Premier League Preview: Manchester United – Wolverhampton Wanderers
December 14th, 2009 | 
Author: Red Devils hoping to draw level on points with Chelsea…
Manchester United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Tuesday evening knowing that they can ill-afford any further slip-ups after Saturday’s defeat by Aston Villa.
With table-toppers Chelsea stumbling at home against Everton, Sir Alex Ferguson will undoubtedly be devastated that his side weren’t able to capitalise in the late kick-off at Old Trafford and reduce the deficit in the title race.
Wolves, meanwhile, picked up successive top-flight victories for the first time in 26 years following triumphs over Bolton Wanderers and more recently Tottenham Hotspur. Having only picked up one win in three months prior to December, two wins on the trot have helped drag Mick McCarthy’s side out of the relegation zone.
Just three points separate United from Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, and while Ferguson certainly won’t be panicking at this stage, the Red Devils’ boss will be demanding a significantly improved performance on Tuesday night.
McCarthy’s Wolves will be buoyed by their exploits in north London, although with United desperate to get back on track, the west Midlands club may be on the receiving end of a significant backlash.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
12 Dec: Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
8 Dec: VfL Wolfsburg 1-3 Manchester United (Champions League)
5 Dec: West Ham United 0-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
1 Dec: Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (League Cup)
28 Nov: Portsmouth 1-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
12 Dec: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Wolves (Premier League)
5 Dec: Wolves 2-1 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
29 Nov: Wolves 0-1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
21 Nov: Chelsea 4-0 Wolves (Premier League)
7 Nov: Wolves 1-4 Arsenal (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Newly-crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ryan Giggs is a doubt for United after he was forced off during Saturday’s defeat by Aston Villa with a hamstring injury.
Having been left out from the start on the weekend, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen will both be desperate for a place in the side while Darron Gibson could also be welcomed back into the starting XI.
Darren Fletcher should continue at right-back with Gary Neville (groin), Rafael da Silva (ankle/foot) and John O’Shea (thigh) and Fabio da Silva (groin) all still missing.
Possible starting XI: Kuszczak; Evra, Brown, Vidic, Fletcher; Nani, Gibson, Carrick, Valencia; Rooney, Berbatov.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have been hit by the news that midfielder Dave Edwards will be ruled out for up to 10 weeks having suffered ankle ligament damage against Tottenham on Saturday.
Edwards becomes the third Wolves player to suffer an ankle ligament injury in recent times with Michael Kightly and Andrew Keogh already sidelined.
That will leave a hole on the right-hand side of midfield with Kevin Foley and Greg Halford the most likely candidates to step in.
Possible starting XI: Hahnemann; Ward, Craddock, Mancienne, Halford; Jarvis, Henry, Milijas, Foley; Iwelumo, Ebanks-Blake.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Patrice Evra
Despite having his fair share of critics early on in his United career, Evra has gone on to establish himself as one of the club’s most consistent performers and has deservedly made the left-back slot his own.
With so many injury problems at the back, the Red Devils will undoubtedly be relying on the Frenchman’s defensive qualities as well as his attacking prowess on Tuesday.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Ninad Milijas
Adjusting to life in England with a club who are expected to struggle in the Premier League is no easy feat, although Milijas has seemingly taken up the challenge and passed with flying colours.
The 26-year-old Serb signed on at Molineux from Red Star Belgrade in the summer and has already managed one terrific goal and five assists in just 11 league outings.
PREDICTION
As much as Wolves will head into their trip to Old Trafford riding the crest of a wave following their remarkable result at White Hart Lane, Manchester United should ultimately prove too strong, even with their well-documented defensive frailties.
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