Whatever your thoughts might be about the League Cup, a visit to Old Trafford for a match against the champions is always going to get you interested.
Of course, the United side that will take to the field tonight will be much different to the one that pulled off that dramatic victory over their city rivals at the weekend. But however many changes Ferguson makes, don’t expect an easy ride.
Michael Owen - Back in business for United
Michael Owen will almost certainly start the match, as will players like Nani and Valencia, who have been in and out of the Red Devil’s side so far. With that kind of quality on the pitch, I expect Wolves to be under the cosh for much of the game.
There will undoubtedly be one or two stars sitting on the bench as well, ready to come on and change the game should Wolves have the audacity to make it a close contest or dare to cause an upset.
But enough about United, what can we expect from the boys in old gold?
Well, it’s already been confirmed this morning that Kightly, SEB and The Hoff will all start tonight giving us some good attacking options, even if two of those players are lacking sharpness. Alongside them, you’ll probably see players that didn’t figure against Fulham or those that haven’t really been given a chance in the league.
Here’s my predicted lineup:
Hahnemann
Foley
Zubar
Berra
Hill
Milijas
Jones
Kightly
Edwards
SEB
Hoff
Of course I’m not sure on a few of these players, but I think Mick will have to start one or two that figured on Sunday due to injuries. It’s a shame as I would have liked to have seen Surman play. But it’s a great chance for the likes of Milijas and Zubar to show what they can do and maybe force their way into contention.
The outcome of the game will probably come down to how strong a team Sir Alex fields. If it’s a particularly inexperienced side, I expect we’ll give them a good game and could possibly sneak the result. However, the addition of one or two more established names will make it a much different proposition.
With Mick stating openly that we’re going there to attack, I think this has the potential to be an entertaining contest.
Based on the fact I think we’ll face a much changed United team, I’m going for a 3-2 win with SEB to score the opener.
If you’re one of the people rich enough to afford the ludicrous £41 ticket price for tonight’s game, have a great time and roar the lads on.
Up The Wolves.
I think Hahnemann will have a busy game but as long as he’s solid and we press like we did fulham then anything is possible. I just hope we dont get rolled over.
*although whilst writing this i’ve had a big sense of deja vu and remember a crazy 3-1 win – now would that be something!*
I think the hoff could have a big game for us and we need edwards and jones to run their socks off in midfield to try and keep our composure. if seb and kightly can play anywhere near their best then it could be a shock for the utd boys. I doubt we will be underestimated though. Fergie likes us and will probably recognise micks ability mainly from his time as irelands manager.
If nothing else its a game we can go out and try and play good football with nothing to lose. i’ll be at the pub, with no stress, a few mates and a pint. good evening
I’m going to the game. Not paying £41 though, however i am sitting in the United end :/ Considering how well behaved i was when i sat in the City end i fancy my chances to escape without being pelted with Prawn sandwiches. Literally cannot wait to see Ebanks and the Neck upfront together, although i think Doyl and Ebanks will be the obvious long term partnership.
A good chance for some of our lads to get a well needed run out against strong opposition. There’s no reason to believe we can’t get a result tonight, looking forward to seeing kightly back tonight.
The game is being screened live here at 1pm and my boss, knowing that Iprobably wouldn’t get any work done anyway, has kindly allowed me to taks half a day off – beautiful! I have a feeling that this game will be close. I think Mick will be wanting to win it so I imagine that Mancienne and Berra will start and certainly Castillo to hold the midfield. Now I’d better get some work done I suppose, anyone for coffee?
jed, i just cant concentrate. i know its not a big important game but when i get to watch wolves live or on tv im like a kid in a sweet shop, all nervous and dont know what to do next. not too good for productivity!
Wake up at 2am for me, Foxtel… so worth it.
My sky broke last night. So probably going to have to get down my mate’s house.
Up at the inglorious time of 4.45am this morning to witness a spirited, but none the less, disjointed and disappointing performance. Yes, it was a clear sending off, and, yes, more than likely, Kightly would have scored, or squared to the Hoff for a tap in.That’s what might have been. What happened is that Manure gave us as much time on the ball as we needed to give it back to them again. The defence, (Berra in particluar), looked good against Owen, and Jones , Castillo and Henry were running hard. Now, the downside [flame shiled on]… Blake just is not good enough at this level, Hoffmeier can’t jump, and Milijas…oh dear… when he cam eon, he did nothing apart from give away easy possession.This was typified towards the end of the game when he slept on the ball, had it nicked off him, and we almost went 2 down. Manure toyed with us, they put out basically a third tier team, and they won with ten men.We ended the game with almost our first choice eleven, and we never really looked like scoring, save for 2 decent Doye efforts. Saving grace? It didn;t go to extra time, it’s a Cup we had no chance of winning, so move on, Sunderland is far more important. 1-0 is no disgrace, but still bitterly diappointed in the lack of a cutting edge at this level.
Dazza spot on mate! I too thought SEB looked out of his depth I’m just hopeful he can turn it around. The Hoff apparently played for 90 mins although I can’t actually remember him doing anything other than a great impersonation of a galloping giraffe! On the plus side Berra played well but is better with Mancienne, Jones looked the best player on the field at times and took up some great positios only to be completely ignored by his team mates. Would have liked to have seen Keogh come on for The Hoff rather than Kightly. Overall a little disappointed but not overly bothered.
Can’t wait for Sunderland at the weekend and hopefully a better result!
Hi Jed, I’m not bothered either. But I am concerned about the form of Miljas, the turning circle of Elokobi, lack of that final ball into the box, and The Hoff…. I don’t think he is any better than what we already had. I hope, come January, we finally buy a forward thinking midfielder and a quality left back!!