Basel Frei up a shock exit for United

Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League in extraordinary fashion, going down 2-1 away to Basle last night.

Goals from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei meant Phil Jones’s late consolation effort was worthless, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side was left to deal with the prospect of Europa League football, in the New Year.

United fielded a strong starting XI in the knowledge defeat would eliminate them from the competition and they started confidently; however Basel opened the scoring just nine minutes in.

An initial cross wasn’t dealt with, as Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling collided, leaving the latter on the floor with an apparent head injury, and Xherdan Shaqiri’s follow up cross was poorly dealt with by David De Gea in the United goal leaving Streller with the simple task to give Basle the lead.

The goal shocked United into action; however despite dominating the possession count, they failed to create any real chance of note in the first 25 minutes.

And when the chance came Manchester United’s way, the usually assured Wayne Rooney missed a guilt edged opportunity to level. Nani, who was United’s best and most consistent attacking threat through out, did brilliantly to find Rooney with a curling cross, only for the England centre forward to fail to make the appropriate connection with the goal gaping.

Rooney and Nani both missed presentable chances with Yann Sommer in the Basle goal denying the duo well.

A horrible looking fall resulted in Vidic being stretchered off just moments before half-time. He and the goal scorer Streller challenged for the ball and the United captain twisted his right knee in the collision and was in evident pain.

In the second half it was Basle who went the closest to scoring the games second goal as Frei saw his free-kick expertly saved by De Gea.

Manchester United nearly levelled in comical fashion, as again Nani did brilliantly on the right and his cross was volleyed against his own bar by Markus Steinhofer, with Ashley Young unable to finish score with the rebound.

With time running out on United’s Champions League campaign it was all but killed off with just six minutes remaining as Frei scored a second. Again a Shaqiri a cross was the source of the goal, as the youngster’s teasing delivery wasn’t dealt with by Smalling and Frei, lurking behind the defender, headed past De Gea.

A late header from Jones wasn’t enough, as the Red’s lost for the first and vital time in the group stage as the Swiss club celebrated an unlikely progression.

Sir Alex Ferguson will look back to the 3-3 home draw with Basel as the main reason why United didn’t qualify, after losing a 2-0 lead, however ultimately Manchester United didn’t deserve to progress from a group on paper they should have.

United struggle against Benfica as qualification goes down to the wire.

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Benfica, giving the Portuguese side the chance to top the group with victory in two week’s time.

An own goal from Phil Jones inside three minutes gave Benfica an early lead, however Dimitar Berbatov levelled on the half hour point with a guided header past the impressive Artur Moraes. The Red’s wasted a succession of chances before Darren Fletcher gave them a deserved lead, but they couldn’t contain their Portuguese counterparts and just two minutes after Fletcher had scored, the classy Aimar tapped home from close range.

Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes from the narrow victory away to Swansea on the weekend, with Berbatov making a rare appearance in a frustrating season for the Bulgarian. The most notable absentee was Wayne Rooney, who missed out completely due to injury.

Back to back victories over Otelul Galati had given United the chance to resurrect a disappointing Champions League campaign; however the draw means they have to avoid defeat next week in Basel to ensure progression into the knock out rounds.

Benfica opened the scoring after just three minutes in unfortunate fashion, as Jones guided the ball into his own goal. Nicolas Gaitain, a reported target for Manchester United, did well down the Benfica right, and his cross was converted in by the unlucky Jones.

Manchester United didn’t react to going behind well, and the Old Trafford faithful were left frustrated as the Red Devils struggled to maintain possession of the ball against a technically good Benfica side.

A Nani solo run gave brought some life into United. The Portuguese winger beat four Benfica players before being crudely taken down by Ezequiel Garay. Though the resulting free-kick came to nothing, it was the first sign United were back in the game.

A spell of United possession took its toll on Benfica as the Red Devils levelled through Berbatov. Young took a free kick quickly, guiding the ball out wide to Nani, whose cross was brilliant, and Berbatov guided the header home.

Literally a minute later Young should’ve turned the game on its head; however the former Villa winger couldn’t find a finish when one-on-one with Moraes. As the game became more stretched, Aimar nearly gave Benfica their second lead, but he failed to beat David De Gea from a tight angle.

Half time came and went and United came out of the traps the quicker in the second half and missed a couple of chances in quick succession. Firstly Berbatov did well to find Young whose shot was saved well before Nani from a free kick failed to test the Benfica keeper.

