United v Blackburn: Preview

October 30, 2009

DOUBT: Nemanja Vidic

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is facing a defensive headache ahead of the Barclays Premier League match against Blackburn at Old Trafford.

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are both doubtful with calf problems and Gary Neville is suspended.

Ryan Giggs also has a knock and Danny Welbeck, who scored in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley in midweek, is sidelined with a knee injury.

Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park remain absent with groin and knee injuries respectively.

Ahead of the game Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has advised Wigan boss Roberto Martinez to keep his mouth shut in future.

Martinez was at the centre of a storm this week after he reportedly suggested that some of his top-flight colleagues were little more than Sir Alex Ferguson’s loyalists.

Martinez was alleged to have told a Spanish newspaper that Allardyce viewed himself as Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford and was part of a group of managers sympathetic towards the Manchester United boss.

Martinez subsequently denied making the comments and Allardyce confirmed that the Spaniard had phoned him to apologise.

Allardyce said: “I accept what he said when he rang me.

“When I saw the papers I thought, ’Is it true or isn’t it? But I have to take his word for it, which I do.

“Welcome to the Premier League, Roberto. Keep your mouth shut in the future or make sure you remember what is going to be done in the Premier League.

“If they have distorted his words, then that is something of a regular occurrence at this level.

“It’s not a real problem for me, I just think Roberto has learnt a harsh lesson about what happens in the Premier League if you start diverting away from you and your club business.

“You can say you can be misinterpreted, you can say you can be read wrong, but it’s a lesson that when you comment in this league on anything it can be blown out of all proportion.

“He’s apologised to me and I accept that apology.”

Jason Roberts is the latest Blackburn player to come down with suspected swine flu ahead of the game.

The striker did not report to training this morning and is almost certain to miss the Barclays Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.

One player also thought to have suffered with the virus is David Dunn, but the midfielder looked to be in good health when he came off the bench against Peterborough in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, and is set to play again.

Another is Chris Samba, who is back in training but unlikely to feature as he is still feeling weak.

Pascal Chimbonda returns having recovered from his calf injury and Vince Grella is back in training after his thigh problem, but is unlikely to appear for the first team until next week.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown, J Evans, Evra, Anderson, Rafael, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Giggs, Rooney, Barbatov, Nani, Owen, Macheda, Obertan, Fabio, Tosic.

Blackburn Rovers (from): Robinson, Chimbonda, Salgado, Givet, Nelsen, Diouf, Andrews, Pedersen, Dunn, Brown, Jacobsen, Nzonzi, Emerton, Hoilett, Kalinic, McCarthy, Olsson, Jones, Di Santo.

United league form: WWDWL

Blackburn league form: LWLWL

Key opponent: Benni McCarthy - more likely to score than not if given a chance

Prediction: United 2 Blackburn 1 - United should be too strong at home, but Blackburn will make it tough

Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.

What is your prediction for the game? Have your say.

Submit Comments | Comments (31) |

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neal 07, south stand lower (30/10/2009 at 11:59)

If we continue with the trend of our home games so far this season then this will be a tight, narrow victory...we need to start putting in proper United displays...imo we have only done that once this season, Tottenham away when we were fantastic

Anyhow the team I would like to see tomorrow is...

VDS, RAFAEL, WES, J EVANS, PATRICE, OBERTAN, ANDERSON, SCHOLES, TOSIC, OWEN, BERBATOV

yes lots of changes but what did the 'more established first choice players' do last week to earn their place???

Tosic was fantastic yet again for the reserves last night and he needs a game, infact he deserves a game

Attack, attack, attack!!!

Devil in the Shire (30/10/2009 at 12:02)

Have faith in the youngsters - absolutley nothing to fear from Blackburn these days - they were a different proposition when hughes and Santa Cruz were there, but some good old blood and guts defending from Brown and Evans should nullify any threat from Allardyce's long ball and free kick strategem and would should have enough going forward as long as Michelle and Anderson get there act together - or even stick Gibson next to Anderson to provide a bit of muscle. Also thought Obertan looked sharp against Barnsley and should warrant a spot opposite Valencia or Nani on the wings.
Team: VDS, O'Shea, Brown, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Gibson/Carrick, Anderson, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov / Owen. P.S. Thought Tosic looked lively enough again against Barnsley to perhaps be given a shot as well - just can't understand why he hasn't been given a chance yet, we've consistantly played individuals this term already who probably haven't merited continual inclusion, so why not?

Monkey tennis?, yes please (30/10/2009 at 12:08)

I'm learning to neither predict the team nor the score these days.

