ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester United

Posted by Mark Payne on 02/23/2009

Having come through an incredibly challenging run with flying colours, we now face an even more daunting series of fixtures that will shape how our season will finish.

United’s defence, as is widely reported, has reached record-breaking levels of accomplishment in the period between November and February. But, if we are to keep in the running for major prizes then matchwinners need to start appearing further up the pitch.

In the next month United will play twice a week, every week, including a cup final, two games against Inter, the next round of the FA Cup and culminating in the showdown at Old Trafford with Liverpool. When you put it like that, the bookmakers who have paid out on the domestic treble already start to look a touch on the zealous side. This is a major task.

To put it mildly, having six defenders injured this week is about as timely as a fart in a yoga class. Mourinho will know all about our problems at the back and he will do his damnedest to target this weakness. Traditionally his teams will pick on an opponents frailty and try to tear it into an open wound. In the San Siro on Tuesday they will push as far up the pitch as they can and lob ball after ball over the top to try and hit some part of Adriano or Ibrahimovic's bodies. Frankly it could get ugly.

Fergie knows this and has already mentioned being 'very, very short in defence'. Mourinho's record over us is not one United fans tend to shout about and we may not improve it much this week. However, we all know what the best form of defence is don't we? That's right, attack.

We have managed to bulldoze ourselves through a treacle of fixtures so far but to keep it going, and we can keep it going, we have to do what we do best. Play the Manchester United way. If Inter spend the game trying to score against us then we will reply in kind. I expect Fletcher to start without question, whether or not he is in defence or midfield is irrelevant, we need his blood and guts. Fletcher and O'Shea never let us down and I will be happy if either start. The big performances are going to have to be all over the park though, especially from the guys up front.

Rooney and Ronaldo both scored at the weekend and that is very encouraging. Sure, this won't be easy but this team should have plenty in it to survive a slugging contest with anybody. This is a time for heroes to rise, I am confident that we have them.

Comments

Posted by tony o'neill on 02/23/2009

I hope your right, one nill would be a great result with a return leg at OT . Can't wait
Go Man U

Posted by Omar Swaleh on 02/23/2009

i know the strength man utd has both in the defence line and the striking force as well, what should be taken care of is the midfield!if it's organised then inter will be crashed for sure!carrick's services would be vital_his passes and vision you know!Giggs' experience,passing,dribbling and ability to score will also be important if united want to emerge the victors!But something inside me is telling that united will WIN!It's high time Mourinho's pride is burried!!!!!!!!!

Posted by FALAYI OLUWASEYI on 02/23/2009

As a real manchester united fan i believe inter milan is down cos united winning inter milan both home and away.

Posted by Richard on 02/23/2009

I feel Sir Alex is gonna triumph over mour depsite having vidic suspended and the would-be replacements being injured or unfit.
The boys in Rooney, Tevez & Berbatov are gonna produce good results for Alex F.
God bless ManUnited!!!!

Posted by Pete on 02/23/2009

Man Utd > Everyone Else
:D
Inter has no chance!

Posted by mobatweety on 02/23/2009

This is indeed a clash of the titans. As a ManU fan, i only hope that the day is ours. "FORM" might be a deceptive tool to weigh this encounter and therefore i wanna say God bless ManUnited. GO UNITED, GO FERGGY

Posted by GANI AKINDE on 02/23/2009

Mourinho should forget about the champions league. MAN U will win INTER and move to the next stage of the competition.
UP MAN U.

Posted by Emeka on 02/23/2009

Tomrrow is the day Mourinho has been waitn 4 for. He want to bring home the Cup for inter, but with him facing Sir Alex that promoise will not be fulfilled. Ride on the lads of A.F

Posted by Ifeanyi Gbemudu on 02/23/2009

yes our "central & right"defense may some issues but form the midfield to attack is far greater than anything Inter can offer (scholes, giggs, park, ronaldo, rooney, tevez, carrick, nani, fletcher).

and to make matters worse for them Van der "save" is a far greater & more experienced keeper than Toldo (which is also a great keeper I must add) and has a record of 14 clean sheets to protect.

Man U knows no home or away bounds.

