Olympique De Marseille – Manchester United Key Personal Battles
Manchester United will start as strong favourites to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals by defeating French champions Olympique de Marseille, but against a physically robust outfit, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men will do well to come through the tie without being bruised. As a unit, OM are certainly no shrinking violets and will try to outmatch the Premier League side physically through the centre and technically in the wide areas. The Red Devils have a wealth of European experience, which will certainly count in their favour as they prepare for an intriguing clash.
Cameroon
Nationality England
24 Age 25
Centre-back Position Striker
91
Castrol Ranking 12
Mercurial character Stephane Mbia spent last summer campaigning for a place in the heart of Marseille’s defence and this tie will be the Cameroonian’s chance to show that he really deserves the berth. Signed for an eight-figure fee 18 months ago from Stade Rennais, the 24-year-old’s strength is his most notable attribute, but his all-round performance will be tested by Wayne Rooney.
Though largely considered to be out of form for much of this campaign, England striker Rooney is a player who will have to be closely watched. Physically, the former Everton youth is simply a beast, and if he can start to bully his marker then much of his battle will be won. He could do with lacing up his scoring boots after a quiet 12-month spell on that front.
Argentina
Nationality Portugal
32 Age 24
Left-back Position Winger
96
Castrol Ranking 29
Veteran defender Gabriel Heinze will have to use all his nous if he is to contain the threat of Nani down Marseille’s left. The Argentine is preferred in a wide berth to Taye Taiwo, though he faces one of the biggest tests of his career against the Portuguese winger, who has the pace to leave the 32-year-old for dead. A former Manchester United player, of course, Heinze will want to excel against his former team-mates.
Nani, on the other hand, has the potential to make the South American look amateurish. Brilliant on his day, there can be little doubt about the quality of the former Sporting youth. A lack of consistency has prevented the Cape Verde-born player ascending to a higher status in the game, but now he has another chance to shine in front of the world.
Argentina
Nationality Scotland
30 Age 27
Centre-midfield Position Centre-midfield
74
Castrol Ranking 77
Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez was one of the first players Didier Deschamps brought with him to OM, acquiring him for a club record fee of €18 million from Porto. Though Lucho’s start in Provence was quiet, it was his influence in the centre of the field that really pushed les Phoceens to the French crown last season. If 29-year-old is allowed to dictate games, he is a match-winner.
Darren Fletcher’s destructive performances in the centre of the field for United are now at a terrific standard consistently, and he is the player that Sir Alex Ferguson will look to stop Lucho gaining possession with any regularity. Not the most graceful of players to watch, the Scotsman is thoroughly tenacious and has remarkable energy.
Brazil
Nationality Serbia
30 Age 29
Striker Position Centre-back
464
Castrol Ranking 47
Last summer’s big money acquisition Andre-Pierre Gignac picked up an injury at the weekend, leaving the brunt of the goal scoring burden to be shouldered by Brandao. Forget your stereotypical Brazilian attributes of flair and finesse, Brandao is a striker who relies on inudstry and power. Often he can lack a finishing touch in front of goal, so if he gets a sniff against Vidic, he'll have to take his chance.
Vidic will be the man asked to compete against the South American, and the powerful Serb would hope to have the measure of a man still lacking in confidence. The 29-year-old hasn’t necessarily been his dominant self over the course of this campaign, so no liberties can be taken, however. Due to the work ethic of Brandao, Vidic will have to be as wary on the ball as he is off it.
France
Nationality Scotland
42 Age 69
Head coach
Position Manager
On the sidelines for both teams there is a fantastic wealth of experience. In the OM dugout, the grey-haired figure of Didier Deschamps barks his commands. Still relatively new when it comes to Champions League football, the 1998 World Cup winner led Monaco to the final in 2005 but has since drifted in and out of the game. He will look for his side to be solid first and foremost.
Having led the Red Devils since 1986, there are few managers more experienced at the top level than Sir Alex Ferguson. With a whole catalogue of titles to his name, including two European Cups, ‘Fergie’ is considered to be one of the game’s great motivators. With a depth in his squad arguably shallower than in recent years, he may have to use his tactical brain to overcome Deschamps, however.
