MANCHESTER UNITED...DAH BOLEH CAKAP KONPOM TAK???

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:39 AM

United v Villa - Player Ratings!

Tomasz Kuszczak: Made a couple of decent saves to strengthen his claim to be Edwin's deputy. 7

Wes Brown: Missed a good chance after a corner and troubled by Young. 6

Rio Ferdinand: Composed and assured as usual. 7

Nemanja Vidic: Had a bit of trouble with Carew and then Maloney but no crucial errors. He will up his game for Rome I'm sure. 6

Patrice Evra: Did his job with a minimum of fuss. 6

Paul Scholes: Not the brilliance he displayed against Liverpool but pulled the strings finely. 7

Michael Carrick: Another belter of a game. With a kind of quiet authority he asserted himself in midfield and provided the platform on which the attackers could excel. 8

Ryan Giggs: Much better than against Liverpool. Worked finely with Scholes and Carrick and supplied ammunition for the front three. Left the field early, hopefully not injured. 7

Carlos Tevez: His movement and technique caused grave problems for Villa's tired defenders. Good finish after Ronaldo's cross. 8

Cristiano Ronaldo: A wonderful, astonishing goal and three audacious assist. The George Best comparison is inevitable and deserved. 9

Wayne Rooney: Another brilliant performance and finally he's got goals to show for it. Just like last season, he's approaching the final weeks in blazing form. 9

Anderson: Replaced Carrick with half an hour to go and did the job very well. 7

Owen Hargreaves: Decent showing at right-back and allowed Rio to rest ahead of Rome. 6

John O'Shea: Slotted in finely after replacing Evra. 6

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:41 AM

Fan vs Fan: Roma - Manchester United

GOAL: First of all, how do you feel about your side's season so far?

Paul Arnone (Roma): The season to date has been great, and looks set to only get better. Not only have we managed to qualify for the quarter-finals stage of this competition once again, however we have also reduced Inter抯 lead at the top of the table to just 4 points. That is very pleasing to know, as many gave us no chance of even challenging for the championship, when the gap was a massive 11 points approximately 6 weeks ago.

Bruce Wilson (Manchester United): Absolutely thrilled! I抦 so happy to see that the club has continued the excellent work of last season, and not simply rested on their laurels. Our defence has been superb, Cristiano Ronaldo has developed in to the best player in the world, and our new signings (Nani, Anderson, Carlos Tevez, and Owen Hargreaves) have all improved an already fearsome pool of players.

GOAL: What were the goals at the start? How have they been revised, if at all?

PA: Prior to the season, our goals were simply to seriously challenge for the Scudetto, improve on our Champions League performance of last season, and most certainly finish in the top four of the Serie A to qualify for next seasons Champions League. At this stage, we are in with a chance of clinching the Scudetto, are in a decent position in the Champions League, and are guaranteed to finish in the top four in the league.

BW: Our goals at the start of the season were to retain our Premiership crown, and to improve on our disappointing Champions League exit to A.C. Milan in last season抯 competition. These goals have not only stayed in place, but as the season has gone on we抳e grown from strength to strength. It抯 been a real pleasure to watch this team play from my seat in the Stretford End, and I抦 sure I can justifiably say that we are the best team in Europe at the moment.

GOAL: How important is this game in that regard?

PA: This first leg will be crucial to us improving on our Champions League performance last year, and thus assist us in qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time in a long time. Everyone obviously knows what happened at this stage last year, so a strong performance in this match, will go a long way to avoiding that.

BW: This game is vital in keeping the dream alive of adding another Champions League trophy to an Old Trafford trophy cabinet that should really contain more European Cups.

GOAL: What do you think about the way your team progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition?

PA: We were simply amazing! To defeat Real Madrid at home, and later at the Bernab閡, a ground in which they have proved so tough to defeat over the years, was an incredible feat, and our 4-2 aggregate win, was most certainly well deserved, and will go down in history as one of our greatest. We had our luck along the way; however we were without doubt the better side over the 180 minutes.

