Ferguson wants a player with 'guile and trickery' in a bid to win CL next year.

Isn't that why he bought Veron?

 

I don't know if we'll sell Veron. It might make more sense to package him a player swap deal with an Italian club. We'll never get back the money we paid for him - not only because of his indifferent form, but also the transfer market itself has deflated

It still all depends on the Giggs/Beckham factors...

 

Money aside, I'd like to get rid of Veron and bring in somebody else. I don't think that it's coincidence that United have played so well the past month with their midfield of Keane, Scholes, Giggs, and Beckham. Motterman's right, though, a swap with another club would be the likely way that Veron would go, as United would never get nearly what they paid for him if they sold him outright. And if Giggs or Beckham go, that does change the equation.

 

I never understood the idea of needing a different lineup just for Europe. I know that the style of play is different, but Man Untd have shown that they tend to work best out of the 4-4-2, and yes, without Veron in general. I agree that the classic Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Beckham lineup is definitely successful, and I don't see a need to change it much at the current time, even for CL.

 

Agreed. United won the treble with a 4-4-2, using the very same midfield.

 

Could SAF be referring to Klievurt (sp?)?

 

There' supposed to be a mass Dutch exodus from Barca at the end of the season so that would not be sooo far fetched. I think we are very thin at the forward position. I like Forlan having watched him in the Argentine league but MUFC needs another high quality forward.

As for Ronaldinho, he's willing to listen. He wanted a move to Inter but when Baitistuta went there that fell through. I think setting him right behind a RVN and Kluivert and next to Scholes would be unreal.

I echo thoughts that Veron might be on the way out and that's too bad because he's a fantastic player. I think quick closing defenders in the EPL diminsihed his effectiveness, however. I think he shold have never left Spain personally.

 

I must admit that i havent been able to catch many PSG matches - The french league isnt well represented on North American TV.

But by all accounts he's had a good year. I wasnt too impressed with his world cup appearances (other than 1 great free kick, and 1 great run against England)

I would still rather see Nedved wearing the Red next year

 

Ferguson sets Euro target

Sounds like he'll get someone to replace Keano, &/or someone to pair up with Ruud.

And it also sounds like SAF is sticking with our young defenders. Remember: contrary to some perceptions, we do have the best defense in the league.

 

Best in the league doesn't necessarily translate into good enough to win the Champions League unfortunately.

 

True, the defenders are not yet in the class of a CL-winning defense. What I read into SAF's statement was that he acknowledged that the defense is young and needs to grow up fast. There's an upside, put it that way. While Real's defenders are getting old, got hammered with all those goals at Old Trafford.

Does anyone remember who the defenders were when we last won the CL? I remember the Nevilles & Denis Irwin, but who else?

 

For some reason i want to say Gary Pallister but i could have a total memory loss.

 

Jaap Stam! How could you forget Jaap Stam?!?!?

Squad from that night: Schmeichel, Irwin, Johnsen, Stam, G Neville, Blomqvist (Sheringham 67), Butt, Beckham, Giggs, Yorke, Cole (Solskjaer 81)

 

Like I said before: bring back Jaap!

 

BBC: What does a team need to win the biggest prize in European club football?


An intriguing look at whether Real's attacking flair or Italian catenaccio will win the CL.

I shudder at the thought of seeing United play catenaccio . I find it boring. But could it be the formula for United winning the CL?

 

Boring boring United?

Never happen. Don't even think it!

 

Just one comment to make about that theory:

Juventus 0 Man Utd 3.

But back onto the future Utd:

Although I've been a severe critic of Alex's 4-4-1-1 formation, I've been very impressed with the fluidity of the play in the last few games. In fact I believe that in the last two games Utd have played their best football of the season.

The formation now I believe is best described as 4-1-2-2-1 thus:

..................RvN
<<Giggs>>......<<Solksjaer>>
<<Scholes>>.....<<Beckham>>
.................Keane
O'Shea..Silvestre..Ferdinand..Brown/Neville

Those arrows are a crucial part of this because there's been a great deal of rotation amongst the four midfield/attack midfield players which I believe has been significant in its success. Giggs and Solksjaer in particular have appeared on both wings as well as alongside and behind RvN. Beckham comes inside much more than usual and Scholes is covering every inch of turf.

In this setup RvN has been well supported and the lack of punch up front that was so obvious with the 4-4-1-1 formation has disappeared.

There's been a tremendous fluidity to their game.

It seems to me that Alex should be looking for a striker that can both replace RvN when he's injured or rested and play in the Giggs/Solksjaer support spots when necessary.

If Keane can regain his former power, and he has shown signs of it in the last couple of games, or Alex can bring in a good defensive midfield (desperately missing against Real) then I think this setup can go all the way in the CL given a reasonable share of the breaks.

That last is important. The winner of a knockout cup competition is as often the one that gets the breaks as the best team in the competition and from the quarter finals on that applies in the CL almost as much as other knockout comps (the home and way setup does reduce the effect a little).

 

I am looking forward to the champions league final. Its a pity United are not there. I will be supporting Juve, mainly after the number of times we have played them and I know their is mutal repect between clubs.

Maybe Fergie will see some of what he is looking for next season in the final. Anyone for Del Piero? Davids? Shevchenko? Thuram? Montero? Zambrotta?
Rui Costa? Seedorf? Nesta?

Maldini would have been great a few years ago.

Should be great! Maybe a future United player is playing!

 

It seems as if they've given up, D.S. They got burned. Other teams know that, so they probably would hold out just like PSG did.

Maybe there's a downside to having so much money.

 

I agree... Aimar would be a great signing.. and he is so young...

If we do go after Aimar, should Veron leave?

We need a striker in the worst way...

Dont forget Riquelme may be available as well... if nobody bites on a loan barca may be willing to sell him... although i doubt they would sell him to ManU unfortunately