Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers

We'll have at LEAST four defenders though won't we?

Evra-Jones-Smalling-Rafael

I mean they all should be fit and ready for this game shouldn't they based on what we know?

I mean Rio should as well, but that back four would be exciting and nothing to cause me great concern.

Wish Evans was fit.
 
I didn't realise Evans was injured when I posted my team, I dont think we can count on Smalling being available given it's an illness. From what I understand Jones missing today was more due to the injury against Fulham and him not quite making the game.

I suspect Rio and Jones to be fit for Blackburn. Wouldn't hold my breath about Smalling though. In some way it's a shame all the injuries are happening to the right side of the pitch as it would be nice to see Fryers get some more games (not wanting to wish injury on Evra of course)
 
--------------De Gea--------------
Rafael------Rio-----Jones------Evra
Valencia--Carrick---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Berbatov-------

Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Fryers, Gibson, Park, Welbeck, Chicharito.
 
charlenefan said:
I didn't realise Evans was injured when I posted my team, I dont think we can count on Smalling being available given it's an illness. From what I understand Jones missing today was more due to the injury against Fulham and him not quite making the game.

I suspect Rio and Jones to be fit for Blackburn. Wouldn't hold my breath about Smalling though. In some way it's a shame all the injuries are happening to the right side of the pitch as it would be nice to see Fryers get some more games (not wanting to wish injury on Evra of course)
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It's not that serious of an illness.
 
Tonsillitis isn't it? That could easily rule him out of Saturday's game depending on when he came down with it
 
Seeing as Blackburn picked up their point at L'pool I'm going for a win 5-1. We will defo be up for this one to put some pressure on City and get claw some more of that GD back.

Berb hatrick again?
 
Yeah we have a tough away game to Newcastle. I would start Hernandez and Rooney for that game and start Berba and Welbeck for this one. Although I feel Chicha is a little low on confidence while Welbeck is just the opposite. So I kinda want to see Hernandez get a goal or two quickly.
 
I think keeping the right side tandem of Nani and Valencia would be a good idea and there's no reason for Park not to play again. I'd also leave the front two as both need the games. Rio should be back according to what I read but until the Smalling and Jones updates are given it's hard to pick the midfield and Rio's partner.
 
MUFCgal said:
--------------De Gea--------------
Rafael------Rio-----Jones------Evra
Valencia--Carrick---Giggs-------Nani
----------Rooney---Berbatov-------

Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Fryers, Gibson, Park, Welbeck, Chicharito.
Click to expand...
Don´t think Giggsy will play 3 in a row but wouldn´t mind it since he is in great form
 
Stand-in skipper Patrice Evra is starting to get worried about Manchester United's chronic injury list.

By the time Sir Alex Ferguson's men had completed their 5-0 drubbing of Wigan at Old Trafford, they had 11 men on the treatment table.

The latest was Jonny Evans, whose departure with a calf injury at half-time meant the Red Devils ended the contest with Evra and Michael Carrick teaming up in central defence.

And whilst Ferguson is hopeful youngsters Chris Smalling and Phil Jones will have recovered from illness in time to face Blackburn on New Year's Eve, Evra knows the present situation is unsustainable.

"I am a little bit worried because we need everyone if we are going to win the league," said the France international.

"It is starting to get annoying.

"It is not the first year we got so many injuries. Two years ago I played with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher at the back.

"The most important thing is that we won but I hope everyone gets fit because Blackburn is another big game and we need all the defenders."
 
I can see Fergie resting one or two players for this. I think he would have changed more if it wasn't for the injuries. Not really much choice he got for this one. Newcastle away and city away during the week after this.

Would not have started Rio, but after Evans' injury he must play. Might be a good idea to give Rafael minutes now and Smalling or Jones as CB.

Giggs went off after was it 65-70 mins? I think he might play once again, not like we have many options in midfield if Jones or Carrick must play in defence.
 
de Gea

Rafael
Smalling
Ferdinand
Evra

Valencia
Carrick
Jones
Nani

Rooney
Berbatov

SUBS: Lindegaard, Fryers, Gibson, Park, Giggs, Welbeck, Hernandez.

