1. Will United overcome their big-team inferiority complex?
Playing against the current top four this season, United have secured just five points out of a possible 21 in the league. They have also won just once in games against the top nine since the beginning of the campaign (versus Arsenal, back in November).
Moreover, their recent comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford indicates they have still work to do in developing their big-game mentality.
Of course, there is no doubt that United don’t have the players to match their main rivals, but that is still no excuse for the lack of fight evident in their respective resounding defeats by Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City at various points of the season.
The suspicion is that Moyes can be tactically outwitted by the top managers, and his flat 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 with an emphasis on getting crosses into the box has left United looking decidedly uninspired, predictable and easy to play against at times this season, particularly in the recent encounter with Liverpool.
Yet Moyes has shown a willingness to experiment of late that has left United fans with reasons to feel encouraged. The coach’s decision-making in their recent crucial Champions League tie with Olympiakos was a case in point — playing a diamond formation, starting Ryan Giggs, keeping faith with Rio Ferdinand, all these choices paid dividends.
Nevertheless, tonight will be a better indicator of their progress (or lack thereof) since the humiliating Liverpool loss, as title-contending Manchester City are certain to provide a substantial test.
2. Can Pellegrini’s side afford to lose tonight?
Technically, the answer to the above question is ‘yes’. Should Manchester United surprise their rivals, City’s title chances would remain in their own hands.
The Eastlands outfit would still be on track to finish one point ahead of Liverpool and level on points with Chelsea, though they’d likely be ahead of Jose Mourinho’s side in the table having acquired a far superior goal difference.
Nevertheless, with further tricky away ties to come against Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, Manuel Pellegrini’s team will be keen to gain maximum points from tonight’s encounter.
And the odds are certainly in their favour if recent history is anything to go by — they have beaten United in four of the last five encounters between the sides. In addition, a victory tonight would be City’s third consecutive win at Old Trafford — a stat that would have seemed inconceivable only a few years ago.
3. Is Juan Mata finally going to get a chance in his favourite position?
(Juan Mata has had a mixed start to life at Old Trafford)
Juan Mata has been largely restricted to playing on the left wing since his big-money move to Manchester United, despite openly stating that playing in the number 10 role is his preferred position.
With Van Persie injured, Moyes opted to hand Shinji Kagawa a rare start against West Ham at the weekend, and the Japanese international did not look out of place in the role.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see whether the coach sticks with Kagawa or opts to give Mata greater responsibility on this more grandiose occasion.
However, during the week, Moyes dismissed recent suggestions that Mata was being played out of position.
“Juan Mata came to play two or three different positions,” he told reporters.
“You’re never going to go through a season where you don’t have injuries and that’s why you need a squad of players.
“He’s done well in all the games but on Saturday he was closer to scoring himself and maybe should have on a couple of occasions.”
4. How will United cope with City’s midfield
In the match against Liverpool, the midfield battle was decisive, with United ultimately unable to cope with their opponents’ superiority in that area of the field.
In particular, the pace and power of Jordan Henderson was simply too much for the less aggressive and slower likes of Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick to handle.
Against Olympiakos, Ryan Giggs distinguished himself with an accomplished display, but Moyes would surely be reluctant to risk the veteran in such an intense environment as tonight, in which physicality is likely to be key.
Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and David Silva have overcome many teams this season with their talent and physicality — Toure and Fernandinho both played prominent roles in City’s 4-1 destruction of United in the reverse fixture earlier this season – and Silva in particular could be integral to City’s hopes tonight.
If United afford the Spanish midfielder the same freedom they allowed Raheem Sterling when he was playing in the hole against them recently, then the level of damage is likely to be similar to that which was inflicted by the Anfield club.
5. Will Rooney step up in Van Persie’s absence?
In recent years, Wayne Rooney has tended to be at his best the more the responsibility has been placed on his shoulders.
