Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers

cannot take them lightly ,we will have to work hard to create the space our flair players use if we do that then 2 or 3 nil not unrealistic.
 
He has. He did it against Sunderland this season. I seem to recall him doing it at Highbury a few years back as well.

RVN missed it and Louis had a tap in I seem to recall. Personally I think Saha needs to start this one ahead of Tevez (dont shoot me!!!!!!:)) Im also not to sure about Giggs at the moment. Workrate is usually a given with him but against Arsenal he really disappointed me. Not sure he deserves (formwise currently) to play ahead of Nani.
 
RVN missed it and Louis had a tap in I seem to recall. Personally I think Saha needs to start this one ahead of Tevez (dont shoot me!!!!!!:)) Im also not to sure about Giggs at the moment. Workrate is usually a given with him but against Arsenal he really disappointed me. Not sure he deserves (formwise currently) to play ahead of Nani.

I agree, I'm personally loving Nani at the moment and want him to start every game possible

Sorry Giggsy :(
 
Hughes out to emulate Fergie success

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes would love to enjoy the longevity and success of Sir Alex Ferguson - but is confident of outsmarting his one-time mentor this weekend.

Ferguson this week celebrated 21 years in charge at Manchester United but shows no sign of slowing down with his Barclays Premier League champions facing Rovers this weekend as joint leaders.

Yet Rovers are also enjoying a strong run of form and travel to Old Trafford on Sunday unbeaten away and only five points behind United with a game in hand.

Former United striker Hughes, who has long been tipped to succeed Ferguson one day, said: "It is fantastic what he has done and is doing.

"It is a remarkable feat that he has been able to keep going and keep the energy and enthusiasm for the game that he has. Football is his life and he has still got that drive he has had form the outset.

"By all accounts he has mellowed a bit from my time when I was a player, but maybe that comes from being so successful.

"It's a big ask going to Manchester United, they are playing exceptionally well, as we are, but it will be very different to overcome them in the form they have been showing.

"Defensively they are rock solid and it will take a good side to overcome them - but we feel we are a good side.

"We have gone up against three out of the big four and come out of them unbeaten so there is no reason we cannot go to Old Trafford and get a positive result.

"We couldn't be going there in better circumstances given the run we're on. Something's got to give, let's hope it's United."

The issue of whether clubs show managers enough patience reared its head again this week as Wigan sacked Chris Hutchings after just 12 Premier League matches in charge.

Hughes feels more time should be given and believes his own team's performances this year are proof of that.

Apart from an early elimination from the UEFA Cup, Rovers have rarely disappointed this term and had won seven in succession before last week's goalless draw with Liverpool.

Hughes said: "You talk about the amount of time managers get these days and they don't get long. I'm grateful that I've had three years.

"I'm into my fourth season and I think you can see the benefits of that. If chairmen were a little more patient with the people they employ then maybe you can have the continuity we've enjoyed.

"I would love to think I'm still doing the job at the level that I am at the moment in 20-odd years, still trying to win Premier League games. It is a great place to work. It's intense and there is a big demand but it's the only place to work."

Rovers have not lost away in the Premier League since they were beaten 4-1 by United in March.

It is a run Hughes is particularly proud of and he is hopeful his team can repeat their feat of two seasons ago and win at a ground where he enjoyed so much success as a player.

Hughes said: "That was the last time we were beaten so I hope the run isn't going to end where it began.

"We are playing well, and we are looking forward to it. There is a lot of excitement around the club and a good feeling around the camp.

"We hope that will help us against United."
 
Revised predicted lineup

VDS

Brown
Rio
Vida
Evra

Madeiran Maestro
Carrick
Hargreaves
Giggs

Tevez
The Red Prince

Subs: TK Maxx, Nani/Fletcher, Pique, Anderson, Dong Bat



2-0.

;)
 
Out: Rooney, Scholes, Neville, Silvestre, Park, Foster

XI:----------------------- Van Der Sar ------------------------

Simpson ------ Ferdinand ------------------ Vidic ---------- Evra

Ronaldo -------- Carrick ---------------- Hargreaves ------ Giggs

---------------- Tevez -------------------- Saha --------------

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Fletcher, Nani, Anderson
 
for those that are superstitious mark hughes just got manager of the month.
so 3-0 to us then.
 
--------------Kuszcak------------
--Brown--Ferdinand--Vidic--Evra--
-Ronaldo-Carrick-Hargreaves-Nani-
--------------Giggs--------------
---------Tevez------------------

Bench: Heaton, Simpson, Pique, Anderson, Saha

I don't know why I put in Giggs up front, but I kind of the the feeling that he would be chosen over Saha. Maybe it has to do with the interview.
 
--------------VDS-----------------

Brown------RIo---Vida---------Evra

Ronaldo--Andershow--Carrick---Giggs

--------------------Tevez----------

-------------Saha------------------
 
--------------Kuszcak------------
--Brown--Ferdinand--Vidic--Evra--
-Ronaldo-Carrick-Hargreaves-Nani-
--------------Giggs--------------
---------Tevez------------------

Bench: Heaton, Simpson, Pique, Anderson, Saha

I don't know why I put in Giggs up front, but I kind of the the feeling that he would be chosen over Saha. Maybe it has to do with the interview.

