Had United been drawn an English side at this stage in the competition, I’d easily have been able to find the positives. There is a great familiarity with English teams, so if you have confidence in your manager getting the tactics right, then progression should be achievable.
However, with United being drawn Roma in the quarter finals of the Champions League, a team we had already faced four times in the past year, we couldn’t have got a much better draw for familiarity. That said, Roma are the second best team in Italy currently, 4 points behind the league leaders, and 7 points ahead of Juve, 16 points ahead of AC Milan.
Teams who will be incredibly familiar with each other by next week are Arsenal and Liverpool, who will have played each other 3 times in 6 days. The first game ended in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, in the first stage of the quarter final draw in the Champions League. Tomorrow, they will play each other in the league, again at Arsenal’s ground.
From a United point of view, I’d much rather see Arsenal progress in the Champions League and Liverpool win the league match, however it seems that Rafa has again made known his priorities lie in Europe. After playing his strongest team at the Emirates on Wednesday, he plans to make massive changes to the line-up, including dropping Liverpool’s best players, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
“Torres and Gerrard will need to be strong for the second leg, and Kuyt ran himself to a standstill on Wednesday,” said Benitez. “Some players recover in two or three days, others need four. Maybe we will need to change some players. The age may be the key. Fernando can recover in two days, but Sami could take five. We will have to wait and see. I am expecting to make changes, I cannot expect them to play three times like that in seven days, certainly with the very high tempo of the games. It is impossible to play these same players three times in a week. Impossible.”
Whilst Arsenal are struggling for form at the moment, losing two, drawing six, and winning two of the last ten games they’ve played, a second string Liverpool team at home should be a rather simple task. If Liverpool were playing their strongest side, this certainly could prove to be a game where Arsenal lost even more ground in the title race.
Wenger’s priorities aren’t as clear though, with the French man still claiming they still can win the league, despite being six points behind. Will he too play a weakened side, seeing the Champions League a more achievable trophy this season? Van Persie and Adebayor are doubts for the game regardless, but Wenger might also be tempted to play around with the midfield and defensive selection, in order to preserve his players for the second leg, where they are at a disadvantage following the first game’s result.
If Liverpool don’t go on to win the European Cup, Benitez may regret resting his players in the league, as a loss for them at the weekend coupled with an Everton victory would put his Merseyside rivals just two points behind them in the battle for fourth place, the last European Cup spot. Although apart from a bragging point of view, this serves United no benefit, whereas them taking points off Arsenal at the weekend would.
What are you hoping for from the upcoming Arsenal vs Liverpool matches?
Honestly I am thinking that they tie in all their games. Not only will Arsehol loose 2 points and fall behind in the league, but Liverpool will also end up only 3 points ahead of Everton (assuming Everton win). In Europe, they both tie and only one side progress via penalty kicks or away goal rule. I think that will be the most balanced and most favorable result for us.
this is why finishing 4th and getting a cl place is idiotic lpool can finish 20 points behind again and they will still make the cl
it needs to be tightened up to the top 2only so clubs have to go flat out and not rest players fortthese games
according to new rules… top 3 teams from england will get automatic qualification… but 4th team will have to play 2 rounds of pre-qualifiers ….
I am hoping that they tie in the league as well. That would be the best result for us.
Am I the only one dreaming of facing Liverpool in the CL? It would be glorious to send the scouse sulking away from Europe, only for Everton to take thier place next year. I can hear the chants already…
From the standpoint of the Premiership title chase, with Arsenal currently six points back and Liverpool 14 behind, a Liverpool win might be the best outcome. But, I’d also love to see Everton beat out Liverpool for the fourth Champions League spot, so an Arsenal win would work out best for that scenario. With that in mind, I’d have to say a tie would be the best overall outcome for my liking.
thing is, ian – rafa’s basically saying he isnt giving a shit about the PL. I, for one, think this is a total pussy move. what kind of leader throws this tactic out to the masses?? to just give up on the league??? is that serious?
psh. i hope they lose their 4th to everton & let us spank them out of the CL as well. they deserve to come out with a big nothing for playing this way. shameful.
I read it too. Well I was expecting it. I never thought that the fat spaniard is going to do us a favor. Well let’s hope that the ones on the field will give their best and get a draw
I’d never expect ‘Pool to do us any favours, though for once I wish they’ll win… another one… I hope CITY also do us a favour and beat Chelsea today.
Sick and twisted dreams eh.
Jsos… What do you expect Benitez to do? Liverpool are, predictably, out of the PL race, but still in with a big shout of winning the CL. Of course he’s going to prioritise the latter. Hatred is hetred and i cn allow for hatred of Liverpool, but stupidity is another thing. Or do you think Benitez should play his best team just to do us a favour? Because Liverpool are more likely to win the league than that is to happen.
Benitez was always going to rest his best players for the league game. that their reserves got a draw today effectively ends Arsenals title challenge, but it was all but over aanyway.
Whoever wins their game on tuesday, i would expect us to beat in the final anyway.
In sum, i don’t care about Liverpool or Arsenal, and am not sure why there is a blog about it on a Man Utd forum…
LOL. I had a feeling about this
hey tote – do me a favor, next time you call someone stupid – how about you come with a link thats not to a betting site. intelligence in question? hmmmm, fine line eh?
nowhere did i imply rafa would do us a favour with his lineup, only that he might want to retain some pride. sadly, though admittedly predictably, he has no time for that. instead he opts for doughnuts, and tossers like you coming to his rescue.
side note: if you dont care about liverpool or arsenal, why did you click on the link for an article called “rafa won’t do us any favours”?