Clambering up on to the television gantry at Molineux will conjure echoes of January 17, 2004 when Dave Jones’ Wanderers, haunted by the threat of relegation, beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-chasers. It was a result that defied odds, expectation and logic as the Premier League’s bottom club humbled its leaders.

Kenny Miller scored the only goal in the second half and the noise generated was still reverberating along Waterloo Road an hour after the final whistle.

The Scot scored just one other goal in his 25 League appearances that season but will forever be remembered in Wolverhampton. Likewise, Mel Eves is still revered as the last Wolves player to score a winning goal at Old Trafford some thirty years ago.

Scoring decisive goals against Manchester United can be a passport to lasting stature. And that opportunity is there for a Wolves player to seize this weekend.

When Mick McCarthy decided on ten changes to his side for the fixture at Old Trafford in December which Wolves lost 3-0, he made a pragmatic decision which paid off five days later when the restored players beat Burnley.

This time around, McCarthy will look at the reigning champions and believe there could be something in the game for his team. The majority of Manchester United’s players have been on international duty, prior to that they had the Carling Cup Final and, next Wednesday, they face AC Milan in the Champions League. Even a squad of United’s depth will be tested by that schedule.

Wolves played well albeit in defeat against Chelsea and then were unfortunate to lose at Bolton last weekend when twice they struck the inside of a post. Lack of goals is their problem - they are the League’s lowest scorers with just 21 - but the admirable Jody Craddock was part of that famous 2004 win and will be encouraging his team-mates to believe a repeat is possible.

Wigan will need similar resolve on Monday when they take to the newly-laid DW Stadium pitch against Liverpool in ESPN’s other live offering from the Premier League.

The Latics haven’t been talked about as relegation candidates until recently, but their alarming dip in form has seen them slide into trouble. Hauling them out of it is a big task for a manager - Roberto Martinez - experiencing the Premier League for the first time.

His compatriot, Rafa Benitez, did himself few favours with his sarcastic remarks about Blackburn Rovers. Why get embroiled in daft arguments when your side has won?

Liverpool’s mini-renaissance has rekindled hope of a top-four finish. Victory at Wigan is a pre-requisite for that to be sustained. I am still not convinced by Liverpool, but as neither they nor Tottenham, Manchester City or Aston Villa have yet produced the consistency needed to nail a Champions League place, the race goes on. And for us neutrals, that’s good news!

indeed,man utd must be cautious when dealing with " these fighting for survival teams".fortunately for wolves, most united players would be returning from int'l break with fatigue and some injuries but trust SAF and his charges to rise to the occasion as chelsea is forced to settle for outstanding against wHU.
Glory, Glory man utd.

It's great that ESPN gets a real English prespective on EPL and FA Cup games. As an Irishman I always think there is something prepared whan a Yank talking-head spouts off about the English game as if he were talking about Peyton Manning or Mark McGwire. You have to live and breath he game, see the actual sweat or even hear the bone break (poor Arsenal, poor Ramsey)Even worse than long distance experts are the girls on Fox Soccer plus. Names of Italians, French, even South Americans names gush out as if they were the boy next door. . Are we to beleve that they actually known about what they are reading?. Jon Champion knows the English game, long may we benefit from his know-how.

So much has been said about Wolves having given away the game at Old Trafford. I believe this will drive ManU to beat them even with their best 11, so that there will no doubt in the minds of Arsenal and Chelsea fans that any team which starts with the letter "W" will be beaten this season by ManU! We have already beaten Wigan, Westham, Wolves and Wolfsburg! ManU for life!!! Bring them on!

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Truly yours