May 11
Wigan Athletic v Man Utd: Preview
It all boils down to today. All year’s work being reduced to a cup final. Ideally, we should have never let it come to this. But, as they say, given this situation at the start of the season — a final game against Wigan and a Champions’ League final — we’d have gladly taken it. So win the title today, and it would give the players a big boost going into the Champions’ League final. Lose it, and it will be a long ten days in the run up to the Champions’ League. I suspect, that conceding the Premier League title would rankle in the minds of the players more than conceding the CL simply because we have been the most free scoring team in the league and should be beating a side like Wigan almost always.
Anyway, let’s move on to news in the run up to the game.
First of all some words from the boss dismissing his retirement speculation: ‘I’m carrying on, I still have a bit of damage to do yet’, is what the great man had to say in response to the questions posed to him. We all know that some day he would have to leave but somehow I don’t seem to be able get myself to subscribe to that notion. It reminds me of a story I read somewhere:
A priest in a church was giving a sermon.
“How many of you want to go to heaven?”, he asks, to which almost everyone raises their hand. Except one bloke.
Puzzled, the priest asks him, “Son, don’t you want to go to heaven?”. And the young man says, “Father, I do, but not now. I enjoy my life as it is at the moment.”
Fergie reminds me of that man. He knows he’ll have to let go one day and retire to his ‘heaven’ and glory. But he enjoys his life at United so much that he just can’t just seem to let go. And we must feel eternally grateful to that. It would be a terrible, terrible day when he leaves.
Right, on to the team news now. And it still looks like Rooney would be on the bench while Vidic could start. That would mean Brown would move back to his right back position, with Hargreaves on the bench — the defence getting a more familiar look. It would still be 4-4-2, I suppose. Tevez and Ronaldo up front. Nani would have made it if it wasn’t for his moment of madness against West Ham. So Park and Giggs will start on the wings. Carrick and Scholes will be in central midfield.
The players looked focused on this game, and they ought to be. I don’t think, even for a moment — and I shouldn’t even be thinking of it, that Bolton will give any fight to Chelsea. We’ve always had Wigan’s number, and considering how much is at stake I would expect nothing short of a resounding victory that will bring the curtains down on another season to be proud of.
Prediction: 3-1 to United.
Come on you REDS!!! Do it once more: for your manager, for the fans, for your loved ones, for your wives, girlfriends (favourite hookers) or even your favourite power rangers character. Just do it — as your kit sponsor would say.
- Brucey We Owe You One!
- Grant talks nonsense, Excellent Brian McClair interview, SAF on Bolton
- United 4-0 Wigan: The Goals Are Coming!
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Should Dong Go on Loan?
Tags: Game Preview
May 11th, 2008 at 10:12
I have got a strong feeling we will do it. i guess it will be 3-0 to united and we will need that as chelsea will probably thrash bolton, maybe 4-0.
i am not sure vidic will start, fergie may prefer to play the same defense as in the last two games. can’t wait for the match to start, because I think We will be Champions!
May 11th, 2008 at 10:16
My prediction:
Wigan 1- 17 United
Ronaldo(5), Rooney(3), Tevez(3), Schoes, Carrick, (2), Park, Giggs
May 11th, 2008 at 10:16
Excellent! =) If we can go through the Champions League this season, unbeaten, we should have no problem putting away Wigan. However, we should NEVER underesimate any opposition. This week I’ve read a lot of comments from Chelski players and management, claiming that “Wigan will cause United problems”, I feel that they forget that they have a game of their own to win first. Not that Bolton is the greatest side in the Premiership this year, but it doesn’t give the blue bas**rds the right to disrespect the Trotters! I hope for a resounding United Win, crowning us Champions, and at leaste a draw for Bolton, to make the arrogant smiles fade away on the oligarchs pets.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:34
I want a draw … no offence, but the odds were too good.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:39
Great article!
