For all the attention grabbed by Manchester City in recent seasons there is still something compellingly attractive attached to a crunch European night against one of the continent’s giants – the clichéd European atmosphere under the lights and a departure from the hustled norm of the Premier league that has enduring appeal.
Not only does European football remain an irresistible product, but also genuine test of Manchester United’s place in world football – a team that few predicted could challenge on all fronts this season, but one that is outperforming all at home and abroad.
Indeed, Manchester United’s trip to Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid on Wednesday night is, as Sir Alex Ferguson described it on Tuesday, the “acid test” of his team’s status. A test not only of United’s ability to compete against Europe’s best, but the Reds’ mental strength in what is likely to be a hugely pressurised atmosphere.
And while neither side is European Champion, and Madrid likely to acquiesce domestic hegemony this season, the are few who will reject the idea that United’s fixture with Madrid is not only the competition’s premier tie to date, but a clash between the world’s two most recognisable football clubs.
Yet, for all the perceived glamour United play in Madrid for the first time in almost a decade, with memories of a chastening 3-1 defeat at the Bernabéu in 2003 still fresh. Ferguson’s side triumphed in the return, only for Brazilian striker Ronaldo’s hat-trick at Old Trafford to prove decisive for Los Merengues.
Four years earlier and Real, sporting a teenage Ilker Cassilas and 22-year-old striker Raul, knocked the European champions out of the competition with a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford. On both occasions United had approached the opening leg in Madrid tentatively; on neither did Ferguson’s side progress, despite being widely regarded as favourites.
Once again United will start the double-header with Madrid in good form, although few pundits will assume Ferguson’s side is a banker for the tie despite Real’s damaging dressing-room politics. Once again one of Spain’s giants is inserted between Ferguson’s outfit and continental glory – and it hasn’t turned out well for the Scot in recent times.
Still, Ferguson remains defiant ahead of the match, with 71-year-old insistent this year’s United vintage is as good as any of his previous.
“Our team is capable of winning the Champions League,” said Sir Alex in Madrid on Tuesday.
“There is a great spirit about the players. People keep saying we’re not as good as past United teams but sometimes we get foggy impressions about the past and I do so myself at times. The reality is this team doesn’t know when it’s beaten which is a great quality. The acid test is tomorrow and we have to get through it if we are to win this trophy.”
Mourinho’s outfit begins the tie in decent form after hammering Sevilla 4-1 in Madrid last weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 20th hat-trick during four productive years in Spain secured victory as the Spanish Champions cruised home more than 24 hours ahead of United’s weekend victory over Everton.
Fine form perhaps, and an additional rest for sure, yet dressing-room politics and a 16 point La Liga gap to Barcelona mean that this is likely to be the last campaign in which Mourinho commands the Spaniards. By contrast, Ferguson’s outfit travels not only in good form, having dispatched Everton last weekend, but amid a run of 14 matches without defeat since CFR Cluj emerged victorious from a dead-rubber group match last December.
“I think it’s a good time for us to be playing Real Madrid,” said Sir Alex.
“We have a fantastic lead in our league and we have everyone fit. When you come to this part of the season you [usually] have two or three players injured. We don’t have that, which is a bonus. We’re ready for tomorrow. Since the Champions League started, almost every year we have played one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“When I started as a coach many years ago, I dreamt I’d be playing against the top teams as a manager and you get the opportunity to do that in the Champions League on a regular basis. There is a special significance when you play the big teams and you’ll see that tomorrow. It’s just a shame we and Real are meeting this early. I wish it had been at Wembley, in the final.”
Jones may be asked to mark Ronaldo, while Rooney will make up a five-man midfield. Elsewhere, Ferguson will choose between Rio Ferdinand and captain Nemanja Vidić in defence, while Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley should start in central midfield. Paul Scholes is the only absent through injury and did not travel.
Formations aside, Ferguson may ask his players to take a less expansive approach than has become the norm this season, with the Reds seeking to hit Real on the break while soaking up Spanish pressure.
It is, after all, Real’s ability to counter-attack at pace that will be Ferguson’s principle concern. Madrid’s rapid transition from defence to attack, using Ronaldo’s pace and tendency to create space from broken play, remains the over-riding threat to the Reds’ progression.
“It won’t be 0-0 tomorrow night, I can assure you of that,” promised Ferguson, despite the likelihood of United deploying a conservative approach.
“This match can live up to expectations. History always plays a part in this type of game, as does the two teams’ desire to go forward. Real Madrid are one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe. Their speed from box to box is fantastic. But we have to play our own game too. Our intention is to win and to score.”
Meanwhile, Mourninho remains under pressure to deliver a 10th European Cup to the Spanish capital. The imminent loss of last season’s hegemony to a resurgent Barcelona ensures that Real’s focus is squarely on Europe where Los Merengues boast a record of eight victories from the past nine home matches.
“It won’t be a disaster if we don’t win the Champions League,” said the former Chelsea coach.
