Wolves v Man Utd preview

Red-hot Rooney doubt for Molineux trip

By Mike Barton   Last updated: 5th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wolves v Man Utd preview

Rooney: Doubtful

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Wolves 0 Man Utd 2

SKY BET odds: Wolves 9/1 , Draw 4/1 , Man Utd 1/3

One to watch: Dimitar Berbatov

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Manchester United go to Molineux to face Wolves on Saturday evening with the chance to return to the top of the Premier League, but have been hit by the news that Wayne Rooney is a doubt for the game.

Fresh from the Carling Cup triumph at Wembley following their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, United will be looking to continue their momentum forward to overtake leaders Chelsea by two points due to the Blues' continued participation in the FA Cup.

The reverse fixture in mid-December has gone down as one of the most controversial of the season, with many suggesting Wolves boss Mick McCarthy gave Sir Alex Ferguson by sending out a much-changed side at Old Trafford to keep them fresh for their game against Burnley five days late.

Wolves were comfortably beaten 3-0 and eventually handed a suspended fine for their actions, and it is very doubtful McCarthy will repeat that decision with his side desperate for a victory after winning just two of their last 10 games.

Struggling Wolves are one place off the relegation zone as they appear to be right in the thick of things until the end of the season, but they can take heart from United's last league visit to Molineux, which they won 1-0 thanks to Kenny Miller's strike in 2004.

Rooney doubt

United striker Rooney, who has been in prolific form this season, is now a doubt for the game after picking up a knock during England's 3-1 victory over Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday.

Coupled with this is the news that fellow striker Michael Owen will be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury on a Wembley pitch Ferguson has been less than complimentary towards.

New England captain Rio Ferdinand is fit to return and should start in the centre of defence alongside Nemanja Vidic after recovering from his back problem.

Nani is in line to return to the starting line-up after returning from suspension, but centre-back Jonny Evans is out after picking up an injury while on international duty with Northern Ireland and Ryan Giggs stays sidelined with a broken arm.

Wolves team news

McCarthy is poised to name an unchanged side for the fourth game running, with Andy Keogh set be in the squad again after following ankle surgery.

The Irish striker came off the bench to play a part in their 1-0 defeat at Bolton, but is likely to be kept on the bench as the Wolves boss sticks with one up front in Kevin Doyle.

Michael Kightly, who had ankle surgery in November, now has a knee problem so will not play any part whilst Dave Edwards remains sidelined following an ankle operation last December.

Possible starting XIs

Wolves: Hahnemann, Craddock, Foley, Berra, Zubar, Guedioura, Henry, Jones, Jarvis, Doyle, Ward.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Nani, Scholes, Berbatov.

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