Apr 29
Man Utd v Barcelona: Preview
Sorry for the late preview.
So it boils down to today. It could make our season or break it. I know this is a strange thing to say because we can still win the title. But for a manager like Fergie who desperately wants to win at least a double, this would be as close as they come.
Fergie was quite positive about the chances of a United win, and it was nice to see a relaxed face after all his rants following the Chelsea defeat.
Anyway, on to team news and I am still not certain if either of Vidic or Rooney would play today. I think Rooney is more unlikely than Vidic, although with the importance of the game SAF might even put Rooney on the bench as a last resort.
Barcelona look the fitter side on paper, purely because about six of their key players were rested in the weekend. (Sounds a bit like Milan of last year doesn’t it?) But, the good part of all this is that we are finally playing at home for once — it seems like ages since we last did, doesn’t it?
On to team composition, it think Tevez will certainly start. Despite all the talk of “attack, attack, attack”, Fergie will still opt for a 4-3-3. Ronaldo, Tevez and Giggs/Nani/Park will start upfront. Owen Hargreaves, Carrick and Scholes should be in midfield, with Anderson brought on to add a bit of energy if things aren’t going right. At the back, if Vidic is fit, the side will pick itself. Otherwise, I’d want O’Shea at right back and Brown in the centre because we absolutely need Hargreaves in the middle of the park to get stuck into their midfielders.
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
Come on you Reds!!! Three games to go, grit your teeth and do it!
Oh and Fergie, please, ATTACK!
Related items from Red Rants:- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Barclona v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
- Rooney Out For A Month
Tags: Game Preview · UEFA Champions' League
April 29th, 2008 at 14:30
I can’t stress enough the impact this game could have on the rest of our season.
Lose tonight, and the feeling of doom will become all-pervading, and would make West Ham a really tricky game. Tough to pick ourselves up from losing at Chelski and going out of the Champions League that we were supposed to own.
Win, and we have a European cup final in the bank, and it will feel like a weight off our shoulders for the game against West Ham. Beat West Ham, and then watch Chelski squirm away to an in-form Newcastle with an in-form Owen.
The result tonight will set the tone…just imagine us 1-0 up with ten minutes to go, where a goal puts us out…I’d be hiding behind the sofa.
I think Rooney and Vida will play even if they can hardly feel their limbs from painkilling injections tonight. Come on, boys!
April 29th, 2008 at 14:35
“hiding behind a sofa?” … Penguin.. I’d take threapy to get out of the shock…
April 29th, 2008 at 14:45
Apparently Rooney could barely walk yesterday, so I’m ruling him out of my predicted lineup. Given that this season Fergie has more or less abandoned reason/logic in picking his squads (generally done well too, so fair play to him) I expect a bit of a ’surprise’ in there somewhere. My guess:
———vds——–
-Brown-Rio-Vid/Silv-Evra
——-Carrick——
—Hargo—Scholes——
–Park——–Tevez——
——Ronaldo———-
Will it work? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I think it’s very stupid to play Ronaldo too isolated, because it’ll seem like the pitch is ‘downhill’ for Barca, as nothing will stick to him. I expect Tevez to be right up there with him as often as possible, with Hargo bombing away for 60 mins to be replaced by Anderson.
The big question is if we can find our passing again, which has been off the past few games. Carrick, Scholes – I’m looking at you two. Hold the ball, keep it tight for 20 mins and then go for the jugular.
April 29th, 2008 at 14:51
Man, the waits killing me… please let it be ok… pleaseplease…
April 29th, 2008 at 14:56
Indeed, the wait is dreadful… please let this be a night to remember for the right reasons!
April 29th, 2008 at 14:56
destroy barca..reds!!
April 29th, 2008 at 15:01
@ Utsav
Because the Carrick aberration really encourages calm as we “coast” towards a satisfactory scoreline in the last ten minutes…
And don’t even get me started on Porto and Tim Howard…
April 29th, 2008 at 15:02
Feckin hell…just could not sleep properly yesterday night…the tension is just too much!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 15:05
[penguin]
Yeah, Porto is still fresh in my mind…and to see Mr.Special One running down the sideline …aaah, was just too much to bear!
April 29th, 2008 at 15:18
I cant wait! The game that will decide this season and its only 4 hours to go. I am nervous. A win will give me the best feeling in the world a loss will maybe kill me. Oh, what tension and nerves! Id like to see a real United fan that is calm like ice for tonights game.
