Manchester United

[muckypups]

Match report also from The Sunday Times..:

O’Shea has the last word

Liverpool 0 Manchester United 1

Joe Lovejoy at Anfield

So Jose Mourinho was right all along. Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to admit last night that the luck is running Manchester United’s way, and that by winning a match in which they were second best throughout, the Premiership leaders had taken a “massive” step towards regaining the title they last held four years ago.

Liverpool have yet to beat United in the league under Rafael Benitez’s management, and must feel they are fated never to do so. They are unlikely ever to have a better chance and, bitterly disappointed by John O’Shea’s stoppage-time winner, they will need some lifting for the second leg of their Champions League tie at home to Barcelona on Tuesday.

Benitez is fortunate that the occasion alone should be enough to do that. United, to collective disbelief, won the game with 10 men with the only attempt they had on target, O’Shea stabbing the ball home at close range after Jose Reina had failed to hold Cristiano Ronaldo’s driven free kick from the left. It was the first Premiership goal Liverpool had conceded at Anfield since the end of October and their first defeat at home in 31 games.

The dismissal of Paul Scholes after 86 minutes, for an attempted slap at Xabi Alonso, was irrelevant to the outcome, but its consequence was of some concern to Ferguson, who will now be without one of his best midfielders for three games — two in the Premiership and the FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough. A further worry for United was the withdrawal of Wayne Rooney in the second half with a knee injury that will be scanned today. Nevertheless, Ferguson was smiling after a result which he described as “massive for us”. In an assessment that also took in last week’s fortuitous 2-1 win at Fulham, he said: “You need that bit of luck to win the title, and we’ve had that in the last two games.”

Benitez found it “impossible” to explain the outcome. Liverpool had a “goal” by Craig Bellamy disallowed because of an involuntary touch by Momo Sissoko and should have scored two minutes before O’Shea did so, when Peter Crouch, on as a substitute, wasted an inviting chance at the far post, electing to chest the ball down and shoot when a header was the obvious requirement. Edwin van der Sar made an outstanding save, going to his left, to keep out the shot, but was given the opportunity to show his agility by Crouch taking two touches when one was needed.

Liverpool dominated possession but should have made more from it. Their failure to do so was down to a mixture of outstanding defensive work by Rio Ferdinand, for once eclipsing his partner, Nemanja Vidic, and the shortcomings of Dirk Kuyt, Bellamy and Crouch. United might have had a penalty after 78 minutes, when Daniel Agger tripped Louis Saha, but they opted not to complain and push their luck. “Liverpool were fantastic and we had some narrow escapes,” Ferguson said.

Much was made beforehand of the enmity between these two old rivals, but for a long time it was small pie and mash by comparison with last Sunday’s all-London scrap in the Carling Cup final. Any similarity was delayed until the 86th minute when Scholes, like Emmanuel Adebayor in Cardiff, was deemed to have struck an opponent, in this case Alonso, after a “handbags” scuffle. Like the Arsenal striker, Scholes made no contact, but the combative former England man had raised his hands in anger, and Martin Atkinson, a late replacement for Graham Poll as referee, had no option but to produce the red card. Ferguson agreed with the decision, saying: “He had to go.”

Determined to lay their United bogey, and consolidate third place in the table, Liverpool fielded a full-strength team, despite the proximity of Barcelona’s visit. It should have paid off. They played the better football, pressing and pressurising the best team in the country into mistakes.

United had their moments, most of them featuring Ronaldo and Rooney, but their sporadic attacks foundered on the rock that is Jamie Carragher. Ryan Giggs, on his 700th appearance for the club he has served so well, man and boy, was unusually subdued and Henrik Larsson anonymous on his last Premiership appearance before returning to Sweden and Helsingborgs.

A mundane first half was notable only for Kuyt’s inability to get on the end of an inviting cut-back across goal from Bellamy and a couple of inspirational last-ditch tackles from Carragher.

There was a welcome improvement straight after the interval when, within seven minutes of the resumption, Steven Gerrard and John Arne Riise both fired over and Bellamy had a shot well saved before beating Van der Sar, only for Sissoko’s faintest of touches to play him offside. Benitez, to widespread bemusement, replaced Bellamy, his best attacker, with Jermain Pennant after 69 minutes, then sent on Crouch as a last throw of the dice. The England man may stand 6ft 7in, but here was the ultimate proof that he is not as good as he should be in the air. Kuyt’s right-wing cross invited the classic centre-forward’s header at the far post but, mistrusting his aerial ability, Crouch took the ball down to shoot, giving Van der Sar the opportunity to distinguish himself.

Reprieved, United won it with 91 minutes on the clock when Steve Finnan’s foul on Giggs enabled Ronaldo to put in a free kick that Reina, distracted by the presence of Saha, spilled obligingly for O’Shea to pounce decisively.

At the final whistle, the United players celebrated as if the title was theirs, running across to their supporters in fist-shaking jubilation. Ferguson capered halfway with them, then realised such things were somewhat premature and settled for a hug-in with his assistant Carlos Queiroz. Daylight robbery on Merseyside, how uncommon is that?

