Man United goalkeeper David De Gea says, 'Job is only half done'

David de Gea is refusing to accept having the last laugh on his critics until Manchester United's Champions League mission is complete.

De Gea has been subjected to enormous criticism throughout his short Red Devils career. Prior to Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson likened the 22-year-old's development to a toddler learning how to walk.

He made a string of fine saves at the Bernabeu, but he knows the job is only half done and he is expecting it to be equally tough in the second leg at Old Trafford on March 5. He said: "The party is not over. We are talking about Real Madrid, one of the world's best. They still have to come to us. It was a good result for us though, one we deserved."

Fabio Coentrao had particular reason to curse De Gea's agility. It was the full-back's curling shot De Gea tipped onto the post in the opening minutes and the Portugal star was also denied in the second half after creeping in at the far post.

On that occasion, De Gea saved with his feet, proving yet again that while a packed Premier League penalty area might not be to his linking, in pure shot-stopping terms he is up there with the very best.

"It all happened so fast," he said. "I got across and was lucky enough to save it with my feet. Overall, I am very happy with my performance. I am improving every (match) at Old Trafford and I am very happy."

Former United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich knows exactly what it is like to be under the severest scrutiny with the Red Devils. And, speaking in his native Australia, Bosnich feels the criticism of De Gea has been harsh in the extreme.

"He has been criticised time again in United's goal," said Bosnich. "It has been very harsh and has come from people who don't really know.

"When you're in goal at the Bernabeu you can feel Madrid's momentum. The roar becomes deafening. I speak from experience. I was fortunate enough to stand in those very shoes when United played against Real Madrid in (the) 2000 quarter-final. It's some experience.

"So well done to David De Gea. He has been linked with a move back to Madrid - possibly as Iker Casillas' replacement at Real - but I hope he stays in the Premier League and continues to prove his value."

by: football.co.uk

Manchester United financial outlook looks brighter

Manchester United's Champions League run and new sponsorship deals have put the club on course for a bumper financial season.

On Wednesday the club announced significant rises in income and profits for the three-month period ending December 2012. Six new sponsorship deals have seen commercial revenues rise 29.0% compared to the same period in 2011.

It puts United on course to put last year's overall revenue fall - caused by early exits in the Champions League and FA Cup - behind them.

For the 2012-13 financial year United are now forecasting revenue to be "350million to 360milllion" compared to 320million last year, which was 3.3% down.

Ed Woodward, United's executive vice-chairman said: "Manchester United achieved record revenue....in the second quarter driven by our commercial operation, which continues to experience extremely strong growth particularly in sponsorship."

The club's gross debt has decreased by 16.1% since 30 June 2012 to 436.9million.

by: football.co.uk

Manchester United reunion was emotional says Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo refused to celebrate his goal during Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with Manchester Unitedout of respect for his six years with the Old Trafford club.

Ronaldo scored Real Madrid's first-half equaliser afterDanny Welbeck had put the visitors ahead in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at the Bernabeu. Instead of celebrating the former world player of the year opted to acknowledge the Real fans before making an almost apologetic gesture to the Red Devils dug-out.

"I was in Manchester for six years so tonight was very emotional for me," the Portuguese said. "I scored a goal but I didn't celebrate out of respect."

He added: "Maybe United are favourites now, maybe not. Anything can happen. Sometimes we are better away than at home so we will see. It will be amazing to play at Old Trafford again after four years. It will be another emotional night."

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Ronaldo went into the United dressing room to speak with his old team-mates. "I spoke to him. He is sitting in our dressing room, talking to the lads," said the United boss. "He had six years with us and I am proud of how he flourished.

"I blamed Patrice Evra for not challenging for his goal until I saw the replay and felt a bit stupid. His knee is about as high as Evra's head - phenomenal. I don't think any other player in the world can do that, certainly not Messi."

Ferguson said he would have accepted the result prior to kick-off. However, it required a series of outstanding saves from David de Gea to ensure the tie remained deadlocked.