BW: We抳e been very steady without ever reaching the blistering form that we show every week in the Premiership. While I wouldn抰 dream of criticising Sir Alex Ferguson, we seem to play a much slower, more controlled game when it comes to the Champions League, and I would love him to unleash the reigns a little bit for this fixture and really attack Roma. However, who am I to criticise a form of play that has seen us blitz our qualifying group, and beat perennial French champions Olympique Lyonnais without getting out of second gear?

GOAL: How do you rate your opponents' season? Who do you think has the edge heading into this weekend's game and why?

PA: Manchester United, in my opinion, are the favourites to win this competition, and due to the fact that they currently sit atop of the English Premier League table, their season has been near perfect. Having said this however, we will certainly be more determined than ever to emerge victorious at home this week, and thus I think that will be enough, to just get us over the line, and take the all important lead heading into the second leg.

BW: Roma are a team I really respect due to the exciting nature of their play. There aren抰 many sides I would pay to watch in Serie A (including champions Inter Milan), but the Giallorossi play the game in the right spirit. I would equate the way their season has gone to something like Arsenal in the Premiership, where their exciting brand of football is easy on the eye, but they will never beat teams as consistent as Inter Milan and Manchester United over the length of a season.

When talking about who holds the edge going in to this fixture, that抯 the easiest question I抳e had to answer. Without even talking about United抯 dominating record against Roma in the last two years, we annihilated Aston Villa 4-0 at the weekend, whilst they drew 1-1 with Serie A strugglers Cagliari. Also, if Francesco Totti is to miss this fixture then that would put a serious dent in their hopes, without putting them completely out of the running as I think Mirko Vučinić is a more than able replacement.
GOAL: What kind of a result will be acceptable for you to take into the second leg?

PA: It will be extremely tough to keep United scoreless, and although that would be ideal, I just can抰 see it happening. As long as we don抰 lose this first leg, I give us a huge chance of progressing; however we have to be extremely cautious of not conceding. A 1-0 or 2-1 victory, or anything better, will be great to take into the second leg.

BW: As long as we get an all important away goal then I am more than confident of getting the result we need in the second leg at Old Trafford. However, I have every confidence in us going to Rome and recording the type of result that will blow Roma out of the water, and hopefully make the second leg a formality.

GOAL: Tactically, where do you think the key to this game will lie?

PA: Both defences have been solid in recent times, and thus the key to this game lies in the side抯 respective attacking forces. The side that eventually emerges victorious will be the one that possesses the most threatening attacking movements, and with the likes of Totti, Mancini, Taddei and Vucinic running around for Roma, coming up against Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez for United, it promises to be an entertaining battle.

BW: I am expecting United to line up in the 4-5-1 formation that Sir Alex Ferguson employs in Europe. This will match the Red Devils up against the system Roma employ, and I can see this leading to a cagey affair. I am really excited to see the battle in midfield, with players of tremendous quality battling against each other to see who can come out on top. However, I don抰 expect this to be the key area tactically speaking in this game. Where I see the difference being made is in the attacking triumvirate deployed by United when they attack, whereby the 4-5-1 transforms in to a 4-3-3. Here I can see Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez/Ryan Giggs/Nani having the cutting edge against a Roma defence that is nowhere near the same level as United抯 incredible backline. This is where I see the difference between the sides, and this should tip the game in United抯 favour.

GOAL: Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?

PA: The obvious choice here is Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been stunning all season, and will be very tough to handle this week for sure. He is capable of producing something out of nothing, so we will have to do all we can to ensure his impact is kept to a minimum.

BW: That抯 a really hard question, as there are several players in the Roma team that I greatly admire. For example, Totti is quite simply a phenomenon, Vučinić is a young striker of tremendous quality, whilst Daniele De Rossi is a player that reminds me of Roy Keane. However, the player I most admire in the Roma ranks is Alberto Aquilani. I was lucky enough to catch the second leg of the Real Madrid-Roma tie, and he stood head and shoulders above what the Real Madrid midfield had to offer. His long range shooting was incredibly precise throughout this game, and he was not scared to exert himself physically on the tie.

