Manchester United in the Champions League
Manchester United are back in the semi-finals of the Champions league with their commanding win over Roma and this has set up a mouth watering clash between United and Barcelona – two of the finest attacking sides in Europe. United have been impressive in the competition so far, topping the group phase with ease and dispatching Lyon without too much of fuss in the second round. Their performance in the Stadio Olimpico; the site of Roma’s wins over United last year and Real Madrid this year was indicative of a side at the peak of its prowess and in control of its destiny. But will we be seeing United lift the title in Moscow? For all their exploits so far, their historical big-game record is uninspiring. This competition has seen umpteen seasons of early brilliance and heart-breaking collapses from the Red Devils. They have been extremely consistent in dominating the early rounds and then faltering a round or two before the finals.
Doing a semi-final prediction based on the squad strengths and current form of United and Barcelona will only make partial sense. The Red Devils need to be compared to themselves. Does this side have that extra bit to be different from the sides which suffered from stage fright in the later knock-out rounds? Is it as well equipped- both physically and mentally to match the 1998-99 team which went all the way? Has there been a common pattern to these disappointments and is there something Alex Ferguson needs to especially watch out for? The answers to all these questions lie in United’s Champions League past.
Season – 1996-97
Exit – Semi-final to Borussia Dortmund
Great Expectations – A 4-0 victory over Porto in the quarters had raised expectations for the United faithful. Borussia were not expected to be too much of a challenge.
Heartbreak – United lost both legs to Borussia Dortmund by the identical margin of 0-1. They had a million opportunities to score in the return leg at Old Trafford but the pressure got to them and they failed miserably.
Key Factoids
- Man United had been poor away from home losing to both Juventus and Fenerbahce in the group stages. They continued the trend by losing tamely in the first leg. As a result they were always playing catch up.
- To add to the pressure, they conceded an early home goal and then for all their attacking play, crumbled under the pressure.
United needed leadership in Old Trafford and Eric Cantona failed to inspire them. He wasn’t equipped to do it in the first place. A fact well known to his national coach Aime Jacquet who dropped him from the French side.
Season – 1999-2000
Exit – Quarter- final to Real Madrid
Great Expectations – United had topped both their group stages, whereas Real just about managed to finish group runner-up on goal difference. The Spaniards were considered to be there for the taking based on their poor form.
Heartbreak – After a goalless draw in the Bernabeau, United needed to win at Old Trafford. They conceded an early goal and faced with the target of scoring two goals; went on an all-out attack. The defense was left exposed and Real took them to the cleaners.
Key Factoids
- Another United side who were bad travellers having lost away games to the likes of Fiorentina and Marseille. A goal in Madrid could have gone a long way in building confidence for the return leg. In spite of the draw in the first leg, the pressure to score was on United.
- The opening goal in Old Trafford was an own-goal – a killer blow to the psyche of the Red Devils.
Season – 2001-02
Exit – Semi – final to Bayer Leverkusen
Great Expectations – This was supposed to be a cakewalk. United had topped both their group stages. They had won both the home and away legs against quarter-final opponents, Deportivo La Coruna. Bayer made it into the quarters with a last day victory. Bayer were a bunch of unknown players.
Heartbreak – Both legs were drawn and Bayer progressed on the away goals rule. United led in both legs but couldn’t close out for a win.
Key Factoids
- For once, United started with a home tie and couldn’t make it count. They took the lead twice in the first tie at home and couldn’t protect it. A team which concedes twice in a home opener is generally not expected to progress.
- The Bayer duo of Ballack and Basturk dominated the midfield; even in the first tie at Old Trafford. United were missing David Beckham. A wicked tackle by Aldo Duscher long after the United- Depor tie was settled kept Becks out. Sadly, United lacked a suitable replacement for him.
Season – 2002-03
Exit – Quarter- final to Real Madrid
Great Expectations – Another season when United topped both group stages and looked good for more. For once they had managed an impressive away win as well – over Juve in Turin.
