Jim White

United's win a triumph for Fergie

Wed May 06 10:52AM

So it wasn't close after all. Manchester United were in the Champions League final after just 11 minutes of last night's semi, from the moment Manuel Almunia was exposed by Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick.

That was the moment that put Arsenal flat on the canvas, their weak chin shattered, their senses scrambled. Needing four goals against the best-marshalled defence in the European game: they were already beaten, humiliated, mangled and there were still 80 minutes left to play.

It was at that point that the noise in the Emirates changed. Before kick off, this often contemplative stadium had been a cauldron of happy local expectation, of waving flags and cheery chants. Even after the first goal went in, there was still a grumble of defiance about the place. But after the Ronaldo rocket, the only sound came from the away fans, chirpily reprising Rafa Benitez's rant and announcing that they were "off to Rome and that's a fact". Mind, even that happy row was challenged as United went three up on the hour. It was then that the stadium began to echo to the clack-clack-clack of emptying seats.

There were many reasons for United's utter superiority on the night. There was the huge gulf in experience (only two of Arsenal's players had won a major trophy, whereas every one of United's needs an extension to their home to house the baubles). There was the lung-busting effort of the visiting players (evidenced in the distance Ronaldo - a player routinely and ignorantly derided by his many detractors as nothing but a showboater - ran to score the third). There was the magnificence of a defence that - unlike poor Kieran Gibbs, whose stumble had United followers smirkingly speculating that he was wearing John Terry's boots from last year's final - did not put a foot wrong. But the one that really matters, and oddly the one that is likely to be given the least prominence in the post mortem, is that in the tactical battle of the dug outs, their manager won hands down.

Alex Ferguson is reckoned to have many talents as a football manager. He is a superb judge of a player, he exudes a contagious passion and he is a wonderful motivator. As he recently revealed, among the many backroom staff at Carrington he does not employ a psychologist. Why should he? He does all that sort of thing himself. But what is not often recognised about him is his tactical nous. I recall once interviewing him following a game against Liverpool in which United had come from behind to win. I asked him why he thought it was, why had a seemingly determined Liverpool side had capitulated in the second half? He patiently explained that it might have had something to do with the fact that Steven Gerrard had been gifted the freedom of the park by the United midfield for the first 45 minutes, but a quick change of tactic at half time had seen his movement curtailed.

And so it was with Arsenal. In both legs, Ferguson out-foxed a manager who is often portrayed as his tactical superior. Everything the Scot did was a triumph. For a start, he picked exactly the right team to stifle the Gunners' habit of completing 45 consecutive passes before attempting a shot on goal. Knowing they have no Plan B, he dispatched Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Ji-Sung Park to tear at them. Cesc Fabgregas, Denilson and Samir Nasri barely had the space to breathe, never mind create. On the train back from the Emirates last night, I sat opposite some Arsenal fans who were bemoaning the fact that their team had been so comprehensively out played by "such ordinary players". Park, one of them moaned, had only been bought to sell shirts in the Far East and here he was dominating their team.

Well, not quite. Even after Gibbs's desperate slip had presented him with a chance, Park was required to demonstrate considerable skill to score. For those with ridiculously long memories, the United player he most brings to mind is Steve Coppell, a similarly all-action combination of endeavour and touch who still retains the longest sequence of first team appearances in United history. Ferguson sent Park out knowing the job that was required and he did it. Even for those of us who would argue that a United team is not a United team without Paul Scholes at its heart, it was the right choice. The Ginger General would simply not have been able to run like Park.

Not only did Ferguson select the right team, he played them in precisely the right way. Wayne Rooney was brilliant defensively, working as a shield on the left side, but still with enough forward nous to produce a wonderful pass for Ronaldo's second. In fact that goal was the glittering amalgam of all that Ferguson planned, the swiftness of its execution a thing as beautiful as it was brutal. The only downside to Ferguson's evening of personal triumph was Darren Fletcher's unhappy red card. One of the returning Arsenal fans suggested he would have been better off letting Fabregas through to score. But you suspect that if he had done that, Ferguson would immediately have crossed him off his final team. At Ferguson's United that is simply not the way.

