United’s Key Players …
United will be looking to put down a firm marker for the Champions League quarter final when they face Lille this evening. Revenge for last season’s humiliation may also be on the minds of players and manager alike.
AbsolutelyUNITED looks at some of United’s key players in the battle for European glory .
Edwin VAN DER SAR:
The veteran’s big game experience should earn him the manager’s vote over Tomasz Kuszczak, who has proved a competent understudy whilst the senior goalkeeper recovered from a broken nose. The 37 year old Dutchman is a reassuring presence behind the defence and his calm and authority will be valued by Sir Alex as a counter to any lack of concentration among the rearguard.
Patrice EVRA:
The left back is emerging as an important player in United’s attacking play, with his pace, crossing ability and regular sorties upfield adding a new dimension to forward movements. Against Lille, particularly in the opening away leg, Evra is likely to be set a task similar to the one performed with such excellence so far this season but with the accent on defensive rigour.
The measure of Evra’s improvement is that the rugged Argentine Gabriel Heinze, with far greater experience of international football, is now a bench monkey. Evra will need to show composure particularly in the latter stages of the contest and not allow himself to be stranded upfield.
Rio FERDINAND:
The elegant defender has but one task: Concentrate for the full 90 minutes! Ferdinand is enjoying an excellent season in which he has largely cut out the dozing which characterised some of his domestic performances. Nevertheless, the Londoner was opened up like a can of beans when United fell behind in the first match of the European campaign against Celtic. He recovered well enough and has been a commanding presence alongside the outstanding Vidic.
Michael CARRICK:
For all the manager’s hype, Carrick has yet to dominate a game in United’s colours. It is a mark of the times that English football has gone ‘Makele crazy’ with a holding midfielder able to convince with positional sense as much as the more traditional attributes - a good engine, pace and a strong tackle. That said, there is a thin line separating a midfielder who provides ‘invisible’ benefits to his team and one who simply disappears from the action. Carrick, particularly on the European stage, still can not avoid the latter charge and will need to show more authority against his hard working Lille counterparts.
Wayne ROONEY:
The manager says he is due to explode in Europe but deployment to the left wing would suggest a fizzle rather than a rocket. United need him to rediscover the menace that tore apart Fenerbache in 2004. At his best, United possess in Rooney the individual brilliance to turn decisively the tightest of matches. Will Ferguson’s tactical set-up give the player the necessary platform to display fully his gifts?
Cristiano RONALDO:
The most likely match-winner and a player with the mettle for the biggest stage. If the winger can be encouraged to spot the earlier pass and not be drawn into the slow, slow, quick of the European game, United might just be able to overpower Lille with something approaching a ‘British’ tempo.
The Portuguese pearl looked like he wanted to beat Benfica single-handedly at the Stadium of Light earlier this season during United’s only win on opposition soil in 36 matches. He will need to show similar commitment this time around.
Louis SAHA:
The temperamental striker was in fine form before Christmas and came of age with a stunning strike to settle the contest in Lisbon. Alas, he was decidedly not at the top of his game when United lost at Celtic Park in the penultimate match of the first stage. Injury has interrupted Saha’s season since the turn of the year. Whilst the run-outs at Spurs and against Reading gave encouragement, they did not suggest the player is any closer to finding his goal touch. Saha’s failure to register a goal in the 13 games which followed his strike in the derby match two months ago, tells its own story.
Henrik LARSSON:
As the clock ticks down on his United loan deal, Larsson may well be given the nod this evening as a more complete foil for Wayne Rooney. Larsson’s technique and skill have been put to good use as United munched on the Premiership lemmings in recent outings. The veteran should be in for a more substantial test of his remaining powers against Lille.
Ryan GIGGS:
The winger has gone off the boil markedly since dazzling early in the season. The manager will hope that the Giggs’ excellent finish at White Hart Lane heralds a return to top form. At his best, the Welshman gives United balance and penetration which Ji Sung Park cannot yet rival. Should be fresher after sitting out recent United matches. AU
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