Oct 02
Man Utd vs Roma: Preview
Sorry for the late post. Some late nights burning the midnight oil had me groggy eyed. Although that shouldn’t stop me from writing a short preview for the readers of this blog. So here goes…
We’ll kick it off with some words from the manager, which you can see over here on Sky Sports (video link). He tries to be as diplomatic as he can. He gives them the benefit, accepts that they are a good team - which they are, going forward at least - and does say that the 7-1 win is not something one would see very often.
Moving on, he seems fairly confident of handing over the gloves to Tomasz Kuszczak. I do personally think that he is quite underrated despite his excellent time with West Brom. He would however have to be prepared to be tested as the Romans will test him, especially if Vidic is not playing.
Vidic’s absence will be a big blow because that was one department that was beyond reproach this season. Speaking of defensive troubles SAF said that ‘Owen Hargreaves is a possibility’, but so far whenever he’s said that he’s not started the player. I do wish, however, that he plays him because, so far this season, he’s taken his limited chances well and he frees up Carrick/Scholes as well as shields, what could be, a makeshift defence.
On other matters, Ronaldo’s comments, made in his newly released book, regarding Roma have been brought out into the spotlight as would have been expected given the nature of this clash. Apparently the Roma boys were begging him to go easy on them when we were 6-0 up. Heh! It’s quite a sight, if you think about it, isn’t it? Defenders like Chivu kneeling down before him, pleading begging and promising him all sorts of candy (and maybe their girlfriends) in exchange. Well, maybe not that much. But I wouldn’t rule out candy bars. Yes, really, I wouldn’t.
Anyway it is essential he keeps his feet firmly on the ground, in a manner of speaking, of course. Those comments, while made in his book and not in any pre-game press conference, hasn’t stopped the Times from running a story about how Ronaldo ruined SAF’s diplomacy. Or whatever that means.
The formation used today could be anyone’s guess. It also depends on whether Hargreaves starts. Even then, would he go for a conservative 4-3-3 due to a makeshift defence? If so who would he play up front? Would it be Giggs, Rooney and Ronaldo or Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo? Or would Saha start somewhere? Or would he buck the European trend and go with a 4-4-2, especially since he’s playing at home? Lot’s of questions. Not too easy to say really. We are not even sure of who would play in our back four. If it helps you, Tribal Football says Pique will play instead of Vidic. (Sorry, I don’t link to Tribal Footy articles.) I suppose Pique would figure somewhere if Vidic and Brown don’t play. Otherwise, I think, the experience of O’ Shea would be preferred.
Performance wise, I doubt there would be anything much different from what we’ve seen over the past weeks. Our players seem intent on patient (bordering on ultra slow) passing and too much dilly-dallying outside the penalty area. Of course, they’ve been efficient in managing to score goals and picking up maximum points. The key player would certainly be Hargreaves. If he starts and has a good game, I can guarantee we will play a lot quicker than we’ve been playing of late. Whatever their caution levels, Roma will afford us more space than we’ve seen before. So if we do take our chances, we can win comfortably.
Prediction: I know I’ve been iff-ing and butt-ing my way through the preview, so let me stick my neck out at least once — 2-1 to United (Tevez, Rooney to score.)
Related items from Red Rants:- Derby County v Man Utd: Preview
- Roma vs Man Utd: Preview
- Roma v Man Utd: Preview
- Manchester United v Aston Villa Preview - Tougher than it looks
- Man Utd v Roma: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
October 2nd, 2007 at 14:21
We go guys.The sweetest gift for me tonight will be a goal from Pique.
Hopefully he will play.
Kudzack will keep our goal clean.
good Man U go
October 2nd, 2007 at 15:40
Great move by Fergie to praise Pique after the Coventry game - he did make one glaring error for the second goal but otherwise he was probably our best player.
Tommy K is ready to take over from Edwin now. Last year he didn’t quite have the presence to fill his boots, but I reckon he does now.
Great save at Birmingham just minues after coming on and he commanded the defene well after that.
As we know, from that West Brom game in 2005, he can be brilliant on his day and I feel we are going to see a gae like that from him this season.
October 2nd, 2007 at 16:17
i have a good feeling, and a bad feeling about this match, its weird, somethign good will happen, followed by something bad, or vice versa
October 2nd, 2007 at 16:23
Coool bet!!hmm may be 2-0 and expect a goal from either nani or Anderson
and am hopeful they’ll play coz they have some CL experience!!!!!!!!
