Saturday, 18 January 2014

Moyes: Fellaini nearing return from injury

15:46

By: TBMU Admin On: 15:46   In:   No comments

Moyes: Fellaini nearing return from injury

Moyes: Fellaini nearing return from injury

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 11:16 AM PST

The Belgium international has not featured since the 1-0 home defeat against his former club Everton early last month after undergoing surgery on his wrist. Fellaini has also been troubled by a back problem, but Moyes has admitted that the 26-year-old is closing in on a return. Combative midfielder Fellaini will have his cast removed on Monday and will then be looking to stake his claim for a place in the United starting line-up. "Hopefully next week we'll get him back." Moyes told MUTV. Fellaini has not reproduced the sort of form that he showed for Everton at the start of his United career, so he will be eager to make an impact when he returns to the first team.

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The FourFourTwo Preview: Chelsea vs Man United

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 09:46 AM PST

Only five men - Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, David Moyes, Rafael Benitez and Gerard Houllier - have previously overseen 100 wins with a single Premier League team. Mourinho will achieve the feat from just 142 matches should his side claim three points on Sunday. Chelsea head into the game two points behind leaders Arsenal in third and unbeaten in six league games. United have also displayed fine league form in recent weeks, winning five out of their last six, but began 2014 with three defeats in all competitions before recording victory over Swansea City last time out. The defending champions have recorded only one victory in seven games against top-six opposition this season and have failed to triumph in their five most recent meetings with Chelsea. Mourinho has only overseen three defeats to United in his career, but expects a tough test from Moyes' men, who currently sit seventh in the table. "My 100th victory in the Premier League with Chelsea is going to happen; is it against United, West Ham or later? I don't know - what I know is that the number will arrive," said Mourinho. "If I can do it in the next match it's better than doing it in three, four or five matches away. "We are going to try to do it against Man United because now we play two matches at home, after playing two matches away, and we have to try to go for the six points. "(But) United are United - 11 points to the leader is quite a lot but I believe they will push all the way. "The way this league is at the moment, I think for all the big teams the first objective is to secure a place in the top four because it will be difficult to get it." Moyes revealed on Friday that Wayne Rooney (groin) and Robin van Persie (thigh) will both miss Sunday's game, meaning Danny Welbeck, who has scored six goals in as many league games, will once again take on additional responsibility. Marouane Fellaini (wrist), Nani (hamstring) and Ashley Young (shoulder) are also sidelined for United and Fabio is suspended. Mourinho will have new signing Nemanja Matic available after his move back to Chelsea from Benfica, while Frank Lampard has trained all week and is set for a recall. Branislav Ivanovic and long-term absentee Marco van Ginkel (both knee) are out.

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Bet Butler betting logic, Jan 17

