A.C. Milan 2 – 3 Man United

San Siro Magic!

The Red Devils waited for 52 years to score a goal at the San Siro – thanks to a lucky Paul Scholes thingy (can’t call it shot!) But not many people will claim that United’s win was lucky – for the on-form Wazza let the Italians get a taste of what many teams will have to worry about in the South Africa World Cup.

WIth Fabio Capello in the posh section of the stadium, Wazza, Carrick, Rio and Golden Balls all had to impress. And when the latter took a free kick from which Ronaldinho capitalised, all Red hearts were broken. It looked as though these guys would have to be in a bottomless pit for the 87 minutes that were remaining. United’s defensive department was plucky and the midfiled seemed not able to put any pressure on the opposition. It took quite a few minutes for the Red Devils to settle down and get the ball rolling – but Nani could be the only United man to have had a bad night.

All of his crosses were never quite there and Wazza was beginning to lose his patience. But on the right wing came Fletcher – the underrated man that no one talks about. He sent into the box a dangerous ball that Scholes wanted to finish with his trademark shots but failed. Nevertheless, the ball went in somehow hitting his left foot and beating Dida at the far post.

Then they woke up.

The second half saw the introduction of Valencia for the underperforming Nani. On his first touch of the ball, he sent in one of his usual crosses that Mr. Rooney was happy to put into the net. 2-1 for the Red Devils.

8 minutes later, the man whom not even Milan bothered to worry about was there to provide his services to Wazza. Fletcher got the ball and had the time to think of something creative. He sent in a high cross, Ronney beat an Offside trap and let fly in another bullet header. 3-1. Milan seemed heartbroken and it was all United at this point until a slacking defensive display allowed Ronaldinho space on the right to cross in and for Seedorf to tap in a great goal.

With the score 3-2, Milan thought they could get something bigger from the match and they continued to put United under pressure. They should have scored late on were it not for lack being against them. But the worst moment was something similar to the repeat of the Semi Final at Arsenal last season where Fletcher and United paid dearly for their win. This time it was Carrick who is usually quiet and whom I have personally never seen get sent off. His first yellow was a foul on Ronaldinho which Sky Sports thought was committed by Scholes. Then secondly it was a silly kicking away of the ball that seemed to frustrate the ref and there he was – gone.

For the second leg, United can rely on the same back four, same midfield but for Nani and Carrick and at least one striker in Wayne Rooney. Being at home, they can switch back to 4-4-2 system meaning that they should get Anderson strutting his stuff to replace Carrick. Berbatov may come in for Park and Scholes looks to keep his place. At least we can be sure of seeing all the back 4, Fletcher, Rooney and Valencia leaving Scholes, Berbatov, Park and Anderson to fight for the remaining three positions. It should not be surprising to see Fergie sticking with the same 4-5-1 formation meaning that there may be only two changes to the San Siro starting line-up: Valencia for Nani and Anderson for Carrick.

Whatever the case, it is not going to be easy to rattle the Red Devils thrice in front of the Stretford end.

Fletcher and Rooney are my choice for the Man (men) of the Match accolade.

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