Sep 30
Aalborg v Man Utd: Preview
Fergie was in particularly non-cooperative mood with the press, basically telling the English media to fuck off. He cites the misquote (that Chelsea were too old for the title) in South Africa as a reason why they won’t hear from him again. Of course he had to attend the pre-match conference according to UEFA rules, so we do have quotes from him.
He stresses the need to get a win today because going to Parkhead and El Madrigal for wins is always going to be challenging. He also recalls the last time we faced a Danish club (FC Kobenhavn) when we had to scrap our way to qualify:
“I don’t have any fears about complacency with this side. But we made a mistake with the team against Copenhagen and ended up scrapping to qualify. This time I will play my strongest team. Having dropped two points in our first game it is important we get it right against Aalborg. Going to Villarreal for a win will be very difficult and the last thing we need is to be going to Parkhead needing three points to go through. We need to get to February because that is when the tournament really takes off.”
The fact that he’ll play a very strong team is encouraging.
On the injury front Owen Hargreaves continues to be dogged by his tendinitis problem. Mr. Saha Mk II concedes that the problem is such that it will go away in time. So like some bloke (don’t recall who) I saw on TV would say, it’s like dealing with a bad sex life in a relationship, if you don’t talk about it it will somehow go away. We hope it’s true.
In other team news, Gary Neville will be giving Hargreaves and Carrick company at Carrington, and this will come as a relief to Wes Brown. The boss is backing Berbatov to shine, again.
Anyway, on to what I think to be the starting XI: Rooney and Berbatov will start. Ronaldo and Nani on the wings. Anderson and Fletcher will be in central midfield (I am still undecided on our best central midfield pairing) and Brown, Vidic, Rio and Evra will be our back four with EVDS between the sticks.
On predictions for today’s game, I think I don’t see much reason for us to worry because Aalborg is currently scrapping at the bottom rungs of the Danish premier division. So I’d say 2-0 to the reds.
Over and out. See you after the game.
Related items from Red Rants:- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Manchester United’s 08/09 Champions’ League Opponents
- Derby County v Man Utd: Preview
- Update on Red Rants
Tags: Game Preview · UEFA Champions' League
September 30th, 2008 at 17:11
Well, its only 2 hours left to kick off, so I will make a short preview on my own. Denmark is a place we have had mixed fortunes in the past, winning 6-2 in 1998 and losing 1-0 in 2006. This time we are lucky compared to 2006 cause its not snowing. Its not very warm, but Scandinavia isnt usually very warm. Fergie has said he learned from his last visit in Denmark and he will not undersetimate his oppontents today. United will field their strongest team, which I actually am looking forward to see. With Rovers away being the next game, Anderson needs to be fully fit for Saturday cause we need his energy at Ewood park. Nani has gotten some stick by some of you, to me shocking to blame a young lad having just his second season with us for being to selfish. 1: He is Portugese. 2: He is a winger with a lang range shot that is more powerful than a RPG. 3: He wants to impress Fergie. Him shooting often does not have anything with him being a bad player, but him being young and not having good decision-making. He will become much better, as his crosses are accurate as Beckham and his skills are good enough to just walk through a whole team. When his decision-making is better, we have a rare player. VDS is our only fit frist-teamkeeper, with Amos being really, really young and inexperienced. He will probably be on the bench though. Neville has not travelled with the team, our captain needs a rest after playing three 90-minute matches in 2 weeks. He is too old, if you ask me use him as Maldini, only in big games. Hopefully Brown starts next to Rio, Vidic and Evra. Ronaldo and Berba need games, and this is a perfect opportunity for Berbatov to get his first goal for us. Aalborg are really week on defensive crosses and set pieces, so if Nani crosses to Berba we will get a chance every time. If Ronaldo uses his trickery to full effect and if he has trained on his free-kicks he will score not 1, but 2 goals today. I really hope this is the game we finally take our chances, at least 50% of them. Rooney got a rest this weekend, so he should play next to Berbatov. Scholes also got rested against Bolton so I wouldnt be surprised if I see the Ginger Ninja in our central midfield next to Fletcher.
So, team:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Fletcher Scholes Nani
Rooney Berbatov.
Score Prediction: 4-0 to United. Ronaldo free kick, Berbatov(2) headers and Rooney missile to win the game for us.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
P.S. United will use their blue CL annaversary kit for the first time tonight. Hopefully it gets a nice debut.
