Cast your mind back two seasons ago when Manchester United rolled into town and then got rolled over after Steve Stone stuck the ball in the back of the net. That day we probably deserved to win but there was no denying that United should have had a penalty after a blatant handball by Matthew Taylor.
Now cast your mind back to last season where once again Manchester United came down to Fratton Park and once again they were beaten. We played three up front that day and yes, we were on the back foot at the start of the game but in the end we deserved to win that game too after some very efficient counter-attacking play.
Back to the present day and lessons can be learnt from the previous two occasions. Firstly every side needs a bit of luck when they're playing Manchester United. That doesn't bode well for us seeing as in the last two home games we've conceded two dodgy penalties and United are known for having some of the more notorious divers in the Premiership. (Yes Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo I'm talking to you!) So is it about time our luck changed this season? The only piece of luck I can remember us having this season was the handball leading up to Gary O'Neil goal against Fulham. If there is any time to get some luck now would be the time because I believe we're going to need it.
The other lesson that can be learnt is that if we go for it right from the start then we have every chance of taking something from the game. So playing one up front would be suicidal especially considering how shaky Uniteds defence have been lately. Even Rio Ferdinand has been outshone by his brother Anton recently. Lua Lua and Benjani's pace could give the United back four allsorts of trouble or if Harry is feeling really gutsy why not start with 3 up front and stick Todorov up there too? It worked last time! One striker who definately won't be playing though is Vincent Pericard as he has gone down the road. No, not to Southampton but to Plymouth instead.
The midfield battle will be interesting as Wayne Routledge could drop to the bench to make way for a second striker. It's likely to be D'Alessandro, Davis, Mendes and O'Neil vs Giggs, Fletcher, Smith and Ronaldo. Both of United's wingers need to be stopped one way or another but I believe we can win the central midfield battle. The main area that concerns me is at the back. Our shambolic defensive unit are up against Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the guy who loves to score against us; Wayne Rooney. I don't think I need to elaborate any more on that point.
Realistically we have to take something from this game, probably a win which is a tall order but everyone has written us off twice before and we've beaten them so we can ignore the pundits once again on this one. If we lose then barring a miracle we will be off to Hull and Luton next season as we have a 99.9% chance of losing to Chelsea in our next game. All we can do is give it all we've got. With a bit of luck and the right team selection then there's every chance of taking something tommorow.
Now cast your mind back to last season where once again Manchester United came down to Fratton Park and once again they were beaten. We played three up front that day and yes, we were on the back foot at the start of the game but in the end we deserved to win that game too after some very efficient counter-attacking play.
Back to the present day and lessons can be learnt from the previous two occasions. Firstly every side needs a bit of luck when they're playing Manchester United. That doesn't bode well for us seeing as in the last two home games we've conceded two dodgy penalties and United are known for having some of the more notorious divers in the Premiership. (Yes Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo I'm talking to you!) So is it about time our luck changed this season? The only piece of luck I can remember us having this season was the handball leading up to Gary O'Neil goal against Fulham. If there is any time to get some luck now would be the time because I believe we're going to need it.
The other lesson that can be learnt is that if we go for it right from the start then we have every chance of taking something from the game. So playing one up front would be suicidal especially considering how shaky Uniteds defence have been lately. Even Rio Ferdinand has been outshone by his brother Anton recently. Lua Lua and Benjani's pace could give the United back four allsorts of trouble or if Harry is feeling really gutsy why not start with 3 up front and stick Todorov up there too? It worked last time! One striker who definately won't be playing though is Vincent Pericard as he has gone down the road. No, not to Southampton but to Plymouth instead.
The midfield battle will be interesting as Wayne Routledge could drop to the bench to make way for a second striker. It's likely to be D'Alessandro, Davis, Mendes and O'Neil vs Giggs, Fletcher, Smith and Ronaldo. Both of United's wingers need to be stopped one way or another but I believe we can win the central midfield battle. The main area that concerns me is at the back. Our shambolic defensive unit are up against Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the guy who loves to score against us; Wayne Rooney. I don't think I need to elaborate any more on that point.
Realistically we have to take something from this game, probably a win which is a tall order but everyone has written us off twice before and we've beaten them so we can ignore the pundits once again on this one. If we lose then barring a miracle we will be off to Hull and Luton next season as we have a 99.9% chance of losing to Chelsea in our next game. All we can do is give it all we've got. With a bit of luck and the right team selection then there's every chance of taking something tommorow.