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www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Sun Apr 04 07:42:38 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. IMPORTANT* Ticket Prices REDITORIAL from OUR SALFORD LASS
2. Guardian - Man Utd takeover to be blocked
3. Soccernet Report Wimbledon 1-1 Man United:
4. Dons Report (ET) Complacent United rely on Beckham
5. Match Report 365 BECKHAM SALVAGES A POINT FOR UNITED
6. McClaren Hails Players (D.Mail)
7. DEL PIERO BACKS JUVE TO BEAT UNITED
8. Guardian Article: Ticket prices!
9. Juventus slip will not fool Ferguson (ET)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Sun 4th April 1999:
4/4/1947:
Ted Buckle scored on his debut against Charlton Athletic. Buckle scored 3
goals in his first 4 outings, and the lively forward totalled 24 appearances and 7 goals
between 1947-49 before transferring to Everton.
4/4/1979:
A Jimmy Greenhoff header helps United beat Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup
Semi-Final replay at Goodison Park watched by 53,069. Team was: Bailey, Nicholl,
Albiston, McIlroy, McQueen, Buchan, Coppell, J.Greenhoff, Jordan, Macari (Ritchie),Thomas.
***************
Barry Daily Comment:
Happy Easter to REDS All Over the World!
Juventus watch: they suffered its first defeat since Ancelotti took over as coach in
February -- a humbling 1-0 defeat to bottom club Empoli.
Empoli defender Stefano Bianconi, who had a 'goal' unseen by the referee
when these two sides met last season, suffered no such injustice this time
around -- heading home the winner in the 26th minute.
Juventus was clearly thinking more about their European Champions League
tie with Manchester United on Wednesday night than the match in hand.
And Ancelotti coach acknowledged the Old Trafford factor, saying: "It's an
easy alibi to seek, but it's perhaps also a fair one."
Repeated today the article from OUR SALFORD LASS on ticket prices.
We are running this all through Easter as it convey's an important
message to "real Manchester United fans".
Previous News:
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Next games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:3
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
Next Games:
7 European Cup Semi Juventus (H) 19.45 CL
11 FAC Semi Arsenal at Villa Park 12.30 UK Live Sky Sports Uk
17 Sheff Wed (H) 15.00 PL
21 European Cup Semi Juventus (A) 19.45 CL
25 Leeds (A) 11.30 {am} UK PL Live Sky Sports UK
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 03/04/99 ***
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Middlesbrough 27,482
Charlton Athletic 0-1 Chelsea 20,046
Derby County 3-4 Newcastle United 32,039
Leeds United 3-1 Nottingham Forest 39,645
Liverpool 3-2 Everton 44,852
Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Coventry City 28,136
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal 15,255
Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Leicester City 35,415
Wimbledon 1-1 Manchester United 26,121
*** FULL LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 03/04/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 31 11 4 1 38 16 7 6 2 31 16 37 64
2 Arsenal 31 10 5 0 26 4 6 7 3 16 9 29 60
3 Chelsea 30 9 5 1 21 9 7 6 2 24 14 22 59
4 Leeds United 31 11 3 2 30 8 5 6 4 22 20 24 57
5 West Ham United 31 9 3 3 22 19 4 5 7 12 20 -5 47
6 Aston Villa 31 8 3 5 25 24 4 6 5 14 13 2 45
7 Derby County 31 7 5 4 21 19 4 6 5 14 17 -1 44
8 Liverpool 29 8 4 2 36 18 4 2 9 19 21 16 42
9 Newcastle United 31 7 3 5 22 19 4 5 7 20 25 -2 41
10 Wimbledon 31 7 6 3 20 16 3 5 7 15 29 -10 41
11 Middlesbrough 30 5 8 1 19 10 4 5 7 20 30 -1 40
12 Tottenham Hotspur 30 7 6 3 24 19 2 6 6 10 17 -2 39
13 Leicester City 29 5 4 5 19 21 4 6 5 11 16 -7 37
14 Sheffield Wednesday 31 6 3 7 18 14 4 2 9 18 21 1 35
15 Coventry City 31 6 5 4 20 16 3 2 11 13 27 -10 34
16 Blackburn Rovers 31 6 4 6 19 19 1 6 8 13 23 -10 31
17 Everton 31 3 8 4 9 9 4 2 10 16 29 -13 31
18 Southampton 31 7 3 6 22 22 1 3 11 6 34 -28 30
19 Charlton Athletic 30 4 5 6 18 14 2 5 8 15 27 -8 28
20 Nottingham Forest 31 1 6 8 13 28 3 2 11 15 34 -34 20
*** CURRENT COMBINED FORM TABLE AS AT 03/04/99 ***
Pos Team W D L F A GD Pts Index Sequence
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Leeds United 6 0 0 14 3 11 18 42% WWWWWW
2 Arsenal 4 2 0 13 1 12 14 37% WDWWWD
