Titans to clash at Old Trafford for League supremacy

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): As the lights dim on Wembley Stadium and World Cup duty once again gives way to the Premiership program, all roads that matter will be leading to Old Trafford on Saturday and the meeting of two of England's footballing superpowers.

The visit of Liverpool to Manchester United has been given a dose of added spice this season in that the Anfield club sits proudly on top of the Premiership, four points clear of the reigning champion, a title, that United has no intention of giving up.

The match between Liverpool and United will be shown live on SCTV Saturday Oct. 12 at 5:15 p.m. and the game between Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal will be aired on the same day at 9:00 p.m.

While both sides boast continental influence and aspirations, this will be a game reserved strictly for the English, a helter- skelter afternoon short on technique and shorter still on temper; a game of passion, heroic endeavor, a little blood, oceans of sweat and maybe the odd tear or two.

The spoils will go to the team that can keep its shape, game plan and nerve in tact. A scenario written almost exclusively for Eric Cantona. With time and space at a premium, the ability of the Frenchman to anticipate and exploit an opening will be crucial.

Set to play a fraction deeper than Cantona, Liverpool will look to John Barnes to provide innovation and the unexpected. Nearing veteran status, his casual, unhurried air contrasts wonderfully with the pace and excitement generated by the likes of McManaman and Berger.

With players from both sides involved in mid-week World Cup action, the risk of injury is high. Managers and backroom staff thus face an anxious wait as players report back from international duty.

Two to make an early return home were Liverpool's Robbie Fowler and Dominic Matteo. Ruled out of England's game against Poland through injury they were back at Anfield on Monday for further treatment.

One man definitely out of contention is United's troubled forward, Andy Cole. His miserable season continued as he sustained a broken right leg and minor fracture in the left leg after a tackle by Neil Ruddock in a match against Liverpool reserves last weekend. The injury will sideline Cole until December at the earliest.

Setback

This latest setback for Cole, at seven million pounds Manchester United's record signing, follows a series of misadventures. The striker had a serious bout of pneumonia before the season started, ruling him out of contention until recently. When he did approach full fitness, he found his way back blocked by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the young Norway international who has made an impressive start to his career at Old Trafford.

Fitness permitting, United will select four from Butt, Keane, Beckham, Giggs and Poborsky in midfield, with Solskjaer the lone front man and Cantona in the hole behind.

The defense all but picks itself with the solution again being four from five with the Neville brothers, May, Pallister and Irwin. In goal, the irrepressible Peter Schmeichel will attempt to stop Liverpool adding to their nine away goals this season.

Injuries to key players suggest Liverpool will not name its side until just before kick-off. The defense is hardest hit, with Wright out for another four weeks and Matteo doubtful. The three center-back place are likely to be filled by Babb, Scales and Ruddock. While all are expensive signings only Babb has been a regular this season.

With McAteer and Bjornebye preferred as wing-backs, Liverpool will select three from McManaman, Barnes, Redknapp and Thomas in midfield.

The story is one of fitness in attack, too, where injuries to Fowler and Collymore leave Berger as the only definite starter in a match where he will face his friend and international colleague, Karl Paborsky.

For all the spectacular and pre-match hype, however, the very real possibility exits that Manchester United and Liverpool will simply cancel each other out and produce a draw. All the more reason then to consider the Cantona Factor.

A draw or United win would help the cause of Newcastle United as it goes in search of vital away points against Derby County. With the Shearer-Ferdinand partnership gathering momentum, Kevin Keegan's side could well top the Premiership come Saturday evening.

Elsewhere, third place Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger now safely installed as manager, travels to the bottom team, Blackburn Rovers. These are dark days at Ewood Park; yet if Wright and Merson can be stopped, they may just have a chance.

The most unenviable journey this weekend falls to one-time Premiership leader, Sheffield Wednesday. It has to go to Selhurst Park to face a rampant Wimbledon side whose five consecutive wins have taken it to the rarefied atmosphere of fifth place. It will not be an afternoon for the faint-hearted and Wednesday's commitment will be tested to the full.

Just off the Premiership pace, Chelsea has a tricky away fixtures at Leicester, while Aston Villa travels to under- achieving Tottenham. While not wanting to devalue these games, the likelihood is that events at Old Trafford will overshadow everything else this weekend.