Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Manchester United face Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday night. So with that in mind it’s worth taking a look at these three players who we should be wary of going into the game:
Clint Dempsey
Landon Donovan might be a more decorated American midfielder but Dempsey after impressing in the MLS for the New England Revolution, hasn’t had a bad career either.
There are few better goalscoring midfielders in the division than Dempsey who in many ways is taking on more and more responsibility for Martin Jol due to Danny Murphy’s legs perhaps beginning to tire now that the midfielder’s 34 years of age.
It’s a shame that Dempsey in many ways is thought of as the man whose shot Robert Green allowed to squirm under his body in the last World Cup as he’s much more than that as his 18 goals from midfield this season show. He is a class act.
Brede Hangeland
United fans will remember giant defender Hangeland from last season’s thrilling draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage when the 6’4’ Norwegian headed home Damien Duff’s corner deep into injury time to earn the hosts a point.
The defender signed from FC Copenhagen in 2007 has settled brilliantly into English football and in many ways it’s a surprise that he hasn’t left to move onto a bigger club given the quality of his performances which have been outstanding at times
Wayne Rooney and co will have to work very hard to get the best of Hangeland. At times he has been Fulham’s Nemanja Vidic and if the Serb fails to recover from injury, he could very well be his replacement at Old Trafford in a few years time.
Bryan Ruiz
Ask FC Twente fans about Costa Rican attacking midfielder Ruiz and they will speak highly of him. After all, it was his goals that led the Dutch club to their first title in their history under former United assistant and England manager Steve McClaren.
On the last day of the transfer window Ruiz snubbed Newcastle United’s approach to join Fulham for a reported £10.6m and despite a slow start is now beginning to show in glimpses that Martin Jol could have a very special player on his hands.
The Costa Rican who has a touch of the Dimitar Berbatov about him could really mark his arrival in England by scoring against United who no doubt will hope he endures a quiet night on his first appearance at Old Trafford. It will be a big test of his character.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
