' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:12 am
Sun 24th November 2013
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vs Manchester United (Home)
The Countdown to the Manchester United game/40 yrs of waiting
Gary Medel will complete a 7,000 mile round-trip this week to make Manchester United’s first visit to Cardiff for nearly 40 years.
Gary Medel facing dash back to join Cardiff City for Manchester United clash after Brazil test
Tuesday 19th Nov 2013
The Chile star will face Brazil in Canada tonight before rushing back to join the Bluebirds in time for their Premier League clash with Manchester United
Chile star Medel, who was outstanding in central defence in his country’s 2-0 victory over England at Wembley, faces the might of Brazil in Toronto in the early hours of tomorrow morning British time.
After keeping tabs on the likes of Fred, Hulk and Neymar, Medel will make a transatlantic dash to join up with his City team-mates on Thursday.
Medel, who was named after Spurs striker Gary Lineker but grew up in the Chilean capital Santiago as a United fan, will be in his more familiar deep-lying midfield role on Sunday - but still with the intention of shutting out the in-form Wayne Rooney for the second time in a week or so.
“Chile are a top team who can make an impact at the World Cup finals,” Rooney said after England’s defeat to the impressive South Americans.
“They have quality players – including Sanchez and Medel – but we were disappointed to lose.”
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli has been delighted with Medel’s progress at Cardiff with the World Cup finals just around the corner next summer.
“Gary has settled in really quickly and that’s a tribute to his ability and aggression,” said Sampaoli.
“Gary is a decent player and will be recognised for those qualities as time goes on with his club.
“He is playing a more defensive role with us compared to his club because we rely on him for his physical presence and his strength is a marker in midfield rather than being creative.”
While Medel and Kim Bo-Kyung, whose South Korean team have a friendly in Russia tonight, are already boooked in for the World Cup finals in Brazil next summer, Icelandic captain Aron Gunnarsson goes for gold in Zagreb this evening.
Gunnarsson’s role will be to tame Croatian creator Luka Modric, the ex-Spurs star now at Real Madrid, after the first leg in Reykjavik last Friday ended goalless.
A win for Iceland will mean City have three players in Brazil next summer with centre-half Steven Caulker still hopeful of earning a place in the England squad.
Malky's men could be set to face a Manchester United side without star striker Robin Van Persie.
The frontman is one of a long list of injury concerns facing United manager David Moyes ahead of his trip to the Welsh capital for this Sunday’s Premier League clash.
As well as Van Persie, centre-halves Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic, striker Danny Welbeck and midfielder Michael Carrick are also all injury concerns.
But it is Dutchman Van Persie who is potentially the biggest name to miss out on playing Malky Mackay’s men.
The 30-year-old marksman scored the winner as United overcame Arsenal last time out in the Premier League.
He was then due to represent Holland in their friendlies against Japan and Columbia, but withdrew from the squad stating he was suffering with a toe and a groin injury.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has raised questions about the frontman’s general match fitness.
Van Gaal commented: “Van Persie called me on Sunday and we discussed the situation.
“He didn’t really have a holiday this summer, because he had to go to Asia with United. He just went on and on.
“It’s smart to keep in mind what that does to a player. Even if we had an important match, I wouldn’t have played him this time.”
Moyes may be mindful of Van Persie’s injury worries on Sunday. United, have not yet qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages and face a big match at Bayer Leverkusen just three days after their trip to the Welsh capital.
England international Jones is also a doubt for Sunday.
The centre-half came off in the second-half of the 2-0 defeat to Chile on Friday with a groin problem and has now been sent back to his club. He will miss tonight’s friendly for his nation in Germany.
Fellow centre-half Vidic though looks likely to win the battle to feature against the Bluebirds.
The Serbian came off just before half-time in his side’s victory over Arsenal with concussion.
Vidic walked from the pitch, but was later examined in hospital before being released.
Welbeck and Carrick will definitely miss Sunday’s clash.
Welbeck could now need surgery on a knee problem that has seen him miss United’s last six games and he could be absent for more than a month longer than first thought.
The 22-year-old could go for keyhole surgery if his condition does not improve after further treatment.
Carrick is out until Christmas at least with his Achilles problem.
Marouane Fellaini also faces a length spell on the sidelines, United’s summer signing could be out for up to ten weeks when undergoing surgery required on his left wrist.
Right-back Rafael is also a major doubt for the Cardiff match with his on-going ankle injury.
PREMIER LEAGUE
vs Manchester United (Home)
The Countdown to the Manchester United game/40 yrs of waiting
Gary Medel will complete a 7,000 mile round-trip this week to make Manchester United’s first visit to Cardiff for nearly 40 years.
Gary Medel facing dash back to join Cardiff City for Manchester United clash after Brazil test
Tuesday 19th Nov 2013
The Chile star will face Brazil in Canada tonight before rushing back to join the Bluebirds in time for their Premier League clash with Manchester United
Chile star Medel, who was outstanding in central defence in his country’s 2-0 victory over England at Wembley, faces the might of Brazil in Toronto in the early hours of tomorrow morning British time.
After keeping tabs on the likes of Fred, Hulk and Neymar, Medel will make a transatlantic dash to join up with his City team-mates on Thursday.