September 30th, 2008 at 17:12
i honestly hope to God above we don’t have to labour through this game and scrape a 1-0. We should win this game comfortably at the very least, if not i’ll be sincerely worried about this team, DOOMSDAY RANT OVER
3-0 berbatov nani ronaldo/ronaldo
September 30th, 2008 at 17:32
Being from Denmark, but a supporter of FC København, I see a massacre coming… Aab are playing some really poor football and despite surving vs Celtic, this will not be the case.
I say 6-1 ‘98 almost-repeat! Get ready for a lot of goals and an Aab collapse.
The interesting part of this game will be who get the hattrick?
Rooney, Berba, or Ronaldo? I say Berbatov gets 3, Ronaldo 2, Rooney 1 plus assists galore!
September 30th, 2008 at 17:38
damn madrid just scored courtesy of an own goal. shame we could bet zenit when we faced them
September 30th, 2008 at 17:40
It will be interesting to see what kind of lineup Fergie throws out there today. I know that he has promised us the “big guns”. I really think that this is an ideal opportunity to try and play Rooney, Tevez, Ronnie, and Berbatov together, you know, just to see what happens.
September 30th, 2008 at 17:53
@Mr.Muhozi: we didnt showed up against them too bad. madrid is a wanker team, over rated in my opinion. united should win this one, if berba starts, i expect him to open his account.
prove venables and collymore wrong berbie!
http://www.redcafe.net/f6/collymore-dimitar-220080/
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/berbatov-rant-jog-on-el-tel-you-bitter-cockney-failure/
i hate that collymore cunt. bitch.
September 30th, 2008 at 17:55
I think we are in store for another 0-0 clunker. Fergie has shown in the past couple of seasons that he lacks the courage to attack opponents on the road. And it doesn’t matter if they are minnows either. He’ll gladly take the point and go back to OT. I hope I’m wrong but I totally despise everything about the group stages of the Champions League. It’s total rubbish and all teams do is try to protect from being scored on. No ambition until the 6th round.
September 30th, 2008 at 17:58
zenit equalizes yes yes
September 30th, 2008 at 18:03
@Grognard: make that a 1-nil clucker
September 30th, 2008 at 18:11
@Grognard: Given that they have just lost to FC Copenhagen 3-0 away, and AGF Aarhus 2-0 at home, I’d say that we are not in store or a 0-0, and I don’t think Fergie would be happy with a 0-0 either.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:12
I say we score at least 4 goals… win by at least 3 goals…
Not kidding… Aab are too weak and Berba/Rooney/Ronaldo all have something to prove…
September 30th, 2008 at 18:13
@john freakin’ o’shea: I wouldn’t waste my time with those idiots if I were you. Collymore write for the Mirror for god’s sake, and Venables is so down and out he has to resort to giving horrendous interviews to the SUN to earn his money.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:15
@Madschester United: Du trur verkeleg det? If so, then I fully support your optimism. I also think we will win this one comfortably.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:15
And for anyone that cares, Real Madrid looks incredibly exploitable defensibly.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:16
@RedDevilEddy: Jeg er enig med ham!
September 30th, 2008 at 18:17
2-1 to Real, Ruud “The Horseface” scoring.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:18
@benjd:
Norsk? Svensk? Dansk?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:19
@RedDevilEddy: Haha, Walisisk.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:20
@RedDevilEddy: Damn, I still love that man. I was really sad when he left us.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:21
Errr..did I fall through a wormhole and reach the danish version of Red Rants???
Someone please translate… 
I wish they were showing the Zenit match…I predict Zenit wins 4-3.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:23
@benjd: Serious?
I dont miss Ruud, I think he was an exellent player, but we are much better off without him.
Beckham+Ruud=Goals.
Ronaldo+Ruud=Faliure.
Nani and Ronaldo+Rooney and Berbatov=Many, many goals!
September 30th, 2008 at 18:24
@benjd: This is their CL final. They will be pumped up and motivated to play United. That always brings out the best in a mediocre lot.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:25
@antsBoy: “Du trur verkeleg det?” = You really think so?
“Jeg er enig med ham!” = I agree with him.
“Norsk? Svensk? Dansk?” = Norwegian? Swedish? Dane?
“HaHa, Walisisk.” = Haha, Welsh.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:25
@antsBoy: possible but not quite
September 30th, 2008 at 18:27
what is the official starting 11 against aalborg?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:28
@Grognard: Yeah, they must be really motivated!
