By Myles Palmer
Fergie’s furious outburst at the hacks on bank holiday Monday sounds like one of his all-time classic tantrums.
“I would love it, just love it, if we beat Arsenal,” said Sir Alex Ferguson.
Actually, he didn’t say that. He didn’t actually do a Kevin Keegan.
But he lost the plot. He used the f-word eight times, by one count.
I’ve been too busy today to get chapter and verse on exactly how the rude knight was provoked.
But we know Fergie has had the hump since Leverkusen punctured his Hampden dream.
And since Arsenal kept on winning, the title race has been out of his hands for a few weeks now. Being a control freak, Fergie hates situations he cannot influence.
He has also been angered by what he says is a press campaign to undermine Veron, his £28 million Latin luxury player.
“He is a fucking great player,” said Fergie.
His parting words to reporters were : “And you’re all fucking idiots.”
Why bother, Alex?
Why even do a press conference at the training ground on a bank holiday?
Whats the point? What can you possible say that you haven’t already said a hundred times?
Probable teams for tonight?
The papers say Edu for Henry who, we are asked to believe, has a slight knee injury.
I dont think Wenger will throw Edu into such a fierce battle against three bruisers like Scholes, Butt and Keane.
MAN UNITED: Barthez; Brown, Johnsen,Blanc, Phil Neville; Scholes, Keane, Butt, Giggs; Solskjaer, Van Nistelrooy.
ARSENAL: Seaman; Lauren, Adams, Campbell,Cole; Parlour, Grimandi, Vieira, Ljungberg; Wiltord, Bergkamp.
IT WILL BE, if I’m any judge, Arsenal’s most physical game since they beat Juventus 3-1.
That’s why Arsene was talking about blood yesterday. He has very rarely, if ever, talked about blood.
He said, “This season is the season of the squad, a mental strength that has kept us together. What relaxes me is knowing the effort the team is putting in.
“I have never had to ask myself this question this season. I can go home knowing this team will give their last drop of blood for me.”
Is ref Paul Durkin a homer?
Will Durkin let a lot of fouls go unpunished early on?
Has he ever sent off a United player at Old Trafford?
Which United player will be the first to kick Freddie?
My prediction? Nicky Butt, 35 seconds.
Its hard to guess what type of game it will be.
A dirty game with red cards?
A dirty game that United win?
A dirty game that Arsenal win?
A normally competitive low-scoring match?
A dull battle of attrition that gets stuck at 1-1?
For United this game is a little bit like a Champions League game:a home draw is as bad as a defeat.
Van Nistelrooy has a point to prove, so does Sol Campbell.Sol wants it more than Ruud, I think.
Arsenal’s defensive record since Seaman came back has been amazing. One goal conceded in the last nine games. And that was a penalty for a foul by Seaman on Poyet.
Frankly, I’m a bit baffled by that defensive record. I cannot explain how Arsenal have only let in three goals in eleven games since losing to Deportivo La Coruna on March 12.
Yes, OK, they’ve played very well recently. The team is well-organised and full of terrific competitors.
Their discipline and work-rate have been phenomenal.But I thought they would concede more goals than they have done.
If Ryan Giggs is flying tonight, Lauren will find it hard to contain him.
But Lauren is a great craftsman who was excellent again in Cardiff.
A few weeks back Arsene was talking about moments of truth.
Tonight, 14 months on from that 6-1 defeat, is a moment of truth.
Ive been looking forward to this moment for weeks.
Last month I said here : I can’t wait for Old Trafford, never dreaming this situation would evolve. Where a draw wins the title.
8th May 2002.