Well, but it aint in our hands is it? To the guys that are going to Old Trafford, I order you to SCREAM YOUR LUNGS OUT!!! That will be really important. If the crowd are doing great and are loud United have a much, much better chance of getting to the final. When the crowd are on top, the team is also on top. Remember last season(United 4-1 Blackburn, United 7-1 Roma) and this season(United 3-0 Liverpool and United 4-0 Villa and Wigan).
On to the team, Vidic looks set to play, he just needed some stiches. Rooney is a worry though, he had problems walking yesterday. I dont think he will reach the game, but we all know that Rooney is able to perform miracles
The back 5 picks itself with VDS in goal behind Vidic, Rio, Brown and Evra. I do hope that Fergie plays a 4-4-2, but I think that he will use the 4-3-3. The midfield is impossilbe to pick, but my shot is Scholes, Owen and Anderson. Dont know weather Giggs is able to play twice a week, but if he is he will play with Tevez and Ronaldo up front. If he doesnt, Nani will play.
As usual my prediction points for a United win. But I have to say that I have not been this confident about a United win since the 4-0 demolishon of Arsenal. Maybe its a sign.
Prediction: 3-0 to United with who else but Ronaldo bagging a hat-trick to erase the memories of Nou Camp.
Sitating RR- ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 15:20
As a sidenote Barca were battered by Deportivo…they lost 2-0 but should have by atleast 6-7. they are defensively awful, and i’m really dissapointed we didn’t have more of a go at them last week. Still, there will be goals tonight!
Iused to like Barca, but lately they’ve been annoying me with bitters like Deco, Ronaldinho and Rijkaard complaining about this, that and the other.
think henry will be our biggets threat if he plays
April 29th, 2008 at 15:29
argh its too much already. day dripping by too slowly and my pants are full. Fergie gotta get it right today. Been wrong last 4 matches. Need to go back to mid season when we were flying:
VDS
BROWN-RIO-VIDIC-EVRA
RONALDO-HRGRVS-ANDERSON-NANI
ROONEY-TEVEZ
If Rooney is injured as maybe (lets pray to God hes OK) revert to 433 with Scholesy comin in for him. We need tokeep Ronnie on the wing as he is so much more effective there. our total football earlier this season was defiend by our speed of breaking from midfield. If Ronaldo is isolated up field he cant do anywhere near as effectively.
Anderson surely must start but in a deeper role than hes been in recently where he can boss the match. Hes been played too far up field recently and is also ineffective.
Horribly I am sure that SAF will play ronaldo up front and leave anderson out and we will be knocked out.
Most important we need to attack like motherfckers and get to every 50 50 ball first. another thing we stopped doing recently.
Good luck boys
April 29th, 2008 at 15:31
If Barcelona plan on scoring PLEASE LET IT NOT BE LATE ON. A late away goal WILL change everything. But then again this IS Manchester United, and these are the games we live for. I just cannot remember a game in which the first goal could prove SO VERY crucial. We NEED to score first, and then we NEED to increase the lead. Sitting on a 1 goal lead will only result in several premature stress/heart related deaths.
Whatever happens, there are no two ways about this: United need to play like true champions. There is no room for error now. I just hope Sir Alex has Rooney atleast on the bench no matter how unfit he is as long as he can recover properly over the summer I say risk him. WE need his tenacity a whole lot more in this game than against West Ham or Wigan. So if things are not going as planned we need to throw EVERYTHING we have because we deserve more from this season than just winning the title on GD.
Here is to a Man Utd – Chelsea final. May we win in Moscow from a dubious last minute penalty.
April 29th, 2008 at 15:33
I’m stuck at work and I can’t seem to get anything accomplished because I’m so tense about this game. I can’t watch it live but I can listen to the Sirius broadcast.
Penguin, if there was a sofa here, I’d already be hiding behind it.
April 29th, 2008 at 15:44
u can watch it live – livefooty.doctor-serv.com
April 29th, 2008 at 16:05
im sorry guys, your going to hate me for saying this, but i really cant see us winning today, i have this gut feeling. i hope im proved right, but i just cant see it happening. hopefully it will rain/snow today just to put barca of as they’re not use to playing in those conditions.
