Timing and circumstance are cooperating in perfect accord for a United result over City on Sunday.
Alex Ferguson's side are coming off consecutive unsavory results and performances two weeks after losing tragically to Arsenal at Ashburton Grove. A nominal pounding of Stoke did little to quench United's boiling rapacity, nor did their hard-fought blank with Aston Villa or their customary, friendly nil-nil with Villareal.
When United themselves were tore up by Arsenal, it was largely along the Red's right flank. Gary Neville was left to handle both Nasri and Clichy as the right-sided midfielder, Ronaldo, was playing forward to link counter-attacks. Neville and United were exposed; the introduction of Rafael not only provided their only goal but served to finally stymy the Gunner's artillery.
Rafael and Evra would be ideal candidates to deal with City's two prodigious wingers, the reborn Shaun Wright-Phillips and the ever-dancing Robinho. Despite scoring on his City debut against United last year, Benjani is unlikely to threaten an in-form Vidic. Stephen Ireland is another City player on song lately, and Fletcher would be expected to hamper his influence, with either Carrick or Anderson deployed to bring the attack forward.
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Up front, the return of Berbatov inevitably adds several angles to United's attack with Rooney the likely benefactor. The Englishman is focused on the game, stating Friday: "It will be nice to show them who are the kings of Manchester. I missed both derbies last season and that was really frustrating..."
Rooney added quite certainly: "It doesn't irritate us that City are getting all this publicity. If they were winning trophies it would irritate me but while they are still lingering in mid-table I am not really too bothered about it."
A positive result portends elsewhere in the squad. Ronaldo, as ever, appears absolutely on the verge of mania if he doesn't score some goals fast. Ronaldo seems to prefer attacking down our left-side and, if in position Sunday, should have joy against City's young right-back Zabaleta, while Evra, Vidic, Fletcher, and Park Ji-Sung are also enjoying spells of form for United.
United will look to swashbuckle through a City defense sometimes found frail and lacking confidence, with Ben Haim and Richard Dunne each making clownish mistakes throughout their four consecutive losses prior to last weekend's win over Arsenal.
Man City are still basking in the afterglow of both the Arsenal victory and Thursday's unexpected 2-0 result at Schalke, guaranteeing advancement from the UEFA Cup group stage. Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips are twin blue angels of tricks and pace, and each are likely to expose United's outside defense at least once. Elano and Stephen Ireland should also both feature throughout.
It should be a high-scoring affair, with United having the clear impetus to defeat the side who overcome them quite heroically last year, as City did the double over their more illustrious, more successful neighbors. Coupled with the past two weeks of indifferent results, United are focused to start a long run of attacking football, and its inevitable results, starting Sunday against their despised rival.
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about 1 month ago
United: 3 (Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov)
City: 1 (Robinho)
^.^
about 1 month ago
City 3-2 United
Robinho, Ireland, Benjani for City
Shrek will score both for United.
from about 1 month ago
Well if the game kicks off at all then you will be lucky to win Peter .......
about 1 month ago
This game is not going to be close. United in a blowout 4-0.
Dunhill Hilton.
New York City.
about 1 month ago
2-0 rooney and Ronaldo.
about 1 month ago
Lasyt 6 ... City won 3 drew 2 lost 1. City 6 (Robinho 4, Hart 2) Yewnited 0.
about 1 month ago
good preview nathan. i'm hoping united will win it. 2-1 to united i reckon. ronaldo and carrick for united, ireland or benjani for city.
about 1 month ago
Hilariously biased article. I wonder who the writer supports?
Don't underestimate City at home. Especially on derby day.
City 5 United 0.
from about 1 month ago
Go to Reuters if you expect something else!
about 1 month ago
This game probably wont even be played tomorrow , sorry to disappoint you all . 0-0 due to no game .
about 1 month ago
A fiery preview here...a close game..if it ever kicks off...2-1 to United.
from about 1 month ago
Im with you Salaar , 2 -1 United if the game goes ahead , its a fair result .
about 1 month ago
City go in to the game in form, united don't, city have shown they can rise for the big occasion and they will tomorrow United will have no answer in yet another big game, in keeping with the rest of their season
from about 1 month ago
City go into the game overconfident. I'd take a grumpy United over an unusually chuffed City squad any day.
about 1 month ago
Just can't see it, United have only won two of the derbies since City got re-promoted and I've seen nothing to suggest that will change
about 1 month ago
Ronaldo will score at least 2!
from about 1 month ago
Just like he did in Brazil? hahaahhhhaahahaha
about 1 month ago
Ronaldo didn't lose to Brazil; a Portugal side lacking other quality lost to Brazil.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah and he looked like shite on the big stage for the first time playing with the big boys.
hahhahah
he`s was like uhhh....Brazil...I thought they said Bolton..damn.
about 1 month ago
So S ! hehehe... your super hero Robinho! Another country fellow redneck from Brazil went missing from the big game against Man Utd! Just like Kaka against Portsmouth! Is this the best that Brasil has to offer?
about 1 month ago
Robinwho? HEHEHE
about 1 month ago
RAFAEL > ROBINHO
about 1 month ago
Come to think about it now..and talking about the big stage like SB like to put it! Last season, at the biggest stage of all in the champions league finals, I think the only Brazillian playing was Anderson. No Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinwho and the likes, that performed against Portugal. This event was obviously not BIG enough for them, compared to the friendly they played against Portugal!
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