The Spirits of Busby Babes Make United Euro Champs

The spirits of Busby Babes who were lost in the tragic Munich crash 50 years ago, certainly helped as Chelsea's John Terry missed from the penalty spot when he could have won his team the Cup. But it was left to Van der Saar to atone for Ronaldo's missed penalty as he saved Anelka's kick, bringing home the European Cup after 9 long years.

ManUtd 1 - Chelsea 1
Ronaldo '26 Lampard '45

The greatest night for Man Utd fans all over the world...Rejoice !

One Cup to Rule'em All!

Scholes Strike Sets up Moscow Date with Chelsea

Ginger Ninja takes ManUtd to the final

ManUtd overcame Barcelona 1-0 at Old Trafford to set up an intriguing all-English final against Chelsea at Moscow on 21st May. After a 0-0 first leg draw at the Nou Camp, where Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 2nd minute, ManUtd were resolute in their defending, and totally deserved their victory over the Catalans. Messi put up a one-man show for Barca but that wasn't enough. While Rio and Brown were terrific in defence, Tevez and Park were full of energy and covered as much ground as a marathon runner would.

ManUtd now have the chance to gain revenge over Chelsea, who beat them at Stamford Bridge last weekend after a controversial penalty. ManUtd and Chelsea have 81 points each with 2 games to go, but with ManUtd's superior goal difference, they just have to win the next 2 games (home to West Ham and away to Wigan) to retain the league title.

A Dream Match

Clash of the Titans

A long cherished dream has finally come true. Yes! ManUtd will play Barca in the semi-finals of the Champions League. As a fan of both clubs, I have been waiting for the day when I can get to watch the great players of these 2 great clubs play against each other. Now, the moment has finally arrived. ManUtd despatched Roma in the quarters after a 1-0 home win resulted in a 3-0 aggregate victory. Ronaldo and Rooney, the scorers in the away leg were relegated to the bench in the home leg to keep them fresh for this weekend home clash against Arsenal.

Barca, meanwhile struggled and were unconvincing in their 1-0 victories in the home and away legs over Schalke. Rijkaard is under tremendous pressure to quit after a particularly disappointing season, where they are placed 2nd in La Liga, about 7 points behind Real Madrid. Ronaldinho and Deco look to have played their last game for the Catalan club, and Henry seems to struggle on the left wing, and the supporters are voicing their displeasure at the way the team has labored to just 1 win in their last 7 La Liga games.

But the clash between the Red Devils and the mighty Catalans looks set to be an entertaining affair, with both teams intent on playing attacking football. Ronaldo and Messi will be the driving forces for their respective teams and it should be a great spectacle, watching them battle to get their team to the final in Moscow.

In the other semifinal, Chelsea meet Liverpool again for the 3rd time in 4 years. But this time, the 2nd leg will be played at Stamford Bridge and that should work out in Chelsea's favor. Grant will want to prove his worth to his doubters by achieving what Mourinho failed to do in his time at Chelsea - get Chelsea to the Champions League final.

Red Devils Go to Rome...Again!

ManUtd regained its place at the top of the EPL table after they won at struggling Derby 1-0, and Arsenal drew at home to Boro. This weekend should be yet another interesting one with ManUtd facing Liverpool at OT, while Arsenal meet Chelsea at the Bridge.

ManUtd struggled to score against Derby, wasting a host of chances, just like they did against Portsmouth when they crashed out of the FA Cup thanks to some dubious decisions by the referee Martin Atkinson. Ronaldo has reached 31 goals for the season, but we just can't depend on him all the time. Need a striker this summer! Last heard, ManUtd were linked to Valencia's David Villa.

The Champions League has thrown some really interesting matches. This is the draw for the Quarters.

Arsenal - Liverpool
Fenerbahce - Chelsea
AS Roma - ManUtd
FC Schalke - Barcelona

Chelsea remain lucky with their draws, and we can expect an all-English final if ManUtd can overcome Roma and Schalke/Barca.

Champions League - Knockout Stages Draw

CL Draw

ManUtd has got a rather tough draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The English Champions will travel to Lyon to meet the French Champions. The pick of the clashes however has to be Arsenal's meeting with reigning Champions AC Milan. Liverpool too have an Italian job at hand, and will play Inter Milan. It's too early to predict since the chances of the teams progressing depends on how their form is, come February. We all know what happened to initial favorites Barca who were on the decline after the new year and ended up exiting the CL in the 2nd round itself.

