May 21
Man Utd v Chelsea: Preview
First of all, for all those who are crapping in their pants, watch the pre-match press conference with Fergie, Wes and Rio.
If that doesn’t help, then go find a toilet.
Ever since the pre-game conference against Barcelona (second leg) I’ve noticed a marked change in demeanour in Sir Alex. While he’s always loved being at the helm of affairs at the club, it has been very apparent, of late, that he’s really enjoying every bit of it.
To be honest, while nervousness is creeping in me slowly but surely, I am quite happy to soak in the atmosphere regardless of the result. Don’t get me wrong; I will be gutted if we lose today, but I would have been more gutted had we lost the Premiership. The Champions’ League will give our squad the ultimate reward it deserves, and could perhaps put an end to recent trends in mediocre league teams winning Champions’ League crowns. But being a cup competition and the sudden death nature of the contest, I have prepared myself for any eventuality because, at heart, I have always been a fan of the League system.
I would be lying if I said I don’t care about the Champions’ League. And I am surprised I am not bricking it like I’ve seen so many people around me doing so; I can’t really pinpoint one reason but I also feel quietly confident that we’ll win it.
But don’t worry, the nervousness is slowly gripping me as I write this.
But let’s forget about me for the moment and focus on who really matters. I’ve been reading various opinions, listening to a few podcasts, watching conference videos (like the one I pointed out at the start of the article). And I get the vibe that Chelsea seem very muted, cagey, and desperate to win this trophy. And it’s not to say that Man United players aren’t as keen, but Chelsea do see it more as redemption for what could otherwise end in a trophyless season. So arguably they are under greater pressure.
Again, according to reports from the training ground, like this one on the BBC the United players enjoyed a thoroughly euphoric training session where everyone enjoyed their time out; and in a podcast Derek Rae [of Soccernet] said Anderson might have made a case for his inclusion by scoring a cracking goal from quite a distance in training during a mini-football match. Little things like these send my spirits soaring. I have seen arguments to the contrary; that United are perhaps too relaxed and Chelsea are very focused. But I tend to see it in a positive light. Sometimes, in a final, when you have already won an arguably tougher competition, and have relatively less to prove, it could free up some of the nerves and make players shed inhibitions that are usually associated with finals.
Yet, the familiarity between teams could end up ‘treating’ us to the direness that characterized last year’s FA Cup final. It goes without saying, but anything that does not resemble last year’s FA Cup is more than welcome.
Let’s hope that, at least for the sake of spectacle, it is similar to either of the two games that United and Chelsea played this season. Settling a game in extra time or penalties is not good for the nerves.
On to team news, I am sure we’ll get the line up off the UEFA website, perhaps an hour prior to the game, but the boss did say that he’ll tell the players in the afternoon. Must be a tough job, despite the years of experience.
But we’ll make our own predictions on the formation right here. After the defeat at the Bridge, I am sure Fergie would have thought long and hard about formations and he might go with a 4-3-3 to combat the physical presence of Chelsea in midfield. So Hargreaves must start in a central midfield three, behind Scholes and Carrick. EVDS and the back four is certain; I am taking the word of the gaffer that Vidic will play. Two out of the front three is certain — Ronaldo on the right and Rooney upfront. I think Park, for his energy and industry to combat the work rate of Chelsea might get the nod ahead of Nani or Tevez or Giggs.
That leaves us with the bench to decide on: Kuszczak, O’Shea, Tevez, Giggs, Nani, Anderson and for the last spot it would be Saha if he’s fit. Otherwise it would have to be a toss up between Fletch and Silvestre. I think Fletcher might just pip Silvestre on this one.
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
So the stage is set, it’s over to you [and then the lads] to win this trophy and make us proud.
Come on you REDSSSSSSSSSS!!!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Porto it is then…
- Man Utd v Stoke: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
- Man Utd v Spurs match thread
Tags: Game Preview · UEFA Champions' League
May 21st, 2008 at 10:12
Rio looks possessed…that is good
Intent will be crucial, put Terry’s injury to the test!
May 21st, 2008 at 10:39
Just over 9 hrs left….GO GO YOU REDDDDSSSSS!!!! Go out there and dazzle them! My prediction: 2-1 to us, a Tevez winner too.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:44
Bloody nervous now, Chelsum do look very focussed maybe overly so?!
Hope we start well and attack them, if we are nervous then a lot of the ball early will help. I hope he starts Tevez instead of Park, he has been brilliant this season and is a potentail match winner, we could always bring Park or Giggs on if we are winning. Lets get the game won first, seems a long time since I sung WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS THE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 10:45
It seems to me Man Utd are over confident. I’ll watch the game with interest.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:48
hahahahahah fergie calling the spanish reporter an idiot is hilarious!
