England will travel to Montenegro on Friday looking to make up for the disappointment of not qualifying for EURO 2008.
The Three Lions only need a point in Montenegro to seal qualification, and will be looking toward some Manchester United players to be key figures.
Talismanic striker Wayne Rooney looks set to play the central striking role, and has done so with great success so far in this qualifying campaign.
Rooney has had particular success so far in the qualifying campaign when England are playing away from home. Rooney was quoted in the media this week as saying England are very dangerous away from home when opposing teams are obliged to attack them.
Rooney has scored three goals in England’s three qualifying games on the road so far, and can seal qualification for the Three Lions if he continues that streak.
It is possible that Rooney could be paired with United teammate Danny Welbeck, who is an emerging talent on the elite stage. After spending successful loan spells at Sunderland and Preston North End, Welbeck is now establishing himself as a Premier League force with the Red Devils.
Welbeck had registered three goals and one assist in four games before injuring his hamstring in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal at Old Trafford. Welbeck returned from that injury this past weekend and immediately found the net once more in a 2-0 win over Norwich City.
If Fabio Capello decides to employ Rooney in the more familiar lone striker role in Montenegro, then he will still be supported by a United teammate in the form of winger Ashley Young.
Young has arguably been England’s form player over his last 10 games, and has registered two goals and two assists during the current qualifying campaign. Young has also developed the habit of scoring at important times, netting the equalizing goal in a 2-2 draw against Switzerland, and scoring the winner as England beat Wales 1-0 last time out.
United will also have an influence at the other end of the field for England, with young powerhouse defender Phil Jones looking likely to be awarded his first international cap.
Jones was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer for a fee that is reported to be more than 16 million pounds. He has established himself in the United team, using his physical presence and ball winning ability to put in a series of impressive displays at both center back and right back.
Jones has been so impressive so far this season, that many pundits are already speculating that his emergence could bring an end to the England career of club teammate and former captain Rio Ferdinand.
Fabio Capello told BBC Sport this week that he is hoping for a “confident” England team to take the field in Montenegro. With the way they have been performing at club level, the United players should be exactly that.
Talismanic striker Wayne Rooney looks set to play the central striking role, and has done so with great success so far in this qualifying campaign.
Rooney has had particular success so far in the qualifying campaign when England are playing away from home. Rooney was quoted in the media this week as saying England are very dangerous away from home when opposing teams are obliged to attack them.
Rooney has scored three goals in England’s three qualifying games on the road so far, and can seal qualification for the Three Lions if he continues that streak.
It is possible that Rooney could be paired with United teammate Danny Welbeck, who is an emerging talent on the elite stage. After spending successful loan spells at Sunderland and Preston North End, Welbeck is now establishing himself as a Premier League force with the Red Devils.
Welbeck had registered three goals and one assist in four games before injuring his hamstring in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal at Old Trafford. Welbeck returned from that injury this past weekend and immediately found the net once more in a 2-0 win over Norwich City.
If Fabio Capello decides to employ Rooney in the more familiar lone striker role in Montenegro, then he will still be supported by a United teammate in the form of winger Ashley Young.
Young has arguably been England’s form player over his last 10 games, and has registered two goals and two assists during the current qualifying campaign. Young has also developed the habit of scoring at important times, netting the equalizing goal in a 2-2 draw against Switzerland, and scoring the winner as England beat Wales 1-0 last time out.
United will also have an influence at the other end of the field for England, with young powerhouse defender Phil Jones looking likely to be awarded his first international cap.
Jones was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer for a fee that is reported to be more than 16 million pounds. He has established himself in the United team, using his physical presence and ball winning ability to put in a series of impressive displays at both center back and right back.
Jones has been so impressive so far this season, that many pundits are already speculating that his emergence could bring an end to the England career of club teammate and former captain Rio Ferdinand.
Fabio Capello told BBC Sport this week that he is hoping for a “confident” England team to take the field in Montenegro. With the way they have been performing at club level, the United players should be exactly that.
