Ferguson Compares Manchester United's Porto Task To 1999

The Scot is backing his players to overcome what appears to be an uphill challenge.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is backing his team to overcome Porto in the Champions League tonight, calling on them to draw inspiration from their semi-final triumph against Juventus in 1999.

With the Red Devils on for the treble, it looked like the European Cup had escaped them when, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Old Trafford, they went 2-0 down to La Vecchia Signora in Turin.

However, led by captain Roy Keane, United fought back to win the game 3-2, and the Scot is confident his team can produce a similar performance at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday.

"It was Roy’s greatest moment. He was unbelievable for us that night, though the team also played fantastically well," Ferguson recalled of the momentous Juve fixture.



"This is a similar situation to the Juventus tie and we have a lot of players who can step up to the plate.

"We’ve players who can win the game. Winners, match-winners on the big occasion — and that’s really important.

"These players have to remember where they have been in the past, the performances they have produced, and realize they have a great opportunity.

"Their record in this competition over the last two years has been outstanding. Now here against Porto we have to match our expectations and standards, the required standards of Manchester United."

Spalletti: Rooney Would Be The Perfect Striker For Roma

The Giallorossi boss made some interesting comments at the conclusion of last night’s Champions League matches.

Luciano Spalletti and his Roma side have very little to play for this season, as last weekend’s 4-2 defeat in the Roman derby, all but ended their hopes of attaining qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Despite this though, and despite the lack of Italian involvement in the competition, the boss of the Giallorossi took some time to speak with Giorgio Porro, a man who hosted a Champions League wrap show on Sky last night.

Spalletti was asked several questions on the night, including his thoughts on the most recent matches, as well as the lack of faith in young players in Italy.

“All of the teams that progressed deserved to do so in my opinion,” Spalletti declared on the Sky program.

“Arsenal were much better technically than Villarreal, whilst Manchester United are a team of great quality, however they were made hard to work for it by Porto.

“I think that the lack of youth in Italy could be a reason behind why none of us are still playing in the competition. There are many Italians though who do focus on the youth and their development.

“What is crucial for us is the fact that it isn’t easy to place them in an environment where they can make mistakes. We need to find a balance between the environment, as well as a place where we can allow them to best develop their character.”

Spalletti was later questioned about who he felt were some of the key players still present in Europe’s premier competition, and in his eyes one of those is Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.

“Rooney is a quality player, who has great will and determination to perform every time he steps onto the football field.

“He is outstanding, and would be the perfect striker for my club, or for any club.”

Player Ratings: Porto 0-1 Manchester United

Man Utd became the first ever English side to win at the Estadio Do Dragao on Wednesday evening, securing a 1-0 victory to book a Champions League semi-final berth.

Porto

Helton 6 - The 'keeper made a couple of good point-blank stops, but he lacked concentration at other times and was immune to gathering at the first attempt. Was never tested as he might have been, although he made a crucial save from Ronaldo late on.

Sapunaru 6 - Had a decent first half, punctuated by one fierce drive at goal. Won a key header to deny Giggs, but replaced by Tomas Costa late on.

Rolando 6 - Almost caught out Van der Sar with a header as Porto tried to rally. Defensively, he made a couple of key interceptions.

Alves 8 - Solid enough at the back during the opening period, but sent a free-kick and a header wide at the other end. Continued to get better after the break, however, dominating his airspace at the back. Was thrown further upfield far too late.

Cissokho 7.5 - The highly-rated left-back was strong as United started well, and positive as Porto started to make headway. Perhaps just edged on-off personal battle with Ronaldo, but left it a tad late to start really getting forward.

Lucho Gonzalez 6 - Stretchered off to be replaced by Mariano after half-an-hour. It was a massive blow for the hosts.

Fernando 6.5 - The midfielder ate up space and put in a good, undistinguished shift.

Meireles 7 - Decent at either end early on, he tracked back well to halt Rooney on a couple of occasions and whipped in a good free-kick which found the head of Alves. Covered a ridiculous amount of ground, more than anyone else on the park, but did a lot of complaining throughout.

Lopez 6.5 - A key part of Porto's attacking game after their slow start, he was involved in most of their creative play and went close with an acrobatic effort. Resorted to professional fouls during the second half, and spurned a great opportunity at the death.

Hulk 5.5 - His movement was good, as expected, but he failed to control through-balls on a couple of occasions. Fired a free-kick on target just before the hour mark, but was generally very wasteful.

Rodriguez 5.5 - Keen to get the ball forward, but his passing was wayward at times. Displayed a good turn of pace, but was hooked for Farias after 64 minutes.

Subs: Mariano scored the leveller at Old Trafford, and was busy again, going close with a header and producing a good cross for Lopez. Farias wasted a chance late on and Tomas Costa did not really make much of an impact.