"De Gea was excellent," Ferguson said. "He made three or four top saves. He has been improving all season. There was one save in the first half which he touched onto the post (from Coentrao) which was superb."

Ferguson also had words of praise for United's other stand-out performer Welbeck. "He was marvellous," said Ferguson. "It is a pity he got cramp at the end of game, but he worked so hard. They found it difficult to handle him."

Ferguson revealed he left out skipper Nemanja Vidic as a direct consequence of United's Premier League encounter with Everton being shifted to last Sunday. "If we had played on the Saturday, the extra day would have suited me, but he plays one game every eight or nine days and still has to manage his comeback from injury," said Ferguson.

by: football.co.uk

Rating The Players In Real Madrid v Manchester United

The Red Devils will now host Real Madrid at Old Trafford in the second leg with a crucial away goal.Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Manchester United with a well taken 20th minute header, only for former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo to score with his own header on the half hour mark.

David de Gea - 4.5/5 - Man Of The Match - This was the night David De Gea came of age. Denied Fabio Coentrao with a finger tip save in the opening stages, before using an unorthodox style to keep out the same man in the 60th minute. With a lack of crossing and high balls the Spaniard looked impressive, and kept United in the game with a string of late saves against a rampant Madrid side.

Rafael - 2.5/5 - Claimed he knew how to tame Ronaldo but failed to live up to the task. It was far from a poor performance from the Brazilian, but not his best. Was allowed to attack down the right when Ronaldo switched flanks or moved in centrally.

Rio Ferdinand - 3/5 - Showed his composure on the ball throughout the 90 minutes, nullifying the effect of Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Was rested against Everton last weekend, but came back into the starting to line up and proved his class to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Jonny Evans - 3.5/5 - Arguably the number one centre back at Old Trafford these days, the Northern Irish international looked calm and composed next to Rio Ferdinand. Showed no signs of the supposed injury he picked up at Everton.

Patrice Evra - 3/5 - Should never have been allowed to be left alone with Ronaldo at the back post, and was powerless to resist the Portuguese star in the air. Was extremely unlucky that Varane was not punished for a trip when he might have raced through on goal against Lopez.

Phil Jones - 3/5 - Another typical performance from Phil Jones. Sat deep in midfield with Carrick anticipating and snuffing out Real Madrid counterattacks. Seems to be increasingly gaining the trust of his manager and on this evidence it is easy to see why.

Michael Carrick - 3.5/5 Spent the majority of the game in his own half as Madrid overflowed the midfield. Made some crucial interceptions to deny Ronaldo and co. A typical performance from the Englishman.

Wayne Rooney 2/5 - Far from his best performance in a Manchester United shirt, proven by his late substitution with Anderson. Tried to dictate the game with short, quick passing before being forced to revert to Hollywood passes.

Shinji Kagawa 2.5-5 - Made some dangerous runs against the Madrid defence as he looked to use his intelligence and pace to be beat the high line of Madrid. Was subbed off for Ryan Giggs in the 63rd minute.

Danny Welbeck 4/5 - A brilliant performance from Danny Welbeck. Held the ball up well when his side was under pressure, whilst scoring a wonderful opener from a van Persie corner. Has struggled for goals this season, but you wouldn't of thought so with a finish like that.

Robin van Persie 3/5 - Had plenty of chances to put his side into the lead as well as finish Madrid off but failed to put the ball in the back of net. Saw a shot tipped on to the bar and cleared off the line. Proved to be as equally useful in his own box as well as Madrid's with numerous headed clearances.

Substitutions.

Ryan Giggs - 2.5/5 - Tightened the United midfield by sitting deeper and narrower than Kagawa had done. Presented with a good chance in the Real Madrid penalty area late in the game, but decided to take a touch instead of shooting first time.

Anderson 2.5/5 - A late swap for Rooney. Failed to make any impact on the game, but did nothing wrong.

