United will have a strong line-up for the quarter-final. I predict Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, and Evra across the back, Carrick and Fletcher as holding midfielders Nani on the left and Park on the right, with Rooney up top.

Robben looks to be in doubt for the big match, and that would be a big plus, seeing as how the Dutchman has been in impeccable form.

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Manchester United will beat Bayern and then beat Bordeaux in the semi final before booking their spot in the final for the third consecutive year. While Barca will blow by Arsenal and have to face Inter. Although Barca already beat Inter in the group stage, the semi-final will bring an extremely different match up.

I feel Inter will come out on top and set up for a memorable final at the Santiago Bernabeu between Inter and Manchester United.

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We are fast approaching the final weeks of both domestic and European competitions, and Rooney’s Manchester United has successfully defended the League Cup, crawled to the top of the Premier League, and earned a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals by decimating Italian giants, AC Milan.

Rooney’s individual form is even more extraordinary. In 28 Premier League games Rooney has scored 25 goals, 2 goals in 3 League Cup games, and in 5 Champions League games, 4 goals. Brining his total tally to an impressive 32 goals this season, with at very least 10 games left.

The Player of the Year is usually determined by your individual performance, team’s performance in both domestic and European competitions, and in a World Cup year like 2010, and your country’s performance.

Unlike Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka or any other player shortlisted in last years Player of the Year award, Rooney has been carrying his team on his own. The only question now is, how long can he continue to do so?

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AC Milan would regret not starting Beckham. Leonardo bought into the Beckham hype in the first leg and decided to start him. He would make the same mistake in the second leg, by not starting him.

It only took United 3 minutes to look dangerous as Rooney received a great pass from Valencia and fired on Abbiati, but it went wide

It didn’t take long for Milan to respond as Ronaldinho, who has been on fire, almost scored a spectacular goal in the 8th minute. It was a deflected ball from Nani, Ronaldinho was already in the air and managed to give it some direction, that is something that is very difficult to do. Most players would have just let the ball hit their head.

Park did not give Pirlo an inch. The South Korean was obviously instructed to shadow the Italian playmaker.

Rooney scored his third header on Milan in the 14th minute.For the second time Milan would gave Neville too much space, the first time Neville took a left footed shot that just went over the cross bar. The second time he delivered a wonderful ball to Rooney who did not forgive Milan for poor defending.

After the goal, the game really slowed down. AC Milan was not creating anything, and Manchester United set the tempo. It was AC Milan’s game to chase, and United knew that.

The half would end 1-0.

Milan made one change and it would take United 2 minutes to expose the weakness. A defender ,Bonera, was taken off for a midfielder, Seedorf. With 3 defenders you don’t leave yourself with much room for error. Nani would capitalize on a poor trap from Thiago Silva, and Rooney would loose Flamini, who was caught ball watching. Nani fed a great ball into rooney who was completely unmarked and put away a one v one against Abbiati for the 2nd goal.

Although going down 2-0, Milan looked more alive when Seedorf stepped on the pitch. Ronaldinho needed a partner. It is usually Pato up top he connects with, but with the young brazilian out for the match, Ronaldinho needed someone to play with.

Well if there was any glimpse of hope for the Milan fans, they were clearly shattered as Park put united up 3-0 before the hour mark! Another goal due to poor defending, Scholes exposed the gap and found Park with a brilliant through ball and Park would convert.

Beckham finally made his way on to the pitch shortly after, to a very warm welcome. “Welcome home Beckham” signs decorated Old Trafford.

It was poor managing from Leonardo to not start Ronaldinho, Seedorf and Beckham as it was clear that those three were the ones creating chances. Huntelaar was nowhere to be found, Boriello did absolutely nothing. It took Leonardo too long to make the changes and it cost him the match and maybe even his job.

Rooney and Neville would receive a standing ovation as Berbatov and Rafael would make an appearance and Gibson would come on for Scholes, who was booked earlier in the match.

Beckham hit a rocket at Van der Sar in the 74th minute. Clearly frustrated because Leonardo decided to play him when it was pointless, a lost cause as Milan were down 3-0.

If you thought 3 was humiliating; Rafael and Fletcher would connect for the 4th just before the 90th minute. Milan’s defense was lost. Pirlo was the player closest to Fletcher at the time of the center. Thiago Silva the left defender was about 15 yards from his position and it cost Milan the 4th and final goal.

Coaching experience was they key in this 4-0 defeat. Leonardo simply doesn’t have the experience to take Milan to the next level.

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The boss plans to give the game the respect it deserves with the result of huge significance to Hull and the other three teams fighting to avoid relegation.

The visit to the KC Stadium comes just 72 hours before United square up to Barcelona in Rome, and Sir Alex will undoubtedly utilise the full resources available to him, but he will still send out a team fit to represent United, and one which he feels is capable of winning the match.

“This is the best squad I’ve ever had,” the boss told MUTV. “I could have picked two teams against Arsenal last week, and I’ll be picking a team on Sunday against Hull that will reflect that strength.

“We have a fantastic squad of around 28 or 29 players now, which includes the likes of [Federico] Macheda, [Danny] Welbeck, [Rodrigo] Possebon, [Darron] Gibson, Rafael and Fabio. They are young but they’re very, very good players, and good characters, too. I think that gives us a back-up that we’ve never had before.”

