Gear Bag
United hoping for a little luck against Middlesbrough
Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United holds a three-point lead over Chelsea with five games to play in the Premiership season, and the Red Devils welcome Middlesbrough to Old Trafford on Saturday for the fourth meeting between the two sides this season.
The teams have played three heated contests, with Cristiano Ronaldo as the centerpiece for the bad feelings. Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has already labeled the Portuguese winger a cheat after he felt Ronaldo took a dive to earn penalty kicks in both the team's first Premiership meeting and United's FA Cup replay win.
United needs four wins in their last five games to lock up the Premiership crown but manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels that his players have not had a problem dealing with the pressure.
"Over the years, it doesn't matter which team has won the league, there have always been moments of nervousness, but they seem to be enjoying it," Ferguson told the club's website.
United also must keep focused on domestic play in addition to keeping its nerve, as the club is facing the first leg of its Champions League semifinal against AC Milan on Tuesday.
United is in a good position to make a run at three major trophies this season, with a date already set for the Red Devils to meet Chelsea in the FA Cup final, but Ferguson knows that it will take plenty of luck just to take one piece of hardware home.
"You start the season hoping to win a major trophy," he said. "We could win one of them, with an immense amount of luck we could win three. But if we win the league I'd be quite happy with that. Any time I've done well, we've always had a bit of luck. The luck we need now is to keep this group fit for the rest of the season, if we do that we have a real big chance."
Ferguson has already been given a small dose of luck for this weekend's game, as defenders Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and John O'Shea have all shaken off injuries in time for the match. Nemanja Vidic, Park Ji-Sung and Louis Saha are still unavailable, but having some healthy bodies in the back will be enough to satisfy Ferguson.
Southgate's side was dealt a blow when it was determined that midfielder Julio Arca would not make the trip to Old Trafford because he has not yet recovered from a groin tear, while Abel Xavier status is in question due to a back problem. However, Southgate will have the services of Robert Huth and striker Mark Viduka at his disposal.
In other action on Saturday, Tottenham tries to stay in contention for a UEFA Cup spot when Spurs visit Arsenal, Bolton tries to hang on to its European berth when Reading comes calling, Charlton and Sheffield United hook up at The Valley in a big relegation contest and Blackburn travel to Fulham. Liverpool looks to hold on to third place when Wigan comes to Anfield, last-placed Watford entertains Manchester City and West Ham continues its fight to avoid relegation with a home contest against Everton.
On Sunday, Chelsea faces a tough test at St James' Park when the Blues take on Newcastle and Portsmouth invades Aston Villa.
Comments
what,s up GIOVA you saw the milan game on 4/21/07 what a ronaldo so sorry he is not playing CL TO SHOW REAL MADRID HOW ITS DONE.
ANYWAY WITH OR WITHOUT MILAN KICKING MAN UTD A.. IT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR NOW .I KNEW THAT
I SAID BEFORE MILAN WILL SPOIL THE PARTY.
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 22, 2007 05:13 AM
Dr. Nyc it will be very tough for Milan to get by Man U but if they do I think they will hoist the trophy no matter who they play in the final be it Liverpool or Chelsea. What happened to Milan in the final in 2005 has not been forgotten by the players and they also have the job of restoring Italys national pride after the debauchery that Roma created on the pitch.
Posted by: giova * * * * | April 22, 2007 11:22 AM
dear giova, i disagree, i thimk Milan has as much chance as Man U,to go through, Roma was a nice surprise and made me a fan. but Roma was missing two key players(and yes Man U,was too but there is a difference)Roma didn't have the experience, nor the roster of Milan,Man U,Chelsea etc.. Roma has limited,limited funds and a starting line -up which is good, but God forbid someone gets hurt.......as it showed ,Man U ,responded well,and my hat's off to them, but you are right Milan,is looking for revenge,and their experience and roster is far more than Roma,oh yes it will be a great match-up.
Posted by: wolfen | April 22, 2007 01:45 PM
wolfen....I didn't say it would be impossible for Milan I just said it will be tough as it will be for Man U to get by Milan. I agree with you, great match-up.
Posted by: giova * * * * | April 22, 2007 02:00 PM
It can go either way. Man United's problem lately is they are red hot one game & not even on the radar the next. It's a matter of seeing what team Man United shows up with. In this past weekend's EPL Chelsea gifted Man United that race for the title in the EPL has come down to a real nail biter. giova & wolfen I have to agree with your comments. As for you dr nyc. If you hate English people that much catch a flight to England & go get busy with some English people as I'm sure there would be more than a few that would be happy to school you! Quit hiding behind your computer & walk the walk!
Posted by: Stanley | April 22, 2007 06:11 PM
Stanley I really like United but you are right about them they do play hot & cold. You never know what to expect from them as they change from game to game & I think that's their only weakness & it could end up costing them in the near future.
Posted by: William | April 22, 2007 08:50 PM
When is the Man. U. Milan game.
Posted by: Keeeper King | April 22, 2007 09:31 PM
If Milan will go through I will be happy. But as far as i know, Man U is more complicated phenomenon!I hope it will come out with this formula against Milan 4:2:3:1
Posted by: Revelian S. N | April 23, 2007 05:46 AM
Yo dr nyc! Hey man! Who spoiled the party today BOY!!!!!! It didn't turn out like you said it would! As for Milan the only players' they have that actually showed up to play was Kaka & their keeper. That's it! They couldn't keep their lead & let's face it they were beat by a United side that is far from being at 100% United won on gut's. heart, & spirit today!
Posted by: Dave | April 24, 2007 05:10 PM
You tell 'em Dave! ROO-NEY! ROO-NEY! ROO-NEY! The reason United's been hot and cold is because of the constant shuffling of the lineup. 3 of the 4 in the back are playing out of position. Therefore, United are having to grind out results. Not pretty, but it's the results that matter.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | April 24, 2007 05:52 PM