Europe In 2008–09, Futbol Club Barcelona started a new era with a new manager, former player and Barcelona Atlètic coach Pep Guardiola, who led the team to the first treble in Spanish football history.
Barcelona dominated possession for long periods, with Deco twice close and Thierry Henry wasting a late chance.
606: DEBATE Darron Gibson's 20-yard shot was enough to give United victory in a 1–0 win. Due to United's defensive injury crisis, Alex Ferguson had to call young defenders The Fifth Round draw was held on 25 January 2009, and United were drawn against either Immediately after the match against Derby, the Sixth Round draw handed United an away tie with United fell at the semi-final stage of the FA Cup for the first time under The draw for the League Cup's Third Round paired Manchester United with The draw for the Fifth Round of the League Cup took place on 15 November 2008, and United were drawn at home to The semi-final draw, held on 6 December 2008, paired United with The second leg was played at Old Trafford two weeks after the first on 20 January 2009. The Catalans made a change on the hour, sending on former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for Andres Iniesta. There was added poignancy and significance in the victory, coming 50 years after the Munich air crash. But United mounted a rearguard action to seal a date in Moscow on 21 May.
29 Apr 08 | 23 Apr 08 |
After selling off high-profiled players such as Deco and Ronaldinho, Barcelona played scintillating football throughout the season, winning the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League. 29 Apr 08 | Ferguson kept faith with much of the same team that had lost the first leg, with the exceptions of Ben Foster coming in for Kuszczak in goal, The game was played at a good tempo and both teams had several chances to score.
United started better with both As the tournament's defending champions, Manchester United automatically qualified for the Champions League group stage as top seeds. By Phil McNulty Gianluca Zambrotta's wayward clearance landed at Scholes' feet, and he delivered a trademark rising drive from 25 yards that flew high into the net beyond the outstretched hands of Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes. Barcelona began the second half with a spell of possession, but it was United who carved out a clear opportunity as Valdes blocked Tevez's close-range drive after 56 minutes. Paul Scholes celebrates the goal that sent Man Utd into the final 29 Apr 08 | Despite having several players out through injury, Alex Ferguson was able to name a fairly strong starting XI, including a fit-again Rio Ferdinand, starting his first match since the After setting the Premier League clean sheet record against West Brom, Edwin van der Sar went into the following game against Everton knowing that if he kept the Toffees off the scoresheet for 72 minutes, he would also set a new clean sheet record for the entire English league – the previous record, set by Liverpool returned to the top of the table with a 3–2 away win over Portsmouth on 7 February, but they remained there for less than 24 hours as United recorded a 1–0 away win over West Ham to restore their two-point lead.
Europe Both teams put out weakened lineups, but it was to United that the first chance of the game fell. United started their season in August 2008 by winning the Community Shield.United secured a third consecutive Premier League with a goalless draw at home to En route back from South Africa, United stopped off in United gave their league season a kick-start with a 2–0 win over After a week off for international duty, United returned to action on 18 October with a home match against United went into their 1 November match at home to Premier League newcomers Following the win over Chelsea, United's next game was at home to After a week off for domestic cup involvements, United returned to league action on 27 January with an away fixture at West Bromwich Albion.
Celtic were the first to threaten either goal, The return game against Celtic was played two weeks later on 5 November. In 2008–09, Futbol Club Barcelona started a new era with a new manager, former player and Barcelona Atlètic coach Pep Guardiola, who led the team to the first treble in Spanish football history. West Ham came into the game off the back of a six-game unbeaten run, and it was they who had the better of the early chances; first, The following weekend presented United with an opportunity to stretch their lead over Liverpool to eight points, as United played against Blackburn Rovers on the Saturday, while Liverpool would not play Manchester City until the Sunday.
see also United attempted to stem the tide with 13 minutes left by making a double change, with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher replacing Nani and Scholes. related internet links:
And United almost made a nightmare start when Scholes tripped Lionel Messi as he raced into the area - there was only inches in it and fortunately for the home side German referee Herbert Fandel got the big call right and gave a free-kick.