Premier League: Manchester United vs. Portsmouth - Wed April 22 [R]

[pgr17]

http://www.manchesterunitedfcgifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/manchester_united_badge_1973-1998.png vs. http://i43.tinypic.com/4tubrn.png

Venue: Old Trafford
Kick-off: 2000 BST; 3:00PM EST
Date: Wednesday April 22
Coverage: Setanta USA; streams/P2P; BBC Radio 5 Live

Edwin van der Sar and Cristiano Ronaldo will return for Manchester United with striker Wayne Rooney set for a late fitness test on his ankle injury.

Darren Fletcher is also expected to be passed fit but fellow midfielder Michael Carrick is extremely doubtful.

Portsmouth midfielder Nico Kranjcar is missing after suffering ankle ligament damage during the 1-0 win over Bolton at the weekend.

And Younes Kaboul is doubtful with a thigh strain.

[Harry Boulton]

A side with plenty of pace and would be nice. Rooney and Ronaldo both to return. A midfield with Carrick and Anderson would also be very nice to see.

Perhaps a game where Nani could get some time as well?

[benni...]

Lets get our strongest team out there, and score some early goals.

[jeff070]

I think when Brown gets back nani will start playing IMO.. but beside that, this game is important and i am willing to give gibson some time... my lineup would look like this :

VDS

Rafael
Vidic
Rio
Evra

Fletcher
Anderson
giggs

ronaldo
Berbatov
Tevez

Subs: gibson comes in for fletcher, nani for berbatov, fabio for evra

united 6-0

[benni...]

I doubt Rafael could play two games, one in extra time, and this one after coming back from a broken ankle.

[johno]

No way Carrick and O'Shea don't start.

[Father Ted]

No way Carrick and O'Shea don't start.

Carrick is carrying a knock I think...

[johno]

ok, that makes sense... couldn't imagine why he'd be left out.

[iDiveStevieG]

How likely is it Brown makes a sub appearance before a possible start at Tottenham?

[Bronaldo]

If we've won the game, Brown may come on, but i really doubt it.

[johno]

I suspect he'll make a start before he makes a sub appearance. There will be no rush to bring him back and he can pick up fitness in the reserves until he's ready to make a 60 minute outing with the first team I think.

At least, that's how I'd do it. For the meantime, O'shea and Rafael and possibly Neville can rotate at the RB spot as needed, especially if Evra, Evans and Fabio are/maintain fit(ness).

[sdotsom]

We need to win this one and expand the points lead.

[pgr17]

yep... we know what we have to do, now let's f*cking do it. i want the anger and intensity back with this team. we need to be ruthless.

[sdotsom]

Exactly. We can break open to a 3 point lead if we win tomorrow, plus another game in hand. Fergie will be lovin the result from tonight - a Lpool loss would have been tops, but they dropped point and Arsenal showed a weak defense, good for our CL ties and league game.

Come on boys, let's get it!

[Ruud v.Nistelrooy 10]

↓↓↓

[Chaz Striker]

↓↓↓

Pokemon Battle!

Kiko GO!!!

Attack with agility!

[Devil_78]

This is now a really important game, given what happened with the Liverpool Arsenal set-to!

A win gives us a couple more points on Liverpool with 1 game in hand (of course, we still have to WIN the games in hand...).

If we manage to match Liverpool result for result in the run in, that means a draw against Arsenal at OT will give us the title, but a loss would not necessariy be a disaster.

Whilst I am sure there will be more twists and turns before the season is out, Arsenals result against Liverpool has, potentially, given them less of a say with regards Uniteds chances now. But it would be nice. Go into the game against Arsenal 6 points clear, needing 1 point to clinch the title! Would be a nice way to pick up the title! Against the Arse!

Just to add in the caveat to prevent that little git Murphy from employing his "law" against us...

All this is pure speculation as it requires Manchester United to win tonight, and win the extra game in hand over Liverpool/Chelsea for all of this to come in to playh.

[Achtung]

Interesting to see whether our FA Cup "strategy" pays off.

[Numquam Moribimur]

I think Anderson well start again

[johno]

Interesting to see whether our FA Cup "strategy" pays off.

The beauty of that "strategy" is that it can pay dividends up to 2 full weeks from when it was implemented. We've got virtually a team full of starters rested and that means they are fresher that they'll have been in some time and may be able to play at a higher standard and win a game or two more comfortably than if they'd been tired.

I know Fergie does what he feels is best for the club, but had he shown a bit more faith in the likes of Welbeck, Macheda, Fabio, Gibson et al at different times this year, we may not have had EVERYONE tired like they all were a couple weeks back. That said, the policy took us to the FA Semis, CL semis and top of the league whilst winning the CC and the WCC. Not too shabby. We've little to be disappointed in thus far and much to look forward to.