Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

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Both teams have defences which are hard to breach and a draw tonight is a probability.

Not sure if the match will be boring but wont be surprised to see controversies when there's Gerrard, Joe Cole and Drogba marauding into the boxes.

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highlights for those who missed the match...

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United still have mountain to climb.

Uefa Champions League: With Manchester United it is never over until the fat lady has collapsed in a wheezing heap. "No other team scores as many late goals as us," Alex Ferguson likes to boast, and whatever happens in the remainder of this season's Champions League there can be no doubting their current status as the most exciting team in Europe.

"Fantastique Manchester United" was one headline in France yesterday as the world's press salivated over another exhilarating demonstration of attacking, one-touch, stylishly penetrative football.

The accolades are richly deserved given the way Ferguson's players seem intent on obliterating the reputation of Italian defending but, amid the euphoria of Wayne Rooney's late and dramatic winner in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Milan, it should not be overlooked that the Rossoneri's players were also claiming a victory as they left Old Trafford. With two away goals, nothing can be taken for granted in the second leg.

"I believe we are favourites," Kaka, Milan's sweetly gifted Brazilian, said in the bowels of the stadium, and the six-times winners will glean hope when they analyse United's record in this competition over the past few seasons, with only two wins in their past 13 away games.

A draw would suffice for the Premiership leaders but Ferguson's team have lost at FC Copenhagen, Celtic and Roma this season and Milan have not dropped a point in a home game in Serie A since a scoreless draw against Torino on December 10th.

News from Milan suggests Paolo Maldini should be fit for the second leg, having lasted only 45 minutes on Tuesday, and that Gennaro Gattuso is fine despite his rather hammy departure on a stretcher.

Rooney did not peak until Maldini's withdrawal and even though Gattuso failed to exert his usual influence he is such a vital player for Milan that the visitors suffered without him. Cristian Brocchi, his 52nd-minute replacement, was responsible for losing the ball to Ryan Giggs in the build-up to Rooney's second goal.

Ferguson was sufficiently emboldened by his team's display to talk of his players being in a "fantastic position". They will begin at San Siro as favourites but the word "marginal" should be applied and if that sounds pessimistic then refer to what Ferguson himself said after United lost the first leg of their quarter-final against Roma. He said the 2-1 deficit represented a "good result" because "the away goals are invaluable in these two-legged fixtures".

The trick will be to prevent Milan from scoring and Ferguson will be without the injured Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic plus the suspended Patrice Evra, although he clings to hope that Rio Ferdinand will have recovered from a groin strain even though the defender was originally ruled out until the visit to Chelsea on May 9th.

Gabriel Heinze is a feisty left-back but has not been the same player since rupturing knee ligaments 19 months ago and was partly culpable for both of Kaka's goals, outpaced for one and outmanoeuvred for the other. Those lapses may make it imperative for United's attacking players to take the game to Milan, searching for an away goal of their own, rather than being cagey. Despite United's reputation for going "goal crazy", as Kaka put it, Ferguson frequently tries a more defensive 4-5-1 formation on the club's European excursions.

"We wanted to keep a clean sheet because away goals are key in this competition," observed the seasoned Giggs. "We didn't want to give away one goal, let alone two, so that has knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit.

"We'll probably have to defend better in the away leg but we're capable of doing that. It's going to be difficult, as it always is in the San Siro, but we saw enough in the second half to show we can get a good result if we keep our character and nerve."

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Ferguson numbers game has Liverpool seeing red

Sir Alex Ferguson has st0ked up old rivalries with Liverpool ahead of a possible Champions League Final clash in Athens.

During his speech at the PFA awards dinner, he referred to Liverpool's "four" European Cup victories, provoking anger among Reds fans who delight in their club's five triumphs.

Sources close to the Scot suspect the slip was intentional though he was not the only Manchester United figure to jumble his facts.

After scooping the two main awards, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of his desire to follow in the footsteps of the club's great No7s like Bryan Robson and Sir Bobby Charlton.

The latter famously wore No9.

Sigh...Sir Alex's memory is failing. By the way, SBF football forum seems to be rather quiet after Chelsea won at Stamford Bridge.

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Mourinho in Ronaldo 'liar' row

Jose Mourinho claims Cristiano Ronaldo is 'lying', if the winger feels Manchester United have not received the benefit of the doubt with recent penalty decisions.