Posted by Kai on 02/23/2009

If there is a year where we look like defeating Inter or Mouriho, this would be the year. The shortage should aid to prove our supremacy. Go United. :)

Posted by willy on 02/23/2009

Man unted 2 Inter Milan 1.
God bless,

Posted by Matt Langione on 02/23/2009

Inter Milan tends to struggle in the Champions League, so I think that Manchester may pass. However, lining the two squads up on paper, I'm not sure how anyone would favor the English side. Inter are world-class at every position.

Posted by Mkakeni Shaba on 02/23/2009

I thing Manchester can do better,it means this game we are going to win MAN UTD Goooooooo!

Posted by SAKA TALI on 02/23/2009

I know that MAN U are winning the legs. This is our time. MAN U always win in style. UP MAN U

Posted by Thomas on 02/23/2009

As a Man-United die hard fan, i beleived that United is going to have a VITAL Win over boastfull J. Mourinho's Inter.
Triumph Man-U Triumph; For victory is show.
Long Live Man_United and foe victory is ours!!!!!

Posted by arjun bhansali on 02/23/2009

i actually think da games gonna be very difficult....rio on his own is dere for da takin against world class forwards....dey are surely gonna score...v jus hav to hope ronny or berba hav a day to remember.........
.....a realistic man united fan

Posted by David on 02/23/2009

Simple question please:

I can't find where the gametime is indicated anywhere. Can someone tell me what time (local time in Milan) the game starts?

Thanks all!

Posted by wintermute on 02/23/2009

I'm expecting to see Fletcher as well. Hargreaves would've been nice right about now. I think this will be our toughest game in quite a long time.

Posted by Christopher on 02/23/2009

all us mancunians should be confident we have been in great form and wayne is back, vidic will be back for the 2nd leg. fergie will definitely get evans ready for the game. it is going to be war and im definitely going to be screaming my lungs out in the pub !

Posted by Adam on 02/23/2009

I am quite ashamed to say this as a man utd fan but... as mentioned, our record against Mourinho is nothing to be shouted about. I am not worried about Inter at all but seriously, i think Mourinho just hold an edge over us. I have confidence over man utd to crush any opponents but we get that one draw I am dreadful of. If Mourinho can beat us with a team like Porto, we definitely stand s a better chance now that he is with the Italian champions.

Honestly I think it will be REALLY difficult for us to make it, but definitely not impossible. I hope sir Alex will turn on his magic one more time here. I will settle for a draw at san siro and a one-nil at old trafford.

Posted by Mokikzn Leke on 02/23/2009

United has all it takes to triumph. If Arsenal could beat AC Milan at San Siro, why not Man Utd. Inspite the present predicament in the defence line, Mourinho and his boys will be shocked with the result. United is winning 1-0. quote me anywhere. Viva for ever, United for ever. Don't hesitate to get in touch for a RED WINE after the match. my mobile no: +2348065414970

Posted by Andy T on 02/23/2009

This match is truly nail biting for all MU fans. Injury after injury in defends are hitting my nerve. Our boys in RED have to continue their form to hold off Inter tomorrow night and it's not gonna be easy. Go Reds Go !!!!

Posted by Mathew on 02/23/2009

The momentum is with Man U, Inter's got two good forward but we've got a great team all round. Sir Alex, get the champagne ready!

Posted by Okolie Marcel on 02/23/2009

I fear, But so long o'shea and evans pass the late fitness test... am sure united will emerge victorious....we need to use a 4.3.3. attack

Posted by John on 02/23/2009

The injuries to the back 4 are worrying, and not having Vidic as a stalwart for this away game could be trouble. But as long as the frontmen track back and help out, I think the Devils will be just fine. Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez and Rooney are all spectacular on the counterattack, and with the likes of Giggs and Scholes bombing long balls and through passes I think we'll have a shot of pulling out a win, at the least a draw.

Mourinho has been a thorn in United's side for a while, but this year's MU squad definitely has the depth and attacking wherewithal to put up an excellent fight.

