Saturday, 22 February 2014

Moyes: Rooney can become United legend

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Moyes: Rooney can become United legend

Moyes: Rooney can become United legend

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:07 PM PST

The England international will stay at Old Trafford until 2019, having signed a new deal to replace his old one, which was due to expire at the end of next season. Rooneys future had been the subject of much debate in the close-season, after previous manager Alex Ferguson revealed the striker had asked to leave the club. Fellow Premier League outfit Chelsea failed in their public attempts to lure Rooney to Stamford Brdge and he has gone on to score 11 goals in 28 appearances, also racking up 19 assists. The 28-year-old is currently fourth on Uniteds list of goalscorers with 208 goals in 430 appearances, and is honing in on Bobby Charltons all-time record of 249. And Moyes believes Rooney is destined to be regarded as one of the best to have played at Old Trafford, having become the top player in the Premier League since his first-team debut when the duo were at Everton. Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003, he told the clubs official website. Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent. With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and Im absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge. I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this clubs long and rich history. He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby (Charlton) our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club. These opportunities only come to special players and Im confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach. These are really exciting times for everyone connected with the club.

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Rooney pens extended Manchester United contract

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:30 AM PST

The England internationals current contractwas due to expire at the end of next year, but he now will now prolong his stay by a further four years. Rooneys future at United was the subject of intense scrutiny in the close-season, amid rumours the former Everton man had handed in a transfer request at Old Trafford and a public chase from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. A delighted Rooney was relieved to finally end the months of rumour and speculation. Im very happy to have signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United, said the United striker on his official website. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and to know that I will be playing here for the majority of my career is something that Im looking forward to. Im happy that everything is now finalised and I can carry on concentrating on my football.

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Marchisio is ready, but not for Manchester

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:43 AM PST

He was ready. Andrea Pirlo fizzed a free kick over the wall and Chievo goalkeeper Michael Agazzi could only parry the shot. That's when Claudio Marchisio pounced. Reacting quicker than anyone around him, the Juventus midfielder hit the ball first time into the opposite corner, and gave his side a two-goal cushion they would never relinquish. That it came in his first appearance in over three weeks showed that being ready is a hallmark of his character, and has been since he broke into the senior side back in the 2006-07 season. While a number of youth team players made their debuts in that season spent in Serie B, Marchisio had spent the previous campaign on the fringes of Fabio Capello's all-conquering squad and maximised his opportunity. While fellow graduates Sebastian Giovinco and Paolo De Ceglie have failed to secure regular playing time, the now 28-year-old has amassed almost 240 appearances. To do so, he has seen off expensive acquisitions like Thiago, Christian Poulsen and Felipe Melo, establishing himself as a key figure at post-Calciopoli Juventus. As the Antonio Conte era began, the man wearing his old No.8 shirt was – like the former captain himself – one of very few players who understood what it meant to pull on the famous black and white stripes. The coach seized upon that, distilling the Juventus spirit into each and every player, and galvanising a team which had limped to successive seventh-place finishes into undefeated champions. Forming a three-man midfield alongside Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo, Marchisio lifted the team beyond some defensive errors, and a lack of attacking firepower, to seal their first title of this bright new era. They would repeat the feat a year later, with the Turin native netting 18 goals in 79 games over that two-season span. The blend of that trio provided the perfect poise, passing and attacking intent, looking like one of the most well-constructed midfield units anywhere on the continent and helping them to Champions League quarter-finals. Enter Pogba… exit Marchisio? However, as 2012-13 progressed, Paul Pogba emerged as a supremely talented player. Quickly realising the talent Manchester United had identified but failed to properly nurture, Juventus capitalised on his potential, and by the end of the season he had made a huge impression in his 18 league starts. Four into three won't go. Pirlo had rightly become untouchable, perhaps even surpassing the form he had displayed at Milan, while Vidal was on his way to become the best all-round player in the world: leading the league in tackles this season, the Chilean is one strike shy of the goalscoring record for a Serie A midfielder. Their form left Marchisio as the one vulnerable member of the side, as Pogba continued to develop, and by November the French youngster had taken his place in the line-up. Close to Christmas, Marchisio had made only nine league starts and, most importantly, had failed to get on the scoresheet at all during the first half of the season. For a player who had become synonymous with big goals, it was a glaring hole in performances that felt somewhat below par. Yet to those watching him on a regular basis, the 28-year-old is as valuable as he has ever been. Like his goal against Chievo this past weekend, his game is based on immaculate timing, allowing him to appear to be in the right place whenever and wherever he is needed. Countless times he has made goal-line clearances to save the blushes of La Madama, keen to put his on-field intelligence to use at both ends of the pitch. Despite his reduced role, he is still averaging 2.5 tackles per game and 1.6 interceptions, the latter figure higher than any other midfielder at the club. Destination Manchester? Marchisio's lack of playing time led to speculation he may move on from the Old Lady, talk which intensified during the January transfer window as rumours grew of interest from Manchester United. It's easy to see why the Old Trafford outfit admire him: he would perfectly fit the void left by the second retirement of Paul Scholes, another midfielder who consistently arrived in the box at the right moment. Indeed, a move to the Premier League champions made perfect sense in some ways. Marchisio had become a reserve in Turin, he was a perfect fit for United and would have filled a desperate need in their squad. He even scored his first goal of the season in front of David Moyes during the United manager's scouting trip to Cagliari. But that simple transfer arithmetic didn't quite add up for the player or his current club. Juventus know just how important the relationship is between the player and the club he joined when he was just seven years old. It has been interesting to watch Marchisio this season as he seeks an edge on his rivals in the squad, developing extra facets to his game in order to make an impression on Conte. After an injury to Pirlo's medial ligament ruled out the playmaker for an extended period, the coach surprisingly opted against using Pogba in the centre of midfield, instead placing Marchisio there for the first time. He didn't disappoint, adhering to the defensive responsibilities of the role while putting on a passing display worthy of l'architetto himself. A 4-2 win over Sampdoria showcased this newfound ability perfectly, as he led the team in tackles (5), also making an interception and blocking a shot. Once on the ball, his distribution was superb, completing 56 of 62 total passes, including 8/10 long balls, which is more than double his usual efforts of 37.2 passes and 3.4 long balls per game. Rather than an anomaly, this was a continuation of a season-long effort which has taken his pass completion rate up to 87.3% from last term's 83.8%. To still be seeking ways to improve at his age shows a determination to remain at the top, and he can certainly expect to earn a place at the World Cup this summer. With Pirlo turning 35 before the end of the season and Juventus still competing for domestic and Europa League honours, injury and suspension means there is likely to be plenty of playing time to be shared around. Claudio Marchisio is ready.