Heartbreak – The first leg was in Madrid and the Galacticos kicked into top gear. Real won 3-1 and the tie was as good as over. United went all out in the return leg and left the barn door open for Ronaldo to score a hat trick. United won 4-3 but wasn’t quite enough
Key Factoids
- United were horrible in the first away leg. The Madrid players were running riot in the United half and the Red Devils could have lost by many more.
- At Old Trafford, Alex Ferguson kept Beckham on the bench till late in the game and the score at 2-3 in Real’s favour. Beckham came on and scored twice. A tactical mistake on the manager’s part??
Season – 2006-07
Exit – Semi- final to AC Milan
Great Expectations – United vanquished AS Roma 7-1 in the quarter-final return leg in an attacking master class. Their offense was expected to steam-roll over Milan’s ageing defense.
Heartbreak – United won the first leg 3-2 and in spite of the two away goals, were quite upbeat about their chances. They were in for a rude shock. Milan blew them away in the San Siro. The final score line, Milan 3 United 0.
Key Factoids
- AC Milan won the crucial midfield battle behind the classy Seedorf and the fiery Gattuso. While Kaka roamed free to torment the United defense, Gattuso marked Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game.
- The 7-1 score sheltered the 2-1 defeat United suffered in the first leg in Rome. This team was also a poor traveller and completely unravelled in the cauldron of the San Siro.
- United were thin on defensive resources and forced to play a half –fit Nemanja Vidic. The ramshackle defense conceded a total of 5 goals.
We have gathered enough pointers to explain Manchester United’s poor run in big European games. We will now juxtapose the current side and the title-winning side of 1998-99 under the microscope of these observations. This exercise will shed light on whether the class of 2007-08 can be as successful in breaking the pattern of big match chokers.
Away form
Manchester United have mostly been poor in away games; even in the early stages. The 1998-99 side was different as they never lost an away game. They drew with Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan and beat Juventus on their travels. The current side is just as good. They have an away victory and a draw against Roma and a draw against Lyon.
Depth of the Side
United have been frequently undone by lack of squad depth. In the 1998-99 final, United had the luxury of sending on Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as super substitutes. The current side is even better. Alex Ferguson has most of his spots well-covered. Unlike last year, he will not have to call upon an injured Vidic.
Midfield Energy
Roy Keane was at the peak of his prowess in 1998-99 and the driving force behind United’s run to the final. So much so, that he was the most sought after midfielder in Europe after that season. He was there to thwart the Edgar Davids and the Stefan Effenbergs of the world. United have never had another one like him. Well now they do. Fergie’s successful pursuit of Owen Hargreaves finally provides United an antidote to the likes of Gattuso and Makalele. In Anderson, they even have a double whammy.
Conceding goals at home
United know how to score for sure. But often concede one too many, especially at home. Except for Borussia Dortmund, they conceded at least 2 home goals in each of the aforementioned defeats. The 1998-99 side had a clean sheet against Inter in the quarters and let in one against Juve in the semis. The current United side has managed to keep clean sheets against Roma and Lyon at home. Moreover, they have just conceded a total of 7 goals in 17 premiership home games.
Leadership and Courage
When the going gets tough in Europe, United fold and roll over. It all comes down to lack of leadership and courage. The one glorious exception happened on an April night at the Della Alpi in 1999. Down by 2 goals within ten minutes of the start, United refused to give up. Roy Keane rallied his troops and led them to a great victory. Does the current side have similar heart and courage? The return of Gary Neville will provide a lot of strong-willed leadership. Winning records against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool speaks of United’s big match intensity. They showed tremendous grit and character in their comeback victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford. Looks like they are totally up for it.
Alex Ferguson has endured numerous European setbacks over the years. His sides have often fallen short of what it takes for Champions League success. But he has learnt from his mistakes. He has identified his team’s shortcomings and worked diligently to overcome them. Bit by bit, he has managed to put together a side whose ability and character can match their manager’s ambitions. The Manchester United side of 2007-08 is ready for every Champions League challenge.
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