Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by Sayangku

This performance is nothing compare to the 1999, against Juventus at del alpi stadium lor, 2-0 down, won 2-3 in the end, classic Man U counter attacks, woot

If I recall correctly...goals from Keane, Yorke and Cole + hitting woodwork twice.

1999....no one can forget that year.

[no_faith]

Originally Posted by siokan

I think the deciding match will be the man u vs chelsea match next week.

nxt week? i tot re schedule to may 9 liao?

or it is not confirm? any1 verify?

i also blur blur.

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by no_faith

nxt week? i tot re schedule to may 9 liao?

or it is not confirm? any1 verify?

i also blur blur.

You are right. The game at Stamford Bridge is on 9th May Wed.

[qbdp]

'An epochal beating that Italian football has never suffered at the hands of the English'

The Italian sporting press is rarely one to do things by half measures, so it comes as little surprise to find today's Gazzetta dello Sport dominated by a five-page inquest into Roma's 7-1 hiding at the hands of Manchester United last night.
"Last night was an epochal beating that Italian football has never previously suffered at the hands of the English," says Roma fan and columnist Candido Cannavò. "Now I run to father Dante to find out what circle of Hell my beloved Roma has fallen into: maybe that of the proud and vainglorious. Conceding three goals in eight minutes could only have happened to a squad that thought it was divine."

Fellow scribe Ruggiero Palombo concurs, albeit in slightly less literary terms. "In Manchester there wasn't even a match," complains Palombo. "There were some extenuating circumstances, but they pale into insignificance when set against a result this mortifying."
Palombo goes on to spell out those mitigating factors - namely the absences of midfielders Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta (through a last-minute injury and suspension respectively) and left-back Max Tonetto (also injured) - but blasts Roma manager Luciano Spalletti for failing to adjust his tactics to suit the available personnel.

"Roma had lost the three players who run more than the others and who bring the pressing game," he continues. "Redesigning the line behind [Francesco] Totti's with [Christian] Wilhelmsson, [Mirko] Vucinic and Mancini represented an exercise in vanity. There is no formation that is better than the others if you don't have the right players."

"[Spalletti] approached a game where Roma had a 2-1 lead to defend as if it was started on level terms. Set up this way, it only needed one blunder from Doni on the beautiful, but not unstoppable, shot from Carrick to leave Roma in a mess. It was only 1-0, but like a dazed boxer, the Giallorossi charged with their heads down and their guard completely lowered, leaving wide open spaces fro people who know what to do with it."

But it isn't just Spalletti who comes in for criticism - Stefano Boldrini, recalling Roma's previous worst defeat in Europe - a 4-0 loss at the hands of East Germany's FC Carl Zeiss Jena 27 years previously - insisting that nobody in a Roma shirt had emerged with any credit. "Everything was missing: character, a spirit of resistence, personality," says Boldrini. "Nobody saved themselves from criticism - from Totti, who wanted to leave his mark on Old Trafford and lost his duel with Cristiano Ronaldo in every way, to Spalletti, who impotently assisted the collapse. Roma didn't only lose the game, they performed a spectacle that will destroy their international image."

Corriere Della Sera's Mario Sconcerti, on the other hand, is too stunned to even draw conclusions. "No technical explanation holds," he says. "Roma simply arrived second to every ball and to every English move. Experienced players, of an international class like Chivu, Mexès, Panucci and De Rossi, suddenly became fragile like debutants. They didn't understand Manchester's trajectories, they didn't find the ball. We are among the lauded people, we are among the best teams in the world. We are in a time of theoretical equilibrium in football. A technical savaging like this leaves one genuinely stupefied."

But while most chose to dwell on Roma's shortcomings, a few have taken the time to pay homage to United's performance. "This is the Champions League and this is the price you pay on nights in which beauty knows how to make itself ruthless," reflects Corriere's Luca Valdiserri. "He who loves Roma has to find the courage to thank his side, however. They arrived here on merit, but found a side that was stronger, more expert, and had already seen many nights similar to this one. Roma fell, it hurt itself, but now it needs to be mature enough not to cry about it."

