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What a cracking game. The season is really starting to come alive now and everything that happened in the last six months was just practice. Some of United’s movement tonight was wonderful and our boys in the stands of the San Siro did us proud too. Several times during the first half the Red Army out-sang their Italian counterparts and that is no mean feat in a stadium that size.
There are no words to describe how much respect I have for Darren Fletcher at the moment. Less than 24hrs after his house was burgled and his fiancée held at knifepoint, the man takes the field in a foreign land to defend the shirt. Nobody could have blamed him if he was on the first flight back to Manchester but he stayed and got on with it. O’Shea too deserves special mention, he has never let us down this guy and on at least two occasions he made vital clearing headers from a position that he is not entirely familiar with.
We have learnt that Fergie is getting wilier and wilier in his old age but we aren’t the only learners here. Inter’s players have seen ours up close now and they will certainly have a better idea of what to expect at Old Trafford. For all the talk of us being a much stronger team, any element of surprise we had is well and truly gone now.
On the plus side, Ronaldo has really started to stand up in the big games now [insert pun here] and our hashed together defence managed to keep their wolves at bay. But,
we did have an awful lot of free-kicks that we didn’t score from and that is going to cause me some sleepless nights over the next two weeks.
“Should” is a helluva big word in English. We really should have scored tonight. Time and again we have seen how important the away goal is in European football and we are palpably going home without one. Having played pretty well we now brandish some kind of moral victory which essentially means nothing.
The majority of United fans were a little worried before this game and we needn’t have been. Our biggest sin going into the second leg would be overconfidence. There is no suggestion that this will be a cakewalk from here on in but we are entitled to at least feel relieved we weren’t beaten. However, you should never underestimate Mourinho.
Comments
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Posted by Elusakin Peter on 02/25/2009
Hey guys, you are fantastic in Milan. I only wish we had mauled Inter by 3 goals to nothing. All da same, we still have the chance to bury Jose and his boys at Old Trafford.
One United!!!!!
United 4ever!!!!!
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Posted by Emeka Nebo on 02/25/2009
It was expected to be a manchester united day, but game of football is not mathematics where 1 + 1 will always yield 2 in base 10. Man U. from every ramification played better than inter Milan but it wasn't a guarantee that Man U. must win Inter Milan in Old Trafford since several sides that played better in away matches happened to lose their matches when taken to their home ground. Although man u has proved that it is better side than inter yet, it should not get to the heads of Man U players since second leg can turn to be a different ball game. It has happened like this in several occasions and i don't think that it might not happen between man u and inter Milan. In other words, Man u should never under rate the possibility of inter Milan playing better than they did in San Siro come next game in Old Trafford. All things been equal, the game is still open for both sides. Man U should work had but Inter Milan should work harder if they want to carry the day.
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Posted by Emeka Nebo on 02/25/2009
It was expected to be a manchester united day, but game of football is not mathematics where 1 + 1 will always yield 2 in base 10. Man U. from every ramification played better than inter Milan but it wasn't a guarantee that Man U. must win Inter Milan in Old Trafford since several sides that played better in away matches happened to lose their matches when taken to their home ground. Although man u has proved that it is better side than inter yet, it should not get to the heads of Man U players since second leg can turn to be a different ball game. It has happened like this in several occasions and i don't think that it might not happen between man u and inter Milan. In other words, Man u should never under rate the possibility of inter Milan playing better than they did in San Siro come next game in Old Trafford. All things been equal, the game is still open for both sides. Man U should work had but Inter Milan should work harder if they want to carry the day.
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Posted by yk_kt on 02/25/2009
I have so much respect for Darren Fletcher for being such a professional and effective footballer.
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Posted by Joseph on 02/25/2009
Evra was the Man of the Match in this game. Solid as a rock keeping the best right back in the world and Zanetti quiet whilst also providing an outlet going forward.
Utd may come to rue not scoring - but they find themselves in a similar position as last year's 0-0 leg against Barca. Inter are a better team than that team but Utd are also a better team now in my opinion than last year's bunch. To me the performance yesterday was even more impressive than the 2-0 win in Rome - Utd were simply more ruthless and scored 2 scrappy goals - whereas yesterday they created more
chances, couldn't put them away - but were more incisive on the attacking end (yet still solid defensively). I don't think Inter have been outplayed as badly as they were in the first half by anyone this season.
