Man Utd vs Barcelona Champs Semi-Final

[Young £]

vs UEFA Champions League Semi FinalTuesday 29th April 2008Old Trafford, Manchester7:45 ITV1

Manchester United and Barcelona go in search of a place in the UEFA Champions League final. The two sides could not be separated at the Camp Nou last Wednesday, playing out a dour goalless draw. However, while the game in Catalunya provided little in terms of entertainment the result has ensured that Tuesday's showdown at Old Trafford has now become an all-or-nothing encounter. With a place in Moscow on 21st May up for grabs both teams are likely to approach the game with caution once again. United are more than capable of sweeping aside their Spanish counterparts with slick, attacking football, but will be well aware that Barca have a host of match winners within their own squad and know that an away goal would put the Primera Division outfit in pole position to progress. United's defeat to Chelsea on Saturday was their first in 11 matches, but they have faltered of late and will be keen to get their double dreams back on track. They should head into the fixture in confident mood, as they have not conceded a goal in their last four European games and are unbeaten in the competition so far. Barcelona's Champions League record this year mirrors United's, but their domestic form has been woeful of late and they have picked up just one victory in their last nine Primera Division outings. Doubts over duoUnited's chances of piling more misery on Frank Rijkaard's side could depend on the availability of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. Rooney hobbled out of United's clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday with a hip injury and is facing a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the game. While the England international's presence would be greatly missed up front, the absence of Vidic's commanding frame would severely weaken the Red Devils at the back. The Serbian centre-half sustained a facial injury against the Blues at the weekend and was forced to sit out training on Monday. Sir Alex Ferguson remains confident that the duo will be available for the crunch encounter, and will also be able to call upon Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown despite the quartet training away from the main group on Monday. Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher is also in contention for a starting berth after making his comeback from a knee injury against Chelsea. Few changes madeWhile Ferguson has a number of slight concerns ahead of the game his opposite number is expected to stick with roughly the same squad which featured in the first leg last week. Rijkaard does have club captain Carles Puyol available again after suspension and the Spanish international defender is expected to take the place of Rafael Marquez, as the Mexican must serve a ban of his own. The only other change sees the versatile Brazilian Edmilson, who missed the first leg through injury, return to the fold in place of Giovani dos Santos. Unsettled playmaker Ronaldinho and back-up keeper Albert Jorquera are both still carrying injuries and miss out as a result, while Oleguer and Santi Ezquerro have been omitted from the 18-man squad. Combative midfielder Yaya Toure was unable to train on Monday after picking up an ankle injury during Barca's weekend defeat to Deportivo La Coruna, but he has been included in the travelling party and is expected to take his place in the side.