May 21st, 2008 at 10:49
The nervousness is building up again but it is more excitement than the worry before the Barcelona games. We have got the league in the bag and are only looking forward to more success.
I think there will be key battles that will decide the outcome of the game like Drogba v Rio and Ronaldo v Cole. We need to avoid conceding free kicks in dangerous areas where Chelsea will punish us with their aerial threat so it would be wise to stop them building up play in the midfield where Hargreaves needs to be to breaking them up. Evra will be important on the left going forward to give us an extra attacking option and there defence more to worry about.
We need to start strong and not show them too much respect and back off. I think the subs will be the most important factor especially if the scores are level or there’s only a goal between the teams. We have a lot of options and energy with our subs that will give us the advantage in the later stages of the game. It is probably best to wait and see the team and subs that Fergie picks.
On the Chelsea side of things I would be happy if Essien starts at RB instead of in midfield and hope the injuries to Terry and Cole have an effect on there game. We have the edge going in to the game because we are fully fit and mentally focused.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:53
I had a dream last night the we won the game 1-0 and Giggs scored the winner. He then retired as the most decorated player in english football and of course being the record appearance holder.
Only problem was we played Arsenal in the final and I was playing centre midfield along side Carrick!
Anyhow I think i need to put a bet on Giggsy 1-0!
Come on you reds, do us proud.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:19
Ryan- Please dont post any dreams! Everyone did it before the game at the bridge and we lost. Just to be sure…
Well, anyway I am looking forward to the final with exitement and, of cource, anxiety. I am confident we have better players than Chelski, I am confident we are more motivated, I am confident we have more class and I am confident that we will win. I have some reasons. Just some stats that may calm you down a little:
1. Since 2002, every team that beats the team that knocked out Real Madrid has won the competition. 2003: Juve beat Real, Milan beat Juve, Milan Champs. 2004: Monaco beat Real, Porto beat Monaco, Porto Champs. 2005: Juve knocked out Real, Liverpool beat Juve, Liverpool Champs. 2006: Arsenal beat Real, Barca beat Arse, Barca champs. And 2007: Bayern knocked out Real, Milan knocked out Bayern, Milan won. May it continue in 2008: Roma knocked out Real, United beat Roma, United Champs…
2. Because of the annaversary, 50 years Busby Babes, 40 years first Champions League title.
3. Fergie says this is the strongest Uited squad he has ever managed.
4. The team that play as the “home” side has won every final since 2004. Porto, Pool, Barca and Milan.
5. We are the mighty Manchester United! We can beat anyone!
I trust the team, and I think that is why I am not so nervous before the final. Hopefully they will win for Fergie, the Busby Babes, themselves, the fans and of cource, show to everyone that they are the best team in Europe. My team:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo/Rooney Carrick Owen Scholes Nani
Ronaldo/Rooney
subs: TK, Oshea, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Tevez and Fletcher/Saha if fit.
Prediction: 3-0 to Manchester United. Hargreaves and Ronaldo(2) to score for us and become legends!
I know I may think this final may be too one-sided, but I think United will dominate this game in periods and score when they get the chances. COME ON YOU REDS!
May 21st, 2008 at 11:22
You could have written Chelsea v/s Man United. I think its our away game against the Russians
May 21st, 2008 at 11:32
Why do i have this feeling that Fletcher will somehow figure in this match… Possibly as a starter or as a sub for Park
May 21st, 2008 at 11:42
automatic choice for 2 of the front 3 for me would be tevez and ronaldo, not rooney & ronaldo! What has rooney done to merit being automatic first choice? tevez has sscored more goals, can head in from crosses and has similar work rate to rooney. he also has very good vision and is more comfortable on the ball than rooney is (rooney loses ball more often than tevez). park is worst among rooney tevez and park. I dont know why park should be starter ahead of tevez???
May 21st, 2008 at 11:49
[jos]
Fergie has picked Park in both games against Roma and both games against Barca. That is one reason. About Rooney, I’ll bet on it, injury apart, Rooney will start.
Tevez is outstanding, and that’s why I want him brought on as an impact sub when the opposing defence tires.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:51
’cause Park is fresh and has great stamina…Rooney because he’s Rooney… Tevez does deserve to start too though, but I’m sure Fergie wants to keep something in reserve
May 21st, 2008 at 11:58
man u will win they are so up for it and they are so much prepared cum on u reds
May 21st, 2008 at 12:02
Haven’t Rooney and Tevez both scored 18?