It's a chance for Utd in the second leg to go out and prove all the hype (hopefully with their strongest 11)and beat Inter at home. But as you say Mourinho is the X-Factor - and u never know in a one off game.
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Posted by jay$hine on 02/26/2009
Man utd is simply the best soccer club in the world period.
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Posted by viperdelta on 02/26/2009
I agree that any supposed edge that Manchester United have in 2nd leg at home is imaginary. Back in 2000, United took home a 0-0 draw from the Bernabeu and were beaten 3-2 in Old Trafford. The United of today doesn't feature too many differences in style - quick movement and plenty going forward. That may work to Inter's advantage in the second leg, given the fact that United have to score to win, and its a home tie. Mourinho knows this too - he expressed his disappointment to the Inter fans for having not scored at home, but knows he achieved his aim of stopping United from scoring - and he would take advancing to the UCL q-finals away at Old Trafford anyday over not scoring at on home soil. However United too are lot stronger in defence than in 2000, with Vidic set to return for the 2nd leg, and Rooney should be back to full fitness by then as well. United failed to stop Ronaldo back then, but if Vidic and Ferdinand can stop Adriano and Ibrahimovic, it should be United to go through.
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Posted by viperdelta on 02/26/2009
I also agree that O'Shea had a cracker of a game, he had stopped Ibrahimovic on more than one occasion when the Swede drifted out to the Inter left-flank. Ibrahimovic's movement is good, and links up well with Adriano, and Inter showed glimpses of what they are capable of in the 2nd half - and you can bet on that happening at Old Trafford, where United's defence will be put to an even sterner test. United know that they have to score to win - and going forward will no doubt leave more opportunity for Inter to exploit the the back. For me however, Evans and O'Shea deserve to share the Man-of-Match honours - United's patched up defence worked well and stopped a fearsome Inter strikeforce, not forgetting that both were carrying injuries coming into the match. Carrick also held possesion weld, and Giggs led by example too. A cracking game is in store at Old Trafford in the 2nd leg, and United should edge it 1-0, just like they did over Barcelona last season. Go United!
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Posted by Patrick on 02/26/2009
That was the most positive European away match I've seen United play as long as I can remember. To say United dominated the play would be an understatement. I was really expecting more from Inter. They looked disjointed in attack and their defending was as woeful as United's finishing. Inter had a good spell right after the break that was very threatening. On the whole, though, Inter will need to step their game up in the second leg to avoid getting knocked out.
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Posted by Vincent Chua on 02/26/2009
Not getting an away goal is a disadvantage to Man United. If inter milan score a goal at old trafford, i think it will be a difficult as Man. United have to score two goals to go through. That itself will leave Man United an uphill task due to the defensive style of play from Inter Milan. Therefore, Man.United should get at least 2 goals to avoid a disastrous outcome. Tevez and Rooney should start the game just as they did last season.
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Posted by Benard Kinisu on 02/26/2009
Man u played well but failed to score. Thats the most worrying part especially now that inter have learned our game plan. My suggestion would be for ferguson to make some few changes so as to get them unawares. Otherwise lets not rule out inter coz Mourinho will try to intimidate Man U before 2nd leg.
Keep up Man U! we are really proud of you as fans
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Posted by Damilola on 02/26/2009
Manchester United were magnificient! How I wish we had at least an away goal advantage. I know that the old fox (Sir Alex) can cook upsomething... I was expecting Paul Scholes to be the one marshalling the midfield with his excellent passes.....but this never happened. Anyway I know my boys will deliver in the next leg at Old Trafford ..... I hope Mourinho's "casket" is ready....
Up United!
Manchester United 4 Life!!!!!!
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Posted by Sullay Mannah on 02/26/2009
I agree with viperdelta,and share his fears about taking a 0-0 draw into the home leg.Yes,memories of Madrid(and before that Monaco)give reasons to be cautious,but hopefully,Fergie wiil have learnt from those experiences to outwit the so-called Special One.
