Match Preview: West Bromwich Albion v United 13/08/2011
 Can Manchester United get off to a winning start in the Premier League away at West Bromwich Albion ? Match Preview - West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United Competition: Barclays Premier League Kick-Off & Date: 4pm, Sunday, 14th August 2011 Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich (Away) Live TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1 (HD), 3:30pm - 6:30pm Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire) Assistant Referees: John Flynn & Mike McDonough Fourth Official: Kevin Friend Form: West Bromwich Albion endured a long pre-season spell of matches, winning 5, drawing 3 and losing 2. Although some of the games saw WBA's reserves fielded, there was plenty of positives to take from Roy Hodgson's refreshed side. The Baggies finished 11th in the Premier League last season, and despite losing 2-1 to Manchester United at The Hawthorns, West Brom were the only League team not to be beaten at Old Trafford (drawing 2-2). United rounded their summer preparations off with a stunning comeback against local rivals Manchester City, winning the 2011 FA Community Shield in the process. Victories over the New York Cosmos, Barcelona, MLS All-Stars, Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution was a perfect way to ready new boys David De Gea, Philip Jones and Ashley Young for Champion-style football. The Red Devils are raring to go... The Injury Front: West Brom are poised to hand a debut to new Irish signing Shane Long, following the 24-year-old striker's £6.5 Million transfer from Reading. Meanwhile, Peter Odemwingie is struggling to overcome an injury to his ankle, which he picked-up in a friendly against Bristol City. Youssouf Mulumbu is rated doubtful with an abdominal strain, as is Gareth McAule, hit by illness. Defender come midfielder Steven Reid returns after a calf strain. Squad: Foster, Reid, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey, Mulumbu, Scharner, Brunt, Morrison, Thomas, Long, Odemwingie, Cox, Fulop, Jones, Cech, Tchoyi, Ibanez, Dorrans, Jara, Fortune. United remain Chicharito-less, with the striker rested for at least another 7 days following an underlying concussion condition surfacing on tour in America. Darren Fletcher and Antonio Valencia are not fit as yet, but will play for the Reserves against Arsenal Reserves on Monday. Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Daniel Welbeck are all expected to miss The Reds' opening League fixture, as the trio withdrew from International duty midweek. Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Rafael, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones, Evra, Evans, Fabio, Nani, Park, Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Berbatov, Welbeck, Diouf, Owen, Macheda.  The Gaffer: Roy Hodgson may have experienced a tumultuous time at Liverpool following his departure from Fulham, but the Croydon-born manager is ready for his first full season in charge at The Hawthorns. Hodgson was replaced by Kenny Dalglish at The Kop, and in turn replaced Albion's Roberto Di Matteo...  Most-Feared: Shane Long has a phenomenal scoring record in The Championship, after spending 6 seasons with Reading before WBA. However, his two years in the Premier League brought just 7 goals, having made 58 appearances between 2006 and 2008. In total, he has netted 54 goals in exactly 200 games for Reading !  The Ref: Mike Jones takes charge of West Brom and United for the second time in two seasons. The Cheshire official is rarely embroiled in controversy like many of his counterparts, but then again The FA do not tend to choose him for big matches. He officiated in the only game The Red's dropped home points last term... United Latest's Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 0-3 United - Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney & Ash Young ? CommentsArthur 14/08/2011 1:44pm
Yes we can Dea gea 14/08/2011 4:53pm
That boys useless should have nueur when we could! Newbie! 14/08/2011 5:01pm
Give it a rest! Your having a go at a 20 year old in a new country, in an away match whom has drawn praise from the likes of Casillas and Reina. Also worth mentioning he's obviously been selected by SAF and Eric Harrison who obviously hold him in high regard. Suffice to say in the light of this overwhelming evidence your 'opinion' is worth jack! Go back to football manager/FIFA and leave following United and the players to the real fans hamada 14/08/2011 5:03pm
dea gea is not experince enought hamada 14/08/2011 5:04pm
cleverly great player nani 14/08/2011 5:39pm
miseed to great chances match could be a draw Bill McNeal 14/08/2011 5:48pm
@Dea Gea Azif 14/08/2011 5:59pm
De Gea should be playing at the reserve league before being promoted into the first eleven. Gain more experience l33bo 14/08/2011 6:02pm
he will b good and yeah he is only 20 GGMU 14/08/2011 6:02pm
Give him time! It wasn't really a bad goal. Saqib 14/08/2011 6:48pm
im putting ma trust in de gea future spain no. 1 this is da tym when we all should back him up he is just 20 n in new country give the boy some time 2 adjust in.... its not a childs play 2 replace a livin legend like van der sar.... de gea will improve rather than cursing him after 1st game of da season we should encourage him he is under pressure from pandits press media every1 is havin a go at him.... if u r a real UNITED fan then support da boy..... n ya dats bad news vidic n rio injured with rafeal already out we lack experience in defence but i believe smalling n jones can play really well against big teams..... United till death l33bo 14/08/2011 6:57pm
he will b good and yeah he is only 20 l33bo 15/08/2011 12:44am
midfield sorry not defence Comments are closed. |  
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