New season, new hope; and Sir Alex Ferguson has created more than a little this summer with a string of exciting, attacking purchases to bolster Manchester United’s squad. Whether the Reds soft midfield underbelly is once again exposed will be determined over the next nine months, although tThe campaign could hardly begin with a tougher fixture as Fergsuon’s men visit Everton at Goodison Park on the opening
weekendMonday night of the season. New acquisitions Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie are set to make their United debuts, with the Reds chasing a 20th league title this season.Three months on from the dramatic, and for United supporters everywhere traumatic, end to the Premier League season, with Manchester City snatching the title on goal difference deep into injury time, Ferguson has promised a response. The “mark of true champions,” says the 70-year-old Scot is the ability to respond. Indeed, the United manager has done his bit, revitalising the Reds’ attacking options with van Persie and Kagawa, and promising that “never again” will City beat United to the title on goal difference.
It is a call to arms that nobody uses to more effect that Ferguson, who has pushed his players to overcome a summer of disappointment by winning back the Premier League title next May.
“What happened takes some getting over, it’s not easy,” admits midfielder Michael Carrick.
“It was a huge blow, the way it happened. Nobody could have predicted that and we never thought it was going to happen. But we have to get over it now. We’ve had setbacks in the past and we have to move on. That’s the nature of the club and the manager. He’ll be driving us forward to achieve something this season.
“As a club we do tend to bounce back. If we have a defeat or setback we tend to come back stronger. We can’t forget how close we were. It wasn’t a disaster in terms of how the season went because we had a good season. We’ll bounce back. We’re strong this year and we’re hungry, not that we wouldn’t have been hungry anyway. It will be a good championship.”
After a trophy-less season last time out, few supporters will countenance anything other than a “good season” that contains both silverware, and exciting performances. Both were in short supply at times last season.
Yet, while Ferguson has recruited new attacking players, the Scot has been more circumspect elsewhere, with Crewe Alexandra midfielder Nick Powell likely to spend much of the season with United’s Under-21 side, and Dutchman Alexander Büttner brought in as cover for Patrice Evra at left-back.
The lack of new options in central midfield will be tested once again at Goodison, especially with Rio Ferdinand reportedly joining Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans on the treatment table. Midfielder Michael Carrick will deputise in defence, with Tom Cleverley joining 38-year-old Paul Scholes in the centre of the park. Brazilian Anderson is fit, for once some may add, but is likely to start on the bench.
Meanwhile, Everton manager David Moyes has his own midfield problems to solve after selling Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill this summer, while Darron Gibson and Marouanne Fellaini each face late fitness tests ahead of the Monday night kick-off. Steven Pienaar has rejoined from Tottenham Hotspur, while striking recruit Steven Naismith is set for a club debut.
Still, United can expect nothing other than a thorough test at Goodison after a summer that included plenty of long-haul travel, but previous little football of a high quality.
“Being away in your first game is always tough so we’ll have to be up for it,” said Welshman Ryan Giggs ahead of what could be his final season for the club.
“We’ve had a decent record there over the years – they’re always good games which can be pretty quick and quite feisty which adds to the atmosphere. David Moyes’ teams always work hard and you know you’re in for a battle and that you’ll have to work harder than them to win.
“We can talk about the quality players we’ve got in our squad but ultimately you need to work hard and make sure you start the season off well. It’s certainly a good test to begin with and everyone is looking forward to it. The manager likes to lay down his ambitions for the season and look in the players’ eyes to see if they’re ready for the challenge and we are. It was a long summer and we can’t wait to get going and put things right this time.”
With title rivals City and Chelsea both winning at the weekend Ferguson’s side is already playing catch-up in the Premier League, although there will be no panic at Old Trafford should the Reds not come away with all three points.
Yet, there will also be desire for a modicum of revenge after Everton’s dramatic 4-4 draw with United in Manchester last April. It proved to be a decisive result in the Premier League. Ferguson will want no repeat of the lax defending his men demonstrated that day.
Match Details
Everton v Manchester United – Premier League, Goodison Park – Monday 20 August 2012, 8pmPossible Teams
Everton (4-4-2): Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines; Osman, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar; Naismith, Jelavic. Subs from: Mucha, Hibbert, Distin, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios, Duffy, Anichebe, Francisco, McAleny, ColemanUnited (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Carrick, Vidic, Evra; Cleverley, Scholes; Nani, Rooney, Kagawa; Van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Powell, Valencia, Giggs, Young, Welbeck, Berbatov, Macheda, Hernández
Officials
Referee: A Marriner
Assistants: S Ledger, M McDonough
Fourth Official: A TaylorForm
n/aHead-to-Head
Last 10: United – 5 | Everton – 2 | Draw – 3
Overall: United – 81 | Everton – 64 | Draw – 42Prediction
1-1
Preview: Everton v United
(213 posts) (25 voices)-
Posted 10 months ago #
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Spudiator
Member
I keep thinking of that 4-4 draw, and even though United had only themselves to blame, I do think a certain amount of revenge mentality will see this game through. I reckon 2-0 to United, van Persie and Rooney getting the goals.
