Manchester United are in great shape right now – Running away with the league title, into the quarterfinal of the FA cup, and holding an away goal advantage over Real Madrid headed into next weeks clash at Old Trafford.
United’s form this season has been anything but normal. A team that gave up lots of goals early in the season, the Red Devils have found a way to win at the brink of defeat. As a result, Fergie’s boys have charged to the top of the Premier league table. Now slowly improving on defense, United look formidable, at times. It still is a mystery whether they can string together multiple dominant performances on the defensive end, and that will be a test when Real Madrid come to visit next week.
So do they have a chance at winning the biggest club trophy in Europe? Yes. Manchester United have a team full of young talent mixed with veteran leadership. Sir Alex Ferguson is blessed with a multitude of quality attacking options. Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Danny Welbeck, and the summer signing Robin Van Persie can all be played with each other in any combination and can all be deadly in front of goal. This home leg of their Champions League fixture will be the measuring stick if they can comfortably continue in this competition.
Real Madrid will come Old Trafford in full attacking force, this will be the true test of the United defense as Los Blancos must score at least 2 away goals if United score a goal in the second leg. I personally have criticized the United defense all season, at times they look like they give up in the back and rely too heavily on RVP and Rooney to bring them back into games. This test against a super talented Madrid side will show us what the United defense is really made of, and I expect them to step up.
If they get past Real Madrid, I feel United can possibly cruise to a Champions League final berth. Unless Barcelona can turn around their deficit to AC Milan, United only have 1, MAYBE 2 teams that can bother them. If they get drawn against either Bayern Munich or Juventus I see them having problems. Unlike Real Madrid, Bayern and Juventes play more possession based football. They know how to keep the ball and play with speed at the same time, something that can bother the United midfield and defense greatly.
Can United win the Champions League? Of course. They have the attacking power up front to bother even the greatest defenses and keeper David De Gea is starting to play up to potential. Don’t be surprised if you see Sir Alex’s side at Wembley come May 25th.
Leave your thoughts. Do Man U have a chance at winning the Champions League?