Man Utd Fans Part III

[melvin]

Sir Alex has faith in Rossoneri:

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that AC Milan will not look to exploit the fact that three United players are walking a suspension tightrope in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final showdown.

Should the Reds negotiate a route past Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze would all miss the final if they are booked in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

In last Tuesday’s semi-final, first leg and 2005’s second round double-header, however, Sir Alex saw no reason to fear tactical skulduggery from the Italians. He does, however, admit that his trio could be fearing the worst.

“I think it is a pressure on the players, it must be,” admitted Sir Alex at his pre-match press briefing. “But I hope that there’s fairness from the referee. It’s a big game for him, he’s a young referee with a good reputation and I’m hopeful that it’s done the right way.

“My biggest confidence is in AC Milan because I don’t think they’re a team who would do anything to get players booked. There’s no point to it, neither team benefits because we don’t play each other again. It can only help the opponents in the final.

“In the games I’ve seen against AC Milan, there’s no evidence of anything wrong. You only have to go back one week to see the manner and the spirit in which the game was played in Manchester. I think it was a credit to both sets of players and their professionalism. I expect the same on Wednesday.

With Milan skipper Paolo Maldini in a similarly precarious disciplinary situation, Sir Alex is confident that fair play will prevail ahead of the showpiece final in Athens in three weeks’ time.

“Maldini is also on two yellows, and I think that if Milan were to beat us, everyone would want to see Maldini in the final,” he said.

“I’ll be in Athens, no matter whether it’s with United or to see the final, and I think a tournament like the Champions League needs the best players. For me it would be fantastic to see Maldini, at the age of 39, playing in a European final.”

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Reds aware of Kaka threat:

AC Milan’s Kaka had a huge influence in his side’s trip to Old Trafford last Tuesday, and United are well aware that he remains the biggest threat to their hopes of reaching the Champions League final.

Two smartly taken goals from the forward underlined his menace in Manchester but, while he will receive attention worthy of his talents, United won’t waste all their consideration on him.

“I think the obvious threat was there for everyone to see last week in the shape of Kaka, he gave a brilliant performance,” said Sir Alex Ferguson. “Obviously we have to pay attention to that. We know where their threats come from.

“They also have important players like Gattuso - who I expect to play. He brings a lot of energy to them and is a very important player for them. They have great experience. You could look at half a dozen of the Milan players and see that. We know exactly what a difficult task it is, but I think we’re a team in form.”

John O’Shea is also wary of Kaka’s attacking prowess and lethal capabilities, but is similarly loathe to spend all his time concentrating on stopping the pacy Brazilian.

“He’s an outstanding talent, we obviously saw that in the first leg and we know we’ll have to be on our top form to stop him,” said the Irish defender.

“But if we concentrate too much on Kaka, that’s when the other Milan players will take advantage so you’ve got to find the right balance.”

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Milan flying the flag for Italy, says Ancelotti

MILAN, May 1 (Champions League) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has stressed the importance of his team winning for Italy in Wednesday's Champions League showdown against Manchester United.

Ancelotti's outfit are the only non-British side to remain alive in Europe's elite club competition with three English teams in the semi-finals.

'We are very honoured to represent Italian football in this competition and more so considering that our nation are world champions,' said Ancelotti.

'My team is a very Italian side, with an Italian soul and I believe we are best able to represent Italian football.'

The Rossoneri go into the crucial return leg at the San Siro needing to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg at Old Trafford last week.

Ancelotti believes his team are up for the challenge, with a 1-0 win sufficient to take them to the final in Athens on May 23.

He said: 'There's always tension and expectation ahead of a semi-final tie, but I think we are in good condition to do well.

'We know who were are up against, Manchester proved to have great quality in the opening leg. I don't believe there will be any surprises as to how they will play on Wednesday.

'If we were to concede a goal it will be no tragedy. We have to play for 90 minutes and I believe we can score more than one goal.

'Our aim is to control the game as we did in Manchester when we were able to have the upper hand for 60 minutes, now we have to do the same for the entire game, that is the best path to victory.