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Moyes coy on new contract for Rooney

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 06:33 AM PST

The England international's current deal is set to expire at the end of next season, though media reports in the week claimed United and Rooney had finalised terms on a new five-year contract. Securing Rooney's Old Trafford future is thought to be high on Moyes' priorities as United look to stave off interest in the striker - who was publicly courted by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho earlier this season. However, speaking at his press conference on Friday, Moyes distanced himself from the speculation but stated his eagerness to tie Rooney down at the club. "As soon as we have the information to give you, we will give you it," he said. "Everyone knows how important a player he is. He is a terrific football player and if we can get it done it will be great." With captain Nemanja Vidic on the verge of joining Inter, according to the Italian club's chairmanErick Thohir, the role of skipper is likely to be up for grabs at Old Trafford next season. Reports had claimed that Rooney would be offered the captain's armband alongside the deal as Moyes looks to make the former Everton man a key figure in his United side.

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“Him again?” The players who love scoring against YOUR club

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:36 AM PST

They're every fan's worst nightmare - the kind of player you know will ruin your afternoon whether he's on the pitch for 30 seconds or an hour, and there's nothing you can do about it. Your mates will forever tell you that 'X' always scores against their team - but do theyreally?For this lot below, though, it certainly has been the case (or still is). Van Persie, Cantona, Lambert... Holdsworth?! If your team features (and some do repeatedly, we're afraid), we're sorry. OK, we're not really. But if yours doesn't and you think we've missed off a horror opposition, don't hesitate to tweet us at @FourFourTwoand we'll add them to the list. David Nugent vs Ipswich Apps: 12. Goals: 13. Games scored in: 9. There are plenty of people to hate in the world – Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein and other sadistic lunatics – but for Ipswich fans, Public Enemy No.1 is surely Leicester's David Nugent (or "David f***ing Nugent" as he's known in Suffolk). The former England man has haunted the Tractor Boys with three different clubs; Preston, Portsmouth and Leicester, and never failed to score at Portman Road. Heck, he even bagged there for England U21s in 2006, when Theo Walcott became the age group's youngest-ever scorer against Moldova. "You could say they are one of my favourite teams to play against," he told the Leicester Mercury last year, before netting a brace the following day. "I made my debut for Preston at home against them and scored, and it's kicked on from there. It is weird." Everyone else vs Ipswich Let's just get their misery out the way, shall we? While Nugent might be their modern-day nemesis, there've been others before him… Apps: 8. Goals: 10. Games scored in: 6. Andy Cole made a mockery of the Tractor Boys in his Premier League days with Newcastle and Manchester United. His first four appearances against them all produced goals, the fourth being his famous five-goal haul in the Old Trafford side's record 9-0 thumping. He wouldn't face them for another six seasons, eventually giving them rare respite for a game in 00/01, before netting for both United and Blackburn in the 01/02 campaign. Apps: 5. Goals: 8. Games scored in: 4. Only inIan Wright's first game against Ipswich, in 92/93, did he not net against them. In the two campaigns that followed he smashed in eight goals, including hat-tricks in both seasons as Arsenal ran riot. Apps: 6. Goals: 6. Games scored in: 5. James Beattie only failed to bag against Ipswich once, in a 3-0 defeat for Southampton back in 00/01. He'd netted in the reverse fixture, though, and did it again the following season, before striking on each of the three occasions he played against them for Sheffield United in the Championship. Robin van Persie vs Stoke, Blackburn Apps: 10. Goals: 11. Games scored in: 10. No player in Premier League history had scored in eight successive league appearances against a single opponent until the Dutchman did just that against Stoke in February. He bagged a third-round FA Cup winner against the Potters in his first appearance, and only failed to score in his first league outing. Apps: 13. Goals: 13. Games scored in: 9. ...and then there's Blackburn too, who've conceded even more against the prolific Netherlandian. Van Persie found the net in eight of his nine first appearances against the Lancashire outfit, including two braces, and most recently plundered a hat-trick in Arsenal's 7-1 win in 2011/12. Didier Drogba vs Arsenal Apps: 13. Goals: 14. Games scored in: 8. An obvious one, sure, but Drogba's goals against the Gunners meant he was only ever on the losing side against them once – his last