I have taken the starting line up for both teams from the 2008 Champions League Final and compared them to the line ups we saw in their midweek fixtures.
GK Van der Sar..........GK De Gea
RB Brown....................RB Jones
CB Ferdinand.............CB Ferdinand
CB Vidic......................CB Evans
LB Evra........................LB Evra
CM Scholes................CM Giggs
CM Carrick.................CM Carrick
CM Hargreaves..........RM Valencia
RW Ronaldo................LM Young
LW Tevez.....................ST Hernandez
ST Rooney....................ST Rooney
GK Cech.....................GK Cech
RB Essien..................RB Ivanovic
CB Carvalho..............CB Cahill
CB Terry.....................CB Terry
LB A.Cole...................LB Bertrand
CM Makelele...............CM Ramires
CM Lampard...............CM Lampard
CM Ballack.................CM Mikel
RW J.Cole..................AM Kalou
LW Malouda...............AM Meireles
ST Drogba.................ST Torres
The champions league teams realllly excite me for both sides. But just look at the teams for both clubs this week. Watching Premier League football recently is becoming a bit of a chore.
Man Utd vs Chelsea Comparison
posted on 12/4/12
VC
OK, but we haven't gone for any major players in the last few years, so even if we do have the funds, try either aren't large enough to compete with Madrid or Barca or Ferguson is reluctant to spend. If he isn't here in a few years, that may have changed.
All sort of things can happen.
posted on 12/4/12
"What was SAF thinking when he decided to play Park on the left wing and Giggs central in a 442 formation, No Nani and Berba dropped instead Owen was picked...major wtf."
Funny thing is, he would probably do that same again this season, he seems to think oe owes some of the older players the chance in these sorts of games.
posted on 12/4/12
Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 7 minutes ago
or we may even have new owners to let us compete financially.
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Please explain that comment? According to SAF, our ownes have given him money to buy who ever he wants?
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I'm not sure, I think he has been forced to buy into the re-sale value concept over the last couple of season (although I personally like it). I also believe he genuinely feels there is no value in the market, though the likes of Cisse, Sahin, VDV and others would suggest otherwise.
posted on 12/4/12
OK, but we haven't gone for any major players in the last few years,
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That is down to the stuborness of SAF, and his unwillingness to phase out Giggsy and Scholes.
Nothing to do with the owners.
And their are two main reasons why we can't compete with Barca and Real. One is that Spain has a much better way of life and climate than the UK, the other is that they don't pay so much tax.
posted on 12/4/12
The tax or weather doesn't prevent us trying to get foreign players. It may change their minds but it shouldn't stop us from going for them.
If a player wants to go to Madrid or Milan but there is only an offer on the table from United, he is surely going to think about it.
I agree that Fergie's stubbornness has alarge part to play, it's maddening at times, but like I say, in a few years we might have somebody else in charge.
A change of owners was just an example of one of the many, many things that can change in a few years.
posted on 12/4/12
the climate in Madrid isn't a lot better than the UK. Try Madrid in January its bloody freezing. I get off the AVE from Malaga and can't believe how cold it is.
The in the summer its so hot everyone has to leave town. Give me Barca's climate any day, or better still Malaga, who now also have the money.
posted on 12/4/12
A change of owners was just an example of one of the many, many things that can change in a few years.
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I can't see the Glazers going anywhere. And you never know who you might get. We could end up with someone like H&G or the clowns at Blackburn or the idiot at Villa.
posted on 12/4/12
If a player wants to go to Madrid or Milan but there is only an offer on the table from United, he is surely going to think about it.
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SAF pulled out of the Benzema bidding when the price went stupid.
He'd pay for Benzema. He just wouldn't overpay for him, which is something the neighbours have done time and time again. Look at how much Milner, Dzeko, Balo etc were.
I'd take a Vidic for 5m or a Ronaldo for 12m anyday of the week
posted on 12/4/12
This is an article about having top players right? Rooney, Rio, Hargreaves - we all played big bucks for. For every Ronaldo we signed we signed 3 or 4 who didn't turn into greats. The reason Madrid and Barca are so far ahead is that every player they signed is a well known, top prospect or established player.
I am not saying that that is the right way to do things, but I am saying that is why our side looks like it does now. We may well turn into a great side in a few years, but currently, Madrid are above us because they have signed players who better than the players we have signed recently.
posted on 12/4/12
United played 4-4-2 in the 2008 CL Final.