La Repubblica's Maurizio Crosetti, meanwhile, pays tribute specifically to the precocious talents of Manchester United's Portuguese superstar. "When Cristiano Ronaldo began to put his foot over the ball for his famous stepover, after not even 20 seconds, Roma's players already looked like those children who hate car journeys and throw up at the first bend in the road," he says. "Ronaldo is the best in the world. Or at least the most entertaining."

One columnist for Il Romanista has even taken the time to find positives in Roma's showing. "Two years ago we had one foot in Serie B, with a quarrelsome and split changing room, a disinterested and poor management team," recalls Riccardo Luna. "We were, the symbol of Europe, a squad which when it lost finished with lots of sending offs and a brawl in the terraces. That was the real embarrassment. Yesterday, instead we played for a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League against one of the best teams in the world in a stadium we had never seen before."

Last word, however, goes to the Gazzetta's Boldrini and Alessandro Catapano, stepping away from the match to report on the violence outside the stadium. "No knives, no serious injuries," opens their piece tucked away on page five. "At least this is good news." Thank heavens for gallows humour.

[qbdp]

Smith finally gets lucky break as perseverance is rewarded

It was not, Sir Alex Ferguson said, an evening to talk about individuals, but he was prepared to make an exception in the case of Alan Smith. The former Leeds United forward has endured a torrid time since suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle in an FA Cup tie at Anfield in February last year, but after all those painful hours in the gym, he enjoyed a cathartic moment last night with the superbly taken 17th-minute goal that put Manchester United ahead for the first time in the tie against AS Roma last night.

“If you’re going to talk about anyone, you should talk about Alan Smith,” Ferguson, the United manager, said. “I think everyone would agree that his enthusiasm spread about the team tonight. I think the best quality he has shown over the past year is that he has been passionate and shown the perserverance to keep going and keep training. He totally deserved what he got tonight. If anyone deserved a goal, he did.”

Smith’s goal and his all-round performance, bursting with an aggression that at times called to mind Mark Hughes in his prime, also brought spectacular vindication for Ferguson over his decision to field the forward in his starting lineup for such an important game.

Smith had started only three matches in 14 months since his injury — difficult outings away to Crewe Alexandra and Southend United in the Carling Cup in the autumn and more recently an FA Cup quarter-final replay at home to Middlesbrough — but he took out his frustration on the Roma defence, not only taking his goal superbly but also chasing down opponents with characteristic zeal, even if he earned a yellow card for a late challenge on Cristian Chivu in the first half.

This was the Smith that Ferguson hoped to see when he paid Leeds £7 million for his services in May 2004. His career at Old Trafford has not quite gone to plan, with only 11 goals in 83 appearances before last night, but while Cristiano Ronaldo provided the flair and Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs the guile, the contribution of Smith should not be overlooked.

[qbdp]

Ronaldo compared to Best and Pelé as Real rumours refuse to go away

It was, Cristiano Ronaldo said, an “unbelievable” night, one that may have taught him a little about why Sir Bobby Charlton called Old Trafford “The Theatre of Dreams”. After his role in Manchester United’s stunning 7-1 victory over AS Roma in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, it was impossible to imagine the Portugal winger wanting to play his football anywhere else, but it is not only in terms of his talent that he has the football world at his feet.

Reports from Spain yesterday claimed that Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had met a prominent Real Madrid official, Franco Baldini, in London before last week’s Champions League match between Chelsea and Valencia.

Moreover, it was claimed that Mendes offered Baldini assurances that his client would reject the offer of a new contract with United this summer to pursue his ambition of playing for Real, who have indicated that they are willing to break the world transfer record and pay more than the £48 million that it took to sign Zinédine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.

Such matters were not on United’s agenda yesterday, as the club basked in the glorious afterglow of the impressive performance against Roma on Tuesday. It is understood that, while the board is eager to increase his wages above £100,000 a week in the hope of extending his contract beyond the summer of 2010, it will not be panicked into selling him should he reject the new deal, but it is increasingly clear that United will face a severe examination of their resolve over the coming months.

Ronaldo was not the only outstanding performer against Roma — Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs were also, in different ways, devastatingly effective — but it was the Portuguese, yet again, who left his teammates awestruck and searching for new superlatives to describe him. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opined that the 22-year-old was unstoppable, but Patrice Evra, another substitute, went farther.

“At this moment Ronaldo is the best player in the world, no question,” the France full back said. “He is unbelievable. Cristiano can do the same job as [Diego] Maradona or Pelé or [George] Best. He can be like them.”

It was not the first time this season that Ronaldo has been described as the best player in the world, but to mention him in the same breath as Maradona or Pelé is to open a new debate. These are the players whose positions atop the sport’s pantheon of greats are unchallenged, putting them in a different class from the many outstanding performers — most notably Zidane — since Maradona’s retirement. But, as his annus mirabilis approaches a heady climax, with United in contention to emulate their “treble” triumph of 1999, the compliments are growing in proportion to Ronaldo’s reputation.

“I feel great,” Ronaldo said on his way out of Old Trafford on Tuesday evening. “It was an unbelievable result. When you win 7-1 against Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, it is great. The team played very well, we were very confident and the supporters played their part by helping the team. It was fantastic, amazing for the players, amazing for the club, but now we need to think about the next round.

“This team has great spirit and is now very mature. But we need to carry on like this. I don’t have a preference who we play — AC Milan or Bayern Munich. Both would be tough ties. But in this form we don’t fear anyone.”

Indeed, on Tuesday’s evidence, United are the team to fear in the Champions League.

It had been several seasons since they had produced a resounding victory against top-class European opposition, but their performance against Roma was spellbinding, as illustrated not only by the number of goals but their breathtaking quality.

Ronaldo scored twice and was involved in just about every one of the other five. The only concern for United is that, as his reputation grows, so does Real’s desire to get their hands on him.

[qbdp]

United focus on return to reality after rout that sent a 'message to Europe'

There were tears among those who shared Francesco Totti's disbelief at "the saddest night of my sporting career" on Tuesday but only one figure generated heart-felt sympathy as the Manchester United parade swept into the Champions League semi-finals. It was the Watford manager, Aidy Boothroyd, who bounded down the steps of the Old Trafford directors' box in the wake of United's seventh goal against Roma with a dead-weight dossier under his arm that may never see the light of day.

While Roma delegates sat open-mouthed at their team's 7-1 obliteration, supporters sang in defiance or wept in despair and Italian journalists fond of the Giallorossi slammed shut their laptops in fury, the astute and diligent Boothroyd departed with the dilemma of what to say to his players before they attempt to bridge the widest possible gulf in the Premiership in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final. He may conclude that some things are better left unsaid and place the report in storage.

The division's bottom club will hope that United's tendency to flirt with the extremes returns at Villa Park, just as it did at Fratton Park last Saturday, but only straw-clutchers would accept that the only way to go, after a record-equalling destruction of the meanest defence in the Champions League quarter-finals, is down. Not only was there a remarkable ruthlessness about United as they equalled their record European victory at Old Trafford after a 39-year wait, and a performance that seasoned observers ranked among the club's finest, but a hunger to ensure that this will not prove the highlight of a reaffirming season, which illustrated the depth of the task now confronting Boothroyd and his players.

Patrice Evra, who marked his first appearance at right-back on Tuesday with the seventh goal that signalled the exit for the Watford delegation, encapsulated the mood running throughout the United camp. "We need to win something this year," he stated. "If you win nothing, people will say, 'Well, United played good football', but to me that is not enough. If we win nothing it will have been a bad season. We must win one trophy, or two - three would be unbelievable.

