The audacity of persevering with youth

When we ventured into the knock out phase of the champions league and Manchester united were drawn with the Italian giants AC Milan, they were faced with the conundrum of containing to twinkle- toed playmaker, Ronaldinho, that job was entrusted to the young and upcoming right back, Rafael Da Silva, in the first leg, who put up a decent show. But then in the second leg the task was entrusted to the old war horse, Gary Neville, who did a splendid job. Rafael has cost united dearly at crucial junctures in the season. His mistimed tackle, and subsequent marching orders, affected the game and possibly led to Manchester’s ouster from the competition. And a fundamental error from the juvenile stopper allowed Tottenham back in the game, when he drifted off the post, and allowed Ledley King’s header to sneak in, and if not for the heroics from Nani, United’s title credentials were in serious doubt if the game had ended 1-1.

But the 68 year old tactical genius at the helm of affairs at United has always believed in his youngsters, the best example of that was the 94-95 season, when a wealth of talent was at his disposal and he started rebuilding the team by selling experienced players like Paul Ince, Andrie Kanchelski and Mark Hughes, and replacing them with the youth academy alumni, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and the Neville brothers.

Of lost deals and demi-gods

Last evening saw another wonder goal from the mercurial and nimble footed Robben, that has etched his name in the Champions league folklore for have bailed out Bayern once again from the brink of an unlikely result. Another player that Manchester united were pursuing since he was a prodigy plying his trade in the Dutch eredivise.

But as fate had it, the big bucks of Chelsea forced him away from the industrial city of Manchester. This deal, just one of the deals of players who have moved on to being demi gods for the clubs they now play for od have played for in the past.

What if most of the deals that Manchester United seemed to pursue had materialized???

Ronaldinho was a name on the cusp of greatness when he was at PSG, showing sparks of great things that he is capable. At that point in time, a deal was being charted out for him to join United, but as luck had it the deal broke down and the Brazilian wizard signed for the Catalan giants, Barcelona. Along with Rijkaard and company, ‘Gaucho’ as Ronaldinho is affectionately known as, set the foundations for the great things that Barcelona are now achieving,

another star that comes to mind, whom the devils were pursuing, is Fernando Torres, the marksman who has scored many a goals for the kops, was being tracked closely from his days in the poorer, so to say section of Madrid, Athletico. Another phenomenon who could have captured the imagination of the United faithful.

But then having said that, if the Ronaldinho would have been signed then the world could have missed out on, Ronaldo, who knows with so many attacking options at his mercy, Sir Alex would have not signed Ronaldo even though he impressed in one of the pre season games at Portugal.

pirlo PARKed by the side

for a long time now we have heard Sir Alex say that leaving out Ji Sung Park from any game is the most difficult decision for him to take. Park is a big game player, that we saw from his gritty display at Old Trafford against Milan. He was given a roll that he has seldom performed, he was to guard Pirlo, Milan's play-maker, and did he do a got job of it.
He was all over him like a rash, whenever the italians attacked. Pirlo was all at sea and looked a shadow of the brilliant distributor and innovative play-maker that we have seen him as. Ronaldinho said that Milan have figured out how to control Wayne Rooney, obviously that they didn't. But United surely figured out after the first leg how to control Milan. Even last season's final against Barcelona has taught Sir Alex, that all good european sides can be beaten if the play-makers are stifled. Park did not allow Pirlo the space and time on the ball and unlike Xavi who tormented United with his sublime through balls and a spraying of passes.
For the semifinals Sir Alex, now has a selection problem as to whom to pick in the centre of midfield, as Carrick will be back from suspension, leaving 4 candidates for 2 positions, if valencia and nani are to start on the flanks. Sir Alex specializes in short term solutions, and playing Park in the centre was just another example of the Scots ability to find the right men for the right job.

no home coming

David robert joseph beckham, the pin up boy of every team that he has ever played for, comes back to the theatre of dreams. for many the tie is an enchanting love affair between becks and manchester united, as he returns to the very stadium where he was bred and where he learnt his trade.
but for the most ardent united faithfuls, it is, and never will be the home coming of their favorite son, because the day he parted ways with the team he no longer was the sparkle of the eye of the millions of fans across the world. with his decision to leave he was left to being the figure of just another player who wore the united shirt, but did not wear his heart on his sleeve. As is the case with any other player who leaves the industrial city for another club, because it is the club that you support and not the player.

manchester united

for years Manchester united has been at the pinnacle if the game, since the reign of the eternal master Sir Alex Ferguson, the red devils have been transformed from a side struggling to regain the dizzying heights it saw during the Busby era, into a young and energetic side with bite and grit.
this season did not start well for the devils as they were shrouded by the Ronaldo saga and the way Madrid played the mind games and then eventually signed the Portuguese winger with an outrageous bid. but with the exit of the Best player in the world, questions were being asked of the team and the policy of the manager came under the scanner, with Nani and Anderson flattering to deceive, the team had to look for inspiration, that came from the veteran Ryan Giggs.
this season has seen the rebirth of Giggs as a central midfielder for most part of the beginning of the season. Giggs, arguably the footballer of the decade has provided many a match winning performances that provided United's season with the required impetus that was required, he has at many occasions rescued the match from the brink of defeat. Another player re born this season is the talismanic Rooney, the temperamental striker has matured into a more complete player, that every club would love to have, his work rate and movement off the ball, better than any player in any league in the world, added to his eye for goal make him a devastating player.
Often the unsung heros for United have been darren fletcher and patrice evra. the scotsman's abitlity to hold the ball and accurate distribution make him an integral part of the United line up.
as far as evra is concerened no one notices his contribution to the team, he has played every game this season in the league and in europe. his burst of pace down the flanks has been the nemesis for many a defences.

all in all the season is beautifully set up for the devils to win. with their exit from the the FA cup , they can concentrate more on the league, cup and europe,and they will have to put in a lot more effort to beat chelsea to the finish line...........