May 21st, 2008 at 12:10
No. Tevez has scored 19.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:12
But Rooney is The Man (not that Tevez is a lesser man, you know what I mean) and he deserves to start, otherwise Terry and Carvalho will camp in our half.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:14
RedDevil:
Im sure my dream had no relivence because as I stated we were playing Arsenal in the final!
Such a tough one to call this, I think it will be settled 1 goal, I have confidence in our back line to keep a clean sheet and I can always see us scoring.
All I say is Attack, Attack, Attack Attack Attack!
May 21st, 2008 at 12:27
Of course Rooney will start. He’s probably among the first 3 on the line-up for these sort of matches. He’s industrious for our team, and he will be again tonight.
A few thoughts on Chelsea. They have a few injury concerns, so we should really have a go at them. Terry and Cole especially should be tested (if Cole plays that is). If Cole doesn’t play, Chelsea will have serious problems marking Ronaldo. And Terry – well it’s just another injury for him isn’t it.
And what’s the status on Drogba? I bet that when Vida gets his first tackle in, Drogba will disintegrate… vaporize. His knee might not feel the heat in training, but once it’s match time, he’ll get his ass kicked.
Vds
Wes, Rio, Vida, Evra
Carrick Hargo Scholes
Ronaldo Rooney Tevez
is the lineup. Only question is whether Hargo or Anderson will start.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:44
RR:
Agree with line-up and the subs bench.
I would also give Park the nod ahead of Tevez. Tevez is the only really potent weapon United would have to come off the bench (Nani is good, but more unpredictable and plays wider). Tevez needs to be on the pitch at the business end of the game, particularly one which might go to extra time. You’d want a fresh and pumped up Tevez running at a tiring Chelsea defence.
So, I’d look to bring on Tevez after about 60 minutes for Park, and Anderson for Scholes at about the same time. Psychologically, whatever the score the United team and supporters will get a real lift if they see Tevez and Anderson about to come on. By the same token, Chelsea will utter a collective groan, knowing that with Tevez and Anderson buzzing around their night was just about to become that much harder.
United to win by the odd goal.
May 21st, 2008 at 13:03
Park to me is a fallacy to some degree. He is a tackling winger, a player to shut down attaking players.
I think we should go out all guns blazing then try to tighten the game up, there is no need to bring Tevez or who ever on is we are 2 nil down with 20 mins left because Chelsea will batten down the hatches.
I love Park, but I think the first goal could be really crucial, lets hope and pray we score it.
May 21st, 2008 at 13:11
is it just me who thinks park is too weak and is not that good a threat on the goal as well? Imagine Park fighting it out with the likes of ballack, Essien, Makelele, Terry etc!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 13:11
We will win it. It’s a hunch, founded on gut wrenching nerves, but the hunch is overpowering. We will win, despite Chel$ki’s terribly impressive lineup. It’s about one off’s, and we have the better atmosphere for magical moments than the strife torn rent boys.
May 21st, 2008 at 13:20
Somehow i am not feeling nervous as i was against barca and wigan maybe an hour before the game tonight i’ll go crazy and go silent
i agree with the line up though but as you know fergie might pull something strange and make us all feel wrong
but i feel it will be close one and we need to score in the first 20-25 min to win the game as chealski are real backstabbers in the end
its either gonna be 2-1 or 1-0 to us an odd goal as u all say but to be honest i’d take a 3-0 rampage and show our fire power superiority with amazing defence
Go UNITED
May 21st, 2008 at 13:31
Hrm, not as nervous as I expected, perhaps the back to back league wins makes me feel a bit better about it! I would argue Chelsea have the advantage, as over the past 4/5 years they’ve pretty much dominated us – Fletch’s looping header and the post-Jose game aside. We can be lightweight in the middle and they’ll just keep possession, ala Barca. Whereas the Catalans lacked the final ‘punch’ Chelsea have Ballack and Lampard to slam shots (hoping for deflections in Frank’s case) and of course the big man up front.
We need to demonstrate that we can hold the ball, and not play counter attacking all the match. I think we’ll see Ronaldo start up front alone, flanked by Park and Rooney, and for the first half we’ll barely attack, hoping to go in 0-0. I think Fergie is banking on that, and his game plan will fully materialise at the break, when we’ll try to score in the first 15 after the half, then back to countering.
I expect Ronaldo to be pants, but mostly due to the terrible pitch. In rain on a bad surface, you have to play a more direct route, so expect long balls to the flanks for Rooney to chase. I hope Scholes has taken a 10 day break, and is able to run his little ginger heart out for 60 mins, cause if he and Carrick have their usual pedestrian pace, I just think we’ll be dominated.
I fear a 1-0 to Chavski, off a corner early in the game, with Terry axe kicking Vidic in the face while Carlvaho wrestles VDS to the ground and the ball ricochet’s in off Frank Lampards left hand, via the post and Wes Brown.