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 09:00 AM PST

Don't you worry, our good friends at Bet Butler are here with more top tips to help influence your betting as the weekend's big games approach. Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Old Trafford in a huge afternoon for both sides on Sunday afternoon, before Atletico Madrid face off against Sevilla as they bid to continue their superb start to the La Liga campaign. There's also a big game in Holland as Ajax take on PSV in Amsterdam, the hosts hoping to extend their six-game winning run in the Eredivisie. We'll also give you the lowdown on the sides missing key men and begging to be taken on - featuring Sampdoria, Sassuolo and Swansea, who face Tottenham on Sunday at the Liberty Stadium. Chelsea vs Man United (Sun, 4pm) This season's first meeting between these teams was a drab 0-0 probably best forgotten. With Arsenal and Manchester City both hosting bottom-six teams this weekend, Chelsea will probably need to win to stay within three points of the lead. United, meanwhile, know they can't afford to drop too many more points. Hopefully, then, the significance of this game creates more excitement. Chelsea are in decent form having won their last 4 matches, while United's league form is also not too shabby with 5 wins from 6 games. The Blues' home form is particularly strong, however, as they've won 16 of their last 18 at Stamford Bridge (drawing the other 2) - and that also includes a superb W8 D1 L0 record against top-half teams. But they've beaten United just once in their last 6 meetings. Nevertheless, with the champions bemoaning injury doubts against Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra, Chelsea should be backed at 8/11. Chelsea have conceded just 1 goal in their last 5 games, and given their seven games this season against the current top eight have averaged just 1.57 goals per game, we shouldn't expect a goal-fest. Similarly, United's matches this season have averaged 2.81 goals per game but this drops to 2.0 against the current top eight, with 5 of 8 such matches seeing fewer than 2 goals. If neither of Rooney or Van Persie are fit then David Moyes must surely adopt a cautious approach and goals backers should go for Under 2.5 Goals at 8/11. Fernando Torres must have been given some new scoring boots for Christmas, as he's netted in both of Chelsea's league games so far in 2014. And, since the start of last season, he's netted in 4 of the Blues' 10 home games against top-half teams. The Spaniard can be backed at 5/1 to score first again. Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla (Sun, 8pm) Only Barcelona have left the Vicente Calderon with anything this season, so anything less than an Atletico win would be a major surprise. Sevilla are on a good run, however, unbeaten in 7 games as well as losing just 1 of their last 7 on the road. Atletico won 8 of 10 home games against top-half non-Big Two finishers last season and teams currently occupying those spots this term, but just 4 of the wins have been by more than 1 goal. Therefore, that could serve to side with Sevilla on the handicap. The Andalusians have already travelled to seven of the current top 10 this season, being beaten just 3 times, and on only 2 occasions by more than 1 goal. Moreover, despite some terrible away form in the past couple of seasons they've been beaten by more than 1 goal in just 4 of 12 trips to top-six finishers. Sevilla can be backed on the Asian Handicap +1.5 at 1.90 and that looks a good price. Over 2.5 Goals is a strong favourite in the goals markets and it's not hard to see why. Sevilla have kept just 2 clean sheets in their last 26 away matches, and 17 of the games have seen at least 3 goals. This includes 7 of the last 9 – all of which they've also scored in. Furthermore, 6 of their last 7 trips to top-six teams have seen more than 2 strikes, with 4 having more than 3. With Atletico being the highest scorers at home this season – above both Barcelona and Real Madrid – Over 3.5 Goals looks the way to go at 2.55. Ajax vs PSV (Sun, 3:30pm) PSV may not be title challengers as the Eredivisie returns from its winter break, but they will take no little satisfaction in stopping Ajax claiming a fourth consecutive title. Injury to Georginio Wijnaldum that sidelined the 23-year-old for four months was a major blow, but the loan signing of Bryan Ruiz from Fulham should give them a greater attacking edge. Ajax finished 2013 with 6 consecutive wins, and have thrashed PSV in this fixture in 4 of the past 5 seasons. While PSV did beat Ajax 4-0 in their first meeting this season, they have lost 5 of their last 6 away games and last season picked up just a point from their five trips to the top six finishers. As such, Ajax look the team to be backing at 1.70, particularly given that they've won 21/25 home games post-winter break since 2011 – with 20 wins by at least 2 goals. Amazingly, PSV have kept just 1 clean sheet on the road since the start of last season and that was 22 games ago. Of their 26 away matches since 2012/13, 22 have seen at least 3 goals and 8 of the 11 games between these teams since 2008/09 have produced 4 or more strikes. With the extra goal threat we expect from PSV in the second half of the season, Over 3.5 Goals looks a decent price at 2.40. Missing men Nenad Krsticic (Sampdoria) Krsticic is a key midfielder for Sampdoria, and while they've lost 39% of the 33 matches he's played in since the start of last season, this increases to 50% in the 24 he has missed. They've conceded 37% more goals per game without him. Juventus are flying right now and should cover the handicap. Simone Zaza (Sassuolo) Zaza's strike partner Domenico Berardi got the attention last week for scoring all four against Milan, but Zaza has also been key to their hopes this season with five goals. In the 8 matches the pair have played together they've failed to score on just 2 occasions and lost only 3 times. In contrast they've lost 7/11 other matches, firing blanks on 6 occasions. Torino are in good form and a decent price at 2.60. Pablo Hernandez (Swansea) Hernandez has missed Swansea's last couple of games, and their win rate since the start of last season has gone from 29% in the 34 matches with him, to just 17% in the 23 without. Furthermore, in the 12 home games he's missed, the Swans' only win has come against then-bottom Sunderland. Tottenham have been good on the road this season and look good value at 2.40 against the weakened Welsh side.

