Rooney

Form

Rangers: DLWLWW

United: WWWDDW

Prediction

Rooney not to score in United’s 2-1 win

Preview: Rooney v the fans

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

United take on a Villa Under Construction

United take on a young Villa side that was involved in a midweek game in complete contrast to the borefest that was the Manchester derby. Albrighton, Bannan and Clark, aged 20, 20 and 21 respectively, started in midfield in the 3-2 win against Blackpool. The inexperienced midfield trio is set to start against United as well; Sidwell, Petrov and Reo-Coker being still out injured. Villa have two in-form wingers in Young and Downing. The latter has scored 5 goals in 14 appearances this season and will be hoping to get the better of Evra. Agbonlahor has signed a new long term deal with Villa and will be eager to show the Villa faithful that he is worth that fat contract. (Or, will be visiting the most exotic locations in the world, if he thinks like Wayne Rooney.)

Rafael is doubtful for the game and Brown is expected to take his spot. Evra might make it into the 11 if he recovers in time from his injury, but if he doesn’t, I would like to see Fabio start instead of O’Shea (wishful thinking, I know). Carrick was outstanding against City and will partner Fletcher in central midfield. Park has played 5 games on the trot, so Obertan might start along side Nani on the wings. But, we all know Park has a dozen Duracell batteries on his back, so don’t be surprised if he plays another 90 minutes today. I would like to see Fergie go with both Berba and Chicho; fielding 5 in midfield will be showing way too much respect for Villa.

Expected Line-Ups

Villa (4-3-3): Friedel, L.Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Clark, Bannan, Downing, Agbonlahor, A.Young

United (4-4-2): Vandy, Brown, Rio, Vida, O’Shea, Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Obertan, Berba, Chicho

Form Guide

Villa: LDLDDW

United: DDWWWD

Players to Watch

Villa: A.Young

United: Nani

Prediction: United to boss the midfield and win 2 nil

WHEN DID THE BIGGEST DERBY™ IN ENGLAND HAPPEN? WAS I ASLEEP?

I have only once been bored to sleep during a match. I have slept through some other matches too, but it happens when one team makes the game insignificant very early and apparently loses interest after that, e.g. Barcelona FC, or when you try to watch a match that has absolutely no bearing on the team(s) you support. Now, I do not need to be told, especially in the comments section (you can call, it’ll be less embarrassing that way), that “you have a sad life”. That is assumed. Anyway, to the one and only match that did not fall under either of the categories. It was the 2006 world cup first knockout round. Ukraine v Switzerland. That should have set the alarm bells ringing. Ukraine played a “3-5-2”, which almost certainly means that at any point of time there’ll be at least 4 defenders in the last line even if one has had the audacity to venture beyond the half way line. Four in the midfield, because one of the 2 strikers will be a “second striker”. This fantastic attack minded team up against the miserly Swiss, who had not conceded till then, was going to be a feast for the neutrals. Shevchenko was the only guy on the field who could conjure up something. So, 2 teams dead scared of losing played a game bereft of any clear-cut chances and God knows I tried to watch but made it only to the half-time whistle. Sleeping through the match, I woke up with 10 minutes left in ET to realise that it was still 0-0 and heading to penalties where the Swiss proceeded to miss all of their spot kicks to become the first and only team ever to be knocked out of the WC without conceding a single goal.

I have to accept, Wednesday’s match was arguably the worst match I have ever seen including the above mentioned game (whatever I saw of it). UK tabloids had gone gaga over City having a great squad and tipping them for the title at the beginning of the season. Never in the history of the game would the title contenders have played a game as this. It made City out to be more respectful and fearful of United rather than the other way around which the football pundits predicted. “We were fatigued”, said Mancini(0), sincerely wishing that the Sheikh in Abu Dhabi would find it in his heart not to fire him after an adventurous outing, when asked the reason for the City setup in the game. Betraying his lofty ambitions, he added, “I would be very happy if the season ended tomorrow”, talking like his captain has been for what seems like eternity. They are apparently very tired of football ten games into the season. Ending fourth is obviously great after spending a zillion petro-dollars (there is plenty more from where that came from) and building a squad that should be able to challenge on all fronts. City started with Zabaleta(7) at left back who was without a license to bomb forward and in a similar situation was Boateng(6) at right back. Zabaleta, after he switched to right back late in the game, even managed a shot at goal when the ball fell fortuitously after hitting O'Shea to him when he had given up already. The defense was competent when supplemented by the only black belt(7) in the team alongside the player Benitez wanted to replace Alonso with(6) in Liverpool (haha). Yaya Toure(5) yet again had the responsibility to link midfield with the attack in a chasm larger than all of Sheikh Mansour's oil wells combined. But that attack had only Tevez(6) and try as they might, they were crowded out when foraying in United's half with even the wingers going AWOL. Toure made runs after beating a couple of players but Milner(7) and Silva(5) were largely instructed to assist the full backs than be in the opposition half. Johnson was more forthright when he came on, Adebayor might have had one touch of the ball and Joe Hart(6) had one shot by Berbatov on target to deal with. That was all City did.

