http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6382803.ece
It is easy to knock them when they lost a final they should have won. But I think this article, while good to our ears is a bit premature.
Dark Clouds Over Old Trafford?
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6382803.ece
It is easy to knock them when they lost a final they should have won. But I think this article, while good to our ears is a bit premature.
Well, all the pundits including many of us have come to the conclusion that all man U need to do in the CL final is to turn up and Barca will roll over. I think the reasons are:
1) Barca's defense was patch work and less expereince due to injuries and suspension
2) Both team's attack are equally world class, so there is going to be goals
3) If there is going to be goals, it is more likely that Man U will hold out because of their 'great' defensive team of Vidic & Ferdinand
ergo, Man U will win hands down.
1) Barca's defense was patch work and less expereince due to injuries and suspension
2) Both team's attack are equally world class, so there is going to be goals
3) If there is going to be goals, it is more likely that Man U will hold out because of their 'great' defensive team of Vidic & Ferdinand
ergo, Man U will win hands down.
Right.
To be honest, those oft-proclaimed declarations that all United had to do was "turn up" exmeplify the naivety and fucking stupidity of so many pundits. Barcelona had murdered all before them all season long. Yet Sky, Ian Wright, Ferguson and every other cunt would have you believed that United invented football.
Truth is - they got taught a lesson the other night. Iniesta, Xavi and Messi all had their raping boots on, and even at 1-0 down when United still had a chance - What does the great Sir Alex do? Hump on four forwards. A lesson in how to totally miss the point if ever there was one.
The silence emanating from them, their supporters, and their manager following it all is deafening. They know they were embarassed, and their 'close to greatness', 'quadruple is on' efforts have left them looking like cunts.
To be honest, those oft-proclaimed declarations that all United had to do was "turn up" exmeplify the naivety and fucking stupidity of so many pundits. Barcelona had murdered all before them all season long. Yet Sky, Ian Wright, Ferguson and every other cunt would have you believed that United invented football.
Truth is - they got taught a lesson the other night. Iniesta, Xavi and Messi all had their raping boots on, and even at 1-0 down when United still had a chance - What does the great Sir Alex do? Hump on four forwards. A lesson in how to totally miss the point if ever there was one.
The silence emanating from them, their supporters, and their manager following it all is deafening. They know they were embarassed, and their 'close to greatness', 'quadruple is on' efforts have left them looking like cunts.
Yep.
There is such great disbelief that the great Fergie messed up tactically as well as being so naive as in the final. There is so much brow beating and psycho-analysing when he cocked- up.
I am in glee that finally, they are not as all conquering as I fear. I was afraid that their young team (minus Giggs, Scholes, Neville etc) and reserves will be steam rolling everything in sight next season. Maybe, just maybe not all teams will play dead when they meet them next season.
There is such great disbelief that the great Fergie messed up tactically as well as being so naive as in the final. There is so much brow beating and psycho-analysing when he cocked- up.
I am in glee that finally, they are not as all conquering as I fear. I was afraid that their young team (minus Giggs, Scholes, Neville etc) and reserves will be steam rolling everything in sight next season. Maybe, just maybe not all teams will play dead when they meet them next season.
I wonder where this United team is going. I've said it loads of times already I don't think there's much to spend, unless they cash in on Ronaldo.
And when you look at the list of big money signings they've made of late they haven't got much bang for their buck have they ? Nani, Anderson, Berbatov, Hargreaves.
And when you look at the list of big money signings they've made of late they haven't got much bang for their buck have they ? Nani, Anderson, Berbatov, Hargreaves.
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=33840.msg878073#msg878073 date=1243575033]
Well, all the pundits including many of us have come to the conclusion that all man U need to do in the CL final is to turn up and Barca will roll over.
[/quote]
That pisses me off that. Nobody can say that UTD have been better than in previous years this season, yet when they come up against the Spanish champions (who have some of the best attacking talent in the world) on club football's biggest stage , they are expected to just walk all over them?
As Ryan said, it just shows pundits for the total imbeciles they are.
Well, all the pundits including many of us have come to the conclusion that all man U need to do in the CL final is to turn up and Barca will roll over.
[/quote]
That pisses me off that. Nobody can say that UTD have been better than in previous years this season, yet when they come up against the Spanish champions (who have some of the best attacking talent in the world) on club football's biggest stage , they are expected to just walk all over them?
As Ryan said, it just shows pundits for the total imbeciles they are.