April 29th, 2008 at 16:11
Alright, I’m in office too and looks like i’ll be zero-productive at work today, so I thought of doing a cleanup of everyone’s scoreline predictions and consolidate them into a single comment. Like I said yesterday, the guy who gets it right will be saluted! Here are the various scores -
4-1: Utsav
3-1: TinManUnited
3-0: Ola
2-1: JB, Grognard, Nino, jos, olliey, RedRanter
2-0: antsBoy, t_reason
I think that’s it for now (sorry if i missed out anyone so far) …but I’ll update the list 2 min before the match starts. You have until then ..keep giving your predictions if you have any!
April 29th, 2008 at 16:14
Yaya Tore’ is a doubt for the game, it a good news considering the fact that he is my man of the match for the nou camp match. Pyol is back
the game could go 0-0 and for penalty kick and can end either way.
April 29th, 2008 at 16:14
Ali: Id rather thrash them at their 2nd home…but barca first ,man………
April 29th, 2008 at 16:19
I think the key men tonight are Tevez and Ronaldo. Either have the ability to score the goals we need to knock Barcelona out. Both are capable of dribbling past defenders as well as winning important free kicks.
I imagine Barca will try and mark Ronaldo out of the game, which should create space for Tevez to rise to the occasion and convince us to sign him permanently.
I’m gutted about Rooney. Even if he plays i doubt he will be 100%. I believe a fully fit Rooney would murder Barcelona.
My team (assuming Rooney and Vidic out)
EVDS
Brown Silvestre Rio Evra
Carrick
Scholes Hargreaves
Ronaldo Giggs/Park
Tevez
The idea would be a fluid 4-5-1 with Carrick anchoring and the rest of our midfielders bombing up the pitch to support Tevez. We’d also have enough numbers in midfield to break up play and win possession.
April 29th, 2008 at 16:33
I see Barca going through. 1-1….
April 29th, 2008 at 16:37
At least if we lose Ronaldo won’t leave.
April 29th, 2008 at 16:55
Jay:I totally agree with jay this time,although i would love if we can beat barca,but as history speaks
for itself i would like all of you to take a look at this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=562661&in_page_id=1779. And I’m sincerely praying for a miracle to happen at OT.
April 29th, 2008 at 16:59
I see Barca going through 1-1 as well. With a first half goal assist from Messi, a late equaliser from us but just not enough fuel in the tank to get over the finish line.
April 29th, 2008 at 16:59
Looks like I might have to watch this online at office.. again
April 29th, 2008 at 17:03
Antsboy- You missed my prediction. 3-0 to United.
April 29th, 2008 at 17:08
seeing them barca fans on market street singing just fires me up for the game!!
April 29th, 2008 at 17:11
i highly doubt henry will even start..as he played 90 min for the depor game…unless used as an impact sub..
i think tevez will be key today, as rooney will most likely miss out on the action. And if Nani can buckle up and play more selflessly, then he will be a valuable addition to the squad (over park, for that matter)
I think SAF will start with
VDS
brown rio silv evra
ron hargo andy scholes nani
tev
An early goal must be scored, to ease us into possession play
I stand by my prediction of 2-0
April 29th, 2008 at 17:12
Right, squeaky bum time! here’s my team for the task
lol
EVS, Evra, Vida, Rio, Browne
Nani,Scholes,Hargo,Ronaldo,
Rooney, Teves
whether this is a fluid 4-4-2 or 4-3-3? i dont know!
we’ve cover if Vida doesn’t play, O Shea, Silvestre, Pique
if Rooney doesn’t play then Anderson in the middle with Hargo on the right and Ronaldo up front with Teves
I dont think Carrick has been playing well recently and looks lackadaisical. We’ve got to start with our best team. Everything must sharpen up especially our passing and ball retention, in fact we’ve got to improve 200% in these areas.
We’re at home in the Theatre of Dreams, lets fuckin have them. I’m a bag of nerves today, just been talking to a mate who is in Manchester(lucky bastard!), he reckons that the mood in Stretford and Trafford is very nervous, although I’m counting on a few hours chanting in the Bishops Blaize and a scoop or two to change that! We need a big help from the fans today, they can lift the team and i’m sure they wont be left wanting. Sing like our life depends on it lads. Even though i wont be there i dont expect to have a voice left later tonight! I’ll be squeezing my United Teddy Bear too, Grogs!
Follow follow! We’re the Busby Babes!
April 29th, 2008 at 17:20
Beachryan and Jay, I had the same forboding thoughts yesterday too about a 1-1, we’ll see which United turns up. Have to say i’m feeling more positive today, cant explain why? maybe i’ve exorcised the negativity from my psyche, hopefully our lads have too!