Talking Tactics The Manchester United that so many people across the world have come to know and love down the years, thanks to their attacking verve, will be back in evidence at Old Trafford tonight.After the relatively cautious tactics on show in their last two games at the Nou Camp and Stamford Bridge, when they surprisingly seemed content to leave with goalless draws, it will be back to basics for Sir Alex Ferguson. That's because he knows the best route to the final will be to make sure his team really take the game to Barcelona and rip them apart right from the word go, so expect a typically British high-tempo start. Ronaldo versus Messi By that I mean he will want his players and the ball to be moved around swiftly and will tell his midfielders and his full-backs to push forward in search of goals. The likes of Paul Scholes will be encouraged to get in and around the penalty box looking to finish off good attacking play or punish any defensive aberrations.Scholes excelled in Barcelona when he was asked to take on defensive duties but he will always be a goal threat and on this occasion he will also offer United's front-runners the support that Darren Fletcher failed to provide at Chelsea for an isolated Wayne Rooney.Patrice Evra and Wes Brown/Owen Hargreaves will be asked to gallop down the flanks to act as auxiliary attackers to pull Barcelona's defence apart. This would be in stark contrast to the Chelsea defeat when United defenders rarely pushed forward. Even if they get noses in front with an early goal there will be no let-up because the United manager will want his side to move out of sight by putting their superior power to good use against erratic, vulnerable opponents. advertisementThat's sensible, because while Barcelona are blessed with wonderful attackers, they are prone to making errors in defence when they are placed under pressure. They seem to lack the understanding that is so important to a good back-four. Should Rooney be ruled out through injury, I would expect Carlos Tevez to take his position as a lone striker with Cristiano Ronaldo backing him up when he wanders off the wing. Tevez is also the sort of player that, even when below par, he seems to find himself in the right place at the right time and that bodes well for United's European hopes.Barcelona will be ready for an early siege. With that in mind I would expect everyone bar Samuel Eto'o to sit back and protect their defence for the first 25 minutes until the early onslaught is over and then start pushing forward. Messi is typical of the modern-day winger in that instead of beating his full-back, charging to the by-line and whipping over a cross like wide-men used to do, he will look to come inside Evra and make a bee-line for the penalty spot, dribbling or looking for one-twos with Samuel Eto'o en route. It is up to Evra to stop him in his tracks and guide him wide. Sir Alex Ferguson v Frank Rijkaard--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Touchline Duel Sir Alex Ferguson v Frank Rijkaard Barcelona might be synonymous with stylish football but in Rijkaard they have a manager who, thanks especially to his playing days with AC Milan, is attack-minded but not naive. The Dutchman has the know-how to ensure his team play crafty football and there will be no over-the-top attacking for starters at least.His hopes of winning La Liga have vanished but Ferguson must make sure that his players focus solely on this challenge and are not distracted by domestic issues that have reached boiling point. Tonight, Europe will be all that matters. On the edge Misses final if booked: Manchester United Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Patrice Evra.Barcelona Lionel Messi, Yaya Toure and Gabriel Milito. Key Clashes Messi is a typical modern-day winger. Instead of beating his full-back, charging to the by-line and whipping over a cross like wide-men used to do, he will look to come inside Evra and make a bee-line for the penalty spot, dribbling or attempting one-twos with Samuel Eto'o. It is up to Evra to stop him in his tracks and guide him wide. Herbert Fandel Ref watch Sir Alex Ferguson ridiculed the German earlier this season by asking, "Have we got a supply of Mogadon?" after learning he would be in charge of United's clash with Sporting Lisbon. He feared the worst after the same official sent off Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in previous games. Ferguson, a keen pianist, may be more conciliatory because Fandel is a piano teacher - perhaps he will teach him something about music and respect for officials. advertisement--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bad Omens Sir Alex Ferguson takes great pride in Manchester United's rich past, but as he prepares for tonight's clash, history paints a bleak picture.Though United will take encouragement from their goalless draw at the Nou Camp last week, they have twice in the past 10 years failed to build on goalless away legs.

[Young £]

hoping we can go gung-ho on a roma tip..2-0 has been sticking in my head for time, but i wanna see the line-up and the first 10 mins before making a solid predictioni am secretly feeling very confident though

[Young £]

lol @

Breaking news: Ferguson attacked by crazed fan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ferguson Attacked by Crazed Fan29th April 2008.Paul SmithManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was last night set upon by a crazed supporter in a well-known Manchester restaurant. The Scotsman was enjoying dinner with his wife and a small group of friends when the intruder entered and started talking tactics and formations. A waiter at the restaurant who wished to remain unnamed said“This crazy Scandinavian guy just came in off the street and helped himself to a seat”“At first we just thought he was a member of the group”“He was there for a few minutes and everything seemed okay and then he started shouting something about leaving Paul Scholes on the bench. I think Sir Alex said yes just to shut him up”The attacker was believed to leave in taxi moments before Police arrived. A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police said they were following up several leads.

Fergie getting told to drop Scholes..

[Guest Cousin Of Sleep]

Evra: I'll miss the final to stop Messi.:-\I cant imagine him or Hargreaves not getting booked..Pissed tbhBig big big big f*ckedness if we get to the final but lose himnot jus syain this cuz of him but IMO cards should be expunged for the final...except reds of course..

[Mic Man]

was wondering how come no United fans had mad a thread yet

[Guest haze-e]

Bled.2-1.They'll score first, and then we'll fix up. Anderson and Nani please Fergie wanna see the attacking flowing football.Ronaldo and Carrick to score.

[Young £]

just got a call from my boy in manctold me that there are a high region of tickets left, cos Barca havent sold all of their allocation and have returned a lot of tickets, which might enable a general sale, a lot of people dont know this yet so hes gone to check it out, if its true, im off from now

[NuckinFutz]

2-0 utd

[Totty]

Kinda prang a bit. I'm quite a pessimistic fan still.I expect us to win 3-1, we'll score first, then they'll equalise.ronnie to get a brace/hatrick

[Agony]

lol @

Breaking news: Ferguson attacked by crazed fan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ferguson Attacked by Crazed Fan29th April 2008.Paul SmithManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was last night set upon by a crazed supporter in a well-known Manchester restaurant. The Scotsman was enjoying dinner with his wife and a small group of friends when the intruder entered and started talking tactics and formations. A waiter at the restaurant who wished to remain unnamed said“This crazy Scandinavian guy just came in off the street and helped himself to a seat”“At first we just thought he was a member of the group”“He was there for a few minutes and everything seemed okay and then he started shouting something about leaving Paul Scholes on the bench. I think Sir Alex said yes just to shut him up”The attacker was believed to leave in taxi moments before Police arrived. A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police said they were following up several leads.

