United v Crystal Palace preview

28/11/2011 11:15 , Adam Marshall

The Reds look for a place in the last four of the Carling Cup...

Form guide

United have only lost once all season but have been held to consecutive home draws by Benfica and Newcastle. Sir Alex's side breezed through previous rounds of the Carling Cup against Leeds and Aldershot. Palace's trip to Old Trafford is the Eagles' first away assignment in the competition. Dougie Freedman's team haven't scored for five Championship games but three of those have been goalless draws.

Ins and outs

The manager has dropped plenty of hints about his possible team selection. The Da Silva twins, Ezekiel Fryers and Chris Smalling could all play with Mame Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda also promised a run-out. Paul Pogba, Darron Gibson and Ravel Morrison are in contention for midfield spots while Ben Amos is expected to play in goal. Palace will be without on-loan defender Dekel Keinan as he is cup-tied after representing Cardiff in earlier rounds. Another loanee, striker Chris Martin, should be available.

Last meeting

There was stalemate at Selhurst Park in March, 2005, as Palace held out for a draw despite Vassilis Lakis being sent off after 64 minutes. Big guns Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes came off the bench but there was no way past home keeper Gabor Kiraly.

Star man

Wilfried Zaha imay be a talent but much of the Eagles' best work has been in defence of late and Nathaniel Clyne is a full-back with a big future. The 20-year-old was npower Player of the Month for October in the Championship and made his England Under-21 debut in the recent victory over Iceland. Freedman will be aware of the need to fend off Barclays Premier League interest in the youngster when the January window opens.

Quote/unquote

"It is about the players enjoying themselves and providing the fans, who have stuck by us through relegation and administration, with a great night. It is amazing to think we are playing Manchester United in the last eight of the League Cup this season. Who would have thought that would happen?" - Dougie Freedman.

Any sub-plots?

Palace were the opponents when Sir Alex lifted his first trophy as United boss - the 1990 FA Cup. The South Londers were also overcome at the semi-final stage of the same competition in 1995. The Reds are aiming to win the Carling Cup for a third time in four years after successes in 2009 and 2010.

Whistle blower

Chris Foy takes charge of the quarter-final - the first time he's officiated a Reds match this term. The Merseyside man-in-the-middle has shown four red cards in 2011/2012 including two to Chelsea players in their derby defeat to QPR last month.

Rivals watch

The other three quarter-final ties are all on Tuesday. Cardiff face Blackburn, Chelsea entertain Liverpool and City are at Arsenal.

source : Manutd

United v Benfica

21/11/2011 02:30 , Mark Froggatt

United welcome Benfica to OT knowing a win will seal progress to the UEFA Champions League last 16...

Form guide

United recorded a fifth consecutive win and clean sheet on Saturday with a well deserved victory over Swansea City in the Barclays Premier League, adding to earlier triumphs against Aldershot, Everton, Otelul Galati and Sunderland. Another three points against Benfica would guarantee the Reds safe passage through to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, though the Portuguese giants know a similar result would seal their own qualification. Impressively, the Leões are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have won 13 out of 20 games.

Ins and out

Sir Alex Ferguson is without Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Michael Owen (hamstring) who have both been ruled out until Christmas, while captain Nemanja Vidic is suspended following his straight red card against Otelul Galati in Bucharest. Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Chris Smalling (foot) and Ashley Young (toe) are all in contention, as is Wayne Rooney, despite the striker sitting out Monday's training. Galati are without Enzo Perez (knee) and should be missing Javier Saviola (knee) and Nemanja Matić (foot), however Javi García has recovered from a dead leg and is likely to feature.

Last meeting

Ryan Giggs earned United a well deserved draw in a difficult Group C opener in Lisbon, firing home from 20 yards to cancel out Oscar Cardozo’s similarly impressive strike at the Estádio da Luz. The Welshman’s goal extends his record as the competition’s oldest scorer to 37 years and 289 days.

Top man

In contrast to his diminutive figure, Nicolas Gaitán is a powerful weapon in Benfica’s attacking arsenal and is definitely a man to watch. Although naturally a centre-midfielder, the former Boca Juniors man is regularly deployed on the left of a three-pronged attack, adopting the role of creator-in-chief for towering striker Cardozo. The Argentine was a standout performer against United in September and has since been linked with a £40million move to M16.

Quote/unquote

“You do want to finish top. First and foremost, you look to qualify for the knockout stages. But you want to finish top, for the last-16 draw and for other perks like playing the second leg at home.” – Darren Fletcher

Any sub-plots?

Both United and Benfica sit joint-top of Group C, meaning Tuesday’s match will go a long way to deciding which team finishes first and avoids the big guns in the knockout stages. This fixture also evokes memories of 1968, when the Reds beat Eusebio and co at Wembley to lift the European Cup for the first time.

