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The
Devil's Advocate "REDitorial"
commentary by Alex Paylor "RED
sky at night UNITED delight!"
www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Wed Apr 21 00:40:22 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. GIGGS FITNESS TEST TONIGHT
2. KEY CLASHES IN MAN UTD V JUVENTUS
3. YORKE KEEN TO REDISCOVER HIS 'GOAL-DEN' TOUCH
4. Champions League semi-final: Juventus v Manchester United: the history
5. Who's the boss, Zinedine?
6. United's winning instinct
7. Wanted: Bill Foulkes
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Wed 21st April 1999: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL DAY
21/4/1970:
Bobby Charlton captains England in his 100th International appearance
and scores his 48th goal in a 3-1 win against Northern Ireland at Wembley.
United's George Best scores for the Irish.
21/4/1978:
Arthur Warburton died in Bury. An elusive Inside-Right, Warburton scored
on his debut against Aston Villa in March 1930, and between 1930-33 he made
39 appearances and scored 10 goals. He later played for Burnley, Fulham and
Queens Park Rangers.
21/4/1991:
United lose the League Cup Final 0-1 against Sheffield Wednesday at
Wembley watched by 80,000. Team was: Sealey, Irwin, Blackmore, Bruce,
Webb (Phelan), Pallister, Robson, Ince, McClair, Hughes, Sharpe.
*********************
Barry Daily Comment:
D DAY has arrived if UNITED go throught tonight they will
go all the way with the treble! tonight is the ttough one.
WISHING LUCK to REDS all over the world "RED sky at night UNITED delight"
Calling Canadian Reds
Liverpool-Man U on Sportsnet on Wed may 5th at 7.30 pm for the East Region
(Quebec + Maritimes). For the other regions check local listings. Enjoy.
Suspensions take effect 14 days after the offence. The 'Official'
website confirmed the Villa game as the one he will miss.
This week sees a match so BIG on wednesday that the importance
cannot be measured! Good luck to REDS all over the world.
NEW interviews here: http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99
990420alex_italy.ra 246k 3m 47s Alex Ferguson Press Conference in Turin
990420johnsen_may.ra 218k 3m 21s Ronny Johnsen & David May on our chances!
Subject: REDS KIDS SAFELY THROUGH
Comments: To: RedDevils@onelist.com, hylton@twimedia.com
To: MUFC@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
Email Story
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This story was sent to you from Manchester United Official Web site
located at http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=623557&from=latest
by a friend, Paul Hinson, whose email address is
p.l.hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Story Follows:
REDS KIDS SAFELY THROUGH
Saturday, April 17, 1999 17:19
United's Academy Under-19 side successfully navigated their first play-off
match, against Millwall at The Cliff on Saturday morning. Luke Chadwick
was the star of the game, making one and scoring two of the Reds' goals in
a convincing 4-1 win. United now face Chelsea in the next round of the
competition. Read Cliff Butler's match report here.
To read the full story visit the Manchester United Official Web site at
http://www.manutd.com or go directly to the story at
http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?id=623557&from=latest
Everyone who wants the goal in Real Time Video 300k now thanks to RED CAFE!
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/texts/report98/domestic/arse-fa2.htm
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
14 April 1999
Manchester United 2:1 Arsenal
Villa Park
Download Ryan Giggs Goal! (Real Video: 300K)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/real/giggs-goal.ra
Thanks to the Theatre of Dreams
Important European Cup Ticket Info: (thanks to Mike)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
The following has appeared on the UEFA website regarding tickets for the
final. Subject to the minor matter of beating Juventus next week, this is of
particular interest to supporters outside England, since applications will
not be accepted from the countries of competing clubs.
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
UEFA Champions League Final
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999
Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
Apart from ticket orders from supporters residing in the countries of the two
finalist clubs - Manchester United FC (England) or Juventus FC (Italy) and
Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) or FC Bayern München (Germany) - which, for security
reasons, must be submitted to the clubs concerned, ticket orders for the
general public irrespective of their country of residence can be ordered
through the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football Federation).