3 Manchester United 4 2 0 10 5 5 14 44% DWWWWD
4 Chelsea 4 1 1 10 4 6 13 47% DWWLWW
5 West Ham United 3 2 1 7 3 4 11 55% DWLWWD
6 Coventry City 3 1 2 9 7 2 10 60% LWWDLW
7 Charlton Athletic 2 2 2 5 4 1 8 51% WWDLDL
8 Tottenham Hotspur 2 2 2 5 5 0 8 56% DDWLWL
9 Middlesbrough 2 2 2 6 9 -3 8 25% LDLWWD
10 Liverpool 2 1 3 11 11 0 7 55% WLDLLW
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
14/11/98 Blackburn Rovers Home W 3-2 2 55,198
21/11/98 Sheffield Wednesday Away L 1-3 2 39,475
29/11/98 Leeds United Home W 3-2 2 55,172
05/12/98 Aston Villa Away D 1-1 2 39,241
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
16/12/98 Chelsea Home D 1-1 2 55,159
19/12/98 Middlesbrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Nottingham Forest Home W 3-0 3 55,216
29/12/98 Chelsea Away D 0-0 3 34,741
10/01/99 West Ham United Home W 4-1 3 55,180
16/01/99 Leicester City Away W 6-2 2 22,091
31/01/99 Charlton Athletic Away W 1-0 1 20,043
03/02/99 Derby County Home W 1-0 1 55,174
06/02/99 Nottingham Forest Away W 8-1 1 30,025
17/02/99 Arsenal Home D 1-1 1 55,171
20/02/99 Coventry City Away W 1-0 1 22,596
27/02/99 Southampton Home W 2-1 1 55,316
13/03/99 Newcastle United Away W 2-1 1 36,500
21/03/99 Everton Home W 3-1 1 55,182
03/04/99 Wimbledon Away D 1-1 1 26,121
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 16 11 (69%) 4 (25%) 1 (6%) 38 (2.4) 16 (1.0) 37 (2.3)
Away 14 7 (50%) 5 (36%) 2 (14%) 30 (2.1) 15 (1.1) 26 (1.9)
Total 30 18 (60%) 9 (30%) 3 (10%) 68 (2.3) 31 (1.0) 63 (2.1)
Averages per game in (brackets)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,183
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 27/02/99 - Southampton (55,316)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST HOME DEFEAT: 19/12/98 - Middlesbrough (2-3)
BEST AWAY WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
*****
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 6 3 2 1 9 6 11
Man United 6 2 4 0 20 11 10
Barcelona 6 2 2 2 11 9 8
Brondby 6 1 0 5 4 18 3
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Manchester Utd 2 v 0 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Dynamo Kiev
Juventus 2 v 1 Olympiakos
Bayern Munich 2 v 0 Kaiserslautern
**DYNAMO KIEV 2 v 0 REAL MADRID (Agg:3-1)
FC KAISERSLAUTERN 0 v 4 **BAYERN MUNICH (Agg:0-6)
INTERNAZIONALE FC 1 v 1 **MANCHESTER UNITED (Agg:1-3)
OLYMPIAKOS 1 v 1 **JUVENTUS (Agg:2-3)
Semi Final Draw to be played 7th, 21st April
Manchester United v Juventus [OT 7/4]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: *IMPORTANT* Ticket Prices REDITORIAL from OUR SALFORD LASS
Martin Edwards and ticket prices
It must be wonderful to be rich like our Martin. To look at ticket prices
from a purely objective standpoint. To be able to say that rises are fair
because our prices are below most other clubs in the Premiership. Only
someone who has never had to worry about money in his life can dismiss the
difficulties of thousands of genuine, committed fans the way he does. To
him, an extra two pounds on the price of a ticket is nothing - to many fans
who have already been priced out of the game, it might as well be two
hundred pounds. To people like me, who are just about clinging on to the
United bandwagon, that two pounds per game could finally be the straw that
broke the camels back. I (and hundreds like me) were already worrying
ourselves silly about how we are going to pay for our season tickets in
less than two months time. If the cost goes up by two pounds a game, it
could be impossible. If I do keep my season ticket, how do I afford cup
games (11 so far this season, with another two at least coming in the next
week or so)? Or do I give up going to away games? I suppose that will be
the answer - I've already missed a number this season because I simply
can't afford it. It's not the actual cost, Martin, that will get rid of
yet more of your troublesome "traditional" fans, but the increase - is it
really too difficult for someone of your intellect to understand? Or is
this just what you want? A stadium full of wealthy suited gents talking
into their mobile phones, with their beautifully coiffured girlfriends on
their arms? Well if it is, don't start asking for atmosphere for the Euro
games that earn you all that money - because there won't be anyone left to
generate it.
I am so angry, I can barely speak.
