Match Preview : Bolton vs Man Utd

Reebok StadiumSaturday,

24 November

Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka is fit again after a hamstring injury and should return to the starting line-up.

El-Hadji Diouf is also set to return after completing a one-match ban.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is still out with an ankle injury, while Gary Neville continues his recovery after a succession of injury problems.
Defender Nemanja Vidic is United's only worry. The Serbian picked up a knock against Poland, so Wes Brown may partner Rio Ferdinand at the back.

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, McCann, Michalik, A O'Brien, Meite, Gardner, Cid, Campo, Guthrie, Nolan, Speed, Alonso, Diouf, Davies, Anelka, Al Habsi, Samuel, Teymourian, Braaten, Giannakopoulos.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evans, Evra, Simpson, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Saha, Tevez.

Bolton manager Gary Megson:"In my view, we are improving. We made a case for winning every game played whilst I've been here.

"But we haven't won so we've got to find a way of turning draws into wins, regardless of the opposition.

"We've also been doing a lot of work during the international break in terms of watching players."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:"He [Wayne Rooney] is doing some running. Somebody said that they saw him training on Tuesday. That's some eye sight!

"He started some light running on Thursday and did some good running on Friday.

"He won't play at Bolton or against Sporting Lisbon, but I would think he'll be available for Fulham."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

The 109th league meeting of these two Greater Manchester rivals could see United at the top of the table and Bolton still below the safety line at the final whistle.

No club has won more Premier League matches this season than Manchester United (nine), and no club has won fewer than Bolton (one).

Bolton have drawn four and lost one of five games since the appointment of Gary Megson, and are chasing a first win under the new manager against the tightest defence in the Premier League.

Manchester United are unbeaten in 10 league outings; Wanderers are pursuing a first win in 10.

The Trotters have conceded more Premier League goals to Manchester United than to any other club (40).

Bolton are making a ninth attempt to clinch a first ever home Premier League victory over Manchester United. They've not taken maximum points off the Red Devils in front of the home faithful since a 3-0 top flight triumph on 22 December 1978. A brace from Frank Worthington and an Alan Gowling goal decided the issue 29 years ago.

CLUB FORM
BOLTON WANDERERS

Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 15thLowest could fall: 20th

1. One of only two clubs with just one Premier League victory; the other is Derby. Also, one of three clubs with just one home Premier League victory so far this season. The others are Middlesbrough and Derby. Reading are the only club to have left the Reebok without any points.
2. Not won in eight; drawn three and lost five league and cup games since beating Rabotnicki Kometa 1-0 in the Uefa Cup first round second leg at the Reebok on 4 October.
3. Drawn five of the last seven Premier League fixtures, including the last three against Aston Villa (h), West Ham (a) and Middlesbrough (h); it is the longest current sequence of draws in the highest league.
4. Won one of 19 Premier League outings; winless in nine, having picked up five points out of 27.
5. Eight points from the first 13 games equals their worst ever start to a Premier League season in 1995-96. That was their first taste of football in this league, which saw them finish bottom and suffer immediate relegation.
6. Averaging 0.62 points per game, having dropped 31 of the 39 available. Only Derby exceed that; 33 points dropped. Eight points were dropped from winning positions; losing to Fulham and Portsmouth - both away, and drawing, home to Aston Villa.
7. Yet to beat a top half club. Drawn two and lost four of their six fixtures against clubs currently in the top 10.
8. Won one of the last seven Premier League fixtures against north-west clubs; 1-3, away to Wigan on 7 April.
9. Need to score one goal to total 200 in home Premier League games all-time.
10. This match precedes Thursday's Uefa Cup Group F tie, home to Aris Salonica, and a Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday, 2 December.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1stLowest could fall: 2nd

1. Undefeated in nine; won eight and drawn one in all competitions, since the 0-2 home defeat by Coventry in the third round of the Carling Cup on 26 September; their only loss in 15 outings.

2. Dropped only two points from a last possible 30, since their only league defeat this term; 1-0, away to Manchester City on 19 August.

3. Kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season - more than any other club; seven of those have been in the last 10 matches.
4. Opened the scoring in an unrivalled 10 Premier League matches this season.
5. Heading the Premier League's "Last Six Current Form" table with 16 points out of 18.
6. Completed 53 league games since a loss by more than a single goal; 3-0, away to Chelsea on 29 April 2006.
7. Meanest defence in the Premier League with six goals conceded from 13 outings, at one every 195 minutes (three hours 15 minutes) on average. Liverpool have also let in just six, but from 12 matches, at one every 180 minutes (three hours).
8. Yet to lose to a lower half club; won five and drawn one of their six fixtures against clubs in the bottom 10.
9. Unbeaten in four league games on the road (three wins, one draw), and already returned from Everton, Birmingham and Aston Villa with maximum points.
10. This match precedes Tuesday's Champions League Group F tie, home to Sporting.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

BOLTON WANDERERS

Nicolas ANELKA is Bolton's leading scorer with seven goals, including six of the clubs 11 in the Premier League.
Kevin DAVIES is a hat-trick shy of 100 club career goals (Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn, Millwall and Bolton).
Jussi JAASKALAINEN is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Bolton's Premier League matches this season.
Gary SPEED, the only player to have netted in every Premier League season, is a double shy of 100 career league goals (Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton).
If selected:-
SPEED will be extending his record breaking number of Premier League appearances to 533.
DAVIES will be making his 150th league appearance for Bolton.
Kevin NOLAN will be making his 300th club career appearance - all for Bolton.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Wayne ROONEY, who's currently injured, has scored five Premier League goals against Bolton - all five were netted last season.
Cristiano RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer this season with 10 goals, and leading Premier League marksman with six.
Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league goals.
Rio FERDINAND is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.
When he returns from injury and next plays from the outset, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.

HEAD TO HEAD

Wayne Rooney celebrated his 21st birthday earlier in the week, by completing a hat-trick in last season's 0-4 triumph over Bolton in this identical fixture last season.
United scored eight goals against the Trotters last term.
Although they are yet to defeat the Red Devils on home territory, Bolton have recorded two Premier League victories at Old Trafford: 1-2, on 20 October 2001 and 0-1, on 11 September 2002.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Bolton 40 wins, Man United 44, Draws 24Prem: Bolton 2 wins, Man United 10, Draws 4
at Bolton onlyLeague (inc PL): Bolton 24 wins, Man United 16, Draws 14Prem: Bolton 0 wins, Man United 5, Draws 3

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester United28 October 2006 - Ref: Rob StylesMan United scorers: Rooney 10, 16, Ronaldo 82, Rooney 89

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7099689.stm

Mach Preview: Man United vs Blackburn Rovers

Old Trafford

Sunday, 11 November

Kick-off: 1500 GMT

UNITED will be without striker Wayne Rooney for the clash with Blackburn after he injured an ankle in training.

The England international left the club's Carrington base on crutches, meaning he will not feature against Rovers at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Gary Neville is still unlikely to figure against Rovers despite having made a comeback in the reserves.

The only other absentees are those with long term-injuries - Mikael Silvestre, Paul Scholes, Park Ji-sung and Ben Foster.

Ahead of the game Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has spoken of his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson - but is confident of outsmarting his one-time mentor this weekend.

Ferguson this week celebrated 21 years in charge at Manchester United but shows no sign of slowing down.

Yet Rovers are also enjoying a strong run of form and travel to Old Trafford on Sunday unbeaten away and only five points behind United with a game in hand.

Former United striker Hughes, who has long been tipped to succeed Ferguson one day, said: “It is fantastic what he has done and is doing.

“It is a remarkable feat that he has been able to keep going and keep the energy and enthusiasm for the game that he has. Football is his life and he has still got that drive he has had form the outset.

“By all accounts he has mellowed a bit from my time when I was a player, but maybe that comes from being so successful.

“It’s a big ask going to Manchester United, they are playing exceptionally well, as we are, but it will be very different to overcome them in the form they have been showing.

“Defensively they are rock solid and it will take a good side to overcome them - but we feel we are a good side.