Antonio Valencia 2/5 - Continued his dire run of form with a disappointing display. Got booked late on.

Real Madrid.

Diego Lopez 3/5 - There was nothing he could do to prevent Welbeck heading United into the lead but he raced off his line bravely to prevent the England forward from meeting Van Persie's cross later in the first half. Tipped Van Persie's shot on to the bar before again denying the Dutchman late on. A good performance from the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Alvaro Arbeloa - 2.5/5 - Contributed little to Real Madrid's attack as he had plenty to think about in a defensive capacity, with the interchanging and overlapping of Kagawa, Van Persie and Welbeck sometimes stretching him. Looked the shakiest of all Madrid defenders.

Sergio Ramos 3/5 - Captain for the night, Ramos failed to cope with the explosiveness of Welbeck when the striker headed United into the lead. The movement of the visitors' forwards gave them a potent counterattack but Ramos was generally able to shepherd shooters into difficult positions.

Raphael Varane 3/5 - Was lucky to stay on the pitch after a blatant foul on Patrice Evra. However, performed with a confidence that defied his relative inexperience and age. Distributed the ball from defence calmly.

Fabio Coentrao - 2.5/5 - Got forward to good effect from left-back and was twice denied a goal by De Gea's brilliant athleticism.

Xabi Alonso - 3.5/5 - Classy performance from the Spaniard. Cleared one off the line from Van Persie, and demonstrated his quick-thinking by releasing Ozil with one brilliant long pass from a free kick.

Sami Khedira - 2.5/5 - A useful physical presence in midfield, recycling possession for the most part but also possessing the ability to power through the middle. Was unlucky to see David De Gea save and hold on to his 20 yard half volley.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 4/5 - Brought his team level with a wonderful header after a phenomenal leap that drew his knees level with the helpless Evra's head. Might have added to his tally in similar circumstances but nodded wide under pressure from Evans. Proved his class with his celebration after scoring his goal, showing his strong affection to the Manchester Club.

Mesut Ozil - 3.5/5 - A classy performance from the German playmaker. His agility and ability to create angles is a joy to behold and he worked some good openings for his side who should have made more from him.

Angel Di Maria - 3/5 - Almost beat De Gea with a world class strike in the 53rd minute. It was a surprise to see him substituted, as he had cut across the penalty area repeatedly to engineer shooting opportunities only to be regularly thwarted by De Gea. Provided the cross for Ronaldo's goal.

Karim Benzema - 2.5/5 - Largely ineffective during his hour on the field. Withdrawn for Gonzalo Higuan.

Substitutions:

Gonzalo Higuain - 2.5/5 Was just as ineffective as Benzema, although managed to pull off one shot. Seems to be in similiar form to his strike partner. 

Luka Modric 3/5 - Came on and tidied things up in midfield for Madrid. Failed to have a massive effect on the game though.

Pepe - 2.5/5 Came on late for Alonso and sat in midfield. Still looking to regain match fitness.

by: football.co.uk

Real and United finish all square in Madrid first leg

Danny Welbeck and Cristiano Ronaldo headed a first-half goal apiece as Real Madrid and Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Former United star Ronaldo levelled on 30 minutes with his seventh Champions League goal of the season, making him the top-scorer in the competition, after Welbeck had headed home a corner 10 minutes earlier.

Alex Ferguson had promised goals before the match and they came early enough, but then his team put on a battling performance with David De Gea excellent in goal to take a draw into the second leg at Old Trafford on March 5.

Before kick-off all the talk was about the exclusion of a centre-half on either side.

It was expected that Pepe, who has only managed 25 minutes since an ankle operation at the turn of the year, would not be risked in such a big game for Real.

However, the omission for the visitors of Nemanja Vidic was a surprise after the Serb failed to even make the bench after captaining his side in a 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday.

Sami Khedira had the first effort for the home team in the second minute on finding space in the area, but he pulled his shot well wide.

