Well guys, this is it. Today is very important to me as a Nigerian and a Manchester United Supporter..The African Cup of nations comes to a climax today, with my country (Nigeria) playing in the finals against Burkina Faso..This is a match that everyone has been looking forward to, well for obvious reasons. The last time Nigeria won the AFCON trophy was in 1994, and today presents the perfect opportunity to win another...Am quite optimistic about this one, while not being complacent at the same time. I love my country, and am gonna be shouting my lungs out today..
With an important game against Real Madrid looming in the next few days, United host Everton on Sunday, in match number 26 of the 2012/2013 season., I hear people
suggesting Everton at home on Sunday afternoon is hardly the ideal
preparation and that United would’ve wished for a different fixture.
In my opinion it’s the ideal fixture, it concentrates the mind,
releases the players thoughts from wandering to Wednesday thus not
allowing any complacency to creep in. Imagine a visit from Reading or
Fulham? Imagine the temptation to field a weakened team against one of
those? It’s happened before and we’ve come unstuck .There’s no doubt Sir Alex will
make a few changes but, after what happened last season, he and his
troops will surely be looking for some semblance of revenge and
strengthening their ever increasing grip on the league title.
It will be a day where United fans will want all three points in the
bag, not just for the title race but also for the boys who died in
Munich 55 years ago, as tributes will be paid throughout the day to
those who lost their lives.
Everton are well known for being one of our toughest opponents when
they visit Old Trafford, and Sir Alex will have to strike a good balance
in his team selection so he can win on Sunday, and not lose on
Wednesday.
Team news:
The boss has stated that Ashley Young will be fit again for the visit of Merseyside’s strongest team, and Michael Carrick also returns to the fold.
Phil Jones is likely to miss out through illness, and Sir Alex will
utilise his squad to the hilt – perhaps playing Anderson, Evans,
Smalling and Chicharito, with thoughts of them being on the bench for
Wednesday.
For Everton, Coleman and Hibbert are due to miss the trip, and fans
will welcome back old-boy Phil Neville, as he skippers the club he
joined from the reds almost eight years ago.
Predicted United line-up: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, van Persie
Everton:
The visitors make the short trip down the East Lancs on the back of a 3-3 home draw to Aston Villa last week.
The Toffeemen are unbeaten in all competitions so far in 2013, and
they will be looking to earn at least a point at Old Trafford, as they
did in the same fixture last season. United on the other hand wont be
looking to switch off as they did in that game, as we surrendered a 4-2
lead to share the points, ultimately having a big say in the title race.
Predicted Everton line-up: Howard, Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic
The gap at the top could be 12 points on Sunday. But in
the grand scheme of things, a point against Everton wouldn’t be the
worst thing that could happen. They’re a quality side, with a manager
who knows how to snuff us out and frustrate us.
Wherever you’re watching it on Sunday, enjoy the game.
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