Do you want that formation or are you guessing the line-up?
 
Stats vs. Blackburn R.

No. of goals current squad have scored against Blackburn so far:

Scholes 10 / Giggs 2 / Saha 1 / Carrick 1 / Park 1


All United players who have scored 5 or more against them:

10 - Charlton / Scholes
8 - A. Turnbull / West / van Nistelrooy
6 - J. Turnbull / Herd
5 - Donaldson / Stan Pearson / Quixall
 
No. of goals current squad have scored against Blackburn so far:

Scholes 10 / Giggs 2 / Saha 1 / Carrick 1 / Park 1

I can think of at least 3 goals Saha has against Blackburn and Tevez scored against them last season for West Ham as well
 
--------------Kuszcak------------
--Brown--Ferdinand--Vidic--Evra--
-Ronaldo-Carrick-Hargreaves-Nani-
--------------Giggs--------------
---------Tevez------------------

Bench: Heaton, Simpson, Pique, Anderson, Saha

I don't know why I put in Giggs up front, but I kind of the the feeling that he would be chosen over Saha. Maybe it has to do with the interview.

VDS?
 
I'd say we go 442, Tevez behind Saha. I'd have Pique at right back mainly because Blackburn are a huge threat at aerial pieces and usually tend to play the crossing game with wingers Bentley/Pederson and good headers of the ball to get onto it McCarthy/Santa Cruz. To compensate the height of Evra: Vidic, Ferdinand and Pique is very good height wise.
 
If Anderson does not start, surely it will be for no other reason than the others have been playing professional football for longer than him.

I will be massively disappointed if he doesnt start, this guy is gonna be world class sooner than later, and the more action United can give him the quicker it will happen. I have a feeling both he and Saha will score tomorrow.
 
Saha has to start IMO - even if we only use him till half time. Im not overly keen on Rooney up front at top but Tevez there really is a no-no.

Time to show us your balls Louis!!!
 
Out: Rooney, Scholes, Neville, Silvestre, Park, Foster

XI:----------------------- Van Der Sar ------------------------

Simpson ------ Ferdinand ------------------ Vidic ---------- Evra

Ronaldo -------- Carrick ---------------- Hargreaves ------ Giggs

---------------- Tevez -------------------- Saha --------------

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Fletcher, Nani, Anderson


That is extremely neat...... I bet that took a while...
 
Blackburn are a decent and tough side, we'll need some aggression in the middle of the park, and with Hargreaves rested in midweek, I think he'll be given the start. Anderson will probably come on in the second half.
 
Blackburn are a decent and tough side, we'll need some aggression in the middle of the park, and with Hargreaves rested in midweek, I think he'll be given the start. Anderson will probably come on in the second half.

Yes, I think that's a possibility. Anderson and possibly Nani to come on as impact subs. I'd still like Anderson to start though if I was making the choice.
 
I think it'll be a touch game too. I'd like Anderson and Hargreaves to start but I think DA2 has got the team right. Maybe Carrick will help us spread the play better and keep hold of the ball.
 
I hope friedal don't play a blinder against us, the jammy cnut.
 
Revised Line Up:

VDS

Brown
Rio
Vida
Evra

Ronaldo
Anderson
Hargreaves
Nani

Tevez
Saha

Suns: PIG, Oshea, Carrick, Giggs, Dong
 
Revised Line Up:

VDS

Brown
Rio
Vida
Evra

Ronaldo
Anderson
Hargreaves
Nani

Tevez
Saha

Suns: PIG, Oshea, Carrick, Giggs, Dong


Agreed. Just put Giggs in there instead of nani. Nani to come in in the 2nd half.
 
^That team seems about right apart from Giggs for Nani. As for the bench there will surely be disappointment for someone.

Blackburn are a tough team and this will be no easy match for us. I just hope we keep up our high standards against them. No mercy on them at all.
 
i would really like to see more streaming programs for mac. the only one i found has a seemingly retarded interface which only allows you to get streams from a page of links that is all in chinese (or possibly korean). peercast, it's called. it would be nice to watch the games live.

don't get me wrong, but i think right now nani is on form and should get the nod ahead of giggs. but giggs will get games ahead of him despite form. i imagine that there is some agreement where he has agreed to continue playing but only if he is guaranteed a certain number of games. surely it wouldn't stand to only play him as a sub/bench player because of the appearance record, but also because of his status/pride. does anyone think i'm wrong, that giggs would be okay with playing 15 games a season? i don't know why i'm so sure about this opinion, but i feel like if he felt he wasn't central of our plans he would retire rather than ride the bench or play for another team.
 
Will Fergie play 4-3-3 do you think with Anderson, Hargreaves and Carrick in midfield or 4-4-2 with Tevez alongside Saga or Giggs?
 
Hope Hargreaves doesnt play, he wont offer anything going forward. Last year Carrick played outstanding in this fixture.