Cardiff City vs Manchester United: Giggs and Fellaini in the midfield?

Marouane Fellaini

24/11/2013

K/O: 4pm.

The Cardiff City Stadium

Undergoing a resurgence following their slow start to the season, Manchester Unitedwill be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to six games on Sunday. To do so they must overcome a Cardiff City side that have already taken the scalp of United’s neighbours Manchester City, and sit 14th in the Premier League table.

Team News:

Cardiff City:

Cardiff have striker Andreas Cornelius back from injury in time to face United, but he is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench. The £7.5m summer signing has been out of action for the past three months due to injury, but has returned to training and is eager to be involved against United. Frazier Campbell made an early substitute appearance in the side’s last outing at Aston Villa, coming on for Peter Odemwingie in the 54th minute, and may be in line for a recall to the side.

Predicted Line Up (4-5-1): Marshall, Taylor, Caulker, Turner, Théophile-Catherine, Medel, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Cowie, Whittingham, Odemwingie

Possible Cardiff XI

Manchester United:

In the absence of Michael Carrick, David Moyes has a selection dilemma in midfield.Maroune Fellaini is yet to set the world alight in a United shirt and Tom Cleverley has been producing indifferent performances, leaving Moyes with a difficult decision to make as to who will partner likely-starter Ryan Giggs. Phil Jones -who impressed in midfield against Arsenal last time out – is also injured, but Nemanja Vidic is likely to have recovered from the head injury that saw him withdrawn at half time in the same fixture.

Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Fellaini, Kagawa, Rooney, Valencia, Van Persie

Predicted Man United XI

Recent Form:

United find themselves unbeaten in five games, having won four and drawn one of the five games since defeat at home to West Brom in September. In their last game United secured a 1-0 victory over Arsenal, to lift them up to fifth place in the table.

Cardiff City have started their maiden Premier League season well, and sit 14th after 11 games despite turmoil off of the pitch. They have won two and drawn one of their last six games, alongside three defeats. They will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 away defeat to Aston Villa before the international break, and will be aiming to replicate victory in the South Wales derby in their last home game.

Players to Watch:

Cardiff: Steven Caulker

The summer decision taken between Caulker and Tottenham to part company seemed a strange one at the time, but has worked out well for Caulker who must soon be knocking on the door of the England squad. The 21-year-old took a risk in leaving Tottenham, but has flourished with regular football and is a key man in the Cardiff defensive unit. If Cardiff are to get anything out of Sunday’s game, then they will need a big performance from the centre back. Caulker has averaged 11 defensive actions per game this season, and has also chipped in at the other end with crucial goals in wins over Fulham and Swansea.

Caulker Defensive Actions

Manchester United: Wayne Rooney:

Restored to prominence as one of the first names on the team-sheet, Rooney has thrived under David Moyes and has started the season in top form. Against Arsenallast time out he won many plaudits for his work ethic, but posed little attacking threat as United defended deep. This should change against Cardiff, and Rooney will be optimistic of adding to the five goals that he has scored already this season. In the absence of Michael Carrick and Phil Jones, Rooney may be required to play a slightly deeper role and support the midfield. If United are to unlock what will presumably be a fairly defensive Cardiff side, then Rooney could prove to be the difference between the two sides with his ability on the ball from positions between midfield and attack.

Rooney Goals 2013/14

Prediction:

United should have enough about them to see off Cardiff, but the fixture provides a banana skin that they could easily slip up on. Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, Cardiff will be looking for a repeat performance of the last time that they hosted a Manchester side and will become more dangerous as the game goes on. The first goal is likely to be key. If United can silence the home crowd with an early goal then they will fancy their chances of going on to win the game, but the longer that Cardiff stay in the match the more dangerous they will become.