Ferdinand no-show fails to concern Sir Alex
Sir Alex Ferguson stated that key defender Rio Ferdinand was "on course to play" in the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona in Rome despite taking no part in Sunday's 1-0 league win away to Hull City AFC.
Calf problem
Ferdinand was expected to prove his fitness ahead of the final by making a fleeting appearance at the KC Stadium in United's final domestic game of the season, having seen no first-team action for the Old Trafford club since the 3-1 victory at Arsenal FC in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg on 5 May. The 30-year-old's participation on Wednesday was therefore called into question as he bids to recover from a calf injury.
Gibson winner
However, Sir Alex was quick to allay any fears as his side shift their focus to facing Josep Guardiola’s finalists. "Rio is coming along fine," stated the United manager, after Darron Gibson's 25-metre drive had ensured his side headed for Italy with another victory under their belts. "He trained on Saturday and today with the other players who were also training. I think he's on course to play on Wednesday."
Rafael doubt
Defenders Rafael and Wes Brown also picked up slight knocks at Hull, but neither appears likely to rule them out of contention for the showpiece at the Stadio Olimpico. "I took Rafael off [as a precaution] and we'll get him checked on Monday, but hopefully he'll be OK," added Sir Alex. "Wes got a little knock, but given that it was his first game back after so long out we're thankful he's come through well overall."
Youthful team
Ferguson selected only Darren Fletcher, who will miss the Barcelona contest because of suspension, from the side that confirmed a third consecutive Premier League crown by drawing 0-0 with Arsenal last Saturday. His youthful lineup nonetheless proved too strong for Hull, despite Premier League debuts for defender Ritchie De Laet and midfielder Lee Martin, 17-year-old Federico Macheda playing up front and both Danny Welbeck and Rafael still shy of their 19th birthdays.
Bright future
Ominously for the rest of the Europe, Sir Alex believes he has another crop of talents ready to bolster the Old Trafford ranks next season. "We really do have a great bunch of young players and what they need is opportunities like today," added the 67-year-old. "Some of them have played in the League Cup and FA Cup this season which has been good for them and they showed the extra maturity they've gained. They all played their part and hopefully a lot of them will get more chances next season."
Hull 0 United 1
There were smiles all around the KC Stadium at the final whistle, although United took home the points in Hull courtesy of a Darron Gibson screamer.
The Reds, crowned champions last week, finished the season four points clear of Liverpool, while results elsewhere ensured Hull’s top-flight survival and prompted wild celebrations in the stands.
Gibson’s first-half goal – lashed into the top corner from outside the box – settled an entertaining affair that gave United fans plenty of reasons to smile, not least because of how well the Reds’ youngsters acquitted themselves on such a tense occasion.
Only Darren Fletcher – suspended for Wednesday’s Champions League final – remained from the team that drew 0-0 against Arsenal at Old Trafford eight days earlier. Indeed, Sir Alex reshuffled his pack so much that even his left-back – young Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet – will have been unfamiliar to most United fans.
Elsewhere, Lee Martin earned a league debut and Wes Brown returned to action after almost four months on the sidelines. In midfield, Fletcher partnered Gibson in the centre of the park, with Nani and Danny Welbeck on the flanks. Federico Macheda started up front, with Martin playing just behind the Italian.
Hull, playing for their top-flight survival, began brightly and forced two early corners. But the Reds held firm, Kuszczak meeting the second with a confident clearing punch. The Polish stopper was called on again in the eighth minute, this time diving bravely at Craig Fagan’s feet.
Young Ritchie De Laet was earning his stripes against the Tigers, too, bombing forward with gusto down the left flank and, in defence, proving why the Reds were moved to secure his services from Stoke City back in January.
With so much at stake for Hull City and so many changes to the United side, it was perhaps understandable that it took 19 minutes for either team to register a shot on target. It came from Nani’s free-kick, centrally located and 30 yards from goal, although it barely troubled Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal.
