Carrick and Giggs return

Stuart Mathieson

September 10, 2008

UNITED are set to head for Anfield on Saturday lunchtime holding the psychological aces.

While Liverpool have been forced to concede that skipper Steven Gerrard will miss the heavyweight bout, the European and Premier League champions are set to welcome back Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick after more than three weeks out.

Giggs, who scored two on Merseyside in a 2003 United victory, has been suffering with a hamstring twinge since the Newcastle match on August 17. The 34-year-old Welshman came off against the Geordies when he felt a tightening in his hamstring to limit any damage.

Carrick is also expected to be available for Sir Alex Ferguson at the weekend.

He was forced off after only 24 minutes against Newcastle following an ankle knock.

His joint swelled and the midfielder had to pull out of England duty.

He has missed the Portsmouth win and the Super Cup defeat to Zenit St Petersburg.

Ji-sung Park returned in the Monaco showpiece and had an outing as a substitute following knee problems that kept him out of the Beijing Olympics. If Rio Ferdinand plays tonight in Zagreb against Croatia and shows no reaction to the back injury that kept him out of last Saturday's 2-0 England win against Andorra, Fergie could be looking at a full compliment of players to choose from against Liverpool, except for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Should all his internationals return in A1 condition it will ensure a luxury situation for the United boss.

The spotlight will then fall on his choice of attack since the arrival of £30.75m Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian will be itching for his debut in front of the Kop. But Ferguson will also have to think about accommodating or disappointing Carlos Tevez or Wayne Rooney.

Tevez has been the form player for the Reds in his two matches this season against Portsmouth and Zenit, but was sent off playing for Argentina last weekend.

However, the South American did score the winner for the Reds at Anfield last December in a 1-0 win.

Rooney goes into England's crunch with Croatia surrounded by huge debate about his form. But a return to Merseyside always fires up the former Evertonian.

As well as the injury plusses United also have the psychological advantage of a six-match, seven-year unbeaten run at Anfield. United's last Premier League defeat there was back in November 2001. Since then they have won five times and drawn twice.

Under Rafa Benitez Liverpool have not even managed to score against United at home in four league attempts.

One player hoping to reverse the trend is Liverpool newcomer Albert Riera. The former City player moved from Espanyol to Anfield for £8m in the transfer window and hopes he can repeat the success he enjoyed in his one and only game against the Reds.

"I remember my first match in Manchester was the derby and we won 3-1," he says. "It would be perfect if the same thing happened on my Liverpool debut.

Perfect

"Why not? It would be the perfect start to my Liverpool career. We can beat them.

"It is only one match, only three points, but it is very important that we win, especially because it is at home.

"I know about the rivalry. Manchester United are the champions of England and the opinion in Spain is that they, along with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, are the best teams in England.

"But in Spain Liverpool are the most popular team because of the Spanish players here."

CARLOS Tevez revealed he was grateful for the backing of his Argentina team-mates following his sending off in a second consecutive World Cup qualifier. Having been dismissed during the 2-1 defeat by Colombia last November, which forced him to miss the draw with Ecuador, and then being rested for the meeting with Brazil, Tevez saw red during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Paraguay.

Argentina coach Alfio Basile was said to be unhappy with the 24-year-old's recent bad behaviour and Tevez was grateful for the support he has received from his colleagues.

"It cannot happen to me again," he said. "I apologised to my team-mates but they didn't accept it because they believe it's not necessary.

"It really calmed me down because they know me very well and they know I don't do things to get sent-off on purpose. It affects me.

"The match was so calm, I felt it was the match for me. I am quite upset, but this situation makes me stronger. I feel the coach trusts me. When we talked, I told him what I was feeling and also apologised."

The South American Football Confederation have yet to decide on the length of Tevez's ban, but the striker will not travel with the squad to Peru and will instead return to Old Trafford.