appearance. The Ivorian powerhouse netted in five league games against Arsene Wenger's men – three of them braces – and again in the FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield (including another two doubles). Forever Arsene's nightmare. Michael Owen vs Newcastle Apps: 10. Goals: 13. Games scored in: 7. Only twice did he not net against his future club while playing for Liverpool, while his other 'failure' was in a nine-minute cameo for Manchester United. Owen terrified the Magpies from 1998-2001, thumping a St James' Park hat-trick in 98/99 before following that with two braces and another treble in his next three appearances against them. Fittingly, his equaliser against the Tyneside outfit in May 2004 came on his last appearance for Liverpool. He'd later score 26 league goals in four years for Newcastle - only double the amount he'd scored against them. Ruud van Nistelrooy vs Newcastle Apps: 10. Goals: 11. Games scored in: 8. Yes, them again. When Owen scarpered for Real Madrid, someone else had to carry on the job of annoying Newcastle fans on a bi-seasonal basis. Actually, Van Nistelrooy had been making a good fist of it two seasons before the Liverpool man's exit, striking in each game of his debut 01/02 season, a hat-trick in the next and then two more in the following matches. He scored twice in the FA Cup in 2004/05 (after doing so in the league), and then notched another in his final season at Old Trafford. Thierry Henry vs everyone The fella was rather good at scoring, wasn't he? Henry netted 12 times against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Charlton in his first spell with the Gunners, and added Leeds to the pile with that dramatic FA Cup third-round effort on his comeback. Middlesbrough fans have actually been on the receiving end in the most games (9), but the others aren't too far behind on 8. Charlton fans were subjected to braces on his first three appearances against them from 2000-02, and another goal on his fourth. Swansea are the only English side not to have been stung at some point, but that was in a 27-minute substitute's display the second time around. Luis Suarez vs Norwich Apps: 5. Goals: 11. Games scored in: 4. The Uruguayan's record against the Canaries is common knowledge, but utterly ridiculous nonetheless. Liverpool have stuck five past Norwich on each of the last three occasions, not least thanks to Suarez's stunning four-goal salvo when the sides met at Anfield earlier this season. In the two preceding campaigns, meanwhile, he helped himself to hat-tricks. Leave them alone, for crying out loud. There's been similar dominance from Dennis Bergkamp, whose eight goals in three games against a hapless RKC Waalwijk included four and three-goal hauls. Dean Holdsworth, meanwhile, tormented Oldham with seven net-ripplers in four appearances during his Wimbledon days. Eric Cantona vs Man City Apps: 8. Goals: 8. Games scored in: 6. The King done good against his side's city rivals, scoring in six of his seven matches against them in Manchester United colours. He was only ever on the losing side against them once – for Leeds – and clearly didn't like what he'd seen. In March '93 he netted his first, enjoyed braces in both 93/94 clashes, and then added another three in as many matches, including in the Reds' 1996 FA Cup fifth-round triumph. Rickie Lambert vs Millwall Apps: 9. Goals: 10. Games scored in: 7. Southampton reaching the top flight in 2011/12 was good news for Millwall fans: they'd no longer have to endure Lambert's ominous presence. In the Saints' promotion season, the two sides faced off four times, with Lambert netting in three of them- including a Championship treble at The Den. It was continuation of the burly striker's menacing form in League One, where he struck five times in as many games against the Lions, four of them with Bristol Rovers. Les Ferdinand vs Tottenham, Everton Apps: 12. Goals: 10. Games scored in: 7. Sir Les had a handy knack of scoring against his former north London employers. He'd already netted against them six times for QPR (3) and Newcastle (3) by the time he'd joined in 1997, but then did it again with West Ham in 02/03 and Leicester in 03/04, the latter in a televised 4-4 thriller. Apps: 21. Goals: 16. Games scored in: 13. The former England man played against Everton more than anyone else, and scored against them accordingly. In his first 20-goal season, 92/93, he bagged a hat-trick at Goodison Park, before regularly notching against the Toffees for the Rs, Newcastle, Tottenham and again with Leicester. Emmanuel Adebayor vs Tottenham Apps: 14, Goals: 10, Games scored in: 8 Arsenal fans couldn't fault the moody striker's return against his future club. The Togolese hitman endeared himself to the Gooner faithful on numerous occasions with his brilliant derby-day exploits for Arsene Wenger's men, netting in seven of the nine north London showdowns he played in. Arsenal only lost one of them - the 5-1 League Cup thumping of 07/08. He failed to score against the Lilywhites for Manchester City, but netted a Champions League brace against them during his