Blog: A step closer to Rome

1-0 is factually the most fragile of victories. It suggests you scraped through, just about did enough and were perhaps a shade lucky. Not so on Wednesday night.



United toyed with Arsenal at times and could, aswell as should, have skipped off the Old Trafford turf with a bigger advantage. Having said all that, many of us would have quite happily taken 1-0 before the game and it puts the Reds in a fantastic position. In the driving seat, on pole position and hopefully half way on the journey to Rome. Arsenal failed to conjure up an away goal and United have the lead thanks to a glorious goal from the most unlikely source.



Take a bow if you predicted a 1-0 win with John O’Shea scoring the solitary strike. I mean no harm to John by this, but that combination was a proper coupon buster. It was, however, a fantastic strike. Yes, the Arsenal defenders had downed tools and marched out of the penalty area when United looked at their most potent, but Sheasy still had an awful lot to do.



Leaning back and with the ball on the rise, he didn’t spoon it over or shank it wide (and many right-backs would have done one of the two). He instinctively drove it into the roof of the net. A chiselled finish, just like his recent strike against Derby. Senor Almunia's gloves got close but couldn’t stop the Irishman landing what could be the tie’s knock-out blow.



After an attacking first half, we saw a workman-like second half, notable for a couple of incidents in particular. Ronaldo rattling the bar from 35 yards with a trademark sizzler and another landmark for a player who continues to rewrite the history books.



I have run out of superlatives to describe Ryan Giggs. A tiny number of footballers ever get close to 400 appearances in the game, but twice as manyas that at the highest level is quite simply phenomenal. Belated congratulations on the PFA Player of the Year award Ryan, I'm sure - as well as hopeful - that it will not be the last trophy the Welshman will lift this season.

CL Comment: How Manchester United Put One Foot In The Final Against Arsenal

A Gunners line-up full of promise failed to deliver as the Red Devils asserted their authority in this all-English tie, writes Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad.

Apr 29, 2009 5:59:48 PM

We've all seen the Die Hard series and have come to love John McClane. A reluctant hero who always gets the job done, no matter how high the odds are stacked against him. "That's it John," he would always mumble to himself, "Always in the wrong place at the wrong time."



Alex Song is an unfortunate sufferer of the same affliction, but let me tell you, if he ever switched places with John McClane, the bad guys would have won every single time. Not only does he end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but unfortunately for him, there are no Hollywood writers scripting his improbable and heroic escape to victory.

Arsenal could have taken a tiny leaf out of Chelsea's anti-football book and just smashed it out of defence for the first few minutes just until they found their bearings and pushed United off them. Their feeble attempts at passing from the back were foiled by a United side that pressed high from the first whistle. Fergie definitely out-thought Wenger on this one, and the end result was an overwhelmed Song attempting and failing to cover his defenders, who were exposed to a blitz of red shirts who had all the space in the world in which to run, shoot, twirl, pass, tap-dance - it was a free-for-all.



But they got just the one goal - courtesy of defending so bad that I'm confident Tony Adams ran to the nearest grave just so he could roll in it - and it was John O'Shea, of all people, who had all the time and space in the world to hit a superb volley into the back of the net. After that, Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second half strike so hard against the crossbar that the echoes are still being heard at Old Trafford. The game - the tie - should have been over.



The Gunners consolidated in the second half but still couldn't get Fabregas and Nasri playing. Walcott, for reasons yet unknown to the logical observing public, was ignored for large parts of the game as he stood out wide, in space, ready to roll, but without the ball. Wonderful.

Adebayor, meanwhile, looked so bored you would have sworn he was watching last night's game. He was supposed to be relishing a battle against Vidic, as he said before the game - he was instead restrained by Rio. He might have broken a rib, but he didn't even break a sweat dealing with the Togo hitman all night, it was that easy.



Sir Alex would have never allowed such a naive waste of resources. As the game wore on, you just got the impression that Wenger wanted the young guns to find their own way, even when it became painfully obvious it was never going to happen.



Arsenal's inferiority was best illustrated by Kieran Gibbs, a young player of great promise and in good form, who was attacked from the off. Fletcher, O'Shea, Tevez, Ronaldo and Rooney - they took turns tormenting him and the ease with which they got in crosses from the right hand side defied belief. He wasn't given enough cover - and still just 19 years of age, not too much can be read into it - but he was made a victim one time too many.



This is a team still lacking sufficient Champions League experience. They were lucky to get past Roma and in Villarreal, they had a team even more untried in Europe's premier club competition, but this test, despite being against domestic opposition, somehow has that different flavour to it, and it showed.



The Gunners have been big game specialists all season in the Premier League - and without doubt, the XI that took the field tonight had the quality to at least draw with Man United - but it's this level, this stage, this setting... it looks beyond them.



