We take a different route with this morning’s preamble as I bring you an update on the the major questions rattling around in the brains of Fantasy Managers as we embark on another gameweek. I examine the latest news on the Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie situations and delve into the morning papers to get their opinion…
Does Wayne Rooney start for United?
Alex Ferguson hinted yesterday that Rooney was in contention having returned to full training this week. Certainly, he appears to have more chance of making today’s game than both Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs.
“Wayne has done some work in the last couple of days and we’re going to assess how he does today [in training] to see how he is for Saturday’s game…The big problem is that all the players want to play. But we have to be 100 per cent sure that Wayne is ready.”
Roberto Mancini wants him in the United lineup. He may get his wish. Ferguson seems optimistic but is unwilling to take a risk on Rooney again…
“We have to be 100% sure,” Ferguson added. “The derby game will be different from the Bayern match. It will be hectic.”
What the papers say…
The Sun – Yes and there’s no place for Berbatov as Nani, Valencia and Park all start.
The Times – Yes, similar story here – Nani, Valencia and Park all in the eleven.
The Telegraph – Yes – with Berbatov up in support.
The Guardian – Yes and Berbatov starts alongside him in a 4-4-2. It’s Valencia and Nani out wide in an attacking United lineup.
Is Fernando going to make the Liverpool lineup against the Hammers?
Torres was due to travel to Spain on Friday to seek further specialists advice – a volcanic ash cloud kept him in the country (I never really thought I’d type those words). That delay may well have cast further doubt over his chances of making the West Ham game. According to Rafa he is yet to return to full training but is working on the injury in the gym. The Liverpool boss seems very keen to get specialist advice before risking Torres and given that the striker has been unable to fly out to Spain to have this re-examined, it appears that he could make the flight later this weekend.
“It’s the doctor who did the operation in the past so he has a better knowledge of the knee. Now we’re waiting and if he can go we’ll have a better idea.”
Rafa has however discussed the option of taking part in the West Ham game with Torres himself
“Yesterday I was talking with him and the doctors and analysing how he feels. At this moment he is working hard with the physios and staying in the gym for a while, and we’re seeing what happens…In my last conversation with him (Fernando) we spoke about him playing against West Ham. Now we have to wait and see how he progresses. He’s fine. He can’t be on the pitch now but he’s fine.”
What the papers say…
The Sun – No – they go with David Ngog with Aquilani and Mascherano in midfield, allowing Gerrard and Kuyt to push up in support.
The Times – No – it’s Ngog again for them, this time with Benayoun and Lucas in the midfield.
The Telegraph – No – the Telegraph go with Dirk Kuyt up front with Rodriguez, Gerrard and Babel all pushing up in support and Lucas and Mascherano behind.
The Guardian – No, it’s Ngog again here with Aquilani and Mascherano providing the platform for Gerrard to push on. There’s no place for Dirk Kuyt.
Does Robin Van Persie make the eleven against Wigan?
Arsene Wenger informed us yesterday that he would not take a risk with Van Persie and will wait for a prognosis from the player himself. Van Persie is apparently suffering from tight muscles after his impressive cameo at Spurs…
“We will have to see how he responds,” said Wenger. “He had very tight muscles everywhere [after the Tottenham game] because he had not played at all so we have to see whether we go for the gamble or not…If he feels physically all right he will start. If it is a little gamble we will not take it because he has been out for such a long time.”
Some sources are suggesting that the Dutchman will make the starting lineup with injury-doubt Denilson making way.
What the papers say…
The Sun – No – the redtop goes with Bendtner, flanked by Rosicky and Nasri
The Times – No, again it’s Bendtner up top here with Nasri and Walcott starting out wide.
The Telegraph – Yes, the Telegraph go with Van Persie with no place for Bendtner in their eleven.
The Guardian – Yes, like the Telegraph this paper goes with Van Persie over Bendtner. It’s Rosicky and Walcott either side.