SUNDAY SPECIAL...LIVERPOOL-MUFC, ARSENAL-SPURS...THE PREVIEW!

This Sunday is truly awesome. The first day of September, one day to the end of the Summer Transfer Window and the small matter of the North London Derby + Liverpool-Manchester United. So early in the season and we already have a mouthwatering double header to look forward to. Anytime Manchester United face Liverpool, the World comes to a standstill. Any Spurs-Arsenal duel is regarded as more than just a game by supporters of both clubs. Come Sunday, millions of fans will be trooping into Anfield, the Emirates, bars, pubs, etc to catch a glimpse of some of the Sport's greatest exponents doing battle. Hostilities begin at Stanley Park when Manchester United visit their great foes, Liverpool.



                                           


The reds of Merseyside face the reds of Manchester in one of the biggest rivalries ever. Liverpool come into this match on the back of three successive wins in all competitions. Daniel Sturridge has been at the heart of this very impressive and morale boosting run. The Englishman has scored 4 goals already this season and all have come at crucial moments. Brazilian wonderkid, Philippe Coutinho is exceptionally gifted. The January recruit from Internazionale has rarely put a foot wrong since his arrival from Italy. His surging runs, well timed passes, brilliant one touch football and outrageous skills are just out of this world. Alongside Oscar, Coutinho is the best attacking midfielder of his age group in South America. But that's just me.

Brendan Rodgers made a huge decision before the start of the season. Belgian goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet was purchased from Sunderland to replace the deteriorating Pepe Reina, who has since been sent to Naples on a season long loan. It was a really bold and decisive that has already started paying off. The new goalie saved a late late spot-kick on the opening day of the campaign v Stoke's Jon Walters. That save ensured that the 18-time English Champions escaped with all three points. A string of excellent saves at Villa Park again made the win safe for his new club. He will be tested even more when Manchester United come to town.

Luis Suarez is still unavailable due to his misdemeanour at the end of last season. The Uruguayan cannibal is set to return against Manchester United-------not tomorrow, but in the Capital One Cup Fixture on the 24th of September. After pushing for a move away from the club, he has since apologised and things are back to normal, or so it seems. His return will be a welcome development for everyone but StudgeD (Sturridge) who has taken up the mantle since the unwanted sabbatical.

The club have been active in the transfer market with arrivals coming from all over the World. Solid players like Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure, the earlier mentioned Mignolet, Aly Cissokho (on loan from Valencia) and the imminent arrivals of former PSG Skipper, Mamadou Sakho and Lisbon's Tiago Ilori have made the team look really strong and dangerous. Top four is a realistic target for the first time in a long while.

PROBABLE LINEUP-
Mignolet, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard,  Henderson, COUTINHO, Sturridge, Aspas

Despite Rodgers declaring Kolo Toure fit  even after the injury sustained in midweek, I don't think he will want to risk him against the likes of Wayne Rooney and RVP. Skrtel should start in the Ivorian's place. Iago Aspas was firing in pre-season...but has failed to find the net so far. His manager will keep faith in him until at least EL PISTOLERO's (Suarez) return. Jordan Henderson is having the run of his life in a Liverpool shirt and making the most out of it. Steadily justifying his huge transfer fee. The Englishman doesn't want to play around anymore and he's repaying the faith reposed in him by his coach. Stevie G and Lucas are no strangers to the big occasions.

Manchester United already have a title in the bag this season. The 20-time English League Champions have started the season well. Winning one and drawing the other. The Liverpool game is the biggest of every season for the red devils and they don;t treat it with levity. Recent visits to Anfield haven't been happy ones at the end. The most painful was two years ago when Dirk Kuyt turned in one of the performances of a lifetime in a clean kill. However, last season, Robin Van Persie brought an end to the dismal run. An 81st minute penalty was all that was required to steal victory from the jaws of despair/defeat after Gerrard scored first and Rafa Da Silva immediately replied. Wayne Rooney hasn't scored at Liverpool's ground for eight years and David Moyes has a rotten record at the same venue. He has never won there in 11 visits (D6,L5).