Star man: Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)

Player Ratings: Liverpool: Reina 6, Finnan 6, Carragher 8, Agger 6, Riise 6, Gerrard 6, Alonso 6, Sissoko 4 (Crouch 79min, 5), Gonzalez 5 (Aurelio 60min, 5), Kuyt 4, Bellamy 7 (Pennant 69min, 5)

Man Utd: Van der Sar 7, Neville 6, Ferdinand 8, Vidic 6, Evra 5 (Silvestre 63min, 5), Ronaldo 7, Carrick 6, Scholes 4, Rooney 6 (O’Shea 73min, 6), Larsson 4 (Saha 67min, 5)

Referee: M Atkinson

Att: 44,403

[mrbojangles]

Surely Mr B...you'd be proud if we secured the title at City....

You stuffy gits. But that's how titles are won i suppose. 3 points even when playing she-ite.

We will still battle to spoil the party though. Might even LET Chelsea win against us next week

[muckypups]

You're a proud bunch Mr. B. (a little bitter maybe... ) so I don't imagine you'd chuck a guaranteed three points away just to spite us..

Oh..and anyone know where the Liverpool thread disappeared to..? Not heard a thing since the awful Pancake incident some months ago..

[redrus]

I'm still in great mood....!

I've not heard a peep from any mickies in 24 hours either though, I do hope they're all ok....!

redrus

[redrus]

Surely Mr B...you'd be proud if we secured the title at City....

You stuffy gits. But that's how titles are won i suppose. 3 points even when playing she-ite.

We will still battle to spoil the party though. Might even LET Chelsea win against us next week

LOL, give over you commoner....!

I like this quote,

Daylight robbery on Merseyside, how uncommon is that?

from Pup's report, amusing....

redrus

[muckypups]

Monday sees a measured take on the result.. and the destiny of the title come May..:

From The Guardian:

The champion moment is felt by O'Shea and acknowledged by Kuyt

Irish substitute delights in a winner that may prove the point of no return for Chelsea's title hopes

Daniel Taylor at Anfield

Monday March 5, 2007

The Guardian

There is a moment in every season when the team that are top of the Premiership know they are going to be champions - one moment when the worrying stops and everything falls into place. It could be a goal, or a miss, or a referee's decision - a moment that defines everything and the arguing ends. Jose Mourinho will contest that that time has still to come. For most observers, however, the defining moment arrived on a crisp spring day when the ball fell to John O'Shea, a boyhood Liverpool fan standing in front of the Kop, with the electronic scoreboard showing that normal time was up.

O'Shea, a second-half replacement for the injured Wayne Rooney, was an unlikely hero and he was sporting a boyish smile as he contemplated the implications at the top of the league. "That must have been soul-destroying for Chelsea," he suggested. "We've been in that position before and it really is soul-destroying. With a couple of minutes to go they [Chelsea] must have been watching the game thinking we were going to drop two points, maybe even three. They were probably thinking Liverpool could nick one because we were down to 10 men and only just holding on. Then we go down the other end and score the winner."

A lot of the debate since O'Shea's potentially title-winning goal has centred on how much luck United are getting. Sir Alex Ferguson, in a rare moment of magnanimity towards Liverpool, admitted himself that Rafael Benítez's team were "unlucky" and Mourinho, who clearly has no intentions of following the United manager's advice to "button his lip", could not resist questioning the leaders' good fortune.

The alternative argument is that United have shown the kind of attributes that are essential for a team with realistic aspirations of finishing as champions: defensive resilience, in Saturday's case inspired by Rio Ferdinand, a thou-shall-not-pass mentality epitomised by the largely unsung Edwin van der Sar and the ability to conjure up late and decisive moments. These are the exact qualities that have established Chelsea as the hegemonic force of English football in the previous two seasons. "It's been fairly rough over the last couple of games," said O'Shea. "We haven't been as fluent as we can be but we keep winning, don't we? It's a case of digging deep and you have to give us credit for that."

Digging deep is something Liverpool may have to do when Barcelona come to Anfield tomorrow chasing a 2-1 deficit. "Everyone is very low but there will be no problem on Tuesday," Dirk Kuyt promised. "We just have to remember how well we played against the side that looks certain to be champions. We are low but we will recover. United have shown throughout the season that they are the best team in the land. People will say they were lucky to beat us but, if you're going to win the championship, you need that bit of luck and it does look like they are going to be champions. As a Liverpool player it hurts to say it but they are virtually there and they deserve it for what they have done over the season. You can't deny they are going to be worthy champions."

The force is certainly with United and at the very least their supporters are entitled to feel slightly heady when they pencil in the possible dates for the season's climax. Confirming everything at Manchester City on May 5 has a particularly nice ring to it.

Ferguson is also acutely aware that the trip to Stamford Bridge will be moved from April 15 to May 8 if either United or Chelsea reach the FA Cup semi-finals, throwing up the possibility that his team will already be champions by the time they head to London. The question is: would Mourinho's players form a guard of honour?

