www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Wed Sep 30 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Ferguson sees a big threat
2. Giggs misses Munich clash ««
3. IRWIN BACKS BLOMQVIST TO FILL GIGGS' SHOES
4. Cole must play the waiting game
5. COLE SET FOR BAYERN BATTLE
6. United Euro-link for world talent
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Wed 30th September:
1933: Jack Hall made his debut at Oldham Athletic. Goalkeeper Hall won a Second
Division Championship medal in 1936 and made 73 appearances between 1933-36.
He joined Tottenham Hotspur in June 1936.
1978: United beat Manchester City 1-0 at Old Trafford with a Joe Jordan goal
in a Division 1 game watched by 55,301. Team was: Roche, Albiston, Houston,
B.Greenhoff, McQueen, Buchan, Coppell, J.Greenhoff, Jordan, Macari, McIlroy.
********************************
Next 4 games:
Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
Today! Bayern M (A) CL
Sat 3/10 Southampton (A) PL
Sat 17/10 Wimbledon (H) PL
Wed 21/10 Brondby (A) CL
UNITED Stats v Southampton are here:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/vssouthampton.htm
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 24/09/98 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
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Champions League, Group D Bayern Munich v Manchester United
Subject: Ferguson sees a big threat
By David Lacey in Munich
Wednesday September 30, 1998
This is a good time of year to be in the capital of Bavaria, with
the beer festival in full swing and the balm of autumn yet to give
way to winter's chill. Munich may not be Heidelberg but
Manchester United will not find a more fitting moment to
remember their days as student princes.
Not that they have to think back far. In terms of Champions
League experience the learning process is ongoing. Only a
fortnight ago Alex Ferguson's team felt they had earned their
masters degree by establishing an early 2-0 lead against
Barcelona at Old Trafford, only to be held 3-3 with the
Spanish champions looking the more likely winners.
United will be keen to redress the balance by beating Bayern
Munich in the Olympic Stadium tonight. Easier said than done,
however, for Bayern have won their opening six matches in the
Bundesliga and are in even more urgent need of Champions
League points after losing 2-1 to Brondby in Copenhagen.
United, moreover, are without the injured Ryan Giggs.
Ottmar Hitzfeld, the new Bayern coach, was in charge of
Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago when they defeated
United 1-0 home and away in the semi-finals. He can now call
upon the combined experience of the 37-year-old Lothar
Matthaus, playing sweeper, and Stefan Effenberg, still an
imposing presence in midfield. Thomas Helmer, however, has
only an even chance of being fit.
"They are a big team," Ferguson noted yesterday, "and taller
than us, which could be a problem at set plays. In open play,
however, I think we have the ability to impose ourselves on
parts of the game."
Size is not everything in football but, remembering how Tony
Adams recently got above Jaap Stam at a free-kick to head
Arsenal in front, much may depend on whether Hitzfeld opts
for big Carsten Jancker as an attacking partner for the
Brazilian Giovane Elber. Bixente Lizarazu, the French
left-wing-back, will also be a threat.
Group D is looking the tightest of the six and Ferguson
believes nine points may be enough to win it. But their chances
of taking on Bayern in a battle of attacking wits have been hit
by Giggs's foot injury.
Giggs's speed is an essential element of United's
counter-attacking style and although Jesper Blomqvist has
comparable pace he will need to improve on his performance
at Arsenal if, as expected, he plays on the left.
This enforced change apart, Ferguson will almost certainly
keep faith with the side who performed impressively in beating
Liverpool 2-0 last Thursday. Gary Neville is set to continue
alongside Jaap Stam in the middle of the defence, with his
brother Phil at right-back and Denis Irwin on the left.
With Nicky Butt suspended, having been sent off against
Barcelona for a deliberate handball, Ferguson's midfield
options were always going to be limited, but the superb match
Paul Scholes had against Liverpool would have made it hard to
leave him out. And although Andy Cole is still very much in
Ferguson's thoughts he will probably start on the bench,
allowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to continue his promising
partnership up front with Dwight Yorke.
The word Munich is seared deep into United's soul but the
present players, though never forgetting the significance, must
find it hard to relate to a 40-year-old tragedy. "We don't
discuss those emotions," Ferguson replied when a German
journalist asked him how he had felt as the plane landed.
Bayern Munich (probable): Kahn; Matthaus; Babbel,
Helmer (or Linke); Strunz, Basler (or Tarnat), Jeremies,
Effenberg, Lizarazu; Elber, Jancker.