They can be thankful that United weren't more precise in front of goal and that a couple of marginal offside calls went their way. They're still in the tie on paper. This is a team that is in some ways more vibrant than the finalists of 2006, but they need more strength and strategy before they can stand a real chance of bringing home this club's first ever Champions League trophy.


Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

Kolo Toure Credits Manuel Almunia For Keeping Arsenal Alive

The Ivorian defender knows very well that they would be up a creek without a paddle now were it not for the heroics of the returning Spanish keeper.

Apr 30, 2009 3:57:48 AM

Kolo Toure tipped his hat to Manchester United following their 1-0 defeat in the first-let of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday, but was even more effusive in his compliments for Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.



The Gunners have a lot of work to do after losing and failing to score an away goal, but it could have been all but a lost cause had the Spanish shotstopper not made a string of sensational saves in the first-half.



"We met a brilliant Manchester United team," Toure told local reporters in his post-match comments. "They were on top of us, it was not easy to come here and win, we tried our best but they were also good and very dangerous.



"However, we will be much better in the second leg we will have probably have Clichy and van Persie back so that will be a big plus for us.

"We know they are a great team, we will have to create and be more adventurous so it is open again.



"We think we can do it. We need to perform to our best level to win the tie.



"Almunia had a good game and kept us in the tie so next Tuesday you will see a better Arsenal."



Derek Wanner, Goal.com

English Angle: Fletcher & O'Shea - The Story Of The Squaddies

The unfancied duo came through again last night, and Goal.com's Mike Maguire explains what makes them different from the average, average player.

Apr 30, 2009 6:18:13 AM

When you watch any Manchester United game, big or small, there are certain names you expect to hear spewing forth from the commentators' microphones with predictable regularity and emphasis.



'Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez' becomes a mesmerising chant when the Red Devils are in full flow, and while all three starred throughout the course of Wednesday's Champions League win over Arsenal, it was the far less glamorous pair of Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea who provided the substance behind their more gifted team-mates' style - and, in truth, th at is the way it has been for much of the season.



Fletcher, often written off as a sentimental favourite of his fellow Scot, Sir Alex Ferguson, put in a typically dogged shift in midfield alongside the eye-catching Anderson and Michael Carrick to nullify the threat of Cesc Fabregas & co. He's had better showings this season, sure; but this is the sort of display we've come to view as stock from the 25-year-old, which is a testament to his reliability.


Indeed, perhaps the biggest compliment you can pay him is that United have hardly missed the ultra-crocked Owen Hargreaves at all this term, because Fletcher has proven every bit as hard-tackling, committed, energetic, versatile and switched-on as his English-Canadian-German club-mate - and probably a tad tidier on the ball, to boot.


But while Paul Scholes' sidekick worked largely behind-the-scenes against the Gunners, O'Shea strolled unblinkingly into the limelight as he gave his side a precious 1-0 lead heading into the return leg at the Emirates.

That winning goal came just moments after the Irish utility had put in a perfectly measured daisy-cutter from the right flank that Tevez failed to convert from point-blank range (due to some heroic goalkeeping from Manuel Almunia, it must be said). It was just the icing on a cake made up of disciplined defending, neat distribution and very solid decision-making.


Of course, neither of these two would get a sniff if United's injury list read like their goals-against column did from November to March. Hargreaves, Anderson, Carrick and Scholes are all, when fully fit and able, ahead of Fletcher for the midfield roles, whilst the constant knocks and niggles to Gary Neville, Rafael da Silva and the long forgotten Wes Brown have allowed O'Shea a regular run at right-back.


What other team in European football can rely so surely on fourth- or fifth-choice players to step up when it matters? Imagine if Liverpool were forced to play Damien Plessis and Nabil El-Zhar week in, week out, or if Real Madrid needed Javi Garcia to do Lassana Diarra's work for an entire season? One can only shudder at the thought (although I hasten to add that I do rate Plessis quite highly)...


One might criticise the fact that I've picked on youngsters, but that's the thing: the most of the fourth-in-line players at even the biggest clubs are inexperienced up-and-comers. And that makes it even more remarkable that Old Trafford boasts a pair who are nearing their prime years but are quite satisfied to sit on the pine and play understudy.


So what is the secret to garnering such blind loyalty from squad fodder? Perhaps it is down to the fact that both Fletcher and O'Shea came through the youth ranks and thus feel a strong emotional attachment to the only professional club they've ever known. It is not a wholly uncommon situation.


But then you look at a player like Park Ji-sung - who operates under similar circumstances and plays with the same sort of devotion and selflessness despite having earned his stripes a million miles away and come to England via PSV Eindhoven - you can't help but think that there's a Fergie factor lurking in there somewhere.


There is one common trait (aside from their modest abilities) that binds these players: none of them are leaders in any way, shape or form. They are soldiers who do what they are told to a tee, and who have no noticeable ambition to transcend their current station. And that might be the very reason they were chosen by the wily old Knight of the Realm and his scouts.