“There are some great teams and coaches who never won it. Real Madrid want to win their tenth title and I want to win my third. I don’t want to finish my career with two.”
It is a sentiment with which Ferguson can agree. One will certainly be disappointed over the next three weeks of football.
Match details
Real Madrid v Manchester United – Champions League, Santiago Bernabéu – 7.45pm, 13 February 2013
Possible teams
Real (4-2-1-3): Lopez; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrão; Alonso, Khedeira; Ozil; Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo; Subs from: Adán, Fernández, Varane, Rodríguez, Essien, Modrić, Callejón, Kaká, Morata, Higuaín.
United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Jones, Cleverley, Carrick, Rooney; van persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Smalling, Vidić, Büttner, Anderson, Nani, Kagawa, Young , van Persie, Hernández, Giggs, Welbeck.
Match officials (GER)
Referee: Felix Brych
Assistant referees: Mark Borsch, Stefan Lupp
Additional assistant referees: Marco Fritz, Tobias Welz
Fourth official: Thorsten Schiffner
Form
Real Madrid: WDWDLW
United: WDWWWW
Head to Head
Last 10: Real 3, United 2, Draw 3
Overall: Real 3, United 2, Draw 3
Prediction
0-0
I actually agree with Taggart about this. Because of having to travel, he’s only had Tuesday to train the squad really. Real have had Sun-Tue. Why don’t we adjust things to give our euro teams a better chance? More success there = more spots for english teams.
And that’s why I think the training will have focussed on defensive drills; we DO have the quality to get at ’em but we’ll play it safe for either a boredraw or restrict them to 1 or 2.
I hope I’m wrong though!
The second leg will be the one worth watching – I’d tend to agree about tonight being a cagey affair (at least from us)
Perfect team for me…problem is the defensive line,I’m a fan of manchester united and little of real madid.real madrid have lost 4 times this season and three of those defeats came from teams at the wrong end of the table…if manchester united dare to press madrid very high(which I strongly doubt),we will get a real ass wooping because evra will be weak link from us.as much as he has be scoring,his defensive capabilties are weak,he will be easily beaten for pace either by cr7 or dimaria..if defend together as a unit,we would have a chance..weak link is PATRICE EVRA.
I reckon the team selection appears about right, except I fancy Rooney to play central and Welbeck to start ahead of Clevz. If Fergie was going to be really brave, he may consider Kagawa ahead of Jones as well, however I can’t see that happening
I hope he keeps faith with Evans, and doesn’t play it ‘safe’ with Rio/Vida. Would be a brave selection but the right one. This season Evans has earned his place, and is more suited to this game than Rio/Vida playing together.
I reckon he’ll go with Vida and Evans. Rest of your predicted line-up looks spot on although I wouldn’t be massively surprised to see us go 4-4-2 with Kagawa in for Clevz
For 10 years we have managed to avoid them. We will be embarrassed tonight. Boavista, Benfica and Cluj don’t compare.
Think we’ll have Young in for Jones. Offensive line-up with a defensive set-up. 0-1 win and De Gea MOTM.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/how-real-madrid-helped-to-rebuild-manchester-united-after-munich-air-disaster-8492422.html
Anyone else surprisingly not nervous about tonight? I’m actually looking forward to the game which is very unusual for me. Maybe because I’m half expecting to get a 3-0 going over.
I feel the same. I’m genuinely excited about this game. Not nervous, not dreading it, not worrying. Just excitement for what should be a great game. It helps that I’ve somehow convinced myself we’re going to win…
The team we have to pick if we have any chance tonight:
DDG
RDS RF NV PE
PJ MC
AV TC WR
RVP
AV to help RDS with Ronaldo, with PJ in support. TC to help close down Alonso.
2-1 loss would be a good result.
Close down Alonso And united have a chance..
2-1 united
Ddg
Raf rio Evans Evra
Welbeck jones Carrick Kagawa
Rooney rvp
great news, valencias not playing
bad news, neithers vidic, and jones is in midfield
kagawas also playing for some reason, and welbeck
we’ll struggle to get any good posession without cleverley in cm with carrick
De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Jones; Welbeck, Kagawa, Rooney; Van Persie
Cleverley on the bench is a big surprise.
Vidic not even on the bench.
That’s why Welbeck and Kagawa are playing. Keep the ball higher up the pitch, like vs spurs
we were second best against spurs for most of the game
We looked pretty solid against Spurs, and with Rooney in we’ve got plenty of counter attacking potential.
Massive game for Kagawa; it’s time for him to deliver.
WTF??????? Why isn’t this on fuckin telly??? why isn’t this on itv??? Who the fuck is in charge of this ridiculousness??? The biggest game of the season on fuckin SKY shite…….. this is a fuckin crime, and someone should be fuckin shot…….
The midfield, jesus christ
tbf am gobsmacked hes left out vidic
We won’t lose this game from corners or high crosses… we’ll get done for pace.
Vidic can’t play every few days since his surgery. Said so after he returned.
