The harsh truth is ladies and gentlemen is United bottled it last night. I not going to win too many fans for saying this but I think United lost it in their heads before the game even kicked off. The fear factor overtook the players, which led to them giving too much respect to Milan. It was if there was a mental blockage in the players, the belief was not there. I don’t think the tactics did help, which I think Fergie should shoulder some of the blame for. Of course he has no control over the players when they step out on the pitch, however the 4-5-1 approach did not suit the players. Trying to play Milan at their own game was not a wise move. It should have been quick tempo take it to them tatics which United usually play in the premiership. They should not have stepped off and allowed AC Milan to play their own game. This was the game where United should have been in the Milan player's faces closing them down at every oppotunity and grafting making it difficult for the home side and nullifying any rhythm Milan started to get into and silence the fans. Trying to protect a lead was not the correct way with going about things and it generally is not United’s way of playing. Its quite strange because pre-match Fergie gave the impression that he was intent on taking the game to Milan. If my memory serves me correctly he said that united would certaintly have a go and would not sit back.
This was United’s best chance of getting into the final after a long time of going out in the first round of the knockout stages, with having taken the 3-2 advantage into the San Siro. You’d think they would have been able to avoid defeat. Instead it looked like men against boys out there and once again in the San Siro United were taught a footballing lesson. What must be difficult for United fans is not so much as the fact that they went out as they still have the premiership and Fa Cup to play for, but the manner of which they went out on in a whimper and the humiliation of being outclassed. There seemed to be no spirit, belief or pride from United last night. Of course the benefit of Milan being able to rest key players for their league game last week certaintly played a part as they also have nothing else to play for, a similar situation to Liverpool. However tiredness can not excuse not trying or putting up a fight which United did not do. I think what they needed last night was a leader in midfield, someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck, a Guttuso if you will. Hargreaves would of been ideal for United last night.. For all of Carrick’s qualities he is not a leader, neither vocal or in the way he plays. I understand it didn’t help United missing their captain Neville and Ferdinand who would have helped bring some composure in the defense. However you just feel the result would have still been the same in the San Siro, merely for the fact that United still lack that influencial drive in the middle of the park and a reliable striker who does not keep getting injured as I don’t think United can keep relying on Rooney and Ronaldo to come up with something special every time. Saha when fit is very good but the fans and the manager must not be losing patience with him at getting injured at such crucial times. Smith through all his hard work and selfless service is not potent enough in front of goal.
One thing I noticed last night which I think United lacked, was that never say die attitude. Football is all about attitude. A massive portion of the game is never say die. Somehow United lacked the belief when they went 2 goals down, never mind 3. When Milan scored 2, United needed 2 goals to win. It did not matter that they had scored a third, because regardless, United would still have needed two goals, although the reward then would not the final, but a further 30 minutes for a shot at the final courtesy of extra time.
Now, boths team appeared to think, and the commentators started saying "its all over". It wasn't actually. Nothing had changed, United still needed two goals, whether they had conceded 3 or 2. United knew that if they continued attacking they could have conceded the third. But so what? They still needed 2 goals regardless.
If the United players had showed that never say die attitude like back in 99, one would to run to the net, pick the ball out, and tell everyone that its not changed anything, and that they still needed to get two goals. So, my conclusion is, that it wasn't the fact that milan had scored the third to put the tie beyond doubt, but it was our fact that the United team recognised that they were not as good a team as Milan, and were never going to get a goal, never mind 2.
There was also another incident in the match which Ronaldo’s petulance rised up and showed clearly he still has a lot of growing up to do. It was when Ronaldo got booked with......correct me if I'm wrong, 7 minutes to go until the end of the 90 minutes. The boy was 1 yellow card away from a 1 match ban. It wasn't the sort of challenge that Keane put in against Juve. It was a petulant challenge. It was a challenge that told the world 'I don't believe we stand a chance to score 2 goals and bring this game to extra time, I'm frustrated so to hell with it, we're out anyways'. It was that moment the camera focused on Sir Alex, who noticbly shook his head in disgust. Not at the referees decision to book the boy, but at ronaldo for losing his head. I’ve noticed also that since Ronaldo has won his PFA awards, he has reverted back to his old self of trying to takE on the whole world by himself. What I mean by that, is he trying to hard to do everything by himself on the pitch to live up to the hype that he is the best player in the world. The Ronaldo v Kaka debate did not help which I think he got sucked into. You could see how keen Ronaldo was to impress when he tried his back heel flick trick 12 seconds into the start of the match. At that moment you could see it was not going to be Uniteds night, along with the heavy rain. I’m sure it was not just me who felt it was all going to end in tears for Man Utd. The best thing United can do from here, is to learn from the diasappointment.
Maybe fergie should learn to take more of a risk in Europe and try to make teams fear United a bit more, in that he should not try and adapt United’s tactics to the oppositions game but rather have the opposition fear Uniteds tactics which they are best at, because I honestly don’t think 4-5-1 suits United in Europe and they certaintly don’t have the defensive disciplined players to make it work like such teams as Chelsea or Liverpool. I think Ferguson will now tell his players, how far past expections they had already come this season and that they can only grow from this to become a stronger team in the competition next year...then of course making sure they don't let the disappointment affect what is undeniably the team's main goal of getting the league title back to old Trafford and re-establishing themselves domestically. The domestic league is the bread and butter after all and correct me if I’m wrong but I think its nearly 4 years since United last won the league, so I think that’s the main aim for United and of course the FA cup is realistic. The treble would have been a bonus for them but the injuries certaintly took their toll. Unlucky better luck next year for you guys.