Posted by G I on 02/24/2009

I don't know about this one. if there is someone i hate to meet at this point, it is Mourinho. The guy is just too articulate to let anything go through. and United have a bad result against his teams. the only time we won was when his team started falling apart(Chelsea) and that is only once.Well we will pray and hope.i have a feeling the second leg will be very important

Posted by wunna l on 02/24/2009

Its tough tie. Draw will be a good result for man utd cos the best player this season Vidic is suspended. Agree with mourinho, this tie may go to extra time at OT. The team who go for killing will win this tie.

Show ur true spirit and strength MU.

Posted by chris on 02/24/2009

Who plays in the middle of Defense with Rio. Vidic is out, Evans is injured, and O'shea is injured. I would be worried enough with Oshea playing there against Zlatan, but with Fletcher, or Neville etc...uh oh. Coping without that will be one of our toughest tests all season. Lets not forget what Kaka and Milan did to a make shift defense in the champions league two seasons ago. He made a mockery of Gabby Heinze and co and sealed his spot as world player of the year based on the shoddy defending of a makeshift defense. I fear the same could happen here. Especially since Jose seems reasonably good at containing Ronaldo.

Posted by stephanovic on 02/24/2009

let me tell alllll man u fans the reallity of tuesday's clash....inter will win one way or another.....man u never wins @ italian soil and let's not forget ac milan 2 years ago...3-0!!!!

Posted by Vincent on 02/24/2009

I am true Man United fan. Howwever, for the match against Inter at San Siro, I am afraid Inter Milan will outran United particularly in the midfield area,in the likes of patrick vieira and Alessandro Mancini. I think tactically, they will penetrate Man United defence through the middle rather than the flanks. Players like scholes and carrick could be in for a hard time. Whether or not Man United will secure a point or win the match depend very much on the midfield domination.

Posted by Red Devil on 02/24/2009

Mourinho is a sharp as a tac and his record against United is impressive with our defence virtually non existent its going to be tough we need to score more than 1 goal tonight as we will inevitably concede

Posted by JM on 02/24/2009

a sure-win tie...
fergie, accept this tie defeat and wish you bad luck till the end of season...

Posted by ian on 02/24/2009

Not too sure about attacking Inter, Mark. I'd prefer if we did an Italian job like Roma away last season - keep it tight, and trusting Rooney, Ronaldo & co. to nip us a couple of goals.

And just for fun, here's my team sheet if o'shea and evans both don't make it, which seems quite likely now:

defence: Fabio, Ferdinand, Carrick, Evra
midfield: Park, Fletcher, Giggs, Ronaldo
attack: Rooney, Tevez

Word is Evra will partner Ferdinand, but I think Carrick has better height and defensive discipline to deal with Ibrahimovic/Adriano. Fabio's right-footed, so he'd have no prob slotting in at rightback.

I'd choose Tevez ahead of Berbatov cos we'll need more midfield cover against Inter.

Thoughts?

Posted by Ram on 02/24/2009

This upcoming match everyone has to admit is a hard one because both teams are #1 in their league. Both legs should be match to remember the best of the best head on. its game time. go reds

Posted by Gilbert Okello on 02/24/2009

Man utd have not played well in this seasons champions league.I remember the way they stuggled when they played villareal and also they had to rely on late ryan giggs goal against celtic.Although they have done well domestically they will certainly find it difficult againt jose's side.Jose is aware of united way of play and this would prove to be pivotal.I would go a one nill victory at the first leg and draw at the old trafford

Posted by Gilbert Okello on 02/24/2009

Man utd have not played well in this seasons champions league.I remember the way they stuggled when they played villareal and also they had to rely on late ryan giggs goal against celtic.Although they have done well domestically they will certainly find it difficult againt jose's side.Jose is aware of united way of play and this would prove to be pivotal.I would go for a one nill victory at the first leg and draw at the old trafford

Posted by adenuoe.a.daniel on 02/24/2009

i fell jose as a good records on man-utd.but never theless football is a game of luck,anubody can win but i belive jose is best in the world and is going to win.
GOD BLESS INTER MILLIAN

Posted by Minoo Khadem on 02/24/2009

I apt to believe that Man United will have positive results against Inter tonight and get to overcome Inter at OT to proceed to QF.

Sir Alex should keep in mind that such injuries may occur over the season - thus we should have at least 2 more defenders (we let 2 go). Similarly SAF should sign Tevez too - so that we are NOT short of attacking force in future should similar injuries hit our forwards as well.

