A Moment Of Truth …
Who would give United a prayer this evening ?
The team is decimated by injuries, so much so that Sir Alex is struggling to nominate enough substitutes. United were not at their best against Middlesbrough and had many a fan watching the game head in hands, despairing at the mincemeat that would be made of a make-shift defence by the menace from Milan.
“It won’t be easy but we are motivated,” confirmed Sir Alex. “It is logical that we must face a strong side in the semi-final.”
“We know we will face a tough opponent, but we are ready and will give our all. We have many injured men and I might have some problems in deciding who to sit on the bench but the team’s spirits are high and we are optimistic.”
In United’s biggest match for eight years, Sir Alex’s men will face some of the wiliest and most experienced of football combatants, from a land which, as last year’s World Cup demonstrated, produces generation after generation of players who know how to get a result.
For more evidence, look no further than the Milanese licking given to Bayern Munich in their Bavarian back yard in the competition’s quarter final. Only United’s awe-inspiring despatch of Roma prevented boss Carlo Ancelotti from receiving the pan-European congratulation that was his due.
Milan are confident that success will be theirs tonight, leaving the job to be finished next week on home soil.
“We don’t fear United, but we do respect them,” said Milan’s legendary captain Paolo Maldini. “United play some great football at home, but every game is different.
“I can’t see what difference the Manchester-Roma tie can have on our morale which is sky high at the moment. I think that United are a better side than they were two years ago [when Milan won 2-0 on aggregate] and their youngsters have matured, but I think Milan are up to the task.
“And I’m sure that the English, while watching Bayern Munich-Milan, were hoping to see the German side go through.”
”We are still in the running to achieve our primary objective this season – to win the Champions League.”
United would have had their work cut out denying the Milanese mission even if Vidic, Ferdinand, Neville and Saha were available. Alas, these players will be mere on-lookers as United set out to claim their best result for four years.
The club’s resurgence this season has staggered as much as it has delighted. It seems cruel luck now that the team should be down to “the bare bones” as it seeks Athenian polish to a thrilling year.
And yet, out of adversity often springs triumph. Time and again under Sir Alex, the team has found itself with the odds stacked against it. More often than not, the players have come out fighting and prevailed. Those matches live on in the memory. Norwich away 1993! The fightback at Juventus in ’99! Over-turning Tottenham at home in ’99 and stirringly, on the last day of the 1999 football calendar in Barcelona.
These matches, like so many others, revealed United at their best – determined, adventurous, a team never more dangerous than when its back is against the wall. Sir Alex will attempt to summon this spirit tonight.
To succeed, he will need his side to show the pace, movement and precise distribution that were the hallmarks of the Roma rout. Sir Alex will hope that key man Cristiano Ronaldo crosses the white line in the mood to destroy. The manager will demand discipline and creativity from team metronome Paul Scholes. Michael Carrick will be asked to confirm a growing reputation whilst Wayne Rooney will require no further encouragement in his quest to maintain his new Euro goal rhythm.
Above all, Sir Alex will hope for diligence and application from Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea and Gabriel Heinze, the defensive shield that he trusts will hold out against Kaka, Pirlo, Gilardino and Gattuso.
United’s rearguard is the key. Milan can be disturbed if United play at the tempo that blitzed Roma. But for that to happen, the defence must hold firm.
Tonight is a moment of truth. Big performances are demanded. Come on United.
