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Electronic Telegraph


Thursday 5 March 1998
Issue 1014


United make sure everything goes according to game-plan
By Henry Winter in Monte Carlo


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          Monaco (0) 0 Manchester Utd (0) 0
          
          PLAYING with great discipline, both tactically and
          temperamentally, Manchester United executed Alex Ferguson's
          game-plan to perfection here in the Stade Louis II last night.
          
          A match of little technical merit but a hugely pleasing
          scoreline will have intensified United's love affair with the
          European Cup. Their supporters, who outsang their supine hosts,
          will certainly believe this is their year.
          
          For the return leg of this quarter-final, on March 18, United
          should have Ryan Giggs and Gary Pallister back from injury.
          Giggs's pace, his ability to provide penetration and extra
          attacking dimension, was much missed against the French. But
          this was a performance in which defence mattered most and Ronny
          Johnsen, in particular, ensured that Pallister's absence was
          not noticed.
          
          Exemplified by Johnsen, United showed their maturity
          throughout. They stayed on their feet when attempting to
          intercept, jockeying rather than diving in, so ensuring that
          none of them were booked and that Monaco rarely had free-kicks
          to exploit.
          
          The differing rhythms and demands of European football had
          swiftly manifested themselves. Monaco sought to frustrate
          United with two man-markers, Martin Djetou and Muhamed Konjic,
          trailing Teddy Sheringham and Andy Cole respectively. Frank
          Dumas swept intelligently, always alive to the possibility of
          catching United offside, a frequent occurrence in an
          uninspiring first period shaded by Jean Tigana's nimble hosts.
          
          While Ferguson's defenders and midfielders were happy to play
          the ball out quickly, often in very direct fashion, Monaco
          built with an element of elegance. The excellent Belgian
          left-back, Philippe Leonard, often supplemented attacks, even
          testing Peter Schmeichel's reflexes after 25 minutes. Neatly
          set up by John Collins, a thoughtful presence in central
          midfield, Leonard imparted so much swerve into his 20-yarder
          that Schmeichel did well to readjust and push the ball clear.
          
          Schmeichel's goal was under intermittent pressure. The United
          captain had already been indebted to Denis Irwin's marvellously
          executed interception on Collins, who had slipped through into
          United's box, danger trailing in his wake.
          
          The tension grew. Monaco, with Leonard exuding class, kept
          hinting at real potency, particularly when they moved the ball
          down the left. Their crosses generally lacked a target, though
          Sylvain Legwinski should have done better than head tamely
          wide, following another excellent Leonard delivery.
          
          Leonard, tall and composed, proved the key performer of the
          first half. He tracked David Beckham, stymying the young
          Englishman's attacking intentions, and still created time and
          space to send in some curling crosses.
          
          When Johnsen, perhaps deceived by the pitch's uneven bounce,
          misjudged another Leonard pass just before half-time, Thierry
          Henry was presented with an outstanding opportunity. The French
          international slipped on the unsympathetic surface and was
          unable to place his shot past Schmeichel, who made a smothering
          stop.
          
          As gutsily as United were playing, as eagerly as they closed
          down Monaco moves, their football cried out for Giggs, a
          creative catalyst, a sorcerer to hold on to the ball or carry
          it deep into opposing territory. How they missed the pacy
          Welshman, such a useful outlet for Schmeichel's throws.
          
          When United's keeper did look to launch the ball forward, it
          was normally through long kicks rather than the thrown delivery
          out wide. And when these long balls dropped, Sheringham and
          Cole often found themselves outjumped by Djetou, Konjic and
          Dumas. As the first half grew to a dispiriting close, it was
          difficult to see who could trigger one of those famous
          counter-attacks.
          
          United's hordes of supporters did not seem perturbed by the
          first-half sterility. Thousands of them sang their support,
          making it more of a home game for United. They had come not
          only from England, but Holland and Marseille too, their banners
          declaring the wide appeal of United.
          
          Their songs, lauding United generations of past and present
          vintage, seemed to lift Ferguson's players in their occasional
          surges towards Fabien Barthez's goal. Cole's pace was soon
          witnessed, though the offside flag continued to frustrate.
          
          Just after the hour mark, as the noise continued to flow freely
          from the visiting contingent, United almost scored.
          