May 21st, 2008 at 13:49
I wonder what chelsea fan’s thoughts on the final are, are they as worried and nervous as we all are, do they see any of our players with the same kind of begrudging respect as we see the likes of essien, ballack, terry and co or are they just supremely confident in what is, lets face it, a juggernought of a team, fully capable of using their height, strength and didier dorgba to devastating effect? Is it our own minds as united supporters trying to dampen down any possible jinxing we might cause or are we just aware of the teams entertaining unpredictability? Id love to find a bluerants or something similar to find out just how the opposition are weighing up our chances of a thoroughly deserved 3rd European Cup
May 21st, 2008 at 14:32
Heard a rumour that Ballack has been dropped or is out,
May 21st, 2008 at 14:36
5 hours left and counting…
May 21st, 2008 at 15:13
my team
vandar sar
brown rio vidic evra
park carrick scholes hargreves\anderson
rooney\ronaldo
sub that will come on tevez,giggs and either hargreves or anderson if the other play and if there is no injuries to the defenders.
May 21st, 2008 at 15:31
Fergie has already said that Park will feature. And from the way I know it, Park is not a substitute material. So he will start at the left wing. Giggs will come on in the second half to replace him. I do not see Owen Hargreaves playing this match unless he comes late on to help either Carrick or Scholes. Anyway, United will win this one. SAF has waited for years to win again in Europe and I don’t think Grant (or Can’t) is the one to stop him. There would have been better coaches to prevent United winning only their third European Champions Cup but not Grant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 15:33
Just read that Ronaldo will wear a new pair of Nike boots tonight! Hopefully theyll get the debut that the former got against Newcastle…
May 21st, 2008 at 15:46
Really? New boots! Risky. I remember when a certain Wayne Rooney tried out new boots, actually against Chelsea…one metatarsal later…
May 21st, 2008 at 15:55
scary stuff this…
May 21st, 2008 at 15:58
Don’t worry about the boots, with the pitch as it is, Ronaldo might need something different to make a difference. Besides, Ronaldo isn’t the same as Rooney when it comes down to injuries, especially to the foot.
The only problem is that he may not be used to using the boots for his freekicks…
May 21st, 2008 at 15:59
Red Ranter; I totally agree about Tevez needing to come in as an energetic substitute when Chelsea are starting to tire. I also believe Park will start. We will have 4-3-3 that plays more like a 4-5-1 with Rooney alone up front. This is the only way Fergie can deal with Chelsea’s powerful central midfielders. Having Hargo Scholes and Carrick in the middle will be stronger than just two of them. For this reason alone the game will probably be a dull low scoring affair. 1-0 should do it provided EVDS doesn’t let in a howler from a Ballack or Drogba free kick. Free Kicks close to the box are what we have avoid at all costs. And strong marking of Ballack to prevent him from getting headers in the box from crosses, corners or set pieces is vital. Rio and Vidic have to have massive games in the middle of the defense. And Ronaldo has to make a statement not only for his big game absences in the past but for his comments earlier in the week. He needs to show everyone that winning and excelling for United is all that matters. Not moving to Real. If he focuses well, he should do well. And Rooney needs to make the best of his chances because he won’t get many.
Honestly the man that scares me the most in this game is Petr Cech. He is the best goalkeeper on the planet and his saves in the game could be the difference. United is a better team player wise and tactically but history shows that it’s not always the best team that wins this.
It’s about breaks and luck. It’s about focus and not making mental mistakes. It’s about the big players showing up. It’s about knocking Chelsea’s block off and putting them in their place. It’s about leaving Moscow as champions and with fantastic memories that will last a lifetime. It’s about winning it for the fans but most of all, it’s about winning it for Fergie. GO GET EM BOYS!
May 21st, 2008 at 16:02
I don’t know about many of you but I couldn’t get an hour’s sleep last night. Add to that an incredible feeling of anxiety and nausea and I have to ask myself, is it worth it? Of course it is. Do I want this or would I rather be a Liverpool or Arsenal supporter asking myself what the point of my existence is? Just pray for justice in the end.
May 21st, 2008 at 16:04
I totally agree with RR, I’ve been mulling it over in my head and think Park will start on the left. I feel a little sorry for Tevez, especially after his performance against Barca. Hopefully, if needed, he can have the desired affect should he need to coming off the bench. The Chelski line up is a little harder to predict. Which causes problems in itself. I hope Essien starts at RB as it will nullify him significantly, though I hope this Ballack rumour is true also. I cant believe both are possible though, sadly.