OUR SALFORD LASS
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: Guardian - Man Utd takeover to be blocked
By Patrick Wintour
Rupert Murdoch's controversial takeover of Manchester United will in effect
be blocked, creating the potential for tensions between the media tycoon
and the Labour Government.
The Observer can disclose that Ministers believe BSkyB, the satellite
broadcasting channel owned by Murdoch, will be unable to give adequate
assurances over the terms of the proposed £623 million takeover, which
should therefore be rejected.
The move, which is regarded as one of the most politically-sensitive issues
facing Tony Blair's Government, follows a report by the Monopolies and
Mergers Commission on the proposed takeover. Stephen Byers, the Trade and
Industry Secretary, has been handed a copy of the report and is spending
the weekend studying its findings. It has also been given to officials in
the Treasury and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
There has been speculation that Blair would not risk crossing Murdoch on
such an important commercial deal. Despite its rampant Euro-scepticism,
Murdoch's Sun newspaper is seen as influential in shoring up working-class
support for Blair.
In its evidence to the MMC, BSkyB has insisted that its ownership of the
largest club in the Premier League would not give it an unfair advantage
when negotiating TV rights to football matches.
But the MMC report, which will be published in the next fortnight,
questions whether undertakings that United would not inform its parent
company about details of bids from rival firms for broadcasting rights
would be enforceable in practice.
Critics of the deal in the football world claim it would allow BSkyB to sit
on both sides of the negotiating table and so develop a stanglehold over
football.
Under law, Ministers can not prevent a merger if the MMC rules that the
takeover is not against the public interest.
If, as expected, the MMC rejects the bid, Ministers could either follow the
MMC's recommendation to the letter, which might mean blocking the merger
altogether, or order enforced divestment of certain operations post-merger.
Alternatively, they could vary the conditions imposed on the bid by the MMC
- or allow the merger without conditions.
To head off such difficulties in future, Ministers plan to divest
themselves of responsibility for mergers as part of a wider shake-up of
competition law.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: Soccernet Report Wimbledon 1-1 Man United:
Rollercoaster ride is no excuse for United
By Patrick Collins
Sunday, April 4, 1999
When the dust had settled and the lung-bursting efforts had subsided, we
learned that the team most likely to win the Premiership had shared the
points with a side who currently would be hard pressed to win a rigged
raffle.
United stropped off in their surliest mood last night, convinced they had
just engaged in the most one-sided draw since Lennox Lewis stamped away
from his squabble in Madison Square Garden.
But United paid the price for the lack of discipline and concentration
which tainted their efforts through a fretful first half.
As the world accepts, a whole chasm of class separates the Premiership
plutocrats from the earnest proles, and this game was a further example of
that truism.
But even the best side of them all cannot simply switch on their game to
order as United tried to do yesterday, with Wednesday, Europe and Juventus
firmly in mind.
Of course they created a mass of second-half chances, when Wimbledon packed
their box in a search for survival. But as Wimbledon's coach David Kemp
remarked: 'We were playing the team who are probably going to win the
European Cup. They're entitled to make a few chances.'
Ultimately, United were made to pay for their early presumption. They were
also made increasingly aware of the daunting nature of their assault on
three trophies.
Their lack of cohesive effort lasted for most of the first half, which must
surely represent the most embarrassing passage of football they have
assembled all season.
From the opening moments, Peter Schmeichel's nervous uncertainty was
infecting the entire defence and in the fifth minute they conceded the kind
of goal which has become a Wimbledon trademark down the decades.
Neil Sullivan collected a ball and lofted a punt through a couple of postal
districts. Gary Neville allowed the ball to bounce before nudging a
hopelessly weak header which left his goalkeeper stranded. Jason Euell,
chasing hopefully, was on to the chance; first nudging the ball past
Schmeichel, then sliding it into the net.
Had Juventus come up with such a ploy, then United's defenders could have
been forgiven a certain surprise. But this was Wimbledon, the team which
virtually invented the kick and chase of Route One. To lose such a goal to
such a team was almost unforgivable. And United did not improve.
A couple of minutes later, Henning Berg headed David Beckham's corner
wastefully wide and the tone was set. One or two red shirts started to
stare at the pitch, as if in search of demons. Admittedly, it is one of the
worst in the country and it makes control a lottery, but there could be no
excuse.
Most weeks you would back United to cope with Wimbledon on a rollercoaster.
Yesterday, they played as if that were their chosen surface.
Roy Keane bawled his lectures like a demented drill sergeant but as Denis
Irwin made more mistakes than he makes in the average season and Schmeichel
radiated uncertainty, Wimbledon were worth their advantage.
Yet, for all their fallibility, United drew level before the break. In the
44th minute, Irwin threw off his hesitation and made a determined scam-per
to the bye-line. The cross was low and inadequately cleared and Beckham
snaffled the chance from half-a-dozen yards.
Alex Ferguson strode to the dressing room with the air of a man who had
certain matters to get off his chest and the results of his eloquence were
swiftly apparent.
