Weekend title watch - the mancs

[Craig_H]

Didnt really know where to put this, as our thread on Fulham is obviously in the LFC forum, so i spose this cant go there.

But the mancs will be without Vidic, Scholes, Rooney & Berbatov on Sunday. Would it realistic for Tevez to recover from playing in Bolivia and re-acclimatise by Sunday? If not, they'll be very short of strikers. Ronaldo would probably play up front, i doubt Ferguson would play Welbeck. Rio Ferdinand is also doubtful so it could be Evans and O'Shea at centre back. Is ratboy Neville match fit to play RB? Rafael is out i think so while Evra will play at LB, they could have problems at RB and CB.

Carrick will probably play in the midfield along with Fletcher, Park and Nani, while Giggs might revert to a forward position alongside Ronaldo.

If ferdinand isnt fit, it's probably likely to be:

VDS
Neville Evans O'Shea Evra
Park Carrick Fletcher Nani
Giggs
Ronaldo

That's about as weak as you can expect for them. They'll have Vidic, Rooney and Tevez all available for the next game, so it's crucial that Villa take advantage of this opportunity.

[Matt]

I'm really hoping and praying, as everyone else on here will be, that Villa will find something extra and take a point or three off them. They never seem to get the result against Utd though.

Welbeck started the Carling Cup final so I wouldn't be surprised if he did play.

Of course, it will all come down to what colour top van der Saar wears.

[-V-]

I have a belief that Villa will get a result.

Vidic, Scholes, Rooney, Anderson and Berbatov all out. Rio doubtful and Tevez is not back from South America yet!!!

That leaves them relying almost solely on the whiny bitch who is off-form and struggling

[EwarWoo]

Come on Villa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joe King]

Villa always lose to United home and away, not expecting anything from this game. Its when the fixture pile up in mid-April starts which will test United.

Ferdinand is fit to play on Sunday, I think I read.

[dww]

Villa need Barry and Reo Coker to play in the middle of midfield and have good games no matter who United put on the pitch. Their confidence has been low and consequently team shape poor of late and they need a solid base to get themselves into the game. They have players like Young who give them a chance of getting a goal in a tight match.

I really think that United will stroll it though. The Villa squad has been creaking for a while and the lack of a real leader at the back is hurting them.

[Joe King]

Is Martin Laursen training again? He makes a massive difference, both in defence and attack.

Its clear that O Neill doesn't trust Nicky Shorey despite being a very competent left back. In order to keep the shape, as dww said, I would be tempted to play Shorey at left back and ask him to prove the manager wrong, what better place to do so. Switch Luke Young at right back and its about playing the best players in the best positions. Pack the midfield with five with Agbonlahor on the right and Ashley Young on the left who are capable of testing a makeshift Man United defence with Carew having the job of testing the attributes of young Jonny Evans, who so far has shown to have the ability to cope with some top strikers in the Premiership.

[Exiled_red]

Hopefully the defeat against us will get them really up for it, they have the chance to take advantage and get a result, I hope I'm wrong but I can see another spawny 1-0 win to the scum here

[wiw]

Villa will do the filthy barstewards

[Ben_Itez]

17/2 Villa are.

Surely they're not that unlikely to win? They have a piss poor record there and are playing poorly at the moment but with all United's suspensions/injury worries/lack of confidence etc they're surely worth a punt?

[Craig_H]

I dont think Villa will win this game, very very unlikely. A draw, on the other hand...

[EwarWoo]

If mancs get 3 points here I guarantee you they'll win the title.

But they won;t get 3. They're going down.

[JohnDoe]

Think the mancs will win, barely. Villa won't go at them which will give them the time and space to get the 3 points.

[Assassin]

17/2 Villa are.

Surely they're not that unlikely to win? They have a piss poor record there and are playing poorly at the moment but with all United's suspensions/injury worries/lack of confidence etc they're surely worth a punt?

I think Fulham were 8/1.

I see Villa turning them over

[Lee]

Is Martin Laursen training again? He makes a massive difference, both in defence and attack.

Its clear that O Neill doesn't trust Nicky Shorey despite being a very competent left back. In order to keep the shape, as dww said, I would be tempted to play Shorey at left back and ask him to prove the manager wrong, what better place to do so. Switch Luke Young at right back and its about playing the best players in the best positions. Pack the midfield with five with Agbonlahor on the right and Ashley Young on the left who are capable of testing a makeshift Man United defence with Carew having the job of testing the attributes of young Jonny Evans, who so far has shown to have the ability to cope with some top strikers in the Premiership.

Agree with every word there

I feel Utd will win anyway sadly - I just hope Villa put up a fight