For instance, it is surely no coincidence that the England’s striker’s best season at Old Trafford occurred in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid.
Accordingly, he made a good start to life without Van Persie on Saturday, scoring twice — including one spectacular and much-discussed effort.
David Moyes has already done his bit to hype Rooney up ahead of the big game, branding him a “United legend” and tipping him to beat goalscoring records set by Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton.
Yet Rooney was relatively anonymous in the recent defeat by Liverpool and will need to start doing more in the big Premier League games to justify his lucrative wages. That said, he has enjoyed competing against City in recent times, as five goals in his last five games when facing them illustrates.
And a goal or two again today would go some way towards appeasing those vociferous critics who deem him to be unduly overpaid, following recent news regarding his new contract.
Come on United… said the Liverpool supporter only once in his life. …
Agreed,surely they have one big game in them this season!
You must be under 30
No just threw a bit of bait in the water and wanted to see if I got a bite!
1-1 tonight Mata 1st goal….
You have to love The Journal at times. An article about United v City, and some lads throw in moronic comment “Support League of Ireland”, seriously mate, the internet isn’t for you.
With regards to the game tonight, the only thing at stake for United tonight is pride, and possibly Moyes’ job! I think United can do City tonight, but I also think City are capable of turning up and scoring 4 or 5, and there has been so many false dawn’s for United fans this season, we’ll just see how this pans out really.
As far as the title is concerned, as a United fan, there is nothing worse than the thought of Liverpool winning the league, some may call that small time thinking, but let’s stop the United / Liverpool love in for second. Both clubs have always, and will continue to hate each other, so it’s only natural we wouldn’t want them to win it, but that’s not to say we’ll be cheering for City tonight, it’s a note to say if we get beaten, I’ll take comfort in the fact that it dents Liverpool’s hope of winning the league.
Saw a comment there about Rooney and is wages, and I agree, it is obscene, but as a private business, United are entitled to pay him what they want, if he earns them millions per year in jersey sales, why shouldn’t he deserve it? From a footballing point of view, he doesn’t, but football is a business, and that’s that.
I’ve heard some arguments about that also, saying doctors and nurses don’t earn that, so why should he. If you’re using that for the basis of your argument, see my first paragraph, the internet isn’t for you.
All that said, C’MON UNITED!!
Typical United arrogance telling people who can use the internet. Delighted they’re getting stuffed for people like you.
Eh, no.
I stated two points;
1) Using a United v City article to moan about League of Ireland. Why ?
2) Using an argument that Rooney shouldn’t earn that because Doctors & Nurses don’t. Why?
I mean if all you’re interested in is mindless rabble, then please, be my guest, but can we not be adults and have a proper debate, or discussion on the topic at hand, ie tonight’s game, and also use reasoned arguments about Rooney’s wages rather than above mentioned rabble ?
Your points were in there somewhere but your whole comment reeked of arrogance. How do you expect to engender adult debate when you start off with insults and telling people they shouldn’t use the Internet! Why not give a reasoned response like others do below for instance re its possible to watch and support more than 1 league etc
Shouldn’t you real the the whole comment before jumping to conclusions? My point still remains, if you use this article about United v City to moan about League of Ireland, then you shouldn’t use the internet, simple.
@DublinLad
We can add pig ignorance to your list of character flaws.
Check you out with your little paragraphs and bullet points – but seriously, just leave it at that.
Thank you
Goodnight
@Mike – Your two comments have said “You’re glad United are getting stuffed because of people like me” and called me “Pig ignorant”.
Your input is greatly appreciated, I mean you’ve added nothing to the debate, but thanks for your input.
@Shane – I do I like them, it’s shame the The Journal doesn’t allow bar/pie charts in comments, that’s where the fun really is!
DublinLad, I do see your points, and understand them, but I gotta admit, it does come across as arrogant. To be honest, every thread here drifts of onto other things all the time here…. either by trolls or just the direction of the the debate….
