What: Carling Cup, Semi-Final, 2nd LegWho: Manchester United (1st, Premier League) (0) v Derby County (20th, Championship) (1)
When: Tuesday, 20th January, Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
Pride Park Penance
In the 22 years Sir Alex Ferguson has sat in the Old Trafford hot seat, there have been few performances as dire as that witnessed at Pride Park two weeks ago. Indeed, you would have been forgiven for thinking that the Mancunians were struggling in the Championship rather than their hosts.
The tremendous effort put in by the Derby County players made the world champions unrecognisable from the team that thumped Premier League opponents Blackburn Rovers 5-3 in the previous round of the competition.
In that game, Carlos Tevez’s hat-trick gave the Scottish manager food for thought for when it comes to deciding whether to push through a £32 million permanent move for the Argentine whirlwind. Against the Rams, all this good work was shattered by a 90-minute display that would have shamed a £320,000 player, let alone a potential club record signing.
Tevez wasn’t the only player from the United second string who faltered. John O’Shea illustrated yet again the disparity between himself and world-class operator Patrice Evra at left-back, the lethargic Anderson was lucky to last until the 74th minute and Nani supplied more ammunition to his detractors as his bag of tricks dismally failed to craft an opening in the County back-line.
These men will be given the chance for redemption as Ferguson continues his policy of selecting his reserves for a cup at the bottom of the Red Devils’ long list of priorities. If they spurn this, many of them will struggle to receive top billing at the Theatre of Dreams again.
Derby Dreamers
In a campaign characterised by managerial uncertainty and disastrous results, the 1-0 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s superstars shone a ray of light through the gloom descending upon Derby County.
Under the guidance of caretaker manager David Lowe, the Rams dispatched their illustrious opponents with remarkable ease. Such was their superiority, the fact that only Kris Commons’ sublime piledriver separated the clubs led to a feeling of regret that other opportunities were spurned.
From his watching vigil in the Pride Park stands, new boss Nigel Clough would have been thoroughly impressed by the bristly display from his squad that included a goal-line clearance from Jonny Evans and a rebound from striker Robert Hulse that rose tantalisingly over Tomasz Kuszczak’s bar.
This certainly wouldn’t have been the case after his charges fell to a 2-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers in his first game in charge this weekend. Worryingly for Clough, this match featured the unwelcome reappearance of the fragility that has left the club languishing in 20th place in the Championship and forced Paul Jewell’s resignation in December.
The ex-Burton Albion man was dismayed at how County twice conceded when they’d been in possession. Feeble defending like this will be punished ruthlessly by a United side scarred by the criticism directed their way from the first leg.
Clough must now manufacture a return to the obstinate play of two weeks ago if Derby are to claim an unlikely first piece of major silverware since his father, Brian, inspired a league title triumph back in 1975.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United:
17th January vs. Bolton Wanderers (A) won 1-0 (PREM)
14th January vs. Wigan Athletic (H) won 1-0 (PREM)
11th January vs. Chelsea (H) won 3-0 (PREM)
7th January vs. Derby County (A) lost 1-0 (CARLING CUP)
4th January vs. Southampton (A) won 3-0 (FA CUP)
Derby County:
17th January vs. Queens Park Rangers (H) lost 2-0 (CH’SHIP)
7th January vs. Manchester United (H) won 1-0 (CARING CUP)
3rd January vs. Forest Green Rovers (A) won 4-3 (FA CUP)
28th December vs. Ipswich Town (H) lost 1-0 (CH’SHIP)
26th December vs. Preston North End (A) lost 2-0 (CH’SHIP)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United:
The injury crisis gripping Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad is still a few weeks away from being resolved by the returns of Patrice Evra (foot), Wes Brown (ankle), Rio Ferdinand (back) and Wayne Rooney (hamstring). Owen Hargreaves (knee) is sidelined until the end of the season.
Ferguson will be boosted by the introduction of Fabio and Zoran Tošić into his first team plans, although he has taken the option to rest Dimitar Berbatov and Edwin Van der Sar.
Last starting XI (vs. Bolton Wanderers): Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Fletcher (Giggs 69), Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 69), Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Park, Nani, Welbeck, Chester.
Squad: Kuszczak, Foster, Amos, Rafael, Neville, Vidic, Evans, Chester, O'Shea, Fabio, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Possebon, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Tošić, Tevez, Welbeck, Macheda.
Possible starting XI: Kuszczak, Rafael, Neville, Vidic, Fabio, Nani, Park, Carrick, Scholes, Tevez, Welbeck
Derby County:
Nigel Clough welcomes Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart into the fold after the duo missed his first game in charge through suspension.
There is no such good news with regard to Nathan Ellington (hamstring), whilst giant centre back Claude Davies (hamstring) has recovered to make the Rams’ bench.
Last starting XI (vs. Queens Park Rangers): Carroll, Albrechtsen, Todd, Nyatanga, Camara, Barnes (Barazite 70), Green, Addison, Commons, Varney (Davies 59), Hulse.
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Savage, Teale.
Squad: Carroll, Albrechtsen, Todd, Nyatanga, Camara, Barnes, Barazite, Green, Addison, Commons, Hulse, Davies, Savage, Teale, Davis, Sterjovski, Bywater.
Possible starting XI: Carroll, Albrechtsen, Todd, Nyatanga, Connolly, Green, Addison, Commons, Barnes, Sterjovski, Hulse.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United: Starved of the ball at Pride Park due to his turgid team mates, Danny Welbeck never stood a chance of adding to his blossoming reputation. On Tuesday night, the Longsight-born rookie can expect much greater service as the figurehead of an attack determined to destroy Derby’s lead. Sir Alex Ferguson has great faith in the 18-year-old striker, and he’ll be sure Welbeck can replicate his goal scoring antics from his previous first team appearances against Stoke City and Southampton.
Derby County: Andy Todd rolled back the years in the first leg with his spiky performance against the world champions. There was simply no way through for United’s precocious youngsters against the veteran centre-back, as he marshalled a usually porous defence with aplomb. Without this, Kris Commons’ thunderbolt would have counted for nothing. If Todd can call on the wealth of Premier League experience he gained as a Bolton, Blackburn and Charlton player, then the Derby fans might be catching a coach for Wembley on March 1st.
PREDICTION
Derby may have the advantage, but you can be sure that Fergie’s latest fledglings will be determined to overhaul their Championship opponents.
The Scot has only lost one domestic semi-final in his United career, and barring a repeat of the lifeless first leg display, this record will be extended at Old Trafford.
Manchester United 3-0 Derby County
Resource: Goal.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment