Yer man Kelleher will be released by Liverpool in a couple of years.
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agreed
magilton is in there now
he will have good connections in england to get a keeper
yeah
kelleher will be a busted flush by February and could be back in cork on loan next season
yeah the magilton move is a game changerâŚStill no positive comments at all towards thoroughly allright sort filippo in the media cabal who got their knickers in a twist when those two taxi drivers were sacked in the summer.
mike Tracey from peak 6 calling kerr a crotchety old douchebag in yank language has rattled a few people as wellâŚit will eventually all end in tears when these lads move on but at least they are actually showing a bit of ambitionâŚobviously once they turn a loss like any businessmen they will sell on but the ambition is to be admired somewhat
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Good draw for Rangers there with Slavia Prague.
United and Milan is a cracking tie. Two giants of European football.
Very handy draw for Spuds too against Dinamo.
Fonseca faces his old club as Roma face Shakthar.
Arsenal have Olympiakos again.
When Man Utd and Milan met in the Champions League â and the world stood still
Oliver Kay 7h ago
47 
Once more, the doors will be closed at Old Trafford on Thursday evening. A year has passed since the great cathedrals of European football thronged with people. Manchester United and AC Milan, two of the most illustrious names in the sport, will play to a depressingly familiar backdrop of empty seats and a soundtrack of shouts from players trying to keep their season on course and the show on the road.
The Europa League can feel like a sideshow at the best of times. In the present climate, it is a much harder sell. How these two giants, with 10 European Cups between them, must long for the not-so-distant days when they fought on Champions League nights that will live long in the memory. Paul Scholes splitting that legendary Milan defence with a quite outrageous pass, Kaka gliding across the Old Trafford turf, Wayne Rooney sliding on his knees in celebration, Genarro Gattuso pounding his chest and whipping the crowd into a frenzy at San Siro.
The more time goes on, the greater the sense of longing for what went before â not just for their days of pre-eminence in the Champions League but for those nights that stirred the senses, nights that stirred the soul.
In the spring of 2007, United were closing in on their first Premier League title in four difficult years, emerging triumphantly from the shadow cast by a newly enriched Chelsea. A new team had taken shape at Old Trafford with Edwin van der Sar in goal, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra fortifying the defence, Michael Carrick in midfield and, best of all, the captivating young talents of Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
Europe was a different matter. Since winning the Champions League in 1999, they had reached just one semi-final, beaten on away goals by Bayer Leverkusen in 2002. The previous three seasons had brought profound disappointment for a team in transition: defeated by Jose Mourinhoâs Porto in the first knockout round in 2003-04, by Carlo Ancelottiâs Milan at the same stage a year later and then, chasteningly, eliminated at the group stage in 2005-06 with just one win in six matches.
This was a period when Premier League clubs were reasserting themselves in the Champions League: Liverpool under Rafael Benitez, Chelsea under Mourinho, Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. Unitedâs European form had been more erratic. They won their group in 2006-07 but lost away to Copenhagen and Celtic in the process. Their progress past Lille in the round of 16, beating them 1-0 in both legs, was far from smooth. The first leg of their quarter-final against Roma was another fraught experience, with United grateful to return from Italy with only a 2-1 deficit.
And then something magical happened. Luciano Spallettiâs outstanding Roma team, built around Francesco Totti, went to Old Trafford for the second leg and were swept aside by one of Unitedâs greatest European performances, a 7-1 win that featured two goals apiece from Carrick and Ronaldo. âThe quality was so high, itâs difficult to think we could ever get that again,â Ferguson said afterwards. âIt was a fantastic performance. The speed of our play, the penetration, the confidence, the clinical nature of our finishing; everything. It was just perfect.â
It set the tone for another perfect night at Old Trafford two weeks later.
Milanâs players loved Old Trafford. It was where Paolo Maldini lifted the European Cup in 2003 after a tense all-Italian final against Juventus that ended with Andriy Shevchenko stroking the decisive penalty past Gianluigi Buffon in the shootout. They returned to beat United in a round-of-16 tie in February 2005 â Hernan Crespo, on loan from Chelsea, scoring the only goal, as indeed he would in the second leg in Milan â and now Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf et al were back in Manchester, looking every inch the European football aristocrats.
They had an aura that entranced Ferguson. Maldini, he said, was âamazing⌠so great that he can go through a game without tacklingâ. Seedorf âhas won the European Cup with three different teamsâ. Pirlo? âA fantastic footballer.â Ferguson smiled as he put Gattusoâs ânarkinessâ â that willingness to âstart a row in an empty houseâ â down to his time in Glasgow with Rangers. Kaka, he added, was one of the two best players in the world. (The other being Ronaldo; Lionel Messi, still a teenager, had yet to go stratospheric.)
Ferguson found it unacceptable that a club of Unitedâs size and illustrious history had only won two European Cups 31 years apart. He would often reference Real Madridâs nine successes, Milanâs six and sometimes, grudgingly, even Liverpoolâs five. He felt Milanâs European heritage, now personified by Maldini, underpinned their confidence on the Champions League stage. United had a rich European history of their own but even after their 1999 triumph, they had never quite developed the cool assurance of serial winners.
Despite this, he felt Milan were beatable. Maldini was 39. Alessandro Nesta and Seedorf were 31, Alessandro Costacurta had just turned 41 and Cafu was still on the scene a few months before his 36th birthday. When informed his pre-match press conference that Milan were likely to field a team with an average age of 32, Ferguson joked, âIt must be more than that. You canât deny that kind of experience. Sometimes I look at my own team and I wish we sometimes had more experience in certain situations.
âBut then I get encouraged by the hope and the future of the younger players who can really excite people. Itâs a difficult one. Maldini leaves a legacy. Young players like Rooney and Ronaldo give you a future. Itâs very difficult to say whatâs best at this moment in time.â
At the back of Fergusonâs mind was Milanâs assertive victory in 2005 and, specifically, the night at San Siro that proved an arduous experience for Rooney, 19, and Ronaldo, 20, who were taught a few valuable lessons in defeat. âThere were occasions when our decision-making was a bit rash, when we shot from too far out when another touch would have been better,â Ferguson said back then, reflecting on a couple of self-indulgent moments from Ronaldo in particular.
Two years on, Rooney and Ronaldo appeared a different proposition. The Roma tie had felt like a coming-of-age experience for both of them, the pair finding their feet and their goalscoring touch in the Champions League. This was an opportunity to show the world how far they had come.
Old Trafford gets a bad press sometimes, visiting supporters forming unflattering judgements based on mundane occasions in the Premier League when the outcome is a formality â or at least was in Fergusonâs day. At its best, though, when the stakes are highest on a Champions League night in the spring, there are few places louder or more atmospheric.
April 24, 2007, was an extraordinary night. Four minutes had gone when Ryan Giggs whipped an inswinging corner over from the right towards Ronaldo, whose header looped up off Dida and dropped under the crossbar to give United the best possible start. The home crowd willed them forward in pursuit of a second goal and, very briefly, Nesta and Maldini almost looked a little flustered.
The concerns for United were twofold: 1) whether they could sustain that intensity and 2) whether a patched-up defence could hold firm if Kaka and Milan were able to find their rhythm going forward.
For much of the season United had played with a back four of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra, but an injury crisis had hit them at the worst possible time. Of those four, only Evra, having passed a late fitness test, was available. John OâShea was at right-back and Gabriel Heinze formed an unfamiliar central-defensive partnership with Wes Brown. Chris Eagles, Kieran Lee and Dong Fangzhuo were on the bench. If United had started on the front foot, it was in the belief that attack was their best form of defence.
And then Kaka took over.
It is easily forgotten or underestimated, in the age of Ronaldo and Messi, what a wonderful player the Brazilian was during his pomp at Milan. That night in Manchester, he was just majestic, constantly finding time and space in areas where neither seemed to exist. Midway through the first half, gliding away from Carrick and Brown and, with Heinze closing in, he placed a left-footed shot beyond Van der Sar and inside the far post for the equaliser. Fifteen minutes later, he bamboozled them for a second time, brushing off Darren Fletcherâs challenge and causing a comical collision between Heinze and Evra before stroking the ball past Van der Sar again. United had that sinking feeling.
A mesmeric Kaka scored twice at Old Trafford (Photo: Andrew Yates/AFP via Getty Images)
There were moments either side of half-time when Kaka threatened to put the tie beyond United but, even at the risk of being overwhelmed, Fergusonâs team kept trying to push forward. Fletcher, 23, had looked out of his depth against Pirlo, Seedorf and Gattuso in the opening period but in the second half, he was like a man possessed.
On 59 minutes, Scholes received the ball just outside a crowded penalty area. Rather than control it, he flicked a preposterous first-time pass beyond the reach of a stretching Nesta and into the path of Rooney, who made it 2-2. In the onslaught that followed, Fletcher forced two smart saves from Dida, Giggs went close with a couple of free kicks. Ronaldo cut inside from the left â very much his signature move back in 2007 â and struck a shot just wide of the near post.
The third goal United craved came in stoppage time, Giggs threading a ball through to Rooney, who took his shot early, beating Dida at his near post to spark delirious celebrations at the Stretford End. âOf course you make mistakes in games like that but we also created some great moments that Iâm delighted with and it proves weâve got the quality to win this tournament,â a breathless Ferguson said afterwards. âItâs not going to be easy in Milan but they know itâs not going to be easy for them either. I think we have an outstanding chance now.â
A week later, Ferguson and his players touched down at Malpensa in a confident mood. The Premier League title was now within touching distance after Ronaldo came off the bench to inspire a comeback from 2-0 down to beat Everton 4-2 at Goodison Park on the Saturday afternoon. âA massive victory,â Ferguson called it.
An even bigger victory followed on Merseyside on the Tuesday evening, Liverpool beating Chelsea on penalties to reach their second Champions League final in three seasons. If United could hold on to their first-leg lead and defeat Milan, a first all-English Champions League final beckoned in Athens â a terrifying prospect for UEFA and the organisers perhaps, but one that raised the stakes even further for United.
For Ferguson, concerns again surrounded his teamâs defence. Ferdinand and Vidic both made the flight to Milan after a groin problem and collarbone injury respectively, but Ferguson said it would be a âriskâ to start with either of them. Equally, it would be a gamble to start without either, particularly with Evra suspended and Neville out for the season. It was going to be a case of assessing them on the morning of the game and seeing if one or both of them could be patched up to play.
Milan had their own concerns. Inter, their neighbours, had already secured the Serie A title and, for all the reverence Ancelotti and his Milan team attracted, there was a growing air of consternation at the thought of finishing another season empty-handed. The Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, who was also Italyâs former (and future) prime minister, had gathered the clubâs players and staff together to demand they ended the season on a high. âI want a month of the old Milan,â he said.
âThe old Milanâ needed to roll back the years but so too, seemingly, did United, given all the pre-match talk of drawing inspiration from their semi-final second-leg win away to Juventus eight years earlier. Did this United team have what it would take to emulate the treble-winning team of 1999?
Ferguson promised they would play with the same cavalier attitude they were known for. âWe have to be realistic and accept that Milan are likely to score, so the safety net is to get an away goal ourselves,â he said in his pre-match press conference. âI donât think sitting on the edge of our box would do me, the team or the fans any good. If weâre going to do it, we will do it our way. If we are going to lose, weâll do it our way. Hopefully, it will be good enough.â
Perhaps he was more confident than he was letting on. When he got up at the end of his pre-match press conference the night before, one reporter spotted a notepad that had been put on the desk in front of the United manager. On the top page were a series of doodles and, at the centre, a handwritten message: âMilan 1 Man Utd 2.â
Sir Alex Ferguson is confronted by Milanâs Gennaro Gattuso at the end of the first leg (Photo: Martin Rickett â PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
The rain lashed down and the noise boomed from the giant speakers at the top of those towering stands. Unitedâs players were already out for their warm-up when their opponents ran out to the sound of Queenâs We Will Rock You. âGenarro Gattuso catapulted from the tunnel and sprinted towards one end with everything heâd got, ran into the corner and the San Siro just went absolutely nuts,â Carrick recalled in his autobiography. âIt must have been a ritual because they were all waiting for it.
âGattuso was like that all night. He ran everywhere and spent much of the evening kicking the life out of Ronaldo. Everybody, except the ref, could see what Gattusoâs game was â stop Ronnie (Ronaldo) by any means. Credit to Gattuso, he did his job to perfection.â
It was a Milan masterclass: Pirlo and Seedorf dictating the tempo, Kaka producing the sublime touches further forward and, yes, Gattuso a terrifying blend of energy and raw aggression. They tore into their opponents, desperate to overturn that first-leg deficit. Within half an hour, they were 2-0 up on the night. Seedorf set up the first, heading back a long ball towards Kaka, who struck another low shot past Van der Sar from the edge of the penalty area. Seedorf scored the second himself, punishing some poor defending by controlling a bouncing ball and lashing it into the bottom corner.
âI knew Seedorf was good from watching him over the years but I didnât realise how incredible he was until that night in Milan,â Carrick said. âHe was just a level above, playing off both feet and walking all over us as they won 3-0.â
Milanâs third goal was scored by Alberto Gilardino, racing clear with Heinze and an unfit Vidic in pursuit. âWe should have seen out the first 20 minutes without cutting our throats,â Ferguson said afterwards. âWe lost two goals very easily and at this level, you have to do better in defending these situations.â
Unitedâs Cristiano Ronaldo remonstrates with Gattuso in the second leg (Photo: David Davies â PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
Pirlo, Seedorf and Kaka were all outstanding but it felt like Gattusoâs night. Shortly after that third goal, with Kaka receiving treatment, the former Rangers midfielder started gesturing to the crowd, demanding more approval for his teamâs performance. The crowd responded â and so did Unitedâs players, who were less than impressed. Gattuso was booked for a skirmish with Scholes and, taunting his opponent with a couple of unpleasant gestures, he seemed in danger of being sent off.
