Manchester United supporters have become accustomed to the annual defensive injury crisis in recent seasons, with Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, and the da Silva brothers each on the sidelines for long periods. This seasonโs incarnation โ hardly a surprise to anybody perusing the injury records of Sir Alex Fergusonโs defenders โ has come a little earlier than normal, with the Scotโs first choice back-four absent for Tottenham Hotspurโs visit to Old Trafford on Monday night.
Joining Ferdinand and Vidic on the sidelines is and Rafael da Silva, while Patrice Evra may face the Londoners depending on his recovery from a minor knee injury suffered on international duty. It is hardly ideal preparation for Unitedโs opening home match of the new season but with nearly ยฃ50 million of youthful defensive talent still at Fergusonโs disposal injuries with open the door for Phil Jonesโ first competitive start.
The 19-year-old summer recruit from Blackburn Rovers is likely to line-up alongside Chris Smalling or Jonny Evans in central defence, with Fรกbio vying for a spot at right-back.
Fergusonโs faith in Jones is nothing new though, with the 69-year-old United manager having tried to sign the teenager last January. The England Under-21 internationalโs composure and leadership skills, says the Scot, marks the player out as one United โcouldnโt missโ in this summerโs transfer market.
โWhen he was playing against us in the 7-1 game, after the fifth goal he was running out and giving everyone around him stick and he was only 18 then. I was very impressed,โ admitted Ferguson.
โAfter that I tried to get him last January. We put an inquiry in but Blackburn wouldnโt sell him at that time. He was just one that we couldnโt miss. Heโs definitely got all the parts to his game, there is no doubt about that. He has got the desire to play and heโs a good trainer, with a great determination about him.โ
Despite the managerโs confidence United is likely to field a hugely inexperienced defence on Monday night. Jones, Smalling and Evans are likely to be joined by Fabio da Silva. The five that finished Unitedโs 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion last Sunday had an average age of just 20 years and 193 days.
It is hardly ideal for under-pressure 20-year-old goalkeeper David de Gea, who has mistakes in successive games since an ยฃ18 million transfer from Atlรฉtico de Madrid this summer. Despite the media pressure being heaped on the youngster Ferguson says he hasnโt discussed the issue de Gea in the past week.
โHe coped with the crosses into the box at West Brom with no problem โ he just didnโt get any protection,โ added Ferguson.
โYou saw the challenges โ an elbow in the face and a boy went under him and he didnโt get the free-kick. Itโs disappointing when you donโt get the protection, but heโs at home against Spurs on Monday and it wonโt be a problem. Itโs just away from home where he might get subjected to that.
โDavid will go through the same programme of core work as the rest of the players do when they come here. [Edwin] Van der Sar was a tall, skinny kid when he won the European Cup in 1995. He was the same โ and donโt forget David is only 20. Schmeichel had a baptism of fire, too. He went to Wimbledon in his first couple of games with us and screamed like a pig. He got no protection. He had Vinnie Jones, Alan Cork and John Fashanu all piling on top of him and battering lumps out of him.
โDavid will be fine. I have no problems with him, none at all. We have never mentioned the criticism this week that David got after the West Brom game. Heโs fine, heโs done his training โ thereโs no problem.โ
Meanwhile, Ferguson will choose between Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick in central midfield. Although youngster Cleverley performed admirably during the Community Shield and away victory at West Brom the senior man is now injury free and ready to face his former club. Darren Fletcher completed a reserve match in midweek but is likely to be a fortnight away from a first team return, as is winger Antonia Valencia.
The Scot also faces a selection dilemma up front, with Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov vying for a starting spot against Spurs. Welbeck began fixtures with both Manchester City in the Community Shield and last weekend but the Bulgarian replaced him each time.
There is, of course, no doubt about Rooney who has begun the campaign in fine form. Free from controversy surrounding his private life or contractual situation, the 25-year-old former Evertonian is playing in the liberated fashion with which he closed last season
โHeโs been flying in pre-season,โ said Ferguson.
โHis fitness is terrific, he has the same energy all the time, he is a restless player on the pitch, he can never stand still. He is a tremendous asset to our squad. Itโs interesting to see how he is combining with [Danny] Welbeck at the moment. Both have done very well together.
โI have Berbatov who did very well in pre-season, he played really well. When Chicharito returns then Iโve a selection problem to work out the best combination. For me, Chicharito has goals written all over him, so itโs not a bad position to be in.โ
Meanwhile, Harry Redknappโs side arrived in Manchester fresh from hammering Hearts at Tyncastle during the week. Spursโ 5-0 victory came despite the Londoners having yet to start the domestic season after the clubโs opening Premier League fixture was called off due to the riots that swept north London a fortnight ago.
Redknapp should be able to call on Luka Modri? even though the Croatian missed the win at Hearts with a groin strain. However striker Peter Crouch, Ledley King, William Gallas, Sandro, Steven Pienaar and Alan Hutton are all doubtful for the match.
And star midfielder Gareth Bale says that the lack of experience in Unitedโs back five is an advantage Spurs must take if the Londoners are to win at Old Trafford for the first time since 1989. Indeed, โkeeper de Gea wasnโt born until 1990, underlining both Unitedโs youth and the visitors poor record in Manchester.
โIf any keeperโs having a bad time, youโre going to test them and itโs going to be no different,โ bale told the Mirror.
โWeโre going to go to Old Trafford and give our all and test their whole team. Itโs obviously going to be nerve-racking for him to go to United and be in the first team, but he showed at Atlรฉtico Madrid and with Spain that heโs a world class keeper.โ
Yet, despite the focus on Unitedโs 20-year-old stopper, it is arguably Jones that is the key man should he start. For a player so young, a sense of responsibility already rests on the defenderโs shoulders; few doubt Jonesโ ability to see it through.
Match Facts
Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Old Trafford, Monday 22 August, 8pm.
Likely Line-ups
United (4-4-1-1): de Gea; Fรก, Smalling, Jones, Fabio; Nani, Cleverley, Anderson, Young; Rooney; Welbeck. Subs from: Lindegaard, Evans, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Diouf, Owen, Berbatov, Pogba.
Spurs (4-4-1-1): Gomes; Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Modric, Huddlestone, Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe. Subs from: Cudicini, Kranjcar, Livermore, Friedel, Bassong, Corluka, Townsend, Pavlyuchenko.
Form
United: WW
Spurs: n/a
Referee
Referee: Lee Probert (South Gloucestershire)
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Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site that generates millions of unique visitors. Heโs also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sportsย
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