MATCH PREVIEW

Last updated : 14 March 2004 By 28 years and 14 days

From The Observer:

The two teams go into this afternoon's Manchester derby on a reasonably level footing and, while most people might opt for being stuck with what United have got rather than what Keegan has at his disposal, Sir Alex Ferguson has a raft of injuries and suspensions to worry about. Even Ryan Giggs, ready to play emergency left-back, may need a fitness test. 'I intend to pick 11 fit players the day before the game. I'm not going to wait for anyone who is a doubt,' Ferguson explained. 'It's better just to pick a team and get on with it. I always feel that 11 red jerseys in a derby game will be good enough.'

Fergie:

'Crushing as it was (Porto), these things happen in football and we have to cling to the hope that it might happen to Arsenal. If that were to happen, we have to be in a position to do something about it, and that means winning games like this one.

“City might be a being bit premature if they think what happened on Tuesday (against Porto) will help them this weekend,

"If you look at the history of the club and character of our players, they've proved they can thrive in adversity.

"We have lost important games in the past and come back from it and I think this is an ideal type of match for us.

"At the start of the season, they were promising so many things - at one stage they were even talking about European football."

"But once you get down near the bottom, it is not easy. People seem to think you can actually put together a run of victories when you get into the situation. I am not so sure you can.

"There have been plenty of good teams in the past who think they are okay, only to find they run out of games and don't have enough points.

"City are in that situation just now. I have not seen a lot of them to know what their problem is but they do seem to have drawn a lot of games. When you draw games down there it is not enough."

St Nick of Gorton:

“I am sure we will see some Porto flags and scarves knocking around,'' he said.

"I can understand that. They have had a lot of stick over the years because we have done so well.

"The minute we get a bit of bad form, they are going to have a go at us. I don't blame them, it is just banter. It is up to us to silence them.

"Going to the new stadium will be a new experience and it's something I am looking forward to.

"It's a local area to me and I though I have driven past it a lot of times, I have never actually been in it.

"Obviously it's a new era for City, so it would be nice to go and beat them.''

Giggs:

"It's a must-win game for us because we can't afford to drop any points in the pursuit of Arsenal," he said. "We haven't given up the chase for the title.

"Derby games are very emotive and the atmosphere will be explosive but if we want to bounce back this is the ideal game to do it."


O’Shea:

"If they take anything off us, and they survive relegation, they will see this season as a success and they will let our fans know about it. We can't put them through that after Tuesday.

"The support was magnificent against Porto. They did everything they could for us. They were great and it hurts that we are out and couldn't repay them.

"If we beat City and keep the title alive then I hope that repays them a little bit. I can't think of a better game to give everyone a lift.

"It was such a downer on Tuesday. The dressing room was so quiet and I am sure the fans would have been feeling as empty as we were. But we have to pick ourselves up now.


Team News:

We apparently have only three fit defenders. Danny Pugh or Ryan Giggs may play at left back depending on who you read.

Most pundits say that Phil Nev will play at right back with Wesley and O’Shea in the middle.

From The BBC:

Manchester City's Paulo Wanchope could make a return to the bench after playing for the reserves in midweek.

City could also recall Joey Barton, with Antoine Sibierski the player most at risk.

Manchester United will be without Roy Keane (hamstring), Quinton Fortune (knee), Gary Neville (suspended), Mikael Silvestre (knee).

Eric Djemba-Djemba is on internatonal duty and Cristiano Ronaldo (thigh) is unlikely to be involved.

Liars (from): James, Arason, Distin, Van Buyten, Dunne, Jihai, McManaman, Sinclair, Bosvelt, Barton, Reyna, Wright-Phillips, Tarnat, Sibierski, Fowler, Macken, Wanchope, Elliott, Flood, Jordan, McCarthy.

Man Utd (from): Howard, Carroll, P Neville, Brown, O'Shea, Pugh, Fletcher, Butt, Scholes, Giggs, Saha, Van Nistelrooy, Lynch, Kleberson, Solskjaer, Forlan, Bellion, Richardson.