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.