Chelsea boss Mourinho had intimated at a conspiracy over the weekend when his side were not awarded a spot-kick at Newcastle United, while the Premiership leaders were fortunate not to concede a penalty against Middlesbrough 24 hours earlier.

The situation prompted Portuguese television to question Ronaldo and Mourinho, along with United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, about recent incidents.

Ronaldo appeared reluctant to become involved in Mourinho's 'mind games', preferring to concentrate on United's UEFA Champions League second leg with Milan next week.

"I really don't want to be dragged into Mourinho's complaints over referees - everybody knows how he is," said Ronaldo.

"He always has to say something because he can't admit his failures.

"We have to think about the game in Milan. We have a good squad and I think we are on course."

Mourinho's response to Ronaldo's comments was to question whether the attacker was a worthy contender to be the game's best player.

"If he says it's a lie Manchester United have conceded some penalties this season which have not been awarded against them he's lying," Mourinho told RTP TV.

"Ronaldo is a great player, perhaps the best in the world. But he needs to be mature enough to accept you cannot argue against facts.

"And if you lie then you may never reach the level which he aspires to as a footballer."

United number two Queiroz appeared to brush off Mourinho's recent remarks about refereeing decisions, claiming it is merely the Chelsea chief's style.

Queiroz said: "Mourinho has his own style, he always tries to divert everyone's attention to the points which are convenient for him.

"These are his tactics and that's the way he is."

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Fergie and Coppell are season's best bosses, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger has snubbed Jose Mourinho by voting for Sir Alex Ferguson as his manager of the year.

Although Chelsea are fighting for what would be an unprecedented Quadruple, the Arsenal boss did not even mention Mourinho when asked about who should win the League Managers' Association honour.

Wenger believes Manchester United chief Ferguson and Steve Coppell, manager of the season's surprise package Reading, deserve recognition.

Wenger said: "I feel this year Sir Alex Ferguson, because he's in a position to fight on every front, and Steve Coppell, who is in a position where nobody expected him to be and has a team who does not play negatively - they have a positive attitude everywhere they go."

Wenger's backing for Ferguson shows how times have changed in the Premiership.

When their teams were both challenging for the title, the bosses and their players often clashed.

[machoman]

Originally Posted by qbdp

By the way, SBF football forum seems to be rather quiet after Chelsea won at Stamford Bridge.

I also noticed an unusual lack of activity here in a couple of normally active threads.

Hmmm.... I wonder why?

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Scholes wary of final ban

Having already missed one UEFA Champions League final through suspension, Manchester United FC midfielder Paul Scholes will be hoping lightning does not strike twice on Wednesday when he goes into the second leg of his side's semi-final against AC Milan one yellow card away from another ban.

Ronaldo concern
Scholes and team-mate Roy Keane were both suspended for United's 2-1 victory against FC Bayern München in the 1999 final after being booked in the second leg of their semi-final win against Juventus. The 32-year-old will be one of eleven players desperate to avoid that situation this week. As well as Scholes, who was sent off against AS Roma in the quarter-finals after collecting two other cautions in the group stage, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be keeping a careful eye on star man Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze, who tread the same disciplinary tightrope. Defender Patrice Evra is the only player banned from either semi-final after seeing yellow in the first leg at Old Trafford.

Chelsea fear
Paolo Maldini is the solitary Milan player with disciplinary concerns, though his participation at San Siro next week is in doubt after the captain aggravated an injury on Tuesday. In the other semi-final, Chelsea FC have most to fear with Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Lassana Diarra and Joe Cole, who scored the only goal of the first leg against Liverpool FC, all on one yellow card. Jermaine Pennant and Javier Mascherano are in a similar position for Liverpool.

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Ferguson cautious as Milan lie in wait

Sir Alex Ferguson bowed to Lady Luck when he pin-pointed the pivotal moment in Manchester United's epic Champions League semi-final victory on Tuesday, a volley from Kaka that would have delivered the Brazilian his hat-trick and Milan a 3-1 lead but which soared towards the Italian supporters high in the East Stand at Old Trafford instead.

"He should have scored but instead he gave us a lifeline," the United manager said. "And you always need luck in games of that nature." It is also United's blessed fortune that in Wayne Rooney they have a natural talent who has recaptured his instinct, and his reputation, on the European stage.

