It's game on - Sir Alex
Saturday, 13 September 08, 09:04 AM · Comments(0)
United and Liverpool have both received late injury boosts ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash at Anfield. Sir Alex is able to call on fit-again Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, while
Rafael Benitez confirmed Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have been passed fit to play.
Carrick suffered an ankle injury against Newcastle, while Hargreaves has again been struggling with a tendinitis problem over the summer. But both players have trained this week and are ready if called upon.
“Everyone is fit,” said Sir Alex. “Carrick and Hargreaves are both fit to play.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, are seemingly at full strength on the pitch, even if off-the-field murmurings of dissatisfaction remain. Reports suggest Liverpool fans are planning a protest at Anfield – “Is that against me?” Sir Alex joked.
“It’s crazy to think about pressure [for either team] this early in the season,” he added. “What won’t change is the intensity to the game, the atmosphere, and the commitment from both teams. Liverpool’s supporters will roar them on and we need to perform to withstand all that. These things don’t change, it’s a normal United-Liverpool game. It doesn’t matter about form, it’s a game you cannot predict.
“When Liverpool go on the field you know you’re going to face a committed team. That’s never going to change. It’s always a great fixture and our games against Liverpool are the biggest. It’s an incredible fixture.
"But it doesn’t matter what happens on Saturday. There is a lot of football to be played and plenty of interesting games. Hopefully we will get the result we want at Anfield, but there’s a long way to go.”
Sir Alex will call on new signing Dimitar Berbatov, who was officially unveiled to the media at Old Trafford on Friday. The Bulgarian's arrival has further enhanced United's growing arsenal of goal-getters, subsequently fuelling the Reds boss' confidence of extending a run of seven wins and a draw in the last eight league meetings with Liverpool.
“People have said that I haven’t had great alternatives up front,” said the boss. “But now I have those options. When Cristiano comes back I can also play him as a striker. I think that if you look at the possible combinations, we look very strong now. The addition of Dimitar is a big, big advantage for us.
“Dimitar is capable of 20 goals, as are Tevez and Ronaldo. And I’ve always said that Rooney is capable of goals. I’ve said that last season we were maybe a bit unfair on him with the way we played him. But he is capable of goals, no question. If Wayne can add to that tally then you are looking at the level of goals needed to win things.”
Berbatov brings his own qualities to United's attack, not least experience according to the boss. "If you look at the ages of my forward players, they are very young," concedes the Scot. "Dimitar takes it up a notch in terms of experience and composure. His presence is also something we haven’t had since the likes of Eric Cantona and Teddy Sheringham. His balance and vision are excellent and his goal-ratio is very good. So he's bringing a lot of attributes to the team – without wanting to put too much pressure on him!"
Pressure comes with the territory when United visit Anfield, and this match is no different. But the Reds increasingly look in good shape to cope with the task at hand.
Carrick suffered an ankle injury against Newcastle, while Hargreaves has again been struggling with a tendinitis problem over the summer. But both players have trained this week and are ready if called upon.
“Everyone is fit,” said Sir Alex. “Carrick and Hargreaves are both fit to play.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, are seemingly at full strength on the pitch, even if off-the-field murmurings of dissatisfaction remain. Reports suggest Liverpool fans are planning a protest at Anfield – “Is that against me?” Sir Alex joked.
“It’s crazy to think about pressure [for either team] this early in the season,” he added. “What won’t change is the intensity to the game, the atmosphere, and the commitment from both teams. Liverpool’s supporters will roar them on and we need to perform to withstand all that. These things don’t change, it’s a normal United-Liverpool game. It doesn’t matter about form, it’s a game you cannot predict.
“When Liverpool go on the field you know you’re going to face a committed team. That’s never going to change. It’s always a great fixture and our games against Liverpool are the biggest. It’s an incredible fixture.
"But it doesn’t matter what happens on Saturday. There is a lot of football to be played and plenty of interesting games. Hopefully we will get the result we want at Anfield, but there’s a long way to go.”
Sir Alex will call on new signing Dimitar Berbatov, who was officially unveiled to the media at Old Trafford on Friday. The Bulgarian's arrival has further enhanced United's growing arsenal of goal-getters, subsequently fuelling the Reds boss' confidence of extending a run of seven wins and a draw in the last eight league meetings with Liverpool.
“People have said that I haven’t had great alternatives up front,” said the boss. “But now I have those options. When Cristiano comes back I can also play him as a striker. I think that if you look at the possible combinations, we look very strong now. The addition of Dimitar is a big, big advantage for us.
“Dimitar is capable of 20 goals, as are Tevez and Ronaldo. And I’ve always said that Rooney is capable of goals. I’ve said that last season we were maybe a bit unfair on him with the way we played him. But he is capable of goals, no question. If Wayne can add to that tally then you are looking at the level of goals needed to win things.”
Berbatov brings his own qualities to United's attack, not least experience according to the boss. "If you look at the ages of my forward players, they are very young," concedes the Scot. "Dimitar takes it up a notch in terms of experience and composure. His presence is also something we haven’t had since the likes of Eric Cantona and Teddy Sheringham. His balance and vision are excellent and his goal-ratio is very good. So he's bringing a lot of attributes to the team – without wanting to put too much pressure on him!"
Pressure comes with the territory when United visit Anfield, and this match is no different. But the Reds increasingly look in good shape to cope with the task at hand.
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ragini said:OMG I seroiusly hope he does stay at Liverpool 4 a decade! dt wil b amazing!!!!...
On Fernando Torres: I Could Be At Liverpool For Another Ten Years
darren said:scotlands sole representitives are rangers ya balloon
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bjf_jolly
port harcourt, NG
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On Fernando Torres: I Could Be At Liverpool For Another Ten Years