United : UCL Mission

Menjelang sepak mula UCL, United nampaknya mengambil peluang dgn memberi debut game buat beberapa pemain muda yang baru dibeli & merehatkan pemain2 utama bagi memberi persediaan & kecergasan secukupnya menjelang pertemuan dgn Galatasaray nanti. United yang menanti kunjungan Wigan di OT membariskan Lindegaard, Rafael, Rio, Vidic, Buttner, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Welbeck & Chicharito. Kemudian Powell, Evans & RvP dibawa masuk menggantikan Scholes, Giggs & Vidic. Penampilan sulong Buttner benar2 memberangsangkan dgn corak permainan yang kerapkali membantu bahagian sayap. Dengan satu jaringan serta percubaan yang disambut Chicharito utk menjaringkan gol kedua United, tidak mengejutkan bila ManUnited.com memilih Buttner sebagai MOTM. United yang bermula dengan tempo yang agak perlahan bagaimanapun gagal menjaringkan gol dlm separuh masa pertama biarpun mengusai permainan. Agaknya dlm bilik persalinan masing2 telah menerima `hairdryer treatment` dari Boss, lantas perubahan ketara dilihat dlm separuh masa kedua yang akhirnya mencatatkan kemenangan 4-0 dengan beberapa rekod dlm perlawanan ini. Fakta menarik :

1. Game ke-700 kelab - Paul Scholes (menjaringkan gol dlm setiap 100 game kecuali game ke-600)
2. Game ke-600 Premier League - Ryan Giggs (Total 911).
3. Game ke-400 kelab - Rio Ferdinand.
4. Kemenangan liga ke-600 dlm 1001 perlawanan liga yang dikendali oleh Alex Ferguson.
5. Debut game & goal buat Buttner & Powell.
6. Clean sheet pertama musim ini.

Dibawah pula adalah analisis menarik dari SkySport mengenai United & lawannya dlm saingan UCL 2012/13 kali ini.

Group H : Manchester United

How they qualified? : 2nd in the Premier League

Group H opponent : Braga, CFR Cluj, Galatasaray

SkySports predicts : semi final

Dream draw or Group of death?

There isn't a great deal to fear for United but there wasn't last year either when the Red Devils failed to successfully negotiate the group stage for only the second time since 1996. Once again there is a Portuguese and a Romanian outfit to overcome while the prospect of a return to Galatasaray brings back memories of several epic encounters in the 1990s.

Targets
With the Champions League final pencilled in for Wembley on 25 May 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be desperate to return to the scene of their 2011 humbling at the hands of Barcelona and put things right. With Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie within the ranks this is a stronger United squad than last season and hopes will be high.

• Fixtures
• Galatasaray, 19/09/2012 - 19:45
• Cluj, 02/10/2012 - 19:45
• Braga, 23/10/2012 - 19:45
• Braga, 07/11/2012 - 19:45
• Galatasaray, 20/11/2012 - 19:45
• Cluj, 05/12/2012 - 19:45
• 
  

Danger Men

Hugo Viana (Braga)

The former Newcastle and Valencia playmaker has enjoyed a new lease of life at Braga where the Portugal international is entrusted with pulling the strings in midfield.

Sasa Bjelanovic (CFR Cluj)

The 33-year-old forward was drafted in for a second spell at the club on deadline day. He has vast experience having played for nine different clubs in Italy.

Tomas Ujfalusi (Galatasaray)

The veteran Czech Republic international was named the best defender in the Turkish league last season and his experience will be needed in Europe.

Scouting Report

Tactics.

Jose Peseiro's side edged past Udinese on penalties in the play-off round and will be tricky opponents with their patient approach and ability to hit teams on the counter-attack.

Strengths.
In Hugo Viana, Custodio and new boy Ruben Micael, Braga have arguably the strongest midfield trio in Portuguese football.

Weaknesses.
Question marks remain as to whether Brazilian striker Lima, who was sold to Benfica on transfer deadline day, can be adequately replaced.

Tactics. 

Fatih Terim is in his third spell in charge at the club and the man who guided them to UEFA Cup success in 2000 will have his side hard to beat at home once again.

Strengths.

The arrival of Turkish goal king Burak Yilmaz is a huge boost for Galatasaray. The striker hit 33 league goals in 34 games for Trabzonspor last season.

Weaknesses.

With a lot of new signings made in the summer in the hope of making an impact in Europe, it could take time for them to bed in.

Tactics.

Cluj showed what they can do by beating Basel in both legs of their play-off and with popular coach Ioan Andone back at the helm they will fancy their chances of taking a scalp.

Strengths.

Cluj were top scorers in the league last season but no one player scored more than 12 times. There are goals from everywhere in this team.

Weaknesses.

Cluj conceded 31 goals last season - more than any of their rivals for the Romanian title. That could prove costly against superior opposition.

Memory Lane

View from abroad

A Bola (Portugal) - "Braga boss Jose Peseiro recognises Manchester United are favourites in Group H of the Champions League, but warns that Braga will not be subservient to the English team."

Hurriyet Daily News (Turkey) - "Manchester United are the comfortable favourites for the group but Turkish title holders Galatasaray have reasons to be hopeful."

City-News Cluj (Romania) - "Cluj avoided the Group of Death but missed out on the most accessible group too. There will be opportunities."

Previous Record

• 2011/12 Group stages
• 2010/11 Final
• 2009/10 Quarter-finals
• 2008/09 Final
• 2007/08 Winners

Facts & Figures

17

Consecutive seasons in the Champions League, the current record run

2

Number of Champions League games lost in their last 56 at old Trafford

2

Number of the last four home games lost against Turkish opposition

4

Total goals scored by Robin van Persie in his last five Champions League starts

05/06

Previous occasion United failed to get through their group prior to last season