Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will play no part in Manchester United's Champions League clash with Rangers.
Sir Alex Ferguson has opted to rest the duo and is likely to start with Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans at the heart of his defence at Ibrox.
Meanwhile, a report in the Manchester Evening News suggests Juventus are lining up bids for Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda.
The Serie A side are looking to strengthen their strikeforce after confirming that Brazilian forward Amauri could be sidelined for at least two months with a knee injury.
Ferguson dropped former Bulgaria international Berbatov from his 18-man squad for Saturday's 2-0 victory against Wigan Athletic. The 29-year-old has failed to score in his last nine appearances since grabbing a hat-trick in the victory against Liverpool in September.
Nineteen-year-old Macheda is believed to be interested in returning to Italy despite making a big impact at Old Trafford.
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Panathinaikos are also said to be keen to sign Anderson on a loan agreement. The 22-year-old has not been part of United's squad recently.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
With the news that Alan Pardew has taken the job as the new Newcastle manager, it seemed apt to have a look at some of the more bizarre managerial appointments in the world of football over the years. Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley replacing the successful Chris Hughton with Alan Pardew has to be right up there, but it could be argued that other football managerial appointments have left us scratching our heads even more in the past. Here is a trip down memory lane with the top ten bizarre managerial appointments of recent years.
Click on image below to see the TOP TEN
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is wary of the impact of Darren Bent ahead of his side’s trip to Villa Park this weekend.
Aston Villa broke their transfer record this week when they paid 18 million pounds for Bent who was Sunderland’s top scorer.
The England striker has been one of the most prolific forwards in the Premier League over the last few years and Mancini thinks his arrival at Villa can inspire them to climb clear of the relegation zone.
“Darren Bent is a fantastic striker and has scored a lot of goals in England,” said the City manager.
“For us it will be harder on Saturday because Villa with Bent will improve a lot.”
“He has scored a lot of goals, around one every two games, and that’s why Villa have signed him. Villa are a good team with a good, experienced manager. At the moment they deserve to be higher in the table.”
“When you change the manager it’s difficult but I think Gerard Houllier has the experience to move the team up the table. Saturday will be very hard, if we want to win we must play very well.”
City are also enjoying the impact made by a big-money signing in Edin Dzeko.
The striker from Wolfsburg impressed on his debut last weekend, capping a fine all-round display with an assist in City’s 4-3 win over Wolves.
But Mancini reckons it will take time for the Bosnia international to adapt to the English top flight.
“Dzeko played very well,” Mancini said, adding: “He needs to improve though.”
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“Like all players who come from other countries he will need four or five games to understand the Premier League. This is different from the other championships.”
With Mario Balotelli carrying a knee injury, Dzeko is expected to start alongside Carlos Tevez in attack at Villa Park.
In defence, Mancini could be without Micah Richards who is still recovering from a back problem.
Transfer record breaking Chelsea will be looking for revenge tonight at the Stadium of Light against a Sunderland team that caused a shock 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. Despite the defeat, Chelsea are still in the running for the title race but will need to continue their recent form.
Black Cats boss, Steve Bruce, could give a debut to new signing Stephane Sessegnon, who joined from Paris St Germain – however, loan signing Sulley Muntari is not available for selection. Despite losing striker Darren Bent, Sunderland have gained 10 points out of a possible 12 in the month of January and are currently 6th place.
Carlo Ancelotti will not have new lucrative signings, Fernando Torres and David Luiz, available for selection but will be looking to continue their recent run of form which saw them smash four goals away at Bolton in their last league outing – whilst maintaining their excellent defensive record.
Prediction: 0-2
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Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano has made defence the number one priority ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid.
Cup holders Sevilla host La Liga title contenders Real at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday, with a place in the final up for grabs.
But the match is only the first instalment of two legs to decide the outcome and Manzano knows it is vital that his team are still in contention when they travel to Real’s Santiago Bernabeu on February 2
“The tie isn’t going to be decided here,” Manzano said on Tuesday.
“If only it were to be decided here. It will be decided in the Bernabeu. That is why the most important thing is to not let them score. We need to keep a cool head. We aren’t going to go crazy and look to kill off the tie in the first 20 minutes at home.”
“It is a game where we need to be focused right from the first minute of the game right up to minute 180. That is why tomorrow we will look to have a good game to set up the return leg.”
Manzano revealed that his team selection will largely be dictated by Sevilla’s 4-1 win over Levante in their last La Liga match, on Saturday.
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“In today’s training session today we tried to set out a plan, but the game against Levante set the tone for the starting eleven,” he said.
