Galatasaray vs. Manchester United: Match Preview- 20/11/12

VENUE: Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul.

KO TIME: 19.45 GMT (1.15 am IST)

                The Turkish side welcome EPL giants Manchester United on Tuesday in their next Champions League Group H fixture. Galatasaray need all three points to keep their qualification hopes alive. They have four points from games and are on the third place now.

                Both the sides play each other after losing to average teams. Galatasaray lost to Karabukspor and United lost to Norwich at the weekend. United won 1-0 at Old Trafford when the two sides met in the first leg with Michael Carrick scoring the lone goal.

TEAM FORM:

Galatasaray: LDWWW
Galatasaray 1-3 Kardemir Karabuk
Mersin Idam Yurdu 1-1 Galatasaray

CFR Cluj 1-3 Galatasaray

Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor 1-2 Galatasaray

Galatasaray 3-0 Kayserispor

Manchester United: LWWWL

Norwich City 1-0 Manchester United

Aston Villa 2-3 Manchester United

Braga 1-3 Manchester United

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

Chelsea 5-4 Manchester United

TEAM NEWS:

Galatasaray: Sabri Sarioglu is not fit for the match. Johan Elmander might be on the bench after making a comeback on the weekend after a thigh problem.

Manchester United: Nemanja Vidic and Luis Nani are both not available for the game with Knee and Hamstring injuries respectively. Phil Jones might start who was named on the bench against Norwich. Wayne Rooney, who missed the action against the Canaries, could probably start.

PREVIOUS MEETING:

Manchester United 1-0 Galatasaray

                Manchester United won 1-0 at Old Trafford when the two sides met earlier, thanks to Michael Carrick’s goal.

                The two sides last met in Turkey in the year 1993, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were eliminated from the competition after a 0-0 draw. The match saw the home fans bringing ‘Welcome to Hell’ banners. The match will always be remembered.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

Galatasaray: Muslera; Eboue, Cris, Nounkeu, Balta; Altintop, Inan, Melo; Bulut¸ Yilmaz, Amrabat.

Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Buttner; Anderson, Carrick, Cleverley; Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck.

PREDICTION:

                It will be difficult for Manchester United to win the game easily looking at their Defensive crisis. Wayne Rooney’s return will be a huge boost for The Reds.

PICK: Galatasaray 1-2 Manchester United

MATCH FACTS:

·         Four of Manchester United’s nine goals in the group have come in the last 15 minutes of matches.

·         Galatasaray have scored four goals in the Champions League so far in this season. All goals scored by Yilmaz.

·         The last time Manchester United faced Galatasaray in Turkey in 1993, Sir Alex’s side crashed out of the competition after a goalless draw.

·         United have secured the top spot of Group H after winning all four of their matches.

MAN TO WATCH:

Galatasaray: Burak Yilmaz

Manchester United: Javier Hernandez

Chris Smalling Returns!

Chris Smalling feels that the lights going out during yesterday's match actually switched the team on.

 

He said: "Yes, I think it did in a way. Especially after their goal. We knew we really had to pick ourselves up.

"We had a lot of the ball but we weren't really getting anywhere. So yes, it really helped us."

On Van Persie: "He [Van Persie] is a person who only needs one chance," Smalling said. "That was crucial and he's proved that all season so far, and long may it continue.

On Rooney: "He [Rooney] is one of those who wants to put himself back in the firing line. I think he showed he's got the courage. You never have to doubt him really from the penalty spot."

On his return: "It's been so long and it's been frustrating watching from the sidelines. But it's good to be able to come in and come back with a win as well so I'm feeling happy."

5 Managers Who Could Replace Sir Alex at Manchester United

                There were rumours some weeks ago that Sir Alex is ready to retire at the end of the 2012/13 season. Manchester United then revealed that plans for Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement have already been discussed and locked in drawer at Old Trafford.

                The United vice-chairman Ed Woodward claimed that the date when the Scot will end his reign is not yet decided but the list for his replacement is only known by selective people at Old Trafford.

He said: “We have a view as to what the process [appointing a new manager] will look like in terms of finding a replacement and what type of manager we want and how and when we’ll go about it. But it’s in the drawer and long may it stay in the drawer.”

The Scot celebrated his 26 glorious years at Old Trafford this week. The 70 year old earlier this year said: “I don’t know how long I can last now but if my health stays up I don’t think another two or three years would harm me any”

One thing is sure that the Scot will be difficult to follow for anyone who gets the job. Now lets take a look at the Top Five candidates who are likely for the job and have the qualities to replace the great Sir Alex:

5. Alan Pardew

                It would be awesome if an English manager replaces Sir Alex. Pardew has impressed a lot at Newcastle United as a Manager. His success as a manger has been too good. He guided The Magpies to European Football for their first time after they returned to the

the Premier League.