GOAL: Would you want him in your team?

PA: Yes please. I don抰 think that there抯 any club in the world that wouldn抰.

BW: 99% of clubs in Europe would buy him if he ever became available. However, I look at the Manchester United midfield and have to say I don抰 think we need him right now. Carrick and Anderson have been fantastic this season, whilst in recent weeks Paul Scholes has shown signs of returning to the type of form that would justify his regular inclusion in the team. Although, when the sad days arrives when Scholes retires, Aquilani would be the first name I would put on Sir Alex Ferguson抯 transfer wish list.

GOAL: What are your team抯 strengths at the moment?

PA: In recent times, we have been in very good form, and this has been a result of a strong balance all over the park. Their definitely isn抰 one area in particular at the moment in which we are exceptionally strong in, however it抯 this evenness in our line-up that has allowed us to achieve the necessary results. Doni has been great in goals; the back four have been relatively solid, regardless of who starts, the midfield have been very good in controlling the match, whilst our attackers have been doing the damage up front.

BW: Is it possible to say we are strong in every department? The team boasts a defence that has conceded 15 goals in 32 league games; our midfield contains players of the highest quality, whilst our attack regularly conjures up goals that take my breath away.

If I was pushed to name one particular strength then I would have to say that when your team can boast the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, then you really can抰 look beyond that. I抳e been lucky to have grown up at a time where I抳e managed to see players of the calibre of Cantona, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Keane, Van Nistelrooy et al. ply their trade for their club. However, none of those players have filled me with the type of anticipation that Ronaldo does when I come to Old Trafford. His goal return this season has been out of this world, whilst his all round play has improved from last season. I see him being the difference again against Roma, and it will be a grave travesty if he is not crowned World Player of the Year for 2008.

GOAL: And weaknesses?

PA: As mentioned earlier, we have been balanced all over the park, however if I had to pick a weakness I would say that it has been our defence, which has struggled at times throughout the season. We have conceded goals in our past four fixtures, and thus have not managed to keep a clean sheet since our 2-0 victory over Napoli, three weeks ago. In three of the past four matches we have conceded first, and this is something we can ill afford to let happen this week against the might of Manchester United.

BW: Profligacy in front of goal is our only weakness. We always create an inordinately high amount of chances in games, but this is never entirely reflected in our score lines. This may sound greedy, but even though we抳e managed to score four goals or more in 10 Premiership games, this figure really should have been higher. Whilst I would never swap them for any other players, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney are not the most efficient of finishers. This has led to a reliance on Ronaldo抯 goals. However, worryingly for Roma, both of these players got their name on the score sheet this weekend, and hopefully this will see them go on a goal scoring run.

GOAL: Who from your team should we keep a particular eye on here?

PA: Daniele De Rossi. He has been in spectacular form in recent times, and is really starting to come of age. He is ready to take that next step and perform well on the big stage, so look for him to have quite a significant impact on proceedings at the Olimpico this week.

BW: Rather than go for Cristiano Ronaldo, I抦 going to state that Wayne Rooney is the man that we should all be keeping an eye on. The reason for this is that Rooney is a player who scores goals in spurts. Unluckily for Roma, the Liverpudlian scored a brace against Aston Villa after struggling for goals in recent weeks. Hopefully this should see Rooney go on a run of goal scoring form that will see him fire us all the way to the Champions League final in Moscow.

GOAL: Who is your all time number one hate figure, or object of amusement, from their lot?

PA: I honestly can抰 say that I have a number one hate figure from their lot, as they are a well respected team in Europe, and thus haven抰 really had anyone for me to dislike.

BW: While not trying to sound too controversiol, the horrible sight of seeing the crowd trouble and the ensuing police reaction that occurred between these two teams last season left a bad taste in the mouth of all Manchester United supporters. This has created a great sense of animosity in the United ranks, and will hopefully not be repeated in this year抯 games as on the pitch there isn抰 a single thing that I dislike about Roma the team or the club.

GOAL: What would you envy about them, if anything?

