Sir Alex ponders derby options

29/04/2012 09:00, Report by Adam Marshall

Sir Alex ponders derby options

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is deliberating over two or three possible team selections for Monday night's do-or-die derby with Manchester City.

The United boss knows how he wants his team to play but has a variety of options in terms of personnel as he plots the downfall of Roberto Mancini's strongly-fancied Blues.

With decisions to be made in defence, midfield and attack, the line-up will be eagerly awaited ahead of kick-off for what is certain to be a pivotal match in the title race, one way or another.

"We've been working on two or three things in the last couple of days and I've got two or three options," admitted Sir Alex. "Hopefully, I'll get it right.

"I just know what we want to do in the game. We've got enough experience and pace in the team, enough good footballers and determination. I think we'll be alright in that respect. The game could be decided by anything, I hope it's not by a bad decision, that's for sure.

"There's focus on both teams to make it a good game. It's important as we're representing the city all over the world. Michel Platini is making an effort to come to the game. It creates a certain occasion and we want to represent ourselves the right way."

The manager is under no illusions that the title could be all but lost if City do pick up the three points, even though their next assignment looks difficult on paper - away at Newcastle - before the Reds kick off at home to Swansea.

"I think City probably would win it," he added. "Yes. I think, with two games left, they'd have a great chance."

United tipped for top winter

Nemanja Vidic believes United can turn up the heat during the busy Christmas period as the Reds chase glory in the Barclays Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are traditionally strong during the festive season. Recently-published statistics show United have won more points than any other top-flight team in the 17-31 December period since 2007.

And despite being sidelined for the rest of the campaign after rupturing cruciate knee ligaments in Basel, Vidic is sure his team-mates can maintain  this Yuletide custom and build momentum with international football now on the backburner until February.

The skipper told Inside United: “Often we’ll play on Wednesday and then Saturday, Wednesday and then Saturday. This helps you get into a rhythm and training during this time is all about recovery and rest. Physically, it’s easier on your body when you’re not travelling for international football.

“If you’ve been away with your country it can sometimes take you two days to adjust when you get back to Manchester. Now, until February, all the players will be together and concentrating only on Manchester United.

“We can work on a lot of different things together and focus ourselves for the end of the season. Traditionally we tend to do well over winter, our form tends to improve. Hopefully we can do the same this year.”

The Serbian colossus, whose transfer from Spartak Moscow was famously announced on ManUtd.com on Christmas Day in 2005, also explained why he originally struggled to cope with festive football, having previously enjoyed the rejuvenating benefits of

the Russian Premier League’s winter break.

“December and January can be very difficult mentally, not just physically,” Vidic said. “When you play so many games in one year without a break it can be very hard. There’s always pressure at this club; you have pressure to win this game and then the next game and then the game after that.

“If you do that for one whole year without any rest, without any time to relax or take your mind off football, this can be tough. But, I have to say, when I arrived here in England I found the winter much more difficult. Now we all know what to expect.”

United’s Christmas schedule begins with a trip to QPR on Sunday before a meeting with Fulham next Wednesday. These fixtures are followed by consecutive north-west derbies against Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.

More: Vidic: We aim to thrill | Fletcher to take a break | Cole: Timing is key

Wayne Rooney webchat

ManUtd.com is hosting an exclusive live webchat with Wayne Rooney on Thursday 15 December* – and you can post your advance questions now.

Rooney has netted 13 times in just 19 appearances this season, a tally that included two in last weekend's 4-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. There'll be plenty to talk to Wayne about: after all, even by his standards he's had quite an eventful campaign, notching two hat-tricks already (v Arsenal and Bolton) and turning out for the Reds both up front and in midfield.

You can post a question for Wayne during Thursday's live chat, or submit your question now in advance by logging into or registering with ManUtd.com. The fan whose question is considered to be the best by Wayne will win a United shirt signed by the man himself.

*The webchat is expected to start at 13:15 GMT on Thursday, subject to United's training schedule and Wayne's other commitments.

Previous webchats: Cleverley | Ferdinand | Carrick | Smalling | Park

Europa League tickets

As part of a review of the impact of Manchester United’s participation in the UEFA Europa League, the Board has decided to exclude the competition from the compulsory purchase of home cup tickets this season.