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Posted by ilio on 02/26/2009
I thought our boys have not finnished a lot of teams this season as they should have with Inter, Chelsea and Liverpool were big scalps at the beggining of the season. They could have made it more easier on themselves on the home return, now they have to do as they did with Barcolona last season and be very cautiuos
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Posted by Ananth on 02/26/2009
As a United fan, my biggest fear is that Inter shouldn't proceed to the next round eliminating us with precious away goals....
I would have been happier even if the first game was a 2-2 tie, giving 2 precious away goals....
hmm...we have to win and we will....
Hail to the Red Devils.....
Cheers
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Posted by SteveAruk on 02/27/2009
WELL. Not much from me, but statistically Man Utd has qualified to the next round. How will Inter Milan start scoring goals @ Old Trafford when they were not able to score @ San siro were they were advantaged. @ Old Trafford everything will go Man U's way, the ref, fans FA everybody. Its United for Victory. Barca will tell you more. Vidic B/stop. No goal Area.
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Posted by Melvyn Fernandez on 02/27/2009
Man U vs Inter was a great game inspite Fergie not playing Tavez,Scholes and Rooney who are the 3 keys players in the team. If they had scored a goal, they would have had an advantage at home,and advancing into the next round.Cheers
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Posted by Melvyn Fernandez on 02/27/2009
Man U vs Inter was a great game inspite Fergie not playing Tavez,Scholes and Rooney who are the 3 keys players in the team. If they had scored a goal, they would have had an advantage at home,and advancing into the next round.Cheers
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Posted by Tareq on 02/27/2009
We (United) should finish Inter at Old Trafford, and buries the ghost of Jose once and for all.
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Posted by Ram on 02/27/2009
I have to say good job on the game it totally put the opposing team fans in shock espically after they kept on saying about ac milan game that was some time ago. I just really wished we scored a goal giving us some aggreagate. even cristano ronaldo didnt make any shots all his free kicks were just magnificent and pure beuty. Lets go reds!
now its part 2 and this game is what matters now two best of the best teams again. Game Time!
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Posted by JO on 02/27/2009
Man United really should have crushed Inter!
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Posted by winbo on 02/27/2009
hello my friends
dont worry about anything. im sure we will beat special one at old trafford.lust wait and see how to bury them.
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Posted by Ian on 02/28/2009
I thought Sir Alex had a great strategy playing five midfielders and really suffocating Ibrahimovic and Adriano. It seemed anytime Inter threatened in the United box there were twice as many red shirts around. I would of liked to seen Tevez come on or maybe have featured as the lone striker with his hustle and physical style of play especially against a tough Inter squad. There were perhaps a few missed opportunities but nothing to be too disappointed about given the fact they started the match with Rooney and Tevez on the bench. All in all, it looks like United will have the upper hand in the return leg at Old Trafford. The return of Anderson and Neville is a boost and also having the option of Scholes and Nani to provide a different sort of attack is a plus. And certainly Vidic back in the line up will make Inter's game plan much more difficult. However if United are to go through, I think it's gonna take a two forward attack. Now which two remains to be seen.....
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Posted by bryan maina on 02/28/2009
dont know what the fuss is all about, we have the best players in the world, best coaching team in the world and the loudest fans possiblie and hene inter forgets they will be playing in the theater of dreams so u can guess who will be having nightmares ha ha ?
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Posted by majek united til death on 03/03/2009
well it will be a tight game,but meeting the red-devils at home and at this stage wil be a nightmare for any body.and note at the back of our minds that we have a scores to settle with morinho,GOD help him cause its going to be hell for him.go united go.my united my bond.forever wil i be a red devil,united til death.
Posted by Ifeanyi Oscars on 03/10/2009
Well come 2morow we will despatch inter milan out of the champions league>
It's UNITED's year & nothing can stop us now.
We did the treble in 1999 & now we are heading to the quintuple, but if you add the charity sheild we won in August what will it be? Or is the charity shield no longer a trophy?
United stand strong and maintain your champion.
From......
Ifeanyi Oscars
Lagos
Nigeria
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About
Mark Payne is a freelance journalist and general football obsessive. He has written for a host of travel, business and lifestyle publications and has also contributed to some second-rate TV shows.
His constant United ramblings can be found at www.thedevilinme.co.uk and he can be contacted for football discussion at any time via markpayne.editor@hotmail.com.
He thinks Clayton Blackmore was underrated.
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