The lethargy dissolved, a sense of urgent purpose emerged, Beckham began to
run the game from wide on the right and Wimbledon started to pull back body
after body.
The ploy reeked of desperation but since Wimbledon had entered the contest
having lost their previous three matches, it was probably inevitable.
Chance after United chance emerged and was wasted amid the mass of tussling
humanity in the Wimbledon area. Dwight Yorke with a header, Paul Scholes
with a parried drive and Beckham with an abortive short-range shot all
tried to alter the course and all were breathlessly resisted.
After 67 minutes John Hartson was removed, to the overwhelming relief of
the home fans. You watched him depart with mixed feelings.
Hartson did not ask anyone to pay £7.5million but the fact that Wimbledon
actually paid that extraordinary price for a man of limited talent who was
carrying a stone of excess weight continues to challenge credulity. And yet
they survived; narrowly, breathlessly and successfully.
When it was over, the announcer could even afford a touch of satire. 'We
wish all the United fans a safe journey back to Manchester,' he twittered,
'...or North London.'
Ah well, the fans and their team may yet have the last laugh of this
fascinating season. But there is still much to do ...and far better sides
than Wimbledon to be confronted and conquered.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: Dons Report (ET) Complacent United rely on Beckham
By Clive White at Selhurst Park
Wimbledon (1) 1 Man Utd (1) 1
AFTER just one defeat here in 10 visits one could hardly blame Manchester
United for their complacency. Yesterday's game was the start of an eight-day
period which would go some way towards determining United's fate in the
three competitions they contest and they played as if they were pacing
themselves to go the distance. It may have been a mistake.
After three consecutive defeats, Wimbledon looked perfectly primed for an
early knockout by the former champions, but as it turned out it was United
who were dumped on the seat of their pants in the early stages. And though
if this had been a boxing match it would never have been judged a draw -
even by Larry O'Connell - so dominant were United, a draw was all they got
for their troubles.
With Arsenal drawing, too, it could have been worse and United will have to
console themselves with the thought that a point at Wimbledon is never
something to be sneezed at. A goal a minute before half-time by David
Beckham, cancelling out Jason Euell's early strike, at least sends United
into Wednesday's European Cup semi-final first leg against Juventus at Old
Trafford still unbeaten after 20 games. But there were aspects about
United's play, notably in defence, which will have left Alex Ferguson
concerned.
As expected, United chose not to risk Jaap Stam, who injured an ankle in
training for Holland's midweek game against Argentina. Ronny Johnsen
deputised alongside Henning Berg with Ryan Giggs sufficiently recovered from
his ankle injury to be given a place on the substitutes' bench, giving rise
to United optimism that he might be fit to face the Italians after three
weeks out.
Any such thoughts, however, were brought rudely back to domestic matters
after only five minutes. Wimbledon's form has been nothing short of wretched
since Joe Kinnear suffered his heart attack at Sheffield a month ago, but as
his two first-team coaches, Mick Harford and David Kemp, observed in their
joint programme notes, there were signs that Wimbledon's form was in decline
before his illness.
"It has been a torrid time, but with an improved performance, your support
and United's coach breaking down on the way to the ground we could be in for
a good afternoon after all," they wrote. Never in their wildest dreams could
they have imagined just how well the afternoon would start.
In fact Wimbledon might have scored even earlier than they did, had John
Hartson been alive to the opportunity when Peter Schmeichel casually played
a back pass from Denis Irwin straight at him. No matter. A minute later a
long punt from Neil Sullivan - who said the Dons' football is no longer
route one? - saw Gary Neville fail to get sufficient power on a back header
to his goalkeeper. Euell nipped in, rounded Schmeichel and slipped the ball
home before Irwin could intervene.
Wimbledon almost made it two after 13 minutes when Hartson turned Johnsen
and slipped a pass to Euell, but the young striker's shot was clawed down by
Schmeichel who had been quick to narrow the angle. That said, there was not
much about United's defending to applaud. At times it looked like an
experimental back four, so poor was their understanding and Stam's absence,
while no doubt a contributory factor, could not be used as an excuse.
Juventus spies must have been lapping it up.
With a little more accuracy in his finishing, Marcus Gayle might have
increased Wimbledon's lead after 25 minutes. Quite why Irwin chose to play
the ball across the face of his own goal, vaguely in Berg's direction,
instead of hitting it back to his goalkeeper, was impossible to say, perhaps
he did not trust Schmeichel's kicking. Gayle seized on the ball and flashed
a low shot just wide. Yet all the while, United kept on attacking,
oblivious, it seemed, to the shortcomings behind them. One would have
thought Berg had enough on his plate but the Norwegian lent his support to
the attack at every available opportunity and might have done better with a
header when a Beckham corner left him with a clear sight of goal from seven
yards.