Ancelotti, ever the cool head, took the midfielder off. Gattuso enjoyed every step of the walk, embracing Kaka and Marek Janukulowski on his way and then, finally, unleashing a primal scream of celebration that could even be heard above the noise of the home fans.
Milan were heading to another final, their third in five seasons, and this time, they hoped to gain revenge over Liverpool, who had beaten them in such extraordinary circumstances in Istanbul in 2005. Ferguson called it one of the best performances in Milanâs history and went on to say there was âno wayâ they could lose to Liverpool in the final. Ancelotti had given up a âmagnificentâ bottle of wine as a gift. âI told him I would only drink his wine once I see him lifting the trophy,â Ferguson said.
Carrick says he didnât sleep the night of that defeat in Milan in 2007 but he felt, looking back, like that men-against-boys experience shaped Unitedâs growth into European champions the following season. âNights like that â being so close to the final, but so far â you just want to hide,â he said. âBad nights in the San Siro taught us more than good nights at home to Roma as it made us appreciate the concentration and mentality required and made us even more determined. Me, Ronaldo, Rooney, Fletcher and Vida (Vidic) were new to this level, and we had to learn. Sometimes you have to suffer first.â
A year later, they won the Champions League, beating Chelsea on penalties in the final in Moscow. In the space of 12 months, as well as retaining their Premier League title, they suddenly looked a vastly more composed, disciplined, confident team on the European stage, a team who barely missed a beat over the next two seasons. Individuals such as Rooney and Ronaldo seemed to develop a sense of belonging on the European stage, but collectively, too, they grew in knowhow and assurance, as seen in the way they overcame Messiâs Barcelona team in the semi-finals with a masterclass in controlled knockout football.
United went on to reach the final in 2009 and 2011 but were beaten by Pep Guardiolaâs Barcelona on both occasions. In March 2010, when United and Milan met again in the quarter-finals, Fergusonâs team won 3-2 in Milan and 4-0 in Manchester. By that stage, Ronaldo had departed for Madrid but Rooney scored four goals over the two legs.
As for Milan, they got their revenge on Liverpool in Athens, just as Ferguson predicted, and went on to win the Super Cup and the Club World Cup. But rather than the continuation of a golden era in European competition, that proved the beginning of the end for that Milan team, particularly once Kaka was lured to Real Madrid, Ancelotti left for Chelsea and Maldini retired, all in the summer of 2009.
Milan went on to win the Champions League, beating Liverpool in Athens (Photo: Sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
Milan won another league title under Massimiliano Allegri in 2010-11, but they fell into decline as La Liga and the Premier League gained ascendancy over the Italian league. If they qualify for next seasonâs Champions League, it will be their first participation since 2013-14. Now they are bidding to reach a first European quarter-final since 2011-12.
Things arenât what they used to be for United and Milan, which is why they find themselves reunited in the Europa League rather than the competition they graced with such distinction in happier times. Both expect to be back in the Champions League next season but there have been other years when they have missed out on European qualification altogether, a poor state of affairs for two clubs who, as well as their rich history, have a financial power far above so many of their rivals.
Sooner or later, they will be back in the big time â perhaps even for good if the consequences of this latest Champions League carve-up are as widely expected. The marketing logic goes that when clubs such as Manchester United and AC Milan collide, the world switches on their televisions and radios in a breathless state of anticipation.
Is that true in 2021, when it is Europa League football played in empty stadiums? Perhaps not, but it certainly felt that way 14 years ago. That was European football at its most compelling and enthralling. In terms of quality, drama and atmosphere, it really doesnât get much better.
That was a great tie . The second leg Dunphy said âRonaldo is hype - Kaka is reality â or words to that effect .
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This game deserves a full house
Milan fairly decimated here. Only 7 subs, 2 goalkeepers and 2 youth team players in that.
Slavia one up v Rangers.
Carrick comes across very well in that
Kessie puts Milan 1 up.
Ruled out.
Utterly disgraceful call.
Italian clubs cheated out of it once again.
That was a very strange call
Milan are being screwed badly here.
A yellow card for that? Mental.
United have paid off the European refs too I see, the game stinks.
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