The only problem with Park on the left is that it means no-ones attacking Chelskis weakest position. Whether its Essien, Beletti or Fereira, they’re all there to be attacked, imo. Park will not do that as well. Ronaldo could be spending considerable time on the left, I think.
Oh well, its getting closer and closer. It will be tight, ugly and probably not as much of a spectacle as we would like. Lets just hope its less stressfull than ‘99. Though I doubt it will be. I cant see there being more that a goal in it, unless the team on top score a goal on the counter as the losing side are going all out for an equaliser.
A tight an edgy 2-1. Hopefully to United.
BELIEVE.
May 21st, 2008 at 16:15
Grognard; Have you not been watching Cech over this past year? After the ‘accident’, he has never been the same. Mistakes in big games such as Bolton, Arsenal and definitely a few others have firmly taken his claim of being the best keeper in the world and thrown it in the bin. I would have Casillas ahead of him for sure, and most people conclude that Buffon is the best and is a model of consistency. Also, don’t tempt fate about free kicks
Or about VDS making a howler, when many people feel that really VDS makes the fewest mistakes in the Premier League. Think about it, Reina makes more mistakes, Cech made more mistakes this season and David James still had his erratic moments. VDS is Mr. Reliable, he is Steady Eddie.
May 21st, 2008 at 16:19
are you guys blind? How can you say that out of Rooney park and tevez, tevez is last? You can’t be serious. Park isn’t in the same class as Rooney and tevez, not even close. And while its fine if you think Rooney is better than tevez(I personally dont, but we all have our own opinions) there is no reason to say Rooney deserves the start over when based on just this season. I personally hope saf plays both of them, but I would be highly upset if park starts over tevez.
May 21st, 2008 at 16:29
For all of the good that comes with Ronaldo we do quite regularly see the bad with him losing the ball and becoming frustrated because the ref doesn’t blow up for every tackle. This isn’t as evident in the smaller games where he is a class above most of the players. However in the big games where the gulf in class isn’t as big sometimes the bad outweighs the good and I really hope that we see the controlled Ronnie tonight rather than the reckless one.
As regards team selection, I would like to see Tevez start but I get that feeling that Fergie will go with Park
Prediction: 2-0 to United with Rooney blasting one into the top corner and a Ronaldo penalty
May 21st, 2008 at 16:30
Simple contest prior to the Champions League final:-
http://www.goalcentre.com/contest-uefa-champions-league-finals-give-away
Good luck to all and have fun!
May 21st, 2008 at 16:31
The Ballack rumour isn’t true, according to his agent. Probably a good thing- it will keep Essien out of the middle where he would do most harm.
May 21st, 2008 at 16:40
I could not sleep last night and had a dream about us losing to chelski 2-1.ohhh godd if that happens i will
really blame fergie for not sticking with andy.He’s a big game player we were a differennt team
when he came on in the second half against arsenal ,and FYI carrick is shite people if he starts be prepared
to be the runners up.. And all you carrick supporters will regret having him in da team.Hargo/andy/scholsy are the best carrick is a weak link….
May 21st, 2008 at 16:50
I agree, carrick is weak
May 21st, 2008 at 17:03
Me too, I think he is poor we should have gone for Atreta better and a lot cheaper!
May 21st, 2008 at 17:11
You’ve started on Carrick now?! :O
It’s the final. Show some solidarity people. Let’s save the blame game for tomorrow.
May 21st, 2008 at 17:21
Lets hope there is no need to place the blame on anyone tomorrow.
May 21st, 2008 at 17:35
shouldent the teamsheats be out by now?
May 21st, 2008 at 17:40
Annie Red, Tevez and Stephen; Carrick has been our most consistent midfielder in the league this season. However to look at it from a different perspective:
Win %:
Carrick – 60%
Scholes – 42%
Hargreaves – 65%
Anderson – 75%
By the way Stephen, Arteta is a winger and he is most definitely not better than Nani or Ronaldo.
May 21st, 2008 at 17:46
conor, arteta is a playmaker than can play effectively on the wing, but he is mostly a CAM.
May 21st, 2008 at 17:48
I think the team will be:
VDS
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Hargreaves Scholes Park
Ronaldo Tevez Rooney
As for the score I predict 1-0 to United.
May 21st, 2008 at 17:49
Lets try and keep a little perspective here people, like RR says its not about the blame game or the time to question our key players, its about coming together to support the red devils and just to make you all feel a wee bit better about the whole thing, heres a teamsheet comparison of what we will probably field today and the 99′ team which went all the way so famously against just as organised and fearful a side as Chelsea are today. Are we better equipped this time, injury free and without suspensions, id definetly say so
Class of 99′
Schmeichel
Neville, Stam, Johnson, Irwin
Giggs, Butt, Beckham, Blomqvist
Cole, Yorke
Van Der Gouw,May,P. Neville,Brown,Greening,Sheringham,Solskjaer
TODAY
EDVS
Brown, Ferdinand,Vidic, Evra
Carrick, Hargo, Scholes,
Ronaldo, Rooney, Park
Kusjzack,Pique,Tevez,Anderson,Nani
May 21st, 2008 at 17:50
Dan; your point being? Do we play with any CAM in our formation? Where would he play?
