It´s never a great feeling to lose a final, not matter how much or how little is at stake, but I think we can leave Munich with our heads held high. The team which ripped AC Milan apart the evening before didn´t have a lot of joy against us, despite having the best part of the Allianz stadium cheering them on. 69,000 people showed up to watch the Audi Cup final, which maybe signals the importance that Bayern put on this competition. There 8,000 more fans than the semi-finals and as the host team, they clearly wanted the trophy. We can be happy enough that we took them to sudden death penalties for that to happen.
For the first ten minutes, United looked in control whilst Bayern looked very edgy and nervous. I couldn´t quite believe this was the same team that stroked the ball around the field so confidently the night before. They stayed in their half when they had possession and the keeper booted the ball out of play a couple of times under pressure from our forward line.
However, Bayern grew in confidence and took control of the first half. Despite both sides hitting the woodwork, ours a spectacular effort from Dimitar Berbatov, the home team certainly had the best play. Darron Gibson didn´t shower himself in glory and the successful strike partnership from Asia, in Berbatov and Owen, didn´t amount to much in Germany.
It was a heart in mouth when half way through the first half Martin Demichelis lunged at Owen. It is only since looking at the pictures I can see the extent of just how nasty it was. Studs up, nowhere near the ball, and would have warranted a red card in a proper match. After Owen finally managed to get up, he stood bent over for some time holding his knees, clearly in pain. This was all we fucking needed! Fortunately, Owen was running about the pitch in no time and showed no after effects of the horrible challenge.
In the second half we looked far more likely to leave as the winning team, with our attacks far more focussed and threatening. Antonio Valencia adds life to our attack. He´s put in two good performances against two good teams in Munich and I´m looking forward to seeing him in action in the Premiership. He is so good at running at players and taking them on, something Ronaldo seemed to steer away from in his last season with us, so that is great to see. He has no fear as he bursts down the right wing and is more than happy to come inside too. He put in a few good balls last night and it´s clear to see he will be a source of goals when the season starts.
After Berbatov´s woodwork effort in the first half, our best second half chances fell to Owen and Wayne Rooney. The keeper came out quickly to leave Owen with little room to poke it in to the net, whilst Rooney swung wildly from a tight angle to see his effort from close range go high over the bar. Scholes struck from distance too and as he was winding up to take the shot, the Bayern crowd gave a loud´oooooooh´in anticipation.
I was really impressed with the atmosphere, given that it was packed full of kids and families on their fun evening out. They were all prepared to get involved in the chanting and whilst they didn´t have a large song sheet to sing from, instead, just one or two chants, they were loud and enthusiastic. I could have done without all the paper planes being thrown all over the place though. You were ducking and diving to avoid them as they came hurtling from above. In the second half, the planes which reached the pitch received louder cheers than anything their players seemed to do!
So, it came to a penalty shoot-out and that was that. Edwin Van der Sar, who is usually so good at saving penalties, couldn´t do much against the efficient Germans. He tried as hard as he could to put them off by pointing to a certain direction in the goal and strolling to the line, but it had no effect. I would have fancied Patrice Evra to take a better penalty than he did but I wasn´t expecting much from Jonny Evans (who otherwise had a fantastic game for us!). Nani´s penalty was the best of the night, as, like usual, he shows us just how good he can be in small flashes, but Bayern did the best on the night. Oh well.
All in all, great tournament, great trip, great fans. I´ll give a better review of the whole thing once I´m away from the heat of this internet cafe and back in rainy Manchester!
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sorry to put a comment on this off topic straight away but
sad news this morning
and id like to say rest in peace to sir bobby robson
a legendary man and manager
who almost gave england there second world cup
to his family and friends my heart goes out to you
It’s a terrible shame he’s gone, really is.
On United themes; does anybody have any hope for Nani or Anderson this season? They haven’t impressed me this pre-season to be honest.
Rj
wat are you talking mate?
nani has been brilliant.he was brilliant again yesterday and made lahm look a fool sometimes.
Ando has scred his firt goal so we have to be positive abt him.
dunno abt ando but i m sure nani has bright future.
Well done boys…now get back soon and win against tiny tears …
I can feel a tiny tear at the end of my eye now..Sir Bobby was a legend..and He had the know-how to run a football club…Look where the geordies are after he left…But have to give it to the man who fought cancer like a man…
RIP Sir Bobby..
rj you must be nuts anderson ran the show on wednesday and dont get me started on nani
never really got the feeling he wanted to put the work into betterin himself
but the guy has been on song in the pre season
right time to shoot
right place to pass
right passes
signs are as good as your eyes are clowded
RIP Sir Bobby. He was a true football man.
have you been in Munich, Scott ? Wow!
