Manchester United embark on the next step in their trophy quest on Saturday evening when they make the trip to Wembley Stadium to take on neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup Semi Final.
The two clubs will kick off with wildly contrasting levels of confidence. City visited Anfield on Monday and were three down by half time after being given a torrid examination by Carroll and Suarez. To add insult to injury, their talisman Carlos Tevez pulled a hamstring early on and misses the big game. On the other hand, United confidently breezed past Chelsea in the Champions League to book their spot in the Semi Finals. The Reds will also be missing one of their key players following the suspension of Wayne Rooney.
Road to Wembley
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| City & United's fixtures thus far - graphic courtesy of Football 365 |
The Opposition
City have endured a very inconsistent season in all competitions. Excellent early season victories over Liverpool and Chelsea were mixed in with disappointing defeats by Sunderland and Wolves. Overall, they have lost eight league games this term as opposed to just five at the same time last season. In addition, they have scored 19 fewer goals but have tightened up at the back considerably with eleven less conceded.
Their recent form perfectly demonstrates their tendency to be inconsistent with a record of played 8, won 3, drawn 2 and lost 3.
The absence of Tevez will be a huge blow to City. In my view, it ranks above Rooney missing for United. With the Argentinian in their side, you get the feeling he gives them confidence and belief. Without him, as well as missing his energy and goals, you feel the psychological effect could be particularly damaging.
To be fair, City have plenty of class players that should be able to step up and help to overcome this loss in the likes of Silva, Johnson, Touré, Dzeko and Balotelli but whether they can raise their game to compensate is another matter.
Their strength clearly lies defence with the excellent Kompany a mainstay of the back line all season. They are ably supported by De Jong and Touré in midfield while Hart has had a solid season in goal.
Tactics
After the hammering they took on Monday, I can see Mancini once again reverting to a more defensive outlook with Barry joining De Jong and Touré in the centre in a bid to dominate the midfield. The Italian would be hammered by all concerned if he decided to risk an attacking strategy in what is the club's last hope of ending their long painful quest for a trophy this season. City will look to sit deep and absorb the waves of United pressure and then break at speed through Silva and Johnson wide and Dzeko up front. The long striding Touré will try to assist the Bosnian in the box.
For United, as usual they will target the full backs. Richards on the right could return after an injury lay-off and could be vulnerable while Zabaleta on the other side was given a rough ride by Nani in the league game so will surely come under pressure again. The Reds may also look to exploit any defensive weakness in David Silva's game by doubling up on his full back.
United
Once again, predicting United's team correctly will be almost impossible. The whole club, including the fans will agree that the FA Cup is the lowest on the list of priorities this season but bearing in mind it has been a while since we have had our hands on the famous old trophy, you get the feeling that many want to add it to their CV. Bearing in mind the City strength in central midfield, I have opted for a 4-3-3 formation.
It is feasible that Van Der Sar will be given the weekend off in order to prepare for the tough fixtures coming up but unless his slight calf strain is troubling him, I can see him being there. Accompanying him in defence, I have Fabio, Smalling and Brown with Vidic retained as captain and leader. Although he will be desperate to play, I think another mini-break for Ferdinand is viable with Evra joining him after a few shaky displays in defence recently. Bearing in mind City's height, I can see Brown slotting in at right back after O'Shea got the nod on Tuesday.
My midfield trio are Anderson, Scholes and Carrick. The Brazilian needs games after his injury lay off and although he made an appearance in the reserves last night, I can see him being asked to break forward and support the lone front man. Scholes had to sit out the Chelsea games but I can see him returning at Wembley and using his renowned technical skills to set United's attacking threat free. With Giggs and Park deserving of a break after their fabulous exertions in midweek, I would expect both Nani and Valencia to start on the flanks. Both should love the space available to them on Saturday and they will look for the likes of Carrick and Scholes to supply the ammunition.
Up front, I have chosen Dimitar Berbatov on his own. Against any other team, I would have expected a 4-4-2 similar to Tuesday but I feel the boss will leave Hernández on the bench alongside Owen who will be itching to make an impression for United. The worry for the Reds will be that Berbatov loves to drop deep and this will leave the penalty box vacant for the crosses supplied by the wide men. If Anderson does play, then the onus will be on him to get up to assist but given his poor goal record and lack of a decent shooting technique, we will not be expecting too much!
Scoreline Prediction
If the formation predictions above come to fruition then I can only see a tight, defensive game which could be won with a moment of genius from either side. When I look at both teams, I can see more match winners and big game players in red, so I will go for United to edge it by a single goal scored late in the second half by Valencia. I would love to be proved wrong (as I was in midweek) and the boss decides on a 4-4-2 with Owen supporting Berbatov (Hernández kept in reserve) but I think it is unlikely.
If the above comes true then the United juggernaut will roll on, gathering momentum with each victory as the season draws towards a sensational climax. League action resumes on Tuesday with a trip to Newcastle followed by the visit of Everton next weekend ahead of the first leg of the Champions League semi final. Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on United to four points on Sunday if they can overcome Liverpool at the Emirates. For the second time in a week, United supporters will brave the unthinkable and support the Scousers in a match against one of their rivals. Anything less than an Arsenal victory will nudge the Reds closer to that magical 19th title and with a North London battle on Wednesday for the Gunners, the table could be looking distinctly favourable come Thursday morning.
Do you agree with my team and score predictions above? Please leave a comment below or contact me via Twitter.
I can't wait for tomorrow's match and I think the Reds march on to the final. I actually think they will opt for the 4-2-3-1 but with the same players you suggested. Can't believe we need to "cheer" for Liverpool again but we'll have to hope they take the points away from Arsenal. 19th League Title here we come!
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