Monday, 24 February 2014

UEFA Champions League: Olympiacos v Man United

15:35

By: TBMU Admin On: 15:35   In:   No comments

UEFA Champions League: Olympiacos v Man United

UEFA Champions League: Olympiacos v Man United

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 11:55 AM PST

It was always going to be a tough season for the three-times champions of Europe, with David Moyes facing the unenviable task of replacing Alex Ferguson. United's Premier League form may be inconsistent, but Moyes' men have looked convincing in the Champions League, topping Group A, remaining unbeaten and conceding just three goals in six games. Last Friday's news that striker Wayne Rooney had signed a new deal until 2019 was well received by the club's supporters and the United and England striker scored 24 hours later in a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace. Just as encouraging for Moyes is the return of Robin van Persie after a campaign that has been blighted by injury. The Dutchman has still managed to score 14 goals in all competitions this term, with four coming in his last five league games. Moyes will check on the fitness of Phil Jones, Rafael da Silva and Jonny Evans, who all missed Saturday's win at Selhurst Park, while Danny Welbeck's knee injury looks set to keep him sidelined. January signing Juan Mata is ineligible, having played for Chelsea earlier in the competition. In more positive news, Darren Fletcher has been added to United's Champions League squad. United face an Olympiacos side that are coasting the Super League in Greece. Michel's men are unbeaten in the league since February last year and have this season amassed an astonishing goal difference of plus 69, conceding just nine goals. Olympiacos made it to the last 16 in dramatic circumstances, finishing second in Group C behind Paris Saint-Germain to progress at the expense of Benfica thanks to a superior head-to-head record. Michel's team could not be going into Tuesday's first leg in better form after demolishing OFI Crete 4-0 at the weekend, a game that included a hat-trick for Serbian striker Marko Scepovic. Like Mata, though, he is ineligible. But the victory came at a price. Scepovic got his chance because of a thigh injury to forward Javier Saviola, who will now miss the match with United. January additions Hernan Perez and Ivan Marcano are both available for Tuesday's clash, while Nelson Valdez also joined last month, but an ankle injury means he is a doubt. The omens are not good for the Greek side. In four Champions League meetings with Manchester United, Olympiacoshave been defeated four times, scoring just twice.

Moyes: Man United capable of European success

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 01:57 AM PST

United have endured a poor campaign to date by their own lofty standards and sit sixth in the Premier League, 15 points behind leaders Chelsea. However, ahead of next week's last 16 first leg tie against Olympiacos in the Champions League, Moyes has highlighted Liverpool's European success nine years ago as an example of what can be achieved by teams not topping their domestic table. The Anfield club finished fifth in England's top flight that season and, in what could be interpreted as a thinly-veiled dig at United's rivals, Moyes told reporters: "It isn't always the best teams that get to the final in Europe. "Liverpool in 2005 gives us hope, but in any cup competition you always have a chance. Elaborating on United's chances of claiming Champions League glory, the Scot added: "I knew it was going to be a hard competition before it started. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG are all top clubs. "(But) you see some of the games, where teams have hung on and hung on and somehow nicked a goal." United face Olympiacos in Greece on Tuesday before the return leg at Old Trafford takes place on March 19.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Pulis: Man United enjoyed penalty break

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 01:02 PM PST

A 62nd-minute penalty from Robin van Persie handed David Moyes' men the lead before Wayne Rooney doubled the advantage soon afterwards. While Pulis had no complaints about the penalty, acknowledging that Marouane Chamakh had fouled Patrice Evra inside the area, he felt that the Premier League champions enjoyed a slice of luck. "I thought United had a couple of good chances in the first half and on another day they could have scored. They've not had many chances though, the keeper's not made any saves,"Pulis said. "They got a break today - if we'd have got a penalty and gone 1-0 up, it might have been a different game. They got that break and fair play to them. "Giving them the penalty obviously gave them a lift. I thought it was a penalty - Cham (Chamakh) has come across him. "He's worked really hard - I don't think he played very well today, but he worked really hard for us and he just made a bad decision, caught Evra and it was a penalty." Palace, who sit 15th in the Premier League, two points off the relegation zone, are still to welcome Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool to Selhurst Park this season. And Pulis believes his side will need to pick up results against the league's frontrunners if they are to beat the drop. "We've got a very difficult run of games at home," he continued. "We've got to pick up some points against the top teams."

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Written by TBMU Admin

We are Manchester United Fan located around the World which provides user friendly, effective and easy to browse info regarding our Team. Each support/info is free. Support us by clicking the ads located in this site. Thanks

0 comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Click Picture Below for More Info

Popular Posts

Share

 





© 2013 TBMU . All rights resevered. Published by The Best Manchester United Admin Blogger

Back To Top