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#15603045 · 20 Sep 2009, 00:35 · · პროფილი · პირადი მიმოწერა · ჩატი
Premier League Preview: Manchester United - Manchester City
City and United prepare to lock horns in eagerly anticipated derby...
Sep 19, 2009 2:29:56 PM
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Emmanuel Adebayor comes back to haunt his old side as Manchester City trounce Arsenal (PA)
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Man City
Man Utd.
Kick-Off: Sunday, September 20, 13:30 BST
Old Trafford, Manchester.
Kings of Manchester
The war of words between Sir Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes has reignited for the first time since Manchester City displayed their 'Welcome to Manchester' billboards in the Manchester City Centre after their coup of former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. At the time Sir Alex Ferguson downplayed the signs as arrogance of a side who had accomplished little to nothing in their history. However, as the derby date nears, Sir Alex Ferguson has finally admitted the signs bother him and the club.
"That stupid poster upset us," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"It showed an arrogance, it was naughty, it showed a cockiness that wasn't required at the time because they hadn't done anything.
"The season hadn't even started."
Now that the season has started, Manchester City remain unbeaten coming off a fresh and controversial win over Arsenal. Manchester United have dropped three points to Premier League newcomers Burnley and look to cement their place at the top of the table by defeating their cross-town rivals.
With Ronaldo no longer a factor, United have adapted to a more complete style that has been paying dividends. By relying on the likes of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, and veteran Ryan Giggs, Ferguson has for transformed his side with a new style and new reliance on the entire eleven that will test Manchester City this weekend.
Calm after the Adebay-storm
With Adebayor-gate behind them, Mark Hughes can now focus on the fixtures that lie ahead for an on-form Manchester City. The Togolese striker fell victim to the pressures of playing one of his former sides, leaving City without their star striker who has scored four goals in four games. Hughes will wish he had the former Arsenal hit man at his disposal, but will have to test his luck with a makeshift starting eleven on Sunday.
Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz are also ruled out for the encounter, leaving Hughes painfully short of striking options for the trip to Old Trafford. Rumours are rife that Carlos Tevez could make a last minute fitness battle to make the encounter, but Hughes has voiced caution over the Argentine’s condition.
Speaking on United’s new look side, including the loss of Tevez, Hughes told Sky Sports, "They have lost two significant players from last year and any team will be affected by that. You cannot afford to lose players of that standard and not replace them.
"I have watched a number of their games and don't think they are playing as well as they did last season.
"United's display against Tottenham [3-1 victory] was their stand-out performance. Prior to that they have been below par."
The derby date this weekend will settle not only Manchester bragging rights, but could also have a more significant impact on both teams as far as their long-term season ambitions. While Manchester United are looking to make it four titles in a row, Manchester City want to stamp their long-term intent with a top four finish this season.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
Burnley 1-0 Manchester United (EPL)
Wigan 0-5 Manchester United (EPL)
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal (EPL)
Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United (EPL)
Besiktas 0-1 Manchester United (CL)
Manchester City
Barcelona 0-1 Manchester City (Friendly)
Manchester City 1-0 Wolverhampton (EPL)
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City (League Cup)
Portsmouth 0-1 Manchester City (EPL)
Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal (EPL)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
United will be without Rio Ferdinand on Sunday as he recovers from a groin injury, after coming back early from injury to line-up against Tottenham.
Jonny Evans is expected to be dispatched as his replacement, while Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Fletcher should take their place in the starting eleven.
Squad: Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Gibson, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen.
Manchester City
Emmanuel Adebayor begins the first of his three-match ban against Manchester United.
Robinho’s hairline fracture suffered while on international duty will rule him out for a number of weeks.
Carlos Tevez also suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Argentina and is not expected to feature in what would be his Old Trafford homecoming.
Roque Santa Cruz is still lacking match fitness, while Michael Johnson, Benjani, and Vincent Kompany continue on their path to recovery.
Squad: Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Ohuoha, Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Weiss, Ireland, Bellamy, Tevez, Petrov, Tripper, Sylvinho, Vidal.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney has enjoyed a fine start to the season, cementing himself as Manchester United’s ace after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Netting five times in the league already, it looks like the former Everton striker has finally been granted the freedom he has long desired on the pitch.
Manchester City
In absence of City’s newly acquired strike force, Gareth Barry’s duty in the midfield will take an even greater role this Sunday. Since his switch from Aston Villa, Barry has linked up well with the likes of Stephen Ireland to bring balance to the Citizen’s starting eleven.
PREDICTION
The competitive nature of this installment of the Manchester derby is sure to be at its greatest levels in recent decades, even though the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson seemingly disagree. The Scottish tactician remains unwilling to admit to the importance of the derby to Manchester United, maintaining Liverpool are their biggest rivals.
This year in particular, however, it is becoming more and more difficult for Ferguson to deny the advances Manchester City are making as they close the gap between their close neighbours in Stretford.
While City may be making strong advances towards the top five of the Premier League, United’s history remains undoubted and their dominance of the new first division is unquestionably impressive. While Ferguson may be right in labeling Liverpool as their main rivals, ignoring City’s form this season would be an error in his managerial duties.
Although City are weakened by suspensions and injuries, their success this season speaks volumes to their ambitions. Manchester United endured a trip to Turkey earlier in the week in the Champions League, a trip Ferguson has maintained will not hinder their derby preparations.
While it is a case of pupil versus teacher, Mark Hughes will lock horns with his former manager after weeks of billboard bickering and backhanded remarks.
The battle for Manchester is more on level footing than it has been in the last twenty years, making this mouth watering encounter a truly unpredictable affair. With United’s ability to endure and earn results well documented, City’s new ambition and talent will surely give Sir Alex Ferguson several headaches before kick-off.
Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City
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ა, ეგია სიმონ, მეტი კი არაფერი.. (C) ფრანც კაფკა
Cette entreprise est remplie à ras bord avec des enculés irréalistes (C) შარლ მორის ტალეირანი
სამაიმუნოდ გვაქვს საქმე ?! (C) ჰერბერტ სპენსერი
ნწ ნწ, რა თაობა მოდის ?! W.B. იეიტსი
დააკელი აგური - არ მოგხვდება ამხან'აგური (C) ვალტერ გროპიუსი
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Manchester City, The Blues
