Manutd.com report: UCL Semi-finals Leg 2: Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd (Man Utd win 4-1 on aggregate)
Van Der Sar
O'Shea - Ferdinand (c) - Vidic - Evra (Rafael 65')
Park - Fletcher - Carrick - Anderson (Giggs 63') - Rooney (Berbatov 68')
Ronaldo
scorers:
Park 8'
Ronaldo 11', 61'
Man Utd sailed through to the finals of the Champions' League for the 2nd consecutive year after beating Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate.
Man Utd brought back a slender 1-0 lead from the 1st leg, but it should have been more. It was therefore with such massive relief that they scored 2 early goals in this 2nd leg game meaning that Arsenal had to score 4 goals for the remaining 80 minutes of the match to salvage a result.
As expected, Arsenal got off the blocks quickly in search of the goal that will draw the tie level. Man Utd, expectedly as well, were content to defend their lead.
But never write off their counter-attacking instincts.
Ronaldo cut back a low cross and Arsenal's left-back Kieran Gibbs, who at 18 has had a good start to his footballing career, lost his footing at the most critical time, and Park was able to nip in at the back post to score the opening goal.
Man Utd now looked hungry knowing that Arsenal had to score 3. Ronaldo won a free-kick after being unceremoniously dumped to the floor by Arsenal's captain Fabregas far out from goal.
Ronaldo's free-kick, which is now becoming more of a trademark, flashed away on the outside of the wall. Almunia was unable to judge the flight of the ball which roared low into the bottom corner of the goal and it was 3-0 to Man Utd on aggregate.
Man Utd were now in prime position. Arsenal, awful in the 1st leg, where they lost out in all aspects, both physical and mental, were devastated to have been shot down with those 2 early away goals in this 2nd leg. They would probably have wanted to pack up their bags and go home at half-time as Man Utd looked ready to pile on more goals against one of their bitter footballing rivals in recent history.
Man Utd were in predatory mood and was producing the kind of attacking football which had mostly been missing this season against much smaller teams but relishing the open space Arsenal was giving to them.
So when Ronaldo struck the coup de grace, finishing off a classic brilliant and swift counter-attack, the last 30 minutes of the match were a nightmare to Arsenal.
But Man Utd's night was to be marred very badly with the sending off of Fletcher, one of Man Utd's best players this season. Having been an unsused substitute in last year's final, few would have bedgrudge Fletcher his place in the starting line-up in this season's final as the Scotland's captain has been in fine form, after years of steady and solid ascendancy at Man Utd.
It also brought back memories of how Scholes and Keane sacrificed themselves for the team as they also missed the final of Treble year 1999 due to cautions received in the 2nd leg final at Juventus.
Truth was, Fletcher did not need to sacrifice himself this time around. Time was running out for the Gunners with a quarter of the game to go. But Fletcher, ever committed not to concede a goal, put his body on the line and although he got the ball away from Fabregas, the referee harshly adjudged that he had brought down the Spaniard in an unfair manner.
The resulting penalty which van Persie converted with aplomb was irrelevant. Man Utd had lost one of the most deserved players a surely guaranteed spot in a major final.
As for Arsenal, it is back to the drawing board. They have been close but no cigar in recent years in UCL, a competition they have never won. But, as I have lavishly praised their midfield recently, they will be a team to watch out next season.
Ratings:
van Der Sar (7): Would probably have been happy to concede the Arsenal goal if it meant Fletcher not being sent off. Another major final appearance for van Der Sar beckons.
O'Shea (7): Kept Nasri in check and was part of a good defence. The Irishman has really come good this season.
Evra (7): Exploited Arsenal's weakened Walcott who was unsurprisingly subbed yet again. Was relieved early in the 2nd half because another suspension would have meant he would miss the final.
Ferdinand (8): The mad period in February/March when he was absent for 4 games highlighted his importance in Man Utd's defence and he was again superb today.
Vidic (8): Again kept Adebayor quiet and was no-nonsense as usual.
Park (8): The Korean would surely be guaranteed a place in the line-up for the final having been omitted from the winning squad last year. Continued his fine UCL campaign with a goal.
Rooney (8): Deployed on the left wing, attacked and defended superbly and avoided a booking to be ready for the final. Awesome.
Fletcher (8): Sent off and did not even make a fuss about it despite knowing he will miss the final. A true class act and a super professional, unlike the disgracing scenes the following night at Chelsea.
Carrick (7): Alongside Fletcher and Anderson, stifled Arsenal's midfield well and picked his passes with ease.
Anderson (7): Another all-action display. The Brazilian has been missed for the most part this season and today's performance again highlighted why.
Ronaldo (9): A man in supreme condition and showing all that he has put aside Real Madrid for now and giving it all for Man Utd in the best way possible. 2 goals truly deserved.
Sub:
Giggs (7): Enjoyed a run-out for the remainder of the match as he came on for Anderson.
Rafael (7): Unlikely to start in the final, which would be a crowning glory for the Brazilian this season, Rafael also enjoyed the cameo appearance afforded to him.
Berbatov (7): With the tie effectively killed off, Man Utd needed him to hold the ball upfield and he stuck to his task.