Ticket Order Methods: Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Post Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Alberto Bosch, 13
E-29014 MADRID
Spain
Telephone ++34-91-369 5045
++34-91-369 4771
++34-91-369 4129
Fax ++34-91-429 8428
E-Mail rfef@tsai.es
Closing Date Thursday 29 April 1999
No supporter may purchase more than four tickets, subject to availability.
Tickets are for personal use only, and must not be resold or used for
commercial purposes. The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football
Federation) may reject or reduce any ticket order considered to be
unwarranted.
Tickets
Prices Pesetas
Category 1 14,000 Ptas
Category 2 10,000 Ptas
Category 3 7,000 Ptas
Category 4 4,500 Ptas
Written confirmation - by fax or mail - will be forwarded on receipt of an
order for tickets for this match, and the amount for the total price of the
tickets will be transferred to the Banco Popular Español.
Account Number: 0075-0591-17-0600300602
Banco Popular Español, Agencia 51, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 25, E-28014 MADRID
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
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:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
Next Games:
TONIGHT 21/4 European Cup Semi Juventus (A) 19.45 CL
25 Leeds (A) 11.30 {am} UK PL Live Sky Sports UK
May
1 Aston Villa (H) 15.00 PL
5 Liverpool (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
9 Middlesbrough (A) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
12 Blackburn (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
16 Tottenham (H) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
22 FAC Final Wembley Newcastle (N) Live on Sky Sports UK
26 European Cup final?? Nou Camp
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 20/04/99 ***
Charlton Athletic 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur 20,043
*** LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 20/04/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 32 19 10 3 72 32 40 67
2 Arsenal 33 18 12 3 48 14 34 66
3 Chelsea 33 17 13 3 49 26 23 64
4 Leeds United 33 16 11 6 53 29 24 59
5 Aston Villa 34 14 10 10 45 39 6 52
6 West Ham United 34 14 9 11 39 41 -2 51
7 Middlesbrough 34 12 14 8 46 42 4 50
8 Derby County 33 12 11 10 37 41 -4 47
9 Tottenham Hotspur 33 11 13 9 40 38 2 46
10 Liverpool 32 12 8 12 57 42 15 44
11 Newcastle United 33 11 9 13 44 48 -4 42
12 Wimbledon 34 10 11 13 38 55 -17 41
13 Leicester City 32 9 13 10 34 41 -7 40
14 Sheffield Wednesday 33 11 5 17 38 39 -1 38
15 Everton 34 9 10 15 31 41 -10 37
16 Coventry City 34 10 7 17 35 47 -12 37
17 Blackburn Rovers 33 7 11 15 35 46 -11 32
18 Charlton Athletic 34 7 11 16 36 48 -12 32
19 Southampton 34 8 7 19 31 63 -32 31
20 Nottingham Forest 34 4 9 21 30 66 -36 21
*** FIXTURES ON 21/04/99 ***
Liverpool v Leicester City
Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United
*** FIXTURES ON 24/04/99 ***
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool
Derby County v Southampton
Everton v Charlton Athletic
Leicester City v Coventry City
Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Wimbledon v Newcastle United
*** FIXTURES ON 25/04/99 ***
Leeds United v Manchester United
Sheffield Wednesday v Chelsea
*** 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
17/04/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 3-0 1 55,270
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 17/04/99 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 17 12 (71%) 4 (24%) 1 (6%) 41 (2.4) 16 (0.9) 40 (2.4)
Away 15 7 (47%) 6 (40%) 2 (13%) 31 (2.1) 16 (1.1) 27 (1.8)
Total 32 19 (59%) 10 (31%) 3 (9%) 72 (2.3) 32 (1.0) 67 (2.1)
Averages per game in (brackets)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 17/04/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,188
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 2nd legs to be played 21st April
Manchester United v Juventus [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev [3-3]
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: GIGGS FITNESS TEST TONIGHT
Ryan Giggs will know tonight if he is fit enough to play in Manchester
United's Champion's League showdown with Juventus.
