Derby v Man Utd preview

Stubbs worry for Rams, Foster bow for United

Last updated: 14th March 2008

Ben Foster Manchester United

Foster: To make debut

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com predicts:
Derby 0 Man Utd 4
SKY BET odds:
Derby 16/1 Draw 5/1 Man Utd 1/8
One to Watch:
Anderson
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Ben Foster will make his Manchester United debut as Paul Jewell continues to wait for his first Premier League win as Derby County manager.

Reigning champions United will head to Pride Park expecting three points, which would take them back to the top of the table, albeit potentially for just a couple of hours.

With Arsenal not in action until Saturday evening, the title holders will be looking to apply the pressure on the stuttering leaders.

United's Treble dream bit the dust last weekend after a 1-0 home defeat to Portsmouth in the FA Cup and it also came at a cost in the goalkeeping department.

Edwin van der Sar picked up a groin injury which is likely to rule him out of the next two games, while his replacement Tomasz Kuszczak was sent off for conceding the decisive penalty.

Saha test

With Kuszczak suspended, Foster will come into the team at Derby for his United bow after the England keeper recovered from a long-term knee injury.

Club captain Gary Neville is close to a first-team comeback and could feature against Bolton Wanderers - who were the opponents for his last senior appearance 12 months ago - next week.

Louis Saha withdrew from the Pompey defeat with a knee injury and will be involved against Derby, if he proves his fitness in training on Friday.

Ryan Giggs has not been involved in the last four matches and could come back into contention depending on how much Sir Alex Ferguson rotates his attacking options.

Fresh from a 6-1 thrashing at Chelsea in midweek, Derby will be determined to avoid another whipping as they await official confirmation of their immediate return to the Championship.

Squirming

Rams manager Paul Jewell admits he 'squirmed with embarrassment' at Stamford Bridge and is likely to be fearing another uncomfortable 90 minutes in the dugout on Saturday.

Derby did score a rare away goal this season at Old Trafford back in December, but there must be a worry that a slipshod defence will concede four goals again.

Veteran defender Alan Stubbs is a major doubt for the game after suffering a calf injury at Chelsea, which forced him off after 16 minutes with the score at 0-0.

Dean Leacock came on for Stubbs in West London and is likely to get the nod to partner Darren Moore at centre-half.

Giles Barnes misses the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Kenny Miller will likely have the thankless task of ploughing a lone furrow up front.