EPL : Manchester City vs Manchester United - 19/8

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EPL : Manchester City vs Manchester United

19/8/07
LIVE! on Football Channel (Channel 27) ( 8:30pm )

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Tevez gives Reds derby boost

On a frustrating evening at Fratton Park, the one major plus-point was the impressive display of United's latest recruit Carlos Tevez.

Although he tired in the final quarter of the game, the 23-year-old forward's United debut was one which bubbled with enthusiasm and the 90 minutes will do him the world of good ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby.

"He was absolutely terrific," Sir Alex told MUTV after the game. "He made a great contribution, hopefully he's fit and ready for Sunday.

"We're going to be missing Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo for the derby. But the good thing is that I got 90 minutes out of Carlos. He tired in the last 15 minutes but I couldn't take him off because he is capable of scoring from any situation whether he is tired or not."

As with Ronaldo, Sir Alex was disappointed at the protection offered to Tevez by referee Steve Bennett, who persistently let fouls from behind on United's No.32 pass unpunished. "He didn't get any protection from the referee," added the boss. "I don't know how many times he was fouled from behind. I will need to check that law, I didn't think you could kick from behind. But, must be a new one. He had to suffer a lot."

Tevez may not have scored on his United debut, but it was his assist - displaying close control and keen awareness - that set up Paul Scholes' first-half effort. The Argentine was a central figure in many of United's attacks all evening, and perhaps better match fitness would have led to a first Reds goal.

"We played some fantastic football at times, but we were wasteful with our chances," said the boss of his team. "But we were unfortunate not to take all three points.

"We had to contend with Portsmouth's physical approach. They got got stuck in and the crowd gets behind them. It's a great support at Fratton Park. It was a fantastic header, but their goal was out of the blue. We were wasteful with our chances after that and it was a disappointing result."

omgukilledkenny SG

We really need this win.

gigabyte14 SG

a gd win of 1-3 is expected Very Happy

F.raon.I.R SG

tough game ahead

Dead_Man_Inc SG

tough leh, especially man city now like so on form Laughing

Patrik SG

Draw again?
Confused

CKeer SG

United should be able to win 2-0. Otherwise it's bye-bye to their title-defence.

Cheers.
CK

jay_rocks SG

i wont be surprised if man u loses

Dead_Man_Inc SG

oh ya, look above, why both man city and man united logo got ship ar? conincidence or got history behind it?

dinky1409 SG

giggs shouldnt play.. let eagles play..

sand king SG

---VDS--
---Back 4---
Eagles-Carrick-Scholes-Nani-
Tevez- ?

Who to partner tevez? Ole fit??

omgukilledkenny SG

i dont remember Ole playing in any pre-season matches. So dont think he's match fit.

I think it'll still be Giggs up front with Tevez. Evra pushed up to left midfield, Nani goes to the right and Silvestre/JOS slots into left back.

Or, Fergie can play Hargreaves at the right. So there'll be no change in the back four.

iceFatboy SG

where is Hargreaves??

sand king SG

Oic, I hope Hargreaves plays.... haven't have his EPL debut yet, anderson also.

omgukilledkenny SG

Manchester City (from): Schmeichel, Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Ball, Fernandes, Geovanni, Hamann, Johnson, Ireland, Petrov, Elano, Bianchi, Bojinov, Corradi.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Simpson, Bardsley, Pique, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, OShea, Fletcher, Eagles, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Tevez, Nani.

Last season: City 0 United 1

Key opponent: Elano - Brazilian midfielder has started strongly and has an eye for a pass

lolxzxz SG

nani is good! fergie shud introduce hargreaves ASAP Cool

Dead_Man_Inc SG

so hargreaves not playing again?

omgukilledkenny SG

Yup Fergie says Hargreaves still feeling the tendinitis in his knee.

Dead_Man_Inc SG

hope to see him soon Neutral