However, with Obertan and possibly Tosic knocking at the door and the policy of playing Giggs 1 in 2/3 games it'll be interesting to see what happens with nani over the coming weeks in terms of playing on the left, or whether SAF is interested in trying him out on the right and finally giving valencia a bit of competition.

the best midfield combination still remains an enigma both to SAF and us lot alike as it seems whoever is picked doesn't really show up, then we all spend time wishing he'd picked a different combination.

We should beat b'burn easily, but unfortunately things aren't that simple are they!

Strange days when we're all wishing fletch was fit.

danny, WILMSLOW (30/10/2009 at 12:13)

neal 07, south stand lower
I agree with you you seem to have far more sense than those in the North stand.

Gerry, Glastonbury (30/10/2009 at 12:13)

If Wes & Evans get the nod as centre backs they’ll have to play a damn site better as a combo’ than they did on Tuesday when Barnsley had more chances than Joey Barton.
I suppose O’Shakey could play there with either but the chances are he’ll give Wes & JE a go as they’re both experienced CB ‘s.
Gary is not a problem as we still have 3 RB’s in the squad.
I think it’ll be Scholes for certain with one of Anderson or Carrick in CM.
I thought Anderson did OK on Tuesday and it’s a good thing if they show some confidence in him by giving him another run. At least he gives us a ball winner and some hustle in there. Owen may play ahead of Berbatov?
We should certainly have too much for Blackburn but I can see a bit of a struggle again as Sam’s made it difficult for us in the past.

neal 07, south stand lower (30/10/2009 at 12:14)

Has our matchday squads become too predictable? I mean when is the last time SAF actually took the lead role and offcially dropped players based on poor performances? I mean dropped, not rested!!!

Players agin IMO who have been the victim of this are Gibson, Possebon (out on loan), Tosic, Owen, Kiko...are they not chomping at the bit to get a deserved run in the team, espcially as they watch others in front of them under perform most weeks, yet still keep their place?

We have a vast squad, but is there really a genuine competition for places??? I have my doubts!!

stevi, france (30/10/2009 at 12:15)

Oberton wasn't in the resevres so I was hoping he'd be included in the first team squad, hope he plays..

Brora boy, Highlands (30/10/2009 at 13:00)

Would like to see Obertan again with Tosik ready to come on for the last half hour. Same on the right with Valencia and Nani. Anderson and Carrick in the middle with Roo and Berbie up front. Twin, Wes, Evans and Patrice. Should win by at least two. I fancy an early goal from Roo and a couple from Berbie. Big four and City should all win this week. We need Fletch and Giggs for Chelsea.

Frank Old Trafford (30/10/2009 at 13:03)

Agree with Neal and Devil that selection isn't performance based, in fact teams seem to be picked weeks in advance with changes only made due to injuries. If that is the case it removes the principal motivation for the players on the fringe of the first team. No, I can't believe that it just doesn't make any sense.

We should beat Rovers convincingly, let's see what happens.

When the seagulls follow the trawler, N Ireland (30/10/2009 at 13:05)

neal 07,southstand lower,i said the same thing on here yesterday if the so called fringe players can't get a game when they see some members of the first team not playing well but still getting picked ahead of them it must be very hard to keep your head up.

Drago 34 (30/10/2009 at 13:13)

Team i think Fergie will play tomorrow is.....

......................Van Der Sar

O'Shea..........Evans..........Vidic..........Evra

Valencia........Carrick.......Anderson......Giggs

..................Rooney.......Berbatov

Gilly, Belgium (30/10/2009 at 13:18)

Agreeded ATTACT !!
the combo of a good midfield and out players !

bobbydazzler (30/10/2009 at 13:20)

pick the right team

100% effort for 100% of the game from ALL of the team and we will win.

pick players who are obviously not fit pick players who are not up for the battle and we may have problems

stevi, france (30/10/2009 at 14:00)

Here's my line up:

......................Van Der Sar

Rafael..........Evans........Brown/Vidic..........Fabio

Valencia........Carrick.......Anderson......Obertan

..................Rooney.......Owen

Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville (30/10/2009 at 14:05)

neal 07, south stand lower
30/10/2009 at 11:59

I pretty much agree with what you're saying there, alot has been said of Tosic and his slight frame and him not being strong enough to cut it in the EPL, but for me he's shown his ability and isn't as weak as people are making out he has great tecnique and would be our best crooser set-piece taker no doubt. He performed well when he came on midweek and vs the Dippers, so he has warrented at least inclusion in the squad...if not what does he have to do?

Obertan and Tosic are hopefully going to strengthen the LW and Nani and Valencia can fight for the RW slot which would add good competition for a place and may just move them on a notch. Obertan looks like he could be a special player for us and will have people off their seats, just what a United winger should do.