GLORY GLORY MAN U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 2nd, 2007 at 16:59
can’t wait got tickets for tonight going to be a real good match come on united
October 2nd, 2007 at 17:27
I think we will be fine at the back especially if Hargreaves plays. He was bought for the Champions League and so Fergie should risk him and risk him now. I also would like to see more of Pique. He is capable and is able to play CB or RB. His agent has been grumbling about his lack of playing time and that he should be loaned out again. This is a good opportunity for Fergie to shut him up and to give the kid the playing time he needs, as well as deserves.
So will it be 1-0 again? I think it will be 2-0. People think Roma will come out and seek revenge which makes one think they will try to score goals. The Italian answer to getting destroyed is to build a better fortress next time. I expect them to really concentrate hard on defense to prevent another embarrassment. This game smells of 0-0 or 1-0 but I am hoping for Ronaldo and Tevez scoring two nice goals and getting us a win. I also think that Hargreaves can neutralize Totti.
October 2nd, 2007 at 17:34
really strugglin to call this match coza last time round obv but its def gon b exciting! the way
were playing its only a matter of time untill we UNLOAD on a team…..hopefully its tonight!
Swear to god tho- the onlyway il accept nani not startin is if tevez, rooney and saha start.
Hope Pique can emulate his Zarag form from last season n keep it tidy at the back too.
CMON LADS
October 2nd, 2007 at 17:46
Can’t see Giggs (who’s played in almost 100 CL games) not starting unless he’s injured, hopefully on the left. I hope Vidic plays but only if fully fit (remember Milan). Brown I’m not overly keen on at RB anyway (although he has got better as the season has went on).
2-1 would do, I just want us to score more than 1 goal !!!
October 2nd, 2007 at 18:18
3-1
thats all i’m saying
October 2nd, 2007 at 18:30
3 2
October 2nd, 2007 at 18:37
i reckon if reckon if pique is given the chance to play right-back, he could become a starter and push neville to second-choice.
October 2nd, 2007 at 18:58
Man Utd
29 Kuszczak
22 O’Shea
15 Vidic
05 Ferdinand
03 Evra
07 Ronaldo
16 Carrick
18 Scholes
17 Nani
09 Saha
10 Rooney
Substitutes
38 Heaton, 08 Anderson, 11 Giggs, 19 Pique, 25 Simpson, 32 Tevez, 33 Eagles
tevez on the bench-if saha aint scored bu half time, hes out-and tevez is in, i really wanted pique to start, im sure hell have atleast 20 minutes under his belt, simpson could get 5 minutes.
October 2nd, 2007 at 19:20
Were the fuck is hargreaves?!
October 2nd, 2007 at 19:29
Im hoping Saha uses tonight to make a real impression (again…he’s always good when he ‘comes back’), 3-1 I’m gonna say. Good luck to big Tom in goal too - a good game tonight will do him bucket loads of good for his confidence.
Gutted to not see Hargreaves’ name again though.
Come on United!
October 2nd, 2007 at 19:39
Hargreaves is scaring me,hes almost as bad as saha
October 2nd, 2007 at 19:43
hargreaves isnt injury prone, he broke his leg, after a leg break your leg is never the same.
October 2nd, 2007 at 20:37
yeah he isnt going to just recover from a broken leg and then have no set backs, anyway 0-0 at half time, we need some inspiration from somewhere, wish i wasn’t working so i could actually watch the game, hows nani playing if anyone is watching the game??
October 2nd, 2007 at 20:43
Nani sent in 1 good cross apart from that hes been quiet.rooney,ronaldo are quiet which means no service to saha.scholes is really going through a bad patch.hope tevez and anderson play.esp anderson
October 2nd, 2007 at 21:14
rrrrrrooooooooonnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy,
beautiful goal, nani assist again
October 2nd, 2007 at 21:46
1-0…the most familiar scoreline for an United Fan this season. We need to get more goals in CL atleast where away goals matters..Anyway good win on a crunch game. I think ManU is playing the way it was playing for years…Hang on in the title race till December and give all a run for their money in the second half of the season…This was the way ManU have been playing all seasons except the last one where we were able to maintain it from start to finish atleast in EPL..and note that last season Chelsea was always on our heels which inspired us….Anyway keep the winning run going..Wigan next ..Hope for more goals..