Typically, it was left to England's European Championship saviour, Paul
Scholes, to show his side the way when he left fly from 20 yards with a shot
which Sullivan was more than happy to push away for a corner. In fact much
of United's attacking play in those first 45 minutes was not that bad -
there was plenty of width and fluency, but for some inexplicable reason,
they seemed to lack urgency.
It was the duty of the defence, and in particular Irwin, to redeem itself,
which the Irishman took it upon himself to do when, a minute before
half-time, the full-back got to the by-line for the umpteenth time in his
career to drive in a cross. Dean Blackwell's clearance was inconclusive and
Beckham pounced to thrash the ball home from close range.
United continued to play comfortably within themselves, while waiting for
the winner that they presumed was coming their way. Dwight Yorke, who had
been fairly anonymous, went close when pulling down a Beckham cross from the
by-line but Earle got a block on his shot. With Wimbledon in siege mode,
United were left searching for a point of entry.
Jesper Blomqvist almost found it when he nonchalantly sidestepped a
defender. His shot had Sullivan going the wrong way but the Scotland
goalkeeper saved it with his trailing leg.
Andy Cole manoeuvred himself into a shooting position only to fire into the
side netting. After 72 minutes United brought on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for
Blomqvist in the hope that he might do to Wimbledon what he did to Forest
not long ago: one rather than four would have sufficed, but it was not to
be.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: Match Report 365 BECKHAM SALVAGES A POINT FOR UNITED
Reds Held By Dons At Selhurst Park, Arsenal Draw Blank
Against The Saints And Chelsea Overcome Brave Charlton
WIMBLEDON 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
It was just as well Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear was convalescing at
home after his heart attack as the only way to have escaped
serious palpitations during the Dons' latest derailing of a Premiership
title-chasing side was to have watched on Teletext. Wimbledon may
have taken the lead after just five minutes through Jason Euell but
they had to produce a simply stunning defensive performance for
the remaining 85 minutes as leaders Manchester United threw
absolutely everything at them.
At times the endless goalmouth scrambles were more like a West
End farce and the game seemed more like a training session of
attack against defence as United threw nine players forward by the
end. It may even come as some relief for United to face the
Juventus defence in next week's Champions League semi-final first
leg at Old Trafford, such was the brilliance and sheer bloody-minded
doggedness of this Dons rearguard performance. Chris Perry and
Dean Blackwell were outstanding at the heart of the defence,
Robbie Earle and Jason Euell were tireless in midfield and keeper Neil
Sullivan - linked with a possible summer move to United - pulled off
a string of world-class saves.
United did hit the net once as David Beckham scored for the second
successive game on the stroke of half-time but in reality, the
second-half was probably the most one-sided 45 minutes of football
you could imagine. The visitors had a total of nine shots on target
and seemed to have at least 80% of the possession in the second
period. Wimbledon may not have beaten United in their past nine
League encounters and even came into the game on the back of
three successive defeats, but yet again they proved their ability to
upset high-flying opponents.
United had even fielded a virtually full-strength side just four days
ahead of the encounter with Juventus but it was injured
centre-back Jaap Stam's commanding presence which they sorely
missed early on. They were behind after just five minutes when
Sullivan punted the ball downfield to catch United cold following a
corner and Euell intercepted Neville's weak header back to keeper
Peter Schmeichel. After first pushing the ball out of the keeper's
reach, Euell then showed great agility to steer his shot into the
empty net at full stretch as Schmeichel desperately attempted to
recover.
The United keeper was also guilty of two miscued clearances but it
was only his incredible agility which kept out Euell just seven
minutes later. Johnsen was muscled out of the way by John Hartson
as the Welshman turned on the edge of the penalty area and then
laid the ball sideways to the unmarked Euell, whose shot was
superbly saved by the Danish keeper. Whatever their defensive
deficiencies, United piled forward in increasing numbers, spurred on
by their captain Roy Keane, and Henning Berg headed over and
Andy Cole shot wide.
Sullivan pushed a shot from Neville around the post, blocked Keane's
path as he charged into the penalty area and tipped a powerful
drive from Paul Scholes out for a corner. Still the visitors proved to
be their own worst enemies as Berg failed to control a hurried pass
across the face of his own penalty box from Irwin and let in Marcus
Gayle to shoot a couple of feet wide. But although the
slimmed-down Hartson was holding the ball up effectively,
Wimbledon were gradually starved of possession and the
breakthrough finally came two minutes before the break as Irwin
drove in a low cross from the byline and as the ball bounced into
the air off Blackwell's thigh, Beckham pounced to drill home a
first-time shot.
United were immediately back on the offensive after the interval.
Sullivan saved a shot from Blomqvist with his outstretched foot and
Cole fired into the side-netting but the massed ranks of Dons
defenders and midfielders continued to hold out. United threw on
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with 17 minutes left for Blomqvist as their
desperation grew but it was actually Wimbledon who threatened
next with only their second shot of the half as Earle drove straight
into Schmeichel's midriff.