April 29th, 2008 at 17:25
We’re the Busby BOYS! Shit, I’m still so nervous
April 29th, 2008 at 17:32
Pick a team that the opposition would least like to face…I doubt Barca are worried by the pedestrian Carrick and Scholes in midfield, those two aren’t going to be closing down for 30 minutes, let alone 60 or 70
And Barca need to be closed down, they have crafty players who given time on the ball will pick out great passes…last week they didn’t have the space.
For me Anderson has to play from the start, to set the tone, players in midfield will need to make themselves available to be able to pass it out from the back…unless they want to try hoofing it up to Tevez!
Energy, pace and movement in the middle will be the make or break of this tie…remember the first half an hour against Arsenal or Milan last year, the team couldn’t get past the halfway line.
Barca need to be frustrated, annoy them, harass them, don’t let them play how they like…
Fortune will favour the brave
April 29th, 2008 at 17:46
Personally all the predictions of what starting lineup is tiresome because Fergie always pulls a rabbit out of his hat and surprises everybody. Just a guess but Fletcher may be a surprise addition due to his strong play on Saturday. This is a game we need to win and really take it to the opposition early in order to get that all important first goal. Putting out a similar lineup to the one that seemed so immobile in Barcelona would be a mistake and it would send all the wrong messages to the fans and to Barcelona. I will be very disappointed to see Giggs and Park out there together. Carrick and Scholes together is asking for disaster but is it wise to start Anderson early when he could be just what is needed late in the game if the score is tied? Right now I say start Fletcher over Carrick. But I doubt Fergie will do that. Fletcher did more and got involved more against Chelsea than Carick has in his last 6 games. Start Hargo on the right and give him that free reigning role he had against Roma. I’d start Nani over Giggs or Park even though he stunk against Chelsea because he simply is more inventive and is capable of turning a game like Ronaldo. Lets spread Barcelona apart rather than be so predictable. And lets press Barca in their half of the pitch like they did to us. I hate it when we play that fall back zone that gives a team like theirs easy access in to our third of the pitch. Force them to cough the ball up.
Obviously the status of Rooney is key and right now without personally knowing who will play and who won’t, I wouldn’t count on his participation for us. Simply put, Ronaldo has to have the game of his life. A lot will be asked of the World’s best player today, but this is a game that will help make his legacy last forever should he come through aces. Stop the dives and the belly aching and play your game Ronny. Don’t give the referee a reason to phase you out of the game. To Carlos Tevez, it would be nice to see him show up before the 80th minute. Get us a first half goal for a change. To Paul Scholes, play your game but limit the back passes to moments where you have no choice. Try attacking the opposition for a change. To Carrick WAKE THE FUCK UP! To Nani, remember that it’s a team game and stop ballooning shots from 40 yards out. To EVDS, if ever you needed to come up with a solid effort and keep the clean sheet, today is the day.
To the back four with or without Vidic, do what comes naturally. To Hargo, same as the back four. And finally to Fergie, don’t make me come over there and piss in your tea. Put out a positive lineup with ambition and pace and play Manchester United football. ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK. Make us proud for a change. It’s been a while. Lots of luck. Final score, Man Utd 2 v Barcelona 1. It’s going to be a nail biter. And I’m talking about nails you use to build houses with.
April 29th, 2008 at 17:50
couldn’t agree with you more Magno, this game is gonna be won or drawn/lost in the midfield.
We have to close them down quickly, not give them any time on the ball. This is their creative engine that must be curtailed Keano stylee! Big positive, game needed from Scholes, Hargo and Ronaldo. Lets be the masters of our own destiny
April 29th, 2008 at 17:52
We’re off to Old Trafford, we’ll give it our all, doing our part to help United not fall, singing and chanting, keeping it pumped, the place will be a cauldron, baying for Barca’s blood!. Viva Ronaldo, and Viva all the rest, pepper Barca’s goal boys, giving it your best. Shot after shot, coming from everywhere, hope for Barca it’s a real nightmare.
Shut up defence lads, hope its like Fort KNox, and lady fortunes with us, instead of the Barca lot. Hope we make them dizzy with jinks by Nani and Ronnie, that ref and linesman don’t make mistakes, that puts Rio in another paddy. Up and away lads, give it all you’ve got, that’s all we can ask for, and hope we get the luck. That’s it folks, I’m off to watch the match, and give it my all. COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS!. But win or lose, win or lose, we will all be on the booze, pissed out of our heads, chanting for the reds. Hope we all go home happy. See you later.