[muckypups]

James Lawton in The Independent:

Wise old hand is too canny to think title already won

From time to time teams turn bad, as Newcastle did under Keegan

Sir Alex Ferguson did not give us his full Nou Camp routine - the hop, the boyish clutching of the hands, and then the great loping, dancing strides into ecstasy - but he did reach at least half-bore.

Only the most rancid souls could complain and it was not the least wonder of the day that there did not seem to be too many of those, not even in Anfield and with Gary Neville strutting, bare-chested, like some under-sized Tarzan. Manchester United may never be truly loved beyond the legion of their vast support, but what Ferguson was celebrating was something that lifts most of us beyond the trenches of competition.

It is when a team on one of the worst of their days do not cast aside the obligation to fight, who say inspiration may have flown but that is no good reason to forget the highest of their hopes.

Still, there was a very good reason why Fergie did not go full tilt. It was that, if he is in some ways ever more the Peter Pan of football, the man who refuses to grow old because it would mean putting down the challenge that makes most sense of his life, no one is more rooted in the competitive realities. What his team did was amazing enough, but no man in the football universe was less in need of hearing it was not stealing a crown. For a third game in succession, it was beating the bullet.

He had the grace to admit to good fortune after United were outplayed in all elements of the game except the most vital one - a finishing touch - and this was perhaps a little evidence of the mellowing that sometimes comes with the years.

In 1999 you would have required burning needles to induce in him even a hint that Bayern Munich might have been a touch hard done by when United erupted so unforgettably in the last minutes of a European Cup final. But if he was now prepared to concede that Liverpool's bad luck had been profound, what the years have not done is lessen his understanding that, with nine games to go, one of them at Stamford Bridge, and with rivals as resilient as Chelsea potentially just three points behind, the Premiership title is still a mile away.

The bookmakers do not agree. They have United at 1-8 and Chelsea 9-2 against. Somewhere between those astonishing odds, surely, lies one of sport's oldest truths. It is that nothing can be taken for granted until the fat lady gives it full throat, a sobering thought not lost on Ferguson by the fact that, if she had been present on Saturday, she would not have been tempted into even a speculative warble before John O'Shea snaffled up his chance after 91 minutes.

One restraint on confidence was that, if Didier Drogba had been playing for Liverpool, they would almost certainly have had the game settled by half-time. Rafa Benitez was also gracious, albeit after agreeing that he would have found it difficult to explain defeat in Spanish, let alone English. But he did concede that when you are playing against a top team, every chance you miss increases your peril.

Certainly, the resolve at an Old Trafford shorn of Paul Scholes for three games after his failed right hook in response to Xabi Alonso's cunning half nelson must be the acceptance that only a sharp improvement in form can turn the next few weeks into anything like a triumphal march.

Results, they say, are the most important thing but in the long term they can only be maintained by superior performance. United cannot be begrudged their good fortune thus far. They still have money in the bank along with that vast goal difference advantage over Chelsea. They have played some wonderful football, they have placed their faith in talent of the quality of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and have been hugely served by Scholes, whose indiscretion could not have been any more poorly timed.

But then, from time to time, teams turn bad, as Newcastle United did under Kevin Keegan in 1996 when they held a 12-point lead over a Ferguson who seemed to do nothing less than will their self- destruction.

Before Wednesday's second leg Champions League tie with Lille, those powers of Ferguson persuasion clearly have to reach optimum levels. His authority in recent weeks seems to have grown in inverse proportion to the team's slide from their earlier coherence. His leadership in Lille, when some United players, notably Neville, were briefly drawn into the anarchy of their opponents, was masterful. At Anfield he was again almost a force of nature, a huge, hectoring presence on the touchline.

Such impact even drew a note of respect from Jose Mourinho after Chelsea kept up the pressure on United with victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. "They win in the last minute and they have no injuries, so the gods are with them," said Mourinho. "But we have to be honest and fair with them and give them what they deserve, which is big respect to the manager and the players."

That was perhaps the best epitaph to United's larceny at Anfield. The gods, after all, can be quite picky about who they favour and no one could doubt that the 65-year-old performing his half-roll of triumph had not paid formidable dues. Nor was he entirely alone in his right to celebrate an unlikely triumph. It is quite possible that Rio Ferdinand has never played with more concentration - or so imperious a touch.

[nev]

what a great result,not been on here for awhile been up my girlfriends village for 2 weeks in kalisin,drove 8 hrs back to pattaya tired went out watch the game wel worth it.

when we scored there was a few reds there and we started singing watpoae!!! for those that dont know that is we are the pride of all europe!! sounded great.

[MiG16]

ohmygosh redrus brought in a buddy unless thats his alter ego

[sianjai]

Made up, what a weekend, roll on the Lille game.

[muckypups]

This is a rhapsody.. and quite right too..

Guy Hodsgon in The independent on Giggs..

\

'After eight championships, the ninth is a bit of a bore. Been there, done it, got the T-shirt. Ryan Giggs needs another medal like the Home Office needs another scandal. Oh yes?

At the final whistle, the 33-year-old raced towards Gary Neville, hugged his friend of nearly 20 years, and then thumped the air in front of the Manchester United supporters. If he had been a teenager on the verge of his first title, he could not have been more excited.

