Manchester United vs Sunderland: Preview

A former United stalwart returns to Old Trafford this weekend (along with a few other familiar faces), bringing along with him a Sunderland team that have endured something of a yoyo start to the season. Yes Steve Bruce skippered the Reds to three Premier League titles once upon a time but he will be desperately hoping to outwit his former mentor in the opposing dugout come Saturday.

To get the ball rolling, the Black Cats haven’t won at the Theatre of Dreams in some 41 years. With eight wins on the bounce for the Reds heading into the game, anything but victory would surely be deemed a disappointing result.

Following the hard fought triumph over an aesthetically pleasing Wolfsburg on Wednesday, three points at home in the Premier League is certainly a must in order to keep things ticking over. Sunderland, on the other hand, were 5-2 winners against Wolves in their last outing, a deceptively flattering scoreline as I’m sure those who witnessed the encounter will testify.

The main bits of team news from a United perspective refers to opposite ends of the pitch. After putting in a steady shift without covering himself in glory against the German champions, Tomasz Kuszczak will have to settle for a place on the bench as Ben Foster resumes as Edwin van der Sar’s Premier League deputy. Michael Owen's latest injury, meanwhile, will keep him out of action for the forthcoming round of international fixtures next weekend.

At the back you would envisage little change with Ferdinand and Vidic at centre-back and Patrice Evra and John O’Shea on either side of them.

Ryan Giggs’ cameo on Wednesday evening brought about his 150th career goal for United and the landmarks are coming around thick and fast as a strike against Sunderland will see him notch up his 100th Premier League goal. Your guess is as good as mine as to who Fergie may decide to play on Saturday (you've probably a better chance of predicting the lottery results in fairness) but given the current rotation policy and that we should be afforded plenty of space, expect Scholes and Fletcher to possibly start with Nani and Valencia on the flanks as Park remains doubtful with a virus.

That leaves Rooney and Berbatov to head up the attack, a partnership that is showing signs of flourishing and should come to life against the frailties of a Sunderland defence that is hardly up there with the best in the league.

The big decision Steve Bruce will have to make is whether to sit back and soak up pressure or attack United from the off and hope for the best. Whatever tact the one-time United captain decides to go with, Darren Bent will undoubtedly start having scored eight in his last nine Premier League starts.

Speaking to the media, Ferguson explained that he is hardly relishing the task of picking his team with so many players fighting fit and on top of their games at the moment.

"We've a strong squad. The problem with having everyone fit is picking the right team," he is quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

"Our two central midfielders - Michael Carrick and Anderson - were fantastic against Wolfsburg, and I thought Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes were outstanding at Stoke. It is giving me a real headache."

The United boss went on to praise the managerial work of his former player and that he expects Sunderland to achieve big things with Bruce at the helm.

"He's had experience of the other side, from down there scrapping at Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, Birmingham, and the job he did at Wigan in his second spell there last time was fantastic, almost getting them into a European place,” Ferguson added.

"Now he's had the chance to spend some money and he's looking good. Steve's galvanised the club already, and you can see something great happening there. Hopefully not against us on Saturday."

On the other side of the fence, Bruce paid tribute to Ryan Giggs, a player he labels one of the greatest to have graced the Premier League.

"He started in 1993 and where are we now, 2009? Jesus. And to play at the level he has been doing, he has to be the greatest ever player to have played in the Premier League” he is quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

"Not just because of his longevity but because he is playing for Manchester United and still getting man of the match awards.

"For me he is their best player, at his age as well."

Saturday’s match will be the 13th time that Bruce has gone head-to-head with Sir Alex with the Scot possessing a record of ten wins and two draws to date. The former Birmingham City manager may fancy his chances more than ever before considering the form of Darren Bent but the likes of Vidic and Ferdinand haven’t been in opposition before now.

Anything but a comprehensive result will clearly be frowned upon and bar an absolutely unbelievable Sunderland performance a woefully poor United showing, a comfortable victory should prove the final outcome and put further pressure on Chelsea needing to gain a positive result against Liverpool the day after.