The Welsh winger flew out to Turin this morning with the rest of United's
squad and manager Alex Ferguson will assess his ankle injury during
Tuesday's training session at the Stadio delle Alpi.
Giggs started jogging on Sunday, Ferguson is hoping to rush him back for
Wednesday's semi-final second leg. "He is improving, and we will see how he
is tonight," said Ferguson.
United must score at least once in Turin to have any chance of reaching the
final after drawing the first leg at Old Trafford 1-1.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: KEY CLASHES IN MAN UTD V JUVENTUS
Manchester United go head-to-head with Juventus again in
Turin as they battle to make into the European Champions'
League final next month.
The two teams enjoyed a colossal battle in the first leg
which ended 1-1 courtesy of Ryan Giggs' last-gasp
equaliser.
But where will the battle be won in the Stadio delle Alpi?
ROY KEANE V EDGAR DAVIDS
Dutchman Edgar Davids was a thorn in Manchester United's
flesh throughout the first leg and he played a pivotal role in
the opener for Antonio Conte.
While everybody expected Juve team-mate Zinedine Zidane
to dominate the game, Davids became the star of the show
at Old Trafford, consistently winning the key battles with the
United midfield.
Republic of Ireland international Keane played a captain's
role at the heart of the United side. But unfortunately his
team-mates were lagging behind as he foraged forward.
But, with one yellow card to his name, the tigerish Irishman
will have to watch out for the Paul Gascoigne-syndrome in
the cauldron of the Stadio delle Alpi - just one more
booking will see Keane miss out on the biggest game of his
life.
Gazza found eternal fame when he realised he would miss
the World Cup final on the same ground and cried to a
worldwide audience of millions.
Keane is a harder nut to crack but his tough-tackling will not
subside if it prevents his team-mates enjoying the
Champions' Cup final next month.
ANDY COLE v MARK IULIANO
United striker Andy Cole failed to register his presence in
the first leg at Old Trafford as one of his captors, Mark
Iuliano, shackled him so effectively.
No mean feat for the Juve central defender, who also had to
cope with the attentions of Dwight Yorke alongside fellow
defender Paolo Montero.
Even when Montero was substituted halfway through the
second period, Iuliano looked comfortable with Ciro Ferrara.
They finally cracked under pressure late on when Ryan
Giggs stole a vital lifeline, but only Parma have a better
goals-against record in Serie A than Juve - proving just what
the United strike duo must do.
Cole has remained comparatively quiet in recent matches
leaving the likes of Giggs and David Beckham to collect the
glory on the goal-scoring front.
But the former Newcastle man knows that this is his best
chance of achieving the ultimate European club prize and
after finally earning international recognition, Cole knows
another great Euro night will further impress Kevin Keegan.
DAVID BECKHAM V ANGELO DI LIVIO
Angelo Di Livio can be proud of his achievements in the first
leg as he comfortably held down the threat of David
Beckham.
The left-back denied the England international any space
and time to whip in the crosses which left Inter Milan baffled
in the quarter-final.
Much was expected from Beckham in the 1-1 draw with
Juventus in the first leg, but little was achieved as Italian
international Di Livio belittled his presence.
Beckham will be smarting from that 'insult' and will be ready
to give his all in pursuit of the European glory which will earn
even more respect than he has achieved this season.
Cole and Yorke can point to the starvation of service from
the right as a reason why they were so inconspicuous in the
first leg. Beckham will want to put that right.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: YORKE KEEN TO REDISCOVER HIS 'GOAL-DEN' TOUCH
Dwight Yorke hopes to rediscover the Midas touch as he
faces Juventus in Turin tomorrow night knowing his goals
could pave a golden path to Barcelona for Manchester
United in the European Cup final.
Yorke has not scored since March 10 when his brace against
Chelsea put United through to the semi-final of the FA Cup,
and the Trinidad and Tobago star is in determined mood as
he gets ready to face the Italians.