PA: Obviously the amount of success they have had over the years, which has included 2 triumphs in the Champions League, as well as a plethora of league titles.

BW: I don抰 envy anything about them as I feel that whilst we are two similar teams, Manchester United simply do what Roma do, but better. We have won a lot more trophies, have a far greater pedigree, and boast a playing squad of higher quality. I would simply like to say on this matter that I enjoy and respect Roma抯 approach to the game as I feel they hold dear the same attacking values that are essential to the ideology of Manchester United.

GOAL: What was the best bit of business ever done between the two clubs?

PA: I can抰 say that I recall any serious business ever being done between the two clubs, so I may have to pass on this question.

BW: While I can抰 think of a single piece of transfer business conducted by these sides, the best thing we抳e got from Roma would be the influence that Spalletti抯 revolutionary striker-less approach to football has had on our team. You can see from watching Manchester United this season that this approach has influenced Sir Alex Ferguson抯 approach in midfield and attack, and has allowed Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to flourish.

GOAL: What's your fondest memory of past clashes against them?

PA: Well obviously our 2-1 triumph in the first leg last season in the Champions League was a great effort, as not many gave us a chance of defeating the English giants. However, to our credit, we proved our doubters wrong by claiming victory, something we will be out to do in both of the upcoming legs.

BW: To not rub salt in the wounds of Roma fans, I won抰 mention the famous 7-1 victory, but instead the all important away goal we scored in the 2-1 defeat we suffered in the 1st leg of last season抯 Quarter Final tie. This goal was simply breathtaking, and involved Cristiano Ronaldo breaking away from a Roma corner, beating several men, then crossing for Wayne Rooney to finish. This was Rooney抯 first goal in the Champions League since 2004, and that it was one of such quality was equally as pleasing.

GOAL: What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your week?

PA: I honestly believe that Roma could not be in any better shape heading into this match, and that we are fully prepared to perform to the best of our ability. We will win this match, and I believe it will be by a 2-1 score line. Once again, I cannot see United being held scoreless, so a 2-1 result seems the most likely outcome in this contest.

BW: I feel confident enough to predict that United can go to Roma and win. We have really stepped up another gear from last season, and I am sure that Roma do not have the quality to live with us, particularly if Totti is unavailable for this game. As such, I am going to be bold enough to predict a 2-1 win for Manchester United. In regards to how this will affect my week, as long as we score an away goal I will be a very content Red Devil. However, if we lose by 2 goals or more without scoring a goal of our own, the fact that we抳e had yet another Champions League campaign where we haven抰 been able to replicate our Premier League dominance would lie heavily on my mind.

GOAL: Thanks for your time!

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:42 AM

Patrice Evra still hasn't signed a new contract at United.

The impressive Frenchman's contract expires in 2009 and is yet to agree to a renewal. His desire to stay is still there, he says, but the prospect of leaving is not an impossibility.

'We have already had one meeting about my contract,' Evra told the News of the World. 'The directors know my position. I give my all for this club.

'I love the club and its winning mentality. But that does not mean everything. I may leave next year or in two years.'

In short, we have another Wes Brown situation on our hands. If he does not sign a new contract, we will have to sell him this summer to get some money for him and not lose him on a free - unlike in the case of Brown who looks set to leave on a Bosman.

But while Brown is replaceable, Evra is not. I'd struggle to name a better left-back in world football right now. His consistency is impressive, he contributes to the attack as well as being solid defensively.

He improved beyond expectations since his arrival and is one of our most important players. If he does indeed love the club then we should tie him down to a long-term deal. Lose him and we can start rebuilding the formidable defense that looked intimidatingly unbreachable all season.

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:43 AM

Man Utd's Van der Sar struggling for Roma clash

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Edwin van der Sar is doubtful for the midweek clash with Roma in the Champions League. The Dutch keeper sat out the win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday after aggravating a groin complaint. Ferguson has admitted the injury is becoming a concern for United and is likely to rule him out of the European quarter final. "Edwin van der Sar may be a doubt for Tuesday," Ferguson told Setanta Sports. "He�s got a groin problem again, it�s happened two or three times in the last few weeks. "We'll see how he is over the next few days. We did not risk him today which was a good thing. We could have risked him and it got worse. Not risking him today gives us a better chance."