Anyway, this has got to be one of the most interesting and exciting 2nd round group of clashes in the past few years.

The Best to the Greatest

Two for Tevez against Derby

A few weeks back, Sir Alex said that the current ManUtd squad may be the best in his time at Old Trafford and seeing the displays of this team, not many people will doubt his statement. However, it will take trophies to prove his squad is not just the best but the greatest as well. Any ManUtd squad has to measure up to the achievements of the 1999 treble winners.

It was a great effort to qualify top of their Champions League group with one more game yet to be played against Roma away. This gives the opportunity for Sir Alex to rest some of his players ahead of the crucial away match at Anfield next week. Liverpool's loss against Reading this week means that Arsenal are the only unbeaten team in EPL now (update: the Gunners lost at Boro!)

ManUtd are a point behind Arsenal and would have overtaken them if it had not been for the loss at Bolton. However, ManUtd has not been lucky with injuries this season, with Rooney just returning back from ankle sprain and Hargreaves pulling out of the team just before the home match against Derby. Gary Neville has suffered a setback in his injury comeback and other players who remain on the sidelines include Park, Silvestre, Scholes, and Foster.

The newcomers this season - Anderson, Hargreaves, Tevez, and Nani have been very impressive and played some crucial parts in ManUtd's fine form this season. For me, Tevez and Anderson have been the most important players. Tevez has started to combine well with Rooney and Anderson looks like he might dislodge Scholes from the starting lineup earlier then expected.

December is crucial for ManUtd's title aspirations and the players need to put in their best performance in each of the remaining matches this month. And if things do not go as planned sometimes, you can always rely on Ronaldo to save the day.

Ron scores against Fulham

Sir Alex - 21 Glorious Years at Manchester United

November 6th 1986 is a Red-letter day in the history of Manchester United. That was the day when a fiery Scot named Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen to take charge of one of the most popular clubs in England. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Sir Alex’s spell as ManU manager has seen him secure nine Premier League titles, a Champions League title, five FA Cups, a League Cup, and a knighthood. Even at 65, he does not show any sign of slowing down and his enthusiasm for the game is still intact.

It is rumored that Fergie narrowly avoided the sack in 1990 after winning away at a 4th round Cup tie at Nottingham Forest. ManU went on to win the FA Cup that season, kick-starting the golden years. A Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1991 after beating Barcelona in 1991 was followed by the disappointment of losing the league title narrowly to Leeds in 1992. The inspired signing of Eric Cantona in the same year propelled ManU to the inaugural Premier League title in 1993 and a League and Cup double in 1994.

In 1996, ManU overcame Newcastle, thanks to Fergie’s mindgames over Kevin Keegan and achieved a second League and Cup double. ManU clinched the treble in 1999 in a sensational manner, winning a dramatic Champions League final, beating Bayern Munich 2-1, the League title, and the FA Cup. In 2001, Fergie accomplished a hat-trick of Premier League titles, becoming the only manager to achieve this feat with the same team.

One more league title followed in 2003 and when calls for Fergie’s head increased after a few trophy-less years, he masterminded yet another league triumph in 2006/2007. Fergie always stated ‘his greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch’. I guess he has also knocked Chelsea off their fucking perch when it looked like Chelsea would dominate for a long time thanks to Roman’s riches.

No fan who has watched ManU play in the past couple of seasons would have any reason not to believe in Fergie’s belief that ManU can continue to remain a force in European football for years to come. Fergie is certainly one of the greatest ever managers to have been involved with the game. One more Champions League title for this living legend, and he will gladly fade into the sunset.

Messiah

ManU was back among the goals at the weekend at home against Wigan. After a difficult first half when O'Shea and Vidic were lost to injuries, ManU came out guns blazing in the second. The attacking trio of Tevez, Ronaldo and Rooney all scored and finally ManU fans could see the some real action after a difficult start to the season. Also, ManU was lucky to escape with all 3 points in the midweek CL match at home against Roma as a result of the latter's profligacy in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Barca has been rather impressive lately, with Messi being proclaimed as the their 'Messiah'. Henry managed a hat-trick last weekend at Levante but Messi has been the more dominant performer for Barca. However, Barca, like ManU, has been struggling with injuries. Their injury list seems to be growing by the day as Puyol, Marquez, Zambrotta, Toure, Edmilson all join Eto'o on the sidelines. Barca take on a revitalized Athletico today at the Camp Nou and this should be an exciting clash. Finally, Barca doesn't need to depend completely on Ronaldinho.

