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: UEFA Champions' League
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
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.
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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
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Dan; your point being? Do we play with any CAM in our formation? Where would he play?
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i was just correcting you, i didn’t say i wanted to buy him did i. you where wrong. over.
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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.
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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!!
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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!.
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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!
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He plays on the left…
He plays on the rriigghhhtttt…..
That boy Ronaldo, makes England look shite…
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nicky shorey is set to leave reading, united material?
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Nemanja whooaa, Nemanja whooaa,
He came from Serbia,
He’ll fucking murder ya,
Nemanja whooaa, Nemanja whooaa.
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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.
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Park’s not even on the bench! Its going to be an English affair…!!
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teams in boys
VDS
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Hargreaves Scholes carrick
Ronaldo Tevez Rooney
rooney ronaldo tevez. fergie finally gone 4 it. at last!!!!!!!!!!!!
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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!
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fletch, nani and giggs to come on
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whoaaaa! is that the real starting 11???
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that could be a 4-4-2…
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wow how is that going to work
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Mihir- Yes. If you dont believe us check out UEFA.com.
Balsa Boy injred again then… well, well
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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.
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So after all that Park talk he didn’t even make the bench!
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[Dan]
nicky shorey is set to leave reading, united material?
No.
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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.
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what about the chelsea line-up???
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[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
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Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, J Cole, Drogba. Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Mikel, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Anelka.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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….
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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.
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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!
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Oh yes let’s!
Just over 30min to go!!! LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
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bleh we go there to bully them not be bullied, so let’s hope there will not be need for it.
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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 ……
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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.
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Its going to be a walk in the park for the red devils! The blue bus is going to have a puncture!
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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.
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That boy!
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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!
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LAMPARD’S GOAL IS SHIT OMG WTFFFFFFF , COME ON REDS
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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…)
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Same old Chelshit…
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whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy????????????
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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!
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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.
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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!!!!
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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?
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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…
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