Reds bank on A-team

Stuart Mathieson

September 30, 2008

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SIR Alex Ferguson has awarded himself an A-plus in history ahead of United's latest Euro challenge.

The Reds boss says he will field his strongest side after giving himself a reminder to ensure the Champions League holders aren't embarrassed tonight against the Danish Group E minnows Aalborg.

In 2006, United were cruising with three straight group wins before going to Denmark to play FC Copenhagen. Fergie chose an under-strength side and lost 1-0 - that was followed by a 1-0 defeat at Celtic as a cakewalk became a scramble.

"We will play our best team tonight," said Fergie. "Two years ago we made the mistake because we were in a comfortable position at the time and we ended up scrapping to qualify.

"Aalborg will get our respect to make sure we don't fall into any traps.

"We have to play to our best performance level. We have a difficult game here in the respect that they will be well motivated, that is without question. The support will be fantastic for them. It is a tighter ground than we normally play in so it will be a really good atmosphere.

"Irrespective of Aalborg's league form, playing United will be a big motivation for them. We have to expect that. We expect a hard game.

"Normally our games are built up to be difficult ones so I don't see that as a problem. I don't think we will be affected by that.

"I don't have any fears about complacency with this side. The players know how important qualifying is. Then the tournament really takes off in February. If we get to that stage, hopefully we will, we have as good a chance as anyone then.

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"We will play the way we normally play - in an entertaining and exciting way.

"You can't have that every game but we try to do that and that is the important thing.

"We don't win every game either but we try to win every game.

"It is the nature of football, it happens. But we hope we don't have any hiccups here.

"We watched the video of the match against Celtic (Aalborg drew 0-0 in Glasgow in their Group E opener) and have the video of Friday night's game (Aalborg beat Bronshoj 3-2 after extra time in the Danish Cup).

"My brother Martin has also seen them twice. Hopefully we get enough information out of that to make sure our preparation is proper. I'm sure it will be.

"Aalborg's draw at Celtic Park was fantastic considering Celtic's home record in the Champions League which has always been outstanding under Gordon Strachan.

"That is a measure of how good and important that result was for Aalborg.

"On the same night we drew at Old Trafford 0-0 with Villarreal but I feel they caught us at a time when the team was still advancing towards our best form.

"I think we are in much better shape now."

Do you think United will beat Aalborg? Have your say.

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Gilly, Belgium (30/09/2008 at 09:43)

They most certainly should !!!
come on United !!!

danny, WILMSLOW (30/09/2008 at 10:30)

Does the A team mean his trio of zimmer framers ,or the three Brazilians and Manucho would be just give us that extra bit more.

stevi, france (30/09/2008 at 11:02)

it will be like a cup game for them but our quality should come through in the end.

A Manc and blue (30/09/2008 at 11:21)

it will be like a cup game for them but our quality should come through in the end.
stevi, france
30/09/2008 at 11:02

What its not a cup game for you. CLOWN. Think you meant clown my dear Manure meated [

bobbydazzler (30/09/2008 at 12:06)

a manc and a blue we will excuse you this one time as your club have not had the pleasure of playing in this competition. so just for your information tonights game is a LEAGUE fixture, the earlier poster was quite right the danes will be up for it from the start and it will be their cup final.

danny, WILMSLOW (30/09/2008 at 12:07)

Bitters I love their stupidity, they don,t even need to practice,they are just born stupid.
30 yrs and still counting.

bobbydazzler (30/09/2008 at 12:08)

just as long as he does'nt make the same mistake as last time and play both oshea and fletch at the same time. its bloody hard work beating sides when you have only got 9 proper players on the pitch.

Stockie (30/09/2008 at 12:21)

"We will play our best team tonight," said Fergie....

This will be a good insight into SAF's "best team". Glad to see he's taking this game seriously, no need to rest anyone for this one.

My team (4-3-3) would be VDS, Wes, Rio, Vid, Pat, Ando, Scholes, Fletch, Roo, Berb & Ronnie.

We should have plenty of possession so Rooney won't be stuck out on the left, he'll float around Berb and Ronnie creating havoc.....hopefully.

tooth&claw, manchester (30/09/2008 at 12:44)

I doubt that SAF will play 'his strongest team' because there isn't a definitive strongest 11. It's a squad game and we'll put out a strong team from that. But the 'strongest team' for a match against AaB is going to be somewhat different to the strongest team against Chelsea. So I don't think we can read anything much into tonight's selection.

For example, I'm not sure that Ronaldo will start. There's no sense in rushing his rehabilitation if there's even the slightest risk. Berbatov will probably play because he needs the fitness (rather than playing because he's part of the best team). Evra might be rested because he has a slight knock, nothing serious but why take any risks. Scholes will play. He was rested on Saturday for this game. Probably Giggs too.

My guess would be VDS, WB RF NV JOS, DF PS RG, CT DB WR with Ronaldo coming on later in the game for a runout. Hopefully we'll see Manucho get some minutes on the pitch, probably from the subs bench. I'm also praying that we play 4-3-3 rather than revert to the 4-4-2 that has blighted the start of the season.

Red J (30/09/2008 at 13:04)

To carry on with the team selection, I still prefer 442, I think it gives us more flexibility and structure..... and yes I do mean this:

VDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher (I've come over all faint) Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Berba

Scholes, Giggs and Tevez all to come off the bench if needed on 60 minutes.

Alias Smith, over the moon (30/09/2008 at 13:40)

I've noticed a creeping tendency for Fergie to admit to past errors. I don't like it one bit - the manager of Manchester United should have an air of infallibility about him. I suppose it's a sign of a man comfortable with the fact that he's the most successful manager there's ever been and that he gets the big decisions right so often there's no harm in having the occasional howler.

Regardless, I would pay no attention to his comments about playing his strongest team tonight - chances are his comments are just for the media and the oppo to chew on.

george (30/09/2008 at 15:21)

Now that the goal scorers are playing for a place in the starting xi;you'd expect them to be hunting and making a statement.Six would be nice! 1-0 would just about do.

Southern Red (30/09/2008 at 16:14)

SAF needs to get us breaking down defences again. This means playing the main men (CR, WR, CT and DB) together as much as possible so they start reading each other’s minds. Tonight’s game should be an ideal opportunity.

Mr Napper, cornwall (30/09/2008 at 16:16)

The Man U team have contracted <Berbatov backheal Virus >. When playing Bolton, it was the favoured method of passing the ball. Looks good when it works. Look out Aalborg.

bobbyc, manchester (30/09/2008 at 16:34)

Aalborg are behind FC Midjetland (or whatever) the team city struggled to beat ,so dont be complacent Reds ,get the points on the board.

wayneold, manc (30/09/2008 at 17:29)

I just hope that ITV 4 can show the game properly, have you tried watching setanta, the piccy is bobbings!

Theman Youknighted (30/09/2008 at 19:34)

Don't blow it lads. Ron and Park on the wings,Anderson and Fletch in the middle with Roo and Berb up front. Back 4 as usual though this is a great opportunity to to try Rafael at RB.C'mon you Reds!

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