If the red army avoid defeat, it will be the 14th straight away game without a loss. The longest in the League currently. The defending Champions need to be at their very best if they are to have any hope of upending their great rivals. Another insipid show and they'll be ripped apart. A RVP-ROONEY partnership is good for Moyes and bad for the rest of the League. The decision to keep the wantaway Englishman might be the best ever made by the all parties involved. How important Wazza( Rooney) is, is unarguable. A man of the match performance against the club he was expected to join, showed how invaluable he is. This might be bad for the likes of Kagawa and Welbeck, but WAYNE is too good to be sold to a direct rival. 404 appearances and almost 200 goals is enough to clear whatever doubt anyone may have about his abilities. Danny Welbeck was imperious on the first day at Swansea. He wants to play up top. His wish might not be granted every time because of the array of attacking talents at the club's disposal. In defence, Rio and Vidic cannot be displaced at the moment or anytime soon, except they get rested/injured. If deals for Fellaini-Baines go through, the likes of Evra and Cleverley have to worry about their places in the starting line-up.

PROBABLE LINEUP
DDG, Jones, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa, Valencia, Rooney, RVP

David Moyes must start using the highly rated Japanese playmaker, Shinji Kagawa. Suitors have been swooping in on the ex-Dortmund attacking midfielder and he is unhappy with the fact that he has been largely ignored since the start of the season. If this continues, he might seek solace elsewhere. I hope Moyes starts him in this match. Probably, this will force his hand. Nani and Rafa Da Silva are closing in on a return to action. Jones might have to pass a late fitness test. If he doesn't make it, then Fabio could slot into the right side of defence.

Matches between these great sides of British Football have always been feisty and hotly contested. The 14 Red Cards dished out in meetings between Manchester United and Liverpool is second most in the Premier League era behind only the Merseyside Derby (20 dismissals). Liverpool will be determined to add more misery to Moyes' managerial life. Victory will taste sweetest because he coached crosstown rivals, Everton, for more than a decade and now he is at Manchester United. The bitterness will continue. Art lunchtime on Sunday, all eyes will be on Andre Mariner as he gets proceedings underway. The referee has dished out 1 red card and 8 yellows this season already. The players have to be very careful.





                                                          


This might well be the greatest North London derby of recent memory. Spurs have made it a habit of losing here and in the process conceding 5 goals. Before that happens, they strike first and then choke really bad. Last season, Emma Adebayor seemed to set the Lilywhites on their way to a  historic victory at the backyard of their biggest rivals. Well, the same man had other ideas...one of those Jet Li kicks of his and he was sent for an early shower. Walcott, Cazorla,  Mertesacker, and the rest battered the remaining ten men silly and the result was a 5-2 hammering. Take that and the season before last and it becomes 10-4. AVB would want nothing of such when he takes a new look Tottenham to the Emirates on Sunday. Strong indications have emerged that Daniel Levy (Spurs Chairman) has been holding out on a deal to take Gareth Bale to the Bernabeu until after Sunday's game. This is because Bale to Real Madrid will mean Di Maria to Arsenal. Meanwhile, Levy and Baldini have raided the entire World searching for the very best. Paulinho, Chadli, Capoue, Soldado, Chiriches, Lamela and Eriksen have all been unveiled at White Hart Lane already and there might be one or two more before 11pm on Monday. At this rate, Bale might regret leaving the club. He won't be missed one tiny bit.

Arsene Wenger the magician has managed to qualify the gooners for yet another Champions League Campaign. A phenomenal achievement considering what he and his team have been through. 16 Straight seasons in Europe's biggest club competition is a monumental accomplishment. A terrible display v Aston Villa on the opening day was the wake up call they needed. Since then, Fenerbahce and Fulham have been put to the sword and Aaron Ramsey has been the renaissance man. The Welsh midfielder is the reason Arsenal had a smooth ride home and away v the Turkish Outfit and his shift against Fulham drew praise from all and sundry. The problem now is that they haven't made any signing of note and the squad is depleted to say the least. If you remove the starting 11, only a handful of youngsters and Bendtner will make up the subs bench. Top four might be a far cry now that others around them have strengthened. The delusion that they will always find a way will be their greatest undoing this time if Wenger doesn't make moves. There is still time. Afterall, they joined the rush last time and the likes of Arteta came in and have done well ever since.