Next it was Angel Di Maria who tried his luck from outside the area before De Gea tipped a goal bound shot from Fabio Coentrao onto the post.

United weathered the early storm and when Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa combined well to win a corner on 20 minutes it was Welbeck who eluded the marking of Ramos to head home the opening goal and his first in the competition this season.

Ronaldo hammered wide the rebound of his own blocked free-kick before grabbing the equaliser 10 minutes later when he leapt above Patrice Evra to head home a Di Maria cross from the left.

Moments later Welbeck was inches from his second after good work on the left by Robin Van Persieand Wayne Rooney shot wide from the resultant corner.

Alonso then took a quick free-kick from his own half that put Mesut Ozil through and De Gea had to be quick to block the shot.

Ronaldo tested De Gea with a shot on the turn early in the second-half and Di Maria tried from further out before the Argentinian volleyed just wide.

While Madrid were enjoying a lot of the possession, United continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack while managing to restrict the home side to long shots.

Real boss Jose Mourinho decided to change things around on the hour withdrawing Karim Benzema for Gonzalo Higuain.

A minute later De Gea made the save of the game stopping Coentrao from close range with his outstretched foot.

Then Van Persie had two chances within a minute to restore United's lead with 20 minutes remaining.

The first shot was pushed onto the bar by Diego Lopez after Rooney had played him into space before he miskicked an easier chance.

United's defensive play grew throughout the game, the experienced Rio Ferdinand organised well the centre of defence, while Michael Carrick aided by Phil Jones and a very deep Rooney tidied up a lot in the centre of the pitch.

When Madrid did get through in the final minutes it was again Madrid-born De Gea, signed from city rivals Atletico, who was at hand to save from Khedira on 80 minutes.

There was still time for Ronaldo to float a free-kick just over the bar and Diego Lopez to tip wide a Van Persie shot in injury time.

by: football.co.uk

How Manchester United Can Stop Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo will be the man the whole world is watching tonight when Real Madrid host Manchester United. The Portuguese faces his old club for the first time since his world-record 80million pound move, and emotions will no doubt be running high for 'CR7' as he looks to progress to the latter stages of the tournament with Real Madrid.

One advantage Manchester United do have is that they nurtured Ronaldo into the talent he is today. Cristiano spent 6 years at Old Trafford before his multi-million pound move, so Fergie and the team will know his game, his strengths and his weaknesses.

Rafael will get the nod tonight, and you can expect the Brazilian to give Ronaldo similar treatment to what he did Gareth Bale. Manchester United know that this draw has given then a huge advantage with the home leg being played second, so United don't need to rely on the Brazilian's attacking side. Rafael will be ordered to sit deeper in the Red's half, occupying Ronaldo for the whole 90 minutes.

Phil Jones has the potential tonight to be a massive player for Sir Alex Ferguson. Against Gareth Bale and Marouane Fellaini, Jones proved he is more than capable of excluding a player out of the game with two different styles. Against Spurs, Jones covered Rafael well enough and slid in to cover the Welsh winger whenever needed. Whilst against Everton, his man-marking physicality kept Fellaini out of the game. Both side's major threats were seemingly nullified by Jones, who will no doubt be on Ronaldo's shoulder for the entire game.

If Jones and Rafael can get their game right, Ronaldo will have to cut inside. Thats were Rio Ferdinandand Nemanja Vidic prove to the world, and Fergie, they are still the top defensive duo at Manchester United. The two of them had the world at their feet in 2008 when United last won the Champions League, and whilst injury and age have caught up with them both, they will be key for Manchester United this campaign. Rio Ferdinand may not have the pace he once had, as many 'experts' in the game ridicule, but it is his experience and mentality that has so far assured the Englishman has had an impressive season to date.

