Andy's Wednesday tips - Man Utd to draw
This is a potentially difficult match for Manchester United. Marseille boss Didier Deschamps has a wealth of big game experience as a player and a manager and he will have his side well drilled for the visit of England's champions-elect.
The Stade Velodrome is a fantastic arena and I anticipate a tense night in the south of France. It's going to be cagey and I am in no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson will play with one striker and five across midfield.
He could ask Wayne Rooney to play in a deep role with Dimitar Berbatov up top but I suspect that the Manchester United manager may leave the Premier League's top goalscorer on the bench.
This is the type of match that Sir Alex Ferguson has spent hours preparing his sides for over the last few years. They will try to keep it tight, they won't mind if the game is played at a slow tempo and they may well look to hit the French side on the counter-attack. Whatever formation Manchester United play, they remain one of the most dangerous teams in Europe.
They can definitely score at the Velodrome. Wayne Rooney's wonder goal in the Manchester derby will have done him the world of good. It was not, as some have claimed, the greatest in Premier League history but it was one of the most explosive strikes I have ever seen and I'm backing Rooney to score against Marseille.
Much has been said about Manchester United's away form this season but, while they should have won more, they have only lost two. Sir Alex Ferguson might be satisfied with a draw here, confident that his team can take Marseille apart at the Old Trafford. I'm backing a 1-1 draw.
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Published: 23 Feb 2011
Horace Horlicks (February 23, 2011 12:54 PM) said:
Man United have struggled away recently to the the likes of Stoke, WBA and Wolves. Marseilles are probably slightly above the level of those three teams, so I suspect United will have to fight very hard tonight against the Marseille Monsieurs. Sir Alec will know that Manyou will be very strong favourites in the return leg at Old Trafford and will be happy with a draw. I predict a 0-0 scoreline.
GERRY SADLER (February 23, 2011 5:52 PM) said:
cant agree with you horace ,i think ferguson will want an away goal at least.... 1-1 draw i reckon, but you never know.... champions league there are no easy matches...
Clarence (February 24, 2011 10:34 AM) said:
Hail King Horace.
mark wilson (February 24, 2011 8:08 PM) said:
thanks for the tip on a bit of a role at the min :)