@DublinLad
Two other posters have also noted your arrogance; maybe some time for quiet reflection would do you some good? If someone like you develops a little humility, I’ve certainly done my good deed for the day.
I think the biggest talking point is “why is that shrek lookalike rooney, on 300k a week?” What a joke
Support league of Ireland.. Say the lads in the Celtic jerseys….
Basic supply and demand. Regardless of the fact that he resembles our favourite green cartoon, he is excellent at what he does. If utd don’t give him that, another club will. albeit very inflated wages, this is how the modern game is.
If only there was a very wealthy man who liked the look of Aston villa. Keep dreamin!
If anything, Celthick fans slam the LOI. They don’t agree with “foreign games” remember?… They’re a very confused bunch.
How’d you know I was a villa fan??
I didn’t, I am!
If Mata, Kagawa and Rooney are on song tonight Utd should get at least a point. Still likely to concede 2 or 3 against a team like City, so should be entertaining.
Draw please…..! United victory some fans would say now… But as a Liverpool fan I would never cheer for that.. No matter what it would mean position wise.
Exactly, I’m a utd fan but if the roles were reversed there is no way I would cheer for Liverpool. No matter the consequence. I hate this utd/Liverpool love in and proxy half and half scarves.
So you’d prefer to see Utd struggle over Liverpool prosper? Don’t understand ABUs.
I would hope for any situation that would help United. If Utd were in title contention id have no trouble hoping for Liverpool to beat one of their rivals. I wouldnt be cheering them obviously but I would be intetested in getting the right result for us.
Mark McGrath. Leave Newcastle out of this. Do you mean ABMU?
Anybody who says they are an ABU is saying that there is only one United. What idiots.
I understand Man U fans not wanting to win. They are in huge danger of qualifying for the Europa League. The stats say that if you qualify for that you go backwards in the league. No Thursday night football for Man U next year and Moyes could get them back challengin at the top. If they are in Europa, good night!
Good point John, but some so called fans are saying they want City to win so it will stop Liverpool winning the league. Personally speaking, I think it’s Chelsea’s to lose. Anyway hoping for a lively and exciting game Tonight.
What??!! I for one am greatly looking forward to the challenges of Karpaty Lviv, BATE Borisov and the like
How can it be Chelsea’s to lose? City are 3 points behind them with 2 games in hand. All in City’s hands.
There is plenty of games left for Liverpool to slip up any united ‘fan’ suggesting anything other than a win for them tonight can’t seriously class yourself as ‘devoted’ if u want city to win tonight u can class yourself as a city fan simple as . Liverpool will not win the league city and Chelsea are too strong liverpool will slip up before the end of the season , I’m going for united 2-1 tonight . I support Manchester United who gives a continental f u c k about anybody else .
I actually hate saying it but I prob prefer utd to lose tonight just so Liverpool wouldn’t win d league
While I don’t want to see Liverpool win the league I couldn’t disagree with that more, although you did say probably, so when push comes to shove you’ll most likely be hoping united win. United first then let everyone else look after themselves.
May 1995 Liverpool v Blackburn. Go out and beat Blackburn and think they’re handing the title to Man Utd. So what, they went out and bet Blackburn and United couldn’t do the business at Upton Park.
Your a band wagon fan man utd Irish, you’d rather your team get beat to stop another team challenging for the league. Maybe next season you’ll change your name to Chelsea Irish.
Honest Tom how about a more recent one where Gerard ludicrous and blatant back pass gave Chelsea the edge in the title race against UTD with a handful of games to go . Fans desires are one thing but when a player does it bring it to a new level
Bandwagon my ars- 30 years supporting my one love but as I said if I had a choice between Liverpool and city winning the league I could get over city winning but not Liverpool as you would never hear d end of it
Your spot on I be shouting for a utd win but if city win and it stops Liverpool winning the league I be over the moon
I love all the Liverpool supporters on here saying we should support our team there the biggest hypocrites when it comes to supporting other teams against utd and to be honest I think we will win tonight and I think Chelsea will win the league
Irish, why would any fan supporting any team who won the league be quiet about it!! Silly comment!!!
