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Well here’s to the most pointless set of Champions League quarter final second legs in the history of its existence? Certainly for a very long time! Football fans the world over watched the eagerly anticipated draw in mid-March; mouths watering over the possibility of Harry vs. Jose, Gareth Bale adding Real Madrid to his list of ‘teams I destroyed this season’, the all-English clash of the titans Chelsea vs. United, Torres finally finding himself or Ancelotti out of a job, a refreshing bunch of youthful talented players in Shakhtar Donetsk (who won at the Camp Nou in December 2008) shocking the world by beating the best team in the world, and the current holders; the almighty Inter Milan after their breath-taking tie with Bayern in the last round coming face-to-face with surprise package Shalke 04 led by the ever aging, every prolific Raul. “What a draw” we said, “An all-English final, AT WEMBLEY” we said. And how wrong we were!

If anything there was goals, in fact in the first legs alone we saw eighteen hit the back of the net! None more so than Dejan Stankovic’s unbelievable first-time volley from the halfway line and Angel Di Maria’s thunderous strike at the Bernabeu. But as brilliant and as plentiful as they were they all served one miserable purpose which was to kill off any chance of a spectacle in the second leg.

Tottenham’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid pretty much sealed their fate, a double from ex-Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor and the stupidity of red-carded Peter Crouch cost them a place in the semi-final a week ago. But nevertheless Harry’s boys turned in a typically defiant first half performance in the second leg; with a bit of luck they might have had a penalty or two. But then the calamitous Heurelho Gomes pressed the self-destruct button five minutes after the break. My 70-year-old Nan could’ve saved Ronaldo’s speculative effort, but not Gomes. 5-0 on aggregate and an away goal (despite wishful thinking from ITV who thought Spurs deserved the goal) well and truly distinguished any hopes of a comeback, as if we didn’t already know. The White Hart Lane faithful showed their appreciation after the game; Harry now turns his attentions to that crucial fourth-place finish. The special one on the other hand could still fulfil his prophecy and win Europe’s biggest prize with three different clubs, but it’s not going to be easy, El Clasico awaits!

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Tuesday night’s clash between United and Chelsea was the only competitive one of the round. Wayne Rooney resisted the urge to stick two fingers up towards his critics at Stamford Bridge when he bagged a crucial winner in the first leg and Torres once again showed his worth, £50 million of pure class, I think? No, Not at all actually. Ancelotti left us all amazed when he substituted the lively Drogba instead of the woeful Torres. The Spaniard started again in the second leg and you have to wonder who actually made that decision. Abramovich’s prized asset failed to get on the score sheet, while at the other end Hernandez (£44 million cheaper) put United ahead. El’ Nino hauled off in the interval and Drogba showed his worth. With 13 minutes to play he gave hope to the ten-man Blues, but it didn’t last long; seconds later Park Ji-Sung booked United’s place in the semis.

Completing the semi-final line up, Schalke and Barcelona surprised nobody. Schalke phenomenally won 5-2 at the San Siro in their first leg. Even the goal of the tournament so far just one minute in from Stankovic wasn’t enough to halt the German side that took Inter to pieces, following it up with a 2-1 win on home soil, 7-3 on aggregate!

Barcelona were in typically punishing mood when Shakhtar Donetsk came to visit in the first leg of their quarter final. The only surprise here was Lionel Messi’s failure to score in the 5-1 rout. The little Argentinian put it right in the second leg however; his 43rd minute goal was enough to secure the win, can’t imagine many people tuned in for this enthralling encounter!

So is it worth us getting excited about this year’s semi-finals? Of course it is! United won’t find it easy when they travel to Schalke, the threat of Raul could leave them with it all to do at Old Trafford. No doubt Mourinho will have something up his sleeve for Barca, and he’s going to need it if he wants to prevent a repeat of the 5-0 hiding they received earlier in the season.

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The dream final has to be United vs. Barca. It’s difficult to see anyone beating Guardiola’s boys right now but if anyone is up to the task then it’s a fully-fit United at Wembley! Ferdinand and Vidic will have to be fit and United’s fans need to make it feel like Old Trafford.

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Coupe de la Ligue: Marseille 1 Montpellier 0Marseille claimed their second-straight Coupe de la Ligue with a 1-0 win over Montpellier in the final on Saturday.

Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute as Marseille became the first side to successfully defend the Cup in its 17-year history.

The French champions went within inches of opening the scoring in the 32nd minute through midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

He controlled a loose ball on his chest and hit a half-volley from just inside the area, but it struck the post and bounced clear.

In a scrappy second half, Montpellier defender Cyril Jeunechamp came close when he tested Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda with a fierce drive.

But the Cup holders would eventually find a breakthrough nine minutes from full-time.