Then, just before leaving the scene of United's 1-0 win over Liverpool, he forgot a pledge he had made eight years previously. "I'll not do it again," he had said when asked why he had ripped off his shirt in the wake of his famous goal in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal. Yesterday the Giggs torso was exposed again as he threw his shirt into the crowd. The result meant that much.

Perhaps it was because this was a win in which Giggs exhibited different qualities. In his 700th appearance in a United shirt, he showed only flickers of the pace and dribbling that made him the world's best left-winger during the decade when he was at his peak. But he showcased the reasons why he is such an important ingredient in Sir Alex Ferguson's assault on a ninth title since 1993.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes have had the biggest piles of garlands laid before them this season, but the enduring qualities that have kept Giggs at the top of his profession since his debut in March 1991 have made a colossal contribution. At Anfield yesterday those jewels were perseverance, adaptability and sheer labour. Eric Harrison, the youth coach who developed United's golden generation, once described Giggs's nimbleness and agility as being "like a ballet dancer"; yesterday those quicksilver feet had workman's boots on.

While Ronaldo can resort to show rather than substance, the man on the opposite flank is quite happy to do the ugly things (as United were clinging to their precious lead, it was Giggs who hoofed into touch). The Portuguese winger can pout when things do not go his way, whereas the Welshman will dart a look of incredulity at the referee then race back after his opponent in an attempt to win back possession. At times yesterday he was a second full-back.

Maybe that is why opposing supporters rarely boo him like they do Ronaldo - or any other United player, come to think of it. It is certainly the reason why Ferguson's admiration for him is unstinting. Twice United changed formation yesterday, and on each occasion the switch depended on Giggs's versatility.

He was brought into central midfield when Liverpool were threatening to overpower United at the start of the second half. Then, when Wayne Rooney had been withdrawn because of a knee injury and Paul Scholes had been sent off, he was asked to use his energy to support Louis Saha up front by breaking from midfield.

It was Giggs, defying the tiredness in stoppage time, who was fouled for the free-kick that led to the goal. Cue United's celebration and a glimpse of Giggs the man. He came to his senses and was the first visiting player to observe the decencies by going over to thank the officials.

Twelve years ago Berti Vogts pinpointed a flaw in Giggs. "There is only one problem," the then German coach said in 1995, "he hasn't got a German passport." Today there is still one problem; he is not 10 years younger.'

[redrus]

what a great result,not been on here for awhile been up my girlfriends village for 2 weeks in kalisin,drove 8 hrs back to pattaya tired went out watch the game wel worth it.

when we scored there was a few reds there and we started singing watpoae!!! for those that dont know that is we are the pride of all europe!! sounded great.

...the cock o the north. We hate the............

That is the second verse though, as the first starts, 'We are just one of those teams that you see now and then, we often six but we seldom score ten....et al, but I'm sure you know that already....

Welcome back nev mate, made up indeed.

ohmygosh redrus brought in a buddy unless thats his alter ego

Funny lady, at least there more than one of us, my alter ego or not....

Made up, what a weekend, roll on the Lille game.

Too right, we are winning while not playing too well, we need a Euro buzz to get us on top form again.

Pups, Giggs as Keane and Scholes is irreplaceable. We have to change and adapt again. Sad but, we can do it.

redrus

[muckypups]

Here we go..

Oliver Kay in Times on tonight and injuries

'Manchester United’s preparations for the second leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie against Lille this evening have been hit by a spate of injuries that will have José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, wondering whether he was right when he predicted that Sir Alex Ferguson’s good luck cannot last all season.

Mourinho had declared that “everything is going for United”, claiming that Ferguson’s squad have been almost injury-free this season while Chelsea have been without influential players such as Petr Cech, John Terry and Joe Cole. But United’s luck seemed to be changing yesterday as Ferguson revealed concerns about Patrice Evra while Louis Saha and Darren Fletcher are definite non-starters tonight.

Saha had been due to play in attack against Lille until he injured his thigh during shooting practice yesterday. Gabriel Heinze, the Argentina defender, is on standby to deputise for Evra, while the loss of Fletcher, who has been ruled out for two months with an ankle injury, comes at a bad time, with Paul Scholes, his fellow midfield player, facing a three-match domestic ban for his red card against Liverpool in the Barclays Premiership on Saturday.

However, it is the injury to Saha that is the most worrying, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recovering from a minor knee operation, Alan Smith out of first-team action since November 7 last year and Henrik Larsson, the former Celtic and Barcelona forward, due to return to Helsingborg once his loan deal expires on Monday.

Saha underwent a scan last night to determine the extent of the injury, with Ferguson maintaining that there was no possibility of retaining Larsson beyond next week. “You can forget that,” the United manager said when asked whether Larsson’s arrangement could change. “That’s definite. Henrik goes back on Monday. The agreement has been reached with myself and Henrik and the club. We have sent Louis for a scan. He won’t be fit to play against Lille and that’s a blow for us.”

