Manchester United take on Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup third round later tonight at home.
Ahead of that game, we've been dealt a huge injury blow by the news that our captain is out for 2 months after undergoing knee surgery. Quite simply a new low in terms of injuries that we've stooped to.
At United, we do have a fair number of defenders. Smalling, Jones, Rio, Vida and Evans all play in two available positions in the team. It's however baffling that at the moment, we can only have two fit for a game. We've already dropped points in the only fixture where we had only one of that group fit and hence had to put in Carrick as cover. You do wonder if getting another body in during January would be such a bad move given that its an aeon since we had that group all fit.
Tonight is one of those days when we get to see just what our Academy lads are made of. Make no mistake about it, United do have some talent down the ranks that is waiting to explode on the big stage.
I'd personally be disappointed tonight if we don't see Lingard, Cole, Powell and Keane in the team tonight. Tunicliffe is another player who if well taken care of could give us that Roy Keane factor in the team.
A few other regulars like Chicharito, Welbeck and Anderson could use a game too.
This competition is a lose-lose situation for me. Winning it doesn't really feel like success and yet getting knocked out will have the media on our backs for a while. So, let the kids have their chance, if we make it far, well and good. Then again, I never like to see United lose, especially in the manner in which we were dumped out by Crystal Palace last season so a performance is just in order.
Onwards and Upwards!Labels: THE LEAGUE CUP