PROBABLE LINEUPS-
ARSENAL-
Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud

Arsenal are in the Champions League Group Stages, but at what cost? Luky Podolski went off injured in midweek and further tests confirmed that he will be out for at least 8 weeks. That added to the OX (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), Mikel Arteta, Tom Vermaelen and the always sidelined Abou Diaby, you have a worst case scenario on your hands. Saddening for fans who hope the match will be closely fought. In spite of the absentees, the red part of North London can make life difficult for AVB's charges. The Kos (Koscielny) is back after sitting out the Fulham game through suspension. It will be much more difficult this time though. Tomas Rosicky might play a big part in the encounter. Hopefully, he brings his A game and scoring boots after some shocking misses on Day one.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (SPURS)-
Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose, Dembele, Paulinho, Capoue, Chadli, Townsend, Soldado

Portuguese tactician, Andre Villas-Boas, has a lot of options in midfield and attack. I envy him and at the same time, I don't. How to keep the likes of Defoe, Holtby and co happy will be a herculean task for the former Porto and Chelsea manager. The challenge is one he relishes. Holtby and Defoe played very well in Thursday's Europa League demolition of a certain Tbilisi. That might not be enough to secure a place in the starting line up.  What Spurs have now is a World Class bench. The likes of Aaron Lennon, Adebayor, Benoit Assou-Ekotto are out of Sunday's game due to injury and lack of match fitness. The match is also too soon for Vlad Chiriches and Eriksen to be part of. What a fantastic team Levy has assembled.


The North London derby has produced 124 goals. No other fixture can boast of such amount in the EPL era. Come Sunday, a lot of goals are assured. With Soldado, Defoe, Giroud, Walcott, & Cazorla on show, expect some great goals. How many they will be, is what I cannot guarantee.


Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

The Stage is set for another Pep-Mou Battle..this time with different armies....UEFA SUPER CUP PREVIEW!

Sometimes I wonder who writes these scripts. You know, Josep 'Pep' Gaurdiola returns from his sabbatical and Mourinho is back at his 'beloved' Chelsea. What happens next? They face-off in Europe for a very important 'winner takes-all' game. Whoever is victorious will not only smile home with the trophy, but also the upper hand in their never ending rivalry. Mourinho stoked the fire recently by throwing tantrums at Pep, questioning his coaching abilities. The revered Managerial great hasn't replied the Portuguese coaching legend, but Uli Hoeness, President of Bayern Munich has defended his current manager in the light of comments made by Jose. All these and more will make Friday's game hugely entertaining.

For all those who are ardent followers and keen admirers of the Super Cup, you must be used to the fact that it has always been played in the principality (Monaco). The St Louis II Stadium has hosted the game since 1998. However, that has changed this year. Friday's showpiece match will now be played at the Eden Arena, Prague-Czech Republic. As a result of Super Cup commitment, Bayern had to play Freiburg in the Bundesliga and that ended  in a disappointing draw for the Bavarians. Pep rested some of the big names for the big one in Prague. Jose Mourinho also had to take his men to Old Trafford with the intention of becoming the first club to achieve the distinction of defeating Manchester United on their own turf two times in a Calendar year. It finished nil-nil in a rather stoic affair. Attention has shifted to the Super Cup clash.

