the blog of manchester united

In a few hours time, Manchester United will kick-off the 2007/2008 UEFA Champions’ League campaign with Match Day 1 at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal against Sporting Lisbon. It’s an interesting tie with many aspects:

• Cristiano Ronaldo — This will be his first return to his old stomping ground after a successful switch to United (if anyone recalled, it was Roy Keane who persuaded SAF to get this lad after United friendly with Sporting on this very same ground).
• Nani — There was comments about him being a good deal if he’s just half as good as Ronaldo, well, I think in 6 games so far, he’s proven to be more than half as good as Cristiano.
• Queiroz — No one can deny United Portuguese (or rather Sporting Lisbon) connection started from this man. No doubt a very good #2 and has brought Lisbon Portuguese Cup and Super Cup.
• Peter Schmeichel — Surprise!! Everyone remembers how sweet it was for him to end his United career with that glorious night in Barcelona in 1999. But seldom knew that he continued that glorious moments with Sporting Lisbon the year after by inspiring them to the Portuguese League title after so many years in the shadow of Benfica and FC Porto.

Pre-game Facts

• Rooney will be involved in this game, an early return from the metatarsal blow on the first day of the Premiership. United has been missing him during his absence. It’ll be interesting to see if SAF will start him along Tevez, and more importantly to see how big his impact will be.
• Hargreaves will miss his first European tie after failing to recover from injury suffered during the England setup.
• Sporting will be missing both of their Brazilians, Derlei and Pedro Silva.

blogmanutd.com predicts:

Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Nani will be involved in this game, although I doubt Rooney will start this game. He’ll be definetely given minutes, but SAF will be more eyeing on his fitness level for Sunday clash with Chelsea. Expect Fergie to play the odd 4-3-2-1 with Carrick and Scholes anchoring the midfield, supported by Nani on the left wing and Ronaldo on the attacking right wing, with Tevez playing the lone striker supported by Giggs as the schemer. The back four will be the familiar faces of Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, and Evra with van der Sar at the goal.

No doubt the game will be tight, but with Vidic and Ferdinand performing very well at the moment, it’ll be very difficult for Sporting to break United defense. On the other hand, I could see United struggling to break their defense as well although at some point the break will come. Anyone could be the hero, although experience counts and posessions is the name of the game in Europe. Scholes for the winner, SPORTING LISBON 0 - MAN UTD 1