Their manager says beating Manchester United tonight will be as big as an earthquake! 
And their captain saying that it is unlikely that they will beat United, because we are better than them player for player. And that they are a small club and have been out of form and therefor wants to TRY(!) to SCORE(!) against us! Yeah, they really are ready for this game! 
Thanks for the compliment by the way. 
September 30th, 2008 at 18:29
andy to score his first goal! any takers?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:29
@Kienu: If he plays, then I also think so.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:30
@Kienu: not today.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:34
i’m a big anderson fan,but i don’t think so unless it is a right place right time tap in
September 30th, 2008 at 18:35
@Grognard: @Grognard: are we being pessimistic with this one?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:40
@Mr.Muhozi: a right place right time tap in = a park ji sung.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:41
Raphael starts on the right. What the fuck are they doing to wesley?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:42
Team news:
GK: Van Der Sar
RB: Rafael
CB: Rio
CB: Vidic
LB: Evra
RM: Ronaldo
CM: Scholes
CM: Oshea
LM: Nani
ST: Berbatov
ST: Rooney
September 30th, 2008 at 18:42
@Traverse: full team news?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:46
o’shea on cm? oh no no no no. this is an outrage,
grognard might be right. we might go for a nil nil here.. i think wes is being punished from edwin’s fault! 
i rather have wes on the rb seriously.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:46
So, Anderson gets a rest before the Rovers game, just as I expected(
). Wes, Wes, Wes…. What have you actually done to convince the manager to pick Rafael ahead of you? Done bad in training, most likely since I definately wont blame you for the Liverpool OG. And if Fegrie does then 
. Good luck to Rafael, hopefully you will play well and show what you can do against a top side. Oshea, you better be good. I expected Scholes, but Oshea? Id rather have Flecther or Anderson! But, maybe Fergie is planning soething special for you tonight.
I still think we will win 4-0, with Ronaldo, Berbatov(2) and Rooney scoring the goals.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:47
@Traverse: Is Fergie punishing him or does he think he needs a rest?
When he played Nevs it looked more like punishment, but tonight I think is an excellent opportunity to give Rafael a first team run out.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:47
@RedDevilEddy: well, i’ll be damned.. if it isn’t our versatile man O’shea in midfield!!
I understand the need for a DMFin europe but damn… Squad looks good tho, wonder what the dealio is with Brownie, is he being moved back to CB cover now nevster is fit?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:49
who’s the better amongst the twins? its fabio right?
September 30th, 2008 at 18:49
subs: Amos, Brown, Evans, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs, Tevez.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:50
is that an april fools joke come late, o’shea centre mid, it can’t be a persons prediction as no one in their right mind would play sheasy at the start of a game especially in the middle, bloody hell fergie i hope you know what you are doing
September 30th, 2008 at 18:50
@john freakin’ o’shea: To me, Rafael is the best one. Rafaels right footed and Fabios left. On FIFA 09(sorry for bringin this up again
) Rafael is 67 and Fabio 64, so Rafael is probably the best one.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:51
I’m confident we’re going to play positive and attack..sure of it. This is not the first leg of the knockouts to be cautious. Fergie will be looking for a convincing win…
About Wes, something seems fishy..I don’t know if he’s rubbed SAF the wrong way and now paying for it…although I’m excited for Rafael! What a day for the young lad…
September 30th, 2008 at 18:51
@john freakin’ o’shea: fabio is the more talented whereas rafael benefits has the better metal attributes.fabio is injured atm which maybe the reason why he is not playing
September 30th, 2008 at 18:52
@john freakin’ o’shea: According to Tim Vickery, Fabio is meant to be the more promising, but Rafael has had all the chances to play at the moment.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:52
@Mr.Muhozi: No, its the real team.
MUTV bro.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:53
@benjd: That is because Fabio is out with a shoulder injury at the moment.
September 30th, 2008 at 18:56
rafael has a head start from his brother now,
hope fabio catches up.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:00
both twins are right footed but fabio is good with both why he can play on the left.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:00
come on Zennit
September 30th, 2008 at 19:02
@RedDevilEddy: Yeah I read that yesterday on manutd.com
September 30th, 2008 at 19:04
Sorry guys, my bad. on the subs bench, Park is in for Fletcher.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:04
@gator: Actually only Rafael is right footed. Fabio is left.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:05
wow, fergie really hates brown, or is it because he wants an attacking full back like evra? o’shea in midfield… well im going to march to old red noses house, and bang him on the head while saying “oshea is not a midfielder” get it into your stubborn mind you senile genius.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:06
maby on fifa
September 30th, 2008 at 19:10
@gator: Not even on fifa. not even in the squad. I’d pick evans over o’shea at CB, Fabio at LB, Brown and Rapael at RB, Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Possebon and Fletcher at CM.