“We have gone up against three out of the big four and come out of them unbeaten so there is no reason we cannot go to Old Trafford and get a positive result.

“We couldn’t be going there in better circumstances given the run we’re on. Something’s got to give, let’s hope it’s United.”

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evans, Evra, Simpson, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Saha, Tevez.

Blackburn Rovers (from) : Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Bentley, Dunn, Tugay, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Brown, Khizanishvili, Treacy.

Last season: United 4 Blackburn 1

Key opponent: David Bentley - Probably the best crosser in the league and has a good record against United

Prediction: United 1 Blackburn 0 - Rooney's injury is a blow, but if the Reds can keep it tight at the back they should overcome this tough test

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7076650.stm,

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1023785_preview_united_v_blackburn?rss=yes

Match Review : Man Utd 4-0 Dynamo Kiev

Manchester United qualified for the Champions League knockout stage after a comfortable win against Dynamo Kiev.

Gerard Pique headed his first United goal after 31 minutes and Carlos Tevez quickly added a second after a brilliant exchange with Wayne Rooney.

United continued to dominate and Rooney side-footed home Nani's superb cross with 15 minutes left.

Cristiano Ronaldo's solo effort made it four late on and Roma's draw with Sporting Lisbon sent United through.

United made five changes to the team that drew 2-2 at Arsenal, and it took a while for Sir Alex Ferguson's side to get into their stride.

Rooney received a yellow card after 17 minutes for a foolish chase and tackle on Artem Milevskiy.

But United's frustrations eased on the half-hour when they took the lead in freakish circumstances.

Michael Carrick's header from Ronaldo's free-kick bounced off the head of an unwitting - and offside - Tevez and lobbed into the path of Pique, who headed home.

And five minutes later they doubled their advantage when Rooney exchanged passes with Tevez to allow the gifted Argentine to shoot high past Olexandr Shovkovskiy.

United made a substitution at half time, with Tomas Kuszczak replacing Edwin van der Sar in goal after the Dutch keeper suffered a foot injury.

He was instantly in action, diving to save well from Diogo Rincon - but United were always in the ascendancy.

Nani had a shot saved from 20 yards and then Shovkovskiy made a fine double save from Tevez and Danny Simpson after brilliant approach work from Patrice Evra.

Kuszczak had distinguished himself, and he saved well from Tiberiu Ghioane as Dynamo at last showed more attacking intent.

United wrapped up the win with 15 minutes left when Nani provided a superb right-wing cross that was an open invitation for Rooney to side-foot home from six yards.

Ronaldo finished the night with a flourish, tricking his way into the area in trademark fashion before firing home powerfully.

Man Utd: Van der Sar (Kuszczak 46), Simpson, Vidic, Pique (Evans 72), Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Nani, Fletcher, Rooney, Tevez (Saha 67).Subs Not Used: Brown, Anderson, O'Shea, Eagles.
Booked: Rooney.
Goals: Pique 31, Tevez 37, Rooney 76, Ronaldo 88.

Dynamo Kiev: Shovkovskiy, Fedorov, Vashchuk, El Kaddouri, Markovic, Diakhate, Rotan (Rebrov 46), Correa, Gusev (Rincon 46), Ghioane, Milevskiy (Bangoura 76).Subs Not Used: Rybka, Gavrancic, Ninkovic, Dopilka.
Booked: Diakhate, Correa.

Att: 75,017

Ref: Jan Wegereef (Holland).

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7076590.stm
http://www.super-goal.info/vdo_clip.php?catid=25&id=3485

Arsenal v Man Utd

Emirates Stadium: Saturday, 3 November
Kick-off: 1245 GMT

Arsene Wenger has a near full-strength squad to chose from with Robin van Persie (knee) and Philippe Senderos (back) the only enforced absentees.

Eduardo, after his midweek brace, and Gilberto are both pushing for starts.

Louis Saha and Michael Carrick make timely returns to Manchester United's squad for the top of the table clash.

Saha has finally shrugged off a long-term knee problem, while Carrick has recovered from the dislocated elbow he suffered against Roma last month.

