Date of birth: 18.02.1975
Country: England
Position: Defender
Planet transfixed by Ronaldo v Messi
When two of the world's most famous clubs come together to contest the UEFA Champions League final on 27 May in Rome, so too will two of the planet's best players.
Match-winners
Such is the talent each side boasts, though, this statement could be applied to any number of the Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona squads: Xavi Hernández and Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and Dimitar Berbatov. The head-to-head of Barça's Lionel Messi and United No7 Cristiano Ronaldo, however, is perhaps the most mouthwatering contest.
Goals galore
Two of the most marketable footballers on the planet, are also two of the most deadly − Ronaldo is the joint leading scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals, quite a feat for somebody considered a winger, while Messi is not far behind the Liga's Pichichi contenders with 23. The 21-year-old Argentinian averages exactly a goal every two league games in Spain (54 in 108 matches), while United's Portuguese international is almost as prolific, with 84 in 196 domestic league appearances.
Individual awards
When put to the vote, Ronaldo holds the edge; according to his peers and journalists anyway. The 24-year-old won the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or in 2008, both times nudging Messi into second place. Last season saw a similar story in the UEFA Champions League scoring stakes as the former Sporting Clube de Portugal player edged Barça's No10 into the runners-up spot with his eight goals, including one in the final, to Messi's six. This term, though, Messi tops the charts with eight, while Ronaldo has scored just four to date.
'From another planet'
Asked which of the two players was the best, Barcelona's Daniel Alves opted for his team-mate, saying: "He's from another planet because his ability is unbelievable; the way he can unbalance a match." He added of the impending meeting with Ronaldo: "I think it will be quite a duel and I hope that Messi will come out on top." Messi, meanwhile, refuted the suggestion that it would be a Messi v Ronaldo final. "No, it will be Barcelona v Manchester. These are the best teams in the world and this is a final that the people hoped for."
With the title race loose ends tied up
With the title race loose ends tied up, every fan's focus has turned to the Champions League final; Sir Alex faces some tough decisions in Rome, but he's also toying with his line-up for Sunday's visit to Hull City.
The boss plans to give the game the respect it deserves with the result of huge significance to Hull and the other three teams fighting to avoid relegation.
The visit to the KC Stadium comes just 72 hours before United square up to Barcelona in Rome, and Sir Alex will undoubtedly utilise the full resources available to him, but he will still send out a team fit to represent United, and one which he feels is capable of winning the match.
“This is the best squad I’ve ever had," the boss told MUTV. "I could have picked two teams against Arsenal last week, and I’ll be picking a team on Sunday against Hull that will reflect that strength.
"We have a fantastic squad of around 28 or 29 players now, which includes the likes of [Federico] Macheda, [Danny] Welbeck, [Rodrigo] Possebon, [Darron] Gibson, Rafael and Fabio. They are young but they’re very, very good players, and good characters, too. I think that gives us a back-up that we’ve never had before."
The Hull match certainly won't be considered a dead rubber for those selected. It might be a last chance for established players to book a place in the 18-man matchday squad in Rome, or for emerging young talents to stake a claim for next season.
Sir Alex will certainly field players such as Darren Fletcher - so unfortunately suspended for the final - and Tomasz Kuszczak, who will now deputise for Edwin van der Sar without competition from the injured Ben Foster.
Sir Bobby salutes 'brilliant' Vidic
Sir Bobby Charlton has described Nemanja Vidic as the 'envy' of the Barclays Premier League after the Serbian defender deservedly scooped two Player of the Year Awards on Sunday night.
Vidic played a huge part in the Reds' title success and Sir Bobby believes the 27-year-old defender is a worthy winner of the accolades usually reserved for attacking players.
"It’s normally the glamour players who get these prizes, but Nemanja deserves this,” Sir Bobby told ManUtd.com.
“He has been such an influence. He is the envy of the whole league and he has been a brilliant, brilliant player for us.”
Vidic has proved a solid presence at the back - helping United to notch up 34 clean sheets in the 52 games he has featured in so far this season - while his versatility and keen eye for goal has yielded six goals in all competitions.
Scorer of the first goal in January's 3-0 demolition of Chelsea, Vida also grabbed a crucial winner against Sunderland in December and netted what proved to be the deciding goal in November’s thrilling 4-3 home victory over Hull.
Sir Bobby is particularly impressed with the Serbian’s aerial ability, believing his heading prowess to be the trait that sets him apart from others.
"Nemanja is unbelievable in the air,” said Sir Bobby.
“He wins absolutely everything. He is so powerful and brave, and he has a fantastic leap to get above the strikers. And he also comes up for set-pieces and scores goals.
