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?

Q&A with Letter of the Weekend winner Alan Song

Hi all,

Welcome to this new section in the Postman, where we conduct a short Q&A with our Letter of the Week and Weekend winners.

Our inaugural interview is Alan Song, who won the Letter of the Weekend on Tuesday. Read below on what he has to say about the recent flurry of transfers at the end of the January window and Liverpool’s recent victory over Chelsea.

Do you think Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea will be the turning point for the Reds, after their recent string of results?

It will be only a short turning point. This result will rejuvenate them to win for next 3 to 4 matches but this rejuvenation will not last long as they tend to go back to their old habit of defending their lead again instead of trying to score more goals.

More draws are expected but I do not see them losing matches but the drawn matches would already have cost them the title.