Rene Meulensteen believes the gameplan for United's Champions League game against Aalborg should be to score early and "kill their belief".
The Reds' first-team coach faced Aalborg twice during his time as coach of Brondby and revealed they are a hard-working, disciplined side who will gain more confidence the longer they keep United's attack at bay.
"Aalborg typify Danish football as a whole – well organised," Meulensteen told ManUtd.com. "They will work their socks off against us because if they don’t, we will have too much quality for them.
"So we need to make sure we have enough tools available to break them down. We need to win the game in the first half by starting bright and sharp, and if we score an early goal we’ll kill some of their belief. If they have something to hold onto like they did at Celtic, they'll get extra energy from nowhere."
Brondby failed to beat Aalborg in either of their two league meetings under Meulensteen's reign two years ago, so the Dutchman knows United must not take their opponents lightly.
"Erik Hamrén was Aalborg's coach for several years and did a good job. They were a decent side when we faced them – we drew 1-1 at their place but lost 2-1 at home," Meulensteen added.
"Bruce Rioch is now in charge and he's an experienced coach who knows Danish football, having worked with Odense. He has several good players here, although one of the best, Michael Jakobsen, isn’t playing tonight because he is suspended.
"They also have an attacking midfielder, Siyabonga Nomvethe, who has been injured recently but was quite skilful and tricky when he played against us at Brondby.
"Goalkeeper Karim Zaza is a bit of an erratic player who can make fantastic saves – one from a Nakamura free-kick two weeks ago – but he’s not the biggest of players and isn’t always 100% certain on crosses.
"If I look at the way we’ve trained and played over the last couple of weeks, I can sense that there are goals around the corner. But we can’t take anything for granted – we need to earn the right by playing good, attacking football, and when the chances come, hopefully the goals will too."
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
O'Shea eyes 'special' feat
John O'Shea is excited by the possibility of United becoming the first team to retain the Champions League trophy and insists the Reds are ready for the tests ahead.
United face Aalborg in Denmark tonight looking for a first win of this season's European campaign following the goalless draw at home to Villarreal two weeks ago.
When asked at Monday's pre-match press conference what it would mean to the club to repeat the success of Moscow, O'Shea said: "It’d be very special. It’s a major challenge but facing up to that and responding is what this club is all about.
"As the manager always says, if we’re still in the competition after the group stages, that’s when it really kicks in and when we feel we’re in with a great chance. If you’re playing well and get luck at the right time, it’s yours for the taking and we have to be confident with the squad we have."
While some have tagged Aalborg as minnows and expect United to win comfortably, O'Shea is wary of complacency, especially after the Danes' opening-game draw at Celtic.
"The result they got against Celtic was a real eye-opener for us," the Irishman added. "We saw how competitive and compact they were so we’re going to have to use our experience in keeping the ball away from home, show some composure and try to quieten down the crowd, because it’ll be a great atmosphere."
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United face Aalborg in Denmark tonight looking for a first win of this season's European campaign following the goalless draw at home to Villarreal two weeks ago.
When asked at Monday's pre-match press conference what it would mean to the club to repeat the success of Moscow, O'Shea said: "It’d be very special. It’s a major challenge but facing up to that and responding is what this club is all about.
"As the manager always says, if we’re still in the competition after the group stages, that’s when it really kicks in and when we feel we’re in with a great chance. If you’re playing well and get luck at the right time, it’s yours for the taking and we have to be confident with the squad we have."
While some have tagged Aalborg as minnows and expect United to win comfortably, O'Shea is wary of complacency, especially after the Danes' opening-game draw at Celtic.
"The result they got against Celtic was a real eye-opener for us," the Irishman added. "We saw how competitive and compact they were so we’re going to have to use our experience in keeping the ball away from home, show some composure and try to quieten down the crowd, because it’ll be a great atmosphere."
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Berba backed to shine
Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed criticism of Dimitar Berbatov and is confident United fans will soon see the best of their new striker.
The Bulgarian has yet to score for the Reds since his deadline-day move from Tottenham but has been increasingly influential, most recently on his home debut against Bolton on Saturday.
Ferguson said: "Dimitar only played one pre-season game for Tottenham, followed by two tremendously difficult away games for us, and in those sorts of matches you are asking a lot for someone who’s just arrived at the club to perform.
"When we understand how good he is in terms of his movement and ability to lead the line, then we’ll get the best use out of him.
"You saw that in the second half against Bolton, when we used him more and some of his passes, control and balance were absolutely fantastic."