Another European Night

The goals that were flowing last season appears to trickle down this season. In spite of the lack of goals, ManU has managed to hold their own and come up with spirited wins home and away, including the crucial home win against Jose-less Chelsea. ManU youngsters lost a great opportunity to get some playing time in the first team after their Carling Cup exit at the hands of Coventry. To put things into perspective, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all won.

And tonight, Roma visit Old Trafford, revenge on their minds, after their humiliating 7-1 loss to the Red Devils in April. This should be a pretty exciting game. Although I like Roma Captain Totti very much for his loyalty to his club, he has been shooting his mouth way too often. He should have learnt his lesson after the 7-1 drubbing last season but looks like he hasn't. Another good win for ManU should put him in his place.

Owen Hargreaves is still recovering from his injury, although there is a possibility he might start. Carrick has been woefully out of form this season and I hope he improves soon, for he was one of the most underrated performers for ManU last season. Pique might get his chance in defence since Vida and Brown are struggling with injuries. I hope Pique plays and puts in a terrific performance.

My first choice XI for today...

Kuszczak
O'Shea Rio Pique Evra
Ronaldo Owen Scholes Giggs
Tevez Rooney

Milan in Seventh Heaven

Milan won their 7th European Cup, and how sweet it was for the Rossenieri! They had their revenge over Liverpool at the Greek Olympic Stadium, and were finally able to bury their shocking memory of the loss against the same opponents two years back at Istanbul. If one person deserves the trophy more than anyone else, it has to be Captain 'Marvelous' Maldini, who did a terrific job yet again, defying his age. Congrats Milan! A Greek tragedy for the Kop!

Marvelous Maldini

InSane Siro

In one of the best displays in recent years of the Champions League, AC Milan destroyed a tired and jaded ManU. AC Milan put up a great show of possession football and made it look so easy against the top English team. Meanwhile Chelsea faltered at Anfield in a match that was devoid of much excitement, except for the penalties. Just proves teams with rested players play a lot better, and fatigue catches up for some teams after a certain point of time, as it happened for ManU and Chelsea.
Best Players in the Semis -> Kaka, Rooney, Gattuso, Gerrard
Worst Players in the Semis -> Lampard, Heinze, Ronaldo

I think Kaka has pipped Ronaldo for the European and probably even World Player of the Year awards. Kaka has been awesome this season, especially in Europe but then his team's performance in Serie A does not invoke much praise.

La Liga is very close this season. Just one point separates the top 3 - Barca, Real and Sevilla. With in-form Real playing Sevilla this season, things should hot up this weekend.

ManU's Comeback and Sourinho

If there was a weekend that determined the Premiership, it has to be this weekend. At one point, Chelsea were equal on points with ManU after going 2-1 up against Bolton and ManU deep in trouble 0-2 at Everton. However, ManU's resilience and fighting spirit came to the fore for the second time this week and with a little help from Everton's appalling mistakes, and Bolton's equalizer from Davies means ManU are 5 points ahead, with 3 more games to go.

Teams have always found it difficult in EPL games that follow an European game and especially after intense encounters against AC Milan and Liverpool respectively, ManU and Chelsea were always going to struggle. However, ManU has regained the momentum this weekend and it will hope the Gunners will do them a favor by beating Chelsea next week.

This week, Wenger has surprisingly hailed his old and eternal foe Fergie as the best EPL manager this season along with Reading's Steve Coppell. I am sure he has no regard for ManU winning the title this season but he would want to put one over Jose and prove money isn't everything.

Meanwhile, it looks like the relegation battle will go down the wire. Fulham, Wigan are getting sucked into the zone while West Ham are in the zone only by goal difference. Charlton looks doomed. Now that Watford is relegated, I am eager to see Ben Foster replace EVS in goal at ManU. Frankly, the latter doesn't inspire much confidence these days but then, he has a patched up defence in front of him.

