Premier League: Manchester United vs. Tottenham - Sat April 25 [R]

[pgr17]

http://www.manchesterunitedfcgifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/manchester_united_badge_1973-1998.png vs. http://i40.tinypic.com/x3d5b7.jpg

Venue: Old Trafford
Kick-off: 17:30 BST; 12:30PM EST
Date: Saturday April 25
Coverage: Setanta UK; FSC; streams/P2P; BBC Radio 5 Live

Manchester United defender Gary Neville will be out for two weeks because of a foot injury but John O'Shea could be fit to face Tottenham on Saturday.

Rio Ferdinand is fit for Saturday's tea-time clash with Tottenham, while Rafael will start at right-back following injuries to Gary Neville and John O'Shea. Wes Brown may be included in the squad after coming through his second Reserves game on Thursday.

Tottenham, who are unbeaten in six games against the top four this season, look set to be without Michael Dawson. The defender picked up an ankle injury in Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle.

But his team-mate Jonathan Woodgate is confident that Spurs can continue their good run against the "Big Four".

training photos: http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=manchester%20united&assetType=image&src=quick

[johno]

Important fixture as they all are at this time of year, but a good win. Especially with another clean sheet will go a long way to boost our confidence and take the wind out of the sails of our pursuit.

[urbnzy]

Would you trust Fabio on the left if one of Brown/O+shea starts (no way the 2 brazilians start), because we saw what Lennon was doing to Evra on the Carling Cup final. I think the story could very likely repeat itself, now even more, because Evra is now in even worse form.

[LA. MAN UNITED]

More than a one goal lead late in the match, please....

[sdotsom]

I'd actually go with Fabio on this one....hell even O'Shea, who is said to be fit for the squad. Evra got destroyed by Lennon, and even though Lennon is incapable of making it count when it matters, any 1 lucky chance could get punished.

[pgr17]

"Roman Pavlyuchenko has also been ruled out of this weekend's trip to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League. The striker is still suffering from the back injury."

[Sapphire]

Gary Neville will be out for two weeks Another fortnight? Grooooan. :(

We just need OShea to hold out until Wes can get some more games.

[jeff070]

really good game i think, both teams have great quality but if we turn up this could be an embarrassing performance for tottenham. I hope we show up, my team (fergie's too):

VDS

Rafael
Rio
Vidic
Evra

Carrick
Fletcher
Anderson

Rooney
Tevez/nani
Ronaldo

[Chaz Striker]

One thing that is a concern is whether or not Ferguson will have 3 defenders plus a goal keeper on the bench? I think it will only be Evans and Brown sitting. I think Evra will start and John will be completely dropped.

[Raj222]

I see Tevez and Nani playing a part tomorrow. Let's hope for a good, comfy win at home.

[sab456]

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Rafael, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.
...


No Kiko or Tevez or Fabio in there..

[GrodZilla]

I saw this posted in the Arsenal forum...

The Times are reporting today that Jermain Defoe's brother was attacked and beaten to near death on Monday...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6164283.ece

There are really no words :(

EDIT: The Sun now say that he's dead...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2396038.ece

[Raj222]

I saw this posted in the Arsenal forum...

The Times are reporting today that Jermain Defoe's brother was attacked and beaten to near death on Monday...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6164283.ece

There are really no words :(

EDIT: The Sun now say that he's dead...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2396038.ece

Bloody hell. This is sad. This is the sort of news nobody wants to hear. If true, my condolences are with Jermaine and his family. :(

[Raj222]

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Rafael, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.
...


No Kiko or Tevez or Fabio in there..

:eek:

I thought at least Tevez would be there.

[LA. MAN UNITED]

:eek:

I thought at least Tevez would be there.

A lesson from Sir about publicly stating you may leave? Rest before Wednesday? :confused:

[pgr17]

squad management - don't look any further into player's ommissions than that. the amount of games we have coming up in the next two weeks is crazy.

kind of surprised there aren't at least more than two forwards on there but then again, those lists aren't always 100% correct.

[Republic of Mancunia]

A lesson from Sir about publicly stating you may leave? Rest before Wednesday? :confused:

Or just a guess form the media as to what the squad would be.

From the Sunderland match:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1107925_preview_sunderland_v_united

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O’Shea, Neville, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Eckersley, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck, Macheda.


Note: No Berbatov - he started.

From the Villa match:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1106595_preview_united_v_aston_villa

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Possebon, Carrick, Park, Giggs, Tevez, Welbeck.

No Macheda.

Just two examples.

Not saying Tevez is definitely in the manager's thoughts today btw, just that these things are nine times out of ten, an estimate made up from all released information at the time. Only Euro-aways, where they know exactly who's on the plane and who isn't tend to be accurate.

[LA. MAN UNITED]

Point taken. I do expect us to have a "suprise omission" , however , considering we have the Arse in midweek...

[Republic of Mancunia]

As I think you were trying to point out, my examples only included surprise inclusions where they probably thought somebody was still injured as nothing had been said to the contrary or in the case of Macheda, they might not have heard of him.

The ommision from one of those lists of a recognised first team squad member, where an injury/suspension hasn't been widely reported is certainly rare although if they knew for sure, I would have expected "Tevez axed from squad" headlines.

[lynne]

^^Probably because they realize that there's a game midweek (besides the part where they know that they don't know what the squad would be).

Where is everyone? Too tired? Worn out by the long season? Can't sum up the energy to post pithy or wise or clever words for yet one more important game?