The fact is, not everybody can be a superstar, especially within a functional football team - Florentino Perez and his Galacticos found that out the hard way. You need players who put themselves about and do a job purely because that is what they've been programmed to do. People say Dirk Kuyt is just that sort for Liverpool, but you have to ask: would he keep his yap shut if Rafa Benitez left him out of the squad for a few weeks?



That's what separates the Fletchers and O'Sheas of this world from the rest of the cut-rate talents on the books of the powerhouse clubs. And, hence, it could also be argued that Sir Alex's loyal lapdogs are just as important as the Rooneys and Ronaldos in keeping Man United a step ahead in the English game.



Mike Maguire, Goal.com

Manchester United Edge Arsenal In Champions League

The holders dominated an exciting game but have only a John O’Shea goal to show for their efforts.

Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

Manchester United and Arsenal met for the first time in European competition in a entertaining game at Old Trafford which ended with the home side gaining a narrow advantage to take into the second leg.


The holders began the game in impressive style and had Arsenal on the back front from the off as they poured forward with real pace and verve.


Wayne Rooney was the man who went closest in the opening minutes, sending a looping header back across goal, albeit with the help of a deflection, which Manuel Almunia did superbly to scramble away.


Less than a minute later and a slip in the penalty area by Kieran Gibbs could have proved costly for the Gunners.


Cristiano Ronaldo picked up the loose ball and drilled in a low cross but, unfortunately for United, there was no-one on hand to poke the ball home.


Carlos Tevez, preferred to Dimitar Berbatov in attack, was the next to get in on the act, teeing up Ronaldo for a shot which the Portuguese international fired straight at Almunia.


Yet United were in full flow and continued to create chances, seemingly at will, against an Arsenal side powerless to prevent the red tide.


With just over 15 minutes gone Ronaldo and Tevez combined well to send John O’Shea out wide.


The utility man curled in a superb cross for Tevez to head home but the striker’s effort was too close to Almunia who saved brilliantly.


Yet it was to prove only a temporary reprieve, as from the resulting corner Sir Alex Ferguson’s men grabbed the goal their opening salvo had threatened.


A long corner was picked up at the far post by Michael Carrick who returned the ball across goal and found O’Shea who thrashed the opener into the roof of the net.


The goal roused the Gunners somewhat, but it took until almost the half-hour mark before Arsene Wenger’s men carved out a decent opportunity.


Theo Walcott was the man to initiate matters, cutting inside from the right and playing in Emmanuel Adebayor who set it back to Cesc Fabregas who fired low but straight at Van der Sar.


It was to be the Arsenal’s best chance of the half and the visitors also had Almunia to thank after he pulled off another superb save on the half-hour mark.


Some good work from Tevez down the right saw the Argentinean cross for Ronaldo who looked destined to score but could only watch in agony as Almunia saved his point-blank header.


As the half progressed the visitors manage to gain a foot-hold in the match but despite enjoying some decent possession at times, they struggled to create any clear-cut openings and will have been relieved to have gone in at the break just one goal down.


The second-half began more evenly with both sides threatening yet failed to trouble either goalkeeper.


In fact, it took until just over the hour mark before either side had clear sight of goal.


The chance fell to the Gunners with Adebayor taking a long ball and beating Rio Ferdinand before lashing a shot well over the bar.


With a second goal not forthcoming for his side, Ferguson opted to changes things sending on Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov for Anderson and Tevez.


And within minutes of the substitutions, the Red Devils very nearly did double their lead after Ronaldo struck the crossbar with a thunderous shot from range.


United continued to press with Carrick going close with a low shot before Giggs did find the back of the net, only to be denied a goal on his 800th appearance by an offside flag.


With time ticking away Arsenal could have grabbed an equaliser, substitute Nicklas Bendtner heading a free-kick high and wide but ultimately neither team could add to O’Shea’s strike leaving the tie intriguingly poised.


Manchester United: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Ferdinand (Evans, 87), Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (Giggs, 67); Ronaldo, Tevez (Berbatov, 67), Rooney.


Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs; Diaby, Song; Walcott (Bendtner, 71), Fabregas, Nasri; Adebayor (Eduardo, 83).


GOAL


1-0 Manchester United (O’Shea, 17)


Gill Clark, Goal.com

United 1 Arsenal 0

29/04/2009 21:30, Report by Ben Hibbs


Fitter. Harder. Faster. Stronger. United outfought and outclassed Arsenal on a European night to remember at Old Trafford. Yet the Reds take only a one-goal advantage to the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, and the road to Rome is not as straightforward as it perhaps could have been.


Sir Alex said before the game that he would happily take a 1-0 victory in this Champions League semi-final, first leg. And United can take heart from this outstanding display of vigour and verve. But after the mauling Arsenal received, the Reds boss will surely only conclude that the winning margin should have been greater.