          Gary Neville's long throw, such a useful weapon, flew unchecked
          towards Nicky Butt, who had timed his run with Bryan
          Robson-style efficiency. Butt met the ball well enough but
          Barthez, reacting acrobatically, tipped the danger over.
          
          United's own defence was holding firm, suffocating any moves
          that looked like gathering momentum. Tigana had to make a
          change. The anonymous Ikpeba was withdrawn in favour of the
          tall Croatian, Robert Spehar. Yet Johnsen, in particular, and
          Henning Berg proved personifications of obduracy, repelling any
          ball that entered their vicinity. When Spehar did get free,
          Schmeichel dealt with the header.
          __________________________________________________________
          
          AS Monaco (0) 0 Man Utd (0) 0

          AS Monaco: Barthez, Djetou, Dumas, Collins, Benarbia (Carnot
          75), Henry (Lefevre 78), Legwinsky, Leonard, Sagnol, Konjic,
          Ikpeba Nosa (Spehar 62). Subs Not Used: Porato, Pignol, Da
          Costa, Cristanval.

          Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin (McClair 66), Johnsen,
          Beckham, Butt, Cole, Sheringham, P. Neville, Scholes, Berg.
          Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, May, Clegg, Solskjaer, Thornley,
          Casper.

          Att: 15,000
          Ref: Manuel Diaz Vega (Spain).

          Bayer Leverkusen (1) 1 Real Madrid (0) 1
          Bayern Munich (0) 0 Borussia Dortmund (0) 0
          Juventus (0) 1 Dinamo Kiev (0) 1
          __________________________________________________________

   March 5 1998 FOOTBALL
   
   English champions play safe in Monaco to gain upper hand
   
   FROM OLIVER HOLT, FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
   IN MONACO
   
   AS Monaco ...0 Manchester United ...0
   
   SOME of the Manchester United supporters visited the Monte Carlo
   casino yesterday before they strolled down to the Stade Louis II. Most
   of them kept their hands in their pockets as they watched the high
   rollers lose their chips at the roulette table. When they reached the
   stadium and the match began, they soon discovered that their team had
   learnt the same lessons.
   
   After a highly pragmatic, restrictive performance here, which leaves
   them firm favourites to progress to the semi-finals of the European
   Cup when they entertain AS Monaco in the second leg at Old Trafford in
   a fortnight, United left here glowing with the same sort of
   satisfaction that infuses someone who has left a gambling den without
   placing a bet.
   
   They did not take any chances and they hardly created any. It was a
   dour, disciplined goalless draw, full of prosaic virtues that have
   been lost for much of this season amid their breathtaking creative
   brilliance. The end product was the important thing and Alex Ferguson,
   the United manager, knows that not only had his club preserved its
   unbeaten record against French opposition, but also that their great
   quest for European glory is still very much alive.
   
   On a pitch that had been described before the game as "a potato patch"
   and which had actually been painted green in parts to try to disguise
   the deep gouges, United had one shot on target in the first half and
   managed to restrict their hosts to a couple of wayward headers. The
   second half was not much better in terms of entertainment and the task
   is far from complete, but Ferguson was still satisfied with the
   result.
   
   "We sacrificed what we normally do best because it was that kind of
   game," he said. "We played without risk, but there will be plenty of
   that when they come to Old Trafford. It is a good result for us,
   because it was a game in which I was not prepared to take chances. We
   could not trust the surface and, as it is, we have still got eight
   players suffering from calf injuries because the pitch was so hard.
   
   "I was satisfied with our concentration and I thought we defended very
   well. If I was really overcritical, I could say I was disappointed
   that we did not create more, but a lot of my direction tonight was to
   make sure we didn't make any silly mistakes and we achieved that. We
   restricted them to a couple of half-chances, but we didn't really feel
   we could be any more adventurous. We would love to have got an away
   goal but, still, it was a good night for us."
   
   In front of a 15,000 capacity crowd, where the home contingent's
   genteel applause was drowned out by the raucous cheers of the visiting
   supporters, United snuffed out Monaco's much-vaunted attacking threat
   and ensured that what little spirit there was among the home support
   was soon stifled. Gary Neville, in particular, negated the threat of
   Thierry Henry, the competition's leading scorer, on United's right and
   Berg and Johnsen did not allow Ikpeba, the African footballer of the
   year, any chance to display his skills. Both forwards were substituted
   in the second half.
   