Berbatov is set to take his place in the starting line-up for tonight's Champions League game in Aalborg, although which forward line Ferguson will select is anyone's guess.
The Reds boss insists his side are under no pressure to play with style because United are the reigning European champions.
"We’ll play how we normally play, which is hopefully in an entertaining and exciting way," he said. "We can’t play like that every game but we try to, and that’s the most important thing.
"We expect a hard game against Aalborg because, irrespective of their league form, playing United is a great motivation for them. But I hope we don’t have any hiccups."
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The Bulgarian has yet to score for the Reds since his deadline-day move from Tottenham but has been increasingly influential, most recently on his home debut against Bolton on Saturday.
Ferguson said: "Dimitar only played one pre-season game for Tottenham, followed by two tremendously difficult away games for us, and in those sorts of matches you are asking a lot for someone who’s just arrived at the club to perform.
"When we understand how good he is in terms of his movement and ability to lead the line, then we’ll get the best use out of him.
"You saw that in the second half against Bolton, when we used him more and some of his passes, control and balance were absolutely fantastic."
Berbatov is set to take his place in the starting line-up for tonight's Champions League game in Aalborg, although which forward line Ferguson will select is anyone's guess.
The Reds boss insists his side are under no pressure to play with style because United are the reigning European champions.
"We’ll play how we normally play, which is hopefully in an entertaining and exciting way," he said. "We can’t play like that every game but we try to, and that’s the most important thing.
"We expect a hard game against Aalborg because, irrespective of their league form, playing United is a great motivation for them. But I hope we don’t have any hiccups."
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Blame Berba
I don’t blame Juande Ramos for Tottenham’s dismal start to the season – and you might be surprised to learn I don’t blame Daniel Levy, either. If you want to know why the club is suffering so badly then look no further than the sales of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. Bulgarian strike ace Berbatov kept telling us he had a ‘dream’. Well, good for you Dimi, you had a dream with a few extra noughts added to your bank balance. But don’t you think Spurs had a dream too? Don’t you think that when they bought you and helped you blossom into one of the best strikers in the world, you had a duty to reward them by helping them fulfil their dream? You got your way but your poisonous presence at the start of this season – the pouting, the brooding and the reluctance to play – has cost the club that believed in you.
Terry Venables, The Sun Read more...
Terry Venables, The Sun Read more...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Praise from Patrice
He’s back.
Short and sweet, perhaps, but Patrice Evra’s summation of Cristiano Ronaldo will be enough to make opposition defenders quake in their boots.
Against Bolton on Saturday Ronaldo scored one and set up the other as United cruised to a 2-0 victory in his first league start of the season.
“Ronny scored against Middlesbrough [in the Carling Cup] and he’s now scored against Bolton,” Evra told MUTV.
“He’s getting better and we’d like him to be fit for every game. He had a big injury over the summer but now he’s looking more like the player we saw last season. Ronny’s back.”
The Reds’ no.7 wasn’t the only player to come in for praise from United’s left-back. Evra also singled out Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and new team-mate Dimitar Berbatov after Saturday’s win.
“Rooney and Scholes had a big impact [when they came off the bench],” Evra said. “Scholesy played a few long passes and opened up the game, while Wayne scored and did his job very well.
"Berba is great to play with. As a defender you can pass the ball to his feet early and you know he has a good touch.
“He needs to play a lot of games as it’s a new team for him. But he’s a good player and everybody will help him so he can give his best for Manchester United.”
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Short and sweet, perhaps, but Patrice Evra’s summation of Cristiano Ronaldo will be enough to make opposition defenders quake in their boots.
Against Bolton on Saturday Ronaldo scored one and set up the other as United cruised to a 2-0 victory in his first league start of the season.
“Ronny scored against Middlesbrough [in the Carling Cup] and he’s now scored against Bolton,” Evra told MUTV.
“He’s getting better and we’d like him to be fit for every game. He had a big injury over the summer but now he’s looking more like the player we saw last season. Ronny’s back.”
The Reds’ no.7 wasn’t the only player to come in for praise from United’s left-back. Evra also singled out Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and new team-mate Dimitar Berbatov after Saturday’s win.
“Rooney and Scholes had a big impact [when they came off the bench],” Evra said. “Scholesy played a few long passes and opened up the game, while Wayne scored and did his job very well.
"Berba is great to play with. As a defender you can pass the ball to his feet early and you know he has a good touch.
“He needs to play a lot of games as it’s a new team for him. But he’s a good player and everybody will help him so he can give his best for Manchester United.”
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