loan spell with Real Madrid in 10/11. Craig Mackail-Smith vs Leeds Apps: 5. Goals: 7. Games scored in: 5. The only English-based player on this list to net in every game against an unfortunate team. The Scotland international scored against Leeds in both fixtures of the 08/09 campaign with Peterborough, and followed it up three seasons later with three strikes in two games for current club Brighton, this time in the Championship. Last season he helped himself to another brace in a 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium. Javier Hernandez vs Chelsea Apps: 13. Goals: 8. Games scored in: 8. Eight goals in that many games against a rival isn't bad going, especially when you consider that half of them came off the bench. The Mexican's super-sub displays earned Manchester United a point and victory in the 11/12 and 12/13 campaigns respectively, although his goal off the bench earlier this season amounted to nothing in his side's 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Fernando Torres vs Chelsea, Barcelona Apps: 8. Goals: 7. Games scored in: 5. Before he rocked up at Stamford Bridge and stopped scoring, the Spaniard couldn't wait to stick the boot into Chelsea during his Liverpool days. Torres netted against the Blues at Anfield in his debut season of 07/08, before sending the Champions League semi-final to extra-time with an equaliser at Stamford Bridge. He grabbed a pair the following campaign, added another in November 2010, and then swapped clubs for £50m in January. Apps: 11. Goals: 8. Games scored in: 6. Not to be sniffed at against a team of Barca's calibre. Not only did he net Chelsea's glorious semi-final decider in their victorious Champions League campaign, a younger Torres' La Liga record with Atletico Madrid wasn't half bad either. He grabbed his first in 02/03, and then five goals in four games between 2004 and 2006 when his plucky underdogs saw off the cup-toting Catalans three times in a row. Robert Pires vs Tottenham Apps: 12. Goals: 8. Games scored in: 7. Arsenal's wing wizard epitomised his team's dominance over their north London rivals in the mid-noughties. He converted in seven of his first eight appearances against Spurs, including in the Gunners' 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane which confirmed the title in April 2004. Ryan Taylor vs Newcastle Apps: 6. Goals: 4. Games scored in: 4. He might play for them now, but before heading to St James' Park in early 2009, Taylor was a menace against his club-to-be. The defender only scored six times in four years at Wigan, but four of them came against the Magpies in his most recent appearances; the first in 06/07, another the following season and then two in each match of the 08/09 campaign. Three of them came via his trademark free-kicks, and the other a well-taken effort from range. If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em. Seydou Doumbia vs FC Aarau Apps: 8. Goals: 12. Games scored in: 7. Crash, bang, wallop. The goal-getting Ivorian enjoyed a blistering two-season spell in Switzerland with Young Boys from 2008-10 – and it's not difficult to understand why on this evidence. Poor Aarau clearly didn't fancy it against the 26-year-old, now plying his trade with CSKA Moscow. Swiss teams play each other four times every campaign, and Doumbia netted in three of them in his first season. He followed that up by demolishing them in all four the following term, kicking off with a double before plundering his first hat-trick for the club. There was a brace in the third, before he wound down with a single in his final outing. He finished the season nine goals ahead of any other player on 30. Radamel Falcao vs Villarreal Apps: 4. Goals: 8. Games scored in: 4. A 200% strike rate, you say? Not bad, you say. For Villarreal it was very, very bad, though, with El Tigre having struck on each occasion he's played them. First he smashed four in the 10/11 Europa League semi-final first leg in Porto, before adding another in the return fixture. When he moved to Atletico Madrid they cowered with fear once again, as he netted twice in Madrid and then again at the Estadio El Madrigal. Honourable mentions ...because these chaps deserve some love too. Alan Shearer vs Leeds(Apps: 19, Goals: 20, GSI: 11) Wayne Rooney vs Portsmouth(Apps: 15, Goals: 12, GSI: 8) Darren Bent vsBolton(Apps: 12, Goals: 11, GSI: 7)and Arsenal(Apps: 13, Goals: 8, GSI: 6) Nicolas Anelka vs Blackburn(Apps: 16, Goals: 12, GSI: 11) Billy Sharp vs Blackpool(Apps: 12, Goals: 9, GSI: 7) Matt Le Tissier vs Nottingham Forest(Apps: 9, Goals: 8, GSI: 6) Alex Revell vs Swindon(Apps: 10, Goals: 8, GSI: 7) Efan Ekoku vs Everton(Apps: 8, Goals: 8, GSI: 5) Simon Cox vs Leicester (Apps: 8, Goals: 7, GSI: 6) Shola Ameobi vs Sunderland(Apps: 16, Goals: 7, GSI: 5) Martin Paterson vs Sheffield Wednesday(Apps: 8, Goals: 5, GSI: 4); at Hillsborough with four different teams Jack Lester vs Rochdale(Apps: 6, Goals: 6, GSI: 4) Heung-Min Son vs Borussia Dortmund(Apps: 5, Goals: 5, GSI: 3) Have we missed some bum who always bags against your boys? Tell us @FourFourTwo with hashtag #bogeymen