Today is the day. The day we will be crowned Champions for the second consecitive time since 2001. I am confident we will win it, I am confident United will play one of their best game of the season, I am confident the team will be up for it…But still I am very nervous. The thought of what might happen is unbarable. How can a team like Chelsea be so good these last couple of months that they are level on points with us a the final day. We have been chasing Arsenal all season, and when we got in front of them in March I knew we would win it. They were in bad form, Eduardo got injured along with many other players, and we were playing like true Champions do. And the whole season has been a roller-coaster ride: Didnt win first three games, Rooney injured, Ronaldo suspended, Tevez out of form, then we played many games only winning 1-0, then we scored 4 goals 4 games in a row, won at Anfield, won against Sporting, 6-0 vs Newcastle, 4-0 vs Arsenal, lost on the Busby Babes memorial day, beat Liberpool 3-0, got knocked out of the FA cup by Pompey, won in Rome, drew many games in April, And of cource the win against Barca. Its been an unbelieveable season and it all ends today. Win against Wigan and we can celebrate! Lose or draw and we will feel robbed, destroyed, mad and dissaponted. But like I said, I am confident United will win.
Vidic is fit, Rooney on the bench. So Tevez and Ronaldo up front. And again we have this problem picking the midfield. I will go for Anderson and Scholes. Anderson because he got his big breakthrogh against Wigan playing next to Scholes and we will need his power and passing in midfield. Along with Scholes, he can play killer passes that Ronaldo and Tevez only need to hit right to fly in! My team:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Park Anderson Scholes Giggs
Ronaldo Tevez
Prediction: 4-0 to United. Ronaldo(2), Tevez and Giggs to score. Lets play like CHAMPIONS!
May 11th, 2008 at 10:42
there is not a hint of nerves in me (ok ok, maybe just a little) but i have trust in the players and expect a high scoring game, 4,5 maybe even 6-0 to us!!! Come on United!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 10:54
4-0 to United. Ronaldo to score all four? Just kidding…Tevez, Ronaldo, Scholes and Vidic/Brown. That scoreline is judged by previous meetings with Wigan, so we should come out victorious. Hopefully anyway.
May 11th, 2008 at 11:24
I’m nervous and worried and scared and I cant wait for the game to start.If we score early Itl be easy,. If the half time score is 0-0 then we will probably all be sick.Chelsea dont deserve shit. They just dont
May 11th, 2008 at 11:32
We’ll win well if the team is:
Van der Sar
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Hargreaves Scholes
Ronaldo Anderson Giggs
Tevez
May 11th, 2008 at 12:02
Time is moving extra slow in build up to todays match and I am finding it hard to get any work done. I would like to see Rooney play even if for 10 or 15 minutes coming on as a sub ahead of the CL Final.
It looks like Chelsea have signed RB Jose Boswinga for £15.8m (20m Euros) who we were also heavily linked to. It’s been reported at a lot of places but not confirmed. Lahm seems like the option if Fergie does go hunting for a fullback to improve the squad or theres still the heavily priced Alves option. To be honest at that price Boswinga wouldn’t have been worth it as it is not as though we are struggling in defense and Evra only cost us £4M, i think.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:02
we’ll win it i BELIEVE
anyways since u talked abt nike u have to see this ad its amazing
May 11th, 2008 at 12:04
fergie sais he will definately buy a new striker
May 11th, 2008 at 12:21
whats there to be nervous about? its only a match against a team that has been doing well against top 4 clubs this season and if we lose we kiss the premier league title goodbye, nothing to be nervous about at all
May 11th, 2008 at 12:22
look like the link did’nt work and it does’nt work now just search nike take it to the next level in dailmotion or youtube
here it is again
http://www.dailymotion.com/hd/video/x5971l_nike-take-it-to-the-next-level_sport
May 11th, 2008 at 12:23
I don’t care I am shaking. This is worse than before the Barca game. DAMMIT! The next two hours and a half will be a pain.
Also I don’t really like the ideaa of Owen coming to us.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:30
I agree with Paddy’s selection, with one omission, I would not start with Gigg’s in a must win match. He gives away possession too easily, and especially away from home. Sorry to all you Giggs fans!. Hargo MUST PLAY!. I think Fergie might play Fletcher too, but who knows?. We have been trying to second guess Fergie all season.
Reddevil, I don’t think it’s that Chelski have played so much better than us the last 2 months, but that we have had a lot of decisions go against us. We played ok at B’Burn, and were denied 2 clear penalties, which the ref was punished for and demoted to league one for a few games. We were denied another clear penalty at Chelsea, which the ref acknowledged after the match was a definate penalty, but he decided to let Ronaldo play the advantage. Some advantage. As Fergie says if decisions had gone for instead of against us, we would have had it sown up by now.
Well, here we are, and we have been here many times before lol. CHEWING OUR FINGERNAILS AND NEARLY HAVING HEART ATTACKS ON THE LAST DAY. tHE UNITED support will be massive today, because wigan supporters have been flogging their tickets to our fans, like there is no tomorrow. So there will be much mirth, chanting, singing and banter in the stands. Come on your reds fans, make it another Barca atmosphere. Good luck you MIGHTY REDS.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:30
there’s news that simpson could be leaving for bout 1.5mil pounds. anyone else knows more about this? it’s kinda worrying that another utd youngster is being sold.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:41
Craig MC- I didnt mean that Chelsea have been playing better football than us. I think they are playing shite, but they have been digging out results in difficult places. United deserve the title. We will be CHAMPIONS.
Dan- Even though what you are saying is true, United are too good to not win against Wigan today. We have beaten them in a cup final before, and we will do it again.
And this is for you to calm down and think a little about next season: http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/05/11/Prem-Ferguson-on-striker-and-Neville/
May 11th, 2008 at 12:46
that story was up on SS(striker bit) a while back.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:48
Wigan tickets ‘lost (stolen?) in the post’
May 11th, 2008 at 12:53
Does anybody know if Frazier Campbell is still with United? He is having a blinder for Hull in the playoffs.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:55
Yeah, Frazier Campebell is still ours. He really is a good player for the future.
Some other news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7394505.stm
May 11th, 2008 at 12:58
yep he sure is, he is class and i cant wait until next season when he plays for us.
if fergie is gonna make a striker signing, i hope he makes it in August, after pre-season and the first couple of premier league matches, just so we know what are new strike force is made out of.
May 11th, 2008 at 13:20
Dan: If you leave making the signing to late August you leave yourself with a big headache. Clubs will be reluctant to let go of players late in the day and quite a few targets will potentially be cup tied after CL qualifiers. Add that to the fact that the later you leave your purchase the weaker your bargining position will be.
May 11th, 2008 at 13:23
thats true, hoe about late july then? early enough for transfer, pre-season over…
May 11th, 2008 at 13:48
I read on skysports that pique will be getting more games next season .This is good news,he is highly rated by Alex .I just hope he stay.
May 11th, 2008 at 14:00
Some of you seem to forget that Rossi was “going to get more games”… I agree that Pique should stay and feature more frequently, but unless someone goes (O’Shea?, Tweety?) I cannot see it happening. Not with Brown around.
Back on that Campbell thing. I saw the second half of the game and the guy is special. Just like Rooney… he does anything but don’t ask him to finish. I realy hope Hull get promoted, it would be good for Campbell. But even if he comes back we need another striker.
May 11th, 2008 at 14:03
Dan, I think it would be best to sign players as soon as possible (early June). That would rule out serious competition from other clubs and it would give you much more time to find a replacement in case a deal cannot be reached (ala Hargo 2006).
May 11th, 2008 at 14:07
rooney starts…
May 11th, 2008 at 14:09
SWEEEEEEEEEET!
Vidic too!
May 11th, 2008 at 14:09
have you got the team then?
May 11th, 2008 at 14:10
no anderson again…
May 11th, 2008 at 14:13
Amazing team news! Lineup:
GK: Van Der Sar
RB: Wes Brown
CB: Rio Ferdinand
CB: Nemanja Vidic
LB: Patrice Evra
RW: Cristiano Ronaldo
CM: Michael Carrick
CM: Paul Scholes
LM: Ji-Sung Park
ST: Carlos Tevez
ST: Wayne Rooney
subs: TK, Silvestre, Owen, Giggs, Saha(!)
Prediction: 4-0 to Manchester United. Ronaldo(2), Tevez and Rooney to score. COME ON YOU RED CHAMPIONES!
May 11th, 2008 at 14:15
Saha! Rooney! Anderson not even on the bench is the only disappointment. But it’s all coming into place at the right time!
May 11th, 2008 at 14:35
I believe that means for the first time this season the squad is at full strength.
May 11th, 2008 at 14:39
This team can win the World Cup, therefore a 1-0 win at Wigan is not a huge mountain to climb. And I have the slight suspicion that it’ll be like playing in a small Old Trafford, with all these extra tickets gone to away fans! Come on United!
May 11th, 2008 at 14:40
i am already looking forward for next season , i hate summer because there is no manchester united every week
May 11th, 2008 at 14:49
yep, the nerves just hit me like a train-fuck!
May 11th, 2008 at 14:50
The time is slow, was awake from 5am in LA 11 more minutes. I just hope that I will not get a nevouse breakdown. The cunt’s on FSC talking trash about SAF’s comment in regards the Bolton celerating. Doesn’t mattare we need to win, so we will.
May 11th, 2008 at 14:52
The major disappointment 4 me is i have 2 wait 4 next season 2 see my favorite young player in competitive action.Man!Anyway we shall overcome
May 11th, 2008 at 14:55
man no anderson, one of his best games came against wigan, i think thats when he broke out, but rooney playing is a shock, i was hoping welbeck was on the bench at least, i cant wait, COME ON YOU REDS,
May 11th, 2008 at 15:16
does anyone have a link to the stream?
May 11th, 2008 at 15:32
I am dying. The feed is down from the JJB. Link please.
May 11th, 2008 at 15:36
that boy ronaldo!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 15:36
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=11941&part=sports
YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!
May 11th, 2008 at 15:40
i really think SAF should start thinking about hargreaves on for Scholes. Not because Scholes is playing all that bad, quite well in fact, but we really cant afford to go a man down in this big of a game. Plus it will add a bit more defensively.
May 11th, 2008 at 15:54
we need another one to kill the game and we can’t let them have chances. we are so close
May 11th, 2008 at 15:59
Let’s be honest.We should have conceded a Pk and we won a questionable one.However, even if fairness had ruled we would have won regardless.Just that referees in Epl are not compentent and should have their contracts revised.Chelsea will not win at Scrumford Bridge so cheers 2 the 07-08 season and we have our first trophy.After Moscow its the Pragmatism Championship 08 in,…well,…Prague.
May 11th, 2008 at 16:01
Phew we are so lucky Scholes was not sent off because they are crowding us out in midfield. Giggs on for Tevez (or Rooney depending on how fit he is) play Ronaldo with Tevez/Rooney up top and play a fairly flat four man midfield. Hargreaves for Scholes because another offence and the ref will send him off for sure
May 11th, 2008 at 16:02
we are winning but only just. fergie ,hargo on for scholes please.
and yes, frazier campbell is still with us and next season he should get a chance. he has been almost averaging goal a game. and if hull gets promoted, it will be better to loan him again to them so we know how he can do in the premiership
May 11th, 2008 at 16:05
I think that because rooney popped up immediately instead of rolling around on the ground, the ref belived it. I am not yet convinced it was a penalty but I’ll take it.
May 11th, 2008 at 16:47
Is there anyone who won’t cry after Giggsy’s goal?
May 11th, 2008 at 16:48
yessssssssssss!
what a story giggs scores on his 758th appearance.
looks like title is now coming home to old trafford!
May 11th, 2008 at 16:59
CHAMPIONS!!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 17:00
Hahaha Bolton equalise!
May 11th, 2008 at 17:00
wooohooooo…ii cant believe Saha will be getting a medal…so lucky.
May 11th, 2008 at 17:03
Oh how beautiful, take your playoff and shove it Grant. Congratulations United!!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 17:06
Come on u reds!!! great, great win!!!
Now lets take the champions league as well…
Hahaha @ chelski!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 17:07
Only one thing I can say: FUCK YEA
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 17:08
Well you saw it all guys 17-th one , such a good day. Congerts to all and Moscow here we come!!!!!!!!!!
GLORY!!!GLORY!!!MANUTD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 17:41
City was crashed 8:1 and Chelski draw 1:1 the day gets better and better
May 11th, 2008 at 17:48
i was looking at the fair play table..and does wigan qualify for UEFA since city slipped down because of the red card…thts some news for brucey…
May 11th, 2008 at 18:06
CHAMPIOOONE, CHAMPIOONE, OLE, OLE, OLE!!!! CHAMPIONE, CHAMPIONE, OLE OLE OLE!!!! GIGGSY AND RONNY!! WHOOHOO
May 12th, 2008 at 0:21
whats that about a play-off Avram? eh? fuck off.
see you in Moscow chelski.
CHAMPIONS!