United Preview

Make no mistake, regardless of what they say, this is a massive game for both halves of Manchester. It has been almost 18 months since we suddenly became the richest club in the world, and we are, slowly becoming a club worthy of that moniker. However, change, particularly the sort of wholesale change expected in Abu Dhabi, takes time. Only the most foolhardy of fans expected instant success, but is it unrealistic to back us to reach a final at this stage of our development? Perhaps. Particularly when standing in our way over two legs are the red half of Manchester, the most successful English club over the last two decades. But I said this was an important game for both halves of Manchester, and it is. United are not as strong as they were last year. The crush of debt meant an £80m deal for Ronaldo was impossible to turn down, and they lost Carlos Tevez to us. Whilst replacements have been drafted in to an extent, no-one can argue that United are weaker now than when they lifted the Premier League trophy almost nine months ago. So this match, over two legs will act as a sort of litmus test in measuring our progress, and who better to measure against than our biggest and bitterest rivals?

If I am brutally honest, I am not overly optimistic. I think this game comes a month to early for us. We are still riddled with injuries, and have had only a month under Mancini. The display at Everton showed that maybe we had not moved forward quite as much as hoped. Some players were woefully absent from the game, and Manchester United will take no prisoners. A lot of our hopes will rest on the diminutive Carlos Tevez. It is clear this fixture means a lot to him- his effort against United earlier in the season was almost unmatched, and you will remember he was carrying an injury for that game.

Much has been said about what team SAF will put out tonight. The fact that the game is over two legs will I think have an effect on his choice. Whilst a couple of 'kids' could end up in the squad, I think it will be mostly squad players, such as Neville, Giggs (if fit) and Owen. United have there own injury worries, and this is probably their lowest priority. However I do not think SAF will accept letting us through to the final, and dependant on the result of the first leg, could play a stronger side at Old Trafford next week.

But regardless, we cannot worry too much about our opponents choices tonight. Our choices are limited as to who we can play. With Santa Cruz injured, I would expect Benjani to come in for him. I would not expect Bellamy to start, his injuries may rule him out. Petrov also came off after 45 minutes on Saturday, so he must be a question mark for the game. SWP should start, his cameo was one of the only bright sparks of an other wise dismal evening on Saturday. If Bellamy and Petrov are both unavailable though, who will take over on the left? One option would be Robinho, starting him in this game would be a big statement from Mancini, and would surely do wonders for his confidence. But can another no-show performance be risked? At the back, I would like to see Onuoha return if available, shifting Richards to right back instead of Zabaleta, and an other wise unchanged line up:

--------------Given------------
Richards--Onuoha--Kompany--Garrido
---------De Jong---Barry----------
SWP------------Tevez---------Bellamy/Petrov/Robinho
--------------Benjani--------------

Prediction: a narrow defeat, City 1 - 2 United

Vieira Set for FA Cup Debut

Mancini has stated in an interview on the official site that new signing Patrick Vieira will not feature in the games against Everton, or the first leg of the Carling Cup. If all goes well, he is expected to play in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe.

In other injury news, Stephen Ireland is possibly in line to return against United on Tuesday, with Onuoha and Bridge also close to returning.

Carling Cup Semi's Rearranged

With the weather affecting the games all across the country, the dates for the two legs of the semi-final are now:

Home Leg: Tuesday 19th January 7:45pm KO
Away Leg: Wednesday 27th January 8pm KO

The game against Stoke scheduled for the 27th to be played at a later date.

With the injuries affecting the squad and SAF's anger at the team that lost in the third round of the FA cup, this probably works out well for us.

So the fixtures for the rest of January look like this:

Mon 11th - Blackburn (H)
Sat 16th - Everton (A)
Tue 19th - United (H) CC Semi Leg 1
Sun 24th - Scunthorpe (A) FA CUP 4th Round
Wed 27th - United (A) CC Semi Leg 2
Sun 31st - Portsmouth (H)

Interestingly, all city games bar the Poppy one are on television this month.

Semi Final in Danger UPDATE

With the weather already postponing the Villa Blackburn game, news hits the official site that the first leg semi might also be postponed.

Hopefully the weather clears and the game can go ahead. Updates as they come in.

UPDATE 13:51 Yup, game is off.

Injury Update

Last night SSN reported that Micah Richards was a major doubt for Wednesday's game. However the official site this afternoon suggests that both he and Robinho are hopefully going to be fit for the derby game.

Mancini also seems hopeful about SWP's chances of making it into the squad for the game, although RSC is less likely to feature. Onuoha is another unavailable, in addition of course to Stephen Ireland.

As for Boyata, who made his first senior appearance in a City shirt at the Riverside on saturday, Mancini has stated he is very much in contention to play.

"There is a good chance that I will play Boyata again because I don't have a lot of defenders at the moment. He could have that chance because he played very well at Middlesbrough, but I will have to wait and see until after training on Tuesday."

So with the injury list growing, I would assume the team will line up like this.

----------------Given----------------

Richards---Boyata---Kompany---Garrido

---------De Jong------Barry----------

Petrov ------- Robbie -------- Bellamy

----------------Tevez-----------------

The three games Mancini has been in charge for, the front players have all had very free roles, so I would expect those front four to be quite fluid. De Jong and Barry as the two holding midfielder's and the makeshift back four. The full back positions are question marks, but I don't think Mancini will play Sylvinho against the pace of United.

United Team for Wednesday

Speaking to the BBC after United's loss to Leeds in the FA cup this afternoon, assistant manager Mike Phelan admits they may have to think 'a bit differently' about their team selection for the Carling Cup semi final on Wednesday.

This is a potential turn around from this morning when Fergie again stated he will be playing his 'kids'. We will have to wait and see, but with SAF smarting over such an early exit, it would not surprise me if United came out with a point to prove at Eastlands on Wednesday.

Richards Doubt for Wednesday

Sky Sports News is reporting that Micah Richards is a doubt for Wednesday's game.

Whilst it is possible Onuoha will be fit in time, this leaves Vincent Kompany as the only recognized centre back in the squad. Maybe Mancini will give Boyata a baptism of fire with a home début against Manchester United in the league cup semi final?

On a more positive note, Wright-Phillips is hopeful to return to the squad in time.

FA Cup 4th Round

Manchester City will face Scunthorpe for the second time this season, in the 4th Round of the FA cup. City will travel to Scunthorpe on the weekend of the 23rd of January.

The last meeting was the 5-1 victory at Eastlands in the Carling Cup earlier this season.

This is a good tie, albeit away from home.

Source - MCFC Official Site