United take twin goals to Monaco
Tuesday 26 August 2008
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Sir Alex Ferguson sees the UEFA Super Cup as a chance to piece his team back together (©Getty Images)
Opportunity knocks for Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United FC aim to recover key players and lift the UEFA Super Cup in the same 90 minutes in Monaco. United take on FC Zenit St. Petersburg on Friday bidding both for a trophy to supplement their UEFA Champions League success, and to reassemble a squad separated of late by injuries, suspensions and Olympic call-ups.
'One to win'
The manager stated his case at a news conference at United's Carrington training ground. "I think we'll view the Super Cup as a one-off and we want to win it obviously. But it is also an opportunity to play Anderson, who is back from the Olympic Games, Nani who's available from a suspension, and if possible Gary Neville," said Sir Alex. "I think those three will figure in Friday night's game. Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney will be involved. Thereafter it depends who's coming back from injury – if Owen Hargreaves has maintained his training ground performances he will play; Ji-Sung Park, I'm not so sure. I think we'll play a strong team but there'll certainly be some changes."
'Short of numbers'
With Michael Carrick sidelined for three weeks, Cristiano Ronaldo recovering after surgery and Ryan Giggs nursing a hamstring problem, United have not exactly been themselves in performances or personnel – "we're a bit short of numbers at the moment," Sir Alex admitted. The season-opening 1-1 home draw with Newcastle United FC followed a Wembley stalemate with Portsmouth FC in the FA Community Shield – though that match was won on penalties. However, Anderson and Carlos Tévez returned for Monday's trip to Portsmouth, where Darren Fletcher's goal earned United's first victory of the Premier League campaign.
Praise for Zenit
Sir Alex will now hope his returnees have enough to dispose of the UEFA Cup holders and Russian champions, Zenit, at the Stade Louis II. "Zenit are a good team," said the Scot. "I think they proved themselves particularly with their performances away from home last season – against Bayer [04] Leverkusen they scored four goals in Germany, they knocked [FC] Bayern [München] out of the cup. So their progress in the UEFA Cup last season was fantastic. We're expecting a very tough game."
Success breeds success
The manager will be competing for this prize for a third time, having triumphed 1-0 against FK Crvena Zvezda in 1991, before losing by the same scoreline to S.S. Lazio eight years later. The UEFA Super Cup, along with the FIFA Club World Cup, may increase United's fixture list but Sir Alex says "it is well worthwhile". "We're there because we are successful. It is also an opportunity to give players the experience of playing in a game of that nature."
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