Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM.

Competition

preview: Wolverhampton wanderers v MANCHESTER UNITED

Premiership Matchday 29

Molineux, Wolverhampton, England, 17.30pm GMT, Saturday 6th March 2010.

Team News

Michael Owen will miss the rest of the season after he received the news he will require an operation on his hamstring.

Owen Hargreaves makes his LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG, awaited return to action on Thursday when he will play in a reserve game against Manchester City.

Kiko Macheda returns to action after a hamstring injury.

Nani is available after serving his 3 match suspention.

Rio Ferdinand will return to the starting line up alongside Nemanja Vidic after a back injury.

Andy Keogh is set to return to the Wolves team after ankle surgery & a return to match fitness after last weeks 1-0 reverse to Bolton.

However Kevin Doyle is expected to play as the lone frontman.

Michael Kightly, (knee) will not play.

Dave Edwards (ankle) is still out.

.Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is set to name an unchanged starting line-up.
 

Squads

Wolverhampton Wanderers (from): Hahnemann, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Foley, Guedioura, Henry, Jones, Jarvis, Doyle, Keogh, Mancienne, Castillo, Bia, Milijas, Elokobi, Vokes, Ebanks-Blake, Maierhofer, Hennessey.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fabio, Obertan, Nani, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Gibson, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

Pre Match Press Conference Highlights

On Wayne Rooney

"“We have to assess Wayne because he played almost 90 minutes for England the other night at Wembley, which I was disappointed in,” said Ferguson.  “When you are playing on that pitch for almost an hour on Sunday and then nearly a full game on Wednesday it’s far too much.

“Now he is a doubt for Wolves.”

On Michael Owen

“It’s a bad blow - he’s out for the season,” Ferguson said. “Unfortunately it’s more serious than we thought. He will be operated on on Monday morning.  “It’s a terrible blow for the lad and is disappointing news for us too.

“He has never missed a training session all season. “I think the heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some contribution to it but really it is just bad luck.”

Michael Owen on the injury

“Unfortunately the specialist says I will miss the end of the season,” said Owen. “I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments.

“I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition.”

On Owen Hargreaves

"Owen Hargreaves has shown for the first time that he is almost ready to play," said Ferguson.

"He has been training with the first team, which has been good to see and is pencilled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday."
 

On Macheda & other injury's

“They are dropping off at the moment but we have got some encouragement with players coming back,” said Ferguson.

“Macheda starts training with the first team again next week which is also good news, particularly considering the loss of Michael.

“He is a good player to have back.  “So we have had some disappointments with some, and light at the end of the tunnel with other players.”

Head to Head

Milestones

SAF's 687th Premiership fixture in charge.

92nd game between the two sides.

Score Prediction

2-0 to the Reds, Berbatov.

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