Right from the off United’s players, backed by an absolutely incredible support, were revved up and right in the faces of the beleaguered Gunners. Carlos Tevez was rewarded for his match-changing second-half display against Tottenham at the weekend with a place in the starting line-up against the Gunners – and he played like he had a statement to make.


Sir Alex’s team selection suggested speed and energy were of the essence. And, spurred on by a fired-up Old Trafford crowd, the Reds made a blistering start, with Wayne Rooney forcing an excellent save from Manuel Almunia after just two minutes. Then Cristiano Ronaldo flashed a cross-shot across the face of goal. It was upbeat and high-tempo stuff, as expected. But Arsenal were nowhere to be seen early on against a hungry-looking Reds team.


Tevez was snap-at-your ankles enthusiastic, Ronaldo and Rooney both looked lively and Darren Fletcher maintained his excellent recent form in the heart of midfield. For Arsenal, away from home and with Emmanuel Adebayor up front on his own, theirs was always bound to be a more patient approach. But even when their first spell of possession eventually arrived, they were booed and barracked into submission.


United pressed on and after 16 minutes Almunia again came to Arsenal’s rescue. A brilliant interchange from Tevez and Ronaldo saw the ball worked out to John O’Shea, and the Irishman’s cross found Tevez’s run, but his shot was stopped at point-blank range by Almunia.


United soon got their just reward, but in the form of the most unlikely hero. Carrick was lurking at the back post from the resulting corner, and his deflected pull-back found O’Shea, who thumped the ball home. As if the noise levels weren’t loud enough, the deafening celebrations carried far into the Manchester night. There was barely an opportunity to catch your breath, such was United’s ceaseless efforts, and the Reds certainly weren’t resting on a 1-0 lead.


Arsenal’s first attempt came just before the half-hour mark when Cesc Fabregas’ low shot was well held by van der Sar, but other than a five-minute spell of possession towards the end of the half, that was largely it.


Seconds after Fabregas’ effort, Almunia was called upon again; Tevez scampered down the right wing, skinned Kieran Gibbs and crossed for Ronaldo, whose powerful header was palmed away by Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper. Moments later he denied Ronaldo again, this time from a curling effort from the edge of the area. Were it not for Almunia, this tie could have been out of sight inside the first half.


The start to the second half was not quite as frenetic, and Arsenal certainly had more of the ball than they had in the opening 45 minutes. The danger for United was that a quick Arsenal counter could yield an all-important away goal, and Adebayor went close just after the hour with a arcing volley from 30 yards out, but fortunately it went over. It was, if nothing else, a warning.



Sir Alex decided on a change with a little over 20 minutes to go, replacing Tevez with Dimitar Berbatov, and Anderson with Ryan Giggs, making his 800th United appearance. Tevez was shaking his head in disappointment at coming off – a gesture that will no doubt be interpreted negatively in the press, but would surely be the reaction of any player withdrawn from such a high-profile game.


Shortly after the swap, Ronaldo sent a rasping 30-yard shot crashing off the bar. Then minutes later an effort from Carrick fizzed wide; Sir Alex must have been scratching his head with bemusement as to how his side were not more than one goal to the good.


The baying Old Trafford crowd shouted: attack, attack, attack… it was plain to see that the Gunners were there for the taking. United kept on surging forward, and Giggs had the ball in the back of the net on 78 minutes, but he was adjudged to be offside. It was a tight call, and the officials had not been kind to United all evening, but this time it was probably correct.


Arsenal will see containing a rampant United as their main plus point – and they have much to thank Almunia for – but if the Reds play anything like this in North London next week, a trip to Rome surely awaits. This was a job well done, but only half done.

Old foes, new rivalry

Sir Alex Ferguson gave a unique insight into the workings of United and Arsenal’s long-held rivalry, just hours before the teams do battle in the Champions League semi-final.



For the winner (over two legs, of course), a place in the final in Rome awaits, and it’s somewhat ironic that the stakes are perhaps higher than they’ve ever been, as both managers and teams have shown a notable cooling in previous exchanges that, at best, could be described as heated.



However, while it’s perhaps less about the fire and brimstone of Keane and Vieira battles, and more the speed and guile of Ronaldo and Walcott, this two-legged affair should still have quite a kick to it.



“The history and traditions of both clubs have been of the highest standing,” says Sir Alex respectfully. “For years, we always looked over our shoulder at Arsenal and they looked over their shoulder at us. Now we have Chelsea banging on the door, and this season Liverpool have made a big effort. It’s a very competitive league, but ourselves and Arsenal over a long period have certainly been the dominant forces in English football.



“I like the way Arsenal play,” he adds. “There are similarities with ourselves in that respect, and also in the way we both believe in young players. We’ve now given eight young players from the Academy debuts in the first-team this season. I think that’s fantastic for a team challenging for honours in the way that we have to. So the similarities are there strongly.”



