Manchester United v Lyon – Preview
By Tejas Totade • Mar 4th, 2008 • Category: Previews and Reviews
United take on Lyon tonight knowing a scoreless draw would be good enough to take them through to the next round of the Champions League. A United win would however, put them at par with the record set by Juventus in 1997 of 10 straight home wins in the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted the midfield selection dilemma which he faces with all the United midfielders being in top form off late. While Anderson and Hargreaves have built a formidable partnership in the middle, the likes of Fletcher, and Carrick have also given a good account of themselves in the recent games. Scholes is getting back to full match fitness with every passing game. Sir Alex played a 4-5-1 formation at Lyon, but at home he could be tempted to play a more attacking 4-4-2 with Tevez and Rooney up front, Nani/Giggs and Ronaldo on the flanks and a midfield pairing of Anderson and Hargreaves. In other team news, Nemanja Vidic who has been out due to calf strain is expected to make a comeback. The return of the ever-dependable center-back could prove to be vital for United as Lyon hitman Benzema has already shown what he can do in front of the goal. Ryan Giggs was rested for the Fulham game, and should make it to the United line-up, he however faces a stern competition for places from Nani whose form has been on the up. The manager may prefer the Welsh winger ahead of the Portuguese one on account of his experience in big games though.
United have shown tremendous firepower upfront smashing as many as 26 goals in the last nine Champions League games, and if they continue to do so in tonight’s game there is every reason to believe that they will make it to the last 8 of the competition.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Evra, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, Anderson, Saha, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Pique, O’Shea, Fletcher, Simpson, Kuszczak, Tevez, Eagles
Kick Off: 19:45 UK
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Lyon
Tejas Totade is a United fan born in Dadar, Mumbai and has supported United since his High School days. Presently working with TCS, he hardly miss a United game, and on a matchday he can be usually seen in the club colors of Red, White and Black. His favorite players are Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.
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Tej,
Gigsey is a doubt. He is carrying an injury i believe. So is Vidic, but apparently he is fit to play
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I guess Nani would get the start again. Good for him, I think he will deputise well for Giggsy.
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I couldn’t watch the game as I am working in morning shift, however from the Beeb reports I think we almost paid the price once again for not going for the kill. Well, the good thing is that we did make it through to the next round.
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