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Moyes handed fine by FA for media comments

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 07:09 AM PST

Moyes has been punished in relation to post-match media comments he made following United's 2-1 League Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Sunderland on January 7. Referee Andre Marriner came in for criticism from the Scot after he awarded Sunderland a second-half penalty - which was converted by Fabio Borini - for a foul on Adam Johnson by Tom Cleverley, although replays appeared to show contact had been made outside the box. This followed on from a free-kick being given against United defender Jonny Evans in the first half, which led to Sunderland's opening goal. Afterwards, Moyes claimed his team are "having to play officials as well as the opposition", adding: "It's terrible, it really is, we're actually beginning to laugh at them." And, following an independent regulatory commission hearing on Friday, a statement on the FA's website read: "Manchester United manager David Moyes has been fined £8,000 and warned as to his future conduct. "Moyes had admitted an FA misconduct charge in that his post-match comments following his side's game at Sunderland on Tuesday 7 January 2014 constituted improper conduct in that they called into question the integrity of the match officials appointed to that fixture and/or appointed to Manchester United fixtures generally, and/or implied that such match officials are motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of FA Rule E3(1)." Moyes is the latest Premier League manager to face disciplinary action for speaking out against referees this season. Earlier this month, Brendan Rodgers was fined £8,000 for comments made following Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on December 26. Rodgers labelled the performance of the officials as "horrendous" after the game at theEtihad Stadium.

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Rooney, Van Persie absent for Chelsea clash

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 06:33 AM PST

England striker Rooney has been recovering from a groin injury, which has kept him out since New Year's Day, on a warm-weather break in Egypt with his family and one of the club's fitness experts. But, despite having returned to training with the squad, Moyes revealed that this weekend's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge will come too soon for Rooney. "Wayne's come back, he's fresh but he's not ready for Chelsea," Moyes said. "He's training, he's on the grass, doing some running and looking quite good. "He's had a break, done a lot of strengthening work around his groin and hopefully enjoyed a few days in the sunshine as well. Hopefully he'll benefit from it, but not for this game. "I don't want to put a date on it just now as I don't want to say he'll be fit for whatever game and then I find he's not, but we've just got to take it bit by bit. I've watched him running today; he looks well and is in really good condition." Meanwhile, Van Persie will also be absent as he continues his rehabilitation from a thigh injury, although Moyes hopes that the Dutchman could be back in training next week. "I'm hoping Robin has a good chance of training at the start of next week, so if I can get him back out on the grass and back with us, it'll be a great boost for us all," Moyes continued. "He's a really important player and a player we've missed. But he's getting closer now and most of them are getting closer to fitness, so let's hope it's not too long until we get them back." Moyes also confirmed as his press briefing that midfielder Anderson would be joining Serie A side Fiorentina on loan, adding :"We've not been able to get him as many games as he'd have hoped."

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Moyes confirms Anderson exit to Fiorentina

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 06:22 AM PST

The 25-year-old was pictured undergoing a medical in Florence on Friday, and his imminent move to Serie A was acknowledged when Moyes held a press conference later in the day. Anderson, who arrived at Old Trafford from Porto in 2007, has found first-team football hard to come by under the new United manager, starting just two league games this season. The switch gives him a chance to impress Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Moyes said: "We've not been able to get him as many games as he'd have hoped." Anderson is set to join Fiorentina with the club fourth in Serie A and pushing for a place in the UEFA Champions League.