He can be 3rd choice goalkeeper. 5th choice striker. That’s it.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:11
HEy guys could someone post me a link coz in south east asia the pricks are showin the real madrid game pls someone post me a good link plssss….
September 30th, 2008 at 19:13
I see us playing a very attack minded game with this formation. O’shea is there to sit in front of the defence while we attack from all areas of the pitch. Two attacking wing backs, two attacking wingers, two forwards and the freedom for scholes to move forward with O’shea covering at the back. If we had hargo, it would have been him, but alas, he is injured once again.
I see us taking the game to them and will counter and build up attack well in this game. Good times ahead ppl, even if the attack doesn’t perform, we have more attacking options on the bench plus defensive ones too. Ok selection, might prove to be genius if it works out….
September 30th, 2008 at 19:14
this interview
September 30th, 2008 at 19:15
is all i can find at the moment but i have read it many times
“There is, nonetheless, one striking difference between Rafael and Fabio and other wingback duos: they are identical twins. Both right-footed, it is the latter, the Brazil U-17 captain, who patrols the opposite flank. Not that it holds him back, as his three goals in games against New Zealand and Korea DPR will attest.”
September 30th, 2008 at 19:20
@Traverse im not big on o’shit either but the boss likes him i guess.
on his best games he seems adequate but i cant remember a breakout game for him in midfield though he clatters attackers in dangerous positions and gives away frees
September 30th, 2008 at 19:21
I for one am really excited to see Rafael get a start tonight. I thought he was just fantastic against Boro’ in the Carling cup. The kid has a great combination of flair and grace. I can’t wait to see how he develops. It’s really bizarre that O’Shea is starting over Fletcher. In my humble opinion, I feel that Fletcher is the only midfielder that has really earned a starting spot this season. I’ve grown accustomed to his presence.
I wonder if Berbatov is ever going to fall into the striker shuffle.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:23
ILamb22 me too but im still wondring abt brown whats wrong wit him.
fletch as well what happened this week at carrington? or are we resting players?
September 30th, 2008 at 19:24
“Fabio, is it hard to play on the left hand side, when your right foot is the stronger of the two?
Fabio: No, I am used to it now; I have had plenty of practice…
Rafael [ interrupting and laughing]: You play all over the pitch anyway, it doesn’t matter to you!”
September 30th, 2008 at 19:26
links please…
September 30th, 2008 at 19:29
O’Shea is playing because Hargreaves is out. I’d imagine this is going to be our stock European away formation, only with Brown at RB and Hargo at DMF when fit. Scholes has been getting alot of stick recently, but I think it’s the right choice away from home in Europe until Carrick is back.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:29
YUP links Please…..
September 30th, 2008 at 19:32
ch 6029 sopcast is a good feed
September 30th, 2008 at 19:33
Xeno so a 41212 ? i like it
September 30th, 2008 at 19:36
O’Shea will be MoM tonight. He’ll probably score a hattrick and prove all you doubters wrong
give the guy a chance. He had a better game for Ireland against Montenegro than I’ve seen Anderson play this season
September 30th, 2008 at 19:37
link commercials now but game should start soon
September 30th, 2008 at 19:38
Liam hahaha you heard it here first O’shey for a trick come on johnny boy!!! i would love it
September 30th, 2008 at 19:39
yea its working fergi is talkin bout rafial pregame
September 30th, 2008 at 19:43
@Liam: that would be great
.. but I reckon he’ll do alrite in that anchor position.. at least we can attack and scholes can move forward freely without tracking back too much, that’s the bonus.
September 30th, 2008 at 19:44
Liam: good sense of humour buddy i too feel we wasted money on Berba!