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Rosicky, Adebayor, Lehmann, Eduardo, Gilberto, Diarra, Diaby, Walcott, Bendtner, Denilson.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Tevez, Rooney, Saha.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:

"It's a giant of a game - everybody wants to see who is the best at the moment.

"I have a strong belief in my team and I'm convinced we can put them under good pressure and beat them. We have a game in hand, we want to extend our lead at the top and take advantage of that game.

"Calmness will be an important factor, managing the game and maintaining domination over them. If we panic there is little chance to win."

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson:

"It is going to be tense. Big games always are. The pace of the game will escape no-one.

"It is far too early to say this is a title decider. My experience suggests there are rough times ahead because teams in this league can drop points against anyone.

"But both ourselves and Arsenal are enjoying a good spell and that is the mouth-watering aspect of the game. The football they are playing and the goals they are scoring means anyone who has a ticket will be rubbing their hands."

BIG MATCH-FACTS

A top of the table showdown between the two most successful clubs in Premier League history. Manchester United have won 375 matches, gained 1,258 points and claimed nine titles; Arsenal have won 316 games, collected 1,107 points and lifted three titles.

It pits the north Londoners with the longest current unbeaten run in this league (17 games) with the Red Devils, who are on the longest current winning streak of eight.

It sets the strongest attack against the tightest defence in the highest league; Arsenal have scored 22 goals in 10, Manchester United have conceded four in 11.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrates 21 years in charge at Old Trafford on Tuesday, comes up against his Arsenal opposite number Arsene Wenger for the 34th time. Of the 33 previous encounters United have won 11, Arsenal 13. Seven of the nine other games finished level and two were decided on penalty shoot-outs; United won the 2003 Community Shield, and Arsenal the 2005 FA Cup final on penalties.

In the Premier League there's nothing to chose between Wenger and Ferguson at eight wins a piece, and six draws, but the Frenchman has the edge on home soil with five wins to three, and three draws.

Victory for the Gunners would be their seventh at home and equal the club record of successive league victories from the start of a season, set in 1934, and equalled two years ago.

Arsenal came from behind with two goals in the last seven minutes of the first ever meeting with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in January to complete the double over their fierce rivals.

CLUB FORM

ARSENAL

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1stLowest could fall: 2nd

1. Undefeated in 24 in league and cup. Won 15 and drawn two of 17 this season, and won 18 and drawn six since suffering defeat to West Ham at the Emirates Stadium nearly seven months ago.

2. Won 11 and drawn six of the last 17 Premier League matches since losing 0-1, home to the Hammers on 7 April.

3. One of two remaining unbeaten clubs in the Premier League. The other is Liverpool.

4. Dropped fewer Premier League points than any other club; just four.

5. The only club to have scored in every Premier League match so far this season; netted 22 goals in 10 outings, at one every 41 minutes on average.

6. One of three clubs to have gained as many as seven points from losing positions; won two and drawn one in which they were trailing.

7. Made their best ever start to a Premier League season. The previous best points total after the first 10 games was 25 in 2004-05. The best after 11 games is 27, in 2003-04 - their last title-winning campaign.

8. One of two clubs holding a 100% home Premier League record (won six of six). Manchester City have an identical record.

9. Three shy of 600 home goals in the Premier League all-time.

10. This match precedes Wednesday's Champions League Group H fixture in the Czech Republic, against Slavia Prague.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1stLowest could fall: 2nd

1. Not dropped a point since their only loss of this league campaign; 1-0, away to local rivals Manchester City on 19 August.

2. On their longest winning league sequence since recording nine in a row on 9 April 2006; the last of the nine being a 2-0 home win over Arsenal.

3. Scored four goals in each of the last three league matches, and on course to replicate the longest run in the Premier League of four successive games in which four or more goals were scored; achieved by Manchester United themselves on 15 April 2000 (putting four past Bradford City, seven past West Ham, netting four against Middlesbrough and four against Sunderland).