Wishing SAF and the whole Team the very best and
God bless ManUnited!

Posted by Gilbert Okello on 02/24/2009

Man utd have not played well in this seasons champions league.I remember the way they stuggled when they played villareal and also they had to rely on late ryan giggs goal against celtic.Although they have done well domestically they will certainly find it difficult againt jose's side.Jose is aware of united way of play and this would prove to be pivotal.I would go for a one nill victory at the first leg and draw at the old trafford

Posted by wandi on 02/24/2009

I'm inter fan, let see what happen tomorrow & give your comment, don't be over confident

Posted by peter ong on 02/24/2009

Away team is always stay in advantage however I thrust that my favor team, Manchester United, whereever that they go, they fear no one up to date which I believe that they will win and that is for sure even that they have coach Mourinho behind them. In football, coach and manager is important however this has to depend on what sort standard player that you have, just like, an open goal, he can always miss the kick or kick somewhere else instead of the ball inside the net. Cheers to 'MANCHESTER UNITED' & bye-bye to any team.

Posted by Simon on 02/24/2009

Well,is a win for sure to MU (:
No doubt bout that,but i think is better to play carlos tevez rather than berbatov,tevez has more experience in UCL
Am i right?

Posted by Tinzo on 02/24/2009

I tip Berbatov to shine like he has never before. I think he is the one trump card that United have up their sleeve and no one is talking about him. Yeah he has been prolific and has shown us glimpses of his magic but... I think tonight is the night we get a Man of The Match performance out of the Bulgarian. Wishful thinking... maybe, but I think this game is made for him.

Posted by ktsoon on 02/24/2009

i think if sir alex gets park, rooney, and tevez out all at once, we will be able to 'hound' past inter. the other italian teams don't play this way, so it will be hard for inter to adapt. the defence starts from midfield with the boys chasing every ball. if they have the stamina to do so, we got a good chance even with a defence that is not at full strength.
-
o'shea is sometimes shaky against tricky opponents. does inter have one that's really good? if there is, o'shea might have a tougher time if he plays on the flanks. from the looks of it, evans should be playing a part in the game.
-
another 'weak link' that mourinho would exploit is the fact that ronaldo, rooney and probably some other united players are sometimes easily offended by elbows and kicks from tight marking. if anyone of the hot headed boys were to get red carded, then the game is almost lost for us. materazzi is the master of this part of the game, isn't he?

Posted by Taofeek Oropo on 02/24/2009

I agree with the assessment below. The big men of Inter Milan Adriano & Ibrahamovic will try and explore our defence frailities. However, Ferdinand will be able to marshal the defence and our key area should be midfield. We need to prevent the balls from reaching the big men. Also, Rooney and Ronaldo will be at their sharpest to take advantage of any slight mistake. It is a tight game but Man United will carry the day eventually

Posted by Gilbert Okello on 02/24/2009

Man utd have not played well in this seasons champions league.I remember the way they stuggled when they played villareal and also they had to rely on late ryan giggs goal against celtic.Although they have done well domestically they will certainly find it difficult againt jose's side.Jose is aware of united way of play and this would prove to be pivotal.I would go for a one nill victory at the first leg and draw at the old trafford

Posted by Zubair on 02/24/2009

Its going to be the most epic tie of the round... Glory Glory Man United!! 2-1 to us, berba, rooney and Adriano

Posted by Toni See on 02/24/2009

Glory Glory Man United, Glory Glory Man United....Its a 2-1 win for my beloved United and I hope the scorers are Rooney and Ronaldo again.

Posted by Alexander on 02/24/2009

Let´s not forget Zanetti, Cambiasso, Adriano & Zlatan, needless to mention our record against Mourinho.
We need 95 minutes of total concentration, no error football!
As we need a master stroke from Ronnie and one from either Berba or Wazza!
If we can score one or two away goals and keep it to no more than one goal diference, then there is little chance for Inter at Old Trafford, once our guys at back are healthy, come march 11.
Go Red Devils!!!

Posted by Neutral on 02/24/2009

What injury are man u fans talking about here? They have bette replacements in all departments so injury should not be an excuse to failure.