The hostility between United and Lille reached new heights last night, with Ferguson and Claude Puel, his opposite number, becoming involved in a war of words as the fallout from Ryan Giggs’s controversial winning goal in the first leg — which prompted Lille’s players briefly to walk off the pitch — continued.

Puel goaded Ferguson about United’s 1-0 defeat by his team in Paris en route to their elimination from the group stage last season, while Ferguson criticised the French club for trying to portray the Premiership leaders as bullies.

“I believe they should be looking at themselves rather than blaming us,” Ferguson said. “I’m sure that when the dust has settled, Lille’s attempt to get their players to walk off in protest will worry their coach for a long time to come.

“Then to appeal against the Uefa findings that the goal should stand beggars belief and just pours more fuel on what is already an inflammatory situation. More and more, Lille are presenting themselves as a little club against a big one who are bullying them.”

[muckypups]

I'll be staying up tonight for this one..

Daily Mail on tonight:

'If a picture can tell a thousand words then the one spread over two pages of tonight's match programme depicting Ryan Giggs' winning goal against Lille two weeks ago has served a purpose.

Far from feeling apologetic for the manner in which Giggs' quickly taken free-kick gave Manchester United a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Sir Alex Ferguson and his players appear ready to take the fight to Lille once more at Old Trafford.

As the French club arrived in the north west yesterday still blaming United's supporters for the crush that developed in the away section in Lens, Ferguson briefly overlooked injury concerns to four players — Louis Saha, Paul Scholes, Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher — to continue the thorny dialogue he began with Lille coach Claude Puel in the wake of the first game.

Ferguson said: "The behaviour of Lille in the first leg and their attitude since marks this tie out as something different. I know our guys will be strong but our opponents have turned this match into something that goes beyond normal rivalry.

"They have virtually accused us of cheating by taking a quick free-kick, despite the fact that their players took similarly speedy action on a number of occasions.

"I believe that Lille should be looking after themselves rather than blaming us and I am sure that when the dust has settled Lille's attempt to get their players to walk off the pitch in protest will worry their coach for a long time to come.

"It certainly should, because I have never seen anything like it before. And then to appeal against the UEFA findings that the goal should stand beggars belief and just pours more fuel on what is already an inflammatory situation.

"More and more, Lille are presenting themselves as a little club against a big one who are bullying them. Inevitably that stance puts pressure on a referee. Officials are only human."

A friend of Arsene Wenger, Lille coach Puel was perhaps never likely to figure on Ferguson's Christmas card list. After his contribution at a press conference last night, the Frenchman will be lucky to get so much as a handshake from Ferguson on Wednesday night.

Rather than offer words of conciliation, Puel offered a controversial view of the crush involving United supporters that briefly revived memories of the Hillsbrough disaster.

Puel said: "You can't criticise the organisation of Lille when Manchester United fans were violent and possessed counterfeit tickets.

"But the facts are there for people to see. It is difficult to see where any of this is Lille's fault. Anyway the relevant authorities will judge this now.

"We have heard a lot of things from Sir Alex Ferguson since the first leg but this is always what he does when he puts pressure on. It can't have been pleasant for him to be knocked out by Lille, a little club, last year so maybe it is something to do with this.

"This whole situation has been created by Manchester United and I am not interested in it. In France we are interested in respect between coaches and teams but maybe that is not the tradition in England."

For all Puel's claims, the issue of Giggs' goal has become an obsession in France. Two appeals to UEFA to have the game replayed have failed and yesterday national coach Raymond Domenech warned United that "the English players should watch out for themselves" in the return leg.

He said: "Lille's players have been filled with a sense of unfairness and rebellion. That could turn out to be a very positive emotion for them."

Ferguson and his squad have remained phlegmatic about the issue. The manager laughed on Tuesday and suggested that his players would happily attempt a quick free-kick again.

Giggs said: "All the fuss over the goal in France won't bother me when I am on the pitch at Old Trafford. I asked the referee if I could take it quickly. The referee came over and said 'Do you want the whistle?' and I said 'No, I will take it quickly'.

"I told Wayne Rooney to put the ball down and that was it. I was pleased to see it go in. If it hadn't I probably would have had a few sharp words from the boss.

"The last time I scored a goal like that nobody thought about walking off the pitch. I was just amazed by what was happening around us. I did not know what was going on.

"If it is on I will ask the referee again. It does not matter if there is a fuss again. I am not breaking the rules so I would do it again."

United have endured their fair share of setbacks in Europe in recent years, including last season's failure to reach the knockout stages, but there is no reason why tonight should bring another one.

MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-4-2) Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze; Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Larsson.

LILLE: (4-4-1-1) Sylva; Chalme, Tavlaridis, Plestan, Tafforeau; Keita, Makoun, Dumont, Bastos; Obraniak; Odemwingie.

REFEREE: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spn)

[MiG16]

oi reddie....

i got a friend now....

look.......

[mrbojangles]

Well done United but keep my congrats quiet will ya

[redrus]

Well done United but keep my congrats quiet will ya

You winkin at me luv....? Put it away........!

redrus

[redrus]

Club given Italian job; Eat sleep sport.

