The Mancunians will have the chance to be just one point behind second placed Chelsea if they clinch all three points.
United have been wasteful in front of goal this season, managing only three goals in their last four games in the league.

Their 3-0 FA Cup win earlier last week gave some kind of relief to Ferguson who thought that his team had found back their killing instinct, but Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat away to Derby proved that the Reds have some work to do if they want to get things right against the Blues this weekend.

Manchester United have an excellent home record this season though, and after enduring tough trips in the first part of the season, they kick off the second half of the league at home against Scolari’s Blue Devils.

The Londoners dropped precious points in their last two matches; their run of 11 consecutive away wins finally ended up with a disappointing goalless draw at Goodison Park last month, followed by a painful 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

With owner Roman Abrahamovic negatively displaced in the list of Football’s richest personality and reportedly said to be tired of his club Chelsea, the Blues will definitely want to overturn their fortunes around.

The clash promises to be a cracker which is not worth missing.

Written by: Angela Asante

Though the Red Champions are arguably favourites on paper to win the encounter, history also recalls that the Sky Blues clinched a double victory against the Devils last season under their former manager Sven Goren Eriksson. Man City also beat their rivals 3-1 in a friendly almost three years ago.

A special game for Evra

One player who knows all about City’s capacity is Manchester United’s French left-back Patrice Evra who made his Man United debut against the Sky Blues.

“I played my first match against Manchester City and that helped me, as I knew how hard I had to work,” Evra said to the media.

The defender has indeed developed his talent, since joining the English club from Monaco in 2006, and cemented his place in the team’s starting XI, replacing Gabriel Heinze who is now a Galactico.

Rooney’s powerful mentality ahead of the game

While supporters expect Evra to keep up his good form on Sunday against the team which he faced in his Premier League debut, Wayne Rooney thinks about leaving up to the fans’ expectations.

“Sunday is a massive game,” the striker said.

“We owe the fans a derby win, even though we did win two trophies last season. Losing both games last season was extremely disappointing.

“It is a massive game, especially after what has happened at City with the takeover. It will be nice to show them who the Kings of Manchester are.”

Indeed, the duel between the clubs of Manchester will be fiercer than ever, as it will explain whether money is stronger than historical achievements in football or not.

The Red Champions are placed third in the league table and any slip-up against 11th placed Man City will almost mean the end of the road for them, something which Wayne Rooney is well aware of.

“It is a must-win game for us,” he declared.

“We cannot afford not to win it, especially if Liverpool and Chelsea win.

“We have had some difficult away matches but we should still have done better.

“But we are still not too far away from Liverpool and Chelsea and that is the main thing for us.

“We normally finish the season strongly so hopefully we can do that again.”

Rooney – still one goal short of a 100 – is already predicting a flurry of goals against Manchester City.
The 23 year old England forward has been preparing really hard to go and pour back all the dynamite in the blue skies at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The balance between the two clubs

Manchester United have failed to hit the back of the net in over 180 minutes, and last time’s goalless draw at Villa Park prevented them of taking full advantage on the current league leaders who also lost points on that same day.
As for Manchester City, their 3-0 win at home to Arsenal have uplifted their spirits and confidence and their Brazilian duo – Elano and Robinho – cannot wait to trash the EPL titleholders.
Both were left out from the squad that impressively beat Shalke 04 2-0 in Thursday’s UEFA Cup match in Germany due to injury problems. However, they should be fit to face Manchester United’s Portuguese Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for another battle of the Giants. Zabaleta also returns to action.

Concerning Manchester United’s list of available players for the local derby clash, things have eased up a bit for Fergie with the possible return of Berbatov.

Speaking to the press, the Scottish boss said: “Dimitar started training today but hamstring injuries are never easy to deal with.

“We have to be careful because he has never had one before.

“We will have to gauge whether it is wise to use him from the start on Sunday or better to have him on the bench.

“It really depends how he comes through the next couple of days.”

Either way, Man United have many options, talking about strikers, with Danny Welbeck, Manucho and Tevez all available.