Meanwhile, Birmingham and Sunderland top the Championship with just one more game to go, and they just have to win their games to make it to the EPL next week. Derby has to hope one of them lose next week and win their final 2 games, otherwise it goes to the playoffs. And yes, Leeds go down to division one!

Finally, we have to admit Mourinho has a problem. He just can't keep his mouth shut. First, he complains teams don't get penalties against ManU and then he fumes Chelsea did not get a penalty for a handball that clearly happens outside the box. Furthermore, he calls Liverpool a small club, with utter disregard for their history. He has exceeded the limit this time around and it's very surprising that the FA doesn't do anything about this.

In a Spot of Bother

The mounting number of injuries to key ManU players has been a growing concern lately, and with Rio ruled out for 2 weeks, I am concerned about ManU's chances in the Champions League and this weekend's away match at Everton. Not enough bench strength and player fatigue are 2 main things ManU should overcome if they have to win the EPL and reach the CL final. Meanwhile no surprises in the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year PFA awards, both goes to Ronaldo.

It has been reported in the media that Jose can keep his job as Chelsea manager if he keeps his mouth shut and plays attractive and entertaining football, both of which seems highly unlikely. The draw at Newcastle was a major blow and they go into the semifinals against a highly spirited Liverpool, a team that has only one trophy to play for. I see Rafa, a mastermind at Europe, putting one over Jose.

Meanwhile, La Liga title race could never be closer. With Barca losing and Real beating Valencia, the title is still open. Btw, the goal Messi scored for Barca against Getafe in the King's Cup semifinals is one of the best in recent times and there are already comparisons with Maradona's wonder goal.

In Seventh Heaven

What a response by ManU after two consecutive losses! A 7-1 thrashing of Roma in one of the most attacking displays ever in the knockout stages of the Champions League takes ManU to the semifinal meeting with AC Milan and gives them a chance to gain revenge after losing to them 2 years back in the 2nd round stage. Carrick played one of his best ever games in a ManU jersey and I will be surprised if Ronaldo does not win the player of the year honors this year.

A perfect year for English football with 3 teams in the semifinals. Chelsea have a chance to gain revenge over Liverpool and the chance of an all-England Final is pretty good. I have a feeling Chelsea will have their revenge mainly due to their resilience but then Rafa is a master at European games. Now then, who will have the last laugh?

Dream Theatre

ManU regained their 6-point lead after a comeback 4-1 win against Blackburn, while Chelsea scraped to a 1-0 win away at Watford. The Gunners were thrashed 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield, while relegation candidates Charlton and West Ham managed crucial wins. The relegation battle is getting really interesting and there is a danger that Villa, Fulham might get sucked into it.

The next round of the Champions League starts today after a long break. Milan could only manage a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich at the San Siro while Liverpool scored three away at PSV. ManU plays Roma tomorrow while Chelsea take on Morientes-Valencia.

A few things I couldn't help notice...

Mascherano doing well at Liverpool proving yet again that he's a great midfielder - shows it's just that Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley were incapable of handling such a top performer! But then, these are English managers, aren't they?

Real Madrid and Barca clashing yet again, this time off the field, for ManU's Cristiano Ronaldo. But apparently, Real is not willing to pay 50 million pounds, when they could splurge close to 50 million on a comparitively older Zidane in 2001.

Roma making too many noises about Ronaldo and diving! Italians talking about diving - now there's something you seldom come across!

Flamini is not happy being on the bench and wants to leave Arsenal and play in the first-team. Something to think about for Silvestre and Darren Fletcher!

Roy Keane-managed Sunderland's unbeaten run in the Championship this year sees them close to the automatic promotion place. 6 more good games and perhaps, we can see Sir Alex and his former protege clashing on the sidelines next year. Roy Keane at Old Trafford in the away bench...that's something no ManU fan would have dreamt of.

What's the Real Deal?

Real Madrid's fall from grace has become even more spectacular as they got beaten by relegation-threatened club Levante for the first time ever in their history, and to add insult to injury, it was their 1000th match at the Santiago Bernabeau Stadium. Real fans began to wave their white hankies towards the end of the game, demanding manager Capello and President Calderon's resignation.

