some breaking team news for monday
Alex Ferguson drops Howard Webb for crucial derby match
Alex Ferguson has controversially dropped talismanic referee Howard Webb
from Man Utd's starting 12 for the crucial Premier League clash with Man
City, and will instead hand a start to Andre Marriner.
Early reports indicated that crowd favourite Webb would line up for the
league leaders, but news has now surfaced that Ferguson is to take a
gamble on Marriner.
Marriner, who has only made 3 starts for Man Utd this season, is a
surprise selection by Ferguson, given Webb's ability to pull highly
contentious decisions out of the bag in big matches.
"Webby has put in some great performances for us in the past, but I feel
the expectation levels of supporters could be too much for him on this
occasion," revealed Ferguson.
"I might put him on the bench as an impact referee in case we need one
of their players sending off or a penalty deep into stoppage time."
Manchester Derby
The news of Marriner's inclusion has left United fans miffed given
Ferguson's criticism of his performance in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in
2009.
"It doesn't make any sense not to include Webbo," said avid fan John
Henderson, who has lived in Plymouth all his life and whose only
connection with Manchester is that he once voted for Bez when he was on
Celebrity Big Brother.
"In games like this you want your best performers on the pitch, and
Webbsio pulling the strings is as good as going into the game with a
two-nil lead."
"I hope that Ferguson has seen something in Marriner in training that
suggests he can rise to the occasion."
"If City have still got eleven men on the pitch at half-time then I'll
be singing Webbsyio's name."
"I'll be singing it at the TV, but rest assured that the wife will be
left in no doubt about how angry I am."