''I'm feeling good after not playing for two games and I'm
quite excited and looking forward to it,'' he said. ''It's an
exciting time for everybody playing in the semi-final of the
Champions League, and I'm just hoping we can perform on
the night and get through to the final,'' he said.
Juventus are favourites as they defend an away goal
following the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, and Yorke knows a
blank score sheet would mean the end for United.
But he said: ''We have been going well and we are on a
good run, and I can see no reason why we can't score.
There is no pressure on me to go out and score in every
game although I would like to do that.
''On the night, it doesn't matter who scores for us as long as
we get through to the final.'' Of his spell without a goal, he
said: ''I am never one to go home and analyse why I
haven't scored and put myself under any sort of pressure.
People come up with statistics, but I don't bother with things
like that.
''I may not have scored for five or six games, but it is not a
problem because we are still winning games, and I think my
game is based on more than just scoring goals.'' Yorke is
ready to step back into the side after starting on the bench
for United's last two victories, but manager Alex Ferguson
may leave it until the last minute before telling his record
signing he is playing. Andy Cole is favourite to partner the
26-goal striker after missing two games with an ankle injury,
but Teddy Sheringham could have played his way into
Fergie's plans after two outstanding performances against
Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday.
United's main doubt remains Ryan Giggs who will have a
fitness check tomorrow night in Turin provided he is fit
enough to train.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Champions League semi-final: Juventus v Manchester United: the history
Manchester United have won the European Cup once (1968). Juventus have won
the trophy twice (1985 and 1996).
If United win they will reach their first European Cup final since that
sole triumph 31 years ago.
In order to reach the final, United must either force a draw by a bigger
score than 1-1 or win a competitive match in Italy for the first time in
their history.
United claimed their first Italian scalp after 42 years of trying when they
knocked Inter Milan out of this year's competition in the quarter-finals.
Juventus have not lost a home European Cup match that mattered since 1968 -
and they have not lost at home to an English side since Arsenal beat them
in the European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1980.
If Juventus beat United they will become the first club since the great
Real Madrid side of the 1950s to reach four consecutive European Cup finals.
This will be the 10th competitive match between United and Juventus, with
Juve holding a clear advantage. They beat United 3-1 on aggregate in the
1976-7 Uefa Cup and 3-2 over two legs in the 1983-4 Cup Winners Cup.
Since the introduction of the Champions League the teams have met each
other five times: Juventus have won three matches to United's one, with the
first leg of this year's semi-final ending in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Who's the boss, Zinedine?
By Graham Hunter Tuesday, April 20, 1999
Juventus owner Giovanni Agnelli has delivered an astounding
insult to Zinedine Zidane, his team's best player, on the
eve of their delicately-balanced Champions League
semi-final against Manchester United.
The Fiat magnate has goaded FIFA's World Player of the Year
by accusing him of being hen-pecked by his wife Veronique
and allowing her to bully him into leaving Juventus.
Zidane's £15million signature is being sought by Manchester
United, Marseille and Real Madrid after the midfielder
admitted last week that his wife wanted to quit Turin.
Agnelli said yesterday: 'Zidane is not suffering from
homesickness, he is suffering from being under the thumb of
his wife. After what he said last week, I went up to him
and demanded to know who wore the trousers in his house.
'He could only say to me that because they now have two
sons it is his wife who is the boss. Of course Juventus
would like to keep Zidane at this club but it is now clear
that his wife is a real problem. Also, I have no authority
over her.'
Agnelli's broadside was the second personal attack on
Zidane in two days. Juve director Luciano Moggi delivered
the first, saying: 'Luckily, we didn't sign a contract with
Zidane's wife. We signed it with him.'
But Agnelli's very public slap in the face for Zidane in
such a traditional and macho Latin society as this will
send shock waves through the Juventus squad.
Zidane, who was United's tormentor in the first leg and can
turn a game single-handedly, is a quiet, modest man whose
family happiness is of vital importance, particularly as
his wife gave up a successful career as a classical dancer
to raise their children.
