Manchester United and Manchester City sweat over fitness of key players ahead of crucial clashes - EPL
The news on the injury front is not good for the two Manchester clubs as both are sweating on the fitness of some key personnel ahead of key clashes, last matches of the season.
Manchester City is looking to end their 34 year trophy drought and is just one step short as they are due to play Stoke City in the FA Cup Final.
However, City will have to do it without their talismanic Argentinean striker, Carlos Tevez.
City’s manager, Roberto Mancini, said that if the striker is not fit enough to face Tottenham Hotspur next week, he will not play any part in the final as well.
Carlos Tevez has been in inspirational form this season for the Citizens and is also the 2nd highest scorer in the league with 20 goals this season.
However, he has been out on the sidelines for over a month now and it looks increasingly likely that he will not play any further part in his team’s bid to secure a Champions League spot or win the FA Cup.
Tevez has been out after a tear in his hamstring, early in April, in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United and has not featured in any game since then.
"It's very difficult for him to play against Everton [in the Premier League on Saturday]," Mancini stated. "If he doesn't play against Tottenham, it will be impossible for Carlos to play in the final", http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Mancini said earlier today.
On May 14th, Manchester City will take on Stoke City in their first ever FA Cup Final since 1981 when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur.
Nevertheless, one Manchester City player is looking closer to a return. The central defender, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Micah-Richards-c25259, was on the bench against Everton last weekend. Richards was also suffering from a hamstring injury but is likely to make a comeback against Tottenham.
In the same conference where he gave details about his player’s fitness, Mancini also spoke about Bayern Munich’s interest in Jerome Boateng.
Mancini claimed that although he is flattered by the interest from the German giants, it is very unlikely that Jerome will be leaving the Eastlands in the summer transfer window.
"I am happy Bayern have said this because it proves we signed a big player, Jerome has had many problems this year, including three or four injuries. But he will be staying here. He is a big part of our future", said Mancini.
On the other hand, Manchester United is also keeping their fingers crossed about the fitness of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 and Patrice Evra ahead of the winner-takes-all fixture this weekend against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 is currently three points behind United and level on goal difference, but a defeat will put the title initiative right back into the hands of Chelsea with only two games left to play in the season.
Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 made no less than 9 changes to his team that faced Schalke in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second-leg, resting all his key players.
Despite resting most of his key players, there is a doubt over Wayne Rooney and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Patrice-Evra-c29231’s fitness.
Evra came on as a late substitute in the game that ended with a 4-1 win over Schalke, but he took a knock in the game and is now a doubt for the game on Sunday.
Rooney was not even part of the team on Wednesday but reports in the media are suggesting that the striker is struggling to be fit for Sunday.
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