Realistically, it is a technical game between the managers. Either side may win but Mour's defensive tactics may make it extremely difficult for Man U.

Am afraid, any side will win.

Posted by not MU's year on 02/24/2009

Inter's up-front combo of Adriano and Zlatan are playing so well together, they will make it a nightmare for Man U's defense, both in Italy and at OT. 2-1 winners of the first leg, 1-1 tie for the second. Inter go through. CLOSED.

Posted by diya on 02/24/2009

Man-U will not win!
Mouriho knows his onions well,
Man-U will fall
Like ten pins
On Italian soil.
I predict at least; a 2-0 win
for Inter. But me think; it'll be 3-0!!!

Posted by Simon on 02/24/2009

Well,Man utd although had struggled this season but then they have real good players that can handle big matches but then d prob now is they are lack of def nor sweeper..
I hope hargreaves is back for d game *sigh* !

Posted by kingsley on 02/24/2009

i believe stronglg that manchester united has every thing to win inter both home and away, because is just like a return match to muorinho. it will be unfair that muorinho will win alex ferguson for the second time atfer he might have been defected against fc porto.

Posted by jack kamara on 02/24/2009

Vidic makes Ferdinand look too good! That's a realistic fact. Minus Vidic, chances of conceding increase. The best performance tonight will come from the midfield and forward! We may concede, but the guys upfront must score! It's not gonna be easy, I know, coz even for once, knowing our defence is depleted, Mour will try to play football and not just defend!

Posted by Lukuman Ajibola Salami on 02/24/2009

MAN U.3 AND INTER 0

Posted by AHMADU GADAH on 02/24/2009

man utd will win inter.remember the best way to defend is to attack,we have to rely on the strengh of tevez and park. berbatov should come as a sub'cos we dnt need casual game....up united.

Posted by joseph on 02/24/2009

while its a tit for tat, man u dont av a gud record againast Italian giants particulary @ san siro heyyyyyyy but this time around its gona b different man u are carring the day,thez always a first time for everything inter is sinking today @ their home soil.u will tell me.go man u go fergie.

Posted by Johannes huang on 02/24/2009

I'm the heavist fan of Manchester United because I love them very much. There's no doubt if Manchester Unied will win 2-0 against Intermilan.
BRAVO RED DEVIL...GBU^^

Posted by Rajeshraj on 02/24/2009

I have lot of faith on Mourinho since Chelsea Manager and he had dominated Premier League before. I am sure he will prove once again that he is really the Special One. I would like to request Mourinho to manage Chelsea if you get chance. Stamford Bridge and all fans needs you.

Posted by Rajeshraj on 02/24/2009

Posted by TT on 02/24/2009

Well well... games against the Italians were never easy for us (save the match against Roma though), especially on their soils.

Morinho is always the man of respect for me, I think he can organized wonderfully the team of discipline (see Adriano case for instance). And hell yeah, he knows our team well enough to know where should he exploits it.

Looking at the 'actual' perspectives, there are only reasons than Morinho himself as well... Ibrahimovic is truly a world-class player. With our defences limpy and racked, it should be very difficult to contain him. Moreover, the midfield battle is vital, they got Camby and Vierra who can break our attack, while having Stanjkovic to turns the game...

The other point of concerns is the temperamental attitudes of Rooney and R7... Big problems !

I expected a 1-1 draw here, if possible. As I believe that we have enough firepower upfront and those 'trump' cards who can turns the game with just a single flash of their mastery.

God bless United

Posted by kayode david on 02/24/2009

god bless man u today as will shall win 2-0 amen

Posted by ADNAN MARMARA on 02/24/2009

Man utd really has defence serious problem but because of their team spirit had being worked they can hold draw at italy and get victory at the old trafford.

Posted by dipo on 02/24/2009

Mourinho..........for life. I believe in you. So lets do it again.

Posted by Jude on 02/24/2009

I just want the boys to consider the fact that they are the big boys and also get into the game with some reasonable characteristic's that they possessed in the last seasons semi final match against barcelona, despite the fact that we are shut of players mostly from the defence line.
Let them know that their destiny is in their hands to increas the fem tally for themselfs again.

