The Alex Factor

There is something about Manchester United. It's like the whole world conspires to help them win. A lot of people would argue (the sort that has read ‘The Alchemist’), that the whole world helps when you want something bad enough. I won't argue with that and Manchester United players certainly want to win every match, every time, but so does every other team in the Premier League. Agreed some, don't have the luxury of having gifted footballers like Rooney, on their teams but the top five or six English Premier League clubs certainly have top quality players. So how it then, that Manchester United have been winning the premier league for the past 3 seasons despite having lost more games than second place Liverpool last season? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that Manchester United aren’t a great team. They are or rather were, the perfect mix of talent, youth and experience and had till the last season perhaps the best player in the world at the time in Cristiano Ronaldo who hit unbelievable form. His magic seemed to rub off on the team and they were unbeatable on their day. On their off-days however, they like any other team always had a touch of green. But on such days luck was with them. It was like Lady Luck favoured them above all the rest. Understandable, because ‘Luck’ wouldn’t be called ‘Lady’ if it remained unaffected by the charm of the talented Cristiano Ronaldo! But now that Cristiano has finally moved to Real, I was hoping Lady Luck would follow him there, going by the ill-fated Derby match which looked like it's already doomed, it seems like Manchester United are still the favourites with ‘her’.
I can't help but feel bad for Manchester City, who spent so much money on bringing in top (may be slightly overpaid) players with the one of the aims being to beat Manchester United in the derby matches. Carlos Tevez, Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz, very talented players, capable of beating Manchester United are all injured and unavailable for the ‘doomed derby’. Like, things weren't bad enough for Manchester City, their in-form striker Adebayor did what he did last week and now has to serve out a well deserved 3 match ban. Does this sound like the world conspiring to help Manchester United to win? Manchester United have evened out the odds already and they haven't even played City yet. It’s like the curse of the Red Devils!
Surely, there has got to be more to this than just luck. Luck can't always work. I have a feeling; maybe it has something to do with the aura around Manchester United. Their ‘never-say-die’ spirit; try-till-the-end reputation and push-the-limits image that they have worked very hard to acquire and maintain, definitely has something to do with their incredible record. No one, goes to Old Trafford to play 11 men in red, they go there to play Manchester United - the Champions, the Legends, the unspoken Kings of the Premier League headed by the best manager in the world Sir Alex Fergusson. This image and spirit of Manchester United has remained at the core of the team’s self esteem even when individual player have come and gone. Sir Alex really is a genius. He has managed to create a Loch Ness monster of sorts in Manchester. It exists because you buy into the hype, or else it’s just a myth. If you believe the hype, even for a second, it takes control of your psyche. Too bad, most teams buy into the whole 'Nessie' of Manchester and, either get too over-awed or too pumped up about playing Manchester United. Sir Alex knows how to use the rival club's fear as well as their enthusiasm to beat them. It's not Lady Luck, its Sir Alex. I hope Manchester City go to Old Trafford to play 11 men (some of them past their prime) in Red and not the 'Champions', 'The Red Devils', Manchester United.

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Manchester United vs Barcelona

After the first leg, with Manchester United playing a professional but somewhat boring match from the point of view of a person looking forward to watching probably the best attacking clubs going head to head, I couldn't wait for tonight's match. I was finally going to see all the fireworks. With the first leg of the Champions League Semi-final ending in a goalless draw, Manchester United had to score goals playing at home. On the other hand, the Barcelona after having kept a clean sheet and not allowing Manchester United to score the all important away goal, now needed to score an away goal themselves. So, this match promised to be a cliffhanger.
Making the fixture even more intriguing were the facts that Manchester United and Barcelona were the only unbeaten clubs left in the Champions League and that Manchester United and Barcelona had both kept clean sheets in their last 4 matches.
Two giants of the footballing world playing to be in the final of the most prestigious club competition in Europe. PFA Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo and energy unleashed Carlos Tevez versus World Player of the Year runner up Lionel Messi and the superb Samuel Eto'o.