May 21st, 2008 at 17:53
i was just correcting you, i didn’t say i wanted to buy him did i. you where wrong. over.
May 21st, 2008 at 17:59
Don’t get me wrong; I will be gutted if we lose today, but I would have been more gutted had we lost the Premiership. The Champions’ League will give our squad the ultimate reward it deserves, and could perhaps put an end to recent trends in mediocre league teams winning Champions’ League crowns. But being a cup competition and the sudden death nature of the contest, I have prepared myself for any eventuality because, at heart, I have always been a fan of the League system.
—————————————————————————–
Exactly mate! At then end of the day the Scousers can go on about wanting Chelsea to win and winning it five times but all they are is a cup team nowadays. Up the reds!!
May 21st, 2008 at 18:00
Ryan – Post 7 – lol. Your so comical mate!. Did you have a great game in Central MF, kicking some a**** – haha!. Lucky you were playing Arsenal, if it had been Chelski, with so many ugly players, your dream would have been more of a nightmare!.
May 21st, 2008 at 18:07
Conor said – Artete is definately not better than Nani – you just made my day mate!. Please God, let Nani be in the 18 – otherwise it will make my blood pressure shoot up – haha!
May 21st, 2008 at 18:11
He plays on the left…
He plays on the rriigghhhtttt…..
That boy Ronaldo, makes England look shite…
May 21st, 2008 at 18:19
nicky shorey is set to leave reading, united material?
May 21st, 2008 at 18:21
Nemanja whooaa, Nemanja whooaa,
He came from Serbia,
He’ll fucking murder ya,
Nemanja whooaa, Nemanja whooaa.
May 21st, 2008 at 18:32
Re the Jonsomms discussion about Tev and the Roon. I would just add this thought!. Tev has a fantastic temperament, hardly ever loses his head, no matter what happens to him or how much provoked during a game. The Roon and Scholesy in their different ways, are suspect. Scholesy with the tackling, and Roon for over exuberance and hotheadedness when things start to frustrate him. Just hope their is none of thet tonight, because I am sure they will both be playing. I seriously hope Tev is starting too. Our players have got to want this MORE THAN CHELSKI, because in interviews the Chelsea players have been ROBUST in their certainty that they will kill to get their hands on the European trophy.
May 21st, 2008 at 18:33
Park’s not even on the bench! Its going to be an English affair…!!
May 21st, 2008 at 18:34
teams in boys
VDS
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Hargreaves Scholes carrick
Ronaldo Tevez Rooney
rooney ronaldo tevez. fergie finally gone 4 it. at last!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 18:35
United team:
GK: Edwin Van Der Sar
RB: Wesley Brown
CB: Rio Ferdinand
CB: Namanja Vidic
LB: Patrice Evra
CM: Paul Scholes
CM: Michael Carrick
CM: Owen Hargreaves
RF: Carlos Tevez
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo
LF: Wayne Rooney
subs: TK, Oshea, Silvestre, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani.
Good team! Offensive! United to win 3-0, Owen and Ronaldo(2) to score. COME ON YOU REDS!
May 21st, 2008 at 18:37
fletch, nani and giggs to come on
May 21st, 2008 at 18:38
whoaaaa! is that the real starting 11???
May 21st, 2008 at 18:40
that could be a 4-4-2…
May 21st, 2008 at 18:41
wow how is that going to work
May 21st, 2008 at 18:41
Mihir- Yes. If you dont believe us check out UEFA.com.
Balsa Boy injred again then… well, well
May 21st, 2008 at 18:41
Based on the lineups, I’m feeling very good. Already Fergie has out coached Bela Lugosi. We look built to attack. I should have known better than to think Grant would have been smart enough to start Drogba and Anelka together. Essien at RB is also a bit of a relief. I’m surprised that Nani is on the bench as I really believed Fergie would still punish him. It appears that there are more important things at stake than making an example of Nani. I’m glad he has also dressed Anderson. And what a surprise, Saha is not on the bench. He must have sprained something in the post game celebrations 10 days ago.
May 21st, 2008 at 18:46
So after all that Park talk he didn’t even make the bench!
May 21st, 2008 at 18:50
[Dan]
nicky shorey is set to leave reading, united material?
