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| United Need To Be Better With Their Chances |
The Reds did well to maintain and stretch their unbeaten streak to 26 games overall after their goalless draw against Tottenham, but they will be looking for all three points against Birmingham.
United supporters that United, Rafael in particular, was hard done by with the refereeing decision from Mike Dean, which will see the young full-back miss the match through suspension.
However, that was not the only time that Sir Alex Ferguson was left frustrated, because the first game between these two clubs last month was filled with contention.
Previously
The match ended 1-1, but United were punished - a bit unfairly - for not taking their chances and killing off the game when they had the chance.
Dimitar Berbatov, who has not scored for United since, gave the Reds the lead with just over a half an hour to play, but a very controversial late equalizer from Lee Bowyer saw the home side steal a point.
In retrospect, Lee Mason and his linesman should have whistled for one of three infractions that occurred during the Birmingham leveler.
However, a push on Rio Ferdinand and then handling of the ball - both fouls committed by Nikola Zigic - which saw the ball bundled into the path of Bowyer, who slid the ball into the United net from an offside's position.
It was a very cruel way for United to drop another two crucial points away from Old Trafford, but it should serve as yet another harsh lesson to the players that they need to find their killer instinct again.
About
Since these two squared off just 25 days ago, Brum have only won once in their three matches, which was a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Blackpool.
Like United though, Birmingham, who are currently in 16th place in the Premier League standings, are also coming into the match on the heels of a tie, as they drew 1-1 with their Midlands' rival, Aston Villa.
Coming into this match, the Blues only have one less win on the road than United has, but they have only secured seven of their 22 total points away from St. Andrews, which will play nicely for the Reds tremendous form at Old Trafford.
United have 10 of their 11 matches at home, which is why they are sitting in the pole position, but that has been down the Reds being ruthless against their opponents at Old Trafford - outscoring them 29-7.
Since the start of December, United has the best record in the Premier League - but the Reds have only once beat a team by more than the odd goal, which was a 2-0 home win over Sunderland.
Manchester United has the best record against the top half of the table, and some what surprisingly, Alex McLeish's men are seventh best - just behind Arsenal.
Who
It was just revealed that Scott Dann, who was one of the main reasons why United did not come away with all three points against Brum, will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery on his damaged hamstring.
Craig Gardner, who had few good chances to score at St. Andrew's against United, is still Birmingham's leading scorer with four goals, which is aided by him being the team's spot kick taker.
Although Birmingham agreed a fee on a permanent deal to land Robbie Keane from Tottenham, McLeish said that the club was unable to meet the well-traveled forward's wage demands, so the deal was called off.
However, McLeish did land another player from Spurs on a loan until the end of the season with the capture of David Bentley, who has been the only player to score a Premier League hat-trick against United (Blackburn Rovers).
News
With Rafael missing out, it will be interesting to see who Sir Alex chooses to deploy at right-back, because none of the options - Wes Brown, Gary Neville and John O'Shea - he has available can be considered as an automatic replacement.
After being teased with his first appearance in nearly two months against Spurs, Paul Scholes will more than likely get a start against Birmingham, which will bring in some much needed creativity to the United attack.
With Darren Fletcher struggling to find his form, Sir Alex will more than likely partner Scholes and Anderson together, with the energetic Brazilian being encouraged to get forward to help the strikers.
This match against Birmingham City offers a chance for Manchester United to shake off the mid-season rust that has been hindering their offensive performances lately, and should plant themselves back on top of the Barclays Premier League standings.
Treatment
Out: A. Valencia (leg), O. Hargreaves (hamstring), Rafael (suspension); Doubtful: J. O'Shea (calf)
Projected
E. van der Sar; W. Brown, R. Ferdinand, N. Vidic, P. Evra; Nani, P. Scholes, Anderson, R. Giggs; D. Berbatov, W. Rooney
Prediction
Manchester United 2 Birmingham City 0
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