Manchester United vs Birmingham City EPL 2009-10: Preview, Live Score

Manchester United is going to start their title defense mission in English premier league 2009-10 season with a match against newly promoted Birmingham City at Old Trafford tomorrow (16 August 2009). The English giants have lost their star winger Cristiano Ronaldo in Summer transfer window and it seems that Ronaldo’s departure would cost United’s depth and strength in the midfield as well as their organizational football, though it is true that United has some young as well as experienced midfielders in their squad. For Birmingham City, keeping their premier league place intact would be their primary and sole objective from the very beginning of the new season.

Match: Manchester United vs Birmingham City; English Premier League 2009-10

Date: 16 August 2009

Venue: Old Trafford

Kick off: 13:30 BST (British Summer Time)

Live TV: ESPN

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, however, believes that Ronaldo’s departure would not affect their performance as he indicated to bank on the club’s youth side. He thinks that selling Ronaldo for a record-breaking 80 million pound deal to Real Madrid would not be proven fatal as he finds optimism in the young players.

New York Times reported:

"We have some good young players here who all want to do well. That gives me great encouragement. We still have a very good young squad. Some of the young players are developing very well and I'm quite happy with what we've got.

"They have the right motivation to achieve and that's the value of having players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville here.

"Probably most of the players expected Cristiano Ronaldo to leave at some point so it wasn't a big shock to them. The problem now is how we progress as a team, in a different shape, different way to when he was here. It's something I'm looking forward to."

Well, Manchester United has some injury problems too ahead of the opening day fixture. Manchester United hoping that Ben Foster would be fit enough for the Birmingham City match after recovering from his knee injury. Defender Jonny Evans is not yet certain for the game as he is getting over his ankle injury. However, Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville and Rafael are missing the opening match of the season due to their respective injuries. Hargreaves, regular goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar and Gabriel Obertan are also among the injury casualties.

Birmingham City will be inspired to give their best at Old Trafford knowing that they have nothing to lose in their visit to United home ground and have all the chances to win everything coming in their way. However, they are facing some injury problems ahead of their trip to Manchester.

The problem is acute in their defense as they are missing regular centre backs Martin Taylor and Liam Ridgewell who are suffering from ankle injury and broken leg respectively. Newly signed Giovanny Espinoza and Scott Dann are also sidelined with injuries. Midfielder Jordan Mutch is also unavailable for the opening due to his foot problem, while striker Marcus Bent is out of action with a hamstring injury.

Injury problems coupled with the lack of consistency in performance indicate a very challenging season for Birmingham City who are expected to be desperate to get their hold on premier league next season as well. Experienced striker Kevin Phillips has vowed that he would give his best in order to help Birmingham stay in premier league.

Mirrorfootball reported:

“Of course I still believe I can play at the top otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” said Phillips.

“I signed a two-year contract when I joined and the aim was always to get back into the Premier League and play there again.

“We’ve definitely got the players to stay up, it’s just about trying to find that formation, that consistency, and settling down, which I’m sure will happen.

“For me, the first game of the season is a good start for us.

Online Live Score and Updates

You can get the live score and updates of the match from the following websites:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

There is no doubt, Manchester United will be favorite against Birmingham City at their home ground. However, one thing is for sure that United players will also be under pressure as they are playing against one of the weakest sides of the league. Red Devils will also be eager to prove that Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure did not affect their performance and they could successfully cope up with life without Ronaldo in the new season. One thing is for sure that the visitors will be looking to make an upset to celebrate their return to premier league.