Man Utd Thread:

[nrico2006]

I think their analysis of the actual game was correct - United aren't good enough compared to the standard needed to win the Champions League and have too many "average" players e.g. Carrick, Gibson, Fletcher in the midfield aren't up to the top level needed. They are right when they say Fergie doesn't trust Berba, that Nani is too inconsistent, that Rio is past is best, that Evra has been poor recently. Also Giles dismissed the comparison of Bayern to Barca and he's right, but remember he also said that Barca aren't a great team yet because of their defensive weaknesses so that that's the standards he's judging them by.

They were all fulsome in their praise for Fergie and his achievements and said as well as being one of the all time greats he has made mistakes - "like all great managers do". They questioned his decision over Tevez/Berba and said that in the current climate without finance it's impossible to build a new team. Whether or not you believe it's the end of an era is up to you but with their great players like Scholes, Giggs, etc coming to the end and no natural replacements and if they are depending on the players above I can see how they can come to that conclusion. It'll be interesting to see what happens during the summer.

Behind Dunphy's obvious bluster he can make some valid points and Giles actual analysis of what happens during the games is the best by a country mile. You mightn't like it but when he says United never "controlled" the game despite being 3 nil up he was correct. They also said that the goal at the end of the first half was crucial and that if it wasn't scored Utd could probably have hung on despite the sending off.   

If Rooney is out again it's hard to see them winning the Premier league

Dunphy didn't say Nani was inconsistent. Dunphy said he was rubbish despite scoring 2 goals and being the most dangerous forward player on the pitch in a Champions League q/final. That says it all about Dunphy's level of analysis.

Dunphy also reckons Man City and Spurs will dominate the Premiership in the coming years.

[seafoid]

This was in the Guardian the day of the first Man U-Milan match

Whatever happens in this tie it's hard to see Milan winning the competition, but then the same is true of United, for all their rousing recent form. La Liga is miles ahead. This feels a bit like two wizened old winos, trying to relive the glory days by embarking on an epic bender from midday on giro day to see who can still handle it. It doesn't matter who wins: they'll both be under a table, snoring heavily and dribbling out of at least two orifices, when the real action starts on 22 May

Even if Man U had got to the final they would have been destroyed by Barcelona.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

And according to Steve Rider and Andy Townsend on ITV's highlight show, had they beaten Bayern they were in the final as they only had to play Lyon in the semi-final

[Minder]

And according to Steve Rider and Andy Townsend on ITV's highlight show, had they beaten Bayern they were in the final as they only had to play Lyon in the semi-final

Heard that, their arrogance knows no bounds. The same Lyon that knocked Real Madrid out.

[Declan]

How are United not up to the level needed?  They were the better team last night until the sending off, and what level is needed?  Two finals in a row would suggest that United are at the required level

Judging them against the best Utd teams of the last 15 years and the current top European team(Barca) I think it's obvious that they aren't good enough.

As for too many average players, Fletcher is not an average player.  He is a top central midfielder who has been key to United success over the past few years; it's just a case that he goes about his business in a quiet fashion.

I wouldn't classify him as a top midfield player. Yes he's a valuable member of the team and has been integral to their success and has improved since he came on the scene but for me he's not top class - See Xavi/Iniesta/Fabregas/Alonso for what I'd define as a top class midfielder. I'd put him behind Lampard and Essien as well

As for Gibson, he is basically a rookie and its too early to determine what kind of career he is going to have, but so far the signs seem good with him.  Good physical player with a lethal strike of the ball, scoring quite a few times in his short professional career for United from midfield

I think his feet are too slow to be a classic midfielder. Takes too much time to make space and hasn't got the ability to control the tempo of a game. You're right about his shooting ability though. Think he'll make a decent career alright but just don't think he's in the class needed for a team like Utd.   

[magpie seanie]

Its truly touching to watch the joy people get when United lose an important game. 7-8 pages of unbridled joy and thats before the day shift even start. Its always nice to know we mean so much to people

United were a bit unlucky last night but were poor last week so wouldn't have that many complaints overall. I think Vidic and probably Berbatov will move on during the summer, I've always been a huge admirer of Berba but it hasn't really worked for him at United especially since Rooney moved right up top and he's too good a player not to be playing regular football. The sale of those 2 would recoup 35-40 mill and that would be the acid test of how financially strapped United are whether or not that money makes its way into transfer kitty.

It actually wouldn't surprise me if Ferguson stepped down too as the squad is aging and several players will need replacing in the short/medium term and I assuming hes not gonna be there to oversee the whole process maybe he'll feel it better to let the next man have a free run at it.

It'll be like armageddon on here if Maureen gets the job cause he'll get peoples back up more than Ferguson

Keep the green and gold flag flying high.................

Good post Boycey. I think United were a bit unlucky overall but if I'm honest it would have taken a fluke of almost Liverpool proportions to win it this year with the weaknesses in the team/squad. Very annoying though that they should really have gone through but for giving away a few disgraceful goals, a harsh sending off and a bolt from the blue by Robben (for those who asked - Rafael would have been on that post if he was not sent off, do the math as the yanks say). Sometimes they say you make your own luck and I think Ferguson erred with the approach in Munich. United played negatively in an energy conserving style which backfired badly (conceded stupid late goal and still lost to Chelsea).

So on to the PL and the embers of the challenge. Must win at Blackburn and we'll see after that. Don't think Rooney is bad at all but might miss that one. The gamble worked to a point last night because United would not have got to a position of 3-0 up without him on the pitch.

Suspect Fergie may leave at the end of the season. The only person who might succeed following him is Mourinho but I'd have mixed feelings about him. I also wonder if he'd go somewhere that he wouldn't have loads of cash to play with.

Think Dunphy et al made some very valid points last night but as usual went over the top.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Why didn't MU put another player on the post since they knew Rafael had been sent off??

[magpie seanie]

Why didn't MU put another player on the post since they knew Rafael had been sent off??

You cannot put 2 players on posts when you are playing 10 v. 11. Carrick should have been closer to Robben but I can understand why he was where he was.

[deiseach]

You cannot put 2 players on posts when you are playing 10 v. 11. Carrick should have been closer to Robben but I can understand why he was where he was.

Why not? If a striker was sent off, does that mean you'd have to take someone off the post to stand near the halfway line?

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Why didn't MU put another player on the post since they knew Rafael had been sent off??

You cannot put 2 players on posts when you are playing 10 v. 11. Carrick should have been closer to Robben but I can understand why he was where he was.

Robben was unmarked...Ribery was taking the corner, and Bayern had 5 players in the box...Utd had 9 outfield players.  One on each post leaves 7 players to mark 5 (or 6 if you count Robben.) If Carrick wasn't marking Robben he should he have been on the post??

[Rav67]

I fail to see how it was a "harsh" sending-off.  His 2 infringements were both worthy of bookings, particularly the second.

[ross4life]

And according to Steve Rider and Andy Townsend on ITV's highlight show, had they beaten Bayern they were in the final as they only had to play Lyon in the semi-final

Heard that, their arrogance knows no bounds. The same Lyon that knocked Real Madrid out.

Madrid have been knocked out in the early stages for the last number of years "even your boys hammered them"

what's your point?

& to think some here think united are not up to this level? when REAL are far worse

[muppet]

And according to Steve Rider and Andy Townsend on ITV's highlight show, had they beaten Bayern they were in the final as they only had to play Lyon in the semi-final

Heard that, their arrogance knows no bounds. The same Lyon that knocked Real Madrid out.

Madrid have been knocked out in the early stages for the last number of years "even your boys hammered them"

what's your point?

& to think some here think united are not up to this level? when REAL are far worse

At least you have Ros in the summer to look forward to.

[GalwayBayBoy]

I fail to see how it was a "harsh" sending-off.  His 2 infringements were both worthy of bookings, particularly the second.

Was definitely a booking alright. Ribery was breaking free straight towards United's defence and was hauled back by the arm. That's a booking all day long. Ref was going for the card even before the Bayern players started remonstrating. Just the inexperience of youth to blame.

[ross4life]

I fail to see how it was a "harsh" sending-off.  His 2 infringements were both worthy of bookings, particularly the second.

he was booked & the Ref was only giving him a warning for his 2nd bad tackle but the Bayern players surrounded the Ref & asked for the sending off

Van bommell & van buyten both made loads bad tackles so why didn't any of them get sent off?

Blatently targeting rooney's ankle & getting players sent off if that bayerns game well good luck to them