~akim~
O'Shea - Ferdinand (c) - Vidic - Evra (Rafael 65')
Park - Fletcher - Carrick - Anderson (Giggs 63') - Rooney (Berbatov 68')
Ronaldo
scorers:
Park 8'
Ronaldo 11', 61'
Man Utd sailed through to the finals of the Champions' League for the 2nd consecutive year after beating Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate.
Man Utd brought back a slender 1-0 lead from the 1st leg, but it should have been more. It was therefore with such massive relief that they scored 2 early goals in this 2nd leg game meaning that Arsenal had to score 4 goals for the remaining 80 minutes of the match to salvage a result.
As expected, Arsenal got off the blocks quickly in search of the goal that will draw the tie level. Man Utd, expectedly as well, were content to defend their lead.
But never write off their counter-attacking instincts.
Ronaldo cut back a low cross and Arsenal's left-back Kieran Gibbs, who at 18 has had a good start to his footballing career, lost his footing at the most critical time, and Park was able to nip in at the back post to score the opening goal.
Man Utd now looked hungry knowing that Arsenal had to score 3. Ronaldo won a free-kick after being unceremoniously dumped to the floor by Arsenal's captain Fabregas far out from goal.
Ronaldo's free-kick, which is now becoming more of a trademark, flashed away on the outside of the wall. Almunia was unable to judge the flight of the ball which roared low into the bottom corner of the goal and it was 3-0 to Man Utd on aggregate.
Man Utd were now in prime position. Arsenal, awful in the 1st leg, where they lost out in all aspects, both physical and mental, were devastated to have been shot down with those 2 early away goals in this 2nd leg. They would probably have wanted to pack up their bags and go home at half-time as Man Utd looked ready to pile on more goals against one of their bitter footballing rivals in recent history.
Man Utd were in predatory mood and was producing the kind of attacking football which had mostly been missing this season against much smaller teams but relishing the open space Arsenal was giving to them.
So when Ronaldo struck the coup de grace, finishing off a classic brilliant and swift counter-attack, the last 30 minutes of the match were a nightmare to Arsenal.
But Man Utd's night was to be marred very badly with the sending off of Fletcher, one of Man Utd's best players this season. Having been an unsused substitute in last year's final, few would have bedgrudge Fletcher his place in the starting line-up in this season's final as the Scotland's captain has been in fine form, after years of steady and solid ascendancy at Man Utd.
It also brought back memories of how Scholes and Keane sacrificed themselves for the team as they also missed the final of Treble year 1999 due to cautions received in the 2nd leg final at Juventus.
Truth was, Fletcher did not need to sacrifice himself this time around. Time was running out for the Gunners with a quarter of the game to go. But Fletcher, ever committed not to concede a goal, put his body on the line and although he got the ball away from Fabregas, the referee harshly adjudged that he had brought down the Spaniard in an unfair manner.
The resulting penalty which van Persie converted with aplomb was irrelevant. Man Utd had lost one of the most deserved players a surely guaranteed spot in a major final.
As for Arsenal, it is back to the drawing board. They have been close but no cigar in recent years in UCL, a competition they have never won. But, as I have lavishly praised their midfield recently, they will be a team to watch out next season.
Ratings:
van Der Sar (7): Would probably have been happy to concede the Arsenal goal if it meant Fletcher not being sent off. Another major final appearance for van Der Sar beckons.
O'Shea (7): Kept Nasri in check and was part of a good defence. The Irishman has really come good this season.
Evra (7): Exploited Arsenal's weakened Walcott who was unsurprisingly subbed yet again. Was relieved early in the 2nd half because another suspension would have meant he would miss the final.
Ferdinand (8): The mad period in February/March when he was absent for 4 games highlighted his importance in Man Utd's defence and he was again superb today.
Vidic (8): Again kept Adebayor quiet and was no-nonsense as usual.
Park (8): The Korean would surely be guaranteed a place in the line-up for the final having been omitted from the winning squad last year. Continued his fine UCL campaign with a goal.
Rooney (8): Deployed on the left wing, attacked and defended superbly and avoided a booking to be ready for the final. Awesome.
Fletcher (8): Sent off and did not even make a fuss about it despite knowing he will miss the final. A true class act and a super professional, unlike the disgracing scenes the following night at Chelsea.
Carrick (7): Alongside Fletcher and Anderson, stifled Arsenal's midfield well and picked his passes with ease.
Anderson (7): Another all-action display. The Brazilian has been missed for the most part this season and today's performance again highlighted why.
Ronaldo (9): A man in supreme condition and showing all that he has put aside Real Madrid for now and giving it all for Man Utd in the best way possible. 2 goals truly deserved.
Sub:
Giggs (7): Enjoyed a run-out for the remainder of the match as he came on for Anderson.
Rafael (7): Unlikely to start in the final, which would be a crowning glory for the Brazilian this season, Rafael also enjoyed the cameo appearance afforded to him.
Berbatov (7): With the tie effectively killed off, Man Utd needed him to hold the ball upfield and he stuck to his task.
~akim~
