Manchester United and AC Milan have developed quite a rivalry in Europe over the past 10 years, and the 2010 edition promises to have just as much drama as in year's past.
Gone is Kaka from Milan's roster, but enter former United standout David Beckham, who tends to travel with a media circus.
Oliver Kay of the Times talks about the potential team tactics that Sir Alex Ferguson will potentially deploy for this first-leg UEFA Champions League match-up.
How will United approach the game?
I expect them to match up against Milan's three-man midfield, with Fletcher, Scholes and Michael Carrick across the centre of the park. United will try and keep things tight early on and then, depending on how the match is unfolding, attempt to hit Milan on the counter.
In contrast to 2007, Milan do not have anyone with the individual ability to terrify United. Kaka was outstanding in both legs in that year but since his departure to Real, there is just not anyone who strikes fear into the opposition. In midfield, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are steady and very good at their jobs. Ronaldinho is dangerous, but he is a fading force, as is David Beckham and although Alexandre Pato has huge potential he is nowhere near Rooney's level just yet.
Do you expect United to push for the away goal or will they be content with 0-0?
At this stage of the competition last year, United produced one of their best performances of the season against Inter Milan and somehow only came away with a 0-0 draw. Jose Mourinho would have been slightly surprised by United's willingness to attack from the off in search of the away goal and that could well be something they attempt to do again tonight.
Gone is Kaka from Milan's roster, but enter former United standout David Beckham, who tends to travel with a media circus.
Oliver Kay of the Times talks about the potential team tactics that Sir Alex Ferguson will potentially deploy for this first-leg UEFA Champions League match-up.
How will United approach the game?
I expect them to match up against Milan's three-man midfield, with Fletcher, Scholes and Michael Carrick across the centre of the park. United will try and keep things tight early on and then, depending on how the match is unfolding, attempt to hit Milan on the counter.
In contrast to 2007, Milan do not have anyone with the individual ability to terrify United. Kaka was outstanding in both legs in that year but since his departure to Real, there is just not anyone who strikes fear into the opposition. In midfield, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are steady and very good at their jobs. Ronaldinho is dangerous, but he is a fading force, as is David Beckham and although Alexandre Pato has huge potential he is nowhere near Rooney's level just yet.
Do you expect United to push for the away goal or will they be content with 0-0?
At this stage of the competition last year, United produced one of their best performances of the season against Inter Milan and somehow only came away with a 0-0 draw. Jose Mourinho would have been slightly surprised by United's willingness to attack from the off in search of the away goal and that could well be something they attempt to do again tonight.
United tends to be at their best when they can absorb the opposition's initial pressure, and then get out quickly on the counter-attack. That would potentially set up an away match like this in United's favor if they were to choose their traditional tactics, but as we saw against Inter Milan last year, they are also quite capable of coming out and pressing on both sides of the ball.
It should prove to be a tremendous match.
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