It will be no surprise if the score is astonishing. However, the game could also be tight depending on the formation that the coaches will want to play. What is certain is that this encounter will be remembered as one of the greatest Mancunian derby ever.

Written by: Angela Asante

Martin O’Neil’s side are only the second team this year, and the third in all, to beat the Gunners at the Emirates – after loosing twice in a row to Newcastle and Middlesbrough respectively.
The Premier League’s English Top Scorer, Gabriel Agbonlahor, is the Star Man of the Match after powering his team to a famous 2-0 victory last weekend against Arsenal – Villa’s first win over the Gunners in up to 15 years.

As for Man United, they have just commenced a new winning track with a resounding 5-0 victory against Stoke City after suffering defeat in the hands of Arsenal, which Aston Villa beat.

Gary Neville is out with a groin injury while Wes Brown is also in the sidelines for an estimated 4 weeks. Berbatov too is amongst the list of injured players after being hurt during Bulgaria’s match in midweek. This could give the opportunity to Tevez – who is subject to a move to Real – to start tonight.
Ferdinand, Rooney and Fletcher all missed midweek internationals and should be able to feature while Paul Scholes is still not included in the team though being present in training.

Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo return to domestic action after a humiliating 6-2 defeat to Anderson’s Brazil earlier on Wednesday and they will want to put this story behind them.

Manchester United have been inconsistent away from home this season, drawing 1-1 at Goodison Park and loosing 2-1 at the Emirates in their most recent outings.

The Red Champions are in a position where any more slip-ups will leave the title race open to rampant armies Chelsea and Liverpool only.

Written by: Angela Asante

The Red Devils hope to clinch their second victory of the campaign to keep the fire burning.. They currently lie 15th in the Premiership table, just one place above the Trotters.

Bolton manager Gary Megson is reluctant over which team he should pick to face the Reds at Old Trafford. The Trotters displayed an excellent performance last week against Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium, but their defensive style of play could not help them to escape defeat. Bolton lost 3 – 1 at home to the Gunners, and they now need to face another Big Four opposition – Manchester United – whose road to glory this season has not been that positive. 

The EPL Champions have played almost all of their difficult fixtures and can now think of continuing their quest for glory with a more relaxed psychology.

The Reds have struggled to hit the back of the net more than once in a match this season, but Tuesday’s 3 – 1 win over Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup has somewhat raised their confidence ahead of Saturday’s game.

Ryan Giggs stated after the Middlesbrough victory that Man United could kick start its campaign at home to Bolton with an excellent result.

Manchester United have a good goal scoring record against the Trotters and their worst result in these past couple of years was a controversial 1 – 0 defeat which excluded several of their big players.

This time around, Fergie intends to play a strong squad, with the aim of grabbing all three points in a convincing manner.

The last time Gary Megson’s Bolton had to face Manchester United was in a crucial midweek encounter for the Trotters – as they were looking to avoid relegation – at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the only big names on the pitch for Manchester United and he was given the opportunity to carry the captain’s armband. Ronaldo stroke twice to seal his side 2 – 0 win and his outstanding free kick left Gary Megson and his players amazed and helpless.

Once again, Ronaldo will feature as a starter – for the first time in the league this season – and his inclusion in the team promises to change Manchester United’s miserable fortune around.

Manchester United are poised to come out victorious from this encounter, and anything less than the possible three points will come out as a shocker.

Written by Angela Asante

Ferguson will certainly rest his big players and give the chance to youngsters. However, Ronaldo is very much likely to get his first start this season. The superstar’s presence will probably give some hope to the rest of Manchester United’s second choice team.

The Red Champions are eying for nothing else than a win which would boost their confidence ahead of Saturday’s league game against Bolton, and things are not going to be that easy. Middlesbrough will go into the match with the aim of beating Ferguson’s Man United for good after controversially crushing out of the FA Cup two years ago.

Ronaldo has the habit of making great contributions for his side whenever they clash against Middlesbrough and this time around, this is all what Fergie will need.

Written by: Angela Asante