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Why Manchester United's high-flyers will come unstuck against Roma
Fergie's boys may have thumped the Italians 7-1 last season, but if Luciano Spalletti's reborn stars can nullify Cristiano Ronado, United could well be heading out of the Champions League.
'Roma have for so often themselves been labelled as a one-man team. However, unlike in previous campaigns, the Giallorossi actually look to have more to offer than simply looking to find Francesco Totti to see if he can conjure up some magic'With the countdown to the Champions League quarter-finals quickening, the argument that Manchester United will get turned over by Roma seems to be increasingly valid.
Everyone is acutely aware of the recent history between the sides. United faced Roma in the group stages, beating them 1-0 at home and drawing in Italy, having demolished them 7-1 at Old Trafford in last year's quarter-final. Sadly, these meetings have also been marred by violence, with 12 stabbings outside the Stadio Olimpico last season, and five United fans knifed prior to this season's meeting in Rome.
United appear to have weathered the challenges of Arsenal and Chelsea in the league, sitting five points clear at the top. However, despite their successes domestically, there are still cracks in their formation which Roma could expose.
It's difficult to picks holes in the Red Devils squad, particularly when they arguably have the best player in world football wearing their No.7 shirt. But when Cristiano Ronaldo is off his game, United need to dig deep for a back-up plan.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side can be pigeon-holed as a very, very good one-trick pony. It may be the best pony ever, capable of beating the world, but it is also susceptible to a downturn (think Benfica). There is a reason why Ronaldo only took third place in the FIFA World Player of the Year vote, and why he is unlikely to claim the prize next season. He may do it week in, week out in the Premier League, but he has yet to appear on the big stages at Champions League, European Championship and Word Cup finals.
There is more to Ferguson's arsenal than the young Portuguese wunderkind. But not so much more. Carlos Tevez has chipped in with a healthy 15 goals, while Wayne Rooney is further back with a disappointing 13. More alarmingly, however, is the tally for the rest of midfield, with Nani, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher having managed just 12 measly goals between them.
Typically, Roma have for so-often themselves been labelled as a one-man team. Francesco Totti is AS Roma. However, unlike in previous campaigns, the Giallorossi actually look to have more to offer than simply looking to find Totti to see if he can conjure up some magic.
With Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani forming a formidable partnership in the centre of the park and Mirko Vucinic red-hot since returning to the side, Roma look a total different quantity this time around. Rodrigo Taddei, Ludovic Guily and Simone Perrotta have also been amongst the goals recently, and at the back Juan has shored-up the error-prone Mexes in front of the consistent Doni between the sticks.
After spectacularly deposing Real Madrid in the last round, and following a fantastic domestic weekend which finally saw them close the gap on Inter, Roma also seem to be displaying a determination and steel which had long been absent. They will provide a stern opposition for the Red Devils, and if coach Luciano Spalletti can nullify the threat of Ronaldo, United could be heading out.
Fergie's boys may have thumped the Italians 7-1 last season, but if Luciano Spalletti's reborn stars can nullify Cristiano Ronado, United could well be heading out of the Champions League.
'Roma have for so often themselves been labelled as a one-man team. However, unlike in previous campaigns, the Giallorossi actually look to have more to offer than simply looking to find Francesco Totti to see if he can conjure up some magic'With the countdown to the Champions League quarter-finals quickening, the argument that Manchester United will get turned over by Roma seems to be increasingly valid.
Everyone is acutely aware of the recent history between the sides. United faced Roma in the group stages, beating them 1-0 at home and drawing in Italy, having demolished them 7-1 at Old Trafford in last year's quarter-final. Sadly, these meetings have also been marred by violence, with 12 stabbings outside the Stadio Olimpico last season, and five United fans knifed prior to this season's meeting in Rome.
United appear to have weathered the challenges of Arsenal and Chelsea in the league, sitting five points clear at the top. However, despite their successes domestically, there are still cracks in their formation which Roma could expose.
It's difficult to picks holes in the Red Devils squad, particularly when they arguably have the best player in world football wearing their No.7 shirt. But when Cristiano Ronaldo is off his game, United need to dig deep for a back-up plan.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side can be pigeon-holed as a very, very good one-trick pony. It may be the best pony ever, capable of beating the world, but it is also susceptible to a downturn (think Benfica). There is a reason why Ronaldo only took third place in the FIFA World Player of the Year vote, and why he is unlikely to claim the prize next season. He may do it week in, week out in the Premier League, but he has yet to appear on the big stages at Champions League, European Championship and Word Cup finals.
There is more to Ferguson's arsenal than the young Portuguese wunderkind. But not so much more. Carlos Tevez has chipped in with a healthy 15 goals, while Wayne Rooney is further back with a disappointing 13. More alarmingly, however, is the tally for the rest of midfield, with Nani, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher having managed just 12 measly goals between them.
Typically, Roma have for so-often themselves been labelled as a one-man team. Francesco Totti is AS Roma. However, unlike in previous campaigns, the Giallorossi actually look to have more to offer than simply looking to find Totti to see if he can conjure up some magic.
With Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani forming a formidable partnership in the centre of the park and Mirko Vucinic red-hot since returning to the side, Roma look a total different quantity this time around. Rodrigo Taddei, Ludovic Guily and Simone Perrotta have also been amongst the goals recently, and at the back Juan has shored-up the error-prone Mexes in front of the consistent Doni between the sticks.
After spectacularly deposing Real Madrid in the last round, and following a fantastic domestic weekend which finally saw them close the gap on Inter, Roma also seem to be displaying a determination and steel which had long been absent. They will provide a stern opposition for the Red Devils, and if coach Luciano Spalletti can nullify the threat of Ronaldo, United could be heading out.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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