Kagawa hasn’t played for ages! Sticking to my original 3-1 Real scoreline.
some job carricks got on here
LKHF
faffing
clev should have started in kagawas place.hes played decent in most of uniteds big games this season
Kagawa in the hole, Rooney on the left… I expect them 2 to swap about.
I was surprised to see Kagawa’s inclusion. It may indicate an “all out” mentality from United. And why not. Let’s give it a go. So much criticism here last season for United not going for it.
And you know, if we go for it, and get beat, so what. We can get goals, we have quality up top, and if we don’t win – so what. Look at that Real team. It is unbelievable.
Right I’m up for this. Putting on my bicycle clips now so that nothing slips out when i shit my pants 5 minutes before the start.
Kagawa will play on the left
Police charging at United fans outside stadium apparently
ITV is eye-wateringly shit. It is one channel that should be taken off the air for being so bad.
Don’t you get Sky Sports with those digiboxes you can get?
Funny how the pundits are pitching us as rank outsiders as if we’ve never played competitive football in Europe before.
Alonso and Ramos a card away from suspension. No united player is. Would be huge for the 2nd leg if we’re still in it.
This is one of those ties that can make converts out of non football fans.
Come on you fuckers… win, lose, or draw… just make me proud.
:gulp:
We can do em
I dont care if we lose. Just want us to give a proper game. Like the first 20 mins against Barcelona. Just play like that for the full game
Agreed, lets just hold our own!
We won’t get any favours from this ref.
nice one, raf, shove him right out of it.
Giving them way too much space around the box and they will punish us.
Welbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeck
One for the goal draught
great header!
Wellbeck is now officially forgiven for all his mostakesnthis seaosn! wonderful wonderful!
Welbeck!!!
Told you
Madrid are faffing
will be forgiven if we don’t sit back
Fuck’s sake, would De Gea care to catch one of these crosses?
Fuck that was a great header and all.
Rooney screaming because there was no movement hwne he was on the ball
Players just stood around ‘done my job’
Pass, move ffs
Shocking by Evra then. The best player on the pitch gets a free header.
FFS.
Go ‘won, danny, this is your game.
Coentrao looks scared of Rooney.
Shitcunt
Someone get hold of Ozil!
We’re starting to flap now!
Benzema looks like the weak link in their attack. I’m starting to pee myself a little bit every time Ozil touches the ball in our half.
Need to get to half time pronto!
Roo seems to have shifted over to the left following Ronaldo.
Crackin game…
Benzema is an amazingly soft shite for such a big lump of a lad.
We need Val to help out Rafa…switch Roo to left..
1-1 isn’t too shabby
If love to be able to enjoy it!!
I’ve been fine all build up but as soon as the kick off whistle went….doom! Lol
Thank fuck it’s half time. Need to get a grip in midfield second half, get closer!
Rafael looks shaky as fuck. There were 2 or 3 different occasions where he’s had a chance to cut the ball out and conceded a throw in but he got done by the Madrid player. Our right side is a great big gaping gash waiting to be exploited. It wouldn’t surprise me if Rafael were to get sent off if he isn’t substituted first.
I think we’ve shown Madrid far too much respect. We need to play to our strengths and really get them. They are shit at defending set pieces. We need the away goals so let’s have a proper go at them. If we sit back and fanny about, Madrid will tear us to pieces.
Bollocks to caution, let’s roll our sleeves up and have a go at them.
Commentary said Lindegaard was warming up first half. Hope ddg can stay on.
Ramos should’ve had a yellow for the elbow. Would’ve been out of the next leg
Evra was never going to win a header vs Ronaldo. A CB should’ve stepped up
swap rooney and kagawa, then get kagawa off
rafas dealing with two on his own there
Real are putting a lot of crosses in, maybe we would have been better off with Vida after all.
Kagawful..copywrite capth
Good so far BUT UTD should hold onto the ball better and do a much, much better job of connecting midfield with forwards. Too often, the ball goes out and then comes right back.
Not much NinjaEvra could do about CR7’s header – he slipped and Ronaldo read the pass much better.
DannyTHeLad has done well but KagawaBunga has been pretty invisible because the defensive players can’t get the ball forward; RVP has been pretty awful and I’d consider bringing on Chicharito for him not just because he has a yellow card.
In the second half, TheLads have to do a better job of keeping hold of the ball which seems pretty obvious, eh ?
The away-goal is HUGE but it’s pretty important to shut up shop and keep them from scoring more.
Going back to OT with a one-goal “advantage” would be pretty much the best we can hope for. I sure SAF would show us his sporran for that !
Might want to think about bringing Cleverley or Anderson on for Kagawa, because Kagawa’s not seeing too much action, and we could do with more energy and mobility in midfield. Raf also needs to calm down, I’m worried about him picking up a second yellow. Both of our full backs are really getting worked over tonight.
nah persie has held onto the/ ball every time hes had it, superb cross for welbecks other chance an all, its kagawa whos been crap, and wayne tbf
2nd half is starting. Let’s fist them.