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Queiroz urges United to keep faith with Moyes

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 01:12 AM PST

United sit seventh in the Premier League with 12 games remaining of Moyes' first season in charge since he took over following the retirement of Alex Ferguson. The defending Premier League champions are 15 points behind leaders Chelsea and 11 adrift of Liverpool, who occupy the final UEFA Champions League qualification place. Moyes has been heavily criticised for United's disappointing form this term, but Queiroz - a former assistant to Ferguson - has urged United to keep the faith with the ex-Everton boss. "The success of Manchester United was based on a couple of principles," the Iran coach said in quotes reported by the Daily Mirror. "The first thing was it had a good foundation of consistency, continuity, trust and confidence. "The other thing I learned when I was at the club: the club always had a strong belief with the people that work inside it - they trust themselves. "I want to believe that it is just a tough time at the moment and in a short period of time we will see the Manchester United everyone expects. "I have been in that experience and the most important feeling is to trust each other, believe each other, and make the right decisions. If you are not able to win today, I am sure tomorrow things will be right. I think they need to be given time." Queiroz worked as Ferguson's deputy in the 2002-03 season before returning for a four-year stint following a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid. The former Portugal boss feels it was inevitable that Moyes would struggle in his first year, but has backed the 50-year-old to turn things around. "I knew changing coach would not be easy," Queiroz added. "To cross this bridge after Sir Alex being with the team for so many years, in one way, I think we were always going to have to expect some difficult moments. It is natural. "But I am very much confident. The club has a lot of experience; it is strong; it has a persistent culture. I am sure David Moyes in a short period in time will do the right things at the club and the team will start to perform."

