Published: 30 April, 2009, 12:04
Edited: 30 April, 2009, 12:04
Both Manchester United and Arsenal are fancying their chances of making the final of the UEFA Champions League after United beat the Gunners 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final at Old Trafford.
he return leg will be played at Emirates next Tuesday.
John O'Shea's strike at the far post after 17 minutes made the difference between the sides. The Irish defender appeared in the starting lineup only because club veteran Garry Neville was out due to injury.
Although the Manchester side will be feeling that they should've scored more, they were continuously thwarted by Arsenal’s inspired goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
“Yeah of course, we had good chances and the goalkeeper's had two or three fantastic saves. But I think the more pleasing aspect is, before the game I said try and win the game without losing a goal. We've done that and the performance level was very good. So we've achieved that, and I think we've given ourselves a good chance. The tie's not over obviously, but we have players who can score a goal and we will be a goal threat down at their ground,” Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager, said.
It leaves the tie very evenly balanced for the return leg in North London, but Man U’s performance could be in doubt with top defender Rio Ferdinand having to leave the field during the match due to a rib injury.
“It was a difficult game played at a high pace and Man United started stronger than us and, if you look at the clear cup chances, they were on top of course tonight. And the positive is that we are only 1-0 down. But we play at home and I am convinced that you will see a different Arsenal team at The Emirates and I still believe that we have a very good chance to reverse the result,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.
The winners of the tie will play Barcelona or Chelsea in the final in Rome on May 27.