Manchester United FC

[Jason Holm88]

Rio Ferdinand.

[smeltzerinho]

that youtube own goal i sent you was a good omen then

[Jason Holm88]

Aye we should make it a habit





(Watch Sunderland win 3-0 in the weekend )

[.DJ]

From BBC SPORT FOOTBALL:

Semis within grasp says Ferguson

Man Utd striker Wayne Rooney
Rooney's goal put his side in firm control of the tie

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident his Manchester United side can secure a Champions League semi-final spot after a 2-0 first-leg last-eight win at Roma.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney each scored vital away goals to put United in pole position ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford on 9 April.

"We can't take anything for granted, but we definitely feel like we can reach the semi-finals," said Ferguson.

"It was a marvellous result. We showed discipline and composure on the ball."

Interview: Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson

The Scot said United would have to be wary of the return of Roma captain and talisman Francesco Totti next Wednesday.

"We know Totti's abilities," Ferguson said. "He's an inspirational figure for Roma, but we hope Old Trafford on a European night will be ready for us."


606: DEBATE
How good is Ronaldo?
Ronaldo's header broke the deadlock for the visitors in Rome on Tuesday, and the Portuguese has now taken his tally to 36 for the season, with eight in the Champions League.

"Ronaldo's goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header," said Ferguson.

"His spring and courage to go in front of the defender surprised the Roma player.

"It was a centre forward's header - it reminded me of myself."

Roma had a spell just after the break when they peppered the United goal, only to be undone by a mixture of keeper Edwin van der Sar's quality and a lack of ruthless finishing.

Ferguson added: "We rode our luck in the first 15 minutes of the second half. You get those breaks sometimes - and we did."

United did suffer the setback of having central defender Nemanja Vidic falling awkwardly and having to go off with a knee injury after 33 minutes.


We've scored twice away before in the Champions League

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti

"I pray it is not serious, because he is such an integral part of our team," said Ferguson.

"We think it might just be a nerve injury but we can't be sure at this moment."

Roma beat Real Madrid 2-1 away from home in the last round and coach Luciano Spalletti is hoping that result will give his side confidence heading into the return leg.

"They were lucky on their scoring chances," he said. "They have players of very high quality.

"But we've got to react after what happened and reverse the situation. We've scored twice away before in the Champions League."

There was no repeat of the violent scenes that have marred clashes between the clubs in recent games, and Ferguson said: "That is a bonus and what we wanted to happen.

"Roma and ourselves have worked hard to make sure there would be no incidents."

[Scouser_Dave]

They were easy opponents with totti in the side

[smeltzerinho]

Originally Posted by Jason Holm88

Aye we should make it a habit





(Watch Sunderland win 3-0 in the weekend )

now you've just jinxed it

although we do have fulham

[Jason Holm88]

[DannyB]

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

They were easy opponents with totti in the side

Yeah he did brillianty. Pity he could only of sat there and hoped

[zzwampen]

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

They were easy opponents with totti in the side

Man united were outplayed in that game


wouldn't say it was an easy game...the result could have just as easily been 3-0 to roma...

[UsR EXTR3ME]

Utd weren't outplayed at all, I don't think. They just seemed out of it for the first 20 minutes or so. All in all, they deserved the win.

[zzwampen]

Originally Posted by MTR EXTR3ME

Utd weren't outplayed at all, I don't think. They just seemed out of it for the first 20 minutes or so. All in all, they deserved the win.

the first 20 minutes and the first 25 minutes in the 2nd half they were completely outplayed...

Overall Roma were the better team, they had more chances but the finishing was poor...

[Jason Holm88]

I think it's unfair and incorrect to say we were outplayed. Being "outplayed" is not defending well and not wanting to risk conceding a goal. It was more to do with our defensive strategies for large parts of the match, rather than being forced back by Roma. They put most of their pressure after Ronaldo's goal, during which time I wanted us to try and get more hold of the ball and keep a bit of possession instead of just clearing it away. After 2-0 Roma hardly had a chance and seemed as if they'd given up almost.

[Matieo10]

Can't blame them, who was gonna be "Totti", man-up, and tell them otherwise?

...Guily

[zzwampen]

vucinic?

[Matieo10]

...


...oh you're serious. He's been on form, but I doubt he's one to lift the spirits of the Roma players against a team of Man Utd's calibur. You gotta admit though, Totti is the only man who can help Roma in those situations.

[zzwampen]

i was serious...he is really good atm and he's a quite good leader...but there are plenty of other players, like de rossi and panucci who can step forward and show the way...




but not as good as totti of course...

[.DJ]

Totti seems to really be the head of that team. He is the captain and has been skipper since like 97. So i guess its 'No Totti No Roma'

[zzwampen]

nah, really?




my god you're fast...

[.DJ]

Originally Posted by zzwampen

nah, really?




my god you're fast...

fast with what?

[DannyB]

i think he sarcasticly siad 'Your qucik on the uptake'. Unless you were being sarcastic and then I've jsut wasted my time

[palancas7]

Wow.

edit:

[zzwampen]

Originally Posted by ---dj---

fast with what?

finding out that totti was a very important player for roma

[.DJ]

Originally Posted by zzwampen

finding out that totti was a very important player for roma

ok.

[DannyB]

Back on topic: Any news on Vida's injury?

[Matieo10]

Vida has any injury...Vida Guerra?!?1