Manchester United Vs Manchester City.

I'm surprised so many are tipping Jones to continue in midfield. I think he'll be back at RB with the licence to thrill up that flank... The fact Smalling already played midweek, and at centre half, suggests it as well to me.
 
Drifter said:
Micah Richards stokes it up.Like it really needed it.



Manchester City star Micah Richards today whipped up a storm ahead of Sunday’s derby with Manchester United by claiming the Red Devils are frightened of their Blue rivals.

The Old Trafford clash between the two Manchester clubs is the most eagerly awaited fixture so far this season with City on top of the Premier League, two points ahead of second placed United.

City are genuine title challengers and after last season’s FA Cup success will go to the home of the reigning champions without having to look at a famous banner designed by United fans that had taunted them for not winning a trophy in 35 years.

There is a clear sense amongst Roberto Mancini’s side that come May the ‘noisy neighbours’, as labelled by Sir Alex Ferguson, will have plenty to shout about.

“United now know, much as they won't say it, that we are a genuine threat to them,” said 23-year-old defender Richards.

“To get that banner down is quality — we have got the last laugh. We are not going out and saying we will win this game or that game, but they call us the noisy neighbours. I think they're a bit frightened.”

Richards adds that unlike previous years, City believe they have what it takes to win at Old Trafford.

“It used to be the case that we went to United and got battered every time but in the last year or two we have gone to United and sometimes looked the better team, on their own patch, so it shows how far we have come in a short space of time,” said Richards.

“We have improved a lot and want the ball down to play — in those days it was about getting 11 men behind the ball and defending, and if we got a chance we had to take it. That's what we did.

“If you speak to Mancini he wants to go there and win. People talked about us last season being boring and negative, but if you watch us now we are completely the opposite.”

Read more: United are running scared, says Manchester City's Micah Richards - Premier League, Football - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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Micah is pretty much right in everything he said.
 
Think shitty will line up in one of these ways:

Hart
Zabaleta Kompany Lescott Clichy
De Jong Barry
Y.Toure
Nasri Balotelli Silva​

Or

Hart
Richards Kompany Lescott Clichy
Y.Toure De Jong
Nasri Silva Milner
Balotelli​

If Mancini doesn't revert to his old De Jong - Barry - Y.Toure core for big away games, then his slightly more defensive approach would probably come from starting Milner out wide to help combat Nani / Young. Balotelli was rested for Villareal I believe? If so that could point to a start, but Dzeko may well start. I think Aguero is likely to be used as a substitute again for the last 30 minutes or so (and I expect us to do the same with Hernández once the game opens up after the hour).

Could be an interesting game for 60~ minutes, then I can see it exploding into something else when the pacey, tricky strikers come on (unless they start, but I can see a more cautious approach from both managers as neither will want to lose this game).

As for us, I think we'll have three in Midfield from: Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Anderson, Jones. Smalling at Right Back, and a front three of Nani - Rooney - Young. Welbeck and Hernández on the bench.
 
Excal said:
Not risk him? The matches we have before the November break are Everton, Sunderland, a CL match he'll be suspended from, and a Carling Cup Tie. What're we saving him for?
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He didn't look match sharp at all. Why risk a player who isn't match sharp in one of the most important fixtures of the season? Evans has been more than capable to stand in and has done a great job.
 
My how times have changed, Manchester City come to our place top of the league, holders of a cup and with a team worth more than ours!!! On that note, I hope we smash them to bits 3-0. Balotelli to get a red card for raging after Rio winks at him would be a nice touch too. :D Am I dreaming?



prateik said:
--------------The Gay
Smalling----Rio-------Vidic-----Evra
----------Carrick-----Fletch---------
Nani-----------Rooney--------Young
----------------Welbz

A scrappy 2-1 will do just fine
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That's about bang on for me mate, perhaps maybe Anderson though for Fletcher or Carrick.
 
When the UEFA financial fair play rules come into full effect will City still be considered richer?
 
City have a big opportunity tomorrow. If they come at us they have a real chance to turn us over. We've shown real defensive vulnerability this season and it could easily be exposed tomorrow. As it turns out I expect Mancini to do us a favour and play more negatively. That will play right into our hands.

1 thing to watch: Joe Hart. He's a good 'keeper but tends to parry shots out into the danger zone. Shoot from distance and make and sure we're following it up.

It will be tight. I think 1-1 or maybe a 2-1 to Utd.
 
Evans should start this one, he has been our best defender in this season.
 
MarylandMUFan said:
Micah is pretty much right in everything he said.
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erm... really?

I'd say he's wrong in pretty much everything he says.

we had the last laugh
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Did you really Micha? we had that banner up for a long time.

and this utter drivel:

It used to be the case that we went to United and got battered every time but in the last year or two we have gone to United and sometimes looked the better team, on their own patch, so it shows how far we have come in a short space of time
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Pretty sure they did better against us before, they used to actually win derby matches, but since the sheikh they've won what? 1 in 6 or something? so that's basically complete bollox.

From my memory:

City bought in Aug 2008.

Nov 2008: City 0 United 1
May 2009: United 2 City 0

Sept 2009: United 4 City 3
Jan 2010: League Cup Semi: United 4 - City 3 (aggr.)
April 2010: City 0 United 1

Nov 2010: City 0 United 0
Feb 2011: United 2 City 1
April 2011: City 1 United 0

August 2011: United 3 City 2

So that's actually 1 win in 9, with United winning 7 of those 9.

So yeah, they had a better record against us before the Sheikh came along.

Micha, you are talking out of your arse pal.
 
Cleverley is fit and training.
 
cw1984 said:
City have a big opportunity tomorrow. If they come at us they have a real chance to turn us over. We've shown real defensive vulnerability this season and it could easily be exposed tomorrow. As it turns out I expect Mancini to do us a favour and play more negatively. That will play right into our hands.

1 thing to watch: Joe Hart. He's a good 'keeper but tends to parry shots out into the danger zone. Shoot from distance and make and sure we're following it up.

It will be tight. I think 1-1 or maybe a 2-1 to Utd.
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That's why I think Hernandez will start. He's always following shots up in anticipation of a parry/spill, especially from free kicks.. But also that we wont get many opportunities and will want someone lethal in the box to finish the few chances we get.
 
Don't have a good feeling about tomorrow...... Apart from wembley last year I think they're due a result against us due to all those late winners.
 
Leroy The Red said:
That FA Cup defeat stung enough. That was their due, they ended the 34 year wait.
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I dunno, we screwed em over big in a few games around that time, 4-3, 1-0. 3-1. Just not confident tomorrow. Hopefully I'm wrong though.
 
Sharky7 said:
Cleverley
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I don't believe Cleverley will play from the start.

I believe (I have no grounds for doing so) that we'll start off keeping it quite tight and then at half-time or 10 minutes after half-time we'll put on Cleverley for Fletcher or Carrick to disrupt their view of the game.

If we've managed a clean sheet by then I can see us winning it. Other possible winners of the game would include Hernandez, who on form I believe is impossible to defend against.

We could start with Wellbeck and Fletcher/Carrick (prefer Carrick) and then interrupt the flow of the game with Cleverley and Hernandez into the second half where they struggle to adapt to the change.

Chalk another one up for SAF!!!
 
It'll be interesting to see City's approach to the game. Mancini has been lauded this season for releasing the shackles and letting them play to their attacking potential. But coming to Old Trafford top of the table, you wonder if he'll be more conservative and look to securing the point that would keep them there.
 


The last time United lost in the league at Old Trafford. Simon Beck, the linesman who failed to flag Didier Drogba offside that afternoon, is on duty again today for the derby.
 
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