Posted by Inter All The WAY on 02/24/2009

MAN U...Will be burn in MILAN's HELL!

Posted by Sheriff on 02/24/2009

To Gods truth I know Man U will beat Inter reason is simple Man U like challenges and they are afraid of Italian teams even though A C Milan has trashed them several times. Anyway My suggestion is that but we can also wait an see the out com

Posted by Sheriff on 02/24/2009

Posted by hsc on 02/24/2009

i hope we put one over maurinho. it is long overdue...

Posted by Orherhime Eboh-Onokwe on 02/24/2009

Mourinho is good,"the Special one" like he said when he was Chelsea's boss"self anoited" but has shown some levels of fear about Man U, firstly by saying Ronney should not play the match against Inter, secondly by making several comments about United's Defence but as a Devoted Man U fan and with the level of experience United boys have shown in recent time, it is almost certain that United would have AT LEAST an away goal though it would be a hard game.

Posted by likeinter on 02/24/2009

go inter...
beat manchester...
go mourinho...
inter will win...
man u is loser....

Posted by Ram on 02/24/2009

The italian soil business is done now its the english soil. Game on

Posted by Mark on 02/24/2009

Inter looked poor to me. Utd should have won this and scored 2 or 3 goals. The first half was about as one sised as you wil lsee in the CL knockout stages. 2nd half was even. But again, I was not impressed with Inter at all. I expected a lot better.

No problems in the return leg. 2-0

Posted by ian on 02/25/2009

Berbatov upfront ahead of Rooney? Didn't make sense at all. This was a game plan tailor made for Rooney. Surely he would have done the damage had he played, what with all the glorious chances we had.

Sad to say this, but the jury's still out on Berba. He only showed glimpses of brilliance and some nice touches, but when it comes to doing the business in front of goal, he just wasn't a threat at all.

We've been lacking a bit of a cutting edge in attack recently, and I'm not going to back down in saying it's due to Berba, so i'll go with 1-0 for the return leg. Rooney/Ronaldo to score.

With Vidic back, Ibrahimovic won't have a sniff of goal. Apart from their front two, nobody seemed likely to score last night. We'll definitely keep a clean sheet, and if Fergie picks the right personnel upfront, we'll get the goal we need.

Posted by FEMI ADAMS on 02/25/2009

I love Mourinho personally and base on the fact that stand fast coach i will like him to have the day, BUT MAN UNITED is much stronger and very favoried.

Is going to be a do or die affair.

Mourinho my vote is for you. i don't even like inter as my chioce club to bet on money. But i love mourinho. In england manunited is my second chioce club. while my first chioce club in england is Chelsea and happens to be my guy.

Inter 2 MUNITED 1. THIS THE FINAL RESULT FOR THE MARCH

Posted by philip on 02/25/2009

even at the sansiro, inter had few chances.
am only waiting for the old trafford tie

Posted by ABDULLAHI on 02/25/2009

It a great performance, by the united side, ronaldo proved its selt that realis a world best. i love his performance. keet it up.is now time for jos moriho to know that sir alex is far better than him. united is going to show it difrent at old traford united.and for the man u players put more effort.i pray we should win, ronaldo,rowney barbatov.take care

Posted by Alexander on 02/25/2009

Clash of the titans at OT...Alexander the Great vs Napoleon.
Let's see which general plays its soldiers better!!!
Let's hope for a Waterloo outcome!!!

Posted by Capt Evi on 02/25/2009

Man u fans should get this into their head that they might have the best players but one thing is certain this season, they are not going back with the cup, Cos most Man u fans are full of pride and are very arrogant. lets watch becos the game has just began. Who knows who will sing that sung 'WE GOT THE CHAMPIONS'

Posted by ian on 02/26/2009

Capt Evi: to say man u fans are "very arrogant" is a terrible generalisation. but to say Inter has one of the most arrogant managers in the world on the other hand, would be a much fairer statement that few would argue with.

don't get me wrong, I think mourinho's a great coach and i'd love him to replace Sir Alex a full ten years from now. but for you to accuse other fans like that, you should first take a good look at yer own club.

Posted by Emmanuel on 03/09/2009

Come wednesday Man United will win by all means!!2-0 AMEN!!!

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