Manchester United Vs. Aston Villa (1/2/2011 - 20.00 GMT)

[Shimo]

Is Rio out for this game also?

Defensive boost for Fergie | Sky Sports | Manchester United News | Football | Premier League

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is expecting Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to face Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Both men have been carrying injuries of late and have been given time to rest their respective ailments.

Ferguson opted to shuffle his entire defensive pack in the FA Cup on Saturday, with a new-look back five fielded in their fourth round tie at Southampton, which the Red Devils won 2-1.

He is, however, expected to revert back to his tried and tested performers in midweek, with Vidic and Ferdinand set to take up their regular roles at centre-half.

Full-backs Rafael and Patrice Evra will also be returned to the side, with Edwin van der Sar reclaiming the No.1 jersey from new arrival Anders Lindegaard.

Ready

"Vidic should be alright," Ferguson told United's official website.

"Rio started running on Thursday and hopefully will be OK by Tuesday.

"Rafa should also be OK, he got the all-clear on Friday [after suffering concussion at Blackpool] and Patrice Evra had a family bereavement so we left him out at Southampton.

"We should have our back four back against Villa."

Last sentence kind of confirms what we knew - Rafael is part of our starting back 4.

That said still hope we don't risk Rafael. Rather he miss 1 more game than something happen where a) He risks his well being b) Misses more than 1 game because of a reaction.

 

[Tumbling-Dice]

Excellent news people - Chris Foy is the referee! To the best of my knowledge we have never lost a league-game with Foy as referee

Shocking referee, one of the worst out there.

 

[Trigg]

Shocking. Not only is it not on Sky Sports but there doesn't seem to be any bloody highlights on either!

That's proper shit.

 

[Care_de_Bobo]

This is my first game in absolutely ages so I hope it's a good one, I am slightly worried we don't have Kiko here to bail us out against them this time though.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Got to manchester already. Cannae wait for the game

 

[RDCR07]

This is my first game in absolutely ages so I hope it's a good one, I am slightly worried we don't have Kiko here to bail us out against them this time though.

We don't need Kiko. We have Chicharito.

 

[RDCR07]

Good I don't have work today. I can watch this game right after my midterm, which ends exactly at the time of kickoff.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Starting XI: ------------ Van Der Sar --------------------------
Brown ------ Ferdinand ----------------- Vidic ----------- Evra -
Nani --------- Carrick ----------------- Anderson ------ Obertan
------------ Hernandez --------------- Berbatov ---------------

Bench: Kuszczak, Rafael, Smalling, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Owen

 

[Bryan_Munich]

I fear those who are hoping for Hernandez to start are going to be disappointed again.

Anyway, I think we'll hammer them 3-0.

 

[Commadus]

I just hope SAF does not have another brain fart and picks a crazy lineup.

 

[KM]

I just hope SAF does not have another brain fart and picks a crazy lineup.

Nah it's a home match, think we will see a 4-4-2 like this:

VDS
Rafael-Rio/Smalling-Vidic-Evra
Nani-Anderson-Carrick-Giggs
Berba-Rooney

 

[Adzzz]

This is the game we'll look back on say was the start of Rooney's run. He's seen Hernandez and the risk he poses to dislodging him and he'll get himself a goal tonight.

Or Sir Alex won't play him and make me look dick.

 

[Neutral]

This is the game we'll look back on say was the start of Rooney's run. He's seen Hernandez and the risk he poses to dislodging him and he'll get himself a goal tonight.

God I hope you're right, and more importantly the goal plays a part in us winning. No point in him scoring if we drop points.

 

[prateik]

Fatty will score today. Its about time.

Villa are better than their league form would suggest, they did well against us and Chelsea and have a few bigger names back now. Need to play better than we did against Blackpool and Southampton

 

[Maciej]

Rooney on the bench tonight, please.

 

[Tibs]

Hernandez and Berba upfront please

 

[askabob]

Sky is reporting that Carrick is doubtful with his ankle injury

 

[Viper KGB]

Rooney on the bench tonight, please.

