Former Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty once famously said that “If your name is on the Cup, nobody can take it away from you” and how right he was! While there are 37 other games to recover from a bad decision or an unfortunate incident in the Premier League, once a Cup game is lost, there is no opportunity for a comeback. The Champions League draw could have been worse for United as an always difficult, long trip to the Ukraine has been avoided as have Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid until at least the Wembley Final. But the task of getting there will by no means be a walk in the park.
The first leg at Stamford Bridge will be preceded by a trip to West Ham on Saturday and followed by the visit of Fulham. Chelsea will then come to Old Trafford in midweek for the second leg before United’s FA Cup semi final clash with Manchester City at Wembley. Title challengers Arsenal and City meanwhile will have no other commitments apart from their weekend league fixtures. It’s the reason why I would have much preferred them to progress further in Europe.
Quarter Final draw
Chelsea v Manchester United – Away April 5/6, Home April 12/13
Real Madrid v Tottenham
Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk
Inter Milan v Schalke
Should United get past the Chelsea hurdle, the days leading up to the Euro semi final will be just as difficult. A trip to either Italy or Germany follows a few days after the home game against Everton and followed by what is shaping up to be a possible title decider at Arsenal who will again have an uninterrupted week to prepare. The Champions League home second leg is then scheduled for the following Tuesday or Wednesday before Chelsea returns to Old Trafford for another title crunch match.
Semi Final draw
Inter or Schalke v Chelsea or Man United – Away April 26/27, Home May 3/4
Real Madrid or Tottenham v Barcelona or Shakhtar
That’s a hell of a schedule in which fatigue is likely to set in resulting in possible further injuries. It’s going to be a hell of a ride for Manchester United fans but then again it comes with the territory. It’s precisely the reason why they would never even think of supporting anyone else.
Is the United squad strong enough to overcome such a schedule?
Despite whatever lies ahead of us I believe we shall sail through. Already I am optimistic that our first choice defenders are soon getting better, Park is around and a wonderful strike line. Let’s be positive.
This is the best draw possible, considering the teams left. I think Tottenham could be more dangerous and Barca, Madrid and Inter are best left till later. Shaktar are going great guns at present, so they’re best avoided at this stage and Schalke can be tough. So I’m pleased we drew Man Utd because we’ve beaten them several times on the trot and can’t see us slipping up against them. With the first game at home, we should run up a two or three goal lead.
Frank, on paper that is one hell of a schedule and even if all the squad attain fitness it is going to take some doing.It is no secret that the squad strength isn`t up to what it was a few seasons ago and even the most optimistic utd fan must prioritize,for me it must be the title first and if i`m being honest anything else would be a welcome bonus.In saying that you never know and i would love to be wrong at the end of the season.
Cannot agree more Bob. The title is by far the biggest prize which is why I’m not happy with Arsenal and Chelsea – if we beat them in the Champions league, having an uninterrupted preparation for our Premier League crunch matches. But I guess that’s the price for being Manchester United and able to challenge on all fronts. I would not have it any other way, we just have to BELIEVE
Yes Sir Cecil, and John Terry will be faithful to his missus
you won’t have a terrible schedule because you’re not getting past the 1/4’s. No ferdinand, and by the time of the game torres will surely have started to score. Torres and Drogba running wild on Vidic will be a massacre. The only thing you have going is Luiz’s eniligibility, but Ivanovic is just as good at stopping rooney or the little pea.
Rave on Chris, you’re clearly a Chelsea boy who loves to indulge in wishful thinking just like Sir Cecil – maybe you’re one and the same! You know as well as I do that these type of games can turn on a knife’s edge so why bother to indulge in such wild predictions? Makes me wonder if you have yet finished your schooling.