September 30th, 2008 at 19:44
what the hell is going on has brown fallen so far down even below Rafael?or is this because of Phelan our assistant managers doing?O’shea in midfield and fletcher not even in the subs bench?brown and pig in the doghouse
September 30th, 2008 at 20:06
Giggs and O’Shea in CM just like the old days
Nani stupid shot count: 2
Berbatov annoying play count: 3
September 30th, 2008 at 20:08
nice one Wayne
September 30th, 2008 at 20:09
ROOOOONEY
September 30th, 2008 at 20:09
yay we score..rooney finishes and giggs with the assist
September 30th, 2008 at 20:10
nice one Rio
September 30th, 2008 at 20:19
Plsss someone pass me working link S.O.S !!!!!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 20:25
I thought Rooney missed. I had to wait to find out if the he scored…
September 30th, 2008 at 20:28
Has anyone got a good link to the match?
September 30th, 2008 at 20:28
John O’Scholes
September 30th, 2008 at 20:29
Why is Berbatov playing so deep?
September 30th, 2008 at 20:34
Nani stupid shot count: 3
Nani shit cross count: about 20
September 30th, 2008 at 20:37
@Liam: dude, your making your self look silly. those 2 ‘counts’ are matters of opinions, and nani hasnt even made 20 crosses lol, please stop.
September 30th, 2008 at 20:38
@Liam: bit harsh there mate, maybe,
shit cross count: about 10
he’s getting there mate, he’ll come good, don’t worry…
September 30th, 2008 at 20:40
any good link pls…
I want see the match…
September 30th, 2008 at 20:42
Shame about the Scholes injury…how do all our CMs get injured at the same time?
Anywayz, about the game - disappointing so far..it’s been sloppy in most parts. I think our best two players have been Rafael and Giggs. Rooney was unlucky not to score twice in that first half. Berba looks a lil off the pace…while Nani..I have no words. (I support Liam here)
September 30th, 2008 at 20:43
our lack of proper midfielders out there is showing
September 30th, 2008 at 20:45
Good game, Aalborg look dangerous on the counter. Great goal by Wayne, his goal vs Bolton has fired his confidence up you can see it in his body language. Berbatov has been shite so far, but I think he is gonna score in the second half. He is a great player, just needs to get the teams rythm. I think we will win this one 4-0. The second half is gonna be great! For United that is!
And since no-ones said it, BATE led 2-0 vs Juve, but now its 2-2.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 20:46
@Gabriel: if that’s what you call getting there then I hope the rest of the team don’t get ‘there’ anytime soon
@dan(u-ol): seriously? You actually haven’t noticed Nani’s general shitness?
September 30th, 2008 at 20:49
Fergie says Scholes has got a knee ligament injury, but not sure how serious yet.. hopefully it’s not too bad, cuz we ain’t got many fit midfielders left!!
September 30th, 2008 at 20:50
come on guys nani is far from shit he is beating defenders he just needs to work on finish and passing
Rafiel for president
September 30th, 2008 at 20:56
Ok, we knew that Rafael is good, but this is ridiculous. The boy is fantastic!
September 30th, 2008 at 20:58
BERBATOV!!!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 20:59
BERBATOV!!!! OF THE MARK LETS GOOOO!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 21:00
yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
September 30th, 2008 at 21:01
berbaaaaaa atlast
September 30th, 2008 at 21:01
c mon the next roberto carlos (rafael da silva)
September 30th, 2008 at 21:02
@james f: and he’s not even the best player in his family
Berbatov just proved that if you stand in one place for long enough you’ll eventually scare the defense into making a mistake
and now Rooney’s injured
September 30th, 2008 at 21:06
Ok that touch has gone a long way towards showing me why Fergie wanted him. Credit where its due that was an amazing move
September 30th, 2008 at 21:16
I hate to say it, but I believe that Nani was a better player last year.
September 30th, 2008 at 21:19
I can’t believe my eyes! Berbatov AND Ronaldo tracking back!
Tevez should have scored there, instead of passing. We need those goals for psychological reasons.
September 30th, 2008 at 21:23
BERBA!!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 21:25
September 30th, 2008 at 21:29
Fuck Mauritius Internet connection! the fastest Justin feed is like a fuckin slideshow!
Anyone care to tell me how we are playing? I got the feeling that the scoreline is a bit flaterring..
Oh and Berbacrap anyone
September 30th, 2008 at 21:31
Weird the moment Rooney came off Berbatov started playing like a proper striker with amazing results! First half he was playing way too deep and Rooney was leading the line
September 30th, 2008 at 21:38
@colver: The same could be said of the Bolton game — only the opposite players being substituted. When Rooney came on for Tevez, Berba improved then.
September 30th, 2008 at 21:39
berbatov has played 5 games.
2 assists
2 goals
thats a pretty good stat.