   After Irwin had forced Barthez, the Monaco and France goalkeeper, into
   one early save with his feet when he volleyed his poor punched
   clearance back towards goal, it was Legwinsky who posed what little
   threat the home side offered.
   
   Irwin stopped a mazy run by Collins midway through the half and then,
   in the 25th minute, Schmeichel had to scramble across his goal to beat
   away a swerving shot from Legwinsky. The Monaco midfield player then
   glanced the resulting corner towards goal and, with Schmeichel rooted
   to the spot, Irwin hacked the ball off the line.
   
   Seven minutes before half-time, Monaco, who were without their leading
   striker, David Trezeguet, because of injury, wasted a clear chance.
   Leonard curled in a cross from the left that swung away from
   Schmeichel as he tried to come to claim it and left him in no man's
   land. Legwinsky rose unchallenged eight yards out, but mistimed his
   jump and glanced his header wide when firmer contact would have surely
   led to a goal.
   
   Four minutes later, United had another escape. This time, an uneven
   bounce off the poor surface caught Johnsen by surprise and his weak
   header fell at the feet of Henry. He tried to poke it past Schmeichel,
   but the United goalkeeper shovelled it out and it was cleared by Gary
   Neville.
   
   The second half began in the same unedifying vein, although United
   gradually assumed a greater degree of control. After 62 minutes, they
   fashioned their best chance when a long throw from Gary Neville was
   allowed to bounce in the area and was then headed goalwards by Butt.
   It would have looped under the bar, but Barthez tipped it
   acrobatically over for a corner.
   
   Carnot, a substitute for the disappointing Benarbia, failed to get any
   power on a free header 13 minutes from the end, and even when
   Schmeichel was penalised for time-wasting two minutes later, Phil
   Neville charged down the resulting free kick. That was the last throw
   of the dice for Monaco, but then it was not a night for gamblers.
   
   AS MONACO (4-3-1-2): F Barthez - W Sagnol, F Dumas, M Konjic, P
   Leonard - M Djetou, J Collins, S Legwinsky - A Benarbia (sub: S
   Carnot, 75min) - T Henry, V Ikpeba (sub: R Spehar, 60).
   
   MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-1-1): P Schmeichel - G Neville, H Berg, R
   Johnsen, D Irwin (sub: B McClair, 65) - D Beckham, P Neville, P
   Scholes, N Butt - E Sheringham - A Cole.
   
   Referee: M Diaz Vega (Spain).

   Copyright 1998 Times Newspapers Limited.

          __________________________________________________________

   Sturdy United keep home fires burning 
   David Lacey on a satisfactory evening's work in Monte Carlo
   Thursday March 5, 1998
   
   A dreadnought from Manchester last night upstaged the luxury yachts
   and floating gin palaces which take up most of the moorings around
   these parts. Wearing their roundhead look, indulging in few attacking
   luxuries but giving little away in defence, Manchester United easily
   frustrated Monaco's attempts to gain a commanding lead in the opening
   leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

   For United last night was not an occasion for gambling; not even here,
   where the casino rules. To bring the first half of the exercise to a
   successful conclusion United needed to watch, wait and avoid taking
   risks.

   A policy of containment and carefully-timed counterattacks had served
   them well at Chelsea at the weekend. Thus it was no surprise to find
   Alex Ferguson keeping faith with the pattern and personnel which had
   produced a narrow though comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge.

   Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt again mounted guard in
   midfield while behind them Henning Berg continued the Norwegian
   centre-back partnership with Ronny Johnsen necessitated by Gary
   Pallister's back injury. The knee injury which had kept David
   Trezeguet out of the Monaco attack lessened the threat to United
   through the middle but from the outset the speed of Victor Ikpeba and
   Thierry Henry threatened to turn their defence on the flanks.

   Monaco employed a tight-marking sweeper system which used Franck Dumas
   as libero while Muhamed Konjic and Martin Djetou shackled themselves
   to Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham respectively. In this sort of match
   the sudden break from midfield can be of considerable value and the
   first glimpse of an opening at either end came when Willy Sagnol burst
   through the heart of United's cover and neatly side-stepped Berg
   before dragging his shot wide.

