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Come on United <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
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United 2 Sunderland 1.....01-01-03.....EPL
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
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vs.
Come on United <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
(Note the Old Skool badges...) <img src="graemlins/keano.gif" border="0" alt="[Keano]" />
your eager
At least this has the logo's and isn't created by a scouse WUM. This is therefore the official thread.
MEN's Preview:
SIR Alex Ferguson has set his Manchester United team a daunting New Year target - to reclaim their Premiership crown by winning ALL of their remaining 17 League matches this season.
Fergie's Reds are hanging stubbornly to the shirt-tails of leaders Arsenal, despite losing five times during the 2002 section of the current campaign.
Premiership history indicates that a team which loses six matches can kiss goodbye to their championship dream, but Ferguson believes that the goalposts have shifted this season to increase that six-defeat benchmark.
"It has been generally accepted in previous seasons that you cannot afford to lose more than six games to win the title," said Sir Alex.
"But the way results for the leading teams have gone so far this season, it looks as though you could lose more than six matches and still end up with the championship.
Winning run
"The way I am looking at it is that there is one way we can ensure that the trophy comes back to Old Trafford and that is to win all our remaining Premiership matches - starting with tomorrow's (Wednesday) game against Sunderland."
Despite Sunderland's perilous 18th position in the top flight, Fergie is predicting another gruelling 90 minutes for his title hopefuls when Howard Wilkinson brings his Black Cats to the Theatre of Dreams.
"Every team that comes to Old Trafford is fired up for the occasion," added the Reds boss.
"We have become accustomed to that down the years and usually we can handle it.
"Our last match at home against Birmingham was a typical example of what I mean. Steve Bruce was missing one or two key defenders but his team never stopped fighting and they made it very tough for us.
"Tomorrow's game will be no different. Sunderland are desperate for points and they won't give an inch. Howard will have his side well prepared and they are going to be very difficult opponents to wear down.
"But it is an important game for us - as they all are from now on. We need to put another winning run together if we are to maintain our challenge for the championship."
Ferguson admits that, for the visit of Sunderland, he may not attempt to fix something which clearly isn't broken and stand by the side which revived the Reds' title push against Birmingham on Saturday.
Freshen up
"The team played very well against Birmingham," he said. "We didn't pick up any fresh injuries and I would have no worries about naming the same side tomorrow.
"If I do make any changes it will only be to try to keep as many players as fresh as possible during this crowded spate of fixtures."
With Nicky Butt still at least a week away from a return to action, one player certain to be in Ferguson's starting line-up tomorrow is skipper Roy Keane, who made his third appearance in the space of seven days against Birmingham.
"Roy's recovery rate after the Middlesborough match, following his four-month absence, was simply phenomal," said his admiring manager.
"There are very few players anywhere who could come back like that after such a long injury break and be ready for more just a few days later.
"I will check how he is feeling, of course, but he says he needs games to get his full sharpness back and I am happy to oblige."
Despite his satisfaction at Saturday's display, Ferguson must be tempted tomorrow to recall leading goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy, who missed the Birmingham victory with a poisoned toe.
"We will have a look at Ruud nearer to kick-off time," explained Sir Alex. "His toe was badly infected last Saturday - very red and swollen and absolutely full of pus.
"It's just a question of seeing how he is tomorrow."
SIR Alex Ferguson has set his Manchester United team a daunting New Year target - to reclaim their Premiership crown by winning ALL of their remaining 17 League matches this season.
Fergie's Reds are hanging stubbornly to the shirt-tails of leaders Arsenal, despite losing five times during the 2002 section of the current campaign.
Premiership history indicates that a team which loses six matches can kiss goodbye to their championship dream, but Ferguson believes that the goalposts have shifted this season to increase that six-defeat benchmark.
"It has been generally accepted in previous seasons that you cannot afford to lose more than six games to win the title," said Sir Alex.
"But the way results for the leading teams have gone so far this season, it looks as though you could lose more than six matches and still end up with the championship.
Winning run
"The way I am looking at it is that there is one way we can ensure that the trophy comes back to Old Trafford and that is to win all our remaining Premiership matches - starting with tomorrow's (Wednesday) game against Sunderland."
Despite Sunderland's perilous 18th position in the top flight, Fergie is predicting another gruelling 90 minutes for his title hopefuls when Howard Wilkinson brings his Black Cats to the Theatre of Dreams.