Surprisingly, United began with Rafael(6), Evra(7) and Nani. I had not expected Nani(to recover from his injury (as I am privy to the internal goings on at Old Trafford) and the two full backs rarely start away games together. Sir Alex (6) did not risk Hernandez playing the full game and compensated for the single striker by having 2 attacking defenders. The centre of the field was packed by City and another striker would have added more than Fletcher(7), who tried to make forward moves but was largely ineffective and failed to occupy De Jong so that space in the centre could be freed up for others. The full backs could have put in more crosses to pressurise the home team and Hernandez(5) would have been in the box to try to get to the end of those as Berbatov (4) tended to fall back much more than was good for the team. The 2 strikers would have made it a lot more balanced and attacks could possibly have been routed through the centre of the field. As it was, Nani seemed to be the only threat coming in to the centre to take shots which he curiously avoided at some instances. Park(6) was all over the field passing well without any penetration. Carrick(7) is well and truly back and I back him to do very well over the coming weeks. Scholes(6) was pressed by Toure who gave him little space to work in and the diminutive wizard was average. Vidic(8) is looking at the top of his game snuffing out runs made by Toure and generally not losing any City player and he was ably supported by Ferdinand(7) who is perhaps entering the dusk of his top flight career. Van Der Sar(7) was forced into one good save from a free kick by Tevez and that was his contribution to the game. Wes Brown (7) and O’Shea (5) had enough time on the pitch to make their mark but it was a tough night.

When a derby has just one feisty moment like a face-off between Rafael and Tevez, you know it was dull (Rafael can do better than to look in the shadows on Manchester's streets for the rest of his life for a short, stocky man: I would not back him to win a fist fight against Carlos). These games need early goals for them to liven them up and the longer they go goal less, the more likely it is that the teams involved want to tighten their defences. City never intended to get more than a single point and kept their fingers crossed for the recovering Tevez to magically get 3. I thought United started with a similar mindset but realised later that they could nick it, resulting in a positive second half. Berba form has fizzled out now and Rooney would make us a potent force when he returns, goals or not. The Bulgarian was not expected to sustain his amazing initial form throughout the season and these games need a spark which a Rooney can provide. We are 4 points behind the leaders and Arsenal are again in the mix. We have a tough away fixture against Villa and thanks to our performances, every game is looking like a must win with Chelsea returning to winning ways. Hope we have a better outing this weekend.

P.S.: The numbers in parentheses are the ratings for those involved.

Preview:Manchester City v Manchester United

My TV’s not working..yet. Incessant FIFA 11 game playing had to sting somewhere. There is a slim chance that I will have to try to stream the match through my feeble data card which will be an exercise in futility and equally futile would be to guess the United team for tonight that has been hit by a mysterious virus leaving Evra, Vidic, Berbatov and Scholes struggling to make it. Or, they might all be starting tonight depending on which version of SAF you have faith in, the clever one or the foxy one. Apart from that, the injuries have done their part to ravage the squad and we could potentially be looking at a virtual reserves team playing in the first part of the Manchester derby.

Admit it. A defeat in this match would probably hurt more than any other during the course of the season. Not because it is a big match but it could spell the symbolic beginning of the an era for the blue half of Manchester. Frankly, I did not think we would have the kind of results against City that we achieved last year. The blame for those results was laid at the door of a phenomena called City-itis, proponents of which fear the onset of this disease whenever City are cruising along. “They will mess it up” is the usual retort when the fans start feeling good about the team. City have always been the underperforming club even when they won titles. For example, when City last won the league title in 1968, guess what United did?? Sheikh Mansour would probably be ignorant of City-itis and is looking to win everything no matter what. Money being no object, obviously. After decades of one-sided affairs, the Manchester derby has become the biggest derby in the Premier League; the London, Merseyside or Northern derbies notwithstanding. Simply because both the clubs involved are huge these days and United see City as a direct threat now.

Super Mario is missing after a typical rush of blood and has shown that he can be wound up by teams who look to do that. Vincent Kompany played as a defensive midfielder in Europa League last week and will return to his favoured centre back position with Toure with Micah Richards and Kolarov partnering them. Carlos Tevez is certain to start and could be joined by two out of: Johnson, Milner, Silva and Adebayor. Johnson has, in recent games, been preferred and could be the more likely choice alongwith Milner. The 3 man defensive midfield has been a hallmark during Mancini’s reign and Toure will play in a more advanced to counter Scholes or Carrick, whoever starts. Martial arts guru Nigel De Jong has been commenting on Balotelli’s behaviour on the pitch and he certainly can, given that he has not been sent off even once during his stay in England.

