UCL Preview: Milan-Manchester United

Not even a David Beckham match-up with Manchester United can distract from Wayne Rooney's ever-emerging presence. (Photo: ZumaPress)

One month ago, when the high-flying Rossoneri were poised to challenge Internazionale atop Italy’s Serie A, Manchester United looked hard done by a Champions League draw that saw them paired with AC Milan. Time has cooled Leonardo’s side, they have fallen to third in league, and questions have surfaced as to whether they have reemerged as one of the Europe’s titans.

For United, now only one point back of Chelsea in England, they have left behind the club whose early season results out-reached their on-pitch quality. Wayne Rooney has started to perform on par with the lofty descriptions he’s been adorned by the English press, while key players like Rio Ferdinand are returning to health.

But health is the one area of concern for Manchester United, who will be without center half Nemanja Vidic, one of the best central defenders in the world. To replace him, we are likely to see Jonny Evans given a start, and if Ferdinand is not fit, Evans will start along side Wes Brown. This, along with a long term injury to first choice right back John O’Shea gives Milan reason to think one of this competition’s best defenses can be had.

Milan’s formation and minor injury problems may keep them from taking advantage of United’s problems. Playing a 4-3-3 that gets its wdith on the left flank through players like Massimo Ambrosini overlapping left-sided forward Ronaldinho, United could afford to start Wes Brown at right back, with wide attackers like Nani and Antonio Valencia mitigating the need for Brown to play as a wing back.

In the middle of attack, Leonardo is likely to choose Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who is coming off a Friday brace in league against Genoa. The absence of first-choice number nine Marco Boriello and his physicality will be missed against a United side that may force Huntelaar to win physical battles the Dutchman has historically been unable to win. While a name like Jonny Evans may be a relative unknown to Rossoneri-supporters, the Northern Irishman will give United-supporters solace in a potential match-up against Milan’s mercurial Dutchman.

Another problem for Milan’s attack is United’s midfield trio of Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes. That trio helped control Manchester United’s recent battle with Arsenal, and against the Milan side that plays relatively narrow and lack athleticism, the United threesome could be poised on control another match.

When United is attacking, their prowess through the right flank with Nani or Valencia will give Milan’s left back – whomever Leonardo chooses – trouble, and with a central defense that will have to deal with Rooney’s incisive runs, Milan will need strong support play from Ambrosini and Gennaro Gattuso to prevent their guests from unduly exploiting that advantage.

No preview of this match would be complete without the mention of David Beckham, who will be taking on a United club where he made his internationally recognized name. Beyond the intrigue of seeming him line-up opposite players like Scholes and Ferdinand (though not Ryan Giggs, whose broken arm will prevent the United icon from sharing a flank with Beckham), Beckham adds some of the width that Milan misses from their opposite flank. However, the absence of Boriello to be the target of Beckham’s service looms large, and with Patrice Evra capable of using his strength to take Beckham out of the match, Beckham similarly difficult challenges to his Milan teammates.