"Every team that comes to Old Trafford is fired up for the occasion," added the Reds boss.
"We have become accustomed to that down the years and usually we can handle it.
"Our last match at home against Birmingham was a typical example of what I mean. Steve Bruce was missing one or two key defenders but his team never stopped fighting and they made it very tough for us.
"Tomorrow's game will be no different. Sunderland are desperate for points and they won't give an inch. Howard will have his side well prepared and they are going to be very difficult opponents to wear down.
"But it is an important game for us - as they all are from now on. We need to put another winning run together if we are to maintain our challenge for the championship."
Ferguson admits that, for the visit of Sunderland, he may not attempt to fix something which clearly isn't broken and stand by the side which revived the Reds' title push against Birmingham on Saturday.
Freshen up
"The team played very well against Birmingham," he said. "We didn't pick up any fresh injuries and I would have no worries about naming the same side tomorrow.
"If I do make any changes it will only be to try to keep as many players as fresh as possible during this crowded spate of fixtures."
With Nicky Butt still at least a week away from a return to action, one player certain to be in Ferguson's starting line-up tomorrow is skipper Roy Keane, who made his third appearance in the space of seven days against Birmingham.
"Roy's recovery rate after the Middlesborough match, following his four-month absence, was simply phenomal," said his admiring manager.
"There are very few players anywhere who could come back like that after such a long injury break and be ready for more just a few days later.
"I will check how he is feeling, of course, but he says he needs games to get his full sharpness back and I am happy to oblige."
Despite his satisfaction at Saturday's display, Ferguson must be tempted tomorrow to recall leading goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy, who missed the Birmingham victory with a poisoned toe.
"We will have a look at Ruud nearer to kick-off time," explained Sir Alex. "His toe was badly infected last Saturday - very red and swollen and absolutely full of pus.
"It's just a question of seeing how he is tomorrow."
Sorensen on the bench:
The Danish keeper has been sidelined with a dislocated elbow sustained in the game at Arsenal on October 6th and was not expected to return to action until mid-January.
However, Sorensen is ahead of schedule and looks set for a place on the bench for the Old Trafford clash.
"I haven't finalised my squad yet but I don't see any reason why Thomas Sorensen can't be included," said boss Howard Wilkinson.
"I watched him in training and he's done everything. He seems to be back to full fitness."
The Danish keeper has been sidelined with a dislocated elbow sustained in the game at Arsenal on October 6th and was not expected to return to action until mid-January.
However, Sorensen is ahead of schedule and looks set for a place on the bench for the Old Trafford clash.
"I haven't finalised my squad yet but I don't see any reason why Thomas Sorensen can't be included," said boss Howard Wilkinson.
"I watched him in training and he's done everything. He seems to be back to full fitness."
Current Form:
Man United: WWWLLW
United controlled much of the game against Birmingham, but failed to capitalise on a number of excellent chances. In the end they were thankful to the remarkable form of Fabian Barthez who pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep United in the lead. However the victory enable them to keep up a sequence of 9 successive home wins and they will be confident of continuing the theme against Wilkinson's men.
Sunderland: LLWDLL
Sunderland's only win in the last six was the 2-1 victory over Liverpool at the Stadium of Light. Only in that game and the resilience shown in gaining a 0-0 draw with the same opposition have displayed the sort of hunger that Wilkinson's men will have to show to give them a chance of beating United, and more likely turning their season around. They need to start winning games to pull clear of the danger area, but the scrap will be season long.
Team News:
Man United: Ruud Van Nistelrooy will miss the game with an infected toe. Beckham, Keane and Ferdinand are all expected to continue their return from injury as united name an unchanged side from the match against Birmingham.
Sunderland: Sunderland have recalled John Oster from his loan spell at Grimsby and he will make the squad. McAteer is still out, but Thomas Sorensen may make a surprise return after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Possible Starting XI's
Man United: Barthez, G.Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Veron, Solskjaer, Forlan
Sunderland: Macho, Gray, Babb, Craddock, Wright, Kilbane, McCann, Thrilwell, Proctor, Phillips, Flo
Man United: WWWLLW
United controlled much of the game against Birmingham, but failed to capitalise on a number of excellent chances. In the end they were thankful to the remarkable form of Fabian Barthez who pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep United in the lead. However the victory enable them to keep up a sequence of 9 successive home wins and they will be confident of continuing the theme against Wilkinson's men.
