United v Liverpool: Preview

March 19, 2010

BACK IN ACTION: Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs returns to the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s Premier League clash with old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Giggs has missed seven games since breaking his arm at Aston Villa last month but has returned to training without a problem and is expected to start against Rafael Benitez’s men.

Nemanja Vidic will be hoping to stay on the pitch after being sent off the last three times he has faced Liverpool as the Reds look to retain top spot.

Ahead of the game Park Ji-sung is keen to redress the balance from Liverpool's 2-0 win at Anfield earlier this season.

"We are looking forward to the game against Liverpool. You can feel the atmosphere is different for a game against Liverpool than for other games," said the South Korea midfielder.

"You know the history and the rivalry.

"There have been some great games between the two teams and we lost at Anfield earlier this season so there is an element of revenge.

"But we are ready to play against them and this time I hope we show our strength."

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani will be assessed before a decision is taken on whether he can rejoin the squad.

The Italy international missed Thursday's Europa League victory over Lille with a sickness bug but, even if he is passed fit, it is likely he will only get a place on the bench.

Fellow midfielder Maxi Rodriguez returns to the squad having been ineligible for Europe and only Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are missing with injury.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio Park, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Obertan, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Torres, Babel, Ngog, Benayoun, Aquilani, Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Spearing, Kelly, Degen.

United league form: DLWWW

Liverpool league form: LDWLW

Key opponent: Steven Gerrard - midfielder arguably lucky to be playing and he will be out to make United pay

Prediction: United 2 Liverpool 0 - The Reds should have the edge on quality and fitness

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.

| Submit Comments | Comments (43) |

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Scholesy passed me the ball.., LU:HG (19/03/2010 at 12:31)

Hope Vidic gets a good nights sleep on Saturday night. Some smelling salts before kick-off could be a good idea too.....

pod the red, manchester (19/03/2010 at 13:33)

i could nt give a toss if the match ends up 10 9 for united as long as we,ve one more than the scum
i,ll be a happy manc 3 points is 3 points end of
thursday nite channel thursday nite channel 5 thursday nite channel 5

pod the red hulme manchester

carevin shlomo (19/03/2010 at 13:42)

This time man u will win 5-0 Rooney 4 goals glory glory man u forever Loserpool will be losers again.

jeanette thompson (19/03/2010 at 13:42)

And at half time!

stevi, france (19/03/2010 at 13:43)

we have got to be up for this game....vidic will sort Torres out I'm sure!

charbel (19/03/2010 at 13:56)

Ed, Rio, Evra, Vidic, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, and Valencia should start. The last forward position to be contested by Nani, Scholes, and Berbabtov. God only knows who'll play right-back.

In 76 oh it is true..., Mancunia (19/03/2010 at 14:02)

To look at the Liverpool squad above, you have to say they are lucky to even be in the top 6.

Take away Gerrard and Torres and they have no quality.

Fingers crossed Rafa stays in charge for many years to come.

But then again, this is Liverpools 'Man Utd cup final' so they'll be well up for it. Lets hope our lads also have that determination this time round.

To the game, Vida has to be careful. I hope SAF has spoken to him about staying on his feet and not pulling the oppositions shirt all the time.

Roy (19/03/2010 at 14:07)

I have waited for this match all season. I suspect United have too for a year and a few days. For Liverpool this is a chance to make a headline for all the right reasons.

Another game that will help answer the outcome of this most intriguing of seasons.

Monkey tennis?, yes please (19/03/2010 at 14:51)

We've just got to make sure we keep our form going...

SAF comes into his own at this time of the year - and how he's kept the plates spinning over the course of the season is a perfect example of why the man was knighted.

I deeply hope that he makes the right choices for this one - 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 or otherwise? The formation will pick the team. If it's the right one, we'll win 3-1, if it's not spot on, 2-1 or maybe a 1-1. However, i think that's a touch of nerves getting the better of me.

Some big choices to be made over the next couple of months, but i'll stick to my optimistic guns with the bold claim that we'll win the lot. Balders - get your missus to make up a few more "match-packs" - they'll be invaluable - and if she can put them in green and gold bags, you'll get your money for Madrid covered in no time!!!!!!!!

wrighty city, city (19/03/2010 at 15:13)

Good luck dont let Liverpool beat you like last year!

Do us a favour and beat the Red Dippers and we might join you in the champions league next season.

Red Afro, Derby (19/03/2010 at 15:32)

Beware the Scousers! At this point it's as if they've nothing to lose, certainly after losing all the pride in their recent games domestically and continentally. They will be extremely dangerous on Sunday, not least Torres. We've spent a full week resting; they played away from home on Thur night. So no excuse from us whatsoever if we drop points. This game and Chelsea's 7 days later will prove just how much we are determined to break yet another record (4th consecutive league trophy). Win those 2 and the crown is ours. Simple! Come on boys! I hope the hovering on the edges by Hargo heaps enormous pressure on Carrick and co.

blackadder, here, there & everywhere (19/03/2010 at 15:36)

does anyone know if Scholes and Gibson are fit? they weren't in the squad v Fulham. I'm assuming they're still out. So here goes...