'One of Manchester's characteristics is the strength in their attack and the most dangerous striker is Wayne Rooney, as he showed in the opening leg, that is why we must limit their actions in front.'

Ancelotti has brushed aside United's poor record in away games this season in the Champions League.

The Red Devils have lost three times in four games on the road.

'This is a game where the past means little,' he said. 'This game is crucial for both teams, we are all playing to reach the final.'

Ancelotti does have one fitness concern ahead of the game in the shape of captain Paolo Maldini.

The 38-year-old defender sustained a knee injury in the opening leg and his chances of playing on Wednesday are considered slim.

'The only player who is doubtful is Maldini,' said Ancelotti. 'We will take the decision of whether he will play together, but it looks unlikely that he will recover.'

Maldini is one of those players who were in the Milan team when they lost to Liverpool on penalties in the final two years ago.

But Ancelotti does not believe that elimination on Wednesday will mark the end of the current Milan's team.

'When we lost against Liverpool in the final in Istanbul, people said it was the end of a cycle,' he said.

'I think we can postpone that for several years.

'The average age of my team is 28-29 so they are in full maturity right now.'

Ancelotti believes that whatever the result he will have a drink with Ferguson after the game.

'I will greet him (Ferguson) before and after the game,' said Ancelotti. 'I will give him a bottle of good Italian wine before the encounter to celebrate the Athens final regardless of which team goes through.'

:cheers: :devil:

 

[melvin]

15 hours more to go!!!

Everyone will be expecting a repeat of the '05 season...... but we are not called come back kings for nothing! Hoping that we need the '99season spirit our come back against Juve, Inter n Bayern...those are really breathe taking matches...we have been making great come back snice we lost our back line till Goodison Park n now...

And wif Rooney wanting to strip some cash off SAF as the later have already lost to Ronaldo!

Rooney: I'll win Sir Alex bet

Cristiano Ronaldo has already won his wager with Sir Alex after surpassing the 15-goal mark earlier in the campaign. The Portuguese winger has lost several bets with the manager in recent seasons, but won this season. And now Rooney is looking to take more cash off Sir Alex.

"I'm on a nice little run and hopefully I can keep it going and win the bet I've had with the manager," he adds. "There's not a lot of money involved, but it's a nice little incentive. The most important thing is that the team keeps winning, but if I am scoring goals then I'm doing my bit.

"I've now got 23 for the season and I really think 25 is attainable for me. Hopefully I might even score more than that."

I think dat this game will boils down to our defense, they(Italians) by nature were not so good at chasing games if they were to chase their back four will vulnerable to attack n expose by our 3Rs as in Rooney, Ronaldo n Ryan Giggs:bsmilie: who will capitalise at any mistake. Then it will be up to SAF to play Vidic n Ferdinard which i think most likely he will start both or start wif one n the other coming on as sub so that can have a pair of fresh leg to help contain Pirlo, Kaka, Gatutso n company...

Milan previous matches form drew at home wif Bayern, before that needed an extra time goal by Kaka to see off Celtic n grp stage beaten at San Siro by Lille 2-0...

Man U lost 3 of their 4 road trips this season so :think:

So conclusion think Man U to go through 2-1 :devil:

 

[melvin]

Boss ends Jose row

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bring an end to the ongoing disagreement between Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese pair traded caustic remarks through the media late last week before Mourinho brought into question the winger’s upbringing and education.

“We’ll try to draw a line under this, of course,” said Sir Alex, who was understandably keen to focus on the small matter of his side’s Champions League semi-final decider in Milan.

“Maybe the tactic is to unsettle the boy, I don’t know. He’s barking up the wrong tree there, but I think he was below the belt bringing class into it. Coming from a poor working class does not mean to say you’re not educated.”

The boss did praise Ronaldo, however, for not being drawn into a high-profile slanging match with the Stamford Bridge chief.

“What Ronaldo has got is principles,” said Sir Alex. “The boy’s not responded to it whereas some people who are educated have no principles, so we’re leaving the matter that way.”

