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Post by Manc Fever on Sept 10, 2008 14:19:49 GMT
0-0
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Post by missunited on Sept 10, 2008 18:06:35 GMT
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.MEN
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Post by Busby Boy on Sept 10, 2008 18:16:06 GMT
Gerrard and Torres will play.
Can just imagine Rafa saying to Gerrard, take this medical on his injury miss a few England games and be able to play in a game that could, if Liverpool win, put them in the running for challenging for the title.
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Post by united4lyf on Sept 10, 2008 21:46:10 GMT
I can see Rooney scoring in this one now.
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devilforlife
United Bench Warmer
plg%%I love every single player who has worn our great shirt.%%
Posts: 830
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Post by devilforlife on Sept 11, 2008 4:08:34 GMT
Forget about the league,3 points,etc.Beating loserfool is an end in itself.Cant wait for saturday.....
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Post by adityashah1989 on Sept 11, 2008 12:05:23 GMT
I won't be surprised if Gerrard and Torres are both in the starting line up on Saturday.
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gars
United Youth Teamer
plg%%Paul Scholes%%
Posts: 105
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Post by gars on Sept 11, 2008 15:56:31 GMT
Does anyone know when was the last time they beat us in the league?
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devilforlife
United Bench Warmer
plg%%I love every single player who has worn our great shirt.%%
Posts: 830
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Post by devilforlife on Sept 11, 2008 16:15:20 GMT
Okay,this would be my team to beat loserfool- GK-E V D SAR RB-W BROWN CB-R FERDINAND CB-N VIDIC LB-P EVRA RM-NANI CM-P SCHOLES CM-M CARRICK LM-JI SUNJ PARK ST-W ROONEY ST-C TEVEZ The back 5 picks itself.I would get nani straight back in for this one.Between giggsey and park,i would go with park cause this game is a game which scholsey must play.His passing could prove invaluable.And if scholsey plays,i"m not too sure about giggsey in the same team.That doesnt work for me.So,park starts with nani on the wings.Scholes with michael carrick in the centre.Now,uptop.Well,berba has not had much time to settle down,so i would have him on the bench.Tevez had a week off and wazza was outstanding mid-week so i expect him to take that form to anfield and score the winner!!!I"m going for another 1-0 win with wazza to score the winner.COME ON UNITED!!!!!
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Post by VintageRed on Sept 11, 2008 17:31:12 GMT
No Berbatov?
Not injured is he?
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giggzy
United School Boy
20%
Posts: 11
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Post by giggzy on Sept 11, 2008 18:53:13 GMT
ill go with 1-0 ROONEY
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Post by 20Times on Sept 11, 2008 19:58:24 GMT
1-0 fletch
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Post by A-t-S on Sept 11, 2008 20:10:59 GMT
Does anyone know when was the last time they beat us in the league? Off the top of my head, i'd say 2003/2004..they beat us 1-0 at O.T.
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Post by Dizzy on Sept 11, 2008 20:33:15 GMT
Last time at Anfield was in the 01/02 season I think. Maybe 00/01.
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Post by tomo on Sept 11, 2008 20:38:51 GMT
I won't be surprised if Gerrard and Torres are both in the starting line up on Saturday. Same. As soon as the news came out about those injuries I predicted both, or at least one, would play.
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Post by Red Dev 7 on Sept 11, 2008 23:08:40 GMT
Does anyone know when was the last time they beat us in the league? November 2001, i think.
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