United's chance of signing him seems slight as Veronique
wishes to move to either Spain or the south of France but
they, along with his other suitors, are bound to be amazed
that such a prized commodity should be treated with such
disdain.
Whether or not Agnelli's words prove to be a banana skin by
adversely affecting Juventus's performance tomorrow night
remains to be seen.
At least it affords United manager Alex Ferguson and his
players the chance to stay out of the limelight when they
arrive here - and it gives the impression of turmoil within
the Juventus camp.
But Agnelli did not stop there. Asked if Zidane would be in
Turin next season, he added: 'I did not say that.'
And when questioned about stories in the Agnelli-owned La
Stampa newspaper that he wanted to swap his brilliant young
striker Alessandro Del Piero for Ronaldo, the magnate dealt
Juve another potential blow. He said: 'I can only dream of
those two players playing together.'
While he may have intended to convey the possibility of
Ronaldo moving to Juventus and Del Piero remaining, most
fans and commentators will interpret his remarks
differently.
Del Piero has stubbornly resisted extending his contract,
which ends in June 2000, for two years now and is expected
to delay until he can move under freedom of contract.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has just been made Inter Milan
club captain and has a deal tying him to the San Siro until
2003 with a further five-year option agreed with the club.
Agnelli did move to more conventional territory by
admitting: 'The first half of the game in Manchester was
the most beautiful Juventus I have seen. Our bad luck was
that Zidane tired, Paolo Montero went off and the game was
just one minute too long.'
Meanwhile, Juve's Holland midfielder Edgar Davids has
launched a stinging attack on the Manchester United middle
men which is certain to wind up Ferguson's side.
Davids said: 'United were supposed to have the best
midfield in the world but we got the better of them at Old
Trafford. In fact, we overran them like a steam train.
'When Ryan Giggs equalised for them, I was sick to my
stomach because the longer I was out there on the pitch
against opponents described as such big stars, the more I
realised what was there for us.'
And his team-mate Didier Deschamps added: 'If we made a
mistake in not killing Manchester United off when we had
the chance, then it is one I expect to correct tomorrow.'
Sir Bobby Charlton last night urged the whole country to
get behind United.
He said: 'English football has been in the wilderness. We
were out of Europe for a long time and it had a big effect
on us. We can put a lot of that right if we can do well in
Turin.'
Sir Bobby would not be drawn on United's chances of doing
the Treble. But he added: 'If we win in Turin, people can
start getting excited.'
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: United's winning instinct
By Ken Lawrence Tuesday, April 20, 1999
Alex Ferguson arrives in Italy today convinced that his
side will triumph in Turin and prove they have the courage
and character to be kings of Europe.
In almost every corner of the continent, apart from Old
Trafford, Manchester United have been written off as
potential finalists, never mind winners.
Their manager knows they face a monumental task against
Juventus in the Stadio Delle Alpi tomorrow. Having been
held to a 1-1 draw at home, they go into the second leg of
their Champions League semi-final knowing they must score
at least once to survive.
But Ferguson is confident his players will not be
intimidated by the Italians or the challenge which
confronts them. His faith is based on the belief that his
players have guts and determination to go with their skill
and are driven by the instinct of true winners.
That instinct has swept them along in pursuit of a
Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League treble and
Ferguson said: 'Some people are achievers who want to
progress all the time. They want to win all the time. That
is the kind of human being I have here.
'Others are quite happy to settle for what they have. Maybe
they get to one Cup final and say: "That's fine, we'll go
home and get a rest now". I can't understand that. At
Manchester United, there is a tradition of having players
with courage - fighters. That's why the club is so
successful.
'It isn't just about ability. It can't be about that alone.
We endorse that ability but we also recognise the effort
that gets you the big trophies.'
The winning instinct was missing two years ago when United
went out to Borussia Dortmund at the same stage of the
competition but Ferguson insists there will be no repeat of
that disappointment.