Fri, Mar 09 2007 11:38

Man United have drawn Roma in the quarter finals of the Champions League and could play either Bayern Munich or AC Milan in the semis.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will travel to the Stadio Olympico for the first leg on either March 24 or 25, with the return leg at Old Trafford a week later.

Should the Premiership leaders overcome the Italian side then they would then face either German outfit Bayern, who they beat to win the tournament in 1999, or AC Milan, who won the trophy in 2003 after they beat Juventus on penalties at Old Trafford in the final.

AS Roma test for Manchester United

11:26 March, 9, 2007

The Reds will face the Italian giants in the last eight of the Champions League - with the first leg to be played in Rome.

"We have had a few bad years in terms of qualifying for this stage," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"But the quarter-final is not our aim.

"We want to go as far as we can and we want to be there in the final."

First legs are to be played on 3/4 April with second legs scheduled for 10/11 April.

redrus

[mrbojangles]

Well done United but keep my congrats quiet will ya

You winkin at me luv....? Put it away........!

Highlight my post with your cursor you muppet. Subliminal message and all that as in (the last word thread).

[ThaiPauly]

Best draw you could have really hoped for..maybee apart from PSV..or Liverpool...but you are no doubt saving them for later ha ha

Good luck...sure you will come through...I'll be rootin for you...(or just plain rootin if I'm lucky)

[redrus]

View from The Smoggies Camp.

The Big Match: Boro v Manchester Utd

Mar 9 2007

Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

Boro's point in the Tyne-Tees derby extended their fine run to one defeat in 14 games.

They did not play anywhere near as well as they would have liked at St James' Park, but were solid and rarely looked like being breached at the back.

The only disappointment was that Boro did not feature as an attacking force.

However, only Chelsea have lowered the Boro flag in their last seven games on the road.

Boro's run at the Riverside goes further back. They have not lost at home since December 2, when, ironically, Man Utd were the victors by 2-1 in a league game. Since then Boro are unbeaten in nine home league and cup games.

Know the form: Man Utd

United are unbeaten in ten league and cup games and seemingly well on their way to landing the title.

They are also battling on two cup fronts, having reached the last eight of the Champions League this week in addition to facing Boro in the FA Cup.

United completed a 2-0 aggregate win against Lille on Wednesday when Henrik Larsson scored the only goal in the second leg at Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs had netted in a 1-0 win in France.

Last weekend United again proved their mettle on their travels by grabbing all three points at Liverpool, despite losing red-carded midfielder Paul Scholes.

John O'Shea scored the winning goal in the closing minutes to leave United six (I thought it was twelve) points clear at the top.

What we say about them

Jonathan woodgate: "This is a massive game for us. We know it is going to be tough but be believe we are capable of winning. In fact we are going to try to win this competition.

"Obviously, we have got to do it the hard way by playing Manchester United and that is never easy, but we have a decent record against them. On our day, we can beat anyone and the results have shown that this season.

"It will be difficult because United are a special side. They will probably win the League - and I hope they do because they are a good team and play attractive football.

"Some people are saying they will put out a weakened side because of the Champions League, but I don't think they will. In any case any United side is not exactly weak."

What they say about us

Sir Alex Ferguson: "Apart from the results, it has been a bad week for us.

"We are very disappointed to lose Mikael Silvestre after the Champions League match. It is another big blow for us because, in the space of a week, we have lost five players.

"Louis Saha will be missing for four weeks although, with hamstrings, you can never be sure exactly how long they will be out. Ole will not be available until March 31, Darren Fletcher is out for two months and now Henrik Larsson is leaving us.

"But we have a strong squad of players here and we will go to Middlesbrough looking to play well.

"It's an opportunity for us to reach the FA Cup semi-finals and it's one we want to take."

Player spotlight: Boro

Boro midfield duo Lee Cattermole and Julio Arca will have late fitness tests tomorrow.

Both players were injured in the derby draw at Newcastle.

Cattermole suffered a bang on his knee and Arca a dead leg.

If Cattermole is fit he will almost certainly start on the right side of midfield ahead of James Morrison.

There are potential contenders for Arca's role, Fabio Rochemback and Jason Euell both having enjoyed solid 90-minute work-outs for Boro reserves on Wednesday.

Euell, in fact, scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool with a cracking drive from the edge of the box.

Robert Huth also made his comeback in that game, playing 45 minutes, but is still a long way from making a first team return.

Player spotlight: Man Utd

Striker Henrik Larsson plays the last competitive game of his 10-week loan spell for United tomorrow.

The Swede is due to return to his club Helsinborg at the end of next week.

United are without fellow strikers Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. Saha has a hamstring injury and Solksjaer has recently undergone knee surgery.

United also have problems in midfield because Paul Scholes is suspended following his red card at Liverpool last weekend, while Darren Fletcher is sidelined with ankle ligament damage.

To make matters worse, United lost French defender Mikael Silvestre with a dislocated right shoulder during the midweek Champions League win against Lille.

Things they'd rather forget

United found it difficult to replace the legendary Sir Matt Busby when he resigned in 1969, and the team struggled under Wilf McGuinness and Frank O'Farrell before Tommy Docherty became manager at the end of 1972.

