After a more than healthy dose of hype the 1st epic leg of United v Real has passed us by. With the tie still very much in the balance at 1-1 the speculation, predictions and, yes, the hype, can begin all over again. Even though the 2nd leg is still nearly three weeks away let us start it here by asking ‘What do United have to do to progress past Madrid?’
Just as a single swallow doesn’t make a summer, so a narrow victory in a friendly against Estonia falls short of guaranteeing successful times ahead for the Scottish international football team.
Tonight one of England’s most consistent performers of all time will don the famous Three Lions for the 100th time. But it’s fair to say that you would see much more fanfare if this feat were to befall the likes of Lampard, Gerrard or Rooney than you will for tonight’s centurion, Mr Ashley Cole.
José Mourinho, the self-proclaimed Special One, is not exactly a man who lacks self-confidence. However, in the week when he marked his 50th birthday, even Real Madrid’s current manager could be forgiven for indulging in a little quiet introspection, as his tenure has become strangely embroiled in allegations of in-fighting and player subterfuge.
Harry Redknapp has claimed quite strongly that he is not a Wheeler Dealer, he is a football manager.
“I’m not a wheeler dealer, f**k off”
Harry Redknapp to Sky’s Rob Palmer, 2010