UEFA Champions League 2011/2012 Thread
Dec 8, 2011 | 06:33 AM
#142
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,258
From: NOVA
What about the start we had this year? We were probably the most dominant team in Europe aside from RM. We controlled the game, passed, defended and most of all finished at will, almost with ease. The weak link early on was De Gea, who is probably happy that the other 10 have the microscope on them now.
My brother blames it on chemistry. I think that is also an issue.
My brother blames it on chemistry. I think that is also an issue.
Scholes
Giggs (I know he still plays, but come on)
VanDerSar
Ronaldo
Neville
Those are some pretty amazing names to lose in a 1-2 year span. Not only are they the backbone of your team, they are leaders and set examples to the younger players.
Man U are always succesful because Sir Alex knows when to sell, and buy. I think time has caught up with him this time though. It started with Ronaldo, and within less than 2 years he's lost too many others to retirement and age.
Dec 8, 2011 | 06:38 AM
#144
Nutcrusher
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,272
From: Sweden
You got off to a blazing start because of the youthful team, but experienced players see you through an entire season, and also the big stage matches. Man U's young guns lost their nerve when it counted most yesterday. You've essentially lost:
Scholes
Giggs (I know he still plays, but come on)
VanDerSar
Ronaldo
Neville
Those are some pretty amazing names to lose in a 1-2 year span. Not only are they the backbone of your team, they are leaders and set examples to the younger players.
Man U are always succesful because Sir Alex knows when to sell, and buy. I think time has caught up with him this time though. It started with Ronaldo, and within less than 2 years he's lost too many others to retirement and age.
Scholes
Giggs (I know he still plays, but come on)
VanDerSar
Ronaldo
Neville
Those are some pretty amazing names to lose in a 1-2 year span. Not only are they the backbone of your team, they are leaders and set examples to the younger players.
Man U are always succesful because Sir Alex knows when to sell, and buy. I think time has caught up with him this time though. It started with Ronaldo, and within less than 2 years he's lost too many others to retirement and age.
. I have no doubt whatsoever that come the end of the PL - Man Utd will be there right at the top fighting for the trophy.Regarding the CL-debacle; We just weren't good enough when we needed to be. After all, (like someone pointed out earlier) this is the beauty of sports, anything can happen
Dec 8, 2011 | 06:43 AM
#145
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,258
From: NOVA
I have no doubt whatsoever that come the end of the PL - Man Utd will be there right at the top fighting for the trophy.
Dec 8, 2011 | 07:06 AM
#146
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,258
From: NOVA
A few reactions:
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has called his side's shock Champions League exit "embarrassing" and "a catastrophe".
The three-time European champions lost 2-1 at Basel to finish third in Group C and will drop into the Europa League.
"It is embarrassing to be in the Europa League. I play for Manchester United to be in the Champions League," said the 30-year-old France defender.
"It's a catastrophe. We feel very sad but we deserve to go out."
The three-time European champions lost 2-1 at Basel to finish third in Group C and will drop into the Europa League.
"It is embarrassing to be in the Europa League. I play for Manchester United to be in the Champions League," said the 30-year-old France defender.
"It's a catastrophe. We feel very sad but we deserve to go out."
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has pledged to use his side's shock Champions League exit as a motivation for future success.
The three-time European champions lost 2-1 at Basel to finish third in Group C and will drop into the Europa League.
"Of course we're disappointed," said Ferguson. "You have to deal with the disappointment, and this club has used it as motivation many times.
"It's a loss because it's the best tournament in the world."
The three-time European champions lost 2-1 at Basel to finish third in Group C and will drop into the Europa League.
"Of course we're disappointed," said Ferguson. "You have to deal with the disappointment, and this club has used it as motivation many times.
"It's a loss because it's the best tournament in the world."
Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini are not the only people in Manchester disappointed at the failure of the city's two clubs to progress to the group stage of the Champions League.
Double qualification was the result the city's business community was hoping for - as Champions League football means a major economic windfall for the city.
Double qualification was the result the city's business community was hoping for - as Champions League football means a major economic windfall for the city.
Dec 8, 2011 | 08:04 AM
#147
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,821
From: Bahrain
United's weakness isn't De Gea in my humble opinion, although he has had a few howlers to say the least. Remember, anyone filling Van der Sar's boots has an impossible mountain to climb. From seeing De Gea in La Liga in the last 2 seasons I have this much to say you have the most talented YOUNG GK in Europe. Perhaps SAF should've got an old experienced GK like Shwartzer to be United's # 2 and to ease De Gea into the team.
The loss of Scoles and failure to get a replacement is the main issue. I still don't think that Wesley is the answer. He's a great player but he's old and injury prone. Add to that the fact that he's never been proven in the EPL, which is much faster and much more physical than anything he has experienced. And one more thing he'll cost a lot and be written off at the end of his contract if he succeeds at Man U. Having said that I don't know who United could get to fill that creative role.
Also United never really replaced Neville I know he wasn't the best RB but he marshaled the defense and started the attack he was a great leader.
Plus Berbatov at £30 M is a HUGE disappointment to say the least.
All in all United are in a rebuilding phase and in all honesty last season wasn't up to United's standards. United winning the EPL was a flattering result, IMO the rest of the contenders didn't put much of a fight.
Just my two cents on United
The loss of Scoles and failure to get a replacement is the main issue. I still don't think that Wesley is the answer. He's a great player but he's old and injury prone. Add to that the fact that he's never been proven in the EPL, which is much faster and much more physical than anything he has experienced. And one more thing he'll cost a lot and be written off at the end of his contract if he succeeds at Man U. Having said that I don't know who United could get to fill that creative role.
Also United never really replaced Neville I know he wasn't the best RB but he marshaled the defense and started the attack he was a great leader.
Plus Berbatov at £30 M is a HUGE disappointment to say the least.
All in all United are in a rebuilding phase and in all honesty last season wasn't up to United's standards. United winning the EPL was a flattering result, IMO the rest of the contenders didn't put much of a fight.
Just my two cents on United
Dec 8, 2011 | 10:07 AM
#148
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,770
am i crazy and overconfident to think that we can take them?
i am sure we can SCORE, and if the defense is tight, we can hold them.
or at least, we can hold them enough times and score more than them
