Manchester United welcome Wolves to Old Trafford on Saturday knowing they have to keep winning if they are to close the gap on rivals City at the top of the Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lie five points behind their neighbours at the summit and know victory over Mick McCarthy’s side could see them close the gap with City playing Chelsea on Monday. The Red Devils have been at their formidable best since their derby day drubbing in October winning four of their last five games by a goal to nil. In typical United style they responded to that humiliating defeat at Old Trafford by shutting up shop and grinding out the necessary results to ensure they stay within touching distance of City at the top. Last week’s win at Villa typified the game plan employed Ferguson with his side giving nothing away in defence and limiting the home side to just a few shots on goal. The return of captain Nemanja Vidic and the form of teenager Phil Jones have ensured United have a stable presence at the back whilst the latter has also proved to be a big hit going forward too. His goal against Villa was his first for since joining the club from Blackburn in the summer. The only problem that remains for United is to get Wayne Rooney scoring again with the striker failing to find the net since September. He’ll be confident of regaining his deadly touch against a Wolves side who have won only once away from home all season.
The Midlands side will travel to Manchester full of confidence after their late win over Sunderland last week moved them four points clear of the relegation zone. However that victory simply papered over the cracks of a run that has seen them win twice in their last 11 games and plummet down the table. A strong start to the season saw the optimism levels rise at Molineux only for that to give way to a dreadful run of form that saw them become embroiled in yet another battle to escape the clutches of the bottom three. Whilst they’ve been able to keep their head above water for now with wins here and there Wanderers need to start stringing a consistent run of positive results together to avoid being pulled further into the mire. Defending needs to dramatically improve with Roger Johnson and Christophe Berra looking lost at times during games whilst the return of Steven Fletcher from injury should take some of the attacking burden off Kevin Doyle’s shoulders. The Scotland striker showed just how important he is to the club by scoring twice to win the game last week and McCarthy will be relieved to have him back to full fitness. Starting their run of festive fixtures off with a trip to Old Trafford isn’t ideal but with games against Stoke, Norwich and Bolton on the horizon Wolves will see an opportunity to pull themselves further away from trouble.
Manchester United −2nd
Last Five: Won 1-0 v Aston Villa (A), Drew 1-1 v Newcastle (H), Won 1-0 v Swansea (A), Won 1-0 v Sunderland (H), Won 1-0 v Everton (A)
Potential Starting X11: 1. D. de Gea 12. C. Smalling 6. J. Evans 5. R. Ferdinand 3. P. Evra 18. A. Young 24. D. Fletcher 4. P. Jones* 17. Nani 19. D. Wellbeck 10. W. Rooney
Injury News: Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez become the latest players to check into the United treatment room joining Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Michael Owen who all remain out.
Key Player: Phil Jones
Despite not expecting to feature much during his first season at Old Trafford Jones has become an integral part of the United side since his summer move from Blackburn. The teenager has come on leaps and bounds since pulling on the famous red shirt with some composed displays at the back whilst also offering a telling presence at the other end of the field. His first goal for the club proved to be the winner against Villa last week and Ferguson will be expecting more of the same from his latest young talent.
Match Fact: United enjoy playing Wolves having won four of their six Premier League meetings between the two sides.
Wolves – 16th
Last Five: Won 2-1 v Sunderland (H), Lost 3-0 v Chelsea (A), Lost 2-1 v Everton (A)Won 3-1 v Wigan (H), Lost 3-1 v Manchester City (A
Potential Starting X11: 1. W. Hennessey 23. R. Zubar 6. J. Craddock [C] 16. C. Berra 3. G Elokobi 11. S. Ward 8. K. Henry [C] 20. N. Milijas 17. M. Jarvis 29. K. Doyle 10. S. Fletcher*
Injury News: Wolves have no new injury worries with defender Richard Stearman likely to miss the trip to Manchester whilst Kevin Foley has been ruled out until Janaury with an ankle injury.
Key Player: Steven Fletcher
It’s been an injury laden season for the Scotland striker but whenever he’s played he’s scored goals. Fletcher proved his importance to Wolves last week the two winning goals against Sunderland on his return and McCarthy will be delighted to have his hit man back in business. His partnership with Doyle is one of the strongest in the league and he’ll be tasked with matching the Irishman’s work rate at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Match Fact: Wolves have beaten United only twice in the Premier League and have never recorded a top-flight victory at Old Trafford in their three visits thus far.
Match Fact:
Last Time at Old Trafford
Premier League 6 November 2010
Manchester United 2-1 Wolves
Park (45, 90)
Ebanks-Blake (66)
Attendance: 75,285
Referee: Phil Dowd
PREDICTION
United have shut up shop and gone back to basics following their deby day battering winning four of their last five by a goal to nil. The Red Devil’s are doing the bare minimum to secure maximum points as they continue their fight to regain top spot from rivals City. Wolves on the other hand are desperate to put more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone and will happily settle for a point at Old Trafford. However with Ferguson’s side conceding only one goal in five games it could be another miserable afternoon for McCarthy and his men.
Score 3-0
[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]