The Hull match certainly won’t be considered a dead rubber for those selected. It might be a last chance for established players to book a place in the 18-man matchday squad in Rome, or for emerging young talents to stake a claim for next season.

Sir Alex will certainly field players such as Darren Fletcher – so unfortunately suspended for the final – and Tomasz Kuszczak, who will now deputise for Edwin van der Sar without competition from the injured Ben Foster.

www.Manutd.com

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Although Barcelona squeezed by Chelsea, they paid a high price. Both Daniel Alves and Abidal will miss the final due to bookings. While Marquez and Henry remain doubtful due to injuries. Those are four crucial players, all largely responsible for Barca’s success this season.

It should be an exciting final, especially because if United score early they wont play with 11 defenders.

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It only took Ronaldo 6 minutes to create the space necessary to unleash his rocket on goalkeeper, Helton. After a start like that, I began to brace myself for another mouth watering goal fest like the Chelsea v Liverpool game just a day before. But it was far from that.

Don’t get me wrong, United did what they had to do, and it was enough to get them through. They became the first British side to win at the Estadio do Dradao in over 40 years. I just expected more goals more excitement.  But I guess when your team gets through it doesn’t matter how its done.

United did secure their first shutout in over a month, thanks in large part to the return of Ferdinand and Vidic. And its that duo that will win trophies for United.

Because the offense could not keep the ball in top half of the field. Rooney would drop into his own 18 to win a ball and when it was cleared there was no one up top to keep the ball. Berbatov is only effective in front of goal, he has absolutely no speed, and is useless unless United is on the attacking half of the field.

I like Anderson and think he has great potential, but this was not a game for the young Brazilian. He just turned the ball over too easily. He needs to work on his right foot a little more and taking some shots while keeping them on frame.

Sir Alex took the right players off, Anderson and Berbatov were not contributing. But I feel the subs were made a little late, and I would like to have seen Tevez come on for Berbatov, not Nani.

But United are through! April 29th United will host Arsenal.

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It didn’t take long for Porto to figure out that United had absolutely no defense. First Hulk in the 3rd minute then the goal in the 4th. We all know Evans “clear” if we can even call it that, was something like that of a little school girl. But it was Ronaldo, who lost the ball at half which led to the goal. Not only did he lose it but he never once turned to win the ball back. Instead he pranced with his head down for about 10 meters before ever looking back. I don’t care if he is Ronaldo, if you lose the ball you need to win it back!

My other issue with Ronaldo is a true footballer knows when its “your” night, when every touch is crisp, every pass is accurate, every trap is exceptional. Tuesday was not Ronaldo’s night, when that happens you need to play simple one, two, or maybe three touches max. So why did Ronaldo insist on trying to take players on.

Personally I think having an extra player in the midfield was useless! Why use three players when two could do the job. Any combination would have done: Carrick/Fletcher, Fletcher/Scholes, Scholes/Carrick and United should have started the match how they ended it. With only two players in the center and an extra striker.

We have seen how Tevez and Rooney produce magic on several occasions so why not give them more time on the pitch together! Tevez has more than proven himself, so I don’t understand why he receives the treatment he does from the coaching staff. Tevez is too good to be just a “super sub”

Porto played very well and deserved the draw if not more. United can not afford to slip up anymore!

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It’s a great draw for United as they are positioned on the weaker side of the play-off bracket. Not to say Porto is rubbish but I believe they are the weakest of the 8 teams remaining in the competition, followed by Villarreal and Arsenal.

Liverpool and Chelsea are both very strong at the moment, while Bayern and Barcelona are the best outside of England. United got the perfect draw and thankfully United will only play one of those four in the final at the Stadio Olimpico.

On paper, there is no reason why United should not reach the final. Porto failed to win against Athletico Madrid and only got by on away-goals. We all know Arsenal’s story and Villarreal is a team that plays good collective-team football but aren’t real contenders for Europe’s top prize.

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Ok, Its time for me to mention the Quintuple. I haven’t wanted to mention it mainly because … it’s a QUINTUPLE!

Two weeks ago United had just tied Inter and had the Carling Cup final that Sunday. As buzz about the  Quintuple began, Sir Alex said he would field the team that got him to the Carling Cup final, which included the likes of Welbeck, Gibson, and Foster. Then Sir Alex made it clear that his priority was the Champions League.

At that point the Quintuple still remained an illusive, unattainable accomplishment. It didn’t help that United would field a group of inexperienced second team players for a final, but much to my surprise the youngsters pulled it off.

United then thrashed Fulham at Craven Cottage 4-0 to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.

On Wednesday United outplayed Inter and got a much deserved win over the Italian side sending them through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Now, I believe, Its safe to realistically mention the Quintuple! An accomplishment like this would immortalize this generation of players!

The Premier League is United’s, having climbed to 7 points ahead of the competition and a game in hand. This weekend will definitely be a crucial one as United take on Liverpool and Chelsea take on Manchester City.

And in both the FA Cup and Champions League, there isn’t a team left with the pace, depth, and attacking power to beat Manchester United

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