By stark contrast, United’s second strike on target was nothing short of spectacular and sent the Reds roaring into the lead. Darron Gibson collected Macheda’s pass wide on the left before taking one touch and rifling a shot into the far corner from 25 yards. Regular viewers of the Reserves will have seen Gibson score similar goals on many occasions, but this was the Irishman’s first league strike for the senior side and one he’ll remember for many years.
The goal silenced the home support and things almost went from bad to worse for the Tigers a minute later when Macheda stretched to turn Martin’s low cross goalwards. Myhill was equal to the task on that occasion, however, as was Kuszczak on 36 minutes when Andy Dawson tried his luck from the edge of the box.
Despite a desperate need for points, Hull City created very little in the way of clear-cut openings. Indeed, if there was any element of surprise attached to the scoreline at the break, it was that United were only 1-0 ahead. Sir Alex’s youngsters had bossed possession and regularly looked dangerous in attack.
Hull’s players will have welcomed the half-time whistle and appeared to emerge from the dressing room for the second half revitalised and in more positive frame of mind. An awkward Geovanni cross made life difficult for Kuszczak, who did just enough to snuff out the danger from Nick Barmby’s header, before the Pole saved comfortably on the line from Michael Turner.
At the other end, the Reds stretched Hull on the counter-attack but when chances fell to Fletcher, Gibson and Macheda they all failed to capitalise and extend United’s lead.
Hull enjoyed more possession as the match wore on and the Tigers went in search of an equaliser that would all but ensure their survival. In the end, however, it wasn’t necessary: Villa beat Newcastle, West Ham beat Middlesbrough and Hull lived to fight another season in the top flight.
Boss salutes budding stars
Sir Alex Ferguson was not surprised to see his "great bunch" of young players defy the odds and secure a 1-0 victory over Hull City on the final day of the Barclays Premier League season.
With the title wrapped up and a Champions League final to focus on, much had been made of the United manager's team selection for the Reds' final league game at the KC Stadium.
As expected, Sir Alex opted to rest the majority of his big guns, preferring instead to give some of the Reds' budding young charges the chance to prove their worth. And not one let him down.
"It's just what I expected," he told MUTV. "There was a lot of speculation about what team I'd pick, but I was always confident the one I played would do well.
"We really do have a great bunch of young players and what they need is opportunities like today.
"Some of them have played in the League Cup and FA Cup this season which has been good for them and they showed the extra maturity they've gained in terms of being able to handle the type of game it was against Hull.
"They all played their part and hopefully a lot of them will get more chances next season."
Darron Gibson's fine strike on 24 minutes secured the three points and ensured a 28th win of the campaign, equalling a club record set during the 1999/00 title-winning season.
"It was a marvellous strike from Darron - it's something he's good at and one of his big qualities," added Sir Alex. "He's got terrific feet and great power and scored a great goal."
The Reds may have been without a number of first team regulars, but the United boss was keen to pay tribute to every member of his squad after the final day victory.
"All the players have been brilliant and it's been an exceptional season by anyone's standards, especially when you think of the competition within the Premier League today," he beamed. "We're all delighted."
Gibson aims high
Darron Gibson says his match-winning goal at Hull was the perfect way to cap a memorable season for the young midfielder.
Gibson’s 25-yard screamer gave an under-strength United side all three points at the KC Stadium in what was the Irishman’s 14th appearance of the 2008/09 campaign.
“This season has been brilliant for me,” he told MUTV. “I’ve got a lot of experience and played a lot more games than I thought I would. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to next season where I’ll try and push for a regular spot in the first-team. That’s the aim.”
Gibson’s rattled in a number of long-distance efforts for the Reserves over the last few years, but he admits his strike on Sunday topped them all.
“It’s my first in the Premier League, so it’s probably my best,” he said.
The Irishman's goal was all that separated the sides on a day when Sir Alex made 10 changes to the team that drew 0-0 against Arsenal at Old Trafford eight days earlier. But it was far from a meaningless fixture: Hull were fighting for top-flight survival, while United's youngsters all had points to prove.
Gibson said: “[The win at Hull] showed there’s good strength and depth in the squad and the young lads are good enough to come in and do a job in any game.”
And while Gibson's unlikely to feature in Wednesday's Champions League final in Rome, he will be travelling with the squad and revealed spirits are high in the United camp.