For Mourinho, he is about to win a trophy he will not have deserved, considering the fact that is another of his adversary, Rafa Benitez, who led the blues to EUROPA LEAGUE glory in Amsterdam. It is a classic tale of 'what goes around, comes around'. When the now Napoli boss (BENITEZ) took over as Inter boss in the Summer of 2010 following Mourinho's exit, the latter criticised his successor, complaining that if Benitez hoists any of the trophies he qualified the Nerazzurri for, the glory would be his, rather than that of the new boss. The Spaniard went on to lose the Super Cup, but made amends in the World Club Cup. Now the table has turned and it is Jose who might be at the wrong end of the words he blatantly uttered three years ago. Knowing how proud and arrogant he is, he might just hand the trophy over to Bayern if he can .lol

Bayern Munich and Chelsea are the last two clubs to win the UEFA Champions League and coincidentally, it was Chelsea who inflicted one of the most crushing defeats on FC Hollywood last year in a pulsating final at the Allianz Arena. Incidentally, it was Drogba's last kick for the 3-time Premier League Champions which sealed the club's maiden UCL triumph. The Ivorian has since moved on to China and most recently, Turkey, wearing the famous colours of Fatih Terim's Galatasaray. No matter what they say in public, the Bavarians will want nothing short of victory in Friday's 'very important game'. More significant because Chelsea are now better equipped than two seasons ago and 'The Special One' has returned to the helm. Bayern have also strengthened. Bringing in the likes of Mario Gotze, Thiago Alcantara (out for 7 weeks) and shipping off Luis Gustavo to Wolfsburg...Mario Gomez to Fiorentina. Mourinho has been very busy in the Transfer Market too, recruiting the likes of Mario Van Ginkel, Andre Schurrle, Wallace and Willian. Irrespective of all these, it is the continued exemption of Mata from the Starting eleven that is a source of worry for fans and admirers of the 2-time Chelsea player of the year. The club's most consistent performer of the last two seasons now finds himself on the periphery of the new manager's plans. We have been hearing that he is carrying an injury. That doesn't take the biscuit in my opinion. Mou clearly prefers the industry of Kev De Bruyne and I can understand why. It's his choice and he clearly has his own strategy. Suitors are coming thick and fast for the brilliant playmaker (Mata).

Chelsea will need to be at the top of their game to avoid a repeat of 'THE FALCAO SHOW' which happened last year in Monaco. It was Chelsea-Atletico Madrid then with the Blues=European Champions and Los Rojiblancos, Europa League winners. That was where the difference ended. Colombian Tiger, Radamel Falcao continued from where he left off in the Europa League, scoring a perfect hat-trick v the pensioners in a match that ended 4-1 in favour of El Cholo's Colchoneros. Little did he know that one year on, the Principality would be his home for the foreseeable future. We don't expect a high scoring encounter considering the capabilities of  both teams' rearguard...but in football. we have learnt never to say never. It will be the Blues' second straight appearance in what a few of us have tagged 'THE CHAMPIONS GONG'. Bayern haven't been in this situation in twelve years, so we can pardon them if they treat it with utmost necessity. The heavy burden of being ' European Champions' and 'The Best team in the World' might weigh down on their shoulders anytime soon. They, nevertheless, would want a longer reign than Barcelona in this regard. To continue to occupy the throne, they must first defeat Chelsea and then focus on December's Club World Cup. The win is more important because they were undone by Dortmund in the Domestic Super Cup a few weeks ago. That memory still lingers on, until something of note temporarily erases it.

The Bavarians will be extremely delighted to play a Drogba-less Chelsea after all the harm the Ivorian has caused in meetings of the past seven years. Oliver Khan once stated that Double D (Drogba) is the best striker he faced in his immensely exceptional career. That is some compliment considering the fact that Ronaldo Da Lima sent him to the cleaners eleven years ago in the World Cup title match. But there is a man who can have as big an influence as Didier in Mourinho's squad. He is Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian starlet scored 17 League goals for West Brom last season, including a 45 minute hat-trick against Manchester United. Any one who has such an impressive RESUME can do damage at any level, given the chance. If he gets the nod to spearhead the attack, the likes of Dante and Boateng must keep a close eye on him. The trio of Oscar-Hazard-Ramires have featured in all three Mourinho managed games so far. Goes to show how highly he rates them. Lampard's starting berth might be threatened now, with the arrival of WILLIAN. Th ex-Anzhi and Shakhtar playmaker signed for the Europa League winners rather than Tottenham Hotspur