Danny Welbeck or Antonio Valencia will have to play right midfield in order to track back and help defensively. Both are known for their emphatic work rate, and will be ordered to fall back whenever Ronaldo has the ball at his feet. The two of them may be in a dire run of form right now statistically, but with sheer defensive discipline, one of these guys could have a massive say on the effectiveness of Cristiano Ronaldo.

David de Gea you can almost guarantee will have an impressive game tonight in goal for United. The foundation of the Spaniard's game was built in La Liga, where reflexes and agility are a necessity. The long ball or crossing approach has little impact in Spain, so de Gea will arguably feel more comfortable in the Bernabeu than Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson recently came out to the media to admit he is fully behind David, who will no doubt want to put on a performance to impress his boss this evening.

In stopping Cristiano Ronaldo, they stop Madrid. Thats no disrespect to Real, who have a plethora of world-class talent among the ranks. However, CR7 has now scored 182 goals in 179 appearances for Madrid [Wikipedia] and is the main attacking force behind Los Blancos. If he can be kept quiet, Manchester United stand a chance.

Can Manchester United stop Cristiano Ronaldo tonight? Will they get a decent result against Mourinho's men? Leave me a comment and let me know!

by: football.co.uk

Real Madrid host Manchester United in clash of the titans

The world's richest football clubs Real Madrid andManchester United meet on Wednesday here in a Champions League last 16 first-leg tie described by Jose Mourinho as "the match the world is waiting for".

Alex Ferguson takes his United side to the Spanish capital after extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with Sunday's 2-0 win at home to Everton.

"The world is not waiting for other matches in the Champions League so I hope we can give the world what they are waiting for," purred Madrid boss Mourinho.

The meeting also marks the latest instalment in the Ferguson-Mourinho duel with the Scot emerging triumphant last time the pair locked horns as United disptached Mourinho's former employers Inter Milan 2-0 on aggregate at the same stage of the 2008-09 competition.

His current Madrid side is sixteen points behind Barcelona in La Liga and only the delivery of a tenth Champions League title to the famous old club would be enough to appease his critics in the Spanish capital.

Mourinho's reign at Madrid has been a tumultuous one this season, with a series of dressing room disputes between the Portuguese coach and his players.

However, one of the club's captains Sergio Ramos feels the tension in the Madrid camp has been overplayed and that his team are motivated for the United game.

"It's more a case of things that people said that weren't true than a reality of conflicts in the dressing room," Ramos told English Sunday newspaper 'The Observer'.

"If there are problems in the dressing room or if the relationship is bad and stories are published that can create issues and affect you, it generates a problem.

"But when there are no problems and people invent it, it does not matter," added Ramos, who was dropped by Mourinho and told to train apart from the squad for several weeks earlier this season.

Despite the problems Madrid are enjoying some good form, losing only once in twelve outings in all competitions, and it is two years since they lost a Champions League game at the Santiago Bernabeu when Barcelona were the victors.

Cristiano Ronaldo will face his old club on the back of another hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday and his attacking partner Gonzalo Higuain is convinced their side can beat United in the Bernabeu.

"With our individual quality and counter-attacking play we can do a lot of damage to United. We have to keep it solid at the back and find our winning mentality and team spirit," he said.

Madrid are almost at full strength and the inclusion or not of Portuguese centre-half Pepe is Mourinho's big dilemma.

Pepe has recovered from an ankle injury in time, but has not played a minute since the turn of the year and only started training again last week.

French youngster Raphael Varane or the experienced Ricardo Carvalho are the alternatives to partner Ramos in the centre of defence.

The return of Xabi Alonso in midfield will be key for the Spaniards.

He was rested against Sevilla after suffering discomfort last week and he missed the Spain friendly against Uruguay in midweek but trained on Monday and should be ready.

United rested Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and Shinji Kagawa against Everton, but with rivals Manchester City losing on Saturday, Ferguson did not introduce the wholesale changes he had promised.

United are undefeated in fourteen games and Ferdinand told UEFA.com that former team-mate Ronaldo is the key man to stop.