Expected Starting XI: Hart, Kolarov, Kompany, Toure, Richards, De Jong, Barry, Toure, Johnson, Milner, Tevez

United have a point to prove with them being written and stated to be in decline and not capable of mounting a serious title challenge. They are within 2 points of Chelsea and a win at Eastlands could make it a 2 horse race while a loss would throw another contender into the mix. The ‘virus’ has given City an advantage and while they were in crisis mode after 3 straight losses, they have a right to feel confident about this match. Van Der Sar will start in goal and in front of him(the virus being ignored) should be Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra. The United defence has settled down after shipping goals at the start of the season and would require to be at their very best to stop Tevez and company. Scholes will be required to run the game for United and he showed his worth at the weekend. There was an element of composure and control to the Wolves game after he came on and he could largely be credited for the win even though Park scored both the goals. Carrick and Fletcher could both start in opposition to the packed City midfield and would be important for keeping the ball in the face of unrelenting pressure from De Jong and Barry . Obertan, Park and Hernandez could be the front three for United. Fletcher would be hugely instrumental while making his forward runs and required to support Chicharito.

Expected Starting XI: Van Der Sar, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown, Park, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Obertan, Chicharito

Man to watch (Manchester United): Scholes would need to run the game alongwith Carrick and would be faced by Yaya Toure when doing so

Man to watch(Manchester City): Tevez, who has been in hot form, is the player United need to pay most attention and a goal from him would hurt a lot

Prediction: 1-1(and I hope we do not lose)

Player ratings: Bursaspor 0 Manchester United 3

Ikam had written about energy levels in the preview. United showed amazing energy levels in this game, especially the two fullbacks and the midfielders. Fergie employed a 4-2-3-1 making only 3 changes from the team that started against Spurs; Carrick and Scholes doing the holding role, Fletcher in a more advanced role beside Nani and Obertan forming a narrow 3 behind Berba. Nani and Obertan were cutting in to allow Rafael and Evra to overlap. Fletcher and later Park were given license to roam and they often found themselves in acres of space. Bursaspor, despite playing a high-pressure game, couldn’t dispossess or force the United central midfield duo into making mistakes which was were the game was won.

Vandy (7) – Perfect game but for one poor clearance which landed on the foot of a Bursaspor player just outside the box. Made a good stop on a one-on-one. The great man has no ego whatsoever; ran till the left end of the box to run the ball out of play rather than letting Fabio handle it.

Rafael (9) – Great performance. Wonderful positioning and tackling. We already know what he can do on the attack; pleased to see him do well at the back too, which is more important. Has put in two good performances on the trot. Would have picked him as the Man of the Match had Scholes not been at his imperious best.

Smalling (7) – Calm while defending, confident on the ball, he is of the Ferdinand mould. Might be preferred over Evans when Rio/Vida gets injured/rested.

Vida (8) – Dealt with ease everything that came his way.

Evra (7) – Played a sloppy pass which led to a one-on-one which Vandy saved. Made numerous overlapping runs and put in quality crosses. He was more excited than his compatriot Obertan when the latter scored.

Carrick (8) – Classy. Was happy to play second fiddle to the majestic Scholes. Played a lovely ball to Fletch who broke the deadlock early in the second half.

Scholes (9) – If we can keep this man fit, we can go all the way in the competition. None better when he is on song, like he was last night. Man of the Match.

Nani (7) – Hope his injury does not keep him out of the team and break his momentum. He displayed maturity by coming off early in the game. He could have overdone his injury if he had not curbed his enthusiasm, and United, at this stage, cannot afford an injury to Nani.

Fletch (7) – Good finish from a difficult angle to put United 1 nil up.

Obertan (7) – Good pace and aerial ability. Touches are a little too heavy. Stunning shot from outside the box to cap a good game. And, delivered a couple of good corners!

Berba (6) – Inconsistent performance. There were some moments of Berba magic midway through the first half, but, overall a disappointing performance.

Park (7) – 3 good performances in 7 days. Three-Lung Park is back!

Bebe (7) – A goal on his first Champions League appearance and his second in the space of 1 week. The whole squad looked happy for him when he scored. Ran all the way to the bench to hug Chicho. Glad that the two have gelled well so soon. Hope they do that on the pitch as well.

Fabio (6) – Fergie should give him more time on the field. Rafael and Fabio bombing forward on both wings gives me wet dreams.