From 17 Champions League outings without a goal before the quarter-final first leg in Rome to four valuable goals in his last three European games, the 21-year-old has struck consistent form in the competition when his weakened team needed it most although, as always at this stage, the demand will be for more when United take a fragile 3-2 lead to the San Siro next Wednesday. Defending a lead is not in United's nature at the best of times. With their current defence, attack will be their strongest hope once again.

Fortunately for Ferguson his £27m striker has had a weight lifted by the nonchalant goal he guided beyond Roma goalkeeper Doni at the start of this month, and the instinct he showed in driving the stoppage time winner past Dida on Tuesday was a reminder of precocious ability that had surfaced only intermittently this season. "What can you say, the last finish was brilliant," said the United midfielder Michael Carrick. "He could see the gap and to put it away was brilliant for us. He is a world-class player already and he is still young. I am sure there is more to come from him."

Rooney's sublime strike transformed the emotions at Old Trafford and the context of the semi-final yet it was noticeable how Ferguson's elation could not disguise a sense of foreboding in Tuesday's aftermath. His conviction that United would score in the second leg came with the proviso "Whether it will be good enough I don't know", and it may require another compelling shoot-out to decide the victor in Milan.

"It was always going to be tough," said Ryan Giggs, provider of Rooney's valuable second against Carlo Ancelotti's team. "We didn't want to give away one goal, let alone two, but we've got to go out there with confidence after showing such patience and character. We'll probably have to defend better, but we're capable of doing that."

That view is open to conjecture, for not only were United unable to handle the sublime Kaka at Old Trafford but their fragile defence suffered another loss with the suspension of Patrice Evra for a ridiculous show of dissent. Ferguson insisted next Wednesday's second leg is too soon for Nemanja Vidic to return from the fractured collarbone he sustained against Blackburn on 31 March, though a specialist's report could decide otherwise on Monday, while Rio Ferdinand's recovery from a groin strain is, as his manager said, "crucial". Giggs countered: "I don't think the injuries have fazed us. It is about using the squad and Darren Fletcher was outstanding against Milan."

Fitness problems may not be confined to the visitors in Italy next week, however. The departure from the Milan team of Paolo Maldini and Gennaro Gattuso, at half-time with a knee injury and in the 52nd minute to a foot injury respectively, removed resilience from the Rossoneri at a critical stage on Tuesday. Both are now doubtful for the return.

"I will do everything I can to play at the San Siro," said Gattuso, while Maldini insisted: "I've managed to recover quickly from this problem before so I won't rule myself out. I still think Milan can come back and win this game so I will still dream about European glory."

* Roma escaped with a lenient fine from Uefa yesterday as they and Manchester United were punished for the trouble that occurred at the recent Champions League quarter-final at Stadio Olimpico. A meeting of Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body fined the Italian club a mere £31,000, United £14,500, and gave both clubs three days to appeal.

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Ferguson positive in league title chase
Associated Press

LONDON — Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the chase for three titles. The fatigue is starting to show for Jose Mourinho and his run at four.

The managers of Manchester United and Chelsea resume their tussle for the Premier League title Saturday after both won the first legs of their Champions League semifinals this week.

Attention now turns back to the league, where United has a three-point lead over Chelsea with four games remaining. One of those four is between the two clubs at Stamford Bridge on May 9.

On Saturday, United is at Everton (Rogers Sportsnet, 7:30 a.m. ET) and Chelsea hosts Bolton (Rogers Sportsnet, 10 a.m. ET).

Chelsea and United also meet in the FA Cup final May 19.

"If the players don't smell the scent of something big in their lives now then they never will," Ferguson said. "It's a great opportunity for them."

United is seeking its first Premier League trophy since 2003 and its first triumph in Europe since 1999. It last won the FA Cup in 2004.

Chelsea, meanwhile, is hoping for a third straight league title, a first European Cup win and the FA Cup it last won in 2000. Chelsea has already secured the Carling Cup and is chasing four trophies.

That is taking its toll.

"Tired," Mourinho said. "For everybody. Mental for all of us, physical for the players. But it's what you want."

Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and plays the return leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

United needed a last-gasp goal from Wayne Rooney to defeat AC Milan 3-2 in their match at Old Trafford. The return leg is Wednesday in Milan.

The win capped off a good week for United — winger Cristiano Ronaldo was named both player and young player of the year by Premier League players at an awards ceremony on Sunday.