   With Manchester United content to preserve the status quo, attacking
   only in dribs and drabs, and Monaco finding it so hard to achieve a
   movement of serious penetration, the game began to pall as a
   spectacle. It briefly sprang to life after 25 minutes when Philippe
   Leonard met a square pass from Collins with a swerving shot that
   Schmeichel turned wide. From the corner Irwin cleared Sylvain
   Legwinski's header from the far post, and the prosaic pattern of the
   game was resumed.

   For United, nevertheless, everything was going to plan. Patience was
   their prime virtue and there was always the possibility, once Monaco
   started to pause for breath, of snatching a goal on the break even
   without the injured Ryan Giggs.

   Towards half-time Monaco managed to raise the tempo of their game
   sufficiently to put some sort of pressure on United's defence, and at
   last they posed a danger in the air. Leonard's cross from the left
   found Legwinski rising above Johnsen and Berg but fortunately for the
   English champions the ball skimmed his head and sailed away to safety.

   There was an even more anxious moment for Manchester United three
   minutes before the interval when Johnsen's misheaded attempt at a
   clearance allowed the ball to fall to Henry in front of goal. A less
   awkward bounce and Monaco might have the lead but Henry could only
   achieve a flicked shot with the outside of a foot that Schmeichel
   saved comfortably.

   In the second half Monaco redoubled their efforts to get round the
   back of United on the wings, which was where their only realistic hope
   of breaking the opposition down lay. But even when they did create
   space near the byline their centres were still erratic.

   The 63rd minute brought the novelty of a save by Fabien Barthez as
   United came close to scoring for the first time in the game. As Gary
   Neville's long throw-in from the right dropped into the penalty area
   the defenders were drawn towards Sheringham. He did not get a touch
   but his presence meant that Butt was unmarked and his header, after
   the ball had bounced steeply, was tipped over the bar by Barthez.

   The moment did nothing to dispel the noisy optimism of Manchester
   United's supporters, whose presence at one end of the ground saved the
   evening from becoming a wake.

   Monaco (1-4-3-2): Barthez; Dumas; Sagnol, Konjic, Djetou, Leonard;
   Legwinski, Benarbia, Collins; Ikpeba, Henry.

   Manchester United (4-4-2): Schmeichel; G Neville, Johnsen, Berg,
   Irwin; Beckham, P Neville, Scholes, Butt; Cole, Sheringham.

   Referee: M Diaz Vega (Spain).

   Guardian
   ______________________________________________________________________

   United drain glamour from Monaco 
   By Paul Hayward
   Thursday March 5, 1998
   
   In theory a trip to Monaco should be a glamorous affair but for
   Manchester United last night it was about as much fun as a wet weekend
   in Margate. In the casino down the road they would have laid long
   odds-on it being this sort of match: not extravagant theatre, more
   like millionaires' chess.

   The mission was never to lay on football worthy of the setting. It was
   about seeing through a brief to shut AS Monaco out. As England found
   against Chile recently, football at this level is largely about coping
   with alien and difficult styles. The fun has been stored in the bank
   for Old Trafford where the Monaco players, who are used to playing in
   front of 5,000 souls, will feel the noise of some 55,000 United
   zealots.

   Monaco are a team of daring and fleet-footed counter-attackers, of
   high-speed burglars. They presented the very problem that British
   sides have struggled to overcome throughout the decade. It is a style
   uncommon in Britain but standard currency across Europe, where teams
   allow opponents to advance into their half, pinch the ball back around
   the edge of their penalty area and then launch rapid
   counter-incursions along the flanks.

   The ruling Grimaldi family have assembled the staff to make it work.
   In the front line Victor Ikpeba and Thierry Henry are muscular, quick
   and elusive. These two are ably supported through the middle by Ali
   Benariba and John Collins, a compatriot of Ferguson's intent on
   breaking a fellow Scotsman's dreams. It was this skilfully-employed
   unit which forced United to drag players behind the ball and confine
   their first-half attacks to long, flat balls to Teddy Sheringham and
   Andy Cole.