RIP Sir Bobby Robson.
R.I.P. Sir Bobby Robson.
Nani never impressed me. He’s not United quality. Anderson on and off. Gibson should have been shipped out. Valencia will be a success. Looking forward to a good and successful season.
@rj wat r u talking about those 2 guys have been impressive but i don’t think gibsm should be wearing the united shirt
We are warming up nicely for the campaign ahead and I am pleased with Nani having started to show real potential. Valencia looks dangerous and has already got defenders worried about facing him running at them in Red.
Sad to hear about Sir Bobby Robson passing away. He was always hugely likeable and unquestionably, absolutely crazy about football. Another one of the good guys has gone and that is always sad.
Had his beloved Newcastle not been relegated and dissapointed so terribly in the last few games of the season he perhaps would have kept the will to live a little longer. Perhaps Alan Shearer should ask himself if he bears some responsibility for making his last few months so miserable.
There were lots of positives to be taken from the game . Lets get home and work on what we have , Valencia hard , fast and thinking .
i don’t think gibsm should be wearing the united shirt
I think you should give Gibson a chance, at 21 years old he looks a good player to me. Central midfield is the most difficult position for young players to excel in and I think he’s coming on very well. He has a Lampard style about him & we all know it took fat Frank a while to establish himself as a reputable midfielder.
Considering the lads have played 4 games in 7 days plus travelled half-way around the world, I think they did pretty good.
RIP Bobby Robson, true gentleman.
valencia only had 45 mins of football for manchester united yesterday and had to play in the beach but he was fantastic again yesterday bursts of speed like a ronaldinio from a standing position strong and great vision
manchester united have sold ronaldo for 80 million
didnt spend 25million for a headless classless prostitute argie chicken
enter rooey up front instead of winger
enter owen for nothing to be the owen of liverpool with even better players
enter valencia for 18 million
enter 2 kids with bags of potential for 30 million
enter nani to hopfully do a fletcher when keane left and step up with gonaldo
enter berbatov to carry on being berbatov to the highest degree
signs are good
feel berba will outscore everyone else this season and nani will raise his game to another level.Owen will scre more than cuntevez and rooney will have a good season but wnt get more than 22-23 goals.ando for me will be good and valencia will be the signing of the season.
I thought Nani looked pretty decent in patches although his end product let him down sometimes.Show pony springs to mind! I said that about Ronaldo for the first 2 seasons though……….not that i’m comparing Nani to Ronaldo like.
I’m optimistic about the team though and I think when it comes to the games that mean something our players will step up a gear.
PS.Bobby Robson was a great guy,respected by SAF and a true old school football man.
Yeah…League Top-Scorer would be Owen…Write it down and dont forget..
Berba and rooney both wud score arnd 17-20 goals..and Micky Owen would score arnd 25 goals..
Ando and Carrick would form the midfield partnership that Rio and vidic formed in the 2nd year at United..
Nani and Antonio would scare of defenders…
And for the defence..Every one wud try to break it down..but all will fail…
Ha ha ha MANU CHAMPS again…
2nd place wud go to Chelsea..
seems lke an endless prediction..wud be right back ..
RIP sir bobby. On topic, it wasnt that much a bad game for me though, as i feel less hurt knwing we lost on sudden death, though i still hoped we had won. Anyway, was a preseason…intended to get d players match fit seasonwise. Felt very impressed see what valentia brings to d table…loads of potential.
Am i the only one who think we still need a tiger in d midfield, since hargo wont be available till Dec.
Give Gibson a chance man. He is often played out of position and when he does play centrally he impresses. Nani and Ando have had great pre seasons so don’t understand your comments RJ. Evans is absolute quality and looks like he has been playing for years at the top level. Valencia is gonna be a star at United . He actually runs at men then puts a ball in rather than stopping and doing 10 stepovers. His pace is frightening. Berba started pulling the strings second half and he beat three men at one point and could not get shaken off the ball. Then that pass with the outside of his boot. The overhead kick. Another United legend in the making!
As I have said on another post and someone said on MUTV the other night if Rio wasn’t such a good defender (incidentally he was immense last night ) he would make a great holding midfielder. Till Hargo is back Fletch HAS to play there.