April 29th, 2008 at 17:55
Prediction: [ Manchester United 2 - 1 FC Barcelona ]
April 29th, 2008 at 17:56
nice one Grogs! completely agree with you, its MEN or BOYS time. Also praying for a 2-1
April 29th, 2008 at 18:13
nice one Craig!
April 29th, 2008 at 18:15
Comon guys!! I was so calm and composed before I read these comments, now my stomach is tingling so much, I think it wants to roll over
I was very pseeimisting yesterday, agreeing with all my Barca friends about the 1-1 scoreline, but in all honesty, I can see us torching them. 3-0 for United and i hope I am not drunk (given that I have a math test in about 20 minutes…). Also I’ll be watching the game on a 42″ tv screen AT SCHOOL!! Lol, I’ll have fun and get beaten up if we win but I couldn’t give a shit!
April 29th, 2008 at 18:17
90 minutes to go until the most important 90 minutes of Uniteds season!!! COME ON UNITED!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 18:20
2:0 to United. Early goal to settle the nerves, late goal when Barca get desperate/careless.
April 29th, 2008 at 18:20
this is when we really need to put out a fresh young squad who just goes out and play their game.
giggs and scholes tend to get affected by the pressure. esp giggs during last season’s semis against milan at the san siro, united were down by a goal and i didnt see what experience or influence he brought to the side in that particular game.
its time to let players with imagination and guts play the game, so im backing nani ando and tevez all to start.
April 29th, 2008 at 18:24
I love this club all the good players are playing well especially Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani can go to force Manchester United to play with tou you are the biggest club in the world FORCE MANCHESTER UNITED are the warriors who win and lose the other.
THE BIGGEST CLUB MANCHESTER UNITED
April 29th, 2008 at 18:34
All of you have 90 minutes to go but I unfortunately will have my misery prolonged because I have to watch the game two hours later due to an MRI appointment for my bad back. Of all the times to set an appointment up. Today will be a day of nervous tension and nausea. Man I want this game badly. So badly it’s making me sick.
April 29th, 2008 at 18:40
More bad news, it seems SAF has some history against this referee
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/apr/27/manchesterunited.championsleague
April 29th, 2008 at 18:48
just out….. Vidic and Rooney out, not even on the bench, according to irish sports news
April 29th, 2008 at 18:49
shit
April 29th, 2008 at 18:53
Wait ten minutes and youll be able to get it from UEFA. Oficially. I’ll edit this when the teams are announced.
VDS, Rio, Evra, Brown, Owen, Ronaldo, Park, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Carlitos.
PIG, Anderson, Giggs, O’Shea, Fletch, Tweety, Wellbeck
April 29th, 2008 at 18:55
This is the team that will get us to Moscow:
GK: Edwin Van Der Sar
RB: Owen Hargreaves
CB: Rio Ferdinand
CB: Wesley Brown
LB: Patrice Evra
RM: Luis Nani
CM: Michael Carrick
CM: Paul Scholes
LM: Park Ji-sung
ST: Carlos Alberto Tevez
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo
subs: TK, Oshea, Anderson, Silvestre, Fletcher, Giggs, Welbeck.
COME ON YOU REDS!! See you guys at half time.
April 29th, 2008 at 18:55
VDS
Hargo
Rio
Brown
Evra
Ron
Park
Carrick
Scholes
Nani
Tev
April 29th, 2008 at 18:55
Team News:
GK: VDS
RB: Hargreaves
CB: Brown
CB: Ferdinand
LB: Evra
RW: Park
CM: Scholes
CM: Carrick
LM: Nani
ST: Ronaldo
ST: Tevez
Subs: PIG, Giggs, Anderson, Fletcher, Silvestre, Welbeck
Barca as previously with tho only change Puyol for Marquez.
April 29th, 2008 at 18:57
Hey, that was funny! All wrote the lineups at the same time!
April 29th, 2008 at 18:59
OMG!! DISASTER,, if you guys have forgotten we havent won one game this season without wayne,, SHIT!
April 29th, 2008 at 19:00
uhh i dont get the line-up
April 29th, 2008 at 19:00
VDS
Evra,Browne, Rio,Hargo
Park,Carrick,Scholes,Nani
Ronaldo, Teves
Official line up!
April 29th, 2008 at 19:02
LOL. Yea funny. What is not funny is the actual line-up. TAKE! US! TO! MOSCOW!!!
Comon, lads!!
