Manchester United vs West Brom Barclays Premier League
Expectations and Pressure
All the pressure is on United in this match. We can not achieve the 24 points I wanted us to get after 10 games because we have dropped 8 points so far this season. The players are aware they have plenty of work to do. “We have already dropped too many points. We’ve given people the opportunity to criticise us, and that’s our fault,” Patrice Evra said. The next 3 games must be won. The confidence of the side is not 100% yet, but we have to expect a reaction from the players given the experiance they have. West Brom have the pressure off them in this match and their good form has given them a real durable confidence. The result at Arsenal the other week will allow them to play without fear and my only fear for them is that maybe they might be too relaxed for this game! This very unusual situation for an away team coming to Old Trafford but reflects the good start they have made this season.
Style of Play
Without a doubt 4-4-2 will be used by Ferguson. I just hope he picks a balanced team. His selection was wrong against Sunderland and our style of play suffered because of it. The injury to Valencia has been a blow because he and Nani provide us with the natural width we like to play with, but we will have to make the best of what we have and player like Bebe and Obertan have a good chance to step up now. The back four I expect to settle down now Ferdinand has returned and sooner or later Rooney will get some form and confidence and him and Berbatov are a potent mix up-front. The central midfield is the interesting one for this match. West Brom will play with 2 pivots who sit deep so Berbatov must play high up the pitch because he will get little space between the lines. We will have Dorrans to look after as well, but really we just need to have a good balance in the middle. We need to win the match so can afford to have a midfield player pushing forward and one just sitting.
Selection
Van der Sar.
Rafael - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra. No need to change goalkeeper given Van der Sar had a break over the International period. At right-back I have gone with Rafael. His form has been solid in the last couple of games, he is more dynamic going forward than O'Shea which we will need attacking West Brom. O'Shea got plenty of football for Ireland so can drop to the bench. Ferdinand continues alongside Vidic and Evra having sat against Sunderland will be very fresh after being banned to play for France.
Nani - Fletcher - Scholes - Giggs. Valencia (Ankle) means Nani is a definate on the right. Hargreaves (Calf) is not quite ready so we have plenty of options in the middle. I stick with Fletcher because he is in form and will attack from midfield. Next to him Scholes can play after an International break. With Park (Knee) a doubt Giggs will be needed on the left.
Berbatov - Rooney. Dimitar has had the International break off as well and has been the best player in the team this season, so he starts. Hernandez has done alot of travel so I expect him to sit this one out. Rooney has no injury and I think the real reason he has been left out is because of his issue's off the pitch. I think having played for England Rooney must play, but he is needs to find some form to jusitfiy his place.
Subs - Kuszczak, O'Shea, Carrick, Anderson, Obertan, Macheda, Owen.