It was a must win game for the domestically out of form Barcelona, if they didn't want their season to end. It was a must win game for Manchester United having lost to AC Milan in the Semi-finals last season and especially for Cristiano Ronaldo as he had missed a crucial penalty in the first leg of the fixture. He surely didn't want this black mark on his otherwise marvelous season.
The buildup to the match began at 11:30 pm (my time in India) and somehow whenever that Champions League programming jingle plays, it makes you feel like you are at the right place at the right time. I surely was at the right place in front of the telly! Old Trafford was packed to maximum capacity and 'believe' was the Old Trafford faithfuls message to their team. The scenes of so many people urging their team on were simply breathtaking.

The team was lead out by Rio Ferdinand as Ryan Giggs was on the bench and Puyol who was suspended in the first leg of the fixture returned to lead Barcelona into this crucial match. The referee blew his whistle and the game got underway. In the opening seconds of the game, Manchester United conceded a free kick just outside the box but Lionel Messi was unable to make the most of it. The first 13 minutes of the game Barcelona looked really comfortable, dominated possession and Messi was as threatening as ever while Manchester United looked out of sorts. I immediately felt that we probably needed Rooney, who was not playing tonight as he hadn't recovered from the hip injury he picked up in the Chelsea game.

In the 14th minute, Gianluca Zambrotta one of the most experienced players in the Barcelona back line tackled Cristiano Ronaldo but ended up passing the ball to Paul Scholes who about 30 yards from goal unleashed a thunderous shot swerving high and wide of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdez, giving United the lead. It's wonderful how things work out in football so it made perfect sense that the goal should come from the veteran midfielder who had been injured and had to miss the 1999 final at Nou Camp against the German club Bayern Munich. Earlier in the week, Sir Alex had said that if Manchester United were to play in the finals of the Champions League this season Paul Scholes would be the first name he'd put on the team sheet. Almost like he knew something!

Five minutes later Messi embarked on his trademark run from deep, going past Scholes and Brown and drawing Edwin Van Der Sar into a fine save from the edge of the area.

A confident Manchester United started to dictate the pace of the game and Ronaldo caused quite few problems along with Park Ji Sung for the Barcelona defence. A few more chances were created by Barcelona who looked comfortable coming forward through Deco and Eto'o but they failed to get the goal.

In the second half, play continued to fluctuate from end to end though Manchester United looked the more likely of the two to score. Portuguese winger Nani had a few great chances to put United 2 goals ahead of the Catalan Giants but failed to capitalise on it.

Barcelona substituted Andres Iniesta with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry around the hour mark. Henry, Deco and Messi had a few shots on goal but failed to find the elusive goal which would take their team through to the finals.

Barcelona especially Argentine Winger Lionel Messi played some outstanding attacking football but were denied time and again by the brilliant defending from United back line. There were 5 minutes of injury time added on and the 1-0 scoreline ensured that I couldn't breathe!
Watch out Liverpool or Chelsea because every time Manchester United have reached the final of the Champions league, they have won and I am sure Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs would love to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford once again before they retire.

So finally, the referee blew his whistle and Manchester United created history by making sure that it would be the first all-English Champions League Final in Moscow. What a fantastic day for English football and English football fans the world over.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Saturday saw Chelsea meet league leaders and title defenders Manchester United in the what was being called 'The Clash of the Titans’, ‘The Battle of Stamford Bridge’ ‘The Title Decider’ and 'The Match of the season'. Chelsea have not been beaten at Stamford Bridge since their 2-1 loss to Arsenal in February 2007. That makes it an amazing 100 unbeaten domestic games! Manchester United on the other hand are the highest scoring club in the EPL this season with a squad of which Sir Alex says 'this is the strongest squad I've ever had in 21 years.'

If Manchester had won this match, it would most certainly mean that the 2007-2008 title was all but theirs, but if Chelsea were to win, that would mean that they would be equal on points with the Red Devils (even though United still have a much superior goal difference) , and the title battle would go on till the end of the season with all remaining games becoming must win games for both the clubs. Every neutral, I guess would want the title race to go on till the end. But then who am I kidding? Neutrals in a Chelsea-Man U match, whoever heard of such a thing!?

It was 5:15 PM kick-off and I was all set in front of the telly, slightly jealous of John Dykes and Steve McMahon who had the best seats in Stamford Bridge. It all started in the tunnel, the United squad lead by Rio Ferdinand, stood in readiness but there was no Chelsea player to be seen. A small cynical voice in me said 'maybe Chelsea are scared' but then came confident captain John Terry and the game got under way.