Prediction: 2-0

The RedCafe.net Podcast Episode 8

On episode eight of the RedCafe.net podcast, Steve, Dan and Dov look back at a memorable day for John O’Shea at the Britannia Stadium.

As well as the regular features of the week, we have the return of the ‘Legends’ profile and we check up on our boys who are on loan at other clubs in ‘Loan Watch’.

We also look forward to the Champions League match against Wolfsburg and Saturday’s match against Sunderland. Can Steve Bruce overcome his mentor?

You can subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes.

Do make sure you keep an eye out for regular Twitter updates and get yourself signed up to the RedCafe.net Podcast Facebook group too!

Thanks very much for all your support and enjoy the show!

Manchester United vs VfL Wolfsburg: Preview

Matchday Two of the Champions League is fast approaching and one thing for sure is that VfL Wolfsburg should provide something of a tougher test than United’s previous opponents in the competition. Yes while Besiktas were plucky and persistent, the German champions are a far more accomplished outfit and you’ve probably heard that they’re not too bad up front either.

That’s because in Brazilian striker Grafite and Bosnian international Edin Dzeko, Wolfsburg possess one of the deadliest strike partnerships in Europe. The duo managed a record 54 goals between them in the Bundesliga last season and throw in Obafemi Martins, a player who certainly knows a thing or two about scoring at Old Trafford, and you’re faced with a pretty potent attacking trio.

It’s fair to say that United have a few attacking options themselves and Saturday’s win over Stoke City in the Premier League was utterly satisfying, considering the nature in which the lads dominated from start to finish in a game one would have expected to have been decidedly even. That result stretches the 100 per cent record to seven games now and Wolfsburg at home will present the chance to keep that run ticking over.

The team shouldn’t change drastically from the trip to the Britannia Stadium with, bar a late injury set-back, the back five of Foster, Evra, O’Shea, Ferdinand and Vidic remaining unchanged.

As we have come to expect with a Ferguson midfield there will undoubtedly be a slight adjustment and Nani is arguably the most likely to drop out for the ever impressive Ryan Giggs. That could also see Paul Scholes given a rest as a result with Michael Carrick and Anderson fully charged and raring to go in hope of lining up alongside Darren Fletcher.

It is my view that Fletcher will have to start if United are to nullify the threat of Zvjezdan Misimovic, a midfield playmaker who grabbed an eye-catching 18 assists in the German league last term. Not to mention that the combative midfielder is the best thing to have come out of Scotland since Braveheart and Sir Alex.

While Ferguson has often reverted to a 4-5-1 formation when away from home in the Champions League, Old Trafford is a different kettle of fish and thus you would think that the Scot will opt for a Rooney-Berbatov partnership up top.

In the build-up to the game Sir Alex has insisted that he will not underestimate the attacking prowess of the Wolfsburg side.

“The two strikers [Dzeko and Grafite] scored an incredible tally of goals last season. 71 in a season is incredible for two strikers,” the United boss is quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

“In terms of Dzeko, he was a player we saw and I was very impressed by him. Wolfsburg are a team that scores a lot of goals, but they also lose a few.

Ferguson went on to maintain that reaching the 10 point mark is the aim for the group stages of Europe’s pinnacle club competition.

“In a group of four teams, you just want to get to 10 points as quickly as possible,” he added.

“The quicker you do it, the better it is for obvious reasons. But we have only played once so far and we have to maintain our consistency and concentration in these matches.”

Former Newcastle striker Martins spoke to BBC Sport about the threat of United even without Ronaldo and Tevez and that the team are capable of providing the goals from all over the pitch.

“Even without Ronaldo and Tevez, I would say you face the same problems playing against United. In fact, I would even say they are playing much better than before,” the Nigerian international said

“When Ronaldo was on the pitch, everyone looked to him, expecting him to change the game when his team most needed it. “But now United have a lot of players who can change a game, like Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov. Even the defenders can score goals, so we must watch out for them all over the pitch.”

Statistically things don’t read too well when you consider United’s record against German opposition in the Champions League. Out of a total of fifteen games, the Reds have only picked up four victories with six draws and five losses.

