Ecuador hold their Copa fate in their own hands

A victory by at least a two-goal margin against Haiti will see La Tricolor clinch the quarter-finals spot, regardless of what happens in a match between Brazil and Peru.

A narrow win could also see Ecuador go through if the other match ends up in Brazil’s or Peru’s favor for that matter.

However, it is not likely La Tricolor will rely on anyone doing them a favor and will look to secure a peaceful end to the match against Haiti. They were heavily tipped for quarter-finals prior to the tournament, but with two consecutive draws, against Brazil (0-0) and Peru (2-2) they find themselves in a nervous finish to the group stage. After two somewhat disappointing performances in the first two rounds, we can certainly expect something special from Ecuador, especially from their forward line that features Premier League stars Antonio Valencia, Jefferson Montero and Enner Valencia.

As for Haiti, they are already out of the tournament with no points on their account so far. A look at their goal difference (1:8) is especially ugly, Brazil doing the most damage beating them 7:1 in the last round. They opened the tournament with a narrow defeat to Peru  which finished third in the last two Copa’s and it came a surprise they were torn to pieces by Brazil. The Caribbean side now has to play for its pride and win the first point of the tournament, and possibly knock out Ecuador.

Head to Head

These two teams faced each other fives times. Four of those matches were friendlies while only one was a competitive match – CONCACAF Gold Cup. Surprisingly, Haiti boast a better record with three wins to Ecuador’s two, including a 2-0 win in the aforementioned Gold Cup (2002).

Match facts

• Haiti are in a dreadfull run of form as they lost four consecutive matches.
• Ecuador have scored at least two goals in three of their last four matches.
• Ecuador have never beaten Haiti in a competitive match.

Team news

Having been sent off against Peru, Gabriel Achiller will have to sit this one out for Ecuador. Miller Bolanos is a doubt and his fitness will be assessed just before the match.

Max Hilaire has overcome his injury and is pushing for a start for Haiti. Coach Patrice Neveu has no other injury or suspension worries.

Predicted lineups:

Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Mina, Erazo, Ayovi; Gruezo, Noboa; A. Valencia, Bolaños, Montero; E. Valencia

Haiti: Placide; Goreux, Genevois, Jerome, Jaggy; Alexandre; Alcenat, Marcelin, Lafrance, Louis; Belfort.

Antonio Valencia ready for Man United’s end of season awards

Antonio Valencia is suited and booted for Manchester United’s end of season awards ceremony at Old Trafford tonight.

Fresh off the back of being named Man United’s man of the match for his performance against Leicester at the weekend, Valencia will be going to the awards in good spirits.

Due to injuries this season, Valencia has made less than 20 appearances and won’t be taking centre stage like he did back in 2012 after winning goal of the season for his cracker away at Blackburn Rovers.

David de Gea is widely considered the favourite to be named United’s player of the season but Chris Smalling, Anthony Martial and Daley Blind all deserve to be given some credit as well.

As for Valencia, it’s probably a good thing he isn’t going to win any awards tonight anyway – judging by how tight that shirt is, he might not be able to lift his arms.

Skrtel and Valencia make injury comebacks in Under-21 tie

The clubs renewed rivalries at youth level, with first-team players for both clubs making injury comebacks.

Martin Skrtel and Antonio Valencia made returns to action from respective hamstring and foot injuries as Liverpool and Manchester United's Under-21 sides met on Friday.

Winger Valencia had been out of action since October's 0-0 derby draw with Manchester City, while Skrtel was returning to the pitch for the first time since the Reds' 3-0 defeat at Watford in December.

Skrtel got through an hour at Prenton Park while Valencia was withdrawn at the interval, replaced by recent senior debutant Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

First-teamers were on display for either side as Adnan Januzaj, Steven Caulker and Jordon Ibe all featured.

The game finished 1-1 after United youth captain James Weir - another player to make his first-team bow in recent weeks - cancelled out Jerome Sinclair's opener.

Manchester United vs West Ham live: Latest score and goal updates from Old Trafford

West Ham take on Louis van Gaal's struggling Manchester United side as they look to take another strp closer to an FA Cup trophy that would crown their final season at the Boleyn Ground in style.

Team news

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea, Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Carrick, Fellaini, Rashford, Herrera, Lingard, Martial.
Substitutes: Romero, Darmian, Williams, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Januzaj, Memphis.