These matches, Sir Alex insists, are not about the resumption of going tete-a-tete with Arsene Wenger. “I don’t think my relationship with Arsene matters,” he says. “Neither does the relationship between the players make a difference – a lot of them know each other, of course, MikaelSilvestre being the prime example. It’s a game of football and two teams who want to win are going head to head. That’s the nature of the competition we’re in. I’m looking forward to it.”



Arsenal may not be challenging for United’s Barclays Premier League title this season – though they could have their say in its destination when they visit Old Trafford in the league in May. But they are in excellent form at the right end of the season.



“There is always a danger in Europe when a team is not challenging for the league title,” says Sir Alex, aware of the Gunners’ threat. “They’ve got a very good recent record which shows you they are in form. They won’t change, they will do exactly what they normally do: They will have a go, that’s for sure.



“This is why we have prepared in the best possible way. We have enough freshness in the team now. That period where we were playing quite a few games in a short space of time has now changed. Four days rest between games is enough. You saw the energy of the team in the second half against Tottenham, so there is nothing wrong with that side of our play. Arsenal are also fresh, and that augurs well for a good game and a real tussle.”



Preparation is clearly the key, and while Arsenal have plenty to worry about with United’s key players, Sir Alex says United, too, need to be wary of those in the Gunners’ armoury. The Reds boss cites Cesc Fabregas as “a brilliant player” who is coming back to form, and he points out that Patrice Evra will need to be on his toes against Theo Walcott.



“I think Patrice is quick enough for that task,” he said. “He’s played against Walcott a few times. We’re all right with that. Listen, when you’re playing against good players you have to assess everything about them in thesense of what is the best way to oppose them. I think we have to do our work in that respect because the boy Walcott is very, very quick. He’s probably the quickest player in England at the moment. But we have to prepare the right way.”



The prospect of becoming the first team to retain the Champions League trophy is an appealing one to Sir Alex. “It’d be great to be the first team to do it,” he says. “We’re good at winning things first, and maybe that’s a good omen. We’re in the semi-final and with two good performances, or two victories, we’ll get the chance to try and do it for the first time.”



That may mean, over the course of 180 minutes or more of football, taking chances, something Sir Alex isn’t afraid to do. “Football is a game of risk, and you’ve seen how we’ve played over the years. It’s part of Manchester United to take risks to win games. That’s no problem for me. I’ve seen us win games many times in the last fifteen minutes, playing centre-halves at centre forward, going gung-ho. You do it because it’s always worth it to win a game. In that way, this game could be a cracker.”



http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6631573

Blog: A tactical tightrope

The boss cut a contemplative figure during yesterday's press conference, musing aloud as how best to negotiate a route to Rome as the Reds contest a first two-legged European tie with English opposition since the 1960s.


"It’s an untypical semi-final because it’s two English teams," Sir Alex told the world's media. "But the principles are the same. You hope you win your home game and don’t lose a goal. That’s always the case."


Sounds like caution will prevail then. Or does it? He also admitted his side's barnstorming second-half display against Tottenham had been playing on his mind, and added: "I have plenty of options. I’ll wrestle with those in the next 24 hours."


It's an intriguing dilemma. When United's rivalry with Arsenal was at its peak, the way to overcome the Gunners was to get about them and, in the words of Darren Fletcher: "see if they fancy it." It was certainly an approach that worked in last season's FA Cup mauling, and you have to wonder how much pounding a patched-up Gunners defence could withstand, especially in such a high-pressure game.


But it's in these massive games that there's no room for error, so there has to be a huge amount of discipline and concentration. Against an Arsenal team who are virtual strangers to defeatthis season, United will undoubtedly be asked questions over both legs.


And that's a huge issue - the looming re-match in six days' time. United will be confident of going to the Emirates, having created enough chances in their three visits to have won each game comfortably. That they haven't suggests that maybe some luck is overdue.


But the very presence of a second leg means the temptation will be there for both managers to keep cards tight to chests and let next week's encounter decide the tie.


However, if Arsenal come out all guns blazing and snatch one or two away goals, then United will have a mountain to climb. Conversely, the Reds could conceivably put the tie to bed tonight if last Saturday's passion and form - from players and fans alike - can be reprised.


It really is a case of who blinks first.

Man Utd well-equipped to retain crown - Van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar is convinced Manchester United are better prepared than Ajax were to successfully defend their Champions League crown.

United are bidding to become the first club to achieve such a feat since the competition adopted its new format in 1992 and tackle Arsenal in an all-English semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as odds-on favourites to reach Rome on May 27.

Four years after the relaunch, Van der Sar was part of an Ajax side that became one of three on the trot to fall at the final hurdle, beaten on penalties by Juventus 12 months after AC Milan had been overcome.

