City v. United - Derby Day Preview

Derby Day
By Chris O'Brien
March 13 2004

Manchester United make their first ever visit to the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday knowing a win is the only result that will keep flagging title hopes alive. Sir Alex Ferguson has major worries for the derby clash, with seven United players ruled out.

Derby Days are always massive games (pun intended City fans), but United's first visit to the City of Manchester Stadium, the Blues' council house, on Sunday is one of the important games against our local rivals for years.

The mid-week European Cup exit at the hands of Porto has sent morale at Old Trafford into a downward spiral, and United are desperate for a confidence boosting victory against City, which would keep slight hopes of a ninth Premiership title for Sir Alex Ferguson alive. United will also be looking for revenge after losing the last ever Maine Road derby by 3 goals to 1 last season, in a game which turned our season around for the better in many respects.

Sir Alex Ferguson, fitted with a pacemaker during the week, has a selection headache ahead of the all-Manchester defence which will again see the defence stretched to breaking point. Gary Neville and, of course, Rio Ferdinand are both ruled out through suspension and with Mikael Silvestre still suffering from a knee injury and Quinton Fortune set to miss the entire season with leg troubles, United have only three first-team defenders to pick from.

Phillip Neville, Wes Brown and John O'Shea, none of whom have been on top form recently, will start at the back and they will be joined by either youngster Danny Pugh, who may make his first Premiership start, or Ryan Giggs who could be forced to revert to unfamiliar territory of playing at left-back. Another youth player, Mark Lynch could also be named in the Manchester United match-day squad. This dilemma shows just what a makeshift defence Fergie will need to play, and evidence of why a defender should have been signed during the January transfer window.

There are further injury problems and absentees for the Red Devils, with Eric Djemba-Djemba unavailable due to an international call-up for Cameroon and Ronald unlikely to feature following his thigh injury sustained during the 1-1 second-leg draw against FC Porto on Tuesday. As we previously reported, the injury to the Portuguese winger is no where near as bad as was first thought, but it is thought he will do very well to pass a fitness test for Sunday. This means United could make at least 2 changes to the midfield that started mid-week.

As for the hosts, Kevin Keegan has been boosted by the return of Paulo Wanchope who is likely to be named on the bench, and Joey Barton could also return for the club who haven't won a major trophy in 28 years. Antoine Sibierski is the main worry for City, but they have few worries compared to their neighbours.

Arsenal's victory at Ewood Park, and Chelsea's win at the Reebok means this is a game United have got to win. Anything else and in all realism, the title hopes will lay in tatters. United sit 12 points behind Arsenal now, so defeat tomorrow would mean the Gunners would need to slip up a minimum of 4 times from their remaining 10 matches. The fact it's the derby will add extra motivation to the players, but that will also be there in the City team, particularly after the recent F.A Cup game. It will be tough, particularly with the absentees, but the team is capable of doing it. Keep the faith.

ManUtdWeb Prediction - Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
What else can I say? City are not playing well, and are in relegation worries so there are no excuses. The fact its the derby will add extra spice to both teams, but United have got to come away with three points. United have not kept a clean sheet in the Premiership for over two months, and we've won only 2 games from 6. Things must change tomorrow.