Sunderland: LLWDLL
Sunderland's only win in the last six was the 2-1 victory over Liverpool at the Stadium of Light. Only in that game and the resilience shown in gaining a 0-0 draw with the same opposition have displayed the sort of hunger that Wilkinson's men will have to show to give them a chance of beating United, and more likely turning their season around. They need to start winning games to pull clear of the danger area, but the scrap will be season long.
Team News:
Man United: Ruud Van Nistelrooy will miss the game with an infected toe. Beckham, Keane and Ferdinand are all expected to continue their return from injury as united name an unchanged side from the match against Birmingham.
Sunderland: Sunderland have recalled John Oster from his loan spell at Grimsby and he will make the squad. McAteer is still out, but Thomas Sorensen may make a surprise return after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Possible Starting XI's
Man United: Barthez, G.Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Veron, Solskjaer, Forlan
Sunderland: Macho, Gray, Babb, Craddock, Wright, Kilbane, McCann, Thrilwell, Proctor, Phillips, Flo
Manchester United vs Sunderland Preview - Returns of Arca and Sørensen (December 31st, 2002)
Thomas Sørensen and Julio Arca are back in the Sunderland squad for the Lads' trip to Old Trafford.
The pair have been missing since October through elbow and ankle injuries respectively, but the pair should be included on the bench as the Lads look to perform a 90 minute long damage limitation exercise against Manchester United.
David Bellion should also be in the squad, after recovering from the heel and ankle injuries he sustained in training last week, but Thomas Butler and Matthew Piper won't be back until the end of January.
Also in the squad is John Oster, who was recalled early from a loan spell at Grimsby, after scoring five goals in ten games at Blundell Park.
Sunderland (probable):
30. Jürgen Macho;
2. Stephen Wright, 17. Jody Craddock, 5. Phil Babb, 3. Michael Gray;
32. Michael Proctor, 21. Paul Thirlwell, 8. Gavin McCann, 11. Kevin Kilbane;
9. Tore André Flo, 10. Kevin Phillips
Substitutes (five from): 1. Thomas Sørensen, 13. Michael Ingham; 6. Emerson Thome, 12. Joachim Björklund, 18. Darren Williams, 25. Ben Clark, 27. George McCartney, 34. Mark Rossiter; 15. David Bellion, 20. Stefan Schwarz, 33. Julio Arca, 37. Jonjo Dickman, John Oster (no number); 19. Kevin Kyle, 31. Marcus Stewart
Thomas Sørensen and Julio Arca are back in the Sunderland squad for the Lads' trip to Old Trafford.
The pair have been missing since October through elbow and ankle injuries respectively, but the pair should be included on the bench as the Lads look to perform a 90 minute long damage limitation exercise against Manchester United.
David Bellion should also be in the squad, after recovering from the heel and ankle injuries he sustained in training last week, but Thomas Butler and Matthew Piper won't be back until the end of January.
Also in the squad is John Oster, who was recalled early from a loan spell at Grimsby, after scoring five goals in ten games at Blundell Park.
