Match Preview: Sheffield United v Manchester United

Last updated : 17 November 2006 By @blades_mad1889

Sheffield United v Manchester United
The Blades came from two goals down in what was a dire performance by the home side; El Hadji Diouf and Kevin Davies gave the Trotters a 2-0 advantage before Rob Hulse pulled one back on 70 minutes and after a mistake by the Bolton keeper Colin Kazim-Richards found an empty three minutes later.

United will be without Midfield maestro Michael Tonge who is still out with an ankle injury whilst Paddy Kenny remains doubtful after being involved in an altercation with a member of the public and could make way for a return for Ian Bennett.

Sheffield United will also be without striker Steve Kabba (Shoulder), Adi Akinbiyi (hamstring) and Chris Armstrong (knee).

Predicted Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Rob Kozluk, Phil Jagielka, Claude Davis, Derek Geary, Keith Gillespie, Mikele Leigertwood, Nick Montgomery, Alan Quinn, Danny Webber, Rob Hulse.

The Red Devils came on top of the Lancashire derby last weekend when a Luis Saha goal was enough to beat Blackburn Rovers at Edwood Park in front of live television.

Sir Alex Ferguson is sweating on the fitness of full-back Gary Neville who is rated 50/50 after being dragged off at Rovers with a calf injury. He didn't play in England's 1-1 draw in Holland and was replaced by Manchester City's Micah Richards.

Meanwhile Welsh international Ryan Giggs is a major doubt for the visitors after he came out of their midweek international encounter with an ankle injury.

The Old Trafford side will also be without striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and South Korea international Park Ji-Jung who are out with hamstring and torn ankle ligament injuries respectively.

Predicted Red Devils Line-Up: Edwin Van der Sar, John O'Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Kieran Richardson, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Saha, Wayne Rooney.

Man in the Middle: Mark Clettenburg (Tyne & Wear)

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  • 13.02.2005 - Blades 1-1 West Ham United (FAC)
  • 17.09.2005 - Watford 2-3 Blades
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Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 0-0 Manchester United