Apr 28
Manchester United vs Arsenal – UEFA Champions League semi-final Live Blog!
United take on Arsenal in the crucial Champions League semi-final first leg tomorrow and RedRants’ Stephen Darwin will be here to bring you all the action as we present our brand new Live Blog feature.
Tune in here tomorrow evening from around 19:15 (BST) to follow all the action and hopefully celebrate a United victory!
Make sure you keep the comments coming during the game and Stephen will be sure to respond to as many as possible without distracting his attention from the action too much! I mean we don’t want to be missing another Ronaldo stunner do we!
Comments on this post are off. This is just a place holder so you know where to come for the actual live blog. So continue to use the older thread (and the preview thread when it comes up later in the day) for your pre-match analysis.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Arsenal v Manchester United Live – Champions League Semi Final
- Live Match Blog: Manchester United vs. Valencia
- Manchester United’s tough, tough April fixtures list
- Manchester United v Arsenal: Live Blog
- Man Utd Blog 2007/2008 Home Kit
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (542)
Stephen (493)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
I think if we become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League, Ribery would be mad to pick Barca over us. The can play all the lovely football they like against Getafe and Athletic Bilbao, but as yet they have nothing to show for it. They might not even win the league this year! Real Madrid are right up on ‘em.
When we win the Champions League we will be the best club side of the modern era. Who’d turn down a place in that?
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Eddy, good points but we also have Campbell comming back and with Kiko and Welbeck maybe we should have some faith in their ability like Barca with Bojan and with Messi.
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@Traverse: Yeah but barca have played much better football than united this year so it would be understandable if a player found them a more attractive destination for that reason.
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@tevez: Maybe, but Ribery will know that if he leaves for Barca he may not start many games. The trio of Etoo, Henry and Messi are incredible, and I really doubt he would break that easily… So coming to United may not be such a hard decision.
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@Stephen: If Ronaldo leaves, Ribery would be stupid to sign for Barca as he would be an absolute star at United. United being the most followed team in the world and all…
I’m just annoyed that Ribery was swayed to root for Barca now by the hammering Bayern received and the touting Henry was doing to Ribery about joining Barca – he was clearly seen on camera whisoering to a thoughtful Ribery after the bayern debacle. Days later Ribery was professing his Barca love…
And a different note, I found this on ROM’s daily reads… Interesting, especially the site in general.. Gives a very different but still entertaining view of footy in general…
http://www.kickette.com/index.php?/site/comments/champions_league_semis_observations/
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Ive been reading a lot about us and berbatov and after thinking a bit more about it i have changed my mind and now would be absolutely over the moon if we signed him. First off i think its safe to say carlos is off, we will all miss him but i think its pretty obvious hes as good as gone and we will definitely be bringing someone else in. We will no way leave it with the youngsters to come in, whether we sign a big money striker or a more reasobale priced one depends.
Back to benzema, it does seem he may now be touchable. Should lyon miss out on the champions league spot and his value would lower further, however dont be too surprised if we still ended up paying up to £30 plus million for the frenchman tho, lyon are right money grabbing bastads but to be fair its within their right.
Now for the money would he be a good signing? Well in my opinion a simple yes, the lad looks excellent, a mixture of a couple of players. He reminds me a bit of a mixture between henry and torres. Henry for his pace and arrogance and torres for his ability to pray on the last defenders shoulder and score some terrific goals, a real good finisher in general.
Up until recently i had 2 concerns about him. 1 being his price tag which hopefully wont be an issue anymore and his desire to join those spanish idiots in madrid. As i say i dont think the price tag is the main concern now. There was just something about the guy i didnt like for some reason and still to an extent i dont. Its probably down to his public remarks about madrid but i had a thought about that.
Maybe we are not his first choice and thats fine but maybe just maybe we will grow on him. I can see him joining us as long as the moneys correct but maybe i can see him hesitating to join us. Or maybe like cantona he will come here do brilliantly and this club will just grow in his heart and all this about madrid will be irrelevant. Thats what i hope anyway its just i cant stand it when madrid come along and try to steal our players. Theres no doubting hes good enough, he can lead the line, play on the left, right whatever he just fits perfectly into our team.
Just imagine a team of this next season:
VDS/FOSTER
RAFAEL RIO VIDIC EVRA
HARGREAVES CARRICK/ANDO
RONALDO BERBATOV ROONEY
BENZEMA
That team just looks bloody great, but it does beg the question, if berbatov is still being depolyed behind the main man, what was the point in his acquistion, wasnt he meant to lead the line?
