Manchester United's rotation policy means that 'fringe men' are first choice
Not one of the Champions League semi-finalists managed to put a point on the board in their respective domestic leagues the weekend prior to their continental second-legs. Barcelona had a 1-0 lead overturned by Real Sociedad, Real Madrid endured jeers and a 3-2 home defeat by Real Zaragoza, Bayern Munich walloped Schalke 4-1 while Manchester United went down to Arsenal. Barca and Madrid competed with shadow squads and Schalke have not got the quality to fight effectively on two, or more, fronts by tinkering with their personnel.
The case of Manchester United is more interesting. Their tie with Schalke was as good as sealed with a 2-0 away win and they were in a unique position to rest their star performers for the second-leg, which was won comfortably in any case, whilst fielding a strong team at the Emirates due to their precarious lead at the top of the English Premier League. It was therefore a low-key foray into the Champions League for the likes of Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans, who came through unscathed.
Certain Madrid and Barca players looked overawed at the weekend and it has long been apparent that both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have a rigid favoured XI. Those then thrown into the limelight have either to sink or swim. But try to name United's preferred XI and you would come unstuck. There are always one or two places seemingly up for grabs. Sir Alex Ferguson has assembled a squad in which every member is on his toes, the league's top scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, included.
And it has brought him rich rewards, two-fold. Firstly, 'first-teamers' are on guard, aware that a sporting rival is on the fringes waiting to come in. Secondly, those on the sidelines are fresh because of Ferguson's well-adhered to policy of rotation. In his squad, everyone plays and everyone has a tangible chance of being 'first choice', injuries aside. There are very few slip-ups when the deputies are called upon. It keeps bodies and minds sharp and guards against complacency. It makes a winning team.
Not one of the Champions League semi-finalists managed to put a point on the board in their respective domestic leagues the weekend prior to their continental second-legs. Barcelona had a 1-0 lead overturned by Real Sociedad, Real Madrid endured jeers and a 3-2 home defeat by Real Zaragoza, Bayern Munich walloped Schalke 4-1 while Manchester United went down to Arsenal. Barca and Madrid competed with shadow squads and Schalke have not got the quality to fight effectively on two, or more, fronts by tinkering with their personnel.The case of Manchester United is more interesting. Their tie with Schalke was as good as sealed with a 2-0 away win and they were in a unique position to rest their star performers for the second-leg, which was won comfortably in any case, whilst fielding a strong team at the Emirates due to their precarious lead at the top of the English Premier League. It was therefore a low-key foray into the Champions League for the likes of Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans, who came through unscathed.
Certain Madrid and Barca players looked overawed at the weekend and it has long been apparent that both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have a rigid favoured XI. Those then thrown into the limelight have either to sink or swim. But try to name United's preferred XI and you would come unstuck. There are always one or two places seemingly up for grabs. Sir Alex Ferguson has assembled a squad in which every member is on his toes, the league's top scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, included.
And it has brought him rich rewards, two-fold. Firstly, 'first-teamers' are on guard, aware that a sporting rival is on the fringes waiting to come in. Secondly, those on the sidelines are fresh because of Ferguson's well-adhered to policy of rotation. In his squad, everyone plays and everyone has a tangible chance of being 'first choice', injuries aside. There are very few slip-ups when the deputies are called upon. It keeps bodies and minds sharp and guards against complacency. It makes a winning team.
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