No.
May 21st, 2008 at 18:52
I had a feeling all day that we were going to lose 1-0, but our starting eleven is the strongest United team possible, although the Chelsea one is not bad either. No excuses. Let’s show the world what we’re capable of.
May 21st, 2008 at 18:53
May 21st, 2008 at 18:54
what about the chelsea line-up???
May 21st, 2008 at 18:55
[Dan]
That’s because he’s become a bit crap this season.
And straight to the point, because I am getting a bit too nervous to talk about anything else other than today’s game
May 21st, 2008 at 18:56
Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, J Cole, Drogba. Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Mikel, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Anelka.
May 21st, 2008 at 19:01
okay, just checked it out on UEFA.com
Good call Fergie! Never ever did I think we would go with a formation like that in the finals! All through the quarters and semis we play a more defensive approach and then the beloved system is back. I think the intent is very clear. Man Utd wants to play the game the way its meant to be played. Beautifully! Expect fast counter attacks and I would so love to watch our Holy Trinity making Makelele in his trademark Makelele position look like an oldie who cant keep up with the blistering pace!
May 21st, 2008 at 19:02
Even if we go down, we are going down fighting. I am happy that at least we gonna try to attack. I will be at home in 30 minutes and then it will start.
May 21st, 2008 at 19:02
Guys, you should all stop what you’re doing right now and watch the last 3 minutes from the 99 final. It’ll definitely make you feel extremely better! It worked for me.
May 21st, 2008 at 19:02
chelseas bench scares the crap out of me look who they can bring on if theyre down,, anelka or kalou or shevchenko :S im afraid i cant say the same about man utd. expect for maybe nani and anderson….
May 21st, 2008 at 19:04
thats cool RR, im a bit like that to. in some more warm hearted news, i think this is a record for most comments before a match. Lets get 100.
May 21st, 2008 at 19:09
to me the bench looks useless , its the final everyone will give their all , and i cant see anyone replacing tevez , rooney and ronaldo so it will have to be 1 of the midfield , meaning he can afford 1 sub if we are in trouble and he have to get it right. tough job good luck everyone!
May 21st, 2008 at 19:11
Oh yes let’s!
Just over 30min to go!!! LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
May 21st, 2008 at 19:24
bleh we go there to bully them not be bullied, so let’s hope there will not be need for it.
May 21st, 2008 at 19:27
Where the F### is park..Cmon sir alex is cruel he was the best player against Barca and he is missing from the squad\
What the fuck is going on this is bullshit ……
May 21st, 2008 at 19:28
Dan; I’m not wrong though, he is a winger. He may like to play CAM because it gives him a freer role but he played as a winger for Real Sociedad and Rangers as a winger i.e. he is a winger. You were wrong.
May 21st, 2008 at 19:33
Its going to be a walk in the park for the red devils! The blue bus is going to have a puncture!
May 21st, 2008 at 19:39
conor this is not the time to start another argument, this si the time for us to be in one, and to be a red.
this might be the most important and heart felt time ive said this, but,
C’MOn YOU FUKN UNITED.
May 21st, 2008 at 20:13
That boy!
May 21st, 2008 at 20:14
Nice control from Scholesie to set up Brown’s pin point cross. Excellent finish by Ronnie – I have a feeling there’s going to be some more goals come our way! Come on you Reds – Finish them off before half time!
Wooooooooooooooo hoooooo let the game open up now!
May 21st, 2008 at 20:34
LAMPARD’S GOAL IS SHIT OMG WTFFFFFFF , COME ON REDS
May 21st, 2008 at 20:35
Ah sheeeaaat that was a horrible sequence by Ferdinand – right at the dying minutes of the half too. 1-1 and who konws what is going going happen now? United dominate and could easily be up 3-1 but go in 1-1 due to another defensive blunder (reminds me of the keystone cop defending we exhibited against kaka during last year’s semi final…)
May 21st, 2008 at 20:35
Same old Chelshit…
May 21st, 2008 at 20:37
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy????????????
May 21st, 2008 at 20:38
Shit, those were two chances Tevez spurned. If only that save from the Tevez header had fallen to Scholes. He would have banged it in!
1-1 is not good for us. Chelsea finished strongly and now we haave to pick ourselves up. Ronaldo is owning Essien especially in the air and Rooney is on form..what a pass to Ronaldo from midfield. Tevez needs to step up. If we have all three of them playing well we’ll get the goals we need to win.
Chelsea have another goal in them so i can see us having to score two!