The United back four will certainly have to be on their toes throughout what is sure to be a tense but thoroughly entertaining encounter with the form of Grafite and Dzeko a particular concern. The latter notched his sixth of the campaign against Hannover on Saturday while former Le Mans attacker Grafite scored a Rooney-esque hat-trick on his Champions League debut a couple of weeks back.

With all that said, we are at home at the Theatre of Dreams and certainly have no reason to fear even the greatest teams in world football. While Wolfsburg may not be in that category just yet, they are a wonderfully gifted attacking outfit all the same but United possess just as much fire power and a solid defence to boot.

I would be a tad more apprehensive if we were playing at Wolfburg’s Volkswagen Arena but home advantage should see us through home and dry with Wayne Rooney ultimately proving too hot to handle for Die Wölfe.

Prediction: 2-1 United

The RedCafe.net Podcast Episode 7

On episode 7 of the RedCafe.net podcast, Steve, Dan and Dov bask in the glory of United's derby day victory, with a quick look at Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Wolves.

In a rather heated debate the lads decide whether Ben Foster has paid the ultimate price for his error on Sunday, whether Michael Owen is a legend(!) and Darren "world class" Fletcher? It's all coming up in the show.

As well as the regular features of the week, there's an in depth interview with MR MUJAC from the RedCafe.net forums about the Reserve and Youth teams, and Rex Orrin, the owner of the Delilahs.co.uk Stoke City forum gives his thoughts on this weekend's game at the Britannia Stadium.

You can subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes.

Do make sure you keep an eye out for regular Twitter updates and get yourself signed up to the RedCafe.net Podcast Facebook group too!

Thanks very much for all your support and enjoy the show!

Stoke City vs Manchester United: Preview

Having edged into the fourth round of the Carling Cup, albeit with an ultimately monotonous performance, the Premier League returns for United on Saturday and a somewhat tricky trip to the Britannia Stadium awaits.

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Stoke have started the season in a pretty decent fashion having picked up seven points already and been extremely unfortunate not to have come away with something more last weekend against Bolton and previously against Chelsea too.

You would expect that will give them legitimate confidence that they are capable of getting something against us and expect nothing short of a hard-fought and closely contested encounter.

The corresponding fixture last season was a noticeably tight and tense affair, certainly from a United perspective, as a late winner from a certain Argentine striker claimed all three points against the resilient Potters on Boxing Day.

Ferguson rung the changes on Wednesday evening and expect similarly wholesale changes as the league focus returns. The major confirmed team news is that Ben Foster, who hardly covered himself in glory with his display in the Manchester derby, will continue to deputise for Edwin van der Sar.

The back-four almost inevitably picks itself, with Patrice Evra and John O’Shea returning at full-back while Rio Ferdinand should line-up alongside Nemanja Vidic.

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I don’t expect Sir Alex to deviate too much from the midfield that played against City although if anyone was to drop out, I would expect it to be Anderson and Park for Scholes and Nani respectively.

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That should see Ryan Giggs keep his place in the starting eleven and after having run rings around Micah Richards

on Sunday, it was revealed this week that Giggs had created more goalscoring opportunities than any other player in the Premier League with 24.

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It’s little statistical titbit’s like that that help give an indication of just how important the Welshman has been to the United cause thus far this season, even at 35-years-old.

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It’s fair to say that going away to someone like Stoke may bring about a change in formation, although with the opposition most likely lining up in a 4-5-1 formation themselves, you would think it would be a wise move to avoid the temptation of going like for like and adopting the 4-4-2 system that has served us so well with Rooney and Berbatov lining up in attack.

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As well as confirming that Foster would indeed be starting on Saturday, Ferguson moved to provide some good news regarding the recovery of a somewhat forgotten midfield man, Owen Hargreaves, who has been out of action for the last nine months as he recovers from double knee surgery.

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"Hargreaves is back now and I hope the boy gets a break and continues his rehab without any further mishaps," the

United manager said.

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"It's been a long time for the lad. Normally, when a player has been out for that length of time, he has been helped by doing his rehab with the other players.

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"But the fact he did it on his own in America, under the guidance of Dr Steadman, is not easy.

