[funkdoctorspock]

"OUR PLAN WORK"
- Owen Hargreaves



Almost 24 hours removed and I am stilled pissed off at the tactics used by Manchester United.

With the talent of first team players, scoring numbers and possession statistics United have had for over 2 years, I fail to see how sitting back defensively and allowing Barcelona to attack for 90+ was a sound decision.

Playing Rooney on the right? Playing Hargreaves as rightback when Pique and O'Shea were available.

Absolutely daft.

As for having the upper hand. A 0-0 doesn't work for United. And neither does a draw. It has to be a win.

Yes the 11 match home winning streak helps, but I really don't see Barcelona not scoring if United go out and attack.

Owen Hargreaves declared United’s goalless draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final was a job well done.

The makeshift right-back revealed that containing Barca’s potent attack was always the main priority at the Nou Camp and believes the Reds now have the upper hand going into Tuesday’s second leg.

He told MUTV: “I think we’d have taken a 0-0 before the game. Defensively I thought we were strong and didn’t allow Barcelona any clear chances.

“They had a lot of possession and kept the ball well, but they didn’t really penetrate us and that was the strategy going into the game.”

Hargreaves refused to blame Cristiano Ronaldo for missing an early penalty which could have changed the nature of the tie entirely.

“You’re not going to score them all,” he said. “He’s scored more than he’s missed and I think maybe he changed his mind at the last moment. It probably would have changed the flow of the game had we scored, but it’s fine.”

Ronaldo had another strong penalty appeal waved away by referee Massimo Busacca later in the first half when Barca defender Rafael Marquez appeared to obstruct the winger as he bore down on goal.

Hargreaves added: “It looked like a penalty but after the referee had given one penalty, it would have been brave for him to give another and a red card.”

Source: HERE

[Dirtycheat]

a 1-1 draw would have been much better than the 0-0 draw.

Its really disappointing and im sure barca will score at OT but i think the draw is a kick up the arse for united.

I was praying before the match that fergie wouldn't do what i thought he would do, but unfortunately he did....


I actually agree with the hargo decision, it didnt work out too badly. Its the ronaldo decision that i cant get my head round. Ronaldo scores loads of goals but he is no center-forward simply because he doesnt like to play with his back to goal, he needs to run at players.

having said that, its not too bad. It could easily have been much worse if rio and vds werent as great as they were.

[GocartMozart]

what's strange is that i feel like i've been cock teased. United were like the date that spends all night flirting with you, but never let's you get close enough to seal the deal. Give them all the possession, but no penetration.

What's weird is that as a fan, not even as a barca fan, I'm feeling perturbed.

[Dillboy]

Originally Posted by GocartMozart

what's strange is that i feel like i've been cock teased. United were like the date that spends all night flirting with you, but never let's you get close enough to seal the deal. Give them all the possession, but no penetration.

What's weird is that as a fan, not even as a barca fan, I'm feeling perturbed.

Lets hope he doesn't do the sae against Chelski. Lets go there and win the title again!! Viva Ronaldo...

[ZEUS]

Yep, I am still angry about last night's performance. Really disgusting.

When I talked to a couple of other United fans today they were telling that it was a good choice to play defensively and get a draw. I was so upset that I couldn't speak.

It was fucking revolting. I don't want to see United play like this ever again. Or I'll forget how much I respect SAF and punch him in the face, even if i have to pay 300$ for the plane ticket!

[losangeles]

I'm not conceding a goal to Barcelona at Old Trafford, but it is a concern. The bottom line is it is all up to us. Barca cannot play for 0-0 anymore than we can. We need to go out with the mindset that we must score at least 2 goals. If we score 2 we should be awaiting Liverpool or Chelsea in the final.

Also, I know we're all annoyed with the lack of attack in the first leg, and are nervous about the second leg, but if you take an objective viewpoint and say (with a gun to your head) who would you bet your life on winning the second leg, almost everyone would risk their lives on United.

If we tied 0-0 at Old Trafford we'd be very worried about going to Barca needing to score... it's typical psychology. We're not doing this tie the easy way, but I believe we will reach the final, and win it!

[Prongs]

Originally Posted by ZEUS

Yep, I am still angry about last night's performance. Really disgusting.

When I talked to a couple of other United fans today they were telling that it was a good choice to play defensively and get a draw. I was so upset that I couldn't speak.

It was fucking revolting. I don't want to see United play like this ever again. Or I'll forget how much I respect SAF and punch him in the face, even if i have to pay 300$ for the plane ticket!

Relax there mate

I was very much pissed to see the way we played too . But then as time went on , i just realized .

Maybe if we had gone on and tried to attack , we could have definitely atleast once , because that is the way barca play . You don't go and let your midfield exposed to that kind of a possessional type of a team .

I thought , okay so what if they scored , we would get an away goal after all . Maybe there we could have done something . But without Vidic and playing hargreaves in RB , its like 2 main men down . So it was a calm and wise decision to not go and let our midfield and defense get exposed to em .

Am not glad . but am not angry .