Mike Phelan assistant manager at Manchester United feels his stars are more than capable of handling Rory Delap and his lethal throw this weekend. He knows the defense is in for a physical battle but knows his guys can handle it.
“As everyone has seen, those throw-ins are a powerful weapon for Stoke,”
“We will look at things to see how we can play against it.”
“But our central defenders are not scared to put their head in where it might hurt. That is part of the job.
“You have to deal with what comes your way, whether that is a long throw, crosses or anything else.”
Fitness concerns over Patrice Evra (ankle) and Darren Fletcher (knee) have yet to be dispelled, although a host of changes following Tuesday’s Carling Cup win over QPR are expected, with Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo among those likely to return.
It is fair to assume United have been working on how to combat an aerial assault in training this week, with giant striker Ricardo Fuller highlighted as a main danger.
“Stoke have more in their armoury than just a long throw,” said Phelan. “There are other aspects to their game that we need to approach as well.
“We will address that on the training ground. But really it is about how we play the game and how we go about our business at Old Trafford.
“We need to put on a good show and that is what we are aiming to do.”
Yes really all these weapons that throw ins are actually a powerful weapon to spread destruction all over.