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"He has shown the determination and resilience to see it through, though, and he is now back with us.
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"I feel that maybe it will still take us four weeks to get him into the rhythm of training again and get to the point of

match-play, but hopefully he is on the way back."
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Stoke boss Tony Pulis, meanwhile, spoke of the departures of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, praising the likes of Scholes and Giggs for the way they continue to defy the odds with such assured performances.
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"Clubs do not get over losing players like Ronaldo and Tevez quickly," he said.
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"It is very difficult whether you are Manchester United or Stoke to lose a player who has been scoring so freely and creating goals for his team-mates.
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"The greatest thing for Alex is how well players like Scholes and Giggs are doing. It is pretty amazing they are not just still going but going strong as well.

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"It is amazing. When Giggs finishes playing he will be seen as one of the greats of the game, I am sure."

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While the Potters will no doubt have their tremendous support behind them whatever scenario they are faced with during the 90 minutes (plus stoppages!), on paper we certainly have enough quality and we are a side in form with six successive wins.

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Stoke will certainly battle for everything and, in terms of physicality, they may just have the edge. Foster will need to have all his wits about him as Pulis I’m sure will be desperate for every conceivable set-piece (including the Delap throw) to be arrowed in and around his six-yard-box. One would suspect it will prove to be the ultimate test for the England goalkeeper following on from events in Manchester on Sunday. Let's just hope he gets through unscathed.

Prediction: 1-0 United

Manchester United vs Wolves: Preview

I’m sure many of us are still riding high on the peak of cloud nine following the last gasp events of Sunday afternoon and who in their right mind can blame us! In fairness, you could even be forgiven for allowing this evening’s fixture against Wolves to have slipped the mind and altogether dipped off the radar.

Although however seriously United fans may or may not be taking the League Cup this season, you can bet your bottom dollar that the side Sir Alex decides to pick will be hell bent on putting on an impressive performance.

At the end of the day, as League Cup winners last season, the lads certainly have a trophy to defend and you would like to think that they will approach this task with a certain degree of gusto and determination. OK so lifting the League Cup clearly won’t be the pinnacle moment of any of these player’s careers but this competition does present the opportunity for fringe players and youthful exuberance to stake a claim.

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Ferguson will undoubtedly want to win the game and his team sheet should reflect that exact point. It is between the sticks that I believe the United boss will have his toughest decision to make with Edwin van der Sar still crocked. Does Fergie opt to continue with Foster despite his somewhat calamitous performance against City in a drastic attempt to restore some confidence? On the other hand is it time the somewhat forgotten man amongst the goalkeeping ranks, Tomasz Kuszczak, was given a chance without the pressure of Premier League points being at stake?

Tonight should mark the return of Wes Brown back into the starting eleven and if Gary Neville gets the nod at right-back, Brown will likely partner Rio Ferdinand (as punishment for his mistake to continue his comeback from injury) in the centre of defence. Patrice Evra should be afforded the night off having played in every competitive game thus far this season so young Fabio da Silva could come in as a direct replacement at left-back.

In midfield Nani should take centre stage on the left wing with Danny Welbeck possibly lining up on the right-hand-side. Darron Gibson will be desperate for a start in the middle of midfield alongside Michael Carrick who will see tonight’s proceedings as the perfect chance to get his season up and running with a polished performance.

After his heroics on the weekend, Michael Owen will be rewarded with a start (although you would think that was part of the plan whether he scored on Sunday or not) alongside Italian Federico Macheda. I’ll apologise now for a team that will no doubt prove to be 99% wrong!
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So what have the respective manager’s had to say in the build up to this third round tie? Well Sir Alex has, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, issued a warning to Macheda and Welbeck, urging them to assume a club>country mentality.

"Welbeck has been called away so much with every single England squad [the Under-19s and Under-21s] that I don’t know if he is our player or their player," Ferguson said as quoted by The Times.

"Macheda has been away with the Italy youth teams all the time and has hardly been with us, either. They are away that much with the youth squads, they have forgotten where their real place is."

Meanwhile Mick McCarthy has indicated that his Wolves side will look to attack from the off at Old Trafford which will hopefully make for an entertaining encounter.

"We are not going there to sit back," the Wolves boss is quoted as saying by The Independent.