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@Stephen Darwin: RR better not put it up, because if you fucking want to be fancy dan by ruffling feathers, you will get more than your feathers ruffled – mark my words – numptee!
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@RedDevilEddy: Tevez is getting on my fucking nerves now whining to the press all the time. I am going he keeps saying, well FUCK OFF then, United were great before you came on the scene, and they sure as fuck will be great when you go. LOSER!!!
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@Stephen: He fucking moans a hell of a lot more too Stephen – fuck him
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@Traverse: Are you fucking serious Trav, who cares if he goes to the scouse gits, perfect for them, I dont think so
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@RedDevilEddy: Nani would do it for us more often, IF Fergie would put the lad in the fucking team – Fergie is pissing me off big time, TWAT!
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@RedDevilEddy: I have to agree with all your points. If ronaldo is heading to Real next season – Ribery is the only replacement I see for him. He isn’t required if Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere. Benzema will be a very good addition coz we need someone really strong in the air for wing crosses (we need to improve this a lot next season. Like Beckham days). Right now only Ronaldo is the only forward strong in the air. If Berba could improve on that next season we could be a very lethal force next season. I am just praying that Tevez doesn’t end up with Liverpool next season, if he does we will be in deep trouble next season. A Torres-Tevez combination can be really devastating. Somebody was saying we need to get a winger next season, I don’t think that will be necessary as Hargreaves was impressive to me last season in the champions league when he played as a winger. We already spent a decent amount on buying him. We have plenty of people in the center mid-field positions. And definitely Welbeck and Macheda needs to be groomed well for 2010-2011 season. They aren’t ready for a full 90 minute game as forwards.
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@Grognard: Grog you talk so much bloody sense mate, but some on here fuck me – the garbage that cometh forth. Let Tevez get the fuck out of here, I am sick of his whining. I mean who the fuck does he think he is, hardly as needful as Ronnie is he? And I used to like the guy, but sick of the fucker prostituting hijmself to any other whore football club in sight.
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Tevez is trying to bully his way into a deal, dumb twat! we never have luck with Argentines do we!
Correct me if im wrong, but didnt we sign anderson and nani on may 1st?
I think fergie will make 3 signings this summer, 1 winger, 1 striker and yet another midfielder.
To be honest, i would love if we only bought a winger or two, and it looks like we are getting valencia.
And lets be honest, if tevez goes, fergie WONT player macheda and welbeck more, he’ll just buy another striker in his late 20s or benzema.
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@Matt: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A50747835
Look at “the EPL lion”, is that you or should we sue for copyright?
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@Craig Mc: You might not like it but I’m spot on. He is EXACTLY the type of player they need playing up with Torres, to allow Gerrard to come deep form midfield. Luckily they can’t fucking afford him, what with rafa having to sell Xavi Alonso to buy Gareth Barry.
Reeeeeaaal smart move that one…..
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Were not getting Valencia Dan
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@Traverse: Trav, how do you know this? I cannot seeTev being anything but a flop for the fools. Also how do you know that the fools are selling Alonso mate? I think Alonso is better than Tev, there I said it
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@realred: Errrr and you know this HOW????
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@realred:
why are you still here?
Its as clear as daylight that wigan are prepared to sell valencia to us, steve bruce has all but confirmed it in recent interviews that hes prepared to let him go.
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@Dan: Haha no thats not me mate, great minds think alike i guess. But seriously that is some bloody amazing team, can you imagine the play between the front 4, just amazing thinking about it. I do have to wonder tho if ferguson is even going to buy a striker this summer and thats even if tevez leaves. I think we have other areas that also need strengthening and i think fergie will address these instead of spending another £30 plus million.
It also important to think how is benzema gonna fit in was he to join. We havent been able to fit tevez in so why will we be able to fit benzema in. Is it just because fergie doesnt like playing too attacking or just that he doesnt rate tevez as much as others.
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@Matt: great minds my arse! that guy has been stealing quotes from us since the turn of the year!
lol, i make it sound like your not a great mind, you are, but hes a fraud!!!
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@Craig Mc: Well for one, they bought Keane cause the need a second striker. They only have one senior striker (and nobody on gods earth counts dirk kuyt). It stands to reason they will try and get another this summer. Most of the team speak Spanish.Mascherano is already there, and they are good friends. Infact Mascherano did an interview with skysports this morning where he was talking about bringing Tevez to Liverpool if United don’t sign him up.
It’s widely known that Liverpool have no money, hence the scrapping/postponing of the new stadium they were meant to start building. It’s also widely reported that Benitez will have to sell players to generate funds for new ones. He spent most of last summer trying to barter with martin o’Neil on Gareth Barry, and Juventus wanted (and still do) Xavi Alonso, but Benitez would only let him go if we could get Barry for the same ammount of money. Villa wanted £18mil and Juventus were only offering £14mil. Hence the deal not happening.
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Valencia who!?
Ehh please tell, me what he has done to merit a place in our squad??
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@Matt: Think Alike? Its exactly the same, line for line! You are giving the guy on 606 too much credit.
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@Dan: The guy has now stolen this comment from Binoj as well: @Binoj:
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@Craig Mc: I like AC Milan’s attitude towards players. If they don’t want to be there, show them the door and hope it doesn’t hit them on the way out. In this day and age top teams are playing well over 60 competitive matches a season not counting the exhibition games to get themselves in shape. Some players feel they need to a part of every game yet it is asking far too much. Tevez has played as much as Berbatov this year and yet he is complaining. Well, I suppose I can understand but unlike many who jump on his bandwagon for his blue collar effort and desire, I judge an attacking player by his ability to rack up goals and assists, and frankly, Tevez really lacks in that area. If he puts away one of those two clear cut chances he had in the last game, we go to Arsenal with a damned hard 2-0 lead to beat. Instead, he squandered them because he has feet of stone and the first touch ability of a central defender. I like him and his heart and desire but I honestly feel we can do better. And yet, it was his immersion into the Spurs game that changed everything for us. Sometimes it’s not just the goals you score but what your presence does to a defending team. I’ll be sorry to see him go but at the asking price, frankly we can get a lot better.
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@Dan: Dan, you are talking like Fergie has an open wallet to spend as much as he can. The Glazers will not front him more than 30 to 35 million for player purchase and if he goes after Benzema, all of it will be used up there. The only other alternative is to sell Ronaldo and I don’t see that happening regardless of the fucked up media. I think it will be one big signing like last year and that’s it.
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@realred: Perhaps you should watch Wigan play. Sounds like you are stuck in the rut that many get into where they only think a player is great enough to play for us if he already plays for a great team. Not true mate, not true. Valencia is a quality winger/striker
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@Binoj: Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere until Fergie retires. Give up buying into the delusional BS that’s being brought out by the media. It’s just garbage. Ronaldo is happy here and although he wants to go to Real at some point, he will not do so until Fergie leaves. Frankly, Fergie will not allow it. Don’t buy into everything you read, especially if it originates out of Spain.
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@Dan: You know what, that Benzema video tells me shit! Because you can show me all Benzema videos on youtube, hell even a compilation of Benzema videos, and it wouldnt set an image of who he really is. That is because those making the videos only include his on-the ball movement and stuff. You gotta watch him play games! I watch Lyon quite a bit, doesnt interest me but when Im bored Norwegian telly always show some French la-di-da game. And when Lyon play I watch Karim. I dont care what he does with the ball, because Im getting used to see his Zidane and Henry type of skills. No, what his best asset is is is off-the ball movement. And for a striker that is the most important thing to have. How many goals did Ole or Ruud score with their first or second touch? TONS!!! Those videos only show the beautiful goals, but I say fuck them! The beautiful goals are to be scored by Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo and Rooney etc. The ugly goals are what matter. And he scores many of them. I hear people combining Benzi to Henry and Torres. Not quite right. He comes deep to get the ball at times, but when the ball is on the wing he is definately in the box. I will say he is a perfect combination of Zidane and Ruud. Yes, Ruud. Because his positiong is as close to perfect as possible. And the way he deals pressured situations when he is with the ball is just like watching Zidane. I can just imagine him ad Berbatov in a partnership…
:drool: With Berbas vision and passing abilities, and Benzemas perfect movement and deadly finishing, it would be a deadly partnership!
Wether he is right for United, he definately is! I dont know personality wise, but certanly his footballing skills are a perfect match for United. I will tell you that he would be a major fluke for Real Madrid, that much I know. They play a different style to ours, something that doesnt suit him. Just like it hasnt suited him at Lyon this season. He has been making incredible and clever runs into the right area, but his selfish and arrogant teammates have either gone for goal or made a backpass. I tell you, if Lyon had a player like Berbatov, Fabregas or Xabi Alonso in their side, they would be winning French titles like this *! Because all Benzema needs is a partner or teammates who can see his runs, and he will finish them.
Oh God, how I wish he had the personlity of Ole!
If he did, I would personally kidnap him to United! He is so perfect for our team, and I dont care if I spend my life in jail as long as I watch United play wonderful attacking football like we may! 
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@Grognard: Spot on. Valencia is quality. Stick him in a team with proper players and he’ll shine. Really hope everything I’ve read is true.
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I’m not a huge fan of Tevez; although he is clearly a good player, I feel he lacks technically and that his high work rate fails to make up for this. That said, I also feel that he could score 20-25 goals in a season (with rotation), that he is only likely to improve and that his rapport with the fans and work rate affect the rest of the side positively. So for me the issue is who could we get for £22 million or thereabouts who would represent an improvement to the team over Tevez?
I’m not sure there’s anyone, certainly not a striker. Right now we have four forwards who we could happily play in any game without fear, and few clubs can say that. If we let Tevez go and don’t buy a striker, then we’re down to three (one of whom is a winger), and any striker we buy is likely to cost £25+ million and unlikely to whine any less than Tevez about rotation.
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@RedDevilEddy: Fergie today tipped Anderson as scholes replacement. Did you read that?
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@realred: We are buying the club Valencia. Not the player.
After all, you can never have too much debt.
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@Johnsom33: So we’re regressing as a team then.
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@Johnsom33: Wow! I’d say it’s way too early to predict Ando’s future. After all he’s not shown us anything on a consistent basis yet.
SAF is just giving the boy a confidence boost, and for that I applaud him. For Ando to take Scholes’ place he needs to work on his passing accuracy and his decision making.
Although I do think he’s there already with the mistimed tackling!!
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From what I’m reading it looks like Fergie is going to rest the big boys for the game tomorrow. No doubt we know what Fergie’s priority is and so it may mark the debut of Macheda as a starter. Expect Rooney and Ronaldo to be rested. I have a sneaky suspicion we may drop points tomorrow boys. Middlesbrough needs this game badly. And there is going to be a lot of bitching and sour grapes thrown at Fergie if Middlesbrough get points out of the match. I laugh when I read shite like that because the bottom feeders who are going to take exception to Fergie resting his stars are losers who have nobody but themselves to blame. They need to remember that United is playing for something far more important and meaningful than just surviving relegation for another year. Do none of you see how ridiculous this league model is? Relegation is just a joke and a bookie’s wet dream.
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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5265794,00.html
Feels like a girl is “feeling” my whole body.
One of the happiest readings Ive had this season. Thank you Fergie…
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@Johnsom33: Yes I did, thank you!
Almost got an orgasm when I read that, because we all know how much I want Andy to be a vital asset to this side. 
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@Craig Mc: Haha!
And I deserved that comment for what exactly!? But I am quaking in my boots Craig. Seriously I mean I wouldn’t want you knocking on my door tomorrow morning with a baseball bat… 
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@RedDevilEddy: I think the article is more of a fantasy than the girl part is there mate.
I myself would get my kicks from a night with Kate Winslet. Anderson just doesn’t get me to orgasm, sorry.
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@Grognard: The thing that worries me is that if I get an orgasm from that, what on earth is gonna happen when he scores?! I bet youre gonna hear me there, and my girlfriend would think I have been cheating.
Loved the part where Fergie said they were lighting candles because Andy cant score.
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@Craig Mc: That was uncalled for
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@RedDevilEddy: what are you talking about? if you read my entire post it wasnt about the article, it was about one of the posters
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Right, im gonna do it again, if fergie doesnt name macheda and/or welbeck in the starting 11 today, i will call myself, “Dan, a typical wanker” for the next 24 hours.
Im open to suggestions as to the named actually, if you post a funny one, ill put it instead, but i already know that fergie will put one of them in starting 11, im 99% always right you see
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@Dan: Oh, excuse me then.
I thought you were reffering to the Benzema video, which was the only thing I looked at in your link. But all I wrote about Benzema was true! 
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New post up. And I’m off to bed for now.
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@Red Ranter: You are going to sleep?! And I who just woke up…
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