It was only a temporary respite as United surged back, with Yorke
heading inches wide and Sullivan reacting brilliantly to push an
effort from Scholes around the post. Then just as Beckham looked
odds-on to score after Sullivan had palmed out a cross to the
midfielder just 15 yards from goal, Blackwell produced a simply
stunning block tackle to send the shot looping well over the bar. It
was just not United's day. As they trudged off the pitch in sheer
and utter frustration, their only consolation was that Wimbledon still
have to play both Chelsea and Arsenal. The Dons' influence on the
title race may not be over just yet.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: McClaren Hails Players (D.Mail)
McClaren: This lot are the best
By Joe Melling
Sunday, April 4, 1999
Manchester United coach Steve McClaren still cannot believe he has the key
to Santa's Grotto.
Alex Ferguson surprised football by choosing as his new assistant the
little-known Derby No 2 ahead of a host of bigger names. Manchester United's
unlikeliest signing has not stopped counting his blessings.
'Everything about United has surpassed even my own high expectations. The
manager, the players, the staff are totally geared for continuing success,'
said McClaren.
From the peak of the Premiership, United embark this week on a five-day
campaign to maintain their pursuit of a unique Treble. Wednesday brings
another European night to Old Trafford when Juventus contest the opening leg
of the European Cup semi-final, and on Sunday there is an FA Cup last-four
confrontation with Arsenal.
McClaren's job is to ensure that United's richly-rewarded performers are in
a perfect physical and mental state. He must be succeeding. Two months since
37-year-old took over from Brian Kidd, United remain unbeaten in all
competitions.
'You only have to be inside the place for two minutes to understand why
United are so fantastically successful,' he said. 'It really does start from
the manager downwards. The foundations Alex has established are rock solid.
He is a remarkable man. His passion for the game is similar to Jim Smith at
Derby.
'His man-management technique is masterful and he receives the utmost
respect and admiration from his staff and his players.
'The spirit of togetherness at Old Trafford simply cannot be
over-emphasised. There are no airs and graces, no arrogance, no superstar
attitudes. Each and every one of the players loves football, training and
being a part of Manchester United.
'The secret is a mixture of talent and desire. I've worked before with
players every bit as talented as some of the lads at Old Trafford. But these
lads do it day in day out, week in week out in front of 55,000 people with
millions more watching on television.
'What's more, they know they're expected to win each and every game. That
kind of pressure is enormous but they just seem to be able to take it all in
their stride.
'The mental toughness is quite incredible and in the heat of battle out on a
football field, that makes a difference.
'The self-belief they have is remarkable. They know what they want to win
but probably most important of all, they want to be the best.'
McClaren's playing career - at Derby, Hull, Oxford and Bristol City - was
cut short by injury but that allowed him to enter coaching at 31. He said:
'My philosophy at Old Trafford is that I'm dealing with ordinary people with
the ability to do extraordinary things on a football field.
'The attitude shown to their profession is first rate. All they want to do
is kick a ball, practise their shooting and crossing and work on set-piece
manoeuvres. The only problem I have is getting them off the training ground
to rest because we have so many big matches to play.'
McClaren dismisses the fashionable view that modern football stars are
motivated merely by money.
'I do not believe the financial rewards begin to enter the minds of players
when they're out on the pitch,' he said. 'At Old Trafford the players are
consumed totally with wanting to be the best, playing in the best team and
winning championships and European Cups.
'The money is a by-product. They have worked their socks off to get where
they are and they know they have to continue working their socks off to stay
where they are.
'The common denominator among the great players in whatever sport is their
passion for the game. It oozes out of each and every one of them at Old
Trafford. They know that together they're capable of winning anything and
everything.'
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: DEL PIERO BACKS JUVE TO BEAT UNITED
Juventus ace Alessandro Del Piero is backing his team-mates to knock out
Manchester United and hand him a dream ending to a nightmare season.
The Italian international has been out of action since last November with
knee ligament damage.
Injury also saw him miss last season's Champions' League final defeat
against Real Madrid.
But he is now praying for a semi-final victory for the Turin giants over
United next month that could yet see him return for the final in Barcelona
on May 26.
"It would be great to be able to say in a few months' time that my troubles
started in one European Champions' League final and finished in another," he
said.
"It would be marvellous.
"And I want to believe it could happen, even though that won't shorten my
recovery time.
"The conditions would have to be right even for me to be on the substitutes'
bench."
As for the battle with Alex Ferguson's men, with the first leg at Old
Trafford next Wednesday, he said: "We know that it's going to be tough
against Manchester United.
"But if Juventus play like they can, that will be enough."
The brilliant 24-year-old is determined to see a miserable season off in the
best possible way.
"I'm living it in a positive, optimistic way," he said.
"In times like this, you develop as a person, you reach for the strength and
the motivation you have inside you, and it makes you realise how important,
and how unimportant, certain things are.
