Robin Van Persie is one of three United players forced to withdraw from the upcoming internationals due to injury. Brad Guzan and Boaz Myhill are also out for the US and Wales respectively, Wojciech Szczesny picks up an ankle knock in training for Poland, while Roberto Martinez ponders handing Gerard Deulofeu a start in the upcoming Merseyside derby:
Van Persie Withdraws from Holland Squad
The United forward has pulled out of his nation’s upcoming pair of friendlies with Japan and Colombia due to the ongoing toe and groin issues that have curtailed his recent game time.
The Scout Says: Van Persie’s owners are unlikely to be too perturbed by yesterday’s news. Moyes has started him in only three of United’s last six matches in all competitions – the Dutchman has been named in the XI for league duties but his manager has turned to Javier Hernandez in cup competitions due to Van Persie’s persistent problems. With a fortnight’s rest between the win over former club Arsenal and the upcoming trip to Cardiff, Van Persie will have plenty time to recuperate as he looks to extend a streak which has now seen him score in each of the last four Gameweeks for the champions.
Carrick Achilles Worry for Moyes
The United boss has also seen Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick withdraw from the England squad with injuries. Welbeck remains out with the knee problem that has limited his recent game time but Carrick, according to reports in the Telegraph, could potentially be out until Christmas with an Achilles complaint. Carrick is believed to have received injections earlier in the week in order to boost his chances of facing Cardiff in 11 days’ time but has now apparently undergone a small procedure to rectify a problem which has been troubling him for weeks. The Telegraph also claim a senior United official reckons the midfielder could be out for at least a month and up to six weeks, though the club have yet to officially confirm this.
The Scout Says: Having played all but one of United’s league games so far under David Moyes, Carrick’s influence in the middle of the park has been crucial at a time where the likes of new boy Marouane Fellaini and Tom Cleverley have struggled for form. Certainly, United have no obvious like-for-like replacement for Carrick, though with injuries lessening at the back, the knock-on effect could see Moyes decide to retain Phil Jones in the central midfield role he’s taken up over the last couple of matches, allowing Jonny Evans to continue alongside Nemanja Vidic in the heart of the back-four. Frustrating for Jones, then, at a time where he has went out of his way to indicate he is keen to nail down a regular role in central defence.
Guzan Worry for Lambert
The Villa keeper was forced to withdraw from the US squad yesterday due to an unspecified problem. Guzan was expected to play at least one of the upcoming friendlies against Scotland and Australia but his national team boss Jurgen Klinsmann would only say:
“There are some injury issues that now give other players the chance to step up.”
The Scout Says: With four clean sheets in the last seven Gameweeks, Guzan has been a key figure for Paul Lambert’s side – indeed, due to save points, the Villa stopper currently sits on 51 points, the same number as Spurs’ Hugo Lloris, despite the latter keeping out his opponents seven times in 10 appearances. Coming in at 5.0, Guzan has now moved 12 points clear of any team-mate thus far and with games against all of the bottom four in the next seven, could be poised for further defensive returns. Lambert will be sweating on his availability ahead of a derby trip to West Brom on Monday November 25 and could be forced to turn to Shay Given if Guzan is unavailable. With Ciaran Clark also out of international duty and fellow-regulars Gabby Agbonlahor, Andreas Weimann, Fabian Delph and Antonio Luna all missing the previous league match, the Villa boss has plenty injury concerns right now.
Myhill Out of Wales Squad
The West Brom keeper has also made his excuses and removed himself from the Wales squad to face Finland on Friday. Reports in the local press indicate Myhill has been struggling with Achilles and thumb problems and, prior to the weekend trip to Chelsea, was unable to train until last Friday due to the problems:
“I am going to need treatment on a couple of injuries I’ve picked up in recent weeks. I’ve not trained for a while and I’m glad for the rest because it means I can do some work in the gym with the physios. So the break has come at a good time for me. I was really struggling last week and I’m grateful to the medical staff for the help they’ve given me to get on the pitch.”
The Scout Says: With the home game against Villa still 12 days away, Myhill looks likely to be fit on time for the Hawthorns derby. The stopper was rumoured to be considering his international future under Chris Coleman after being dropped by the Wales boss last time around and, with Ben Foster still injured due to a foot problem, is clearly taking no chances for the visit of his bitter rivals. It’s uncertain when Foster will return, meaning Myhill – providing he recovers – could still be in the driving seat for a run which hands the Baggies four home games and a trip to Cardiff in the next six.
Martinez Talks Up Deulofeu Chances
The Everton boss has admitted he would have no qualms starting the on-loan Barcelona winger in the upcoming Merseyside derby. Martinez cited Deulofeu’s recent substitute appearance against Tottenham as a sign that he’s ready to make the step up to the first XI:
“It has surprised me how quickly he has adapted to the British game, and to the demands of the Premier League. He is fighting hard for his place. I would have no concerns about putting him in against Liverpool, no. When you are able to play against Jan Vertonghen, and to cope with that, then it shows you he is ready for anything.”
The Scout Says: Certainly, Martinez has been careful with the youngster’s game time so far and only started him in cup matches. Deulofeu has played almost 30 minutes or more in three of the last five league games as the Toffees boss gradually introduces him to the English top-flight but with Everton drawing blanks in each of the last two Gameweeks, Martinez may well decide to freshen up his first XI. Kevin Mirallas is the only midfielder to start every match for the Merseysiders so far but his game time has been cut short in recent weeks, with Martinez hauling him off for the young Spaniard – the Belgian looks the most likely to be at risk on the right, then, though it remains to be seen whether Martinez would hand Deulofeu his first league start in what will surely be a hectic match with Liverpool.
Szczesny Ankle Worry
The Arsenal keeper is reported to be a concern ahead of Poland’s game with Slovakia. Szczesny is believed to have picked up an ankle knock and failed to finish yesterday’s training session as a precautionary measure.
The Scout Says: Having accrued 48 points in the first 11 Gameweeks, Szczesny leads the way amongst Arsene Wenger’s backline options in the FPL standings so far. After a run of defensive blanks, the Gunners seem to have rediscovered their resilience and conceded just once in the last three league matches – with three home games and a trip to Cardiff in the next four, the Pole (who is the eighth top scoring keeper) could be set for further returns if, as expected, he recovers in time for the Gameweek 12 home clash against a Southampton side that have managed four goals in five road trips so far.
Oscar Settled in the Middle
Chelsea’s Brazilian playmaker has been discussing his season so far with the club’s official website. Oscar has revealed he feels more comfortable with his new central role in “the hole” under Jose Mourinho, having previously played on the right in the previous campaign:
“Last year I spent a lot of time on the wing, but this season, although I have played out wide, I’ve mainly been used in the middle. It gives me a bit more freedom to express myself but I know how to play in all those positions and I’m very happy with how it’s going so far. I’ve always been able to apply pressure in midfield, since my days in Brazil, that’s why I came to Europe so early. That helps me a lot, especially in England, because it’s a fast league so it benefits me. Being able to do that has made it easier to adjust to the nature of the Premier League.”
The Scout Says: With nine starts in the opening 11 Gameweeks, the Brazilian has been one of the Blues’ main men under Mourinho. Oscar’s shift to the middle has seen Juan Mata drift to the periphery of the Chelsea XI and seen the youngster score four times already – equalling his tally from 2012/13. Somewhat surprisingly, Oscar has failed to step up as a creative presence, though, and has failed to provide a single assist all season despite his guaranteed game time – Mata managed 34 over the previous two years in the same berth.