Montpellier shot-stopper Laurent Pionnier failed to make a decent connection to his attempted clearance from a free kick, and Taiwo’s right-footed strike found the bottom corner through a sea of bodies.

Marseille will be hoping their success has the same impact as it did last season when they went on to win Ligue 1. Didier Deschamps’ side sits a point behind leaders Lille with seven games remaining this campaign.

It seems Uruguayan international striker Diego Forlan could be set for a Premier League return; of course Forlan previous had a spell in English football with Manchester United. During that time Forlan failed to establish himself as a prolific Premier League striker – but he is well remembered for his entertaining nature and scoring important goals. But he only scored 10 Premier goals in over 60 appearances, despite that both Manchester United and Spurs are keen for him to return to the Premier League. But which of these clubs would represent the best move?

Manchester United is already blessed with several top quality striking options and Forlan may find it difficult to get regular games. But he knows the area from his previous spell, will be encouraged by the fact he is still remembered by the fans and will know a move to Manchester United will almost certainly include competing for trophy’s.

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Spurs also have a decent array of strikers – but they haven’t all been in the best of form this season; both Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch have had disappointing returns in the Premier League. Therefore, Forlan could come in and if he does well would stand a decent chance of keeping his place in the team. The downside with a move to Spurs is the fact that he is unlikely to be competing for trophy’s and can’t even be sure of playing in the Champions’ League.

Personally I would welcome a return to the Premier League for Diego Forlan and he would be a good signing for any club in the Premier League – but I would think he would want to go to a top four/five team and both Manchester United and Spurs seem realistic choices. Although, his goal return in his previous spell in English football was disappointing there is little doubt the player is a natural goal-scorer. Forlan was one of the standout players in the World Cup and has a very impressive scoring record in Spain. For instance last season he scored 28 goals in all competitions.

I have a sneaky feeling Forlan thinks that he has unfinished business at Manchester United and at 31 will want to finish his career at the highest level possible. Forlan would also not be under pressure to score goals with the fine array of attacking talent available at Manchester United. But the Uruguay international will have to weigh that up against how often he will play. The bottom line is it would be fantastic to see Forlan back in the Premier League.

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Mirror Football is reporting that Schalke 04 will target Aston Villa’s USA goalkeeper as a replacement for their current goalkeeper that could be bound for Manchester United. Friedel will turn 40 next month and is out of contract at the end of the season. Aston Villa is currently in talks with Brad Friedel over a new contract – but there are some doubts if he would remain first-choice. Aston Villa will also be in the market to sign a younger goalkeeper.

Friedel has been an impressive performer at Aston Villa this season and a move for Schalke 04 will ensure that he continue to play regular first-team football in what could be his last season in professional football. Brad Friedel is a highly experienced goalkeeper and he has made nearly 400 Premier league appearances and he has also played 82 games for the USA – making him the third most capped player in USA history; although, Friedel has since retired from the international scene.

Friedel rarely picks up injuries and that level of consistency was confirmed on January 16, 2011 – when he completed a spell of 250 consecutive league games. In that same month, Brad Friedel became the oldest player to ever play for Aston Villa.

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Real Zaragoza sent the La Liga survival battle down to the final round with a 1-0 win at home to Espanyol on Sunday.Deportivo La Coruna managed a point in a 0-0 draw away to champions Barcelona, meaning third bottom Zaragoza had to get at least a point to avoid relegation.

But they went one better, with a goal in the 55th minute from Argentine midfielder Leonardo Ponzio securing three vital points that to move Zaragoza one point behind Deportivo.

Javier Aguirre’s Zaragoza are away to Levante on the last day of the season next Sunday, with Deportivo at home to Valencia.

Getafe are 16th and one point clear of the drop after they won 2-0 at home to Osasuna.

The defeat leaves Osasuna still in trouble at two points outside the bottom three, in 13th place.

Mallorca, in 14th, are another team that could go down on the final day after they lost 3-1 away to relegated Almeria.

Levante managed a point with a 0-0 draw away to third-placed Valencia.

In what makes for a nervy finish to the season, 12th-placed Levante are one of seven teams that could join Almeria and Hercules in the second tier next season.

In other matches, Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 3-1 away from home.

Real’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice in the victory to take his tally to 38 league goals for the season, equalling the all-time Spanish top-flight record.

He is now seven ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and on course to collect the Pichichi trophy for the La Liga top scorer.

Sevilla could yet secure Europa League qualification after beating Real Sociedad 3-1.

Former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute struck twice in the home win for Sevilla, which sees them join sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao and fifth-placed Atletico Madrid on 55 points.

Bilbao drew 1-1 at home to Malaga while Atletico won 2-1 at home to relegated Hercules, with ex-Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes scoring the winner.

Sporting Gijon came from a goal down to beat fellow mid-table side Racing Santander 2-1.