Rooney also been off tonit. But he’s the sort of player that can explode one moment and win you games…hope he improves…
Wayne on right straight away..thank fuck
Rvp is class
Think Real are certain to score again unless we change the pattern of this game.
we will score from a corner again
Brilliant from Jones that
Why is out midfield standing and watching?
Carrick needs to get tighter on ozil
Hit the fuckers!!! Standing off them is asking for trouble!
is this referee related to that twat at celtic park last night?
Fucks sake, Fergie, change something before it’s too late.
That’s fucked
Rooney one was a yellow, Evra one was a red
You’re right, Alf, we’ll get nothing from this ref. He really bottled that foul on Evra.
The ref is clearly a spastic
Kagawa RELEASE the fucking ball you cunt!!!
I detest Madrid and all thy stand for*spits*
I detest Madrid and all thy stand for*spits*
I’m starting to find this extremely unpleasant viewing.
DDg is the goalkeeping equivalent of Ronaldo..everyone thinks he’s a cunt but us
Fuckers in the know, know he’s gonna be the best in the world when he matures
Potentially similar scenario with welbeck
Edited so the forum mongs know what I’m on about ffs
LKHF
faffing
Tick tock…
We need to wake up!
Fair fucks to Danny Welgood ( see what I did there Cap?)
He’s playing very well.
Maybe we should bring Giggs on for Kagawa. He’d provide more connection between midfield and attack, also a cool headed player.
giggs ffs.
He’s potentially great
Thank fuck Kawasaki is off. Rubbish.
Yeah, but Calvino is going to batter his missus tonight now giggs is on
LKHF
faffing
Hey up danni you midlands Amsterdam hybrid cunt..got my iPhone 5 coming tomorrow
Wow I know Fergie’s mind better than he does himself.
Nice one, can you switch the spell checker off the cunt?
Sent from my iPad
if the score is level after 80 mins, expect them to throw the sink at us
Standing ovation for Giggs when he came on
G’won, Cal
Dude we are getting bummed already. Close!
Fuck fuck
RVP should have scored
Van…
valencia on
knobhead will be banging cap’n tonight for sure
how do RVP not bury that????????????
Pleased that Valencia is one. He may be a one dimensional guff but at least he’s a hard bastard.
They have too much power. They look fitter and stronger. We look beat.
ozil arse raping united
Rooney is working hard, but his passing has been poor this match.
De Gea, masterful
De Gea is immense!!
Giggs. Legend.
You don’t learn do you gluedick
Giggs, fucking ace
obviously not
learn me some manners big bad boss
Valencia lets the ball go out. What a fucking dick.
As thom Yorke so beautifully sang on the bends..”you do it to yourself you do..and that’s what really hurts…..”
One trick pony Valencia but a hard cunt. Nice touch.
oh come off it neil
u love it really
Que????
Lololol
Ffs Anderson you shit haired bastard
Great stuff from Madrid.
Phil jones is going to be a great
See
Jones was awesome tonight.
Ref..match fixing bonus doubt there you cunt??
Ah yes Anderson I remember him. Guess the forum spastics are still wanking off his you tube video.
Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.
Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice – Steven Jobs
all set for 3 weeks now
UNbelievable, the ref really is on the take.
1-1, get in
We can knock em out no worries
Nazi cunt ref
He will be a united lynchpin for the next decade or so
Kudos to rvp and the goalie equivalent of cr7
Too right, that was fucking ridiculous.
He’s the next ronaldinho you know danni
Good game… good result… played in a good spirit… Ronny coming back to OT… all to play for… cannae fuckin wait.
The knobhead, blowing during the corner
Tbf they might have hit us on the counter
I told you not to worry
Bring on mighty reading I say
Ref was fine for the continent. Could have been worse.
Now..where’s my rum
Cuba libre time methinks
GREAT result!! All to play for in OT…
Jones, DDG has been absolutely awesome! RVP also been good…his ball skills are silky smooth
kagawa Rooney were off tonight….Rafa concerning but stabilized in 2nd half…
An acceptable result but, fuck me, I hope we don’t play that chess match bollocks at Old Trafford. I can see that we played cautiously because they’re one of the best counter-attacking sides in Europe and we needed to make sure we had something to take to the 2nd leg but that Real Madrid defence is shite.
Rooney was fucking shocking.
That said, we should have won it in the end.
Great performance from Welbeck, De Gea and Jones!
Also thought RVP done his job and Giggs done well when he came on.
Cal?
The return leg is in March ffs
The arse will have fallen out of the tie
Welbeck and DDG were immense
Just a mixture of being blind and stupid and arguing for the sake of it. He is shit and should get the crap beaten out of him.
Oh but yes he takes time to develop?! Same as Bebebongo. Dreadlocked spliffy bustaklaart.
Kagawaga. What a load of fanny batter. He should be shot and made into burgers.
Welbeck, de gea and jones all young…ffs you cunts slagging them should be ashamed
Ffs..21 yo on average..some of yous cunts were still trying to get laid at that age
Some still are!