"You get as many people around the ball when he's got it as possible, but Madrid are that good a side you have to make sure you're set up right and that your team are in good positions all over the pitch to defend.

"The fans appreciated him when he was here and since he's been gone they sing his name. He came here a young boy and left a world-class player. He showed a lot of respect when he left and still does," Ferdinand added.

by: football.co.uk

Fergie stands by improving De Gea

David de Gea is taking baby steps to becoming a top-class Manchester United keeper, according to manger Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Now nearing the end of his second season at Old Trafford, many observers believe it will be his last. The summer arrival of Jack Butland at Stoke suggests Asmir Begovic will be on the move, with United long since being viewed as a likely destination. That would free up De Gea for a return to Spain, ending the difficulties he has endured in the Premier League, with even former United defender Gary Neville turning against the 22-year-old following his blunder at Tottenham last month. 

Yet, with Anders Lindegaard also looking shaky, Ferguson has opted to stand by De Gea. And as he sat alongside the former Atletico Madrid man last night, it was clear Ferguson felt a sense of responsibility for De Gea's development. "David has shown his character because he has taken a lot of criticism, sometimes unfairly," said Ferguson. 

"What we are good at is developing people. 

"He came to us as a very young man, not used to the English game and unable to speak the language.

"Also he was still to mature physically. 

"But it's like a young kid taking his first steps forward, he wobbles, then gets up, wobbles, then gets up again and eventually he walks. 

"The boy is walking now." 

De Gea insists he has improved since an £18million arrival from Atletico Madrid.

"Of course when you arrive at a new club it is normal there will be low points," he said. 

"The important thing is to learn from them and improve. 

"I know I am much better than when I first arrived at Manchester United." And whilst United arrived in Madrid with a full squad, with the exceptions of Paul Scholes, who is yet to fully recover from a knee problem, and Darren Fletcher, whose season is already over, De Gea was well placed to assess the damage caused to Real by Iker Casillas' hand injury. 

"Every time Iker Casillas is not there he is a great loss," said De Gea. "He is the captain of Real Madridand Spain. They have two other keepers who can do it as well as he does. But it is still a great loss."

by: football.co.uk

Man United add Osaka date to pre-season tour

Manchester United announced on Thursday that they will play Japanese side Cerezo Osaka as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2013-14 campaign.

The match will take place at Nagai Stadium on July 26, three days after United tackle Yokohama F Marinos in another game against J-League opposition.

United enjoy widespread support in Japan and their acquisition last year of Japanese international midfielder Shinji Kagawa has only served to boost their profile in the country.

As well as the two matches in Japan, United are also scheduled to play games in Sydney and Hong Kong.

"Manchester United first visited Japan over 20 years ago and our fans (in Japan) have always shown great support for the club," said United chief executive David Gill.

"We are all looking forward to returning and playing a great game against Cerezo Osaka."

Cerezo Osaka president Masao Okano said: "Our club Cerezo and the city of Osaka is happy to show this match with Manchester United to the fans in Osaka.

"We will promise to play our best for victory and to show the premium match to all the fans over the world."

by: football.co.uk

Evra: Title woe driving United

Patrice Evra says Manchester United are using last year's disappointment to help them negotiate a "really important" phase of their season. 

The Red Devils remain on course to repeat their Treble-winning heroics of 1999, with Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup honours still up for grabs. The problem with competing on multiple fronts is that the games come thick and fast, making it increasingly likely that stumbles will occur. Evra has been around long enough to know that is the case, with it important to remain fully focused at all times. He acknowledges that February could be a pivotal month for United - with the club set to take in league fixtures against Everton and Queens Park Rangers, a European clash with Real Madrid and a cup tie with Reading. 

"It's a really important time for us," said the French full-back. 

"This is the time when you have to win your games and show that we are the number one team. 

"Nobody forgets the big disappointment of losing the title last season. It's really important that we just keep going because the league is not finished in February. 

