Post by Supatrice> on Apr 27, 2008 17:52:21 GMT
I'LL UNLEASH ROONEY
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has warned Barcelona he is ready to let Wayne Rooney off the leash in this week’s Champions League semi-final showdown.
The United boss will release the England star from the defensive duties he performed so selflessly in the first leg in the Nou Camp Stadium last Wednesday.
Fergie paid a glowing tribute to Rooney for his disciplined display and has now urged him to complete the job with a more accustomed attacking performance.
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And he believes the striker will be in the mood to destroy Barca in the return at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex said: “"Wayne sacrificed himself on Wednesday and he had no problem when I told him what I wanted from him.
Permanent
“Wayne's a team player who sacrifices himself all the time He has the ability and energy to do that for the team.
“Although he didn't play to his normal standard he'll be playing a different position on Tuesday. You will see a different Wayne Rooney then - believe me.”
250waynerooneyThe United boss is confident he has enough firepower to see his team through to the final in Moscow at the end of next month.
Carlos Tevez was also used in a more withdrawn midfield role in the Nou Camp and the Argentine striker will be pushed forward alongside Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to stretch the Spanish giants.
Tevez has confirmed he wants a permanent place at Old Trafford next season and is pressing for a new deal.
He is currently on loan after United paid his agent Kia Joorabchian £10 million for his services last year.
The Argentine striker is keen to become a fixture at the club and wants to sign a longer term contract sooner rather than later.
Tevez said: “I want to stay with Manchester United and I want to sign. I want to carry on here.
“I wouldn’t say I’m in a hurry but I really do want to carry on with Manchester United.”
Straightforward
Fergie expects his team to win the game but will guard against an all-out attacking onslaught with the semi-final so delicately balanced at 0-0.
And he will expect his side to play with more composure than they did in their backs-to-the-wall display in the Nou Camp.
He said: “It can be a difficult scoreline so we could have done with an away goal but we didn't do that so we have to win the game. It's straightforward.
"We've had some difficult games at home the last few years but we have done well and beaten teams like Milan, Roma and Inter Milan.
"But if someone would have told me at the start of the season that to get into the Champions League final we'd have to win our semi-final at Old Trafford I'd have taken it, absolutely. There's no doubt about that.
"The atmosphere and the fact that we are at home will help us. We know we were disappointing in Barcelona in terms of our contribution to the game - although we defended very well.
“We were disappointed because normally one of our great strengths is keeping possession of the ball but we didn't do that which was a surprise.
"It's true that it was the kind of disciplined defensive performance that you don't normally associate with United but I think the players realised it was a massive game.
“They realised too that Barcelona always get a lot of possession of the ball because the Nou Camp is a big pitch and they always have a spare man in midfield which makes it difficult for opposing teams.
"We have proved down the years that we put in consistent performances at Old Trafford in Europe more often that not.
“And history has shown that when we need a big performance and result at Old Trafford then we get one. And I believe we will beat Barcelona.
"The game won't get to penalties believe me. We will win it.
“Ronnie (Cristiano Ronaldo) will take the next penalty we get. There's no doubt about that - and he'll score.
"We are a progressing team and one with great potential but you are always judged on what you do and so far we have done okay.”
..................................................................................................................
I really hope this is true, it's been gutting watching Rooney so restricted to the left side, he does a job but he's no winger. I desperately want this to be true, and see a big performance from him and UTD. It's been a fucking awful week or so. Time to put it to bed with a great win over Barca.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has warned Barcelona he is ready to let Wayne Rooney off the leash in this week’s Champions League semi-final showdown.
The United boss will release the England star from the defensive duties he performed so selflessly in the first leg in the Nou Camp Stadium last Wednesday.
Fergie paid a glowing tribute to Rooney for his disciplined display and has now urged him to complete the job with a more accustomed attacking performance.
Evra risks final ban: Click here for full story
United are scared, says Deco: Click here for full story
Brown says thanks to Neville: Click here for full story
And he believes the striker will be in the mood to destroy Barca in the return at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex said: “"Wayne sacrificed himself on Wednesday and he had no problem when I told him what I wanted from him.
Permanent
“Wayne's a team player who sacrifices himself all the time He has the ability and energy to do that for the team.
“Although he didn't play to his normal standard he'll be playing a different position on Tuesday. You will see a different Wayne Rooney then - believe me.”
250waynerooneyThe United boss is confident he has enough firepower to see his team through to the final in Moscow at the end of next month.
Carlos Tevez was also used in a more withdrawn midfield role in the Nou Camp and the Argentine striker will be pushed forward alongside Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to stretch the Spanish giants.
Tevez has confirmed he wants a permanent place at Old Trafford next season and is pressing for a new deal.
He is currently on loan after United paid his agent Kia Joorabchian £10 million for his services last year.
The Argentine striker is keen to become a fixture at the club and wants to sign a longer term contract sooner rather than later.
Tevez said: “I want to stay with Manchester United and I want to sign. I want to carry on here.
“I wouldn’t say I’m in a hurry but I really do want to carry on with Manchester United.”
Straightforward
Fergie expects his team to win the game but will guard against an all-out attacking onslaught with the semi-final so delicately balanced at 0-0.
And he will expect his side to play with more composure than they did in their backs-to-the-wall display in the Nou Camp.
He said: “It can be a difficult scoreline so we could have done with an away goal but we didn't do that so we have to win the game. It's straightforward.
"We've had some difficult games at home the last few years but we have done well and beaten teams like Milan, Roma and Inter Milan.
"But if someone would have told me at the start of the season that to get into the Champions League final we'd have to win our semi-final at Old Trafford I'd have taken it, absolutely. There's no doubt about that.
"The atmosphere and the fact that we are at home will help us. We know we were disappointing in Barcelona in terms of our contribution to the game - although we defended very well.
“We were disappointed because normally one of our great strengths is keeping possession of the ball but we didn't do that which was a surprise.
"It's true that it was the kind of disciplined defensive performance that you don't normally associate with United but I think the players realised it was a massive game.
“They realised too that Barcelona always get a lot of possession of the ball because the Nou Camp is a big pitch and they always have a spare man in midfield which makes it difficult for opposing teams.
"We have proved down the years that we put in consistent performances at Old Trafford in Europe more often that not.
“And history has shown that when we need a big performance and result at Old Trafford then we get one. And I believe we will beat Barcelona.
"The game won't get to penalties believe me. We will win it.
“Ronnie (Cristiano Ronaldo) will take the next penalty we get. There's no doubt about that - and he'll score.
"We are a progressing team and one with great potential but you are always judged on what you do and so far we have done okay.”
..................................................................................................................
I really hope this is true, it's been gutting watching Rooney so restricted to the left side, he does a job but he's no winger. I desperately want this to be true, and see a big performance from him and UTD. It's been a fucking awful week or so. Time to put it to bed with a great win over Barca.