For Chelsea, the likes of Franck Ribery (Nominee for UEFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR alongside Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo), Arjen Robben (who Mourinho and Chelsea know so well), Mario Mandzukic, Bastian Schweinsteiger (doubtful for the clash)-unarguably the best midfielder in Europe this year, and Thomas Mueller are the biggest threats to their ambition of becoming holders of the 2013 UEFA SUPER CUP. The ROBBERY(ROBBEN-RIBERY) gang were unplayable last season and have continued in similar fashion this term. Last Saturday, they scored two beauties to win the Bavarian Derby vs a stubborn Nurnberg. Robben's the peak of the double. Thomas Mueller has grown into one of the best players in the World since his excellent performance at the 2010 World Cup. When he is called upon, he rarely fails to deliver. Mandzukic was the reason why Gomez headed to Italy. The Croat has grown in leaps and bounds since his arrival from the Volkswagen Arena last summer. Has been a regular in all of Pep's starting line-ups since the beginning of the season. Schweini is the dominant force in the Bayern Midfield. Never one to shy away from the big ones. An excellent ball distributor, a great tackler and one with an eye for goal is the complete package. The Bundesliga Champions are such a lucky bunch. It is a pity that Thiago will be unavailable for the Treble winners...However, there are so many options in midfield and attack. He won't be missed.

For both teams, pride and history are at stake...and then the small matter of managerial supremacy between two of the greatest managers of all time. Although, Pep has the big H2H adavntage, if he loses this to Mourinho, it would perhaps be the most excruciating loss of his career yet. The Chelsea coach will want nothing more than victory over his biggest rival of the last five years. How sweet it will taste.


PROBABLE LINEUPS-

BAYERN MUNICH
Neuer, Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba, Schweini, Kroos, Robben, Ribery, Muller, Mandzukic

CHELSEA
Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Mata, Hazard, LUKAKU

Bayern can lay claims to the fact that they have the best eleven in European Club Football at the moment. Most of their players are top five in the World in their respective positions. That says a lot. The game might be decided by small details and Cech/Neuer might well be decisive too. There's an old saying that attack wins games, defence wins titles. Without a strong rearguard, the possibility to accumulating titles in World Football is very slim. Jose Mourinho started the Manchester United game without a recognised striker. He is unlikely to repeat the same on Friday.The 'False NINE' Tactic is not one of his strong points and would have backfired if RVP and co were not profligate in front of goal. The bulk of the team that featured at the Theatre of Dreams will again be called upon..De Bruyne and Schurrle may have to start from the bench.


Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED-CHELSEA..THE PREVIEW

                                   






This game couldn't have come at a worse time for the hosts. Europa League winners, Chelsea have a date with Bayern Munich on Friday with the UEFA Super Cup up for grabs. But it is their courting of Wayne Rooney that is the main concern for the red army. The English international wants out....However, the Club he has served for nine successful years don't want to sell to a rival side as that will be extremely stupid. Strengthening a direct challenger is not exactly a good idea.

David Moyes has moaned and grumbled about the difficult fixture list that includes Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in the first five games of the season. Despite the very impressive start to the season, the Scot will be taking nothing for granted as Mourinho and Chelsea come visiting on Monday. The pensioners currently sit at the top of the Premier League courtesy of two good wins v Hull City and Aston Villa, the latter the more difficult. Nevertheless, they are aware that Manchester United is a different kettle of fish and have a point or two to prove in the anticipated encounter. Chelsea have been active on the transfer front yet again, with the Special One jumping the queue and in pole position to land Brazilian playmaker, Willian from cash strapped Anzhi. The former Shakhtar man was heavily linked with Spurs and was even rumoured to have passed a medical at the North London club only for Chelsea to snatch him from their grasp. Jose didn't even put his protege, Villas-Boas into consideration. Business is Business it seems. W e are waiting to find out the outcome of this transfer drama. Asides the multi-talented South American, Chelsea also intend to lure African Legend, Samuel Eto'o from the same Russian Club and have promised to pay him a paltry four million pounds a year compared to the 17 million he earns over there in Eastern Europe. The highest paid footballer in the World might see that as too low for his high standards, except he is willing to sacrifice so much to join his former boss(at Inter Milan). Back to why we are here.