Giggs was shit you blind twat.
evans was
Ffs..21 yo on average..some of yous cunts were still trying to get laid at that age
Some still are!
evans was fantastic an all
seems to be him plus one at the back in taggarts eyes, fair play
hes got the fucking lot, its obvious
this is what happens when he plays up front, or not stuck to the byline atleast
Yeah..Evans was great too..but he’s at that age where he’s justifying it..those 3 others are kids and all these forum footballing greats slagging kids know fuck all about the game
DDG is quality. Skinny little fucker, looks like a gay and has a gay name. Fucker is lightening fast. Watch how fast the cunt moves!
Kawasaki is supposed to be a shit slick but he is a slower than a 3 day constipated turd. DDG is faster than a Bugatti Bruce Lee Bolt.
Agree Giggs was shit…
On another note..RVP needs a rest. I bet Hernandz starts vs Reading…
Leek reds…Jono!! Get in brother!!
Fucking delighted with that result.
And delighted that de Gea was able to stick two fingers up to all the doubters, because THAT was special
Me and alf up top could start against reading ffs
Hi sweetheart..you ok?
Van Persie should’ve won it. Welbeck could’ve had one too.
Varane and Ramos should’ve been sent off. Did they even get a yellow?
I thought that SAF could have brought on Chicharito for RVP instead of Anderson for Rooney – the only time Anderson touched the ball he immediately gave it away to Modric (the AshleyBloodyYoung of RM). Overall, a very good result – a very different result if RVP had hit that ball full-on rather than bouncing it for Alonso to clear off the line. Anyhow, MrJones and DDG did their jobs well, LittleRedRafa was not quite on-song and a bit reckless but he pretty much handled CR7 but got skinned by Fabio Coentrao a couple of times. The central pairing of Rio/Evans was very good too. SO, overall, job done. Now to attend to the bum squeaks.
Great result, got to be happy with a 1-1 draw, good performance, were in with a great chance now.
what did giggs do wrong apart from fluff the chance
that bit where he made that challenge in the box and then skinned arbeloa was great
Ignore the sycophants
It annoys me that Van Persie should have scored. The tie is still so finely balanced. There were positives from tonight’s performance but there’s still a lot to do.
persies miss was horrendous tbf
like that fucking sitter that knocked arsenal out to milan last year
he’ll score in the 2nd eg tho
We will win at to 2-1
Cant wait for the game at Old Trafford.
oT…ffs
Buzzing.
That is all that he did. Otherwise he was shit, average tackles, average passes, average vision, average crosses and plain old average energy.
He’s busted up. One decent game a month and that is all. He was dead by the end and he was only on for 15 mins. Legend yes – old and only occasionally useful – also yes.
He does yoga though so that’s ok.
Van Persie missed the most clear cut chances in the league last year. Still manages to score plenty
Xabi alonso…my beard is better than yours you cunt!
Nah… The build up of “the return of Ronaldo”, will stoke the fire… it’s going to be a classic.
I miss your musk…
aye but his isn’t made up of his pubes
^^^THIS!
Yeah, I’d go along with that.
All beards are pubes you thick gay cunt
now now
play nicely
we had a great result and you want to go and spoil it all by being spiteful about homos
Han..you really are a top class bender in the biblical sense.
Out!
Rooney did exactly what other top players, and other teams, won’t do – he put in a shift, out of position, for the betterment of the team. The only other Manager at the top level who gets players to do that? Mourinho – Inter Milan, Sami Eto’o.
That’s why our team is always much better than the sum of it’s parts – because players believe in a cause, and they work and know their roles. Chelsea always look like a group of strangers milling around. City win because they have utterly brilliant players in each position. Not because they’re a good team, this season has shown they’re probably far from it. They’re not in it together.
I have to say, I enjoyed today, mostly because it should surely shut up a load of critics and pundit mongs, and it is nice to see other drongos who support other sides with a little stfu – so many times I’ve heard “you’s are gonna get stuffed, etc”.
You know what, yes, this isn’t a vintage, gung ho, cavalier United. But it’s a team, a real *team*. And that’s brilliant.
I’m not expecting anything from the nexet game, just another good team performance, and we’ll see what happens.
Well said fella
Correct.
Although some tits on here won’t be happy unless we’re scoring six a game.
i will never leave rant
i will haunt you for eons to come
actually if we win the title this season, i will stand down and call it a day
so start praying with your mob and put me out of my misery
that is just plain wrong
where did you learn biology?
Han..tbf mate..you ain’t that important to me so if you stay or go I really..really do not give a flying fuck..
If we won the league lost it or got relegated you could do what the fuck you want and I’d not lose a second of sleep
Howeve,..if I lost knobhead..Bri, pikey, alf, cal, etc I’d need valium
The two of you can start a whole load of shit…but can yer finish?
..add herbie to that list too
Tbf I’m a fat Paul scholes..but I’d score a minimum f 1 out of 3
without Han , what have we got left.