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"We will play 4-4-2 and have a game with them. I have never beaten United at Old Trafford in anything. We want to try to win the game."

Even with a starting eleven stripped of the likes of Wayne Rooney and the ever impressive Darren Fletcher, a victory should be well within our grasp. Wolves will see this as the perfect opportunity to attempt to get on the front foot which could prove their immediate downfall and with a few United player’s keen to prove their worth, we should end up ultimately having too much for the newly promoted side.

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Prediction: 3-1 United

Manchester United vs Manchester City: Preview

This has to be the most eagerly anticipated derby in years, nay decades. Well certainly in my lifetime anyway.

City’s start to the season, culminating in the 4-2 defeat of Arsenal last weekend, will have surely seen United supporters with even the deepest of hatred towards our city neighbours at least acknowledge that they have, thus far, looked impressive.

Many quarters are even rather prematurely suggesting that Mark Hughes’ side are ready to mount an assault on the top four and even a serious title challenge. Well with all due respect, it’s one thing struggling past the likes of Blackburn, Wolves and Portsmouth but it’s quite another coming to Old Trafford and getting a positive result.

The record books and any chat of previous meetings shouldn’t really count for much on Sunday but here’s a brief overview for the statistically conscious among us. In total, United have won 61 of the 151 Manchester derbies that have taken place including a double victory in the league last season. If you needed even more reason for optimism, City have only won one of their 12 trips to Old Trafford since the inception of the Premier League.

Following the midweek triumph over Besiktas there are no fresh injury worries although Rio Ferdinand remains a massive doubt having missed the game in Istanbul. That will mean that Jonny Evans will continue to develop his partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of the defence in front of the ever-improving Ben Foster.

At full-back Sir Alex will look to Patrice Evra and probably John O’Shea while Nani and Antonio Valencia should start on either flank having performed well, if not spectacularly, on Tuesday evening.

Having been rested for the Champions League opener, Darren Fletcher will come back into the side and with Paul Scholes suspended, Anderson or Ryan Giggs should get the nod alongside the Scot with Michael Carrick missing out.

Now a Ferguson line-up wouldn’t be complete without some sort of tactical surprise although this United fan is sincerely hoping that the manager opts for a 4-4-2 formation with Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney spearheading the attack.

City’s attacking problems have been well documented heading into Sunday’s encounter, with Craig Bellamy the only fully fit and available striker at their disposal. Carlos Tevez may well receive a tirade of abuse if he plays but Ferguson believes that the absence of Emmanuel Adebayor, who is serving a three-match suspension for his Arsenal antics, is far more significant.

“I am not bothered whether Tevez plays or not – Manchester City’s best player won’t be playing,” the United boss said.

“Adebayor is their star player, there is no question about that. He has scored in every game so far.”

Ferguson went on to claim that City behaved in an “arrogant and cocky” manner by unveiling their now rather infamous Tevez ‘Welcome to Manchester’ poster and the Scot insisted that he sees fixtures against Liverpool as the true derby matches.

“To me, Liverpool has always been the derby,” he added.

“It is because of the history. My aim was always to do well against them. It is hard for me to think any other way.”

Personally I would get hold of a replica of the poster and hang it in the dressing room before kick-off. If the player’s are looking for an added incentive to be fired up for the derby then that would surely provide it.

Anyway, back to previewing the game and there’s no doubt that Hughes’ side will fancy their chances at Old Trafford and probably more than they ever have done before. Given the millions they have spent on fresh talent in the summer and the fact they are currently unbeaten in the Premier League adds fabrication to that notion but, if you can excuse the cliché, it’s all about what happens on the pitch come Sunday.

The United squad certainly have nothing to fear themselves and should be full of confidence. Having put a Tottenham side, who were riding the crest of a wave in a similar vein to City, to the sword last weekend, they continued to ridicule the niggling suggestions that there isn’t life after Ronaldo.

Without wanting to tempt fate, it is off the back of that hugely encouraging performance at White Hart Lane coupled with a burning desire to put City in their place that will hopefully see United home to a comfortable and comprehensive victory.

Altogether now: This is how it feels to be City…

Prediction: 2-0 United