With the parade umbrellas packed away, and the post season analysis pretty much done and dusted, it’s already time for Manchester United to look to next season.

Other teams may have basked that little bit longer in the glory of a nineteenth title, but at Old Trafford we do things a little differently. It’s a case of job done, good work- now let’s prepare for next season.

With the retirement of the greatest midfielder of his generation TM along with the best goalkeeper, and every player who’s had a good game being linked with Old Trafford, there’s certainly going to be some changes during the Summer.

While it’s obvious Sir Alex Ferguson needs to spend some money a more pressing priority may be to look at some of the players who’ve underachieved somewhat during 2010/11.

There are three United stars- and I use the word ‘star’ lightly who’ve simply failed to perform at the top level for much of the season. Although I’m almost scared to name them as they are three of the best players at the club, I feel it’s time to be honest and give a candid assessment of what I believe all three players need to address in the coming months.

The names Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher and Nani would usually be the first ones on not just United’s team sheet but practically any in world football.

Over the past few years each one of them has turned in many a match winning or awe inspiring performance and is teetering on the brink of being a United legend- some may even argue one or two of them are already there.

However the season which has just ended has seen something happen to the trio, something that worries me quite a lot as we look to fend off yet another attack from our big spending rivals.

Let’s start with Nani, who it has to be said has had a great season and easily his best in a United shirt. Nine goals and 14 assists in the Premier League is a wonderful return for any player and many felt he was unlucky not to be awarded the PFA Young player of the year or even be nominated in the senior category.

So why does he need to ‘pull his socks up’ I hear you cry. Well allow me to elucidate. Nani’s last assist was on April 9th his last goal came in February. In ten games he’s failed to set up one goal and in 18 he’s failed to find the net. Admittedly some of these appearances have been as a substitute but this poor form cannot and should not be ignored.

People will point to Jamie Carragher’s terrible challenge at Anfield as something of a watershed from which Nani has never looked the same since and while there may be some truth to that suggestion, it doesn’t make his lack of impact any easier to swallow.

If you’d have told me that Nani wouldn’t be starting the Champions League final a few months ago, I’d have told you that was insane, yet practically no one batted an eye lid when his name was left off the starting XI.

I truly believe Nani’s one of the most gifted players in the world and have always been a massive fan even when some were doubting him. I feel it’s time to be brutally honest and admit that Nani needs to regain his mojo and quick- there’s been talk of him already being considered surplus to requirements. I’d hate to see Nani leave but I’d hate to see his anonymity in a red shirt continue.

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In the case of Patrice Evra- criticising the man almost feels blasphemous to me as he’s one of my favourite United players of all time. Again though it’s time to be frank – he’s had a very disappointing season by his standards. I’m not just talking about the Champions League final where he seemed to make numerous errors and was the far weaker of United’s two full backs, but throughout the course of the entire campaign.

It seemed to take Evra several months to fully get over the whole France world cup debacle and then when he finally did, it wasn’t long before he went off the boil again.

Before the season I could count on practically one hand the number of bad games Evra had produced in a United shirt -now I’d need a calculator.

For a player I’ve long argued is the world’s greatest left back, Evra needs to regain his consistency next season and soon, otherwise Sir Alex may even try Fabio on the left which some Reds have suggested could be the answer to a now problematic area.

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Finally we come to Fletcher, who injuries aside has had his poorest season in five years. Other than Spurs at home I cannot recall Fletcher really having a stormer which used to be his trademark. In fact the Scotland Captain seems to have become a shadow of himself and this was before the ‘mystery virus’ robbed him of several weeks of football.

I like many other Reds admire Fletcher- not least for the way he’s turned his career around since the ‘Fergie’s love child’ days, but if he’s to play any part in future United successes he needs to find the performance levels of 2009/10 not 2005/06.

So there you have it, three players I’m sure we all love who have in one way or another struggled at times this season. Am I being overly harsh or critical?

If I am I make no apologies, I’m not trying to stick the knife in with any of them and believe me I don’t want to see any leave. I just feel it’s time to be honest and raise the issue of how three of United’s most important players have let a little to be desired of late and why that needs to be acknowledged.

Read more of Justin’s articles at Red Flag Flying High

Argentina coach Sergio Batista hailed star Lionel Messi for his performance in their 3-0 win over Costa Rica in the Copa America on Monday.A double from Sergio Aguero and an Angel Di Maria strike in Cordoba put the hosts through to the quarter-finals, securing second place in Group A.

But it was Barcelona star Messi who ran the show in the attacking third, providing two assists in a man-of-the-match performance.

“He played a fantastic match,” Batista said of the forward.

“We talked a lot about the emotional and individual state of the team before the match. We needed to regain our confidence.”

