United v Shambles – Abbreviated Match Preview

By: Taylor Rockwell | March 4th, 2009

Sorry for getting this up so late, but apparently a large scale oil release is a “big deal” around here. Anyway, after getting that dealt with, I’m back to write a very brief preview for today’s matchup. A fairly fit United side will take on one of the more shambolic Newcastle squads of recent memory (and that’s saying something).

Recent Results – United

March 1, 2009: United 1 – Spurs 0 (4-1 on penalties) @ Wembley (Carling Cup Finals)
February 24, 2009: United 0 – Inter Milan 0 @ The San Siro (Champions League)
February 21, 2009: United 2 – Blackburn 1 @ Old Trafford (Premiership)
February 18, 2009: United 3 – Fulham 0 @ Old Trafford (Premiership)
February 15, 2009: United 4 – Derby 1 @ Pride Park (FA Cup)

Before we get into the meat of the match analysis, take a second look at the above form guide. Newcastle have only played five matches in more than a month, and all are in the Premiership. United, in contrast, have played five matches in about two weeks. Further, pretty much every possible competition is included in those two weeks, with United only slipping up in the draw with Inter. Not a bad list of results, and perhaps an indicator of the way this season has gone.

Now then, both Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov will start for a United squad that had a relatively tough time dealing with Spurs at the weekend. However, the return of the talented strike duo, as well as the combined presences of Michael Carrick, Edwin van der Sar, Darren Fletcher, and Park Ji-sung (none of whom played in Sunday’s Carling Cup final) should make this a relatively comfortable trip north. At least that’s what most pundits are saying.

The fact that Newcastle are without Habib Beye (ankle), Danny Guthrie (hamstring), Damien Duff (calf), Nicky Butt (old), Michael Owen (crying), and Kevin Nolan (suspension) makes a blowout a distinct possibility.

Yet these sorts of matches always end up being the trickiest, and no one knows that better than United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. “”We will not be falling into any traps. March and April are the key months that will decide the league. I keep saying it, but no one listens. We have lost leads because of bad form in March and April; we have won them by going on fantastic runs. How can we possibly take anything lightly?”

Those are comforting words for any Red Devil fans out there with lingering visions of an early season 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Fergie’s memory goes a bit deeper, recalling a time when Newcastle were a more dominant side. “I remember when they cuffed us 5-0. They are still selling the video.” Ideally by the end of the day, most of the patrons at St. James’ Park will be trying to forget the time United routed their side on the way to a domestic Treble and international Quintuple.

Squad List: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Evra, O’Shea, Evans, Fabio, Vidic, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Scholes, Gibson, Anderson, Carrick, Nani, Giggs, Fletcher, Park, Tevez, Welbeck, Berbatov, Rooney.

Predicted Lineup: VDS, Evra, Vidic, Rio, O’Shea, Park, Carrick, Anderson, Him, Rooney, Berba.