The Doc saved United from relegation that season but they went down in 1974.

The team won promotion at the first attempt and reached the FA Cup Final in 1976, but were beaten by Southampton. In spite of his popularity with the supporters, Docherty was sacked when he was found to have had an affair with the physiotherapist's wife.

Dave Sexton replaced Docherty in 1977, and made the team play in a more defensive formation. This style was unpopular with supporters and, after failing to win a trophy, Sexton was sacked in 1981.

His place was taken by Ron Atkinson.

Beat the bookies

Teesside fans will benefit from a financial bonanza this weekend if Boro can upset the apple cart and shoot down Man United.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes offer attractive prices for Boro to win the tie over 90 minutes tomorrow.

Ladbrokes spokeswoman Melanie Lamming said: "Boro fans can cash in with odds of 20/1 for Boro to win 2-0.

"A 2-1 win is 16/1 while 1-0 is 8/1. A fairy-tale re-run of last year's 4-1 win is 100/1.

"Wayne Rooney is shortest priced at 5/1 to score the first goal, while Ronaldo is 6/1.

"Yakubu and Mark Viduka offer better value at 7/1 and 8/1 respectively."

United are 8/13 favourites to win the tie on the day, and 6/1 to win 1-0 or 2-0.

Melanie's tip: Boro to win the match tomorrow. Ladbrokes price is 4/1.

redrus

[ThaiPauly]

oooooooooooooooh.....I have just seen the draw...could well be a United v Liverpool final.

On the Sky Sports poll of "Who will win the Champions league a massive 40% have gone with United,,,so you are obviously favourites.

[redrus]

Well done United but keep my congrats quiet will ya

You winkin at me luv....? Put it away........!

Highlight my post with your cursor you muppet. Subliminal message and all that as in (the last word thread).

Ok mate, thanks....!

Didn't think you'd stoop to Bristolian tricks...........

Yeah, TP, cheers, keep rootin mate.

I think its the best for all of us, we can't meet an English club till the final now. If we get there obviously but, I will not underestimate any team in any part of this competition....!

redrus

[redrus]

Well done Boro but, we did not need that....!

Ronaldo spot-on to earn replay

By Graeme Bailey -Sky Created on 10 Mar 2007

Manchester United needed a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty to claim a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough in their FA Cup quarter-final at The Riverside.

United had taken the lead midway through the first half when Wayne Rooney fired home, but Boro turned the tie on it's head with goals either side of the interval with Lee Cattermole and then captain George Boateng pouncing.

Boateng then turned villain as he was penalised for handling a Ryan Giggs corner and Ronaldo stepped up to convert and seal a replay for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

United's already sizeable injury list was added to just before kick-off as Edwin van der Sar pulled up with a calf injury which meant a late call-up for Tomasz Kuszczak - and the Pole was called into action after just eight minutes.

Julio Arca produced a sublime ball behind the United defence which allowed Stewart Downing to run onto the ball, but he could not find the net as Kuszczak came racing off his line and deflected the shot just over.

The visitors were soon in their stride and Henrik Larsson, in his last game for the club before he returns to Sweden, fed a perfect ball into the path of Rooney - but he flashed his shot wide with Jonathan Woodgate breathing down his neck.

However, Rooney did not make the same mistake just minutes later when he fired United ahead. Ryan Giggs broke down the middle, fed Rooney and the England star came in from the left before firing simply into the corner of Mark Schwarzer's net.

United had the much better of possession, but Boro still looked dangerous and Kuszczak was again on hand to pull off a great save as Yakubu Aiyegbeni turned Rio Ferdinand and unleashed a goalbound effort, but the Polish ace was there to save at full stretch.

Both sides had chances before the interval, and it was the home side that took theirs to level.

Giggs almost doubled United's advantage when he clipped the outside of the post with a beautiful volley - after Neville had picked him out with a sublimely timed chipped pass into the area.

Boro, though, made United pay and it was an excellent finish from Cattermole. Kuszczak made an initial error in coming for a ball, which Rio Ferdinand headed clear - Arca picked up on it and found Cattermole six yards out and the England Under 21 star did brilliantly to control, turn and volley first time into the net.

The second half began in frantic fashion as Boro took the lead in the opening few minutes.

Cattermole battled with Gabriel Heinze to win a corner. Downing curled in the resulting set-piece and he found and unmarked Boateng running around the back and he headed easily past Kuszczak.

Totally caught cold United were left chasing the game. Larsson had a decent chance as he was picked out by Michael Carrick's wonderful ball, but Stuart Parnaby came across to make an excellent block.

Parnaby also got a chance to show his attacking credentials and he got on the end of an excellent move as Viduka, Cattermole and Boateng combined - but the full-back's eventual effort was seen harmlessly over by Kuszczak.

United were looking to push on at every opportunity, but Schwarzer remained largely untested.

Just as Boro looked to be weathering the storm, United were literally handed a route back into the match and they readily accepted it. A Giggs corner was flicked on by Ferdinand and Boateng, who led with his arms, was punished by Rob Styles.