But the veteran keeper does not feel the comparison between his young Dutch team-mates and Sir Alex Ferguson's present-day Red Devils is valid.

''This side is much better equipped to retain the trophy than Ajax were,'' he said.

''Then we had loads of injuries and a lot of young guys had to fill gaps left by older and more experienced players.

''It is hard to say whether we have a bigger chance to win the trophy but we are certainly better equipped to.''

The strength in depth available to Ferguson means John O'Shea should start at right-back with Wes Brown not considered fit enough to replace Gary Neville and Rafael probably not experienced enough.

And it would be no massive surprise, either, should Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez find themselves on the bench despite Saturday's heroics against Tottenham Hotspur, especially if Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs are required to defend the flanks, as they were in Porto in the last round.

In times gone by, a meeting between Ferguson and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would have provided ample opportunity for a petty squabble.

Not any more, it seems, with Ferguson happy to declare his admiration for the Frenchman and his team and criticise those who lambasted Wenger earlier this season.

''You had me out of the door three years ago,'' smiled Ferguson, as he assessed the criticism Wenger has had to endure.

''You had me in a bath chair down on Torquay beach. That is the cynical world we are in.

''But Arsene has always kept his principles the same. I like the way Arsenal play and also his use of young players. His consistency hasn't changed and Arsenal have reaped the rewards.''

There are many common threads; a commitment to passing football, a willingness to embrace youth and a refusal to abandon tradition. Above everything else, they share a hunger and fierce determination to win.

''The history and tradition of both clubs has been the highest for years now,'' said Ferguson.

''We always looked over our shoulders at Arsenal and they looked over their shoulders at us.

''Our league is very tough. The top four are probably the best teams in Europe. That is shown in the fact we have three teams in the semi-final again.

''But ourselves and Arsenal have certainly been the dominant forces. Those epic times are back with us and I am looking forward to a great match.''

Reds decide plan of attack

28/04/2009 13:19, Report by Nick Coppack


United's hopes of defending the Champions League trophy have been boosted by an almost totally clean bill of health ahead of Wednesday's semi-final, first leg against Arsenal.


Only Gary Neville joins long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves on the injury list, giving Sir Alex Ferguson a bulging squad as he looks to outwit Arsene Wenger. "Everyone's fit, apart from Gary," he told reporters on Tuesday. "It's a strong position to be in going into a Champions League semi-final."


That in itself poses problems as Sir Alex admits he's "wrestling" with ideas of how to approach the match. "I’ve got to pick the right team, and I have plenty of options. I’ll wrestle with those options in the next 24 hours.


"There are many decisions to be made: the performance in the second half against Tottenham, in particular, and the way that Carlos Tevez changed the game. That’s not lost on me."


The exhilarating way in which Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov ripped into Tottenham makes playing all four players, against an Arsenal defence that has creaked in recent weeks, is a huge temptation. But goals conceded at home can prove fatal in European ties, and the boss is keen to guard against it.


"It’s an untypical semi-final because it’s two English teams," he added. "But the principles are the same. You hope you win your home game and don’t lose a goal. That’s always the case. But it won’t be decided on Wednesday, I feel sure of that.


"There'll be a lot of football left to play at the Emirates. Looking at the tie itself and the players on view, it's a perfect semi-final, full of terrific footballers and both teams play good football. The games have an appetising look about them."

Wenger's respect for Ryan

Arsene Wenger may have been on the receiving end of Ryan Giggs' famous semi-final goal in 1999 - but the Arsenal boss isn't bitter.

Instead, the Gunners manager has nothing but respect for United's newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year and his awesome longevity - Giggs could make his historic 800th appearance for the Reds, in Wednesday night's showdown with Wenger's side.

"I have a big respect for Ryan Giggs because he started his career in 1991 and we are now in 2009," said an impressed Arsene in his pre-match press conference at Old Trafford.

"When a guy has played 18 years at that level, you have to have complete respect. The focus and the sacrifices that it demands to be at the top level for 18 years are massive.

"Now he has been named Player of the Year and there has been a big debate (about that). OK, maybe this hasn't been the best year of his career but the only miracle is not that he got it this year, it's that he never got it before."

Giggs was 25 when he scored the stunning solo goal to knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup just over ten years ago; many of Wenger's current players are still younger than that and he is hoping they are now on the verge of something special. He accepts the "Arsenal are still developing, still maturing, maybe next year" mantra is past its sell-by date now.

"This is the moment when we want to show we have what is needed," he said.

"We have built a young team because we wanted to develop a special way of playing and a special spirit.



"Our players have been educated together from the age of 16 to 23, 24 and we think there is something special (about them) which we hope will come out at this level of the competition. This is the moment we've waited for."


If Wenger's youngsters can upset the form book and defeat United over two legs, they will be a step closer to compensating for the pain of a European Cup final defeat to Barcelona in 2006.


