Mar 10
Manchester United vs AC Milan:Preview
The Champions League rolls around once more and Manchester United will host an AC Milan side looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg in the San Siro.
United should start with a very familiar back five. Edwin van der Sar will continue in goal after a steady performance against Wolves. He will be behind a back four of Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Rafael. The young Brazilian will get the nod ahead of Gary Neville as Wes Brown is out for six weeks with a broken foot.
Up against fellow countryman Ronaldinho, Rafael seems to be optimistic about his chances against the former World Player of the Year,
he said: ‘It was a great privilege for me. It made me feel that the manager really trusts me by giving me the opportunity to play in this type of match.”
He continued: “It’s a great feeling knowing that the manager believes in my ability to play at this level.
As Milan will be forced to attack, needing two goals to qualify, Sir Alex Ferguson may opt again for a five-man midfield. Antonio Valencia somewhat changed the first-leg with his direct running at Milan’s full-back Antonini, so he is shoe-in on the right side. Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes will probably line up in midfield with Ferguson preferring Ji-Sung Park on the left for his hard-work, discipline and Nani’s terrible performance at the weekend. Michael Carrick is suspended for the fixture so Darron Gibson could well continue in the middle.
Question marks remain over whether or not Wayne Rooney will be fit enough to start the match.
Sir Alex in his press conference explained: “He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit.
“He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.”
Rooney may only make the bench and we will see Dimitar Berbatov leading the front line as he did at the weekend.
Ferguson is confident of an entertaining match against Milan,
he stated: “It is certainly an open tie and I think what we are going to see tomorrow will be a very open game.
“We will hope to kill the tie with our own attacking abilities. There is no doubt that AC Milan have to score, which should make it a really open match.
He continued: “I don’t think we are very good at defending leads, so we will play our normal way. That means attacking, it always has. We will try and do it our normal way.
“I don’t think we should be confused by the score of 3-2 as passage into the next phase of this competition.
“We accept this is a very difficult game for us and one which we need to win. And that’s how I’m approaching it, to win the match.”
AC Milan will be forced to attack from the offset as they look to overturn the 3-2 first-leg defeat.
A similar situation to Rooney’s developed in Milan as Pato was an injury doubt, but he has travelled and will definitely play a part in proceedings, most likely from the bench. Clarence Seedorf his also shrugged off an injury and should also start from the sidelines.
David Beckham has spoken of his excitement about the upcoming tie,
he told Milan’s TV channel: “If I play on Wednesday I won’t be frightened but I will be excited because I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.
“I know what it means for opponents to play there.”
Leonardo can either deploy him as a right-winger or in a three-man midfield.
After a good display away to Roma on Saturday evening Milan are unbeaten in seven Serie A matches. During this game Leonardo experimented with a narrower formation, having Huntelaar and Borriello up-front together with Ronaldinho behind, so it will be interesting to see if he continues with this tactic or revert to his tried and tested 4-3-3.
The Milan manager has taken an understandable positive approach, “My confidence in tomorrow’s game comes from our recent performances and how we already played in the first leg at San Siro. I don’t think Manchester United will change much from that tie.
“We need an important result at Old Trafford and so the psychological aspect will be crucial. It’s not easy to prepare a game like this, but we have different alternatives and will try to make the most of them.”
A tough game will be inevitable but three away goals put United firmly in the driving seat and they will look to kill off the tie with an early goal.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael; Valencia, Scholes, Gibson, Fletcher, Park; Berbatov
***
Betfair is the official Manchester United betting partner and we here at Red Rants have partnered with them to offer a free £25 bet when you register.
Unlike other betting sites, Betfair allows you to place bets when the game is running and choose the odds at which you want to play. What allows you to do these things is you’re betting against other fans, not the bookie, so if you want better odds than are currently available, for example, you can place an order for a better price (but bear in mind that if your price is unrealistic your bet is unlikely to be accepted).
Related items from Red Rants:
- No related posts
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (542)
Stephen (493)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@colver: In fairness, we don’t need to go on that kind of a spending spree. I have always maintained that other than finding a long term replacement for EVDS, we only need to spend 40 to 50 million as long as Vidic is not leaving. We need a LW because I still feel Nani is best suited to the RW. We need a goal scoring forward as a replacement for Owen or Berba or both. And mostly, we need a central midfielder to replace Scholes. Now that can be a smooth creative attacking midfielder or it could be a box to box type. I love Jack Rodwell because he reminds me of a young box to box version of Michael Ballack. I break the bank to get him. I also try to sell Berbatov, Anderson and any other refuse the manager feels fit to unload. Owen I would keep because I still think he can contribute when healthy. If anything he has proven he still can score big goals. Sometimes that is more important than lots of goals. Berbatov doesn’t score big goals or lots of goals and he still can grab a decent selling price. Anderson I want gone just so I can sleep well knowing I never ever have to see him wearing United red again on the pitch. I hate his guts. Sorry, but I’m being honest. I despise talentless footballers. I’ll put up with Park simply because he still does a good shadow and pest job on defenders, but I wish Fergie would play him less. I’d even consider selling Carrick as long as we were to get a Rodwell and perhaps one more midfielder. I don’t dislike Carrick, but I do not think he has worked out as well as we had hoped and his lack of pace and quickness bothers me at times. As for EVDS, well he has one more year which means Fergie will probably hold off finding his successor for a year. I think that would be a mistake if he plans on getting Neuer. If not, it might be perfect because I think Adler would be more than willing to come in a year. I’m also starting to come around on the Lyon keeper LLoris. He does look to have a lot of the skills I look for.
