Sheffield United v Manchester United (18 Nov, 3pm)

[Busby Boy]

Manchester United go into this game top of the league by three points. With this being the last league game before we play Chelsea on 28th November it is vital we get a win.

Neil Warnock will have his side fired up for a win, they have already upset Liverpool this season and will look to do the same versus us.

If we come through the stupid international friendlies with a clean bill of health, I'd expect the team to line up exactly the same as it has in the last three league games. That being:

Van Der Sar

Neville (c)* - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra

Ronaldo - Scholes - Carrick - Giggs

Rooney - Saha

* if injured then Wes Brown/John O'Shea

I expect us to win this, and with Celtic and Chelsea coming up it'd be nice to have no injuries.

2-0 UNITED

[Vidic's Bitch !]

we play chelsea on the 28th,old age gets to your memory eh

[7even]

I’m locking this thread for now mate, the Sheffield game is a week away. I’ll open it in a few days.

[Edit] Thread unlocked.

Will Alex bring in others and rest key players, as we've got tough games coming up? (Bring in who I hear?)...

That’s the line up I’d expect though (although we all know what Alex is like for changing things) apart from maybe O’shea at right back (Dear God no) if Neville is still injured.

[tomo]

Yeh I think Gary Neville is missing this game, but hopefully back for the Chelski game. I agree with that line-up as well, but as 7even said O'Shit will play there, but he played really well against Blackburn I though.

Prediction: 3-0

I guess we'll be playing in our third kit because Sheffield United play in red and white. Its the blue one isn't it? I hate that kit

[Vidic's Bitch !]

o'shea played pretty good when he came on at blackburn and he had a good game for ireland tonight,he's not a bad full back he's just a useless midfielder,so i don't mind him playing if neville can't.

[7even]

We have no other option than to play him, which is ridiculous. Brown? Neville best be fit for the Chelsea game.

[Busby Boy]

The Blue kit was nice with vodafone it just looks ugly with AIG.

[tom]

I am off to this game my brother in law who plays for them has got me and my mates tickets, I just hope fergie leaves the same team but i think he will change the team with the 2 big games coming up followed by everton in midweek, i think he will view this one like the reading game and will lok to protect some of them, i am expecting no saha or giggs and can see this ending in a frustrating draw or worse

[Carlito's Way]

Saha will definitely start. Giggs may not. Scholes will be subbed off later when we're winning I feel.

[mufc2911]

giggs got a knock for wales so who knows if he'll start. suppose fletch will have to do. hopefully he can repeat his liverpool performance. rooney scored for england against the dutch so hopefully he can find the net again. fingers crossed,hope we'll win comfortably and boost our goal diff.

[Red Yank]

tom said:

I am off to this game my brother in law who plays for them has got me and my mates tickets, I just hope fergie leaves the same team but i think he will change the team with the 2 big games coming up followed by everton in midweek, i think he will view this one like the reading game and will lok to protect some of them, i am expecting no saha or giggs and can see this ending in a frustrating draw or worse

If there's one match where we'll need to rest some of our starters then this is it. I don't expect to see Giggs or Saha either and my guess is Nev will probably be rested as well. November's got a lot of important fixtures so I would start with most of our starters and sub them later after we've gotten a comfortable lead. Sheffield will come out to play I'm sure so there better be no snoozing players on our end.

[Rais.n.Hell]

yeah i agree with you RY...we really need our assault weapons all ready to rumble against Celtics n Chutski. But i fear Neville will be in the starting line up. Fergie doesnt want any slips no matter what. and if another Southend happens then we'll be in real trouble. He's gonna look for a tighter defense at all times and not give a single chance to Sheffield. I'd hate to see a draw. And lets just not talk about a loss...I just might kill someone!!

BTW...my prediction 1-0...dont see too many goals on this one with some of our Seals out of action.

[missunited]

We have to play a strong team as despite their place in the league at the moment, Sheffield United isnt going to be an easy team to beat, especially at Sheffield. Underestimating oponents have done us no favours thus far this season.

[missunited]

Fergie: We must stay three points clear

SIR Alex Ferguson is demanding another Manchester United win at Sheffield United on Saturday to ensure his side retain a three-point lead over Chelsea going into their mouth-watering showdown the following weekend.

The Red Devils have record six straight Barclays Premiership wins since the disappointing draw at Reading in September, a run which has allowed them to sneak a lead on Chelsea, who have already twice stumbled unexpectedly this term.

With a healthy goal difference advantage as well, Ferguson knows his team will retain top spot ahead of Chelsea's visit even if they lost at Bramall Lane and the Stamford Bridge outfit come through their London derby with West Ham unscathed.
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But the United manager knows just how much the pressure would be eased if they could beat the Blades to maintain a buffer on the back-to-back champions.

"The game with Chelsea will be a massive one and we want to be going into it with a three-point lead," said Ferguson.

"Chelsea's excellent starts to the last two league campaigns are the main reason why they've won the title.

"They have left us all catching our breath, but thankfully we have enjoyed a good opening to the season this time round."

Title race

Having dropped points in just two of their opening 12 fixtures - their only defeat coming on home soil against Arsenal - United are enjoying one of the best starts to a league season in Ferguson's 20 years as manager.

But the Scot is acutely aware the title race is a long way from over.

Once the Chelsea game has gone, United will then embark on a testing run of eight games in five weeks, which includes trips to Manchester City, West Ham and Aston Villa.

Even if they come through those tests, Ferguson accepts his team will probably stumble at some stage. And the Old Trafford chief believes it is how they react to such setbacks that will determine whether United land their ninth Premiership crown.

"The consistency factor comes in to play now," he said.

"After the game with Chelsea you then go into the December programme - which is always congested, tense and exhausting for everyone.

"There has been a real increase in momentum from us and the performances on the field are justifying a lot of people's optimism at the club.

"But I don't want them to get too confident because there are a lot of potholes ahead and they will trip up somewhere.

"The important thing is how you recover. You have to have the consistency that champions need and the kind that we've had many times in the past."

As usual, Ferguson will hope his international stars return home without injury this week, although already there is a minor worry over Ryan Giggs, who picked up an ankle knock leading Wales to victory over Liechtenstein in Wrexham last night.

[keano16]

Chelsea are playing West Ham this weekend, that could be a banana skin in the Chav's direction.

I expect us to win this game and I go along with Tomohara's prediction, 3-0. Looking in my crystal ball I see a goal for Rio Ferdinand.

It will be fantastic if Chelsea slip up against West Ham. Come on Teddy!!

edit: West Ham to win 2-1 and Sheringham to score first is 200/1.