"The 2006 campaign was special because the only game we lost in the Champions League that year was the final and we were 1-0 up until 13 minutes. The only regret we have for that day is that we played with only ten men," reflected Wenger.


"It's part of a career, to swallow a disappointment and then use that as the spark to come back even stronger. That's what we're trying to do."


Wenger is famously two-nil down to Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of triumphs in this competition. But the Arsenal manager continues to believe that he will one day emulate his rival's successes in Barcelona and Moscow.


"I am an optimist. I believe I will win it and the sooner, the better. That is why I am here with complete belief.


"But in fairness as well, I am at the stage of my career when I am more focused on doing it for my club, for my players and for the fans than I am for myself. I've had the luck to stay at the same club for 12 years.


"I know how much it means to the club and the players, and I am focusing all the energy I have to the team."

Vidic vs Adebayor: Mutual respect

28/04/2009 09:55, Report by Adam Bostock

Nemanja Vidic and direct opponent Emmanuel Adebayor have been trading praise ahead of United’s tantalising Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

Serbian defender Vidic believes the Gunners will provide a stern test in the first leg at Old Trafford, especially now the likes of striker Adebayor are approaching top gear.

"Arsenal have always been a good team with quality players. We know and respect that, and now they're on good form - they have started scoring goals (again),” said Vidic.

“Adebayor and van Persie are very difficult forwards to play against. They are great players, they have speed and an eye for a goal.

"We need to concentrate fully for 90 minutes if we are to stop them.”
Adebayor has scored four goals in his last six games for Arsenal, including one in each leg of the Champions League quarter-final victory over Villarreal.

The Togo international also netted in his last appearance at Old Trafford – but the fact Vidic missed that game, an eventual 2-1 win for United, will not have been lost on him.

“Vidic is a very good player, he knows how to play against strikers,” said Adebayor. "He's very strong and he's ready to give his life away for United.


"For me, he's one of the toughest defenders - he prevents a lot of goals. He scores important goals for his club too.”

We need you-Sir Alex Ferguson

Old Trafford turned into a cauldron of noise on Saturday during the Reds’ stunning comeback against Tottenham Hostpur, and Sir Alex has called for a repeat performance from fans on Wednesday.


With in-form Arsenal in town for the Champions League semi-final first leg, the boss says United could benefit from a similar atmosphere.


“It was an amazing transformation when we scored that first goal [against Tottenham],” Sir Alex said. “We needed that support from the fans and they’re going to have to play their part again before the end of the season.


“They’re going to have to drive us. We’ve been through a hard, hard season and it’s coming up to that part of the season where we need everyone.”


It’s a sentiment echoed by left-back Patrice Evra, who also acknowledged the part United fans played against Tottenham at the weekend.


“The supporters were very important,” he said. “We came off at half-time 2-0 down and were clapped off the pitch by our fans. That was unbelievable.


“I hope the fans support us again throughout the match [against Arsenal]. We need to make it intimidating for Arsenal and put them under pressure. It’s very difficult for opposition teams to play at Old Trafford when the crowd gets behind us.”


Don't forget the Show Your Colours campaign is also running this evening. Fans attending the match have been urged to arrive early and bring shirts, scarves and flags.

My PFA award pride-Ryan Giggs

I'm really pleased, really proud to have won the award - and pleased for my team-mates as well because without them, I wouldn't have been able to get it.


It's a special award because it's voted for by the people who see you first hand - the players you play against week in, week out.


I don't know about it being a long time coming. Some outstanding people have won it while I've
been playing and, consistency-wise, I've probably improved over the last few years.


The ten days at the end of last season - coming on and scoring at Wigan and then winning the Champions League - were massive and definitely the highpoints of my year.


I wouldn't say the award means more to me at this stage of my career than it would have done earlier. But I think I will appreciate it more, because I'm probably not going to get it again... I'm running out of time!


At 35, you start to think you're never going to win awards like that. It was obviously a great surprise and I had a great night down in London. I hope I can celebrate it further with a win against Arsenal on Wednesday night.


Hopefully it won't be the last honour I pick up. Still going well in the league and the Champions League, we're all hoping for an exciting end to the season.

Reds confirm Malaysia date

Kuala Lumpur will be United's first stop on this summer's four-match pre-season tour of Asia.


At a press conference on Tuesday it was confirmed the world champions will play a Malaysia XI at the picturesque Bukit Jalill Stadium on 18 July, kick-off 10:30 BST.


It's eight years since the Reds last visited Malaysia, when 100,000 fans watched a Malaysian All-Stars team lose 6-0 to a strong United line-up. And official tour promoters ProEvents are expecting similarly fervent support this year.


“We are excited to work with the club again, and to bring to Asia one of the most exciting and biggest football clubs in the world," said San Boon Wah, managing director of ProEvents International.


