Manchester United meet Turkish champions Bursaspor for the first time in game three of the group stages of the Champions League. All the pre-match attention has been on Wayne Rooney and his desire to leave the club. This preview recognises the importance of that story in terms of the coverage it has been getting but will focus purely on the football. So what can I tell you about Bursaspor?
The league title win last year was the first one ever for Bursaspor. Previously they hadn’t even managed to finish in the top three in Turkey, hence the achievement of being crowned champions was huge. They’ve started off this years Champions League campaign with defeats against Valencia and Rangers. However their league form is good. They, like United are unbeaten, however unlike United they sit top of their league. Their stand-out result so far has been winning two nil away at Galatasaray. October hasn’t quite gone to plan, two draws mean that they haven’t won since the 24th September .
I’ve never seen Bursaspor play before but I am aware of some of their players by reputation. Their biggest star is Sercan Yildirim – a 20 year old striker. He made his debut aged 17 and became a regular in the side a year later. Despite his obvious talent he isn’t particularly prolific, this year in all competitions he has only scored one goal in 11 games. In the summer of 2009 he was linked with moves to Liverpool, Man City and ourselves, Man United. Although primarily a striker he likes to sit a bit deeper and has been used on the wing. He is very quick yet his handy ability in the air combines height and speed to make him an exciting prospect.
Left winger, Ozan Ipek will provide one of the main goal threats. He has risen through the lower domestic leagues to Bursaspor, gaining a reputation as a goal machine – through assists and goals scored. Since joining Bursaspor in 2009 he has attracted the attention of Chelsea and earned international caps. Small and tricky midfielder Pablo Batalla ended up joint top scorer for Bursaspor last year. His position this year is under threat by loan signing Federico Insua (no relation of Emiliano). Insua has joined as a playmaker for them although is yet to permanently hold a starting spot.
I hope that coach, Ertugrul Saglam brings his team to play football rather than park the bus like Rangers did. Either way it’s always interesting to have a team come and play at Old Trafford for the first time.
Here’s my predicted team:
Following on from the Rangers game, I expect Kuszczak to start. I believe Ben Amos may get the nod for the Carling Cup game with Wolves adding to the argument for Kuszczak to start. With Jonny Evans injured, I fancy Smalling to be picked alongside the captain, Vidic. Rafael I think will start at left back to allow a rare game for either Brown or Neville with the former getting my nod.
As we know the squad is stretched on the wings at the moment. I think Obertan will finally get the chance to replicate his pre-season form in a competitive game and Park needs some minutes after an injury. In the middle, the energy of Fletcher should return after being rested at the weekend. The signs were that Scholes may play after he too wasn’t selected to start against West Brom but Ferguson hinted at some of the younger players playing so I have selected Gibson.
Rooney is injured after damaging his ankle in training and Owen is not yet match fit. I think Berbatov will be partnered by Macheda. Chicharito played the full game at the weekend after international duty so will be given a rest but his pace may be useful off the bench late on.
United need to put in a convincing win to try and change their stuttering form. Rare lapses in concentration have been too frequent so far this season and will need to be eradicated immediately. Strangely for the early season, scoring goals hasn’t been an issue but there is nothing wrong with being greedy and demanding that more chances are taken.
Previous home games against Turkish opposition haven’t always gone to plan. Defeats against Besiktas last year and Fenerbahce in 96/97 tarnish a very ordinary record of played 5 won only two. Those wins game against Galatasaray in 94/95 and famously against Fenerbahce in 04/05. The other result was a score draw against Galatasaray in 93/94.
Judging by results that Bursaspor have already had in this years Champions League, I can’t look past the win for United. In fact I’m feeling very optimistic and am going to predict a 4-0 home win.
Share with us your thoughts ahead of this game on the Bursaspor thread on our forum
I would like to see Owen up front with Macheda – I think he’s in need of some quality game time. If I were bullish I’d also throw in someone like Bebe on the left wing, although I agree that Park seems a more likely candidate…
Coolidge – unfortunately Owen isn’t match fit yet. He did train yesterday but SAF confirmed he’s not ready. I wasn’t sure if Bebe was available so I took the cautious route and left him out! He did train yesterday though. Park needs some minutes…with Giggs out injured he’ll have to step up
Sercan is not tall. The story about Bursaspor is rubbish!
am var dediler geldi. ccc inci siker ccc
i love you bursasipor
@4 I think you are wrong. Sercan is tall enough. Besides, size dont matter, function is important.