AC Milan vs Man U

[TheMaraudingDog]

depressing reminders of former glory

Champions 3 years in a row
Back to back Champions League Finals
Carling Cup Final around the corner
Taking an advantage and 3 away goals to the home leg in Champions League Final
One point behind the league leaders who we still have to play at home.

I long for the glory years to come back, I really do.

[Seal]

Lol at me if you want - Rooney's definitely been overrated in this very thread. When he turned up, he was definitely world-class (though as usual I've seen few similar compliments for Darren Fletcher, who set up two of the goals), but had he not been scowling and gesticulating at Nani he would've been virtually invisible in the entire first half. Someone who disappears for half the match doesn't deserve the adjective 'magnificent', I'd say. As for Ronaldinho, he seemed to spend the match switching between the stunning player he was for that season or two and the fat mess he became in Italy. So I suppose, MaraudingDog, you're right - this crushing mediocrity interspersed with depressing reminders of former glory would make him an ideal United player these days.

Not sure if you've ever played up front on your own before, but it's a pretty lonely job if you don't receive any ball (hence Rooney's frustration with Nani). Pele could have played up front it that first half and looked distinctly average.

Ferguson himself said that they didn't use Rooney enough in the first half, they changed tactics at half time, got him more involved, and once he was on the ball, to use Fergie's own words, he was devastating. Fantastic movement, great close control, two wonderful headed goals and a number of other attempts. I'm not quite sure what more a player could do to illustrate that they deserve to be referenced in the company of the very best players in the game today.

Incidentally I thought Ronaldinho look as good as I've seen him for years. Magnificent ability on the ball (if still in need of shedding another stone or two). Amazing what a World Cup year does to the form of Brazilian players.

[sandman]

depressing reminders of former glory

Champions 3 years in a row
Back to back Champions League Finals
Carling Cup Final around the corner
Taking an advantage and 3 away goals to the home leg in Champions League Final
One point behind the league leaders who we still have to play at home.

I long for the glory years to come back, I really do.

Never mind the trophies the humility of United and their fans is the thing that impresses me the most.

P.S. IMO there are five world class players Iniesta, Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi, and Kaka. Rooney is merely in form at the moment .He needs to have a good World Cup and keep up the level of performance he's shown this season for another couple of years to join the truly world class level.

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[Victor Meldrew]

depressing reminders of former glory

Champions 3 years in a row
Back to back Champions League Finals
Carling Cup Final around the corner
Taking an advantage and 3 away goals to the home leg in Champions League Final
One point behind the league leaders who we still have to play at home.

I long for the glory years to come back, I really do.

Never mind the trophies the humility of United and their fans is the thing that impresses me the most.

P.S. IMO there are five world class players Iniesta, Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi, and Kaka. Rooney is merely in form at the moment .He needs to have a good World Cup and keep up the level of performance he's shown this season for another couple of years to join the truly world class level.

I don't think there is much argument about those 5 .
The likes of Gerrard (because of this season's lesser form),Rooney and Drogba are behind those IMHO.
It will be interesting in this world cup to see if they can step up.
Incidentally although Rooney has been playing well in league football those 2 headers the other night were nothing special but the hype about him at the moment is at such a high level that everything he does is overpraised,much in the way that Beckham was hyped in THAT Greece game for scoring direct from a free kick after something like a dozen earlier failed attempts.
Such is the British Press and general media.