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It’s been quite a regular occurrence of late hasn’t it? No I’m not talking about Ronaldo winging or even a Carlos Tevez transfer story. I’m specifically referring to Wayne Rooney, his versatility and this endearing quality he possesses to play left wing.
Ok so it’s not the biggest revelation since the discovery of electricity as it has been tried and tested before. Although there’s no denying that what it does provide us with is options, affording Ferguson complete freedom to tinker and tweak his attacking line-up however he pleases. And boy has it worked admirably the last few games.
With Rooney operating on the left we have seen Berbatov and even Ronaldo flourish as the central striker. Who knows as Ferguson studies this alternative system, he may even see sense and grant a certain Argentine a future with us that he so desperately craves. With a tighter more compact system and Rooney as an out and out striker, surely that wouldn’t have been the case.
In fairness Wazza squandered the simplest of chances against Wigan on Wednesday, a simple header that he would normally have buried in his sleep. Although since being deployed on the left Rooney has rarely failed to excel and fears that his talents were being wasted out wide were quickly put to bed.
We all feared that a fleet footed Theo Walcott would rip a confidence stricken Patrice Evra to shreds in the Champions League although on both occasions (at OT and the Emirates) Rooney played a part in thwarting the pacey England man to almost a non existence.
The spirited and industrious Rooney may not be the best tackler in the world but he’ll certainly put in a decent shift to aid forward thinking Evra who we all know can be prone to getting caught too far up the pitch. While it’s fair to say that Rooney’s defensive duties haven’t really been tested to the max this season, a meeting with Messi later this month will surely be a decent benchmark to determine his full credentials. Not to jinx it but I’m sure he’ll pass with flying colours.
There’s no doubting Rooney’s genius in the role just behind the striker but in my opinion he’s been given something of a new lease of life on the left. With Giggs a seemingly better option in the middle these days, Nani hardly being flavour of the month with Sir Alex and Tosic something of an unknown quantity at first-team level at least, Rooney is certainly the best viable option for me.
The way he cuts in with that bludgeon of a right foot and lashes towards goal, defenders will often know exactly what he’s about to do but stopping it is a completely different ball game. It’s certainly a joy to watch anyway.
To digress ever so slightly, Rooney’s aggressive nature has led to much criticism for years but to be honest I feel that it is a key component in his armoury that makes him such an unassailably brilliant player. Yes he needs to keep his anger in check in the most precarious of situations but a lot of the time he successfully channels his temper and he can often unfairly get into trouble purely for a reputation that precedes him.
While Ronaldo will never comprehensively commit his future to United we will all still justifiably admire his mercurial ability. At completely the other end of the spectrum you would have to literally drag Rooney out of the dressing room if he’s ever to leave Old Trafford - a trait that I think should draw much praise and adulation as I don’t know where we would be without this sublime scouser.
Rewind a week and one of the unlikeliest of heroes took the plaudits as John O’Shea smashed home to give us a one goal advantage going into the second leg at the Emirates.
Join me from around 19:15 (BST) tonight for Live Blog coverage of the match as we look to book our place in Rome for the Champions League final!
Can Arsenal bring an end to Manchester United's sublime Champions League record of 23 games unbeaten or will Ronaldo deliver another thunderbolt to send Arsene Wenger's side packing?
Join me at around 7:15PM (BST) tonight for a good ol' fashioned British (Well half the Manchester United team + Theo Walcott and perhaps Kieran Gibbs) clash of momentous proportions!
It is ofcourse the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg and it certainly promises not to disappoint!
Arsenal and Manchester United prepare to do battle at Old Trafford this evening in the first chapter of their Champions League semi-final with both sides desperate to steal a march in the tie as they look to book a place in Rome for the final.
It’s Wenger vs Ferguson as two masters and age-old adversaries of the Premier League meet for what Sir Alex has already predicted to be a ‘terrific’ encounter between two giants of the English game.
Wenger himself has pre-warned United that the Gunners are a ‘different animal’ to the side that were knocked out by Liverpool in last season’s competition.
Arsenal know they have a daunting task ahead of them if they are to be the first team to beat Manchester United in the Champions League since AC Milan two years ago.
With match winners scattered all over the pitch, it’s certainly going to be an intriguing two-legged affair.
Team News
Manchester United
The only major injury concern for Manchester United will be that of their captain Gary Neville who will definitely be missing for the first-leg at least. John O’Shea, Wes Brown and Brazilian youngster Rafael are all in contention and will be vying for the right-back slot.
Carlos Tevez will be eager to be given the nod upfront having helped turn the game in United’s favour following the 5-2 victory over Tottenham on Saturday. A four-pronged attack of Tevez, Berbatov, Rooney and Ronaldo is an option for Ferguson but it would be bold move by the United boss.
Recently crowned PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs looks set to make his 800th appearance for the Red Devils and having been rested against Spurs, he could be in line for a start tonight.
Manchester United (likely): Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger’s rather inexperienced side travel to Old Trafford with plenty of injury worries. Former United centre-back Mikael Silvestre is a doubt for the clash while Gael Clichy and Robin van Persie are both definitely missing.
In-form Russian Andrey Arshavin is ineligible for the Champions League having featured for Zenit St. Petersburg earlier in the competition and stand-in left-back Kieran Gibbs is another doubt as he nurses an ankle injury.
On a positive note for the Gunners, Johan Djourou is available for selection again which will help ease their defensive problems with William Gallas a long-term casualty.
Arsenal (likely): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Silvestre; Song, Nasri, Fabregas, Denlison, Walcott; Adebayor.
Two Key Tussles
Evra vs Walcott
Having been given a torrid afternoon by Aaron Lennon on the weekend, Patrice Evra will be under further pressure tonight to deal with the pace and direct running of Arsenal’s whizz kid Walcott.
Young Theo proved exactly what he is all about during Arsenal’s 4-4 draw with Liverpool and with Evra struggling for form, this duel could be the most significant of the night.
Adebayor vs Ferdinand
Togolese international Emmanuel Adebayor certainly has the physical presence to cause problems for messers Ferdinand and Vidic.
Ferdinand was a man mountain for United in Porto but he faces a striker in form when it comes to Europe in the shape of Adebayor.
The Gunners’ front man has five goals in five games in the Champions League this season and he undoubtedly has the ability to produce moments of magic, just like that goal against Villarreal.
Champions League Form
Manchester United: X,D,W,X,W
Arsenal: L,W,L,X,W
