UCL SF 2nd leg : Milan-Manchester Utd.

One day to go. Every Red in Manchester is nervous but confident. The defence is coming together and it looks like Vidic and Ferdinand will be ready to play. This will make the team much stronger at the back. We have great respect for Milan, who the British generally regard as the best team in Serie A, but the feeling is that they are physically not as strong or fit as United and may struggle as the game progresses (CL final v Liverpool, CL semi v United). If Milan can keep possession and dictate the tempo they can avoid this problem and win, if they can keep Rooney and Ronaldo quiet.

I expect Chelsea to reach the final. They are immensely powerful and they mercilessly grind teams down and make very few mistakes, so Milan will find them a much tougher proposition than United.

One other point I will make. Sheva has basically failed to reach the standards of the EPL this season. His lack of pace and strength show up badly in this league. Word has it that he became "injured" when told he was on the bench for the semi-final. He might be back in Milan next season.

Originally Posted by joewilkins

One day to go. Every Red in Manchester is nervous but confident. The defence is coming together and it looks like Vidic and Ferdinand will be ready to play. This will make the team much stronger at the back. We have great respect for Milan, who the British generally regard as the best team in Serie A, but the feeling is that they are physically not as strong or fit as United and may struggle as the game progresses (CL final v Liverpool, CL semi v United). If Milan can keep possession and dictate the tempo they can avoid this problem and win, if they can keep Rooney and Ronaldo quiet.

I expect Chelsea to reach the final. They are immensely powerful and they mercilessly grind teams down and make very few mistakes, so Milan will find them a much tougher proposition than United.

One other point I will make. Sheva has basically failed to reach the standards of the EPL this season. His lack of pace and strength show up badly in this league. Word has it that he became "injured" when told he was on the bench for the semi-final. He might be back in Milan next season.

They may be in the starting XI, but how ready are they? Vidic hasn't played in a while, and Ferdinand will always be tentative with that groin.

They may be in the starting XI, but how ready are they? Vidic hasn't played in a while, and Ferdinand will always be tentative with that groin.

Not even sure they are in the starting XI yet, they are both travelling with the squad but to be honest that was always likely to be the case as even if they are nowhere near fitness we may need them in an emergency.

You are right though, Vidic hasnt played since march and for a player who relies so much on his power (both defending and on set pieces for Utd) how much will he want to risk his broken collarbone so soon? Rio too has already had one reoccurance of his groin injury so wirst case scenario is this could really backfire for Fergie.

He has to take the risk if they are near fit though, with the league nearly wrapped up he can rest them for a couple of weeks after this if needs be.

Originally Posted by Stezagud

Not even sure they are in the starting XI yet, they are both travelling with the squad but to be honest that was always likely to be the case as even if they are nowhere near fitness we may need them in an emergency.

You are right though, Vidic hasnt played since march and for a player who relies so much on his power (both defending and on set pieces for Utd) how much will he want to risk his broken collarbone so soon? Rio too has already had one reoccurance of his groin injury so wirst case scenario is this could really backfire for Fergie.

He has to take the risk if they are near fit though, with the league nearly wrapped up he can rest them for a couple of weeks after this if needs be.

I rather have Man U play them honestly. I haven't seen a single player that come back from injury and play one amazing game straight away. Maybe Nesta?

A question was posed as to how people here deal with the upcoming game:

Well, I try not to think about it, because I get too nervous, and stressed..so I either play football, for real, or on the PS2, or just watch the Discovery channel, or Discovery Kids with my soon to be 2 year old.

Originally Posted by joewilkins

One other point I will make. Sheva has basically failed to reach the standards of the EPL this season. His lack of pace and strength show up badly in this league. Word has it that he became "injured" when told he was on the bench for the semi-final. He might be back in Milan next season.

I don't think his technical or physical ability (though he's seemed off the mark physically) has much to do with it.

Chelsea's way of playing, the lack of teamwork, being played off position as well as obvious splits within the club with regards to him make it very difficult for someone like him who's already reached his peak to adapt to a place where he's under immense pressure.

I have very little doubt that had circumstances been better, he'd have been very successful.

I doubt it's at all likely he'll go back to Milan now. There are many fans who still haven't forgiven him for the way he left, and really he's become a part of the past, whilst we're obviously building for the future at the club. For the present, we have gotten Ronaldo to take his spot who has already become a fan favourite as well as a massive player for the side, and is expected to be back to his best for next season when he's fully recovered physically (an incredible amount of work is being done to get him fit). Finally, I'd bet that quite a few players in the squad probably wouldn't welcome him back too quickly either, because some of the comments that were reported after Sheva left seemed to have a slightly bitter flavour to them.

I rather have Man U play them honestly. I haven't seen a single player that come back from injury and play one amazing game straight away. Maybe Nesta?

Yeha very few players come back brilliantly. Nesta is a good example but it is rare, for Utd the only time i can think of in Europe was Rooney's debut in 2004, where he came back from injury and got a hattrick immediately and then didnt score again for 3 years

It is a tough choice for Fergie but the fact he has mentioned it so much and has brought them when unfit shows how much he values them, or alternatively shows how troubled he is by the thought of the mistaker-makers (Brown, O Shea) being relied upon in the San Siro. These are not the guys to rely on when you know 1 mistake can put you out

I don't think his technical or physical ability (though he's seemed off the mark physically) has much to do with it.

Chelsea's way of playing, the lack of teamwork, being played off position as well as obvious splits within the club with regards to him make it very difficult for someone like him who's already reached his peak to adapt to a place where he's under immense pressure.

Thats true, Sheva has always seemed like he wants another touch which on the surface suggests he cant cope with the pace of the game. Thats not entirely accurate though, while it would be wrong to deny he has struggled at times its very much Chelseas style of play which is bringing about his problems.

If he had spent the season at Utd, Arsenal or Spurs he would have been a great success imho, as these clubs rely more on speed of movement and thought.

Ferdinand/Vidic/Neville are they ready to take part in tomorows game ?

Originally Posted by lked

Ferdinand/Vidic/Neville are they ready to take part in tomorows game ?

Rio and Vidic will make the trip to Milan tomorrow but whether or not they'll play is a game-time decision.

Relieve your stress by......




...I hate your team

Originally Posted by Tony29.

Guys, stop listening to ZLATANov.
I'll repeat it : ZLATANov.

Rings any bells ?

Bloody Ibra loving Interista !

LMAO!!!!! I must defend Mr ov
His name is actually a desperate plea to the ref everytime Ibra makes a
Tae Kwan do-esque challenge

Originally Posted by lked

Ferdinand/Vidic/Neville are they ready to take part in tomorows game ?

I expect Ferdinand to start

im really tense and nervous !!! i just hope the lads give us the best game we have witnessed for a long time !!

enshallah milan will win !!

Inshallah We Wil Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!