Manchester United have been very quiet in the Transfer Market. Apart from raising the hopes of fans with some rather unrealistic pursuits, nothing serious has happened on the recruitment front which is a source of worry for all those associated with the Premier League defending Champions. The likes of Fabregas and Thiago were pursued without success and now they have been linked with Ozil, Fellaini, Baines, Kaka, etc. It has even gone so awry that Everton of all clubs would reject a bid from a massively big club in the mould of Manchester United. In the light of all these, the club still claimed its first piece of silverware two weeks ago at Wembley and spanked Swansea on their very own turf last weekend to lay down a marker. Irrespective of Squad depth, the 20-time English League Champions will remain a force to reckon with season after season. Sir Alex is gone, so it is a new dawn and a new era with the less fancied Moyes eager to build his own dynasty. He has started too badly. The likes of Ashley Young, Nani, and Chicharito are still nursing injuries and will play no part. Teenage sensation, Adnan Januzaj was in sparkling form as Manchester United's U21s ran riot at West Brom yesterday. He will very much want to be part of the manager's p;ans for this much hyped game. Wilf Zaha didn't get a chance make his long awaited Manchester United League debut in Wales last time out. He is in line to make an appearance on Monday night. Rafael Da Silva is out of contention for the game due to injury and suspension.


PROBABLE LINEUPS-
MANCHESTER UNITED
DDG, Jones, Rio, Evans/Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Carrick, Rooney, Welbeck, RVP

Moyes will be hoping Wayne Rooney has a clear head for this very important encounter as it is the very same club that is willing to add him to its ranks. If events of last weekend are to go by, he deserves to make the starting eleven. Rumours of him being unhappy because he refused to celebrate with his teammates when they scored are overstated and who cares if he doesn't join in the celebrations? As long as he provides assists such as the one that led to Welbeck's second and his all round play is deemed more than satisfactory, the rest becomes paper/media nonsense. The gaffer needs to pile up the midfield because the West London visitors have arguably the best midfield in the League. The defence with the exclusion of Rafael, should be enough to keep the Chelsea frontline at bay.

CHELSEA
Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku

Knowing Jose Mourinho, he most certainly won't keep faith in Demba Ba despite his above average showing in midweek. It is goals that matter for a marksman and none of his have delivered so far. He will probably give Romelu Lukaku the chance he deserves after such a fantastic season at the Hawthorns which culminated in a glorious hat-trick v Manchester United in what was Sir Alex Ferguson's last game as manager. Juan Mata might also make way for Kevin De Bruyne. Otherwise, it is pretty much the same side that has lined up in the previous two games of the season. David Luiz is still injured, but has a chance of making the subs bench and will be fit for the Super Cup match in Prague next Friday.


Jose Mourinho doesn't seem to like Mata a lot and this will bode well for opponents this season. the Spanish technician is miles better than many in his trade and has been Chelsea's best player of the last two seasons. It is even touted in some quarters that he might be included in a deal that will bring Wayne Rooney to the Bridge. United will be mad not to accept such an irresistible offer.

Let's hope to the game lives up to the billing. Touted as a potential title decider has added more spice to the eagerly anticipated match up.


Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

NO WHERE TO HIDE TODAY FOR MOYES AS THE SEASON GETS UNDERWAY AT WEMBLEY..WIGAN AGAIN

                                        



How times have changed. If someone had told even the most pessimistic football fan that Manchester United would be lining up without the great Sir Alex Ferguson at the forefront, it would have been the most ridiculous thing ever heard by such a human being. But Life plays a fast one on us and nothing is permanent. After 27 years and many triumphs, the exalted Scot bowed out and handed over the baton to trophyless (yet) David Moyes to continue in the tradition of the red devils. The man has not fared well so far. Transfers have become too difficult a task, wins are few and far between and Rio Ferdinand's TESTIMONIAL ended up as a show of absolute disgrace for the team, with Sevilla coming to the Theatre of Dreams and sinking the Premier League Champions. The insipid displays since the Asian Tour have not gone down well with those who love the club even more than their real lives. If King David wants all that to wipe off, he must deliver his first trophy as manager today. No more excuses. The game is a demanding one. Either you succeed or you fail.

