Showing posts with label Wolfsburg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wolfsburg. Show all posts
Manchester United could make a shock move for former Arsenal captain Sol Campbell to strengthen their depleted defense. Campbell is currently without a club and reports in UK suggest that he may revive his career by playing for the current Premier League champions.
United are currently missing six defenders through injury that include Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans. Fergie has been playing with a makeshift defense with Carrick and Fletcher assuming unusual roles in the back four. Their last game against Wolfsburg saw midfielders Carrick and Fletcher playing in the centre of defence which surely shows how severe the defense crisis is for United!
Will the arrival of Sol Campbell strengthen Manchester United defense?
I don't think so. While some may argue that he could be a short-term solution, and can be used as a cover for crisis situations but I think Fergie should give a chance to some of his youngsters. The 35-year-old Englishman has played for Arsenal, Spurs and Portsmouth, before he walked out of a five year contract with League Two side Notts County.
Sol Campbell has held talks with Championship side Newcastle United about a January move but that looks very difficult owing to his £40,000-a-week wage demands. There aren't many sides who could sign up an aging football player but Fergie might take a gamble to bring Campbell to Old Trafford. After all, his decision to sign Michael Owen is paying dividends after he scored a hat trick against Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
What are the chances of Sol Campbell arriving at Old Trafford? Have your say folks by commenting below.
Michael Owen produced a spectacular performance at the Volkswagen Arena to guide Manchester United to a victory against Wolfsburg in their final Group match of the Champions League. The former Liverpool hitman went on to score his first hat trick for United in a European game.
In the build up to this game, many pundits had predicted a historic defeat for Man United due to their injury woes. But Michael Owen and 'one defender' helped United win the group and avoid some of the top teams from Europe like Real Madrid.
Sir Alex Ferguson landed in Germany without 14 recognized senior players, including eight defenders. Injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans kept them in Manchester while Ryan Giggs was rested and Owen Hargreaves is still preparing for his comeback.
Though Oliver Gill (son of CEO David Gill) traveled with the team but he did not feature in the game as Fergie played Michael Carrick in a sweeper's role, with Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra flanking the England international.This tactical change meant Ferguson had to abandon his traditional back four. Another tactical change for this game saw United with two strikers. Normally Fergie likes to play with one striker in Wayne Rooney, but last night he used two strikers in Daniel Welbeck and Michael Owen.
The defeat for Wolfsburg denies the German champions their first last 16 appearance in European competition. I think they have themselves to blame for this as they were lackluster in the first half. Wolfsburg saw some transformation in the second period and rallied through Edin Dzeko's goal on 56 minutes. But it was Michael Owen's day as he went to score his first hat trick for United since his summer move from Newcastle.
Michael Owen takes his tally to seven goals this season so far and his manager was quick to praise his striker. Fergie said, "Michael is one of the best strikers in the last third of the field in terms of his movement, his positional play and also in terms of his finishing."
I believe Owen must be specifically happy with his performance as he reminded his national coach Fabio Capello of his talent. Even Sir Alex Ferguson backed Owen to make it to South Africa next year for the World Cup.
Are you listening Mr. Capello?
Are you listening Mr. Capello?
Manchester United came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on a night of contrasting fortunes for Michael Owen and Ryan Giggs. The match started with a shocker for United as Edin Dzeko's opener for the German champions silenced the United fans. But a consistent and wonderful performance from the home team earned them a deserving victory.
It was Ryan Giggs who equalized in the second half when his free kick was deflected into the net. That provided the much needed boost and then Carrick went on to finish the game for United with his winner. The only low point for the home team was the injury to Michael Owen. He barely lasted for 20 minutes as he limped out, complaining of a groin problem.
But Sir Alex did not let Owen's misery to shadow United's great win. He was full of praise for Ryan Giggs as his performance has been outstanding in the last couple of matches. Even at the weekend match against Stoke, it was Giggs who was instrumental in their victory.
While paying him tribute, Sir Alex Ferguson said:
He's unbelievable. With all the superlatives and praise he's had over the years, I don't know how you can add to it. He's a marvelous player. All Ryan is doing at the moment is continuing to play. And the amazing thing is he shows this incredible youthfulness about his performance. It is as if he has just started his career. He is continuing like a young man. He is enjoying his football, which is wonderful to see.
Its absolutely remarkable to see how Giggs manages to put his feet on ground despite so much success and accolades. The goal he scored today makes him the ninth player in Manchester United history to score 150 goals for the club. With one of the most astonishing careers of all-time, I wonder what other magical moments we are gonna see from this 35-year-old Red Devil.
Manchester United, last year's losing finalists, were drawn against CSKA Moscow, Besiktas and Wolfsburg in Group B for this years Champions League qualifying rounds. Its great to see that United have avoided Europe's major guns, especially Real Madrid. I had a hunch that United would be drawn against Real after United's star Cristiano Ronaldo went to Spain. But luckily, that did not happen.
Group B of Champions League
After the draws were made, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told ManUtd.com: "These are difficult ties, especially the trips to Russia and Turkey. CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years, and games in Turkey are always difficult. We also know the quality that we're up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season."
Meanwhile, United chief executive David Gill told Sky Sports: "Overall we have got to be happy with it."
Though the group seems a bit easy to qualify for United, but we all know that the team really does not matter in the Champions League. Its just how you play for those 90 minutes that determine the real skill of the team. I agree that United have seen two Champions League finals, but will that be enough to produce another fascinating year in Europe? What do you think?
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