West Ham United starting XI: Randolph, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble (c), Emenike, Lanzini, Payet, Carroll.
Substitutes: Adrian (GK), O'Brien, Song, Obiang, Moses, Sakho, Valencia.

Stay tuned to Standard Sport for all the build-up and action to today's FA Cup clash

Injury And Fitness Problems Rear Their Head Again For Man United

After their defence was decimated by injuries in recent months, it’s Man United’s midfield that is now suffering, bringing the injury total to six.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is out of Man United’s game against Newcastle tonight at St. James’ Park, due to suffering a knee problem against Sheffield United at the weekend.

“Bastian is injured, that we know,” van Gaal told MUTV. “We have seen that because he could not move.”

Luckily, for such a vulnerable area of the body, the injury doesn’t sound too serious. The 31-year-old, who only moved from Bayern Munich in the summer, has already made 26 appearances for Man United in the heart of their midfield.

There are also concerns regarding the fitness of the recently recalled Adnan Januzaj.

The young attacking midfielder was initially drafted into the Man United under-21 side by Louis van Gaal to bring the Belgian back up to speed having not gotten much gametime at Borussia Dortmund.

Januzaj had been due to make the squad to face Reading.

“We have reconsidered and we think we have to build him up for the game and not risk too much by putting him in a game at once,” van Gaal said.

Defensive trio Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia are still long-term absentees, but there is some encouraging news.

Elsewhere in midfield, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin could return to the fold after missing the win over Sheffield United.

“Schneiderlin is not injured but he’s in the red zone and had an overload,” the Dutchman revealed.

“In the Christmas period, he played every game and we have to take care of that.”

Manchester United vs. Newcastle: Time, Channel, & Lineup

United look to improve their scoring woes Tuesday, when they take on Newcastle at St. James Park. The pressure hasn’t eased off of United, who only barely advanced in FA Cup play with a late-penalty winner over Sheffield United.

Van Gaal hopes his side can perform better against the Magpies, where United have historically had success. United have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games at St. James Park, winning nine over that span. They’ll play today without Bastian Schweinsteiger, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s FA Cup win.

It’s the latest injury to a side that can’t afford to miss any more impact players. Antonio Valencia and Marcus Rojo are just two United starters to already be sidelined. Newcastle is expected to see the return of midfielder Jack Colback, but Fabricio Coloccini’s status is in doubt for the lineup.

Here are the basics:

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DATE: January 12, 2016

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CHANNEL: NBC Sports Network/ BT Sport

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KICKOFF TIME: 2:45 p.m. Eastern

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LOCATION: St. James Park

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LIVE STREAM: Click here for all the live stream information.

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THE LINEUPS

Manchester United:

Newcastle:

Manchester United injury news: Antonio Valencia a doubt for Middlesbrough clash after picking up foot injury

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Antonio Valencia sustained a foot injury in the goalless draw with Manchester City. The Ecuador international picked up the knock in the first half but carried on playing until the 81st minute before he was replaced by Matteo Darmian at right-back.

Van Gaal did not specify how serious Valencia's injury was, but the full-back could well sit out the Capital One Cup clash against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on 28 October. "He had a kick on his foot in the first half and then I let Darmian warm up on the touchline," Van Gaal told MUTV after the final whistle. "But then he played further. However, at the end, he could not continue."

'Tactical game'

Van Gaal was pleased with United's performance in the derby and felt the Red Devils deserved to win on the balance of play. "I am very proud of my players because I think we played 90 minutes of a tough game. Both sides played a very tactical game," he told MUTV.

"We created more chances but we didn't finish them and that is the disappointment because you must win these kinds of games for the fans. It is the derby and when you are so focused and so concentrated like we were today then, yeah, you deserve to win. But sometimes you don't get what you deserve."

The draw lifted City back to the top of the Premier League table, while United climbed down a spot to fourthReuters

The hugely awaited encounter between the Manchester rivals was not the spectacle that many had expected, with both teams registering just a single shot on target each over 90 minutes. Van Gaal said City's defensive formation and tactics made it difficult for his team to create opportunities in front of goal.

"We didn't create so many chances because it was difficult with how they played. They were so organised and played on the counter attack," he explained. "It was the same in the game against [CSKA] Moscow, but it says something about the strength of Manchester United."