Looking forward to going to watch them against Valencia on Weds. Think the team Sir Alex plays then will be a good indication of who will start against Brum.
It’s quite hard to judge from pre-season – last year Nani looked fantastic pre-season but didn’t produce when the time came.. Lets hope this year is different.
Regarding Gibson – so far, apart from a few good shots, I have seen nothing to suggest he will be a regular at our club, we have quite a few good CM’s coming through who are sure to overtake him
By the way Drinkwater and Wellbeck will be playing in the Euro U-19 final?
it was an ok game yesterday. should’ve scored from our chances though, we came close many times. bayern did well too, but at times their crosses were laughable.
i really want to see fletcher playing in midfield in the valencia game, hope brown will be fit by next week to play in his RB position. if fletch was in his postition yesterday, i think we would’ve played better. but at least we got to see how brilliantly nani, valencia and berba played yesterday. looking forward to the start of the season more than ever now.
does any one know exactly when hargreaves is back?
don
SAF expects owen to play 30 -35 games.dnt think he can scre 25 in those many games.
R.I.P Sir Bobby
Gibbo is going to do nothing on the wing though. I’ve never thought he was good enough but if played in the centre he could be good back up. He’s clearly commited to United.
Valencia looks very promising, he’s got great pace even though he hasn’t had much fitness training yet. I was watching the game on MUTV and when Evra was lining up to take the penalty Paddy said “that’s too short Pat, that’s too short!”…I guess he was right, lol. I kind of had a feeling that Evans was going to miss but in a lengthy penalty shootout like this it’s inevitable, someone is always going to miss one and surely the defenders are more likely to do so.
This match reminded me of a real Champions League match. It was tight, players had to work hard and it was a great workout for them. I held my breath watching the tackle on Owen! I was already seeing the headlines in the papers.
Also, I must pay my respect to Sir Bobby Robson, RIP. He was a true football man and well respected by his colleagues.
Can’t think where else to put this…
I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Bobby Robson many years ago and he was an absolute gentleman. It was so sad to see him in such obvious pain in the last few years of his life. Rest in peace Sir Bobby. You’ll be missed…..
Check this out: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2564761/Utd-line-up-35m-bid-for-Ribery.html
I know it’s The Sun so it’s 99,9% likely that this is rubbish, I think Bayern would not even consider anything less than 50 million pounds. But it would be sweet to have Valencia and Ribery on the wings, that would be lethal. But I’m more than happy to give Nani a chance this season, he’s got the potential and he needs to step up. I also fancy Tosic to play more…
RIP Sir Bobby Robson, i hardly ever feel bad when clubs sack their managers but i was touched when newcastle let him go. He was a very likeable man.
Moving on, i dont know what some fans were watching but i think nani has had a very good pre-season. Gibson isnt the best but the lad deserves a chance & just as someone here has already pointed, it took fat frank a long time to get to his best & SAF almost always plays him out of position(why does he do that to players anyway?)
Yeah I don’t understand why he plays Gibson out wide, he did that a few times last year in competetive games… He looks totally ineffective there, especially as we have so many wide players…
Aaarh.. criticising the manager! sorry!
@ Tony Starks – As much as we respect Sir Alex, he does do some questionable stuff though.
Rollins
NEWCASTLE SACKED HIM BECAUSE HE FAILED TO GET THEM IN TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AFTER 4 YEARS OF DOING IT
SO THEY LET HIM GO AND SEE HOW THAT WORKED OUT FOR THEM
@Tony Starks
The reason I think is fairly clear. Sir Alex doesnt trust him in centre midfield enough yet. He did the same thing to David Beckham who always fancied himself a centre midfielder and in recent years to Fletch, who has slowly earned recognition as a centre midfielder. Gibson’s problem is ball retention and distribution both of which he needs to improve on. If he can do that then he’ll play centre mid.
I think united will buy again
talk will start in the next few days
and city will ry to hijack the deal
the player will sign for united in 33 days
alot of clubs like newcastle just throw managers on the scrap heap and as GHTT said.. look at them now….. theses clubs should read a book called “from fergie out to the double double”
but as i said R.I.P Bobby
@GHTT
Who do you think it is then?
I’m more than happy for us to start Nani but if we could somehow get Ribery we would be lethal I reckon. He’s quality.
Fuck just found out about Sir bobby ….great man …RIP….on topic ..I thought it was the most boring game I had seen in a while
@aig alex is god
I’m really not a fan of either, they’re both too in-consistent for my liking
(Pre-season being ignored).
