Derby County vs Manchester United preview

Posted on | March 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

Manchester United could possibly have not asked for an easier game away from Old Trafford. Derby County have been woeful this season. The Rams have managed to win just one game all season, against Newcastle. With Chelsea hitting them for a six at Stamford Bridge, Derby have now gone 26 games without a win in all competitions. A win for the Red Devils will see them move to the top of the table, although Arsenal could reclaim it when they face Middlesbrough later in the day.

Derby have scored only 10 points in 29 Premiership games, and are yet to win under Paul Jewell. Their last Premiership home goal, not counting Sun Jihai’s own goal, came from Matt Oakley in December. Injuries have not helped their cause, with Tyrone Mears, Claude Davis and Giles Barnes all out of action for the rest of the season. Stephen Pearson faces a late fitness test, and defender Alain Stubbs will not play after suffering a calf injury in the game against Chelsea. Any attempts at goal against a miserly Man United defence will have to come from the likes of Oakley, Miller and Earnshaw.

Manchester United have Bolton waiting for them after the Derby game, and Sir Alex will want six points from both games. With Edwin Van Der Sar injured, and Tomas Kuzcsak getting himself sent off against Portsmouth, Ferguson will hand young Ben Foster a start. Gary Neville is likely to start on the substitutes bench, and may make his first appearance for the club in a year late in the game. Welsh winger Ryan Giggs, who missed the last four games with a calf injury, is also likely to make a return. Ferguson could rotate his squad a bit, the but the absence of a couple of players isn’t likely to make much of a difference to the scoreline. The Red Devils have been playing some great, free flowing football, and Derby aren’t really likely to trouble them much. United’s last three away games in the Premiership have seen them pick up seven points out of a possible nine- a 3-0 win over Fulham, 5-1 at Newcastle and a 1-1 draw against Tottenham.

The reverse fixture this season saw United beat Derby 4-1 at Old Trafford, with goals coming from Giggs, Tevez and Ronaldo. Roy Carroll is likely to have his hands full with former United colleagues aiming to put as many past him as possible. 3-0 to United with Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs/Tevez on the scoresheet.

Related posts:

1. Liverpool vs Derby County preview
2. Derby v Manchester United Preview
3. Manchester United vs Manchester City
4. Premiership Manchester City v Manchester United
5. Newcastle United v Manchester United preview

Comments