April 29th, 2008 at 19:02
Goodness me.Pliz put Andy Carrick and Hargo and no Rooney if he isn’t fit.You guys are so fortunate.You are only getting nervous now.Ever since that illogical draw at Nou camp i’ve been a bunch of tangled nerves.
April 29th, 2008 at 19:03
dont tell me that is the official team??
April 29th, 2008 at 19:03
Scholes better have the game of his life
April 29th, 2008 at 19:05
Barcelona Team:
Valdes
Zambrotta – Puyol – Milito – Abidal
Xavi – Toure – Deco
Messi – Eto’o – Iniesta
Subs: Pinto, Gudjohnsen, Henry, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Thuram, Bojan.
April 29th, 2008 at 19:09
why no anderson? and I would have felt alot better seeing hargreaves in the midfield we needed his workrate in the middle of the park last game. Not gonna lie, I am now officially extremely nervous. Lets hope SAF takes us to Moscow.
April 29th, 2008 at 19:11
No Rooney. Much more nervey now. Oh shit. Only time will tell lets not give up and the crowd have a very important role.
April 29th, 2008 at 19:16
god, we’re gonna be called the semi-final team from now on…
April 29th, 2008 at 19:19
Anderson to come on at some stage, we’re really gonna have to pull this one out of the bag! good luck everyone!
April 29th, 2008 at 19:22
good luck to all…this is gonna be a heart-stopper
i am shitting bricks
April 29th, 2008 at 19:23
So is Welbeck going to be the hero tonight as he comes in and bails out of sure elimination? No Rooney for us could be a cataclysmic development. We having nothing to turn to on the bench if Tevez doesn’t do the job. Also, why play Park on the left and Nani on the right? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? And you wonder why we have problems breaking out. Playing so many players out of their traditional position is recipe for (and I’m quoting Fergie here) “DISASTER”. I won’t change my prediction but boy am I tempted.
April 29th, 2008 at 19:31
Grognard- I wouldn’t worry to much about which wings Park and Nani are on- the likelihood is they will switch around a lot, as we tend to play with a lot of changing of positions of the front 3/4 (at least when we’re attacking- which we’d better!)
April 29th, 2008 at 19:32
after seeing the line-ups I think we will draw 1-1. fergie’s got it wrong agian maybe. but I hope we do win after all. oh, ia m nervous
April 29th, 2008 at 19:40
Okay, here’s the final predictions from everyone ——
4-1: Utsav
3-1: TinManUnited
3-0: Ola, RedDevil, Andrei
2-1: JB, Grognard, Nino, jos, olliey, RedRanter, Ali, phoenix red,
2-0: antsBoy, t_reason, Jay
1-1: Beachryan, Jay, Faizan
0-0: Samphraim
Alright time for the craziest 90min ever!!! All the best guys….GO GO UNITED!
April 29th, 2008 at 19:41
Wow I guess we need a bigger squad these end of season injuries are really becoming a pain in the fucking ass! No Rooney no Vidic God help us…
April 29th, 2008 at 19:46
Good Luck All!!
April 29th, 2008 at 19:51
every back pass giving me a heart attack…
April 29th, 2008 at 19:52
dunno what to think bout this team. I hate ronaldo playing up front. He just cant influence the team from so high up the park! He beter start getin on the ball
April 29th, 2008 at 19:56
Can ANYONE tell me why Park is playing ahead of Anderson?????
April 29th, 2008 at 20:00
FUKIN GENIUS. Rolling back the years!! what a fuking goal. what a fuking goal
April 29th, 2008 at 20:00
yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…
April 29th, 2008 at 20:03
stay calm boys, we can finish this job really well, we hav to….for the mighty reds….
April 29th, 2008 at 20:03
WHAT A FUCKIN GOAL…u can see the barca players are rattled….keep it goin!!!! go for the KILL.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:22
barca are back on top….I’m bricking it
April 29th, 2008 at 20:29
Brown scares the crap out of me in the center. Especially when he’s on the ball. Then you add the wasted long balls he’s overplayed this game, and we might have more possession.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:30
Liam, did I miss something, or do you mean something else with ‘barca are back on top’?
April 29th, 2008 at 20:32
No No, It’s the half. We’re good.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:33
its going to be an interesting second half.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:34
REALRED:
Park has better ability when getting in and around the box, he has more Champions League experience and Anderson is probably being saved for when we need some energy and defensive players snapping at Barca from the midfield back.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:37
Comma
they are creating more and are holding the ball a lot better although that said most of it is through Messi. Thus my nervousness at the situation.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:38
We still should have scored another. The space afforded to Messi/Iniesta is still scaring me.