He said: 'We should have made the final that year but I was
never quite sure that we were ready to win the cup. We
still had to learn how to handle that kind of atmosphere.
'Now I feel we are capable of playing against anyone and I
have a genuine feeling we will beat Juventus. We have more
control and patience about our game now and that,
hopefully, will carry us through.'
United's millionaire, Ferrari-driving footballers happily
flaunt the trappings of wealth but they also mirror the
work ethic that their manager lives by.
Ferguson was recently provided with evidence of that when
Steve McClaren arrived to take over from Brian Kidd as his
No.2.
'What impressed Steve is that the players are all so
down-to-earth,' said Ferguson.
'They all train hard and that is a great credit to them.
Someone from out-side the club comes in and the first thing
he says is: "I can't believe how hard they work". That is
why they are where they are. Absolutely.'
United will have to work harder than they have ever done to
keep their manager happy and secure progress in Europe.
'We know we have to score and, if you look at our record
away from home in Europe, there is plenty of evidence we
can do that,' added Ferguson.
'We need a really top performance with good concentration
and discipline and I think we have an outstanding chance.'
He does not expect Juventus to play for a 0-0 draw, even
though that would be good enough to take them through.
'Knowing Juventus, they will try to finish the tie,
particularly in the first half-hour, because that is the
sort of side they are,' he said.
'The important thing for us is to remember that, if we can
score over there, then it changes the whole thing.
'We were in this situation in 1991 in the Cup-winners' Cup
when we went to Montpellier after drawing 1-1 at home and
won 2-0 over there. It's a psychological thing and,
hopefully, it is in our favour.'
Ferguson is still waiting to see if Ryan Giggs will be able
to add his considerable talent to the cause. The Welshman
scored United's goal in the first leg - one that may yet
become even more vital than the wonder goal against Arsenal
that won a place in the FA Cup Final.
Giggs left Villa Park on crutches last week amid reports
that his ankle trouble had brought his season to an end.
The situation is not that bad and, even if he misses this
match, he will be fit by Sunday for the Premiership visit
to Leeds.
'He's coming on but it's going to be very close,' said the
manager. 'We are certainly more hopeful about him than we
were after last Wednesday's game. There's no ligament or
tendon damage. Hopefully, the inflammation will go down
enough for him to play.'
Giggs is United's only injury worry after goal-keeper Peter
Schmeichel's recovery from a slight groin strain which
forced him to miss Saturday's home win over Sheffield
Wednesday. The Dane returns to take over from Raimond van
der Gouw.
Ferguson will not name his side until tomorrow but it is
expected that leading scorer Dwight Yorke will return after
being left out of the starting line-up for the last two
games. Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
are all in contention to partner him.
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Subject: Wanted: Bill Foulkes
Its March 1968, and Manchester United, drawn at home for the first leg of
the European Cup semi final, take a slender 1-0 lead to the second leg at
Real Madrid.
Claims by the pundits that 1-0 can never be enough in Madrid appear to be
borne out when Real hammer United and are up 3-1 at half time. But Matt
Busby rouses the side with a stirring half time talk, and a reminder it's
only 3-2 on aggregate.
United soon regain control of the match and equalise the tie midway through
the second half. It's then the real fairy tale begins. Bill Foulkes, the
full back with just six goals against his name since he first appeared in
the first team in December 1952, and along with Bobby Charlton the only
survivor of Munich on the park, sets off on a long run from the back.
No one knows why, but he arrives just in time for George Best to pull the
ball back into his path. In training he would have blasted this over the
bar, but he calmly side foots the ball into the net. 3-3 on the night and
4-3 on aggregate - At the fourth attempt, United overcome the despair of
three semi-final defeats and make it into the European Cup Final.
It was the only goal Foulkes scored that season, and the seventh and last
of his 17 seasons in United's first team which was to end 17 months later.
May the spirit of Bill Foulkes and Matt Busby be with them in Turin.
Stephen Spencer
Phil Neville talks about Italy and the team
Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99/990418phil_nev.ra
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