Ronaldo was tasked with taking the spot-kick and he finished with great aplomb in front of the travelling United support.

Clearly neither side wanted a replay as both pushed forward, but again nothing clear-cut was created at either end.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate introduced James Morrison for Cattermole and it was the home side who looked the more likely.

Viduka did his best to weave some magic on the edge of the box and he worked a good opening for Parnaby but his shot was straight at Kuszczak.

Jason Euell and Lee Dong-gook were also introduced by Boro as they looked for the winner, but it was in vein as they booked a replay at Old Trafford.

This will be the fourth time in succession that the Teessiders will have needed a replay in this season's FA Cup, while United - with Premiership and Champions League commitments will not be too happy with the prospect of another game, which will take place on March 19.

The March 19 date will also be a very unattractive proposition for England boss Steve McClaren - who takes his side to Israel for a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier just five days later.

redrus

[redrus]

Boateng hero and villain as United taken to replay, The Daily Mail.

Last updated at 19:43pm on 10th March 2007

Middlesbrough 2 Manchester United 2

Manchester United's treble dream survived an FA Cup rollercoaster at the Riverside.

In front and in control following Wayne Rooney's clinical strike midway through the first half, United found themselves behind to a durable Middlesbrough as Lee Cattermole and George Boateng found the net either side of the interval.

But, just as on their last visit to Teesside, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were in receipt of a debatable penalty decision as referee Rob Styles ruled Boateng had handled Rio Ferdinand's flick-on.

That allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to drill home his 17th goal of the campaign and earn an Old Trafford replay on Monday week.

Middlesbrough were worthy of the result, which may have created some kind of record as Gareth Southgate's men have now required second games in every round of the competition.

United have drawn twice themselves now and will probably not relish the return as much as Boro.

With injuries already starting to bite, United lost Edwin van der Sar before kick-off.

Still technically on loan from West Brom, reserve goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was given an unexpected chance when Van der Sar limped out of the warm up with a calf injury.

The Pole was called into the action early and reacted quickly to race out and block Stewart Downing's early effort after the young winger had darted past Gary Neville into the United box.

For a long time after that, Kuszczak was a mere spectator as United assumed total control.

Branded a cheat by Southgate on his last visit to Teesside after winning his side a controversial penalty, Ronaldo was predictably booed every time he touched the ball.

The winger did not show any sign of the reaction affecting him, although he was upstaged by old-timer Ryan Giggs, who, in a role just behind lone striker Henrik Larsson, created mayhem with his direct running.

It was hardly a surprise Giggs should be heavily involved in the move which saw the visitors seize the initiative, calmly feeding Rooney after Larsson - booked for diving himself on his final United appearance - had turned the ball into his path.

Rooney has hardly been a prolific scorer this season but the England star happily exploited the room Jonathan Woodgate offered him and belted his 13th goal of the season into the corner of Mark Schwarzer's net.

Middlesbrough were not totally out of it, and Kuszczak needed to make another excellent save to deny Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who rolled Rio Ferdinand and let fly with a volley which the goalkeeper pushed out with a firm arm.

Giggs was agonisingly close to finishing off a sublime chip from Gary Neville with a volley that bounced away off the post and it took a close-range Woodgate block to deny the Welshman, who had skipped past a couple of would-be tacklers.

But the whole game was turned on its head in two minutes either side of the half-time interval.

Cattermole and Boateng had bagged just a single goal between them before tonight's encounter. But what a time for the central midfield duo to explode into life.

First Cattermole controlled with his chest before smashing home a volley on the turn after Kuszczak had failed to reach a Downing cross nodded back into the danger zone by Arca.

Then, with most supporters still taking their seats for the second-half, Boateng was left completely on his own to attack a Downing corner, the Dutchman getting enough force into his header to prevent Giggs being able to hook it off the line.

Yet, in celebrating their lead, Boro made the fatal error of dropping back far too deeply.

The Teessiders had already survived a couple of hairy moments when Ferdinand flicked Giggs' corner straight at Boateng.

To the consternation of the home supporters, referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot, deeming the Boro skipper had deliberately handled.

Ronaldo drove home his first goal outside of league combat this term to earn United another attempt at reaching the last four.

redrus

[sianjai]

A hard fought 2-2 , fair play to Boro they gave it a go. Another game ,I know we shouldn`t grumble, but I hope we dont run out of steam!!!!

[spot]

You really are riding your luck..

[nev]

You really are riding your luck..

so who do you support mate?

fair play to boro!!

means scholes will only miss one league game now.

[spot]

so who do you support mate?

Liverpool.

I said it on a previous post, that a championship winning team needs luck as well as the obvious.

Manchester UTD seem to be having that bit of luck.

That bit of luck gets you through the times when you're not playing 100% well.

spot

[redrus]

so who do you support mate?

Liverpool.

I said it on a previous post, that a championship winning team needs luck as well as the obvious.

Manchester UTD seem to be having that bit of luck.

That bit of luck gets you through the times when you're not playing 100% well.

spot

:D

Not bitter are we..............!

redrus