Whistle blower

Promising Turkish official Cüneyt Çakir has enjoyed a steady ascension since his European debut in 2003, taking charge of five Champions League games and several more in the Europa League. The Insurance worker from Istanbul is yet to referee either side.

Rivals watch

Elsewhere in Group C, Otelul Galati hope to register their first points of the campaign against FC Basel in Romania while Manchester City travel to Italy to face Napoli in Group A.

source : Manutd

Rooney scare not serious

21/11/2011 14:15, Report by Nick Coppack & Adam Marshall

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to be fit to face Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday, despite missing the Reds’ Monday morning training session.

Rooney was not among the 24 outfield players put through their paces at Carrington less than 36 hours before the Champions League Group C clash, but the manager allayed fears the striker had picked up a serious injury when he told media at UEFA’s pre-match press conference that the no.10 should be fine for the game.

"We've got one or two knocks from Saturday," explained the boss. "Jonny Evans has some tightness in his hamstring but will hopefully be okay tomorrow. Wayne's got a few knocks and missed training today but should be okay. Chris Smalling trained this morning but won't be available for tomorrow - he should be okay for Saturday [against Newcastle] and Anderson is out injured."

The manager recognises the importance of the fixture against Benfica and feels it's important to top the group.

"It's a big game," he enthused. "We recognise it's a real European game with the history between Benfica and ourselves. We've had a number of great games in the past and, of course, it always sticks in the memory bank.

"In the first game, I thought we did really well possession-wise and it was a deserved result [1-1]. In the last 15 minutes, they threatened quite a bit and it's a really interesting game tomorrow because both teams want to win, obviously, which should make it an open match. Hopefully, we'll get the result we want.

"Probably the bonus coming out of it is if we do finish top [of the group]. One issue is the teams you'll play but the other one is the second leg is at home at Old Trafford. It's always an advantage so it's always been our intention to finish top. That's not always been the case as we've finished second several times but, with the quality of the teams, it doesn't make a great difference. It could make a little difference and the main advantage, to my mind, is having the second leg at Old Trafford."

source : Manutd

Swansea v United preview

16/11/2011 15:16 , Adam Marshall

United head to Wales for the first time in Barclays Premier League history...

Form Guide

It's been four wins and four clean sheets since the derby defeat to City and the 1-0 victory against Sunderland kept United within five points of City at the top of the Barclays Premier League. The Swans have been in good form of late, after being unluckily pegged back to a 2-2 draw at Wolves, the Welsh side saw off Bolton 3-1 and held Liverpool to a goalless stalemate at Anfield. City are still unbeaten at home all season and have yet to concede a goal to an opposition player at The Liberty Stadium as Bolton's consolation came when Danny Graham put through his own net.

Ins and Outs

Danny Welbeck withdrew from England duty in midweek and Michael Owen is out for six weeks so the striking options may not look as plentiful as in the past. Ashley Young and  Ryan Giggs will hope to push for inclusion but Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are out and Fabio picked up a knock whilst away with Brazil. Stephen Dobbie could feature for the hosts as he returns from an ankle injury and Kemy Agustien is over a hamstring problem.

Last Meeting

United sank the Swans 2-1 in May, 1983, towards the end of the successful FA Cup-winning campaign. Frank Stapleton and Bryan Robson scored the goals for Ron Atkinson's side in front of almost 36,000 fans at Old Trafford.

Top Man

Michel Vorm has proved to be one of the shrewdest signings of the close season and is one of the main reasons behind the club's five clean sheets this term. The Dutch keeper was snapped up from FC Utrecht and has looked a class act since day one, even managing to shine in a 4-0 thumping at Manchester City.

At 28, he is part of Holland's plans ahead of the European Championship and United will be looking to provide a test for his shot-stopping ability this weekend.

Quote/unquote

"It’s a wonderful game for everyone to look forward to, but it’s also a celebration for the people of this city that we are going to entertain one of the biggest clubs in the world and one of the greatest managers in the world." - Brendan Rodgers.

Any sub-plots?

The Liberty Stadium will host a record sell-out crowd and United will be hoping for a better record than the one enjoyed at Swansea's previous home. In eight games at the Vetch Field, the Reds lost six times and drew twice, ensuring it was something of a bogey ground.

Whistle Blower

Mike Dean takes charge of matters in Wales - it's the first time he's overseen United this term. He officiated City's 4-0 win against Swansea in the clubs' first game of the season so a similar result would be much appreciated. Dean was the man in the middle for several of the champions' fixtures during the last campaign and sent off two Reds - Rafael and Paul Scholes against Tottenham and City respectively.

Rivals Watch

Leaders City entertain Newcastle at 3pm on Saturday after Arsenal are at Norwich in the early kick-off. Chelsea face Liverpool in Sunday's big match at Stamford Bridge.

source : Manutd