"We really want to show we are champions."

by: football.co.uk

Giggs: United will never forget

Ryan Giggs says future generations ofManchester United stars will not be allowed to forget the Munich disaster and what it means to the club. 

It is 55 years to the day since eight United players and three of the club's staff were among 23 killed when a flight from Belgrade crashed on the runway after a refuelling stop in Germany. Sir Matt Busby famously rebuilt his side, and a decade later United became the first team from England to win the European Cup. And Giggs - the most decorated player in the club's history - says every new arrival at Old Trafford is taught about the importance of the tragedy. He told the United website: 

"New players, especially the foreign players, are joining a club which they think is great and offers them everything that comes from United being successful over the last 10 to 15 years.

"We all watched a DVD about Munich recently. It was really important for the squad to watch that and learn about what happened. 

"Not only about the crash itself but also the success they had before it and how the team moved forward in the aftermath, from winning the next game to winning the European Cup 10 years later. Everyone was moved. 

"I think it's very important, to know how the Busby Babes played and how successful they were before the air disaster and to know how Sir Matt built another great team. 

"There are so many things that are relevant to us today and we need to carry on their legacy." 

by: football.co.uk

Champions League: Can Arsenal or Man Utd save EPL blushes?

With the ‘top four’ seemingly blown into a ‘top six’ or even ‘top eight’, the wide-open nature of the Premier League appears to be affecting clubs as they are losing ground in their quest for success in Europe.

As the Champions League enters the knockout stages, the top two teams from each major league in Europe last season are present, except England’s.

While this may be due to Roberto Mancini’s bizarre tactics or being placed in ‘the group of death’, last year’s Premier League champions failed at the first hurdle.

When the English teams have played Europe’s elite in recent years, the gulf in class has been evident. An example- although they won on both occasions- is when Chelsea played Barcelona and Bayern Munich last season. They were outclassed and they won due to the ‘park the bus’ tactic and by catching their opponents on the counter attack.

Europe’s top clubs seem to play a more ‘philosophical’ type of football which is more pleasing on the eye. Managers teach their players to play creatively, with youthfulness and exuberance.

This is why teams like Man City and Chelsea failed to advance in this year’s competition, crashing out in place of Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk. Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Juventus and Arsenal being turned over 2-0 on home soil by Schalke 04.

Jurgen Klopp’s exciting Dortmund beat Man City 1-0 on the final match of the group stages to end their embarrassing exit with a measly three points from six matches.

When England’s ‘top four’ was still present, the Premier League was represented much more often in the latter stages of the Champions League.

But why has the ‘top four’ disbanded and how has this affected their progress in Europe?

Man City and Tottenham have used their financial backing to be regular contenders for the Champions League places whilst Liverpool’s presence near the top has since seen them slip off the radar in recent years.

Everton, with lesser resources, have used David Moyes’ managerial prowess to build a solid team of battling players who have proved to be more than capable of holding their own with the Premier League’s elite.

The new Television rights for the 2013-2014 Premier League season has also seen smaller teams such as QPR make frantic attempts to beat the drop by paying over the odds prices for top players.

Although the two Manchester clubs (particularly United) appear to be running away with the league, any team in the league can beat anyone on their day. This has led to Champions League sides prioritising Premier League games over Europe and the general standard falling behind that of Germany’s Bundesliga and Spain’s La Liga.

City may argue they have inexperience in the competition and examples in recent years such as Tottenham’s exploits as they defeated both Milan teams’ shows what the English teams have brought to the competition.

But this year, the foreign teams have been on another level, sweeping aside most of the English sides with ease.

Britain’s representation in the Champions League at this stage includes just Man United, Arsenal and Celtic and it will be interesting to see how the sides fair against Europe’s elite, particularly Man United’s forthcoming matches against Real Madrid.

The mega TV windfall in the coming years may see English sides continue to invest in new players to compete in Europe and oust the aesthetically pleasing sides representing the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.

by: football.co.uk