Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
Andy Pakes previews this Sunday afternoon clash in the first edition of Game of the Week for 2012
Dave Hughes tells us about his sporting hero, Wes Morgan
Last week, whilst queuing with friends at The Courtyard, I asked what seemed to be a perfectly reasonable question. “What do you think of Man United’s chances tomorrow night? Could they slip up again?” The response was condescending, blunt and dismissive. Twenty-four hours later, last year’s Champions League runners-up stood speechless (a complaining Rooney aside), their silent disbelief drowned out by a capacity crowd at St. Jakob-Park. One minute later, their usually noisy neighbours were quietened by events beyond their control over one thousand miles away.
The premature exit of England’s strongest two sides marks the first time in twelve years that fewer than three English teams have progressed to the latter stages of the competition. This naturally lends itself to column inches and pundit soundbites, particularly about a purported decline in English football. Anyone watching the Premier League week in week out will tell you otherwise.
As for the impact that Europa League football will have on both teams domestically, it is clear which side is better suited to playing two games a week. Manchester United have a starting eleven containing experienced professionals and potential stars; City have two of these line-ups within one squad. The likes of Smalling, Jones and De Gea, though clearly talented, haven’t been up to scratch in Europe’s biggest competition – and with the Red Devils beset by injuries to Anderson, Cleverley and now Vidic, there is little room for rotation. Across the city, physios at Carrington would be twiddling their thumbs were it not for Kolarov’s groin problem. Lady luck might be smiling on City in terms of injuries, but it is finance rather than fortune that places them in better stead. City have on average spent £56m more than Manchester United in the past six seasons, and that will show when different sides turn out for the Eastlands club on Thursdays and Sundays.
The question is about rotation in degrees. Are they to play Silva when hosting a mid-level Dutch side, or keep him fresh for that trip to Molineux? Can Jones shake off that niggle before the crunch game at Stamford Bridge? Even if some Europa League games are played on Tuesdays, that extra day or two of recuperation either side of the fixture makes all of the difference, and towards end of the season, both sides will be feeling it. The potential is there for Ferguson to bleed some of his younger prospects, who fell short of Champions League consistency. Alternatively, Mancini can give game time to those players pushing for a regular starting berth – the Johnsons, de Jongs and Nasris can prove themselves all over again on Europe’s second-highest stage.
The clubs have displayed different attitudes to European football this week, both on and off the pitch. Benfica and Basel are not up there with Bayern or Napoli, yet they took advantage of United’s poor concentration levels to secure their places in the knockout stages. City, on the other hand, fought tooth and nail for every point. Looking at the manager and player’s reactions to Aguero’s late equaliser against Villarreal, you would be forgiven for thinking they’d won the competition outright. That’s how much it meant to them. Their final performance, a comfortable win against Germany’s top side, was a dignified way to bow out, and reflected the level of determination and effort that City had put into the campaign. In United’s disappointing defeat in Switzerland, the same reflection displays a markedly different picture.
Turning towards the Europa League, their current attitudes may shape their success. Gracious in defeat, Mancini congratulated Napoli on making it through. Along with their manager, Barry and Richards talked about their desire to win the Europa League, acknowledging the strength of the clubs in the tournament. Sir Alex looked inwards, bemoaning mistakes made throughout the campaign, not once congratulating Basel on their stunning progression. Evra and Ferdinand called United’s elimination embarrassing, turning their attention to upcoming Premier League fixtures. Not one of them discussed their Europa League chances, showing a characteristic disregard for a lesser tournament (remember United’s 2008 FA Cup performance, anyone?). Footballers and managers ought to show more respect to the clubs which have worked since July to compete against them in Europe; both their Champions League conquerors and their prospective Europa League opponents.
In his (partial) defence, Ferguson called the Europa League a ‘penalty’ based on fixture timetabling rather than anything else, but he, like everyone else at Old Trafford, will feel that the competition is beneath a Champions League-winning club. Like Rio’s post-match conference, United may turn their attentions away from the embarrassment of Europe, towards the primary goal of Premier League success. Manchester City simply see the Europa League as another trophy to be won, and they have a strong enough squad – and enough respect - to challenge for both honours. Therein lies a difference that may be most telling come July.
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