Who would have thought that going
into the 7th week of the season, Manchester United would lie a
distant 12th? Eight points behind Leaders, Arsenal-another huge
shock. Even Hull City is placed ahead of the defending champions of the EPL and
it is a worrying sight for the fans. Unbelievable development. Going into this
evening’s game at the Stadium of Light, David Moyes is looking for redemption
as his boys have let him down in no small measure. Three defeats from six games
represents Manchester United’s worst League start in about two and a half
decades. Life after Ferguson has been tortuous. Anything short of victory today
will raise more questions about the choice of David Moyes.
Before the trip to the Etihad, stats
came out that Moyes has a very good record over there WITH EVERTON. Well, we
all know how it turned out afterwards. Another of such information has surfaced
again that Moyes has lost just one of sixteen matches v the black cats. Then
again, that was with the blue half of Merseyside. His new job hasn’t gone as
planned and a 1-1 draw at the Dombass Arena was seen as a very good result by a
lot of people. That is not and will never be the Manchester United way. The
last time the red devils suffered three straight defeats in the League was
twelve years ago and the last time the team had seven points after the first
six games, they went on to finish the season in 13th position and
that was before Ryan Giggs made his debut.
The Manchester outfit are sweating
over the fitness of Wayne Rooney who picked up his 4th injury this
season prior to the European fixture in midweek. A knock to his shin meant he
was unavailable for selection in Ukraine. He should be fit to run out at the
Stadium of Light. That might mean Danny Welbeck dropping out of the starting
eleven, except he will be deployed to the wings in a 4-3-3 set-up. Robin Van
Persie is expected to start his first premier League game since the Palace win
and he has a good record, haven never lost to the team from Wearside in League
play.
Caretaker Kevin Ball could do with a
victory to further stake a claim to the permanent position at the club he has
served for the better part of his football life. If Steve Clarke and West Brom
could break a 35 year hoodoo last weekend, Sunderland can follow a similar path
and there’s no better time to do it. Striker Fabio Borini is fit and eligible after
sitting out last Sunday’s loss to his parent club, Liverpool. Steven Fletcher
is close to returning for the Black Cats but this match comes too soon.
Sunderland were unlucky to be the
hosts for the return of the Gunslinger last time out. Luis Suarez struck a
brace to condemn the Wearsiders to yet another defeat. The 10 game ban did little
to derail the Uruguayan and he continued from where he left off last season.
Liverpool fans will hope he has truly repented of his many sins and turned a
new leaf. For David Moyes, he knows there’s no margin for error yet again.
Another defeat will send more than a million tongues wagging. As Ryan Giggs
said a few days ago, things have to be put right.
PROBABLE LINEUPS-
SUNDERLAND-
Westwood, Gardner, O’Shea, Cuellar,
Colback, Larsson, Ki, Cattermole, Giaccherini, Johnson, ALTIDORE
MANCHESTER UNITED-
DDG, Rafa, Vidic, Evans, Evra,
Carrick, Fellaini, Kagawa/Nani, Valencia, Roo/Welbeck, RVP
Wayne Rooney is still a doubt for
this encounter and Shinji Kagawa hasn’t proved himself worthy of a consistent
run in the side after some lacklustre performances. The introduction of Adnan
Januzaj for the Japanese playmaker last weekend should serve as a wake-up call.
Luis Nani did himself no harm with his good performance which ultimately
counted for nothing. Nonetheless, he should get a run out today-either as a
starter or a sub.
Former MUFC player, John O’Shea faces
the club he served for ten years today. Another former red, Wes Brown misses
out through injury. Something that has sadly been synonymous with his very
promising career. Ties and relationships will be put to one side, at least for
90 minutes.
Ohireime P Eboreime
TWITTER-@ohiskaka1990