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Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester (10/09/2008 at 09:53)

Getting two world class stars like these two must be a big releif to you reds. I'm sure it will make all the difference for you. Is the MEN trying to say that Liverpool and the other team that plays in red have lumped on a bit winter blubber by calling it a "Heavyweight Bout".

george (10/09/2008 at 09:53)

The more fit players the better.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (10/09/2008 at 10:07)

Excellent news the all action, roaring the troops on pair are a welcome return,seriously the best news is gerrard and torres out though carrick is needed in midfield due to the options available,tevez and berbatov to start, tevez through his red card now has a rest and berbatov will be eager to go.

stevi, france (10/09/2008 at 10:12)

I can't wait for this game, I really think we could get a result...with Berbatov playing his debut it will be interesting what formation SAF will play, if he'll have Rooney & Tevez playing along side Berbatov or start with either Rooney or Tevez....and will he put Carrick straight back in or pair Anderson with Scholes. A win would set us up nicely for the mid-week european game and we've got Chelski next weekend...if we get 4 out of 6 points from those two games it will be a very good result.

Red Lou, Malta (10/09/2008 at 10:41)

Wouldn't mind Carrick in the side, especially as Hargreaves is still out. But Giggs??!! Please no way. Both Nani and Park are far better options.

oddpeder (10/09/2008 at 10:50)

vds

brown - rio - vida - evra

rooney - carrick - anderson - giggs

tevez - berbatov!

Maybe change anderson with scholes...

ChorltonRed, Manchester (10/09/2008 at 11:48)

Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester - You really are obsessed with Manchester United aren't you son. And for the record, Ryan Giggs has won more medals, on his own, than Manchester City have done as a club, which says a lot about him, and a lot about Cideh.

Macca, Cornwall (10/09/2008 at 11:54)

VDS,Wes,Rio,Vida,Evra.
Anderson,Carrick,Scholes.
Rooney,Tevez,Berba.

javoh - kenyan red, Nairobi kenya (10/09/2008 at 11:55)

the luxury of having carrick back to the team is great but i think he should not be rushed back to the starting line up.
VDS
WB RF NV PE
DF PS OA WR
CT DB

bobbydazzler (10/09/2008 at 11:58)

re lou. did you see the newcastle game? giggs was far and away our best player.

if giggs does get to play it will have to be at the left side of our midfield. i cant remember too many games last year where park or nani come to that had a half decent game there. if nani gets onto the field it should be on the right hand side ditto park. but that would mean we have to leave our top scorer out.

tooth&claw, manchester (10/09/2008 at 11:58)

It's possible that Berbatov will start on the bench. He hasn't had much training prior to his move, hasn't been assessed for fitness by the coaches, has so far not even met his teammates and won't be back at Carrington until Thursday afternoon. So I suspect he'll get 30 minutes from the bench.

So, I'd see us starting with the normal back four, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney. Assuming no injuries on international duty.

Southern Red (10/09/2008 at 12:04)

Surprise, surprise, Benitez is now saying he can’t rule out either Gerrard or Torres. Good old posturing on both sides to get the fans exited, the managers confused and the newspapers sold.

Looking forward to seeing how the forwards are used this season and Saturday could be the start of something good. I feel sorry for Essien but there’s a real opportunity for us as the Russians were in danger of using him in his best position this year.

dufster, NI (10/09/2008 at 12:13)

Read somewhere that Arbeloa said L'pool can do Utd without SG and FT!!!
Bless him, nearly as naive as thon McNab fellow that posts round these parts.
You have to pity the simple, dont you! ;-)

Fredrik, Sweden (10/09/2008 at 12:14)

I doubt that Berba will start, but Fergie gave debuts to Silvestre and Taibi at Anfield some nine years ago, also in September, me thinks, so why not.

No Fletcher please. Anderson should be fit and take his place.

red fred (10/09/2008 at 12:15)

Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester.