Manchester United (probable): Schmeichel; P Neville,
Stam, G Neville, Irwin; Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Blomqvist;
Yorke, Solskjaer.
Referee: M Batta (France).
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Subject: Giggs misses Munich clash ««
Ryan Giggs will miss Manchester United's Champions' League tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The flying Welshman has not travelled with the squad to Germany after failing to recover from a foot injury picked up in the 2-0 win over Liverpool last Thursday.
X-rays dismissed fears of a possible break but the bruising has not recovered in time for the winger to play. Nicky Butt is also missing through suspension.
Giggs Body Blow:
Bayern Munich made no attempt to hide their jubilation yesterday at the news that Ryan Giggs did not fly with Manchester United to Germany and seems sure to miss tonight's Champions League match.
The Germans had built their entire defensive game plan around stopping the Wales winger but he has stayed at home with a badly bruised foot and only if there is a dramatic improvement will he make a late dash to Bavaria.
Bayern's World Cup-winning defender Bixente Lizarazu was close to dismissing United as an attacking force without Giggs when he said: 'He was the one United player who carried a threat because he can do dangerous things on his own.
'People might speak about David Beckham but he is only a provider rather than a one-man danger like Giggs. If you man-mark properly, then Beckham's threat diminishes.'
The Germans know, however, that Beckham was outstanding in the 3-3 draw against Barcelona, scoring yet another fantasy free kick, and Lothar Matthaus gave a dark hint that there might be some provocation in store for the England midfielder, saying: 'When you think about Beckham you must always remember what happened in the World Cup against Argentina.'
Bayern's own attacking hopes rest on a Luton Town reject. Carsten Jancker was spurned by Luton three seasons ago after a week's trial, yet the 6ft 3in striker has 10 goals in 19 European appearances and was named in the German national squad on Monday.
He said: 'I really wanted to make it in England where the football is so passionate but Luton gave me only one game before saying goodbye - and they weren't even in the Premiership.'
United manager Alex Ferguson concedes that his current team do not possess the depth of experience to win European trophies and regards tonight's match as part of the learning experience for his young side.
But perhaps it was largely Fergie psychology when he said: 'I think they show immaturity at times. They may be experienced but young players do not take it all on board immediately.
'Usually when they get to 26, they are gathering it all then. When they are young they have a sense of adventure, no fear and they play off the cuff. It's instinct.'
If his remarks, made in the presence of Roy Keane and Dwight Yorke, have a stinging effect then it will do no harm against a clinical Munich team who have won six out of six in the Bundesliga, even though they lost against Brondby in Copenhagen a fortnight ago.
Tonight's examination is made even more difficult by the fact that United have only one point, not three, from their first match with Barcelona which could, and should, have been won.
Ferguson's team selection is further complicated by the suspension of Nicky Butt, who was sent off for handball in the Barcelona game.
The Germans find their engine in the twin pistons of Stefan Effenberg and Matthaus and this, as you would expect, is an engine which is decidedly 'vorsprung durch technic.'
Matthaus's talent has not diminished with age and he boasts the vast experience which Ferguson would love to see in his young bucks.
Bayern are as talented a side as there is in Europe and only their time-honoured ability to shoot themselves in the foot stands out as a weakness.
Without Giggs, United will need to ensure that they are not avalanched by the hurricane attacking style which Ferguson's old foe, Ottmar Hitzfeld, has brought from Dortmund to his new team.
United will need to press, harass and avoid defending too deep - and Ferguson has warned them repeatedly about Bayern's danger at set-pieces.
Mature or not, this will have to be one of the great Manchester United performances in Europe if they are to take a point, as well as valuable experience, from the night.
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Subject: IRWIN BACKS BLOMQVIST TO FILL GIGGS' SHOES
Denis Irwin is confident Manchester United's squad is strong enough to cope with the loss of Ryan Giggs against Bayern Munich.
Giggs was ruled out of the tricky Champions' League Group D clash in the Olympic stadium after he failed to recover from his foot injury sustained against Liverpool.
The Welshman was also missing when United lost to Monaco in the quarter-finals of last season's Champions' League and his absence was a key factor in the defeat.
But this time round, Irwin feels United will not feel his loss as keenly. "You always miss your best players and obviously Ryan comes into that category," Irwin said.
"But our squad is stronger now than last year after the manager brought in three new players.
"We struggled a little bit towards the end of last season when we lost people like Ryan through injury, but now we have greater strength in depth.
