Sir Alex Ferguson has had tremendous success in European competition throughout his career, winning cups with both Aberdeen in the 1980's and at Manchester United. He now advances to his third European Champions League Final - in 1999, 2008 and now again this season.
In the cases of both 2008 and 2009, a similar approach helped his team advance to the Finals.
A stingy defense in both legs of the semifinals helped United defeat Arsenal, which was also the case last year when they shut down Barcelona's mighty attack. They were able to shut out Barcelona in both legs last year, and Arsenal was only able to manage a late penalty kick by Robin van Persie in the second leg.
Timely scoring chances off the counter attack has been a staple of Manchester United's success throughout the Ferguson era, and in both the away semifinals each of the past two years, he relied on his paciest attacking player as a centre forward. Cristiano Ronaldo, normally deployed as a winger, played as a central striker against Arsenal, flanked by Park Ji-Sun and Wayne Rooney. In both cases, he was able to initiate quick counters, and bring other attacking players into the game. Where last year he had Paul Scholes linking up underneath him, this year it was Anderson offering early balls out of the midfield to spring Ronaldo.
"I thought they couldn't handle Ronaldo. That made a big difference," said Ferguson.
"The midfield was working its socks off, we had good shape and the defensive positions were covered but we needed someone to give them real problems and Ronaldo in that form, he's a fantastic player.
"We weren't overcome by Arsenal's start to the game - they were moving and the crowd were going but we kept playing our football. Once we transferred the ball to Ronaldo, it was a big problem for them."
Park has always been a favorite of Ferguson, and deploying him and Rooney on the flanks allowed for good defensive cover from two of United's hardest workers - as well as provided cover against Arsenal's chief attacking threats in Walcott and van Persie.
Knowing that Arsenal had to come out and score at least one goal to have a chance, an organized defense and patient counter attack spelled a great formula for success for Manchester United.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said "We conceded two in three minutes and that's too much against a side that defends well and which likes to counter attack."
In the cases of both 2008 and 2009, a similar approach helped his team advance to the Finals.
A stingy defense in both legs of the semifinals helped United defeat Arsenal, which was also the case last year when they shut down Barcelona's mighty attack. They were able to shut out Barcelona in both legs last year, and Arsenal was only able to manage a late penalty kick by Robin van Persie in the second leg.
Timely scoring chances off the counter attack has been a staple of Manchester United's success throughout the Ferguson era, and in both the away semifinals each of the past two years, he relied on his paciest attacking player as a centre forward. Cristiano Ronaldo, normally deployed as a winger, played as a central striker against Arsenal, flanked by Park Ji-Sun and Wayne Rooney. In both cases, he was able to initiate quick counters, and bring other attacking players into the game. Where last year he had Paul Scholes linking up underneath him, this year it was Anderson offering early balls out of the midfield to spring Ronaldo.
"I thought they couldn't handle Ronaldo. That made a big difference," said Ferguson.
"The midfield was working its socks off, we had good shape and the defensive positions were covered but we needed someone to give them real problems and Ronaldo in that form, he's a fantastic player.
"We weren't overcome by Arsenal's start to the game - they were moving and the crowd were going but we kept playing our football. Once we transferred the ball to Ronaldo, it was a big problem for them."
Park has always been a favorite of Ferguson, and deploying him and Rooney on the flanks allowed for good defensive cover from two of United's hardest workers - as well as provided cover against Arsenal's chief attacking threats in Walcott and van Persie.
Knowing that Arsenal had to come out and score at least one goal to have a chance, an organized defense and patient counter attack spelled a great formula for success for Manchester United.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said "We conceded two in three minutes and that's too much against a side that defends well and which likes to counter attack."
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