Lying in wait are Wigan. A team he has to get one over after what happened in the F.A Cup last season when he was still in charge of Everton. That woeful performance in the quarter finals was one of the downsides in his 11 years at the helm. Amazingly, he recommended the same manager to his old club after he left. Roberto Martinez has since taken over and fellow Scot, Owen Coyle is now manager of the Latics after a bitter sweet end to last season saw them relegated and crowned Champions of the F.A Cup after a fairytale run.

Both sides had to see off big spenders, Manchester City to get here. For Wigan, despite being relegated, they still have the players to upset a club as big as Manchester United. Arouna Kone has since joined Martinez at Everton and Maynor Figueroa decided to rejoin Steve Bruce at Hull City Tigers. But majority of the players who won them the World's most prestigious Cup competition remain committed to the cause. Victory against the red army will send signals of intent to other teams in the Championship that they very much want to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

For Moyes, it is an opportunity to clear some doubt about his capability and ability to step into the big shoes Sir Alex left for him. Indeed, it is unfair to compare both, but that's how it is and he must get used to the fact that his predecessor's shadow will keep hovering round until he does something quite simply magical with the team at his disposal. The major fear this season is lack of activity in the transfer market. With Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs bolstering an already strong squad, it will take a miracle to mount any serious challenge on the League Title this term. Some good news though..... Adnan JANUZAJ, the Belgian teenager has come to the fore in the last month. Some exceedingly brilliant showings from him to be honest. Wilf Zaha and Jesse Lingard have also proved that they can challenge for spots in the first team this season. However, the midfield is too poor. Bar Carrick, the others are lightweight and cannot compete with the creme of the Premiership, let alone Europe. The likes of Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara were pursued without success. Now attention has shifted to Marouane Fellaini if reports in the press are anything to go by. It is a pity that a club of such magnitude can no longer attract the best in the business. In fairness, there is a huge difference between a Fergie phone call and one received from Moyes. The players will be like Moyes who?

As expected, the big question before the game today is where lies the future of wantaway ingrate, Wayne Rooney. Moyes has consistently tried to be positive about the whole brouhaha. But the harder he tries, the more the Englishman wants out of a club that made him the player he is today. After the 2010 debacle, he still has the effrontery to hold the club to ransom because he was forgiven afterwards. It is heavily rumoured that senior players and fans have told him to f-k off. It has also been speculated that he has told friends he wants to join Chelsea. Whatever happens, he has been left out of the squad today..although he may make the trip to London with the club. Perhaps, Moyes was wrong when he firmly stated with mincing words that it is only when something happens to RVP that Wayne can be counted upon. His words might have been misconstrued, but that was a crushing blow and a vote of NO confidence.

Today's match has all the makings of a power packed and interesting encounter. Much so because of a lot of happenings of the pitch for Manchester United especially and how Moyes will approach his first competitive game as Manager of the World's most supported football club. Wigan are no pushovers and will attempt to spoil the party. Forget all that gibberish Coyle was on about concerning Moyes and how qualified he is to continue from where Fergie stopped. Friendship will be put aside today, at least for the duration of the duel.


PROBABLE LINEUPS-

MANCHESTER UNITED- DDG, Rafael/Fabio Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Zaha, RVP, Welbeck.................Left for me, Januzaj should be in the squad. Worth it.

WIGAN- Carson, Boyce, Perch, Barnett, Craney, Watson, McCarthy, McArthur, Holt, Beausejour, MALONEY

For the red devils, the usual suspects of Van Persie and Welbeck should most certainly start, with the likes of Zaha, Januzaj and Lingard waiting for their time on the subs bench. In my opinion, people like Valencia and Young should be driven to Royla Antwerp to play what is left of their careers. Annoying crop.

Wigan have Shaun Maloney to count on for the needed help. The former Celtic player has been a great signing for them since he joined and he is poised to continue in that fashion, especially now that KONE has departed for pastures new.

Hopefully, we will enjoy the game.


Ohireime Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990