Barcelona legend Luis Enrique feels there is little to choose between his former side and United, ahead of their looming Champions League semi-final.
The Catalan giants' stuttering La Liga form has prompted many pundits to place United as favourites to face either Liverpool or Chelsea in this year's final, but Enrique expects Frank Rijkaard's side to raise their game for the Reds.
"I think it will be very equal," Enrique told Sport, a newspaper in his native Spain.
"United, on paper, are better at the moment. They are top of the Premiership and have impressed in the Champions League and have looked very strong throughout.
"They have had 11 (consecutive home) wins in Europe and that shows what level they are at right now.
"But I still think that Barcelona have every chance of going through.
"The first game is at Camp Nou and with our fans behind us I think it will be a spectacular game. Without doubt, it is one of the best ties there could be in Europe right now. I hope we can earn a good result for the second leg.
"I truly believe and expect the tie to be very even. I think Frank Rijkaard will enjoy the ambiguity of it. This is the last step to the final and I think the team will raise their game."
Enrique was part of the Barcelona side who contested two memorable 3-3 draws with United during the 1998/99 season, and can still recall the pulsating atmosphere of playing at Old Trafford.
"The atmosphere there is absolutely incredible, truly spectacular," he said.
"United do not have a song like Liverpool, but the stadium is incredible, the noise is deafening and everything there is what any player would dream of. It is a joy to play there."
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Reds to offer Rio £31m pay deal
Rio Ferdinand has agreed a new five-year deal with United that will make him the club's highest-paid player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo on £120,000-a week. Ferdinand and United have agreed in principle the terms of the package worth £31.2million, which will keep the England defender at Old Trafford for the rest of his top-flight career. Talks have been ongoing between United and Ferdinand's representatives for several weeks, and an official announcement from both parties is expected later this week. Ferdinand had one more year left on his existing deal and United moved swiftly to tie him down to a new contract.
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David McDonnell, Daily Mirror Read more...
Bruce reveals Sir Alex influence
Wigan Athletic did United a huge favour on Monday night by holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, and manager Steve Bruce says there was no shortage of well-wishing from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Emile Heskey's injury-time strike cancelled out Michael Essien's earlier effort, earning Wigan a point that aids their survival hopes as much as it boosts United's title ambitions.
"Sir Alex phoned me twice before the game and twice before Arsenal. He hasn't phoned me any other time during the season. Four times!" said former United defender Bruce. "I have had a few calls from friends in Manchester but I am more pleased for us getting a point. The United players will be pleased but they know it's not over yet."
The result puts United five points clear with four games to go. Chelsea could close the gap to two points against Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday. The Reds then travel to Ewood Park on Saturday, although another former Red, Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, won't be so pleased to help United's cause.
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Emile Heskey's injury-time strike cancelled out Michael Essien's earlier effort, earning Wigan a point that aids their survival hopes as much as it boosts United's title ambitions.
"Sir Alex phoned me twice before the game and twice before Arsenal. He hasn't phoned me any other time during the season. Four times!" said former United defender Bruce. "I have had a few calls from friends in Manchester but I am more pleased for us getting a point. The United players will be pleased but they know it's not over yet."
The result puts United five points clear with four games to go. Chelsea could close the gap to two points against Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday. The Reds then travel to Ewood Park on Saturday, although another former Red, Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, won't be so pleased to help United's cause.
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Giggs: I'll keep on going
Ryan Giggs has not set a retirement date and says he will bring the curtain down on his career when he feels the time is right.
A number of factors will affect his decision, including performance levels and fitness, while the veteran winger says coaching is a possible route to take after retirement.
"I'll think about that a lot more after I’ve done my badges in the summer – I did my ‘B’ badge and enjoyed that," he said. "I do think I’ll be involved in the game in some way but for now I am just concentrating on playing football.”
Giggs will turn 35 in November, and with one year left on his contract has no long-term plans in place. But he does intend to carry on playing as long as he is enjoying his football.
"[I'll retire] when I stop enjoying it and I'm not performing at the level I should be doing," he told Setantasports.com.
"There’s no particular season I’ve got in mind. I’ve got another year after this on my contract, and it will depend on my body, on how I feel, if I’m enjoying it. I'll take it all into consideration. I hope it doesn’t, but if it ended tomorrow, I wouldn’t swap my career for anyone's."
The Welshman could equal Sir Bobby Chartlon's all-time club appearance record if he plays in all of United's remaining games this season, providing the Reds make it to the Champions League final.
