Manchester derby preview

It’s finally time for the game which I’ve been looking forward to since the loss at City of Manchester Stadium. The result that time was so unfair considering how the game looked. United dominated the entire game and City and had one shoot on goal…a long shoot effort that deflected on Vidic and went in. That game Richard Dunne and Micah Richards were excellent. I just hope that United’s finishing is better this time.

United will have to play without Rooney who is suspended. Considering the fact that Saha is not fit (could make his comeback next week), there are not really many striker options for the game. My guess is that Ronaldo will play as a striker and that Ji-Sung Park or Nani will start the game on the right flank. Perhaps the absence of Rooney and Saha will also make room for young Danny Welbeck on the bench. Frazier Campbell was offered a chance in the beginning of the season when the situation was about the same so we should not be surprised if Danny is among the subs…especially not since Ferguson has already stated that Danny could be involved in the first team this season.

Man City looked really weak against Arsenal last week and I think that it is not as easy for the team to win games now when more people have higher expectations. My guess is that United will honor the Busby Babes and start the game in a very high fashion. Final Result: 2 – 0

Danny Welbeck on course

The 17 year old striker Danny Welbeck has been given the no. 47 and is now included in the first team. Sir Alex has said that the Manchester born striker might get involved in the action this season and perhaps this will be the case as Ferguson also has said that Manucho probably won’t be playing this season and we all know about Saha’s fitness worries.

Danny was given his first piece of first-team action in the friendly game in Saudi Arabia last week and did really well and almost got on the scoresheet. The Reds were down by one goal to Al Hilal and the game was heading towards its end when Welbeck was brought down in the penalty area and was given the opportunity to score from the penalty spot. However his penalty was slightly miss-fired and the ball went over the crossbar. I don’t think he will bother too much about this though, instead this will give him great experience for the future.

Watch Danny making his first-team debut