   United may have met better sides but none so grandly appointed. Lads
   in floppy Oasis hats played football on the quayside and tried to
   avoid hitting the million-pound yachts and Mercs. In the high-rises
   above them were the apartments of tax-exiled Formula One drivers.

   Hundreds travelled without tickets and had to be content with watching
   the match on a giant screen behind the main stand.

   Visitors to Monaco's two club shops would not be sure whether to buy a
   pennant or order a strawberry Mivvi. They share the dimensions of ice
   cream kiosks and the shop assistants lean through the hatches like
   cornet salesmen. Back at Old Trafford clients of the mega-stores
   require shopping trolleys and sensible shoes. But the real reckoning
   is reached not in shops but on the pitch. The lesson was that from
   here on every last step of United's European adventure will be an
   ordeal.

   Normally one feels sympathy for small clubs with bad facilities and
   poor support. Wimbledon, for instance. But the French champions and
   royal playthings? Not a hope. Amazingly for a stadium that holds only
   15,000, large spots of yellow seats remained unoccupied. On a rough
   pitch laid on top of a car park the ball bobbled infuriatingly and
   turned what should have been an examination of technical prowess into
   a test of concentration. Presumably the surface was better when Glenn
   Hoddle played here.

   After half-time United attempted to exert more pressure on their
   weakly supported opponents. This suggested a disinclination to keep
   absorbing Monaco's assaults without reply. It also revealed United's
   ferocious native spirit. In all they do there is an affecting hunger
   for the ball and a willingness to submerge individual preferences
   beneath the needs of the team. It would distress United's ambitious
   workaholics to go out to such a synthetically created (though
   tactically fine) team.

   It was strange how the menace of Monaco became ever-more inflated as
   the week progressed. As an antidote Alex Ferguson need only have
   pointed out that their adversaries had lost eight of their 27 league
   games and so were hardly unconquerable.

   The truth is that only once in a generation does a team glide
   invincibly to the European Cup. The Milan team who destroyed Barcelona
   was probably the last. The end of the group stage brings eight
   footballing leviathans into combat and produces tight encounters of
   the sort we saw last night. In European football sophistication comes
   in many forms. It can be about doing the negative well.

   For United it was about getting the hell out of Monaco with hope still
   intact.

   Guardian
          __________________________________________________________

United and Monaco disappoint in poor contest
  	  				 
   MONACO, March 4 (AFP) - Manchester United's goalless draw with  
Monaco here on Wednesday was more like an amateur contest than the 
quarter-finals, first leg of the European Cup. 

   Much had been expected of Alex Ferguson's side which, although  
without Ryan Giggs, Gary Pallister and Roy Keane, were keen to keep 
up their record of never having lost to a French club. 

   Monaco, who reached the quarter-finals after winning all three  
home matches in their group, dominated the match, but neither side 
impressed. 

   Manchester must surely now be favourites to go through from the  
March 18 second leg to reach the stage they lost to Borussia 
Dortmund in last season's competition. 

   Scotland midfielder John Collins recovered from a foot injury  
for Monaco, while Franck Dumas was back after a knee problem. But 
David Trezeguet, second top scorer in France, was still sidelined by 
a knee problem. 

   United, as expected, started with the same 11 which finished at  
Chelsea on Saturday. 

   Willy Sagnol created the first opening after three minutes when  
he dribbled through the United defence only to drag his shot wide. 

   Monaco made the better start and Thierry Henry shot wide before  
Victor Ikpeba hooked a speculative effort over the bar. 

   United mustered their first assault on the home goal from a Phil  
Neville throw-in, which Fabien Barthez could only punch as far as 
Denis Irwin, but the Monaco goalkeeper saved his shot at his feet. 

   United were having trouble getting out of their own half and  
after 13 minutes, Martin Djetou robbed Terry Sheringham and found 
Ali Benarbia, who was fouled just outside the visitors' box. 
Benarbia's curled free kick was easily headed away by Paul Scholes 
in the United wall. 

   United had voiced concern over the state of the Monaco pitch  
before the match but Jean Tigana's side had no problem moving the 
ball about. 

   David Beckham looked hard at the referee's assistant when he  
flagged for offside after the United midfielder had released Cole 
with a lovely through-ball after 17 minutes. 