"Even in pre-season we knew this could be a special season. It is not just about this game - we've been playing well all season. We are a team of great character. Now we just want to get to the final. One of the reasons I came to Manchester United was to win the Champions League."

Ferguson insisted he was more concerned about his own players than United's next opponents in the Champions League and, after a night when he masterfully overcame a serious list of absentees by loading his fittest attacking options behind the buffer of Alan Smith, the Scot appears unlikely to have to add complacency to his concerns.

Though his squad is stretched, stand-ins such as Smith, Darren Fletcher and Wes Brown were instrumental in the destruction of Roma - "I have never seen a performance like that before in my career," insisted Edwin van der Sar, a European Cup winner with Ajax in 1995 and veteran of 120 caps for the Netherlands - and despite salvation being harder to find for Kieran Richardson, scandalously booed by sections of the home crowd when he replaced Michael Carrick, the majority of the United squad can consider this as the night they came of age in Europe. Not least Carrick, whose excellence found an outlet in two stunning goals and who is now waiting for the DVD of the game to be released. "It will be coming out once or twice, you can be sure of that," said the England international.

"Maybe this result does send a message out to the rest of Europe," he added; "But we can't turn off once we get to the semi-finals. We have to start again. I've been on the end of a few scorelines like that in my youth team days at West Ham and to do it on a night of such importance, against team with a defensive record like Roma's, is just incredible. But, from our point of view, how we played or the number of goals we scored doesn't really mean anything. Psychologically, it may boost your confidence, but when you go in against big teams you've got to do it all again. This was a one-off game so we will not get too carried away."

And then, of course, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, so mesmerising against Luciano Spalletti's team that Evra was compelled to claim he "can do the same job as Maradona or Pele or Best, he can be like them", and now he is rid of the burden of never having scored in the Champions League proper.

"I'm pleased I've finally scored my first goals in the Champions League - I'm very happy," said the Portuguese international. "But the most important thing is the team and that we take this form into the semi-finals. In this form we don't fear anyone."

[mike2006]

Real madrid really cb to the max. D d siao siao.

[qbdp]

Edwin points to squad depth

Edwin van der Sar feels Manchester United proved on Tuesday night that they have the depth in their squad to compete with the best.

Many pundits have suggested United have the best team in the Premiership, but have a lack of quality in reserve.

That opinion was shot to pieces on Tuesday as Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to field a number of his so called lesser lights on account of injury and suspension and they responded by thrashing Roma 7-1.

Wes Brown and John O'Shea performed admirably in defence, while Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith filled in for Paul Scholes and Louis Saha respectively.

Fletcher and Smith have seen little action this term, but shone on the big occasion as they proved thorns in the side of Roma.

And Dutch keeper van der Sar feels the displays of the fringe players augurs well for the rest of the campaign.

"They (Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo) play very well and everybody sees that but the performance of Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith, they have not played a lot, but to see the way they played gives great confidence for us," van der Sar told Sky Sports News. "It shows we have more options to play with."

Van der Sar admits that the players realise they are reaching the business end of the season.

"Everybody senses it is the last six weeks of the campaign and when it gets interesting and everybody is ready to go," added van der Sar

Van der Sar is aware that Chelsea could stand in their way to glory this term, but he admits he would rather face a European side in the Champions League final - should The Red Devils see off Milan in the last-four.

"It would be great (to play Chelsea in FA Cup and Champions League final) as it means we have made at least two finals," he added. "The chance is there and we will do our utmost to achieve our goals.

"I'd rather play a European team, it is a European Cup and that is the charm of it, but you take whatever is thrown at you."

[slyer]

Originally Posted by qbdp

If I recall correctly...goals from Keane, Yorke and Cole + hitting woodwork twice.

1999....no one can forget that year.

ya tat match is very memorable...the most memorable is the final against bayern munich where manutd down by 1 goal n in the 90+mins sheringham n solskjaer scored twice....

[qbdp]

Ferguson ponders trumping Milan's ace
By Mark Ogden

AC Milan had been preparing for their Champions League semi-final with Manchester United for just over half an hour when the mind games began.

