Injustice, tragedy, loss: should Real Madrid progress further
towards the final of this year's Champions League, or perhaps even win
the competition at Wembley in May, then the pain of Tuesday night's
defeat will only multiply.However, while the nature of Manchester
United's exit is gutting in a manner almost entirely unique to near
misses and what ifs, there is much to take away from the game in terms
of pride and positives. The red card, regardless of the controversy
surrounding the decision, cannot affect the level of effort and
performance delivered by those who took to the field in the club's
colours to stand, play and be counted.
Sir Alex Ferguson's successes are peppered with backhanders around his strengths as a motivator, organiser and serial winner: an unspeaking derision of the manager as a tactician lingers in the silent void left by such compliments.Against Madrid his starting lineup was both surprising and impressive, binning ego and reputations in favour of a bespoke system to muzzle and match Mourinho's own battle plans. Sir Alex went bold, ambitious and tactical to try and beat his quasi-protégé at his own game.
There was no sense of fatalism or resignation in Ferguson's designs, taking a radical and decisive step in negating Madrid's strengths. This wasn't a desperate attempt at anti football either, and United asked their own questions of the visitors, showing purpose and threat going forward. As Jose himself said: "the best team lost".Local youngster Danny Welbeck was the star of the show, using his boundless energy and awareness to offer a potent attacking outlet and a null zone over Alonso, isolating him from the game. His simultaneous ability to press and pounce was indicative of United's overall approach; a more effective figurehead of industry than the overweight, unfit Wayne Rooney who was relegated to the bench.
With van Persie roaming between the front and the right wing to cover Giggs and create space for Welbeck, Nani danced down the left. Attacking Arbeola, the sporadic winger was an unpredictable quantity hovering over Madrid's weakpoint, raising a question for Mou to mull over. His dismissal for a high tackle wasn't destructive to United's game because of some unseen defensive work by the tricky Portuguese, but because Real were no longer pinned back by his threat. Before that fateful unveiling of the red, he had created real width on the break and managed to creep behind enemy lines. United even enjoyed chances from his crosses and runs towards the byline.
On the other flank, century-man Ryan Giggs put in a shift befitting of his milestone. Repurposed on the right, the strength of his left foot allowed him to help nullify Madrid's glamorous left flank of Contreao and Ronaldo by allowing Giggs dominance when cutting inside. This wide, defensive role also gave the Welshman the time and space to fire accurate, early diagonals forward for van Persie to hold up and Welbeck to chase. All across United's4-2-3-1 players were performing dual duties of rigid defending and fast distribution forward into attack. Real were unable to rest or rely on their opponents to pour forth so that they could be picked off on the counter.
Ferguson's work wasn't limited to the attack either. The leaking lack of pace within the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership was subverted with the duo sitting deep to block Real off from the space they require in order to produce their blitzkrieg counterattack. It was a rear-guard performance based on the duo's close-quarters composure and concentration levels; protected and reinforced by two selfless displays by a deep sitting Michael Carrick and a meticulous pressing role-played by Tom Cleverley. At full-back, Rafael and Evra showed notable discipline and commitment to the defensive cause, keeping things tight while the numbers were equal.
Manchester United weren't faultless. The lack of a plan B was brutally exposed following Nani's red card, but without Phil Jones there seemed little available to Ferguson on the bench beyond the suicidal tilt of chucking on strikers and being ripped apart by Real and suffering a similar score as City's 6-1 last season.Instead, this was a grand and glorious performance besmirched by a crushing defeat, but one that this young team will learn from and return stronger than ever. United dared to take the game, and there is zero shame in that. Forget bitterness and despair. The club and its supporters can hold their heads high and look forward to future competitive revenge on the continent. In the short-term, look out Chelsea.
Sir Alex Ferguson's successes are peppered with backhanders around his strengths as a motivator, organiser and serial winner: an unspeaking derision of the manager as a tactician lingers in the silent void left by such compliments.Against Madrid his starting lineup was both surprising and impressive, binning ego and reputations in favour of a bespoke system to muzzle and match Mourinho's own battle plans. Sir Alex went bold, ambitious and tactical to try and beat his quasi-protégé at his own game.
There was no sense of fatalism or resignation in Ferguson's designs, taking a radical and decisive step in negating Madrid's strengths. This wasn't a desperate attempt at anti football either, and United asked their own questions of the visitors, showing purpose and threat going forward. As Jose himself said: "the best team lost".Local youngster Danny Welbeck was the star of the show, using his boundless energy and awareness to offer a potent attacking outlet and a null zone over Alonso, isolating him from the game. His simultaneous ability to press and pounce was indicative of United's overall approach; a more effective figurehead of industry than the overweight, unfit Wayne Rooney who was relegated to the bench.
With van Persie roaming between the front and the right wing to cover Giggs and create space for Welbeck, Nani danced down the left. Attacking Arbeola, the sporadic winger was an unpredictable quantity hovering over Madrid's weakpoint, raising a question for Mou to mull over. His dismissal for a high tackle wasn't destructive to United's game because of some unseen defensive work by the tricky Portuguese, but because Real were no longer pinned back by his threat. Before that fateful unveiling of the red, he had created real width on the break and managed to creep behind enemy lines. United even enjoyed chances from his crosses and runs towards the byline.
On the other flank, century-man Ryan Giggs put in a shift befitting of his milestone. Repurposed on the right, the strength of his left foot allowed him to help nullify Madrid's glamorous left flank of Contreao and Ronaldo by allowing Giggs dominance when cutting inside. This wide, defensive role also gave the Welshman the time and space to fire accurate, early diagonals forward for van Persie to hold up and Welbeck to chase. All across United's4-2-3-1 players were performing dual duties of rigid defending and fast distribution forward into attack. Real were unable to rest or rely on their opponents to pour forth so that they could be picked off on the counter.
Ferguson's work wasn't limited to the attack either. The leaking lack of pace within the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership was subverted with the duo sitting deep to block Real off from the space they require in order to produce their blitzkrieg counterattack. It was a rear-guard performance based on the duo's close-quarters composure and concentration levels; protected and reinforced by two selfless displays by a deep sitting Michael Carrick and a meticulous pressing role-played by Tom Cleverley. At full-back, Rafael and Evra showed notable discipline and commitment to the defensive cause, keeping things tight while the numbers were equal.
Manchester United weren't faultless. The lack of a plan B was brutally exposed following Nani's red card, but without Phil Jones there seemed little available to Ferguson on the bench beyond the suicidal tilt of chucking on strikers and being ripped apart by Real and suffering a similar score as City's 6-1 last season.Instead, this was a grand and glorious performance besmirched by a crushing defeat, but one that this young team will learn from and return stronger than ever. United dared to take the game, and there is zero shame in that. Forget bitterness and despair. The club and its supporters can hold their heads high and look forward to future competitive revenge on the continent. In the short-term, look out Chelsea.
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