I think this will be their season to prove if they’re United material, otherwise they’ll be shipped out.
Thanks for the great article! We love you here in New York, Scott!
Yes, though obviously expected still terribly sad. I view Robson almost like I do some true characters from other walks of life; rare examples in an ever more lacquered world.
Perhaps John Thaw is a good example, and David Jason. People you felt you actually knew or know – that this was reciprocated. Sir Bobby Robson was like that.
Great manager, great character, great person. Condolences to your family. Rest in peace, Sir Bobby.
I usually refrain from contributing on forums because of the inane drivel you get from (generally) kids who should be doing their ruddy homework. Yeah I know I’m a grumpy old git
Anyway, this blog has always been a good read and today has convinced me more than ever that it is the best Utd site on the net. What started out as a discussion on Utd’s game with Bayern has ended up with so many respectful comments about Sir Bobby Robson. Nice one lads…..
do ppl expect gibson to be prem quality already? He’s young lad who’s trying to break into midfield-notoriously difficult area to start in-and showing signs of looking good. We should be getting behind players instead of slagging him off after one year of intermittent games. As for nani, hope he comes good this year, same with anderson. Rip bobby true legend
Nanis quality, he can do probally everything ronaldo can do well mostly everything, skills, shot, pace etc he just needs to cross ealier instead of pansying around and he’ll be alright.
r.i.p sir bobby.. heres fergie paying tribute to bobby http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={48C41513-A376-4D1F-981D-660FC5BB193E}&newsid=6637115
exiledred
welcome
MUFC the Religion
i dunno id love a cm field player whos world class like hargreeves but what happens when the guy comes back do we sell him do we drop him do we play the new fella do we drop the new fella do we drop carrick , anderson (2in2) or fletcher
The excitement about Nani’s game somewhat surprises me – he’s still being played out of position on the left so he tends to be predictable. On several occasions he had the chance to drive to the end line and square the ball but he didn’t. When he cuts inside and shoots with his right foot he’s dynamic. Like Gibson and Fletcher, Nani was played out of position so considering that “little factor” all did well.
I was really surprised by two things: first, the misses by Owen and Rooney; and, second, the incredible inconsistency of what Scholes offers.
The Ginger Ninja has great vision and ball-control BUT he plays too deep, is now too slow, and tends to pass backwards too often. These are not isolated factors but interconnected – he’s protecting himself due to his loss of foot-speed. I’ve been a great fan of Paul but he really is just a shadow of his former self – and I can see that SAF is reluctant to cut him loose in the same way that he persisted with Keane-o well past his best-by date. What makes Scholes problematic as a starter is that Carrick always defers to him and plays poorly beside him. I suppose that the one way to get the best out of what remains in Scholes’ tool kit would be to play him in the Pirlo-role behind two ball-winners like Anderson and Fletcherinho but that just creates other issues IF he’s played from the get-go. On the other hand, IF Scholes is kept as a specialist for late-game situations when UTD are dominant but tied then he would be able to do his thing and not be pressured too much. He could also play much further up-field in that context.
Another point about yesterday’s match was the very generous refereeing decisions – it looked like Evans tripped the guy in the box and it should have been a penalty for Bayern; on the other side, how did de Michaelis stay on the field after his Rattin-like scything of LittleMikey ? Fortunately, LittleMikey was OK – in fact, he was very active throughout his stint and did a reasonable imitation of Carlitos in defending from the front – and got on with it.
Finally, is it me or do UTD have a “problem” in playing with an advanced center forward ? In both games, Macheda and then Owen were largely starved for service.
Not bad, but quite a dull game.
Evans just impresses me more and more. missed penalty, men who cares. his performance during the match was yet another solid one. he is class
Valencia did OK when he came on but lets not get carried away. One or two good pre-season games is all well and good, but it needs to be consistent.
Apart from that one shot in the first half, where he hit the bar, I wasn’t impressed with Berbatov and I haven’t been in pre-season apart from that game we won 8-2 where he was class but then again it wasn’t the strongest of oppositions. There is nowhere left to hide now Dimitar. As Robbo said, its time for you to step up. and although Robbo didn’t say this, if he doesn’t he will be shipped out. He isn’t a youngster. SAF doesn’t give the experienced players years and years. just look at Veron. And look at Nani. Nani got more time because he is young
I am tempted to put a bet on Michael Owen outscoring Berbatov next season.
