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Manchester United v Fulham
Sunday 20 August, 1.30pm
After another disappointing World Cup and the depressingly familiar scenario of another star player looking for the quickest route of Motspur Park, it will be a relief to concentrate on the football come Sunday lunchtime. For all the pessimists and media pundits who drone on about another miserable relegation battle, I’ve actually got a good feeling about this season. Chris Coleman has been shrewd in the transfer market and, far from employing the usual short-termism favoured by Premiership managers, has actually bought for the future in the summer transfer window, with the likes of Bjorn Runstrom and Gabriel Zakuani only likely to improve with time.
We start with one of the toughest tests around – a televised trip to Old Trafford. Manchester United might not be the Premiership’s leading lights anymore (thanks to that charming mob down the road) but they still possess a squad of undoubted quality, with plenty of strength in depth. As he goes in search of a ninth Premiership title, Sir Alex Ferguson will probably pair Wayne Rooney with Louis Saha (remember him?) up front, with the speedy Cristiano Ronaldo – set to embark on a testing season after his World Cup exploits – and the evergreen Ryan Giggs ready to provide the ammunition from the flanks. With his eyesight now fully restored, Paul Scholes will as a good as a new signing in central midfield and, despite an ankle niggle which might rule him out on Sunday, Michael Carrick, the big money arrival at Carrington this summer, will be keen to ensure that his predecessor in the No. 16 shirt – Roy Keane – is hardly missed.
It is a tough start, but United are the only side to have beaten the Whites on the opening day in fourteen years and that memorable encounter – on our return to the Premiership in 2001 – was far from one-sided. Cookie and Steve Kean will have left the players in little doubt of what needs to improve following last year’s debacle on the road: it took 18 attempts to register an away win, at United’s neighbours, Manchester City. The defence certainly needs to be more disciplined and the hope is that the arrival of Franck Quedrue, the feisty full-back, and a fully-fit Philippe Christanval can keep things tight at the back.
Even without Steed Malbranque, whose contribution to our continuing Premiership survival can’t be overlooked, the big bonus for the Whites is the midfield. Papa Bouba Diop, who needs no introduction to the Red Devils after his thumping equaliser at the Cottage a couple of years ago, struggled with fitness and form last term, but without a World Cup hangover, the Senegalese giant will be intent on breaking up the play in his own inimitable fashion. Michael Brown and the curly-haired Jimmy Bullard, already assured of cult status with the fans given his high-octane pre-season displays, have already struck up a real rapport, whilst Luis Boa Morte still represents a potent threat down the left. The final formation will dictate whether Bullard operates as at the heart of the midfield or as a roaming right-winger, but the rest assured that the former Wigan funny man is destined to make an impact.
Brian McBride showed the courage and work ethic in Germany that we’ve come to love at the Cottage and, whilst it will be a surprise if he makes it through another Premiership campaign as an ever-present, the American veteran hardly needs to convince anyone of his ability, especially in the high. Perhaps our best chance of a goal will come from Collins John, although the Liberian-born striker would do well to rid himself of the teenage stupor that has detracted from his undoubted potential. The eager Runstrom and hungry Helguson, who remains the only half-decent penalty taker at the club, might have to wait for a chance from the bench.
A lot will hinge on how our previously sluggish back four deal with the threat of Saha and Rooney, but taking something away from Old Trafford no longer seems inconceivable, particularly considering that memorable October afternoon in 2003. Even if United’s superior quality tells, there are plenty of positives to keep us smiling until the visit of Bolton in the week.
MY FULHAM LINE-UP (4-4-2): Niemi; Rosenior, Quedrue, Christanval, Bocanegra; Diop, Brown, Bullard, Boa Morte; McBride, John. Subs: Crossley, Pearce, Timlin, Helguson, Runstrom.
// Daniel Crawford
Vill passa på att påminna om Swedish Cottagers årsmöte på Sheeans på Sveavägen innan dagens premiär. Väl mött.