Bringing Capello to Madrid was always a risky business for the Madridstas wouldn't accept anything less than an entertaining and attacking game of football, while Capello always symbolised the Italian Catennaccio style where the focus is much more on defending. While bringing in Jose Mourinho would be a prudent move, his win-at-any-cost attitude towards the game will only endear the fans for a short while, probably until they win their first trophy in a long time.

I think it would be wise for Real to appoint someone who is not afraid to play attacking football. For a glamorous club such as Real Madrid, it is not what they win that counts but how they win that matters more. I feel the club should go for either former Real-man Bernd Schuster who is doing wonders at Getafe or Didier Deschamps who took Monaco to the Champions League final a few years back. And, the new manager should be given a free-reign for at least a year or two!

Champions League Draw!

The pick of the draw is the clash of recent winners - Liverpool and Barcelona. And, there's Bayern against Real Madrid. The draw has been kind to Chelsea, Arsenal and ManU.

Courtesy: UEFA.com

Can we expect some shock results in this round?

The Race is on...

After a nerve-wracking final round of CL matches, I was relieved to see ManU and Barca make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League. With Eto'o and Messi expected in the next month, I hope Barca does much better. As for ManU, Fergie has to realize he cannot expect to win the Premier League and the Champions League titles with this squad lacking quality in depth. I guess Fergie will settle for one of these two this season and no more signings expected this winter transfer window, I am sure it's the EPL title he has set his sights on.

We will know the 2nd round match-ups this Friday and I only hope ManU do not draw Barca this early. It's going to be tough for even the first placed teams with some strong clubs finishing second in their groups. I am sure the English clubs will be anxious about drawing either Barca, Real, or Inter.

ManU are setting the pace in EPL, along with some great football. Fergie certainly knows his first XI but with the festive period and lots of games coming up, he has to shuffle his players so that they are not exhausted in the latter stages.

Btw, what's with all the clubs being or in talks about being taken over. Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle are among the clubs who are certain to join ManU, Chesea, WHam, Villa in being taken over. No club can expect another Abromovich but I wonder if this does any good to the club and the game as such in the long term.

Also, Chelsea's chairman Peter Kenyon talks about Chelsea overtaking ManU as the best supported club in the world by 2014. Peter...That's just wishful thinking if you believe buying all titles with Roman's mafia money is gonna get people become more attached to the club. Your club can buy top players and titles but you can never buy history and tradition that are associated with Europe's elite clubs such as ManU, Real, Barca, Liverpool, and so on. Moreover, there's something called beautiful football. Try and play that and try to fill out your Stamford Bridge stadium first before you can even dream about world domination!

PS: Essien's stunning equaliser earned a point for Chelsea against Arsenal. Chelsea 'started playing' only in the last quarter of an hour after the poor Shevchenko (must be counting his days at London now!) was substituted and the wingers came on. Luck was however on Arsenal's side as Chelsea hit the post a number of times and Lehmann's blunder right at the end of the game almost giving Chelsea the win. For once, I was cheering for Arsenal and was really impressed by Gilberto. He was the best player on the pitch and it is time Wenger realize Henry is no captain material and give the captain's armband to Gilberto.

European Nights - The Misery and the Ecstacy

Not a great week of European action for me. ManU lost at Copenhagen thanks to triple injury blow. During last weekend against Bolton, they started with their best XI players after a long long time and we saw how they demolished the Trotters. A few injuries now and ManU are in a limp! That's where Chelsea scores over ManU with their strength in squad depth. However, it wasn't a pretty sight at the Nou Camp with cards being dished out to every other player. Well, seeing Mourinho's celebrations, one would think his team won at the Nou Camp. Relax Jose, it was only a draw and there's still a long way to go. Btw, Real won thanks to a freakish own goal and qualified.

The only consolation for me was AC Milan's performance and the fact that they have almost qualified. If only they can reproduce their European form in Serie A too! They are nearly 14 points behind leaders Inter!

Arsenal...my god! how many chances must they have missed?? They kept hounding CSKA's goal, missed so many sitters that no wonder the crowds became distraught. Their group has become so evenly poised now!

The next round of matches should be really exciting now. Teams that have qualified include Bayern Munich, Valencia, Liverpool, PSV Eidhoven, Lyon, Real Madrid.

Questions to ponder...
Can Chelsea be beaten in Europe this season?
Who should ManU sign during this winter transfer window if they have to succeed both in EPL and in Europe?