Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur | KO 20:00 | Sky Sports 1

NUTZZ

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Old Trafford
KO: 20:00
Referee: Lee Probert
TV: Sky Sports 1

Team News

Man United: Manchester United can welcome Patrice Evra back to their defence for Monday night’s Premier League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Frenchman missed last week’s opening day win at West Bromwich Albion with an ankle knock but will take his place in a back four, otherwise robbed of the experience of Rio Ferdinand and Nemnaja Vidic who were injured at the Hawthorns.

Ferdinand will not be back until at least next weekend with a hamstring injury, while captain Vidic is set to miss a month with a calf problem. With full back Rafael having a shoulder operation, the back four at Old Trafford is expected to consist of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Evra.

In midfield, the champions will be without Darren Fletcher (virus) and Antonio Valencia (ankle), while forward Javier Hernandez (concussion) is also not yet ready for a first-team return. Michael Owen is missing with a back problem while Danny Welbeck is suffering from a cricked neck and is unlikely to feature.

Tottenham: Harry Redknapp last night admitted midfielder Luka Modric was in no state of mind to feature against Manchester United tonight. Chelsea have been chasing Modric all summer and are ready to come in with a new £30million offer for the Croatian despite the imminent arrival of Juan Mata from Valencia.

Fellow midfielder Tom Huddlestone (ankle) could be in the squad, but Sandro, Wilson Palacios (both knee) Steven Pienaar (groin) and Jermaine Jenas (Achilles) are all unavailable middle of the park options for Harry Redknapp.

Ledley King is sidelined as ever with his knee, with fellow defender Alan Hutton also out with a knee problem. A calf issue means William Gallas will not play in defence either, while Peter Crouch will be monitored after missing the Hearts game with an ankle injury.

Squads

Man United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra, Evans, Fabio, Nani, Park, Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Berbatov, Welbeck, Diouf, Macheda.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Friedel, Cudicini, Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Dawson, Corluka, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Van der Vaart, Modric, Kranjcar, Rose, Livermore, Townsend, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, Defoe.

Expected Lineups:

*Welbeck and Modric are not expected to play

Mitch Connor

Welbeck is out - I would also expect Carrick to come in to the team.

With the inexperience of the backline, I think we will see a 5 man midfield; Young and Nani on the wings, with Carrick, Ando and Cleverley in midfield, though I would not be surprised to see Giggs come in for Cleverley. Park for Nani, to provide more defensive help for Smalling vs Bale is another likely option.

JimsAlterEgo

Evra or Rooney for captain? Would imagine Fabio vs Bale for pace.

Mitch Connor

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

Evra or Rooney for captain? Would imagine Fabio vs Bale for pace.

Ferguson said on Friday it would be Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra as the back 4. Smalling is damned quick himself.

killwill

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Ferguson said on Friday it would be Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra as the back 4. Smalling is damned quick himself.

I reckon Smalling is one of the fastest players at United tbh.
Carrick sitting infront of the back 4 with Ando and Clev infront of him. Young, Nani and Rooney the front 3. Will be very surprised with anything else.
Prediction: Cracking game!!!

NUTZZ

killwill wrote: »

I reckon Smalling is one of the fastest players at United tbh.
Carrick sitting infront of the back 4 with Ando and Clev infront of him. Young, Nani and Rooney the front 3. Will be very surprised with anything else.
Prediction: Cracking game!!!

Chris Smalling is indeed United's fastest player according to a report the Daily Mail ran a few months ago, clocked at 22.37mph! Fabio was the slowest at 19.13mph

JimsAlterEgo

NUTZZ wrote: »

Chris Smalling is indeed United's fastest player according to a report the Daily Mail ran a few months ago, clocked at 22.37mph! Fabio was the slowest at 19.13mph

thats mad Ted, must be the long legs

Corvo

Fully expect Cleverley to be dropped to be honest, as Van Der Vaart will relish the space between the lines that himself (and Anderson) are prone to leaving.

Predicted line-up:

---Berbatov---
---Rooney---

Young

---

Nani

--Carrick--Anderson--

Evra--Evans--Jones--Smalling

---

De Gea

---

Carrick should provide enough cover in the midfield and should be disciplined enough to cover that space, though it will be vital he gets tight to Van Der Vaart. Modric missing will be key, as we should see more possession than usual without him keeping their midifield ticking over.

aperture_nuig

This should be a great match, lots of attacking flair on show.

MagicMarker

Looking forward to it!

Vanbis

Looking forward to this game, hopefully we get a result and a good performance.

Mitch Connor

Griffin1988 wrote: »

Fully expect Cleverley to be dropped to be honest, as Van Der Vaart will relish the space between the lines that himself (and Anderson) are prone to leaving.

I don't think Cleverley will be dropped for that - with Welbeck being out, I reckon Carrick will come into the side in his place (I thought this was likely before I heard Welbeck was injured) and we will play 3 central midfielders - with Carrick deep helping to protect the back line. I think Anderson is nailed on for one of the other spots and while I think there is a very good chance Cleverley keeps the 3rd spot, I would not be at all suprised to see Giggs play there. Young and Nani or Young and Park on the wings with Rooney up top, my preference would be Young and Nani.

Blatter

My XI; DDG, Fabio, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Nani, Cleverly, Anderson, Young, Rooney, Welbeck.

Think SAF will throw a curve ball and play Fabio RB and put Smalling in the centre. Difficult to know what his midfield will be, we could well see Giggs, Carrick in there with maybe Park for Nani. Young will start I feel.

I'd be very surprised if Welbeck and Rooney didn't start up front, I'm pretty sure they will though.

Blatter

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I don't think Cleverley will be dropped for that - with Welbeck being out, I reckon Carrick will come into the side in his place (I thought this was likely before I heard Welbeck was injured) and we will play 3 central midfielders - with Carrick deep helping to protect the back line. I think Anderson is nailed on for one of the other spots and while I think there is a very good chance Cleverley keeps the 3rd spot, I would not be at all suprised to see Giggs play there. Young and Nani or Young and Park on the wings with Rooney up top, my preference would be Young and Nani.

Where did you hear that Welbeck was injured Mitch, have seen nothing of it myself?

Mitch Connor

Blatter wrote: »

Where did you hear that Welbeck was injured Mitch, have seen nothing of it myself?

It is in the OP....

killwill

Blatter wrote: »

Where did you hear that Welbeck was injured Mitch, have seen nothing of it myself?

I believe he tweeked a muscle in his neck. Can't remember for the life of me where I saw this.

Blatter

Mitch Connor wrote: »

It is in the OP....

killwill wrote: »

I believe he tweeked a muscle in his neck. Can't remember for the life of me where I saw this.

I had a search on twitter there and the only mention of it was from a dodgy enough feed with only a couple of thousand followers.

OP, where did you get you're content from?

Mitch Connor

killwill wrote: »

I believe he tweeked a muscle in his neck. Can't remember for the life of me where I saw this.

Telegraph have it mentioned in an article mainly about Berbatov

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8714349/Manchester-United-wrestle-with-financial-headache-of-30.75m-Dimitar-Berbatov-walking-away-for-free.html

Blatter

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Telegraph have it mentioned in an article mainly about Berbatov

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8714349/Manchester-United-wrestle-with-financial-headache-of-30.75m-Dimitar-Berbatov-walking-away-for-free.html

Hopefully he can still make it. If he doesn't I'd be with you in thinking we'll play 4-3-3.

Shammy

Modric wont be playing , according to Arry his head isnt in the right place :mad:

Elbow

De Gea

Fabio, Jones, Smalling, Evra

Nani, Cleverley, Anderson, Young

Rooney, Kiko


An unlikely starting 11 but I'd really like to see how the young lads get on against better opposition.

FutureGuy

Elbow wrote: »

De Gea

Fabio, Jones, Smalling, Evra

Nani, Cleverley, Anderson, Young

Rooney, Kiko


An unlikely starting 11 but I'd really like to see how the young lads get on against better opposition.

Highly unlikely. Testing out the young lads vs Spurs, unless it is necessary to play them, isn't a good strategy. No way is Kiko starting this, and I'd be sure Carrick will be preferred to Cleverly to bring some experience to the team. Smalling will start instead of Fabio with Evans CB.

nicklauski

Think we are likely to see

---

DDG

---

Smallin - Jones- Evans - Evra

---

Carrick

---

---Ando

---

Clev

---

Nani

---

Young

---

Rooney

---

I don't think Berba will start, and to be honest, Cleverley, Ando and Young have done enough to keep their place.