                He was also the manager who promoted Reading and West Ham. His lack of managing at top level would go against him but he could be quite good as well.

4. David Moyes

                Moyes has done miracles with Everton in a limited budget. Bringing the best out of the squad has been his best ability. Sir Alex and Moyes appear to be made up of the same soils that have huge respect for the players.

                The only drawback is the lack of experience at a top club. If United want a man for a Long Term at Old Trafford, Moyes is the man, who has proved that at Everton.

3. Jose Mourinho

                Many people would like to see The Special One replacing Sir Alex at Old Trafford. Both the managers have huge respect for each other. His personality is perfect for the job. The Portuguese would be the one if Sir Alex had to choose.

                Looking at the clashes going on in Madrid, Jose would probably leave the job. His tactics are different from that of Manchester United but he has performed well at Madrid who have the same heritage as that of United.

2. Pep Guardiola

                Guardiola would perfectly fit in Sir Alex’ boots if he retires at the end of this Season. Pep is back after a break and is ready to take over a team after ending his reign at Barcelona after four years last season.

                Chelsea and Manchester City are also trying to get Pep for the job. Recently there were rumours that Sir Alex met Pep in the United States of America to talk with him for the United job.

1. Ole Gunnar Solskjær

The Baby faced assassin would be the best replacement for Sir Alex when he retires. He was much loved as player at Old Trafford. His goal in the injury time helped United win the Champions League in 1999.

The Molde manager might have only one year experience as a manager, but he knows how the United system works as he was the coach of the reserves for 3 odd years. If Sir Alex extends his career for few more years, Ole would be perfect!

Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Capital One Cup Preview

After facing each other in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday, the two giants clash again in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup. Manchester United won 3-2 on Sunday at the Bridge, which turned out to be a controversial game that saw Ivanovic and Torres getting sent off in the second half, making them ineligible for Today’s match.

                Chelsea were down to nine men, when Hernandez found the Net as he scored the winner at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will be looking forward to take their revenge and qualify for the next round.

TEAM FORM:

Before the loss on Sunday, Chelsea also lost their Champions league fixture to Shakhtar Donetsk last Tuesday as well. While United on the other hand were the only English Club to win the Champions League fixture last week.

                In the third round of Capital One Cup, the Blues crushed Wolves 6-0 at home, while the Red Devils defeated Newcastle United 2-1 at Old Trafford.

TEAM NEWS:

            Chelsea will be without suspended players Torres and Ivanovic as both of them were sent off on Sunday. John Terry is also out with his suspension and midfielder Frank Lampard is out with a Calf Injury.

                Manchester United have no suspended Players but they still have Players that are injured and are unavailable for the game. Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Shinji Kagawa are not available for the Wednesday’s clash.

PROBABLE LINEUPS:

                As Capital One Cup is a smaller competition, both the managers will get a chance to rest their star players and give chance to the younger players. Chelsea play Swansea away from home on Saturday in the Premiership, while United host Arsenal the same day.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Turnbull; Ferreira, Luiz, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Romeu; Moses, Marin, Bertrand; Sturridge.

Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Wootton, Buttner; Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs; Welbeck Hernandez.

PREDICTION:

Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United.

                After ending their decade long win less run at Bridge, United will start the better side on Wednesday. Giggs will be a huge impact for the Reds as he was rested for the game against Chelsea. United starting XI will seal the game before the Chelsea bench can make a late impact.

MAN TO WATCH: Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez

Overdue Win Delights Carrick

Having seen a string of impressive performances go unrewarded at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons, Michael Carrick feels United's thrilling victory at Chelsea was long overdue.

Carrick: "It's a huge three points, Not winning here for a long time against our biggest rivals, we wanted to put that right and we wanted to win for that.

"Plus the fact that if we had lost today we would've been well adrift. I know there's a long way to go, but it wouldn't have been a good position for us to be in. So for those two reasons it was a big result.

"Over the last three or four years we've had some really great performances here and not come away with what we deserved, so today it was sweet to get the three points.

"We've really played some great stuff and the performances have been spot on, so to come away with no wins has been disappointing and we felt the next win was close. We have had some decisions not go our way and it's been tough for us here, but maybe that turned around for us today. We'll take what we get!"

"Especially against your rivals – the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, Arsenal next week – it's important you take points off them," said the midfielder.

