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We didn't know we needed it, but Everton gave us a great big kick up the 'arris on Saturday. Mancini's big-time Charlies will hopefully have come away from Goodison having learned some choice Italian phrases, and I imagine that Mancini himself will have no problem in recognizing his own shortcomings when reflecting upon the gutless defeat. In many ways, that game was perfect preparation for Tuesday's cup tie, Everton pressing and competing rather like United usually do, and I'm hopeful that the experience will have a galvanizing effect on the City squad.

The players should need no extra motivation after the Everton debacle for this huge game, but certain questions will need to be resolved by Mancini and Kidd over the next couple of days regarding team selection and tactics. Since the postponed, original date of this fixture we have seen United's exit from the FA Cup, and so it's safe to assume that Ferguson will play something close to his strongest side. This may mean that both Rooney and Berbatov will start (they were both taken off early against Burnley), and this should be something that Mancini takes into account.


"I am not a Magician"

As far as I'm concerned, Richards should move over to right-back, replaced by the more cerebral and equally athletic Nedum Onuoha, but issues elsewhere in the team may result in Kompany, or perhaps Zabaleta, having to play a midfield role - we'll see. Additionally, Mancini should be somewhat concerned about the encounter between Garrido and Valencia - despite playing reasonably well in recent games, the Everton game highlighted the left-back's lack of pace against quick players. Bridge will not be available for this one, so Garrido will need be at his best.

Another key area in this tie is the midfield, of course. Barry and De Jong were second-best against Everton's three-man midfield of Fellaini, Pienaar and Cahill, and Mancini may have realized that in some Premiership/Cup games, one simply has to fight fire with fire. Unfortunately, both Gareth Barry, largely invisible against the toffees, and DeJong are running on empty right now, as Mancini noted after the game. It's possible therefore Kompany or Zaba will be moving into the middle of the park. but the good news is the possible availability of Steven Ireland and the return of SWP. Another injury concern in midfield is perhaps Martin Petrov, and Robinho's form remains an issue.

Up front, City are down to only two available strikers in Tevez and Benjani (three if you include Bellamy). Personally, I don't feel this is a problem unless Tevez's apparent hamstring problem carries over - but I'm sure the Argentinian will walk through walls to feature in this fixture.

I favour a 4-5-1 against United, lining up like this -

---------------Given

Richards--Kompany--Onuoha--Garrido

Zabalata ------------------De Jong

SWP--------Ireland--------Bellamy

--------------Tevez

bench; Taylor Sylvinho Boyata
Barry Robi, Petrov? Benjani

Richards goes over to right-back allowing two excellent readers of the game in Kompany and Onuoha to link up in central defence. Zaba and De Jong (or Barry - whoever is fitter) are paired in central midfield, largely to add some bite to this area - as long as both don't give away silly free-kicks, it could thwart United's attacking midfield threat (I also want to see these two together for the hell of it!). SWP, Ireland and Bellamy (if his knees are up to it) make up the midfield, supporting Tevez at every opportunity, hopefully confusing United with pace and movement. There is a lack of height in the squad at the moment, so if this line-up is not paying dividends, bringing on Benjani for a defensive midfielder could prove fruitful.

Just when Vieira will make a bow is hard to say, but Barry and DeJong are in need of R&R, the sooner the better

~Bloovic~