May 21st, 2008 at 20:42
United rule the first half and dominate Chelsea only to be tied. What an injustice. I said the difference in this game may be in goal. Right now Cech is the difference. His fantastic saves kept this game from going 2-0. Had Tevez converted on both his gimme’s we’d be up 3-0. Instead Lampard scores a lucky goal on a lucky bounce. But didn’t EVDS look just a bit clueless in playing the shot?
Ronaldo has been magnificent and his goal was a brilliant header from a great great left foot cross by Brown. Had Ronny’s cross to Hargo been a little lower well, just another case of bad luck. Right now we have no luck and Chelsea’s goal was nothing but luck. Tevez is saved by Cech, he misses a sitter completely from Rooney. Carrick shoots straight at Cech on the rebound. Ronny’s header to Hargo is inches high
and Rio makes a mess on defense with a bad bounce and deflection. Boys it should be 3-0 or 4-0. I don’t even count that chance Ballack had when he went over Rio fouling him to the ball. Great reflex save by EVDS but for me Chelsea has been awful. That first half score is a joke.
May 21st, 2008 at 20:42
KevinUntd: Its not “another” defensive mistake. More like a series of lucky deflections for Chelski.
Very unlucky to concede this goal as Chelski have been very average for the first 45.
But if Utd can manage a 2nd half similar to the first there is no doubt that we’re taking the big ears.
Conme On You Reds!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 20:43
Me thinks going in 1-1 is actually good for our boys. this season we have been guilty of taking our foot off the pedal when the pressure is off. I thinking going in 1 up makes us feel we need to protect the lead. but now that its tied up, its back to us needing another goal. If we play like we did in the 1st half we are in good shape.
and for all you ronaldo detractors, is this gamebig enough for ya?
May 21st, 2008 at 20:47
For all those two-one predictions out there, this one’s for you. Tevez to score second goal…or giggs….. I don’t think we’ll see penalties. Lets go REDS!! We are the Champions! So let’s show our worthy. Really glad Ronaldo gets the golden boot…
May 21st, 2008 at 20:48
Chelsea goal was a defensive error. Carrick didn’t track back when Lampard made that forward run and Brown did not cover for him either. The Man U defence looks shaky when Chelsea run at us from midfield. But we are creating so many chances that I think we can ride our luck.
We outplayed Chelsea for the first 40 minutes. But in the last five minutes Chelsea were the better team. I expect them to start strong on the back of their goal. But if we can settle and start to play football again the game is ours for the taking!
May 21st, 2008 at 20:51
anderson to score the winner
May 21st, 2008 at 21:02
I have a feeling that scholes will come off. hargreaves will move to his spot then ronaldo will switch wings and giggs will come on
May 21st, 2008 at 21:06
QB – I disagree with you – it wasn’t just bad luck. Rio headed the ball needlessly away turning the ball over to chelsea in midfield and leaving himself and the team a bit out of position. As a result he had to quickly track back – Chelsea were fortunate enough to pounce on this mistake. Had Rio decided to control the ball or not head it straight to a chelsea player the outcome may have been different. Watch the reply and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Let’s settle down now, dodgy 2nd half so far, push forward and play like we are capable of playing!
May 21st, 2008 at 21:12
i m surprised how poor VDS has been today…a change in the midfield is necessary..we r losing out to their domination….change something SAF
May 21st, 2008 at 21:22
Scholes is away. Anderson?
May 21st, 2008 at 21:26
And Ballack is a c***.
May 21st, 2008 at 21:26
the midfields fuckin vanished. i feel sick.
we gotta switch wayne and ronaldo. Then sub anderson for scholes
May 21st, 2008 at 21:55
Nani now has his chance to make up for that red card against WHam – I wold like to see Anderson come on for Carrick. Now that there’s some tired legs out there the play is opening up!
Come on you Reds!
May 21st, 2008 at 22:12
Come on you reds!!!!! You can do it now!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 22:35
Yes Yes Yes i was in actual tears when ronnie missed his!!! YES!!!!!!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 22:35
He saves on left,
He saves on the riiigggghtttt…
That boy Edwin,
Makes Chelsea look shite….
May 21st, 2008 at 22:36
WHY O WHY DO WE ALLWAYS DO IT THE HARD WAY???
May 21st, 2008 at 22:41
YES YES YES YES YES…..I just hav 2 words. BELIEVE. MUNICH.
May 21st, 2008 at 22:46
This belongs to SAF who created this majestic squad!
May 21st, 2008 at 22:50
this is too much fo me. Wanna cry. so proid of the lads. what a fuckin season
May 21st, 2008 at 22:54
For the busby babes! yes!
May 21st, 2008 at 22:56
I cried my ass off!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 23:07
its 4 in the morning and i cant sleep now!!! congrats to all the fans
and esp to SAF for giving us such a gerat game of CL final.