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How drifting wide-man Adnan Januzaj became a key figure at Manchester United

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 05:26 AM PST

For a player who hadn't played a minute for Manchester United before this season, and wasn't mentioned in any pre-season previews, Adnan Januzaj has become a key part of David Moyes' side remarkably quickly. Two goals on his full debut helped, of course – Januzaj had made just two substitute Premier League appearances before his memorable first start at Sunderland, where his two goals helped Manchester United turn around a 1-0 half-time deficit. That brought instant acclaim from United fans, and speculation linking him with the national side of around half a dozen separate countries. While Januzaj has continued to impress, that Sunderland performance wasn't the most appropriate introduction to the youngster's talents. In that game, Januzaj continually dribbled past opponents and his goalscoring ability was clear... But his overall style has actually been very different. He's only scored once in the 18 appearances since the Sunderland game, and his dribbling has been much more inconsistent. Take last weekend's game against Swansea, for example. Januzaj's performance was extremely impressive – when moved to the left flank, he helped create the opener for Antonio Valencia. Yet his statistics generally associated with wing play aren't actually that impressive: he failed with most of his dribbles, and while three of his 10 crosses were successful, two of these were from set-pieces. Going back to Januzaj's performance on New Year's Day, in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, there's an interesting pattern. The youngster played on both sides – starting on the left but being moved to the right, from where he was much more effective. Not only are his dribbles more dangerous, he also created three chances in open play from that flank, including an assist for Danny Welbeck's fine finish. It's difficult for Moyes to use him on that side, however – that's where Antonio Valencia plays, and it seems Moyes usually wants to play with a natural winger on one flank, and a 'drifter' on the other. If Januzaj drifts inside from the right, there's no-one to keep the width on the left, and using Ashley Young or Shinji Kagawa on that side would risk the centre of the pitch becoming congested. But Januzaj is certainly a clever drifter, and more noticeable than his dribbling or shooting has been his intelligent positioning. He's always glancing behind him, always looking for a yard of space, and the way he receives possession in variety of zones means the opposition are never sure of his positioning – he can pick up possession near the touchline, then drift inside to pockets of space between the lines. Similarly, his runs are excellent. He always understands what the man in possession is attempting to do, and either comes short or spins in behind at the correct moments. And while his goalscoring record isn't particularly impressive since his debut, he's making the right runs in this respect, too. Away at Aston Villa, for example, Manchester United created ten chances, all down the right flank, and whenever Valencia attempted to cross the ball, Januzaj charged inside from the opposite flank into a goalscoring position, despite the majority of his passes taking place very wide on the left. That's the type of thing many youngsters take a couple of years to get right, and Januzaj's presence in the box played a part in both Welbeck's two goals. At Stamford Bridge this weekend, Januzaj seems likely to start on the left, drifting inside into pockets of space between the lines to help Kagawa create chances. He should also be a goal threat, too, in the same manner he was at Villa Park – United have often worked the Rafael-Valencia combination nicely against Ashley Cole, and might focus their passing down that flank, leaving Januzaj to get into the box. At the start of the season, few would have expected Januzaj to be starting many matches, let alone away at title contenders. Already, however, the youngster has become one of Manchester United's key players – and this weekend, he has a chance to make a decisive contribution in a genuinely big match.

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Pochettino: No one for sale at Southampton

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 12:40 AM PST

The Argentinian's position had been thrown into question following the departure of chairman Nicola Cortese this week, casting further doubt over the futures of star players such as Luke Shaw. Chelsea have been linked with a move for the teenage left-back for some time, while Manchester United have also reportedly shown interest as they seek a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra. But Pochettino has now stated his intention to remain in place until the end of the season, and stressed that any transfer activity would have to be on his terms. "I want to make one thing clear: no one is for sale at Southampton, no one," he said. "No player that I don't want to leave will leave this club." However, Pochettino's long-term intentions remain unclear, with the 41-year-old adding: "It's only normal that we finish the season and then we'll see next season what happens. That's only normal. "It's clear that at the end of the season we will assess the situation at the club." Southampton currently sit ninth in the Premier League, but have won just two of their last 10 fixtures.

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