Nemanja Vidic is going to be out injured for up to three weeks, this when United looked to be on course to romp home and win the Premier League and also on the verge of securing their passage into the Champions League semi-final.
With a bit of luck, the Reds will still cruise home and win the title and see off Roma in the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final next week, but for United supporters there will be concerns that a defence that has been rock-solid for most of the season could be breached in the Serbian's absence, which potentially could open up the title race again.
The next two games are of paramount importance as Fergie will want to keep the winning momentum going. The United manager will of course be keeping an eye on another clash at the Emirates on Saturday when Arsenal and Liverpool once again face each other - a draw would do the Reds very nicely indeed. If Man City can somehow manage a draw with Chelsea on the same day, come 5pm Saturday United could be going to the Riverside looking to stretch their lead at the top of the table.
Against 'Boro on Sunday United will face a team that is lacking confidence, added to which goal-scoring has been a big problem, Southgate's team have only scored three in their last five home games. Cardiff recently knocked Boro out of the FA Cup winning two-nil at the Riverside.
Going off recent form Fergie's team should be able to cope without Vidic this weekend. However, United fans know full well that the 'smog-monsters' have had some very good wins against the Reds, but Even without Vidic, United should be confident of out-scoring 'Boro.
If results go United's way in their next two games the Reds can look forward to hopefully effectively ending the Gunners' title hopes the following weekend, by the time that game comes around Wenger's side could be out of the Champions League.
It is to be hoped that Vidic recovers quickly, while all the talk has rightly centred on Ronaldo of late, there's no doubting that the partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic is arguably just as important to United.
You didn't talk about the alternative system Ferguson might put out with Vidic out.
ReplyDeleteDoes Wes Brown come in as centre-back with Hargreaves doing an Essien at right-back as it happened in Rome when Vidic got injured?
Or will Silvestre come in as he is fit now?
Considering the defensive performance in Rome without Vidic, do you believe that United have solid enough alternatives to march ahead in their campaign?
There isn't an obvious replacement for Vidic, none of the alternatives are good enough in truth. I suspect that Fergie might switch Brown to the centre and bring in Pique at right back, but Brown isn't tough enough to play the Vidic role. Vidic will stick his head in where it hurts - none of the others will.
ReplyDeleteGary Neville has been included in the squad for the first time in 13 months, lets hope he gets some minutes under his belt !
ReplyDelete