“As I said before the game against Villarreal, which was a return leg, there will be variables that we will have to adapt to. We have this new game, with specific circumstances. I have the script in my head, but my players need to provide the performance.”
Even by their recent standards, January was a particularly eventful month for Liverpool FC. The month began with Roy Hodgson’s ignominious early ousting from the Anfield hotseat, with the Reds’ new American owners appointing club legend Kenny Dalglish in the former Fulham manager’s place. The King’s return to the throne culminated in a return to winning ways, before a staggering transfer deadline day saw the club effectively trade Fernando Torres for Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
Dalglish’s return to the managerial post he vacated nearly 20 years ago has undoubtedly brought back some much-needed stability and leadership to a side decimated by in-fighting and turmoil over the last 18 months. Sunday’s 1-0 win away at Chelsea saw Liverpool record their fourth successive victory, fuelling optimistic suggestions that the side can make a late push for Champions League qualification.
Although plaudits have been heaped upon the 59-year-old caretaker manager by fans and pundits alike, credit must be given to the man brought in by Dalglish to oversee coaching of the first-team. Former Chelsea man Steve Clarke has been an integral part of the Reds’ recent revival, a sentiment alluded to by Daniel Agger and Jay Spearing.
Speaking to LFC Weekly, Spearing said: “Under him [Clarke] the pace of training has changed.
“He wants us to do things quicker. That’s helped us to play at a better tempo in games.”
Clarke is a respected figure within the game, and is widely credited as being a key figure behind Chelsea’s back-to-back title wins of 2004/05 and 2005/06.
Charlton Athletic assistant manager Alex Dyer, a man who worked with Clarke during the Scotsman’s spell as assistant manager at West Ham United, said that Dalglish’s number two excels at getting “footballers playing to their maximum potential.” This assertion has been vindicated in the performances of some of Liverpool’s players; shaky Slovak Martin Skrtel has begun to show some semblance of the defender he was when he first arrived at Anfield in 2008, and the free-scoring Raul Meireles is finally starting to prove his true worth to the team.
The fact that Liverpool’s rearguard has been breached with greater infrequency during the last month is no coincidence. The side have conceded five goals in their last seven games, and have managed to keep clean sheets in each of their last four outings. Liverpool’s successful tactical reversion to a 3-5-2 system not seen since the late 1990s is thought to be to attributable to Clarke.
Liverpool’s displays of late have also drawn comparisons to the ‘pass and move’ ethic synonymous with the club during their 1970s and 1980s halcyon days (for example, Fernando Torres’ second goal against Wolves at Molineux was preceded by 31 passes). Dyer again attributes to this to the work of Clarke, stating: “Most of the players I know loved his sessions. He likes to play the ball on the ground with quick passing and play at a high tempo.”
Dealing with Fernando Torres’ late January transfer request would surely have provided Kenny Dalglish with his biggest headache this January. Dalglish admirably dealt with the mess created by the former Rojiblanco, but whether or not Carroll and Suarez manage to fill the Spaniard’s illustrious shoes remains to be seen. Regardless of their eventual impact, the signing of Steve Clarke may prove to be the most important signing made by Kenny Dalglish in the January window.
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So a slight change with regards to my usual topics of discourse i.e. what happened in the game but a slightly more proactive offering this time, attempting to offer a solution to the quite often mundane football we’ve been subjected quite recently (though some would argue there has been a deeper malaise full stop in terms of attractive football. To those I’d point out our wins v Blackburn / Birmingham and whenever Michael Carrick had Anderson alongside him in an orthodox 4-4-2).
Anyway, the following areas I percieve as problems in the side whenever we adopt 4-3-3 and issues that were much evident against Marseille and other sides away from home, whereby despite the fact we generally look solid defensively. Up front we are more functional and generally devoid of any real ideas and furthermore lacked the ability or cohesion to create a sustained period of pressure.
1. Midfield Malaise (No Anderson…)
Hopefully Anderson’s initial diagnosis is not as bad as we all were made to think and he will slot into the side near the business end of the season, ready to play a pivotal ball-carrying role in the centre of the park. If however he suffers a further set back and generally struggles fitness wise to get sharp (all hypothetical) its clear that the midfield duo of Carrick & Fletcher lacks the required silk to dominate possessionand create chances against top opposition especially considering the form they’re in. So what are we to do? One suggestion would be to play Berbatov in a deeper role, almost as a third midfielder (this task can be interchangeable with Rooney or even Nani drifting off the flanks) and making sure these two always have a more technically gifted playmaker to lay the ball off to under pressure.
Where do Scholes and Giggs come into this? Well games away from home generally require young legs especially in the first half and I think it suits them best to come on in the second half whether it be in midfield or in a wide position as in the case of Giggs.