I reckon Owen will get around 18 goals in all competions
Berbatov 15
Nani penalty was great.
Showed flashes of brilliance.
However there was no pressure on this occasion
Could he be Ronaldo’s replacement?
I can see Berbs getting 20+ I honestly can.
I think, if he plays at least 30 games, Owen WILL get 15+.
I am satisfied with the strength of squad that we have now, and I think we can challenge for the title if not do the unprecidented fourth on the trot.
HOWEVER, Ribery on the left and Valencia on the right would be tasty… I would love for Nani to flourish and to become an animal on the left side, but I just don’t see it happening. Just like Gibbo and Fletch aren’t ever going to be right midfielders, Nani isn’t going to be a left mid, he’s a right mid and he can be good there. Unfortunately for him though I think/hope/pray that Valencia is better!
Maybe we could try in some games a Center mid combo of Carrick and Valencia, because I think I have read on here that someone says Valencia plays in CM for his national side, and then let Nani have a go at right wing
Drew – Yes he does often play centrally for Ecuador and I would imagine he would be good in that role. However he looks excellent down the wing. It could be an option though to allow Nani to play on the right. You know how SAF likes players that can play in more than one position. Can’t see us getting Ribery but like he says David Gill had previously enquired about him in March.
Manchester Useless are finished. Its the blue revolution now. Latest installment Toure. Sorry reds but u are going down with negative 700 million in the bank
Nani has potential, but that’s the problem,what United need right now is the finished product, someone like Robben or Ribery comes to mind.
Utd really have to work on that left side, Nani is increasingly inrritating, i know most will say he is doing well so far in pre-season, but really all his “good” performances came against lesser teams like Malaysia, the moment he faced a good team like Bayern he looked really bad, sometimes he tends to overdo things, sometimes he is just not paying attention (did you see Giggs berating him in the Bayern game?), i hope Utd fix the left side problem with a good buy, i would recommend Ribery,Robben or Ashley Young.
As for Anderson, the guy is brilliant, hardworking and i now know who must take free kicks this coming season! haha
@ the need — I like your optimsm dude. And “going down with negative 700 million in the bank” is actually kinda funny. Which I am surprised to say after you opened with the childrens joke of Manchester Useless.
@ King Eric — Yeah I can’t see us getting him either. But I must admit that the potential thought of it does excite me. And who knows, maybe my close personal friend Sir Bobby Charlton had a few words with him yesterday during the match.
Nani skinned LAHM like he was a sausage – and he has a reputation as one of the best full backs in the world! Also SAF should play the players in their best positions and stop this round pegs in square holes syndrome. Seems SAF has had a lot of confessing to do over these last two seasons, with admittting he hadn’t been fair to Rooney or Berbatov playing them continually where they were no where near the quality they could and should be if in their correct positions in the team. NANI RIGHT WINGER, Rooney just behind main striker, Berba up front centrally in and around the box, and same with Owen. Fletcher & Gibbo in the middle of the Park, and we need a MF enforcer, and ball holder. Work on our final ball, and that is all the players – not rocket science is it lol. Nani would become a world beater IF he was given the same encouragement and nurturing that Ronnie had, and I am convinced of that. Agree or disagree guys, that is my honest opinion in this post.
The need..
Toure is the latest installment of the revolution? An Arsenal substitute?
I’m sure the rest of the footballing world are truly s**tting themselves now!
The Needy – Fuck off you cunt. Why are you on a United blog on a topic about the Audi cup final? Nowt to do with Citeh. Obsessed. As for Toure is that a boast? He is shit. third choice as well!
flagged – Robben? No chance mate, the bloke is a cunt. Would HATE to see him in a United shirt. A filthy dirty cheat. Valencia will be twice the player. Young has just commited to Villa. Nani made “the worlds best full back” look shit last night.
Talking of shitty I had to laugh on the MEN site earlier. Alot of the City fans are talking about getting that bloke back who scored the winning pen last night. They are ACTUALLY serious!
@KingEric – hahaha – too true mate! Bayern had to take LAHM off cos Nani ran him ragged. Lahm – tut, Nani had you mate!
“Nani made “the worlds best full back” look shit last night.”
didnt know he was playing against evra lol
wouldnt call lahm the best myself but one of the best
@ King Eric – yeah i understand the feeling, i still think Utd lack that something special in the squad, that player that could make the difference. i think if hargreaves is back United will be better off as he will take the burden of defending off of Rooney’s back, just my opinion