Sgt Pepper 64

The match will be decided by the now-traditional Spurs/United Horrendous Refereeing Error :eek:

Jax Teller

Horrible predicament I have just got asked to play football tonight at half eight miss the whole match

Sgt Pepper 64

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

Horrible predicament I have just got asked to play football tonight at half eight miss the whole match

Thats what the record button\Match of the day is for

Unearthly

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

The match will be decided by the now-traditional Spurs/United Horrendous Refereeing Error :eek:

here's hoping we get the pen that equals 5 goals again

Corvo

The more controversial the win the better

MagicMarker

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

Horrible predicament I have just got asked to play football tonight at half eight miss the whole match

nicklauski

Jesus, Charlie Murphy gets blamed on everything around here lately!

"CHARLIEEEEEEEE MURRPHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYY!" *SLAP*

smokedeels

nicklauski wrote: »

Think we are likely to see

---

DDG

---

Smallin - Jones- Evans - Evra

---

Carrick

---

---Ando

---

Clev

---

Nani

---

Young

---

Rooney

---

I don't think Berba will start, and to be honest, Cleverley, Ando and Young have done enough to keep their place.

+1, no chance of a 4-4-2 with that back back four, I wouldn't be suprised to see Giggs or Park in for Clev.

flahavaj

Is Welbeck definitely out?

If so I'd like to see how the aforementioned trio of Cleverly, Ando and Carrick would do in midfield. Looks like a nicely balanced threesome, Ando/Cleverley with the mobility to go forward with Carrick sitting in behind.

smokedeels

killwill wrote: »

I believe he tweeked a muscle in his neck. Can't remember for the life of me where I saw this.

"There are only two ways to injure your neck: A car accident and cunnilingus"

I hope she was worth it.

killwill

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

Horrible predicament I have just got asked to play football tonight at half eight miss the whole match

Meant to be playing tonight myself, twisted my ankle half an hour ago at work!!!

Hatch99

COYS

Circus Clown
Walker
Daws
Kaboul
BAE

Lennon
Huddlestone
Krancjar
Bale

VDV
Defoe

I really fancy us to score, it's the other end I'd be worried about

PHB

We're at home, against an attacking team, I'd hate for us to go three in the middle. Either put our faith in Cleverely or don't, but the team should be lining up 4-4-2. I think it'll be Anderson and Cleverly myself, we've won two games doing it, with Berbatov to start up front.

Mitch Connor

PHB wrote: »

We're at home, against an attacking team, I'd hate for us to go three in the middle. Either put our faith in Cleverely or don't, but the team should be lining up 4-4-2. I think it'll be Anderson and Cleverly myself, we've won two games doing it, with Berbatov to start up front.

It isn't just an issue of Ando and Clev in a 442, and a possible lack of faith. There is the fact we are also without 3 of our first choice defenders and have a new keeper we need to protect. You have to take that into account. If we had Rio and Vidic fit and on form, and a De Gea showing a bit more of what I know him to be capable of, I would advocate 442 more - but that isn't the case.

JimsAlterEgo

PHB wrote: »

We're at home, against an attacking team, I'd hate for us to go three in the middle. Either put our faith in Cleverely or don't, but the team should be lining up 4-4-2. I think it'll be Anderson and Cleverly myself, we've won two games doing it, with Berbatov to start up front.

agree, lets outscore them.

Jax Teller

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

agree, lets outscore them.

Nah a clean sheet is What is needed for De Gea

Kiith

I predict some terrible refereeing and some howlers from one or both keepers.

Either way, Utd will win.

ironbluedun

a draw 2-2

Spurs to roll over as always at OT.

2-0 united.

Paul Tergat

Hate having to wait the whole weekend and some to see us play.

Bit worried about the lack of experience in our backline and can therefore seeing us pack the midfield bringing in Carrick and possibly Giggsy.

gustafo

will fabio play tonight ?

Paul Tergat

gustafo wrote: »

will fabio play tonight ?

simply put we just cant be sure

fergie has said that he will start smalling rb with jones-Evans-Evra making upt he back 4 but he often deceives with his comments about selection

Jax Teller

MUFC v #THFC: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Young, Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck"

Blatter

Hernandez apparently ON the bench along with Berbatov, Park, Fabio, Giggs, Carrick and Lindegaard.



SPURS; Friedel; Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Kranjcar, Livermore, Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe.

Paul Tergat

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

MUFC v #THFC: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Young, Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck"

Very attack minded. Cmon United!!!!

Jax Teller

: #MUFC Subs: Lindegaard, Berba, Giggs, Park, CHICHARITO, Carrick, Fabio."

Paul Tergat

Blatter wrote: »

Hernandez apparently ON the bench along with Berbatov, Park, Fabio, Giggs, Carrick and Lindegaard.

Bonus.

dahat

Good line up,happy out to see Chico on the bench...