On Sky
On paper this is not a bad tie for City as you have to go back many years since we were beaten by a championship side in the FA Cup while we have been in the top flight. In fact it was our perennial bogey team Middlesbrough who knocked us out in 1992.
Vital Quotes:
Eriksson on the importance of the cup: ‘I hope we can win it, and of course we can because it’s a cup,’
We’re not the favourites. But we’re going to play our best team on Sunday and do everything to go through.
‘Although we’ve a league game at Derby on Wednesday, we’re not talking about that. It doesn’t exist before Monday.
‘So we are fully concentrated on this match and taking it very seriously because it’s the biggest domestic cup in the world.’
Dreams of Wembley: ‘It’s one of my dreams, to sit on the bench at Wembley, and I hope I can do that at least once before I finish my career,’ he added.
‘I had hoped it would have happened with England. The plans were for one friendly to be played there before the World Cup, and I was looking forward to that.
‘But then Wembley was delayed by a year or so. It’s destiny it never happened.
‘The last game England played at the old Wembley was just before I came, and then I left, and one of the first games after was at the new Wembley.
‘I can’t say it’s caused me any sleepless nights, but it’s still a disappointment.’
Sheffield United FC Team News:
The encounter comes too soon for the free-scoring James Beattie – who is stilling struggling with a knee injury.
Danny Webber (knee) is unavailable too, but Lee Hendrie and January signing Ugo Ehiogu could both feature.
Player to watch: Michael Tonge
The City supporting Blade can turn things on when he’s in the mood which I am sure he will be.
Manchester City FC Team News:
Rolando Bianchi departs and so that leaves space for young Daniel Sturridge to be included in the squad after his youth cup hat-trick midweek.
Emile Mpenza (hamstring) appears to have shrugged off the latest of his niggling injuries and could make an appearance for City.
But Michael Johnson is still out with an abdominal problem, and while Valeri Bojinov returned to training earlier this week, he will be short of fitness for the fixture.
Micah Richards is out with a niggling knee injury so Nedum Onuoha will come in to replace him.
Player to watch: Martin Petrov
He is the creating force behind such wonderful crosses and runs towards the area.
Match Facts & Stats
City have met Sheffield United only 3 times in the FA cup and all came before the second world war and the blades won all three encounters. In recent times however City have the upper hand however because you have to go back to the Joe Royle years when City were a championship side at Bramhall lane where they won one nil, but City had won six nil earlier in the season at Maine Road.
Ref Watch:
Chris Foy – a pretty decent referee for us in his third game this season with City. The other two; away defeat at Arsenal and the home victory over Newcastle.
Match Prediction:
Sheffield United to give City a good game, but ultimately they do not have enough up front to worry the quality of our defence. Sheffield Utd 0 – 2 City
Next Fixtures:
Derby County Away at Pride Park; re-arranged for Wednesday 30th January(My Birthday lol!!!) with a 7:45pm kick off.