Source: Telegraph
Manchester United and AC Milan generous to a fault as Barcelona and Chelsea enjoy show
Follow thedailybung on Twitter. Trust us, there's literally nothing better on the rest of the internet ... [LNB]THE DAILY BUNG'S LUNCHTIME HEADLINES [LNB] Related ArticlesFerguson: Milan 'couldn't handle' RooneyRooney's frustration helps bring turnaroundDebate: Can United win the Champions League?Wenger stresses importance of defenceMoyes rues away goal and Fellaini injuryWigan's overused pitch a worry for manager Roberto MartinezArsène Wenger may be talking a good game despite Arsenal being without half their first choice team for tonight's Champions League clash with Porto but Samir Nasri hasn't quite got on board. "This season we've had bad results in big games,' trumpeted the Frenchman. 'We lack experience at the highest level.' Porto will be shaking in their multicoloured boots at the sound of that, eh? [LNB]-- [LNB]David Moyes' terrifying thousand-yard stare is more intense than ever this morning, framed as it is by his foaming at the mouth and veins throbbing on his furrowed brow after Everton threw away a commanding position in their Europa League tie with Sporting by giving away a late goal at Goodison Park. [LNB]-- [LNB]And Roberto Martinez's high minded ideals of turning Wigan in to a slick passing team are being thwarted by the DW Stadium pitch resembling the area outside the toilets on the third day of the Glastonbury festival. [LNB]--- [LNB]THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT[LNB]Watching Manchester United and AC Milan serve up a flawed but engrossing Champions League head-to-head last night put the Bung in mind of watching another of Manchester's finest in their pomp. [LNB]Like a Stone Roses gig where the limitations of Ian Brown's vocal range did nothing to diminish the glory of their performance, United and Milan hitting the odd bum note detracted little from the spectacle. In many ways it was the main reason you couldn't take your eyes of it for a moment. [LNB]There was much to admire in spells from both teams. Wayne Rooney enhanced his burgeoning reputation as one of the finest forwards currently playing the game; Ronaldinho rolled back the years and did his dancing on the pitch for a change rather than in exclusive night spots in Barcelona or Milan; Edwin van der Sar proved that age has not withered his reflexes; Pato's prodding and probing demonstrated that Milan are not exclusively enthral to experience over potential and the San Siro crowd, both travelling and home support, created an atmosphere befitting a meeting between two of Europe's grandmasters. [LNB]However, the greatest satisfaction of the watching public, you imagine, would have been felt in West London and Catalonia. Regardless of who progresses from this fascinating tie, it did much to enhance the notion that Chelsea and Barcelona are the teams to beat in this year's competition. [LNB]In an opening 25 minutes, buoyed by the deflected opening goal from Ronaldinho and the urgency of the home fans that created, Milan had United on the rack. They could, perhaps should, have been three goals to the good long before Paul Scholes scored the kind of goal more associated with lesser players, lady luck not so much giving him a helping hand as hoisting the United midfield on her shoulders and carrying him forward. [LNB]United's defence creaked and groaned under the pressure. Rio Ferdinand showed all the rustiness of a man playing his third game in four months, Jonny Evans did little to dispel the belief that he is not quite the finished article just yet, Rafael struggled to contain Ronaldinho while even Patrice Evra, one of United's most consistent performers of late, had his blood twisted on occasion by Pato. [LNB]After being so isolated in the first half, it was left to Rooney to dole out the half time rollicking and inspire a second half revival. [LNB]Milan's ageing side visibly tired in the second half, none more so than David Beckham, supposedly the star attraction but reduced to a bit part player regardless of the generosity of the United fans. Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva looked like strangers for both of Rooney's goals, though Clarence Seedorf struck back for the veterans with a sublime contribution after replacing Beckham. [LNB]That late goal leaves the tie in the balance, though weighted significantly enough in United's favour for them to be pleased with their night's work. And for everyone to be grateful that there is to be more of the same to look forward to at Old Trafford. [LNB]--- [LNB]Follow thedailybung on Twitter. Trust us, there's literally nothing better on the rest of the internet ... [LNB]