It was the first time since Aston Villa striker Andy Gray in 1977 that one player had won both awards.

Eight United players were named in the Premier League's team of the year, including the entire back four. But three of those — Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand — are injured. So is Mikael Silvestre.

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Terry gives Fergie a warning about the title bid

John Terry has told Sir Alex Ferguson his joy at Chelsea's Premiership slip will be short-lived.

The Manchester United manager said his team gained a big boost from watching their rivals held to a goal-less draw at Newcastle last weekend.

It meant the league leaders got away with dropping two points against Middlesbrough and maintained their three-point advantage.

But after Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0 in last night's Champions League semi-final first leg to get within touching distance of the Athens final, Terry insisted his side's unlikely dream of a Quadruple is still on.

He said: "The league is far from over. United have two really tough away games now and we are pushing them to the wire. That's before they even come to us to play.

"It is unbelievable that we are in the last week of April and can still win all four trophies.

"It is unlikely we could win the lot, but it's definitely possible. We are doing everything we can to make it happen."

United play at Everton on Saturday and then Manchester City next week while Chelsea face Bolton and then go to Arsenal.

But Terry revealed the buzz of winning keeps them going and last night's energetic display will be taken into Saturday's Premiership game at Stamford Bridge. The captain said: "I think what we have shown this year is a real drive.

"We have not really been behind in seasons before, we have tended to have it all our own way. But I think we have shown a different and positive side.

"When there is a chance to achieve something really significant it is a case of using that winning feeling. We have had a couple of defeats this season and we don't want to feel that again."

Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea have set themselves a tough challenge and are running out of games to overtake United - they have four left.

But they refuse to give up on anything said the midfielder, adding: "The desire keeps you going."

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Milan reveal dream duo

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has revealed that he would love to see Kaká playing alongside Man Utd ace Cristiano Ronaldo.

The two attacking midfielders came face-to-face at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final and will do battle again at the San Siro next week in the return leg.

“Who is better, Kaká or Ronaldo? We wouldn’t change Kaka for Ronaldo, but we would definitely like to have both of them,” said Galliani in an interview to The Sun.

“If you had our Ronaldo in attack with Kaká and Cristiano behind, then you could calmly go to the cinema and, without worry, ask how Milan got on,” added the former Lega Calcio chief.

“However, life doesn’t allow you to have everything you want. We are happy with Kaká, he is the top scorer in the Champions League with nine goals.

“He scored twice at Old Trafford and has the pure class of a phenomenon.”

Galliani mainly fears Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in view of the big match at the San Siro on Wednesday, when a 1-0 win would allow the Rossoneri to progress to the Athens Final.

“We know our own strengths and we will approach this as a positive week, preparing in the best way possible.

“Of course, United are opponents of the highest level. After the first game against Bayern I was still certain we would qualify because they do not have attackers of the calibre of Rooney and Ronaldo.”

“In any case, I agree with Rooney that Manchester United and Milan have the same chance of qualifying,” concluded Galliani.

In the meantime, all 67,500 tickets available for Wednesday’s match at the Stadio Meazza have been sold, as confirmed by the club’s website.

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Originally Posted by machoman

I also noticed an unusual lack of activity here in a couple of normally active threads.

Hmmm.... I wonder why?

Probably lack of sleep due to successive nights of live football at unearthly hours and definitely the loss of sleep caused by undesired home wins were energy-sapping.

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by qbdp

Fergie and Coppell are season's best bosses, says Wenger Arsene Wenger has snubbed Jose Mourinho by voting for Sir Alex Ferguson as his manager of the year..

Fair's fair. And no prizes for guessing who's whinger or griper of year Amongst some MU fans here, some idle talk of possible SAF's replacement by our friend... personally, do not doubt his coaching qualities but god forbid that prospect!

[yinyang]

Music to our ears (if true on Vidic)...

Thursday's gossip column

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic could make a shock return in the Champions League semi-final, second leg against AC Milan next week after recovering quicker than expected from a shoulder injury suffered in March. (The Sun)

England defender Rio Ferdinand, who was expected to be sidelined with a groin injury until the match against Chelsea on 9 May, is set to be available for Manchester United's match against AC Milan. (Daily Express)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will meet with owner Roman Abramovich 24 hours after the Champions League win over Liverpool to try to sort out their differences. (The Sun)