:devil:

 

[plsoong]

15 hours more to go!!!

Everyone will be expecting a repeat of the '05 season...... but we are not called come back kings for nothing! Hoping that we need the '99season spirit our come back against Juve, Inter n Bayern...those are really breathe taking matches...we have been making great come back snice we lost our back line till Goodison Park n now...

And wif Rooney wanting to strip some cash off SAF as the later have already lost to Ronaldo!



I think dat this game will boils down to our defense, they(Italians) by nature were not so good at chasing games if they were to chase their back four will vulnerable to attack n expose by our 3Rs as in Rooney, Ronaldo n Ryan Giggs:bsmilie: who will capitalise at any mistake. Then it will be up to SAF to play Vidic n Ferdinard which i think most likely he will start both or start wif one n the other coming on as sub so that can have a pair of fresh leg to help contain Pirlo, Kaka, Gatutso n company...

Milan previous matches form drew at home wif Bayern, before that needed an extra time goal by Kaka to see off Celtic n grp stage beaten at San Siro by Lille 2-0...

Man U lost 3 of their 4 road trips this season so :think:

So conclusion think Man U to go through 2-1 :devil:

dun think so much about it...just pray that everybody will have a fair night.....

for me, both teams are my idols since nong nong time ago.....

but i wanna see Man Utd thru this one.....

I hope SAF plays his cards right......i really really do hope so...

the italians may not tend to chase games...but their tactics have always been one of quality..... they build the game up and control so much that your attention and concentration has to be more than 100%....... a slight slip, and they will finish with a clinical strike....

that can be a double edged sword though...... hopefully our line can hold them down.....hopefully they'll be fooled enuf to think they are in control...and then pray that all our passes are strung nicely as Man U's counters are alot better than direct football....

hopefully , just hopefully we can edge them out...

i think a 1-0 win for man U will be telling of the class already! :sweat:


GO DEVILS GO!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jia Wang]

'I will greet him (Ferguson) before and after the game,' said Ancelotti. 'I will give him a bottle of good Italian wine before the encounter to celebrate the Athens final regardless of which team goes through.'

Now that's sportsmanship... Contrast this with Moanrinho's ethics :devil:

 

[melvin]

Reds full of belief

John O’Shea says Wayne Rooney’s late first-leg winner has given United great confidence to oust AC Milan and reach the Champions League final.

The England striker scored in added time to seal a 3-2 victory for United, who had trailed a first-half double from Brazilian sensation Kaka.

“When you’re losing 2-1 to a team like Milan, for the game to finish like it did it does give you great belief,” said O’Shea.

The Irish defender sees last weekend’s comeback victory over Everton – in which United scored four times in the last half-hour – as another indication of the squad’s immense self belief. “You saw that in the weekend’s game how we responded to going two goals down,” he said “That’s been the case for the whole season and we’ll be looking for that to continue tomorrow night.”

O’Shea’s assurance is further buoyed by the presence of experienced heads like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Reds’ travelling party. He does concede, however, that the squad’s younger members – himself included – are keen to take responsibility as United aim to book a berth in Athens.

“We’re lucky that we have these players in our team because they’re going to be vital for us,” he said. “In the dressing room before the match tomorrow night that’s when they’ll guide us and help us with their experience.

“But you can’t always rely on other people, you’ve got to step up to the plate yourself sometimes, that’s how you get your own experience. We’re going into the game confident.”

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Police probe mystery package sent to Fergie

Police were called to Manchester United's training ground yesterday after a mystery package, believed to be intended for Sir Alex Ferguson, was sent to Carrington.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they carried out an operation at the ground but were later able to confirm that the substance was non-toxic.

The Sun report that the package was addressed to Ferguson, who was not present at the time, having flown with the team to face AC Milan in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight.

A GMP spokesman told the newspaper: 'We were called to the training ground following reports of a suspicious package.

'The package was opened by a member of staff and an unidentified substance was discovered.