Fabio Da Silva really should’ve given Manchester United the lead, but well when placed he decided against sliding it past the keeper, instead opting for the lofted route, which Moraes dealt with easily.

At this point United were flying, and Fletcher gave the Reds a deserved lead. A Patrice Evra cross was perfect for the Scotsman, the keeper saved Fletcher’s initial effort, however he couldn’t missed the follow up from a yard out.

Having turned the game around, most people inside Old Trafford expected the home side to go on and seal the game with a third; but it was the away side who scored the decisive fourth goal of the match moments after United had gone in front.

A poor clearance from De Gea feel perfectly for Bruno Cesar whose cross wasn’t dealt with by Rio Ferdinand and Aimar, just like Fletcher, couldn’t miss with the goal gaping.

Berbatov blew an incredible chance to edge United ahead for a second time. Fabio did brilliantly to find the former Spurs man, and with just Moraes in the way, Berbatov smashed his volley over the bar.

With United in desperate need of a goal, as Benfica not only levelled the game, but edged ahead in the head-to-head matches between the two, brought on Javier Hernandez; however it was Benfica’s Rodrigo who went the closest to getting a late winner. The former Bolton man beat two players before putting his arrowed shot narrowly wide of De Gea’s near post.

Three minutes of extra time were signalled, but the customary United late onslaught never arrived and Benfica left Old Trafford not only with a deserved point, but the group momentum, as the draw ensured they will qualify from Group C; with first place also in the Portuguese sides hands.

http://football-united-blogs.com/2011/11/23/match-report-united-struggle-against-benfica-as-qualification-goes-down-to-the-wire/

How Blackburn should spend the Jones transfer money.

After the Venky's takeover of Blackburn Rovers last year, the board have been desperate to bring in big names to the club, and despite their public attempts to sign the likes of Ronaldinho and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the club should trust Steve Kean with any transfer budget along with the £16million raised from the Phil Jones deal, and not make moves without his knowledge for passed it big time charlies.

The club last year struggled for goals, with the what appeared to be shrewd signing of Roque Santa Cruz failing with the Paraguayian forward struggling to find the net in his second spell with the club. Blackburn officially made a bid for Robbie Keane, however their bid in the region of £3million pounds was rejected. And despite a good summer with his country, Keane's best days are behind him. Again the club publicy stated their interest in another 'big name player' in Emanuel Adebayor, however the Real Madrid loanee quickly distanced himself with a move to Ewood Park.

For me the club already has a top centre forward in Nikola Kalanic and his lack of game time under not just Kean but their previous manager Sam Allardyce bemuses not just me but the player himself. Most clubs look to take advantage of the three relegated teams, however their is only one centre forward from the three relegated teams who is as good as Kalanic and that is Carlton Cole. Despite the Englands international having a poor 18 months, he has shown he has what it takes to play at a high level, with Liverpool reportedly interested in him at the start of last season. And with the striker avaliable for a cut-price move, Blackburn could do worse for their value.

Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba have forged an excellent partnership over the last four years for Rovers, and with the later attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, added to the fact he publicy stated he wanted to leave the club after Allardyce's shock sacking, it is going to be hard for Blackburn to keep their star player at the club. Another West Ham player is avaliable in the market if they were to lose Samba in the shape of Matthew Upson. His release by the Hammers ensures he can move to any club now for free, and despite a poor season, it was only a year ago he was an England regular and with the club being bankrolled heavily his wage demands shouldn't be an issue. If there are concerns about Upson's pace, then they could look no further then Upson's former colleage at West Ham James Tomkins, who has his best years infront of him and despite the clubs relegation he had an encouraging season.

With David Dunn's injury problems failing to curtail, the club lacks a creative centre midfielder, and Blackburn should look no further then the firesale at Spurs, with Harry Redknapp expected to get rid of many fringe players so he can fund moves for world class strikers. Jermaine Jenas is avaliable for around £7million and the extra passing quality he brings to the midfield would more then make up for the loss of Jermaine Jones, who isn't expected to make his loan deal permanent. Another former England international Jenas would be a perfect foil for an ever improving Steven N'Zonzi.



With Blackburn usually employing just the one striker, the club needs someone who can play off them, and with Stephen Irelands future unclear as ever, the club could steal the attacking midfielder on the cheap via a loan deal or a permanent move in the region of £3million.

A bad transfer window for Blackburn would be an avoidance of the Venky's and their limited knowledge of football using their presence at the club to purchase the big names they feel the need to meet their desire.

The Venkys have publicy stated their desire to bring players with a big reputations to the club