UEFA Champions League review: Manchester United 1 - 1 Valencia
Manchester United had the opportunity to become the first team to go through a Champions League group stage without conceding a goal had they kept out Valencia at Old Trafford. United's weekend
game against Blackpool was ruled out meaning most of United's first-team had been out of action for 10 days. Sir Alex Ferguson opted for a strong starting line-up, even with the visit of Arsenal looming on Monday. Valencia needed a win to top Group C, while
United needed only a draw to top and avoid a potential big team in next round.
Valencia showed no ambition against Madrid at the weekend, even before they were a man down. Ferguson gave Champions League
debut to goalkeeper Ben Amos.
An early chance fell for Nani, as he fired in a snap-shot from just outside the area narrowly wide. It was a decent start for United at Old Trafford.
Valencia looked dangerous on the counter-attack in the opening stages, though, and Ricardo Costa headed just wide when perhaps
he could have done better.
Valencia were getting close to open the scoring, Alejandro Dominguez popped up on the other side of the pitch and pinged in a shot that crashed back off the bottom of Ben Amos's near post. United
were hanging by a thread as Valencia looked purposeful on counter-attack.
Anderson looked lively as he found Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov with a brilliant pass through on goal and Berbatov
tried to get around Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita to tap-in but had the ball palmed away from his feet by the visitors' stopper.
Ji-Sung Park had a steered volley saved at point-blank range and rebound fell to Michael Carrick, who was caught in possession and the visitors busted forward on the break, Alejandro Dominguez
slipped in Pablo Hernandez who side-footed past on-rushing keeper Ben Amos. It was one-nil to the visitors and Old Trafford stunned into silence.
After the break United rallied back and had a couple of decent chances but failed to capitalize, Dimitar Berbatov headed a Wayne Rooney cross wide when left unmarked inside the box. Meanwhile,
Rio Ferdinand was limped off with a slight knock; Chris Smalling came on to replace the England Captain.
United finally got the break through they were looking for in the 62nd minute. Anderson was the goal scorer; the Brazilian was on hand to tap in after keeper Guaita only evaded Park’s stinging
long-range effort into his path. It was Anderson’s second goal for United in over a 100 appearances.
The draw meant United top the group and avoid a possible meeting with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the knockout stages, but could yet face Inter Milan or AC Milan.
Rio Ferdinand’s hamstring injury took gloss-off a solid performance by Man Utd. Ferguson was sweating over the fitness of his central defender as they face Arsenal on Monday night. He told reporters,
"Rio has got a tight hamstring and we couldn't take any chances with the game coming against Arsenal next Monday night."
Paul Scholes is also sidelined because of a groin injury; Ferguson is desperate for his centre- back to recover in time.
He added: "It's a tight hamstring, not a pull. He felt it at half-time and wanted to see how it went. But he should be OK because he's now got six days to recover."
It has been an up and down season for Alex Ferguson, the Wayne Rooney saga, the demolition of Blackburn, embarrassment of Upton Park. But they have held it together and qualified for the next
round and could regain their top position in Premier League tipping off arsenal.
Final Score:
Manchester United 1-1 Valencia
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