Who’s Han?
no worries
have a good evening
GOD ,HIMSELF.
Rooney worked hard yes. But a player of his calibre still should have done better on his frist touch and passing. Some of his first touches were literally painful to watch…
Must give shout out to Rio and Evans. They were really solid.
I’m so emotional right now…! *swoon*
Fergie got in a dig at Messi saying couldn’t have scored Ronnie’s header. Very true.
Ron was in the United dressing room after the game n all.
If he was 6 ft 3 he could
he scored better headers than that for us tbf
That’s why our team is always much better than the sum of it’s parts – because players believe in a cause, and they work and know their roles. Chelsea always look like a group of strangers milling around. City win because they have utterly brilliant players in each position. Not because they’re a good team, this season has shown they’re probably far from it. They’re not in it together.
I have to say, I enjoyed today, mostly because it should surely shut up a load of critics and pundit mongs, and it is nice to see other drongos who support other sides with a little stfu – so many times I’ve heard “you’s are gonna get stuffed, etc”.
You know what, yes, this isn’t a vintage, gung ho, cavalier United. But it’s a team, a real *team*. And that’s brilliant.
I’m not expecting anything from the nexet game, just another good team performance, and we’ll see what happens.
all well and good but weve got plenty of other players who put in a shift on the wing, weve got no one who plays off the striker as good as him, kagawa was again shite
Now that, is classic Ferguson mind games at work… he knows that Ronaldo has been hurting because he feels he doesn’t get the support from Real, that Messi gets from Barca…
I pretty much agreed with Fergie’s comments in that post-match interview. So maybe the way we played in that first half wasn’t tactical at all.
That 2nd leg seems like an eternity away…
True Unc, but I wouldn’t have trusted Young to do that. Maybe Valencia.
Fergie has his go to guy, it’s Rooney. Because Rooney works, and is positionally excellent, physically excellent, and being fair can still have an influence on the game. Maybe Fergie was expecting us to see a little more of the ball, and let Rooney come more central. I don’t think we’ll see a huge system change at home, I do think Cleverley will probably come in for Kagawa, and we’ll see Rooney more central to try and exert influence on the game, and pressurise Alonso
Deck that was nervy…even more so coz I’m going to OT for the 2nd leg and wanted it to be game on…which it now is!
In no way are we a classic Man Utd team, too many average players and not enough world class players…BUT….there’s something awesome watching some of our younger players grow some Bollox and prove me and others wrong…de Gea will prob hav another few shit games but he could be the difference in big Champions League games, there’s no doubt he has some class, just needs to grow into the PL.
I pray Fergie has a few years left in him coz I think without him we wouldn’t hav the same bolloxness and team spirit
Hope Fergie (or whoever) isn’t saying in 4/5 years time, at least we had DDG for 6 years, like we are with Ronaldo. Apparently Barca have got a deal for ter Stegen so that’s at least one less team in the market.
I’d have much preferred a 2-2 result to 1-1. Now if Real score first at OT, we’re back to square one.
Was that de Gea’s best performance in a United shirt? Possibly.
He was MOTM, I thought.
The media criticising Rafael are getting on my nerves. Yeah he had a very tough game and got a yellow card, but he was playing against some of the best attacking players in the world. The fact that Ronaldo moved away from him to find easier prey suggests to me that Rafael got the better of their duel, otherwise why wouldn’t Ronaldo stay on him and try to capitalise on his yellow? Raf then played the whole second half on a caution against the likes of Ronaldo, Ozil, and whathisname the Argentinean winger — that’s proof of discipline and maturity to me.
Did he have a tough time of it? Sure he did, but who wouldn’t have a tough time against problem the best wide-playing attacking team in the world? I’ve seen him play better, but overall I thought he did well, and he was probably a bit drained after playing the full game against Everton.
they overloaded that side three v one, wayne did a shit job of helping, taggart then swapped him and welbeck to get to half time and rafa was fine from then on
did get skinned badly a couple of times in the first half though
Rafa, if anything, was too rash, too committing, in the first 30 mins. Tbf didnt have much help
In 2nd half he was far better…
Think worst Utd players of the day were Kagawa, Giggs and Rooney.
What a fucking brilliant result.
Cleverly will be in at OT with carrick and scholes
United must play 4-4-2 at OT.
Regardless of how the efficient the 4-3-3/4-5-1 is, United have always been comfortable with their regular formation and they’ve beaten all big teams this way.
Let Real adjust to United’s strengths at OT. United have the stronger team. United should just go with their regular team and trust the players to do well.
Rafael has had a bad game but I’d still pick him at right back. He’s old enough and he’s performed well enough this season to be entrusted with this task.
Sir Ryan Giggs? No no no. Sir Paul Scholes say.
A united 4-4-2 would invite a proper fucking at the hands of reading let alone real
^^^^ Err… the match is already over folks. What’s with the predicted lineups for ‘tonight’?