No mate it means 2 BIG teams are playing. Muppet

Robbo, N2409 (10/09/2008 at 12:19)

t&c, I see in midfield you're going for the best passing trio in the history of world football. Very wise. Ps Re Berbatov, since Bulgaria don't have a game midweek, isn't he already back in Manchester (eating out with Martin Petrov and the like)?

AS, Ipswich (10/09/2008 at 12:24)

Is bobbydazzler trying to tell us that Giggs was better than Nani last season? If fit i will always have Nani or Park on the left instead of Giggs who has been struggling for form for the last 2 years. We wont play Scholes and Anderson in CM away to Anfield as we need a holding midfield (Carrick,Fletcher or Oshea).Rooney will probably start on the wing if Fergie decides to play Berbatov as there is no way Tevez should be dropped for this game.

Manchester united fan forever based in OldTrafford, Old Trafford (10/09/2008 at 12:25)

it's funny i noticed a dicline in rooneys form and ability last season. i said my peace and became known as a rooney basher. as i predicted once the press begin to highlight his poor form and devlopment , every one will be on his back.

it was me and red culture which know that somthing was wrong as tooth and claw continues to delued him self what a joke. how many goals has rooney scored for england over the past five years.

i am not a roony basher . i recgonise that he has all the attributes to be a world class player. he is one of the most complete players united have. apart from his poor heading ability lack of tricks when running at people i would say he is better than ronaldo.

the differance between ronaldo and rooney is hunger. ronaldo stays behied after trainig while rooney gets of for a smoke. i find rooney smoke worrying has know body told he sport and smoking don;t mix.

this is the reason forgein players are better then english. english has the drink and excess cultre where as place like spain do things in moderation

Lord Ruud (10/09/2008 at 12:28)

I'd go along with that T&C - while I think Berbatov was bought for big games like this one, I would expect Fergie to use him from the bench as he came in just as the international break was happening. I reckon Fergie is likely to flood the midfield and try and snatch a goal like last year, not great sort of thing to watch, but it seems to have worked for us on the last few visits.

Good to have Carrick back especially as he gives us better balance in midfield, and is able to keep possession well, which will be important in this match. After his performance last season, I thing Anderson may also get a start in some capacity.

Lord Ruud (10/09/2008 at 12:31)

Southern Red - on Essien, never nice to see a player injured but as I regard him as their best player (despite what media hacks would have us believe), it does indeed work strongly in our favour.

I'm also glad they haven't used Essien in his best position too often in the last year and was delighted to see him lining up at right back in Moscow.

Demo, Glossop (10/09/2008 at 12:46)

great news especially carrick!

if everyone is fully fit and match sharp i would go for

vds

brown rio vida evra

Hargo

carrick scholes

rooney tevez

Berba

with giggs, anderson, nani and park as options to come off the bench hopefully we should get a victory!

davmac, manchester (10/09/2008 at 13:09)

I will bet my OT season ticket that both Gerrard and Torres are in Liverpool's starting line up on Saturday. We've heard it all before and it's journalists, not the fans, who seem to fall for this nonsense.

The Daddy, Thrapston (10/09/2008 at 13:10)

Is there any news on our all new Balsa Boy, Mr Hargreaves?

Plus i herad Anderson was injured in training out in Brazil?

Will he be available.

bobbydazzler (10/09/2008 at 13:40)

as ipswich you may have not noticed but giggs doesn't play on the left anymore
( more's the pity). i cant remember one single occasion when park has had what you could describe an adequate performance on the left he is truly awful deployed there. now the lad is a totally different proposition played wide right or even better through the middle .

tooth&claw, manchester (10/09/2008 at 13:45)

Robbo, either you can't count or don't understand the meaning of trio.

On the Bulgaria squad, they were due to spend the first part of the week in a training base in Bulgaria, something Spurs and Villa complained about a couple of weeks back. Maybe that didn't happen if you've seen Berbatov out on the lash with his mate.

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