"I think we'll be all right and Jesper Blomqvist, who is a quality player in his own right, can come in for Ryan."
Irwin realises that Bayern are anxious to win and kick start their Champions' League campaign following their defeat at Brondby, but he also knows United cannot afford to lose after drawing their firstt game against Barcelona.
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Subject: Cole must play the waiting game
Wednesday, September 30, 1998
Andy Cole tonight faces the moment of truth which will indicate whether he has a long-term future with Manchester United.
If he is left out of the Champions League game with Bayern Munich, he will surely feel he has become only a supporting player in Alex Ferguson's squad.
The 27-year-old striker has indicated he wants to stay and Ferguson insists he is not for sale, but Aston Villa manager John Gregory has at least £10million at his disposal and needs only the slightest hint that United would be ready to do business.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to be Ferguson's first choice as partner for Dwight Yorke, leaving Cole and Teddy Sheringham out in the cold.
Ferguson stressed yesterday that Cole remains a vital member of his squad, saying: 'I would not have the slightest hesitation about playing Andy against Bayern. He is a good player - no problem about that.'
So far Cole is not rocking the boat but he has started only three games this season. He was given a chance in Yorke's debut game against West Ham but the pair did not appear to click immediately - and Solskjaer has taken full advantage of his chance.
If Cole's name is not one of the first 11 read out tonight, the feeling will strengthen that his United career, which began with his £7m move from Newcastle in January 1995, could peter out in frustration and disillusion.
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Tuesday 29 September 1998
Subject: COLE SET FOR BAYERN BATTLE
Andy Cole could have played himself into Manchester United's side for Wednesday's Champions' League clash with Bayern Munich thanks to his 20-minute burst against Liverpool last week.
The striker has been out of Alex Ferguson's starting line-up for the last six games but had his manager purring with delight when he came on for the closing stages of the game against Liverpool on Th
ursday night and created United's second goal for Paul Scholes.
"He did very well against Liverpool and I am very pleased with him," said Ferguson, who is hinting at giving Cole the chance to line up with Dwight Yorke for only the second time since his £12.5
million move from Aston Villa.
The two played together in the 0-0 draw at West Ham but Cole lost his place to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after that.
Ferguson also has to decide who plays at centre-back alongside Dutchman Jaap Stam. On Thursday Gary Neville won the man-of-the-match award in that position but he could return to right full-back to m
ake way for Henning Berg.
"What we want to do is get a settled partnership at the back and I think that's important to the team, but there are other things to consider as well," said Ferguson.
"The pressures up front and in midfield matter in the second half of the season. Last year Cole and Teddy Sheringham played six games in 15 days without any respite.
"That has an effect on their performance, sharpness and fitness. With the collection of centre forwards we have now we can freshen things up."
As for Bayern, who will be without defender Thomas Helmer (thigh) and midfielder Mario Basler ('flu), Ferguson expects a tough game.
"They are a very big side and I think in terms of open play we can express ourselves well, but on set-pieces we will have to handle them," said Ferguson.
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Subject: United Euro-link for world talent
By Ian Ross
Wednesday September 30, 1998
Manchester United are on the verge of forging a unique bond with one of Belgium's leading clubs to guarantee access to the world's brightest young talent and save a fortune in transfer fees.
The plan involves United using Royal Antwerp as a feeder or nursery club. The objective is to sidestep the Department for Education and Employment's complex regulations on the recruitment of overseas players.
If the deal can be done, United will sign up some of the best young players in the world for small fees and place them with the Belgian club for their skills to be honed.
"United are not buying our club," said Paul Bistiaux, the Royal Antwerp secretary. "Exactly who will join us will be up to United. They will make all the financial arrangements."
Currently, players from non-EC countries are only granted work permits by the DfEE if they are classed as senior professionals and have regularly represented their country in full internationals in the previous year. With the criteria strictly enforced, English clubs have been unable to sign up fledgling talent from, for example, South America.
"In Belgium you can get a work permit far more easily than you can in England," said Bistiaux. And Belgian citizenship can follow in two years, compared with five in Britain.
United's plan is simple. If, after qualifying for Belgian citizenship, a player initially spotted by United and "loaned" to Royal Antwerp is deemed to have made the grade, he will be invited to move to Old Trafford.
The deal would have to be approved by Europe's governing body Uefa, but it is unlikely to object unless the two clubs are drawn to face each other in one of the European tournaments.
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Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/imusa.htm
Barry
J. Leeming Digest Prgram
by 
William
McArthur Canada