   For all Monaco's possession they had still to force Peter  
Schmeichel into a save, but that changed in the 25th minute when 
Sagnol hit a 20-yard effort which the United goalkeeper touched 
round his near post. 

   Benarbia released Sagnol down the right two minutes after the  
restart and his dangerous cross was cut out by Berg, although 
referee Manuel Diaz Vega had already blown for offside. 

   Johnsen was forced to concede a corner from Henry's cross a  
minute later when he beat Ikpeba to the ball. 

   Henry then skipped past Scholes and Beckham before releasing  
Djetou, who was in a promising position on the left but wasted the 
opportunity with a poor cross which went behind the goal. 

   United's travelling support, which far exceeded the 2,000  
tickets they had been allocated, drowned out their Monaco 
counterparts for virtually all the match. 

   Ferguson's side were content to frustrate Monaco, but after 63  
minutes Nicky Butt went close to giving them the lead. Sheringham 
dummied Gary Neville's long throw and Butt's header was turned over 
the crossbar by Fabien Barthez. 

   Brian McClair came on for Irwin and the Scot slotted into  
midfield, with Phil Neville dropping back to left back. 

   Monaco were on top the last few minutes of the match but  
Tigana's men barely threatened to actually beat Schmeichel. 
          __________________________________________________________

MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS

   By David Anderson, PA Sport
   
   Peter Schmeichel: Did everything asked of him and in particular made a
   fine save from Willy Sagnol in the first half. 8
   
   Gary Neville: Spent much of the game penned at right-back but caused
   problems with his long throw-ins. 6
   
   Denis Irwin: The ever-dependable Irishman made several telling tackles
   and clearances before he was replaced by Brian McClair. 8
   
   Ronny Johnsen: Was a pillar in defence alongside fellow Norwegian
   Henning Berg. 7
   
   David Beckham: Came out second best in his duel with John Collins and
   could not get his passing game going. 6
   
   Nicky Butt: Spent most of the game defending and almost gave United
   victory with a great header. 7
   
   Andy Cole: Forced to feed off scraps but made a nuisance of himself
   whenever he could. 7
   
   Teddy Sheringham: Had to come deep to find the ball but played his
   part like everyone else. 6
   
   Phil Neville: Made his presence felt with some crunching tackles in
   the second half. 7
   
   Paul Scholes: Had to curtail his attacking instincts and play a more
   defensive role for United. 6
   
   Henning Berg: Solid at the back and made a couple of vital
   interventions. 7
   
   Subs:
   Brian McClair. Slotted into midfield and frustrated Monaco. 6
   
   © PA Sporting Life
   _____________________________________________________________

WE HAD TO PLAY SAFE, ADMITS FERGIE

   Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson blasted the Stade Louis II
   pitch in Monaco after his weary side hobbled away from their
   Champions' League ordeal.
   
   While United's measured performance deservedly gave them a goalless
   draw in Monaco that takes them half way to a place in the last four it
   was not without cost.
   
   Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham, David Beckham and Gary Neville were
   among eight members of Ferguson's side who suffered calf problems.
   
   And the United boss, while pleased with the control and discipline of
   his men, had no doubts where the responsibility lay.
   
   "It was a really bad surface and that's which we've ended up with so
   many injuries," said Ferguson.
   
   "It was really hard to play on which made the ball bounce really badly
   and our players just aren't used to that sort of pitch.
   
   "Denis is definitely out for the game at Sheffield Wednesday this
   weekend and most of the others have got problems too."
   
   Even so Ferguson had to be happy with the way his men had neutralised
   the threat of pacy Monaco front pair Victor Ikpeba and Thierry Henry.
   
   Peter Schmeichel, playing in his 50th European tie, was rarely
   troubled, superbly protected by the United back line.
   
   And even if United did not offer too much going forward themselves,
   Ferguson was more than willing to accept the way things had done.
   
   "It's a good result for us," he said. "With the pitch that bad it
   couldn't be trusted and I wasn't prepared to take any chances.
   
   "It meant we didn't play our normal way but I was satisfied with the
   concentration we showed and the discipline as well.
   
   "We had to sacrifice a bit of the normal way we do things but it was
   that kind of game.
   
   "If I was going to be over-critical I could say that we didn't really
   create much but what we were looking at tonight was making sure we
   didn't do anything stupid."
   