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878084#msg878084 date=1243577225]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=33840.msg878073#msg878073 date=1243575033]
Well, all the pundits including many of us have come to the conclusion that all man U need to do in the CL final is to turn up and Barca will roll over.
[/quote]
That pisses me off that. Nobody can say that UTD have been better than in previous years this season, yet when they come up against the Spanish champions (who have some of the best attacking talent in the world) on club football's biggest stage , they are expected to just walk all over them?
As Ryan said, it just shows pundits for the total imbeciles they are.
[/quote]
Whether we are pissed off by the pundits' verdicts is another matter. Many of us, I included, feared for the worst in that Barca might be massacred, like lambs to the slaughter and with that momentum go all cocky next season and teams will start to treat them like gods....
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=33840.msg878073#msg878073 date=1243575033]
Well, all the pundits including many of us have come to the conclusion that all man U need to do in the CL final is to turn up and Barca will roll over.
[/quote]
That pisses me off that. Nobody can say that UTD have been better than in previous years this season, yet when they come up against the Spanish champions (who have some of the best attacking talent in the world) on club football's biggest stage , they are expected to just walk all over them?
As Ryan said, it just shows pundits for the total imbeciles they are.
[/quote]
Whether we are pissed off by the pundits' verdicts is another matter. Many of us, I included, feared for the worst in that Barca might be massacred, like lambs to the slaughter and with that momentum go all cocky next season and teams will start to treat them like gods....
Barca had the same attacking talent last season and were dispatched. So what?
I don't know what other pundits have said, but the reasons for Utd being the likely winners given on here were entirely logical based on the makeup of the two sides and past encounters. Fergie just got it horribly wrong by trying to take Barca head on... thankfully.
I don't know what other pundits have said, but the reasons for Utd being the likely winners given on here were entirely logical based on the makeup of the two sides and past encounters. Fergie just got it horribly wrong by trying to take Barca head on... thankfully.
Murdered all before them, apart from Chelsea, the only top team they faced in Europe, who they were fucking outrageously fortunate to beat, and who aren't as good as Man Utd
I never thought Barca would be turned over, but you can understand some of the hyperbole
I never thought Barca would be turned over, but you can understand some of the hyperbole
I don't think much of the article - the usual speculative bollocks, which we've read too many times before. But I liked this bit:
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33840.msg878090#msg878090 date=1243578617]
Chelsea, the only top team they faced in Europe, who they were fucking outrageously fortunate to beat, and who aren't as good as Man Utd
[/quote]
Precisely. If they can hardly beat Chelsea and being so lucky and all that, one would not expect Man U or Fergie to get it so wrong on the night.
Chelsea, the only top team they faced in Europe, who they were fucking outrageously fortunate to beat, and who aren't as good as Man Utd
[/quote]
Precisely. If they can hardly beat Chelsea and being so lucky and all that, one would not expect Man U or Fergie to get it so wrong on the night.
I wouldn't have written Barca off, but there was definitely logical thinking behind it all. Their defence was hampered, United's strength in depth and physical strength and pace, particularly upfront. Also Barca's fortuitous semi final second leg against Chelsea all suggested that they could struggle.
United were naive though. Their 'we'll score more than you mentality' didn't quite pay off, as we've seen a fair few times. For a manager so astute, it was incredibly stupid the way he left Barca space where they exploit it best - around the edge of the box. Barca were allowed to play their one-touch triangular formations around the penalty area at will, and it cost United big time, it could have cost them even more than it did if truth be told.
United were naive though. Their 'we'll score more than you mentality' didn't quite pay off, as we've seen a fair few times. For a manager so astute, it was incredibly stupid the way he left Barca space where they exploit it best - around the edge of the box. Barca were allowed to play their one-touch triangular formations around the penalty area at will, and it cost United big time, it could have cost them even more than it did if truth be told.
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33840.msg878070#msg878070 date=1243574042]
What do you mean "a final they should have won"?
[/quote]
Hold on Ryan, the fact that the press got highly triumphal far too early doesn't change the fact that if United had played that game in a more defensive style with less tactical fuck ups from ginsoak they would probably have won.
Shit loads of people thought United were too strong for Barca and tbh i still do... they just sucked on the night.
Barca should not have been in the final let alone win it.
Thank God they did tho.
What do you mean "a final they should have won"?
[/quote]
Hold on Ryan, the fact that the press got highly triumphal far too early doesn't change the fact that if United had played that game in a more defensive style with less tactical fuck ups from ginsoak they would probably have won.
