A kind European draw
The Champions League draw has become a special date on Manchester United’s fans’ calendar, and yesterday’s events could not have left many at the club disappointed. Having been drawn in group C along with Valencia, Rangers and Champions League newcomers Bursaspor, the chances are United’s name will be occupying one of the group winners’ places come the first knockout round draw in December.
Of course, being a top seed always means you have a better chance of winning your group, but it must be pointed out that instead of Valencia we could have faced more challenging opposition, with the likes of Real Madrid, AS Roma and Schalke being arguably the three most dangerous sides in the pot of second seeds. Instead, our sternest test in the group stages, at least on paper, will come in the form of a side that is in financial turmoil and whose two biggest assets (David Silva and the free-scoring David Villa) have finally sought pastures new after years of speculation.
David took the phrase 'on yer bike' a little too literally...
Another potential hazard of the group stages is being handed long trips to Eastern Europe which can affect performances in a subsequent league fixture- the so-called ‘continental hangover effect'.- Luckily, this year’s draw has also been kind to us in that respect, with our travels consisting of a short journey north of the border and two relatively comfortable trips to Spain and Turkey. Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy that voyages to the Ukraine, Serbia or Russia have been avoided. Moreover, after the longest trip of the three (Turkey) we face a home game against Wolves, while Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and a home encounter against Blackburn follow the other two European excursions. Meanwhile, our most gruelling-looking Premier League fixture after a European night comes in the shape of Liverpool at Old Trafford on a Sunday after hosting Rangers on a Tuesday, meaning that there is no excuse for European hangover to affect our push to wrestle the league title back from Chelsea.
As comfortable as the draw looks, it must be remembered that neither the Premier League nor the Champions League are won by the end of December and competition appears to be at its fiercest level for many years on both fronts. However, with the improvements that have been made to last year’s squad there is no reason why we should not come close to winning both. And how fitting it would be to lift the European Cup at Wembley once more.
Submitted by Giancarlo Fiesco
27/8/2010
