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By Richard Parry (goal.com)
Manchester City welcome Manchester United to Eastlands for Tuesday’s rescheduled League Cup semi final first leg contest, with the initial fixture having fallen foul of the winter snap.
Tuesday’s match will be the 153 meeting between these bitter rivals, with the contests becoming increasingly even, and the spoils harder to claim. Having already perhaps provided the match of the season thus far, this League Cup fixture will do well to better the stunning 4-3 win for United at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Nevertheless, this match is a cup semi final, and a contest between bitter rivals, and neither side will want to lose.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already declared his side’s intentions for the match, saying “Once you're in a semi-final, you want to be in the final... We want to be in a healthy position back at Old Trafford.”
It’s rare for United to get to a semi final and fail to reach the competitions climax, but City’s desire to end their 34 year wait for silverware could give them edge, for their home leg at least.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester City
Jan 16: Everton 2-0 Man City [Premier League]
Jan 11: Man City 4-1 Blackburn [Premier League}
Jan 02: Middlesbrough 0-1 Man City [FA Cup]
Dec 28: Wolves 0-3 Man City [Premier League]
Dec 26: Man City 2-0 Stoke City [Premier League]
Manchester United
Jan 16: Man United 3-0 Burnley [Premier League]
Jan 9: Birmingham 1-1 Man United [Premier League]
Jan 03: Man United 0-1 Leeds United [FA Cup]
Dec 30: Man United 5-0 Wigan [Premier League]
Dec 27: Hull City 1-3 Man United [Premier League]
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini is likely to be without eight first-team players for Tuesday League Cup match against United.
Having limped off during the 2-0 defeat to Everton, striker Roque Santa Cruz will be out of action for a month after picking up a calf injury, whilst new signing Patrick Vieria will also miss out [calf].
Defenders Wayne Bridge [knee ligament], Joleon Lescott [knee], Nedum Onuoha [calf] will also be sidelined for the contest, along with midfielder Michael Johnson [knee], although Stephen Ireland [hamstring] is likely to feature on the City bench.
Meanwhile, striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains unavailable for selection following the gun attack on the Togo national team bus, and is away on compassionate leave.
Starting XI [vs Everton]:Given, Richards, Zabaleta, Garrido, Kompany, Petrov, Barry, De Jong, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Bellamy.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson could be without seven players for Tuesday match against, with striker Dimitar Berbatov his latest injury concern.
The striker picked up a knee injury during Saturday’s victory over Burnley, and the Bulgarian is doubtful for Tuesdays match.
United are also set to be without Ben Foster [back], Owen Hargreaves [knee], Federico Macheda [hamstring], John O’Shea [thigh].
First choice centre backs Nemanja Vidic [calf] and Rio Ferdinand [calf] could return for United, although the match is likely to have come too soon for the England defender, and a weekend return could be more feasible.
Starting XI [vs Burnley]: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Brown, Evans, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester City – Carlos Tevez
Not only will Tevez be lining up against his former teammates on Tuesday, but the Argentine is in the kind of form which attracted Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him for United in the first place.
Tevez has netted 12 goals in 20 Premier League matches so far this season, and three strikes in four appearances in the League Cup, and having bagged a hat-trick last time out at the Eastlands, the strikers home form will be something the victors will have to address.
The former United striker was quoted as saying that his teammates will be out for “revenge” against the Red Devils, after suffering the dramatic 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season, and having also aided his side with five assists, City’s No.32 could have a huge impact on this match.
Manchester United – Wayne Rooney
During the big matches, the heated contests, the must win matches, Wayne Rooney is more often than not on the top of his game.
In a season where the Champions have been underperforming, it has been the England striker who has strived to keep United in contention and should Ferguson select Rooney for this League Cup match he’ll be the driving force for the visitors.
Rooney is yet to feature in a League Cup match so far this season, but due to the enormity of the fixture, I expect Sir Alex to give him the nod on Tuesday night, such is his passion for the club.
The England striker has bagged 15 goals in 21 league appearances so far, including the opening goal in the 4-3 victory over City at Old Trafford.
PREDICTION
I have a feeling that City will edge this match, and I can see the home side claiming victory in the first leg. Mancini will select his strongest side available, and with home support against a United side likely to be constructed out of youth and experience, City could have too much for them.
Nevertheless, the visitors are almost certain to grab a goal, making the second leg tie at Old Trafford all the more interesting.
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
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By Mark Ogden (telegraph.co.uk)
Key battle: Nigel de Jong v Darren Fletcher
Both teams have suffered defensive problems in recent weeks, so the winner of this battle will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the game. De Jong and Fletcher are key figures in protecting their back four, but Fletcher has more to his game, as his two goals against City last September testify.
Talking tactics
City now operate a rigid 4-4-2 system under Roberto Mancini, a formation dismissed as outdated by Sir Alex Ferguson and his former assistant Carlos Queiroz more than five years ago. Ferguson’s preference for 4-3-3 won him the Champions League in 2008, but without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tévez, the system now looks flawed.
Touchline duel: Roberto Mancini v Sir Alex Ferguson
The Scarf versus The Hairdryer, Bobby Manc versus the Godfather. This could develop into the managerial clash that defines the next five years if Mancini builds on his promising start at Eastlands. Ferguson has seen off numerous rivals, but City’s money will make Mancini a formidable foe.
Probable teams
Manchester City (4-4-2): Given; Garrido, Kompany, Richards, Zabaleta; Petrov, Barry, De Jong, Wright-Phillips; Tévez, Bellamy.