Fergie getting told to drop Scholes..

LOL @ Colin or "that guy" pretending to be Scandinavian

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

just got a call from my boy in manctold me that there are a high region of tickets left, cos Barca havent sold all of their allocation and have returned a lot of tickets, which might enable a general sale, a lot of people dont know this yet so hes gone to check it out, if its true, im off from now

Yo.Hookme up I beg.I BEG.

[Guest Cousin Of Sleep]

lol @

Breaking news: Ferguson attacked by crazed fan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ferguson Attacked by Crazed Fan29th April 2008.Paul SmithManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was last night set upon by a crazed supporter in a well-known Manchester restaurant. The Scotsman was enjoying dinner with his wife and a small group of friends when the intruder entered and started talking tactics and formations. A waiter at the restaurant who wished to remain unnamed said“This crazy Scandinavian guy just came in off the street and helped himself to a seat”“At first we just thought he was a member of the group”“He was there for a few minutes and everything seemed okay and then he started shouting something about leaving Paul Scholes on the bench. I think Sir Alex said yes just to shut him up”The attacker was believed to leave in taxi moments before Police arrived. A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police said they were following up several leads.

Fergie getting told to drop Scholes..

LOL @ Colin or "that guy" pretending to be Scandinavian

lmao.

[DRC]

just got a call from my boy in manctold me that there are a high region of tickets left, cos Barca havent sold all of their allocation and have returned a lot of tickets, which might enable a general sale, a lot of people dont know this yet so hes gone to check it out, if its true, im off from now

YoungMoney if thats true I beg you holla back cos I'll make the journey

[Guest Radio]

2-1 Barca

[Guest Tronics]

just got a call from my boy in manctold me that there are a high region of tickets left, cos Barca havent sold all of their allocation and have returned a lot of tickets, which might enable a general sale, a lot of people dont know this yet so hes gone to check it out, if its true, im off from now

*gets coat*

[The King]

Young Money, that is the kinda post we should be having on for a game like this. Tells you EVERYTHING.I reckon it all depends on Rooney and Vidic. Not just because they are great players, but also for beacause of the psychological advantage that Barca would gain if they didnt make it.Im saying United 2-1. Ronaldo & Tevez.Also worried that if we lose this, Chelsea will get the title.HOW CAN GTA COME OUT ON THE SAME DAY AS THIS.

[Guest Robin_Van_PersG]

my head tells me a united win 2-1 or 3-1 in a free flowing game where united score first and barca are forced to attack and get picked off. Another vision sees Henry turning up killing off united, france winning euro 2008 and henry getting euro footballer of the year hmmmmmmmmmm. Okay i'll go 2-1 united.

[Doom]

Think this will end 1-1, united will pay the price for not getting a away goal in the first leg.Either way hope its a good game to watch

[Young £]

the ticket office are saying there isnt any on general sale, but they said that is possibly because the people upstairs havent sorted out the spare barca tickets YET. So he said the woman said there is a 50% chance of getting a ticket if you arrive at OT for 6ish..most of the tickets that we be avaliable are

£80-a-pop unsold Exec Seats in the Quadrants

plus a lot of seats in the South Standas i probably wont be able to make it down there for 8.30ish there isnt a point, but if anyone is local or lives closer i suggest you arrive before 6 and start enquiring like crazyim pissed.

[TF S4DK]

LONDON - Nike will tonight launch a new TV spot for its football range, directed by Guy Ritchie.The ad, which starts Cesc Fabregas, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo, will break tonight on ITV before Manchester United's Champion's League match with Barcelona.The ad is filmed from a first-person perspective, showing an amateur footballer who is signed by Arsenal and ends up playing for Holland.The ad, titled Next Level, was created by US agency 72andSunny, with music by Eagles of Death Metal.

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

cant get to OT til probs 8 aswell so thats out the window.If i could 100% get a ticket I could get out of work but meh, if we win im going to moscow

[Rsonist]

if we win im going to moscow

Good luck with that.

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

why

[Rsonist]

I take it youve applied for your VISA?

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

ohpissed