Why? Is it not games he needs to get back in form

Rooney is going to be vital for the rest of the year, the sooner he hits form the better

 

[Maciej]

Why? Is it not games he needs to get back in form

Rooney is going to be vital for the rest of the year, the sooner he hits form the better

I've been hearing it for months.

And amazing stat of three goals this season. feck his assists.

I would prefer him to start at Wolves, not tonight.

 

[Viper KGB]

I've been hearing it for months.

And amazing stat of three goals this season. feck his assists.

I would prefer him to start at Wolves, not tonight.

Aye, "feck his assists" because they aint wort shit all.

 

[wr8_utd]

I've been hearing it for months.

And amazing stat of three goals this season. feck his assists.

I would prefer him to start at Wolves, not tonight.

Despite him clearly playing far better at home than away?

 

[Viper KGB]

He's got one less assist than Berbatov had last year and he has missed 9 PL games already.

Overall it's clear Berbatov scores when Rooney is on the pitch and IMO as important in winning these games

 

[Tibs]

Berba scored twice against Blackpool when Rooney was off the pitch

Anyways - I'd like to see Chicharito start with Rooney coming on 65th minute when we're 2-0 up

 

[MUFAN79]

Sky is reporting that Carrick is doubtful with his ankle injury

Will Scholes play?

 

[CentreForward]

Rooney on the bench tonight, please.

This will push him over the edge

 

[Neutral]

Sky is reporting that Carrick is doubtful with his ankle injury

He would be a big miss I'm always so much more confident when he is playing, but not burdened with the responsibility of not only being the defensive shield but also playmaker.

 

[Viper KGB]

Berba scored twice against Blackpool when Rooney was off the pitch

Anyways - I'd like to see Chicharito start with Rooney coming on 65th minute when we're 2-0 up

Yes but at the same time he went for 7 games without scoring after the Liverpool game whilst Rooney was out injured.

 

[Joker]

Rooney and Berba up front for me.

 

[Bryan_Munich]

Fatty will score today. Its about time.

Not sure Anderson will start.

 

[Maciej]

Despite him clearly playing far better at home than away?

Comparing Rooney's home and away form is like comparing shagging blonde and black-haired girl.

If you're shit at sex with both girls, it doesn't matter which one took it between tits or not.

 

[Xander45]

Hold on, this isn't on english tv?

 

[Cina]

Rooney and Berba up front for me.

Yep.

 

[Ramshock]

how the feck is this not on tv?

 

[wr8_utd]

Comparing Rooney's home and away form is like comparing shagging blonde and black-haired girl.

If you're shit at sex with both girls, it doesn't matter which one took it between tits or not.

Yeah Berbatov was absolutely rolling in goals during the time Rooney was absent. I'm sure he's hoping for Rooney not to start as well.

 

[Solius]

How on earth did Top make it so that this thread was by me?

 

[Berlinknives]

He would be a big miss I'm always so much more confident when he is playing, but not burdened with the responsibility of not only being the defensive shield but also playmaker.

Some sheild ...
BBC Sport - Football - Aston Villa 2-2 Man Utd

 

[dejans]

Van Der Sar
O'Shea-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Nani-Fletcher-Scholes-Giggs
Hernandez-Berbatov

5:1 Nani 3x, Berbatov, Rooney(coming on as a sub on 70min)

 

[Berlinknives]

... still hope we don't risk Rafael. Rather he miss 1 more game than something happen where a) He risks his well being b) Misses more than 1 game because of a reaction.

I agree concussions can be more serious than "dead legs".

 

[Bryan_Munich]

Knowing Fergie I wouldn't be surprised to see Obertan starting.

 

[Berlinknives]

It's a home game so I can't see Scholes starting as he's usually saved for the aways, but I can see Giggs and Fletcher playing. Rafael might not be risked, but I think Evra will be rushed back. I'm guessing Fabio is out, so O'Shea will probably be on the bench at least. I think Smalling's played three games in a row and could miss out entirely, Brown could come in, as could Evans.

Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, J. Evans, Scholes, Obertan/Park (if avaliable), Hernandez and a toss up between Gibson and Owen.