It was a case of second-string sides, second-string performances in tonight’s Champions League group matches. Neither United nor Arsenal found any kind of form but in fantasy terms, there was at least another goal for Tevez as he warmed up for a rare Premiership start at the weekend…
With United and Arsenal already through to the knock-out stages, nobody was expecting too much from tonight’s encounters. While Ferguson’s men were held by Aalborg, they still topped their group. Wenger’s Arsenal however, slipped to defeat to Porto and have now given themselves a more difficult task in the last sixteen.
Wenger fielded a weakened side in Portugal, although he will insist that many of the changes were forced with the likes of Fabregas, Clichy, Van Persie and Toure all missing with various knocks. Adebayor was rested however, while Sagna was suffering from flu.
The Gunners started with Bendtner in attack, in front of a five-man midfield. Diaby returned after an abdominal strain to join Denlison and Song in central midfield, with Ramsey on the right and Vela on the left. Gallas, also back after a calf strain, came into the centre of defence alongside Djourou. Silvestre and the maligned Eboue took up the full back positions.
It was another bitterly disappointing performance on the night. Arsenal looked at ease in the opening periods but continued to give away possession throughout and were eventually punished by their hosts. While it will be a very different side in terms of personnel at Boro at the weekend, losing has become a nasty habit for Wenger’s men and Southgate’s inconsistent team will fancy themselves. I fully expect the big guns to return for Arsenal, but just the kind of performance we’ll get from that at the Riverside is anyone’s guess.
As for United, Ronaldo rested his hip injury but still managed to steal the show with his perma-tan and flashing teeth as he got suited-up to collect the Ballon d’Or European Footballer of the Year trophy prior to kick-off. United themselves didn’t quite cut the same kind of dash on the night.
Ferguson made a string of changes: Kuszczak was in goal and the likes of Neville and Evans started in his defence, while Nani, Gibson, Anderson and Giggs made up a star-studded by makeshift midfield. At least Rooney and Tevez provided a hint of United’s first eleven up front. They both did the damage to the Danes.
It was Tevez who opened the scoring with his fifth goal in two matches, from a smart pass from Giggs. Rooney lashed in a second on 52 minutes from an Anderson assist to level matters after the visitors had had the cheek to take the lead.
Scholes and Park saw action late on and you can expect the latter to be on the teamsheet for White Hart Lane, along with the likes of Vidic, Van der Sar and Fletcher who should also make returns. Evra and Rooney are suspended of course, while Carrick and Ronaldo are slight doubts.