Allen Hamilton
What: English FA Cup
Who: Manchester City vs Manchester United
When: Sunday 8th January, 2011, at 13:00 UK Time
Where: Eastlands, Manchester, England
Revisiting Past Glories
Manchester City are flying high on top of the Premier League and could even end up lifting the English title, and if they do, boss Roberto Mancini will surely look back at last season’s FA Cup win as a defining moment. Picking up silverware was crucial for the Citizens and even more important was beating Manchester United in the semi-final, a feat which placed a steely confidence in the side that it was possible for them to reach the heights they desire.
This season there has been no notion of any inferiority complex when taking on their neighbours, with instead a 6-1 defeat of United at Old Trafford threatening to open new fresh mental scares, but this time for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. While the FA Cup may not be a priority for Mancini, the psychology of this clash will be all too apparent to the former Inter coach, who will be desperate to win to revive positive memories and inflict negative ones on their neighbours.
But the 6-1 loss could have another impact, that of firing up United, City midfielder James Milner has warned. "Beating them in the manner we did at Old Trafford will have hurt them badly", said Milner. "Everyone, from their players to the management and fans, will be more than up for it on Sunday. You’d imagine that as much enjoyment as we got from that win, they probably felt three times as much pain and we have got to be aware of that."
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Men in Choppy Waters
It is would be baffling to declare Manchester United to be a club in crisis, but the champions are wobbling. Successive Premier League defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United have left Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops with a festive hangover which continuing speculation over Wayne Rooney’s relationship with his manager will do little to cure. For Ferguson, watching capitulations at Old Trafford and St. James’ Park respectively must have been difficult as following the 6-1 loss to Manchester City in October, the club’s form domestically was superb.
Ferguson will know that victory at Eastland over City could be huge, not just in terms of the FA Cup, which he would surely discount for Premier League glory, but for the mental boost it will hand his side. For that reason, and that of this being a clash against United’s eternal rivals, the Red Devils are taking this match very seriously, with pass-master Michael Carrick dismissing talk City are favourites despite his side’s long injury list.
"People can say what they like and fancy who they want", said Carrick. "We know what we can do. We know the players we have got in the dressing room. We just want to be back to top form and winning the game, regardless of the situation in the league really."
Recent form
Manchester City:
West Brom 0-0 Manchester City (26/12; Premier League)
Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City (01/01; Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool (03/01; Premier League)
Manchester United:
Manchester United 5-0 Wigan (26/12; Premier League)
Manchester United 2-3 Blackburn (31/12; Premier League)
Newcastle United 3-0 Manchester United (04/01; Premier League)
Key absences
Manchester City: Kolo Toure (International duty); Yaya Toure (International duty); Mario Balotelli (doubt); Gareth Barry (suspended)
Manchester United: Nemanja Vidic; Ashley Young; Jonny Evans; Chris Smalling (doubt); Darren Fletcher; Michael Owen; Fabio da Silva; Tom Cleverley
Players to watch
Manchester City – David Silva: The Spanish wizard sitting on the bench during the first 60 minutes of City’s festive clash at Sunderland almost certainly led to the 1-0 defeat the Citizens suffered. While Silva will not be able to rely on the ball-winning abilities of Yaya Toure for this one, he does have the technical nous and cutting edge passing talent to carve United open.
Manchester United – Rio Ferdinand: Amazingly, Ferdinand has not got an FA Cup winners medal – and that is something he is desperate to put right. With Nemanja Vidic out for the season, even more of a burden will be placed on the veteran defender. Ferdinand has the experience to handle it and help United keep a clean sheet at Eastlands.
Match Prediction
Both clubs want victory and perhaps equally as badly. United though are like a wounded animal and with City missing the vital Yaya Toure in midfield, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men may be able to get a foothold in midfield. A tight game to call. Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United.
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