United Rant's original returning eternal optimist!Posted 10 months ago # -
marlon
Member
Not sure RVP will be fit to start. I think Kagawa is more likely to start with RVP replacing him after the hour. Not sure Scholes will start either after his performance in the 4-4. He is a bit ineffective against energetic pressing midfields, although it could be different in a 4231. Wouldn't be surprised to see Ando come in for him.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
I think Eds got it spot on... that's the team, and formation I want to see us play every big game... obviously Carrick in Scholes place, when our defence isn't in ruins... but when those players, especially the front 4 get to know each other, we're going to see some awesome football... I'm sure of it.
I'm still not happy with Ferguson... but this is the first season in years that I'm genuinely excited about the football to come, and not just depressed about the state of our club and the cunts running it.
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 10 months ago # -
We will start with our ridiculous outdated straight line 4-4-2 and then Everton will run riot as they did a few months ago at old Trafford. What is wrong with Jones? Why on earth are we going to start another season with Paul Scholes starting ANY game?
I am already annoyed thinking about these long before the match starts.
Dear Sir Alex Ferguson, the 4-4-2 formation with two strikers and two central midfielders is DEAD. Please stop playing this. Thank you very much sir. Regards,
A Loyal Fan.Posted 10 months ago # -
Spudiator
Member Calvino said:
We will start with our ridiculous outdated straight line 4-4-2 and then Everton will run riot as they did a few months ago at old Trafford. What is wrong with Jones? Why on earth are we going to start another season with Paul Scholes starting ANY game?I am already annoyed thinking about these long before the match starts.
Fucking hell Cal, can you be just a tad more melodramatic? I don't think you quite nailed it!
Posted 10 months ago # -
Forgive me Spud. Am trying.
But seriously, what is wrong with Jones? Or Evans? First bleeding game of the season and they are crocked? From what? Watching telly? We already know that Rio is not going to be much use but seriously...?
We still should have gone for a holding midfielder.
Posted 10 months ago # -
CoombesOn
Member
Posted by unregistered user: CoombesOnThe Jones issue is pretty well publicized Calvino – he has a problem with his back. He’ll be out for a month apparently.
And I don’t think a traditional 442 is really possible with the players we need to incorporate. At least I hope not… It will be pretty heartbreaking if we do try to stick with that outdated formation.
And finally, Scholes was one of the main reasons we got so close to City last year. He doesn’t have the engine to compete against the top Prem teams (and I include Everton in that) for the full 90. But he can more than do a job against most.
In all fairness, he was pretty solid against them in the 4-4 until it got to 70 mins. And when you look at who he’ll be up against today, the only massive threat is Fellaini (and to a lesser extent Osman)
My bigger concerns relate to the back 4
Really disconcerting to be starting the year with plasters across the defence yet again. Don’t really understand why Michael Keane started on Saturday given our problems here
Oh well. It wouldn’t be United if we didn’t make things difficult. Triumph in the face of adversity and all that.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Expect Fellaini to spend the game bullying Carrick if Carrick starts at CB. As an aside, why didn't we solve the Fellaini problem by purchasing my favorite be-Afro'd footballer. I really think he is underrated and I'd love him at United.
Heart is screaming for RvP to start, head suggests having an extra man in midfield would be more useful. I'd start with a 3 man midfield (Who that might be is another thing), Nani / Kagawa floating about behind Rooney. I know Fergie likes his wing play, but we get natural width from our fullbacks and I would rather trust in our forwards, like the season with had the mind bogglingly brilliant Rooney / Ronaldo / Tevez front line, to take up sensible positions.
2 - 1 United, but it'll be squeaky bum all the way.
Posted 10 months ago # -
sidney
Member
All Fellaini can do is hold it up and lay it of, he's not going to turn Carrick, so just let him win it, then crowd him out and win the second ball
He'll look to flick it on to runners n all, so just make sure those players are tracked, and shown down the line and/or smashed in the face
Piss
Posted 10 months ago # -
Sid - you mean like the last time we played Everton, where he embarrassed us by dictating the play all game with his height, power and us getting no-where near the runners or second ball.
Of course I don't see that necessarily happening again, but let's not get all super excited again...
Posted 10 months ago #
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