Manchester Evening News
24/ 8/2007
UNITED skipper Gary Neville has been ruled out for two more weeks after picking up a thigh injury in training.
Neville, who has spent the summer recovering from ankle and calf problems, had trained all week and might have played some part in Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Tottenham until he suffered his latest setback.
The injury seems certain to rule Neville out of England’s Euro 2008 double-header with Israel and Russia next month, although he should be fit for United’s trip to Everton on September 15.
There is some good news on the fitness front for Sir Alex Ferguson though as Louis Saha is likely to be on the bench against Spurs.
Saha was a key figure in United’s blistering start to the season last term but has been plagued by injury problems throughout 2007 so far.
Like Neville, the Frenchman has been in full training this week and Ferguson is hopeful he will be involved.
Edwin van der Sar is available too after scans revealed the veteran Dutchman suffered no major damage to his foot in a training ground collision with Dirk Kuyt on Tuesday which caused the keeper to miss his country’s friendly defeat to Switzerland.
Brazil international Anderson is also set to make his competitive bow after overcoming a hamstring strain, although Wayne Rooney (broken foot) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee) are still missing and Cristiano Ronaldo is serving the second match of a three-game ban.
Convinced
Michael Carrick, meanwhile, is convinced former club Tottenham will be pushing for a Champions League spot at the end of the season.
The United midfielder retains a soft spot for the White Hart Lane outfit, who have been in turmoil this week as speculation swirled around current boss Martin Jol.
Carrick can only hope the frenzy has a destabilising effect on Spurs as he knows it is imperative United collect their first three points of the campaign when the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
But, having spent two years at Tottenham before his £18million move to United last summer, Carrick still wants them to do well.
And, while he wants their season to get worse before it gets better, the England star – who won his 14th cap against Germany on Wednesday – believes it is only a matter of time before Spurs turn their season around.
“Tottenham will be alright,” he told MUTV.
“They were a great club for me. I really enjoyed my time there and I still want them to do well.
“They have finished fifth in the last two seasons and now they probably have the players to challenge for a top four spot.
“Whether they get it or not remains to be seen but I am sure they will be just as close, if not closer. I certainly don’t think they should get too dispirited about things just now.”
The same is also true at United, although Sir Alex Ferguson has already acknowledged his side face ‘an uphill task’ to retain their Premier League title.
Tottenham left-back Gareth Bale could make his club debut in the clash after resuming full training following thigh and knee problems in pre-season.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee), Michael Dawson (ankle), Younes Kaboul (hamstring), Ledley King (knee) and Aaron Lennon (knee) are all out of the Old Trafford visit.
Darren Bent (thigh) is a doubt but Dimitar Berbatov (groin) is a possibility. Teemu Tainio is in contention.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Evra, Silvestre, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Saha, Tevez.
Tottenham Hotspur (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Bale, Lee, Stalteri, Gardner, Rocha, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Routledge, Malbranque, Boateng, Huddlestone, Ghaly, Murphy, Taarabt, Berbatov, Bent, Keane, Defoe.
Last season: United 1 Tottenham 0
Key opponent: Dimitar Berbatov – Bulgarian striker – who has been linked with United – is one of the most intelligent footballers in the league
Prediction: United 2 Tottenham 0 – Surely the Reds will record their first victory of the new season