My team would be: VDS

Brown Rio Evans Evra

Carrick Anderson Scholes/Giggs

Valencia Rooney Obertan

Bench: Berbatov....Nani......O'Shea.....Owen.....Tosic....Fabio.....Vidic.

tooth&claw, manchester (30/10/2009 at 14:09)

Stevi, SAF said it's too soon for Obertan to start but he may be on the bench.

Neal, on form Gibson, Possebon, Tosic and Macheda wouldn't get in the first team. Owen would be the only one in your list to stake a claim.

Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (30/10/2009 at 14:10)

Agree with Neal 07 regarding Tosic,very good last night when he came on after half-time.So where's the problem? With Nani in his 3rd year of failure,why not just give the lad a game at Old Trafford!
Think Fergie looks at Tosic and sees Rossi...and look what happened to him!

Ben'sDad, WA4 (30/10/2009 at 14:56)

I think only VDS, Patrice and Rooney should consider their places safe. For a team that has ambitions to win the Champions League (and so become the unofficial best in the world), we don't have many outstanding performers. How many of our first team (whatever that is) would get into Chelsea's first XI, or Liverpool's? You could possibly add an in-form Rio, and maybe Vidic, to that list. From Liverpool I'd take Torres, Gerrard, Mascherano, Johnson, maybe Benayoun, maybe Reina. From Chelsea - all of their midfield and Drogba. I'm exaggerating - but not by much. No use our having a massive squad if they're all 6.5 and seven out of 10 players. We could struggle tomorrow. Hope I'm wrong.

Seamus, Vanisle,ex-Stretford (30/10/2009 at 15:21)

What matters is that whatever team is selected, then they must play for th shirt, ande a 100% for a change. Skill sets are already there, but they need to add passion, commitment and desire to make it all work,attributes which have gone missing in a number oi games already this season, and certainly in prior seasons. Line up VDS, Wes, JOS, Evans, Evra, Carrick Anderson, Giggs(if fit), Valencia, Berba, Owen. Carrick needs to step up and should be much better alongside Anderson rather than Scholes. If Giggs doesn't make it, then it will be Nani.

Still a bit worried about this one, we're far from firing on all cylinders and Rovers might just turn us over. Hope not.

the artist, capital of trophies (30/10/2009 at 15:37)

Rio, Vida and Giggsy will probably all make it and I see SAF putting out his 'strongest' team. We can't afford another slip-up in the league.

..........................Van der Sar..............................

O'Shea...........Ferdinand................Vidic................Evra

Valencia...........Carrick...............Scholes...............Giggs

.................Berbatov.................Rooney....................

SUBS: Kuszczak, Brown, Evans, Anderson, Nani, Obertan, Owen

P.S. It seems we're all in agreement that Zoran Tosic desrves a game. It's certainly a mystery as to why SAF seems reluctant to include him. Why did we buy him in the first place? Is there something we don't know? Has he done something to upset Sir Alex? The mind boggles.

neal 07, south stand lower (30/10/2009 at 18:17)

T&C, with all respect the likes of Rio, O'Shea, Carrick, Scholes, Park, on current form should not be included in the team!!! So what does the likes of Gibson, Tosic, Kiko etc have to do to be given a consistent chance at earning starting spots?

As I said on another comment on here, I really do feel that despite our vast squad the competition for places is not genuine and non exsistent!!! How can it be if there are no 'dropped' players after last sundays embarrasement?

Red Bear, Heaton Park (30/10/2009 at 19:07)

That was a short sharp shock at Anfield; I think we will go on an unbeaten run now, our usual response, hopefully winning a few on the bounce. That seems to write off Blackburn doesn't it? Watch out Utd, it's Halloween!

charbel (30/10/2009 at 19:53)

How come every MEN predicition seems to be a 2-1 win for United?

Judging by our defeats in the last 2 campaigns, we have become a one-man team. That man is Darren Fletcher.

He's my lineup:
VDSar
O'Shea Brown Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Scholes Nani
Rooney Berbatov

Perhaps O'Bertan will make his league debut too.

Ricky Billinge (30/10/2009 at 20:35)

Good to hear all the +ve Tosic comments, the guy was excellent in the Euro U21's in a poor Serbian side. He's showing week in, week out he is too good for the reserves now and deserves a crack in the first team.

Pepe (30/10/2009 at 21:16)

This is the weakest Blackburn in years to visit Old Trafford , I remember that they used to give MU some problems and take away points but i don't think this will happen tomorrow. 2-0 even with the weakest MU team in years.

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