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The FourFourTwo Preview: Crystal Palace vs Man United

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:07 AM PST

Billed as The champions' chance to keep their chins in the Champions League chase. But Pulis' Palace won't pony up as they pursue points of their own. The lowdown Wyn Davies, George Graham, Ray Wilkins and Wilfried Zaha. What do these men all have in common? They're the only four players to make first team appearances for both Crystal Palace and Manchester United. Now there's a quiz question for you. Pointless pub trivia over with, let's move onto the game. As with every Man United game this season bar a very small handful, this should be close and competitive, as Tony Pulis' soaring Eagles pit their wits against David Moyes' struggling band of busted flushes.Both teams have had some time for a breather since their last games - Palace's game at Everton was called off just hours before kick-off due to Windageddon last Wednesday, while United flew out to Dubai to enjoy some warm weather training after two points from nine against Stoke, Fulham and Arsenal. When kick-off comes it will have been two weeks since the Eagles last played, a 3-1 win over West Brom that offered great promise for the remainder of the season after debutants Joe Ledley and Tom Ince both etched their names on the scoresheet. But in an ultra-compressed bottom half of the table, while Pulis' side sit just one win away from leapfrogging Swansea in 10th, they're also just two points above the relegation zone. For United, the hope is that the only hot air doing the rounds in Dubai was the balmy Middle Eastern climes and not from the manager or his staff. Ahead of a Champions League last 16 tie against Olympiakos, the break was an opportunity for Moyes to do some much-needed tactical work with the group. He and his vulnerable squad must kick on from here if they're to bridge the 11-point gap that separates them from Liverpool in fourth. Team news The two-week break has been kind to Palace on the injury front and they have a fully fit squad to choose from. Ledley and Ince could well keep their places after game-deciding contributions against West Brom. Nani, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are the walking wounded at Old Trafford at present, but the latter has at least a slight chance of recovering from a dodgy hip.United's defensive shape was solid in their 0-0 draw at Arsenal, with Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley forming a reliable defensive block protecting the back four, so Moyes may wish to stick with the duo in midfield. In attack, however, the 'Juan van Rooney' partnership hasn't quite clicked yet and Pulis will be working on a strategy to make sure that continues. Key battle: Jason Puncheon vs Patrice Evra Ince's arrival at Selhurst Park saw Puncheon switch to the right hand side against West Brom, which puts him up against Evra should Pulis stick to that winning formula. Puncheon has been hugely important for Palace in recent weeks and his 3 goals since New Year's Day have directly contributed to 5 valuable points, with winners against Stoke and Hull and the equaliser against Norwich in a 1-1 draw. Against Hull the 27-year-old played down the left but still created 2 of his 3 chances from positions down the right. Once United's Mr. Dependable, Evra has seen his stock plummet in recent seasons. Time has crept up on him and individual errors - mostly positional - have started to increase, as his 32-year-old legs grow weary and the distance from one end of the field to the other becomes more and more of a challenge. This season Evra has thus far played every minute of all but four of United's 26 league games. Still keen as ever, the Frenchman persists, marauding up and down to offer an attacking threat down the wing. Increasingly, though, this is causing problems for the Red Devils, as with no-one in reserve to offer a alternative (Moyes appears to have no faith in Alexander Buttner), Evra plays game after game. His once faultless stamina has now yielded to an inevitable tiredness towards the end of matches, creating a defensive imbalance opposition teams are taking advantage of with increasing regularity. With United's continual focus on wing play and Juan Mata likely to start down the left, from where he drifts infield, Evra's importance both defensively and going forward will have a significant bearing. The managers The tale of the tape in the managerial battle reads: Played 10, Moyes 4, Pulis 2 and 4 draws. Facts and figures Man United have won 9 of their last 12 trips to promoted teams (W9 D3 L0) with 6 wins despite conceding. Man United have won 12 of their last 16 trips to bottom-six teams with 10 wins by either 1 or 2 goal margins. 7 of Palace's last 8 matches have had fewer than 3 goals. Palace have picked up 1 point from 11 matches this season against teams currently in the top half while scoring only twice. 7 of Palace's 15 defeats this season have been 2-0. Best Bet:Correct score 0-2 @ 25/4 More FFT Stats Zone facts • Find the best odds with Bet Butler FourFourTwo prediction It won't be easy for the visitors by any stretch, but United eke out a narrow win. 1-2. Crystal Palace vs Man United LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone

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