English Premier League leaders Manchester United take on West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day. This is one fixture that may look straight forward on paper but sure is a tricky one for the former Champions. The biggest and most obvious reason may be that
this is yet another away game. Manchester United have not been able to win much away from home this season. In the current season they have played 8 away games and have managed to win just one. Even though they have not lost any of the others and remain unbeaten
this season, winning away from home is something they desperately need to start doing. Another point of significance is that the match would be a day after the 69th birthday of the boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. The team would definitely be looking to
give the boss a birthday present of 3 points away from home.
Yet another fact that makes this an interesting affair is that, West Brom managed to take points away from United on their own home turf. The Baggies went to Old Trafford and knocked in a late goal to snatch 2 points from the Red Devils. Now, considering
the lack of wins on the travels for United, a draw at home was something that has hurt their points tally a lot. Ferguson’s team would be out to set the record straight, and would make sure they get all 3 points from West Brom at least once this season.
Manchester United, who have made a name over the years by scoring late, have come to realise that the shoe is on the other foot this season while away from home. Several times they have let in late goals and conceded points this season, and against Everton
they conceded 2 late goals. It was the same case against Birmingham on Tuesday when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lee-Bowyer-c21864 managed to sneak one past Edwin Van Der Saar in the final minute. Even though there were some questions about the legality of the goal, the fact remains that they
were vulnerable in the final moments of a game away from home. So if Manchester United find themselves with a slender one goal lead at the Hawthrons with 10 or so minutes to go, there sure would be some anxious faces in United camp.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394 was scheduled to return in this game, but it is still not
clear if he is back to full fitness. The Portuguese winger, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299, is expected to be fully fit and back in the team on Saturday.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Giggs-c31985 may partner Nani and Fletcher in the midfield. The back four are expected to be the
same despite another away late goal conceded against West Brom. The strike force is expected to remain unchanged and the inform http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 upfront.
In a pre match press conference Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that, his team is ready and up for the match. He added that the festive season throws back to back matches at you, and that is the real test of depth of the squad and character
of the team. The manager said that away form is a concern but not something that is giving him sleepless nights. United are expected to come away with a comprehensive win, and the away voodoo should finally come to an end at the Hawthorns.
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