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2. Lack of Penetration
Its clear to most people that United’s 4-3-3 inevitably drifts into 4-6-0 whenever Berbatov plays up front alone. We simply don’t possess a genuine goal threat when he is up there as he doesn’t have the pace or movement to be a menace behind the backline and wreak havoc on the counter. Similarly when Rooney is made to play up front alone whilst in his current form, he is left isolated and he gets frustrated, his touch goes slightly awry, hold up play suffers and the team has sporadic moments of quality possession and we tend to win games with a moment of magic rather than dominate teams with our conception of a 4-3-3. The solution could be instead to go 4-2-3-1 and introduce the hitherto unused big match weapon Javier ‘Chico’ Hernandez; providing a constant focus point for the team up front, a genuine goal threat and someone who can take the goalscoring burden off messrs Rooney and Berbatov. Furthermore it could also give the breathing space that Fletcher and Carrick are crying out for under pressure, can you imagine Carrick under pressure spotting Hernandez off the shoulder off the last man and dinking it perfectly in the path of the goal-hungry Mexican, I can and his presence could solve two problems with one perfectly aimed little Pea.
Conclusion:
A few unmentioned issues I’ll briefly cover in the conclusion, Rafael in for O’Shea. I think we need the Brazillians presence especially with that midfield. If there is any way we can include talented ball carriers who can aid our industrious but not particularly creative/silky midfield we must take it and his presence is much appreciated and effective. A final issue is that of Ferdinand, it could possibly be Smalling ousts him from the first team set up.. unlikely but with this lads rate of development anything could happen.. in this situation though I’d stick to tried and tested and Ferdinand is top class.
Finally I just want to put across how much I want to see that swashbuckling spirit United used to possess regardless of the situation (home or away, UCL or FA Cup) whilst at the same time maintaining the new found defensive discipline we’ve developed over the years. Its a balance that has tipped too much in favour of result over performance recently and the aforementioned formation / line-up is one example of a proposed selection designed to win games but in an exciting manner – what’s yours?
Written By
Raees Mahmood (Follow me @ www.twitter.com/redrae7 or check out www.thebusbyway.com)
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Someone who could make the starting XI in the near future is Paul Pogba and he should be there for many years to come. Watch the video below to see why…
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will miss Saturday’s blockbuster FA Cup quarter-final with Manchester United after reinjuring his hamstring.Manager Arsene Wenger said the 23-year-old midfielder – whose careless backheel gifted Barcelona their first goal in Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League loss at the Nou Camp – would miss around two weeks with the injury, which has plagued him for some time.”He is very disappointed because it is becoming a bit of a problem for him but it is very superficial,” Wenger said. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will also sit out the clash at Old Trafford after injuring his finger in the Barcelona game, and with Lukasz Fabianski still missing with a shoulder complaint Manuel Almunia looks set to start between the posts.Arsenal are already missing winger Theo Walcott and midfielder Alex Song, as they look to rebound from the disappointment of losing the Carling Cup final to Birmingham on February 27 and their Champions League exit at the hands of Barca.
News that Rio Ferdinand could be out for the season hasn’t been met with the level of disappointment by many United fans that you’d expect.
While the loss of arguably the world’s best centre back is a massive blow there’s a feeling among many Reds that it needn’t be a devastating one.
The reason for the underlying optimism is a certain Christopher Lloyd Smalling who exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations with a series of assured performances at the heart of United’s defence.
Watching Smalling playing for Fulham last season, I was a little sceptical as to why we’d signed him to be perfectly honest as in the few games I saw him in, he looked a little shaky to say the least. What I, in my infinite stupidity failed to do was watch him over any extended period of time, just simply the occasional game here and the odd highlight there before making a negative assumption.
Smalling has fitted into the defence when called upon with consummate ease, displaying the confidence and ability to move the ball forward you’d associate with Rio Ferdinand. Smalling’s pace and physical presence make him a daunting prospect for any forward to face and he’s shown he’s more than adept at tackling and winning aerial battles.
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Smalling has composure on the ball which belies his inexperience, yet unlike other defenders most notably Ferdinand, who have that same style, his play never seems perfunctory. That’s not to say that Smalling is at the same level as Ferdinand, it would be daft to suggest such a thing, but there can be little or no doubt that he’s certainly living up to the moniker of Ferdinand’s heir apparent.
Smalling’s rise to the summit of club football has been nothing short of awe-inspiring as a man who a mere two years ago was plying his trade in the Ryman league is now first choice for a team chasing the treble.
The concern I have is that while Smalling has gone from non-league to England class in barely two years, he’s still a relative novice in the top flight, who ideally was expected to be United’s third, fourth of even fifth choice centre back this season.