Medel, who was named after Spurs striker Gary Lineker but grew up in the Chilean capital Santiago as a United fan, will be in his more familiar deep-lying midfield role on Sunday - but still with the intention of shutting out the in-form Wayne Rooney for the second time in a week or so.
“Chile are a top team who can make an impact at the World Cup finals,” Rooney said after England’s defeat to the impressive South Americans.
“They have quality players – including Sanchez and Medel – but we were disappointed to lose.”
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli has been delighted with Medel’s progress at Cardiff with the World Cup finals just around the corner next summer.
“Gary has settled in really quickly and that’s a tribute to his ability and aggression,” said Sampaoli.
“Gary is a decent player and will be recognised for those qualities as time goes on with his club.
“He is playing a more defensive role with us compared to his club because we rely on him for his physical presence and his strength is a marker in midfield rather than being creative.”
While Medel and Kim Bo-Kyung, whose South Korean team have a friendly in Russia tonight, are already boooked in for the World Cup finals in Brazil next summer, Icelandic captain Aron Gunnarsson goes for gold in Zagreb this evening.
Gunnarsson’s role will be to tame Croatian creator Luka Modric, the ex-Spurs star now at Real Madrid, after the first leg in Reykjavik last Friday ended goalless.
A win for Iceland will mean City have three players in Brazil next summer with centre-half Steven Caulker still hopeful of earning a place in the England squad.
Malky's men could be set to face a Manchester United side without star striker Robin Van Persie.
The frontman is one of a long list of injury concerns facing United manager David Moyes ahead of his trip to the Welsh capital for this Sunday’s Premier League clash.
As well as Van Persie, centre-halves Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic, striker Danny Welbeck and midfielder Michael Carrick are also all injury concerns.
But it is Dutchman Van Persie who is potentially the biggest name to miss out on playing Malky Mackay’s men.
The 30-year-old marksman scored the winner as United overcame Arsenal last time out in the Premier League.
He was then due to represent Holland in their friendlies against Japan and Columbia, but withdrew from the squad stating he was suffering with a toe and a groin injury.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has raised questions about the frontman’s general match fitness.
Van Gaal commented: “Van Persie called me on Sunday and we discussed the situation.
“He didn’t really have a holiday this summer, because he had to go to Asia with United. He just went on and on.
“It’s smart to keep in mind what that does to a player. Even if we had an important match, I wouldn’t have played him this time.”
Moyes may be mindful of Van Persie’s injury worries on Sunday. United, have not yet qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages and face a big match at Bayer Leverkusen just three days after their trip to the Welsh capital.
England international Jones is also a doubt for Sunday.
The centre-half came off in the second-half of the 2-0 defeat to Chile on Friday with a groin problem and has now been sent back to his club. He will miss tonight’s friendly for his nation in Germany.
Fellow centre-half Vidic though looks likely to win the battle to feature against the Bluebirds.
The Serbian came off just before half-time in his side’s victory over Arsenal with concussion.
Vidic walked from the pitch, but was later examined in hospital before being released.
Welbeck and Carrick will definitely miss Sunday’s clash.
Welbeck could now need surgery on a knee problem that has seen him miss United’s last six games and he could be absent for more than a month longer than first thought.
The 22-year-old could go for keyhole surgery if his condition does not improve after further treatment.
Carrick is out until Christmas at least with his Achilles problem.
Marouane Fellaini also faces a length spell on the sidelines, United’s summer signing could be out for up to ten weeks when undergoing surgery required on his left wrist.
Right-back Rafael is also a major doubt for the Cardiff match with his on-going ankle injury.
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:21 am
Gonna chew rooney up and spit him out again
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 11:12 am
Let's hope he taps up a few of his team mates for next season, they are all really good players and look strong enough to cope with the Premier League......
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:37 pm
It is going to work wonders on our squad as a whole with Gary here.
His attitude and desire is for all to see - Very impressed with him for Cardiff and in the Chile game against England
It's a pleasure supporting a club that contains the likes of Medel!
His attitude and desire is for all to see - Very impressed with him for Cardiff and in the Chile game against England
It's a pleasure supporting a club that contains the likes of Medel!
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:43 pm
hasnt looked great so far after an international break, hope this trip doesnt effect him on Sunday.
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:45 pm
paulh_85 wrote:hasnt looked great so far after an international break, hope this trip doesnt effect him on Sunday.
Hasn't looked great at all... Only one of our most consistant and outstanding players along with Marshall this season
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:49 pm
bakerbluebird wrote:paulh_85 wrote:hasnt looked great so far after an international break, hope this trip doesnt effect him on Sunday.
Hasn't looked great at all... Only one of our most consistant and outstanding players along with Marshall this season
Didnt read the whole post then?
Was poor and taken off v Chelsea, was poor (or at least poorer than his usual high standard) against Hull, both games after an international break.
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Wed Nov 20, 2013 6:04 am
I liked Chile's left back, can't remember his name, but he plays his club games in South America. Seemed to know when to get forward and when to hold the line against the English.
Re: ' 7,000 mile round trip for Manchester United game '
Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:10 am
I hope he gets a good rest and is not jet lagged etc. This is the big one for me