Reuters Soccer Blog
World Soccer views and news
Ruthless United through to Champions League final
A couple of early thoughts on Manchester United’s ruthless demonstration of superiority against Arsenal tonight (click here for the full match report).
1. United are over that little blip they had against Liverpool and Fulham and look to be timing their run-in to perfection. They have no significant injuries, Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be getting his mojo back and, as they showed once again against Arsenal, they ooze class right the way through the team.
2. Alex Ferguson said after the game he thought Chelsea might just edge the second semi-final, with Barcelona;s centre-back problem costing them dear, but I suspect most neutrals will be hoping for the opposite result. United and Barcelona have seemed to be on a collision all season and this edition of the Champions League could give us that rarest of things: a final between the two best teams in Europe.
3. Darren Fletcher is an unfortunate man.
4. I suspect Arsenal fans getting impatient with Arsene Wenger is going to be a theme the media comes back to time and again over the next few days and weeks. We’ll hear how Wenger needs to spend more freely to compete with United and the rest. Is that right?
Will United live to regret missed chances?
Arsenal played poorly at Manchester United on Wednesday but escaped with a 1-0 defeat that leaves them still in with a chance of reaching the Champions League final.When you consider that they haven’t conceded a goal at home in the competition all season, the situation doesn’t look half bad. After all, they have already beaten United in north London this season and there is no reason why they can’t do it again.First though, their big performers need to turn up, because they went missing at Old Trafford. Theo Walcott barely got a kick, Emmanuel Adebayor was subdued and Cesc Fabregas was overwhelmed in midfield.It will also help if Robin van Persie is fit after missing the first leg. Without the Dutchman, and the ineligible Andrey Arshavin, they looked lightweight in attack.United were not at their best either and will be frustrated at not putting the tie to bed. However, they did not allow Arsenal an away goal and so will start clear favourites to reach Rome and a possible re-match with Chelsea.Remember, they were in far worse shape after drawing 2-2 at home with Porto in the quarter-final, first leg. And with such a plethora of attacking options, Alex Fergsuon’s side will be confident of breaching Arsenal’s Emirates fortress.PHOTO: Manchester United’s John O’Shea (C) celebrates with Darren Fletcher (L) and Rio Ferdinand (R) after scoring during their Champions League semi-final, first leg against Arsenal at Old Trafford, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