"As a defender he makes the full-backs, the goalkeeper and the midfielders in front of him all feel secure. He is a player you can depend on and put your trust in, and that’s important.
"I like that he doesn’t try to do too much, he sticks to his task of defending, and does that job very well.
"It’s hard for me to imagine that Manchester United would be congratulated and lauded for our defensive capabilities. We’re not supposed to be defensive! But alongside Rio Ferdinand or young Jonny Evans, Nemanja has dominated our area this season, and you also have to give credit to Edwin van der Sar and his other colleagues in defence."
Final countdown
Tuesday
17:02 There's plenty of activity at Carrington on Wednesday; it's Champions League final press day. Sir Alex briefs the media at 9am, then after training the players are herded like cattle in front of lots of news-hungry journos with microphones. So we'll bring you an update from that. (BH)
13:30 Eight days to go and we're already discussing the final line-up in the office. Here are our predictions (post yours on the message board thread):
Ben Hibbs (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Scholes, Carrick, Anderson; Rooney, Berbatov, Ronaldo.
Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Giggs, Park, Tevez, Macheda.
Why? Without Alves and Abidal on Barca's flanks, Rooney and Ronny can cause maximum damage, Berbatov is key to keeping possession, and Anderson adds energy that Fletcher would've provided. My final bench spot was between Rafael, Nani, Welbeck and Macheda, and Kiko, in his home city, just gets my vote.
Paul Davies (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Scholes, Nani, Tevez, Berbatov.
Why? I found it easy to pick my team: the one that devastated Arsenal in the semis, but Giggsy's in for the suspended Fletcher. Park missed out in Moscow, but I think he’ll be the first Korean to play in a final, and key to how we play: hardworking, with pacey counter-attacks. Toughest choice was Gary Nev or Rafael on the bench – I went for our skipper for his experience.
Reds ready for Eto'o and co
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the Reds have been taking an in-depth look at Champions League final opponents Barcelona in recent weeks.
The main focus may have been on securing the title, but over the past few days United have scouted matches and scoured hours of video tape.
And Sir Alex's brother, Martin, has spent the last few weeks in Spain keeping tabs on Messi, Eto’o and co.
“My attention started switching to Rome two weeks ago,” the United boss told MUTV.
“We’ve been doing a lot of video analysis and Martin’s been watching every match. The concentration is firmly on the final now.”
While the Reds wrapped up an 18th league title at the weekend, fellow finalists Barcelona clinched La Liga – their second trophy in under a week.
The Catalans lost to Mallorca at the weekend, but are still confirmed as Spain's top team. Four days earlier, Pep Guardiola’s side raced to victory in the Copa del Rey, the English equivalent of the FA Cup, with a crushing 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Both sides are dominant domestically, but the Reds may be encouraged by the sight of a misfiring Samuel Eto’o in Mallorca.
He missed a penalty and a host of other chances in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat, but the 28-year-old Cameroon international says he'll aim to rediscover his form in the final.
He told Barcelona's website: “I’m having a tough time at the moment.
There will be few chances, but I’ll need to score in Rome."
Eto’o’s hopes of netting a goal against United may be hampered by the absence of a number of his colleagues at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite booking his side’s place in the final with a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge, Andres Iniesta suffered a thigh muscle injury during Barcelona’s recent 3-3 draw with Villarreal and is racing to be fit.
They will also have to do without Rafael Marquez and suspended defenders Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves, while former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry is still bidding to recover from a twisted knee in time for the Rome showdown.
Our greatest team
Sir Bobby: Simply the best
Sir Bobby Charlton has hailed Sir Alex Ferguson's champions as Manchester United's greatest side. The Busby Babe and 1968 European Cup winner has played in or watched all the great teams at Old Trafford since the 1950s and feels the current crop top the lot. Charlton said: "I think this United team and squad are the best the club has ever had. The game is getting faster and more intense. There is more concentration needed than ever before. Every side wants to beat United so badly, but this group of players concentrate so hard. They are a brilliant set of lads. There are some games when you think it might be a bridge too far for us with injuries or suspensions, but it never happens. They are an astonishing bunch. If we beat Barcelona nobody could ever accuse us of fluking it. They are a quality team and a marvellous club."
David Anderson, Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, United have again been linked with Wigan's tricky winger Antonia Valencia. But the Daily Mail claim that he won't come cheap, insisting the Reds would need to match an apparent £21.5m offer from Real Madrid in order to capture the Ecuadorian star.
Elsewhere, many papers comment that Sir Alex will risk the wrath of the relegation-threatened North East clubs after admitting he is likely to rest players at Hull on Sunday ahead of the Champions League final. The Daily Telegraph states: "Sir Alex is likely to be met by the accusation that United have called into question the integrity of the League."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
