PREVIEW: MANCHESTER UTD v CARDIFF CITY

A comprehensive look at City's trip to Old Trafford

Manchester United v Cardiff City
Venue: Old Trafford
Nav-it: M16 0RA
Date: Monday, 27th January, KO 19:45pm
Match-tag:#MUNCAR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER

Ole Gunnar Solskjær returns to Old Trafford as manager of Cardiff City as the Bluebirds take on the reigning Barclays Premier League champions at Old Trafford.

MATCH FACTS

-    Manchester United have earned 998 points at Old Trafford in Barclays Premier League history, more than any other team has managed on home soil.
-    37 points after 22 matches is the fewest Manchester United have mustered in any single Premier League campaign at this stage.
-    Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored 91 goals in 235 Premier League appearances for Manchester United between 1996-97 and 2006-07.
-    The Red Devils have won two and lost three of their last five Premier League home games.
-    Cardiff have the best disciplinary record in the top flight this season with just 27 yellow cards and no dismissals.
-    Cardiff’s last victory away at Manchester United came in April 1954 when they ran out 3-2 winners.
-    35% of Cardiff’s goals have been headers; the highest proportion of any team in the Premier League this season.

KEY PLAYER: Wayne Rooney



Back in training after missing most of January with a groin injury, Wayne Rooney is all set for a return to the Manchester United fold on Tuesday night to make his first appearance since a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day. Rooney has scored 11 goals in all competitions for United this campaign.

ONE TO WATCH:  Juan Mata



Manchester United’s new record signing Juan Mata will be in the squad and could make his debut against the Bluebirds on Tuesday night after completing his move from Chelsea this week. Mata has shown his Premier League prowess during his two-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 33 goals in 135 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Cardiff City: DLWLLW
Last time out: Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Cardiff City – Saturday, 25th January, FA Cup with Budweiser fourth round.



Fraizer Campbell’s goal, five minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute booked the Bluebirds place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with Budweiser and secured a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall; McNaughton, Hudson (C), Turner, John; Whittingham, Kim (Smith), Gunnarsson, Cowie; Odemwingie (Noone), Cornelius (Campbell). Subs not used: Lewis; Caulker, Brayford, Conway.

Manchester United:  LLLWLW
Last time out: Manchester United 2-1 Sunderland (AET) (United lost 2-1 on penalties) – Wednesday, 22nd January, Capital One Cup, semi-final, second-leg.



Jonny Evans’ first half strike took the Capital One Cup semi-final into extra time at Old Trafford before an astonishing end saw Phil Bardsley put the Black Cats back in front before a Javier Hernandez goal, with seconds to go, took the game to penalties.

Team – Manchester United: de Gea, Evans, Buttner (Evra, 85), Rafael, Smalling, Fletcher, Januzaj, Carrick (Jones, 95), Welbeck, Kagawa (Valencia, 61), Hernandez. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Giggs, Young, Cleverley.      

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:

2013/14: Saturday, 24th November 2013, Barclays Premier League – Cardiff City 2-2 Manchester United



A last minute header from midfielder Kim Bo Kyung claimed a point for the Bluebirds in dramatic fashion at Cardiff City Stadium as City twice came from behind. Wayne Rooney had given David Moyes’ side the advantage early on before Fraizer Campbell equalised, with Patrice Evra netting before half-time to make it 2-1. South Korean star Kim Bo Kyung headed home in stoppage time to claim a point.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall (GK), Théophile-Catherine, Taylor, Caulker (capt), Turner, Medel, Whittingham, Mutch (Kim 77), Cowie, Odemwingie (Noone 65), Campbell (Cornelius 84). Subs not used: Lewis (GK), Hudson, Gunnarsson, Bellamy.
         
REFEREE: Craig Pawson

Referee Craig Pawson made his Barclays Premier League debut as he took charge of Swansea City’s clash with Newcastle United on 2 March 2013, and now he has been placed in the Select Group of Premier League officials for the 2013/14 season.

Pawson had already refereed an all-Premier League match-up between West Ham United and Wigan Athletic in the Capital One Cup in the 2012/13 campaign.

Yorkshire base referee Pawson last officiated a match involving the Bluebirds in September 2013, taking charge of City’s 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.