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: I know you can’t. I still cannot believe how naive somebody can be about the Glazer’s with all the evidence that is out there. One of those day to day types that has no idea what long term troubles look like. Under the Glazer’s, United is headed for long term collapse. Short term it’s business as usual with hardly any money for players. And even if Fergie breaks the bank in the summer, it changes nothing regarding my feelings and concern over the future. I’m sure you feel the same.
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: Rooney not only needs a backup but a player who has a similar style of play. United have shown an inability to change up and accommodate another style like Owen and especially Berbatov. Therefore a Rooney clone needs to be found. Any suggestions? But as that is a pressing need, I still feel a central midfield long term replacement for Scholes and a LW replacement for Giggs are the top priorities. I am hoping Di Maria puts pressure on Benfica to be sold at a decent price. He would be ideal. The fact he is a die hard United supporter may get him to put the screws to Benfica to sell him now and at a reasonable price. I won’t count on it though. Krasic is a dream for me but Nani’s resurgence as well as Valencia’s steady improvement probably mean thoughts of him are history.
I want Jack Fucking Rodwell. I want him because I see Ballack all over him and I also want him because he is English and that guarantees he will play for us and stay with us. I’ve had it with the foreign mercenary brigade who have a stopover at OT on their way to Madrid. If we can buy potential world class home grown talent, then we should. But not after their price is escalated beyond worth like Ashley Young. Smalling was a good piece of business. Rodwell would be a great piece of business in my opinion. Size, skill, presence aerial ability a strong scoring touch and grid and strong defensive skills. The fact he doesn’t start at Everton should not blind people of his potential. Moyes knows what he’s doing as he is breaking in avery young player properly.
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: I’m not so sure about Vidic being gone mate. Look at Madrid, they are embarrassed and in shambles. Look at us. Why would he want to leave us and end up like Ronaldo? I personally think all this about his wife is just media bullshit. He’s a Serb and a Serb knows how to keep his wench in line. I am hoping he considers what going to Madrid means. I think he is hear to win and winning is what he is doing. He is also trusted and beloved by the club and fans. It would be foolish for a player to leave a greater club for just a good club. Forget their payroll, they are not in our league when it comes to winning and playing like a team. Even with our problems and our inconsistency, we rise for the big occasion more often than not and they do not. Right now I believe Ronaldo wished his king sized ego was not in control of his pea sized brain. I say Vidic has seen the light and any ideas of bolting have since vanished. I hope I am proven right.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Of course, I hope you’re right too!!
But there seems to be a blemish in his relationship with SAF, and an absence that seemed unwarranted by the nature and over recurrence of his injuries.
I wish it wasn’t so, but with this coupled with the chatter about his wife’ discontent (which was never denied, by the way), makes me believe that there’s an element of truth here!!
His allegiance to a team, be it a successful one, or a friendly one, will have no influence on him, if his biggest influence, his missus, says “no!”
As far as Ronaldo goes – he doesn’t have the same interference!!
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: We don’t so much need another Rooney, but a working member of the team, that has an inkling about sticking them away!
I do like the idea of Benzema – because of his aggressive nature and his proven goal scoring ability. When it comes to strikers and their attributes: desire, insanity and ruthlessness, are what we should be looking for – coolness, rationality, and finesse should just be optional.
Most proven strikers, over the years, have been a touch removed from the norm. They don’t have to connect with their peers, but they do need to score more goals than them!!
Oh, if you’re looking for a clone of Rooney, they may be some options!!
Like?
0 
0
@Redrich: I am not looking for a Rooney clone, but somebody who plays a similar style and shows a lot of energy and desire. We cannot go for an anti-Rooney type again that is like a Berbatov or a Huntelaar etc. Simply because the team has a hard time adapting.
By the way, this is the best picture of Rooney;
http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Shrek-the-Third-shrek-135321_1024_768.jpg
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Grog I think players payrolls have a lot to do with their decision making now above all else. This is because the English tax men take 50% of their earnings now and that is massive incentive to go to somewhere like Spain/Italy where taxation on earners in their pay bracket are between 20 to 25%. So yeah this country hammers the higher paid with hefty taxes, and who can blame anybody for not wanting to lose half their income???
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Yeah Grog your right – David Gill was asked point blank on Radio interview to FESS UP and state publically how much the Glazers had put into the club of their OWN money – i.e. not borrowed money. His answer (which he was squirming in his seat giving it) was 250 million pounds. Now what sort of a feckin idiot does that make Gavid Gill look to United fans who effectively SANCTIONED a sell out of Manchester United for 250 million pounds
– what a dumb shit eh? Anybody who comes against this, I just want to say I HEARD David Gill with my own ears on Radio saying 250 million was what Glazers put in of their own assests. You couldn’t even buy out a lower division team for that money who are operating at a loss. That tells me a lot about David Gills performance and ability as a chief exec. He sold the biggest and richest club in the world for 250 million quid, because all the debt and overheads since then have been paid for by massive borrowing, and CLUB PROFITS. LUNATIC! If I am wrong, then somebody prove it PLEASE!
Like?
0 
0