Feb 20
Lyon v Man Utd: Preview
Finally, some much needed Champions’ League action as United take on Lyon in the round of 16, first leg. It would be worth noting that Ryan Giggs, if selected, would make his 100th Champions’ League appearance — which would be quite an achievement.
Sir Alex has been in good spirits in France — he loves the country and you would too if you were a wine lover. However, he still isn’t the least bit impressed about Gallas’ let off for a blatant kick on Nani in the FA Cup.
Lyon manager, Alain Perrin, of Portsmouth fame — or should we say, infamy? — thinks United’s style would suit his side and he feels fairly confident of causing some problems. We’ll have to wait and see. To me, it’s really surprising he was appointed as Lyon’s coach, given his disastrous spell at Portsmouth–they were saved that season thanks to Harry Redknapp’s great escape–but apparently he is held in high regard in France. Which is again odd considering the stuttering season Lyon are having at the moment. There’s an article in the Telegraph that elaborates a little more on the ‘fall and rise of Perrin’.
Moving to the squad, there is no telling how Fergie plans to play this out today. The only thing certain is our back four. If he opts for a 4-3-3, which is highly likely given it is an away tie in the Champions’ League, he could opt to play Hargreaves, Scholes and Anderson in the middle. Hargreaves, because European experience was foremost in SAF’s mind when he bought him. Scholes, because, well, he is Scholes and Fergie didn’t start him against Arsenal. And Anderson, because he provides penetration, as Scholes can look to sit back along with Hargreaves. It must be said, at this point, that Scholes hasn’t looked to move forward and force the issue that often these days and, hence, Anderson’s presence in midfield would look to provide just that. Ronaldo, Rooney, and Giggs/Tevez could form a front three.
However, if he goes with a 4-4-2, I wouldn’t really be able to say what XI he would pick.
It could be tempting to play Nani instead of Giggs in the left wing, on the back of his performance against Arsenal, but I believe SAF would plump for Giggsy’s experience, despite his start-stop season. Nonetheless, the first XI, ever since we had four fully-fit midfielders to choose from, will always make for a good debate.
I think, if United get over their nerves–which usually dogs them in the away games of the Champions’ League knockout rounds–can easily beat Lyon, or atleast score a couple of goals. Surely, a defence with Jean Alain Boumsong at the centre can’t be that good?
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
Note: As I mentioned, in passing, yesterday, I will be at work and I won’t be able to watch the match today. So I will keep my eyes open for updates on some of those news sites, as well as the match reports of readers who post comments on here. I would put up a selection of match reports tomorrow from the comments section, so you know you have an incentive to post your insightful analysis–like many of you’ve done in the past.
Come on you reds!!!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Manchester United players need to do better
- Man Utd v Lyon: Preview
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Craig Mc (195)
RedDevilEddy (170)
Opti (135)
Moscow is my heaven (96)
Ian (95)
I must say last nights performance was a professional one.
We set up stall well but wow what a cracking strike from Lyon. It must be said every time I think Juninho had a free kick I was bricking it, we were lucky not to have left the game 2-1 down.
The game surely should have got everyone confident in the decision to take Giggs and Scholes of the field in place of Tevez and Nani. It seemed as though neither Scholes or Giggs were truly contributing to the game and because of this in spells it did seem as though we werent going to attack.
Luckily Lyons set play naievity helped us get the equaliser.
I just hope that come the game at Newcastle and the return leg at Old Trafford we can get more support into the box and some support for Anderson as he pesters and tries to cage in the midfield… If we had a second player commiting himself on a 2 v 1 predicament like against Arsenal at the Emirates we would create a lot more and shock and awe the opposing sides midfield.
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OK Dan…
Roy Keane, Pat Vieira (during his peak years at Arse), Edgar Davids, Paul Ince, heck even Michael Essien… all midfielders with defensive priorities who could/can participate in attacking play.
Oh, I’m not asking Hargo to do Anderson-like dribbling or Carrick-like lazer passes, only for him to be able to keep passing momentum while in attacking build up, which he doesn’t.
Good point about Hargo is that he does not commit so many blatant fouls as Scholes, P.Neville or Butt did. And he is clinical. Don’t get me worng he is a good player. But right now in no way his performances are justifying his price tab.
Abu, totally agree with your observation of Rooney. He might not become exactly the new Scholes, but he’s certainly in the mould of becoming one, perhaps more so than even Anderson.
About anderson, his original position is left sided attacking midfielder. I just hope to see him play on the ledft for once. Anyway he’s good backup for Nani when Giggs calls it quit…
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manutd bst line up vds brown rio vida evra hargreaves anderson
ronaldo nani rooney tevez man utd are going to win 3-1 ronaldo to get a hat rick
man utd all day bang bang.
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