“The club is popular throughout the world and especially so in Asia, where it has a wide fan base. I am sure many football fans, both local and from the region, are thrilled by this opportunity to see the champions in action."


Chief executive David Gill added: “Our relationship with fans in Malaysia is already well established, with local young people having the chance to learn to play the game the Manchester United way with MU Soccer Schools.”


United confirmed the China leg of the tour on Monday and details of the other two games, in Korea and Indonesia, will be revealed on ManUtd.com on Wednesday and Thursday.

Rafael signs new deal

27/04/2009 11:08, Report by Ben Hibbs


Young Reds right-back Rafael has agreed a new two-year contract extension at United, a deal which keeps the promising Brazilian teenager at Old Trafford until at least June 2013.


Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with the progress 18-year-old Rafael has made in his debut season with the Reds.


“Everyone at the club has been very impressed and excited by his first year as a professional," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com.


"His enthusiasm and the adventurous way he plays is typical of a Manchester United player, and we are delighted that he has signed a new contract.”


Rafael hopes that his new deal heralds a long association with United. “It has been a fantastic first season and I have been learning from all the players at the club, especially from the defence," he told us.


"It has been an exciting time for me and I want to be part of this club for a long time, so to get an extension to my contract is unbelievable."

Blog: A blast of the hairdryer

27/04/2009 12:00, Report by Stewart Gardner



What exactly did Sir Alex say at half-time on Saturday? At some point in the future, in someone’s autobiography, all will be revealed.



We do have some clues. Patrice Evra told me after the game – with a knowing look on his face - that the boss had “made a speech” in the dressing room! Cristiano Ronaldo added that the boss had said if we scored early in the second half, United would go on to score four or five. Prophetic or what?



When Spurs went 2-0 up in the first half, TV cameras immediately panned to Sir Alex, searching in his expression for a crack under the pressure. He seemed unnervingly calm, and had the look of a man who’d seen it all before and knew exactly what to do to sort it out.



Whatever he said at the break worked a treat – just as it did in 2001, also against Spurs. Back then, United were 3-0 down at half time at White Hart Lane and ended up surging to a 5-3 victory. But that was earlier in the season and didn’t have a definitive bearing on the title race. On Saturday, the situation was much more pressurised.



Perhaps the most important thing Sir Alex did at half time on Saturday was to bring on Carlos Tevez. He was like the Duracell bunny when he came on. Full of energy, determination and running, he chased down defenders and hustled and harried everyone. That’s why the fans love him so much. He changed the game, simple as that.



Of course, the penalty was the turning point. When Paddy Crerand – surely TV’s most biased pundit – insists it wasn’t a penalty then you really have to wonder about it. I insisted in my commentary that it was a penalty and thatHoward Webb was quite correct. I even suggested Gomes should have been sent off. Perhaps, on reflection, I was wrong but, in my defence, working with Paddy seems to have affected my judgement.



Blaming the penalty decision on the defeat seems a cop-out to me by Harry Redknapp. OK, it got United back in the game, but what about goals two, three, four, and five? Surely, Harry, your defence and goalkeeper need to take a bit of the blame – not just Howard Webb.


Just imagine all those Liverpool fans making their way back along the M62 after winning at Hull, listening to the radio 10 minutes into the second half. They would have been loving it; United two goals down and struggling. Then 22 minutes later they’re sat in stunned silence. Hilarious.



I thought Rooney and Ronaldo were outstanding, but so was Dimitar Berbatov. It can’t have been the most enjoyable of weeks for him after his penalty miss at Wembley, but his performance was superb on Saturday, all capped off with a deserved goal.




Let’s hope he gets another one on Wednesday – what a night that could be! The “Believe” mosaic will be making another appearance before the game. And after Saturday’s drama, you really do have to believe that anything is possible at Old Trafford.

Raise the roof

27/04/2009 09:45, Report by Steve Bartram


As if further proof was needed, Saturday's against-all-odds victory over Tottenham demonstrated just how influential a vocal Old Trafford support can be.


United roared back from two goals down to win 5-2, and Cristiano Ronaldo admitted afterwards: "The fans helped us win the game. When we are together like that, the players and the supporters, you always know the result will come."


Supporters can reprise Saturday's baying din on Wednesday evening, when the reigning
European champions look to reach a second successive Champions League final at the expense of Arsenal.


As ahead of last year's unforgettable win over Barcelona at the same stage, Old Trafford will be transformed into a sea of colour pre-match, and fans are urged to arrive early to help build the anticipation around the stadium.


Fans group Stretford End Flags will have nine representatives pitch-side waving flags before the game, and are providing giant banners to be passed around the crowd.


Two mosaics will be in place for supporters to hold as the teams take to the field, while fans are also urged to bring scarves, flags and, naturally, singing voices as the champions of Europe look to take a huge step towards this year's final in Rome.

true Champion-Manchester united