United fans all over are waiting in anticipation for the reigning Carling Cup champs to reclaim their title. What stands in their way is a determined and stubborn Aston Villa side that has proven to be a thorn in United’s quest for domestic glory this season. Martin O’Neill has done a wonderful job with the players and it would be nice to see them finish at number 4. Okay, enough of the niceties. Let’s urge United on to crush them!!
They came to OT and defeated us by a solitary goal and on the return leg, United gave their all only for the game to end 1-1 with United playing a majority of the game with 10 men. It’s a winner takes all and United will be vary of their opponents. The last time United played Villa in a final was in the 1994 (League Cup) under SAF and United lost. Yes, even with the likes of Eric Cantona, Sparky and Keano, United lost 3-1. But that’s then and this is now, United take nothing for granted and will go all out to ensure when that final whistle is blown, we would have won our first title for this season. 
United will be without the likes Rio, Giggs and Nani. I’m hopeful Sir Alex plays Rooney, he will be tempted to rest him, but…well here’s what the lad had to say about the game and him playing, "This is why you join a club like Manchester United, to win trophies and play in cup finals. Playing at Wembley is still a great feeling. Hopefully, I’ll play Sunday and we can win the trophy." Don’t you just love this guy, all of 24 years and such an enormous hunger for success.What will be interesting to note is the formation that United will start with 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. I think he will start with the former and stick to it till after half time and change it with 20 minutes remaining. No matter what the score line is. I personally feel he should start with Rooney and Berba up front. I am really looking forward to United trumping Villa in all departments of the game and bringing home the silverware. There have been very few moments to cherish this ‘injury laden’ season. This will just prove to be the catalyst!
As always the ever hardworking moderators at MUFCM have organized a screening for all their fans. The KO is at 2030 hours IST, however come in early to watch some exciting pre-match videos and practice singing (actually shouting) out all United chants. For more details click here - http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=53483970I am predicting a 2-1 hard fought victory for the Red’s. What about you? And where will you be catching the game?
Julien Menezes
Pics Courtesy – http://www.manutd.com/ and getty images
Special praise should be kept aside for Valencia – my man of the Season already, closely followed by Rooney & Ryan Giggs. The Ecuadorian has really done well in barely 5 months of joining United. The unsung hero has been Patrice Evra, who has gone about his job without breaking a sweat in the absence of 2 stalwarts – Rio and Vidic and not to forget O’Shea!
Let’s see what this season has to offer – Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are favorites to stay on top of the heap. However, the lurkers will do well if they can manage to hold their nerve in the fag end of the league – Aston Villa, Everton and the big spending Manchester City may spring a surprise. Having said that, it’s for all to see if the ‘oil money’ of City can being them a Champions League berth, leave alone a grandstand finish! For all the wealth of talent they have managed to procure it remains to be seen how they perform as a team.
That brings us to our Favourite – Manchester United. Ronaldo – gone. Tevez – gone, no worries. Bigger names have left the club in the past under Sir Alex but that has not stopped United from winning trophies. He knows how to use the resources at hand and gets them to perform to their potential. The acquisition of Valencia is good. I feel the deal of the Season will be – Michael Owen. I was surprised by the move and feel Sir Alex has pulled one out of the bag here. Michael is a poacher and will get the goals we sorely missed last season. With inform Rooney up front and Berbatov around this time around United will surely pump in the goals.
United didn’t have the best start to their campaign and drew at home to Newcastle (now relegated), Darren Fletcher got the equalizer in that game. Fletcher has been huge this season, so has Giggs, Rio, Vidic, Rooney, Tevez, Evra…in fact the whole team. It would be difficult to single out 1 player as all have contributed in every game. How can one forget the Kiko Macheda, who won us the games in the business end of the season against Aston Villa and Sunderland? We all knew it would a tough act for Ronaldo to follow on his 2007-08 season where he swept away all the awards that were to be won. Even though he began playing late this season he almost won the golden boot alongside Anelka (tipped him off the post by scoring against Sunderland this Sunday). Well that’s chicken-feed compared to the prize he is aiming for at Rome.
Chelsea have been blowing hot and cold under Scolari and were never going to be a threat to United, by the time Hiddink was in charge it was all but over for the blues. Liverpool – were the main title rivals this season and were in the running till the New Year began. They were on top of the league in the year end (with United away on Club World Cup duty). However, all the cheer for Merseyside was brushed aside in the New Year when United went top of the table. From then on there was no looking back as United perched themselves firmly at the summit. 
What an amazing achievement, a hat-trick of trophies and a record equaling haul of trophies – 18! Liverpool has company, but the way I read it – its 11-0! Get a hold of that Merseyside. Sir Alex has no immediate plans of retirement and plans for no 19 are already in place. “Next year we are going for it again. It's a great side, a great squad. I could have picked two teams today. "..that’s Sir Alex Ferguson for you.
The Premier League has been grueling enough, what with the FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League games. United would have loved to relax a bit. But when you are Manchester United and when you have Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, you stop at nothing. The finals was not a cake walk and Liga de Quito proved no push-over, which saw Nemanja Vidic see red, though 10 man United went on to win it by a solitary goal. 
A win nonetheless and another trophy in cabinet, a job well done and now back to the grind. Hey, hold on we are in the running for the Carling Cup too…After losing 1-0 to Derby in the Semi-final first leg, United romped home 4-2 at Old Trafford to set a date with Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham on March 1. The game was surprisingly goalless in the scheduled 90 minutes and even in extra time. It took a magnificent display by Ben Foster in goal to trump Tottenham 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out.
This is their 3rd League Cup and 3rd major trophy this season – Charity shield, Fifa World Club cup and the Carling cup. The class of 2008-09 is truly best of the best and they have many more goals to achieve. I must admit, it never felt so good being a United fan. 