4. Conceded two goals in claiming 24 points out of 24, and just four all season; shipping one every 248 minutes (four hours eight minutes) of Premier League football played, on average.

5. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 14 matches since conceding more than a single goal in a game; the most recent being the pair in the 2-4 away win over Everton on 28 April.

6. Also on the longest current run in the Premier League of 51 matches since a defeat by more than a single goal; 3-0, away to Chelsea on 29 April 2006.

7. Their 11 league games have yielded 23 goals (19 for, four against). Only Premier League matches involving West Ham have a poorer return; 21 (12 for, nine against).

8. Kept seven clean sheets - more than any other club in the division.

9. Aiming for a fourth consecutive league victory on the road.

10. This game precedes Wednesday's home Champions League Group F fixture, against Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

ARSENAL

Cesc FABREGAS is Arsenal's top scorer with 10 goals.

Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is the clubs top Premier League marksmen with six.

Arsenal have never lost when ADEBAYOR has scored; winning 16 and drawing
two of the 18 matches in which he's netted. But he has not found the net since getting a double, home to Derby on 22 September.

Only Kolo TOURE has been on the field for every minute of every one of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Wayne ROONEY and RONALDO are Manchester United's joint top scorers with six goals each.

ROONEY has scored five Premier League goals against Arsenal (two for Everton, three for United).

ROONEY and Carlos TEVEZ are the clubs top Premier League marksmen, with four each.

Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league goals.

Rio FERDINAND is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.

If selected:-

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th English league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

HEAD TO HEAD

Arsenal achieved same season home and away victories over Manchester United for only the third time in the Premier League last season.

It was only the eighth time United had been "doubled" in their Premier League history.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Arsenal 65 wins, Man United 71, Draws 40
Prem: Arsenal 9 wins, Man United 12, Draws 9

at Arsenal only
League (inc PL): Arsenal 50 wins, Man United 22, Draws 16
Prem: Arsenal 6 wins, Man United 4, Draws 5

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
21 January 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Arsenal scorers: Van Persie 83, Henry 90
Man Utd scorer: Rooney 53

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7065152.stm

Match Preview : Man Utd v Middlesbrough

Old Trafford

Saturday, 27 October

Kick-off: 1500 BST

Manchester United are able to include England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who has been out with a knee problem.

Paul Scholes is out with a knee injury but Patrice Evra should play despite suffering a calf strain in midweek.

Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere is in contention for a place after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Defenders Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz are not yet ready to return, while Julio Arca, Brad Jones and Matthew Bates remain sidelined.

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Manchester United and Middlesbrough clash for the 99th time in the league.

The Red Devils are out to follow up their impressive 4-2 Champions League win away to Dynamo Kiev, with an eighth straight league victory to jump over Arsenal and return to the top of the table.

The Teessiders know that a fourth straight league defeat would leave them fourth bottom, just one point above the relegation zone.

United boast the Premier League's tightest defence with three goals shipped in 10 outings and an unparalleled seven clean sheets; 'Boro have conceded the opening goal in an unequalled eight of their 10 games in this division this term.

Boro have only lost once in six Premier League visits to Old Trafford since March 2002, winning two and drawing three.

HEAD TO HEAD

United were held to a 1-1 draw by a plucky Middlesbrough side in last season's corresponding fixture. The Red Devils have a 42% winning record against the Teessiders in the Premier League at Old Trafford (won just five of 12).

Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Man United 48 wins, Middlesbro 29, Draws 21Prem: Man United 13 wins, Middlesbro 5, Draws 6
at Man United onlyLeague (inc PL): Man United 28 wins, Middlesbro 11, Draws 10Prem: Man United 5 wins, Middlesbro 3, Draws 4

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Manchester United 1-1 Middlesbrough21 April 2007 - Ref: Peter WaltonMan United scorer: Richardson 3Middlesbrough scorer: Viduka 45

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Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, O'Shea, Evra, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Eagles, Simpson.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Riggott, Taylor, Downing, Boateng, Rochemback, Aliadiere, Mido, Sanli, O'Neil, Craddock, Lee, Wheater, Cattermole, Hutchinson.