"One thing is for certain, I'll be different when I come back.
"Probably with a stronger personality."
Realistically, though, that will not be until the summer.
"The hope is to join the rest of the squad for the start of pre-season
training in July," he said.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: Guardian Article: Ticket prices!
United can give Chelsea a lesson in sticking it to fans
By Charlie Whelan
Sunday April 4, 1999
You've got to hand it to Manchester United - when it comes to kicking their
supporters in the teeth they even succeed in making Ken Bates seem a master
of tact and diplomacy!
Man U really excelled themselves last week with their public relations coup
of announcing huge ticket price increases for next year. To add insult to
injury, they pleaded that the dosh was needed to pay the extra costs of
£1.7 million in legal fees arising out of the Sky TV take-over bid which
the fans don't even want. And, just to rub it in, to pay £1.3 million for
players' houses. Eat your heart out, Peter Mandelson.
My first reaction to this price hike was one of complete amazement until I
saw how cheap the seat prices are at Old Trafford compared to London clubs.
In The Smoke the prices are about double that of those up north, and that's
to watch inferior football. Which leads naturally on to Chelsea, who have
the highest prices in the League. Ken Bates, who is never short of
chutzpah, recently made an astonishing pledge that he would not put
economic interests above the interests of supporters. Chairman Ken normally
gets all the stick for high ticket prices because he announces Chelsea's
increases first. Now he has Man U to rival his PR skills.
It's not often that clubs put the fans' interests first but we can probably
believe Bates in this case. The one thing about him is that he at least
gives it to you straight. Bates was in fact talking about where Chelsea
would play their Champions League games next season, a dodgy and dangerous
thing to do since they have not qualified yet. Talk about tempting
providence. I will never forget the stupidity of the public address
announcer at Spurs giving League Cup final ticket details at half-time as
we led Arsenal 1-0 and then went on to lose.
Bates said that he wanted to play Chelsea's home games at Stamford Bridge
even though there would be a reduced capacity (and revenue) due to extra
VIP seats, a larger press box and - most bizarrely - loss of front-row
seats due to huge advertising boards.
Arsenal's solution to the same dilemma was simple. Play all the games at
Wembley and make a few extra bob while you're at it. The problem is that
foreign teams actually like coming to Wembley and raise their game as a
result. Arsenal's greed - sorry, desire to please the fans - backfired as
they were dumped out in the first round.
Chelsea may have the most expensive tickets in the country but all the
Blues fans I know are quite prepared to pay to see a decent team. Even I am
willing to fork out £700 a year to watch Spurs. The fact is the clubs know
that there are plenty of people prepared to pay big money to watch the
Premier League. They also know that when the prices go up it's not like any
other product - you can't just go and look for a cheaper brand. Football
supporters never change their brand - unless of course you are David Mellor
who switched from Fulham to Chelsea. Thank God - or rather the controller
of Radio 5 Live - that we won't have to listen to him on Six-o-Six next
season.
When it comes to ripping off their fans, Newcastle know a thing or two.
Remember the Newcastle directors who sneered at supporters for being
suckers for buying replica shirts for £50 that cost only £5 to make? It's
little wonder that sales of shirts have plummeted, so ticket prices at St
James' Park are likely to rise to compensate. The club know full well that
there are enough fans willing to pay. At Newcastle there is a long waiting
list for season tickets.
A Geordie friend of mine has a season ticket and could not understand why
there were always two empty seats next to him. As none of his mates could
ever get tickets he complained to the ticket office. They assured him that
the two seats had been sold at the start of the season. Still no one came
to use the seats until a man and his son turned up on Boxing Day. 'Where
have you been all season man?' my friend enquired. 'My wife gave us the
season tickets as a Christmas present,' came the reply.
Still, it could have been worse and it often is. You can be stuck next to a
nutter all season, so an empty seat is often preferable. And Ken Bates
knows all about nutters - he once suggested putting up electric fences to
keep them off the Chelsea pitch. Now most of them can't afford to get in.
The real problem with the high prices of tickets is that the traditional
supporters are being priced out, and as the middle classes take over the
whole atmosphere in the ground changes. It's no good Fergie moaning in the
programme about the lack of atmosphere at Old Trafford when it's the bosses
who have changed it.
Mind you, if you think the atmosphere is bad now, just wait and see what it
will be like if Murdoch is allowed to take over. The so-called Theatre of
Dreams will actually take on the atmosphere of a theatre. Lots of polite
clapping and a glass of Australian Chardonnay in the interval.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
Subject: Juventus slip will not fool Ferguson (ET)
By Patrick Barclay
FIRST it was Waiting for Ronaldo. Now, Waiting for Zidane. The script is so
familiar that, should Manchester United qualify for the Champions' League
final, their opponents can almost be expected to spend the prelude fretting
over the fitness of some latter-day Godot.