Sunderland (probable):
30. Jürgen Macho;
2. Stephen Wright, 17. Jody Craddock, 5. Phil Babb, 3. Michael Gray;
32. Michael Proctor, 21. Paul Thirlwell, 8. Gavin McCann, 11. Kevin Kilbane;
9. Tore André Flo, 10. Kevin Phillips
Substitutes (five from): 1. Thomas Sørensen, 13. Michael Ingham; 6. Emerson Thome, 12. Joachim Björklund, 18. Darren Williams, 25. Ben Clark, 27. George McCartney, 34. Mark Rossiter; 15. David Bellion, 20. Stefan Schwarz, 33. Julio Arca, 37. Jonjo Dickman, John Oster (no number); 19. Kevin Kyle, 31. Marcus Stewart
NOW:
_________P W D L GD PTS
1 Arsenal 21 13 4 4 20 43
2 Chelsea 21 10 8 3 17 38
3 Man Utd 21 11 5 5 12 38
4 Newcastle 20 11 2 7 15 35
5 Everton 21 10 5 6 1 35
6 Liverpool 21 9 7 5 9 34
NEW YEARS DAY FIXTURES:
Man Utd v Sunderland
Arsenal v Chelsea
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough
Charlton Athletic v West Ham Utd
Everton v Man City
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Leeds United v Birmingham City
Newcastle United v Liverpool
BEST CASE SCENARIO:
Man Utd win
Arsenal draw with Chelsea
Everton beat Shitty
Newcastle draw with Liverpool
Southampton thrash Spurs 6-0
_________P W D L GD PTS
1 Arsenal 22 13 5 4 20 44
2 Man Utd 22 12 5 5 18 41
3 Chelsea 22 10 9 3 17 39
4 Everton 22 11 5 6 4 38
5 Newcastle 21 11 3 7 15 36
6 Southampton 22 9 8 5 10 35
6 Liverpool 22 9 8 5 9 35
WORST CASE SCENARIO:
Man Utd lose
Arsenal win against Chelsea
Everton lose to Shitty
Newcastle lose to Liverpool
Southampton draw with Spurs
_________P W D L GD PTS
1 Arsenal 22 14 4 4 21 46
2 Chelsea 22 10 9 4 15 38
3 Man Utd 22 11 5 6 10 38
4 Liverpool 22 10 7 5 11 37
5 Newcastle 22 11 3 8 13 35
6 Everton 22 10 5 7 -2 35
ODDS (Ladbrokes):
1/6 Manchester United 9/2 Draw 11/1 Sunderland
4/5 Arsenal 9/4 Draw 11/4 Chelsea
4/5 Everton 12/5 Draw 13/5 Manchester City
evens Southampton 12/5 Draw 2/1 Tottenham
6/5 Newcastle 9/4 Draw 7/4 Liverpool
_________P W D L GD PTS
1 Arsenal 21 13 4 4 20 43
2 Chelsea 21 10 8 3 17 38
3 Man Utd 21 11 5 5 12 38
4 Newcastle 20 11 2 7 15 35
5 Everton 21 10 5 6 1 35
6 Liverpool 21 9 7 5 9 34
NEW YEARS DAY FIXTURES:
Man Utd v Sunderland
Arsenal v Chelsea
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough
Charlton Athletic v West Ham Utd
Everton v Man City
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Leeds United v Birmingham City
Newcastle United v Liverpool
BEST CASE SCENARIO:
Man Utd win
Arsenal draw with Chelsea
Everton beat Shitty
Newcastle draw with Liverpool
Southampton thrash Spurs 6-0
_________P W D L GD PTS
1 Arsenal 22 13 5 4 20 44
2 Man Utd 22 12 5 5 18 41
3 Chelsea 22 10 9 3 17 39
4 Everton 22 11 5 6 4 38
5 Newcastle 21 11 3 7 15 36
6 Southampton 22 9 8 5 10 35
6 Liverpool 22 9 8 5 9 35
WORST CASE SCENARIO:
Man Utd lose
Arsenal win against Chelsea
Everton lose to Shitty
Newcastle lose to Liverpool
Southampton draw with Spurs
_________P W D L GD PTS
1 Arsenal 22 14 4 4 21 46
2 Chelsea 22 10 9 4 15 38
3 Man Utd 22 11 5 6 10 38
4 Liverpool 22 10 7 5 11 37
5 Newcastle 22 11 3 8 13 35
6 Everton 22 10 5 7 -2 35
ODDS (Ladbrokes):
1/6 Manchester United 9/2 Draw 11/1 Sunderland
4/5 Arsenal 9/4 Draw 11/4 Chelsea
4/5 Everton 12/5 Draw 13/5 Manchester City
evens Southampton 12/5 Draw 2/1 Tottenham
6/5 Newcastle 9/4 Draw 7/4 Liverpool
Sunderland have never beaten us at OT in the Prem, and they have the least potent attack. For these and more unimportant Suckit-like stats and team new go to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2606735.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2606735.stm</a>
Originally posted by Gazza:
<strong>Sunderland have never beaten us at OT in the Prem, and they have the least potent attack. For these and more unimportant Suckit-like stats and team new go to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2606735.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2606735.stm</a>
Just over a week ago there was all the talk about the great record we had against Rovers in the Prem but that didn't do us much good.
I get more nervous playing these no hopers than I do the top teams.
RVN's toe sounds very nice
We should get a striker regardless of being cuptied - preferably someone who will benefit the club long term, but if not someone cheap who can do a job for one or two years.
I would still love to see us get Henrik Larsson.
I would still love to see us get Henrik Larsson.