Sir Ryan Giggs? No no no. Sir Paul Scholes say.
Not sure what Kagawa gives the team.He looks a little light weight to me.
he shouldnt play the second leg, especially not when it moves rooney out of position
rons performance was exactly the same as in the 08 final, same goal, same great first half an anonymous second yet he got slaughtered for that game as a big game bottler and hes getting lavish praise now
Speaking of tits… yours still giving you back ache?
The lack of shit talking before yesterday’s game tells you how close Fergie and Mourinho are
They’re both being respectful post match n all, it’s weird, especially when you think this is Mourinho’s Madrid career on the line
hes gagging for taggarts job tbf
He is… when Ferguson packs it in, it will become the highest profile managers job in world sport… and Mourinho would kill to be “The Boss”.
I still think there’s something in Guardiola’s three year contract at Bayern.
But that’s neither here nor there, and I won’t leave myself open to accusations of thread spamming by changing topic!
I agree, and I think Fergie’s playing a bit of a blinder there. I’m not convinced he really admires Mourinho as much as he lets on, but Mourinho can’t afford to get aggro with him as he knows Ferg will probably get to choose his successor. But Mourinho is at his best when he’s balls to the wall and creating an apocalyptic siege mentality with his players. This appearance of a mutual love fest will probably do Real no favours in getting tooled up psychologically for the OT match, especially because they’re just sitting on their arses with nothing to play for domestically. The long break before the return match might help us, so long as key players don’t get crocked.
The thing that gives me the most optimism is that our two most talented players — RVP and Roo — both had average nights in Madrid. It’s not likely that both will be so subdued in the return leg.
I think the return leg is a perfect opportunity for us to give some of our senior players a rest.
I’d play
Lindegaard
Smalling vidic Jones buttner
Anderson. Scholes giggs
Young hernadez Valencia
i like that side, apart from the keeper the midfield the wingers and buttshite
Long time listener, first time poster.
I’m sick of the media having a go a Raf too. At halftime I couldn’t stop thinking about Bayern a couple of seasons back but as soon as he made his first challenge in the second half I knew he was good for it. Gonna be ace that lad
I assume this is a wind-up.
Like a greyhound out of the traps
Welcome mate, you seem nice unlike some of the deplorable cunts here
Hehe
I think SAF was going to play the following:
– DDF
Raf – Rio – Evans – Evra
– Cleverly – Carrick
Welb – Roo – Giggs
– RVP
After today’s game, he might try:
– DDG
Raf – Rio – Evans – Evra
– Giggs – Carrick
Welb – Kagawa – Roo
– RVP
RVP’s having a bit of a dip, but you’ve got to play him surely. I’m assuming Jones is not available.
Kagawa won’t start and given the role Jones played last game, there’s no way Giggs starts at CM. Seems Cleverley and Welbeck were rested and are likely to start. Giggs/Young/Nani could all get a start, but I think Jones will be available and Cleverley will play higher up in the 3. Also if Fergie wants Welbeck to do the same job as last time, then van Persie will be deeper too.
So:
Jones – Carrick
Cleverley – Rooney – van Persie
Welbeck
If Jones isn’t available, I’d go with your first team. Kagawa was impressive in the middle, but if Welbeck is pressuring up top, then to accommodate Kagawa, both Rooney and van Persie would be pushed wide. Can’t see it happening.
nani will play
I’m pretty sure Giggs will play.
What killed Barca in the cup was the counterattacking. I think fergie will keep it tight while conservatively probing forward..
kagawa might very well play.. In the form he was last night he adds cunning to our attacking play
Gven that I would be tempted to say Nani Giggs on the wings, but Val is just much better at tracking back.
Defending against the counter is vital, but, unless we believe that United will keep a clean sheet, so is outscoring Real Madrid. I’d go with something like this:
DdG
Rafael/Rio/Evans/Evra
Jones/Carrick (Valencia if Jones can’t make it)
Nani/Rooney/Welbeck
RvP
Fergie’s right saving Giggs for Madrid. It will give us a psychological boost. He got a standing ovation at the Bernabau and he’ll get another one at Old Trafford. It will make the game about him, us, not about Ronnie or Madrid. People on forums don’t rate this sort of psychological and emotional stuff because it’s all about formations and tactics and boring shit. But it’s a wise move.
I also like how the press are a bit miffed after they all paid for photos and footage of Giggs from the archives in anticipation that he would play against Norwich – and then he didn’t.
is correct
Reading in BbC that SAF saying Giggs and Kagawa will definitely be involved…
Can all be mind gmes of course…
‘Involved’ just means in the 18.
Casillas is in the Madrid squad for our game
jones is out.. id maybe like to see Anderson in his place..
I have a feeling that the side he puts out will look something like this:
DDG
Rafael Rio Evans Evra
Carrick Cleverly
Welbeck Kagawa Rooney
RVP
Rooney on the left is a certainty.