"Everyone’s looking forward to the match. Hopeflly we can go out there, play well and get a result."
Expectancy driving Sir Alex on to greatness
"A peak of aspiration" is how Sir Alex Ferguson, writing in his autobiography, described winning the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1999.
Summit
A decade later, the Manchester United FC boss is still climbing mountains. It is now seven years since he abandoned his scheduled retirement and having reached the summit for a second time last May, he can return there with victory over FC Barcelona on Wednesday and join Liverpool FC's Bob Paisley as the most successful manager in European Cup history.
Prodigious energy
Only Raymond Goethals, with Olympique de Marseille in 1993, has won the trophy at a more advanced age, yet the 67-year-old's prodigious energy shows no signs of flagging. He is at his desk at United's Carrington training ground before eight each morning, save for those days when club business takes him away. And if Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen, his trusted lieutenants, manage day-to-day training, Sir Alex is still out there most mornings, observing and cajoling.
Expectation
Asked about the source of his extraordinary drive, Sir Alex told reporters at Carrington this week: "It is difficult to say exactly. There is something you are born with." It is unlikely to have come from his bookworm father Alexander. "My father was very quiet and my mother was probably the one with the real determination." Wherever it originated, Sir Alex is clear about what keeps the fire burning. "I am fortunate to be at the right club. There is an expectation that probably motivates me most of all – the expectation for Manchester United to win every game – so therefore it is very difficult to take it easy. I've always had good players and that also is important, because winning is the name of the game and if you don't win then you are out of the job."
In control
The United machine has just scooped up a third successive domestic title – equalling Liverpool's English record of 18 championships – but life was not always so sweet for the Scot. Go back past the 22 major trophies won at home and in Europe with United, and it was not until his sixth full season that he finally took the league crown to Old Trafford. "That was a millstone around our necks, we had not won the league for 26 years," said Sir Alex. With success, he found, came control. "When I came here I was out of control, you can't be in control of something without winning – only through success can you get control." The United boss has mellowed subsequently according to Ryan Giggs. "When I first came to the club as a 13 or 14-year-old I had never seen anything like it. Even with the youth team, the manager would come down at half-time and have a go at us. He is a lot more relaxed. Obviously he enjoys watching this team playing, watching this team develop."
'Hairdryer'
Yet he still refuses to accept second best. Patrice Evra said: "He likes contact with the players and protects us but he wants us to respect the Man Utd shirt. He is a lovely guy when you do the right job." But when you get it wrong? "When we lost against Arsenal [FC] two years ago, when [Thierry] Henry scored in the last few seconds, he came into the dressing room and I thought he was about to die – he was bright red and just remembering it now makes me scared. People had told me about the legend of the 'hairdryer' – when I saw it, it was very impressive."
‘Kick in the teeth'
His hatred of defeat is only too apparent from repeated references to United's underachievement, in his eyes, in Europe. The 2002 UEFA Champions League semi-final loss to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, in particular, was "a kick in the teeth", denying him the chance to lead United out in the final in Glasgow. However, he has never stopped looking to learn – citing the need, after some salutary lessons post 99, to "start thinking about playing three central midfield players to make sure we weren't exposed". He is desperate to join "that pantheon of teams who have won it four or more times" yet stressed that he would not get carried away by the plaudits should they prevail again. He pointedly recalled last Wednesday how the press had him "in his bathchair on Torquay beach" after the team's early elimination in 2005/06. Nevertheless, he did admit that matching Paisley's three European Cups would have drawn his father's gaze from his beloved books. "I just wish my father was alive. He would have loved that."
Live: Hull v United
The champions will be aiming to end the Barclays Premier League campaign on a high when they head to the KC Stadium for their final match of the season against relegation-threatened Hull City on Sunday afternoon.
If you don't have a ticket for the match, there are three ways you can follow the action live via ManUtd.com and MUmobile.
Gemma Thompson is providing live text updates on the game's key moments in Match Tracker. You can chip in by posting in the Match Tracker thread in Fixtures & Results forum on our message board.