"That's why it was important and next week is just as important. It's a good start to the season. We've obviously had a couple of defeats but we've bounced back and we're still in a good position, so we can be happy."

Fergie Gets Hairdryer From Margaret, 80

 An 80-year-old gran from Rochdale has forced Alex Ferguson to rethink his tactics. The Manchester United manager will scrap his diamond formation at Chelsea after she rang the club

Fergie said: “I’d better not upset her. Did
you hear her on MUTV? She’s 80, phoned up and said ‘I’m fed up watching this diamond’.

“She said ‘Tell that manager to stop playing that diamond’. So I better not play it.”

Lifelong United fan Margaret rang the club’s in-house TV channel to brand Fergie’s latest formation “stupid”.
 

She pleaded: “Please don’t play the diamond at Chelsea. If you want me to have a word with the manager, I will.
“I’ve supported United longer than he has!”

 

 Margaret rang in to the station’s Thursday Focus show and spoke with former players David May and Quinton Fortune.
 

 During the hilarious call she said: “Have you not noticed all the goals you’re giving away when you’re playing that stupid diamond position? We have to go back to playing normally and catch up.

“It isn’t entertaining when you’re 80 years old to watch goals going in from the other side.

“I don’t like it. It’s going to give me a heart attack and I’m 80.

“You wouldn’t like to give me a heart attack.

“I have an opinion and it’s certainly not the diamond. They don’t know what to do — they run around like lost sheep.”

Margaret was also not happy about the early goals going in against United at the moment.

 

She added: “I’m telling you how long I’ve been watching United — I’ve seen every good player you’ve ever had. And they weren’t that stupid, and giving goals away, at the beginning.”

Giggs: Diamonds Not Forever

Ryan Giggs insists width will always be important at Manchester United, despite the manager’s recent decision to employ a diamond formation in games against Newcastle United, CFR Cluj and SC Braga.

Giggs: “I think it’s important to have flexibility,”“In the game against Newcastle at St James’ Park, that first 20 minutes was probably the best football we’ve played all season. That was with the diamond.

“With Antonio missing the game and Ashley Young injured we were short of width a little bit. So the diamond made sense and it means we have that flexibility now.

“Wayne can drop deeper, Shinji Kagawa can play in the majority of midfield positions, Tom Cleverley can play behind the strikers... we have the sort of personnel where we can chop and change and play different systems.

“Maybe we’ll need to use it in some big games – you might see it in Europe – but United, more often than not, will play with wingers.”

“That’s probably the biggest disappointment from this year, the number of times we’ve gone behind,” Giggs said of the eight games in which the Reds have conceded first this season.

“On the plus side, though, we’ve managed to come back in the majority of those games and win them.

“Obviously we can’t go throughout the season like we have been doing. But we know that if we get clean sheets and we start getting zeros against our name then we’ll create chances at the other end and win more games than we lose.”

“I’m in good shape,” he said. “I was at the Olympics so I missed the majority of the pre-season training we do.

“That meant I was perhaps a little bit behind in relation to other players – I’d played more games rather than trained.

“But I’ve managed to get that back in order over the last few weeks, working with the coaches. I feel good at the moment.”

Shelvey: I met Man Utd boss Ferguson in Anfield carpark

 Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey knows he's a hero to Reds fans thanks to his touchline spat with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson earlier this season.

Shelvey revealed: “I still stand by my decision that I wasn’t going to pull out of a tackle. If I’d done that against United I’d have hurt myself and the fans would have gone mental. But that walk felt like a mile.

“I saw Ferguson in the fourth official’s ear so I said to him, ‘it’s your fault I got sent off,’ but I pulled him aside afterwards and apologized because I knew I was in the wrong. I was walking back down the tunnel towards the car park and he was walking towards me. I apologized for what I had done and said ‘it was wrong and I was frustrated’. I’m a young boy and I think the emotions got the better of me.

“I said I still wouldn’t have pulled out of the tackle if it was there, and he said ‘it’s fine. It takes a man to apologize, no hard feelings. It’s an emotional game, don’t worry about it’. It is a learning curve for me and, to be honest, I am glad it happened. It is something I will be more wary of in the future.”

 

His spat with Fergie ironically helped break the ice after Shelvey’s shock England call recently.

He added: “I’d quickly gone from playing in a park with my mates to sitting next to Wayne Rooney at dinner, so I was a bit nervous going in there with England. I didn’t know what to expect and thought no one would talk to me. It was a bit weird but Danny Welbeck pulled me when I arrived and said ‘leave my manager alone’. That helped break the ice.