Will Rio’s absence swing the Premiership title race?

MANCHESTER United are one foot into the Champions League final, thanks to John O’Shea’s solitary goal in the first-leg semi-final at Old Trafford early this morning.

But the victory comes at a price, as centreback Rio Ferdinand could be out for the rest of the season with a cracked rib, pending further tests.

This comes at a time where United’s backline is just looking more confident following its recent shakiness, notably in games where Sir Alex Ferguson had to rely on central defensive pairings other than the usual Ferdinand-Vidic axis.

United are currently leading Liverpool by three points, with a game in hand, but United have some tough opponents in their remaining five league matches – against Manchester City at home on 10 May, and a home game against Arsenal the following weekend.

Given how United looked so frail without Ferdinand and Vidic together in the heart of defence, and how Liverpool have come into form in March, will Ferdinand’s injury swing the fate of the Premiership race this season yet again?

What would Fergie’s and Wenger’s starting lineups be like tomorrow morning?

(Picture: AFP)

SIR ALEX Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are set to renew their long-standing rivalry tomorrow morning (Singapore time) as Manchester United face Arsenal in the first-leg Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford.

The two managers have fought epic managerial battles since the Frenchman took charge of the London club in 1996, with sly jabs thrown in either direction from time to time.

And given the recent circumstances, it would be interesting to see how both managers will select their starting lineups.

For United, the spotlight will fall squarely on its front-line. United’s Wayne Rooney and company had to rely on the introduction of Carlos Tevez against Spurs to spark a stirring second-half comeback. The 4-2-4 formation – with Rooney, Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo – tore into the Lilywhites’ defence and put five past a hapless Heurelho Gomes, who had been outstanding in the first half.

United certainly need to score goals, given that they are again faced with the unfamiliar situation of playing at home in the first-leg, but Fergie will surely remember how Arsenal dominated the midfield in their 2-1 victory over the Red Devils earlier this season, and scheme to prevent a similar situation.

For Arsenal, changes are afoot, with Andrei Arshavin cup-tied and Robin van Persie and Eduardo doubtful due to injury. Wenger has been quoted as saying that he is considering moving Samir Nasri – the star of the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over United last November – to a central holding midfield position or the left flank to plug the gap left by Arshavin’s absence.

If you were Ferguson or Wenger, how would you select the players for your starting lineup, and what formation would you use?

How would you stop the Barca juggernaut?

How to stop Lionel Messi? (Picture: AP)

CHELSEA face an in-form Barcelona tomorrow morning (Singapore time) in the Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp, and for the Blues, the match could not come at a worse time.

While the Premiership club have been revitalised with the appointment of interim coach Guus Hiddink, chalking up 11 victories in the Dutchman’s 15 games in charge, they face a Barcelona that had all but swept aside Bayern Munich in the previous stage of the competition.

A particular area to note would be Chelsea’s left flank.

Leftback Ashley Cole is suspended for the first-leg, after receiving a yellow card in the second-leg quarter-final against Liverpool. That flank just so happens to be the favourite hunting ground for Barca’s wonderboy Lionel Messi, who has grown from strength to strength this season, and surely a shoo-in for one of the contenders for the World Player of the Year award this season.

Without Wayne Bridge, who has since departed for Manchester City, Hiddink seems to be thinking of using Bosingwa to keep the mercurial Argentinian in check.

Problem is, Messi isn’t the only problem that Chelsea have to face. Strike partners Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry have been prolific in front of goal this season as well, scoring 27 and 17 goals respectively.

Given the situation, what would be your strategy if you were Guus Hiddink?

Question of the Week (Your PFA Player of the Year in England)

Hi all,

THE POSTMAN’S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Given the faults of the current voting system (since it’s decided halfway through the season) who would have been your choice for the PFA Player of the Year award in England, and why?

Cheers,

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

 

Does Giggs deserve the PFA Player of the Year award this season?

VETERAN Manchester United player Ryan Giggs won the PFA Player of the Year award last night (Singapore time), one of the few awards that the Welshman had not won in his glittering career.

The 35-year-old beat United teammates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar, as well as Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard to the award, adding to his two PFA young player awards among other team accolades.

While few will argue that the United vice-captain deserves some form of recognition for his achievements – he has 10 league titles to his name, and has won 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups and the Champions League twice in his 17-year United career – but does Giggs deserve the award this season?

Which of Fergie’s old boys is the best manager?

ROY Keane has returned to football last night (Singapore time), after being appointed manager of Championship side Ipswich.

The former Manchester United captain will now attempt to repeat with Ipswich what he did as manager of Sunderland at the end of the 06/07 season – to bring the club to the glittering lights (not to mention the financial riches) of the Premier League.

With the appointment Keane rejoins the ranks of former United players or coaching staff who have played under Sir Alex Ferguson and then went on to manage their own clubs.

Among them are Mark Hughes, Carlos Queiroz, Steve Bruce and – who can forget – Steve McClaren.

Who is the best manager among all these ex-United men who have learned under arguably the most successful British club manager in history?

Question of the Weekend (Who is the bigger flop?)

THE POSTMAN’S QUESTION OF THE WEEKEND: Robbie Keane at Liverpool or Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United, who is the bigger flop of the two and why?

Are Chelsea’s title hopes dashed?

CHELSEA slipped further off the race towards the Premiership title this season with this morning’s 0-0 draw against Everton.

The Blues are still third in the league table right now, but are now six points off leaders Manchester United, who still have a game in hand.

Chelsea have to win all their remaining games, while hoping that United lose at least two games, and Liverpool to lose at least once, provided the Blues improve their goal difference dramatically in their upcoming games.

The London club now have five games left to play, with the London derby with Arsenal on 10 May one to note, especially after how the Gunners managed a 4-4 draw with Liverpool at Anfield yesterday morning.

Despite the magic touch of Dutch guru Guus Hiddink, are Chelsea’s title hopes dashed this season?

Q & A with Letter of the Weekend Chan Ka Wai

When and why did you become a Manchester United fan?

I became a Manchester United fan after the 2002 Fifa World Cup. I started watching “live” matches from television with the influence of my friends and parents during that 2002 Fifa World Cup period.

England were my favourite team when I was watching all World Cup matches. England had David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville who caught my eye when they played. They were very good players, having professional altitude and also loyal to their clubs. Because of them, I have continued to see more of Manchester United matches and gradually become a United fan.

What was the most memorable experience you had as a United fan?

The Champion League final match against Chelsea should be considered as the most memorable experience I had as a United fan. The penalty shoot-out really thrilled me and that was the most memorable match I had watched on the television. At that moment, I did not expect that John Terry would miss the spot kick and give Manchester United the lifeline to win the shoot-out.

What’s wrong with Liverpool’s defence?

FOR the second time in as many games, Liverpool’s defence has let the team down, costing the Reds dearly in their title and cup ambitions.

Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League last week by Chelsea, after conceding four goals at Stamford Bridge.

And early this morning, they shipped in another four goals against Arsenal in the Premiership in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Anfield. The result leaves the Merseyside club on top of the league table on goal difference, although defending champions Manchester United now have two games in hand, including tomorrow morning’s game against Portsmouth.

The defensive frailties follow their recent resurgence in the league, where they have clocked a series of high-scoring victories since their 4-1 drubbing of United.

What exactly is the problem with Liverpool’s defence in these two games?