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Manchester United Comment: Ferguson Has The Man To Shatter Ancelotti's Diamond
Ryan Giggs might hold the key to a Stamford Bridge smash-and-grab...
05-Nov-2009 4:43:07 PM
Diamonds are forever, but Manchester United must shatter this myth to nudge past Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
New boss Carlo Ancelotti has taken his narrow 4-3-3 formation from AC Milan with him through customs control to London. Two points clear at the domestic summit and ahead of Porto in their European group, the tactics haven't been lost in translation.
United travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the knowledge that to succeed they will need to find a way past the dogmatic Italian's mindset. Sir Alex Ferguson has struggled at times in the last year to find the right midfield formula to face down the threat posed by fellow members of the 'Big Four'.
The Premier League champions have wilted under the pressure of the world's spotlight too often for comfort.
Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were crushed at Anfield a fortnight ago by twin terriers Javier Mascherano and Lucas, while the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in August was registered even though no toehold was gained in the middle of park.
Chelsea's first-choice quartet of Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole look in pole position to claim supremacy. Perfectly balanced and in-tune, the four superstars pose a formidable threat.
The visitors' midfield options are on less solid ground. CSKA Moscow's unheralded footballers taught old hands Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher a lesson as they danced around them in mid-week, while Anderson was hooked at half-time in the Champions League final as he floundered in the face of Barcelona's own fantastic foursome.
To beat the Stamford Bridge outfit, an obvious recipe for success is to play around the tight system that Ancelotti deploys. Unfortunately for Ferguson, the hit and miss form of Antonio Valencia and Nani means that this approach is less likely to reap dividends than with imperious old-boy Cristiano Ronaldo in the ranks.
The season-opening Charity Shield contest between the sides will boost the confidence of the Mancunian faithful. United burst out the blocks and bossed the opening exchanges, before losing their grip on the match as it passed the hour mark.
A left-field shout could even see John O'Shea moved up the field to anchor the team in the absence of Owen Hargreaves. The utility man excelled on the artificial pitch in Moscow against CSKA a fortnight ago and could be a real option.
Ferguson does hold a trump card. The opening month of 2009 saw a resurgent Ryan Giggs put in the individual performance of the season as he masterminded the 3-0 reversal that left Luiz Felipe Scolari's regime in tatters.
Giggs is ready to be unleashed at the weekend after spending time on the sidelines, and the occasion screams for Darren Fletcher's inclusion alongside him.
As slight as when he made his debut 18 years ago, the No.11 isn't an obvious option to take the lead against the formidable Blues personnel. But he has the technique and experience to succeed in the land of the giants.
Diamonds are for eternity, but class is permanent. The Welsh wonder could again prove the difference as he foxes his way past the glitterati from the King's Road.
Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK
New boss Carlo Ancelotti has taken his narrow 4-3-3 formation from AC Milan with him through customs control to London. Two points clear at the domestic summit and ahead of Porto in their European group, the tactics haven't been lost in translation.
United travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the knowledge that to succeed they will need to find a way past the dogmatic Italian's mindset. Sir Alex Ferguson has struggled at times in the last year to find the right midfield formula to face down the threat posed by fellow members of the 'Big Four'.
The Premier League champions have wilted under the pressure of the world's spotlight too often for comfort.
Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were crushed at Anfield a fortnight ago by twin terriers Javier Mascherano and Lucas, while the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in August was registered even though no toehold was gained in the middle of park.
Chelsea's first-choice quartet of Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole look in pole position to claim supremacy. Perfectly balanced and in-tune, the four superstars pose a formidable threat.
The visitors' midfield options are on less solid ground. CSKA Moscow's unheralded footballers taught old hands Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher a lesson as they danced around them in mid-week, while Anderson was hooked at half-time in the Champions League final as he floundered in the face of Barcelona's own fantastic foursome.
Carlo's way | United must usurp the Italian
To beat the Stamford Bridge outfit, an obvious recipe for success is to play around the tight system that Ancelotti deploys. Unfortunately for Ferguson, the hit and miss form of Antonio Valencia and Nani means that this approach is less likely to reap dividends than with imperious old-boy Cristiano Ronaldo in the ranks.
The season-opening Charity Shield contest between the sides will boost the confidence of the Mancunian faithful. United burst out the blocks and bossed the opening exchanges, before losing their grip on the match as it passed the hour mark.
A left-field shout could even see John O'Shea moved up the field to anchor the team in the absence of Owen Hargreaves. The utility man excelled on the artificial pitch in Moscow against CSKA a fortnight ago and could be a real option.
Ferguson does hold a trump card. The opening month of 2009 saw a resurgent Ryan Giggs put in the individual performance of the season as he masterminded the 3-0 reversal that left Luiz Felipe Scolari's regime in tatters.
Giggs is ready to be unleashed at the weekend after spending time on the sidelines, and the occasion screams for Darren Fletcher's inclusion alongside him.
As slight as when he made his debut 18 years ago, the No.11 isn't an obvious option to take the lead against the formidable Blues personnel. But he has the technique and experience to succeed in the land of the giants.
Diamonds are for eternity, but class is permanent. The Welsh wonder could again prove the difference as he foxes his way past the glitterati from the King's Road.
Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK
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