Shit loads of people thought United were too strong for Barca and tbh i still do... they just sucked on the night.
Barca should not have been in the final let alone win it.
Thank God they did tho.
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33840.msg878099#msg878099 date=1243579503]
I wouldn't have written Barca off, but there was definitely logical thinking behind it all. Their defence was hampered, United's strength in depth and physical strength and pace, particularly upfront. Also Barca's fortuitous semi final second leg against Chelsea all suggested that they could struggle.
United were naive though. Their 'we'll score more than you mentality' didn't quite pay off, as we've seen a fair few times. For a manager so astute, it was incredibly stupid the way he left Barca space where they exploit it best - around the edge of the box. Barca were allowed to play their one-touch triangular formations around the penalty area at will, and it cost United big time, it could have cost them even more than it did if truth be told.
[/quote]
sorry mark.... my post but shit loads better than how i put it.
Err... yes...
Agreed 🙂
I wouldn't have written Barca off, but there was definitely logical thinking behind it all. Their defence was hampered, United's strength in depth and physical strength and pace, particularly upfront. Also Barca's fortuitous semi final second leg against Chelsea all suggested that they could struggle.
United were naive though. Their 'we'll score more than you mentality' didn't quite pay off, as we've seen a fair few times. For a manager so astute, it was incredibly stupid the way he left Barca space where they exploit it best - around the edge of the box. Barca were allowed to play their one-touch triangular formations around the penalty area at will, and it cost United big time, it could have cost them even more than it did if truth be told.
[/quote]
sorry mark.... my post but shit loads better than how i put it.
Err... yes...
Agreed 🙂
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878119#msg878119 date=1243583481]
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[/quote]
you little liar Fallon!
can you honestly tell me you thought United were gonna lose on wednesday before the game??
i wish you had managed to convince me of it i was shitting it for days before tha final convinced of the oncoming disaster.
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[/quote]
you little liar Fallon!
can you honestly tell me you thought United were gonna lose on wednesday before the game??
i wish you had managed to convince me of it i was shitting it for days before tha final convinced of the oncoming disaster.
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=33840.msg878096#msg878096 date=1243578923]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33840.msg878090#msg878090 date=1243578617]
Chelsea, the only top team they faced in Europe, who they were fucking outrageously fortunate to beat, and who aren't as good as Man Utd
[/quote]
Precisely. If they can hardly beat Chelsea and being so lucky and all that, one would not expect Man U or Fergie to get it so wrong on the night.
[/quote]
Chelsea of late were a very good side and were hitting top form for the final stages of the league. MU were actaully just coming out of a poor month and were looking like they were getting back to their best following that 2nd half v Spurs. So I'm not sure it's a valid argument to say that Chelsea were not as good as MU.
I think MU's midfield was their achiles heel, and it looks like they missed Fletcher much more than anyone could have appreciated. Barca's midfield is their strongest department and their main advantage against most opposition. This is whjere they gain contol of the game and impose their rhythm. Thye struggled to do so against Chelseabecause Chelsea had a very strong midfield led by Essien. Thye did manage to win this battle in this year's final, and they added that extra pressure on MU's defnce/MF around the edge of their penalty area, which was the key for their victory.
Still, it's all very easy to say in a hindsight, and like most people I bought into the pundits' theories and was expecting Barcelona to struggle. I'm glad they didn't.
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33840.msg878090#msg878090 date=1243578617]
Chelsea, the only top team they faced in Europe, who they were fucking outrageously fortunate to beat, and who aren't as good as Man Utd
[/quote]
Precisely. If they can hardly beat Chelsea and being so lucky and all that, one would not expect Man U or Fergie to get it so wrong on the night.
[/quote]
Chelsea of late were a very good side and were hitting top form for the final stages of the league. MU were actaully just coming out of a poor month and were looking like they were getting back to their best following that 2nd half v Spurs. So I'm not sure it's a valid argument to say that Chelsea were not as good as MU.
I think MU's midfield was their achiles heel, and it looks like they missed Fletcher much more than anyone could have appreciated. Barca's midfield is their strongest department and their main advantage against most opposition. This is whjere they gain contol of the game and impose their rhythm. Thye struggled to do so against Chelseabecause Chelsea had a very strong midfield led by Essien. Thye did manage to win this battle in this year's final, and they added that extra pressure on MU's defnce/MF around the edge of their penalty area, which was the key for their victory.
Still, it's all very easy to say in a hindsight, and like most people I bought into the pundits' theories and was expecting Barcelona to struggle. I'm glad they didn't.