'Police and Fire Service officers attended the address as a part of a pre-planned operation.

'Tests were carried out on the substance in an effort to establish its nature. Officers are also investigating the origins of the package and our inquiries are continuing.

'It could have been toxic - then we'd have been dealing with a very different situation. We are still investigating the origins of the package.'

A Red Devils spokesman added: 'It's just fortunate that the substance turned out not to be dangerous.'

:sweat: :sweat:
:devil:

 

[legiz]

COM'ON UNITED 2 MORE WINS TO UCL GLORY!!
:devil: :devil: :devil:

 

[melvin]

5 more hours to go!!!
:devil:
GLORY GLORY MAN U!!! GLORY GLORY MAN U!!! GLORY GLORY MAN U!!!:devil:

 

[afbug]

A bit slow but hahaha Chelsea is out! Man if Arsenal beat them this weekend, they're screwed! :bsmilie:

 

[redstorm]

Luckily, I am on leave tomorrow and can watch the match. Applied leave because some urgent matter, not because of the match. Go, devils, go. Ole...ole....ole....ole....ole.:devil::devil: :devil:

 

[melvin]

A bit slow but hahaha Chelsea is out! Man if Arsenal beat them this weekend, they're screwed! :bsmilie:

Will be a gunner fan this weekend!!! :bsmilie: :devil:

 

[melvin]

No holding back for United.

Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant United will stay true to their attacking instincts in Wednesday night’s Champions League crunch in Milan.

Wayne Rooney’s late semi-final, first leg winner gives the Reds a 3-2 lead to take to the San Siro, but the Boss concedes that sitting on that lead would be a dicey strategy.

“If you’re realistic then you know that AC Milan, in their own ground, will be huge favourites to score,” he said. “We hope we can avoid that but the safety net of scoring yourself and having an attacking emphasis is important.

I don’t think sitting on the edge of our box would do me any good, or my team or our fans. If we’re going to do it, we’ll do it our way. If we’re going to lose, we’ll do it our way.

“It’s obviously going to have to be a massive performance and I think we have to score. I think we saw the quality of AC Milan in the first game, so we know the task. We have to perform at a very high level but I think we’re capable of that and hopefully that is the case. “

According to Sir Alex, the most important element of United’s approach will be ball retention in order to curb the attacking potency of Milan and increase hopes of a vital away goal.

“The bigger the game, the more goals seem to change the pattern of it,” he said. “Our main aim tomorrow will be to have an attacking emphasis with our discipline. We will have some discipline about our game here.

“The nature of big games and playing away from home means that possession of the ball is the most important thing.

Hopefully we can keep it for 90 minutes, which would be very difficult!”

In stark contrast to their second round exit to Milan in 2005, United have gathered valuable big game experience in recent seasons. Although Sir Alex admits Wednesdays venture into the lion’s den is fraught with danger, he is confident in his side’s qualities.

“We are pleased at the developing nature of the team and it does help you on big occasions – we’ve proved that time and again in the past and tomorrow will certainly be the biggest test so far you think. You have an anxiety about big occasions and hope that everything works out the way you want it to.

“I’ve got a team with confidence that will run to the last minute and will definitely have a go, there’s no question about that."

:devil:

 

[redstorm]

Will be a gunner fan this weekend!!! :bsmilie: :devil:

Yeah, me too. I guess all the ManU supporters will be rooting for the gunners to kick Moan-rinho's a** this Saturday.:devil: :devil:

 

[melvin]

Yeah, me too. I guess all the ManU supporters will be rooting for the gunners to kick Moan-rinho's a** this Saturday.:devil: :devil:

Hope he will stop moaning for penalties after pools granted them 5 n they only convert 1:bsmilie: :devil:

 

[deckard]

Go Go Arsenal ! win it and become third place!

 

[roDz]

Play ur best tonite devils..my beloved Liverpool is waiting for a worthy opponent in the CL final...

 

[Redsun]

Yea!Man U will be a worthy opponent!Reds vs Red Devils again!!:devil: