2008-10-21: Manchester United 3-0 Celtic, Champions League

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Trivia

WGS has been manager ten times against Man U in games in Old Trafford, and he has now lost ten times inc this game. A partially sore point for the manager as it was his old club.
A lot of injuries, with Crosas, Jan Venegoor, Samaras etc out, and Caldwell just back from an injury. Although Man U themselves had some of their best players out also!!! Shows large difference in terms of squad.
Fifth away game in a row we've failed to score in the Champs league!
Revenge for Man U as they lost the last game at Parkhead.
Villarreal 6-3 Aalborg in the other group game!!!!!
First time Celtic have went five consecutive European competitive games without scoring.
Equalled the number of consecutive games without a win (6).
Equalled our Champions League Group Stage record defeat.
Loovens/Sheridan became the 225th/226th players to make their Celtic European debuts.
Berbatov cost Man U more than cost us to assemble our squad!
First game since the Huns trashed Manchester in May 2008 (see Rangers – UEFA Cup Final 2008).
Police comended Celtic and Man U fans, with only 3 arrests in the whole of Old Trafford for the match! Great stuff!
Fans were chanting to the police "We hate Rangers more than you!!!!" (in reference to the Huns having trashed and rioted in Manchester in May 2008, see Rangers – UEFA Cup Final 2008).
Referee admitted that he ballsed up with a few decisions.

Review

As comprehensive a defeat as you can get, we were well outfought in this game by a far superior side in practically all departments, the gulf if financial clout really showed here between the assembled teams. Critics can point out that Man U had two goals which were actually off-side but the better team did win and in any case they had another goal chopped off which was on-side. They were simply beyond ud.
No disgrace, but shows how far away we are from the financial elite of Europe. The players in general did a fair job, possibly could have done better, but that's another story. One thing that definitely didn't help was the officiating, with all possible decisions seeming to go in their way (the offside goals for example). Ronaldo didn't cover himself in glory either with some unnecessary showboating and theatrics, but that's just him.
The Celtic fans were great in the stadium, and hopefully we can do something when we face Man U again in two week's time.

Teams

Man Utd:
Van der Sar, Neville (Brown 59), Evans, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo (Park 82), Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov (Tevez 60), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Giggs, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson.
Goals: Berbatov 30, 51, Rooney 76.

Celtic: (4-5-1)
Boruc,
Wilson, Loovens, McManus, Naylor,
Nakamura (Hartley 61), Scott Brown, Caldwell, Robson (Maloney 61), McGeady,
McDonald (Sheridan 77).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hinkel, Donati, O'Dea.
Booked: Hartley, Loovens

Att: 74,655
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Articles

Pictures

Match Pictures

KStreet

Pre-match
Match
MOTM
- Result – Caldwell – (Link to MOTM Winners 2008/09)

Post Match

Stats

MAN UTD – CELTIC Possession

64%

36%

Shots on target

Shots off target

Corners

Fouls

Articles

Strachan magnanimous after defeat

BBC
Strachan said Manchester United's display was the best he had faced

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan refused to criticise match officials following his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester United.

There was a suspicion of offside at United's first two goals, which were both scored by Dimitar Berbatov.

"The two goals were offside, but I'm not going to scream about them," said Strachan. "I'm a football man and I know when I'm well beaten.

"You need a decision when you come here and to get two like that was a blow."

Strachan was pleased with the effort of his side at Old Trafford but was frustrated by Celtic's use of the ball.

"We cannot be faulted for our guts and determination," he added.

"What we do fall down on is being anywhere as good as them at passing the ball to each other.

"We gave the ball away unnecessarily eight times in the first 15 minutes, which is a problem. I try to mould a team where everybody can pass the ball and tonight that didn't work.

"Physically, we couldn't match them and that told the longer the game went on.

"I'm just pleased that we had enough guts to stay in there and it wasn't a rout because that's happened here a few times."

We'll try our best to give a performance the next time we play. We'll try and make a decent game of it

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Holders United are yet to lose a goal in Group E and visit Celtic Park for the return fixture on 5 November.

"Over the last couple of years, we've played some terrific sides, but that's the best," said Strachan.

"It's one of the best performances I've ever come across in watching European football. You will need to be some team to beat them.

"We'll try our best to give a performance the next time we play. We'll try and make it a decent game of it."

Celtic were without several first-team regulars for their trip to Manchester, including strikers Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, and Strachan is unsure whether he will have his players back in time for United's trip to Glasgow.

"Hopefully we'll have players that can help us out. I don't know if we'll have a big change in personnel," added Strachan.

"We'll keep plugging away but it's going to be very hard. What we want to do is get a good performance and reward the fans with a good game."

Winger Aiden McGeady admitted that Celtic had been beaten by the better side.

"The 3-0 result probably does reflect the game because they gave us a bit of a doing to be honest," the said 22-year-old.

"I didn't really see if those two goals were offside, but even without them they still had a lot of chances.

"If the two goals had been flagged offside, it might have given us a hand, but there's nothing we can really do about that.

"But we always play differently at home than away from home, so we will have more of a chance of beating them.

"However, if they play like that then it will be very tough. They made a few changes for this game, but they were still very strong."

Man Utd 3-0 Celtic

By Phil McNulty

BBC

Manchester United strolled to victory to leave Celtic's Champions League hopes hanging by a slender thread.

Dimitar Berbatov looked offside when he flicked home a close-range finish to put United ahead after 30 minutes.

And there were similar doubts about his second, turned in on the rebound after Celtic keeper Artur Boruc could not hold Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick.

Wayne Rooney emphasised the gulf in class between the sides with a 20-yard shot on the turn with 14 minutes left.

United are now sitting pretty at the top of Group E and on course to qualify for the knockout stages, but Villarreal's win against Aalborg leaves Celtic with an uphill task to emerge from the group phase.

Berbatov form pleases Ferguson

Gordon Strachan's side was below-strength and it showed as they never looked like making a dent in a dismal Champions League record on their travels that now reads played 17, lost 16 and drawn one.

But they will also point to two debatable United goals, although in reality they were massively inferior to their English counterparts.

Manchester United lost Rio Ferdinand with a groin injury, but Ronaldo kept his place despite speculation that he might be rested – and he played his part in a vibrant first-half display from Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

It was Celtic, however, who posted the first danger after 11 minutes when Aiden McGeady forced Edwin van der Sar into a save low to his left with a 20-yard shot.

United went ahead on the half-hour, but it was a contentious moment that will have left Celtic and their massed ranks of supporters nursing a sense of injustice.

When John O'Shea jabbed the ball into the danger area following Nani's corner, Berbatov was clearly in an offside position as he flicked a finish beyond Boruc.

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher should have made it two on the stroke of half-time when he cut inside and shot over the top from only 12 yards.

United doubled their lead six minutes after half-time, but again Celtic will ask justifiable questions about the legitimacy of the goal.

Boruc could only palm out Ronaldo's vicious long-range free kick for Berbatov to turn in the rebound, but the Bulgarian appeared to be in an offside position when the ball was struck.

Strachan declares Man Utd best in Europe

Rooney had the ball in the net again seconds later but it was ruled out for offside, although this time it was United who could ponder a questionable decision.

Ferguson made a double change on the hour, sending on Carlos Tevez and Wes Brown for Berbatov and Gary Neville.

And the Argentine almost got in on the act instantly with a 25-yard shot that was deflected just inches wide.

Celtic had sent on substitutes of their own, with Paul Hartley and Shaun Maloney replacing Barry Robson and Shunsuke Nakamura – but they were having trouble creating any clear-cut opportunities.

And they were powerless to stop United as they swept forward to add a third with 14 minutes left, almost inevitably through Rooney.

A move that started with Van der Sar's throw out ended with the in-form England striker scoring on the turn from 20 yards to make it nine goals in seven games for club and country.

It was a fitting flourish to another outstanding display by Rooney as United continue to move ominously into top gear.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville (Brown 59), Evans, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo (Park 82), Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov (Tevez 60), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Giggs, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson.

Goals: Berbatov 30, 51, Rooney 76.

Celtic: Boruc, Wilson, Loovens, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura (Hartley 61), Scott Brown, Caldwell, Robson (Maloney 61), McGeady, McDonald (Sheridan 77).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hinkel, Donati, O'Dea.

Booked: Hartley, Loovens.

Att: 74,655

Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Quotes

Aiden McGeady, Shaun Maloney, Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott McDonald will form a diminutive quartet of attackers for the visitors. Napoleon Syndrome might be the Scottish champions' best hope of avoiding a hefty defeat in the Land of the Giants.
"We are actually trying to sign Snow White to lead them out," Strachan joked of his less than strapping array. "If we find her, we are laughing. They are giants!
(WGS on the Small Celtic attack prior to the game)

"The two goals were offside, but I'm not going to scream about them," said Strachan. "I'm a football man and I know when I'm well beaten. "You need a decision when you come here and to get two like that was a blow." Strachan was pleased with the effort of his side at Old Trafford but was frustrated by Celtic's use of the ball. "We cannot be faulted for our guts and determination," he added.
WGS gracious in defeat after the game

Celtic left exposed by cash gulf

22 October 2008

Provided by: The Daily Telegraph

THE Samaritans presumably have the statistics off by heart – 11 games involving Scottish clubs in Europe this season and not a win to date, 17 away games for Celtic in the group stage of the Champions League and a solitary taunting point to show for it all.

Celtic are now stranded with Aalborg at the foot of Group E and can hardly relish what looks like being the match to decide their fate in Denmark next month.

The transition from European Cup to Champions League has not been kind to Scottish clubs. Celtic's most famous English scalp was that of Don Revie's Leeds United

in the semi-finals in 1970 and in the first incarnation of the successor tournament – when knockout rounds were played prior to section games. Walter Smith steered Rangers to home and away success against the Leeds team managed by Howard Wilkinson in 1992.

Since then, though, as both Smith and Gordon Strachan frequently bemoan, the sheer wash of TV cash into the biggest European leagues – but above all, into England – has grotesquely distorted the notion of an even contest when the biggest sides from each side of the border collide.

Strachan could not call upon the injured Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink or Giorgios Samaras last night, nor could he assume that Shunsuke Nakamura would achieve the exquisite distinction of scoring against United in three successive European ties.

It was to some extent then

a case of Strachan rearranging his scanty ration of straw to fashion a brick with which to clout United. Alas for Strachan, he had too little material even for a half brick, or anything much more than mud in United's eye.

The Daily Telegraph

United stroll past Celtic

21 October 2008

Provided by: The Irish Examiner

Manchester Utd 3 Celtic 0

With not so much a battle as a mild swat, Manchester United contemptuously dismissed in their all-British encounter at Old Trafford.

Two suspiciously offside-looking goals from Dimitar Berbatov – taking his Champions League tally to four – and a customary strike from Wayne Rooney, who now has nine in seven games for club and country, paid scant justice to United’s total dominance.

Celtic did not even make a fight of it, allowing Alex Ferguson to gain the personal satisfaction of avenging a defeat at Parkhead on the last meeting between the teams two years ago.

Ferguson is such a towering Scottish presence in the United dugout, in some ways the hosts were as tartan as their visitors.

But the Glasgow Ferguson grew up in is not the same one Celtic inhabit, just as the Hoops would offer no association with the Rangers fans whose reputation was so badly tarnished in this city last May.

There was no repeat of those ugly scenes as the visiting fans made their presence felt, with the Hoops needing all the support available as United laid siege to their goal.

Ferguson abandoned a plan to leave out Cristiano Ronaldo, so the Portugal winger was an obvious attacking outlet, as was in-form Rooney.

Ronaldo drove an angled effort over at the end of a slick six-man move that left Celtic gasping, then Rooney’s bicycle kick appeared goalbound until it struck Glenn Loovens.

Strachan’s men clung on grimly and almost prospered as Gary Caldwell let fly from 20 yards, forcing Edwin van der Sar into a fingertip save.

It was a rare moment of attacking optimism for Celtic, who were comprehensively outplayed and penned in their own half for long stretches.

Only two years ago, the same teams fought out a couple of pulsating duels. Since then, one of them has spent around £100million and gone on to lift the Champions League. An away win would do for the other, who have now lost 17 out of 18 games on their travels among Europe’s elite.

Ronaldo turned in anguish as he slammed another opportunity into the side-netting. But, just as their profligacy was starting to cause anxiety, United found the net.

The goal came from a corner that Nani floated to the near post. At the second attempt, John O’Shea forced it on, and Berbatov, with his back to goal, flicked it past Artur Boruc.

The Bulgarian was almost delirious by his own understated standards. Celtic were not, as Berbatov should have been flagged offside.

Still, it was the least United’s dominance deserved and Anderson and Nani both had shooting opportunities either side of a Rooney thunderbolt that thudded into Boruc’s chest as United tried to press home their advantage.

Amazingly though, Celtic might have been level at the break when O’Shea turned Shunsuke Nakamura’s free-kick towards his own goal. Thankfully for the Irishman, Van der Sar was alive to the danger.

The absence of Rio Ferdinand with a groin strain was having a negligible impact on proceedings, although the contest was so one-sided, United lacked the edge needed to bring them towards top gear.

Boyhood Celtic fan Darren Fletcher blazed over after he had manoeuvred himself into an excellent position so, amazingly, United were still only one up at the break.

The status quo lasted just six second-half minutes before Berbatov tapped home his second, the striker profiting from a blistering Ronaldo free-kick Boruc could not hold.

Yet again, it seemed Berbatov was offside, which just made it more ironic the referee’s assistant, having missed it, should raise his flag against Rooney when the England man raced onto Ronaldo’s through ball and beat Boruc as TV replays confirmed the run had been perfectly timed.

Rooney scooped a shot over before Berbatov left to a standing ovation, replaced by Carlos Tevez, in itself an indication of the widely differing standards that now exist either side of Hadrian’s Wall.

In his more rampaging moods, Rooney looks as though he could knock down a few walls and after another near miss, stroked home a deserved goal 15 minutes from time.

It took his personal tally to nine in seven games and left Celtic facing a tough fight to claim a UEFA Cup berth as United continued their relentless march towards becoming the first side to retain this competition since the league format was launched in 1992.

The Irish Examiner