“Lionel knows how to overcome these situations. He has great character.”

Batista said his team maintained possession better than in the first two games of the tournament and it saw them create several opportunities, many of which were squandered in the first half.

“We sought more penetration and bodies in attack,” he said.

“There was a change of mentality here and we kept the ball without confusion. We did not let ourselves become disorganised.”

“I have always had a strong view on how football should be played, but I am not too proud to change. We are always looking for the best for this team.”

Meanwhile, Costa Rica coach Ricardo La Volpe said his side spent most of the encounter chasing the ball.

“We couldn’t do any damage to them. We couldn’t get the ball,” he said.

“I said to the lads at half time, ‘Guys, if we don’t get a hold of the ball, we’re dead men’.”

Argentina will meet the second-placed side in Group C, which will be one of Chile, Uruguay or Peru, while Costa Rica may progress as one of the two highest ranked third-placed teams if other results go their way.

Emmanuel Adebayor has accused Manchester City officials of lacking the courage to tell him he is no longer wanted at Eastlands.The Togolese striker was a 25-million-pound signing from Arsenal in 2009, but has endured a frustrating spell at City – scoring just 15 goals from 34 appearances with the club – and he was loaned to Real Madrid in January.

Adebayor, 27, had expected to rejoin his team-mates for pre-season training this month, but with the first team embarking on a tour of the US, the attacker said the club’s coaches failed to inform he would not be part of the trip.

Instead, Adebayor claims it was left to club football administration officer Brian Marwood’s secretary to email him about his omission from the trip.

“I just received an email from Brian Marwood’s secretary, a lady at the club called Claire, telling me to report for training on July 9,” Adebayor told The Sun.

“But when I spoke to the other players, I found out the first team was leaving for the pre-season tour of the USA on July 8.”

“So it’s clear they don’t want me here but no-one even called. Brian Marwood just got his secretary to send me an email. And I heard this was the same with at least six other players.”

“This is very hurtful and insulting and says a lot about Manchester City.”

“On the one hand they want to become the biggest, most successful club in the world, yet the people who run the club are not acting in that way at all. No-one at City is man enough to speak to me face-to-face to explain.”

Tim Cahill says skipping Australia’s June friendlies has benefitted him.The 31-year-old Everton midfielder struggled through the second half of last season with a foot problem but is feeling fresh after taking a break during the European summer.

Everton’s Socceroo Tim Cahill says he has greatly benefitted from a rare break over the off-season after skipping Australia’s June friendlies against New Zealand and Serbia.

The 31-year-old midfielder was a key part of the Australian sides which competed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.

Cahill, who scored nine goals for Everton before Christmas last term before aggravating a foot injury while on duty with the Socceroos, opted to miss Australia’s friendlies to give himself a well-earned break.

“Everyone needs a rest. It’s common sense. There are a lot of players at every club who play internationals year-in year-out,” Cahill told the Liverpool Echo.

“Last season in two competitions, the World Cup and the Asia Cup. I’ll never turn that kind of opportunity down, so the rest has been good.”

“The two games I have missed had two good points – other players were getting a chance to play for their country and I had 180 minutes where I didn’t have to play.”

Cahill has been enjoying pre-season with his team-mates at Everton as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign.

“For me, I’ve never done a pre-season properly from the start with the team because I’ve been playing internationals,” Cahill said.

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“So to train with them straight away has been easier for me, I don’t have to come back later and fit in a mini pre-season.”

“Coming back earlier has benefitted me and I already feel really good.”

Fabio Capello named his England squad for the midweek friendly against Holland and suggested that he wouldn’t ever pick Joey Barton for the squad claiming his attitude is too much of a risk for the national set-up. There were few surprises in the Italian selection, although the decision to include Danny Welbeck ahead of Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent raised a few eyebrows.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include David Dein gives his full backing to Arsene Wenger; Glazers set to sell a percentage of shares at Manchester United, while Rodney Marsh slams QPR owners.

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Modern players are short on mental strength, says Mancini – Guardian

Wenger is best for Arsenal – Dein – BBC

Barton too ‘dangerous’ for England – Guardian

Welbeck’s England call up – Daily Telegraph

Glazers to ‘sell off’ United! American owners plan share sale to slash debt – Daily Mail

Henderson taking his lead from Wilshere in search for the top – Daily Mail

Manchester City paying £400,000 a week for Mancini’s contract ‘rebels’ – Daily Mail

Hoops legend Marsh slams ‘idiot’ QPR owners for failing to splash the cash – Daily Mail

Arsenal set to sign Southampton star this week – Mirror

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Redknapp: You would have to be barking mad to be England boss – Mirror

Pardew targets unity at Newcastle but admits glory days are over – People

Everton ready to swap Rodwell for Peter Crouch – People

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