[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=33840.msg878132#msg878132 date=1243584517]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878119#msg878119 date=1243583481]
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[/quote]
you little liar Fallon!
can you honestly tell me you thought United were gonna lose on wednesday before the game??
i wish you had managed to convince me of it i was shitting it for days before tha final convinced of the oncoming disaster.
[/quote]
I honestly thought it was anybody's game to win. I figured it would come down to who really turned up on the night, turns out it did.
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878119#msg878119 date=1243583481]
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[/quote]
you little liar Fallon!
can you honestly tell me you thought United were gonna lose on wednesday before the game??
i wish you had managed to convince me of it i was shitting it for days before tha final convinced of the oncoming disaster.
[/quote]
I honestly thought it was anybody's game to win. I figured it would come down to who really turned up on the night, turns out it did.
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33840.msg878099#msg878099 date=1243579503]
I wouldn't have written Barca off, but there was definitely logical thinking behind it all. Their defence was hampered, United's strength in depth and physical strength and pace, particularly upfront. Also Barca's fortuitous semi final second leg against Chelsea all suggested that they could struggle.
United were naive though. Their 'we'll score more than you mentality' didn't quite pay off, as we've seen a fair few times. For a manager so astute, it was incredibly stupid the way he left Barca space where they exploit it best - around the edge of the box. Barca were allowed to play their one-touch triangular formations around the penalty area at will, and it cost United big time, it could have cost them even more than it did if truth be told.
[/quote]
Spot on Mark.
I wouldn't have written Barca off, but there was definitely logical thinking behind it all. Their defence was hampered, United's strength in depth and physical strength and pace, particularly upfront. Also Barca's fortuitous semi final second leg against Chelsea all suggested that they could struggle.
United were naive though. Their 'we'll score more than you mentality' didn't quite pay off, as we've seen a fair few times. For a manager so astute, it was incredibly stupid the way he left Barca space where they exploit it best - around the edge of the box. Barca were allowed to play their one-touch triangular formations around the penalty area at will, and it cost United big time, it could have cost them even more than it did if truth be told.
[/quote]
Spot on Mark.
Terry Henry almost walking the ball into the net summed it up for me.
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878139#msg878139 date=1243585215]
[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=33840.msg878132#msg878132 date=1243584517]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878119#msg878119 date=1243583481]
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[/quote]
you little liar Fallon!
can you honestly tell me you thought United were gonna lose on wednesday before the game??
i wish you had managed to convince me of it i was shitting it for days before tha final convinced of the oncoming disaster.
[/quote]
I honestly thought it was anybody's game to win. I figured it would come down to who really turned up on the night, turns out it did.
[/quote]
Quite. I never thought either team was going to murder the other. If I'd had to choose I'd probably have tipped United, but I never thought they were nailed on for it.
[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=33840.msg878132#msg878132 date=1243584517]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33840.msg878119#msg878119 date=1243583481]
I too had some doubts, but I was always confident that Barca would win the most important battle on the pitch; the one in midfield. Most of my worry was actually not that of UTD ripping apart Barca, but that they would get a stuffy goal or get battered for 120 minutes again and win on pens like they did against the Chavs. If the journos (ha) were to be believed though it would have been a comfortable win by UTD, and even against a 'weakened' Barcelona side, that was never going to be the case.
[/quote]
you little liar Fallon!
can you honestly tell me you thought United were gonna lose on wednesday before the game??
i wish you had managed to convince me of it i was shitting it for days before tha final convinced of the oncoming disaster.
[/quote]
I honestly thought it was anybody's game to win. I figured it would come down to who really turned up on the night, turns out it did.
[/quote]
Quite. I never thought either team was going to murder the other. If I'd had to choose I'd probably have tipped United, but I never thought they were nailed on for it.
This sounds like a eulogy & and epithet.
"Farewell to the Fergie era?"
http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Insight/Article.aspx?id=1009308
"Farewell to the Fergie era?"
http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Insight/Article.aspx?id=1009308
Henry can still play to the same level he was playing for Arsenal. That amazed me.
United have struggled against all teams with strong and imposing midfielders this year. They were lucky to face Chelsea when Essien was injured, otherwise things could have ended up very differently this year. It could have been Chelsea and Liverpool fighting for the title.
United have struggled against all teams with strong and imposing midfielders this year. They were lucky to face Chelsea when Essien was injured, otherwise things could have ended up very differently this year. It could have been Chelsea and Liverpool fighting for the title.
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