Showing yourself up for what u are, a plastic united fan. When Blackburn were going for the title in 95 and playing Liverpool in the final game, I wasn’t going for them just because they would have stopped united from winning it.
Joke of a supporter. Why don’t u just buy a city jersey and be done with it.
You must have being d only one cause I was in a pub d same day and when Blackburn scored every Liverpool arsenal supporter jumped for joy now I suppose all them are plastic aswell.its called passion for your team that u would hate your rivals to win and at all costs u would like your team to lose to prevent them from winning
Pool wining the league wouldn’t be great fun for utd fans but I’d rather stuff citeh than let them win just so pool have no chance,that said,we have no chance of stuffing them. If we can salvage a bit of pride I’ll be happy,hoping it’ll be a tight and entertaining game…..I may have to hit the high stool for this one.
You seem to be contradicting yourself man utd Irish with your three postings. Lets start from the beginning, who are you supporting Tonight?
Well said Davin, good to see some decent United fans posting. Enjoy the game, and enjoy the high stool too. If you see a someone wearing a United jersey shouting on City, you’ll know it’s man utd Irish…
Wake up and read d comment I never said I be supporting city I said If we lost to city I wouldn’t mind as it could stop Liverpool from winning.i still be supporting my team to d death,that’s one thing I wouldn’t be doing is hoping another team would beat us
Your first comment is ‘I would prefer if city win’! All change from ye clowns, not so long ago ye were saying Liverpool had no chance of top 4, then they had no chance of the title, now you want your own team to lose to stop em from having a chance of winning the title!
I was at the first city-united game earlier in the season, so one sided it was embarrassing for United, hard to see anything different happening tonight!
1st time in history I’ll be hoping the reds win the donkey derby & give Moyes braying rights…hee haw.
ManU supporter here: I expect a city win 4:0. Its not that united are bad…just Moyes is a rubbish tactician
If you support United, you don’t refer to them as ‘Man U’.
Yep, a Man U fan deserves a kicking…
Utd fans bickering with each other about what they should call themselves ….. Priceless !!!’
He can call them whatever he likes.
Well Dublin Lad, as a person born in broughton street hospital, 3 miles from Old Trafford, I think I can call them “ManU” if I want…or possibly “United”……..and just because I am a ManU fan doesn’t mean I delude myself into believing they could beat ManCity. I admit that I got the score wrong….I said 4 and they only got 3…..my bad….
Micky mouse derby!!
Looking forward to match, maybe it’s lost a bit of appeal this season due to United’s form, but hopefully they’ll raise their game Tonight. Might have a few quid on Mata for first/last goal Tonight, he’s due a big game.
Glory Glory Man United!! ;-)
I’m a devote United fan but I would rather City beat us tonight and quash any hopes of Liverpool winning the premiership.
A devote united fan who wouldn’t mind our closest rivals beating us. Ok.
Don’t no any City fans doesent bother me, listening to Liverpool supporters is painful.
Do not know Adrian, some devote plastic man u fan is the wiki of contradiction. In your heart, you always want your team to win, even if it does your worst rival a favour. But if you lose, you will publicly say you wanted that…. thats being a soccer fan…
As much as I dislike liverpool. I still wouldnt be cheering on city tonight. Still a few games to play so league is far from over. Get on man utd half and full. We need a victory for our own morale. Come on the red devils!
please let united win tonight big mufc fan going over to watch Sunderland vs Liverpool tomorrow night in Anfiled with my dad.. buzzin for it. would rather see liverpool win the league than see chelsea win it . hope arsenal do it but i know whey won’t
Mata was in the hole against west ham, kagawa was on the left, he just came inside a lot!