   It was clear that United have learned the lessons of their
   Euro-failures of the recent past and Ferguson himself conceded: "We
   could have been more adventurous but in the past we have probably been
   naive by trying to go out and win away from home.
   
   "We didn't do that tonight and it gives us a good chance of going
   through on the second leg although we know that they've got pace up
   front and we'll have to handle that at Old Trafford."
   
   Ferguson's players were equally upset with the surface, just eight
   inches of soil laid above a car park.
   
   Norwegian Ronny Johnsen explained: "It's hard to say what was wrong
   with it - because just about everything was.
   
   "It was hard, lively, slippery and it made it really hard to
   concentrate on your game properly."
   
   Monaco coach Jean Tigana suggested that despite the blank his team's
   chances had actually improved as a result.
   
   "Before the game I thought it was 55-45 in United's favour but now
   it's 50-50," said the former France midfielder.
   
   "United were compact and organised and I wasn't surprised at the way
   they played at all.
   
   "But away from home, on a better pitch, we should be able to create
   more chances.
   
   "We always feel we play better away from home where we can use our
   pace and I am still very confident about the return leg."
   
   © PA Sporting Life
   _____________________________________________________________

FERGIE'S PITCH ANGER

   By Martin Lipton, PA Sport Chief Soccer Writer
   
   Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson blasted the Stade Louis II
   pitch in Monaco after his weary side hobbled away from their
   Champions' League ordeal.
   
   While United's measured performance deservedly gave them a goalless
   draw in Monaco that takes them half way to a place in the last four it
   was not without cost.
   
   Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham, David Beckham and Gary Neville were
   among eight members of Ferguson's side who suffered calf problems.
   
   And the United boss, while pleased with the control and discipline of
   his men, had no doubts where the responsibility lay.
   
   ``It was a really bad surface and that's which we've ended up with so
   many injuries,'' said Ferguson.
   
   ``It was really hard to play on which made the ball bounce really
   badly and our players just aren't used to that sort of pitch.
   
   ``Denis is definitely out for the game at Sheffield Wednesday this
   weekend and most of the others have got problems too.''
   
   Even so Ferguson had to be happy with the way his men had neutralised
   the threat of pacy Monaco front pair Victor Ikpeba and Thierry Henry.
   
   Peter Schmeichel, playing in his 50th European tie, was rarely
   troubled, superbly protected by the United back line.
   
   And even if United did not offer too much going forward themselves,
   Ferguson was more than willing to accept the way things had done.
   
   ``It's a good result for us,'' he said. ``With the pitch that bad it
   couldn't be trusted and I wasn't prepared to take any chances.
   
   ``It meant we didn't play our normal way but I was satisfied with the
   concentration we showed and the discipline as well.
   
   ``We had to sacrifice a bit of the normal way we do things but it was
   that kind of game.
   
   ``If I was going to be over-critical I could say that we didn't really
   create much but what we were looking at tonight was making sure we
   didn't do anything stupid.''
   
   It was clear that United have learned the lessons of their
   Euro-failures of the recent past and Ferguson himself conceded: ``We
   could have been more adventurous but in the past we have probably been
   naive by trying to go out and win away from home.
   
   ``We didn't do that tonight and it gives us a good chance of going
   through on the second leg although we know that they've got pace up
   front and we'll have to handle that at Old Trafford.''
   
   Ferguson's players were equally upset with the surface, just eight
   inches of soil laid above a car park.
   
   Norwegian Ronny Johnsen explained: ``It's hard to say what was wrong
   with it - because just about everything was.
   
   ``It was hard, lively, slippery and it made it really hard to
   concentrate on your game properly.''
   
   Monaco coach Jean Tigana suggested that despite the blank his team's
   chances had actually improved as a result.
   
   ``Before the game I thought it was 55-45 in United's favour but now
   it's 50-50,'' said the former France midfielder.
   
   ``United were compact and organised and I wasn't surprised at the way
   they played at all.
   
   ``But away from home, on a better pitch, we should be able to create
   more chances.
   
   ``We always feel we play better away from home where we can use our
   pace and I am still very confident about the return leg.''
   
   © PA Sporting Life
   _____________________________________________________________


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