Manchester United

Van der Sar 6 - The veteran had a great first half, looking very confident. However, he was suddenly all over the place as the game reached its conclusion.

O'Shea 6 - The Irishman covered lot of ground and set up Vidic, who should have scored. Quiet but effective during the second period.

Ferdinand 7 - Cleared fit to play at the last minute and, although he's clearly not 100 per cent and had to rely on Vidic or O'Shea at times, he was cool and composed generally.

Vidic 7 - The stopper was the first in the book, catching Lopez, and it got worse when he somehow missed the target from three yards before half-time. He improved after the break through and was usually in just the right position to snuff out any blossoming threat.

Evra 5 - Had something of a mare at left-back. Booked early in the second half and given the run-around by Mariano.

Anderson 6.5 - A key man early on, tackling well and retaining the ball. Replaced by Scholes, though, as Ferguson sought experience.

Carrick 7 - Was hobbling at one point, but recovered to put in a lot of running. Alongside Anderson and then Scholes he was part of a midfield unit which really limited the Portuguese.

Giggs 8.5 - Had a fine effort well held by Helton during the first half. Had to track back more after the break, though, as Evra continued to struggle. Wherever he went, though, he oozed class.

Ronaldo 7.5 - Scored an early 35-yard screamer which was just what the doctor ordered. Explosive in bursts, popping up in different positions. Went close on another couple of occasions and had a reasonably simple and effective game.

Berbatov 6.5 - The usually laconic Bulgarian was in the mood in Portugal, putting himself about uncharacteristically. However, he faded badly and was hooked for Nani.

Rooney 8 - Started on the right, for a change, and worked hard as you'd expect. Despite walking the yellow card tightrope, he was always in and around the action, attempting a couple of decent efforts.

Subs: Nani was borderline dreadful when he came on, but Scholes was a welcome addition as United endured a nervy last few minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo Wondergoal Sees Manchester United Through

A stunning 40-yard goal from Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to see Manchester United past FC Porto and into last four of the Champions League at the Estádio do Dragão.

FC Porto 0-1 Manchester United

A stunning 40-yard goal from Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to see Manchester United past FC Porto and into last four of the Champions League at the Estádio do Dragão.

The visitors got off to a dream start through Ronaldo’s goal on just six minutes and spurned a golden opportunity to score a second through Nemanja Vidic just before half-time.

The second half was a much better one for Porto as they had more of the play, but they struggled to create many clear opportunities and United held firm to progress.

The Red Devils now meet Arsenal in the semi-finals after the Gunners defeated Villarreal in the night’s other quarter-final tie.

United made four changes from the side that started the 2-2 first leg draw at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, Ji-Sung Park and Jonny Evans all made way with Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand coming in.

Porto, on the other hand, kept the same starting XI who impressed in that match with their coach, Jesualdo Ferreira subject of a touchline ban.

The visitors got off to a dream start in the sixth minute through a magical goal from Ronaldo. The World Player of the Year controlled a pass from Anderson a full 40 yards out, took aim, and smashed a shot past helpless home goalkeeper Helton into the top corner.

Bruno Alves had Porto’s best effort of the early stages - just missing the target with a 30-yard free-kick on 20 minutes that had van der Sar scampering across his goal-line in an attempt to cover.

The Portuguese side came close again five minutes later as they began to get a foothold in the game. Lisandro López swivelled and shot straight at van der Sar after being fed by Cristian Rodriguez inside the United penalty box.

Alves had another chance when he headed Raul Meireles’ free-kick narrowly wide, before Lucho Gonzalez was substituted due to an injury as United rounded off the half with two good opportunities.

First, Berbatov found space on the right and sent in a cross that found Giggs at back post. The Welshman’s well-timed volley was fumbled initially by Helton before the Brazilian gathered at the second attempt.

The Red Devils had a glorious opportunity to make it 2-0 a minute before the half-time interval. It fell to Vidic after John O’Shea had flicked on Giggs’ near post corner, but the Serbian defender could only divert the ball over the crossbar from close-range.

After the break, Meireles came close for the hosts as he shot just wide from the edge of the area after Patrice Evra lost possession, before Hulk struck a free-kick straight into the arms of van der Sar from a promising position.

The home side huffed and puffed but were struggling to create clear goal-scoring opportunities and United were happy to soak up the pressure and attempt to counter-attack when the chance to do so presented itself, with Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney coming close with late long-range attempts.

They did have to survive two scares before the end, though. In the 78th minute, Porto defender Rolando saw his header fall just wide after escaping attentions of O’Shea from Meireles’ corner, which van der Sar had mis-judged the flight of.

Then, on 85 minutes, substitute Mariano Gonzalez sent a low cross into the congested United box to give López the chance to shoot from 10 yards. However, the Argentinean could not generate enough power on his effort and the Red Devils held on for victory.