Chelsea were the first to attack and in the 38 second of the game Edwin Van Der Sar was forced to make a save off Michael Essien's shot. In the first few minutes of the game, Vidic was caught by Didier Drogba's knee as he stooped to head the ball clear and had to be taken off. He was replaced by Owen Hargreaves and I shuddered remembering Hargreaves free kick against Arsenal. It was later reported that Vidic had broken his tooth which had gone through his tooth was taken to the hospital. Poor Vidic, he had just recovered from a stomach flu which he had caught in Barcelona and it wasn't sure till very late if he'd be fit for this match against Chelsea.

Chelsea dominated the first half and Michael Essien was simply superb with his runs forward. Manchester United who had wing wizard and PFA player of the year (am sure, he'll win tonight) Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez starting on the bench, looked out of sorts. Chelsea had a majority of the possession of the ball and looked the most likely team to score. I felt they just lacked the final ball quite a few times and while they did have a lot of the ball and quite a few chances being created. There weren't nearly as many shots on target.

When Joe Cole's shot on goal in the 20th minute bounced off the crossbar, and there was still no goal till the 44th minute I felt like Chelsea's terrible luck from last season was continuing. In case you haven't guessed it by now, I was hoping for a Chelsea win. But all that changed with a super header by Michael Ballack in the 45th min off Drogba's cross. It was glorious and the Chelsea squad dedicated the very important goal to Frank Lampard's mother, who had passed away during the week.
This is when I was wishing there was no half time break. I have seen it happen in the past when Manchester United start off a game badly and then I guess Sir Alex says something to them at half time and they come back transformed. I really think all managers should get to know those magical Sir Alex words! Also, there was the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carloz Tevez being brought on after half time. And I know Chelsea, well enough, once they go ahead, they try to just defend and keep that lead. Which was a fine and during Jose Mourinho's time they were great at keeping their lead but lately they haven't been as effective.( remember the Wigan game?)

There were no changes by Sir Alex after half time but he definitely had said those magic words of his to the team as Manchester definitely looked more threatening (dare I say awake) . They were keeping possession well and scarily enough Cristiano Ronaldo was warming up on the touchline! Just then Carvalho made a major mistake at the back and passed directly to Rooney who of course scored, a fine finish. I thought Carvalho had gifted Sir Alex and Manchester United the title and that United would now just sit back and kill the game. But, Sir Alex wanted to be doubly sure so he replaced Rooney (who was suffering from a muscle pull) with Ronaldo and O'Shea with Anderson. I braced myself for a massacre. Ronaldo was rather shocked by the harsh welcome from Michael Ballack. The game continued and Manchester United were looking more and more threatening. While Manchester United were piling on the pressure, Chelsea's Didier Drogba was fighting his own teammate (the goal scorer) Michael Ballack for a free kick. Drogda being more of a baby than Ballack won the sulking contest and took the kick which wasn't half bad. Only I wonder what Ballack could have done with it. Manchester further upped their tempo and Drogba still continued to argue with Ballack, who turned his back on the tantrums.

Thank God, for Michael Essien, John Terry and the others who were more focussed on wining the game. In the 86th minute Essien crossed the ball into the box and it hit Carrick's hand. A penalty for handball was awarded against the United midfielder and you didn't see Drogba arguing with Ballack over taking this one! Oh and this was the first penalty given against Manchester United all season! Brilliant Ballack kept his cool to score from the spot. Chelsea were once again in front and the crowd was ecstatic. There were 5 minutes added on and Manchester United were going all out. Ashely Cole cleared one off the line, as did Shevchenko in the dying minutes of added time. Ferdinand lost his cool and John Terry intervened and I think saved Ferdinand from a Red card. (Fabio was in the crowd). Later, there was tiff between the Chelsea grounds men and the United players who were cooling down after the game. The players claimed that the grounds men asked them to leave the grounds and wouldn't let them cool down properly. There were verbal and physical blows exchanged between the two groups.

Was it really a penalty? Did Sir Alex make a mistake with his team selection? Will the title be decided on goal difference this year? John Terry or Rio Ferdinand, who will lead the English team? Are United players bad losers? Is Drogba crazy to be fighting over a free kick?! There will always be questions but what matters is ... Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester United. Chelsea level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table and the the title race is ON and promises to be a nail biter.