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

Neville.........Ferdinand...................Vidic..........Evra

Valencia.........Fletcher.................Carrick..........Park

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

SUBS: Kuszczak, Rafael, Evans, Giggs, Nani, Obertan, Diouf

Great Fans Stay To The End..., Manchester (19/03/2010 at 15:42)

We have a really tough sequence of games coming up. Bayern-Chelsea-Bayern in one week.. 30th March
to April 7th. Then we have citeh-CL semi-Spurs-CL semi in a 15 day period. Plus in that overall time span we have the dippers at the weekend and two local away derbies at Bolton and Blackburn. Ten fascinating games in around forty days. This is why we like being Red. citeh would be making excuses and soiling themselves even at the thought of playing so many tough matches in a short space of time.
Under SAF we are bred for it. Compared to us, citeh have an easy run in to the end of their season and possibly a Ropey League spot. I guess thats the difference between the two teams. The players that citeh have bought do not have that kind of mental, physical experience to up their game when the odds are against them. We love this time of year. Real fans have no fear. We always believe that we can do it. Glory awaits.

Red Afro, Derby (19/03/2010 at 15:46)

Oh! By the way we have to pay City back by winning against Liverpool on Sunday. Not only did they drub poor Chelsea for us, but they knocked their confidence off, completely ripping their season apart to leave the title charge in our own hands. This surely is time to return the favor so City have a chance to finish 4th. But when City gets there we'll be quick to remind them how they achieved it.

Mrs Fullaway's lodger (19/03/2010 at 15:54)

It's about time we gave 'em a real good stuffin'.

Brora boy, Highlands (19/03/2010 at 16:04)

We played Liverpool when they were in the middle of a horrendous slump and they beat us. Their slump continued and they continue to be a bit of a mystery team managed by a madman. On paper and at OT it should be a win by 2 goals but their record against us of late defies imagination. Torres is top drawer as is Gerrard but against us the whole team works its socks off and gets results. Man for man we are streets ahead of them but a draw would not surprise me. 4-5-1 and simply out work them. Fast pace all the way and be ready for that long ball to Torres. They are on two days rest so the faster the tempo of the game the better for us in the later stages.

wrighty city, city (19/03/2010 at 16:07)

Well said Redafro :)

Gilly, Belgium (19/03/2010 at 16:32)

UNITED to win this encounter !

bobbydazzler (19/03/2010 at 16:44)

as always we will require 100% effort from ALL the players for the WHOLE game. we cant afford anybody to be slacking as at ANFAILED this season. if they give us that we will win because our side is better than theres.

si 4 kop, Runcorn (19/03/2010 at 16:57)

In 76 Oh is it true

I think your statement is very poor. I dont know you but if i did id say you was thick

Take away Rooney and Giggs who you got? Take away Fabregas and Arshavin what have they got? Take away Drogba and Terry? Messi and Xavi? Delap and Shawcross?

We havent had Torres and Gerrard all season! So i think you should be asking the question WHAT WOULD BE IF TORRES AND GERRARD DID PLAY? you stupid scumbag

I love all the bold statements, reminds me of last year. Dont be coming on here with your sob stories of misfortune if you get beat again because thats just embarrassing isnt it.

Drago 34 (19/03/2010 at 17:31)

Well i feel we will now go 4-3-3 so unfortunately Berbatov will be on the bench.With Fergie confirming that Giggs will play this would now be my team.....

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

Neville..........Ferdinand..........Vidic..........Evra

..............................Carrick.......................

....................Fletcher..........Scholes..............

Valencia.....................Rooney.................Giggs

Subs: Kuszackz, Rafael, Evans, Park, Nani, Berbatov, Diouf

This will be Liverpool's 3rd game in the space of 6 day's so hopefully there be tired physically and mentally.We need to exploit this by pressing them all over the pitch from the very first second and give them no time at all on the ball.The fans need to do their bit also by making it a very intimidating atmosphere for there player's and the officials.

red (19/03/2010 at 18:01)

evans for torres. vidic can't handle him. or play evans as a deep midfielder as well as. we'll outscore them. red card for gerard. valencia to dance. two forrooney.

Doc Savage (19/03/2010 at 18:46)

VDS,

Neville Vidic Ferdinand Evra,

Fletcher Carrick/Scholes Park,

Valencia Roon Nani.

Subs: Carrick/Scholes, Berbatov, Diouf, Giggs, Rafael, Evans if fit, a Keeper.

jordy, Middleton (19/03/2010 at 18:47)

United will end this unacceptable run against the scousers, 2-0 as predicted, Stevie Me to get sent off, finally!

70s prominent mufc, Blackley (19/03/2010 at 19:03)

All you deluded posters on here, GET A GRIP!! the bitters murdered chelsea not for us but for their own gain, and we will beat the "THIS IS R YEAR SELF PITYING MICKYS" for our gain and thats it in a nutshell. But ssssshhhhhhhhh keep it under ur hat its between the bitters and spurs. And nobody likes a flash cockney.Mancs are taking over europe, lock up ur daughters, and ur cash registers,its the return of the 70s abroad next season.

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