Porto vs. Manchester United - From the Frying Pan into the Fire

Okay, so I was wrong. And over-pessimistic about Manchester United. Again. In my defense, I don't think you can blame me knowing my nature on the game and the last 6 weeks in football. United beat Porto in Portugal 1-0 if you don't know the result already (blasphemy!). Ronaldo scored in the 7th minute with a 40 yard longer. No-one thought about closing him down and he didn't think twice about taking it on. The ball kept swerving to the left at breakneck speed. Helton had little chance of scoring. It was the high-point of the two-legged tie for United.



The passing was good for the first 20 minutes or so. United kept the ball well and one touch passes were working. Rooney had been stationed out wide on the right essentially to track back and keep an eye on Cissokho, the marauding Porto left back. The ploy worked as Porto's left wing was kept relatively quiet. Anderson proved quite a different player to the one I blasted last week. It was heart-warming to see Ferguson give an absolute rollicking to Anderson during a treatment break for a Porto player. He ran his heart out, tackled well and passed better though still gave the ball away too often. Carrick was guilty of the same virtues and sins. European football reminds you why its recognized as the pinnacle in most every knockout stage game. If your team gives away the ball, it can take forever to regain it. That level of technical ability was on display from a club which has the financial means of a Bolton Wanderers. Expect more Porto players like Hulk (to United perhaps?), Lucho Gonzalez, Cissokho and Rodriguez to move for bigger pay-checks this summer.

Truthfully, this was a game where Porto probably should have scored. Van der Sar was flapping a bit. The full backs weren't on top of their game. The midfield gave the ball away too many times. Berbatov up top had the kind of game that the Guardian called it his best game and his worst game in two separate articles, clearly polarizing viewers with his astonishing ability followed by lack of end product. For everything that malfunctioned there were two crucial things that stood out for me.

1. Rio Ferdinand is the arch-organizer at the back for United. He exudes confidence that few could dream of doing so with such accomplished superstars on the pitch. He strode out repeatedly onto the ball and played a pass further up into midfield. It takes acute skills to read the game so beautifully that you intercept passes galore. It also takes confidence on the ball to move into midfield and successful attacks often start in this way. Most importantly he gave Vidic the confidence to what he does best in turn, which is be the best central defender in the world. It is ironic that he needs a calming presence next to him for that and obviously undermines his claim to the aforementioned position. There will be doubters but even without red-tinted glasses I feel these two make the best central defensive pair of the last 20 years.

2. Wayne Rooney proved for the bazillionth time that he will give up all for his club. Played out wide on the right just as in Barcelona last year, he tracked back diligently nullifying the wing-back and his partner in crime. He was a menace going forward playing quick passes, receiving them on the run or cutting infield when he saw a space develop. He provides inspiration for others like few can make claim to. Ronaldo may have scored the wonder goal but Rooney kept United in the frame on both ends of the pitch. One must wonder if he can be shaped into a Zidane like deep number 10 as compared to a regular in-the-hole striker that is so popular these days. He could be even better if he became both destructor and creator instead of finisher.

Given these two, United were still too nervy towards the end. 10 men got behind the ball alright but shots and crosses rained in from all directions. Clearly those Porto bastards had no feeling for the heart condition of fans in India. It still surprises me that they didn't put one past United late on as the vulnerability seemed to grow rather than diminish. The memory of 2004 is vivid. Costinha's goal came so late and was so distressing that I may have broken a table in protest. No goal, no broken furniture this time.

Next ahead lies Arsenal. The match up that means so much to so many in my generation will play out at least three times in the 4 weeks and possibly four times in the next 6. I shall be honest, I fear the worst. United are a tiring team unable to buy a clean sheet domestically while Arsenal are unbeaten in 19. The semi-final legs will be English and everything that word carries with it. A proper review is due soon.