Credit : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7054065.stm

Watch LIVE match :
Manchester United - Middlesbrough 15:00 GMT

http://4.livefooty.doctor-serv.com/sat27.10/ManU_Middlesbrough.html

http://4.livefooty.doctor-serv.com/sat27.10/ManU_Middlesbrough2.html

Match Preview : Dynamo Kiev vs Man Utd

Champions League, Group F

matchDate: Tuesday, 23 October

Kick-off: 1945 BST

Venue: NSC Olympiyskiy Stadium

Defender Nemanja Vidic is set to start Manchester United's Champions League game in Kiev but Louis Saha misses out.

Serbia star Vidic has not played since suffering concussion against Wigan two weeks ago but will replace Gerard Pique in the centre alongside Rio Ferdinand.

Saha is kept out by a knee injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to start after coming on late at Aston Villa.

Dynamo are without striker Serhiy Rebrov, but Brazilian forward Michael should be fit for the Group F clash.

Head-to-heads

Dynamo Kiev and Manchester United have played each other twice in European Cup history, with both meetings coming in the 2000-01 Champions League group phase.

On 19 September 2000, their meeting in Kiev finished in a 0-0 draw; seven weeks later, the return leg resulted in a 1-0 victory for Manchester United.

European history

Dynamo are having their 11th Champions League season.

Manchester United are currently in their 13th CL season, making them joint record holders with FC Porto. It is also their 12th successive Champions League campaign, which is the longest streak ever.

Current European form

Dynamo Kiev have not won any of their last nine CL matches, losing the last two. They've not recorded a victory in the competition since beating AS Roma 2-0 on 23 November 2004. They are also winless in four CL home matches.

United have won their last two CL matches.

Player and disciplinary info

Oleksandr Shovkovski is Dynamo Kiev's most seasoned player in the Champions League with 61 career appearances. Their top scorer is Sergei Rebrov with 20 career CL goals.

Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are the most prolific goalscorers in the Man U squad with 23 and 20 CL goals respectively.

Around this match, Nemanja Vidic (21 October 1981) and Wayne Rooney (24 October 1985) will be celebrating their 26th and 22nd birthdays respectively.

Other miscellaneous facts

Dynamo Kiev are two goals shy of totalling 100 in the Champions League.

On Saturday, Dynamo Kiev beat Zakarpattia Uzhhorod 1-0 in the Ukrainian UPL, and trail leaders Shakhtar Donetsk by seven points after 13 matches; Manchester United meanwhile beat Aston Villa 1-4 to remain second in the Premier League, two points behind Arsenal.

Credit : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7054215.stm

Others News : Dynamo Kiev vs Man Utd

Van der Sar wary of Kiev threat
Edwin van der Sar has warned Manchester United to guard against complacency when they resume their Champions League quest against Dynamo Kiev

Dynamo Kiev v MAN UNITED: Vidic set for return

Nemanja Vidic is in line for a Manchester United recall as the Red Devils look to maintain their 100% Champions League record against Dynamo Kiev.

Man Utd miss Hargreaves, Carrick - Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits they'll miss Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves for their clash with Dynamo Kiev.

Fergie not taking any chances
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to hit Dynamo Kiev with a classic counter-attacking punch on Tuesday night.

Fergie plans counter

UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to hit Dynamo Kiev with a classic counter-attacking punch tomorrow night.

Saha misses Kiev encounter
Injury-plagued Manchester United striker Louis Saha has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League trip to face Dynamo Kiev

Match Preview: Man Utd vs Wigan

Old Trafford
Saturday, 6 October

Kick-off: 1245 BST

SIR Alex Ferguson is lining up Ryan Giggs or Anderson to play in central midfield against Wigan with Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick both out injured for Manchester United.

Full-back Wes Brown is still doubtful with a knee injury and United will give him a late fitness test. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar (toe) is also still out, so Tomasz Kuczszak will continue.

Wigan striker Antoine Sibierski is the only doubt for boss Chris Hutchings.