Hernandez having had his injury has shown a slight lack of sharpness in the past couple of games (which is completely fair enough). Surely you can't drop a bloke who's just scored a hat-trick, especially as the next game is a very similar one to the first. By deduction, Rooney must play (especially as he was rested today) which means I imagine the impact sub if needed will be Welbeck from the bench.
 
Lindegaard

Smalling (if fit)
Evans
Ferdinand
Fryers (Give Evra a rest)

Valencia
Carrick
Park
Nani

Berbatov
Rooney


I will go for 4-0
 
--------------De Gea----------------

Rafael------Ferdinand---Smalling----Evra

Valencia----Carrick-----Jones------Nani

----------Rooney----Welbeck---------
 
That looks right to me, Berbatov or Chicharito or Welbeck is the only question.

If Smalling and Rio aren't fit then:

Rafael Carrick Jones Evra
Gibson Giggs
Nani Berbatov Welbeck
Rooney​

Giggs came off after an hour, probably in the hope he can play this game if needed. The front 4 can float and drag the defenders about.
 
de Gea
Rafael Ferdinand Smalling Evra
Jones Carrick
Valencia Rooney Nani
Berbatov
--
Lindegaard; Fryers; Gibson, Giggs, Park; Welbeck, Hernández​

That's pretty much a best case scenario side for us on Saturday, the only arguable change IMO is the strikers. But after a rest I think Rooney is bound to start and why not start Berbatov after a hat-trick? We can bring on Welbeck and/or Hernández at some stage most likely - whether we need a goal or not, they're both likely to feature at some point.

I really think Jones will make this one and I see Smalling as slightly less likely, but I'd still be a little bit surprised if he misses out. As for Ferdinand, I wouldn't be surprised if he misses out. If that happens, then we'll have Jones in the back four with Park or Gibson in the middle for me (or possibly Giggs, but I'd expect him to be on the bench). Rafael surely needs to be starting a game now and if he can't get in the starting 11 for Blackburn at Old Trafford then I really fear for Fergie's confidence in the twins now.

I was expecting another big win, but after two 5-0's in a row I'm not expecting another big score this time. It's a bit greedy, but I'd love to win by more than City (if we both win) to close the gap some more.
 
Knowing our luck with injuries:
Lindegaard
Valencia Carrick Gibson Fryers
Nani Rooney Giggs Welbeck
Hernandez Berbatov​

Blackburn 0 - United 3
 
Hopefully 2 out of Smalling, Rio and Jones will be fit and Rafael is able to play. Giggs should be well capable of another game after a 60-minute run out 5 days before.

Blackburn's point at Klanfield is good news, I think, as we dodge the possible "new caretaker manager" backlash. Looks like Hoilett and Dunn limped off for Blackburn.
 
I'm hoping for another convincing win in this game. I never like to be overconfident, however Blackburn, despite their result against Liverpool, are still probably the worst team in the league. We've returned to scoring ways as of late, so I see no reason as to why we can't continue that scoring streak.
 
Man Utd boss Ferguson: Jones, Smalling will make Blackburn clash

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Jones, Smalling will make Blackburn clash | Premiership News | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to be fit for their clash with Blackburn Rovers.

United's injury list has been mounting by the game of late, but Sir Alex hopes to be able to call upon the services of Jones and Smalling against Rovers following further setbacks for Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, who is likely to be out for two weeks with a calf injury.

""We've had a nightmare in the last few days. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have both been ill, then Rio [Ferdinand] cried off on Sunday with a back injury and Jonny Evans came off injured at half-time [against Wigan]," the boss told MUTV. "

"It does put you under a bit of pressure, but fortunately we had a good first half and got an early goal which helped us. And we managed to get through the game without any more injuries.

"I'm hoping that Smalling and Jones will have recovered from illness [for Saturday] as that will make a difference."
 
Red Dreams said:
""We've had a nightmare in the last few days. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have both been ill, then Rio [Ferdinand] cried off on Sunday with a back injury and Jonny Evans came off injured at half-time [against Wigan]," the boss told MUTV. "
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Cried off?

What does he mean?

If he's injured he's injured, I can't really see Rio crying on the training pitch...:confused:
 
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