You can also follow events with Mickey Thomas and the Key 103 team with live radio commentary on MUTV Online.
If you're heading out, sign up to MUmobile's text alerts for goals, penalties and cards direct to your phone. You also get team news plus half-time and full-time summaries.
Live coverage begins at 15:45 BST, 15 minutes before kick-off.
Our in-depth post-match coverage includes Nick Coppack's match report, reaction from Sir Alex and the lads and our player ratings feature.
Read all this and more on ManUtd.com or on your phone at wap.manutd.com.
Barcelona classic: Oct '94
After the false dawn of United’s introduction to Champions League football in 1993/94, we relished the visit of a true European giant – and Barça more than fitted the bill.
There was ample cause for optimism, with United top of Group A after two games and the Catalans surprisingly beaten at Gothenburg in their previous outing.
OT leapt into unbridled fervour when Mark Hughes – yes, him again – powered home an early header, only for Romario and Jose Bakero to hit back.
Cue wave after wave of United attacks, seemingly in vain, until the outstanding Lee Sharpe rescued a draw with an impish back-heel 10 minutes from time.
The Independent reflected on a superb spectacle, but also hinted at what lay ahead for the Reds: “United now know the size of the task if they are to lift the European Cup for a second time.”
United: Schmeichel; Parker, May (Bruce 69), Pallister, Irwin; Kanchelskis, Ince, Keane, Butt (Scholes 67), Sharpe; Hughes
Park's second chance
A year after what Sir Alex Ferguson called "the hardest decision of my life", Ji-sung Park is hoping to fulfill his dream of playing in the Champions League final.
Park was the unlucky player left out of the squad for the final against Chelsea last May. It's still referred to as the "Moscow nightmare" by the press in the winger's native Korea.
Sir Alex recently admitted the decision "broke his heart" and has already assured Park a place in his squad for the game against Barcelona in Rome.
But though he has enjoyed a successful, injury-free campaign for the champions, Park is taking nothing for granted ahead of Wednesday's European showpiece.
"This season has been my best since I joined United. We are champions and I’ve been part of the team," he told Sunday's papers.
"But I won't know until Wednesday whether I am playing, so I will do my best until the final.
"I had the summer to think about missing last season’s final, so when I came back for the new season I had forgotten about it because the future is different. I just believed that we could reach the final again and hopefully this time I might be in the team."
If he is named in Sir Alex's starting XI – thereby becoming the first Asian player to appear a Champions League final – Park could be charged with shackling mercurial Barça forward Lionel Messi, which he did to great effect in last season's semi-final.
"The position I play in does not matter to me. Either side or in the middle, I will help the team to try to win the game," the 28-year-old added.
"It won't be easy, because Messi’s one of the best players in the world. But we have the experience of facing Barcelona last season, when we did well defensively, so we’ll think about that and concentrate to stop him.
"Barça are the best team in Spain and we are the best team in England so it will be a fantastic final."
Relive the Treble on MUTV
As well as providing live and exclusive build-up to this year's Champions League final, MUTV is recalling the 1999 equivalent when United completed the remarkable and unprecedented Treble.
The Treble Replayed - Bayern Munich v United will bring memories of the Nou Camp flooding back when it's aired at 21:30 BST on Tuesday 26 May - 10 years on from that epic night when we first heard the immortal words, "...and Solskjaer has won it!"
Where you were at that historical moment? That's one of the topics discussed in The Treble - Fans' Memories, a special programme which will be shown for the first time at 21:00 BST on Sunday 24 May.
Like the city of Rome, The Treble wasn't built in a day of course - 10 months or more of hard work in three competitions went into the magnificent achievement.
The Treble - How We Made History is a one-hour documentary charting the Reds' entire, all-conquering 1998/99 campaign. Premiering at 22:00 BST on Sunday 24 May, it features new interviews with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and other protagonists in the Treble tale.
How To Subscribe
MUTV is available on Sky channel 406 and Virgin channel 530. To subscribe call 08708 48 68 88. Sky Ireland customers should call 0818 719 315 and Chorus NTL 1890 940 624. Sky customers can also sign-up at manutd.com/joinmutv.
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