Will be an interesting second half. The teams have been living to their billing finally, which is nice to see as a spectacle. Although, I am still biting chunks off my nails.
Fingers crossed.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:38
Nani’s miss was our chance. Have to seize those…
We need a second, that really is the bottom line. Will eat my hat if it stays 1-0…
!
April 29th, 2008 at 20:39
Hey did you guys just see that commercial, that was wicked stuff.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:40
We can’t settle for a one-no lead, their attacking is simply fantastic. If Park or Nani’s effort had gone in we would be breathing easily.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:42
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!!!!1
April 29th, 2008 at 20:43
I’ve got a parlay All United and 1-0 is the perfect result. I think we are going to nick it at that. Just hold the line. Stay with me boys!! Concentrate! Glory Man UTD!!
April 29th, 2008 at 20:48
[Laim]
Alright, I was just wondering if because im watching it in the states its on some crazy 30 minute delay and barca leveled it. Thanks for the clarification and I’m just as nervous. Barca themselves dont look all that dangerous, we just seem to be sitting back and waiting to see what they will throw at us.
April 29th, 2008 at 20:55
1st: We are United, f’d with reality.. We can win no matter what! And stop bitching abt we’re gonna draw or lose, you don’t even deserve to be call a United fan..
2nd: You guys need to get off Park’s back, he hustles for the ball just as much as Andy or Tevez.. He’s just as much quality as the next united player..
We will win this game! Go United!
April 29th, 2008 at 21:19
I understand Giggs for Nani, but why Fletcher for Scholes? I think Scholes has been ok today, and Fletch is just returning from an injury. I dont understand.
April 29th, 2008 at 21:23
Andy should be on too,just so we can keep possession.. But MAN! I was scared to death when Henry’s head connected with the ball.. Good thing it went straight to the hands of EVDS.
April 29th, 2008 at 21:38
YYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 21:38
1-0 FT
Moscow here we come
April 29th, 2008 at 21:39
WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 21:40
I’m in tears, I’m actually in tears!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 21:41
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
April 29th, 2008 at 21:41
moscow awaits…will screw grants men there…dont want liv in the final…
April 29th, 2008 at 21:43
Man that was tense, but WE WON
April 29th, 2008 at 21:43
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD……I CAN’T FUCKIN SPEAK!!!!!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 21:43
Sweet!! No Rooney no Vidic, what a performance at both the ends – just 3 games away for 2 cups. Thank you Manchester United!!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 21:56
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How tense was that ? Make it all the more sweet when the ref blows the final whistle.
April 29th, 2008 at 21:59
Whheewww!!!
Now I am confident we are going to make the double!
Even though Barca had more possession, our approach was much more positive than in the 1st leg. And also the team selection was just about perfect, with the back four IMPECCABLE as usual!
And one for you all:
Who was man of the match?
Mine was Pat Evra. Not a better LB in the world right now. How in the world Sagna or was it Clichy got ahead of him in EPL team of the year is beyond me.
April 29th, 2008 at 22:04
10/10 for all the boys and especially the fans at old trafford stadium.park,carrick ,brown evra played very well.
April 29th, 2008 at 22:07
I thought Brown played well, but so did the whole of the defence
April 29th, 2008 at 22:08
Wow. Just wow. What a relief when the final whistle went. God bless paul scholes coz if not for his goal we were in deep ****. Having to score a goal in the 2nd half wouldve opened us up bad. The early goal let us sit back a little and just try to counter. Let us pray for the double this season.
P.S. what a 180 degree turn from all the doom and gloom the last couple of days lol. Now everything looks rosy again.
P.P.S Carlos tevez is a warrior. He was inspirational tonight. What a hero.
April 29th, 2008 at 22:09
nerviiieast moments of my life were the last 10 min of the game
we played good and deserved to win although we should have had another goal easily as we definately had more shots on goal and chances
Bloody hell we are going to MoscoW and to rub salt in barca fans it was the best site to see messi’s head down after the final wistle and though rickard might do a mourinho style chin up chin up
anyways we’re back on top and confidence is high
Special mentions to park as he played really well and was a real gem to watch tonight cant decide on a man of the match but it was a good over all performance and hope evra’s injury aint that dodgy
Go United
April 29th, 2008 at 22:09
my MOTM is tevez, just for his grafting and hustling for the ball that won us posession so many times.