Zinedine Zidane was again absent from the Juventus ranks yesterday as, with
Wednesday's first leg at Old Trafford in mind, they fielded a weakened team
at Empoli and were punished by Serie A's bottom club, the humble Tuscans
earning an unheralded triumph through a first-half goal by their captain and
sweeper, Stefano Bianconi, who was given a free header by a shadow defence.
To enhance the aristocrats' shame, Alessio Tacchinardi was sent off with
Empoli's Stefano Morrone towards the end of the match.
The Juventus coach, Carlo Ancelotti, denied that the match had been
sacrificed. He had left out several first choices and, although the striker,
Filippo Inzaghi, and midfielder Antonio Conte appeared after the interval,
United will be encouraged that Inzaghi failed to convert opportunities to
rescue at least a point.
"It was our mental approach that was wrong," said Ancelotti. "Maybe
subconsciously, the players were thinking of Manchester. I'm not worried
about the psychological effect of defeat carrying over to Wednesday. You can
be sure the team won't have their heads in another place then."
United's Theatre of Dreams will certainly be a very different setting from
Empoli, where wooded hills gaze down on a municipal stadium where temporary
stands are needed to accommodate gatherings such as yesterday's 12,000.
At Old Trafford, too, there will be a very different Juventus team. Among
those available to return are Holland's midfield terrier Edgar Davids
(suspended yesterday) and defenders Paolo Montero and Mark Iuliano. And
Zidane? Despite evidence that the French maestro is being saved for the
European assignment, Ancelotti insisted he could not have played in Tuscany.
"It will be a late decision."
Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, will surely not be fooled by
the latest round of Italian misfortune. Having overcome an Internazionale
side, for whom Ronaldo could manage only a tentative second leg at San Siro,
United will start the task of seeing off Juventus knowing they face a more
durable proposition.
Ferguson was confident enough in his own troops to talk a belligerent game
on Friday, insisting that all trophies available to them - the Champions'
League, Premier ship and FA Cup - could be listed.
"I really think we can win all three," he said. "I've always been a bit
cautious about whether we have a big enough squad to go for all the prizes,
but not now. The treble is definitely on - and the players are up for it."
Regardless, he added, of Zidane and Juventus' pedigree, United had "a great
chance" of reaching the European final. "When you get to a semi-final, you
are bound to be playing one of the top teams in Europe. But so are Juventus.
They are playing Manchester United. We are facing a team, not a reputation,
and we are not overawed."
Meanwhile, the mood in the Juventus is more modest, the experienced Angelo
Di Livio indicating that United had, in four meetings over the past couple
of years, induced a respect verging on trepidation.
If Ferguson was claiming the gap between the clubs had closed, he got little
argument either from Ancelotti, who suggested damage-limitation would be the
Juventus priority at Old Trafford.
But it won't be over until the Old Lady (the Turin institution's nickname)
croaks. And she has shown a remarkable resilience, especially in Europe.
Even if Juventus' domestic form has been almost as lamentable as that of
Inter, even if a mid-season switch saw Ancelotti take over from the highly
successful Marcello Lippi, they have been round the European game's most
testing course too often for United to take them lightly.
Participants in three consecutive finals, they reasserted their staying
power only last month with a late goal from Conte against Olympiakos in
Athens; the skin of their teeth remains tough.
Can they survive again? Much is bound to depend on Zidane and behind the
smokescreen there is optimism that the World Player of the Year will be
ready. He has been suffering from a knee injury but was cleared to resume
full training a few days ago.
Zidane left Bordeaux for Juventus in 1996 to find the big time and has since
won two Italian titles. He has also featured in two Champions' League
finals. But to have lost both after joining the club when they were on top
of Europe is a niggle. As he said at the start of this season: "I'm still
upset about Amsterdam (where Juventus were beaten by Real Madrid). It made
me look as if I'm always a loser a that level. It was a good thing the World
Cup came along!"
With two headed goals from corners in the Paris final - a rare feat for such
an artist - Zidane took the mantle of Michel Platini. He also followed in
Platini's footsteps when he went to Juventus, whose first victory in
Europe's leading competition was achieved through a Platini penalty amid the
tragedy of Heysel. Fourteen years on, Zidane awaits his opportunity but,
according to his club mate Di Livio, another final is a tall order, given
the verve United demonstrated in last season's en counters.
"Not just the 3-2 win at Old Trafford," Di Livio said. "The way they played
in the second half in Turin, it was incredible that we won (through a goal
from Alessandro del Piero, who is out for the season).
"In all the time we played under Lippi, United were the only team who made
us feel inferior."
Since then, as Ferguson pointed out, United had vaulted a psychological
barrier of their own by knocking out Inter.
The United manager even claimed that, Zidane and Davids apart, Juventus lack
Inter's "star quality". We are about to discover how far the balance of
power has swung.
Read today! Ticket price comment by OUR SALFORD LASS
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