Darron Gibson is confident Man Utd will be able to handle Liverpool new boy Andy Carroll at Anfield.
Midfielder confident United can handle the threat posed by arch-rivals
Manchester United star Darron Gibson is confident they will be able to handle Liverpool new boy Andy Carroll in Sunday's showdown at Anfield.
Carroll, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in a club record £35million deal, is tipped to make his long-awaited debut against United after finally recovering from injury.
United have a number of problems in defence ahead of the game with skipper Nemanja Vidic suspended following his red card against Chelsea and Rio Ferdinand expected to miss out through injury.
Gibson admits it is a big blow to lose Vidic for the trip to Anfield, but he believes they have enough quality in their squad to cope with Liverpool's attacking threat.
"It is a big blow to lose Vidic, but we have got players capable of stepping in and doing a job," Gibson told
skysports.com at an event promoting EA SPORTS FIFA 11 Ultimate Team.
"Jonny Evans is back, Wes Brown is there and John O'Shea can play at centre-back so I think we have got players capable of stepping in and covering."
Shackle
Gibson is aware of the threat posed by Carroll having come up against him earlier in the season while the striker was at Newcastle, but he is confident United can shackle the powerful forward if he plays on Sunday.
"He [Carroll] has played against us this season already and I think the lads will know what to expect having watched him on TV as well," he added.
"Obviously he is a good player, but I think the lads can step in and deal with him."
Republic of Ireland international Gibson insists facing arch-rivals Liverpool remains the biggest game on the calendar for United despite the increased rivalry with local foes Manchester City.
"It has to be the biggest game still for us," he said.
"Obviously City's rivalry is going up because they are pushing up and challenging us, but Liverpool is still the biggest one for us."
Improved
United have already beaten Liverpool twice this season in the Premier League and FA Cup, but Gibson knows they are now a different proposition under Kenny Dalglish.
"Well obviously they have improved under him and they are playing well at the minute so they will be a different proposition, but I think if we go and do what we have been doing and play well I think we will be alright," noted Gibson.
Gibson believes Sunday's clash is the perfect game for United to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Chelsea.
"The mood in the camp is good," added Gibson. "Obviously everybody was disappointed at losing the game, but we just need to pick ourselves up and be ready for Sunday
"It's a tough game but I think it is the perfect one for us to go in to and if we win it, it will be a great result."
Darron Gibson is promoting EA SPORTS' FIFA 11 Ultimate Team. Take on the challenge of building a squad of the world's best football stars by earning, buying, selling and trading players with other Ultimate Team gamers around the world. Visit www.easportsfootball.com/ultimateteam