"When it comes to personal records I’ve done my best to play things down – winning trophies matters most, it’s as simple as that," he added. "That’s the sole aim and if I pass milestones in the meantime, that’s great."
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A number of factors will affect his decision, including performance levels and fitness, while the veteran winger says coaching is a possible route to take after retirement.
"I'll think about that a lot more after I’ve done my badges in the summer – I did my ‘B’ badge and enjoyed that," he said. "I do think I’ll be involved in the game in some way but for now I am just concentrating on playing football.”
Giggs will turn 35 in November, and with one year left on his contract has no long-term plans in place. But he does intend to carry on playing as long as he is enjoying his football.
"[I'll retire] when I stop enjoying it and I'm not performing at the level I should be doing," he told Setantasports.com.
"There’s no particular season I’ve got in mind. I’ve got another year after this on my contract, and it will depend on my body, on how I feel, if I’m enjoying it. I'll take it all into consideration. I hope it doesn’t, but if it ended tomorrow, I wouldn’t swap my career for anyone's."
The Welshman could equal Sir Bobby Chartlon's all-time club appearance record if he plays in all of United's remaining games this season, providing the Reds make it to the Champions League final.
"When it comes to personal records I’ve done my best to play things down – winning trophies matters most, it’s as simple as that," he added. "That’s the sole aim and if I pass milestones in the meantime, that’s great."
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Mikael eyes silverware
Fit again Mikael Silvestre says he's ready to play his part in United's bid for domestic and European glory.
A spectator for much of the 2007/08 campaign after injuring knee ligaments at Goodison Park in September, the Frenchman made his return in United's 2-0 win over AS Roma.
The 30-year-old says he was delighted to be back on the pitch, taking part in the kind of football he had savoured for so long from the stands.
“It’s been great football to watch,” Silvestre told Manchester United Radio. “The boss encourages the side to play attacking football, which suits the fans and the English game.
“I’ve been particularly happy with how the team have been performing at the back. There’s a good understanding between the players, whoever’s been playing there. I think we deserve to be top of the league because we don’t concede many goals.”
Silvestre, who's hoping to play a major role in United's bid for silverware, confirmed he emerged unscathed from his first outing in the senior squad for almost seven months.
“Physically I felt quite good [against Roma],” he said. “Even the day after I was fine.
“Walking out of the tunnel before the game was very special and I was really looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
“It’s always a pleasure to come back from injuries, especially in front of a full house on a European night. "I enjoyed the match from the first minute until the last.”
The win against Roma (1-0 on the night, 3-0 on aggregate) sealed United’s semi-final spot in the Champions League. The Reds now meet Barcelona, with the first leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 22 April.
“The Barcelona tie is huge,” Silvestre said. “It’s a big step but when you reach the semi-final stage you expect to play a big club. I think we have what it takes to go all the way to the final, though.
“It’s always an advantage to play the first leg away from home. You have the crowd in your favour, which is always a bonus.”
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A spectator for much of the 2007/08 campaign after injuring knee ligaments at Goodison Park in September, the Frenchman made his return in United's 2-0 win over AS Roma.
The 30-year-old says he was delighted to be back on the pitch, taking part in the kind of football he had savoured for so long from the stands.
“It’s been great football to watch,” Silvestre told Manchester United Radio. “The boss encourages the side to play attacking football, which suits the fans and the English game.
“I’ve been particularly happy with how the team have been performing at the back. There’s a good understanding between the players, whoever’s been playing there. I think we deserve to be top of the league because we don’t concede many goals.”
Silvestre, who's hoping to play a major role in United's bid for silverware, confirmed he emerged unscathed from his first outing in the senior squad for almost seven months.
“Physically I felt quite good [against Roma],” he said. “Even the day after I was fine.
“Walking out of the tunnel before the game was very special and I was really looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
“It’s always a pleasure to come back from injuries, especially in front of a full house on a European night. "I enjoyed the match from the first minute until the last.”
The win against Roma (1-0 on the night, 3-0 on aggregate) sealed United’s semi-final spot in the Champions League. The Reds now meet Barcelona, with the first leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 22 April.
“The Barcelona tie is huge,” Silvestre said. “It’s a big step but when you reach the semi-final stage you expect to play a big club. I think we have what it takes to go all the way to the final, though.
“It’s always an advantage to play the first leg away from home. You have the crowd in your favour, which is always a bonus.”
Read more...
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