April 29th, 2008 at 22:17
AT LASSSSSSSTTTTTTT!!!!! TEVEZ BROWN EVRA RIO, tremendous. RIO needs to be permanent captain
oh an the crowd was AWESOME. no rooney and we still won, Ronaldo at last was selfless.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
April 29th, 2008 at 22:28
A report coming out from the Manchester Heart Foundation who have officially begun an investigative enquiry into Manches ter United Football Club.Apparently,Rooney’s omission was due to the fact that he was going thru a series of transplants some 3 hours before the game.After he was not passed fit in time he opted 2 donate not one but FOUR of his aortas(section of the heart with each heart having only one) 2 some of the fit players,excluding Rio,who is believed 2 possess two hearts.The alleged recepients are Ronaldo,Tevez,Park Ji-Sung and Patrice Evra.It is also believed that more such heart transplants were performed given the performance of the other players eg Scholes,Brown and Hargreaves during their Champions League triumph over Barcelona FC.Investigations are at an advanced stage and Rooney is believed to be in a generally stable condition and has customarily passed himself fit for the weekend.
April 29th, 2008 at 22:35
Ohhhh dear god my parayers are answered for the first time in 8 years
April 29th, 2008 at 23:00
In another report.The MI5 and the CIA have made a major breakthrough in their counter terrorism efforts against an organisation believed 2 be involved in exacerbating global warming in Europe.Just over an hour ago,over 76 000 suspects were rounded up and are being transported to an unknown location 4 what sources from both intelligence agencies are calling “routine” interrogations.The suspects were arrested as they were departing from their hideout in Manchester,England.It is believed the name of their organisation’s HQ is called the”Theatre of Dreams” and residents of the Greater Manchester City area have also lodged complaints of “massive vibrations” tonight.Apparently,the organisation’s leader,only identified as CRAIG MC is still at large and has also been described as a “season ticket holder” without any other specifications given.He is also believed to be involved in the planning of what is known to intelligence agents as the “Moscow Meltdown” together with his fellow henchmen known as Grog,Dan and an elusive accomplice identified only as RR.More reports as it unfolds
April 29th, 2008 at 23:08
In another report.The MI5 and the CIA have made a major breakthrough in their counter terrorism efforts against an organisation believed 2 be involved in exacerbating global warming in Europe.Just over an hour ago,over 76 000 suspects of the Old Trafford Faithful (among them chief lieutanants of the notorius Stretford End Batallion) were rounded up and are being transported to an unknown location 4 what sources from both intelligence agencies are calling “routine” interrogations.The suspects were arrested as they were departing from their hideout in Manchester,England.It is believed the name of their organisation’s HQ is called the”Theatre of Dreams” and residents of the Greater Manchester City area have also lodged complaints of “massive vibrations” tonight.Apparently,the organisation’s leader,only identified as CRAIG MC is still at large and has also been described as a “season ticket holder” without any other specifications given.He is also believed to be involved in the planning of what is known to intelligence agents as the “Moscow Meltdown” together with his fellow henchmen known as Grog,Dan and an elusive accomplice identified only as RR.There had been reports of in-fighting within the organisation during the last 72 hours but negotiators now positively identified as Conor and Jb were called in 2 truce up the rival factions.The UK branch of Greenwatch is also following the progress of these events and is assisting authorities with their findings on excessive noise pollution. More reports as it unfolds
April 29th, 2008 at 23:15
P.S. To all those who were at Old Trafford, I SALUTE YOU X1000
April 29th, 2008 at 23:34
Hahahahaha – Jay Wire your very talented mate. Your reports are better than good. Ever thought of taking up Journalism?. Think you’d be good at it mate!!!!.
Wooooo – JB, just like us mate, there were over 76,000 CHEERLEADERS at the game tonight, and talk about MANIC RED, it was awesome. Honest, what a magic night – absolute bedlam on the terraces, and not a dry eye in the house at the final whistle!. ‘Apache’ Red Tev was too great. Never stopped running, tireless for the cause. Hargo was pure adrenalin tonight, so much energy and effort, as was Park. Can’t fault any of the lads though for effort. Last ten minutes was pure hell, so feckin tense, but the fans were chanting, screaming, stamping, scarf waving, and generally just whipping up a storm. It was so brilliant. Hope we get the same crowd for the Hammers game on Saturday.
VIVA, VIVA MAN UNITED!. MOSCOW HERE WE COME.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:58
Jay Wire; Very nice indeed, and very creative.