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Champions League Draw Analysis: Another dream draw for Manchester United makes them favourites to reach Madrid final
Red Devils more than capable of ousting FC Hollywood
19 Mar 2010 12:15:00
By Matt Monaghan | Manchester United Correspondent
Manchester United will be calling on the memories of the 1999 Champions League final to see them past Bayern Munich.
More than a decade ago, United stunned Europe to come back and claim the trophy in injury time. A repeat of that kind of resolve, and inviting French semi-final opponents, make a trip to Madrid in May probable.
United's recent history is littered with favourable draws, and today's was no exception. Two years ago Roma and a failing Barcelona were dispatched, before Porto and a lightweight Arsenal were beaten this time last season.
Munich are not the dominant force of old, though world class wingers Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben pose a substantial threat. Since the 1999 classic, the Germans have come out ahead in the subsequent meetings and United will be confident they have the firepower to reverse the trend this time.
The Red Devils' rampant 7-2 victory against AC Milan sent out a message to the competition that they are determind to reach a third consecutive final. With Wayne Rooney in the form of his life, United are favourites for this tie.
Tactical Battle
The Anglo-German battle should be won on the flanks. Munich's much vaunted pair of Ribery and Robben hold the key to their victory.
With Antonio Valencia, United have a flyer of their own performing at the highest level. The choice for Ferguson will be whether to fight fire with fire and start Nani, or play spoiler Park Ji-Sung.
Against Milan, the Scot even chose to play Darren Fletcher out wide to defuse David Beckham. This could be another option to stop Robben, whose fantastic goal against Fiorentina proved he still has the capacity to torment United like he did in his Chelsea days.
Interestingly, a pre-season friendly ended with Munich finishing ahead after penalties. United will want to claim the spoils in normal time to prevent this eventuality.
Disciplinary & Injuries
Suspended: None
One booking off suspension: Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick
Owen Hargreaves' comeback from a two-year injury nightmare came too late for him to be included in United's European squad. Season-ending blows have robbed the club of Anderson and 'super sub' Michael Owen's services.
First choice right-backs Wes Brown and John O'Shea are also both at least a month away from a return to the first-team fold leaving a weakness in the position.
Head-To-Head
1998-99 Champions League Group Stage: Bayern Munich 2-2 Manchester United: Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich
1998-99 Champions League Final: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
2000-01 Champions League quarter-final: Manchester United 0-1 Bayern Munich
2000-01 Champions League quarter-final: Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester United
2001-02 Champions League Group Stage Phase Two: Bayern Munich 1-1 Manchester United
2001-02 Champions League Group Stage Phase Two: Manchester United 0-0 Bayern Munich
Betting Odds - Powered by Titanbet
First leg: Bayern Munich 2.62 - Draw 3.3 - Manchester United 2.62
To qualify: Bayern Munich 2.37 - Manchester United 1.53
To win outright: Bayern Munich 13 - Manchester United 4
Path To The Final
United supporters will be looking to book their plane tickets to Madrid already. If the players dispatch Bayern Munich, they will face French lesser lights Lyon or Bordeaux. Former defender Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux side look the most likely opponents as their form both home and abroad looks likely to nudge them ahead of their Gallic rivals.
Manchester United will be calling on the memories of the 1999 Champions League final to see them past Bayern Munich.
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More than a decade ago, United stunned Europe to come back and claim the trophy in injury time. A repeat of that kind of resolve, and inviting French semi-final opponents, make a trip to Madrid in May probable.
United's recent history is littered with favourable draws, and today's was no exception. Two years ago Roma and a failing Barcelona were dispatched, before Porto and a lightweight Arsenal were beaten this time last season.
Munich are not the dominant force of old, though world class wingers Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben pose a substantial threat. Since the 1999 classic, the Germans have come out ahead in the subsequent meetings and United will be confident they have the firepower to reverse the trend this time.
The Red Devils' rampant 7-2 victory against AC Milan sent out a message to the competition that they are determind to reach a third consecutive final. With Wayne Rooney in the form of his life, United are favourites for this tie.
Tactical Battle
The Anglo-German battle should be won on the flanks. Munich's much vaunted pair of Ribery and Robben hold the key to their victory.
With Antonio Valencia, United have a flyer of their own performing at the highest level. The choice for Ferguson will be whether to fight fire with fire and start Nani, or play spoiler Park Ji-Sung.
Against Milan, the Scot even chose to play Darren Fletcher out wide to defuse David Beckham. This could be another option to stop Robben, whose fantastic goal against Fiorentina proved he still has the capacity to torment United like he did in his Chelsea days.
Interestingly, a pre-season friendly ended with Munich finishing ahead after penalties. United will want to claim the spoils in normal time to prevent this eventuality.
Disciplinary & Injuries
Suspended: None
One booking off suspension: Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick
Owen Hargreaves' comeback from a two-year injury nightmare came too late for him to be included in United's European squad. Season-ending blows have robbed the club of Anderson and 'super sub' Michael Owen's services.
First choice right-backs Wes Brown and John O'Shea are also both at least a month away from a return to the first-team fold leaving a weakness in the position.
'99 Red balloons | United will use history as inspiration
Head-To-Head
1998-99 Champions League Group Stage: Bayern Munich 2-2 Manchester United: Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich
1998-99 Champions League Final: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
2000-01 Champions League quarter-final: Manchester United 0-1 Bayern Munich
2000-01 Champions League quarter-final: Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester United
2001-02 Champions League Group Stage Phase Two: Bayern Munich 1-1 Manchester United
2001-02 Champions League Group Stage Phase Two: Manchester United 0-0 Bayern Munich
| The Opposition - Bayern Munich Formation: 4-4-2 with steel in the centre and silk on the sides. Strength: Both flanks. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery provide a twin threat and are capable of switching over to cause damage. Weakness: The centre of defence has proven to be leaky all season. Butt does not always inspire confidence in goal. Fun Fact: Bayern do not issue the squad number 12 to any player, instead, reserving it for the club's fans. |
Betting Odds - Powered by Titanbet
First leg: Bayern Munich 2.62 - Draw 3.3 - Manchester United 2.62
To qualify: Bayern Munich 2.37 - Manchester United 1.53
To win outright: Bayern Munich 13 - Manchester United 4
Path To The Final
United supporters will be looking to book their plane tickets to Madrid already. If the players dispatch Bayern Munich, they will face French lesser lights Lyon or Bordeaux. Former defender Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux side look the most likely opponents as their form both home and abroad looks likely to nudge them ahead of their Gallic rivals.
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