"We're not as strong as the team that beat Manchester United two years ago, and that's our problem," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani claimed, before turning on his heels to sprint for the team bus already pulling away from Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

After their ruthless Champions League victory over the Germans on Wednesday night, the six-times European champions are now the only barrier between United and an all-English encounter with Chelsea or Liverpool in the final in Athens on May 23.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson did not need to witness Milan's nerveless display against Bayern to realise that Carlo Ancelotti's team will provide as tough opposition as United could possibly face in the last four.

As it happened, Ferguson and his assistant, Carlos Queiroz, had ringside seats in Munich as Milan dismissed the inconvenience of a 2-2 first-leg draw in the San Siro to end Bayern's unbeaten home record in Europe with first-half goals from Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi.

Milan's team-sheet said it all about their durability and experience in Europe's premier competition. Eight of the starters in Bavaria had lined up against United in the San Siro when Hernan Crespo's goal completed a 2-0 aggregate victory over Ferguson's injury-ravaged team in the 2004-05 round of 16, and it will be the usual suspects again at Old Trafford on April 24.

Ancelotti's starting XI in Munich had an average age of over 29, but there was no suggestion that Milan's 'legs' were on the wane. Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta remain formidable at the heart of the defence and the pace of Lukas Podolski was quickly nullified by the vast experience of the Milan pair. The full-backs, Massimo Oddo and Marek Jankulovski, are not of the same calibre, however, so keeping Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs free of injury and suspension could be crucial for United.

How United deal with the free-moving Kaka could also be key to the outcome of the tie. The Brazilian, this season's Champions League leading scorer with seven goals in 10 appearances, was barely troubled by the attentions of Owen Hargreaves in Munich, and Michael Carrick's defensive capabilities are no match for those of his England team-mate.

Does Ferguson therefore deploy Darren Fletcher or John O'Shea to shadow Milan's golden boy? Or will it be Paul Scholes, who is available for the first leg on Tuesday week after serving a one-match European suspension.

The door may be open for Ferguson to make special plans for Kaka, but the 7-1 demolition of Roma will have reminded him that fortune favours the brave in Europe, so does he stick or twist?

[slyer]

Originally Posted by Castrol

haha... yeah they made a big bowl of soup out of him.

actually de rossi scored for roma from a totti assist, crossing from the right flank. the one they really ought to hang is doni their goalie. his positioning is wayang.

the rape of roma, watch out for doni.

i tink carrick 2 goals are very well taken... reminds me of scholes rocket goals... de rossi half volley is superb.... i haf to rewind 2 times n see how he score

[qbdp]

Originally Posted by slyer

ya tat match is very memorable...the most memorable is the final against bayern munich where manutd down by 1 goal n in the 90+mins sheringham n solskjaer scored twice....

That was the mother of all cup final comebacks The mental strength to keep fighting and to score 2 goals in added time was fantastic. Thank goodness we didnt need to win it in a 'lottery' penalty shoot-out.

[slyer]

Originally Posted by qbdp

That was the mother of all cup final comebacks The mental strength to keep fighting and to score 2 goals in added time was fantastic. Thank goodness we didnt need to win it in a 'lottery' penalty shoot-out.

ya no one expected united to come back.... i almost going to switched off my tv set when suddenly man utd scored the equaliser n my whole neighbourhood were cheerin n screaming louder than when brazil won the world cup haha...

[machoman]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Ferguson ponders trumping Milan's ace
By Mark Ogden
How United deal with the free-moving Kaka could also be key to the outcome of the tie. The Brazilian, this season's Champions League leading scorer with seven goals in 10 appearances, was barely troubled by the attentions of Owen Hargreaves in Munich, and Michael Carrick's defensive capabilities are no match for those of his England team-mate.

Yup, agreed that Kaka is the danger man in the AC Milan team.

If MU can contain him as well as they did Totti, they should be able to prevail.