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Maureen is just Jealous of Man Utd, plain and simple... Inter were destroyed by Utd, live with that Maureen.
AIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In RomeAIn't In Rome
AIR is arsenals and liverpoo's new sponsor = AIn't In Rome. Chelski are still in negotiations with AIR regarding their deal..
aahaahahahahahah Manchester United are Puuuuurrrrrrriiiinnnnnnngg. loving it, esp putting up all you londoncentric media men.
From lefinlan on Wed May 06 11:17AM
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The match was a disappointment in terms of thrills. Yes Man United were fast off the block but one would expect Arsenal to do the same not just for the first five minutes but for the whole game. After all this was the Emirates and they were playing in front of their supporters. Let's hope tonight's game would be a much better spectacle. Go ManU.
From cokrowinoto on Wed May 06 11:40AM
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57,000 Arsenal flags for sale!Only used for 7 minutes.
From kuledx27 on Wed May 06 11:43AM
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oooooooh what an article!
Whats your home address Jim?
I want to make love to you!
From bobo.spamble on Wed May 06 12:03PM
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Bobo I have to agree with you Jim is the real deal honey
From annieh97 on Wed May 06 12:16PM
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Annie, perhaps we could arrange a threesome with me, you and Jim?
But I'm in the middle OK!
From bobo.spamble on Wed May 06 12:18PM
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Could of left the title United's win a triumph. United where fantastic that night and so is this blog.
Great stuff Jim White
From benbear76 on Wed May 06 12:45PM
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Hahaha. Jim White again shows that yahoo blogs can have substance to them. maybe ed could take a few lessons. But well said.
You can actually see the slight tactical changes Ferguson has made over the years in Europe. He's always improving. kudos to him for that!
Great victory last night. Kudos to arsenal for still having a go.
From irshad_0 on Wed May 06 12:46PM
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bobo ; you're a big enough d-ck to go round lad thats for sure
From chrisw7892000 on Wed May 06 12:58PM
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chrisw7892000 - thanks buddy!
but its much bigger than you heard; I only had a semi that nite with yer missus!
From bobo.spamble on Wed May 06 01:12PM
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Jim White should be Prime Minister, or at least Minister of Sports at some level. Because the man absolutely nails almost every topic he touches, on the head.
Idiots call Ronaldo a wuss, a diver, a showboater, etc. Is it a crime to be hansome, rich, glamorous and be a VERY talented footballer?
Anyway, Wenger acknowledged that the boy simply tore them apart. Thank you Jim White for another truthful atricle.
From ravencpi on Wed May 06 01:32PM
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Chris Bobo is a stand up guy
From annieh97 on Wed May 06 01:33PM
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Ok Bobo anything for you
From annieh97 on Wed May 06 01:36PM
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thanks for your support Annie;
i'll always be behind you... fiddlin with yer bits
From bobo.spamble on Wed May 06 01:46PM
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You dont win anything with kids, particularly not with the kids Wenger has been parading for years.
From urielconsult on Wed May 06 02:07PM
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CRISTIANO RONALDO(portugal) best world player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From manuelph2007 on Wed May 06 02:10PM
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(only two of Arsenal's players had won a major trophy, whereas every one of United's needs an extension to their home to house the baubles). I agree with most of your stuff Jim but the quote above is a load of @#$%. Every one? think again.
From walks3y on Wed May 06 02:12PM
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Hello, fans!I'm an amazing tall girl from UK. I like Football and travell very much.
I have a blog on-- Seekingtall Co m -- I like to share the funny things with other fans,esp handsome guys~~Let’s go picnicing
From smithada55 on Wed May 06 02:17PM
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(only two of Arsenal's players had won a major trophy, whereas every one of United's needs an extension to their home to house the baubles). Normally i agree with you Jim but the comment above is bullsh** All of them???? Think again.
From walks3y on Wed May 06 02:18PM
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CRISTIANO RONALDO(portugal) best world player!!!!!!
From manuelph2007 on Wed May 06 02:26PM
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Nice and absorbing article from White. Its what we see but can't pin it out. White can be Prime Minister in Kenya!!
Bobo and Annie you sound starved! Take it easy and enjoy just the football!
From mclwanga on Wed May 06 02:26PM
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CRISTIANO RONALDO(portugal) best world player!!!!!!
From manuelph2007 on Wed May 06 02:27PM
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yes!!!!!!! we are the best
From mutombopatrick27 on Wed May 06 02:37PM
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yes!!!!!!! we are the best
From mutombopatrick27 on Wed May 06 02:37PM
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yes!!!!!!! we are the best
From mutombopatrick27 on Wed May 06 02:37PM
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It was said he just enjoyed hot dating with a rich black female on "M i l l i 0 n a i r e l 0 v e s . coo 00 m"
From heidi19830511 on Wed May 06 02:46PM
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"such ordinary players" GUFFAW - every one of Man U's players is a great talent - each different, but all Brilliant! Who do they have? BENDTNER????? ADEBAYOR??? PLEASE!!!
From pegez on Wed May 06 02:51PM
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HULLO! HULLO! ITS OFF TO ROME WE GO!!!!
From pegez on Wed May 06 02:51PM
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Hello, fans!I'm an amazing tall girl from UK. I like Football and travelling very much.
I have a blog on-- Seekingtall Co m -- I like to share the funny things with other fans,esp handsome guys~~Let’s go picnicing
From smithada55 on Wed May 06 02:58PM
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Im a diehard Liverpool fan but credit where its due utd made Arsenal look poor we still beat them twice though ha ha
From phil.lee32 on Wed May 06 03:07PM
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