MUFC v. West Bromwich Albion - League Cup Preview

Fourth Round Action
By Chris O'Brien
November 30 2005

Old Trafford is set for a night of tributes to the late George Best and West Bromwich Albion visit the Theatre of Dreams. Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to field a team made up of fringe players and youngsters as the club seek progression to the League Cup quarter-finals.

Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to make wholesale changes to his Manchester United line-up as the Red Devils entertain West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the League Cup. It is sure to be an emotional night at Old Trafford, with tributes to the late George Best set to mark the occasion.

There will be a minute’s silence prior to kick-off, with supporters handed portraits of the Northern Irish genius prior to kick-off to show their appreciation for a footballing legend. Players from United's 1968 European Cup final-winning team will be on the pitch prior to kick-off, and their is a Book of Condolence which supporters can autograph in the North Stand.

On the pitch, Gary Neville and Louis Saha will continue their comebacks from injury. The duo have both made substitute appearances in the Premiership and have also secured some reserve team football as they battle to return to full fitness. Meanwhile, left-winger Park Ji-sung and goalkeeper Tim Howard will get the chance to impress and stake their claims for first-team football.

The night will also provide several of the club’s youngsters a chance to impress. Giuseppe Rossi, recent hat-trick hero for the reserve team, will start up front alongside Saha with England international Kieran Richardson also expected to start. Kieran Richardson, Gerard Pique and Lee Martin are other names in line for a rare opportunity to perform.

Baggies boss Bryan Robson, a United legend himself, has a few selection problems ahead of the cup tie. Steve Watson is out with a hamstring problem, whilst defensive partner Curtis Davies is cup-tied. Martin Albrechtsen and Darren Moore will fill in at the back, whilst Tomasz Kuszczak will play between the sticks in the absence of Chris Kirkland.

The Midlands side currently sit 17th in the Premiership table as the face another season battling against the drop. They have impressed at the Hawthorns but are yet to register a league win on the road. They reached the fourth round of the Cup after wins over Bradford City and Fulham, whilst United thumped a brave League Two Barnet side 4-1 to secure a place amongst the last 16.

It is fair to say that the Carling-sponsored competition has gone up in the estimation of supporters in recent seasons. After years of restructuring, the Football League have finally found a consistent format that fits in with the strains of European football. With Chelsea, competition holders, dominating the Premiership, the League Cup is a superb opportunity for the club to pick up some silverware after last season’s F.A Cup disappointment.

Whatever the result, it promises to be a memorable night for supporters. A great chance to bid farewell to a legend of the game and, hopefully, a chance to see United’s future stars try and emulate the achievement’s of perhaps the game’s greatest ever player.