Tweet
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United
How did it come to this? Chelsea trailed Manchester United by 15 points in February.
United are supposed to be the ones who finish every season strong, fresh and with zeal when a trophy is within their grasp.
Will the energy, mental and physical, of chasing the Champions League catch up with Ferguson's men? Perhaps. Note that all three other semi-finalists, Schalke, Real Madrid and Barcelona, also lost their domestic games this weekend.
With his "great chance" comment, Ferguson sounded the alarm bells to his squad after defeat by Arsenal. Now he awaits the response.
Maybe a few tired legs will be rested against Schalke in midweek with the tie virtually won. Then on to the potential Premier League decider at Old Trafford next weekend - the visit of Chelsea.
Ferguson will be aware of that his side can't afford a repeat of the way they played for two thirds of the clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
But he will take comfort from the fact that United have two of their last three games at home, and that they then have Blackburn and Blackpool to conclude the campaign - surely easier games than Chelsea's home clash with Newcastle and their final day trip to Everton?
United were unusually jaded at the Emirates. Many have commented over the course of the season that they have ground out results without looking like a vintage United team. Stopping this theory manifesting itself in a late collapse is now top priority.
Typically, Ferguson had a rant about a refereeing conspiracy against his club - timely given the magnitude of next weekend's clash - but as well as United deserving a penalty when Michael Owen was fouled by Gael Clichy with three minutes remaining, Arsenal were denied a blatant penalty after Nemanja Vidic got away with a diving handball on Theo Walcott's centre.
For Arsenal, it was a morale-boosting win, but one that will ultimately produce more frustrations when Arsene Wenger and his side ponder what might have been. Too many let-downs when the pressure was on, and here they were beating the title favourites when the pressure was off.
Proving your quality when you are out of the race, rather than in the heat of battle, is no good. Potential and ability needs to be allied with maturity and resilience when Wenger does his transfer business this summer.
So, will United crumble? It's unlikely. But Arsenal have made this one of the most thrilling finales for years.
What better for the neutral to have a three-game showdown for the big prize?
What better for the ultimate victor than to win it when the pressure is at its greatest?
May the best team win. Whoever that might be.....
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opin...#ixzz1LCookVHC
"Obviously it gives Chelsea a great chance now...."
The words Alex Ferguson hoped he'd never have to speak.
How did it come to this? Chelsea trailed Manchester United by 15 points in February.
United are supposed to be the ones who finish every season strong, fresh and with zeal when a trophy is within their grasp.
Will the energy, mental and physical, of chasing the Champions League catch up with Ferguson's men? Perhaps. Note that all three other semi-finalists, Schalke, Real Madrid and Barcelona, also lost their domestic games this weekend.
With his "great chance" comment, Ferguson sounded the alarm bells to his squad after defeat by Arsenal. Now he awaits the response.
Maybe a few tired legs will be rested against Schalke in midweek with the tie virtually won. Then on to the potential Premier League decider at Old Trafford next weekend - the visit of Chelsea.
Ferguson will be aware of that his side can't afford a repeat of the way they played for two thirds of the clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
But he will take comfort from the fact that United have two of their last three games at home, and that they then have Blackburn and Blackpool to conclude the campaign - surely easier games than Chelsea's home clash with Newcastle and their final day trip to Everton?
United were unusually jaded at the Emirates. Many have commented over the course of the season that they have ground out results without looking like a vintage United team. Stopping this theory manifesting itself in a late collapse is now top priority.
Typically, Ferguson had a rant about a refereeing conspiracy against his club - timely given the magnitude of next weekend's clash - but as well as United deserving a penalty when Michael Owen was fouled by Gael Clichy with three minutes remaining, Arsenal were denied a blatant penalty after Nemanja Vidic got away with a diving handball on Theo Walcott's centre.
For Arsenal, it was a morale-boosting win, but one that will ultimately produce more frustrations when Arsene Wenger and his side ponder what might have been. Too many let-downs when the pressure was on, and here they were beating the title favourites when the pressure was off.
Proving your quality when you are out of the race, rather than in the heat of battle, is no good. Potential and ability needs to be allied with maturity and resilience when Wenger does his transfer business this summer.
So, will United crumble? It's unlikely. But Arsenal have made this one of the most thrilling finales for years.
What better for the neutral to have a three-game showdown for the big prize?
What better for the ultimate victor than to win it when the pressure is at its greatest?
May the best team win. Whoever that might be.....
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opin...#ixzz1LCookVHC
how about Essien? 
Comment