The ReDevils || Manchester United blog fans

Fitter. Harder. Faster. Stronger. United outfought and outclassed Arsenal on a European night to remember at Old Trafford. Yet the Reds take only a one-goal advantage to the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, and the road to Rome is not as straightforward as it perhaps could have been.

Sir Alex said before the game that he would happily take a 1-0 victory in this Champions League semi-final, first leg. And United can take heart from an outstanding display of vigour and verve. But after the mauling Arsenal received, the Reds boss can surely only conclude that the winning margin should have been greater.

Right from the off United’s players, backed by an absolutely incredible support, were revved up and right in the faces of the beleaguered Gunners. Carlos Tevez was rewarded for his match-changing second-half display against Tottenham at the weekend with a place in the starting line-up – and he played like he had a statement to make.

Sir Alex’s team selection suggested speed and energy were of the essence. And, spurred on by a fired-up Old Trafford crowd, the Reds made a blistering start, with Wayne Rooney forcing an excellent save from Manuel Almunia after just two minutes. Then Cristiano Ronaldo flashed a cross-shot across the face of goal. It was upbeat and high-tempo stuff, as expected. But Arsenal were nowhere to be seen early on against the hungry-looking Reds.

Tevez was snap-at-your ankles enthusiastic, Ronaldo and Rooney both looked lively and Darren Fletcher maintained his excellent recent form in the heart of midfield. For Arsenal, away from home and with Emmanuel Adebayor up front on his own, theirs was always bound to be a more patient approach. But even when their first spell of possession eventually arrived, they were booed and barracked into submission.
United pressed on and after 16 minutes Almunia again came to Arsenal’s rescue. A brilliant interchange from Tevez and Ronaldo saw the ball worked out wide to John O’Shea, and the Irishman’s cross found Tevez’s run, but his shot was stopped at point-blank range by Almunia.

United were soon rewarded, however, in the form of the most unlikely hero: O'Shea. Carrick was lurking at the back post from the resulting corner, and his deflected pull-back found the Reds right-back six yards out and he thumped the ball home. As if the noise levels weren’t loud enough, the deafening celebrations carried far into the Manchester night. And there was barely an opportunity to catch your breath as the Reds went in search of a second.

Arsenal’s first attempt came just before the half-hour mark when Cesc Fabregas’ low shot was well held by van der Sar, but other than a five-minute spell of possession towards the end of the half, that was largely it.

Seconds after Fabregas’ effort, Almunia was called upon again; Tevez scampered down the right wing, skinned Kieran Gibbs and crossed for Ronaldo, whose powerful header was palmed away by Arsenal’s Spanish stopper. Moments later he denied Ronaldo again, this time a curled shot from the edge of the area. Were it not for Almunia, this tie could have been out of sight inside the first half.

United's frenetic tempo naturally dropped in the second half, Arsenal certainly had more of the ball than they had in the opening 45 minutes. The danger for United was that a quick Arsenal counter attack could yield that prized possession: an away goal. Adebayor went close just after the hour with a arcing volley from 30 yards out, but fortunately it went over. It was, if nothing else, a warning.
decided on a change with 20 minutes to go, replacing Tevez with Dimitar Berbatov, and Anderson with Ryan Giggs, remarkably making his 800th appearance. Tevez shook his head in disappointment at the decision – a gesture that may or may not be over analysed in the press, but in reality it was natural of any player withdrawn from such a high-profile and enthralling game.

Shortly after the swap, Ronaldo sent a rasping 30-yard shot crashing off the bar, then minutes later an effort from Carrick fizzed wide; Sir Alex must have been scratching his head with bemusement as to how his side were not more than a goal to the good.

The baying Old Trafford crowd sensed Arsenal's vulnerability and mercilessly shouted: 'attack, attack, attack'. United did just that, and Giggs had the ball in the back of the net on 78 minutes, but he was flagged offside. It was a tight call that won little home approval - largely because the officials gave very little United's way all night - but on this occasion they probably got it right.

Arsenal may see containing a rampant United as their main plus point – and they have much to thank Almunia for – but if the Reds play anything like this in North London next week, a trip to Rome surely awaits. This was a job well done, but only half done.

Manchester United back to prove themselves that they deserve the title of champion survived a Champions League. Facing a fellow English team, Arsenal, MU can still appear dominant, although only a slim 1-0.

As a host on the first leg, if appropriate coach Sir Alex Ferguson ordered to take the MU insiatif attack and keep the ball stays in their power. The way it works. Through Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, "Red Satan" really play stubborn defense menyusupi "Warehouse Peluru". Thus, the Ferguson decision rather play Tevez Dimitar Berbatov is right.

After the match, Arsenal coach, Arsène Wenger, praise Reliability mental Arsenal full-back, Kieran Gibbs. That night Gibbs firm enough to keep the left wing, which is often digerayangi by Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the hero is the night Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. In the first half hour, Almunia has been recorded in the six-saving gawangnya, including twice in the business Tevez to-16 minutes.

Apes for "The Gunners" as John O'Shea successfully conquered Almunia in the minutes to-17. This time, they left-wing movement against inadvertent O'Shea because no one is the right to keep back the MU. Gibbs still has not moved from near the pole to anticipate a corner kick before touchdown occurs. Other players, including Samir Nasri, terpana with bergulirnya ball in the right-wing movement and Ronaldo in the middle of the penalty.

Since the first ten minutes, the MU 67 percent of the ball movement. That number decreased only slightly up to a half hour game. The two wings, plus Tevez in the middle, moving very active. Wayne Rooney on the left and Ronaldo on the right always get an adequate supply of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher.

Unfortunately, Arsenal can not compensate with dangerous attacks. Nasri initially diplot help supply the ball from the left is not moving much. Theo Walcott speed actually making enough Patrice Evra on the left wing MU defense. However, he is often moving without the ball in the neighborhood.

Cesc Fabregas the captain that night installed as a striker Emmanuel Adebayor also appear less bite. Before opponent, the middle line of Arsenal this time can not measure the strength of half of "The Red Devils". However, the defeat this time at least thinner still provide power for Wenger to realize the promise different look down on the second meeting, next weekend.

source : kompas

Trainer Manchester United (MU), Sir Alex Ferguson believes that can defend Champions League title of champion. If that is realized, then the MU team to be able to champion the first two times in succession, since the Champions League format changed in 1992.

"It will be fun if we able to defend Champions League title," said Ferguson.

Since a Champions League Cup Champions in 1992, no team can be champion two times in a row. AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus and was champion the following year and entered the final. However, they fail to maintain a degree.

"Some people may say I try to change destiny. But, at Old Trafford, we always install a possible target," said Ferguon.

"No one is saying that to make it easy akan. But, we also need to enjoy a little luck and free from injury problems that could allow us to make achievements like that," he added.

source : kompas.com

Sir Alex Ferguson gave a unique insight into the workings of United and Arsenal’s long-held rivalry, just hours before the teams do battle in the Champions League semi-final.

For the winner (over two legs, of course), a place in the final in Rome awaits, and it’s somewhat ironic that the stakes are perhaps higher than they’ve ever been, as both managers and teams have shown a notable cooling in previous exchanges that, at best, could be described as heated.

However, while it’s perhaps less about the fire and brimstone of Keane and Vieira battles, and more the speed and guile of Ronaldo and Walcott, this two-legged affair should still have quite a kick to it.

“The history and traditions of both clubs have been of the highest standing,” says Sir Alex respectfully. “For years, we always looked over our shoulder at Arsenal and they looked over their shoulder at us. Now we have Chelsea banging on the door, and this season Liverpool have made a big effort. It’s a very competitive league, but ourselves and Arsenal over a long period have certainly been the dominant forces in English football.

“I like the way Arsenal play,” he adds. “There are similarities with ourselves in that respect, and also in the way we both believe in young players. We’ve now given eight young players from the Academy debuts in the first-team this season. I think that’s fantastic for a team challenging for honours in the way that we have to. So the similarities are there strongly.”

These matches, Sir Alex insists, are not about the resumption of going tete-a-tete with Arsene Wenger. “I don’t think my relationship with Arsene matters,” he says. “Neither does the relationship between the players make a difference – a lot of them know each other, of course, Mikael Silvestre being the prime example. It’s a game of football and two teams who want to win are going head to head. That’s the nature of the competition we’re in. I’m looking forward to it.”

Arsenal may not be challenging for United’s Barclays Premier League title this season – though they could have their say in its destination when they visit Old Trafford in the league in May. But they are in excellent form at the right end of the season.

“There is always a danger in Europe when a team is not challenging for the league title,” says Sir Alex, aware of the Gunners’ threat. “They’ve got a very good recent record which shows you they are in form. They won’t change, they will do exactly what they normally do: They will have a go, that’s for sure.

“This is why we have prepared in the best possible way. We have enough freshness in the team now. That period where we were playing quite a few games in a short space of time has now changed. Four days rest between games is enough. You saw the energy of the team in the second half against Tottenham, so there is nothing wrong with that side of our play. Arsenal are also fresh, and that augurs well for a good game and a real tussle.”

Preparation is clearly the key, and while Arsenal have plenty to worry about with United’s key players, Sir Alex says United, too, need to be wary of those in the Gunners’ armoury. The Reds boss cites Cesc Fabregas as “a brilliant player” who is coming back to form, and he points out that Patrice Evra will need to be on his toes against Theo Walcott.

“I think Patrice is quick enough for that task,” he said. “He’s played against Walcott a few times. We’re all right with that. Listen, when you’re playing against good players you have to assess everything about them in the sense of what is the best way to oppose them. I think we have to do our work in that respect because the boy Walcott is very, very quick. He’s probably the quickest player in England at the moment. But we have to prepare the right way.”

The prospect of becoming the first team to retain the Champions League trophy is an appealing one to Sir Alex. “It’d be great to be the first team to do it,” he says. “We’re good at winning things first, and maybe that’s a good omen. We’re in the semi-final and with two good performances, or two victories, we’ll get the chance to try and do it for the first time.”

That may mean, over the course of 180 minutes or more of football, taking chances, something Sir Alex isn’t afraid to do. “Football is a game of risk, and you’ve seen how we’ve played over the years. It’s part of Manchester United to take risks to win games. That’s no problem for me. I’ve seen us win games many times in the last fifteen minutes, playing centre-halves at centre forward, going gung-ho. You do it because it’s always worth it to win a game. In that way, this game could be a cracker.”

source : manutd.com