Anderson is unreliable—there’s no way of knowing which version will show up; we don’t need the one who started Saturday against Norwich. I’d put Valencia in Jones’s place alongside Carrick. We know he can defend as well as go forward when opportunities present themselves.
@Dinkinflicker
I’d have no problem with the squad you proposed if you’d replace Cleverley with Valencia. United need to find just the right balance between attack and defending against the counter, which means a midfield pairing that can defend first and foremost. Carrick and Cleverley are two of the same kind of player, while Valencia is a very strong defender and would make the partnership a mixture of guile and passing plus power and pace.
I wouldn’t even put Anderson on the bench… that cunt can play, but only when he feels like it… fuck him… had enough.
You sick bastard
Giggs will be in the middle with Carrick, I’m sure of it.
I could only see that pairing starting in midfield if Rafa and Evra were instructed not to venture into the opposition half of the pitch, and, even then, it wouldn’t work.
No thanks, tel.
with giggs in cm we’ll get overrun and wont be able to keep the ball but will probably score from him creating something, so itll be wembley all over again
if its not jones it obviously has to be cleverley
Anderson is great at holding onto the ball and bring it 20/30 yards upfield.. I think we will need that.. passes well, gets stuck in and hes full of running..
“gets stuck in and hes full of running”
Eh???
He gets stuck in narrow doorways because he’s full of burgers.
I think he meant full of KFC
tbf hes cack
give up tel hes not gonna make it
If he was playing well, like he was at the start of the season, I would agree with you. Unfortunately, he plays shit when he comes back from injury (and he’s had a few injuries during his time at United) and it takes him forever to get into any sort of form….then he gets injured again.
He was pretty shit at the weekend.
What a game. Ronaldo was some player, wasn’t he? They had some class players tbf.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Rooney was dropped tomorrow. Just got a funny feeling he might not start.
big rons right about that first goal
Damn i remember watching that game on the telly. Horrible brcause we were losing but awesome due to Ronaldo’s awesomeness
Hope the other ronaldo doesnt cause us similar pain….
DdG
Rafael/Rio/Evans/Evra
Cleverley/Carrick
Nani/Rooney/Kagawa
RvP
Lad scored a hat trick, what more does he have to do? He and Rooney are really starting to click.
I have no problem with Kagawa, but if, as he did against Norwich, he drifts into the center, then Evra is more exposed when Real counter. Norwich didn’t have the players to take advantage, but Real do. On the other hand, if he doesn’t drift into the center, he won’t be of much use. So either swap him with Rooney: Kagawa behind RvP and Rooney on the wing or, better yet, go with Nani/Rooney/Welbeck—Welbeck is bigger, faster, and stronger than Kagawa.
Knowing that United will almost certainly need to score two or more goals to win, I can understand why people are proposing lineups that feature our best attacking players, but I don’t see a Carrick/Cleverley midfield as being defensive enough to keep from being overrun by Real. Cleverley is probably a bit faster than he appears and will run his socks off, but he isn’t a tackler and is prone to being caught in possession or rushed into risky passes when pressed hard, as I would expect Real to do. He may suck as a winger this season, but Valencia is the man to take Jones’s place, not Cleverley.
There will be faffing
DDg
Rafa rio vidic Vera
Valencia carrick cleverly giggs
Rooney. Rvp
This has the potential to be one of the truly great games… so why do I have the feeling, Ferguson is going to try and choke the life out of it, and go for a 1-0 ground out result???
Agreed…faffing ahoy
Alf,
do you want a great game or do you want us to go through? I could not give a flying fart if it is a borefest as long as we go through. To hell with atmosphere and the rest I just want us to go through because I believe if we get past this lot we shall get to the final as no other team left has the pedigree to touch us.
You all seem to ignore what Welbeck gives us. Jones being out is a big big miss!! Valencia to play infield alongside Carrick and Cleverly with Rooney and Welbeck either side of van Persie.
I think munich would disagree with you cal.. they look like the team to beat this year.. Schweinsteiger and Martinez are fantastic in the middle for them.. alaba is probably the best left back out there and we al know what they are like in the attacking department.
Real are the consensus favourites and I’m shitting myself now already, but at the risk of jinxing things, I wouldn’t be that surprised if we give them a bit of a thrashing. After all there’s a reason why they’re not in contention in their domestic league. If Fergie gets the line-up and tactics right and the lads put in a strong performance, I could see us beating them with 2 or 3 goals, with Ronaldo giving them a consolation goal. If Rooney and RVP both manage to have a good game for once (it always seems to be one or the other), then we’re definitely going to hurt them at the back. That’s the key for me — if they both spark we’re going to score more than once for sure. At the back, I’m confident that the lads will put a good shift in.
Jones not being available seems like a big loss, but someone like Cleverley playing in his place might be a blessing in disguise by giving us more fluidity and creativity in the middle. We’re playing at home after all. I still think Ferg will play Carrick and Giggs in the middle, with Kag, Roo, Welb, and RVP on the sides and front.
Cleverly has been shit lately.
Call him Thomas damn you!!!