MATCH PREVIEW

Last updated : 04 January 2004 By Editor

Team news

From The BBC:

Leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel has been passed fit for Villa after recovering from an ankle injury. Defender Mark Delaney is unlikely to play after aggravating a knee problem against Fulham while Dion Dublin could replace Ronny Johnsen. Manchester United could also choose to rotate their squad.

Kleberson, Diego Forlan and Nicky Butt may all feature but John O'Shea is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Squad: Howard, Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Fortune, Forlan, Fletcher, P Neville, Butt, Keane, Kleberson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Bellion, Djemba-Djemba

Quotes

Fergie:

"You just don't know what to expect. Even the smallest teams - the Accrington Stanleys and Yeovils will go into their games this weekend thinking they have a chance. We have been involved in some fantastic games over the years, including the last time we played at Aston Villa. You always need that little bit of luck because you can never be sure what is going to happen."

"I haven't thought about Bolton - it's a difficult tie at Villa, and not an easy one to get by.

"Villa's form has picked up dramatically since we last played them. They beat Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-final and then beat Fulham 3-0 on Saturday, which tells you it will be difficult there.

"My thoughts are on picking the best team to get through this one.
"We have not been anywhere near in the last few years, simply because we have had difficult ties," says Fergie.

"And the Cup is a tournament that is not about current form - it is about sometimes getting home draws or having that little bit of luck that leads you to the latter stages.

"When you are in those latter stages, particularly at our club, you start to think you have the players who could carry you to the final.

"People say your name is on the cup, which may be true, but you do need that little bit of luck in the early part of the Cup."


Ginger Prince:

"Villa have really picked up since then. (match at O.T. a month ago)

"I'm not sure the last match was really a 4-0 game because they did quite well in the second half. They are starting to win games now, seem to have got on a bit of a roll and are really pushing up the table, so we know it will be a very difficult game."

Ronny Johnsen:

"It's always special to come up against old friends, but every game coming up is important for us and I have to treat it like any other game.

"It's a new game and we need to produce the sort of performance that beat Chelsea in the Carling Cup.

"You also need a bit of luck in football. If we get that luck on Sunday, hopefully we can do to Manchester United what we did against Chelsea. But they are a very good team."

Pig Face:

"Who has over the years? (got the better of SAF)

"Not many have, and I certainly didn't. No way. But it's always a great challenge, the ultimate scalp. They don't come any bigger in British football than Manchester United. They're one of the biggest, richest clubs in the world, and Sir Alex is one of the greatest managers."

"As well as an exceptional player, Rio is very strong mentally. He has probably played better since this case has been going on. Knowing him, it will have made him more determined to show how good he is.

'If you have a Roy Keane in your dressing room you're a very lucky manager. I see him as management material. Like anything, until you go and try it and you’re dumped on a club and have to handle players, you don’t know how you’d fare. I spoke to Tony Adams (Wycombe’s new manager) during the week and he said it’s hard work. But Roy’s management material, without a doubt."

Juan Pablo Angel: (about a possible move to O.T.)

"How can it not be exciting? Arsenal and Manchester United are the greatest clubs in England, it's flattering to be linked with either of them.

"Speculation isn't a bad thing, not when you're being linked with great teams. The only time you don't enjoy it is when you're being linked with bad teams..."

Darius Vassell:

"With the form we are in now, there is no one we really fear. It's a great time to face United because we are all confident. We all know the way we want to work and hopefully we'll be able to use that to good effect against them. They are going to be tough to break down, but I believe we can win the game."