Don’t get me wrong as Chicharito has so ably shown top flight experience isn’t the be all and end all when you’ve got such an abundance of talent, but that shouldn’t detract from the fact a lot’s being asked of a player who’s barely reached 20 Premier League appearances.
Unlike a striker who can miss three chances but score one and still be a hero, if a defender makes just one error in a game, it can prove costly.
With the current United defensive injury problems reaching crisis levels, Ferguson has little choice but to turn to Smalling. With both John O’Shea and Rafael out for at least a few weeks, then surely Wes Brown will be required to fill the right back role.
Continue to the NEXT PAGE…
Jonny Evans is thought to have a strong chance of being fit for the Bolton game this weekend, but here is where one of the main problems lie when it comes to playing Smalling. In an ideal world Smalling would be used sparingly, perhaps even just as cover for Evans and Vidic who played together more than admirably during United’s 11 game clean sheet record breaking run in 2008/09.
Yet since then Evans has been on downward trajectory and other than a few minor glimpses of the defender once considered the most exciting at the club, some even rated him higher than Gerard Pique when they were both fringe players, he’s become something of a worry to say the least.
It’s now got to the point where if Evans and Smalling are both fit, then it surely has to be the former Fulham man who’s preferred such is the level of unreliability you’d associate with the Irishman.
Nemanja Vidic is expected to return after Saturday’s game and take his place in the defence for the following week’s trip to Upton Park.
With a fit Vidic, and no Rafael or O’Shea you’d expect Brown to occupy the right back and either Smalling or Evans be asked to partner the United skipper.
The thought of Jonny Evans being in defence at Upton Park again is almost not worth thinking about as watching him make Carlton Cole look like Eric Cantona in the freezing cold a few months ago was arguably the nadir of any away trip I’ve ever been on.
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It now seems inevitable that Smalling is going to be called upon for a series of games which could make or break United’s entire season. Yet is that really the best thing for both player and club?
Against both Liverpool and Marseille Smalling has shown signs that he’s not as infallible as everyone once thought. I’m not criticising him, merely pointing out an observation that I’m sure many other Reds have noticed.
In the game at Anfield, Smalling was one of United’s better defenders- or at least less bad ones- I know that’s the same thing, but if you think about it there’s a different meaning.
In the game against Arsenal Smalling was immense while the in the Champion’s league after a somewhat nervy start he gradually looked a little more composed.
The point is that Smalling is currently serving his apprenticeship at Old Trafford, he’s shone brightly and impressed everyone but are we asking too much of him to be a first choice centre back for possibly the rest of the season?
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Evans and Brown may have looked shaky at times, but unlike Smalling they’ve been involved in both title run-ins and big Champion’s league games a number of times. The general consensus among United fans is to stick with Smalling until Rio returns- or if that’s not forthcoming, until the end of the season.
Smalling has undoubtedly shown he is the real deal, and alongside Vidic his extra pace and composure is the perfect compliment.
However if he should show signs of the pressure getting to him then would giving Brown or even the much-maligned Evans another chance be such a bad idea?
Everyone was shocked when Ferguson chose Evans ahead of Smalling against Liverpool in the FA Cup, yet the defender proved his detractors wrong with a solid point.
As always I’m keen to hear your thoughts. Please comment below and let me know if I’ve gone off the deep end yet again or actually have a valid point?
Read more of Justin’s articles at the excellent Red Flag Flying High
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Check out Man United’s representative in the Top TEN solo goals of all time…
With all eyes on Aston Villa over the last few weeks as the threat of relegation now looks serious, not helped with the bust-up between players and staff during what was supposed to be a team bonding session. Plus the Villa fans voicing their opinions on manager Gerard Houllier during their last home game, a trip to in-form Everton is not what the manager wanted.
Everton are 2nd in the league form table having won 3 out of their last 4 games and are now 8th in the table and will be eyeing to finish as high up the league as possible with the remaining 8 fixtures. Goodison Park has also been a fortress for the Toffees where they’ve not lost in their last seven games.
Villa on the other hand is a contrast in the form guide, with the 2nd worst defensive record in the league and 17th in the form guide. They welcome back key defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins who both picked up slight knocks on international duty. However, in form full-back Kyle Walker is doubtful.
Despite Everton missing a few creative players, their home form should see them come out victors over what seems like a depleted Villa team. However, the form guide is often thrown out the window for these seemingly mis-match games but considering the attention on Villa lately, there will be added pressure on the squad to perform.
Prediction: Everton 2-0 Aston Villa
Watch Jason Cundy & Scott Minto on Scoreboard and see their pre-match predictions
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