This decision means that Season Ticket holders do not have to buy Europa League tickets for matches at Old Trafford.

Further details of how fans can inform the Club of their intention to buy or not were announced on Saturday 10 December - see our separate Club News story.

More - Europa League: Ticket options | Your guide to the Europa League

Papers: Reds set for Jetro

Alan Nixon writes in The Mirror...

Fergie to go Dutch for JetroManchester United are chasing Holland’s wonder boyJetro Willems – as Sir Alex Ferguson looks for the next Patrice Evra. Ferguson sent his brother Martin, a United scout, on a spying mission to watch the 17-year-old left-back play for PSV Eindhoven at the weekend, teeing up a quick move for the teenager. Willems joined PSV from Sparta Rotterdam at the end of August, but could be on the move again if Fergie thinks the time is right to act before rivals get their act together. The star Holland youth international has already played 20 senior matches in Dutch football – catching the eye of top clubs in England and Europe.

Sticking with 17 year-olds, the same paper describes Reds striker Tom Lawrence - a scorer in the recent FA Youth Cup win over Torquay - as a "future star to look out for."

The Daily Mail's Martin Samuel claims UEFA's financial fair play regulations will benefit United. He writes, "[David Gill] knows that, once established, they will give United the clout to overcome setbacks far greater than defeat in Basle... Even before Wednesday's defeat, Gill was insisting that UEFA impose 'appropriate sanctions' on clubs who fail to comply with financial fair play. This lobbying will redouble with United vulnerable. So forget talk of the empire falling. United may have rough times immediately ahead, but long-term can emerge stronger than ever."

Samuel also sympathises with United over last week's injury to Nemanja Vidic. "Vidic may well be 31 by the time he returns and even with advances in modern sports science it is ambitious to believe he can achieve the same physical standard having sustained such a serious injury late in his career." He concludes, "Football can be very cruel."

Butt assesses Reds' midfield

Nicky Butt knows a thing or two about patrolling the midfield for United and is convinced Sir Alex will find a settled central pair as the season progresses.

After Tom Cleverley and Anderson worked in tandem for the first four Barclays Premier League games, United have tried 13 other partnerships in the engine room and not had the same duo for consecutive matches.

"I think it's difficult to pick the four starting across the midfield," Butt admitted to ManUtd.com recently. "In years gone by, everyone knew who the strongest four or five was. It's different now but we've still got some good players.

"I think Sir Alex will be looking to try and get a steady pairing in the centre. He's had injuries to Darren Fletcher, Cleverley and Anderson so it's been difficult to get a regular line-up in midfield. It helps when you can get everyone on a roll and playing well together."

Despite the injury problems, Butt doesn't think his former manager will focus solely on midfield when the transfer windows open again during 2012.

"Every team can improve, no matter who they are," he added. "Even Barcelona can improve so I'm sure Sir Alex will sign players, whether it be in midfield, defence or up front. He's always looking to enhance his squad."

Today at Old Trafford

Monday 12 December

10:40 Saturday, by the way, was the first time Nani has scored two goals in a league game for United. He's netted braces twice before in a Reds shirt, but in the Champions League (v Bayern Munich) and the Community Shield (v Manchester City). (NC)

10:27 We're currently watching a re-run of Saturday's 4-1 win over Wolves. It was great to see the team return to winning ways after what was a disappointing trip to Switzerland. You can still vote in our Man of the Match poll, by the way. Just visitwww.manutd.com/polls (NC)

09:31 By now, you've probably seen our Advent Calendar feature on ManUtd.com. Each day we provide a little festive treat that somehow relates to that particular day. Today, for instance, we have a 12 Cantonas video. Yesterday we asked you for suggestions for aChristmas-themed United XI. We've had some good submissions but would love to get a few more. If you're feeling creative, post in our Talking Reds thread. (NC)

09:23 Good morning, United fans. I've got a feeling this could be a long week. I'm not saying that because it's Monday morning and the weekend always seems so far away at this point, but because there's no midweek game to sink our teeth into. We've played on either Tuesday or Wednesday in six of the

last seven weeks and it's become something of a routine. This week, though, we have to wait until Sunday lunchtime before our match with Queens Park Rangers rolls around. (NC)

More: United 4 Wolves 1 | Match gallery

The views expressed in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United.