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:43 AM

Arsenal's Gilberto: Anderson can be fantastic for Man Utd

Arsenal captain Gilberto Silva says Anderson can be "fantastic" for Manchester United. "If Anderson stays where he is, he can be fantastic," Gilberto told the Observer. "He makes the difference because he can score goals and come back to mark. He has a good technique and so much pace in his game. It's not that easy for a Brazilian to adapt to English football in the first season, but he's done it already - and in a new position."

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:44 AM

Man Utd 4-0 Aston Villa - O'Neill accepts defeat

Listen now to Martin O'Neill's post-Man United interview
If 4-0 is an emphatic scoreline showing a one-sided encounter, then this certainly doesn't fit into that category.
Few can argue that Man United were worthy winners at Old Trafford, with Cristiano Ronaldo opening the scoring with an outrageous flick and setting up the other 3, but a depleted Aston Villa weren't just lambs to the slaughter.
Shaun Maloney should have pulled one back when he somehow steered wide when one on one with the visitors' best chance but in appalling weather they had no answer to United, who have now fired in 10 goals without conceding in their last four Premier League matches.
Speaking after the game, Villa boss Martin O'Neill said he had no complaints over the result, admitting his side were beaten by a 'class act' on the top of their game.
Related -

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:45 AM

Man Utd's Rooney: Ronaldo goal was unbelievable

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has described Cristiano Ronaldo goal against Aston Villa as "unbelievable".

Rooney struck twice himself and said: "A few people have been talking about it but the main thing is we have been winning games.
"It was a well-deserved three points. Some of our passing and movement was brilliant. "I love it when we play like that and it was a great goal by Cristiano, unbelievable. "We have just got to keep focussing with six games left and keep the winning habit."

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 09:47 AM

When In Rome? 4-6-0!

When Roma yet again take on Manchester United tomorrow, it will be the fifth time in less than a year that the teams have squared off. And while their encounters have made headlines for a variety of reasons, perhaps this one should be remembered as something of a passing of the torch.

Because the 搒trikerless formation

ShadowChaser · Post time 31-3-2008 09:48 AM

bukan news haku nak baca ahead of roma clash

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 10:07 AM

United have unfair advantage - Grant

Manchester United are being helped towards the title by The Premier League, that is the view of Chelsea manager Avram Grant.
The Blues are incensed with a fixture situation that sees them play their rescheduled clash at Everton on April 17, just three days after they play Wigan.
Both games come before Chelsea meet Manchester United in what could be a title decider, and Grant feels The FA have handed the champions a massive advantage with the decision.
"I don't understand why we need to play on Thursday when we play Monday against Wigan and we have also the Champions League," Grant said.
"I think that's unfair, I think when you come to the end of the season you need an equal situation for all the teams. Now they have an advantage over us.
"Of course when we come to the game we will do everything to win but I think it's unfair what is happening and I don't understand why. I think we need to fight it in any way we can."
Chelsea are also determined to let every fan know that the decision was made by The Premier League 搒olely on television grounds and as a result of the Premier League board failing to resolve schedule issues between broadcasters.

nizam_muse · Post time 31-3-2008 10:09 AM

Bosingwa invites Old Trafford offer

Jose Bosingwa has provided further fodder for those touting him for a summer move to Manchester United by conceding his admiration for the Premier Leaguer leaders and confirming his desire to leave Porto.
The Portuguese right back has spent five years with the Portuguese champions but could now be set for a move to Old Trafford.
With Gary Neville抯 injury woes still not behind him, and Wes Brown抯 contract situation very much up in the air, Bosingwa could fit the bill perfectly.
Whilst stopping short of openly hawking for a move to the North West, he dropped some fairly hefty hints Ferguson抯 way.
"I have seen my name linked with some great clubs like Manchester United and Juventus,