October 2nd, 2007 at 21:54
Ya we were lucky today really really lucky.tevez looked really good.anderson showed some signs of making those runs we have seen him make.ronaldo was better second half.van de sar needs to get back (quick) coz mr k isnt steady.next up wigan.i bet hargreaves will be “ready” and then not appear.
October 2nd, 2007 at 21:57
1-0 is good enough
Its Roma
The next match is very important
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:01
Another 1-0 but hell full points in the bag i loved it was a gr8 night and nice to see rooney magic back but even after keeping a clean sheet defence was lil dodgy at the start totti was bit too good at some places and they had more shorts on target as well
And some1 plz tell me why was Anderson playing upfront in the end instead of tevez and yes the kid needs time to gell with the team but initial thought now look really question and alarming
he definitely needs to start some games and unfortunately i doubt he’ll get any chances since we are out of the carling cup
And one bad point I noticed lots of fake acting by players on both the sides without pointing out too much I feel its hampering the referees mindsets and decisions sometimes
Nani looks a hothead as well
And yes today i really liked tevez and I’d like to see him up on him own with saha and rooney some more helping him out a genuine hard working player
We need a new corners and free kicks specialist we are shitty in set pieces
Carrick was crap, he was’nt helpfull at all hargo get some dope shots and get fit man high time
And yes hats off to rio who gave the arm band to giggsy even when giggs insisted him to carry on .
Scholes was our star man controlling our attack right from the top
Saw very less of evra coming up due to our formation i guess
And my special thanks to John O’shea For me its player like him and wes brown that lay their career at stakes just to fill in for us when we need .
There was some new commentator some ex-leeds guy today at commentary on Ten sports/Taj TV and he said a really gr8 thing that without being a specially placed player they cut down there future fixed place in the squad and end up being used very less its a big sacrifice coz u play very less and only in times of need coz u end up not having any chances of being the no 1 choice for any place in the squad
He defended well and did the job given to him Special respect and honor to him
And i really wanted to see pique in action but then some other day (Although he looked rather uninterested when nani came back on the bench and was shaking hands with evry1 on the reserves seat)
Something else i was going to point out but completely forgot until then Flame me for being too critical
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:08
Dont know if I was watching the same game as you indian punk but I thought that Carrick was much better than Scholes today.
Great to see Rooney on the score sheet. Now all our forward players are amongst the goals this season and it can only get better.
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:11
About Hargreaves, I guess Fergie is taking a very cautious approach on injured players allowing them to get in gradually. Last year we rushed Saha in and we all knew what happened…As we have the depth in the squad now Fergie is easing up on players. As far as we are winning he have the luxury to do that. I am getting sick of 1-0 victories..I am watching United goals 2006 and tried to study whats going wrong now…yet to find an answer..I think Tevez need to play up rather than a play maker..In corinthians he used to take more shots at goal and was able to score more..In West Ham too he started scoring when he started shooting more…He dont have to be accurate everytime but go on guys and try to take a shot at the end of every move…Oh god i am sick of “1-0s” now…
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:22
Ah I’m happy:)
Just to put my thoughts of the game,
The distribution from Carrick and Scholes was not what I expected. But carrick put in some good
defence.
Our Defence line made a clean sheet! Beautiful. I know there were many dangerous moments but I’m
satisfied for now. The best part was our defence.
On the other hand the attack was mediocre. Saha and Rooney’s movement definately seemed better,
but still without their top form, not dangerous enough.
Nani was the best attacker tonight. He really surprises me, he will grow into a reliable player.
His 1st year, and he is already helping the team with many crucial assists. And I don’t need to
mention his crossing.
Plus, Tevez seems to be on the right track! Starting to dribble like a mad man. Sometimes I thought
I was watching Messi play. He is starting to explode.
After Tevez came in, our team started to play a better attack.
Anyway Rooney’s shooting was just amazing. I’m happy for our team, It’s still not “clicking”
BUT we are getting the results.
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:23
[Shyam]
The answer to your question can be answered to some extent, although it might sound rather simplistic — we are not passing quickly enough. All our passes are of the slow sideway variety. Hence we seem to give far too much time for the opposition defence to organise itself. Today’s goal was the result of a quick move. In our past season we attacked in packs and at speed.
[indianpunk]
I thought Carrick did okay in the second half. He was a little dodgy in the first but so was much of the side.
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:29
yes i was referring to his fumbles in the first half some of them were really dodgy
And if some-else can point out something about the formations it’ll be gr8 am not too good at it what was the one we started 4-4-2 and and ronny and nani changing places and what was teh formation we ended up at ?
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:31
Justin come on man scholes was way active and got many more touches on the ball
And yes the thing i was forgetting was i saw a quite lot of rio’s long balls was roma’s midfeild/defence that good to break down from the ground considering our factors of flair and speed?
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:37
I knew this was rooneys night! Hes back! Now thats hes got that goal there will be no stopping him for the rest of the reason! Think Tevez should of started?
October 2nd, 2007 at 22:40
I just feel that the way the teams line up in Europe , we really missed Hargo for this game. They looked really dangerous. Hargo would have broken up there play , and they far to much ball in the hole.
And Carrick did much more than Scholes this game. Sorry Indian Punk but its nice to hear you not bad mouthing Tevez…
October 2nd, 2007 at 23:17
[Taehr] and everyone,
I guess this would make you want to rip your guts out. Hargreaves is out for a month
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:16
I too heard the same from Manutd official site that Hargreaves is out for a month. But the good thing is that Fergie thinks that the cure he is getting this week will make him 100% fit and wud shake off his niggling knee injury.
[Redranter]
I am wondering why a better pack of speedy players cannot make the same impression that we left last season..Anyway Hope for the best and one thing is for sure ManU is still not playing upto 80% of its potential and still winning…Cant wait to see this team hitting the top gear..
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:10
i think it was a good second half by us…but i dont quite understand SAFs point in holding scholes back…behind the half way line…all he was doing was passing the balls behind and sideways…..ferdinand looked like our main passer instead of scholes or carrick….in fact he did his job pretty well….
also, saha i feel was pretty crappy…and was ineffective….
i really liked tevez’s game and it was obvious it is coming up as games pass by…
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:16
if giggs had played earlier balls anderson could of scorewd a few, nani floped big time twice and it could of been 2 roma goals but our defence was perfect, nani and anderson played well, i think us and fergie telling anderson to do what he does best help, he got past about 3 players and got tackled bt a 4th, i was suprised at no pique, saha had only 1 shot, tevez had about 3 or 4, and 2 them were only in inch away plus he had another 2 or chances to shoot and score, i think saha on the bench tevez and rooney FTW
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:24
not commenting on the game because i couldnt watch it… but for me carrick plays way to many balls sideways and backwards. i remember watching the fa cup last year and his first 6 passes went either backwards or sideways. it something that really difuses any momentum that we build up. i like him and think he can really succeed at united but he needs to play as a more creative influence. he needs to play little balls with scholes and use his wingers. most central midfielders would kill to have the ability to play a ball through for the quality of wingers we possess at united. they have the pace, play it 10 yards out infront of them behind a player and they will beat him to it. he has a presence around the box and i would like to see him shooting more constantly (like he did v roma last season).
im feeling a little disillusined with scholes and giggs atm. they are just in a rough patch but scholes plays such an important role that his rough patch is inducing uniteds rough patch. you know what i mean… this un-united like playing style. he needs to get forward more and leave carrick (now that hargos out for a month) to do the dirty work. which carrick needs to do, and needs to take the pressure off united by not playing those gattusso like crap passes in our own half.
good to hear about rooney, and gald saha started and that ferguson allowed nani and ronaldo to play together. i cant wait to see them geling and switching sides, leaving defenders in awe both in the epl and the cl.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:02
Hargo out for a month noooooooooooooooooooo
And ronny’s got 4 stitches to the head what the hell
I hope he’s fine at the weekend
But the boss’s statement sums it all up
Sir Alex: We rode our luck
Off to the dream’s of Wigan thrashing i want goals that day
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:14
As for Ronaldo, I think he shall be ready on Sato when we play W
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:23
As for Ronaldo, he will be back on Sato when we play Wigan. As for Hargreaves we have to bepatient because if he has an injury there is nothing we can do about it. It is good that Carrick is also a very consistent player and he is covering up for him so well. The month of October is not very tight for us since we have Wigan - Aston - Bor o. My wish is that he should return early in Nove - but then our first game in Nov is against our top enemies (Arsenal)and I don’t think he shall return to the field immediately on return….
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:14
thot it was a fairly solid performance l/nite- finnally fergie put out the correct team with nani +
saha playin. shockin news that hargo is out AGAIN….hope carrick n scholes can step it up a bit.
I know he hada few loose passes but the boy nani is gonna be a star- hes got so much class in them
feet of his! i know our passin aint quite as sharp as usual but i reckn our strikers have to
shoot a bit more! Wazza frustrates me as he cn shoot n score like that ery time hes on the pitch
but he aint tryin it enough! Know hes still getin fit etc but tevez is in the same boat me thinks!
October 3rd, 2007 at 18:20
I think an unfit Brown on the right side and no Hargreaves made the game more of an adventure than it needed to be. Hargreaves presence would have nullified anything from Totti. In my opinion Pique should have started at RB instead of O’Shea. O’Shea played alright but was found wanting a bit in the second half. Roma were dangerous in the second half but that is only because United fell into a stagnant defensive shell. They are different than United teams of the past because they lack that killer instinct to put a game away. They are also very sloppy and lack that cutting edge in their passes, especially on counter attacks.
Based on their performance against Roma, I am convinced that many things have to change if they are to defeat the likes of Milan, Inter, Barcelona and Madrid. Those four stand in our way if we are to realize the dream of winning the CL. All those teams would have punished us good last night if they had played us instead of Roma. I think getting Neville and Hargreaves back is more vital than we can imagine.
I am also very concerned over the poor play of our central midfielders. Both Scholes and Carrick showed no imagination or edge to their game. To say we need a creative midfielder who not only can pass but literally tear open defenses with his ambition is an understatement. We can blame our strikers for not scoring all we want, but the bottom line is they aren’t getting the service. How many times did Saha, Rooney and Tevez actually receive the ball at their feet with a legit scoring chance? Meanwhile Roma had at least six great chances which their players squandered. I can only get down on strikers if they make a meal out of their chances or if they don’t work hard. This is not the case here. They need better service and they aren’t getting it. Scholes is a shadow of the player he used to be, as is Giggs, but for me the real culprit here is Carrick. Other than the Chelsea game, when has he really shown up and made a presence of himself on the offensive side of the ball this season? I think I’m being fair when I say that he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. It’s our midfield’s pedestrian approach that has this team struggling to score a goal.
I was happy to see Rooney get a nice goal but he still needs to make more of those kinds of runs and get more shots off in a game. As for strong performers out there, I think Rio played a good game as did Ronaldo. Nani needs to find his cutting edge but you can see the lad is trying. I also think Anderson showed some of his many skills and had he received better service may have actually scored a goal. Kuszczak played well but he did leave himself open at times. In fairness the team did leave him exposed quite often but his reactions were good. I don’t know about all of you out there but I am getting really fed up with these nail biting 1-0 wins. When is this team going to wake up and explode offensively? The good news is that it is still early and there is plenty of time to improve. Bottom line is that we are WINNING these 1-0 games and that is keeping us at the top despite our lack of offensive finish. We are still in extremely favorable positions in both leagues and at least we aren’t in Hell like Chelsea. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope for even better results in the future.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:57
grognard,carrick is a smart player you wont find hard tackling but whose positional sense is top.can u recall that he was actually our best tackler on the night? his interceptions are also uncountable. he may not be noticed coz he doesnt overcarry the ball,but thats what made us team last season.a fluid attacking team.the real problem is scholes and his movement.he is nolonger interested in going foward and if thats the case,we need a solutin.look at fabregas and his foward movement.that was scholes back then.ROONEY.i know the brits will attack me
October 4th, 2007 at 9:05
besides the goal,what was rooneys other highlight? u see muuch as we like him,on current form,tevez should start ahead of him.and being scholes replacement?no he does not have a good first touch,thats why he over lashes at opponets when he has lost the ball.he needs to know he is a striker and thats that.
October 4th, 2007 at 19:38
In my opinion Carrick played as well as he has this season until the last 15 mins when he seemed to run out of steam which in turn coincided with us being under more pressure and making defensive mistakes.
O’Shea, fair enough he’s a utility player who does a job but he was absolutely awful in this match and most of their penetration came from his mistakes. His worst position is RB (and that includes nets).
Rio was outstanding and was made look even better playing both centre back and right back at the same time because of O’Shea’s ineptness.
I agree that the biggest problem with Man U this year has been the speed in which we break and pass. This is a lot to do with Scholes and to some degree Giggs form.