Midfielder Denny Landzaat is available again after recovering from a fractured eye socket, while winger Antonio Valencia is ready to return from a knee injury after playing 45 minutes in the reserves in midweek.

Man Utd (from): Provisional squad: Kuczszak, Heaton, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Simpson, Pique, Ronaldo, Scholes, O'Shea, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Saha, Tevez.

Wigan (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Kilbane, Brown, Scharner, Skoko, Koumas, Sibierski, Bent, Aghahowa, Boyce, Cotterill, Hall, Olembe, Taylor, Valencia, Landzaat, Pollitt.

Watch LIVE match : Man Utd vs Wigan 12:45 GMT

http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/sat6.10/ManU_Wigan.html

Match Preview : Manchester United vs Roma

Champions League, Group F

Date: Tuesday, 2 October

Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Venue: Old Trafford

Tomasz Kuszczak will make his Champions League debut for Manchester United after fellow goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was ruled out with a toe injury.

Defenders Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic are also doubts for the home side after picking up knocks against Birmingham.

But former Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves is in line to make his European debut for the Red Devils.

Roma are missing winger Rodrigo Taddei and defenders Christian Panucci and Marco Cassetti because of injury.

However, midfielder Simone Perrotta could play despite injuring his thigh in the 4-1 league loss to Inter Milan.

Van der Sar has not conceded a goal in seven hours and 44 minutes since he was beaten by Geovanni's deflected effort off Vidic in the derby against Manchester City.

But Pole Kuszczak, 25, made a fine save from Gary McSheffrey's deflected shot after coming on at half-time in the 1-0 victory over Birmingham.

Tom Heaton, 21, will cover Kuszczak on the bench but has yet to play for United.

Cicinho looks set to return to the starting line-up in place of Panucci, who has a back injury.

Match Preview : [29 Sep 07] Birmingham City VS Manchester United

Barclays Premier League - match-by-match weekend preview

Saturday, September 29

Birmingham (14) v Man Utd (2)

Birmingham midfielder Borja Oubina will miss the remainder of the season with damaged knee ligaments, with Fabrice Muamba and Neil Danns vying to partner Medhi Nafti in the centre of the park. Striker Mikael Forssell is sidelined for a month with a hernia problem. Number two keeper Richard Kingson has recovered from a head injury suffered in the Carling Cup clash at Blackburn and is likely to be on the bench.
Owen Hargreaves could return to the Manchester United squad. The England midfielder has been restricted to just three games since his summer move from Bayern Munich but is nearly over his thigh problem. Gary Neville is still missing, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson is due to make major changes from the side beaten by Coventry in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Birmingham L W L W D; Man Utd L W W W W

Top scorers: Garry O'Connor, Cameron Jerome & Olivier Kapo (Birmingham) 2; Louis Saha (Man Utd) 2

Credit : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Match Pack: Birmingham

After losing to one Midlands side in midweek, United will be hoping to beat another when they meet Birmingham for the 99th time in all competitions.

Steve Bruce's Blues are unlikely to face the same side that bowed out of the Carling Cup to Coventry, as the Reds chase a fifth straight league win with a more senior eleven.

Form guide: League-wise, the Reds have put the agonies of August far behind them with a string of solid, if less than scintillating victories. Even after scoring twice in last Sunday's six-pointer against Chelsea, there were suggestions that United can still go up a gear or two... woe betide the first opposition defence that finds Rooney, Tevez and Saha to be all 100 per cent match fit. Birmingham's first-choice backline performed well in the last two league games, however, shutting out Liverpool (0-0 away) and Bolton (1-0 home). The defensive personnel who lost 3-0 to Blackburn in the Carling Cup were entirely different.

Ins and outs: With no new injury worries, Sir Alex may pick the team that picked off Chelsea. Birmingham's on-loan midfielder Oubina will be out for at least six months after seriously damaging a knee at Anfield last Saturday.

Star men: Louis Saha will hope to start after scoring two goals as a sub in September - and netting twice on his last trip to St Andrews in December 2005. Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor will want to improve on his previous game against United when he scored an OG.

Credit : http://www.manutd.com

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