Coverage starts on Sky PPV at 1.24pm and kickoff is at 2pm. Start drinking then lads.
if we create half the chances we did against brum then we can really turn over this lot. But consistancy isnt exactly Uniteds middle name is it <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />
Our home form is very consistent mate. I think we'll hammer them. The only thing I'm worried about is Keano, hopefully without McAteer and Quinn he'll be alright though.
I believer McAteer has been injured and still is.
Man Utd
Barthez , O'Shea , Ferdinand , Brown , Silvestre , Beckham , Keane , Veron , Scholes , Forlan , Solskjaer
Subs: G Neville , P Neville , Giggs , Carroll , Richardson
Sunderland
Macho , Wright , Craddock , Babb , McCartney , Kilbane , McCann , Thirlwell , Stewart , Phillips , Flo
Subs: Sorensen , Williams , Proctor , Bjorklund , Oster
Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire)
Barthez , O'Shea , Ferdinand , Brown , Silvestre , Beckham , Keane , Veron , Scholes , Forlan , Solskjaer
Subs: G Neville , P Neville , Giggs , Carroll , Richardson
Sunderland
Macho , Wright , Craddock , Babb , McCartney , Kilbane , McCann , Thirlwell , Stewart , Phillips , Flo
Subs: Sorensen , Williams , Proctor , Bjorklund , Oster
Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire)
TEAM NEWS:
Barthez
O'Shea Rio Wes Mickey
Becks Keano Seba Scholes
Ole Forlan
Barthez
O'Shea Rio Wes Mickey
Becks Keano Seba Scholes
Ole Forlan
You watching today then Gazza?
So it's:
Barthez
O'Shea Ferdinand Brown Silvestre
Beckham Keane Veron Forlan
Scholes
Solskjaer
Barthez
O'Shea Ferdinand Brown Silvestre
Beckham Keane Veron Forlan
Scholes
Solskjaer
As it's the same 11 from Birmingham, doesn't it seem logical they're playing the same way as against Birmingham?...
Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
"We will have a look at Ruud nearer to kick-off time," explained Sir Alex. "His toe was badly infected last Saturday - very red and swollen and absolutely full of pus.
"It's just a question of seeing how he is tomorrow."<hr></blockquote>
Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong>You watching today then Gazza?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I wish.
They're showing the game here (FSW) at 2pm - 8hr time delay!!!
Mind you, chelsea-arsenal and toon-pool are both live today so I cant complain. <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
Come on united!
Ruud's still not back...i worry about our finishing capability's without him <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" /> Though im sure ole and diego are capable...i think with ruud in there itd be more likely to thrash tehm but who knowws, id love to be prooved wrong
feck feck feck
The SKy signal is deteriorating badly with all this sodding rain and low cloud
The SKy signal is deteriorating badly with all this sodding rain and low cloud
How's the pitch look? If it's not very good it might suit sunderland.
looks ok...bit worn out though
5 : 1
Forlan(3) Flo
Scholes
Beckham
<img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
Forlan(3) Flo
Scholes
Beckham
<img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
atleast the radio is working, hope I dot jinx it <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />
I think this game is a phycological one more than anything, with the whole 'starting a new year' thing
Ole and Scholes haven't been scoring as much of late, but I'm sure one of them will find the back of the net today, and get a goal scoring run going. One thing we've been lacking has been midfield goals, but with Beckham back and Scholes in midfield, albeit central-left, there'll be more goals now. If Beckham has a scoring run like he did last season, and stays free from further injury, then we'll put on a run like we did last season. Our 2 recent losses really surprised me, and seemed characteristic of our earlier inability to score goals, as we were too reliant on Ruud. Ruud reminds me of Hughes, he has a very important role in holding up the ball, allowing us to play around their box. We need to find an effective team for when he's not playing or not in form.
Its up to Forlan and Ole to form a potent partnership, but for all Ole's skills, leading the line isn't one of them. Forlan plays very deep, leaving Ole very stranded and can at times get swamped by his marker. We clearly need another strong physical striker. I'm not sure what our best side without Ruud is.
Its up to Forlan and Ole to form a potent partnership, but for all Ole's skills, leading the line isn't one of them. Forlan plays very deep, leaving Ole very stranded and can at times get swamped by his marker. We clearly need another strong physical striker. I'm not sure what our best side without Ruud is.
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