Manchester United (4-3-3): Van der Sar; Evra, Vidic, Evans, Rafael; Giggs, Fletcher, Gibson; Obertan, Rooney, Valenmcia.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral)
Manchester City welcome Manchester United to Eastlands for Tuesday’s rescheduled League Cup semi final first leg contest, with the initial fixture having fallen foul of the winter snap.
Tuesday’s match will be the 153 meeting between these bitter rivals, with the contests becoming increasingly even, and the spoils harder to claim. Having already perhaps provided the match of the season thus far, this League Cup fixture will do well to better the stunning 4-3 win for United at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Nevertheless, this match is a cup semi final, and a contest between bitter rivals, and neither side will want to lose.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already declared his side’s intentions for the match, saying “Once you're in a semi-final, you want to be in the final... We want to be in a healthy position back at Old Trafford.”
It’s rare for United to get to a semi final and fail to reach the competitions climax, but City’s desire to end their 34 year wait for silverware could give them edge, for their home leg at least.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester City
Jan 16: Everton 2-0 Man City [Premier League]
Jan 11: Man City 4-1 Blackburn [Premier League}
Jan 02: Middlesbrough 0-1 Man City [FA Cup]
Dec 28: Wolves 0-3 Man City [Premier League]
Dec 26: Man City 2-0 Stoke City [Premier League]
Manchester United
Jan 16: Man United 3-0 Burnley [Premier League]
Jan 9: Birmingham 1-1 Man United [Premier League]
Jan 03: Man United 0-1 Leeds United [FA Cup]
Dec 30: Man United 5-0 Wigan [Premier League]
Dec 27: Hull City 1-3 Man United [Premier League]
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini is likely to be without eight first-team players for Tuesday League Cup match against United.
Having limped off during the 2-0 defeat to Everton, striker Roque Santa Cruz will be out of action for a month after picking up a calf injury, whilst new signing Patrick Vieria will also miss out [calf].
Defenders Wayne Bridge [knee ligament], Joleon Lescott [knee], Nedum Onuoha [calf] will also be sidelined for the contest, along with midfielder Michael Johnson [knee], although Stephen Ireland [hamstring] is likely to feature on the City bench.
Meanwhile, striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains unavailable for selection following the gun attack on the Togo national team bus, and is away on compassionate leave.
Starting XI [vs Everton]:Given, Richards, Zabaleta, Garrido, Kompany, Petrov, Barry, De Jong, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Bellamy.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson could be without seven players for Tuesday match against, with striker Dimitar Berbatov his latest injury concern.
The striker picked up a knee injury during Saturday’s victory over Burnley, and the Bulgarian is doubtful for Tuesdays match.
United are also set to be without Ben Foster [back], Owen Hargreaves [knee], Federico Macheda [hamstring], John O’Shea [thigh].
First choice centre backs Nemanja Vidic [calf] and Rio Ferdinand [calf] could return for United, although the match is likely to have come too soon for the England defender, and a weekend return could be more feasible.
Starting XI [vs Burnley]: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Brown, Evans, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester City – Carlos Tevez
Not only will Tevez be lining up against his former teammates on Tuesday, but the Argentine is in the kind of form which attracted Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him for United in the first place.
Tevez has netted 12 goals in 20 Premier League matches so far this season, and three strikes in four appearances in the League Cup, and having bagged a hat-trick last time out at the Eastlands, the strikers home form will be something the victors will have to address.
The former United striker was quoted as saying that his teammates will be out for “revenge” against the Red Devils, after suffering the dramatic 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season, and having also aided his side with five assists, City’s No.32 could have a huge impact on this match.
Manchester United – Wayne Rooney
During the big matches, the heated contests, the must win matches, Wayne Rooney is more often than not on the top of his game.
In a season where the Champions have been underperforming, it has been the England striker who has strived to keep United in contention and should Ferguson select Rooney for this League Cup match he’ll be the driving force for the visitors.
Rooney is yet to feature in a League Cup match so far this season, but due to the enormity of the fixture, I expect Sir Alex to give him the nod on Tuesday night, such is his passion for the club.
The England striker has bagged 15 goals in 21 league appearances so far, including the opening goal in the 4-3 victory over City at Old Trafford.
PREDICTION
I have a feeling that City will edge this match, and I can see the home side claiming victory in the first leg. Mancini will select his strongest side available, and with home support against a United side likely to be constructed out of youth and experience, City could have too much for them.
Nevertheless, the visitors are almost certain to grab a goal, making the second leg tie at Old Trafford all the more interesting.
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Mark Ogden (telegraph.co.uk)
Key battle: Nigel de Jong v Darren Fletcher
Both teams have suffered defensive problems in recent weeks, so the winner of this battle will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the game. De Jong and Fletcher are key figures in protecting their back four, but Fletcher has more to his game, as his two goals against City last September testify.
Talking tactics
City now operate a rigid 4-4-2 system under Roberto Mancini, a formation dismissed as outdated by Sir Alex Ferguson and his former assistant Carlos Queiroz more than five years ago. Ferguson’s preference for 4-3-3 won him the Champions League in 2008, but without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tévez, the system now looks flawed.
Touchline duel: Roberto Mancini v Sir Alex Ferguson
The Scarf versus The Hairdryer, Bobby Manc versus the Godfather. This could develop into the managerial clash that defines the next five years if Mancini builds on his promising start at Eastlands. Ferguson has seen off numerous rivals, but City’s money will make Mancini a formidable foe.
Probable teams
Manchester City (4-4-2): Given; Garrido, Kompany, Richards, Zabaleta; Petrov, Barry, De Jong, Wright-Phillips; Tévez, Bellamy.
Manchester United (4-3-3): Van der Sar; Evra, Vidic, Evans, Rafael; Giggs, Fletcher, Gibson; Obertan, Rooney, Valenmcia.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral)