The ReDevils || Manchester United blog fans

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

Jose salutes 'perfect' United
Jose Mourinho hailed Manchester United as a ‘perfect’ team last night. The Special One’s verdict came after a goal from the Special Ron, Cristiano Ronaldo, helped KO his Inter Milan and earn United a slot in the Champions League quarter-finals. Mourinho said: “United are in the perfect condition. They are at the top of their careers. The team has reached its maximum level in terms of experience and quality. They are intense in their game and the Champions League is about all these qualities. I think they could win all their cups this season. They deserved to win. We played against a team that showed why they are European champions.”
Neil Custis, The Sun

Sir Alex was delighted to see the Reds progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, but was unimpressed by his players' showboating during the victory over Inter. "When we were 1-0 up we gave the ball away frivolously. We started trying flicks, back-heels and playing the ball into space where there was no one. It allowed Inter to get a grip on the game."

There is widespread praise for Ryan Giggs following his vintage display against Mourinho's men.

Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano reckons not even United will be able to live with Liverpool if they can repeat their Euro heroics at Old Trafford on Saturday. "If we play like we did against Real, it will be difficult for any team to beat us," insists the Argentine.

United 2 Inter 0

United reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the third successive season – but the holders were made to work by a spirited Inter side.

After Nemanja Vidic had headed the Reds into an early lead, the Italian champions provided several nervy moments until Cristiano Ronaldo netted the all-important second goal five minutes after the restart.

It was a cushion United never looked like relinquishing and most of the 75,000 fans in attendance went home satisfied after another thrilling European night at Old Trafford.

So, the defence of the trophy continues and we’ll wait with baited breath to see who the Reds face next when the draw for the last eight is made on March 20.

As so often on the big occasions, Sir Alex Ferguson had looked to his experienced men to guide his side through, naming Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in midfield – the latter starting in his old-fashioned left-wing role.

There was the boost, too, of Rio Ferdinand in the starting XI; the defender was declared fit on Tuesday after recovering from the ankle knock he picked up against Fulham.

A deafening roar greeted the players as they took to the field, while Jose Mourinho received a cacophony of boos from the Stretford End as he made his way down the touchline. Thankfully, there was to be no repeat of the Portuguese dancing down it later.

Two early corners set the tone. From the second one, taken by Giggs, Vidic escaped Patrick Vieira to head home powerfully from eight yards.

It was the perfect way for United to dispel any early nerves and the holders set about inflicting further damage on the Serie A leaders.

In the 19th minute, Patrice Evra sent Giggs scampering away down the left and his cross led to two strong penalty appeals. Both Walter Samuel and Dejan Stankovic seemed to handle the ball but referee Wolfgang Stark waved play on.

For half an hour, Inter were laborious in possession and short of ideas going forward. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was given short shrift when he went down too easily in a Ferdinand-John O’Shea sandwich on the edge of the box.

But the giant Swede reminded United of the precariousness of the single-goal lead when his header from Maicon’s free-kick bounced up and off Edwin van der Sar’s bar.

The Reds keeper made a superb fingertip save from a speculative Stankovic volley eight minutes before the break, and soon after United squandered an excellent chance.

Giggs squared for Wayne Rooney to dink first-time into the path of O’Shea, who found himself one-on-one with Julio Cesar but saw his shot smothered by the Inter keeper.

Inter were gradually warming to their task and, with United's midfield uncharacteristically sloppy in possession, the Italians missed two good chances in quick succession.

Firstly, Ibrahomovic curled in an enticing cross which Stankovic just failed to keep down, then the Inter striker fired just wide of van der Sar’s far post after running onto Mario Balotelli’s through-ball.

When Balotelli flashed just wide immediately after the interval, it seemed United were set for another nervy 45 minutes. But then came Ronaldo’s goal – and, with it, breathing space for Sir Alex’s men.

Giggs jinked his way across field and eventually found Rooney on the left. The striker sent over a teasing cross and Ronaldo met it powerfully for his 16th goal of the season.

The goal set Old Trafford alight but Inter continued to threaten, with van der Sar called upon to parry Esteban Cambiasso’s dipping shot.

Adriano then replaced Stankovic and the striker almost made an instant impression when his scuffed volley from Cambiasso’s cross hit van der Sar’s upright.

By now the game was becoming stretched and United nearly had a third when Cesar blocked Dimitar Berbatov from close range after initially stopping an 18-yard drive Rooney, who had swapped positions with Giggs.

Ibrahimovic bundled into the side netting from close range, but Inter were running out of time as United looked increasingly secure, bolstered by the appearance of Anderson in place of Scholes.

Ronaldo almost bagged a second with five minutes left but Cesar got in the way of his trademark long-range free-kick.

That was the last meaningful chance as United held on comfortably to keep alive hopes of winning a historic five trophies this season.

from : united official sites